“What?”
Rakhoop was utterly dumbfounded that a mere ten-year-old child had told him that he understood only half of the situation.
Aiman raised his index finger.
“Twice a month, serfs are sent to other villages within the county whenever additional labour is needed.”
The territory where Aiman and Rakhoop lived belonged to Count Leroy Jenkins.
He was a high-ranking noble who could have one viscount and three barons beneath him.
Accordingly, an enormous number of villages lay within Jenkins County.
Whenever one of those villages reported that it was struggling due to a shortage of labour, Count Jenkins dispatched some of his serfs there.
He could not always send the same serfs or dispatch too many at once, so they took turns.
As a result, most serfs could legally leave their assigned territory approximately twice a month.
Only after hearing Aiman's explanation did Rakhoop remember that fact.
His expression twisted.
“······So you intend to trade with a general store in another village during one of those trips?”
“Yes. I know that travelling only twice a month will make business difficult······ but since you are unwilling to offer me a fair deal, I suppose I will have to do that.”
“Ha······.”
Rakhoop felt completely drained after listening to Aiman.
He even found himself thinking something absurd as he stared at the boy.
‘Why does this child speak as though he has been a merchant longer than I have······?’
At first, Rakhoop had assumed that a ten-year-old serf child had somehow obtained some paper and come to sell it.
He had planned to bargain the price down with ease, buy it cheaply, and resell it at a considerable profit.
Yet what had happened?
Despite his many years of operating a general store, he had instead found himself being outmanoeuvred.
When Rakhoop finally fell silent, Aiman offered one last farewell.
“You do not appear interested in making a deal, so I will be going now. Good day.”
“W-Wait, Aiman!”
Rakhoop stopped him again.
This time, however, he did not grab Aiman's wrist. He merely called out to him.
After sensing something strange and unsettling about the boy, he could no longer bring himself to seize him so casually.
Since Rakhoop had called him, Aiman turned his head once more.
In truth, this was the final opportunity.
If Rakhoop still refused to make a proper deal, Aiman intended to walk out without another moment's hesitation.
“What is it?”
“Fine. Let us settle on 2 gold.”
That was 30 silver more than Rakhoop's previous offer of 1 gold and 70 silver.
Aiman still refused the price.
“2 gold and 60 silver.”
“What? Why did the price increase by 10 silver?”
Rakhoop stared at him incredulously.
Aiman had originally demanded 2 gold and 50 silver, yet he had suddenly raised the price.
Aiman calmly explained why.
“You have continued wasting my time, haven't you? Time is money.”
“Th-Then let us make it 2 gold and 10 silver.”
“2 gold and 70 silver.”
The price rose by another 10 silver the instant Rakhoop tried to bargain again.
Frowning at the sudden inflation, Rakhoop questioned him.
“Are you going to add another 10 silver every time I try to negotiate?”
He wondered whether Aiman would eventually demand the full 2 gold and 80 silver that Rakhoop normally paid wholesalers for paper of that size.
However, Aiman shook his head.
“No. I would simply leave.”
“What?”
“If you are going to pay me 2 gold and 80 silver anyway, wouldn't it be better for you to keep buying from your usual wholesalers? In that case, it would also be better for me to sell to a wholesaler staying in the village or to another general store. That would save both of us time.”
“Goodness······.”
Rakhoop could hardly believe such words were coming from a young child.
In the end, he made one final offer.
“2 gold and 50 silver······ We will use your original price.”
“Hmm. Very well.”
Aiman had come to the store intending to charge 2 gold and 50 silver from the beginning.
If the deal with Rakhoop failed, he would have to sell the paper to wholesalers for less.
As for selling it to a general store in another village, that was easier said than done.
He could travel only twice a month, and there was no guarantee that he would secure a favourable deal during those opportunities.
If both visits ended with the other merchants behaving like Rakhoop, the entire plan would fail.
That was why Aiman accepted.
However, Rakhoop suddenly attempted another manoeuvre.
“There is one condition.”
“What condition?”
Aiman did not know what sort of condition Rakhoop could possibly be referring to at this stage.
Rakhoop explained.
