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Chapter 309 – Only Two on This Continent(5)
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“From what I investigated previously, Frankia’s tax rate is usually around 10%.”
I grabbed my pipe and lit it. A refreshing fragrance filled my mouth.
“The interest is somewhat high for a newly-established government to handle. They would gladly take it if you offer them a loan with an interest rate of around 4%.”
“Uugh…….”
Ivar squirmed. She was probably trying to get up. However, she couldn’t muster any strength in her arms as she collapsed back to the ground. I leaned down and pulled Ivar up onto the bed.
The girl’s body glimmered with sweat. Vampires shared a similarity with Demon Lords and it was the fact that their body fluids didn’t have any particular smell. A pleasant fragrance filled my nose when I buried my face in her chest.
“Ivar, your body smells nice.”
“……4% is too little.”
Ivar murmured like a mouse.
“Talks cannot form if we do not receive at least 7%.”
“Hm. You are quite good at calculating when you are unable to control your body properly at the moment. Fine. How could anyone match you in terms of doing business? Do what you want.”
Ivar nodded slightly.
“……Your Highness is rather frugal.”
“Hm, frugal? I am?”
I was a bit bewildered because a word that didn’t fit me had suddenly appeared. Ivar Lodbrok was the richest person in the entire demon world. Did I seem like a thrifty person to a wealthy person like her?
“Humble as I am, I believe that I have been spending quite a considerable amount of money.”
“This matter is separate from simply spending a lot of money. Your Highness has invested in your Demon Lord Castle, your land, bribes, and military funding. On the other hand, you do not care about things like clothes or accessories.”
Ivar seemed to be talking about how I didn’t indulge in an extravagant life. I chuckled as I showed her my pipe.
“You might be unaware, but the herb that I am currently smoking is actually quite expensive. I commissioned an alchemist to have these herbs personally made. It may be difficult to see, but Demon Lord Dantalian is someone who indulges in luxuries more than anyone else.”
“My apologies, but that is the key point. People are unable to see it.”
Ivar fiddled with the pinky of my left hand.
My left hand didn’t have an index finger or a middle finger. Ivar enjoyed touching my defective left hand. There might be an infantile desire reflected behind her subconscious action.
“Extravagance is meaningful when others can see it. Your Highness may spend an extravagant amount on drugs…….”
“Tobacco.”
“……Tobacco and alcohol, but you are a miser when it comes to products that actually catch the eyes of others. Even now, your clothes are a good example.”
Ivar held up the clothes that had been scattered on the bed.
“Your pants match the same black color as your top. They are also frayed here and there because you have worn them for several years now……. Only people who absolutely do not care about their attire would wear rags like these.”
“R-Rags?”
“Your Highness is scrawny and has narrow shoulders, so you look incredibly unsightly if you do not wear the proper clothes.”
“…….”
Why do all the women in my life nag about my style? Even Sitri. This is so sad.
“This severely harms Your Highness’ dignity.”
Ivar Lodbrok murmured with her hawk-like merchant eyes.
“Seriously, if Lapis Lazuli partially went under Your Highness as your vassal, then why did she not concern herself with something like this? This is no different from staining our firm’s name.”
She looked up at me carefully.
“Uhm……so I wish to respectfully ask Your Highness. The war has ended and the banquets are mostly over as well, so.”
Ivar fidgeted.
“If Your Highness has some spare time, then……this is only if Your Highness does not think it is a bother. So.”
“Hm? I do not know what you are trying to say, but you are beating around the bush quite a lot.”
I took a deep puff from my pipe.
“Hoo. You know our relationship. I would more than gladly accept a request from you. You also accepted my request related to Frankia, so go ahead. Ask away.”
“…….”
In trade, if something is received, then something must be given in return. I was being serious.
Once I said this, Ivar took a deep breath. Her face was slightly red for some reason. She appeared to resolve herself as she stared straight at me before speaking.
“W-Would it be okay if this humble one……picked out an outfit that suits Your Highness!?”
“…….”
What?
“Well, I mean, I believe Your Highness will keep building a close relationship with our company, so should I call this our duty as a firm to support Your Highness in a variety of ways? This is like the most basic form of support.”
I forgot to take a puff from my pipe as I stared at Ivar blankly.
Ivar noticed my gaze and got more flustered. Her skin was already pale, so her red cheeks became even more prominent.
“This is naturally this humble one’s duty and I absolutely do not have any other motives, so, in other words, if Your Highness happens to be shopping or has a free day, then I figured we should take advantage of those times to deal with this issue before it is set aside…….”
“C-Cute.”
“……Pardon me? I did not catch what Your Highness had said.”
I couldn’t hold myself back as I pulled Ivar into a hug.
“How can someone be this pure!?”
“H-Huh?”
“That’s right! This! This is what I wanted!”
Pureness!
This overwhelming purity that makes the person shy when even asking for a single date!
That bitch Barbatos hums happily whenever she asks me out on a date, but suddenly takes me to some brothel meant for lesbians, Laura is so jaded that she’s indifferent about everything, Paimon constantly has that mature smile on her face and does that laid-back fufufu laugh, and Gamigin regularly gives off a combative vibe as if she’s competing to be the main wife.
Sitri is the only one who gets embarrassed, but it’s a bit strange.
She would get embarrassed, but end up taking me to an SM club.
