"Yesterday's meal was spectacular. The food I was served at the Gate Guardian Dragon's residence was also wonderful, but this place is in another league entirely. And then there was that wine... Oh, it was more delicious than any vintage I have ever tasted."
"Is that so? I'm glad, but you shouldn't overdo it."
I continued the conversation while fielding Michael-san’s enthusiastic praise.
It was just before noon, and Michael-san, Lu, Tia, and Frau were with me in a spacious area of the inn. I had expected Rusty to join us as well, but apparently she had stayed up late during yesterday's appreciation party and was still asleep.
Rusty usually carried herself with the air of a diligent student council president or a strict disciplinarian, but she was surprisingly lax when it came to mornings. Apparently, most dragons were like that. I had learned through experience that it was best to leave her be, as a groggy, sleep-deprived dragon was nothing but trouble.
"Regarding our trade for the time being..."
"Ah, right. First, allow me to explain my objectives for coming here."
Michael-san straightened his posture.
"Recently, Lady Fraurem visited my shop to conduct a transaction. Every single crop I received was magnificent. My first objective was to come and pay my respects to ensure we may continue our dealings. My second was to inquire if there are any more crops available for trade. My third was to search for any other goods here that might have commercial value. And finally, if it is at all possible, I was hoping to secure the position of this village's official purveyor."
Michael-san puffed out his chest, speaking with the confidence of a man with nothing to hide.
"You're certainly honest."
"It wouldn't do to use flowery language and have my intentions misconstrued, after all."
"True enough. Well, it makes the conversation move faster that way."
Tia and Lu offered their replies.
"So, regarding the village's surplus crops... I would like to purchase all of them. I am prepared to offer a high price."
"Hahaha. Now, don't be in such a hurry."
After Tia and Lu exchanged a quick glance, it was decided that Lu would take the lead in handling him.
"There are many parties who wish to trade with this village. We already conduct regular trade with other settlements. It would be difficult to sell our entire stock exclusively to your company."
"Given the quality of your produce, that's only to be expected. I apologize for asking too much. However, I would still like to request as much trade as you can manage."
"As it stands, these are the crops we can currently provide to your company."
I had made some adjustments to the list before this discussion. Well, I mostly just gave the final approval.
"No, no, even this is a substantial amount. I am truly grateful."
"I see. Then, shall we discuss the payment?"
"Yes. Oh, before that, I have one point I must confirm."
"What is it?"
"Regarding the transportation of goods... you mentioned they would be carried by a dragon just as they were on the trip here. Is that correct?"
Before Michael-san had arrived, Rusty had agreed to handle the return trip and the transport of purchased goods through Frau. Of course, it wasn't a charity case; she must have demanded some kind of compensation.
"Indeed. We've heard as much, but that is a private arrangement between Rusty and yourself. The village is not involved. Or rather, we cannot be involved."
"You cannot be involved?"
"After all, who would dare try to give orders to a dragon?"
"You can't?"
"We cannot. Rusty transporting the village's crops is a matter of her own voluntary cooperation."
Though it did require a reward in the form of sweets.
"I see... Uh... Then, what exactly is the relationship between the village and the dragons...?"
"Coexistence. It's better not to overthink it."
"...Understood."
What a strange conversation. I wondered if he suspected some kind of ulterior motive.
"In any case, since the transportation is settled... how does this amount look to you?"
He presented a figure with a long string of zeros. Since I didn't know the actual market value, I kept my mouth shut.
"You seem to have been quite generous."
"Hahaha. I can't promise this amount every time, but since it's our first transaction, I wanted to show my resolve."
"Umu. There is no problem with the amount. Shall we draw up a contract?"
"By all means. I shall provide the paper. Also, here is a catalog of the items handled by our company."
"I'll take it. If there's anything with a good reputation, we'll buy it. Ah, and there are a few things I'd like you to procure for us..."
The conversation progressed rapidly. They also made sure to ask about the seafood I was interested in. Apparently, while there aren't many toxins, it is common practice to avoid eating seafood raw due to parasites. It seemed sushi would be a difficult hurdle to clear.
"Would you be willing to sell us any alcohol?"
"...We can provide a small amount as a gesture of friendship, but a commercial quantity would be difficult. The village's sake has many fans, you see."
"Is that so? It's a shame, but I shall enjoy it personally then. Even a small amount is fine, so please."
"Umu."
The negotiations continued well past noon. In the end, the crops set aside for trade with Shashato City were all converted to cash. Additionally, items like honey, Zabuton's cloth, sugar, salt, and oil were sold.
The fact that the salt sold was a surprise to me. Since Shashato City is near the sea, I didn't think they would have a shortage, but apparently, the taste is entirely different. I learned that salt from the Forest of Death has long been famous as a precious commodity.
We didn't buy anything from him this time, but I did place several requests. The main priorities were goats and horses. Generally, goats are more common than cows and are easier to obtain. I was the only one obsessed with cow's milk; apparently, in this world, "milk" usually meant goat's milk. So, we'll have him bring us goats.
The horses were for my own transportation, something Lu and Tia had insisted on. I've never actually ridden a horse before, but... well, I can worry about that once they arrive.
Lastly, I put in a request for seafood that wasn't available this time—specifically kombu. According to Michael, kombu is treated like a weed of the sea and is hated because it gets tangled in fishing nets. What a waste. I asked him to have it dried and brought over.
Furthermore, it was decided that the Village of the Great Tree would act as an intermediary for minerals from Howlin Village, selling them to the Goroun Company. Words like "reselling" and "taking a cut" flashed through my mind, but there is no direct trade between Howlin Village and Shashato City. Even if they started, the distance is so great that the shipping costs would be astronomical.
It was a stark reminder of just how special our village was, having the likes of Draim and Rusty to handle transportation. I recalled that it would take about a month to reach the village on foot through the forest.
Michael-san stayed for another night, and we held the welcome party as scheduled. That made it a banquet two days in a row. I felt a bit bad for Michael-san, but the main courses were dishes made using the seafood we had procured from Shashato City.
"You're going to deep-fry it in oil?"
"Broiling? What kind of technique is that...?"
While teaching the cooking methods to the High Ogres and High Elves, we prepared a variety of dishes. Mostly because I was the one who wanted to eat them. We also made standard dishes like simmered fish. We lacked soy sauce, so we used various seasonings from Shashato City as substitutes.
I wasn't entirely satisfied myself, but it was well-received by the other villagers. I really need that kombu soon.