[CHAPTER 56]
“I thought about paying up for a peaceful solution, but I changed my mind right away.”
I wasn’t going to let someone treat me like an easy mark.
They probably acted like this all the time and always found someone who had no choice but to put up with it.
I didn’t want to give in to something unfair.
If I did, they would pull the same thing on the next person.
“No.”
“…What?”
“Keep acting territorial if you want. I’ll run my stall on my own.”
I turned without hesitation, but the chairman shouted after me with a threat.
“Then don’t sell your goods in our market!”
“That’s up to me. Even the Merchant Union has no right to block me under imperial law.”
Aizen told me to check the law just in case, and I was glad I listened.
Chairman or not, abusing authority wasn’t allowed.
He couldn’t argue back and only grumbled while I walked away.
“I brought the cookies.”
“Good job, Greta.”
I gave her a thumbs up.
They were expensive cookies, so wasting them wasn’t an option.
We sat at the stall and shared them.
My mood improved, but that was when the petty harassment began.
“Tsk, disgusting. Kids these days only care about themselves.”
Someone spat on the ground in front of our stall on purpose and insulted us.
“Don’t even think about going over there! She only looks flashy. She sells low-quality junk.”
Someone spread bad rumors to customers.
“Hey, you! Don’t buy that!”
Someone blocked customers right in front of me.
There were all kinds of people.
And then—
“Hey, pack up and get out. Do you know how much trouble you’re causing us?”
We were cleaning up after closing when an older man openly picked a fight.
“I don’t think you’re taking any trouble at all, so I wouldn’t know.”
“How dare a young lady look me in the eye and talk back! Do you know how old I am?!”
He stepped toward us as if he might kick us.
Greta grabbed my wrist and pulled me behind her.
Thud.
“Hey! Did you just bump into my shoulder?”
A rough-looking man brushed against him and glared.
“N-no, I didn’t hit you…”
“Then who did? You’re blocking the whole path!”
He pointed to the wide road where dozens could pass.
To me, it looked like he ran into the old man on purpose, but it wasn’t my business, so I left it alone.
“T-that’s not what I meant…”
“Then what?”
“I’m sorry! I’m in a hurry…”
The old man backed away and ran for it.
The man clicked his tongue and walked off.
It was funny and ridiculous watching someone pick on us and then get chased away instead.
“Madam, are you sure you’re not upset?”
Greta asked quietly on the way home.
“Not at all. I’m the kind of person who gets stronger the more people step on me.”
Trying to survive alone in a harsh world made me that way.
So let them keep trying.
I wouldn’t break.
But not selling anything is a real problem.
How was I supposed to break through the merchants’ sabotage and sell out completely?
The problem weighed on me so much that I couldn’t sleep and wandered on the first floor at night.
I scratched my head in frustration, then ended up lightly bumping my forehead against the wall.
A soft hand stopped me.
“What are you doing awake, Madam?”
Aizen’s hand cupped my forehead as he leaned closer.
“Oh, honey! I’m just thinking about something. Why are you awake?”
“I couldn’t sleep tonight either. What are you thinking about so hard?”
“Hmm, maybe the secret to becoming a master merchant?”
He watched me quietly, then brushed my messy hair back with a gentle touch.
I felt like a puppy being petted.
I relaxed and accepted the touch.
“Honestly, I’m a little angry. They’re sabotaging me just because I’m new, and I’m afraid I’ll fail because of it.”
“You won’t. Not the woman I know. And even if you do fail, it’s fine.”
He cupped my cheek and lifted it slightly, his voice soft and comforting.
“It wouldn’t be because you lacked anything. People follow their own interests. Even if it’s the wrong thing, they don’t care as long as they benefit.”
“Wait, that’s it!”
A sudden idea flashed through my mind, and I grabbed his arm.
Aizen blinked in surprise.
“Like you said, people follow their benefit! Especially when money is involved!”
If I used that, I might break through this situation.
* * *
A few days later.
The chairman of the Bernada Market Merchant Union finished lunch and leisurely walked around the market.
By now, that naïve newcomer would have either gotten intimidated and left or decided to bow her head.
I should demand three gold and half her earnings this time.
He smirked, thinking of Jena, who stood out despite her plain clothing.
Then suddenly, a crowd rushed around the corner.
“W-what the?!”
He was almost knocked over but the people disappeared without apologizing.
“What’s so urgent…”
At that moment, a merchant he knew ran up to him.
“There you are! Chairman, look at this!”
“What is it?”
He took the paper and his eyes widened.
“W-what is this?!”
“Special Event! Win 1 Gold!
Buy any three of tea leaves, oils, or candles and five people will be selected by raffle to receive 1 gold in cash!
See the attached map!”
The location on the map was Jena’s stall.
“Because of this, all the customers are flocking to the newcomer!”
“What?!”
The chairman ran to the stall.
Jena’s stall was overflowing with people.
“Eight bottles of tea leaves left! Twelve bottles of oils! Five candles!”
People in line groaned anxiously, afraid they’d miss their chance.
Mouth open, the chairman marched toward Jena.
“What do you think you’re doing?!”
“Selling.”
“Who said you could run an event like this?! Who said you could lure customers without permission?!”
“I checked the market regulations. There was nothing against it. They said planning freely was fine.”
Her polite tone only infuriated him more.
He exhaled sharply and changed tactics.
“Do you think you’ll succeed using such improper methods?!”
“Hmm… I think I will. And even if it’s improper, as long as I gain something, that’s enough.”
Jena didn’t back down.
There were a huge number of customers, and some were merchants who had acted territorial before.
Even if the union shouted at them not to go to her stall, it wouldn’t matter.
People only follow unfair orders when they lose nothing.
That was why she held the event even at a loss.
“And my goal is to sell out. If I do, I win.”
“…”
“If you’re done, could you leave? As you can see, I’m busy.”
“Huh…”
He let out a bitter laugh as she turned away.
Customers pushed him aside, telling him to move if he wasn’t buying.
Damn it, this isn’t how it was supposed to go.
Grinding his teeth, he looked around.
His pride wouldn’t let him walk away silently.
He saw a stick on the ground, picked it up, and reached out toward Jena’s stall.
“…?”
A shadow fell over him.
He looked up to see a tall man with a lowered hat standing in his way.
The chairman flinched when he met the cold violet eyes under the brim.
“What are you planning to do with that—”
Crack.
The man lifted his long leg and crushed the stick under his boot.
“Whatever it is you think you’re doing.”
He ground the broken pieces under his heel.
“If you touch that woman, this is what will happen to you.”
He jerked his chin toward Jena.
The chairman swallowed hard.
