“Nice to meet you. My name is Eli Truths. A humble merchant leading a small firm called Truths and Wares.” [Eli]

When the caravan arrived in front of them, a man disembarked from the leading carriage and politely introduced himself to Ryner.

“Riiight, a small firm.” [Ryner]

Ryner leaned a bit to the side and gazed at the lines of wagons, guards and workers that had stopped in the middle of the road.

“May I know your name?” [Eli]

“Ryner.” [Ryner]

“It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Ryner.” [Eli]

He shook Eli’s outstretched hand while sleepily staring at him. The man had very light green hair and eyes that were blue like sapphire. His chin had a trimmed beard the same color as his hair. Although he was in his thirties, his fine features made him look a decade younger. His clothes were of good quality and showed off his wealth. The long blue coat with yellow embroidery all around the edges covered his slim body.

Ryner looked away from the merchant that had the smiling face of a fox and scanned the people standing behind him. There were four guards, all in armor, that accompanied Eli. Among them, one stoic man stood next to the merchant and emitted quite the intimidating aura. He was nearly two meters tall and his armor couldn’t hide his muscular stature. His dark skin was just like ebony and his blonde hair was cut very short.

“That guy’s strong.” [Ryner]

“Oh? You can tell from a glance. How perceptive.” [Eli]

Both Ryner and Eli gazed at the soldier who remained immobile.

“Of course.” [Ryner]

Ryner pointed at his face.

“Anyone that wears sunglasses even when there’s no sun has to be tough.” [Ryner]

Just as he said, the soldier was wearing sunglasses that hid his eyes.

“That’s… An interesting way of seeing it, but yes, Richard is my strongest guard. A magic user capable of making full use of his A rank mana pool.” [Eli]

Showing his skills as a merchant, Eli’s smile didn’t crumble despite the weird link between strength and sunglasses that was made by Ryner. He then signaled for Richard to demonstrate his power with a wave of his hand. The dark-skinned man silently nodded and headed for a boulder as tall as him. Even though there was more than twenty meters between him and his destination, he easily covered it in a matter of seconds with superhuman speed.

Then, he stopped right in front of the boulder and stared at it for a moment. The next second, he brutally kicked it, shattering the rock into pieces that flew off like buckshot with a loud rumbling noise. Some of his fellow guards let out an “Ohhh!” in admiration of his superhuman strength and speed. Paying it no mind, Richard returned to his employer’s side at breakneck speed.

Eli’s smile deepened and he snuck a glance at Ryner to see his reaction. By revealing a glimpse of what his best bodyguard could do, he was indirectly showing the authority known as overwhelming violence that he wielded. Yet, the man with eyes of different color didn’t change his sleepy expression. He just lazily stared at the destroyed boulder and monotonously gave his praise.

“Woow, he sure is strong. Way stronger than me.” [Ryner]

The merchant couldn’t read him at all and that frustrated him.

“So, what do you want? No offense, but I’m kinda busy.” [Ryner]

“Yes, I’m sure a man with your entourage has a busy schedule.” [Eli]

Eli glanced at the eight elves that were standing behind Ryner and that were eyeing him suspiciously. More accurately, except for the elven maiden, the seven that made a deal with Ryner were outright glaring at him. There was also a red and white puppy on the side, but it was just obediently sitting down and couldn’t be considered a threat.

After evaluating the odds once more, Eli brought his fist to his mouth and cleared his throat.

“I’ll make sure not to waste your time.” [Eli]

He snapped his fingers and his men that were standing by brought a small wooden table, two chairs as well as cups and a bottle of wine. They quickly set it up before standing aside just like professional servants. Of course, that was because they had planned everything so far.

“Have a sit and please, try the wine. It’s one of my favorites.” [Eli]

“No thanks. I steer clear of drinking nowadays, mostly to avoid waking up with two naked women in bed with me.” [Ryner]

“…Is that not something to be happy about as a man?” [Eli]

“Yeaaah no, not really.” [Ryner]

Ryner said while looking to the side with some rather gloomy eyes and let out a dark chuckle.

