The Mercurius Familia is a commerce-focused group selling potions and dungeon supplies. When it comes to famous commerce Familiars, you might think of the Dian Cecht Familia, but Mercurius' Familia isn't quite as large.
However, what really sets the Mercurius Familia apart is their range of unusual items. They sell rare specialty goods like blood-and-flesh trap items that only attract specific monsters, or paintballs that can mark a certain monster for a long time. Their products have limited use cases but are definitely useful, making them a well-known hidden gem for those in the know.
…..
"So, what's the product this time?"
"Hmm, well…"
Mercurius then pulled out the potion bottle he'd briefly shown earlier. Inside was… a High Potion? An advanced healing potion?
"What's that? Looks like just a regular High Potion to me."
"Ah, ah, ah, that's where you're wrong! This is the new invention from our Familia! The Antidote High Potion!"
He stood up and proudly held up the potion, the so-called Antidote High Potion by Mercurius Familia.
"Um, please have a seat."
"Ah, my apologies."
Mercurius obediently sat down at my prompt.
"So, the Antidote High Potion… is it basically an upgraded version of the antidote potion developed before, but now combined with the High Potion's effect?"
"Exactly. It's been a year since your advice, and at last, it's completed!"
"Congratulations."
"Thank you."
About a year ago, I heard rumors about Mercurius' shop. On a trip with Hermes, I shared info about some rare materials we'd found. Mercurius then led some of his Familia members to collect those materials, and ever since, they've been rolling out new products one after another, earning a reputation as a hidden gem.
….
"May I test the effect a bit?"
"Certainly."
Mercurius handed me the potion bottle. I opened it, dropped a single drop onto my hand, and sniffed it… huh?
"Um, Mercurius-sama?"
"Yes?"
"What's that smell?"
It wasn't unpleasant, but not pleasant either. Not odorless either, just… hard to describe.
"Ah, the scent is still a work in progress!"
That's not something to brag about.
Regaining composure, I tasted the drop… hmm.
"Mercurius-sama?"
"The flavor is still being improved too!"
Again, not something to boast about.
"So, what do you think?"
"Well… by the way, what's the production cost?"
"Wait a moment, it should be around here… ah, found it. Let's see…"
….
"Hey, Lefiya."
"Yes, Riveria-sama?"
"What exactly are they talking about?"
"They're discussing what price would sell Mercurius-sama's new product best."
"Huh? Isn't higher just better?"
"I thought so at first too, but imagine this, if a healing potion cost 10,000 Varis, would Tione-san buy it?"
"No way she would."
"Exactly. Apparently, there's an optimal price for each product. Mercurius-sama came to Toki to get advice on this."
"Is that impressive?"
"Well, it's not really something you'd share with someone from another Familia. If he gives the wrong price, their business could fail."
"Toki wouldn't do that, though!"
Lefiya said firmly in response to Loki's comment.
"Because Toki takes pride in his work."
Her expression was exactly that of a girl in love.
…
"Let's set the price like this and see how it goes. Come back if there's anything else."
"Understood. Thanks again, Toki!"
Mercurius put away the potion and pulled a large bag from his pocket.
"This is your consultation fee!"
"Mercurius-sama, I've said it before, I'm not doing this just for consultation fees…"
"I know. But it's thanks to you that we're making profits. Take it without fuss!"
"Y-yes…"
By the way, if you try to refuse, the next day they'll double it and shove it at you, loudly, in public. So I just accept it to avoid causing a scene.
….
"So, Toki, have you considered joining our Familia?"
"Hey, Mercurius! We're the ones recruiting this boy!"
"Don't be ridiculous! I've been trying to recruit him for a year now! Besides, Toki is a rare find, talented and interesting!"
"Well, about that… Mercurius-sama, I officially joined the Hermes Familia about a month ago…"
"Oh. Then I'll give up on recruiting you."
Phew. One less god recruiting me.
"So, Toki, how about converting to our Familia?"
"No, that's basically the same thing!!"
It took me 30 minutes to turn him down.
….
So time passed, and it was lunch. But since we didn't have ingredients, we decided to go out and eat somewhere. However…
"No worries! I'll go buy the ingredients and cook!"
Pressured by Lefiya's enthusiasm, the Loki Familia members went shopping; actually, they refused to let me come along. Weird.
So, with Loki-sama staying behind too, I ended up killing time playing chess with him…
"You're really strong, Loki-sama."
"Nyahaha! You're strong too, boy."
