Lucas looked at Silas for a moment.

Inwardly, he clicked his tongue.

See? I knew it. This guy definitely has some kind of agenda.

Just like stock market people—smell money from miles away.

"...Hah," he muttered quietly, then nodded.

"Fine. What is it?"

Silas didn't waste time.

"Does this field already have a regular buyer?"

Lucas shook his head.

"Not yet. It's just about to be harvested."

Silas's eyes narrowed slightly.

Good.

His thoughts began moving at once.

"In that case," he said smoothly, "I would like to purchase the entire tomato harvest from this field."

Lucas raised an eyebrow slightly.

"How much?"

Silas smiled professionally.

"I will buy it at a fair price."

Inwardly, he scoffed.

This stupid lad… acting as if he knows better than me.

He continued, his tone polished and sales-oriented.

"Six gold coins per Libra Guild."

Lucas did not react immediately.

He truly did not know the normal price of tomatoes in this region. His expression remained flat.

Seeing this, Silas—determined to secure his profit—quickly added, still wearing the same smile.

"The market price is usually five gold coins per Libra Guild. However, due to the high quality of these tomatoes, I'm raising it to six."

Lucas glanced at the field for a moment.

Libra Guild? Sound Ridiculous, But...

He knew the pattern of people like them.

They wouldn't come all this way for a small margin. He thought.

Lucas looked back at Silas.

"How about eight gold coins per Libra Guild?"

Silas was slightly taken aback.

His eyebrow lifted for a fraction of a second before returning to neutral.

…He's negotiating?

Damn it.

But before he could speak, Lucas added casually,

"For a three-month sales contract."

Silas immediately caught the opening.

Eight gold coins was indeed high—

but if it was about duration, that could be played.

"Eight gold is possible," Silas said quietly, his tone measured.

"If Young Master is willing to agree to a permanent contract."

Lucas shook his head at once.

"Three months."

Silas pretended to think.

Let out a light sigh.

Then slowly shook his head.

"In that case… seven gold coins per Libra Guild," he said. "Three months."

Lucas looked at him for a moment.

Then nodded.

"Deal."

Silas immediately returned the nod.

Win.

He smiled politely.

"Then I will prepare the documents. Thank you for your time, Young Master."

Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away.

Inside, he sneered.

This fool is acting clever.

Silas's steps felt light as he left the field.

Three months?

You must be joking.

His thoughts drifted to the upcoming duel.

You'll lose that duel.

And when that happens… I'll get the chance to manage this field.

A thin smile rose at the corner of his lips.

---

The atmosphere settled back into calm.

Lucas stood near the stack of baskets, pressing down on the weaving with his hands, checking their sturdiness. He gave a small nod, satisfied.

Silvara walked closer.

"What is it?" she asked flatly.

"Just made a deal to sell the tomatoes," Lucas replied casually.

Silvara gave a short nod.

"Hm."

She glanced at him. "You seem to like trading."

"Like it?" Lucas thought for a moment. "Hmmm… a little. But the deal itself isn't bad."

He let out a light breath. "At least I can save up to pay off the Voss family's debt."

Nearby, Anya was still squatting neatly, writing on the ground with a twig.

"Observee… observee…"

Geralt hadn't stopped working, continuing to bury the dry leaves with enthusiasm.

With things like this, Silvara felt more at ease to talk.

She turned to Lucas.

"Why do you want to pay off the Voss debt? You're not even their real child."

Lucas fell silent for a moment.

Then shrugged.

"What else can I do?" he said flatly.

"Whether I like it or not, I'm affected since I'm living in this body."

Silvara nodded.

He looked back at the baskets.

Inside his mind, his thoughts drifted elsewhere.

If we're going to use this many baskets…

we'll need a lot of leaf lining.

Lucas shifted his gaze to Silvara.

"Do you know any leaves that are fairly large and broad?" he asked casually. "For basket lining."

Silvara opened her mouth, about to answer—

"I DO!!"

Anya burst into the conversation.

She stood straight, chest puffed out, eyes shining.

"There are!" she said quickly. "Anya knows the place!"

Silvara turned to her in surprise.

"…You?"

Anya nodded hard.

"Yes! The leaves are big. Wide. Strong!"

She then pointed toward the outside of the field. "Over there."

Lucas blinked once, then nodded.

"Good."

Anya immediately smiled in satisfaction, switching back into ready-for-duty mode.

"Observee… new mission."

Lucas looked at Anya.

"Show us the way," he said shortly.

"Yes, Young Master!" Anya replied at once.

She immediately turned around and walked ahead, back straight, steps stiff but full of enthusiasm—like a miniature knight leading an expedition.

Lucas and Silvara followed behind her.

Before long, they arrived at a slightly shaded area, a bit away from the field. Several trees grew there, their leaves large and broad, hanging low.

Lucas stopped.

He looked up, studying the shape of the leaves.

"…What kind of tree is this?" he asked.

Silvara glanced at it briefly.

"A broadleaf tree," she replied flatly.

Lucas frowned.

"That's… really all it's called?"

Silvara shrugged.

"Yes."

Lucas clicked his tongue softly.

"Efficient."

He then pointed at the tree.

"Anya. Silvara. Take the leaves. Enough for basket lining."

Both of them moved at once.

No questions.

No further comments.

Anya pulled the leaves with enthusiasm.

Silvara worked calmly and efficiently.

The large leaves quickly piled up on the ground.

They returned to the field carrying stacks of broad leaves in their hands.

Lucas paused for a moment, gazing over the stretch of nearly ripe tomatoes.

He ran quick calculations in his head.

The contract price is set. The harvest is coming soon.

If all the proceeds are saved…

"…It should be enough," he muttered softly. "To cover the Voss debt."

[Ding!]

— Correct.

(＾▽＾)ﾉｼ

—

A thin panel appeared at the edge of his vision.

Lucas clicked his tongue inwardly.

Huh?

Yo, Why have you been so quiet lately? he asked in his head.

The panel flickered.

[

— I was reprimanded by an Absolute Being.

(￣ー￣;)

They said I talk too much, and that it risks distancing you from natural socialization. ]

Lucas let out a soft snort.

…Wow. A chatbot getting scolded by its boss.

The panel trembled.

[ I am not a chatbot.

(｀Д´)

…Goodbye. ]

The panel flickered once—

then disappeared.

Lucas looked back at the field.

Baskets.

Leaf lining.

----

Silas walked along the town road with light steps.

A thin smile never left his face.

A three-month contract…

Just add one small trap clause…

Boom.

He could already picture the final outcome.

While he was lost in his thoughts, a large shadow blocked his path.

Silas stopped.

A tall knight stood before him, armor still worn neatly, his oppressive presence impossible to ignore.

Aldric.

That sharp gaze immediately locked onto him.

"Hey… I heard you paid a visit to the young master's field, did you?"

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