Barbarian Business (2)

After finishing my talk with the leader of Melbes, I went to see the dwarf for the first time in a while.

“Hikurod.”

“Bjorrrrn! Why only now…! Why did you only come now…! I even sent you several letters…!”

His reaction upon seeing me was intense. Well it was understandable, his forge couldn’t avoid the situation either, and he ended up unemployed.

Which was why I was meeting him in the lobby of the Commelby Inn.

“Sorry. I meant to come sooner, but I was busy.”

“Busy? It’s been over a month since you returned!”

“Yeah, I told you I was busy.”

“…….”

To be honest, I could have made time to see him anytime, but one day’s delay became two, and before I knew it, weeks had passed.

He told me most of his wealth, as well as the Mystium I had entrusted to him, was safe. Maybe things weren’t that bad after all.

According to his letters, when things went down, he managed to take all the important assets and evacuate amid the chaos.

Well, though he couldn’t avoid losing the forge.

“So, Hikurod, how have you been holding up?”

“Sigh… For now, I’m just keeping an eye on the situation. I thought about using all my connections to rebuild the forge, but as you know, business wouldn’t thrive if I reopened it in this situation. So, I’m considering starting fresh in Commelby instead…”

“But?”

“Lately, the average monthly rent has skyrocketed in all areas, including Commelby. I suppose it’s because many people have had the same idea. An acquaintance told me that the number of explorers looking to open shops has increased tremendously.”

That’s new information to me. Maybe it was because people from Districts Seven and Thirteen were moving into other districts, combined with the fact that the labyrinth was now sealed.

…And because the nobles who own the land are desperate for money.

“So before deciding anything, I wanted to hear your thoughts. Do you know how this situation will end…?”

Funny. Did he always seem this small?

His tone was like someone asking a stock market expert for tips. And fair enough—he probably assumed a noble like me had inside knowledge.

“I don’t know when this will end.”

“Sigh… as expected…”

“But if you want to reopen your forge, do it in the 7th district, as soon as possible.”

“Why?”

“Because reconstruction work will begin soon. Even just making rebar and shovels will cover your costs. I might even funnel some contracts your way.”

When I told him that I would be representing Melbes in the contract competition, his expression changed immediately.

He knew what that meant.

In any world, business related to the ‘government’ is hugely profitable.

“Ah! In that case, I should hurry! Just trust me! I’ll work hard!”

“Ah, no need to rush right away, though.”

“Huh……? No need to rush?”

Seeing that the dwarf was confused, I took the opportunity to explain the concept of “jeonse” to him as well.

“What? There’s a way to lease for free without paying monthly rent?!”

“Yeah. If you purchase land within the next few days, you can sign a contract using the method I mentioned. So, until then, think about how you want to build the structure.”

As I said that and patted the shoulder of the guy who’d been through a lot, moisture gathered in the dwarf guy’s eyes.

“Bjorn……! No matter how close we are, this is too much of a favor……! Thank you! Truly, thank you!”

…People in this world are so naive.

***

We kept talking afterwards. Although the Dwarf had become a businessman, he was still a former explorer and kept asking me about Basement Floor 1.

Well, I guess anyone from this city who is an explorer would be curious.

“There’s a silver sea in the Basement Floor 1. And when the labyrinth closes, the lost objects float to the surface of the waters.”

Since the dwarf is quite loose-lipped, I kept the conversation to things that were okay to share, leaving out anything that required confidentiality.

However…….

“A silver sea……. He would have loved to see it.”

“He would have loved it even if it wasn’t a sea. He was always so curious.”

“I suppose…….”

At some point, the dwarf’s eyes, which had been happily listening to my story, grew dim. Then, like a drunk reminiscing about his youth, he stared blankly into the distance.

“Bjorn, what do you think?”

“About what?”

“If… that incident hadn’t happened, do you think I would still be exploring?”

His voice was thick with deep regret and longing.

I hesitated for a moment about how to respond, but then I collected myself and joked,

“Well, maybe, but you still wouldn’t have been exploring with me anyway.”

“…Huh?”

“I’m not the type to drag along an ally who lags behind because of sentiment.”

At my words, the dwarf chuckled.

“A lagging comrade… Seeing you now, I can’t really argue. I would have been too much of a burden to keep up. He might have been different, though.”

“Hmm, objectively speaking, I’d say you had more potential than Dwalki”

“Hah, really? Anyway, whatever the case, we would have followed you.”

“No, what did you hear? I said I wouldn’t take you along.”

“You and your jokes. You’re not the type to abandon your comrades, are you?”

Jokes, my foot.

I was actually considering disbanding Team Half-Penny right before that incident happened.

That’s also why I regretted it so much afterward.

I should have made that choice a little earlier.

“…….”

After a brief silence, the dwarf brought up a new topic.

“Still, seeing the whole forge destroyed feels strangely satisfying.”

“Satisfying? Are you feeling okay?”

“I’m fine. It’s just that it feels like he is pushing me forward. Telling me to let go of the past and move on…….”

The dwarf’s words made me unintentionally somber for a moment. Now that I think about the forge he ran…

“It was originally Dwalki’s house, but he remodeled it.

The dwarf then went on to talk about building a bigger forge with the latest facilities.

Then, after a while—

“I don’t know why I always end up talking so much when I see you. Sorry. But one last question?”

“Go ahead.”

“That friend… what do you think he would think of me now?”

“……?”

“I’ve become neither an explorer nor a blacksmith… just a mere merchant. Do you think he’d look down on me?”

I couldn’t help but laugh at the tremor in his voice, though I felt a little guilty since the moment was so serious

“I’m sure he’d look down on you.”

