novelraw Chapter 233: Merchant from the Traveling Merchant’s Guild
Chapter 233: Merchant from the Traveling Merchant’s Guild
Robin cleared her throat, then leaned in to whisper to Leon. “About this matter… I’d rather not let Demetrius know. So even if you refuse me, I hope you won’t tell him what I’ve said. Can you do that?”
“Uh… so what exactly are you plotting?” Leon looked at Robin warily, convinced she was up to no good.
“Just promise you won’t tattle to Demetrius,” Robin repeated.
“Fine, let’s hear it.” Leon didn’t have much of a bond with Demetrius anyway, so keeping a secret for Robin didn’t weigh on his conscience.
“Well, it’s about Maru. Leon, how do you feel about her?” Robin exhaled in relief, then looked to Leon for his opinion.
“She’s a smart girl,” Leon gave the textbook answer.
“No other feelings?” Robin pressed.
“Nope.”
Leon immediately grasped Robin’s intent but chose to play dumb. It was the safest way to handle this—stay neutral and let her run in circles.
It was obvious Robin wanted to shift the family tension, encouraging him to pursue Maru so that Demetrius would focus on him instead of putting pressure on Sebastian.Leon wasn’t stupid. Why take on such a thankless task? If he didn’t still need Robin’s carpentry for his farm, he’d have kicked her out by now.
“Why not?” Robin looked at him in disbelief. “She’s pretty, isn’t she?”
“Not everyone likes chocolate,” Leon replied vaguely.
“Huh?” Robin blinked, then caught his meaning and gave him a long, speechless look.
“Alright, you’ve eaten. Go get some rest. Let’s not bring this up again.”
Seeing Robin finally give up, Leon hurried to send her off.
Robin shot him a glare and left in a huff. Watching her walk away, Leon suddenly remembered he hadn’t paid for the kitchen renovation yet.
Not that it was a big deal—he wasn’t going anywhere. He could settle the bill when Robin came tomorrow to fix the chicken coop.
Though, after tonight’s conversation, who knew if Robin would still want to come? Then again, who turns down money?
Back in the kitchen, Leon used the newly installed sink to wash the dishes. Only then did he realize the chicken soup had never made it to the table. Since Robin was gone, he’d just save it for tomorrow’s noodles.
After cleaning up, Leon took a shower and went to bed.
When morning came, Leon washed up, then used last night’s chicken soup to cook noodles. He used spaghetti instead of Chinese noodles—it looked odd, but tasted fine.
He ate plenty of chicken too. Despite the heavy breakfast, he felt no discomfort. Once full, he watered his crops and biked straight to Pelican Town.
He parked outside Gus’s Stardrop Saloon and pushed the door open. Not seeing Gus at the counter, he called out.
“Coming, coming! Leon, here for breakfast?”
Moments later, Gus emerged from the private quarters in back.
“I’ve already eaten. Just came to check how you’re feeling,” Leon said.
“Haha, I’m much better after sleeping all afternoon yesterday. Thanks for asking,” Gus replied warmly.
“If you’re free at noon, lunch is on me. We’ll invite Willy too—make up for the seafood feast I promised last time.”
“No problem. But before that, I have a favor to ask.” Leon agreed to lunch but got to his point.
“Do you have any empty bottles? I’ve been collecting tree resin, but I don’t have suitable containers. I was hoping to buy some from you.”
“I do, but they’re not ideal for resin. No stoppers, not airtight. Plus, you’d need to clean out the alcohol residue every time—too much trouble. I recommend buying proper containers from a supplier,” Gus explained.
“Who should I talk to?” Leon asked.
“No one in town sells that kind of thing, so I suggest the Traveling Merchant’s Guild.” Gus led Leon into his room to a desk phone.
“I can contact one of their merchants for you, and you can discuss it in person. What do you think?”
“Sounds good.” Leon had no objections. He needed the containers not only for resin but also for his future brewing plans. Small barrels for wine would be the same story—better to get them from the right source.
Besides, Leon was curious about the Traveling Merchant’s Guild. Meeting someone from that massive trading network couldn’t hurt.
With Leon’s agreement, Gus dialed a number, explained the situation, and hung up.
“I’ve arranged for you to meet at the Stardrop. They’ll send the nearest member over—it shouldn’t be long.”
“Then let’s wait outside.”
Leon nodded, and the two returned to the saloon’s main hall, found a table, and chatted while they waited.
When their conversation reached the gold coins from Leon’s last adventure, Gus asked, “Have you sold them yet? If not, you could ask the Traveling Merchant’s Guild to handle it. They can find a buyer for anything valuable.”
Before Leon could answer, the saloon door opened. A short-haired young man in a business suit stepped in and cut in smoothly, “Not everything. Contraband is strictly forbidden under our trade regulations.”
He strode over, bowed slightly, and shook hands with them both. “I’m Django from the Traveling Merchant’s Guild. Headquarters sent me to discuss a trade agreement. Which of you is looking to make a deal?”
“Gus, owner and chef of the Stardrop Saloon. I get most of my liquor from you folks. I’m the one who called—but the one looking to trade is this handsome young man here,” Gus said, introducing Leon.
“I know. You’re Rod’s client,” Django said with a nod before turning to Leon with a smile.
“Pleased to meet you, Mr. Leon. This may be our first meeting, but you and your Red Star Farm are already well known in our guild. It’s a real pleasure. I might be the first of our merchants to meet you in person—something I’ll be bragging about to my colleagues for a while.”
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