Heavenly Castle

Chapter 32 – Merchant Kidnapping Case

Translator: Drey Editor: Sherminator

Author’s Note: This story is similar to an interlude.

【Azul Kingdom, Royal Capital】

「Oi, have you heard?」

When a man who wore a turban said that and brought near his face, a gray-haired man, who was checking the luggage on the wagon’s luggage carrier, nodded solemnly.

「Yeah, about the guy Hundert? He said, he flew up to the sky with his wagon……」

「Right, it’s an absurd rumor.」

When the man in the turban agreed, the gray-haired man frowns.

「If you think it’s fake, why are you bringing it up?」

「It’s because it isn’t fake.」

When the man in turban declared that, he excitedly took something out from his leather bag that is hung on his waist.

「What do you think is this?」

When he said, the gray-haired man looked at it and a leaf is lying on the palm of his hand.

「…… What with that leaf?」

「Try to sniff its scent」

「…… It has a strange scent. What’s wrong with this?」

When the man, who brought his nose to the palm, raised his face and asked that, the man in the turban picked up the leaves and raised it.

「It seems to be a leaf called Peppermint. It has a strong smell and it can also be used in cooking. It is said that he also has a variety of unusual things besides this.」

When the man in the turban said that, the gray-haired man looked at the Peppermint leaf excitedly.

「…… In other words, it’s something he obtained on the rumored flying island. That guy will really make a profit. However, is that real?」

「It’s not fake. If he collected rare things somewhere in the remote region, the leaves will be too fresh. Besides, just three days ago, I just saw that guy Hundert in the Royal Capital. He probably doesn’t have the means to replenish his stocks.」

「….. Anyway, whether or not he went to the flying island, goods that can’t be obtained elsewhere are attractive. But if you’re not careful, you will be completely deceived by a poor guy like Hundert.」

When the gray-haired man said that with a smile that has a hidden meaning, the man in turban sighs and smiles wryly.

「Well, there’s probably no need to worry about that.」

【Hundert】

Two days after the Imperial Army had withdrawn from the Royal Capital.

There was a figure of a man who drives a wagon outside of the city. It was a thin man with hunchback characteristics. Although he is in his forties, his worn-out look made him look much older than his age. He also had an appearance of light brown eyes and pale black hair, overall it is a man who gives a vague impression.

「Hundert. You have no choice but to do it. If you can’t sell in the Royal capital, you can just sell in another big city. There’s no problem in your goods. Rather, it’s a high quality products, so the feudal lords of the small rural towns will definitely be attracted.」

That man, Hundert muttered that in order to persuade himself and drives his wagon to the highway.

Hundert advances while minding his surroundings and occasionally shifting his attention to the luggage carrier of the wagon.

「Is there no remnants of the Imperial Army? No no, anyone will surely run away if they saw that mysterious golems. After all, even all my fellow merchants are too scared that they don’t even want to go out of city……」

The highway near the large Royal Capital. It’s a bustling highway where people with various occupations usually come and go, but there was no sign of people and carriages anywhere.

It’s only Hundert and his wagon who are there. Hundert, who behaves suspiciously because of anxiety, is only paying attention to his front, back, left, and right, and didn’t notice the shadow that approached from above.

Suddenly, the wagon floated up, and Hundert blinks his eyes and looks down to the ground.

「Eh?」

As the ropes that connects the horse and wagon stretches, Hundert became confused, another shadow descended and hugged the horse from its side.

「UWAA!?」

Seeing the sudden newcomers, Hundert was taken aback while raising a scream and turns around to escape towards the luggage carrier.

And, he notice the huge figure who was behind the wagon and raised a scream.

「A, a, a golem…. GOLEM!?」

Hundert’s scream which echoed from the wagon that floats up to the sky, have even reached far away up to the Royal Capital’s gate.

After reaching flying Heavenly Country, Hundert was looking down absentmindedly from the wagon to the horse that fainted.

「This, this place is……」

He look around absentmindedly, but the two robots standing nearby didn’t even pay any attention to him, so instead he turned his eyes to large sized trees.

However, seeing the castle at the highest place of the island, strength returns to the eyes of Hundert.