"I've been meaning to ask, don't you find calling me 'boy' kind of awkward? Just call me Toki."
"Is that so? Then I'll call you that from now on."
"Okay, I'm home… What's with this atmosphere?"
By the way, I'm painfully aware that I'm extremely competitive.
"Ah, welcome back."
"Welcome back!"
Even as they said this, neither took their eyes off the chessboard.
"Hmm, this is..."
"A deadlock. Neither side is giving an inch."
Finn and Riveria approached and peered over the board.
"How's this move?"
"Too soft."
"What?!"
"Fufufufu."
"Hey, Tione, I've never played chess before, but is it usually this intense?"
"I've never played either, but I don't think so."
They kept playing chess without saying a word.
"Everyone, lunch is ready."
"Coming!"
"Come on, you two. Time to eat."
"Wait, let me finish this game first."
"No way."
"That's what I'm saying."
"Fine, confiscated."
Suddenly, Lefiya snatched the chessboard away.
"Ahhh!!"
"What are you doing, Lefiya?!"
"Yeah! We were in the middle of something!"
"It's lunch time!"
"...Okay."
"Lefiya's been kinda scary lately, don't you think?"
"...Like Tione when Finn's involved."
"Am I really that scary?"
"Yeah."
"Gah, I'll get you back for this game someday!"
"Bring it on!"
"Alright, hurry up and eat!"
"Y-Yes!"
And so, lunch was… peacefully over?
….
After lunch, it was time to investigate the red-haired woman.
"So, what's the plan?"
"First, we ask around and request cooperation. Though cooperation just means telling people to contact us if they see her."
They started from Daedalus Street.
…
"This person here…"
"Hmmm, I don't know her."
"I see. Actually, this person…"
"Hello!"
"Oh, it's the kid! Boss! The handyman kid is here!"
"Hey, good to see you… gasp The Great Cleaving Amazon!"
"Excuse me!"
"Oh, today they're just observing my work."
"Really? I thought you came to talk us down because you broke the great twin sword, Ulga, again..."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"This kid listens to my complaints every time you break your weapons. You could say he's the other creator of Ulga!"
"You're exaggerating. Anyway, today…"
…..
"Hello."
"Welcome. Oh, Toki-kun. And everyone from the Loki Familia."
"Hello, Airmid-san."
"What brings you here today?"
"We're actually looking for this person..."
Huh? Demeter-sama?"
"Oh, Toki? Long time no see."
"Hello."
"Hey, Demeter. It's been a while!"
"Oh, Loki too."
"What are you doing here?"
"Well, I heard Hestia got a boyfriend!"
"What?! That tiny thing with a boyfriend? What a joke."
(Oh, they mean Bell.)
"This person, you know?"
"Hmmm, never seen her."
"I see."
"Hey, enough about that woman, wanna hang out with me instead?"
"Haha, no thanks. See you."
"Man, this guy really knows everyone."
"Yeah, we've probably been everywhere he's been."
"That's not all."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Did you notice anything from the investigations?"
"What?"
"Heard a lot of bad things about that red-haired woman."
"Exactly. Though what they say varies, the common thread is that she leaves a bad impression.And it's not just gossip, they change the story to make sure listeners get a strong negative impression."
"That confirms it, the rumors about the Shadow Devil were true. And, as Tiona said earlier, most places we usually visit are familiar with her. Meaning..."
"She could really take down our Familia if she wanted to."
Gulp
"Well, Toki, she's getting more tempting as a recruit."
Despite asking all around Orario, no clues were found.
"Sorry, Finn-san, Loki-sama."
"No worries."
"I said this in the morning, but this isn't your duty. We're just grateful for your help."
"That means a lot."
"By the way, Toki, why not join our Familia?"
"Like I said before, I'm already part of the Hermes Familia."
"I see. Well then, we'll head back for now. See you!"
"Wait, Loki, I still…"
"It's fine, Lefiya. Let's go."
"Ugh, see you later, Toki."
"Yeah, see you."
I saw off the Loki Familia members. Tomorrow is dungeon time again.
"Lefiya."
"...Yes?"
"That kid is definitely a target."
"Huh?"
"Use whatever it takes, flirting, winning her over with food, she's a must-get! Direct order from
the chief god!"
"Y-Yes!"
------------
Note: If you guys want to read up to 20+ chapters in advance of the current story, you can support me on Patreon. You can read up to chapter 42 there! Patreon.com/Veltoria