Rumble, rumble.
"The carriage feels crowded because of me. Lord, should I sit next to the driver?"
"No, it's fine. And if it's crowded, whose fault would that be? It's because of my body."
"No, not at all! I didn't mean to offend you, my lord!"
"Haha, it's alright. It's actually better with three people instead of two. By the way, Arkenes."
"Yes, my lord."
"I won't force you to stay. Watch me and Hayes sell our creations, then decide if you want to join us."
"Thank you. I'm still a bit shocked by the unexpected offer. It feels like you've known me for a long time."
"That's how fate works. It connects people in unexpected places."
"Thank you for letting me accompany you! I have some connections in Ronella territory. I can find us a good spot if you leave it to me!"
"Thank you."
"And please call me Aki. My name is quite long, you see. Haha."
I was startled by Arkenes, or rather Aki, who was blushing and squirming. What's this? A guy blushing in front of another guy? I'm not used to it.
Anyway, I ended up teaming up with Aki. I suggested he join our journey to Ronella territory since he had nowhere to go after losing everything. I didn't ask him to be my subordinate right away. I wanted him to see my skills and the items I sell first. If he found it suitable, I promised to set up a merchant group in the territory and asked him to lead it. It was quite a bold proposal for a first meeting.
Aki was still dazed after being rescued from a bandit hideout and suddenly being offered to lead a merchant group. I understood his confusion. But I didn't expect to meet Aki here, so my offer was a bit rushed. If I hesitated and Aki left, such a good opportunity might not come again.
It seemed fate brought us together, and we clicked. So, Aki, Hayes, and I were on our way to Ronella territory in a carriage.
"Aki, can you tell us your story so far? We still have a long way to go to Ronella. Let's hear your story. Hayes here loves listening to others' stories."
"Aki! How did you end up heading to our territory?"
Hayes, being twenty-three, spoke casually to twenty-year-old Aki. Unlike me, they were both from commoner backgrounds, and their friendly conversation was nice to see.
"I've always wanted to be a trader, not just a merchant, but a real trader."
Aki began his story. During our journey to Ronella territory, we listened to Aki's many stories without stopping. Each was interesting, full of ups and downs, like a young trader's adventurous tale.
In Ronella territory, near the dungeon, there's a merchant street. We settled there. I was surprised by the spot Aki had reserved and asked him.
"Wow, this is a great spot. How did you manage to reserve it?"
"Well, as you know, Ronella is famous for its dungeon. I saw its potential for future growth, so I've been bribing the person managing the merchant street for a long time."
"Bribery, huh? Did it work well?"
"There's no one who hasn't taken a bribe at least once."
"Hahaha."
I couldn't help but laugh. This was Aki's character. He would use any means necessary to succeed. In many ways, he was similar to me.
"Since you saved me, I'm just repaying the favor. Though I feel it's not enough."
"No, it's more than enough. It's the best spot, right in the middle of the path to the dungeon. There's no place with more foot traffic."
I was very satisfied. I thought all the good spots were taken, so I was planning to set up shop on the outskirts. But thanks to Aki's skills, we got the best spot. His abilities were already showing.
"Hayes, what are you doing? Turn around."
"Huh?"
"The lord is about to make the herbal remedy. We can't see the recipe. Even the closest people shouldn't know it."
"Oh, right! You're right. Sorry, my lord!"
"No worries. I was going to say it, but Aki beat me to it."
"The Ronella disease remedy will be a groundbreaking product! The lord is planning to sell it as a trial, right? Just sell the first batch cheaply."
"And then raise the price?"
"Yes. Once the hunters experience the cure, they'll spread the word themselves. Getting a remedy at a low price is as good a story as any adventure tale."
"I agree. Aki, you're really sharp."
"You're too kind. I've just picked up a lot from here and there. ...Haha."
Aki blushed again. Why does he keep doing that? He seems embarrassed by my words. Maybe he's not used to compliments?
Anyway, the first remedy was completed. With the crafting skill, my body moved on its own, smoothly making the herbal remedy without much focus.
[Herbal crafting completed!]
[Your crafting skill has greatly improved to level 2!]
[You've reached the daily limit for skill improvement. No further progress for 24 hours.]
'As expected, I hit the limit right away. In the early days, when I didn't know about this bug, it took months to improve my skills. It makes me sick just thinking about it.'
