01x09 - Sweet Honey and Bitter Armor

[bunniefuu]

So, why did you come

all the way here at this hour?

I came to get my certificate of membership

for this guild.

Hurry up and become a merchant who

people will fear

just by hearing your name alone.

Or else,

that girl you got will leave you.

She's basically an investment.

What good comes out of

investing in a small-town girl?

I wouldn't invest if there was no return.

You sound pretty confident.

That reminds me.

Does anyone here need to go to Lamtra?

I would advise you not to get involved

with that shepherd girl.

A lot of people

had the same kind of idea as you.

But nobody will hire that girl

to escort them.

Do you know why?

Is it the church?

She is the only one who can

roam around that area unharmed.

Nobody says anything, but it's obvious

that the church isn't happy about that.

If you don't want to get caught up

in the church's mess,

don't get involved with her.

I get it, though. Norah the Nymph is

just the type of girl you like.

So, do you already know

who is going to purchase your goods?

Yes. It's the Remelio Trading Company.

Remelio, huh?

Is there a problem?

Well, you will know once you get there.

Okay

-Here.

-Thank you.

The Rowen Trade Guild

has Saint Lambardos' blessing.

I wish you the best of luck.

If this deal goes well,

I will buy you some fine alcohol.

Shoo, shoo.

ORIGINAL STORY BY ISUNA HASEKURA

-Let's go.

-Yeah.

How cute.

They called me a "pretty rose."

Don't pay them too much attention.

Young apprentice boys

are no better than hungry dogs.

They'll drag you away.

If they do, come save me again.

Of course, I will go save you again.

Although, in the end,

I am the one who saved you.

I don't know what kind of "return"

you are expecting,

but I guess I'll let you

invest in me for now.

You heard?

My cute little ears picked up everything.

It seems you took a liking

to that shepherd.

So you like that scrawny type?

Or do you like the fact that

she has a hard life?

Compared to that,

I am nothing but an investment.

Wait a second!

What Jakob said

was nothing but small talk.

-It's not like I

-What?

To a certain degree,

I did think Norah was nice too.

And it's not like I didn't enjoy

talking to her.

But in no way does that

mean that I think

any less of you!

I was only teasing you.

I didn't expect you to say

something like that so seriously!

I'm so happy!

But

males are always like that.

They say things like that easily.

So prove it to me

with something I can see.

I've heard that knights

entrust their shield and sword

to show their sincerity.

You're a merchant.

What will you do for me?

All right.

I'll get you honey-pickled peaches

You're going to buy me what?

Hey!

I can't believe you would

do something like that.

You're the one who told me to

ask more cutely.

I told you to ask more nicely.

I didn't tell you to be so manipulative.

But

it was cute, wasn't it?

Although, your reaction was even cuter.

Hey, don't be so mad.

The fact that I was happy is true.

Will you still be mad, even then?

Fine! I'm not mad.

Are you satisfied now?

I don't want to get lost.

Can I hold your hand?

Sure.

It'll be troublesome if you get lost.

Um, Father.

What's the matter?

Um

Would you please let me

move to a safer place

to let my sheep graze?

You will be fine.

God has given you the power

to ward off wolves.

Are you saying that you don't trust God?

Your job itself

is a gift from God.

Continue to do your best.

Yes

Someone's in a good mood.

Any merchant would be happy

if they're about to make a profit.

But you are the most vulnerable

when your eyes are fixated on your prey.

How animals hunt and how merchants

do business is not the same.

You called it "buying on margin"?

So basically, you're in debt right now.

If you know the product is going to sell,

you should buy it even if you incur debt.

Although, if I do that with apples,

someone will eat them all

and it'd be a huge deficit.

Stupid

Either way,

taking on debts isn't my cup of tea.

Says the person who is deep in debt.

If you want me to pay you back,

you'd better get on my good side.

Yes, yes, I will try.

