“Wow! A maiden!”
With her usual mischievous smile, Eve turned beet red, her face stiffening.
I patted her hand to console her.
“Eh, it’s fine! It’s well-known that elves age slowly both physically and mentally, right? I don’t know how old you are, but if you’re running a shop of this scale, you can’t be that old.”
“Ugh…!”
Even though she was the oldest living mortal, the poor maidens didn’t come with money, and Eve trembled slightly.
She must think I don’t know her identity, so she wouldn’t consider it was intentional. But sometimes, innocence can be the biggest weapon.
…In my case, it’s just a cover for passive-aggressiveness!
Eve’s flustered expression was a treasure in many ways, but disappointingly, it didn’t last long.
After a couple of coughs, Eve regained her composure and continued speaking.
“Cough. These days, it’s basically impossible to find a top-quality horn. If you plan to sell it, I can connect you with a good place. …Of course, I’ll expect a small commission.”
Eating straight to the bone (X)
Let’s talk about something else because I’m embarrassed (O)
“That doesn’t really tempt me. If it’s such a good item, I’d rather use it myself. I’m confident I can earn plenty of money over time.”
“Hehe. Your confidence is remarkable, Jonah. It’s not naive optimism but more like a solid assurance based on evidence… It really is nice to see.”
Eve nodded, licking her tongue, as she seemed to regain her usual composure.
But I know. That’s just a habit she picked up as the previous Elven Queen!
Someone who has risen to a position that carries the fate of a race shouldn’t cause a stir every time something goes wrong, just to instill uncertainty in their subordinates.
That’s why she’s cultivated the habit of acting like she has everything under control even when she’s flustered.
I call it, “Ah, is that so? It happened… You don’t need to know yet.” operation!
In the process, her ambiguous tone and relaxed atmosphere became second nature.
With Eve’s suspiciously strange appearance, it actually had a significant effect, but now it’s just a misunderstanding of her past habits.
Even now, she’s probably still bothered by the maiden comment from earlier.
If I keep teasing her, it might be too much, so next time I should give her a reward. What would be good…?
While I was lost in thoughts, Eve put her interlaced fingers on the desk, setting the mood.
“If you’re thinking of using the horn directly, I can process it for you. What kind of form do you want? A dagger, guardian talisman, elixir… It doesn’t matter. If you don’t trust me, I can introduce you to an excellent craftsman. Will you trust me with this?”
Hand over the unicorn horn to me (X)
Please stop with the maiden jokes (O)
“Hmm. That makes sense. Since I don’t know anyone well, it’s better to trust you, Eve. I saw the horn shining earlier, so I think I want it to be like that!”
“Sniff…”
The thousand-year-old maiden, who had finally prepared herself, crumbled in an instant.
Seeing her overly concerned about her lack of experience struck a chord.
A man worried about being a virgin, and a maiden giggling about preferring such a state…
This is gonna work!
I brought the unicorn horn closer to my forehead, pointing it at Eve with its bright light.
“And… it seems the unicorn horn ended up in my hands for a reason. I also prefer maidens. Is it because I’m still a virgin?”
“…Huh?”
Really? (X)
Let’s get married (O)
“Ah, oh my! How embarrassing, what am I saying? Anyway, I’ll leave it to you, Eve. Considering my combat style, I think a dagger would be good.”
At first, I thought about trying to eat the Gluttonous Stomach since I got it, but it was too tough to chew. Its size made it impossible to swallow, too.
Of course, I thought about crushing it, but with my current equipment and power, that was impossible.
Since it had come to this, I decided to process it and use it as equipment. I still remember how good the dagger I borrowed from Lydia felt in my hand.
It’s important to boost physical specs, but if I’m not to make a living as a martial artist, it’s only natural to invest in equipment.
“Hehe… Understood. Then I’ll finish the initial processing on my side and inform the Dwarf Workshop Union. Fortunately, I have connections there, and for materials of this quality, craftsmen would line up for the chance to work on it, even if they don’t get paid.”
I have this kind of connection! (X)
Let’s get married (O)
“Yes! Then I’ll leave everything to you, Eve! …This feels kinda nerve-wracking since it’s my first time.”
“Oh? The first time is special for everyone, so it’s only natural. Please leave it to me, who has plenty of experience.”
Trust her (X)
Let’s get married (O)
Somehow, the way she emphasized her experience was quite pitiful and touching…
I understand that feeling, so I smiled gently and replied.
“If you’re saying that, then of course I have to trust you. After all, we are partners, right?”
“Partner… Yes! That’s right. We are partners.”
