Chapter 123 The Man Who Decides the Price of White Sugar
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Well… I mean… how should I put this…”
To begin with, kidnapping Liliarette wasn’t exactly my idea…!
It was more of a contract… a way to use the power Cleonora gained as a Magical Girl¹ to help develop my territory.
Even if it wasn’t my intent, I am the direct cause. I’m not going to make excuses for that. But Lambdaine-san’s questions are so hard to answer…!
While I was struggling, Eme-chan stepped in to handle it.
”It was necessary. Besides, the girl herself preferred being by the side of the King of the Magic Labyrinth² rather than being taken care of for the rest of her life while being unable to use her legs. That’s all there is to it,” Eme said.
”Ho…? But I’ve heard rumors that the one who snatched the princess was a master of flight sorcery. Why would the King of the Magic Labyrinth, who keeps such a powerful sorcerer in his service, go out of his way to keep the princess by his side?” Lambdaine asked.
From Lambdaine-san’s perspective, there’s no merit for either me or Princess Liliarette to be traveling together. That’s likely why our relationship looks so incredibly suspicious to him.
Everything could be explained by the existence of Cleonora, who stands between me and Liliarette.
But I can’t exactly say, “Actually, Cleonora is alive, and bringing Liliarette here was her wish.”
Perhaps Eme-chan had no intention of revealing her survival either, as she simply shook her head.
”There is no need to explain those circumstances to you,” Eme replied.
”Fair enough. Fine then. A master of flight sorcery exists and is under the King’s command. Confirming that fact alone is sufficient,” Lambdaine said.
I guess flight sorcery is really rare. Though technically, it’s not exactly sorcery.
”By the way… what about the sugar? Can we expect that to be supplied regularly?”
”No… regular supply would be difficult. If it’s just a matter of providing it occasionally when we have it ready… then, well…” I muttered.
”Can’t you do something about that? That sugar is a trump card that could break one of the advantages held by the Holy Capital Ragnarond³…?”
He had been quite detached during the previous negotiations, but he was really biting onto the subject of sugar. Just as Liliarette said, it must be an incredibly attractive commodity for a merchant of the Republic.
It was Eme-chan who gave a firm response to this as well.
”Give it up. If anything, you should be grateful that we’re even offering to send some your way occasionally. To begin with, what happened to the white sugar we brought before? It’s still confiscated by you all, along with the cart and the fruit we brought in, isn’t it?”
Now that she mentioned it, that’s right…! I had completely forgotten until Eme-chan said it. We haven’t even been able to sell the fruit and sugar we brought last time for money…!
However, Lambdaine-san didn’t look like he had been poked in a sore spot. On the contrary, he wore a fearsome smile as if he had been waiting for this.
”Ah, that sugar. Sorry, but we’ve already used it. I wanted to check the quality and there were things I wanted to test. As for the fruit, it would’ve just spoiled if we left it. I made sure everything was used appropriately,” Lambdaine said.
Well… I guess that makes sense…. The sugar was just in a wooden box, after all. If the storage isn’t handled carefully, there’s a chance it could become unusable due to moisture.
”I’m appalled. You stole someone else’s property and used it without permission? Surely someone like you understands the value of that amount of white sugar?” Eme asked.
”Oh, naturally. Its quality far exceeds the white sugar produced in the Holy Capital. With that amount, depending on the location, you could buy land in the Republic. Considering its influence, it’s almost impossible to put a price on it,” Lambdaine replied.
Wow… he sees it as even more valuable than I thought…. And yet, he used up something that valuable without any hesitation….
At this point, Lambdaine-san continued speaking in an especially loud voice.
”Ah—this is a real problem. We teamed up with the guards to confiscate expensive white sugar brought by the King of the Magic Labyrinth himself, and then we went and used it without permission. White sugar so valuable that even a single lick from a fingertip could buy a mansion—what a dilemma!”
”U-Um…?” I muttered.
Just as I was wondering what was going on, the door to the reception room opened. Appearing from there were the old butler and a pink-haired girl—Aris-chan.
”Ah…?”
