CH 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.