Although the reason to refuse his wine was unexpected, Eli kept his smile on and raised his hand. Orange juice was then quickly served as a replacement. The two sat face-to-face and picked up their respective cups. Eli glanced behind him at one of the men that filled the cups and he slightly nodded to the merchant.

“The ladies should have a drink as well.” [Eli]

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When the green-haired merchant proposed so, his subordinates handed a cup to each of the eight elves.

“Ryner.” [Elf]

One of the elven women said in a low voice.

“I know, I know.” [Ryner]

Ryner casually answered her and waved his hand to dismiss her warning. Then, he emptied his cup in one go, causing the light green-haired man’s smile to widen.

“How is the taste?” [Eli]

“Not bad, but I prefer milk.” [Ryner]

Seeing him wipe his mouth without any care, Eli chuckled and held his hands on top of the table. However, he went rigid when he saw the other party proceed to grab the cups of all eight elves and gulp them down in succession. None of the women managed to drink a drop, which was not in Eli’s plans.

It sounded like someone clicked their tongue after witnessing things take a turn for the worse.

“… Anyhow, let’s get down to business.”  [Eli]

Even so, the sly merchant pushed forward. If he backed off now, he would be losing his chance to make a lot of profit.

“The reason why I approached you is quite obvious. You have a grand total of eight elves serving you. All of them are beautiful women and I simply must buy them. As a merchant, this meeting is too good of a business opportunity to pass up. Would you be willing to sell them to me?” [Eli]

“I refuse.” [Ryner]

His request was decisively and instantly rejected. Still, that was within expectations, so his smile didn’t crumble. Rather, it widened even more.

“I am sure these fine ladies please you immensely every night, but I am ready to offer you enough gold to-.” [Eli]

“They’re not for sale.” [Ryner]

“Then, if money isn’t w-.” [Eli]

“Nope.” [Ryner]

“How abo-?” [Eli]

“No way.” [Ryner]

“But-.” [Eli]

“No.” [Ryner]

“But-.” [Eli]

“No.” [Ryner]

“But-.” [Eli]

“No deal. Can I get some more juice over here?” [Ryner]

There wasn’t any room to talk at all. So, Eli switched his method of negotiation.

“… Are you certain I cannot change your mind?” [Eli]

Suddenly, Richard who was standing behind him used mana pressure. The bodyguard let his mana leak out and it attacked Ryner like an invisible wave. Normally, anyone affected by it would grow stiff, sweat and shake in fear. However, the man with eyes of different color didn’t even flinch. He just asked for another cup of orange juice. This baffled both Eli and Richard, though they didn’t show it on their faces.

“Yep.” [Ryner]

“Surely we can come to some sort of understanding.” [Eli]

“That’s impossible.” [Ryner]

“… Oh? And why is that?” [Eli]

“First…” [Ryner]

Ryner drank all of his tenth helping of orange juice before pointing at the empty cup.

“I don’t feel like talking to a guy who’d drugged my drink.” [Ryner]

Right away, Eli’s amicable expression twitched and he held his hands tighter.

“Second, these elves aren’t for sale. There. That’s the second time I said it. Do you want to hear it a third time or did you finally get it?” [Ryner]

Just like Ryner said, a sleeping drug was slipped in his drink. That was because the merchant didn’t actually expect him to sell the elves, and even if he did, it probably wouldn’t be at a price that he could afford. As such, the plan from the start was to drug the other party to sleep, eliminate the owner and steal the slaves.

A tense moment of silence passed as both sides stared each other down. Richard made a hand signal behind his back and several armed guards that were waiting by the caravan walked towards them. The seven elves that were once forced to be toys made sure that the elven maiden was standing behind them. Mi, sensing the volatile atmosphere, was growling and showing her canines.