“We do not know whether the product will actually sell once I put it on display. Therefore, I will pay you only 1 gold for now and give you the remaining balance after it sells. Naturally, if it does not sell, you will return the 1 gold.”
After hearing the condition, Aiman turned it against him.
“Then pay me the full 2 gold and 50 silver. If it does not sell and I have to return the money anyway, I can simply return it then.”
“What if you spend all the money before we discover that it will not sell?”
“The same would be true even if you gave me only 1 gold, wouldn't it? Now, this truly is the last time I will ask. Are you buying it for 2 gold and 50 silver?”
Whether it was 1 gold or 2 gold and 50 silver made no difference if Aiman intended to spend the money.
After pointing that out, he drove the final nail into the negotiation.
Rakhoop had to decide whether he was making the deal or not.
From Rakhoop's perspective, paper of that size was still profitable at 2 gold and 50 silver.
Judging by Aiman's expression, the boy truly would leave if he tried to negotiate any further.
In the end, Rakhoop released a deep sigh and accepted the deal.
With the transaction complete, Aiman left.
“Ha. To think a ten-year-old managed to squeeze this much out of me······.”
Rakhoop muttered to himself after being left alone in the general store.
He had purchased all three large sheets of paper Aiman had brought for 2 gold and 50 silver each.
At first, he had intended to exploit Aiman's youth and bargain the price down.
‘But I never stood a chance.’
The ten-year-old serf boy had been one of the most formidable customers Rakhoop had ever encountered.
It was not the menace one might expect from a group of fierce-looking mercenaries.
Their rough behaviour could not truly intimidate him.
Where was Rakhoop's general store located?
It stood in the village of a count's family, one powerful enough to be called a great noble house.
If an ordinary mercenary caused trouble, Rakhoop merely had to report him to the count's family.
An S-Rank mercenary might be a different matter.
However, ordinary mercenaries of A-Rank or below would not dare cause a disturbance.
Then what kind of person could intimidate a merchant like Rakhoop?
A customer who refused to yield during negotiations.
And that was precisely what he had seen in the ten-year-old serf boy.
‘Considering how much I would have paid a wholesaler, I did buy it cheaply······.’
Nevertheless, his pride had been wounded.
He had failed to control the negotiation.
Although the price was lower than what wholesalers charged, it was still the price Aiman had chosen.
Still, there was no point dwelling on what had already happened.
What mattered was the future.
If the paper Aiman had brought sold well, Rakhoop would have to sell this new paper instead of the products made by Paper Farm.
He decided to forget his previous defeat and focus on what lay ahead.
Rakhoop looked down at the paper resting on the table.
“More importantly, how did that boy obtain this?”
It was not something a serf child should have been able to acquire.
When he touched the material, it felt softer and thinner than the paper produced by Paper Farm.
In truth, buying paper of this quality for 2 gold and 50 silver had been an excellent deal.
If he cut each sheet into four pieces and advertised it as superior-quality paper, Rakhoop believed that his bargaining skills would allow him to sell each piece for several dozen silver more than ordinary paper.
That was when it happened.
JINGLE.
The bell above the door rang.
A customer entered the shop.
Rakhoop recognised the man's status from his clothing alone.
‘An Imperial Mage!’
Every so often, Imperial Mages travelling outside the capital visited Rakhoop's general store.
They purchased magical supplies from specialised magic shops in the capital, but they often bought everyday necessities from general stores in the cities and villages through which they passed.
Rakhoop remembered the robes worn by the Imperial Mages he had occasionally seen.
The Imperial Mage who had just entered widened his eyes.
Rakhoop immediately saw where the man's gaze had landed.
‘He is interested in the paper.’
Sure enough, the Imperial Mage looked at the sheets on the table and spoke.
“Oh? Has Paper Farm recently begun producing and selling larger sheets?”
Anyone who purchased paper knew that all paper carried by general stores was supplied exclusively by Paper Farm.
Paper Farm alone knew the manufacturing method, and even if someone managed to steal the technique and sell paper independently, it would be difficult to compete with a company that already possessed a complete monopoly.
Paper was not a product used by the general public.
Only a very small number of extremely wealthy people purchased it.