“…I knew you’d think so too—.”

“He’d look down on you for worrying about such nonsensical things.”

Really, to think I was expecting something serious.

It was about time to wrap this up.

As I stood, I leaned in and whispered to him:

“Oh, and this isn’t public yet, but…”

“Dragonslayer, Regal Vagos.”

“……!”

As soon as he heard that name, he flinched as if his PTSD had been triggered.

That reaction made me drop my hesitation.

“You can forget about him now. He no longer exists in this world.”

Maybe he’d been secretly hoping for this all along.

“…I see…”

But he said nothing more. Not a word about how that bastard died.

No “why,” no “how,” no “was it you?”

Almost as if he understood my circumstances.

After a long silence, he finally whispered:

“…Thank you.”

I turned my back awkwardly.

“…Don’t thank me yet. I still have plenty left to settle.”

***
As expected, it didn’t take long for the Council Leader of Melbes to contact me.

About four days?

Honestly, this probably means he went home, quickly gathered his thoughts alone, and then contacted me.

Since he said he’d go around tomorrow looking for nobles selling their land, I can just leave that to him.

After the reply came, I also set up a meeting with Count Alminas.

“Truly a genius idea. Shabin Emure, was it? Why did I only learn of such talent now?”

He was coveting my secretary-general, but aside from that, he smiled as we took a commemorative photo. Then he gave feedback on the jeonse contract system I’d “invented.”

“It’s best if the clauses I mentioned are added to the contract right away. That way, the ‘deposit’ will be treated like collateral, just as with a regular mortgage.”

That was the confirmation I came for.

Strangely though, it all felt too smooth. That made me nervous.

I probed with side questions, but surprisingly, Count Alminas answered without hiding anything.

“Whether I think the business will succeed……? Honestly, at this point, it’s fifty-fifty. It’s a business that can be done precisely because of these times, but conversely, because of these times, nothing can be certain.”

“Hmm…….”

“If it succeeds, the profits will be huge. But if it fails, the losses will be just as great. Currently, our House Alminas does not have the capacity to make such an investment.”

Of course, just hearing this far, it didn’t make much sense.

“Then wouldn’t it be right not to approve the collateral loan either?”

The fact that Alminerus Bank is providing a collateral loan.

In fact, this alone means Count Alminerus is taking on a risk almost equal to mine.

So why did Count Alminas make this choice?

“I judged that I wouldn’t incur losses up to that point.”

“…Why is that?”

“Because you are here.”

Count Alminas’s gaze was so blatant that it made me unconsciously cover my chest with both hands.

“If the business fails, won’t you be deeply in debt to me?”

“…….”

“I’m merely looking at it from a businessman’s perspective and judging. I believe you would be able to repay that debt without issue.”

“…….”

“Even if it takes you your entire lifetime.”

His last words finally cleared up my doubt.

“Ah…….”

So it’s a worthwhile business because even if he loses money, he gets to keep me as a slave for life.

A chill suddenly ran down my spine.

But…….

“So? Do you still want my help?”

“Of course.”

I nodded without a moment’s hesitation, and the Count burst into a hearty laugh.

“I knew you’d say that. But you know, now that I’m used to it, it’s much more comfortable than I thought?”

“What is?”

“Conversations like this. We don’t have to hide our intentions and drag things out, so we save time, and it reduces mental exhaustion, making it efficient. I wish everyone else was like you…….”

The count, having lived his whole life amid schemes and tricks, seemed to find this barbarian-style business quite refreshing.

“Anyway, I should get going now.”

“Won’t you stay for a meal?”

“I have another appointment!”

“Hah, next time, clear your schedule and come. Now that I’m used to it, I find our conversations surprisingly enjoyable.”

“I will.”

After finishing the meeting with the Count, I headed straight to the Chancellor’s mansion.

“Baron Jandel……?”

The mansion’s butler looked very flustered upon seeing me visit unexpectedly.

“Pardon me, but I haven’t received any word from my lord……”

Well, who else but a ruffian like me would visit a noble without an appointment in this noble society.

And to the mansion of the Chancellor, the second most powerful person in the country.

“It’s only natural you didn’t receive word, so don’t make that apologetic face.”

“…Yes?”

“Is the Chancellor in?”

“H-He is out at the moment, but?”

“Oh, then I can just go in and wait. Please show me in!”

“Th-That would be presumptuous. My lord is busy with state affairs, and it’s unknown when he will return, so it would be better in many ways to schedule a new appointment and visit another day—”

What is he saying.

I tried to make an appointment, but they were all ignored, which is why I came in person.

“It’s fine! The Chancellor and I aren’t in a relationship bound by such formalities! I’ll just wait inside comfortably!”

I then pushed past the flustered butler and entered the mansion. As things unfolded that way, the butler had no choice but to receive me as a guest.

And…….

One day, two days, three days…

Well, I hadn’t planned on waiting this long, but anyway.

I ignored the butler’s pleas for me to leave.

Starting from the second day, they stopped serving me meals, so I filled my stomach with the jerky I had on me. I silently endured all the attempts by the knights to forcibly throw me out.

At last, my persistence paid off.

“Haa… I don’t have much time, so speak quickly. What matter could possibly drive you to such lengths?”

Finally, the Chancellor appeared before me.

 

Continue reading more chapters at henprogressive.com

Please join here, I need supporters to help me continue translating Surviving game as a barbarian and Lee Gwak
If it doesn’t work support me here buymeacoffee.com/hennoveltranslations. There are advanced chapters for supporters as well.