“There should be a clearer content than this.” [Ayase]
“It’s a secret.” [Jephthah]
Is that so. If it’s a secret then it can’t be helped.
“From there, we didn’t actually know what was the next step to take but usually one would naturally think that 『Find a person to serve as a slave』 would be the closest idea that comes next. And, at that very moment I encountered Jirou……..That is what I call a fateful encounter. The reason I proposed that match was due to this.” [Jephthah]
“So………I was approached with that bet because you believed that I was the candidate whom Diana-san was meant to serve? Then you didn’t necessarily need to challenge me to a match, am I right?” [Ayase]
“As I have said so earlier, I wasn’t really certain of it since I’m just one of a minor merchant only……I will make a move while making sure that I will be getting as much profit as I can at the same time too.” [Jephthah]
“…………?” [Ayase]
“The matter relating to the match though……If Jirou-san is somehow involved in this, regardless of the actions that you might have taken, you will definitely end up sitting with us here today. All these course of actions have already been determined from that very moment we met. Fate will always lead us to where we are meant to be without fail. That is the compelling force of the High Elf’s guidance.” [Jephthah]
“Nn? Could you possibly break that explanation up a bit and make it clearer? I didn’t really get the main points…..” [Ayase]
“True….. In other words, by the end of the day, the mayor would somehow be happy anyway and accept your gift regardless of what you might have given her. This is what I meant when I have said that you were already entangled in this.” [Jephthah]
All my 15 days of effort have been for nothing!
How much do you think I’ve spent already!
“What I meant was, regardless of being entangled or not being entangled in it, you were challenged with a match that does not seem to be of disadvantage to you…..Well, I was surprised though since I had not expected you to present such an elaborated gift there. And it turns up, even if you weren’t involved in that guidance from the start, there might be a possibility that you will win the match anyhow. This is the reason why I’m still unable to confirm if you really are the person whom we are looking for yet till now.” [Jephthah]
“Regardless of winning or losing, this was still a profit gaining match for Jephthah-san, wasn’t it? I’m not sure what kind of deal you have been making with the mayor behind my back but just let me know by all means…….However, she…..I mean won’t you experience any loss for handing Diana-san over to me?” [Ayase]
“…..No, that is actually the biggest profit.” [Jephthah]
Aa, is that so? I felt like all my efforts have been wasted a little now.
“Actually rather than the Solo house supporting this 『Special Guidance』, it was actually the other way round. We have received an agreement from the High Elf race to cooperate with them. The journey has developed considerably well so the guidance should be achieved soon. When that happens, both the Solo house and I will also obtain the biggest benefit here.” [Jephthah]
I see…….so there were interests involved in this already. I have previously labelled him a playboy of my own accord but he is unexpectedly a go-getter.
The final picture of this match that Jephthah-shi drew was…..even if I wasn’t the one guided by the spirit and ended up losing the match, he will still be able to obtain 10 spirit stones. And if I wasn’t the one guided by the spirit but ended up winning somehow too, he will still gain the interest from the dealings with the mayor. However if I am the one guided by the spirit, I will definitely be winning this match so not only will he receive the benefits from the mayor’s side but also yield the profit from the High Elf’s side since their guidance was able to advance.
I suddenly recalled that the elf guy did mention it before the spirit agreement was made. That regardless who ended up losing, they will not be in any disadvantage in any way.
……well, I did not encounter any loss for the time being so it’s good for now. I had a feeling that things are slightly rolling off for the better.
However….I wonder if it is possible for people to receive a guidance that leads them to becoming a slave. The Great Spirit is way too harsh.
“……But is Diana-san, a slave? If I had not turn up here would you be fine even if she was sold to someone else? If she were sold off then would you just consider it as a part of the fate too?” [Ayase]
“I think I did mention it before when we first met. It was when I said I wasn’t able to come to a so-called compromise with the other party…….There were several circumstances, but the biggest one was still, 『If you had done anything strange to the High Elf, it might develop into critical racial problems』. That was the main point that I have included inside. Jirou-san, please be careful of this too.” [Jephthah]