「…… I wonder why there’s a castle here? Is this heaven……? No, I can see clouds right next to it…… In addition, these golems are……」

While muttering with a shivering voice, Hundert got down from the wagon.

He turned his attention to the scenery around him once again and opens his mouth.

「No way, the ally announced by the Kingdom……」

「Oh man, sorry for bringing you here without consent. Were you scared?」

Hearing a voice all of sudden, Hundert let out an idiotic voice and fell on his butt.

When he raised his head, he saw a figure of a simple but kind-looking young man. The young man looks at Hundert and the wagon, and opens his mouth.

「Maybe because it was right after the war, I was troubled because there was no merchants at all, you see. You’re a merchant, right?」

Hearing that, Hundert responded while standing up hurriedly.

「Ye, yes! I, I am called Hundert…..! Are you perhaps, one of the Great Magician-sama……?」

While looking at the young man in unusual attire up and down, Hundert asked that. Hearing that, the young man smiled wryly and tilted his head.

「Is that the rumors? Just what kind of rumors did you heard?」

「Ah, umm, they said, there’s a country called Heavenly Country on the island that floats in the sky, and there are 10 Legendary Great Magician-samas and more than 200 magicians who are their disciples……」

「O, ooh…… did you hear such amazing stories?」

Hearing Hundert’s words, the young man with amazed expression smiled wryly as if it was hopeless and pointed at himself.

「I am Taiki. Nice to meet you, Hundert-san.」

The moment when the young man extended his hand while giving his name and Hundert receive it with both hands reflexively, he saw that some figures of people are concealing themselves while crouching low like a tiger behind Taiki.

Seeing Hundert who gasped and becomes stiff, Taiki said “Ah” and turned around.

「Everyone, please don’t glare at him too much. He’s already scared because he was brought up to the sky.」

「Yes, we understand」

Responding to Taiki’s words, a young man and woman of cat beastmen stood up. Hundert, who is completely scared, opens his mouth while glancing repeatedly at the cat beastmen.

「U, umm, what can I do for you……?」

「Ah, right. I haven’t said it yet.」

After saying that, Taiki pointed at the wagon owned by Hundert.

「I want a various goods from the ground」

Hearing Taiki’s answer, Hundert blinked his eyes several times and nods.

「Do, do you want to buy my goods? That would be great……」

While Hundert is in the middle of talking, Taiki raised his hand and shook his head from side to side.

「I am sorry, but I have no money……」

Hearing words of Taiki, who was really apologetic, Hundert turned his eyes to the two robots and trembles.

Seeing Hundert’s face, who is likely to cry at any moment, Taiki quickly wave his both hands.

「Ah, no no! Of course, I’m not planning to take it for free! Apparently, there seems to be some rare things on this island that can’t be found on the lower ground, so if it’s okay, I will buy your goods in the form of bartering and……」

While listening to the explanation, Hundert felt relieved and breathes out.

「Is, is that so….! If that’s the case, that would be great! Rare things will sell well in the capital, so I will really appreciate it!」

Hundert, who understood the story, said that happily and rushed toward his wagon.

「Alright. Please bring it here.」

「Yes」

Hearing Taiki’s instructions, the two cat beastmen came forward with a big basket.

The two quickly laid a cloth on the ground and arrange the vegetables and plants on it.

「This one is a costume especially made by a famous tailor and he made it by carefully selecting the materials, but even if I brought it to the Royal Capital, it is too expensive and can only be brought by the nobles but I got ignored by the guards. However, I don’t have a connection with a noble, so I don’t know what to do with this……」

Said Hundert who brought his product while saying a poor speech, but he stopped walking after seeing goods being arranged in front of Taiki.

While smiling wryly at the clearly disappointed Hundert, Taiki points at the goods lining up in front of him.

「Hundert-san. That clothing is wonderful, but this things are also not worthless, you know?」

When Taiki told that, Fundat hurriedly shook his head from side to side.

