SWNOVELXO Chapter 124 - Divine Cat Mii-chan, Representative of the Divine Cat Trading Company.
124 Divine Cat Mii-chan, Representative of the Divine Cat Trading Company.
Elena is looking at me with her finger to her lips. What is it?
“I’m so jealous…”
Okay, let’s move on. I removed Mii-chan’s black pearl necklace and stored it away. Another favorite added to the collection.
“Mii~”
Mii-chan is being held by the queen, while the white cat is with Elena, the black cat is with Nia, and I’m holding Luca. Lady Lene is hugging Perro, Sera, and Lou-kun.
Now, let’s proceed with the other matter.
“I have a request and a question for Your Majesty.”
“Ask me anything. I could even grant you a title and some land if you wish.”
“No, I don’t need that…”
“Oh, what a shame.”
I told the queen about the issue with the fairies on Brocken Mountain and the matter with the Apothecary Guild.
“That’s terrible… If the guild is driven by money, there’s nothing to be done. I understand. We’ll have the nation’s pharmaceutical institution buy the medicines. We can never have enough drugs, especially with the impending war. Considering friendship with Brocken Mountain, it’s a good idea.”
That was settled quickly. Thank you. Now, the question I have is about the Kingdom of Lotharingia. For some reason, my intuition skill is kicking in. I don’t know what it’s about, but gathering information is never a bad idea.
“Nero, you have keen ears. Where did you hear this?”
I answered honestly, saying I heard it from the guild master.
“I see, that’s expected. Well, there was an oracle from the temple. A hero summoning was performed in the Kingdom of Lotharingia.”
“A hero summoning?”
“Yes, it’s something that’s been done a few times in legend. But this time, it seems different. The gods denied it, saying it had nothing to do with them.”
“Can heroes really be summoned that easily?”
“Of course not. If they could, you’d think there’d be heroes everywhere, wouldn’t you?”
“That’s true. So what exactly is a hero?”
“A being with power that transcends the knowledge of this world—physical abilities, skills, knowledge. Although now extinct, it’s said they have power comparable to the race known as the Divine Humans who created this world. After the Divine Humans perished, it was said that the heroes summoned by the gods rebuilt this world. Even the founding of this Lumier Kingdom is said to be by a descendant of a hero summoned by the gods, though different from the hero who rebuilt the world. So, both I and the queen are considered descendants of heroes.”
“But this time, the gods aren’t involved… So how did they manage to summon one?”
“Well, ancient texts mention a skill that supposedly connects this world with another.”
I wonder if this has anything to do with the path the gods connected to send me to this world? I ended up staring at Mii-chan.
“Mii?”
Judging by Mii-chan’s reaction, I guess not. If the path were opened, I’d be able to return to the gods, after all.
“It likely involves the Orc King.”
“If they haven’t made it public yet, it seems they intend for the hero to defeat it.”
“Something smells fishy.”
“Nero, do you think so too?”
From what I’ve heard, the Kingdom of Lumier has already made the existence of the Goblin King public. As a result, hunters and mercenary groups from neighboring countries have been sent here. The existence of the Demon King is not just a matter of concern for this country; other countries also fear they could be next if this country falls, so they send hunters and mercenaries free of charge.
Yet, the Kingdom of Lotharingia has not made any such announcement. Do they have absolute confidence in the summoned hero, or do they have other plans? Their intentions are unclear.
“They say calamity strikes all at once, but let’s hope nothing happens.”
I followed Nia with Mii-chan in tow. We arrived at the edge of the royal palace. It looks like a wild herb garden, with even a glass building that makes it clear this is a well-funded facility.
“Mii~”
“This is a pharmacological research institution managed by the nation, separate from the Apothecary Guild. It’s a place where the highest secrets are gathered. Naturally, it’s not a place one can easily approach, so please be cautious.”
So, it’s a secret lab. I wonder if there’s a mad scientist or something…
“Mii…”
There are soldiers standing at the entrance. Nia spoke with one of them, and we were allowed to pass and enter.
Inside, it felt more like a clean office than the place I imagined. It seems the research labs are separate. Nia spoke to the receptionist, and we were guided to a conference room where tea was even served. While Nia played with Mii-chan and I sipped tea, an elderly man in a lab coat, looking every bit the researcher, entered along with a woman who seemed to be his secretary and a sharp-eyed clerk.
“I hear it’s a request from Her Majesty. What do you want?”
His tone was blunt, showing no interest in power. I don’t dislike that.
“This is Nero-sama, a friend of Lady Anneliese. Nero-sama possesses rare medicinal materials. At Lady Anneliese’s request, they will be provided to this facility.”
“Oh? What do you have?”
When I handed him the list, the elderly man’s expression changed from one of mild amusement to that of a raptor eyeing its prey.
“Mii…”
Sensing the change, Mii-chan clung to Nia. That’s unusual.
“Kid, do you really have all of this?”
Kid… Okay, fine, I’ll accept being called a kid…
“I do. Is that a problem?”
“How did you get them? Some of these haven’t even been seen on the black market in years.”
The secretary and the clerk, looking at the list, widened their eyes in surprise.
“Do you think I’d tell you?”
“I wouldn’t say either. The question is whether you can supply these regularly.”
“That depends on the price, but it’s possible.”
“Understood. I want to establish an exclusive supply contract.”
With that, he signaled the clerk, who left the room.
“Is it possible to acquire other materials?”
“If you have samples, I can check.”
“Hmm, very well.”
He then signaled the secretary, who also left the room.
“Do you realize how valuable these materials are?”
“I know that they’re highly sought after by the Apothecary Guild. There were even ingredients for high-grade potions.”
“Indeed. Why didn’t you sell them to the Apothecary Guild?”
“The price they offered was too low. I couldn’t face those who gathered them with such an amount.”
“What would you have done if they hadn’t sold?”
“It wouldn’t have mattered. If they didn’t sell here, I would’ve sold them in another country.”
“Hmph. That would have been a significant loss.”
The clerk returned with some papers.
“Do you have a commercial guild certificate?”
I handed over my commercial guild certificate, and the clerk explained while examining it.
“Normally, it wouldn’t be necessary since this is a state institution, but it will contribute to the achievements of the Divine Cat Trading Company.”
I see. Doing business with the government could be a significant achievement. That’s appreciated. The documents included a commercial transaction agreement and an exclusive contract. After reading through them, I filled them out.
“Divine Cat Trading Company…”
Nia chuckled.
“Mii~?”
“Oh, pardon me, Mii-sama.”
Why is it only Mii-chan? What about me?
Sigh… It’s fine. Mii-chan is the representative of the Divine Cat Trading Company, after all.
“Mii~”