CH 33.2

Chapter 33.2. Officials

We’re in the customer base, just like before the dungeon appeared, dressed neatly and enjoying their meal with relaxed expressions, chatting happily with their families.

The sight is dazzling for us now, and Toshito gazes at it but quickly shakes his head and looks ahead. In the not-so-distant future, we should create the same scene even in the abandoned town. So, Ooki and the others, don’t envy it. Let’s think about moving forward rather than being jealous.

First, let’s start with this transaction. I thought as I entered through the door of the private room.

They arranged some dishes in the room, and two men were eating them. One was a slightly overweight man in a well-fitted military uniform. You could tell from his clothes that he had a muscular build. It seemed like he had been training.

The other man had a scar on his face and wore a patterned suit. He exuded a rough and tough aura. Along the wall of the private room were several soldiers equipped similarly to before, and some thugs wearing leather clothing, presumably to protect against blades, stood in a line as escorts.

It seemed like they were underestimating me by eating before me. I wanted to smile at their behavior, but when I saw the escorts, I shrank my body even more, pretending to be frightened, and nervously bowed to greet them.

“I’m Amano Sakimori, serving as the president of Amatsugahara Corporation.”

The man in military uniform nods casually.

“I am Captain Anayama. I am in charge of supplies in the Taito and Adachi areas.”

I felt sarcastic about his words as if saying, “Is that so?” Anayama was the one who betrayed Takeda, right? The guy who died in the Incident at Honnoji. Wasn’t he a loyal retainer during the time of Shingen? Shingen in the abandoned town and Anayama in the inner town. The power struggle is quite something.

“Huh? Aren’t you Isada over there? What, did you start a company in the abandoned town? Good for you.”

Giggling, the other guy scoffs, but who’s Isada?

“I’m his bodyguard. It’s not my company.”

Ooki replied to the man with a sullen face, but when did he change his name? Well, the name doesn’t matter.

“Haha, I see. Bodyguard, huh? A bodyguard, huh~.”

Grinning with disdain, the man picked up a steak with a fork from among the dishes and directed it toward us.

“So, you were skilled even in the outer town. Are you the boss? Well, you’re a fool. This guy protected the prostitute, beat up the bosses of other territories, had all his assets seized as compensation, and was driven out, right, Anayama-sama?”

“…Hmph, I didn’t come here to listen to a boring story. I came for a transaction.”

To the disinterested Captain Anayama, the typical small-minded man fiddled with his hands.

“Oh, my name is Eitai. Remember it. Because I’ll be your boss from now on.”

I’m narrowing my eyes at his words. I see.

“Oh, Captain Anayama? What’s this about?”

“I don’t care about the reasoning behind the outer town. I allowed him to join the meeting because he requested it. Handle your discussion over there. So, what is your request?”

Captain Anayama snorts, seeming uninterested, but I can sense a glimmer of intellect in his eyes. If I recall correctly, Anayama was a strategist with high intelligence. Perhaps his attitude matches his namesake.

Well, if that’s his attitude, it makes things easier for me. Very well, let’s weigh in on one side of the scale.

“Yes. I would like to have a weekly transaction for 1 kilogram of flour at 500 yen and 1 kilogram of vegetables at 200 yen. If possible, let’s make it a total of 1 ton.”

Captain Anayama stopped eating at my words and stared at me, his eyebrows twitching.

“You’re aiming high with 1 ton. The flour at 2,000 yen per kilogram, and the vegetables at 1,000 yen.”

I’m buying 2,000 yen per kilogram of flour. In a world where food is scarce, it might seem cheap. But, it’s a rip-off. Most of the flour is adulterated. The actual quantity would be around 30%.

“If it’s genuine, then that price is acceptable. Otherwise, it’s 1,000 yen per kilogram for flour. Vegetables remain at 200 yen per kilogram.”

Even for vegetables, we have to search for usable ones. The actual quantity would be about half.

“Hmm…”

“Eh? It’s 3,000 yen per kilogram for flour, and vegetables are 1,000 yen per kilogram. Right, Anayama-sama?”

Eitai guy interjects and glares at me, but his gaze is fixated on the bag I’m carrying. His eyes gleam like a stray dog trying to snatch some money.

“I have no intention of compromising on this price. If it goes any lower, I’ll be at a loss.”

If we go into the red, we won’t be able to sustain the market. I have no intention of conceding this amount.

“Then, next time.”

Anayama snorts again. It seems the transaction is over since he resumes eating. It means if I don’t back down. He won’t either.

“Then, we’ll take our leave. Until next time.”

I stand up from the chair and bow, and Anayama furrows his brows in response, but he doesn’t say anything, returning to his meal.

I urge Ooki and the others to stand up as well. It was a fruitful transaction.

“Hey, wait, you!”

I can feel Anayama watching our departure, but I pay it no mind. The transaction concluded in just a few minutes, but that’s how it goes.

Until next time. The next meeting will be between the two of us.

It’s a shame I couldn’t enjoy the meal.