Reborn As Noble

After a few moments.

Mikhail nodded toward Gorak and Jaigar before slowly walking back toward ’Beggar Jee,’ who was now standing and patting his huge orange monster bird. The bird tilted its head, letting out a soft, dumb-sounding squawk as it nuzzled against Javier’s hand, acting like a playful, childlike creature despite its massive size.

”Good Sir Jee,” Mikhail said with a friendly smile, stopping in front of him. ”My partners have agreed to pay you handsomely for your services.”

”Oho~ You hear that, Buddy!? We’re going to eat good food today!”

”Cuquawked!” Buddy let out an excited, high-pitched squawk, hopping slightly on his feet, his tongue lolling out to the side in a goofy, happy expression.

”So...” Javier turned with a cheeky grin, rubbing his hands together. ”How much?”

”My partners agreed on five silver coins.”

”Oho~” Javier rubbed his palms together eagerly. ”So my job is just to bring you inside, right? Nothing more, right?”

”Ah... actually...” Mikhail hesitated, his expression turning slightly sheepish. ”We were planning to head to Armand to do some business. The goods we brought are... well, not exactly what the elves prefer, so we thought we might have better luck in Armand. Since we’re new merchants and don’t know the roads well from here, we were hoping you could guide us all the way there.”

”A... Armand!?” Javier’s eyes widened, his expression shifting to one of surprise and clear dislike. ”No way! Why the hell would I have to go to that rundown region? No, no, no...” He wiggled his finger dismissively. ”I’m not doing it.”

”R... rundown region?” Mikhail’s eyes widened in genuine surprise.

”Yeah! Well... not really rundown, just like any other human region. They’re all the same.” Javier crossed his arms, his expression turning sour. ”But they don’t allow people like me inside. I hate those places. Too strict, too many rules. I prefer it here, where I can beg in peace.”

He narrowed his eyes at Mikhail before continuing.

”Besides, five silver coins for that kind of job? That’s way too low for something that’s a pain in the ass. If I step out of this gate, there’s no guarantee I’ll be allowed back in. The risk isn’t worth it.”

Mikhail opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, Gorak, who had been watching from a distance, finally lost his patience. His expression tightened, and he began walking toward them, his steps heavy and deliberate.

The elven guard who was nearby noticed Gorak’s approach and instinctively moved to stop him, but paused when he saw their captain signal from a distance. He nodded subtly and remained in place, watching carefully.

Gorak stopped beside Mikhail and crossed his arms, his expression twisted with barely concealed disgust as he looked down at ’Beggar Jee.’

”Oi, peasant. That was already a good offer. A piece of trash like you should just accept it and be grateful. Five silver coins is more than enough for someone of your standing.”

Javier glanced up at the man beside Mikhail, then lifted his left lip in a sneer, his eyes narrowing with annoyance.

”Who are you? I might be a beggar, but I know what something’s worth and what isn’t. For a low payment like five silver coins, I could get that much from begging in a few days. Leaving a paradise like the Elven Nation for that? No way. Not worth it.”

Javier kept eating his bread in front of Gorak, taking slow, deliberate bites while maintaining eye contact, making sure to chew loudly and with exaggerated satisfaction. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand before glancing at Gorak’s weapon and armor.

”You look like someone who eats good food every day and carries a fine weapon. And yet, all you can offer is a lousy five silver coins? You should be ashamed of yourself. A man of your standing, haggling with a beggar over pocket change?”

He wiped his nose with his sleeve, maintaining his gaze on Gorak with a mocking glint.

”I’m not taking this job. Just go back and use another route. I’m sure it will be ’easy’ for mighty people like you. You can reach Armand through the Human Nation, right? Well...” Javier smirked, his voice dripping with mockery. ”You won’t be able to get in anyway. Armand’s northern border is closed~”

Gorak gritted his jaw, his knuckles cracking as he clenched his fists.

Mikhail’s face went pale. He quickly stepped forward, giving ’Beggar Jee’ a friendly, placating smile.

”Ah! Good Sir Jee! Please forgive my companion’s rudeness. He’s not used to negotiating. Let’s talk properly, shall we? If the price isn’t right, just name your terms. We’re willing to negotiate.”

Javier’s face lit up with a happy grin as he looked at Mikhail, then deliberately turned to Gorak.

”See? This is how you should talk. You should learn from your merchant leader here about negotiation and manners.” He gave Gorak a pointed look before turning back to Mikhail.

”Hmm...” Javier rubbed his chin, glancing up at the sky before his eyes fell on the horse-drawn carriages. He looked back at Mikhail and shook his head.

”If we’re going to use those, it’ll take too much time. And I don’t have the patience for a slow ride. Besides, we’ll need to change carriages to Armand pekko-drawn carriages. Those are much faster.”

”P... pekko?” Mikhail asked, his expression curious.

”Ah... pekko is like this one.” Javier patted Buddy’s side affectionately. ”They’re big, strong, and fast. I’ll ride this one. Those horse-drawn carriages of yours will be too slow for me, and I don’t like being stuck in them.”

”Oh...” Mikhail nodded in understanding.

”So... hmm...” Javier glanced up, finishing the last piece of his bread and deliberately holding it up, showing it to Gorak before popping it into his mouth. He chewed slowly, savoring it, while pretending to think about a fair price.

Just as he was about to speak, Jaigar stepped closer, crossing his arms with an arrogant, smug smirk.

”How does ten gold coins sound?”

Javier’s eyes lit up with excitement, a wide grin spreading across his face. He clapped his hands together, rubbing them eagerly.

”Now that’s what I call a proper offer! See? This is how a real rich person talks. Not like some people who offer pocket change and expect a miracle.” He shot a pointed glance at Gorak before turning back to Jaigar with a cheerful smile. ”Now we’re talking business!”

Jaigar gave a smirk and glanced at Gorak, whose face was now twisted with annoyance, before turning back to ’Beggar Jee.’

”So, I believe the deal is done? Can we proceed now?”

Javier extended his palm toward Jaigar while digging his nose with his pinky finger and flicking it toward Gorak. ”Deposit of five gold coins first, then we talk.”

”Alright.” Jaigar smirked, taking out a pouch of coins and handing it to Javier.

”Oho! Leave it up to me, Big Boss!” Javier grinned, giving a mock salute before turning and heading toward the guard post.

Gorak gritted his teeth, glaring at Jaigar. ”Why did you casually use half of our expense for a trashy person like this?”

Jaigar chuckled, tapping his temple with a smug grin. ”Who said I’m going to waste my money? Use your brain properly for once, idiot. I wonder why the hell you’re on Julius’s team when you’re this dumb.”

He turned and began to walk away, then paused and glanced over his shoulder. ”You know the proverb? A greedy dog loses its bone when it sees its reflection in the water and thinks there’s another bone to steal.”

He smirked, his eyes cold.

”I gave him the gold he asked for, and I’ll take it back... by killing him before we reach Armand. There’s fun in taking back what you give. And if you’re this dumb, Gorak, you should just throw away your title and divine weapon and live as a beggar.”

( End Of Chapter )