21st Century Archmage - Volume 2 - Chapter 11

Chapter 11 Rubis Merchant Mercenary

“What are those?”

Yesterday, the village held a festival after seeing all sorts of mushrooms and lumps of grass I harvested.

The fact that potatoes and barleys which can be considered the lifeline of this village did not have to be used for tax. This caused smiles to bloom on every villager.

But I did not give the leather of magical beast over to the villagers.

They were already curious about the mysterious man who wanders around the forest alone and if I were to give them the leather, they would be wary and avoid me sure.

“Are they the merchants?”

While I was practicing my sword and keep thinking about the battle against the Magical Beast, carriages and people were approaching the village.

Just on an estimate, there were over twenty carriages with about fifty people who were armed that seemed to be merchants and mercenaries.

“The merchants are coming!”

A villager who was on a lookout on top of the barricade alerted the arrival of merchants.

‘Oh ho, the merchants eh? ‘

Merchants of fantasy world you would only find in fictions.

My curiosity weighed heavy on my heart.

“Since I finished my daily tasks, why don’t I go down and watch?”

.

Contrary to the simple villagers, merchants and mercenaries knew far more regarding the vast world.

The arrival of merchants was great event for me who was getting ready to go out into the world.

“I hope you tan well without my supervision~”

It is said that leather should be tanned in shade, so I laid out the golden leopard hide on top of the cliff.

The villagers were unable to come to this cliff and as soon as I brought the leather to the cliff, it became a spot where even bugs dare not to come.

It was a proof that the violent killing from the magical beast was too well known in the forest.

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

‘Mercenaries are not allowed into the village.’

There is a scene to be had once I climbed down the cliff.

Tens of scary looking mercenaries that merchants hired were sitting in front of the barricade resting.

The mercenaries that were resting curiously stared at me as I was about to enter the village.

“Hey, brat” (TLN: Raw literally said “hey”)

‘Hey? B, brat?”

Most of the carriages that merchant brought were empty. Among the mercenaries that were guarding the empty carriage, few that were near me who looked bored me called over.

They did not know what was good for them. (?)(TLN:not too sure about this part, I think he meant that they were asking for trouble without knowing? DID NOT SEEMT.TAI)

“Hey bro, what’s up?”

Only when rude words are thrown to you that you should be polite to other (TLN: pretty sure he meant satirically since there is proverb: Polite words need to be said to receive polite words)  

“Bros? Puhahaha!”

“Guhahahah”

Like most medal of honor, their face and body revealed scars that were shaped like worm.

I don’t know if they found my provocation funny but they were laughing really hard revealing their yellow teeth.

‘Should I give them few hits?’

You can tell just by looking at them that they were third-rate mercenaries that did not have hint of mana along with just being hotheaded with thick skull.

I was pretty confident to take care of them in span of time to have meal.

“Fellow, do you know how to handle a sword?

.

There was decent-looking fellow among the mercenaries who seemed to be in the thirties approaching me while looking at the sword.

“Can’t you tell by looking?

I responded indifferently as I did see the mercenaries favorably.

As someone who lives under the sky unrestrained, I did not feel good when these weak mercenaries were provoking me.

“Aren’t you being bit harsh young man? Instead of being stuck in this countryside, why don’t you join our mercenary group? You look to be fit with sharp eye. “

‘What is this? Is, is this the rumored street pickups?’

The man offers me to join their group out of nowhere.

His eyes tell me he is being serious about it.

“Leader, when would we have the time to raise a kid?”

‘No matter how badly our Black Wyvern Mercenary Group is treated, accepting even kids….”

‘Black Wyvern Mercenary Group? You guys?’

A mercenary group stuck being a third-rate apparently had a gaudy name

“I do not want to.”

“No? Living as farmer and dying being stuck in this countryside is not better than living like a man being a mercenary?”  

“I am not that interested. At least after looking at the guy with his belly sticking out.”

.

I politely point with my finger towards the man who provoked me first

“Kahahahaha! Ron, he doesn’t like your fat belly.”

“he he he, the amazing Ron is being looked down upon by a kid, from today onward you shouldn’t eat anything. It’s a waste of food~!”

Other mercenaries were apparently really bored as they started teasing Ron.  

“This, this damn brat!”

Expected no less from a mercenary, who are often depicted as simple hothead, he gets agitated by receiving simple provocation.

The man had large body with big belly along with a gigantic axe which exerted impressive intimidation.

“Fat Uncle”

I snickered while calling out on Ron, who was glaring at me with his eyes with pupil as big as a bull.

“What do you want, you shameless brat!”

Ron was not as hotheaded as I thought ought to be and by only getting agitated.

