The carriage arrived at a large mansion in the center of Leñador.
Soon after being ushered into a magnificent room, we were called to lunch. After being given such a grand reception, I just decided to enjoy it since I didn't have to worry about our lodging or meals.
Lunch was done in a buffet style. The many dishes spreading over the dining table were all of high quality, therefore I was finding it hard to even take one out. "To go to these lengths? ", I muttered in awe, to which Yukari replied with the sound argument "This is their way of showing their wealth.
Silvia, who was restless, yet doing her best to show a calm front said "What an incredible welcome". Even as the second daughter of a Knight House, she didn't seem to be used to this kind of place, probably because she was at a very low rank at the Third Knight Order.
On the other hand, Eko was devouring the food while literally dancing with joy. She both eats and sleeps properly, it's good to see her still going at her own pace no matter the place.
After lunch was over, it was finally time for the meeting.
Yukari and I entered the meeting room and already inside were a total of about 20 middle-aged men, including the Earl and the house steward, Forest-san. It was quite a sight to see everyone sit down at the same time after we took our seats.
And so, the meeting started.
However, I just left everything to Yukari and simply nodded with a "Fumu" every now and then to let them know I understood. But, as a matter of fact, I didn't understand a thing. What is a selling hedge? Are any people from insurance companies here? Or rather, are there even such companies in this fantasy world? Apply magic to make the contract with me? I really don't understand a thing...
"Alright, then let's take things in this direction."
"Wow, this was a really meaningful meeting. Let's hope this finishes successfully."
"It was an honor for us to be able to attend. There is no problem with the contract as is, right?"
"Not at all, we're quite happy with its contents. I'm looking forward to what's to come."
"Thank you very much."
While wondering if it was alright to stop nodding at the conversations, the meeting ended in a good mood. I left the meeting room along with Yukari while saying "Thank you, thank you".
Yukari was quietly delighted the talks proceeded as planned. In other words, "A deal of 30 billion CL, spanning a period of two months".
"Thank you. You did great! "
"No. We're not done, since the contract hasn't been finished yet."
Huge amount of money —GET! I was so happy I stroked Yukari's head. And just like her usual self, the tips of her ears were tinted in red while she moved ahead speaking emotionlessly.
"After a short break, we'll have dinner with some important figures, including the Earl's family."
While trying to hide her fluster, she walked ahead of me.
While Yukari was earnestly thinking about various subjects, I just followed after her.
———————————
At the dinner party.
A lot of people were gathered in the hall. They were probably the people who attended the meeting earlier and their families.
"Hahaha! Second-kun! Hahahaha! "
Saying "Let's put aside our social standing for tonight! ", the Earl declared loudly while drinking a glass of wine in high spirits.
Nodding in satisfaction, he, together with other people, were happily smiling as they continued to admire the four of us. Is he this happy because he'll get his hands on Mithril Alloy?
In the end, I couldn't do anything aside from joining them in their laugh every time my name was called.
"Barel-sama, please take a rest over here."
Forest-san guided the Earl to a chair. Ah, this is probably a common occurrence...
"Oh. By the way, Silvia-san, aren't you Noir-san's daughter?"
"D-do you know father...!? "
"Of course, I've been in his care."
"I-i-i-it's an honor! "
Silvia then started to talk to the Earl. Seems like he and her father are acquainted.
Yukari, not far from here, was having trouble speaking with some important men. Speaking of which, before the dinner party she said she would "steal the know how".
Eko was surrounded and being fed by several maid onee-sans.
"..."
I feel left out. What should I do?
It happened when I was thinking -let's go and mix in Eko's group.
Suddenly, a voice sounded from behind me.
"You, will you come here for a minute? "
Looking back, there stood THE classic ojou-sama, dressed in frilly clothes and with her hair in ringlet curls.
Her height was smaller than 150 centimeters, and her chest was similarly petite. She had fluffy hair and her large and bright eyes were slightly slanted. She would've been perfect if she was blonde, but unfortunately, her hair was chestnut colored.
"Chérie-san? "
"Yes, that's right."
The Earl's daughter, Chérie Lumberjack. I remember her standing next to the Earl at the beginning of the dinner party, wearing a sulky face. I wasn't really paying attention since we were told at the start that the son Jerez would not be present. I see, so this is his sister.
"You, the great me came to speak to you so you should feel honored."
"O-okay."
She spoke in such a way so calmly. Is this girl serious?
"But even so, don't go getting some weird ideas! "
"I am not."
"What's with that attitude! Disgusting! "
"Ahh…"
How should I handle this?
