I poured myself some tea made from tea leaves procured from a new route Maha had developed.
It seemed that the locals used it without fermenting it, as with green tea, but after trying it, I thought it would taste better fermented, so I fermented it like black tea.
I preferred it that way not only for its taste, but also for its medicinal properties.
[This tea has a very sour taste. It’s good for when you’re tired, but it wouldn’t suit everyone’s taste. Its aroma is harder to bear than its flavor. It’s pungent and somewhat prickly.] (Maha)
[I think so too. I’ll have to make some improvements before I can sell it in stores. No… Rather than making it suitable for all, it’s better to give it even more aroma, sourness, and medicinal properties. By nature, it has a stimulating effect and neutralizes fatigue, so rather than as a cure, I’ll put it on sale as a kind of tonic that you can drink to keep yourself moving for an hour or two.] (Lugh)
I had a feeling that this could be done by processing the tea leaves in some way.
And if we could produce it the way I hoped for, then it would be in high demand on the battlefield.
[If the demons and monsters become more active in the future, sales of luxury goods will decline. This trend is beginning to emerge. The aristocrats are also starting to arm themselves against monsters and demons and reduce their spending on luxury items. In order to make up for that, we should have a product that can be sold to the military.] (Lugh)
It was just an idea, but I was sure it would be the right choice.
[Good idea. If the military has a regular supply of it, we can sell it in large quantities and on a regular basis. The fact that Orna has a monopoly on sales channels is also a strong point. Considering the medicinal properties of our drink, we have a good chance of succeeding. Leave the marketing to me.] (Maha)
[As expected of Illig-sama, I could smell the profit from just one tea. I have to learn from you.] (Beruid)
This kind of thing was my specialty.
After all, some herbs were used as medicine, and others as poison.
As an assassin, I was quite adept at handling them.
[I’ll make some improvements in that direction and send them to Maha once I’ve completed it. Also, Maha. If possible, I’d like you to keep purchasing these tea leaves from local farms and peasants like you did last time.] (Lugh)
[Understood. I’m surprised you like them so much.] (Maha)
[It’s for the medicinal properties. And it’s something that’s not easy to find on this continent, after all.] (Lugh)
No matter how much knowledge and skills you had, you couldn’t do anything without materials.
If there were tea leaves containing effective active agents that I could not find in this country, I wanted to stock as many of them as possible.
…Besides, I needed this ingredient not just for our products, but for my personal use as well.
[I’ll keep working on it. And with good timing since I’m going to have my regular duties thrust upon Beruid, so my hands will be free.] (Maha)
[These are my responsibilities now. I wanted to try my hand at something new myself, but unfortunately, that plan is still in the rough. Until then, I will focus on preserving and developing it.] (Beruid)
[I’ll be counting on you two.] (Lugh)
I could truly rely on these two.
If I tried to do this by myself, it would’ve taken up too much of my time.
I would’ve liked for the three of us to talk for a while longer, but I really wanted to spend some time with Maha.
[Beruid-sama, I’m sorry, but I need to talk to Maha alone. Can you give us a moment, please? …No wait, you said earlier that you had something important to tell me, right? I’m all ears now.] (Lugh)
Beruid was making a big deal out of it. It had to be a fairly serious matter.
[Thank you very much. I was thinking of telling Maha alone, but then I thought it wouldn’t be fair, so I decided that if I was going to say it, it would be when you are around, Illig-sama.] (Beruid)
His expression suddenly stiffened and he looked at Maha’s face, then at mine.
[Maha, please marry me. Illig-sama, I would like your permission to do so.] (Beruid)
Maha and I looked at each other.
I was shaken, but Maha remained calm.
Then she smiled sadly.
[I’m surprised. I never thought that the scion of the Balor Company would say such a thing to a commoner like me. Isn’t there a better match for you? Both for you and for Balor.] (Maha)
[There is no better woman than you, Maha. Working together, I fell for you from the bottom of my heart. It doesn’t matter what your pedigree is. Your skills are worth more than any family background or rights. Above all, I fell in love with your beauty and strength. I’m serious.] (Beruid)
[Yes, I can tell. Then I’ll answer seriously too. I’m sorry.] (Maha)
She bowed her head.
She gave him an immediate reply without a moment’s hesitation.
It should’ve been unthinkable to refuse a proposal from the scion of the Balor Company, yet she did just that.
Even though she could’ve become one of the richest people in the world if she accepted.
[I guess… I don’t even have to ask you why. I knew it. But that’s why I wanted to say it. You’re a coward, Illig-sama. Even though you’re aware of her feelings, you ignore them and keep her bound by them. …I have to go.] (Beruid)
[Wait.] (Lugh)
[Please rest assured. I will do my job properly. I will think of love and work as two separate matters. This will be my pride as a merchant.] (Beruid)
Beruid left the room.
I didn’t think he would propose to Maha.
No actually, there was nothing strange about it.
Maha was an attractive woman, after all.
[Maha, are you sure about this? If you tied the knot with the heir of the Balor Company, you could do any business you want. Also, you could make your dream come true.] (Lugh)
[It’s okay. I belong to you, Illig-niisan.] (Maha)
Maha hugged me.
Even after what happened, she was the same as ever. And for some reason, she was in a good mood.
[Were you happy to be proposed to?] (Lugh)
[What are you saying? Of course not. I’m happy because you got jealous for me. You’re supposed to be acting as Illig right now, yet you got so upset you revealed your true feelings. Haven’t you noticed the tone of your voice going back to normal?] (Maha)
[How embarrassing. I still have much to practice.] (Lugh)
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