”Hey, Aris. You understand the current relationship between the Kelnamerchant guild⁴ and the King of the Magic Labyrinth… and the rift between both parties now, right?” Lambdaine asked.
In response to Lambdaine-san’s question, Aris-chan kept her head down. However, both of her hands were clutching the hem of her skirt tightly.
”Now then… King of the Magic Labyrinth. As we agreed earlier, I have no objection to continuing business with you. Nor do I mind becoming your backer. However, I have to settle the score for the trouble we caused you,” Lambdaine said.
He wants to work as equal business partners, but as things stand, he owes me… is that what he’s saying?
”Iris was given to you to settle the score for making you angry. After all, we were the ones who tried to steal the cultivation land first. And as for the confiscated fruit and white sugar… let’s settle that with Aris,” Lambdaine said.
”Eh…”
”…!?”
What… did he just say…!? If my understanding is correct… Lambdaine-san is trying to sell Aris-chan…!? As compensation for the white sugar…!?
”You can handle Aris however you like, just like Iris,” Lambdaine added.
”B-But… isn’t she your granddaughter…?” I asked.
”The business starting now with the King of the Magic Labyrinth takes priority. To begin with, neither Aris nor Iris will ever make it big as merchants. They aren’t the kind of talent I can entrust the Kelnamerchant guild to. But if she’s useful for building a relationship with you, this is the best way to use her,” Lambdaine said.
What should I do… Lambdaine-san is a little scary…. He just flat-out told her, “You’re an unwanted child,” right in front of her.
Well, even so, it is Aris-chan. I don’t exactly feel any sympathy for her.
”Even if she’s useless as a merchant, she has plenty of uses as a woman. Settle the debt for the sugar we used with Aris,” Lambdaine said.
Uh… is this okay…? Just taking Aris-chan like this…? Well, I certainly want to trample over Aris-chan’s dignity just as much as I do Iris’s…!
”Hmph? Are you planning to send that girl over to gather information?” Eme asked provocatively, probing his true intentions.
”Being the granddaughter of the Kelnamerchant guild, she should have many other uses, shouldn’t she? Why hand both of them over to the King of the Magic Labyrinth? I’m not sure if that’s a high or low price for the white sugar,” Eme added.
”Heh… naturally, there are reasons beyond just settling the score. I’m handing over two of my granddaughters. With this, the King’s anger won’t be directed at the town anymore, right?” Lambdaine replied.
He’s saying that since I’ve received two of the granddaughters of the most powerful man in town, I won’t cause trouble for the town… is that what he means?
But on our end, we hadn’t planned on doing anything to the town from the start…. Oh, wait. I think Vectra-san had mentioned something about massacring the townspeople a few times.
If by some chance I really did send Vectra-san, Lambdaine-san would have no move left. He might have thought his granddaughters could serve as insurance against that.
”Above all, I’m becoming your backer. Rather than just saying it, telling people that my granddaughters have married into your house will be much more persuasive, don’t you think?” Lambdaine asked.
”……!”
Wait… m-married…!? So that’s what he meant by giving me Aris-chan…!?
”I see…. If his granddaughters marry in, the King of the Magic Labyrinth can also be utilized for the development of the Kelnamerchant guild… is that it?” Eme asked.
”I thought we could build a good relationship while enjoying mutual benefits,” Lambdaine replied.
”You say that so easily. A master of flight sorcery, a powerhouse like Vectra, and the crops grown in the Demon Forest⁵… you’ve probably been looking for the most efficient way to utilize these for the guild’s growth. And that’s why you set your eyes on Aris,” Eme said.
I guess it’s all in how you phrase it. Or rather, Lambdaine-san is being way too much of a merchant. Before I knew it, I was in a position to be utilized too.
”Hmph… didn’t I tell you yesterday? It’s a forward investment. The King of the Magic Labyrinth has proven he can provide commodities worthy of the Kelnamerchant guild’s investment. If that warehouse continues to be filled in the future, this investment will eventually be recovered,” Lambdaine said.
In conclusion, it seems this is the result of him prioritizing the construction of a relationship with me.
