Chapter 6 : Chapter 6
Chapter 6
The House of Duke Moner ruled over a vast territory befitting its name, but most of that territory was located within the Forest of Demonic Beasts, where not even wheat would grow.
In the end, the Moner domain, which relied entirely on imports for its food supply, was home to dozens of merchant guilds.
Of the guilds that were as old as the ducal family's history, the only ones remaining now were scammers who bought the domain's specialty, monster carcasses, for a pittance and sold large quantities of imported food at prices more than two or three times the original.
‘Huh, 75 silvers for a sack of flour.’
Even during the war, the price of flour, which had never exceeded 30 silvers, was now sold at more than double the price, and the market was flooded with poor-quality potatoes and sweet potatoes.
Sand crunched in the bread I bought from the street, so it seemed they were mixing in sand even after charging such an exorbitant price.
‘What a complete mess…….’
Nowhere I went could I find normal prices.
‘For now, they can make a living with monster byproducts… but for how long?’
This was happening because the neighboring domains that supplied the food were completely ignoring the duchy, now that the duke was gone.
‘The kingdom that’s letting this happen must feel the same way.’
If the duke were to reappear, they could just feign ignorance, and if he didn't, they were probably thinking of using this opportunity to reduce the ducal family's power, since it was a family destined to fall anyway.
‘Damn it.’
The sand mixed in was so gritty that I couldn't swallow the bread.
I spat it out and searched the market further, where I saw a guild with a shabby sign at the end of the market.
[Golden Goblin Merchant Guild]
A small merchant guild that sold medicinal herbs, mushrooms, weapons, and cheap medical supplies instead of food.
‘Found it.’
The last merchant guild that handled logistics until humanity was on the brink of extinction.
It was one of the guilds that players frequented, even at a slight loss, because its credibility was higher and its transactions were cleaner than any other guild in the game.
‘The origin of the Golden Goblin Merchant Guild was the market right in front of the Moner lord’s castle.’
As I approached a young boy who was hawking, the boy greeted me cheerfully.
“Welcome to the Golden Goblin, where we have everything except what we don’t have!”
It wasn't something to say about such a shabby sign and an even shabbier store, but the merchant, seemingly full of expectation at the sight of a long-awaited customer, continued excitedly.
“This medicinal herb is not only good for colds, but if you put it in soup, you’ll feel full. This mushroom is second to none for fatigue and cold.”
Colds, cold, fatigue, hunger.
It seemed he knew exactly what the domain's people needed and had brought in only the necessary items.
It was a choice of a different caliber from the other merchant guilds I had seen on my way here, which even cheated on the weight to get a little more money.
“You have many good items.”
“Of course! Our guild always strives for the happiness of our customers. If you have a bruise, this ointment is good, and although it’s expensive, we have a few bottles of low-grade potions inside that can be used for fractures!”
“Is the branch manager inside?”
“Of course, the branch manager is also cheap… what?”
The boy, who had been mechanically answering that he had everything, opened his eyes wide and looked at Ian.
“I asked if the branch manager is here.”
The boy looked back at the building behind him.
The shabby building, which looked like it could collapse at any moment, didn't look like it would have a branch office in any way.
The boy, who was looking at Ian as if he were a madman, said reluctantly.
“Ah… the boss isn’t here right now.”
After quickly checking Ian's clothes, he asked in a more polite voice.
“May I ask where you are from? We are a licensed merchant guild and have paid this period's taxes accurately.”
“You don’t need to know. Do you know when the boss might be back?”
“Well… he’s a very elusive person, so I don’t know. It is about time for him to come, though……”
The boy, who glanced at Ian several times as if he were suspicious, slapped his fist and said.
“Ah! If you’re from the Merchants’ Association, as you can see, we don’t sell wheat or food.”
“I’m not from the Merchants’ Association either.”
“Then where on earth are you from……”
“It’ll be uncomfortable for both of us if you know, so it’s better that you don’t.”
After hearing the story, Ian thought for a moment and then plopped down next to the boy.
“Then I’ll just wait with you.”
Ian, now seated, looked at the boy who had a troubled expression.
Revealing my identity to a merchant was a foolish thing to do.
My trustworthiness and likability would immediately drop, and they wouldn't believe anything I said.
‘In that sense, to be able to meet the guild master right away, this is a stroke of luck.’