I just have to sell them to a company

that has a contract with the supplier.

There's nothing to worry about.

It's so busy everywhere.

It's peak season right now.

I don't smell any honey-pickled peaches.

I told you that it's a rare item.

Is this place run by monks?

If so, we'd at least hear people praying.

Maybe your trusty little ears

can't hear because you're munching

on that pie so loudly.

I appreciate your sarcasm.

But I can hear people inside the building.

There are people inside?

Yes. But the atmosphere

isn't very peaceful.

Well, I guess there's no point

in worrying.

The goods won't turn into money

unless I sell them.

And the meat pie won't turn into nutrients

unless I eat it.

That was intended to be my nutrients.

What? You were planning to eat it?

Here.

It's not the Sabbath yet, is it?

Is something wrong?

Um, well you know

Did you get into town today?

No, a few days ago.

It's not like I'm in a hurry or anything.

I can come another time.

Mr. Lawrence?

Huh?

Just as I thought.

You were supposed to bring in armaments

from Latparron Trading Company, right?

How do you know that?

Last night, Latparron Trading Company

transferred your bond

to our trading company.

Huh?

What is going on?

You seem to be unaware,

but the armaments market

crashed the other day

because the great northern expedition

was canceled.

Armaments are basically

worth nothing right now. Which means,

your friend is in

very deep debt with our trading company.

Simply put, he has gone bankrupt.

Excuse me?!

It was a setup.

We both live according

to these kinds of agreements.

You understand, right?

Of course, Mr. Remelio.

I am a merchant too, after all.

Out of your total purchase

from Latparron Trading Company,

47 and 3/4 Lumione was

loaned to you with a due date.

I need you to pay that.

Otherwise, we will

have to ask the Rowen Trade Guild

to take on your debt.

Yes.

Well, the due date on your loan

is the day after tomorrow,

so we can wait two days.

About the armaments

that you brought with you

What would you like to do?

It won't sell for much at all

No, I will sell them at a high price.

I will pay you in two days.

Is that fine?

Yes. I will be waiting.

Sorry for the wait.

Let's go.

Hey, so what is going on?

The cargo behind us became garbage.

I see

Will you run away?

No.

The network that merchants have

is practically omniscient.

They'll find me no matter where I go,

as long as I continue to do business.

If that happens, I'll never be able

to work as a merchant again.

When animals are wounded,

they get devoured, bones and all.

Will you accept that fate?

Of course not!

I just have to return my debt in two days.

I can still get back on my feet.

I am Holo the Wisewolf.

I'm sure I can help you

in one way or another.

I know.

Saving on food

would make a big difference

Didn't I tell you

that I'd pay you back for my food?

I was just joking.

You look much better

than you did a second ago.

But if worse comes to worst, I will put

my honor on the line to let you escape.

Even if that means using this wheat.

You promised to take me

to the north forest.

I can't have you

getting stuck in a place like this.

I know. I will keep my promise.

Also

If worse comes to worst,

I might ask for your help.

You can count on me.

So, what are you going to do now?

I'll go to the Rowen Trade Guild first.

If they're from your hometown,

I'm sure they'll help you.

So wait at the inn

Do I look like an ungrateful wolf

who would leisurely

groom herself at the inn while her

traveling companion is facing a crisis?

No, but

Do I?

You don't, but that's not the issue.

Then what is the issue?

Trading firms

are like hometowns for merchants.

You know what it means when someone

brings a woman home.

Just explain it to them.

How would I explain it?

Then just tell them we're lovers!

All right. Will you come with me?

Of course I will.

However, I will tell them

that we are business partners.

Don't say anything unnecessary.

Okay.

Well then, what should we address first

The first thing I want to ask is,

"Who is that pretty girl

sitting right there?"

We are traveling together for business.

"Business"?

When Milone Trading Company

in Pazzio appraised

my fur pelts at 140 silver Trenni coins,

she hiked the price on the spot

and sold them for 210 coins.

