As though they were substituting for the elves who just went home, the merchants that Dant-san mentioned arrived.
“T-there really is a village out here in the wasteland…”
“The rumors were true…”
“What’s that? That building…”
I greeted the bewildered merchants.
“Nice to make your acquaintance. I am Luke Albert, the chief of this village.”
“Nice to make your acquaintance too. I am Brookley, the one to oversee this group. …all things considered, you have quite the marvelous village here. To be frank, I myself was half in doubt until we arrived…”
Brookley-san was a man of small build in the middle of his 30’s.
Not only was he part of the founding family of the Kane Company, one of the most distinguished companies in the North, he was also serving as the vice chairman of the said company even at such a young age. Yet such a person went to the trouble of going to our village…
At any rate, the things they brought were mainly the goods we lacked. To name a few: clothes, seeds, medicinal herbs, and seasonings.
All we had to offer in exchange for such things though were just the crops we harvested. I intended to offer orc meat as well, but the villagers were vehemently pleading against it. I mean, I know you like orc meat, but I didn’t know you love it that much.
And so, our crops were more important than ever.
“This is the first I’ve seen a vegetable this big…”
“Would you like to taste it?”
“May we?”
I nodded and the merchants came closer.
“No signs of pests. It looks appetizing as well.”
“If it’s only a matter of making them grow this big, I’d say it isn’t that hard. The real challenge is to grow them this big and have them be tasty too.”
“Also, it can be hollow inside for all we know.”
In front of the vegetables that were several times larger than normal were the skeptical merchants.
They could have done this commission from the governor simply by delivering their goods and receiving ours, but the merchants still inspected each of the goods personally and carefully. I clearly felt their pride as merchants.
“““It’s, it’s so delicious!?”””
“This tomato is so sweet…”
“But aren’t these out of season right now…?”
Their high praise for our crops made me happy.
“On top of its size, it’s taste is also first-class…I can’t believe this is grown here in the wasteland…”
“How is it?”
“Far better than I expected. Naturally, this means we are willing to continue the deal.”
They gave an estimate price for each good, allowing us to exchange almost seamlessly.
The price they gave was more than I thought we would get.
Thanks to that, we were able to buy all the goods we needed.
“I don’t know if the other things you’ve brought are critical to the village right now, but I’d like to buy them as well. All of them, if possible.”
“Yes. I’ve heard many villages are suffering from the shortage of food, so I’d like to help in this small way. If the traded food still isn’t enough to make their life bearable, please tell them of this village. Tell them we’re willing to accept them as immigrants.”
“…”
As though stunned, Brookley-san stared at my face without uttering a word.
“…? Ahm, is something wrong?”
“N-no, not at all. It’s just that for a moment there, I thought of what it would be like if you were the lord. Our lives would probably be a lot better. Ahh, forgive me, that comment just now wasn’t in any way meant to speak ill of Lord Albert…”
“Hahaha, don’t worry. I too am not too pleased about the way my father rules.”
“…”
“But then again, what do I know? I am but a village chief. I will never be a lord, nor do I have any desire to be one.”
Like that, our first transaction was over.
The merchants went home without staying the night.
The goods they obtained needed to be sold as soon as possible after all.
◇ ◇ ◇
What we received in the trade wasn’t just goods.
“Mooo”
“Meeehh”
“Bawk”
Cows, goats, and chickens were also part of the deal.
I’m so excited for their milk and their eggs.
“Ok, you see this place? This’ll be your new home.”
Through my Gift, I built an animal barn.
The moment the animals went in…
“Moo! Moo! Moo!”
“Meehh! Meehh!”
“Bawk! Bawk! Baaaawkkk!”
“What’s gotten to all of you??”
Everyone suddenly became excited and started running around.
“They say it’s because they entered the barn.”
“Ahh, you’re…”
“Yes, I’m Neruru, the one with the Gift called [Heart of the Animals]!”
Neruru was a girl one year older than me. Her Gift allowed her to understand the feelings of animals.
“Is it alright if I leave these guys to you?”
“Certainly! I’ll make sure they’ll be able to breed so that we can get more milk and eggs from them!”