Chapter 33: Search for the Spirit Herb [1]
"That's too harsh. Even someone like me would be hurt if you speak that way."
The saint made a sad face. Seeing this, Luina realized her mistake.
"...Ah, I apologize. That absolutely wasn't my true feeling."
"Haha, I was just joking."
As if nothing had happened, the saint's drooping eyes returned to normal.
"So what's the matter? This seems to be the first time you've called me at the academy, brother."
"Luina, aren't you leaving? Or have you changed your mind?"
"...I'm going. Mr. Janice, I apologize once more for my rudeness."
"No, really, it's fine. Haha."
Luina cleared her throat and went outside.
When the door closed, the smile on Janice's face disappeared.
"Honestly, I didn't believe the rumors, but they seem to be true."
"Rumors?"
"Rumors that you've changed, brother."
Instead of answering, Gerhard shrugged.
"Let's skip the trivial chitchat and get straight to the point."
"Right, time is money."
Gerhard explained his purpose, what he wanted, his plan, and what Janice needed to do accordingly.
Naturally, the stated objective was the spirit herb, not mithril.
"That sounds interesting. It's just like you, brother. Targeting the first-year survival practical to obtain a spirit herb."
"If I had known a bit earlier, this wouldn't have been necessary."
"I understand. It's not a bad method, considering that first-years might wander around and possibly obtain the spirit herb."
"Do I need to give you time to answer?"
No, Janice shook his head.
"Seeing how far you're going, it doesn't seem like an ordinary expensive spirit herb, which makes me tempted, but I can't cross the Goldenheim family. I'll do it."
He drew a circle with his finger.
"Just make sure to provide plenty of this."
"There's no such thing as a free donation in my dictionary."
"It's an offering to the god, though."
"God, my foot. I'll increase the orders at the academy branch level. The credit will go to you."
"It's blasphemy, but if you give enough money, I'm satisfied with that."
Janice smiled in an extremely worldly manner.
"Then do well."
"Yes, brother. Trust me and leave it to me. After all, I am the top student in the first-year magic department."
Yes, and that's what was honestly puzzling.
'Why isn't Janice Biance one of Aint's companions?'
Aint's enemy is the demon. And the humans who fight most vehemently against demons are the Dragon Faith Order.
Because demons are a cursed race? Because they try to destroy humanity?
Those reasons exist, of course, but they weren't the main reason.
"Magic belongs to the dragon? Nonsense! Magic is our power, created by us!"
A thousand years ago, some demon's absurd statement had touched the Dragon Faith Order's reverse scale.
So why wasn't the saint of the Dragon Faith Order a companion of Aint, who fights on the frontline against demons?
'Does he become a companion later? Someone like Janice seems like he should be a companion from the beginning.'
Compared to Balrosi, who is the top student in the knight department, he's just as excellent, if not more so.
Well, it wasn't that important.
In the end, Aint would handle everything.
"But there's still a week until the practical training, right? Do we need to specifically target that time?"
Janice's words broke Gerhard's train of thought.
"Of course, if I obtain it before then, this conversation will be as if it never happened."
"Yet having this conversation means the location isn't certain yet. Since I need to receive money, I hope you don't find what you're looking for until then."
"You're really cursing me."
Gerhard lightly flicked his finger. A gold coin jingled as it fell onto Janice's palm.
"That's the down payment."
"Brother."
Janice's eyes sank after receiving the gold coin.
"The Dragon God detests those who try to settle with verbal agreements without written contracts. Shouldn't we discuss the specifics of how much and how you'll place the orders?"
Gerhard clicked his tongue.
This is why he tried to avoid calling Janice if possible. Because it was impossible to just settle things roughly and get away with it.
"Fine."
He pulled out a piece of paper.
A fierce negotiation arena opened to minimize losses.
***
"Thank you. I'll do my best to meet your expectations. Please call me again when you have a more detailed plan. In the meantime, I'll diligently practice my doppelganger magic."
"Send the items as quickly as possible."
"I'll send most of them right away. The artifacts shouldn't take more than five days."
Whether the negotiation was satisfactory or not, Janice left with a broad smile.
It was understandable, as the items Gerhard promised to buy were all quite valuable. But that was knowing one thing and not the other.
"I got a good deal."
Of course, the amount to be paid was not small, but most of those items were needed for this task.
The Dragon Faith Order was the continent's premier magic group, and the magical items they sold were among the best.
"The position exchanger was also made by the Dragon Faith Order."
Many of the artifacts he frequently used were purchased from the Dragon Faith Order.
The Goldenheim family wasn't without excellent magicians, but they couldn't compare to fanatics who considered magic a religion.
"The necessary items will be delivered soon..."
Gerhard unfolded a paper.
It was a map of the southern forest where the first-year survival practical was scheduled.
Like the north, the south was divided into two areas: the southwest had beautiful forests and lakes, and the southeast had humid swamps.
Since the monster level in the forest was lower than in the swamps, the first-years' practical location could only be the southwestern forest.
"The southern swamp."
The first place he rushed to after being struck by lightning to verify the prophecy book was the southern swamp.
And he actually discovered Aint and the dungeon there, where he took the magic lamps that were installed.
Appraisal revealed them to have magical techniques and artistic value incomparably superior to ordinary magic lamps, and he planned to sell them at auction for a high price soon.
All of this would become funds for his private organization, the Golden Pillar.
"The broad framework is set."
He had also gained the best helper, the saint of the Dragon Faith.
What remained were the more detailed plans.
"Let's see, so..."