After the defeat was over, everyone had a launch party at a high-class restaurant.

　According to Window Flower's calculations, the reward amount would be 60 old Ares Imperial gold coins equivalent. The value of the money varies depending on the type and region, but it's not half a lot of money. It's roughly the equivalent of a medium-sized shopkeeper's annual income of two years. Subtracting the amount of Arrup remittances, there are 54 coins.

　If it is a coin of the old Ares civilization, the value is stable and popular, but in fact I think there are many different currencies mixed in.


Next morning

'You can't pay me for the work I've accomplished?　Are you trying to get into trouble with the alps?

　I've been tussling with my clients this morning, Pepelo and Bluth. These guys don't pay me honestly!

It's not that we won't pay, sir?　I don't have any cash. If you're in a hurry, I can provide you with a promissory note or stock....

　Mr. Bluth....
　Can you look me in the eye and talk to me, please?　

That's not good news. When they heard of the demon's attack, the chamber of commerce and industry association evacuated their vault in a horse and cart. I'm sorry for the shame of my people.

　Mr. Peppero showed me a sample.　You'd think a merchant like Bruce would have a thicker skin than this.

　But it's absolutely false, no matter how compelling the performance is. A merchant would never escape with a large amount of money without an escort. Perhaps he gathered a few trustworthy people and divided it up into small portions... and then evacuated with the money as baggage to the main city. Now he's hiding out in the main city.

　I'm sure I know why.

''I heard that the mining city successfully defended itself this time, but I heard that the damage was heavy. When that happens, there will be no products to deliver, even though they've received orders. If that happens, our trust will be ruined....

　Mr. Peppero remains smiling, not moving a single eyebrow. Ms. Bluth ... it's on her face, isn't it?

"Did the mining town tell you that you can only sell cash on the house?

　The aim is to secure cash for purchasing anyway. The merchants on the mining city side probably won't be able to last until the settlement date due to the damage. Besides, the main city was also damaged. Perhaps reconstruction demand is the target. But the shipments from the mining city are down, goods are in short supply, and the market is going up.

　How much cash do they have?
　That's the deciding factor in the business right now.

　And if you can secure the stuff, you can sell it at a higher price. If you get paid for your sales and then pay for them, you make a lot of money. Reluctance to pay mercenaries doesn't reflect well on the trust between merchants.

　And moreover, I'm a flowing mercenary.

　I can see your intentions, and I'm not stupid enough to honestly agree with you.

''No, no, it's a terrible misunderstanding. 　We can top it up with securities and help you with your research?

　It appears to be a show of good faith, topping up the fee at a later date for half the amount of money. But this was at the request of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. There is absolutely no 30 gold coins at Pepelo's personal discretion.

　So it's a scheduled performance, and he actually has more cash on hand.

　But if you force him to pay, he's going to reopen the door and say that the face value is right, even mixing in the money in a literal sense. If you insist that the market price and the face value are different, they will likely pay in bronze or iron coins.


　Then it would be hard work just to check the quality and face value. It's heavy to carry around. The exchange fee is also expensive.

　We'll just have to give in here........

　But!　Instead, I'm going to extract as much of your securities and help as I can. First, he discusses his cooperation with the former Ares under the guise of a survey of civilization. Pepeuro has a library entrance permit in the name of Roberto and his company. He said he would be willing to lend it to me, so I was grateful.

　...but it's still not enough.

　Next, Mr. Bulls, he had some mining development shares in his personal investment. He said he would give away the equivalent of 15 face value gold coins in the amount of 10. The location of the mine is on the west side of the Great Ares Mountains. Apparently it should be dangerous by nature, but it's a precipitous area where demons can't come down.

　If that's the case, what's the bargain?

　Selling at face value and discounting five gold coins before you even negotiate?　Even if it's not a popular stock, it usually fetches more than its face value.

　What?　If you look closely, it's close to the Berta Urban Confederacy, but it's also close to the Alp Guards Country. Even if the value is low, if it's something Sailor-sama wants, the transportation costs are cheap and I'm willing to compromise.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this. Didn't you also do some prospecting?　What do you think you're going to get?

　Ask union employees to also have maps, documents, etc. available before you ask. Information and documents are weapons in the trade. We can't be fooled.

'It's only rock salt there at the moment, but depending on your research, I hear there's still another one that's not likely to come out...'

　Coal has made it easier to refine sea salt, and the dwarves have stopped mining and exploring for rock salt, which they are not interested in. Also, rock salt is inherently cheaper, but some of it looks and tastes bad as it is and is not suitable for salt. After all, it has little commercial value unless it is melted down and the impurities are removed.

　However, coal mining technology is not that well developed either. Unless you're an earthen magician, it's not that efficient. The transportation costs are also quite high.

　Above all, it's sold exclusively to dwarves, so the price is also relatively high. But is sea salt that much more competitive than rock salt?

　I was curious, so I asked about the main salt import routes in the Alpu Guard.

　The southern end of the Orin oracle country located in the south of the Alpu Guard. Sunlight is strong and there is little rain, and the coast is close to the coal mine. That is the production area. They export all the way north from there to the Alps, but they go through a lot of nobleman's territory.

　You can expect it to be ridiculously expensive in taxes and transportation costs.

　The Aigis shield country southwest of the Alps also has a sea, but no suitable land for salt fields. The rock salt samples from Brus are habitual and somewhat poorly colored, but they are not harmful for use as salt....

"Window flowers, I need you to work with Midea to bring me something. Bring me some cheese and butter, and some cheap bread, preferably warm or reheated. At the Chamber of Commerce. Just as soon as you can.

"Yes, sir. I'll get it to you right away.

'If you are willing to sell the salt to Viscount Sela, I am willing to pay you in mine shares. I will consign the rights to the salt dividends and discounted preferential treatment in writing to the hostess Serra. There are some intervening roads, and I'll ask you to pay the market price for transportation, please?

　Now, here's where I come in.