The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology

"Spatial Transfer!"

We activated the transfer as soon as we exited the Holy Tree Forest and entered the Demon Tree Forest.

The next moment, we had teleported near the border between the Bargia Dragon Principality and the Demon Tree Forest. I had experimented with long-distance transfers several times before, but this was the first time I had transferred with the entire party.

"Wow! I can see the checkpoint! It really was instantaneous!"

"Mm. Convenient."

"As expected of Master~"

My companions praised me.

Good, praise me more. I'm the type that grows with praise.

"Hah. I knew it, but actually experiencing the transfer... well..."

Mererosu seemed a bit taken aback.

Why? The reaction I wanted was high tension, you know? You could even hug me out of gratitude, you know? Come on.

"...Ruruk, even if you stand there with your arms spread, Mererosu-san isn't going to come."

"Mm. Your ulterior motives are completely obvious."

Oops, my body was unconsciously seeking it.

I cleared my throat and started walking towards the checkpoint.

"Well, let's set the jokes aside for now."

"You were serious, weren't you?"

"Mm. Pervert."

"Quiet, you little girls. Now, as I was saying, let's set the jokes aside. First, is the nearest town okay?"

"Yeah. Even if that merchant moves quickly, I think they'll still be in town if they stopped there. There's also a small chance they haven't arrived yet."

It's been about 10 days since the merchant left the Elven village, right?

Considering they're traveling with young children, their movement speed must be slow. The judgment is that they haven't gone too far yet.

"Are the members of the diplomatic team in that town too?"

"They should be. Their original mission was to buy Cure Potions, so I don't think we should expect too much from their information gathering."

"Well, we need to meet them either way, right?"

Those Cure Potions are no longer needed except for storage, after all. We need to tell them that there's no need to buy more using precious resources for now.

Anyway, our destination is the nearest town.

We walked to the checkpoint and entered Bargia. We follow the rules as much as possible to avoid unnecessary illegal entry troubles.

I've already placed a "Wedge" in the nearest town from here, so we could teleport there immediately. However, we might miss the merchant if they're on the road, so we decided to move along the road steadily using "Relative Transfer".

Saaya has become quite accustomed to "Relative Transfer", so she's not getting tired even when transferring with Mererosu. Since she doesn't particularly like fighting, we need to keep using her skills as much as possible.

It's not just skills, but there's a big difference between being able to use a technique and mastering it.

I clearly thought that after seeing Mererosu's way of fighting. Not just Mererosu, but all the Elves were a race that excelled in the operability of techniques.

While thinking about such things, we arrived at the town.

Unfortunately, there was no one on the road. Well, unless there's a pressing matter, no one would go in the direction of the Lunera Great Forest.

This place isn't particularly a transportation hub either, and even though it's a town in Bargia, it's smaller than my hometown. It's not exactly run-down, but it's not lively either.

"Now then, first we need to gather information about Paraiso. There's no Merchant Guild in this town, but we should be able to find out a fair bit by asking the shopkeepers."

"I'll go look for the diplomatic team members."

"Understood. Then, shall we meet up at the Adventurers' Guild later? It's getting dark soon, so let's be careful not to stay out too late."

"Got it."

For now, we'll split up from Mererosu.

With all that's happened, it's become a day of mostly traveling, and the sun is already starting to set. The little girls ate a lot of sweets earlier so their stomachs are still quiet, but that won't last forever. Their appetites are monstrous.

"...Well. Now that Mererosu-san has gone, Elen, if you please."

"Mm. 'Full Survey'."

Our party's genius magician unleashed her overpowered detection magic.

This detection magic can't identify individuals unless they're acquaintances, but it can easily identify races. According to Elen, the magical signature differs for each race, so it's easy to distinguish whether someone is human, demon, beastkin, or even an Elf.

"Did you find them?"

"Mm. Not here."

I see.

Elen's "Full Survey" can reach up to 10 kilometers away if she goes all out. Even using it lightly covers this entire town, so if there's no reaction, it means they've already left this town or never came this way in the first place.

"Maybe they anticipated being chased by Elves."

"Anyway, I'll go ask around. Hey, mister! Three cheese grills, please!"

"Welcome! Little miss, are you going to eat three by yourself?"

Saaya unhesitatingly approached a nearby food stall owner.

"Nope. I'm going to eat with the big brothers behind me."

"Ah, siblings out shopping together. That's nice. I'll add extra cheese for you."

"Thank you! By the way, mister, my mom asked me to find a merchant named Paraiso. She said they might have some valuable medicinal leaves. Do you know them?"

