Chapter 70.2

Chapter 70: That time when we went to the humans continent to canvass and procure Last Part

TL: kizen

ED: Filip/Gecko

Since were in a port town, there should be a place where the merchants unload their cargo so Ill try to walk around to find it .

After looking around for a while, I found a place with several people transporting goods from a large ship to a warehouse . I decided to enter the warehouse and approached the humans who looked like they were taking a break .

Excuse me . Can I ask you something?

Hm? Sure

A nice young man with thick arms, wearing a tank top and with a towel wrapped around his head replied to me .

Is the merchant who owns this warehouse here?

Yeah . This warehouse is owned by Nils-san . Hes over there

He pointed towards a person at the back as he said that .

Ah, okay okay . Ive seen him before . Thank you very much

No problem

I had a smirk on my face as I approached to greet him .

Good morning Nils-san . There is something I want to talk to you about . Do you have time?

As I said that, Nils turned around and he probably remembered who I was since he looked surprised .

Ah . The demonkin from that time . Whats the matter?

Good thing he didnt accidentally call me Demon Lord . He probably knew that it would be a bad idea to do that and was considerate of me .

I apologize for not giving you my name back then . My name is Caam

Dont worry about it since I also failed to do the same . Im Nils . Pleased to make your acquaintance . So? What brings you here?

I happened to obtain a ship for myself so I brought it here to resupply . I thought that if I went to a merchant warehouse around here, I would get the supplies cheaper than if I bought it at a store but who would have thought that I would meet the merchant from that time

I see . Thats quite the scary coincidence, isnt it? However, negotiation might be necessary depending on what you need . I might also not have what you require but Ill introduce you to someone I know if it comes to that

Okay . Thank you very much . That should be fine

Well then, shall we begin our negotiations? Follow me

After saying that, I was led to a place that looked like an office/break room at the corner of the warehouse .

I looked around and made sure no one was listening in before we started our conversation .

Thanks for not calling me out back there

Dont worry about it . It would have caused chaos if I just called you Maou-san after all . Ill brew us some tea first

Thanks

We drank the tea then waited for the other to finish before we began our negotiations .

Now then, since we know each other from that time, let stop probing each other and just get straight to the point

Im not good at haggling so I would prefer that . I guess I should start with what I need then . First, I need clothes for the islanders so Ill get 300 sets of hemp shirts and pants then 100 pairs of shoes made of the commonly used leather . Ill also get 30 sets of childrens clothing and 10 pairs of childrens shoes

Nils was taking note of what I said so I continued .

As for wheat Im sorry if this is common knowledge since Im uneducated but how many people can consume a sack of wheat?

Lets see You put one cup into a mold to make bread so one sack makes around 200 loaves I guess

Assuming that one cup is 150 grams, 200 loaves should be 30 kilograms . Well, that should be a good enough estimation I guess . If I remember correctly, one sack was 3 large copper coins . Would having 200 sacks of wheat be enough for us until we can harvest our crops?

Does it still go for the same price as the last time I bought some from you? Does the price fluctuate?

For someone claiming to be uneducated, you seem to be quite familiar with some odd terminologies . The inner villages of this continent had a lot of bounty in their recent harvest so its gone down a bit

I see . In that case, Ill take 200 sacks so that well have enough to eat until the next harvest . The potatoes we bought last time will be ready to harvest soon but Im not sure if it will be enough for us so Ill also get 50 sacks of that . Ill purchase some beddings as well, about 60 sets . All thats left is the liquor . I dont know the price of a barrel but its to raise everyones spirit so Ill get 10 barrels

Buying something you dont know the price of huh? Thats quite a risky purchase, isnt it?

Well, thats where the negotiations come in

Haha . Thats quite frightening . Well, I guess youre actually kind since youre a Demon Lord who came all the way here to purchase indulgences

Like that, I continued naming items we needed then asked him to calculate the total .

Nils-san started fiddling around with his abacus then showed it to me .

It should be around this much

The liquor is pretty expensive as expected . Since its just a luxury item, Ill reduce the amount by a bit . Also, do you know how many drinks you can get from a single barrel?

Hmm, if its the fruit wines, one barrel is equivalent to about 300 bottles

Three hundred bottles Those are probably those irregular 700ml bottles like the cheap stuff at supermarkets . Well, I guess that amount should be roughly correct .

