Chapter 59

We entered a clothing store in the imperial capital.

Here, there were camisoles used for negligees, the kind Roxane and Seri use.

"Maybe we should buy about two each."

"Yes, thank you."

Leaving a message for Roxane, I went to sell the rabbit fur first.

I don’t want to spend a long time shopping.

Even after I finished the transaction and returned, she hadn’t finished choosing.

Roxane had spread out the camisoles on the counter and was checking them carefully.

She was looking at the light pink camisole she already had.

"Is this color okay?"

"Yes, because you chose it for me."

When I spoke, she looked at me and smiled.

Come to think of it, she did say she wanted this color.

It wasn’t necessarily chosen for Roxane, but there’s no need to say that out loud.

"Alright, thank you. Is white okay for Seri?"

"Yes, if we separate them by color, there won’t be any mistakes."

Reasonable, or something.

It seems that Roxane will have the light pink one, and Seri will have the white one.

There don’t seem to be any children’s sizes, so I’ll buy the smallest size available for Seri.

It might be a bit loose, but the skirt length will be long enough.

Since it’s a negligee, it shouldn’t be a problem.

After the clothing store, we headed to the merchant guild of Kooltar.

When we stopped at the entrance, a different man from yesterday approached us.

"Is there something you need at the merchant guild?"

"It’s about the auction, a bit."

"I am a broker, my name is Luke. If you don’t mind, I’d like to hear about it."

Luke Acid, male, 28 years old

Armor Merchant Level 2

Equipment: Substitute Bracelet

Conveniently, he’s an armor merchant.

His low level might be because he’s still young.

To become an armor merchant, you need to raise an adventurer to level 30.

It’s quite a challenge.

"Alright."

"Then, please come this way."

We were led to a room similar to the one from yesterday.

The broker went to the back, so Roxane, Seri, and I sat on the chairs in front.

"My name is Michio."

"It seems you came here yesterday, but you didn’t make any appointments, did you?"

It looks like they were watching us.

"No, I didn’t."

"For those who have appointments, there’s a waiting room to the left inside the guild. Auction results are posted there. For those without appointments, brokers approach them in turn."

I see.

There are strict rules.

Brokers must stick together.

By approaching people who come to the merchant guild, they can acquire new customers.

It’s a kind of privilege.

They share the opportunity to acquire customers equally among brokers.

If anyone could approach freely, it would lead to competition for customers and potentially lower fees.

"I was approached because I was standing there dazed yesterday and today."

"Not at all."

"Yesterday, I talked to a man named Laurel. Is that okay?"

"If you didn’t make an appointment, it should be fine."

I thought it might be bad to switch, but it doesn’t seem to be a problem.

"Then there’s no issue."

"What brings you to the auction?"

"Both buying and selling."

"For buying, most people go through brokers like us. What kind of items are you looking for?"

I probed, and he immediately jumped on the buying opportunity.

It’s hard to constantly monitor the auction.

It’s easier for beginners to understand the need for brokers.

"Kobold Monster Card."

"The Kobold Monster Card was auctioned for 5,200 nals two days ago. There’s currently a buy order at 5,200 nals. It’s a bit high, but if you really want it, you’ll have to bid higher. Before that, it was 5,400 nals."

This broker answered smoothly without looking at any notes.

He seems to be a good broker.

I used the rabbit Monster Card, so even if I get the Kobold Monster Card now, I can’t make a weapon with the spell interruption effect.

I asked to cross-check the information I got yesterday, but since he remembers the auction prices, he’s probably qualified.

He also pointed out that there’s a buy order at 5,200 nals.

"Maybe the timing is bad. Then, let’s talk about selling."

"What do you want to sell?"

"I have six Copper Swords of Interference."

"Hmm. Are you a blacksmith?"

The broker looked at Seri.

He probably noticed she’s a dwarf.

Apart from being short and having messy hair, there’s not much difference in appearance from humans.

"That’s right. Her name is Seri."

I introduced Seri.

I thought she might introduce herself, but she remained silent.

I don’t know the etiquette, but that’s probably how it’s done.

"For selling, I can either buy them from you or inform you of a good time to sell for a fee."

"Can you tell me when to sell?"

Yesterday, he didn’t mention this.

If I can be informed of a good time to sell, it might be advantageous for me.

However, if I end up being underpaid, it’s not really an advantage.

I shouldn’t expect to buy them at the same price the broker sells them for.

"However, I can’t tell you when it will be. If you’re in a hurry, it’s better for me to buy them."

"I’m not in a hurry, but it might be better to sell them to you."

Even if holding onto them longer might result in a higher price, it’s just a possibility.

On the other hand, using the money to gather members or enhance equipment would be an investment.

It’s more advantageous to sell them quickly, even at a slightly lower price.

Leaving them in the item box is pointless.

"As you know, the Copper Sword of Interference is often used against low-level bosses. If you have a set of six, there’s likely demand from knight orders to train young members."

"I don’t have those connections."

"In that case, it might be better for me to buy them."

If he had connections to knight orders, he wouldn’t bring them to the auction.

In other words, the broker knows I don’t have connections to knight orders.

It’s a clever proposal that emphasizes his integrity without much risk.

He’s a good broker.

He probably has connections to knight orders.

I glanced at Roxane and Seri.

They didn’t seem to have any objections.

"How much can you buy them for?"

"Let’s see. If sold individually, they’d be around 15,000 nals each. Since you have a set of six, I can offer a bit more. How about 100,000 nals?"

The price is the same as yesterday’s.

Is this the market price?

"18,000 nals each?"

"Unfortunately, not that high."

"17,500 nals?"

"Hmm. For a set of six, I can buy them for 17,000 nals each."