“Watch your steps in the night.”

“…..”

While Ron stood frozen from my silent warning, I turn my back facing Ron and head towards the village.

“Hahahahahahahaha!”

“Oh wow! Oh my! I, I am going to die from laughing! Hahahahahaha!”

Loud laugher by the mercenaries can be heard from behind.

They were a third-rate mercenary that I would maybe consider joining even if they pull on my leg and beg me to join them.

Things they do at were only at that level.

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

‘All the villagers are gathered here.’

There is only one reason why merchants and mercenaries visited this village.

It was to trade something, which was being discussed in the town square between 3 people that looked like a merchant and another 3 nominated by village chief.

“You, you are not going to sell the crops? Village chief, please say that one more time.”

“huhuh, why are you trying to tire my mouth. This year, we have no crops to hand over to the merchant group.

Village chief shows off his nerve, trusting the mushrooms.

His folded his hand behind his back and looked indifferent.

“I mean, what are we supposed to do? We wasted 10 gold coins hiring those mercenaries.” They of course wouldn’t like the outcome as things they needed but don’t own was increasing. (TLN: $$$, bit awkward but just saying he needed money but goods to make money was not here.)

“That would be your problem, not mine. Since you cut the price too low last year, we were forced to sell our cows and donkey to meet the tax. But to say this year’s price is still same as last year…. I have nothing more to say.”

‘Oh, are they the vicious Daron Merchant Group?’

They were the group Hans would always talk about together with topic of tax and even made innocent Hans to bring out the foul words.

10 years ago after the monster invasion, taking the opportunity where other merchant groups would not come, they would lower the price of crops they buy every year.

What’s more is that when items were sold to Daron Merchant Group, they would pay portion of the money as tax for the village, which meant village did not have to go out of the village to sell the crops themselves.

However, the problem was their excessive profiteering.

At some point, it became where they would buy the crops at absurd price, which forced the villagers to give up crops they have saved for themselves.

When they said things about the merchants who would exhort the poor citizen back in Joseon era, they were describing these people.

The well-rounded fat merchants were clearly cunning.

“I don’t know what you’re hoping for…. but isn’t this problem for you? If you are unable to pay the tax by end of this month, all of you will be sold to slavery…. hehehe” (TLN: Power of the mushroom compels you merchant)

One of the merchant who seemed to be the leader among them was finally revealing his true color

Together with the bald head, oily face and eyes so small that it’s non-existent on the face, it was the perfect example of evil merchant.

“Humph! I just need to pay the tax then!”

The thing about chief surviving through harsh life was actually not a lie it seems. Aves the village chief was brimming with confidence. (TLN: Wow it’s been such long time we heard his name again since chapter 8)

Unlike other villagers who were unsure, the chief gave off a domineering aura.

“This is my final offer! Are you truly not going to sell the barleys and potatoes to us? If we leave, there won’t be other merchant groups visiting this distant countryside.

He does not forget to blackmail while he was flustered.

“Do whatever you want. Since our exchange has been broken off, please leave. Captain Jacob, since our guest wishes to leave, sees them off to the outside.

“Yes, chief!”

Jacob who was the captain of the vigilante corp and had good looks responded with energy.

‘Not bad~!’

The village chief did not stop his show of dominance and continued as he was venting his anger for past hardship he experienced.

“Ju,just wait and see!”

As soon as armed vigilantes started advancing towards the merchants, the merchants were frightened and quickly ran out the village while cursing that their revenge will surely come.

‘Even the audience like me feels refreshed.

The merchants who I don’t even know their name ran leaving of foul words.

I had a premonition that there will be more to this, but I did not worry too much about it.

‘Hu hu, it’s finally tomorrow.’

I planned to travel to Viscount’s castle with Hans to pay the tax, which would take 2 days walking.

Rattle-rattle.

The carriages which merchants were riding finally left the village.

Come empty, return empty. (TLN:空手來空手去, idiom about coming in empty and leaving empty handed)

It meant having to return empty handed after coming with empty wagon.

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“We are here. That is the Castle Fior which the viscount resides in.” (TLN: typing the raw return Fjord but that would be weird, so going to name it Fior >.<)

The viscount’s castle that is at 2-days walking distance from the village.

Together with Hans, we successfully reached the castle with two sheets of blanket, mushrooms for tax and other simple dishes to eat.

Previously, village would send 20 people armed with weapons, but since they did not question my strength, Hans and I were able to come here with no problem.

‘It’s amazing!’

It was a sturdy castle built with large stones without the assistance of crane or other construction tool.

Despite only being a viscount’s castle, there were several watchtowers over 7 meters tall spread out around the castle. It was a typical Middle Age castle.