Hmm, Ill just get six barrels then

Yes yes . Are you fine with the rest?

Lets see

I took a look at the items listed, tried to figure out what the cost per item was in my head then verified that it was pretty much a fair price .

I cant reduce the foodstuff, clothing, and daily necessities but our budget is a bit tight so it would be better if I just reduce the amount of the other items

I started taking out items from the list that we dont really need and those that we can just buy some other time . I had him recalculate the total each time until it was within our budget .

Now, I think this is where we should start the negotiations but as an apology for coming unannounced and rummaging through your inventory, Ill take it at that price . Just think of it as an inconvenience fee

Its fine . Ive recently caught some pirates so I have some coin to spare

Oh, how scary . Its a scary coincidence, isnt it?

Well, Ive invited someone from the church to the island and hired a doctor so the total amount I got slightly decreased but pretty much everything has been settled though so it should be fine . Its all good since our profits and expenditures have more or less evened out . After this, were going to increase our production of potatoes and wheat so the number of things we can purchase would gradually increase . We would eventually be self-sufficient on the island then well start thinking of exporting goods by then

Hmm, are you really as uneducated in these matters as you say you are? Usually, only the most skilled merchants think ahead like that you know? Also, what does self-sufficientmean?

Well, it just means that well be able to make our own food . Well keep losing money if we keep buying it from another source after all . Also, if we have excess supplies, we can sell them . When that happens, it means that weve achieved over a 100% self-sufficiency

Hmm, it certainly is as you say

Well, its the same as the rule of supply and demand . When theres plenty of supply, the cost goes down

Theres another term I dont know

You said that the price of wheat went down since you have too much of it because of the harvest, right? Its the same as that

Ah

Nils-an nodded so it seems like he understood what I was trying to say .

I wont make a profit if the price goes down after all so I purposely dont get a lot or just not sell any until the prices go back to normal

Its just like how diamonds were handled the same way back in my previous life .

Yup, thats exactly what Im talking about

After that, we finalized the negotiations and I decided to move on to the next topic .

Now then, shall we talk about something else?

Go ahead

Id like to show you this tea-like thing that I found on the island

As I said that, I presented the coffee to him . I brewed it by putting it in a cloth then letting hot water I made from magic pass through it into the empty teacups .

Its bitter but you can add sugar or any kind of animal milk to it . I think adding cows milk would be the best though

Alright but let me try it as is first

Nils-san took a sip after he said that and his face immediately distorted .

It really is bitter even though it had a nice aroma while you were making it

Well, the islanders had differing opinions about it . Some liked it while others didnt

Mu, I havent tasted something this bitter before . This is

What do you think? It should sell right?

That should be the case

Were still in the testing stage so we havent cultivated some land on the island to grow this fruit . Well, once our food self-sufficiency rate goes up and we have a surplus of wheat, well be able to recruit more islanders then I think well be able to proceed with the land development but its still possible that everything doesnt go according to plan . Even if we hire people with the money we have, since its not possible to earn income on the island yet, we cant just rely on that . Thats why please just consider it as a future product for now . We also have this

As I said that, I handed him the thread that I got from that large cocoon I found .

Whats this?

Im not really sure myself

Hmm, its a thread, isnt it?

Yes . You know about silk thread right?

Yeah

I found a cocoon that looks like that of the moth used in silk production so let it boil in hot water then extracted the thread . Im not actually certain what monster that cocoon came from but I think it should be some kind of moth or butterfly . I need to let it grow before I can be sure so thats why I said I dont know . However, if theres a demand for it, we could start the thread production back on the island . It would depend on the season though

You certainly cant say for sure but if you dont weave it into cloth at least once, you wont be able to tell how it feels

Then I shall leave this thread with you . Please find someone among your connections who can turn it into a small cloth

There was no one in Beryl Village who knew how to weave after all so its impossible to manufacture it there .

I understand . I will do just that . What should I do with the end product though?

You pass by the island from time to time right?

Its only every now and then though

That should be fine . Ah While were at it, Id like to ask you one more thing . I want some livestock so that we can have a stable supply of meat . However, it would be impossible to transport them on a ship unless it has the proper facilities, wouldnt it? I think that the ship I used to get here can manage it if its just the smaller livestock though . Because of that, Ill take 10 pigs since its easy to increase their numbers and six sheep for their wool and meat . Since cows and horses would be difficult to manage, Ill just purchase them next time . How much should I pay in advance?