Her shyness is that of a high school girl, but her interests could slap the face of a lecherous old man. It was absurd.
Now look at Ivar Lodbrok.
Her goal for the date is to simply buy her partner some clothes!
“So wholesome. So pure…….”
I was so moved by this being that was as soft as a bubble of soap that I shed tears.
“Your Highness, why are you shedding your reverent tears? This humble one is confused.”
“Ivar Lodbrok, you are truly beautiful like a gem.”
“E-Excuse me?”
Ivar became red up to her ears.
“The age of darkness is upon us. The earth that was once filled with light is filled with only wicked schemes and hypocrisies. As a wandering minstrel searching for purity, I, Dantalian, cannot help but bemoan this era.”
“…….”
It felt like Ivar gave me a look that said, ‘Isn’t that all your fault?’, but I ignored it.
“After finally discovering the treasure that I have constantly been seeking, my skull feels as if it is about to ascend. Clothes? Of course, I will buy however much you want. Evening dresses? Party dresses? No, even rings and necklaces are all fine. Pick whatever you want.”
“Y-Your Highness, not me, but Your Highness’…….”
Ivar murmured something, but I ignored it again.
I made a gallant declaration.
“Niflheim will be leased to you today!”
It was difficult to open my wallet. I’m shrewd, after all.
However, once it was open, a chaos warp would break open.
I grabbed Ivar’s wrist and pointed with my other hand like Amundsen when he declared that he would conquer the Antarctic.
“Now then. Let us depart, Ivar Lodbrok! The demon world’s night sky is waiting for us!”
“P-Please wait. Your Highness, we should at least get dressed…….”
We ran out of the building. We were both still in our sleepwear, but it didn’t matter. To be more exact, Ivar begged to be allowed the time to at least put on her clothes properly, but her words flew in one ear and out the other. I called for the most expensive carriage service in the city.
“To a famous clothing store.”
I announced our destination as soon as we boarded the carriage.
The elven coachman gave a courteous bow.
“To which famous clothing store does Your Highness wish to visit?”
“Of course, the most expensive one.”
“As you command.”
The carriage didn’t shake even slightly as it slid through the streets of Niflheim.
We first visited a fashion designer’s store.
“Dear me, this is my first time receiving such a beautiful guest. Is she Your Highness’ secret lover?”
“Huh? I-I am…….”
Ivar stammered in response to the designer’s question. I placed my hands on her shoulders.
“That is right. This is my new lover. Do show her your sincerity.”
“Kya! As expected of Your Highness! You really are a model bad boy!”
There was no demon who didn’t recognize my face after I became famous. The succubus designer made a fuss as she brought over example designs that suited Ivar.
“Miss, this outfit was made using material of the highest quality. What do you think? The fact that it reflects recent trends while also maintaining a classic grandeur is its charm point.”
“I-I see.”
“Is it too modest? Don’t worry. If you turn around, then, oh my! The back is fully revealed, which gives it a rather strong sex appeal. This is perfect for women like you who are young but also give off a mature vibe. Do you like it?”
“Mm. Looks good.”
While Ivar was speechless before the shop owner’s relentless explanation, I gave a calm and collected response.
“I’ll buy it.”
“Your Highness is so cool!”
The shop owner’s eyes sparkled like gold.
“Then how about this dress meant for outings? Or maybe this banquet dress? Oh, you can’t miss this dress that was made specifically for sleeping in!”
“Hoo.”
I blew out a thick cloud of smoke. I then pointed at a display case.
“Everything from here to there.”
“Kyaaah!”
Putting the shop owner who had fainted after being given a deal of a lifetime behind us, we went to our next destination. The goblin owner of a necklace store came out to greet us at the entrance.
“I have heard of Your Highness’ great deeds. It is an honor to receive Your Highness here today as a customer.”
“Bring me any necklace that fits this young lady.”
“Oho?”
The goblin pushed up his monocle. His eyes looked like that of a professional.
“Her skin is white and has a slender nape. Her collarbone is also unimaginably marvelous. Any necklace would be delighted to be worn by such an individual. Your Highness, what kind of gem do you prefer?”
“It seems you misunderstood my request.”
I shook my head.
“I asked you to bring any necklace as long as it suits this young lady.”
“A-Any necklace, Your Highness?”
“Yes. Any necklace.”
The goblin gulped. The eyes of a professional had disappeared and were replaced by a rainbow-tinted glow filled with a merchant’s greed.
“My humblest of apologies. This humble one failed to fully comprehend the grandness of Your Highness’ words. I will prepare them immediately.”
The goblin ran off with his assistant before returning shortly after.
“Here they are. These necklaces were created using the highest quality gemstones from Utpala. They are all masterpieces that took renowned craftsmen several years to create. Now then, Miss, please try this one on first.”
There were about ten necklaces and Ivar tried them all on.
“What do you like most, mademoiselle?”
“I don’t……like one in particular.”
Ivar’s brain had yet to catch up.
Niflheim was like Ivar Lodbrok’s front lawn, but this was her first time going around with her true body. She probably never imagined she would be visiting a female clothing or accessory store.
It’s a partner’s duty to make a decision if their lover is unable to.
I removed my pipe from my lips and spoke.
“We will take everything here.”
On this day, a total of nine shop owners passed out.