What Do You Mean There Are Other Transmigrators In My Harem Fantasy?

After that talk with Ather, it seems like she was treating me slightly differently as compared to before.

I say slightly because she’s still really careful when talking to me to the point that I feel like I’m some kind of fragile vase that she had to handle with the utmost care or else I would shatter or something.

Actually… Now that I think about it… There’s not much difference to how she was treating me as compared to before.

There was another incident where goblins tried to attack us and she insisted I stay behind and not participate in the fight at all, as if I would definitely be hurt if I fought.

Right now, however… She’s in the midst of a heated exchange with Emilia…

“Haaaa? Who do you think you are to even think I will even let you take on that role?”

“What do you mean? Have I not shown all of you enough credentials that I am the best fit to be the illustrator for Miss Aster’s books? Why are you even rejecting me?”

“Because I simply do not think you are good enough! Have you even painted a painting of Boss that you are completely satisfied with?!”

“That’s beside the point. I would not be drawing Miss Aster at all so using that as a point of reference is irrelevant.”

“Hmph! Why should I trust you to illustrate for us when you can’t even draw Boss perfectly? You would be lowering the value of the books she makes!”

“Miss Aster herself has approved of my art. What makes you think you are qualified to judge?”

“Ha! Boss made me the one in charge of monetising her books, so I am the one who decides for things like this!”

“In that case, are you saying that you have a better artist lined up for this role? Because if you don’t, you are merely spewing a bunch of hot air.”

“What does that even mean? I’m not using Aeromancy to shoot air at you?”

“That’s just a form of expression which means you’re not making sense. And it’s clear you aren’t a sensible person.”

“Oh really? Says the person who needs my permission to even try to draw for Boss’s works~ You’re in no position to demand anything from me.”

Despite the fact that Ather wasn’t showing much expression on her face, I could tell that she was quite pissed with Emilia.

The other girls seemed content to watch the two of them argue back and forth since… Well… They’re busy admiring the latest painting that Ather had made… This one being of me seated on a rock while smiling at the viewer.

I have to admit this one was really good too, way better than any other that she had made so far.

But yet, she still thinks that it wasn’t good enough yet and she could still get better.

I’m half sure that she raised her standards even higher after she knew who I was… Which was why she was fine with giving this painting to the girls instead of keeping it like the other one she made.

I’m also not sure why Emilia and Ather seemed to get along as well as fire would with water… Or I guess a more accurate representation would be a cat and dog instead…

Ironically, Emilia and Katsuki don’t have a bad relationship with each other despite the fact that one was a Nekomata and the other an Inugami… But I guess that comparison doesn’t apply in this World.

Emilia pointed a finger at her, “For starters, you’re asking to be the exclusive illustrator of Boss’s books?”

“Naturally. Because I believe I am the only one that is capable enough to take up such a role in this entire World. No one else is able to illustrate better than I will for Miss Aster’s works.”

“I doubt that. There’s plenty of artists elsewhere which I have no doubt have better skills than you do. And here you are asking to be the only one to get the rights to illustrate her works? This is so heavily stacked in your favour that not even a scammer would come up with a deal like this.”

“I believe it’s the opposite though? You will get me as an exclusive artist for all book publications in the future. This is a good deal for you.”

“What do you even know about deals?! Have you ever done any business before?! Only an idiot will agree to a one sided deal like this! This is the dumbest deal I have ever had the displeasure to set my eyes on!”

Right then, I felt a tug on my arm and I turned to see Delmare looking at me with slight concern on her face.

She nodded in the direction of the sun and I understood that she was trying to point out the fact that we were wasting time just standing here and listening to them argue.

I cleared my throat to get their attention, “Umm… Girls? It’s going to be late soon… How about err… You two can continue discussing the details of the contract while we’re moving?”

Both girls looked at each other before turning away at the same time with a huff.

I took that as a sign of agreement and told everyone to return to the carriages.

This time, Ather, Emilia and Delmare would be riding with me and I was already expecting this to be an awkward ride.

As I had feared, the moment the two of them sat down in the carriage…

Emilia crossed her arms, “As I was saying, you do not have the capability to dictate any terms to me right now. So you can forget about this.”

“As I said, Miss Aster herself has hired me to make illustrations for her other books before. So if you are saying that I’m not good enough, it meant that Miss Aster made the mistake of hiring me back then.”

“Hmph, nice try but I already heard from the others that you weren’t given exclusive rights to illustrate all of her works either. Yet now you’re asking to get all of them?

“Correct,” Ather said simply.

Emilia gave me a look, silently asking me if this woman was serious.

I could only shrug in response.

She turned back and opened her mouth for a moment before suddenly snapping shut, my Nekomata suddenly deep in thought.

“What would you be willing to do to get this position?” Emilia asked after a while.

“Anything,” Ather answered immediately.

Oof… I don’t think that’s a good thing to say in a business negotiation Ather… But then again, I’m pretty sure she wasn’t actually willing to do absolutely anything anyway.

Emilia took another minute to think about it for a moment before she pulled out a scroll and started scribbling on it with a pen.

Both Ather and I were watching Emilia with interest wondering what she was writing while Delmare seemed more interested in cuddling herself against me while I patted her head idly.

Eventually, Emilia finished what she was writing and held up the scroll so that both Ather and I could see its contents.

“I can agree with part of your terms on several conditions,” Emilia explained, using her free hand to point towards specific sections on the scroll. “First, we shall have a trial period where you will illustrate for two books and we will see the results for it. If the reception is good for both of them, we can move on to a more permanent arrangement.”

Ather nodded immediately, “I am fine with that.”

“Then next, in the event that we settle with you to be the exclusive artist, this will only be for the main illustrations. We will still be able to contract other artists for any additional work as we see fit, whether it’s for merchandise or just additional illustrations.”

This time, Ather paused for a moment before finally nodding, “I can accept that as well.”

“Third, any work that you do on my client’s work will belong solely to us. You will not own any rights to them but we will credit you with them and you are allowed to also claim credit for making them.”

Woah, woah, wait a minute, Emilia! Isn’t that going too far?! Doesn’t that also mean she wouldn’t collect any royalties from this? Who would even agree to thi–

“I am also fine with that.”

…

I turned to look at Ather, “Are you… Really sure about this? You do know what that means, right, Ather?”

She nodded, “Yes, Miss Aster. I already said this, didn’t I? I’m not painting for wealth or for fame. My only goal is to paint what I like and this is an opportunity to do so without worrying about starving myself. There is just one problem I have with it though…”

Emilia frowned at her, “What? I’m not even done reading all the terms yet.”

“I’ve read the rest of it in that time and I have to say that I most definitely do not agree to this point.”

She pointed at the bottom of the contract where it was written in fine print, the words being so small that I couldn’t really see it either.

Ather scowled at her, “What do you mean that once I sign this contract, I have to keep five hundred metres away from Miss Aster?! That is completely unacceptable!”

“Hmph! Didn’t you say you are willing to do anything? Then own up to it!”

“Miss Aster is not just ‘anything’! She is outside the realm of comparison!”

“Tsk… Can’t believe you read that…”

…

Wow… Did Emilia try to scam Ather right in front of her?

I guess that’s Emilia for you…