I honestly want to transport them via transfer magic but Im afraid of them going wild and the thing would end up in a bloody mess . It would be fine if its just a tail but if they start going wild and the head is sticking out by the time the transfer completes, I would scream . 1

Hmm, I dont deal with livestock but Ill ask a friend of mine to do something about it

Nils-san fiddled around with his abacus then showed me the price .

Thank you very much . Ill give you half for the meantime so please prepare the contract

Alright but wouldnt it be better to carry the children?

He was already starting to write up the contract as he said that . People who can work while talking sure are amazing .

Ah, I didnt even consider their young

What will it be? Shall I cancel the contract?

No, you might not be able to secure them in time since were going back to the island tomorrow so just leave it

I see . Piglets and lambs are relatively easy to get but there certainly are times when they become difficult

Lets just go with that if they are available the next time I visit

I understand . I will let my merchant friend know

Please verify if all the details are correct

While I was finishing up my coffee, he asked me to do that so I looked over it and verified that there were no mistakes .

Yes, its all good

Then lets end this negotiation here

Nils-san dropped wax on the document, pressed his stamp over it, then gave it to me .

Alright . Ill pay the fee so please have someone escort you to our ship

No no no, its fine

I guided Nils-san to our ship . Once we were there I smacked the sailors who were still asleep .

Were going to be loading some cargo so please clean the deck . Those who are free should help to carry it on board . After the cleaning group is done, they should help out as well . Ill leave it to the captain to watch over the ship

YesRoger!

Well be the ones to bring the cargo on board so please have someone oversee them

I trust you so its not really necessary but if you say so, Ill do as you ask . Please get in touch with me once again after theyre done loading the cargo . Until then, Ill take care of some other job I have to do

I handed the money to Nils-san then he gave me the contract with some words of assurance .

Shall we go back then?

I escorted him back inside then went to the ship .

When I got back, some of the items that were brought on board were already sorted .

Woah . Caam-san, did you buy alcohol too!?

Yeah! I can drink again!

Ooh, you guys sure are motivated . Ill leave it with you guys to bring them in then

Eh?

There are only six barrels after all so its not like we need everyone to carry them . Well, you guys will have to go back and forth to get them so Im not exactly jealous . Anyway, lets get the beddings and clothes on board, shall we?

Roger!

The rest of the sailors were grinning while telling the others to do their best . I guess they dont want to carry the barrels because theyre heavy .

I used Physical Enhancement to increase my strength by 10% then took the initiative to carry the heavier luggage and put them on the racks . The sailors who were carrying the smaller wine barrels seemed like they hurt their waist so I had them get taught the trick to carry them while I carried the rest on my own .

Theres a trick for carrying empty ones as well but

or so I was told but once I carried one of the barrels, cheers went up from inside the warehouse all the way to the ship .

Ni-chan! Thats pretty amazing for such thin arms!

Why dont you work for us? The pays nice you know?

Come to the bar tonight! Lets drink!

They kept saying stuff like that .

Since it couldnt be helped, I just went ahead and carried the rest of the barrels .

Nils-san . Its done

Alright . Ill be right there

Nils-san received the documents from the clerk and confirmed that there were no missing or excess items loaded .

Alright, thats all of them . Thank you for your purchase . Please come again

After saying that, he politely bowed his head . It was such a merchant-like bow .

You dont have to thank me . I should be the one thanking you instead for letting me buy your products even though I came unannounced

I also gave him a polite bow . My previous lifes memories are the best!

You dont act like someone developing an uninhabited island at all . How about studying a bit more and working for me?

Id have to refuse since a relaxing life on the island fits me better

Oh my, I was given the cold shoulder . Well then, till we meet again

Yes . Thank you very much

Well then, shall we have a late lunch? Theres still some money from the reward we received yesterday so please follow me even if youve already used up the money I gave you

As I said that, the people who were sitting on the deck suddenly became lively .

Caam-sans the best! I was going to just eat hard bread today but Ill go . Ill come with you

It seems like theyre in good condition if they can say that much .

Please think about the consequences before you use it all up then

What if I suddenly pass away? All of that money would just end up being wasted if I dont use it!

Hmm, I guess thats one way to think of it

Thats kinda like an Edoite mentality .

