Chapter 210
「Fu~uu…」
My stomach hurts .
The crimping pain was so severe that breakfast seemed to come out .
…Ah, I wish Arge-san would be there at this time .
With her magic, this stomach ache can be quickly healed .
More specifically, I am motivated just because she is there .
Because she is such a beautiful girl .
However, it was I myself who decided to break up with her .
Even if I ask for someone who is not there, no salvation will come down .
「Fu~mu . Samaka . This tea is delicious」(Pleiades)
「Your majesty .
It’s a Republic special grade . The highest level of hospitality . 」(Samaka)
「Ho~uu!
So, this is tea!
I know these leaves! Because I read it in a book!
Go~ku (gulp*) Nice!!」(Kutira)
「It seems like you liked it . 」(Zeno)
Don’t let it show in my face, I put a commercial smile on my face and bowed deeply .
The three people in front of me right now are
Samaka-sama, the lord of Arlesha .
Kutira, the queen of the monster submarine city .
And the ruler of Kingdom, King Pleiades .
To think I, Zeno Kotobuki, as an average merchant would have a meeting with the 3 of top VIPs .
「And then, the merchant over there .
What is the purpose of this meeting?」(Pleiades)
The king, who should have been enjoying the tea for a few seconds, turns his sharp eyes toward me .
… that’s quick!
As expected, the king of one country .
She went straight to the point .
Meanwhile, from a glance at the Ocean Demon Queen, she is still curious about the tea and while the lord of Arlesha explains it to her in a gentle manner .
How carefree .
「About that, I actually have called for 2 more people…」(Zeno)
「In other words, “please wait for more”, you know how to spend the time of a King . 」(Pleiades)
「Uu… I’m sorry」(Zeno)
「…Good .
I will allow it .
「Thank you very much」(Zeno)
Before Arge-san departs, the circumstances so far have been explained out .
That is why I was able to invite them here .
「Iyaa, I like this .
Our meeting place .
Outsiders can’t come to this place though . 」(Akisame)
One of the people I was waiting for enters the room casually and takes a seat .
One of the chief executives of the Republic of Yotsuba Congress, Akisame Higure . He is accompanied by the demon servant .
「It has a good atmosphere .
I don’t hate the unique atmosphere of the Republic .
But I have some public affairs, so I can’t go there easily . 」(Samaka)
「I’m happy too!
The land is interesting!
I have to buy souvenirs for the people of my country!」(Kutira)
「Ahhh .
That’s good .
I’ll show you a good souvenir shop later, Ocean Demon Queen」(Akisame)
Unlike me, whose stomach is in pain due to pressure, the three people talk casually .
Ah, I envy the carefree people .
After all the greetings, Akisame gazes at me .
Of course, the other three’s eyes are also on me .
「Well then, average merchant young man (shōnin-kun) .
I want to hear why you set the stage so far .
You went so far as getting the permission of the Commercial Guild Chief . 」(Akisame)
「…Yes, that’s right」(Zeno)
This situation should never happen .
Merchants are not allowed to interfere with any country .
Even if you can do transactions between individuals, it’s illegal to be involved in politics
That’s the basic rule . I have asked over and over until the Chief agreed and arranged this .
「Before that, there’s still another actor (person)」(Zeno)
「Perhaps you talk about me, shōnin-kun」(Exista)
A dignified voice echoed in the hall .
It was a woman with red hair and a strong will in her eyes that appeared to catch the eyes of everyone .
「Thank you for coming, Lord of the Great Vault」(Zeno)
The administrator of Cyril Great Vault, Artificial spirit Exista .
Now all the actors are in place .
When I lower my head and am about to start, Exista-san shakes her head .
「No, no .
It’s been a while since I was out .
It feels good .
I also wanted this child to experience travel .
Hey now, can you come out」(Exista)
「Ah, um…」(Cyril Note / Shirley)
Everyone gasped at the person who came out .
「Arge-san!?」(Akisame)
「Arge!?」(Kutira)
「Ms . goodwill ambassador (Shinzen Taishi-dono)!?」(Pleiades)
Their names are different, but their feelings are pretty much the same .
A girl who resembles our silver-haired vampire, even her yawn .
And I knew who she is .
「Cyril Arcadia …?」(Zeno)
A woman named Cyril, who founded the big safe .