“Kyre, watch your words in here. Commoner like us can instantly face death with one wrong word.”

Hans who get easily scared despite his large build gave me early warnings.

‘Commoner….hah, I am currently a commoner.’

It was totally different civilization from the modern world.

I lost my train of thought at the realization that I am just a commoner

“You may enter.”

The castle was bigger than most castles I saw during the school trip to Eastern Europe.

We squeezed ourselves through people entering and leaving the castle to reach front of the castle gate.

“Halt! Where do you people come from?”

On top of the castle, large number archers and soldiers were on the lookout and tens of soldiers were stationed in front of the gate interrogating the travelers to filter out suspicious ones.

“You must be working hard. We are here from Luna Village to pay our taxes.”

“Luna Village? Ah! You’re from the village which burned 10 years ago.”

“I wanted to meet the ones called Knights but ones stationed in front of the gate using chainmail and halberd-like spears were just normal soldiers.

The one who seemed to be a senior among the soldier was talking to Hans.

“Here, this is the Village Identification Permit.” (TLN: I will just call it village permit in the future)

Hans showed the village permit that represented the Luna Village

“Alright. You may enter.”

The soldier looked at the permit as if it was finding it tiresome and just told us to enter.

It seemed like large influx of people moved in and out of village and they couldn’t hold up on one person.

‘That armor is so sick!’

The armor was not worn by knights, just a regular soldier but it was well-oiled and the sparkles and shines would make one admire.

“Wait!”

While I was following Hans in admiration, one of the soldiers called us.

“What, what do you need sir?”

Hans hurriedly asks the question with look of typical commoner.

“Is this from your village too? Black hair is not common around here….”

He carefully looks at my face, which has been tanned for few months, becoming a perfect face for country bumpkin.

“That, that is….”

Hans was not the type that could lie, thus he was stuttering his mouth with no answer.

“Haha, you guys are sure working hard. I should given you greeting beforehand but since you guys looked so exceptional, I couldn’t bring myself to talk. I am called Kyre.

I greet them politely with a smile.

‘Shit, you guys aren’t viscount but a mere soldier, but I have to bow my head to them!’

It was a world where status decided everything.

Since I only held position or commoner, I was forced to understand my current position.

“Kyre? That is pretty good name. Alright. You can pass.”

Just like the saying ‘You can not spit on smiling face’, he let us pass after seeing my friendly face with his face lowered.

‘This is society where money is not the factor, but your identity! I should least become a knight.’ (TLN: he says in a way like passing license exam)

It was not something like a license, but I made up my mind to become a knight.

I can’t be constantly lowering my head because of my commoner status in the future.

“Thank you for your effort, sirs.”

I carry the mushrooms and pull Hans, as I shout my way through.

‘This can not do. If I trust Hans, I will be in jail even before getting to paying taxes.’

In the village, Hans was innocent and trusted farmer but in cities like here, I couldn’t put my faith on him.

Hans’ clumsy look was just like a runaway teen who arrive in Seoul.

“Hans, lets go.”

“Yea..let, let’s go.”

Hans slowly walks along being pulled by me.

Thus, I was able to enter the castle in the Kallian Continent, homeworld of my master.

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

‘What do you call this place where merchants gather?’

There were only few people along with village chief and while Hans was one of them, since it has been a long time, he was dazed once he entered the castle.

Especially due to those middle-aged women who were shaking their butts, it was easy to lose focus.

‘This is frustrating.’

How would a person like this sell the mushrooms, pay the taxes, buy necessary items and return back to village?

.

I could only let out a sigh on village chief’s inability to have foresight on these matter.

“Hans….”

“Hm? What is it?

“Wipe off your drool.”

“S,sorry. It’s been such a long time that I lost focus.”

It wasn’t due to visit in a long time but it was more appropriate to say that his soul was sucked out by those women who wore rather clean and flashy clothes.

“We are going to sell the mushrooms now. Don’t say anything and just stay right beside me.”

“You are going to? Alright.”

As if he knew the situation about himself, Hans just nods away in agreement.

It’s good thing that he listens to me quite easily.

“Please take out one mushroom.”

“Why? You, you are going to sell here?”

.

As soon as I get past the castle door, I caught sight of many shops.

Along with hammering sound and shops were tightly lined up along the alley that sold foods, clothes and other daily necessity.

It was the perfect place to sell items.

‘I can’t trust any merchants here. There is only one method. Price war.’

From my understanding, sharif mushroom was not an item that per can obtain easily.

Notably, the mushrooms we brought were the highest quality.

There is nothing for me  to regret as a seller.

