It was just a simple business negotiation, you know?

Karina-chan here.

My business talk with Harumikazuchi-oneesama dragged on, and before I knew it, it was already night.

 

 

"Aw man, I got a little too fired up… but I got to fully enjoy big sis's beautiful and cute looks, so it's fine!"

I mean, it was just a business negotiation, okay? Really. We just did a little hands-on demo sale in a private room upstairs. Her lips were so soft. Hehehe. I don't remember last time, so this was basically my first time.

Oh, and what I sold was properly made, consuming materials. The materials were taken from pirates, but it's a prototype and still within the scope of a private transaction, so it's fine.

By the way, big sis said, "This will get copied right away. It's too simple." And from a merchant's point of view she advised, "It'd be best to mass-produce early and sell out fast." She's so kind. I love her!

Well, it's fine if it gets copied. If that sparks free competition in massage tools, someone might create ones better than mine.

I'll treat making massage devices — magic items rather — as a hobby.

A merchant's job is buying and selling; making is a craftsman's job. Karina the Merchant is a merchant.

Anyway, I need to go pick up Dea-kun.

Hmph, spatial magic go! … He's at the Adventurers' Guild. Good. Dash!

"Dea-kun! Sorry to keep you waiting!"

"Ah, Karina-neesan. Welcome back. Did the negotiation end?"

He greeted me with a bright smile. Ugh, I'm sorry. I was fully prepared to end up coming back in the morning! So dazzling!

"Yeah, all wrapped up. Oh, the massage device we made sold for five silver coins a set."

"They paid that much? Hype!"

"Next, we'll use that as capital to buy materials, make more, and sell them! It'll sell until knockoffs appear, but I'll give you your cut!"

Dea will handle development while I handle scaling.

I won't duplicate materials for products to sell, but skipping material processing with spatial magic is fair game!

"Yo, Karina. Took your sweet time, didn't ya? Not gonna greet us too?"

"Yeah, thanks senpai. Barkeep! Water and dinner for the seniors! Make it five including ours."

"Not booze?"

"You've been drinking since noon, right? Water's better now."

"True. You're thoughtful."

We all laughed together. Thanks to Harumikazuchi-oneesama, my wallet's warm enough that treating my seniors a bit didn't hurt at all.

"Wow, this sandwich has crisp veggies and is so tasty. The butter smells great, too."

"Hey, Dea. I heard elves don't eat meat? That has ham."

"Come on, Blade-san. We eat meat just like everyone else. That's just a myth."

Dea's already gotten friendly with my seniors… I feel a twinge of loneliness! Like when your doting little sister gets along with your friends and leaves you out!

"Shieldon-senpai, Sekko-senpai. How was Dea?"

"Polite, good kid. Blade said 'He'll make a good adventurer' like ten times."

"Hey, Karina-chan, is that kid really a boy? Maybe it's just me, but I sense some girlishness like the way he tilts his head or sits with his legs closed so you can't see up the skirt."

Hohoho, the fruits of education.

"Oh, right. The slaver's got a replacement and is back in business now. Word is a big batch just came in, so there might be some bargains."

"Oh, seriously, Sekko-senpai? Think there are any good slaves… a beauty with circumstances. I at least want to check prices."

"Beautiful girl… slave… ugh, my head."

"Rest in peace, Shieldon-senpai! I'll climb over your corpse!"

The reason for the influx is Alchemia. Refugees sold themselves to survive, or were sold by family, or sold off slaves they owned.

The slaver in this town, the closest to Alchemia, is apparently overflowing with them.

With the slaver unable to sort the stock, now's the time to find a hidden gem! I have to ride this big wave! I'm not above dipping into Dea-kun's living expenses!

I whispered to Dea in secret.

"Hey, Dea-kun, lend me money! I'll earn it back and repay you! I can pay you back with my body if you want!"

"… Just use it. You call it my living expenses, but it's basically your money from the start."

Kyaa—Dea-kun is so kind!

"Ah, but right. If we say I lent you money, it explains how a newbie merchant has funds to buy a slave. As expected of you, sis."

"Yep, something like that?"

Sorry, I hadn't thought that far at all. I'll pay you back properly, so don't worry!