"Of course, I have made sure of that. You don't suspect me, do you?　I'm offended. I don't think it's a good idea to make untrustworthy comments to someone who is doing his job well. And I always tell you to stop plucking bird feathers there. I think that's more of a problem.



"What a pain in the ass. Well, it's none of my business, so I don't care. Do you know Lydia, the self-proclaimed disciple of the great sage Domorte?



　The man's ramblings seemed to have become a nuisance.

　I certainly don't want to be around this guy.



　Anyway, ......, this guy must be related to Lydia.

　As I recall, Domorte said that the same magic was used in his research.

　It must have been several hundred years since Domorte died, so it would not be surprising if Lydia took an apprentice during that time.

　But I don't think I have anything to say here.



"A disciple of the great sage Domorte?　Are you okay?　It's one thing to believe in a fairy tale about a great sage, but someone who claims to be his disciple is either a fraud or a crook. How can I be friends with someone like that?"



　I decided to keep my mouth shut.



"You don't know. What's your name, Lydia?"

"Well. There was a girl at the bar named Lydia, but I don't ...... remember if she had a name like that. I don't remember if she had a name like that. I don't think she's in my drinking circle. What, did you smell her perfume on me?"



"No, it's okay if you don't know. No, it's okay if you don't know. I could feel the residue of magic from you, like you've been fighting someone I know. I was just wondering if you knew where I could find you.



Are you looking for me?

No, no. I was studying with him one time and he stole my research and ran out on me, so I thought he was after me. But you're different. You're not the type to take a woman like that under your wing. But you don't look like you could fight her and win."



　It seems that Lydia, who betrayed Domorte, had been betrayed by her own apprentice.

　What kind of karma is that?



"I see. I'm sorry I can't help you.

It's okay. Have a good day.



　The woman disappeared into a back room with the demon.

"Well, you're a good customer. She's a tough one, but you pulled her off so easily.

No, it's thanks to you. Thanks to you. Ah!　What's more, show me what kind of rare products you have.



Okay. Come here.

　I was led to a different room from the one the woman had just entered.

　It is a warehouse-like room with no sunlight and inside are cages of various sizes, filled with rare and unusual creatures.



　Among them were subhumans, which are not usually seen in this area.



"Amazing. I didn't expect anything like this.

"I know. My master traverses the seas to buy and sell slaves, so there are many rare demons here. Since you are so discerning I'll show you a special demon that has recently arrived.



　The man, who was not often in this store, started talking about things I did not ask him about.



"My master is about to auction off some slaves, look at this!　You'll be surprised!

　The man came up to a cage covered with a cloth and ripped off the cloth.



　There was a mermaid, smaller in stature than the other mermaids.

"Is this a ...... mermaid?"

"Yes, it is. She lives deep in the sea here, but my master caught her through a certain means. He says he's going to make it the centerpiece of this slave auction.



How much does this one go for?

"What, you want it?　You want it? I heard that Grizz, the no-good son of the merchants, will be at this year's slave market.



"What?　That much?　Because mermaids can be found around here, can't they?

No, mermaids are a fighting race and usually hard to catch. Well, between you and me, I'm still catching more than this one, so the price will gradually go down. If you want to buy one, it's better to do it after the third time than this time. The price will drop dramatically.



　Apparently, they are planning to sell one mermaid at the beginning to make them scarce and sell them at a higher price.

　This helped, though, because the other mermaids were placed together.



"Is there any way we can buy one at a lower price?"

"No. Grizz is basically willing to pay whatever it takes to get what he wants. He's a very competitive guy. He just likes to buy. This mermaid will get bored and killed soon enough anyway. He's got a terrible personality. But he's a good customer for us.



　I thought I could make some money by selling the treasure, but I guess it's not that simple.



"I'd like to participate in the slave market too, but can you tell me where, when, and what I need?"

"Yes, that's fine. There is a big white building behind here. That's the venue. The day after tomorrow at 6pm. All you need is ......."



　The guy puts his thumb and forefinger together again.

　Again. Well, that's just the way it is.

　I take the money out of my wallet and hold it in my hand.



"I'll tell them I introduced you to me, and when they ask, just tell them you introduced me to Dove. If they ask, just tell them you introduced me to Dov and they'll let you in. Just be careful about one thing. You know that some things are illegal. If you buy anything, watch your back. I'm warning you, because you're a softy, but there are some dangerous people in and out of here."



　The man came close to my face and whispered to me, but his mouth smelled even worse than his body.

　I wondered what he ate to make his mouth smell like this.



"Okay. Thank you."

"That's all right. Let me show you something else that's different.






　With that he made me look at the other strange demons for a while.

　Now, we have to think about what to do, though we have less time than we thought.

　Let's prepare what we can besides money.