Chapter 94 Black Consumers – Part 1

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"What are you talking about…?"

"It doesn't matter if you're acting. The eyes see everything equally. Even so, you're quite impressive. It took me some time to notice."

"...…"

"It's not a higher spiritual entity like my disciple, but your mental body is unwavering. That's only possible with extreme self-confidence and an unshakeable ego."

"...…"

"I'm curious what the world looks like through those eyes, but if I do that, the Mad Dragon will probably try to kill me. So I'll just take a peek—"

"Archmage."

"Stay still. It won't hurt."

"I have something to tell you. It might be hard to believe, but it's about the future."

"Hmm?"

"And… I have a proposal."

***

The problem was solved.

A new problem arose.

'What? Why do these things keep happening as if it's natural?'

Was I Sisyphus from Greek mythology? What sin did I commit to deserve this?

I lamented my situation for a moment. This wasn't as big of a deal as the staged terrorist attack or the audit, but it was still disheartening.

"Sigh."

"...…"

"Sigh."

"Um, Finance Director…?"

"It's not the Headmistress's fault. Sigh. It's all the dwarves' fault. Sigh."

"Ugh…"

Hmm, was I being too harsh? But the Headmistress was the root of all evil, wasn't she? I should just keep going.

I pushed aside the students who were cheerfully running around, oblivious to the academy's situation with the audit and the dwarves' official letter, and headed towards the office.

I sent the protagonist back for now.

── Do you happen to know the dwarves?

── No, I don't think…

── Then please return to the dormitory and rest for now. You deserve it after accomplishing such a great task.

── But I want to help.

── Who said I wouldn't call you? If things get worse, I'll drag you here even if you don't want to come, so don't worry.

── ...…

Normally, I would have called her in. Just like how I had to put on a show with the dwarves and the dagger, having a Rank 6 quietly present would make the negotiation easier.

But I already had a Rank 6 superior by my side, didn't I? With a Rank 8 present, who would dare act up?

"Let me tell you in advance, don't try to destroy the Headmistress's office like last time."

"Don't worry. I was just angry back then, I wasn't actually trying to hurt the dwarves."

"No, that's not it. The Headmistress's office is built with expensive materials, so it's costly to repair. Just attack the dwarves."

"...…"

I guarantee that the dwarves' lifetime medical expenses would be cheaper than repairing the Headmistress's office. It would be troublesome if they died, but surely they could control their strength that much.

There was a time when negotiations with the dwarves almost fell apart, even with the Headmistress present. That's why the Headmistress got angry and tried to destroy her office.

But back then, the dwarves acted up because the Headmistress took a stance as if she didn't care. Actually, I was the only one who heard their sarcastic remarks, but the Headmistress, who was sitting separately, suddenly lost it.

As a result, the negotiations went smoothly thanks to that show of force, but if we resorted to violence in every negotiation, we might lose the opportunity to trade with the dwarves in the future… but…

Things were different now.

"Headmistress, remember this."

"W-what?"

"If things go wrong, just unleash your power. And if you really can't stand it, attack the dwarves instead of the building."

"…Wouldn't that really sever our relationship with the dwarves?"

"I used to worry about that, but it's different now. We've secured the donations, so there's no need to earn money by trading with them."

"Worry…? Anyway, I understand."

Actually, even though there were many dwarven items, very few people traded directly with the dwarves. The reason was, of course, their nasty personalities.

We had to trade directly with them to maximize profits, but if we had enough money, we could just buy dwarven items from others. When other academies had problems with their rank measuring devices, they just replaced them; they didn't call the dwarves.

'The official letter said that if it's torn at a specific time, teleportation magic will be activated immediately.'

Was this also some dwarven artifact or something? Wasn't long-distance teleportation magic only possible for the Archmage? Was it possible with just a piece of paper like this?

Anyway, I had to resolve this quickly, so I entered the office… what?

"Archmage? Student Milia?"

"Ah, Finance Director…"

"You've arrived. I was getting tired of waiting, so we were just talking. The Mad Dragon doesn't look so good… Did something bad happen?"