"Hm? Of course I know them. Paraiso has been the top earner of the Tabasco Trading Company for a long time. Their store is famous around here too. Haven't you heard about them from your parents?"

"Nope. I don't know."

"I see. The Tabasco Trading Company has a store in this town too. You can go there while eating this. The store is the biggest shop on the main street, you can't miss it. Here you go, be careful not to burn yourself and eat slowly. Take care, big brother and little sister."

We received plates with what looked like olives covered in plenty of cheese from the stall owner. I and Elen also received our portions.

We thanked the owner and started walking down the street while eating the hot cheese grill.

"Tabasco Trading Company, huh. Sounds spicy."

"I wonder what they deal in. Spices?"

"We'll find out when we get there. Huff huff, this is delicious~!"

As we were warned, we walked slowly while eating carefully to avoid burns.

In the pre-dinner hours, people walking on the street were glancing at our cheese grills, attracted by the fragrant smell. There's only one cheese grill stall in this market street, so it's obvious where we bought them.

...I see. Telling us to eat slowly while walking wasn't just out of concern, but also serves as advertising for the cheese grills.

As expected of merchants in another world, they have a keen business sense.

By the way, my cheese grill was already inside Punisuke's body. When the hungry slime looked at it longingly, I took one bite and then unhesitatingly handed it over.

As we walked to the main street, there was a fountain square in the center of the town. Next to the square was a three-story Adventurers' Guild, and right next to it was a store called "Tabasco Shop".

Indeed, this is the only store as large as the Adventurers' Guild, so it stands out well.

From what I can see, they deal in food, general goods, furniture, and so on.

It's a rare multi-product retail store in this world.

"Huh. It's like a supermarket."

"Hello~"

While I was impressed, Saaya unhesitatingly entered the store.

Saaya doesn't get shy around strangers and has courage. As someone who's not good with people, it's something I'd like to learn from her... well, let's just say it's the right person for the job.

The inside of the store was neat and tidy. Boxes with price tags were lined up on the floor, and it was a self-service style where you take the products from there and proceed to the checkout. The atmosphere is closest to a wholesale food supermarket.

Being just before dinner time, there were a fair number of customers. There was also a staff member standing right by the entrance, but they seemed uninterested in us. They're probably dressed neatly to guide noble customers when they come.

"Excuse me, mister. Is there someone named Paraiso here?"

"Hm? Little miss, are you running an errand or something?"

"Yes. We want to buy some goods from Paraiso-san."

When Saaya answered honestly, the young man who was guiding us made a troubled face.

It seems this store is too big for a beautiful girl's smile strategy to work.

I quickly cut in.

"Excuse me, we are adventurers. We've heard that Paraiso-san owns some items we'd like to acquire, so we've come to consult. Here's our proof."

"Oh, child adventurers... Eh, B-rank?"

"Yes. We have some savings, so we intend to make this a good deal for you as well."

"P-please wait a moment."

The young man hurriedly ran into the back of the store.

Yeah, in times like these, money power is stronger than pretty girl power.

Soon, the young man returned with a grizzled man with a mean look. Behind him was also a man with a sword who looked like a guard.

This isn't Paraiso... From what we've heard, Paraiso is supposed to have thick blue hair and a plump build.

The man looked down at me with a haughty attitude, glaring.

"I'm Cardenas of the Tabasco Trading Company."

"I'm Ruruk, an adventurer. These are my companions, please excuse us. We've come to consult with someone named Paraiso. If they're here, we'd like to request an audience."

"Paraiso is absent. But a business negotiation... It's rare for adventurers to come directly. Fine, I'll hear you out. Come."

Cardenas started walking towards the back of the store without waiting for my reply.

As expected, Paraiso was absent, but it seems they'll treat us as business partners. I hope Paraiso has consigned the Star-hiding Flower to this store.

We followed Cardenas into the back of the store. The guard was wary of us, so of course, we kept some distance. By the way, the guard's level is 39. That's quite high for a personal guard, so it's clear that Cardenas is a fairly important person.

We were led to a simple reception room.

Subtly hidden, there's also a VIP reception room beyond this one. Just like my family home.

"So, what do you want to buy from Paraiso?"

Cardenas asked straightforwardly, without any detours.

I was a bit taken aback as I was expecting more merchant-like conversation, but there's nothing wrong with getting to the point quickly. I don't like complications either.

"It's a medicinal flower called the Star-hiding Flower. It's cultivated in the Elven village around here, and the market price is 15 silver coins per stem."

"Market price? Who told a mere adventurer that? How can you say that information is correct?"

He glared at me.

Well, that's to be expected. If you start by mentioning the market price, it becomes harder to raise the selling price. For merchants, the most valuable thing is information. Depending on that, it's possible to sell something worth one silver coin for one gold coin.