Now that I know how to bypass the skill limit, it's not a problem.
"The remedy is done. I also made the mana potion earlier."
I shook two bottles. One was the Ronella disease remedy, and the other was a mana potion. It restored 10 mana, known among hunters as a 'lowest-grade mana potion.'
"Are you ready, my lord? Hayes, are you ready?"
"Ready."
"Yes, I'm ready to promote it!"
"Then I'll go find a buyer right away. Oh? Hold on!"
Suddenly, Aki dashed into the crowd and started talking to a hunter with two swords at his waist.
"Mr. Toln! How have you been?"
"Oh? Aki, is that you? What brings you here? Weren't you heading to Crivia territory? Why go to that doomed place?"
I heard a harsh truth being spoken, but I ignored it. That's how people viewed my territory, and it needed improvement urgently.
"How's your Ronella disease?"
"Well, I'm just managing with a mild cough for now. Remedies are expensive, you know. It's bad luck catching this disease. Damn it."
"Remedies are expensive, right? They cost a fortune, and the blessing from the high priest has a six-month wait even if you pay."
"Yeah, tell me about it. So, what brings you here?"
"Mr. Toln, this is a secret just for you... It seems a groundbreaking remedy for Ronella disease has been discovered in Crivia territory!"
"What? Is that true? I've never heard of it."
"Of course! It was developed just two days ago. Someone has already been cured with it!"
"Where can I buy it?"
Aki pointed towards me and winked. Hayes and I stood with welcoming smiles for Toln. Today, I'm not a lord but a herbal and potion maker from Crivia territory. If they find out I'm a lord, it would mean visiting a neighboring territory without official notice, leading to public complaints from the Ronella lord. I want to avoid such headaches.
"That person over there developed the remedy. I've arranged a special price for you, just 1 gold."
"Only 1 gold?"
"Just for you. You're a good person and know many people! This is my special perk for you!"
"Lead the way! I want to buy the remedy. I have plenty of money! But... it's not a scam, right?"
"Have I ever lied to you?"
"Never. I always trust your word, but this is a bit surprising."
Toln, led by Aki, came over to me.
"Welcome! We're a merchant group from Crivia territory! This is the first and last external sale of a remedy exclusively sold in the territory!"
Hayes cheerfully introduced us. Her smooth delivery showed she'd practiced a lot.
I added, "The remedy was just crafted. As you can see."
I showed the tools with traces of crushed herbs, and Toln nodded, still looking skeptical.
He asked, "Did you really develop a remedy? Does it really work for Ronella disease? Are you sure?"
"If it doesn't work, I'll refund you ten times the amount. No, I'll refund you a thousand times!"
I confidently declared while scanning Toln's condition.
[*Warning: Affected by Ronella disease. Treatment needed.]
[*Warning: Condition may worsen soon. Estimated life expectancy is 1 month.]
'He's on the verge of severe coughing. The remedy will work almost immediately.'
Unlike Mary, he seemed in better shape. But without proper treatment, he'd keep having minor and major coughs.
"I'll buy it. I'm already spending money on home remedies, so 1 gold isn't a big deal."
Toln handed me a gold coin. As he said, many monster hunters earn big money risking their lives in dungeons. So, they spend freely. If we can attract them as customers to our territory, the villages near the Nightmare Forest will surely prosper in no time.
"Thank you for your purchase. There's just a small special procedure. Please leave your signature here."
I handed him a property transfer contract. It was the same ownership reset bug trick I used in <Paradiso>.
"This is unusual. A contract for buying a remedy. But there's nothing special in it. It just transfers ownership of this medicine to 'Toln.' Feels a bit strange."
He tilted his head but then smiled and signed it. It wasn't a blank contract, just a simple document transferring ownership, so it wasn't burdensome.
'Great. Now I can set up elsewhere and craft again to improve my skills.'
I smiled contentedly and handed Toln the remedy. He opened the bottle and gulped it down. As a hunter used to drinking many potions, he didn't hesitate despite the fishy taste.
"It takes about 30 minutes to feel the effects. The first noticeable change will be your cough stopping. Then, the chaotic energy in your body will find order. I'll be here, so feel free to come back after resting."
"I have a spot at the inn. I'll see if it works. If it's a scam..."
"I told you, right? I'll pay you 1,000 gold. Plus, I'll stake my hand on it."
I was confident.