"You crazy Piste-obsessed bastard. Why are you here?"

"I came to hear your answer, of course. I've been waiting for a week, and you haven't given me an answer. So, Finance Director, what will you do?"

"I've decided to refuse. That's it."

"Hmm?"

"I'm truly sorry, but I'm very busy right now."

And there wasn't much time left until the time written on the official letter.

The Headmistress bombarded the Elven Archmage with clearly hostile words. Well done, my comrade.

The Elven Archmage just chuckled and got up from his seat, perhaps because of the precedent of being beaten up with the Margrave at the charity ball.

By the way, what was with those eyes? They were terrifying.

"It's a shame that you refuse, but don't forget our deal."

"Don't worry."

"Then Milia? Can I borrow the student for a moment? I'd like to finish the conversation we were having."

Why Milia all of a sudden?

I hope our Finance Department slave doesn't break. If she does, I'll have to use her as equipment.

…Well, with the Headmistress standing right there, there's no way the Elven Archmage would try anything strange.

I was going to separate Milia from the negotiations with the dwarves just in case, anyway.

"Then I'll also talk to the Archmage and come back."

"You can go home."

"Thank you, Finance Director! Thank you so much!!"

She was a bit too happy about it, which was annoying. Was it okay for a subordinate to be so happy about being allowed to leave work while their boss was still working?

It was fortunate that I didn't hold grudges; it would have been a disaster if I were another evil boss.

I quietly wrote down Milia's name in my mental notebook and smiled.

Just try messing with me four more times.

Click.

After the Elven Archmage and Milia left,

The Headmistress immediately looked at me.

"Finance Director, what's this deal with that Piste-obsessed person?"

"I submitted a report about it, didn't you read it?"

"…I've been busy lately."

"It's about Chloe Piste. You know about the deal with Crown Prince Zeke, right?"

"...…"

"Haha."

"S-sorry."

"It's about Beatrice. I was planning to explain it to you anyway, so… it's fine. Besides that, the Elven Archmage offered to give me power by transplanting his eyes, but I refused."

"…Huh? Wait, what?"

"It's time. Let's deal with the dwarves first."

Rip.

Ignoring the Headmistress, who was making a fuss, I immediately tore the dwarves' official letter. Why was this so tough? No consideration for a Rank 1?

I somehow managed to tear it using my knees and whole body, and then I felt a flow of mana that even I could recognize.

Was this really long-distance teleportation magic?

'Why didn't those dwarves sell this?'

Couldn't they change the tides of war for an entire nation by selling this? Was it some kind of dwarven national secret? And they used it for a mere refund request letter?

…No, more importantly…

Why aren't they coming out?

"Um… Finance Director."

"Headmistress. Is this perhaps wrong?"

"No, it's not, but it seems like we need to inject mana into it."

"Huh? Us?"

"It should be possible to substitute with Aura, so I'll do it… Hmm, it's sucking up quite a lot."

So this was cash on delivery? We had to use mana or Aura on the receiving end?

Moreover, the Headmistress, who was infusing the letter with her Aura, soon staggered. It was a cash-on-delivery payment that even the Headmistress, considered one of the strongest on the continent, found burdensome.

I immediately grabbed the Headmistress, but I was dragged along as she staggered. Damn this Rank 1 body.

'No wonder they didn't sell it.'

The Empire could just ask the Archmage, and it would be very difficult to use in countries without a Rank 8 in the first place.

The usage method itself was cash on delivery, so there must be other problems besides that. That's why they only used it for things like this.

No, but this was annoying. What was with demanding payment from us for a refund request?

Woooong!

After a few minutes, the letter, which had been sucking up the Headmistress's Aura, finally glowed, distorted the space, and opened a door.

A door barely the size of a human head.

"It's open? I'll go through, ugh!"

"...…"

"...…"

"Damn artifact. I said we shouldn't use this failed product… sigh."

The sight of the dwarves barely squeezing through that small door was, well…

…quite a mood killer, to be honest.