‘It saddens me that this wasn’t  a bigger castle, but it should suffice.’

“Ahem-ahem!”

I organized my thought and cleared my throat.

“It’s here, it’s really here! This is not something you are going to see everyday! Fresh from Luna Village, a fresh high-quality sharif mushrooms is here!” (I didn’t know how to go about doing this while keeping the expression behind it. Good thing I don’t make sales pitch. 공기 좋고 물 맑은 루나 마을)

Just like those on Korean drama, I stood on top of leg-high boulder and excitingly shout out.

“Sha, sharif mushroom?”

“Is it true?”

People who first passed by with look of ridicule had sudden change of expression once they heard about sharif mushroom with bulging eye.”

“wh,where, sharif mushroom?”

“Oh! It really is high quality item!”

As soon as Hans pulled out a fist-sized brown mushroom, people exclaimed in surprise.

“Kyaa, the fragrance is so thick!”

“Oh wow, it really is attractive.”

According to the villagers, Sharif mushroom had pleasing fragrance and taste which only nobles were able to eat.

All the people gathering were licking their lips from the fragrance emitted by the mushroom.

‘The total amount of sharif mushrooms I brought amounts to 70. Even if I sell them at 2 gold for one…. hehehe.’

Among the people gathered, there shouldn’t be many who could buy sharif mushroom.

However, looking at the people disappearing after confirming the mushroom in my hand, I suspected that the real customers for the mushroom will be appearing soon.

“This is sharif mushroom that you might never get to taste. I will be auctioning such mushroom starting at 2 gold. Since this is not an everyday occurrence, I hope you guys will not miss this amazing opportunity!”

“2,2 gold!”

“So cheap! If it’s that cheap, it should be loss in multiples…” (TLN: I did not understand what 2nd part meant at all, since it sounded super weird on meanings I thought of, any help would be nice on this:싸다! 저 정도라면 배는 남을 것 같은데….)

Just like how koreans would treat matsutake mushrooms valuable, people treated Sharif mushroom just as same.

My plan was progressing well just as I planned.

‘Huh? Those people are?’

Besides the commoners, men with attire of merchant were running towards me in a hurry.

Daron Merchant Group was also among them.

They disappeared from village as if they were running away and they were already at the castle.

‘Today, you shall taste the humiliation! kukuku.’

There was one evil idea that came up in my mind.

Sharif mushroom that was in Hans’ hand was not something merchants can buy even if they had the money for it.

I found the mushrooms pretty easily, but it actually should not have been that easy.

Among the sharif mushrooms, the ones harvested during the time when Luena’s Moon up is considered cream of the crops.

“This is sharif mushroom harvested on Luena’s moon risking one’s life! Since it looks like everyone is here, I will be starting the auction! First, the sharif mushroom in hand will be starting at 1 gold as commemoration!”

Since ten or more rich-looking merchants has gathered up, I add oil to the flame and gave speech to raise the value of mushroom even higher (TLN:raw said with word-to-word phrase of “adding oil to the lip” which I think just translates that you have your ways with speech)

‘Ha,home upbringing is definitely important factor on a person!”(TLN:wish xianxia ppl learned from this)

Ever since I entered elementary school, my parents would sometime give me a survival mission.

Just in case if my parents were to pass away in unfortunate accident, I would have to take kimbap to subway entrance or park to sell the kimbap.

It didn’t end just at kimbap.

I would sometime also take unneeded things from home and change it into cash to contribute to the family.

As a result of those missions, I reached the height where I can easily lure the merchants in. (TLN: I thought our MC wasn’t korean MC enough, but I was wrong…)

“I will offer 2 gold to buy!”

‘Yes! Great start!’

One of the merchants among many called out 2 gold.

“3 Gold! I will buy it!”

“4 Gold! You must sell them to me!”

The start wasn’t problem and merchants were frantically adding 1 gold to what others were offering.

‘Was 1 gold that worthless as far as currency goes?’

1 gold was apparently enough to feed a family of commoners until they are full for a month.

It was huge amount even in rough estimate but clearly these merchant did not view money as money. (TLN:Wish real life economy was this loose)

“7 gold! I will buy it!”

While others were shouting, I hear a familiar voice.

‘Bastard, he better be mad about this’

“The auction has ended! I will give the mushroom to that merchant who has offered 4 gold!”

“Wh, WHAT!”

“Huh!”

As soon as mushroom was auctioned, confident look on fat merchant of Daron Merchant Group’s face froze.

“Don’t be so nervous~! There are still lot more! Once you win the auction, please pay the money to this man and quickly pick up your item!”

