The Merchant had been running himself ragged lately.
It was all due to the paperwork for that particular plot of land. Since it was out in the suburbs, he had wanted to tell them to just do whatever they pleased, but the reality of national laws, taxes, and various other complications meant things weren't quite that simple.
"Phew... well, at least the land registry is ready whenever they are. I can provide the construction materials for the stables and such, but... I haven't been able to secure a carpenter. I need to find one, and fast..."
He had also commissioned a blacksmith to develop a pickaxe using a ridiculously hard ore that everyone had dismissed as useless. He thought it might actually be quite practical; he might even turn a profit by finding a new use for the mineral, but that was a secondary concern.
Finally, the moment of judgment arrived.
"Hellooooo! One ranch, please!"
Yes, she had arrived.
...Don't panic. You must not panic. You've prepared thoroughly for this, haven't you? This is just a business transaction. I even swapped out the vases for cheap imitations so it won't matter if they're broken... he reminded himself.
"Well, well, welcome... welcome."
He wanted someone to praise him for not screaming at the top of his lungs.
Six. There were six of them now. Their numbers were growing. What was this? Was a war about to break out?
Was this the apocalypse?
"Hmm, I don't think I can turn this one into a little sister. Can I eat him?"
"No snacking on the merchant! We’ll have Penpen make us steak when we get home."
"Is this what a shop is like? It’s my first time inside one."
"This place is more for business negotiations. Shopping happens elsewhere, you know?"
If they understood this was a business meeting, he wished they would have made an appointment... but despite his internal grumbling, the main client took a seat, flanked by her cat beastman maid.
"Right, here are the five gold coins I promised, sir!"
"...I have indeed received them. This, then, is your title deed. Ah, if you could just sign your name here."
"Sure thing! Scritch, scratch... There, how’s that?"
"It is perfectly in order."
That worthless white elephant of a property had actually turned into five gold coins. On paper, it was a fantastic deal. However, yes—there was nothing on that land. Absolutely nothing.
In truth, it wasn't worth five gold coins. Not even close.
"...As it is in the suburbs, please be wary of monster attacks."
"Well, we can handle that much, sir!"
"True. It feels like there’ll be a defense event, doesn't it?"
"That’ll just be food for Miti-chan."
"I can't make them my sisters?"
"I don't think you can turn monsters into sisters."
His stomach churned, feeling as though he were swindling the disasters standing before him.
Was it a guilty conscience? No, it was nothing so noble; it was pure stress born from a life-threatening crisis. When he considered the potential retaliation once they realized the land was barren... he felt as though he would never sleep again.
"Just so we're clear, that land is... strictly for a ranch. You might be able to build one, but since there’s nothing there currently, well..."
He almost begged them not to kill him. But he felt that if he uttered those words, they would realize he had outlived his usefulness and kill him on the spot, so he bit his tongue.
"O-On the bright side, if something does happen to be there, no additional fees will be charged, so please rest easy."
The Merchant managed to feign a calm expression as he spoke.
"Got it, got it! Oh, but if something pops up, we can count on you for a request, right?"
If something pops up, a request for what?! To do what?! Sweat poured down the Merchant's back.
"Ha, ha-ha-ha. Naturally. Ah, but since this was all quite sudden, I haven't been able to arrange a carpenter yet. I have, however, prepared the construction materials."
"I see, so that's the deal, sir."
What?! What do you mean by that?! It’s not the kind of 'I see' that ends with my execution for incompetence, is it?! Is it?!
"In other words, it’s an extra charge!"
"Eh? Ah, I—well, yes..."
That was technically true... but was it?
"Hmm? What are you talking about, Penpen?"
Thank you for asking! The Merchant silently thanked the girl who was currently restraining the cat beastman.
What on earth did she mean?
"Basically, it means we can create a ranch exactly to our liking based on the building level!"
"Wait, can you build houses, Penpen?"
"I'm not sure, but I probably can? I've never actually been a carpenter, though."
How could it be okay to build a house when you aren't even sure?! If the thing collapses, they'll find a way to blame me!! They’ll say the structural failure is my responsibility and come to murder me, won't they?! The Merchant’s panic reached a fever pitch.
"...I-If you would like, I could introduce you to a carpenter? You could handle the negotiations yourselves..."
At this point, his only option was to spread the liability.
He would drag those stubborn carpenters down with him. If something went wrong with the building, he wanted them to be the ones on the hook.
"Hmm. I wonder which path this is, sir?"
Which path?! Which path is what?! Life or death?!
"Penpen, which what?"
Thank you for asking! He sent his silent gratitude to the black-haired twin-tailed girl.
By the way, was it really okay to leave that pink-haired girl alone? She was currently poking at his vases.
"Right. Is it the pattern where I become an apprentice to gain the carpenter skill, or the scenario where I team up with a fallen carpenter to build the ultimate stables?!"
"Ah, I see. That’s a total classic."
Why a "fallen" one? Why was that a classic? Why not just use your wealth to hire a top-tier master carpenter? The Merchant tilted his head in confusion.
But if that was the route they took, it seemed he could stay out of the line of fire.
"Ah, well, you can confirm those details for yourselves. Let’s see, it’s right here on the map. This is the home of the man who serves as the master carpenter... If you tell him you were referred by me, I believe he will at least hear you out."
"Got it! Thanks, sir!"
"Ah, and here is the land plot. ...Since there are no fences yet, feel free to build them however you like within the boundaries of this drawing."
"...By the way! If we were going to dig a hole, where do you think would be best, sir?"
A—a hole? A hole... that was it. They were intent on digging something up, which was why he’d had the pickaxe made...
...I have no idea. Not a clue. I was just making things up as I went.
"U-Uhm. I couldn't possibly say."
"Hmm. It might be hard to build the ranch until we get that sorted out, sir."
Don't say that!
If it's come to this, I'll just pick a spot! Over there, on the edge!!
"Oh, right there, sir?"
"Y-Yes, well, it’s just a guess... but I thought it might be inconvenient if you dug a hole right in the center of the property."
"Good point! All right, let’s try digging there, sir!"
"...Shovels and pickaxes are sold at the shop next door, so please stop by if you have need of them."
"Roger that! Let’s go, everyone!"
With that, she stood up and led the other five out.
...
The storm had passed.
He had survived another day. With that thought, he slumped deeply into his chair.
"Oh. Mr. Merchant."
"Eek?! Wh-what is it?!"
She came back?! What now?!
"This is still a bit down the road, but... how does land expansion work, sir?"
"L-Land... expansion...?"
"You know, the thing where we add the neighboring lots when we run out of room, sir."
"...I will look into it."
"Much appreciated, sir!!"
And with that, the storm truly departed.
In other words, he was being told to buy up the surrounding land and have it ready for an easy transfer. So that was it.
"To be honest, in the suburbs, property is practically worthless... but I'll have to start by tracking down the owners... Sigh."
Well, no one in their right mind would want to be neighbors with the Spirit-possessed, so perhaps the negotiations would be surprisingly easy.
Thus, the Merchant found himself running to and fro once again to manage land acquisitions, but it was a small price to pay for his life.