Interspecies Trader

He frowned, not liking what he was hearing.

“What is there to think about? You’ll never get a better offer in your life.”

“I understand that, but I’m not the only person operating this business. I need to talk with my employees and managers, and more importantly, with the selnic items supplier. It’s critical if I want to keep the trust between us going on.”

His eyes lit up when I mentioned the supplier.

“We can help on that side. If you leave it to us, we’ll convince them for you.”

“I appreciate it, but this is something I have to do myself. They don’t trust strangers. I’ll make the arrangements and come back to you as soon as possible.”

“When can we expect a positive answer?”

“I’m sure exactly either.”

“Why would this take more than a few days?”

“My supplier is in a secret place far away from here. I’m sorry to say this, but your proposal came as a complete surprise. I’ll need to organize the trip and spend a long time going there. You know our shop just opened, too. I wasn’t planning on going anywhere for a long time. My goal was to stay around until the business stabilized. Anyway, please don’t worry about it. I know where your headquarters is. I’ll find you when everything is settled.”

He stared at me with suspicion.

“We can’t wait that long.”

“This is truly the best I can do. Please give me a bit of time, and we’ll reach an arrangement that benefits everyone.”

There was a moment of silence as he examined my expression.

“…Fine. But be warned that we, at Miwai, hate trickery the most.”

It was funny to say that with their reputation. Except for the other two great companies, not many businesses were as shady as theirs.

“I understand.”

He nodded and left soon after, probably going to report the result of our meeting. With this, I earned myself some time. Eventually, they would get bored with waiting and try some more radical methods, but at least for now, that was taken care of. Of course, nothing was certain in the world. They could also decide I was just saying nonsense and strike immediately.

The next priority was to take care of Selva, but it was still too soon. I wanted to wait for a few more days. Until then, I resumed my normal activities, being more careful than usual since I now had clear, identified enemies.

**********

Meanwhile, in Geola’s city hall. Laine had asked to report on something during one of the normal meetings. This was one of her rights as one of the chosen six merchant groups sponsored by the city hall.

“…Is what he said.”

She proudly concluded, with the finishing touch being the crazy merchant's insults toward the miss. She had specifically chosen to report during a meeting so that many important officials would hear it, hoping to create chaos and maybe even be rewarded for her loyalty.

However, the participants’ reactions were very different from what she expected. Except for Crali trembling in rage with her fists clenched, the rest sported the opposite of the offended looks she had been waiting for.

In the corner, the Lady was openly laughing while lying on her sofa, not even trying to hide her mocking snickering. At the table, many officials nodded, appreciating her words as if they were profound.

“A spoiled girl with slight anger management issues… How fitting.”

“He has good eyes for people.”

“He precisely pinpointed it.”

“I wouldn’t have been able to find a more suitable description.”

“Miss, why don’t you marry him? It’s rare to find someone who understands you so well.”

This was the last straw for Crali. She exploded, shouting at full voice.

“What! Marry that lowlife!? Have you all lost your mind!?”

“It’s true that he’s too good for you. That also means it’s an opportunity for you.”

“What do you mean, an opportunity! You’re all crazy! And what, I should marry someone who insults me in public!?”

“Isn’t it much better than a sneaky man who hides his heart and his intention? At the very least, he’s brave enough to say the truth out loud.”

“What do you mean, the truth! Argh! I can’t take this anymore! Tilaaaaaa! You’re dead!”

She rushed out of the meeting room, not even bothering to say anything further. The officials shook their heads, sighing with pity.

“A spoiled girl is going to bother a hard-working man.”

“How sad.”

“Poor guy.”

Finally, one of them frowned at Laine, who had no idea what was happening.

“And you, snitching on your colleague like this? How pathetic is that?”

“Did we choose the wrong person to sponsor?”

“Tsk, what a mistake.”

Laine trembled in humiliation, nothing having gone as she expected. She remembered Tila Urtek’s words from the previous day, which she had believed were nonsense. Could there have been some truth to it after all? If yes, she was indeed in trouble. She hurriedly tried to save her situation.

“M-May I ask, why are you all siding with that small trader?”

“That’s not for you to know. Leave now.”

“We’ll give you another chance. Focus on what you have to do instead of such silly backstabbing. We’re not sponsoring you for that.”

Faced with a full room of reproving, powerful individuals, she could only lower her head, defeated.

“Yes, please… forgive me. I’ll take my leave now.”

She left as if her back was on fire, not daring to look back a single time.

**********

I had barely managed to get the Miwai representative to leave when an enraged jaguar stormed my store. Crali looked truly furious, her face all red, ready to pounce at any moment.

“Tilaaa! You dare insult me in broad daylight now?”

The shop’s clients and my employees were all shocked by the sudden arrival, especially those who recognized who she was. I smiled peacefully, shaking my head.

“It was nighttime, to be exact.”

“Argh! Enough! I challenge you to a duel! I’ll take care of you once and for all!”

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