"Hmph. Come with me! "
To my surprise, after Chérie said that, she turned her back to me and walked away.
And since I didn't want to follow her, I just didn't.
...
"――Hey, you! Don't stand there, come with me! "
After a minute or so, Chérie, who had her face turned red, came back angry and after grabbing my hand, she forcefully pulled me along. Was she speaking along without noticing it all this time? Eh, isn't that kind of cute...?
And then, the destination to which I was taken was a lonely balcony. What's with this balcony, it's large enough to be able to play basketball on it. As expected of an Earl's house.
"You, you are a Spirit User, aren't you? "
As soon as we arrived, Chérie immediately cut to the chase.
"No, it's a bit different."
"Am I wrong!? "
"Yeah."
"Ah, is that so...? "
Bewilderment. Did I tease her a bit too much?
"But I do employ a spirit."
"I knew it, you're a Spirit User! What's wrong with you?! "
By her body language, I could tell she was quite upset. I somehow thought, 'She doesn't seem to be a bad person'.
"Listen closely! You don't go getting any weird ideas just because father likes you! "
"I am not."
This is the second time I denied that in three minutes.
"Hey, that tone! I am an A Rank adventurer! Be more respectful! "
"I am, too."
"Hmph. Isn't yours a group of four that's A? I got to A just by me alone!! "
"Alone? Ah... hmm."
...Alone, I wonder how that is...
Doing things her own way, it must've been hard.
"What's with that lukewarm gaze?"
"You're having some trouble, so you want to talk to me? Right? "
"S-shut up! I can take care of myself! "
"Ouch!? "
She hit me!
"Why did you do that!? "
"Because you don't seem to understand our different positions."
Chérie's caustic tongue spewed those words while she made a face that indicated "This is the natural outcome". I wonder what this girl wants to accomplish. She's pissing me off...
"Hey, for what purpose did you call me for? Was it to hit me? "
"That's wrong, you sure are rude! It was just to let you know the difference in positions! "
"The difference in positions? "
"Exactly. The difference in positions! "
She looked up at me with a prideful smile. She appears to be full of confidence.
...Ohh? I see, I see. I can somehow tell where this is going.
"Is that so? Then, how on earth are you planning to show me the difference in positions? "
"Fufu, you'll know soon enough. Well then, I wonder how much longer that composure of yours will last? "
Walking away a bit, Chérie took some distance from me.
"Behold my spirit, it's alright if you cry! "
At the same time as she shouted those words, she activated "Spirit Summoning".
A big summoning circle materialized between me and Chérie―― and from its center, a beautiful brown-skinned woman appeared, very similar to a dark elf.
"――Did you call for me, Master?"
"Yes, that's right! Terra! Introduce yourself to this disgusting man! " (TLN: This can be interpreted as "introduce yourself" or something similar to "kick his ass")
"As you wish."
The brown-skinned female spirit called Terra answered while performing a beautiful bow.
"I am Terra. I am also called Gnomides (Gnome Death). I'm the great spirit of Earth." (TLN: here, female gnomes are called gnomids (nomidesu) and gnome death is also written the same way (nomidesu).
"Thank you for your politeness. I'm Second, my pleasure."
"Second-san, I hope we get along."
We shook hands.
"Hey! I never said to get along with him! I told you to teach him a lesson! "
"Oh, I'm very sorry, Master."
Terra-san somewhat gives off a fluffy feeling. Something like she's doing things at her own pace, to the point where it doesn't feel like she's apologizing, even though she's lowering her head. A mysterious fluffy feeling.
But even so... it's quite funny, all things considered. Great spirits of earth are certainly quite rare. Her initial strength was probably about 32,000. Yeah, with this, the "difference in positions" is going to be very clear.
"Hey, what are you laughing at!? You too, why don't you hurry and take out your miserable spirit!? Well, I'll laugh since nothing that comes out will be better than my Great Spirit of Earth!"
I'm the one who will be laughing...
While imagining the incredible reaction Chérie will have, I prepared to use "Spirit Summoning". And then.
"If you're going this far, then it can't be helped. Alright, com――"
"Second-dono! Eko has collapsed because she ate too much! "
"What!? "
Silvia came and cut in between us.
This is something important. I desperately ran with her.
And at my back, "Hey, wait a moment! " those yells came flying, but I ran while ignoring them. I can be Chérie's opponent some other time.
...Thinking back on it.
It was with this crazy encounter that my peaceful plans in the Proline Dungeon started to crack and crumble.