「N, no no, don’t say that! I am not disappointed at all! I was just thinking that I wanted to take a look at your goods!」

「Is that so? Well, I will also explain our goods. First of all, let’s start with this…… It’s a spice called Wasabi and it is known for its strong sharp and cool taste. Please try it by all means when you make a dish using this wasabi later.」

「Wa, Wasabi…… Certainly, I have never seen or heard this……」

「Next is, I heard that there are also no varieties of herbs on the lower ground. Ah, It was called Incense tea in the Azul Kingdom. There are various types here, so I think they will sell at high price.」

「An Incense tea!? It is certainly attractive! It is also called as the symbol of the person who built a fortune, so this rare Incense tea leaves will definitely sell!」

And, when Hundert realized it, his mood became very positive and he was absorbed in Taiki’s explanation while leaning forward.

【Azul Kingdom, Royal Capital】

「Ex, excuse me……」

When Hundert spoke to the guard who defends the castle gate, the guard looked at him as if looking at a suspicious person.

「What.」

Hearing the guard who asked briefly, Hundert presented a letter which he received from Taiki and open his mouth.

「The, the Heavenly King, entrusted me a letter for General Dukel. Please kindly receive it.」

When Hundert said that while dripping with cold sweat, the guard’s expression changed and received the letter.

「…… Why do you have this?」

「Fortunately, I caught the attention of the Heavenly King…… Ah, then, I should go now to sell the goods that I got from the Heavenly Country, so……」

Hearing Hundert said that and was about to leave, the guard’s expression change and opens his mouth

「Ho, hold on! Did you say, it’s a goods that you got from the Heavenly Country!? I will deliver the letter to General Dukel immediately, so wait for a while!」

「eh?」

The guard ran away in a matter of seconds, leaving Hundert who is floating a question mark.

About one hour later, in front of Hundert, who was invited inside the castle, a man in his prime who wore a luxurious armor was standing. Behind him are people in high status-looking attires lining up.

While scared that he might get the death penalty if he acted rudely, Hundert described the various goods which arranged on a big wooden table.

A red-haired man dressed in luxurious clothing asks a question to Hundert who explains by reading a paper where he wrote down the explanations of Taiki.

「How much do you intend to sell these goods?」

「Ah, no, I haven’t decided the price yet. However, it is a rare goods, so if it is possible, I would like to sell it all together in……」

The price that he revealed hesitantly, was an amount which enough to buy a house even in the royal capital.

Hundert always plan to suggest a high value at first and then gradually lower the price as a merchant, but his eyes became wide open after hearing the words that was said by the red-haired man without even changing his expression.

「Oh, how cheap. If that’s the case, I will buy it. In case there’s a next batch, bring it again to the castle.」

「…… Eh? You, you will buy everything…..?」

Ignoring Hundert who become amazed, the man called out to the soldier on his side.

「Prepare the money」

「Hah!」

Seeing the back of soldier who received the man’s order and ran away, Hundert turned his eyes to the man with surprised face.

「…… Your, Your Majesty the King…..?」

Hundert whispered that in a voice that seems to vanish and changes his complexion.

「In case, if you know when is the date and time to go to the Heavenly Country, report it to me without fail. You can expect a reward.」

「Ha, HAH!」

When Hundert replied while kneeling as if he collapsed on the spot, the King left without saying anything.

Dukel looked down at Hundert who froze up while kneeling and speaks to him.

「How was the Heavenly King?」

Hearing his direct words, Hundert turned his doubtful face to him.

「Ye, yes…… His appearance is definitely youthful, like around 20 years old…… but his manner is gentle and if I think about it now, it seems like his relaxed and calm atmosphere doesn’t match his appearance……」

「I see. As expected, the Heavenly King is definitely a great magician who has lived for a long time. When the time comes that I see the next generation, I wonder if I should suggest to abandon the stories of myths……?」

While muttering such things as if talking to himself, Dukel walked in the direction that the King left.

「…… Gre, great magician of myth……」

The remaining Hundert muttered that faintly while kneeling on the floor.

Thus, Taiki’s title was getting more and more splendid. By the way, Hundert, who made a big reversal from near bankruptcy, has become famous for being the most lucky man in the Azul Kingdom and later he decided to launch the Hundert Company.

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