"We might have shown a somewhat unsightly appearance, but I greet you. I am Tir, the acting mayor of the dwarven city."

"…Acting mayor? Is that true?"

"Of course, VVIP. The previous mayor has been missing for over ten years, so I, the deputy mayor, have taken on the role of acting mayor."

"That arrogant dwarf is missing?"

"I won't argue with the accuracy of the term 'arrogant,' but he hasn't been officially removed from his position yet. That's why I'm the acting mayor."

What's this? Why are you talking about something only you guys know?

I gestured, and the Headmistress quickly connected an Aura link to me. I don't know how she did it, but it was basically like telepathy.

— To put it simply, it's like the king is missing, and the crown prince has ascended to the throne.

— …Is this dwarf that important? Didn't you say he was the acting mayor?

— The dwarves used to have a monarchy but switched to a republic. It's history I wouldn't have known if I hadn't visited the dwarven city. Anyway, since the dwarves all live together in one city, the mayor of that city is practically the king.

They said they've been rebuilding for 50 years, so if the entire race lives there, the city must be incredibly large.

So the current king, the mayor, was missing, and the highest-ranking person among the dwarves came here?

Just for a refund request??

"I'm also busy, so let's get straight to the point. As stated in the official letter, we request a refund for the artifacts we purchased from the VVIP."

"Acting Mayor. Do you really think that's a possible request? As a dwarf, you know best that the artifacts you bought have already been melted down."

"…Is this Rank 1 the VVIP's representative?"

"You won't be returning alive if you insult the Finance Director."

"It's a pleasure to meet you. Please feel free to call me Tir."

The acting mayor, suddenly breaking out in a cold sweat, smiled brightly. It was awkward seeing a dwarf speaking politely.

But anyway,

"I heard from the Headmistress that you melt down all the artifacts into a specific artifact for the sake of rebuilding the city. We're not expecting to receive molten metal as a refund."

"That's a valid point. But there are a few things I need to correct."

"What?"

"Firstly, we don't melt down all the artifacts. Melting down low-quality artifacts is actually a loss, so we only extract the mana and dispose of them. Of course, this doesn't apply to the artifacts purchased from the VVIP, as they were all of the highest quality."

"Then you're still saying you melted them down."

"That brings me to the second point… we didn't melt them down."

"…Excuse me?"

"It's been seven years since we purchased the artifacts from the VVIP. We tried to melt them down for seven years, but they didn't melt at all. It's not a heat-resistant artifact or anything, so it's puzzling why they're so durable, but anyway, a contract is a contract."

The acting mayor reached into the small door and pulled out an antique-looking piece of paper, placing it on the table.

Various clauses written in the continental common language, and signature lines below them.

The name of the acting mayor, Tir, as he had introduced himself… and the Headmistress's name were written there.

"According to the terms of the contract at the time, if the artifacts are too resistant to heat or too durable to melt down, the dwarves have the right to request a refund for those artifacts. However, in consideration of the VVIP, we tried our best for seven years, but it was ultimately impossible."

"...…"

"In exchange for including this clause, we purchased the artifacts at a price over 20% higher than the market price at the time. We are requesting a refund according to the terms of the contract."

"First, I'd like to ask, how much is that amount?"

"We purchased other artifacts along with it, but the price of this artifact made up most of the total. Therefore, it's about this much."

"…Hmm."

It was a huge amount. It was an amount that could have bankrupted the academy a few months ago.

I was dumbfounded that a single artifact cost this much, but it also made sense that the academy was able to survive for several more years by selling artifacts like these.

Still, it was an amount that the current academy, having received donations, could afford, but…

"But what exactly is that artifact? I wasn't here at the time, so I don't know."

"The name of the artifact is written on the back of the contract. It's not quite at the level of the Holy Kingdom's sacred relic, but it's a highly valuable artifact—"

Flip.

I flipped the contract as instructed by the acting mayor.

Along with the names of a few other artifacts, the name of that artifact was written there.

"…'Scabbard of Dark Sword'?"

Wait, this…

Isn't this the Wish Cult's sacred treasure…?

Why is this here?