Didn't I tell you? I wouldn't invest

unless there was a return.

If you two were a married couple,

I was going to tell you to go to

the church and get a divorce this instant.

But every once in a while,

people like you come around.

Huh?

They show up with a beautiful girl one day

and things seem to work out.

But all of them refuse to

talk about the girl.

So I try not to pry too much.

After all, even the scriptures say that

we should not

force open a box of mysteries.

That's a wise decision.

Now then, let's get right to the point.

Let me make sure I got this right.

You bought armaments

from Latparron Trading Company.

Of which 47 and 3/4 Lumione

were bought on margin.

And that bond was sold

by Latparron Trading Company

to Remelio Trading Company.

Is that correct?

You were completely tricked

by Latparron Trading Company.

But I don't pity you.

Because you were just being greedy,

and you failed. Am I wrong?

That's right.

If you were robbed, got sick,

or were injured

and incurred a debt because of that,

we would put our guild's honor

on the line to help you.

But that's not the case this time.

In other words, you must

pay off your debt on your own.

Yes.

Unfortunately, because of my position,

I can't show mercy on you.

Being firm and uncompromising

is the whole purpose of my position.

Of course.

If someone else was

getting special treatment,

I would get mad too.

Also, lending and borrowing money

between guild members is prohibited.

The guild itself cannot

lend you money either.

It'll affect our reputation.

I know.

Your debt is due in two days.

Remelio Trading Company

is desperate because their

investment in armaments failed too.

So they'll happily

come to collect the money.

By the day after tomorrow,

your failure will become public,

and I will have to detain you.

So what is the conclusion?

If I cannot get 47 Lumione

ready in two days

and pay Remelio Trading Company,

I will have no future.

No.

You will have a future, that's for sure.

However,

it will be a dark, painful,

and burdensome future.

If it's 47 Lumione,

you can pay it off if you row

a long-distance cargo ship for ten years.

Or you can dig a mine.

But that's only

if you don't get injured or sick.

But you know,

it's not like I want you to die.

Don't forget that.

I just have to follow through

with the natural order

of crime and punishment.

Right.

If there is anything

I can help you with, I will.

And I trust you, so I won't detain you.

Go and do whatever you can.

Thank you for your kindness.

When doing business,

there are always unexpected bypaths.

There are paths that can only be seen

during a crisis.

Go and give it your all.

I will pay off the debt no matter what.

Hey, what are you going to do?

I'm free for two days, at least.

Before I start worrying,

there's something I can try.

Huh?

Repaying a debt with a debt.

Long time no see, Mr. Lawrence.

Did you find something profitable again?

It's quite embarrassing,

but I wanted to borrow some money.

Oh, is that right?

You know, we're a bit tight on money too.

I'm sorry.

I see. I'm sorry to put you on the spot.

There are still more to try.

How was it?

Let's try another one.

That place might

Damn it!

Here you go.

The next one

Hey

What?

Sorry, I can't walk like I usually do

in this form.

No, it's my bad.

Excuse me.

Oh, long time no see, Mr. Lawrence.

Long time no see.

Sorry to bother you after hours.

I heard through the grapevine

that you've been asking everyone

to lend you money.

And it's apparently quite a large amount.

Is it because of the armament market?

Yes. It was all because of

my lack of foresight.

Only God can foretell

a sudden crash in a market.

It'd be cruel to condemn you

for something like that.

It is my belief that we must

live according to

God's teachings and be sincere

in our dealings with others.

I was willing to help you

to a certain extent.

But look at you, promenading with a woman

while trying to rely on others' pity

and borrow money!

I will not take this nonsense!

Hey

Are you okay?

You look so pale.

Let's go back to the inn

If it wasn't for you

I I'm sorry.

I'll go back to the inn.

Damn it

Damn it!

Next time, "The Wolf's Wisdom

and Merchant's Smooth-talk."