The Third-Rate Academy Villain Who Refuses to Become a Beggar

In the early dawn, before the sun had fully risen, Aint prepared early and went outside.

<What did I tell you?>

"You told me to carefully examine the contract and be cautious not to be deceived."

<Right, remember that. The Goldenheim people are garbage who would cut your nose off when you close your eyes!>

"But is there really a need to worry so much? It's more like I'm bringing my nose to them and asking them to cut it."

<Don't be naive. It might not be your nose but your neck that gets cut. If they see an opening, the Goldenheims will tear it out more roughly.>

With Gardner Alpenfassen's continued warnings and the subtle rumors about the Goldenheim family, Aint became increasingly tense.

"Whew, when I just listen to these stories, it feels like I'm fighting demons."

<That's not true. No matter what, the Goldenheims are human. Demons are even more vicious beings.>

"...I'm not sure if that means demons are terrifying or that the Goldenheims aren't as scary as I thought."

We'll see. Aint carefully opened the door to the tavern. It was a shop owned by the Golden Turtle Company, as Gerhard had mentioned.

***

A sealed room that didn't allow outside eyes.

"I've written down all your requirements. Read it carefully."

Aint swallowed dryly as he checked the contract Gerhard handed him.

[Adamant Sale Contract]

[Aint Armian and Gerhard Goldenheim fulfill this adamant sale contract with mutual trust.]

[Aint Armian shall be referred to as Party A, and Gerhard Goldenheim as Party B.]

[1).Party A sells 70kg of adamant to Party B. The 70kg of adamant shall be referred to as "the goods" hereafter.

2).As payment for the goods, Party B shall...]

The content of the contract, spanning several pages, was quite lengthy, but summarized, it had three main points:

Aint gives the adamant to Gerhard.

Gerhard pays with adamant equipment, money, and discreet sponsorship.

<There don't seem to be any poison clauses. You can sign it as is.>

'That's quite different from your firm warnings earlier, isn't it?'

<It's meticulously aligned with your requirements, almost suspiciously so.>

<But I can't create problems where there are none.>

After confirming that everything he requested was properly documented, Aint signed the contract.

"It's fine with me, but isn't this a loss for you? No matter how I look at it, it's too cheap compared to the price of adamant."

Gerhard asked as he gathered a copy of the contract.

"Isn't that good from your perspective, senior?"

"It's certainly good, but even as a merchant, I'm not so naive as to rejoice at kindness without reason."

"You gave me the Saint Bird's heart. That's not a small thing either."

The Saint Bird's heart was a spirit potion as precious as adamant. Honestly, when he approached Gerhard at Gardner's suggestion, he never imagined he would receive such a thing.

Of course, that wasn't the only reason he was deliberately selling the adamant at a low price.

"Even if I have adamant, I don't have the ability to use it right now..."

"If you put it up for auction, you could have received a much higher price."

"I don't have the power to protect it."

The former imperial family, Armian, still received respect from many citizens, but that was it. Adamant was such a noble material that it could potentially bring swords against the fallen former imperial family.

"It's better for me to dispose of it before rumors spread."

"What if I were to destroy you?"

"You certainly could do that. But you gave me the Saint Bird's heart, didn't you?"

He had willingly handed over a precious item of similar level to adamant, or perhaps even more valuable, without any compensation.

Would such a person take unreasonable measures when he could buy adamant at a relatively cheap price? Aint didn't think so.

<And the fact that he wrote a contract means he's taking risks too.>

<With the seal of the family's minor head stamped on it, if he fails to fulfill the contract, you can expose it to the public. He wouldn't want that, so he'll be very cautious.>

The Goldenheims placed great importance on credit. They might exploit loopholes in contracts, but they never broke the contracts themselves.

"So you deliberately took a loss."

Tap tap, Gerhard drummed his fingers on the table. Then he soon nodded.

"I understand."

It was a sufficiently convincing reason.

Including the statement about trust due to the Saint Bird's heart.

Originally, it was an item considered top-grade even in the storage of his family, which possessed countless spirit potions.

If Aint hadn't been the hero who would save the world from demons, he would never have given it away.

"At least I won't be backstabbed."

"Thank you."

"And choosing me as the object of your transaction was a very good choice."

A smile formed on Gerhard's lips.

"If I help you, I help you; as you said, I absolutely have no intention of selling you out or destroying you."

Absolutely.

Gerhard emphasized once more.

<What's with this crazy guy? Did he go mad with joy after seeing the adamant?>

'Shouldn't we just consider it as having gained favor because of the adamant?'

<It seems to be more than just that.>

From the perspective of Aint and Gardner, who didn't know about the prophecy book, Gerhard's attitude was incomprehensible.

***

It was a satisfying deal.

He had planned to help Aint materially and emotionally anyway, but there was no reason for a merchant to dislike buying goods much cheaper.

"To think that giving the Saint Bird's heart would lead to this."

This transaction was thanks to the goodwill gained by giving the Saint Bird's heart. If he hadn't handed it over in the first place, Aint wouldn't have told anyone about finding adamant.

"Money really is the best."

If his family hadn't had money, they wouldn't have had the Saint Bird's heart, and naturally, the current situation wouldn't have occurred.

Just as he was thinking that...

"...Kugh?"

—!

A massive explosion occurred in his head.