"And done!" Asfi said excitedly, holding a feathered pen in her hands that both of us had been making for a while now, It will work like a normal pen and not like the disaster I cooked before.
"Well done, Asfi," I said, and Asfi looked at me and spoke.
"You too, Arin. Without your initial blueprint, it would have been harder to make."
"So, what do you think, when can we start its mass production?"
"It's not that complicated to make, so we will be able to do it soon," she replied, putting the feathered pen down.
"That's good," I said, looking at the item that will help me pay the debt sooner, since it's an item that pretty much everyone would want.
"Oh, by the way," Asfi said, turning to face me directly, "do you remember the conditions we discussed when you first started learning item creation from me?"
"Yeah, I do. But now that you mention it, wasn't the original deal that Hermes Familia would take half the profits?" I paused, thinking back to our recent transactions. "But from all the items I've made, the profit I've received has been much larger than just fifty percent. Why is that?"
To be honest, I had always thought the original deal was somewhat unfavorable to me. When I first arrived in this world, I'd been overwhelmed by so many new circumstances that I'd simply agreed without properly considering the terms. But as Asfi mentioned, my actual profits had consistently exceeded what I'd expected under that arrangement.
"Actually," Asfi said with a slight smile, "we decided to revise those conditions entirely. Instead of taking a percentage of profits, we thought it would be more beneficial for everyone if Hermes Familia simply charged a reasonable commission for handling the business side of things—marketing, manufacturing logistics, accounting, distribution networks, and other administrative matters."
She gestured to the workshop around us. "This way, you keep the majority of your earnings while we handle what we're good at. It's proven to be much more profitable for both parties, and frankly, fairer to you given the innovation you bring to these projects with your otherworldly knowledge."
"Oh! And you're not going to mention how you practically demolished Hermes when he argued against that arrangement?"
I turned to see Lydia leaning casually against the doorframe, an amused smirk playing across her lips. Her words made me look back at Asfi, whose face had turned an impressive shade of red at being so thoroughly exposed.
"Really, Asfi?" I asked with genuine curiosity.
She opened her mouth to respond, but Lydia was clearly enjoying this too much to let her off the hook.
"Oh, you should have seen it," Lydia continued with obvious delight. "She presented one devastating counterargument after another, systematically dismantling every point Hermes tried to make. She was so passionate about ensuring fair treatment for you."
Lydia's grin widened as Asfi's blush deepened. "I've never seen Hermes so thoroughly outmaneuvered in a business negotiation. He could barely get a word in edgewise by the end."
"Silence!" Not being able to bear any more, Asfi shouted at Lydia, who promptly ran away, not wanting to get caught by Asfi.
"You can ignore her words, Arin, you know how she exaggerates things—Stop smiling!"
I mean, how could I not smirk after knowing how much she cared?
"Um, thanks, Asfi, now I will be able to become debt-free sooner,"
"Haa… you sure are taking that debt too seriously, you know, most of the high-ranking adventurers have debt too, the stronger adventurer you become, the more expensive the gear becomes."
"Yes, I know, but still, I have never been in debt my entire life, so it feels a little weird for me. And now that you mention it, I also need to get some hand and leg guards as well." I looked at my equipment, which was not battered too much, but I would rather not take any chances.
Who knows when I would get in a fight with a strong opponent? I don't want to lose simply because my equipment broke at the right time.
"Hm… then should we go now? You mentioned that Smith, right? Who makes good equipment at a reasonable price?"
"Yes, I have met him a few times. He seems like a good guy. It's a shame everyone wants him to make Magic Sword and not appreciate his talent as a smith." I really don't understand the adventurer's mindset on that part. Though I guess I am not so different as well, since I also want him to make magic swords, they will help greatly in defeating the dragon and in the dungeon dive as well.
"Yes, it truly is a shame, but I think that would likely change now," Asfi said, making me raise an eyebrow.
"And why is that?" I asked.
"Hm? Don't you know? You are one of the most famous adventurers in all of Orario, if not the most famous. And when people see you use the equipment he made, they will naturally want the equipment he made as well."
"Oh, that's… makes sense?" I mean, would that really be the case? Wouldn't they want equipment from someone whom they trust?
Oh well, whatever, if that brings more business to him, then that's a good thing.
