Next, I'll need your approval on this one, sir.
Yeah?

　My sluggish consciousness was drawn back.
　The hall of the audience, the daily office of the vassals lined up in a row.

　Unusually, Mimis prefaced the meeting with the need for an answer.

'What?'
Thaddeus has requested a meeting with the master of the house.
Thaddeus the merchant?
Yes.

　Mimis nodded.

　Thaddaeus is the name of the merchant whose previous head borrowed money for the revival of the Trikala Mine before I became head of the family.
　By the way, the 50,000 gold coins he borrowed back then have already been paid off with the proceeds from turning the Trikala Mine into a silver mine.

　In other words, I shouldn't be involved in it anymore.

'Is this about the debt?'
I believe you've settled that and the interest.

　Mimis replied with a reluctant face.
　The perception is the same, and Mimis can't read the other guy's purpose either.

　Hmm.

'What can I do for you?'
Let's go see her.

　Curious about what they wanted, I decided to meet them anyway.

　　　　　☆

　He entered the parlor of the mansion.
　A middle-aged man was waiting for me inside.

　He's a fat man, wearing rings and jewelry and all sorts of other things, and looks like a merchant, but the occasional glint in his eye shows that he's someone you can't be too careful with.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most of your time with us.

'This is the first time I have met you, Hermes-sama. The name in front is Thaddeus Salamus, henceforth known to you.
Yeah. Nice to meet you.

　Thaddeus remained standing for a long time until I moved across from him and sat down in a chair. He waited for me to sit down, and then the other side finally took a seat as well.

'So, what's it like today?'

　I asked bluntly.

"Ha, today I would like to present these items to Herr Hermes...

　Thaddaeus said reverently, and clapped his hands with a pang.
　Then the door to the parlor opened and a number of servant-like men entered, carrying boxes.

　A decorated box - a treasure chest.

　After laying it all out, Thaddaeus signals with a chin shake.
　When the servants opened the box - a golden glare hit them.

　I squinted and held up my hand to see what it was.

　It was gold coins.

　Each box was packed full of gold coins.

'What's that?'
It's just a thoughtful gesture before you.
You're so kind to me.

　I'll do a quick visual count.
　I assumed the size of the gold coins, the number of boxes, and that they were packed normally without bulking up.

　Roughly, it's something like 50,000.
　You mean 50,000?

　I have an idea for that number.
　That's the same amount the Cano family borrowed from this guy for the Trikala mine.

A debt pusher?
No, no, no. It's just a thought that comes before.
I don't know what you mean. Can I have one?
I'd appreciate it if you could take it.
....

　I really don't get it.
　Thaddeus is underhanded.
　It makes it look like he really just wants me to get this.

　I can see it, but it's not going to happen.
　Even a three-year-old knows that there's nothing higher than free stuff.

　I hesitated, thinking about that.

'I overheard that Master Hermes has been awarded two orders of the Xixos Cross.
Hmm?　Yeah, you got it.
Then I suppose it's only a matter of time before you become a viscount.
'For the viscount?　You mean you're going to be promoted up one notch from the current baron.
Again - no, no, I understand the position of Lady Hermes, who can't talk about it until the official edict is given.
....

　I think I can see it now.
　Let's see if we can't answer a few questions.

　I keep my eyes on the box full of gold coins as I speak to Thaddeus.

'Merchants are intelligent creatures with information and wind direction.
Thank you, sir.

　Thaddaeus looked satisfied, despite his poor performance.

　I see.
　This is, in other words, a bribe.
　Two unprecedented orders of the Cross.
　And both were awarded for the reason of defeating the Slime Lord.
　If you have a certain amount of connections, you can easily understand that Lina and Shaw were recommended by two members of the royal family.

　It's not much of an achievement, but two medals recommended by two members of the royal family.
　They think I'm in the royal family's good graces, and they're trying to trick me.

　I'm relieved to know that it's all pretty much settled.
　And I'm thinking, "What should I do with this?
　Play some bad ass lord. I'll take a bribe.
　No, I'll ask for more.

　It's the money-grubbing man who's blinded by the money that defines the failure.
　All right, we're getting close.

-Oh!
How can I help you?
It's nothing. I got this. Thank you.
What was the mistake in front of you?
Don't worry, there's no such thing.

　I said, sitting in the middle of the room and leaving the parlor.
　My instincts kicked in.
　If I demanded it there, the wind would have blown and my reputation would have risen again like a tuber.

　That's what would happen, and it's been that way since I became lord.
　That's what happens when you try to do something bad, of course.

　That's why I don't ask for it.
　And I won't fight back.

　I'm not that stupid.
　I know that if I push back, I'll get a legitimate boost in my reputation, in the positive direction.

　I'm not going to make that mistake.
　If you say you'll give me that, I'll take it.
　Instead, I end the conversation with a flat expression, neither happy nor unhappy.
　It's the safest way to end the conversation.

You're very good, Hermes.

　On my way back to my room, I was grabbed by my sister in a dress.
　Her sister looked impressed.

'You saw that?'
Yeah.
Yeah. But that's not what I'm talking about. He brought it to me.
No, that's not what I'm talking about.
"Huh?

　What do you mean by that?　He craned his neck to look at his sister.

'You've been very salty now,'
'Salt handling...?　Yeah, what about it?
'Difficulty is the usual way to ask for more money under your sleeve, but there's a more casual, higher method.
Higher...?

　Shit, I don't know, I feel like shit.

'I don't give satisfaction, that's all. When you come from the other side, that's all you have to do to get them to discover you. And when someone comes at you, you can tell them you didn't say anything.
....
That's the way you handle things under your sleeve, Hermes.
No, no, er...

　I didn't think it was possible, I didn't know how much of a stupid story that would be.
　Because I didn't say anything.
　I just didn't say anything, okay?

　So you're going to give them more money?
　No, it's not possible--

　I thought.
　That evening, anonymously, another 50,000 gold coins were sent to me.

　I was stunned in front of the gold coins, which totaled 100,000.
　And a satisfied sister.

''You move fast, as expected of a merchant.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, it's not that bad... don't you think we should send it back?
Send them back?　Where?
"Huh?
If it was sent to you anonymously, where do you send it back?
It's...
And...
Yeah, and?
There will be more if you send them back.
Yuck!

　I understand that.
　But.....

That's what I'm talking about, Hermes, you make 50,000 gold pieces with just one look.

　The unexpected result (...) left me at a loss for words.