Actually, after letting Lambdaine-san go this far, if I refused, Aris-chan would likely have no place left in the Kelnamerchant guild.
”Isn’t it fine? Iris-chan is enjoying her life in the Demon Forest too~. Let’s have Aris-chan come along!” Ami said excitedly. She’s probably looking forward to the Ego Point⁶ she can squeeze out of Aris-chan.
”Hey, Aris. Say what I taught you,” Lambdaine prompted.
Prompted by Lambdaine-san, Aris-chan took a step forward. However, without raising her face, she opened her mouth while looking down.
”F-For… offending the… King of the Magic Labyrinth… I am… deeply… so-sor…ry…” Aris muttered.
It looks so hard for her to say…! Her true feelings of not wanting to say it and the frustration of being forced to are clearly showing in her tone and attitude.
”P-Please… take me… as your… u-uueeeeeeeerrrrgh!” Aris groaned.
”!?”
Nothing actually came out of her stomach, but Aris-chan let out a groan like a dry heave while still looking down. Her genuine sense of disgust was being conveyed incredibly well…!
”Hmph… you can’t even speak as you were taught. King of the Magic Labyrinth, she’s a granddaughter like this… but for the sake of our better relationship, please take her off my hands,” Lambdaine said.
”E-Err… yes. If that’s the case…” I replied.
And so, Aris-chan ended up coming to my Dominion⁷ as well. I don’t even need to check with Ami-chan to know her Affection Level⁸. It’s probably minus 100, a new record low.
But because it’s Aris-chan, I’m already looking forward to how I’ll trample her dignity, combined with all the things she did to me in the past.
Following Iris-chan, she’ll be my second precious teaching material… I think I’ll learn plenty from her!
—
Summary:
The protagonist negotiates with the powerful merchant Lambdaine over the supply of high-quality white sugar. Lambdaine admits to using the protagonist’s previously confiscated sugar and offers his granddaughter Aris as compensation for the debt. Despite Aris’s visible disgust and nausea at the idea, Lambdaine effectively ‘sells’ her to the protagonist to solidify their business alliance. The protagonist accepts, eager to use Aris as a tool for his own ends and to settle past grievances.
—
Character Insight:
Lambdaine’s ruthless pragmatism is on full display as he treats his own family as expendable assets for ‘forward investment.’ Aris’s visceral reaction—dry heaving at the prospect of being handed over—highlights the sheer psychological trauma and resentment she feels, which the protagonist perversely looks forward to exploiting. The protagonist shows a darkening moral compass, viewing these girls not as people, but as ‘teaching materials’ and sources for Ego Points.
—
Behind the Scene:
This chapter emphasizes the immense economic value of sugar in this world, paralleling historical periods where sugar was ‘white gold.’ It also marks a turning point where the protagonist’s ‘Dominion’ begins to resemble a collection of high-status hostages used to bridge political and commercial gaps.
—
T/L:
Notes:
• Liliarette – The other Princess, who sacrificed her ability to walk and her sorcery talent to save her sister, Cleonora. She is imprisoned in the East Tower and is being used as a political and monetary pawn by Viorga. C-cup, true golden hair, waist-length hair, the fringe was a slightly blunt, hair on her left side was braided to the chest.
• Cleonora – The second princess. Have a yellow blonde hair. Usually styled as hairbun. D-cup.
• Lambdaine – A powerful Councilor of the Shital Republic and a successful merchant who built his fortune from nothing. He is the grandfather of Iris and Aris.
• Vectra – A Unique Individual maid with white skin and white hair. Height 170cm, Bust Size D. Class: Duelist. Attribute: Darkness. Weapon: Star-Strike Battle Axe Volkein
• Ami – A palm-sized fairy-like being from a world separate from both Earth and the isekai realm. She has light blue hair tied in a ponytail, mischievous blue eyes, and tiny wings that flutter behind her. Her outfit consists of a provocative high-cut leotard and a short jacket that looks like a miniskirt from the back, leaving her legs bare. Despite her playful appearance, she is actively searching for a contractor who can protect her from dangerous pursuers in exchange for the powers she offers.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Leave a Reply