The original plan was to meet the branch manager and then schedule an appointment with the guild master, but since he said the guild master might come here in person, I was planning to wait here every day until I met her, with the mindset of making three visits.
* * *
It was my third day of commuting to the merchant guild.
“You’re not supposed to do it like that.”
As Ian said to the boy, Rick, who was decocting medicine, he flared up and shouted.
“Young Master! Aren’t you going home?!”
“Ah, if you do it like that, the medicine’s effect will be weaker.”
“No, if you’re not going to help, why do you keep interfering!”
Rick looked at Ian with a face full of annoyance.
‘To think such a crazy bastard exists in this world.’
It was the first time in his life he had met someone whose every single action was irritating.
Whether he was hawking, bargaining, selling goods, or even decocting medicinal herbs, the way he would add a comment from the side was incredibly annoying.
‘Then he should at least help!’
If he told him to try it himself, he would say no, and if he told him to be quiet, he would loiter around, sighing deeply and saying, ‘You’re not supposed to do it like that.’
‘Today’s business is ruined because of that man!’
A boy his age, and he still didn't know where he was from.
Having no proper way to address him, he called him 'Young Master.'
The boy was wearing clothes that looked expensive at a glance and was waiting for the boss, so he was too scared to tell him to get lost right away.
‘Just get lost, please!’
Perhaps Rick's desperate prayer was answered, as Ian turned his head and checked the setting sun.
“Should I be heading back soon……”
At the words that this obnoxious pest was finally leaving, Rick's face brightened as he shouted.
“Yes! Let’s go! I will escort you!”
However, this vile demon snickered and trampled on his desperate heart, and then said while looking at the setting sun that was painting a red glow.
“No. I should just wait.”
Rick clutched the resignation letter he had carefully kept in his heart.
‘Boss, please come back quickly!’
He missed that scary face of hers, which would just curse at him whenever he saw her, so much.
* * *
Ian smiled as if he were amused and looked at Rick.
‘I didn't think he’d be so untalented.’
Rick had no talent for hawking, bargaining, herbalism, or pharmacy.
I had hoped I could gain a trait if he had one by giving him advice as if I were just passing by, but no matter how kindly I explained, he just couldn't get it.
‘Why is she keeping a kid like this around?’
There must be a reason why the Golden Goblin guild master was keeping him.
She was not a person so soft as to hire someone just because they were nice.
‘I really don’t know.’
This young man had nothing to offer except for the fact that he was sincere and worked so hard it was admirable.
Unfortunately, in the world of commerce where talent accounted for most of it, he was not the type to see the light of day.
‘For the guild master to have entrusted her one and only store to him, there must be a value I haven’t seen…….’
The Golden Goblin was a merchant guild that placed profit as its highest value.
The high credibility and the practice of selling only items that were as helpful as possible to the seller were all just strategies to maximize profit.
What on earth was the value of this boy, as seen by the guild master who was said to see the hidden value in all things in the world?
“Aigoo, you’ve ruined all the medicine.”
Contrary to my curiosity, I couldn't help but sigh at the sight of the medicine the boy had ruined.
“Ah, this is how you’re supposed to make it! Here, you see this recipe? Just like this! Without a single mistake! I followed it exactly!”
Ian let the boy's shouting, who couldn't hold it in any longer and was grinding his teeth, go in one ear and out the other as he said.
“The fire was too strong, so the medicinal ingredients all burned. Jigeopeu tree wood has stronger firepower than regular wood, so you have to lower the brazier……”
“What? Huh? I didn’t use a Jigeopeu tree……? Ah?”
Rick, who was looking back and forth between Ian and the burning firewood, shouted with a devastated expression.
“Ugh! Why would you tell me that after it’s all done! If the boss finds out, I’m going to get fired!”
As I watched Rick, who was half-crying and shouting, with a smile, a clear and pure voice came from the door.
“Rick, what were the three things I told you to be absolutely careful of?”
“Aigoo, how many times do you have to ask? Government officials, people from the lord’s castle, and the Young Duke.”
“And what did I tell you to do if the Young Duke comes?”
“As soon as I see him, I’m to quickly lock the store door and escape through the emergency exit. Yes, yes. As if the Young Duke would ever come here… huh?”
