That Time a Shut-in for 300 Years Continued to Make Antiques , but All of It Turned out to Be Cheat-Level Magic Tools - Chapter 41

“Whoa! Awesome! What is this, so awesome!”

“You’ve been saying it’s amazing since a while ago. You’re so simple.”

“You were pretty much the same, weren’t you?”

My eyes narrow unintentionally. People are often oblivious to their own behavior.

“Even so, this magical beast is truly amazing. Its body is as hard as iron.”

“Hahaha, you don’t get it, Hazan-san. This is a magic-powered vehicle!”

“So, you’re saying it’s a magical beast, right?”

“No, no, what I mean is…”

Their conversation, which sounds like a joke, is giving me a headache. Hazan sincerely believes it’s a magical beast. It’s a circular argument.

“…But, that person really wanted this magic grass for his child. He must have known it was dangerous but chose to hide it, afraid of being rejected if he told the truth…”

He makes a gesture of wiping tears, although I honestly didn’t think it was dangerous, I can tell something is off in what he’s saying.

“Huh? For his child, you mean Esuihhi?”

“Yes! For his child suffering from an illness! Apparently, the child is very young and suffering.”

“That so… It must be tough for a child. I’m used to it, though.”

“Used to it, you say?”

“Yeah, I have the same illness.”

“What?! That’s terrible! Are you okay being here?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, you have a serious illness, right? One that could kill you if left untreated!”

“What? Death? Seriously?”

“Seriously! Didn’t you know?”

“No, I didn’t know. I didn’t think athlete’s foot could kill…”

“Yeah, that’s right. It’s serious, athlete’s foot is, huh?”

“Pfft, haha!”

“Master, it’s not good to laugh.”

But I can’t help it. Athlete’s foot, such a laughable matter.

“Hold on! Was Esuihhi an ingredient for athlete’s foot?”

“No, it’s an ingredient for the medicine for athlete’s foot.”

“That’s not the issue! You said it was a serious illness!”

“It is serious. It just alleviates the symptoms but can’t cure it.”

“But then what about the child supposedly dying from a serious illness?”

“That was obviously a lie!”

“What?!”

Alecto looks absurdly surprised. It’s disappointing that he didn’t realize it sooner.

“Still, what did that merchant want to achieve? Deceiving us that the medicine for athlete’s foot was for a serious illness?”

“I don’t know.”

“It’s strange, isn’t it? He said it wasn’t dangerous, but it was.”

“Dangerous? Not at all. It was a good hunting ground.”

“That’s because it’s you.”

“You’re just spouting nonsense.”

How rude. As if I don’t know common sense.

“But if that’s the case, maybe this request was set up? Like, if we failed, there’d be a huge penalty.”

“No, no, there wasn’t. I read it carefully this time.”

“Yeah, it was written clearly. If the request failed, the penalty would be 500 platinum coins.”

“Yeah, 500 platinum coi—what?! I didn’t see that!”

“Of course, you wouldn’t notice. It was hidden in the fine print again.”

Always the trickster. Is this a trend now?

“But if that’s true, it’s malicious.”

“Yeah, it is… So, why did you come all this way, really?”

“Hey, I told you, didn’t I? I came to help. To repay a favor!”

“A favor?”

“Yeah. Didn’t we promise? You can ask me for anything if you need help!”

“I remember now, but normally, that’s not what you call a favor…”

They continue their banter as if I have no common sense. Moreover, he came on his own decision.

“Let’s not sweat the small stuff, brothers!”

“Are you saying ‘no kids’?”

“Who are you calling brothers!”

As he slaps me on the back in a friendly manner, Mei chimes in. But, a favor, huh? I recall now, this man was a Class B adventurer.

“Since you’re here, I might as well ask you for a favor.”

“Sure! I’ll do whatever I can!”

With that, we returned to the magic guild with Hazan.

◇◆◇

“Eh? What did you say just now?”

“I said, I’ve collected them. Here, these are the Esuihhi. There are five bundles.”

As I wait at the Magic Guild, the man approaches with a sly grin, asking about the results.

So, I answer him clearly. It may seem like a small amount, but that’s all that grows there.

“Heh, really? By the way, was there any danger?”

His expression changes as he asks this, sweat beading on his forehead.

“Huh? There wasn’t any particular danger, but why do you ask?”

“Ah, no. Haha, right, right. But, good, this will cure the child’s illness.”

He laughs dryly, pretending to be happy, but his words and demeanor don’t match at all.

“Then, I’ll take the reward.”

“Eh, yes. That’s right, indeed.”

“The reward is as stated in this request form, right?”

This request form also doubles as a contract.

“Yes, yes! Exactly as it says on this request form.”

“Hmm, so it’s 50 gold coins per bundle.”

I question him about the amount initially agreed upon, and the man smirks.

“Oh dear, what a strange thing to say. That’s not right. You’re mistaken.”

“Mistaken, you say?”

“Yes, yes, exactly. According to this contract, the reward is 5 copper coins per bundle, five copper coins, right?”

His face pales as he looks at the request form again. So, I remind him.

“Ah, yes, I remember now. Indeed, my mistake. It was actually 500 platinum coins per bundle, not 50 gold coins.”

“Wha-wha-wha-what nonsense!”

The man shouts, his eyes darting back and forth, his shoulders trembling. He clearly didn’t expect this.

“By the way, did my ears deceive me? I thought I heard something about five copper coins?”

“That’s right! This, this request form is a fake! Impossible! It’s impossible! A request form for five copper coins, you, you must have changed it!”

“Hey, hey, don’t say such rash things. That request form clearly looks like you wrote it.”

“What? Who are you! Where did you come from! Outsiders shouldn’t interfere like this!”

Ah, just as planned. I made my presence thin, then thickened it at the right time. And he seems quite shocked.

“I’m Hazan, a Class B adventurer.”

“A Class B adventurer! You weren’t anywhere to be seen until now…”

“No, I’ve been here the whole time. After all, I was asked to be a witness for this guild.”

“A witness!”

“That’s right. I saw the contract beforehand, and there was nothing suspicious about it. It had a stamp, and even your signature on it.”

“But, but!”

“But no scarecrows here! You’re not trying to get away with paying five copper coins after writing about 500 platinum coins, are you, ahhh?”

“Aaah!”

The man screams. His appearance and tone are thuggish, utterly lacking in decorum.

It seems to have succeeded in intimidating him, though.

“Well then, we’ll be taking the agreed payment. But too bad, it’s just athlete’s foot medicine, and you’re paying 500 platinum coins per bundle. That’s 2500 coins for five bundles.”

“Ah, ah, that is, um…”

Then, the man kneels on the ground, begging for a little time. So, in front of Hazan, I make sure he writes a promissory note.

“If you try to run, I’ll spread the word that your commerce guild is nothing but a fraud that easily breaks contracts!”

Hazan adds that for good measure. Hmm, but now it’s hard to tell who the real villain is.