Right? Its possible right!?

Yeah but I personally cant imitate that way of thinking so Ill just continue to save up

What are you holding back for, now that were here?

Wouldnt you regret it if you dont have enough money to buy something you truly need though? And besides, didnt we come here to make this better for everyone else back at the island?

Yeah

Anyway, lets go . Were going to take turns standing watch so dont feel bad that youre left behind . Ill give you some spending money once I get back after all

Follow me . I know a good place

With that, we left in order to have our lunch .

When I came back to the ship, there was a new and improved Antonio waiting for me there .

His unkempt blond hair had been washed and neatly tied at the back of his head . His stubble was shaved along the cheeks leaving his sideburns that were trimmed to go along his chin . He was also wearing new clothes .

Youve helped me a lot . You have my thanks

Woah . I didnt recognize you for a moment there . Iya, you look a lot different, dont you? Youll have an easier time finding a woman like this, am I right?

I looked at the sailors as I said that . Even with my previous worlds standards, hes like a stern but cool-looking middle-aged man . I hate to admit it as a man but I also think he looks cool .

Lets go get a drink tonight and find you a beautiful woman!

So cool . I want to look like this when I get older

Thats right

O-okay

Please teach me how to look like that

I just went to a fashionable shop and just asked for some clothes that suited me . After that, it became like this . Once my clothes were settled, I had the shopkeeper clean up my beard then she lightly washed my hair and tied it up . She even said something about the foundation being good

Please dont put your hands on multiple women on the island okay?

S-sure

They talked about the island and the characteristics of the humans living there after that . They also talked about the pirates and the women they held captive as well as countermeasures to prevent attacks in the future .

Then, we went to the bar I was invited to when I was carrying the barrels . At first, they were just getting to know each other as they drank but then the usually quiet first mate slowly started to enjoy himself because of the alcohol .

You know, the captain has changed a lot thanks to Caam-san . In the old day, he would just forcefully entrust things to his subordinates after all . I dont think he has told this to Caam-san but when he was drunk he told us that he was thankful for being changed

I see . Thats good, isnt it? Everyone is now doing their best as sailors after all . Well, some still go back to their roots from time to time but the first mate hasnt changed much, has he?

Thats right . Back then till now, hes still like this . Maybe even in the future2

Youre quite the poet, arent you?

Thats right

I went out to the deck to smell the fresh morning air and hear the crying of the sea birds but it was impossible today .

After what happened yesterday, aside from me, the rest of the crew went out to drink with Antonio and came back dead drunk . They all fell asleep at the deck .

It was a lot better this time since it wasnt dirty but

Captain . Please wake up!

I was going to hit it again but I remembered that thats what I did yesterday so this time I did it gently .

Ugh!

The nun from the church will be arriving soon so please start preparing for departure

After seeing my smile as I said that, he immediately started preparing for departure .

I guess its understandable for the first mate to have that kind of personality if you have a captain like this . If the two of them were rowdy, things would really get out of control after all . Well, as for what happened last night, it seems like they just went wild since it had been a long time since they had alcohol and women .

After a while, I saw a woman wearing a religious habit walking on the street so I went out to greet her .

Good morning

We laughed at our simultaneous greeting then I carried her really small amount of luggage and guided her to the ship .

There are only men on the ship so you might feel uncomfortable about it but please bear with it for now

No, Im fine with it . However, I am worried that the order would get disrupted by my presence . Everyone else is a man so wouldnt they feel uncomfortable having a woman on board?

Shes worried more about the welfare of the others rather than herself, huh? Clergymen sure are amazing .

I think its fine but I dont know about everybody else . Weve been in town for a while though so they should have already played around enough

I see . Well then, I wouldnt want to be a bother so should I eat my meals at a separate location and time from everyone else?

Hmm, I think its unnecessary . On the contrary, I think they would probably be enthusiastic since they would want to show the opposite sex their good side . Men are simple beings after all

I shall be having my meals together with everyone then

Got it . Please bear with it for at least six days . Now then, let me show you your room

I guided Adrea-san to one of the few private rooms on the ship .

This will be Adrea-sans room . This is a private room that can be locked from the inside so please rest assured . Also, there might be some mischievous people who plan to steal your underwear or stuff so please lock your room whenever you go out

As I said that, I gave her the key .

Ive heard about it from the priest but do all men really do that?

