Chapter 169 – Angry Merchants
“I can go to dome 3 and get news about them if you want.”
“…No, it’s fine.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. Keep in mind my offer stands if you change your mind.”
“Thank you, Tila.”
“No need for thanks between us. You should rest for today. I’ll take care of the stall.”
“No, I’m good now. About building a workshop next to the house… Let me think about it a bit more.”
“Sure, that’s no problem. Take your time.”
She gave me a nicer grin now. We stayed put for a bit longer before starting our day for real. Since I had nothing else to do, I chose to handle 82’s market with her. It was better to stay close in case she became lost in her thoughts again too.
These days, our number of regular clients had become large enough that I needed to increase the amount of food I bought from the Muyal family. The stall table wasn’t large enough to display all our stock in one go and anything that didn’t fit waited inside the wooden boxes on the ground.
The day was going well, with sales being as great as usual. I chatted with our usual customers, who were all happy to spend a couple of minutes doing some small talk.
However, in the late morning, something unexpected happened. The surrounding merchants who were selling vegetables and fruits like us while looking darkly at our success suddenly exited their booth at the same time and came toward us, looking quite angry.
One of them, a large rank 2 sorceress, slammed her palm on our table, scaring our clients away. Suuru jumped in shock and quickly hid behind me in a very natural manner.
“We can’t take it anymore! You women are killing our businesses! How do you expect us to make a living if your prices are so low?”
She was one of the traders manning a booth in the same street as us, and judging by the current circumstances, I didn’t doubt she was part of the ones who protested about unfair competition with the trading department before. I shook my head while keeping a neutral expression.
“That’s the law of the market. There’s no point complaining to us.”
“Nonsense! Food margins in the market are already so small, it’s impossible to make any profit with those prices. You’re just trying to destroy us!”
“Of course not. This is what we’re living off too, just like you.”
“Even if that’s true, it only means you’re doing something illegal. That’s the only possible alternative! We’ll sue you if don’t stop cheating like that!”
This made me smile.
“Sue me? Sure, go ahead.”
My calm answer seemed to stupefy them because their leader only opened and closed her mouth in disbelief. I noticed their pack was divided into two, a larger group at the front looking angry and flustered, and another smaller one further away, a lot more hesitant about the situation. Around them, a few customers watched the scene happening with interest, just like one would watch a movie. It was true that entertainment was cruelly lacking in the domes and something like this filled normal folks’ cravings for drama.
“We… We’re really going to do it! We’re not joking around!”
“As I said, feel free to do so. The truth will become clear soon enough.”
“Even if you’re friends with someone in the trading department, that won’t save you!”
“I never relied on her in the first place.”
My complete composure was doing its job and the indignant mob was visibly flustered. After some time, the first one changed target, staring at Suuru, who was still hiding behind me.
“I didn’t want to do this but you leave me no choice. Suuru! We know who you are!”
She pointed at her with a finger, suddenly a lot more confident. Having just heard about Suuru’s story, I could guess where this would go.
“Are you done yet? You’re obstructing business. Time’s money. Get lost now if you don’t me to sue you instead.”
“Ha! Are you trying to protect her? It’s no use! Everyone, listen. This woman is a taboo baby, born illegally outside of the baby field! Are you trying to steal from us after stealing a life already?”
This announcement shocked the people in the vicinity, and there was a long moment of stunned silence. Gazes began focusing on my companion, who trembled greatly while hugging my back. When I looked at her, she was already on the verge of tears, distress filling her face.
Rage suddenly burned in my heart. It was fine if people said things about me and even destroyed my business. By shit-talking Suuru, the gentle girl who saved me without asking for anything in return? That was too much.
“Ha… Haha… Hahahahahahahahaha!”
I suddenly burst into crazed laughter, bringing confusion to everybody around us.
“Hahahaha… Haaah…”
I pierced the woman in front of me with my gaze. She suddenly looked scared, instinctively taking a step back.
“Hey. Do you want to die?”
“W-What?”
“Haah… Look at you. I can’t believe you’re spouting so much crap right in front of my nose. So what if she was born outside of the baby field? Is any of that her fault? Are you seriously accusing a baby of the circumstances of her birth? Do you hear yourself talking?”
“S-shut up! She’s a disgusting taboo! Isn’t that right, everyone?”
Some women nodded but others stayed silent, clearly not agreeing with her words.
“Suuru’s the nicest person I know in this world. Only someone out of their mind would regret her being born. Someone truly horrible and revolting… like you? Maybe the one who shouldn’t have been born is you?”
My statement caused another ripple of shock in the gallery but I couldn’t care less.
“You’re insane!”
“Are you talking about yourself? I can’t believe I’m trying to speak with someone so stupid and repulsive. Get lost while I’m still being nice, inhuman garbage.”
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