As soon as we arrived at the mansion, Julia informed Eltria of our arrival.

　As she informed us of our visit, Julia appeared in the wedding dress.

　If I had to describe it in one word, it would be extravagant.

　Frills were sprinkled all over her body, and diamonds glittered in the sunlight that occasionally reflected from the windows. There were roses adorning her chest, and with her hands clasped over her chest, she looked like she was holding a bouquet of flowers. The skirt was also soft and expansive, adding to the opulent impression.

'What do you think?' Julia asked for my opinion with her eyes, and I answered honestly, "It's beautiful. It's very beautiful," she replied. I couldn't find any other words to answer her.

　But when Julia heard that, she was not happy and her cheeks puffed up again like a child.

''It's no good. My ideal is a dress so beautiful that Ike-sama is at a loss for words. You can't describe the beauty in words. I'll have to remake it.

　With that said, he immediately started to take off his dress.

　I'm not sure of the logic, but apparently he didn't like it. It's a shame. Really, you were as beautiful as your words.

　Satie, for example, was raptured by the gorgeousness of that dress, which she would have never seen before in her life.

　As we went back to change, Yulia informed me that Eltria was waiting for me in my room.
　Satie and I both went to Eltria's room.


It's good to see you after all these years, groom. I'm glad to see you're in good health.


　Eltria, who greeted me with that, was still in the middle of looking through the documents as if she was busy.

　As usual, he's always working at all times, isn't he? Well, I can't speak for others either.

What's the matter with you this time?　From what Julia has told me, it doesn't sound like you're here to prepare for the wedding, though.

Well, I'll save that for another time but this time I'm here to negotiate on behalf of the Demon King's Army.

I don't think that's what this is about. That's okay. What's the deal?

I want to receive a large quantity of food and spices as soon as possible. You'll get it later.

　When I cut to the chase, Eltria stopped her work with a snap. And then she turns her sharp eyes to me.

　It's as if her gaze is piercing. Just by being stared at, my entire body seems to get wet with cold sweat.

..........................In other words, you want me to pick up the tab?

Yes, that's right. It's a very rude offer, I know.

　Somehow, please.

　Saying that, I bowed my head deeply, while Sati, who was three steps behind me, also bowed her head as well.

''........That's unusual. It's hard to believe that the Demon King's Army, which usually pays the price immediately, is doing this. What's going on?　I can't pay you right away, maybe circumstances have arisen.

As you may have guessed. But I can't discuss the specifics of the situation, as you can imagine.

　With my head down, I respond.

　This Etria is a woman in whom I have complete confidence. I have no intention of leaking any information that would be detrimental to our cause to the Lords Alliance.

　However, there is no telling where that information might come from.

　This time, however, the situation is what it is. You can't be sure that you'll be able to find out what's going on. You can't talk about that, but you can't tell anyone else.

You can't tell anyone about the situation, because you can get a good idea of what's going on by telling them. Don't underestimate me too much, son-in-law.

..........

Well, I won't let you pry into it too much. ----By the way, do you understand the nature of bill paying?

''I recognize that I'm a contract based on the trust I've had in you,''

That's right. That's right. A bill is a payment that secures a witness's trust in a customer. The bill is a form of payment that only works if you can trust that he will make the payments on time, even after the fact.

　In a previous life in Japan, there was something called a credit card. The structure of the credit card is similar to that of the bill payment.

　There are many credit cards that need to be examined before they are issued. The purpose of this is to determine whether you can pay the amount you paid with your credit card in cash later on. If you are not trustworthy at this stage, you will not be able to get a card.

　Will the trust of me and the Demon King's Army be worth the wait for payment?
　I could hear my heart beating prematurely and loudly.

　Eltria let out a deep sigh as she stared at me.

''If I have to say as an ally of the Trade Union, let me say that----as far as our previous dealings with the Demon King's Army are concerned, I can declare that you guys are worthy of trust.

Wha... are you sure?

'Ah. You guys have been more sincere in your dealings with us than any of the others I've done business with. I'm sure we could agree to pay the bill for once.

'Thank you. I'm glad to hear that.

　I could feel my shoulders relax.

　All at once, my muscles, which had been so strong, are weakening, and my whole body is like a balloon with no air. Still, I try desperately to endure it so that I don't collapse from my knees. Seeing the situation, Eltria laughed hilariously.

''What a rare thing for a son-in-law. Wasn't that a big mouthful for you to have a chance of winning?''

'I do believe we were dealing in good faith. I just wasn't sure if that would meet the requirements for paying the bill.

''Then it's unnecessary. We have full confidence in the Demon King's army. It's a good idea to have the same amount of trust in the army of the demon king, unless the demon king is defeated or his son-in-law has defected, in which case, I will continue to do business with them. No, I would also like to increase the amount of business dealings if possible.

''Thank you. When this one is over, I'll submit a proposal to the Demon Lord.

Oh, come on. I've told you before.　A merchant is a creature that bets on the better odds.

　Smiling, Eltria gave me a girlish smile.
　With this, food and spices have been procured.

　The preparations for battle are steadily being prepared. All we need to do now is to take the food we've found and carry it to the town of Azuchi.

　I turned around to find Sati smiling at me.

　She was pleased with the success of our negotiations, and I broke out in a cold sweat, thinking that my legs were about to lose their strength.