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Asfi and I have arrived at the tower floors where a lot of weapon shops are present, "Owa… no matter how many times I see this expensive equipment, I really can't wrap my head around it." I mean, I get it that these expensive items are not worth more than my life, but still…
"Hm? Why do you get so surprised every time you see them? Weren't you saying your family was well off in your old world?" Asfi asked me as we made our way to our destination.
And as anyone can guess, I have told the girls somewhat about my family, except the dark parts, not because I don't trust them, but mainly because it would just be an unnecessary burden on them.
"Yes, I was from a well-off family, but we weren't royals, you know? My parents were extremely strict with money and only bought us things we would need. It was not until my sister started working that I was able to spend some extra cash."
"Fufu, I could imagine you asking for money from your sister." Asif's laugh is cute but…
"Hey! I never asked for it; she just handed them over to me! And I never spend more than what was necessary, okay?!"
"Yes, yes, I believe you. Oh, we are here already," Asfi walked ahead and opened the door to the shop, and like always, it was Tsubaki's shift to be on the counter; her head flopped up from the counter as she looked at us.
"Oh! Are you here to pay your instalment again?" she asked.
"Didn't I already paid for the next 4 months?" I asked back, and Tsubaki rubbed the back of her head.
"I mean, you come to pay money a lot of times, so I just thought it was the same this time."
"No, I am looking for a replacement for my gear—"
"Oh! Arin!" A voice boomed, interrupting my words, and I looked towards the place where I heard the voice and found Welf walking out from the back of the shop. "Been a while, huh?" he said, wiping his hands with a cloth.
He was wearing his bandana, which he usually wore when making weapons. "Do you need new gear?"
He asked, looking at my slightly battered arm guards.
"Yes, this one can last some more time, but I'd rather not risk it," I explained.
"As cautious as ever, huh?"
"You are the only one who calls me cautious; in the eyes of some, I am the most reckless person," I said, meeting gaze with Asfi. She frowned slightly.
"Haa… and that because of valid reasons. Do you want me to list down the times you have been reckless?"
"No need. Anyway, Welf, let's discuss my gear now. Are there some good ones you made?"
"I knew you would be coming to the shop soon, so I already made some good ones."
"Oh, that's great."
Welf and I walked into the smithy, where he had put the equipment. They were similar hand and leg guards, shining in silver-ish light.
"They look good," I checked the equipment, trying them on and moving my body to see the comfort level. "I will take them." I declared and bought the items.
After getting my new equipment, I got out of the smithy, and Asif observed my gear and nodded gently, "They look good on you."
"Thanks, then, Welf, Tsubaki, see you later."
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I was walking through the city streets alone after getting my gear. Asfi said she has some work to do, and we decided to go our separate ways for today. I walked through the town at a slow pace, and it was almost late afternoon when I arrived at home.
But before I could go and get some rest in my room, I saw Riveria walking hurriedly towards the exit gates.
"Riveria, what happened?" Worried, I called her out. Riveria's steps halted, and she looked in my direction, her normally beautiful and regal face twisted in worry, as she explained the reason for her panic.
She explained, trying hard to remain rooted in one spot. "I-I received a letter from Aina, her condition is not good." Hearing her words, I understood why she was panicking so much. And knew she was planning
"Okay, then, let me come with you, or better yet, I will carry you, with my speed, it would be faster than any wagon or tamed monster," I suggested that, with my wind magic, we can simply glide through the air, instead of taking any twists and turns.
"Really?! Then I will rely on you." Riveria agreed quickly, and both of us bolted out of the manor. I told the guards at the gates of the manor to inform Loki and others that I went with Riveria.
And we made our way to the city gates, where I found Ardi standing there, "Hm? Arin and Lady Riveria, what happened? You look like you are in a hurry?"
"Ardee, Loki will explain it to you, and do me a favour and let me out of the city."
"Eh? What?" She seems confused, but I pressed on.
"It's an emergency!" I said and grabbed Riveria, lifting her in my arms, "Kyaa!" Riveria let out a cute yelp as I ran forward.
"You'd better have a solid reason for this!" I heard Ardee's words from behind me, as I created a foothold made of air beneath my feet, and jumped above the trees. My destination was the town of Melen, where Riveria's friend resides.