I dont think everyone does it but there are some that have wicked thoughts . Please scream if anything happens . That way, someone will immediately come to your aid

I understand . It would be best if nothing happens but if something does, Ill make sure to scream so Ill be counting on you at that time

Her smile as she said that made my heart flutter a bit .

Y-yes . Please let me know if you need hot water to wipe your body with

Even though clean water is such a precious resource on board? At least thats what Ive heard

Ah, Ill be the one producing the water with my magic

I made a warm water ball on my fingertip to show her .

Chantless magic The water is warm as well . Compound magic? Are you perhaps a great magician!?

No no no, Im nothing like that . Anyway, please let me know if you have any problems . If its something I can resolve, I will do what I can to fix it

Thank you very much for everything . I want to thank you for donating for the children as well

It was nothing . I just think that children should be happy . It would be impossible to do it for every single child in the world but I want to do it in places within my reach at the very least

I dont think Im suited for that role . Im just someone who turned the tables on some bad pirates and turned them over to the guards in town and received the reward after all . If that were the case, I would have to advocate the churchs teachings and guide others to the correct path but theres no way I am able to do that

After saying that, I left the room without hearing her reply .

Caam-san, were ready to set sail

Lets depart then . Ill leave it to you

Alright you guys! Were going back home! Raise the anchor!

Yes sir!

Hmm that was a pretty short trip but also quite long, wasnt it?

~Idle Talk~

The flustered Antonio

Lets do something about the clothes first . Let go out to the street and find a clothing shop

O-okay

This place seems good . Lets go in

O-okay . Im not really sure if someone like me can enter a store like this though

Its fine . The shopkeeper doesnt care about that . Hello . Is anyone here?

After that was said, a beautiful woman came out from the back .

Welcome~

Please help us find clothes that will suit the old man behind me

Oi, is that really okay?

Okay~ . What type of clothes do you like?

I-I dont really

Alright . I can just pick one out for you then

After saying that, she walked around the store and brought back a shirt and a pair of pants .

Hmm . I want to go for an austere look so we should add more black or brown colors to the outfit . And besides, I dont think bright colors would suit him

Thats true

Okay

I continued doing as I was told as the woman in front of me kept pressing the clothes on my chest as she groaned indecisively .

Lets go with this

With that said, I was told to put the clothes on .

Oh my . That looks good, doesnt it? Lets fix up your beard and clean up your hair . For the beard Lets keep it connected to your sideburns

She laid me down as she said that and started shaving my beard .

Alright, now go wash your hair

Okay

I did as I was told and washed my hair at the back of the store . After wiping it dry with a cloth, I went back .

Now finally, lets bring all of your hair towards your back then tie it with a string Its done! Oh my . Quite a nice man, arent you? I would have definitely ask you for a date if I wasnt married you know?

Woah . Its true . Even though Im a man, I think you look cool . With this, you no longer look like an old man . You look refined and cool

R-really? I cant really tell since Ive never done my hair and worn clothes like this

You need to be confident about yourself . Im telling you, you look cool . It might have not gone well till now but you need to take this opportunity and increase your self-confidence . If youre drinking quietly at a bar, Im sure that women would definitely be coming for you

Really?

Really

Okay . Well take this then . Having some spare clothes would also be nice so please give us the one he tried earlier

Right away

I dont have much you know?

Caam-san will take care of it . Ah, this is the price

Thank you for your purchase~

Was it really that good?

Please be more confident

Somehow, I think some women are looking here

Theyre looking at you because they think youre cool . Anyway, we can already see the ship from here so lets go report to Caam-san first

Alright

Im cool?

Youve helped me a lot . You have my thanks

Woah . I didnt recognize you for a moment there you know? Iya, you look a lot different, dont you? Youll have an easier time finding a woman like this, am I right?

It seems like its true . The demonkin in front of me said so and the other guys are also telling me that I can attract women . Its the first time this has happened to me .

It doesnt feel half bad to be honest .

TL: IDK if its just me but I feel like Ive made Antonio kinda posh for a drunkard doctor Probably the sailor he was with too

ED: MC aura, Caam found unpolished gems . Basically they seem crappy, but once they are supposed to join the main character, BAM, they be awesome . Not sure how good looking the nun is, but she should be at least decent . Well, maybe the crepe she (probably) ate made the difference ^ ^ .