Now that I'm done with my most urgent tasks I could still go for some smaller business.
I still have unknown wares nobody knows here, so it's on me to do some advertising.
However, I also still have those two tag-alongs I need to take with me.
Yet they need to learn a bit about wares.

 

"So, I need to do some business and am asking you to hold back while I do so." (O)

"Okay. But why do we need to?" (N)

"Because people might harm you. They're scared, and scared people do irrational things." (O)

"But nurses aren't dangerous! We care!" (X)

"Yes... sure. But this is not about you. It's more like they fear your whole kind and all you represent. If your queen decides to attack us we're screwed. And because of this, they're even afraid of you." (O)

"But wouldn't attacking us make this worse? Our broodmother tries so hard to make everybody be friends!" (N)

"I already said, their fear isn't making them think straight. They see something they don't know, they assume it might try to kill them and fight it. There's nothing else to this. Now come, I need to get this done." (O)

 

We walk back to the market district.
My destination is the local confectioner.
Needless to say that hard times fell upon this one.
Sweets aren't as high in demand during a shortage.
But even if it's less than usual, they're still producing.
And if someone would now offer them some additional ingredients they might be quite open.

So I step through the door and directly approach the man behind the counter.
Far behind the counter, and not too much into his job.
The adventurers meanwhile wait outside to avoid any scrutiny.

 

"Good day, Mr. Loran. I'd like to make an offer." (O)

"Huh, what? What're you barging in here for?" (L)

"Oh, sorry. I didn't notice you were busy. In that case I should ask in another shop if they prefer to buy my wares. But it's a pity, some of them might just be right for sweets." (O)

 

I turn around, ready to leave. And also listening in for what's about to come.

 

"Wha- Wait! I'm sorry, I didn't recognize you, Ms. Olira. Please stay, and tell me about your offer." (L)

"Well, I just came into possession of a certain food mushroom, as well as an extremely potent sweetener. The mushroom's texture is similar to bread. So I thought it might work out. And regarding the sweetener, I believe that the current stocks of sugar and honey are dwindling." (O)

"Dwindling? Pah, they're almost gone. If I don't get a delivery soon, my shop won't be operable. But how would I know if what you are selling works?" (L)

"Oh easy. I have here some samples." (O)

 

I carried the mushroom in my small pouch, so it's just enough to be shown here and not to trade with it.
I hand it over, without touching it too much, as this would be unsavory.

 

"Hm, the texture is truly reminiscent of bread. But can it be processed as such?" (L)

"It should be possible to prepare one or two recipes with those. I'm sure a man with your abilities can do something with this much." (O)

"Hm, very well. And the sweetener?" (L)

 

The nectar is stored in a tiny flask in my pocket, which I now take out.

 

<Screak!/You have nectar?!> (N/X)

"Goddamnit! What did I just tell you?" (O)

 

The two are now startled and guiltily bow in my direction.

 

"Wh-what was this?" (L)

"Ah, I'm sorry. My assistants are new to the job and it's quite a hassle with them." (O)

"No! Don't fuck with me! I know what those sounds mean. I was there when they paraded around our town. Do you really think I'm gonna make deals with those monstrosities?" (L)

"You're not making business with them, but with me. And are you aware that if the Koresos ever decide to attack us, their tunnels might be your only way to escape?" (O)

"No!" (L)

"Listen, old man. I'm offering you here a way to continue your business. You can either continue with that stuck-up attitude of yours or take my offer, and make a fortune as one of the only shops that can stock up on ingredients. You'll be able to demand exorbitant prices. And there'll be no contact with the insects. Everything's going through me. You'll just receive the wares and that basically for free." (O)

 

The latter at least for now, until he's hooked.

 

"... And I won't have any of them in my shop?" (L)

"Sure, just regular humans to deliver everything to you." (O)

"Fine. Show it." (L)

 

I hand the flask over.

 

"Be careful with taking a sip. That stuff is strong." (O)

 

Like a professional, he only puts a drop on his finger and lays it on his tongue.
Immediately his eyes are scrunching together.

 

"God, what is this stuff?" (L)

"Nectar. I know it's a bit too sweet, but you should be able to dilute it. In fact, this should be a good thing since you need less to prepare a dish. It's also very nutritious." (O)

"Don't even know how much I'll have to dilute this to get it down to acceptable levels." (L)

"This sounds promising. Do we have a deal?" (O)

"First, I need to find out if I can even use this." (L)

"Then I'd say you can keep the bottle and I'll deliver another crate of the mushrooms for the current price of bread, which would be eight copper per loaf. This much should be enough to figure out if you can sell it." (O)

 

He only nods, while grumbling a bit.
I take this as a hint that I should leave before I sabotage my own negotiations.
While this was a bit chaotic, it still went rather well.
Now I just have to get those two back without an uproar.

We walk again past the stalls and I have to make sure that they stay this time and won't run off to look for the wares.
I feel an awful lot like this mother in front of me who has to watch her boy while buying her daily necessities.
The boy is certainly energetic, running in circles around her and from one stall to another.
And then he trips and falls on his knee.