Rick, who had been habitually answering while looking at the medicine with a blank expression, flinched and turned to look at the entrance.
Golden hair shining from under a worn robe, and a slender figure that couldn't be hidden even under the hem of the robe.
It was the guild master of the Golden Goblin he had been waiting for so eagerly.
“Boss!”
“Rick, you’ve splendidly disobeyed my words. You’ve disobeyed every single one of them.”
She held her forehead and let out a small sigh, then looked at Ian and bowed her head politely.
“Greetings to the Young Duke.”
“What? Where is the Young Duke here… Whaaat?!”
As Rick pointed at Ian in disbelief, she gave a small nod.
“If you don’t want your finger cut off, pay your respects at once.”
At her words, Rick came to his senses and was about to prostrate himself with a deathly pale face, but Ian stopped him with a cheerful laugh.
“You two seem to get along well.”
“I’m worried because this one is utterly useless.”
“He’s an interesting friend. He might do well as a clown. Anyway, I didn't think you would recognize me. I’ve never been out of the lord's castle.”
“If I hadn't recognized you, Young Duke, I would have no talent as a merchant.”
After saying so, she approached and made eye contact with Ian.
“Although it seems other people fail to recognize you even when you're right in front of them.”
There was no hatred or avoidance in the eyes that looked at him.
‘As expected!’
She, who had built the continent's top merchant guild as a woman 10 years later, was as skilled in employing people as she was gifted with a talent for commerce.
Her eye for people was so outstanding that she could raise the best merchant from among street urchins and find a top-notch escort warrior from among beggars, and talents comparable to those of an entire nation gathered around her.
‘She showed favor to the Ian in the game, so she must have an intuition that goes beyond trustworthiness and likability.’
To be able to calmly rebuke Rick even after knowing he was the Young Duke must have meant she saw the human Ian, not the scoundrel.
A natural-born trait that allowed her to see the value in everyone.
It was a trait that, if I could obtain it, I had to obtain before any other.
Calming my pounding heart, I said with a rather serious expression.
“No matter how brilliant a jewel is, if it's covered in filth, one can’t help but avoid it. I have no intention of blaming them for that.”
“Then are you saying you are a jewel, Young Duke?”
“No matter how precious a jewel is, if there is no one to recognize it, it is no different from a worthless stone.”
In fact, the reason I had played the game as if my life depended on it was because I wanted to see the Ian in the game get acknowledged.
To see the happy ending where the tragic character, who walked a path thousands of times harder than others but could never be acknowledged until the end, was recognized by everyone.
* * *
Rylae bowed her head gracefully towards Ian.
“I see. Then I shall greet you again. I am Rylae, the guild master of the Golden Goblin Merchant Guild and a merchant who sees shiny things better than anyone else.”
She pushed back her robe and looked at Ian with sparkling eyes.
“When it comes to having a good eye, I won’t lose to anyone on the continent, you know?”
“That’s why I came here. I needed someone with a good eye.”
The moment Ian and Rylae looked at each other with satisfied expressions, Rick, who was looking back and forth between the two, cautiously asked Rylae.
“Um, boss, is that Young Master really that Young Duke? The scoundrel? The one you said not to talk to, not to make eye contact with, and not to breathe the same air as?”
For a moment, Rylae’s face stiffened, but she ignored Rick as if she hadn't heard and guided Ian to her office on the second floor.
Rick stuck close to her as she climbed the stairs and whispered.
“You said that scoundrel is the scum of the earth and we should never associate with him, right? Will it be safe for you to be in a room alone with him? Should I call a guard just in case?”
Of course, no matter how much he whispered, there was no way Ian, who was right next to him, couldn't hear.
When Rylae glanced to her side, sure enough, Ian was watching this farce with amusement.
‘It’s okay, he’s a good kid. Be patient, be patient…….’
As she, who was engraving the character for patience in her mind, and Ian entered the office, Rick whispered as if to reassure her.
“Boss, then I’ll secretly go and call a guard.”
At those absurd words, the anger she had been holding back finally burst out.
“Hey! Why are you calling a guard when the Young Duke is here! Is a guard going to tell the Young Duke to leave?! How many times have I told you to read the room, you blockhead!”
Rick, who blinked his cow-like eyes at her final explosion, asked back.
“Then shall I call a guard from another domain?”
“Get out!”