If I get hurt, you get hurt too (X)
We were already married! (O)
As I murmured blankly, I leaned forward slightly towards Eve, as if trying to share a careful secret.
“Being partners, I have a request…”
“A request only for partners? Sounds intriguing. Please let me know.”
“Actually, I’m currently out of money.”
“Huh? The materials are brought by you, and the workshop union would take little to no fee; they just need to cover my labor costs…”
“But I don’t have that fee.”
“…Didn’t you just receive 2 gold yesterday?”
“That 2 gold is what I used to buy this horn.”
As I flicked the horn still glued to my forehead, Eve stared blankly between me and the horn. Her voice slightly flushed as she spoke.
“In that case, there’s nothing I can do. But it’s troubling, Jonah. I’m a merchant, after all. I can’t work without receiving anything in return.”
This is really troublesome! (X)
Pay me back with your body (O)
“Isn’t there a way…?”
“…Usually, no. But since we are partners, as you said, I’m willing to show a bit of consideration.”
“Really?!”
“Yes, normally I would require full payment upfront, but for you, Jonah, it’s okay to settle the payment slowly afterward. It just so happens that a generous person traded goods instead of cash for a subordinate’s life, you see.”
With a sly smile, Eve glanced at Lemon and Apple, who were trembling beneath me.
They must have been thoroughly scolded after I and Lydia left…
I patted the twins alternately, looking at Eve with subtle eyes.
“Pay later. It’s nice to pay over time, but I’d like to propose a different method. For example… paying with your body?”
“…Huh?”
What a joke, right? (X)
Did it just go to Yasukawa?! (O)
I was so excited my eyes barely opened, and a thin green light flickered between my eyelids.
It felt as if she could see right through me. That bare sense made my body tremble unintentionally.
It wasn’t like the old days with anything lewd; it was genuine pressure. She must be using Truth’s Eye at full power.
Meeting this true ability head-on, I spoke clearly.
“I’m planning to defeat the Guardian of the First Floor and gain the World Tree’s power. And I’ll use that power just once for you, Eve.”
“…!”
Could this be unexpected? Eve’s half-closed eyes widened, revealing their full light.
Emerald-like transparent eyes. Maybe the max output of Truth’s Eye was causing Eve’s eyes to shine themselves.
Now it wasn’t just ordinary pressure. I could sense the immense presence beyond it.
Just a small branch left from the deceased World Tree. With just that much presence…
It began to dawn on me, the concept of gods battling and their aftermath leading to world destruction was not just a story in my head but a visceral understanding. Of course, such entities would cause annihilation.
I fixed my gaze on her non-deceiving eyes and grinned.
This wasn’t the cute smile I’d learned to survive in this world but rather closer to my true self.
“I mean it.”
“…I can see that.”
“But it’s true that I need help.”
“I’ll gladly help.”
With her Truth’s Eye fully activated, Eve responded without hesitation to my words.
It must have been because my sincerity reached her.
If I take my time and grow step by step, I should have the specs to earn at least minimal prestige against the Guardian in a few years.
But that would take too long. So I depend on equipment and gacha to shorten the growth time as much as possible.
If I become that strong… I’ll eventually be able to overturn the dark event that comes to Eve.
If I call for help, Ellie and Lydia will willingly lend a hand. But separately, I also have to do my best, don’t I?
That’s the responsibility of the one who condemned Eve’s fate to tragedy while being her only understanding companion.
I quietly extended my hand. After a moment of hesitation, Eve grasped my hand and shook it lightly, asking,
“Eve, by the way, did you think something a bit strange earlier? When… I said I’d pay you back with my body.”
“…I don’t get what you mean.”
Eve tilted her head, returning to her usual squinty-eyed self as she tried to withdraw her hand… but I couldn’t let her escape.
The pressure from Truth’s Eye was so strong it made me slightly tense, so I felt I had to return the favor somehow.
With a firm grip on Eve’s hand, I stood and brought my lips close to her long elf ear.
“Eve, big sister… my horn feels weird…”
“Huuh?!”
Was it because of my sultry voice, the breath brushing against her ear, or the subject being perfect for imagination?
Eve jerked like she’d been electrocuted, and I found that quite satisfying.
Thump.
I placed the unicorn horn on the desk and gave a nod to the dazed Eve, who was only managing ragged breaths.
“Thanks for today. I’ll be leaving now. When the items are ready, please send Lemon or Apple to find me. I’ll always be around.”
“Y-Yes….”
Leaving the still stupefied Eve behind, I grabbed Lemon and Apple, who had been curiously watching the jerky from a distance.
“You two, follow me for a bit.”
You’ve got your business to attend to.
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