Naturally, he directly starts to cry, as kids of his age do, while holding his bleeding knee.
However, before I can even process what the fuck happens here both of my girls rushed to his side.
The one I believe to be Nabi, coming from the pheromones, kneels right in front of him.
And smears something on the bleeding wound!!!

 

"There, is it better?" (N)

 

Strangely enough, the wound stopped bleeding, yet this was never our problem.
The totally confused boy now stares silently at the one who SMEARED AN UNKNOWN SUBSTANCE ON HIS WOUND!!
The issue here is, that he's her height and like this able to look under the hood.

 

"Waaah! Mama!" (boy)

 

He directly runs, weirdly fast on his injured leg, back to his mother.

 

"Those are those monsters!"

 

Directly someone shouts and I start to feel uncomfortable in my position.

 

"What is with my boy? What did it do to him?" (mother)

"Nabi applied cleansing fluid. This will help the wound." (X)

 

Even if the hysteric woman would have any intention to listen to her, there's right now so much noise due to all the confused people speaking here.

 

"Are they infiltrating the town?"

"Are there more?"

"We need to protect ourselves!"

 

However, this isn't good.
Even if most people just gather because something uncommon happened, there are some who are instigating the uproar towards violence.
The two adventurers I hired jump to our sides, but are terribly inept in handling the situation.
I know they cannot slaughter the citizens, but as things are I don't even know what I'm paying them for.
I need to somehow deescalate the situation.

 

"Seriously, you're seeing how small those two are?! As if there's anything to fear about them. I hope everyone's aware that the lord guarantees their safety." (O)

 

That's right.
I just need to hold out till some guards arrive and clear this situation up.
Yet there are already so many people that I worry about pushing through the gathering.
Someone could easily grab the girls and pull them away.
But staying here in the center isn't too great either.
And then it happens.
A small stone flies at Nabi.

 

"Tock"

 

Fortunately, she only looks confused.
The hood must have helped a bit.
Well, and the natural head armor she has.
All I can do is look in the direction that stone came from.
And truly, there is a man who already aims for another throw.
Quickly I take the stone from before, take a stance, and hurl the stone with all I've got at the man.

 

"Urgh!"

 

Perfect hit.
This is an old remnant from my time when I dealt with "less accepted" goods.
There was always someone willing to steal them from a weak woman.
And a stone to the face does wonders with getting rid of those.
In this case, I'm rather sure that people feel less inclined to throw if they see that they might end up with a laceration right above the nose.
After that, I grab both of the girls to make sure we won't get separated.
Fortunately, I can finally hear the words I was waiting for.

 

"What is the meaning of this uproar?" (Ashton)

 

Ah, the man I needed the most.
Ashton, the lord's right hand.
A man who is so devoted to keeping things under wrap that I can be sure I'm getting out of this and the consequences will be minor at best.
Now I'll just make use of the established silence.

 

"As you can see, dear people, the boy's leg already stopped bleeding! If anyone seeks treatment without having to pay the exorbitant prices for a healer, they might ask at Olira's emporium! We'll treat any wounds for a third of the current price!" (O)

 

Not to speak of, that eighty percent of the healers got enlisted for the army.
If what I saw is right, this stuff not only stops the bleeding but also numbs the area.
And who knows what else.
In any case, making this a product will raise far less suspicion than letting those people ask themselves why they would smear it on a kid.
However, Officer Ashton seems to have found us by now.

 

"What are you doing here?" (A)

"Oh, our friends from below asked me to show those kids the town. Yet then we've got into a smaller dispute with some of the people." (O)

"Goddamnit! Soldiers, open a corridor! We need to bring them away from here as fast as possible! Let's separate the parties! And Ms. Olira, we'll have to talk about this." (A)

"Sure. Whatever." (O)

 

I don't think I have to worry here.
After all, my actions perfectly aligned with the lord's policy.
So all I did was take a stroll through the market with two venerated guests.
Now I can safely go home.
However, for some reason, the girls pull in the other direction.
Not like I couldn't handle those small things, but it's irritating.

 

"Come now! I've already got enough trouble for a day. What is your problem?" (O)

"The human there is bleeding at the head! We need to treat him!" (N)

 

I almost let go of one of them to facepalm.

 

"He will get a treatment. You'll now simply come with me!" (O)

 

Albeit reluctantly they are coming along.

After this, I had a long talk with Ashton.
I had to disclose a part of my dealings with the swarm.
Foremost, that I'm keeping several insects in my base of operations and that I have agreed to teach them about trading.
While he would've preferred to use his troops to detain all of them and prevent them from any contact with the populace, the contract with his lord guarantees free movement to a degree.
So he can't just imprison them.

However, we came to another agreement.
Under strict guard presence, we'll open a small second market at my emporium.
As one of the only providers of additional food, this is beneficial for everyone.
The town has a way to distribute the wares and I'm going to attract more customers, while also having a way to let my guests partake in the business.
They can act as clerks or introduce goods and at the same time, they'll learn just what they came for in practice.

Like this, I can keep my promise and at the same time the town will lead people to me, so I have free advertisement.
It seems like this day became quite profitable, even if those two really were a handful.

Sigh, taking care of children is such a hassle.