Sword of Gluttony Queen - Chapter 12 - Fundraising

Chapter 12 : Fundraising

The day after Mani agreed to forge a magical sword for me with Beelzebub’s demon core, I sold the magical core that I took out from Gilbert’s spare magical sword for 40,000 Temis.

Though Mani has told me that she won’t charge me for the magical sword, I knew too well that her financial situation was around the same level as mine.

I basically turned my dilapidated house upside-down, fishing out any items that I could sell for money to help her even if it’s only a little bit.

Naturally, such items, to be sold when I have trouble with my living expenses, were… none.

I stuffed the old flame stones, cookware that I used for my hobby, and the necessary equipment for being a porter which I kept in my house into my bag. Then, I went around looking for buyers.

Since my cookware wasn’t that good in terms of quality to begin with and, on top of that it was an old one, I sold it to my neighbor who willingly bought it for a slightly better price.

After I’d sold the cookware, I went to the center of the city to sell my old books and porter’s equipment in second-hand stores.

…. Even after I’d sold all of those items, the money I managed to gather was only around 10,000 Temis.

Well… it’s but natural.

But, I’ve decided to end my career as a porter.

I am no longer Dean the Porter.

I’ll use my magical sword and live as a proper adventurer.

I was already at the entry level for a novice adventurer.

And Mani was currently forging the magical sword that I’m going to use as an adventurer.

The money I got from selling the magical core of Gilbert’s spare magical sword was 40,000 Temis. I had another 10,000 Temis from selling my household appliances and old porter gear Lastly, I had 30,000 Temis which I already had in my hands from selling the Battle Bone of Gilbert’s spare magical sword, the money totaled 80,000 Temis which would go to Mani in order to cover the cost of the materials.

「It seems you worked hard enough to gather this amount, Dean. …. Aren’t you pushing yourself too far for this? 」

Mani sat on the chair and checked the money I gave her.

Beelzebub’s Demon Core was placed on top of the desk beside the piles of massive and bulky books.

One of those books was laid open on the desk for her to read.

「But I…… fear that kind of stubbornness will bite you in the back later on, Dean.」

「Nevertheless, it doesn’t mean that I’ll do nothing towards the creation of my own magical sword….」

「But I only decided to help you as your friend, okay. In this situation, I wished that you’ll say things like “I’ll make you happy”, or “I promise, I’ll pay you back hundreds time of this amount” rather than troubling you with fundraising.」

[Pr: lolol that “I’ll make you happy” part seems to be hint from mani? lol]

Mani said as she folded her arms with a pouting expression on her face.

「Why do I feel that the latter remark is a tad too mean? I might misunderstand something from that you see.」

…. Well, it was natural for her to feel wary.

I managed to secure 60,000 Temis from Gilbert’s spare magical sword alone.

I’ve no reason to take back the money I gave her, honestly speaking, she has the right to that money.

「The truth is, I got this money from the wreckage of my former party’s magical sword. It’s not like I pushed myself too hard to get this money.」

「… So are you resorting to pickpocketing now? And here I thought that you hated that kind of act.」

Mani squinted her eyes as she cast a dubious look at me.

It seems I have no choice but to tell her the truth now….

「Its former owner was the guy… who used 《Decoy》 on me to save himself from those rats. And I just so happen to be carrying his spare magical sword. Anyhow, I have no intention to return the magical sword to its former owner, nor do I want to see that person’s face ever again.」

I averted my gaze from Mani’s probing eyes and scratched my head as I came out clean.

It wasn’t a pleasant story at all.

That’s why I wanted to avoid this kind of topic.

「That guy… tried to kill you? 」

Mani’s tone became even colder.

It was as if she was cross-examining me.

「Y-Yes, he did.」

I replied, albeit at a loss for words.

Mani stood up as she drew even closer to me.

「….. B-But, that’s all in the past. The situation was pretty bad at that time. Because without doing so all three of us would’ve died. I’ve even exacted my revenge. I don’t want to get myself involved with him anymore than this. Nor do I want to see his face again, ever.」

I easily depreciated Gilbert’s actions.

But it didn’t mean that I forgave him for what he did to me.

Moreover, what he said to me was also the truth.

Because, when I accosted him in the adventurer guild, such an act would only hurt the both of us.

「…. I see. I guess I’ve nothing to complain about since you’ve already said so. But still, I definitely hate the person who almost made me lose my one and only best friend.」

Though Mani didn’t agree with my decision to forgive Gilbert, she decided to say nothing.

I mean, that episode with Gilbert, irritates me even now.

But, that’s already a thing in the past.

Moreover, given my current situation, I really can do nothing about it.

Though, for now, I am unable to get my revenge, I’ll make sure to let him taste the same experience as me one day.

That’s why I cannot let myself get caught in the past.