It didn’t increase much, but it can’t be helped.

"Alright. That’s fine."

"Thank you. Do you have them with you?"

"They’re in the item box."

"In that case, I’ll call a weapon merchant to appraise them. I’m an armor merchant, so I can’t appraise weapons. The appraisal fee will be covered, so you can rest assured. Once confirmed, I’ll make the payment."

The broker stood up and left the room.

"We’ve decided to sell them, but is there any problem?"

"No."

"Thanks to Seri, we were able to sell them as a set of six and get a good price. Thanks."

While the broker was gone, I took the six Copper Swords of Interference out of the item box.

It’s a hassle to cast spells in front of the broker.

The broker returned with a weapon merchant.

This weapon merchant is probably also a broker.

The weapon merchant checked the swords on the table.

"Six Copper Swords of Interference, no mistakes."

The weapon merchant confirmed and left the room.

"It seems to be correct. I’ve received them. Here is your payment. 17,000 nals for six, but since it’s your first time and I expect future transactions, I’ll give you a special price of 132,600 nals."

The broker opened the item box.

He put the six Copper Swords of Interference in and took out gold and silver coins.

Thirteen gold coins and twenty-six silver coins.

A perfect 30% increase.

The effect of selling them as a set of six.

As planned.

"Alright. In the future, if there are any cheap Monster Cards, I’d like to buy them. Is that possible?"

I took the money and put it in the item box.

While doing so, I discussed future transactions.

This man, Luke, seems to be a good broker.

If I can get a 30% increase by dealing with an armor merchant, it might be worth continuing transactions.

Knowing the empty skill slots on equipment from appraisals is a huge advantage for me.

I can fuse Monster Cards without fear of failure.

I’ll likely use the auction for trading Monster Cards and skill-equipped items in the future.

If it’s hard to outbid in the auction, I’ll have to go through brokers.

Actually, going through brokers has the advantage of being less noticeable.

Luke won’t blab about his clients because it’s a business secret.

I can gradually unload them without collapsing the market.

It shouldn’t be a bad choice for both of us.

"Monster Cards?"

"Yes."

Luke looked at me and Seri with a puzzled expression.

What’s wrong?

Did I say something wrong?

"Indeed, you have a lot of experience and skill."

Luke shook his head slightly.

He probably thinks all six Copper Swords of Interference were fused by Seri.

If she succeeded with all six, she must be very skilled.

There’s no need to point out that she only fused one.

"Experienced"?

Does it mean Seri’s ears look old?

It’s impressive that he didn’t call her a grandma outright.

"Of course, Seri has good skills."

"Other people also buy cheap Monster Cards, fuse them into skill-equipped items, and sell them. If you’re trying to do the same, I don’t recommend it."

"Why not?"

"Items made for personal use and later sold, or items accidentally fused, are also auctioned. Many blacksmiths overestimate their skills and enter the market, but few succeed."

I see.

There are many competitors, and many of them fail.

Fusing Monster Cards is a gamble.

If you succeed consecutively, you can make a lot of money.

But it’s unlikely to go that well, and the brokers take their cut, making it even harder.

Many blacksmiths enter with high hopes and fail.

"Believing that a blacksmith’s skill increases the success rate of fusing Monster Cards is a misconception."

Seri also gave her opinion.

She’s the one who has to do the fusing, so she’s desperate.

"Don’t worry. I won’t make you do anything unreasonable."

I reassured Seri.

"Alright."

"I’m not trying to gamble. The goal is to improve our own equipment."

I explained to Luke.

"I’m in business, so I’ll act as a broker. There are competitors, so I can’t buy them extremely cheap, but what price do you have in mind?"

He seems willing to take on the job.

I know I have at least 130,000 nals as capital.

There’s no reason to back out now.

"As long as it’s reasonably below market price, it’s fine. I’ll leave the judgment to you. Also, the Venus Flytrap, right?"

"MP Absorption?"

I confirmed with Seri, and she nodded.

It was indeed the Venus Flytrap.

"Also, I want the Rabbit Monster Card, even if it’s a bit expensive. If I can buy those, I’ll aim for the Kobold Monster Card, even if it’s expensive."

Reducing the use of Durandal will be a big experience boost.

That should be the first goal.

It can be used in the Needlewood on the 8th floor, so the spell interruption effect will be useful soon.

"The Venus Flytrap and Rabbit Monster Card?"

"Is there anything else?"

I asked Seri.

"I think it’s good to make a Substitute Bracelet with the Caterpillar Monster Card."

Luke also had a Substitute Bracelet.

From the name, it probably acts as a substitute when attacked.

"Then, add the Caterpillar Monster Card. It’s fine if it’s a bit expensive."

"Understood. The fee for buying Monster Cards is 500 nals. You’ll need to pay in advance each time. If the bid is successful, I’ll send a messenger. Please come to the merchant guild to pick up the items. When you do, go to the waiting room and ask the staff to call the armor merchant Luke."

"Got it."

I handed over five silver coins.

"Then, I look forward to working with you in the future."

After the deal, Luke bowed.

He left the room as if chased by his words.

"That man is strange."

As soon as we left the merchant guild, Seri warned me.

"Strange?"

"There’s no need to make a strange number like 132,600. I don’t know what he’s thinking."

"I see. That’s true."

To a third party, it is indeed a strange number.

It’s natural to be suspicious.

"He’s just a broker. It’s better not to trust him too much."

Seri seems to have a distrust of brokers from the start.

"Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it."

"It’s nothing. It’s only natural."

"Still, thank you. I’ll be careful. He probably added the extra to show his appreciation for your excellence."

Roxane might also need to be a bit wary of brokers.