I might have wasted 3 gold, but considering the look on fat merchant’s face, I brushed it off as price of the opportunity.

“Next item!”

At same time I say, Hans brings out another mushroom.

“This time, I will be selling in groups of 10!”

Who was it that said, sale is at the whim of yeot seller. (TLN: yeots sold by those street sellers would be in a big roll and it was up to the seller on how long the yeot would be for ‘one.’ )

“Now! The ten much-sought sharif mushrooms will be starting at 20 gold!”

“25 gold!”

“30 gold!”

“35 gold!”

Once I put out such a sensible price, those merchants held back their surprise and stretched out their hand.

“7, 70 gold!”

For whatever reason, DMG’s fat merchant calls out price of 7 gold per mushroom. (TLN: their name is too long in english T.T…probably due to my not-so-simplified translation)

“Is there anyone else! I will sell these 10 at 50 gold!”

“50 gold! I will buy them!”

I ignore the voices from DMG to look for another bid and another merchant quickly shouted out 50 gold.

“This auction has ended! I will sell ten mushrooms to that skinny person!”

“You bastard!”

‘Huh? Bastard?’

The fat merchant looked like he was angry and pointed his finger at me calling me bastard.

“Did you just call me bastard?”

I was not going to go off easy either. (TLN: I am tired but I can’t think up less-awkward phrase atm)

“To ignore DMG when you are just a low commoner!”

“Aren’t you a commoner too? and when did I ignore you?”

The pig spits out as his face reddens.(TLN: if this was Chinese novel, it would be blood, rather than spit)

“the,then why do you not sell it at the price I call out?”

“Ah, that? What can I do. My ear only understands what humans speak.”

“Wh, what!”

As his head was about to explode from anger,the pig merchant’s face reddened so much that his face started turning blue .

“On top of that, are you complaining about the price that I decide to sell at? If you are so annoyed, why don’t you travel to mountain filled with magical beasts and harvest and sell them yourself.”

They say you must be through when you are making sure they are dead.

I pick out my ear as I make the pig feel terrible.

“you,wait and see! Udu-duk!”

He held so much hatred that you could clearly hear his teeth grinding.

“You can go ahead and do that. Since I am busy, I will see you next time. Alright?” (TLN: I was going to put ‘you won’t get away with this but after I read this, I decided to go with you ‘wait and see’)

I mocked as if I was handling a kid from a neighborhood.

‘this guy, he sure is determined.’

He was lot older than me but a person has to act like a person for them to be valued.

The pig merchant ran off after staring at me while shooting off blue light.

“I will buy all the remaining sharif mushrooms each at 8 gold.”

‘8 gold? What is this easy profit?’

As I see off the pig merchant with pleased expression, I hear the source of my profit. (TLN: pr

“It, it’s Rubis Merchant Group.”

“tsk, I guess I am done for today”

“Rubis Merchant Group?”

There are many things one needs to know to do many things in Kallian Continent.

A man in early thirties appeared in my sight, who looked like a young master of a noble. (TLN: man in thirty and looked like a young master… it’s breaking my imagination real hard.)

As soon as that man appeared, other merchants backed away.

“If we are talking about Rubis, aren’t they one of the Great Five Continental Merchant Group”

‘They even visited territory like here, what a rare event.’

All the bystanders amusingly observing the mushroom auctions were now all whispering among themselves.

‘The Great Five Continental Merchant Group? Ho, its a conglomerate?’

After hearing all the whispers nearby, the man that appeared suddenly seemed to emit bright radiance around him.

“I am Jamir from Rubis Merchant Group.”

If the fat merchant from Daron Merchant Group was typical bad merchant, Jamir who was extending his hand for handshake would be example of typical look of dependable merchant.

“I am called Kyre.”

“Kyre? You have interesting hair and the name fits you well.”

‘Uuu! Dong-gun hyung has no place here’ (TLN:korean actor Jang Dong-gun)

Jamir was about as tall as me.

His golden curly hair and calm lavender-colored eye that would charm anyone looking at him with his deep set eye and his sharp nose qualified him to be called handsome. (TLN: deep set eye just means your eye socket is more caved in  creating ) shaped effect bringing your eyebrows more forward when looking at from the side)

“It wouldn’t be right to talk here, so let’s go over to the inn I am staying in to discuss.

“That would be fine by me. But, since I am hungry, I hope you will take the bill for food.”

“Paying the bill? Haha! Alright. I will pay the bill.”

Jamir was only in the early 30s but he had the talent to become great merchant in the future.

“Hans, let’s go.”

“Huh? Ah, yes.”

Hans, who still hasn’t noticed what was going on only nodded his head and  quickly followed behind with stupefied look.