Chapter 360 – The So-called Demon Lord’s Chosen Merchants
As we were talking this over, Steff said,
「What are you talking about?」
「We wanted Linmia Trading to help the town, but the price of supplying it would be very high.」
「Hm? What do you mean?」
「There’s no way Linmia Trading would allow anyone to freely know about those transport circles, so in that case, he could only leave it to someone he really trusted.」
「In other words, Millia.」
「I see…now I understand.」
Steff then nodded.
So old man Linmia gave us the one person he trusted.
And she really was the best to check out Elkay.
Seems Linmia had thought out everything.
「It was quite a big deal for Linmia to loan someone like her to us…we really owe him.」
「Don’t worry about it.」
Yureena said with a smile.
Even so, I would have to bring him something to show my appreciation.
During our conversation, Millia was talking with the store owner.
After that, she said,
「Thank you very much. I might set up my own shop in a bit, so it will be nice working around you from now.」
「What?」
「Is there a problem?」
I asked with a smile, and he put his hands up and shook them.
「N, no! No problem! However, there is the approved seller…you won’t make much with his outrageous supply price.」
「Don’t worry. There are other routes to that.」
「The guy had guards…so if he sees you selling, he might be upset.」
「So you think that he’s going to be upset about me?」
「It’s not the level of ‘upset’.」
People taking other routes to get supplies led to their shops being destroyed.
And the travelling sellers got it even worse.
Some of them were tied up and thrown in the river.
「That’s interesting.」
「But you…you may not be afraid of him. I would just be careful…heh heh.」
He said, with a tinge of flattery.
The guy probably thought we were scarier than whomever that wholesaler was.
「You’ve already said that anyone taking the title of the Demon Lord would be crushed, so I think he’ll back off.」
「That wholesaler probably has no idea that it’s happened. What you you think, seller?」Vi-Vi asked.
「I…I don’t know, but…it would be weird if he hadn’t heard already.」
He said with a faint laugh.
I was pretty sure that the wholesaler didn’t have all the details, working out in the forest as he probably was.
「Why do you think he’d know?」
「Y…yes, well, his boys always walk around getting information before he shows up. Keeps people in check while making sure to show his power. Then he sells after that.」
I guess those that seem against the wholesaler get the worst treatment of them all.
Now I see why all the traders here seem so weak.
「Where is the guy’s base located at?」
「No idea…I heard at the capital…」
So I also asked about the guards the guy had.
10 rough looking thugs who would beat up anyone that resisted.
「Just ten?」
「Well, they’re very strong.」
「I see!」
Since this guy was coming tomorrow, I’d have a word with him.
「About that seller…I…」
「Don’t worry. We won’t say a word about you.」
I said, looking seriously, while the seller nodded.
「No, you can tell him.」
「What, really?」
「Yeah, he’s going to find out one way or another.」
「If that’s the case…」
So we said our goodbyes and continued with our look around.
As we were walking, Cruz said,
「If he does know what you did, Al, what do you think he’ll do?」
「Probably freak out, jump on his knees and bow.」
「Nah, he’ll probably attack Al.」
Steff and Vi-Vi had their own theories.
Seems that Millia didn’t seem too interested in the conversation, though,
「With a guy like that selling at illegally-pumped up prices, we can’t lose against him.」
「Even so, Millia, we shouldn’t use force without reason.」
「Heh heh, stop joking around Yureena. You’d kick his ass in a heartbeat.」
「You’re probably right.」
「Add to that Cruz and Alfred being here. But what’s more important is finishing up looking at the logistics of this town.」
And so Millia continued.
The others had seen us question the wood seller, so they all answered Millia with nervous, aloof answers.
But we heard more about this wholesaler…