The World's Strongest Butler - Chapter 41
From somewhere, it seems someone had heard about my magic and the fertilizer locusts, and wanted to know more about it.
He was an acquaintance of Tet and a merchant looking to introduce himself to me.
From our conversation, I did not sense any malice from Flaverick. He genuinely seemed to be here for business.
First, he was shown the laundry magic.
“…This is revolutionary,” he muttered.
Next, he was invited to try out the bed, and within seconds, he had lost consciousness.
He appeared to be extremely exhausted, and Flaverick’s face was dazed. Not knowing how to handle the situation, I proposed letting him rest for a few hours.
After finally waking up, Flaverick took a bath and then hurriedly approached me in the Isfeel family’s garden, where I was helping tend to the vegetables.
His skin was shining brightly, which looked a bit amusing.
“Mr. Alto! This can be highly profitable!”
“Uh, well…”
“Wouldn’t you want to aim to become super-rich together⁉”
Taken aback by his enthusiasm, I took a step back.
“I haven’t thought about making money. I’m not in need of it.”
“What a waste! With such a wonderful ability and talent, you could become the richest in the whole Drad kingdom… No, even in the world⁉”
“No, no! Even if I had a lot of money, I wouldn’t have a use for it.”
Living a simple life, nurturing vegetables leisurely, and spending time with the Isfeel family is what truly brings me happiness.
I would not want to disrupt this life.
“…What a waste.”
Flaverick looked downhearted, and Urk, who had been assisting, chimed in.
“Flaverick. Alto is just that kind of guy.”
“Even the esteemed Miss Urk… The people of the Isfeel family truly lack ambition.”
Intrigued by Flaverick’s apparent dismay, I decided to ask him a question. Despite his slightly shady appearance, he seemed like a good person.
“So, Flaverick, why did you get into business?”
“…My mother fell ill in the past. At that time, a certain merchant proposed an overpriced medicine. I had no money and couldn’t afford that medicine, so my mother passed away.”
I stopped what I was doing.
(I shouldn’t have asked so casually… I must have upset him.)
“But, she never held a grudge! On her deathbed, she told me to be of use to people. So, I decided to become a merchant, earn a lot of money… and ensure there aren’t any merchants like the one who exploited our situation.”
“That’s impressive.”
“Oh, it’s nothing… Your abilities should be valued even more!”
After saying this, Flaverick looked into my eyes.
“So, you really won’t consider doing business?”
“I’m sorry… I’ve also planned to start a business at the orphanage.”
Seeing Flaverick’s disappointment, I felt guilty as he left.
On his way back from the Isfeel residence, he couldn’t help but think.
“I can’t give up… I absolutely need that!”
(To let go of such a golden opportunity is like telling a starving beast to resist meat.)
After tasting such a potential, Flaverick couldn’t resist and revisited the information he had on Alto. He then set his sights on a particular individual.
In the slums of the royal capital, Flaverick went to a gathering spot for vagrants.
Knocking on a dilapidated house’s door.
“…Who is it?”
“Excuse me. Are you Wenti, the former master of Alto?”
“…Hmm.”
Dressed in ragged clothes, and no longer resembling the nobility she once was, there stood Wenty.
Although her father was imprisoned, Wenty, not being directly involved in the crime, was found innocent. However, with the downfall of the Luebedo family and nowhere else to go, she was forced to lead a challenging life.
Eating moldy bread and drinking dirty water every day.
“Sorry for the sudden visit. My name is Flaverick, a merchant.”
“Okay… What do you want? I’m busy.”
Although not exactly welcoming, she gestured for Flaverick to sit. Flaverick then placed a sack full of gold on the table.
“I’ll get straight to the point. I want to know about Alto’s secrets.”
Flaverick had a habit of thoroughly researching his trading partners. He had investigated Alto using informants but couldn’t find any information about Alto’s life before he lived with the Rubedo family.
Thinking that Wenti, who grew up with him, might know something, he decided to approach her.
“…Hmm, you want information on Alto.”
Reaching for the bag of gold, she remarked, “This is just a down payment… I’ll need some more time to decide whether to share anything.”
“…What do you mean?”
“Simply put, I need money. You want information on Alto, right? Isn’t your offer a bit low?”
“…How much do you want?”
“That’s for you to decide.”
Frustrated, Flaverick realized he might have approached the wrong person.
“You will tell me, right?”
“Yes, of course. I have some juicy details. Things Alto would absolutely hate to get out. You want a secret to leverage, right?”
Understanding the true appeal and profitability of what Alto was doing, Flaverick pondered.
“…If I can buy Alto’s secrets with money, then it might be a small price to pay.”
“Alright! Next time I’ll bring more money.”
“Make sure you do.”
Flaverick then left the shabby house.
Left alone, Wenti opened a drawer. Inside, there was a dress made specially for her by Alto.
“…Alto.”
Holding the sack of gold tightly, Wenti continued her journey. Her destination was the information dealer’s place, where all things about the royal capital were known.
In the shop, a friendly-looking man sat at the reception. She slammed the bag of gold in front of him with full force.
“Tell me everything you know about the merchant Flaverick.”
Wenti confronted the information dealer with a fierce gaze, her intentions clear.