I know that Arge-san was born from her magical power .
Exista-san shook her head, denying all the names which everyone called out .
「No, this kid is neither Arge nor Cyril .
She is I and Arge’s Kawaii Imouto (cute little sister) .
Come on, greet everyone will you?」(Exista)
「…I’m Shirley, best regards…」(Cyril Note / Shirley)
「Shirley, your personality has changed a lot…
Before coming, you were so happy thinking you might be able to meet Arge-onee-chan . 」(Exista)
「But… onee-chan, there are only people I don’t know here…
Uu, I want to see Arge-onee-chan…」(Cyril Note / Shirley)
Somehow, she has a cat-like attitude .
However, her face is exactly the same .
When I was told that she is Arge-san’s Imouto (little sister), I was very convinced .
「I was surprised that she had an Imouto (little sister)」(Samaka)
「I, Arge, and she were all born from Cyril’s magic .
That’s why we’re sisters」(Exista)
Exista-san briefly explained to the Lord who was surprised .
Of course, that was the first time I heard that, so I was quite surprised as well .
My commercial smile has collapsed a little .
「U, uhm… sorry .
Arge-san is not here」(Zeno)
「Eeh…!?」(Shirley)
「No, uhm… can meet!
I think we can meet her!
We are going to do that!
I also keep in touch by letters with her!
That’s why please don’t cry!?」(Zeno)
It’s really hard seeing an acquaintance’s face got sad .
I managed to calm her down and then I looked around at everyone again .
「By the way, I think that there are many people first time meeting, so…
Let’s start by introducing ourselves .
I am Zeno Kotobuki .
I’m a peddler you can find anywhere…
Thank you for coming here today . 」(Zeno)
「Akisame Higure . This girl is my servant, Habotan .
One of the four families in charge of the Republic’s political affairs, the Yotsuba Parliament」(Akisame)
「I’m the King of the Kingdom . And that’s it . 」(Pleiades)
「The King’s retainer and also the lord of Arlesha, Samaka Suwal . 」(Samaka)
「Your truly (Warawa) is the queen of Ocean Demon City, Kutira」(Kutira)
「Exista .
The master of Cyril Great Vault」(Exista)
「…Shirley . Exista-onee-chan and Arge-onee-chan’s imouto…」(Shirley)
What a group of people .
The top brass of countries, manager of the world’s economy .
Yes, for the sake of one person .
Argento Vampyr .
Using her name and sending out invitations .
These VIPs are coming all the way to this place .
These people have their own political position, normally they wouldn’t come here .
It’s all thanks to Arge-san that I was able to have this meeting .
She always said she wasn’t worth it, but I don’t think so .
At least this many great people are here because of her .
「Fuu……」(Zeno)
I exhale and think about what I should say .
…I’m clumsy, but I don’t want to end there .
The place the Arge-san’s group is traveling to is definitely where the battle will take place .
I am a peddler . I’m not as good at fighting like Felnote-san .
The members of that trip are one-man-army,
No, it’s not an exaggeration to say they are as powerful as one country .
Only I am different .
I’m a merchant forever and can only do self-defense .
But that’s not enough anymore . Things have become so big .
That’s why I didn’t travel with them .
I thought that what we needed from this point onward was pure combat strength, not travel knowledge .
「…Then, let’s go to the main subject . 」(Zeno)
So, here it is .
This meeting place is the battlefield for me .
I might be able to do so with the ability to talk with my mouth .
I have lived as a peddler until now .
Here I stand .
Even if I can’t fight I will do what I can do to help Arge-san .
I take a light breath and remembering Arge-san’s face .
Somehow, it calms me down .
These VIPs also gathered after hearing Arge-san’s name .
She connected us all .
So surely, they will hear me out if they know it’s for her .
However, just having them listen is not enough .
After hearing, they will think about the advantages and disadvantages for themselves .
They are the top brass, who move the country, they have their beliefs and positions to consider .
At least, that’s not the case for the Lord of Cyril Great Vault .
…This is the biggest job ever .
That’s why what I need to do is predetermined .
Just like a merchant, I must have their curiosity and then their attention
「Would you like to buy the future?」(Zeno)
That’s how I said my first words .
Let’s start the business talk .