Hero or Villain, Both

"Have you seen the new store being built?"

"How could I have missed it? Don't you see just how big it is?"

"Right? I've never seen anything like it before. What kind of store do you think it is?"

"Who knows? But with how big it is, there's no doubt that it'll be a special store. It definitely won't be a place for people like us to go to."

There were conversations like this that were being held all over the street.

It was clear that the new store that was being built was attracting a lot of attention.

Seeing this, I couldn't help revealing a smile.

This was one of the reasons why I had built such a large store in the first place.

The other reason was something that no one else knew about since they didn't know what I was planning with this store yet. But when the time came, I was certain that they would be shocked and confused by it.

After all, this was something that had never been seen in this world before.

Using my advantage as a transmigrator was naturally the best way to start this new business.

But at the same time, it was all about knowing what the people in this place wanted.

This was a kingdom that was much smaller than the Abel Kingdom that I chose to open this store in.

This was all because it would be easier to fly under the radar in this kingdom.

However, there was also the fact that this place was much less developed and had far less wealth. That meant that a store like this was the perfect thing to open in this kingdom.

It would be a place that would soon become the very center of this kingdom.

But before that, there were still things that had to be taken care of.

"When is my next appointment?" I asked the driver of my carriage.

"It's with the Misfid Company at 3."

With a nod, I said, "Let's head over now."

The driver didn't say anything as he gave a simple nod and a flick of the reins in response.

Once we were moving, I picked up a folder that had been in the carriage with me.

I was going to take this time to study up before it was time for my meeting.

As for the other side, it was the Misfid Company that was one of the largest companies in this kingdom.

If I wanted this store to succeed, then it would be necessary for these negotiations to go well.

"Ah, there it is. Here's the angle that I can work." I said with a smile after a long time.

…

"Well, if it isn't the person that everyone's been talking about? It's truly an honour that you thought of our Misfid Company, but I'm sure that you know that our Misfid Company has a reputation to think about. As such, it isn't easy for our Misfid Company to cooperate with others."

I wasn't worried at all when I heard this.

After all, I knew that this was nothing more than a bluff from his part.

This man in front of me was the head of the Misfid Family, Arnt Misfid.

He was someone that was considered quite the important person since he was the head of the Misfid Family and one of the dukes of this kingdom.

In fact, it was because of his title as a duke that allowed him to build the Misfid Company to the state that it was currently in.

But even then, I wasn't scared by this.

I just calmly looked right at Duke Misfid before saying, "Of course it wouldn't be that simple. It's just that I've received some goods that I had to show you, which is why I've asked for this audience today."

He looked like he wasn't interested in this, but it was clear by the way that he sat that it wasn't the same on the inside. It was clear to me that he was very interested in what I had to show him.

After all, he must have already heard the rumours about me.

There was a reason why I was able to build that large store in the first place.

If I didn't have something that allowed me to build that store, there was no way that I would have gotten the clearance to build something like that.

The rumour that had spread was that I had many rare items.

And when it came to rare items, they made very good bribes.

If there was one thing that the rich and powerful liked to brag about, it was the rare items that they collected. These were things that no one else had which would make them stand out.

For them, it was a source of pride.

And there was no one that had more pride than nobles.

Without hesitation, I pulled out a flower that I placed on the table.

The moment that it came out, the expression on Duke Misfid's face immediately changed.

That was because he immediately recognized the item that I brought out.

After a long silence, he finally asked, "How did you get something like this?"

"It's a trade secret." I said at first, but I soon had no choice but to say something with the way that he looked at me.

"I have a few connections among the elves and they were able to get a few of these things for me."

The item that I had taken out was known as the Elven Rose.

After all, it was a special item that could only be found in the places that the elves lived in.

And for this Duke Misfid, he was someone that was obsessed with the items that came from the elves.

But as a duke, he also had to find out where items that belonged to the elves came from just in case they caused problems for this kingdom.

He narrowed his eyes to look at me before suddenly revealing a smile and saying, "Alright, if that's the case, then I'm more than willing to support you. Just bring me the rest of your stock and we can talk."

In the end, it was his greed that won as I had expected.