Chapter 57: New Home
After thinking about how I could get more dungeon cores I realize there's not much I can do for now so I just call it a day. I tried inviting Alora but after today's fiasco she wasn't having any of it.
So I went back to my cabin to read my smut.
Strangely enough, there wasn't as much poop eating as I thought. This goblin guy had a bad habit of using his lust related skills on his large harem but he also used it a lot on breeding animals.
No I don't mean he was personally doing things to the animals… Well one or two magic beasts, but that's because they were mostly humanoid in nature.
No he actually used [Lust bestowel] a lot on more valuable animals. Especially the ones with irregular mating cycles.
Now I don't have to worry about finding test subjects. If anything, people will probably pay me to use my magic on their livestock. Not that I would. I don't want to be known for the guy that helps animals get off.
"At most it'll just be my own farms."
(Try not to do anything gross to them. I know you want to. Heheh.)
"Don't be gross, man."
Anyways, after an hour of reading I get ready for bed until I hear a knock.
When I open the door I see Alora standing by the doorside looking through the halls nervously.
I couldn't help but chuckle after letting her in.
…
The next day I moved Alora off of me and onto the side of the bed.
Today was a big day. I could already hear people outside shuffling around and yelling.
When I stepped outside I was confronted by several people walking around carrying cargo off the ship.
Makoto saw me and started off with his usual routine.
"You're awake. Good. I need you to off load some goods and settle some paperwork with me. The natives aren't taking kindly to our presence."
"Good morning to you too. Is there a problem?"
I looked out and instead of the usual sight I've grown accustomed to seeing I'm instead surrounded by a large city that went upward into a mountain as far as I can see.
The city looked a bit odd, I saw several people walking with their heads down and mouths covered up in cloth. I saw a massive castle fortress on the top of the mountain in the distance. As well as large towering walls surrounded by a walkway connecting to the large peer.
As beautiful as this all was it paled in comparison to the three massive statues standing on giant stone pedestals out at sea. I guess we passed them while I was asleep. I'm sure it was a real sight to see from a distance. Oh well.
After taking a good look at my surroundings I turned my head back to Makoto to hear what he had to say.
"Yeah, the city guard has come to ask us the usual questions. What's really worrisome is the amount of inspections these people are demanding."
"It's not surprising. These guys just fled one hostile environment to come to an even more hostile environment."
Regardless, I expect we'll be forced to give away a lot of concessions just to do our trading.
Panic driven markets are one of the most lucrative yet the most fragile.
Regardless, Makoto wasn't looking very happy.
"They're demanding to see our wares. Inspect our ship, check our logs, pay for service fees, inspection fees, maintenance fees, dock fees, heck even the local church has shown up to ask for donations."
Makoto continued to list off the amount of paperwork we had to sign.
Needless to say things were not looking good. At this rate they'll rob us blind.
"What about the spooks? Where are they at? I thought they were going to help us out?"
"They're somewhere, but don't get your hopes up. None of them will bother wasting their time on inspections unless things get out of hand."
Ugh, not surprising. "Well we'll just have to give them what they want… wait why did you need my wares?"
Makoto looked a bit uncomfortable when I mentioned that last part.
"I might've mentioned that you were going to set up shop around here… They want to inspect your wares as well."
"What?!"
That's a problem. How am I going to explain the demon shop? I wanted to keep the thing a secret until I set up shop.
"Makoto if people find out about the shop they'll want in on it!"
Before Makoto could say anything Alora came walking up to us, "What's wrong with that? I thought you collect a small amount of taxes from every person that uses it?"
I look at her like an idiot while Makoto just sighs before stepping in.
"Jess gains more from personally acting as the middle man. Sure his shop could do that job just fine but if it does then nobody will come to him."
Alora still looked confused, "Isn't that a good thing? Jess hates people."
She knows me so well.
"That may be true but I do love their money. Lora, if I'm the one trading with them it'll only make them appreciate me more. Think about it. I buy the goods for cheap, they buy it for 10 or 100 times that and it'll still be a steal."
At this point Makoto spoke up, "Don't forget, he's not just selling mundane items like cloth, alcohol and medicine. He'll also be selling rare and unique items like sacred tombs and enchanted artifacts. Better yet, he can even sell whole bodies from legendary monsters and pristine ingredients. Some of which can be found whole continents away while being as fresh as the day it was picked."
Alora's eyes went wide after that. She hadn't really thought of my ability in depth but even she had to admit that that was pretty op. If she knew what that term meant anyway.
I've spent years traveling around several countries and continents with my grandfather and I've accepted to extend my ability to as many people as possible. Unfortunately most of these items are a bit expensive even for me but that's just because I haven't bothered taking the initiative.
It doesn't help that I'm not able to supersede and control the actions of my own ability. If I could pause the demon shop for one second I could immediately grab whatever item I want before it disappears.
Unfortunately even I can't do that.
"Do you understand the problem now Lora?"
Alora stood there in silence for a bit while me and Makoto were discussing how we can make sure to keep my ability a secret until Alora spoke up again.
"Why don't you just disguise it as a really large item box?"
I stopped what I was doing and turned to look at Alora. Her idea wasn't bad, it's just that item boxes are considered rare and incredibly valuable. If I told people that I had one, and that it was an inborn ability people would start asking questions.
"You can't forget that you have a strong affinity for the cursed arts. I'm sure it would confuse a lot of people as to why you have a space attribute ability."
I thought about that for a second.
"Unless I was an otherworlder…"
Yeah that usually didn't go well with most people. Most otherworlders tend to be… Problematic.
"Don't forget, otherworlders, even the good ones aren't allowed to get involved with politics. Not unless they start up their own organization like your grandfather or if they're from the borderlands."
I nodded while thinking about that but I could tell Alora was confused again.
"I thought we were in the borderlands?"
"We are, but it won't be once the UDE show up."
Once they set up a few outposts for teleportation then this place will be UDE property all but in name.
Regardless, after thinking over the problem we just decided that I was an oddball who was born with a unique ability but chose to practice in something that resonates with me more.
"This is actually pretty common in society. Just because you're born with the affinity doesn't mean people choose that route. Your grandfather was a special case. He was once an esper, and he could've chosen to take an esper serum again if he wanted to but he believed that magic was the way to go."
Except unlike him I'll just be considered a freak who's not talented in anything. Which is also common among 'my kind.'
"Cheer up Jess. People might look at you like you're a weak loser but at least you'll be a rich loser."
How comforting.
"Don't worry Jess, I'll make sure to protect you from harm." Alora said.
Yeah, I should hide behind my super strong girlfriend. Oh well, in most societies that's considered normal thanks to supers.
Though not very responsible. Or safe.
There's a reason supers only hang around their equals. One wrong move and she could easily crush me. As she proved last night.
"Whatever, I don't have any sales logs and receipts so I'll just have to make them up. I'll send paperwork your way within the hour."
"Thanks Jess. Once we're done we'll head to the bar and meet our contacts."
The heck are they doing at the bar? Oh right, information gathering obviously.
"I look forward to it."
I looked out at the town and I couldn't help but think about how pretty it was despite the negative energy in the air. I was a little worried but there's always something to look forward to.
"I have big plans for my future here."
"In our new home."
Yeah. Our new home.