Naturally, the Imperial Mage assumed that Paper Farm had produced the sheets.
Rakhoop began thinking rapidly.
After considering his options, he offered the Imperial Mage a plausible explanation.
“Haha, no. These were supplied by a newly established paper manufacturer.”
“Oh? Is that so?”
“Yes.”
He could hardly admit that the son of a serf had brought them.
There were still several matters he needed to investigate.
Moreover, if he wanted to sell the paper for a high price, he needed to present it as coming from a reputable source.
Besides······.
‘Imperial Mages have plenty of money. They make excellent marks.’
The Imperial Mage approached the table and asked Rakhoop a question.
“May I examine it?”
“Of course, of course.”
With Rakhoop's permission, the Imperial Mage picked up a sheet.
He examined it from several angles and ran the back of his hand across its surface.
“Hmm. The quality is superior to the paper produced by Paper Farm. The texture is pleasant, and it is remarkably thin. The cloud-like patterns also possess an appealing sense of freedom.”
“Ah, as expected of an Imperial Mage. You have recognised the value of this paper perfectly.”
“Hmm? Do many Imperial Mages visit this store?”
The man looked somewhat surprised that Rakhoop had recognised his status.
Rakhoop rubbed his hands together as he replied.
“Those passing through the region, as well as those who have business with Count Jenkins, often use our general store when they need paper.”
“I see.”
“Yes. Then, regarding this paper······.”
He was subtly asking the man to decide whether he intended to purchase it.
The Imperial Mage asked for the price.
“How much is it?”
“As you can see, each sheet is four times larger than the standard paper produced by Paper Farm.”
“4 gold?”
An ordinary sheet of paper produced by Paper Farm cost 1 gold.
Since these sheets were four times larger, the Imperial Mage assumed they cost 4 gold each.
However, Rakhoop attempted to test the waters and sell them for even more.
“The quality is also superior to Paper Farm's products.”
“So how much are you charging?”
It seemed the mage was willing to pay more than 4 gold.
‘Should I demand twice that amount?’
Rakhoop considered asking for double the price so that he could maximise his profit.
After all, this was the only place where the paper could currently be obtained, and Imperial Mages usually left the Jenkins territory once their business was concluded.
However, if he demanded too much, the mage might cause trouble for him later.
Deciding to charge a moderately inflated price, Rakhoop named his figure.
“6 gold.”
“That is somewhat expensive.”
The Imperial Mage rubbed his chin as he studied the paper.
Seeing his reaction, Rakhoop thought to himself.
‘Did I ask for too much?’
Many Imperial Mages spent money freely, so Rakhoop had assumed that the man would readily pay that amount.
However, his customer appeared more cautious than expected.
Rakhoop considered his options.
‘Should I lower the price? No. I have years of experience. I should test him once more.’
Judging by his experience as a merchant, Rakhoop believed he still had one more opportunity.
He addressed the Imperial Mage.
“However, I believe it is worth the price.”
“Worth the price······.”
When the Imperial Mage continued to hesitate, Rakhoop employed one of his usual sales techniques.
“If you purchase all three sheets, I will sell them to you for 17 gold.”
A discount for purchasing in bulk.
Nine times out of ten, customers accepted when he made such an offer.
His prediction proved correct.
The Imperial Mage nodded and reached inside his robe.
“Very well. I will take them.”
‘Excellent!’
Rakhoop had purchased the paper from Aiman for a total of 7 gold and 50 silver.
Now, he was about to sell it for 17 gold.
Compared with selling the same quantity of ordinary paper, he would earn more than 5 additional gold in profit.
Just as Rakhoop was about to hand over the three sheets and receive the 17 gold······.
JINGLE.
The doorbell suddenly rang.
Both Rakhoop and the Imperial Mage turned towards the entrance.
“Hmm?”
“Wh-Why are you here······?”
The Imperial Mage merely tilted his head at the unexpected boy, while Rakhoop's face filled with alarm.
The boy's gaze was fixed on the Imperial Mage, but his words were directed towards Rakhoop.
“Ah, I realised that I forgot to ask how much you intended to sell the paper for.”