However, the same is true for me.

"It is correct. I was allowed to directly view the ledgers in the Elven village. I have proof that I went to the Elven village. Would you like to see it?"

"Tch! ...No, it's fine. You're a more capable adventurer than I thought."

"Not particularly."

Well, it's a lie that I viewed the ledgers. I just learned it from Kerkure.

"So, are you aware that Paraiso went to the Elven village recently?"

"...Yes. The fact that you know that information means you were there too?"

"No, we just missed each other. I went to the Elven village for several things I wanted, and one of them was what Paraiso had purchased. Paraiso completely beat me in business sense."

"And that's why you're looking for Paraiso."

"Yes. Hasn't he consigned any Star-hiding Flowers here?"

"No."

"Then, where did he go?"

When I asked, Cardenas furrowed his brow and groaned.

Is he wondering whether he should tell me or not? Or is he thinking about how to make a profit?

This is, so to speak, a negotiation for a negotiation.

For me, even just getting a letter of introduction would make the negotiation with Paraiso go smoother, so I want to present a mutually beneficial relationship with Cardenas.

Cardenas probably wants a connection with adventurers too, even if it's still a thin one. For a merchant, someone who can go to the Elven village alone would be a highly desirable connection.

"You said your name was Ruruk?"

"Yes."

"You don't know Paraiso personally, right?"

"Well, no."

Cardenas spoke as if chewing his words.

"I have a request for you. If you accept this, our Tabasco Trading Company will do our part for you."

"What's the request?"

"...Recently, there's a rumor that Paraiso has been in contact with other organizations. We don't want to doubt Paraiso, who is our old comrade and trusted friend, but lately, Paraiso has been showing some strange movements."

"Strange movements? Specifically?"

"Our Tabasco Trading Company basically deals in daily necessities. We haven't ventured into other products because of the high risk. As a result, we've continued steady management and have grown enough to have stores in almost every town in Bargia... But there's talk that Paraiso has gotten involved in human trafficking. Moreover, it seems he was introduced to it by other organizations. I want you to find out as much as you can about the organization behind Paraiso."

I see.

Human trafficking would undoubtedly include the Elves. Maybe they're targeting other races too.

Well, that's within the range of cooperation I can offer.

"Do you have any predictions about this organization?"

"The first thing that comes to mind is the Luney Trading Company, which has been rising to prominence for about a year. They were supposed to be a small trading company from another country, but they've quickly gained enough power to open several large-scale stores. Paraiso was concerned about them too, so it's a possibility... but they didn't deal in fields like human trafficking. Of course, large trading companies always have their dark sides."

"The Luney Trading Company, I see. Any others?"

"In terms of human trafficking, there's information that the nobles of the Dragon Capital have been actively moving recently. That's a deep part of the underworld, so we can't easily get involved and our information is limited. There are also rumors that they might be spies from the Empire, but... that's just speculation."

"I understand. I'll investigate without preconceptions."

"I'm counting on you. Now wait a moment, I'll write you a letter."

Cardenas took out stationery and a pen and wrote a letter of introduction for us.

After receiving the letter of introduction, we were kicked out of the store without any small talk. Cardenas either dislikes waste or is busy, one or the other.

Having obtained the information that Paraiso had left for the Dragon Capital yesterday, we decided to wait for Mererosu at the Adventurers' Guild next door.

The attached tavern was small, but despite it being dinner time, no one was there. The receptionist was yawning boredly, so it seems this Adventurers' Guild isn't very busy.

While we waited, ordering light snacks (fruit water, though) at the tavern, Saaya said,

"I knew about the Luney Trading Company too. Just the name, but my father said that the Schreine family was also dealing with them for farmland development."

"Oh, are they famous? Wait, farmland development deals? Trading companies are involved in that kind of thing?"

"Apparently. They say it's a trading company that does everything except illegal and grey area stuff. From the latest farming tools to personnel referrals. Also, I'm not sure if this is true, but the Luney Trading Company supposedly originated from Mataisa Royal Capital. And their top executive is still a minor."

"Wow... that sounds like a cheat in business management."

"Right? Maybe it's someone we know."

Saaya narrowed her eyes.

Indeed, it might be a reincarnated person, so we should check it out eventually.

I didn't have any friends in my class so I'm not particularly concerned, but Saaya had many friends. Saaya never says anything, but surely there are people she wants to meet.

If her best friends Kujo and Onitsuka have reincarnated, I'd like to let her meet them too.

As I watched Saaya's profile, holding a large mug with both hands and drinking juice, I found myself thinking about such things, which was unusual for me.