Kays Translations

Chapter 44

Magnel Trading Company — a company headquartered in the city of Franta.

It's a diversified business that has formed a sales network in the Frantan territory, including the city of Franta.

Think of it as a multi-business enterprise with ownership of goods sales, restaurants, farms, and construction shops.

In terms of corporate scale, it's a 'regionally locally deployed company,' known in the prefecture for its local commercials.

There are also occasions when Tiara receives requests for personnel dispatch from Magnel Trading Company.

In the Marzen Kingdom, it is considered a mid-sized establishment with a solid reputation for sound business practices.

A few years ago, there was a change in leadership, and now a young president is working hard. This young president is on friendly terms with Taran, in the sense of a friendship.

After finishing the discussion in the guild leader's room, Taran immediately sent a letter and received a response saying that the president would be available that evening.

So, Taran visited the Magnel Trading Company to discuss matters related to the hide and head of the Great Elasmos.

Knock, knock.

“Yes?”

“Taran-sama from the Tiara Adventurer's Guild is here.”

“Let him in.”

As he entered the room, a well-built man stood up from the desk."

"Hey, Taran! How's it going?”

His open and cheerful personality welcomed Taran with a lively voice.

“Your voice is still as loud as ever, Firmos.”

He is Firmos, the second-generation president of the Magnel Trading Company.

Taran immediately began discussing the hide and head of the Great Elasmos that their guild had acquired.

Staff brought tea, so they paused the conversation and, prompted by Firmos, took a sip.

“I heard about those rumors from adventurers who came to our shop. So, what's the plan?”

“Yeah, our idea is to perhaps have an auction through the commercial guild... something like that…”

“Hey, hey, hey... you don't need to do that! Sell it to us! We'll buy it at a good price!”

“I didn't expect you to say that.”

Taran's face relaxed involuntarily at Firmos’s enthusiastic approval.

The reason Taran brought it here is because "he wants things to be settled peacefully and quickly."

According to rumors, there's talk that "some adventurer defeated it and entrusted it to Tiara."

Whether it's for auction or selling to other trading companies, it would be troublesome if various details were investigated.

It's already known that we have the materials, and as time passes, various trading companies will likely come asking us to sell.

If we bring the story here promptly and say, "Magnel has already bought it," that should suffice.

If it's our friend Firmos, he'll understand the situation and won't leak any information.

He's a man who, if you say, "I can't talk about it," will respond with a simple "Understood."

"Various circumstances prevent me from talking about it. Is that still acceptable?"

"Keeping it a secret from me too... well, it's not ordinary to be brought to Tiara in the first place. I figured there was something going on."

"I appreciate it."

After discussing each other's recent work for a while, the conversation concluded with arrangements for the trading company to pick it up tomorrow evening.

　◆ ◆ ◆

And five days later, the members of Magnel Trading Company arrived at Tiara.

The assessment of the material purchase was complete, so they came to report on that and to finalize the buying and selling contract.

The visitors were Chairman Firmos, his secretary Kalmis, and the appraiser Torbis – a trio.

The chief greeted them and called me.

"This time, our new recruit will also be present. He’s very capable, so please allow him to learn."

"I'm Mizuki Mitarai. Nice to meet you."

The chief led everyone to the conversation room at the back.

Once seated, Chairman Firmos introduced the person who conducted the appraisal this time.

"This is our appraiser, Torbis."

"I'm Torbis. Nice to meet you."

He is a veteran appraiser in his 40s who has been with Magnel Trading Company since the time of the previous president.

"I'm Taran from the Tiara Adventurer's Guild. I appreciate your assistance this time."

"Not at all. It's been a while since I've appraised such an interesting material..."

The door opened, and Lily-san brought in tea.

Torbis-san proceeded with the explanation.

"Let me show you the appraisal results right away."

As he said that, Secretary Kalmis handed over several documents.

I found myself more captivated by Secretary Kalmis than the two older gentlemen. 

She was a lovely woman with a short bob and beautiful blond hair, matching the beauty of Tiara's receptionists.

In terms of age, Lily-san appears to be around the same age. Perhaps in her early twenties.

When handed the documents, my gaze unintentionally fell on the chest of Lily-san, who had bent forward, and I instinctively looked away.

As the chief received the documents, I hastily peered in as well.

Then, while looking at the copy, Torbis-san began to explain.

Great Elasmos is highly valued as a material for magical beasts.

It has a high amount of mana in its material, excellent toughness in its skin, and the meat tastes good.

It's also a positive point that it hasn't been two days since it was defeated judging by the state of the meat still attached to the head.

It seems that processing the skin quickly is preferable.

And the point that received the highest praise this time was――'not a single scratch on the skin.'

"I've been appraising materials from large beasts for a long time, but I've never seen such a clean condition before. I can't imagine how you defeated it"

I inquired with an amateurish tone

"What is the usual condition like?"

He gave me a straightforward explanation.

The typical method for defeating a large beast involves setting traps, luring it into them, and then overwhelming it with a large group – that's the common approach.

It's not like in manga where you have a single decisive blow with a giant sword or instant defeat with magic.

In the case of the Great Elasmos, an abnormally tough magical beast with a hard outer layer, beating it up or stabbing it all over leaves its skin in tatters after the subjugation.

Considering that, the fact that a perfectly intact piece of skin was brought in made him doubt his eyes.

"Um... may I ask a basic question?"

"Yes?"

"...What exactly makes materials from magical beasts valuable, and what are they used for?"

Torbis fell silent for a moment.

He probably thought the person asking was a complete novice. Well, if that's the case, there's no helping it.

He glanced at the president and, seeing a nod, proceeded to explain.

The greatest advantage of magical beast materials is the ability to create equipment that "increases your maximum mana capacity."

This equipment is highly coveted by professions that use magic. 

It seems that the horns, even without processing, significantly increase the usable mana just by having them. Therefore, they are extremely valuable items.

And the skin of the Great Elasmos can be used to create lightweight items with strength comparable to metal armor.

It's perfect for combat professions that have mastered body enhancement techniques, thanks to its abundant mana.

However, being one-of-a-kind, it is naturally very expensive. It seems to be used by top-tier adventurers specializing in subjugation missions.

Additionally, the meat also has a high mana content and is said to have the effect of "accelerating mana recovery when consumed."

Instantly, my gaming brain started to get excited.

"Oh, is that one of those equipment that increases mana... lifting the cap and allowing you to cast more or use big spells. It's just like a game."

Everyone looked puzzled but couldn't stop me.

"And when you cook and eat it, you get increased mana recovery... just like in the game with recipes. Eat before a battle for a buff... probably lasts for an hour or something."

As I spoke, a question arose.

"Damage boost...CD... those would be enchantments, right? Oh, can you add additional effects as well?"

By the way, "CD" stands for "Cooldown," meaning the time you have to wait until you can cast the next spell.

"...Additional effects... what are those?"

"For example, an increase in the power of magic, or armor gaining fire resistance. In essence, enchantments—oh, it's like enhancing equipment by adding magical effects to them."

Torbis-san pondered for a moment.

"Is it something like 'magical accessories'?"

I couldn't help but snap my fingers.

"Oh, that sounds like it... 'magical accessories.'"

"Ah, well..."

He explained that he specializes in material appraisal, so he doesn't have much knowledge about magic. 

While he has seen magical accessories, he's not an expert on their value.

"I see, sorry for the strange talk."

The chief looked at me with a hint of amusement.

However, the president, whom I caught a glimpse of, had a slightly stern expression.

It seems I may have gotten too carried away for a newcomer.

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