“It appears that negotiations have broken down.” [Eli]

“It’s not much of a negotiation when you planned on robbing us from the start.” [Ryner]

“That was in the off chance that things didn’t go smoothly.” [Eli]

“You know, you’re really good at lying.” [Ryner]

“… Thank you, though I think you’re more amazing for being able to see through me so easily.” [Eli]

Ryner piled up the cups and held them in his hands. Then, he slid his chair back, away from the table.

“I’ve dealt with merchants before.” [Ryner]

“Oh, but you’ve never dealt with someone like me.” [Eli]

“No, you’re pretty common.” [Ryner]

Everyone was ready for a fight and whether they were scowling or smiling, they all had a tense expression, except for Ryner who was lazily staring at the merchant.

The silence and stillness was broken when Eli suddenly stood up and flipped the table. Moreover, as he jumped backward, Richard took his place and charged forward with one hand pushing the table to the front. The other men simultaneously spread out and set their sights on the elves.

The A rank bodyguard ran a large quantity of mana through the wooden furniture which greatly increased its hardness, enough to stop bullets in their tracks. It was less like a makeshift shield and more like a battering ram as it headed straight for the still sitting Ryner.

This one raised his right leg and kicked the table. The loud impact and the web of cracks on the wood showed just how much force was put into that kick and the A rank’s charge was stopped. Behind his sunglasses, Richard’s eyes opened wide, just like his allies that were surprised at the unassuming man’s strength that they didn’t expect. Of course, in his precarious position, Ryner began to fall backward along with the chair since he was balancing himself on its hind legs. While Richard was stunned for a second, he snapped out of it and dug his feet in the ground to resume his charge.

However, he didn’t have the chance because as Ryner fell, he threw his cups at the other guards that were making a dash for the elves to knock them out. At the same time, he used his left leg to kick the table from below, sending it upward. Richard grunted and pulled out an axe slung on his back as he lunged at the sleepy-looking man. Ryner rolled on his back and picked up the wooden chair before thrusting it in front of him. The dark-skinned guard’s downward slash cut it in two like butter.

Without faltering, Ryner used the two halves of the broken furniture to bash Richard’s head in. The first strike smashed into his left cheek and turned the improvised weapon to pieces. The second strike smashed into his skull and also turned the sliced chair to pieces. Moreover, the table that was sent airborne splendidly landed on the huge man’s head, and broke as well.

Richard, unwounded, growled in a low voice as he slowly raised his head to stare at his opponent through his sunglasses.

“… Damn those are some tough shades.” [Ryner]

Richard pulled his axe-wielding right hand to the left side of his body to unleash a powerful horizontal slash. However, his attack was stopped as the sleepy-looking man swiftly closed the distance to zero and held his arm with his right hand in a powerful grip, effectively preventing him from swinging his weapon. Richard reacted instantly by using his left arm to punch the side of his foe’s face. Unfortunately, his fist was caught in yet another iron grip.

All of his attacks that could smash rocks, break steel and pulverize flesh were all easily suppressed. Richard, as well as Eli and the rest of the people from the caravan, all finally realized that the unassuming man was much more dangerous than they had previously expected.

However, they still had no idea what they had gotten themselves into.

“You guys done yet?” [Ryner]

While suppressing the bodyguard that was bigger than him, Ryner casually asked.

“We’re done!” [Elf]

When he heard a positive reply from one of the elves standing just three feet behind him, he stopped putting strength in his arms and let Richard push him to his left side. Furthermore, he jumped to increase the distance and soften the blow.

Right after, powerful gales assaulted the bodyguard who tore his eyes away from Ryner and looked straight ahead. An elven woman wrapped in currents of wind was calmly glaring at him. Her hair and dress fluttered about, but she firmly stood her ground like a tall tree.

“Sh-!” [Richard]

Richard’s eyes widened and he reflexively shouted, mad at his failure. He didn’t take them out in time. His allies watching from a distance also had similar expressions.

They couldn’t prevent one of the elves that had fallen into slavery from joining the fight.