CH 49

“I am Aria, the head of this village.”

“Thank you for the kind welcome. My name is Sieg, and I am a trader based inside the territory. These are the people whom I’ve hired as escorts – Racquel-san, Lilifa-san, and Zeal-san.”

As we entered the building, there was a big table set in the room, so both parties sat on opposite ends and introduced each other.

“Some coarse tea for you.”

“Ooh. My, oh my, I am very grateful.”

The girl who greeted us alongside Aria-san, brought us tea.

After confirming that Aria-san had laid her lips on her glass, I picked up my cup as well.

It was commonplace for a trader to be poisoned in such places, and have their cargo stolen.

I had the highest resistance to poison in our party, so it’s usually my job to act as a poison-tester.

(I’m supposed to be the leader though…)

Focusing on my taste buds to detect even the slightest presence of poison, I drank the tea.

“!? Yum!”

I unconsciously say that.

After all, it was the most delicious tea I had drunk in my entire life time.

It had a slight sweetness, and its moderate bitterness and acidity further enhanced its taste.

I took another gulp, then two, and before I knew it I’d finished my cup.

“Ah!”

Finally after finishing my cup did I realize, that I was originally supposed to check for poison.

At the very least, there were no immediate symptoms of numbness.

“I am glad you liked it.”

“I apologize for my indecency.”

I lowered my head.

It had been a while since I was this embarrassed, at such an age.

“Ho, this is exquisite. I couldn’t possibly blame Racquel-san for acting indignant.”

Sieg-san cleans up after me, after drinking his cup of tea.

However, there was a tinge of surprise in his eyes as well.

He must have been genuinely surprised at its taste.

“H, hey, Racquel. Let us have some of that tea as well!”

“(Nod nod)”

Lilifa and Zeal walked up to me and asked for a taste.

“…No way. I’m not letting you two drink any as insurance.”

“…Fine. Then promise you’ll let us drink the next time.”

“Sure. Next time.”

This was an escort mission.

It’s ideal for adventurers to find their own food and water as much as possible.

I had no choice as a poison tester, but those two were better off not eating anything.

It would have been different if we were regulars here, but this was our first time in this village.

It’s better to practice caution.

“I’ll share some tea-leaves with both of you.”

“Eh!? Is that fine?”

“Of course. It’s only dehydrated herbs we found in the Demon Forest, after all.”

It seems like they heard our conversation.

It’s a bit embarrassing, but one should accept kindness.

“That you’re willing to do business with my escorts, means you’re willing to do the same with me, yes?”

“Wai-, Sieg-san?”

Sieg-san butts into our conversation.

Well, it’s delicious enough to be sold as a product, but if we end talks here, I’ll be asked to buy these two’s share as well.

“It’s fine, Raquel-san. I think that the fact that we received this tea here means that they want to turn this tea into a product. I don’t believe you’ll be asked to purchase that, which was offered as a gift before.”

“I would do no such thing.”

As Aria-san says that, the lady from earlier puts a bag in front of us. It probably had those tea-leaves.

That bag was placed in front of me as well as Sieg-san.

“Oya? Isn’t it too much to share with us as well?”

“Not at all. It isn’t hard to procure for us.”

Aria-san smiled brightly.

I don’t get it, but it may be an insider trading trick.

“I see…”

Sieg-san opened his bag to confirm its contents.

When I checked my share, it had dry green leaves inside.

I can make maybe 10 cups of tea with this?

“Is this much enough for one bag?”

“Hmm, isn’t this too little? These are tea-leaves you won’t find anywhere else in this country, you know?”

“In that case…”

Sieg-san makes a sign with her hand.

Words have power in them.

That’s why hand signals were often used during these negotiations, but I had no idea how much she offered.

Truthfully, there wasn’t any need for adventurers like us to learn them either.

“…Let’s settle with that.”

“I’m honored being able to do business with you.”

It seems like negotiations were settled. Both Sieg-san as well as Aria-san had a satisfied look on their faces.

“By the way, it came to my notice that your resident alchemist was making large volumes of earth extract, but are they still interested in selling?”

“Earth extract?”

“…Yes. It’s a green liquid of earth attribute. It’s quite handy when performing alchemy.”

Aria-san shook her head at the mention of earth extract.

It seems that she was genuinely clueless about it.

This might be a dud after all.

The goal this time was for Sieg-san to confirm that there was a highly proficient alchemist in this village.

It might have been worthwhile just to buy these tea-leaves, but with no alchemist, it seems like a minor gain in comparison.

“Aria-sama, a moment…”

“What is it? Milia.”

As we were troubled, the lady who served as the waitress, approached Aria-san and whispered something to her.

“Aah, so its official name was ‘earth extract’?”

“I believe so.”

“Then could you ask for Lain’s permission, and bring whatever is left over?”

“Understood.”

After a brief conversation, the lady named Milia leaves.

“My apologies. Do you refer to the product we shared with the lord of this land?”

“Yes, that’s it. If you could spare any, do you think you could sell it to us?”

Sieg-san pats his chest down.

It’s a big harvest for him just knowing that there is an alchemist here.

It would be be an even greater harvest if he were able to buy the actual product.

Unable to hide his happiness, or rather not wanting to, Sieg-san had a wide smile on his face.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

As Milia-san said this, Sieg-san’s face froze as he saw the large gourd of earth extract she brought with her.