Pushover Extra Trains the Villainesses

Chapter 160: Big Deal II

As he checked the contents of the letter in front of him, Bahamut’s face began to glow with a deep sense of tension.

“Is this really… the contract His Majesty wants to pursue with me?”

“Yes, it is.”

Elbafa answered in a quiet yet clear voice.

In response, Bahamut nodded slowly, and at the same time, a flicker of complex emotions settled on his face.

‘Ever since I mentioned the word “deal,” I expected this to some extent. But I never imagined it would be this enormous…’

This was a grand matter, worthy of an emperor’s ambition. At the same time, even Bahamut found it difficult to grasp the full consequences of what was unfolding.

If this were to be revealed publicly, it could, under certain circumstances, provoke conflict among the continental monarchs. However, it was clear that the benefits Bahamut stood to gain from this arrangement would be immense.

“Originally, the details were supposed to be disclosed at a later time, but Her Majesty has decided to share them now, placing special trust in you, Mr. Bahamut. We wanted to make sure that there will be no room for refusal.”

Although Elbafa spoke politely, Bahamut knew that the words carried an implicit threat: We trust you and have entrusted you with top-secret information. If you refuse, silence will be inevitable.

With this in mind, Bahamut realized that there was no choice for him.

‘Well… there’s no particular reason for me to refuse.’

The offer was vast, but also perilous. Yet, from the perspective of a profit-driven merchant, it was an irresistible opportunity.

As he pondered the proposal, Bahamut glanced at the two figures before him: Elbafa, standing like a young woman, and Ayla, appearing as a young girl.

However, Bahamut knew from prior sources that these two were witches, each over a century old.

‘Elbafa Envy… One of the founders of the Dragona Empire and a close aide to the Rose Empress. She’s one of the continent’s finest healers, unmatched in the field of recovery mana. Although her personality seems gentle, she can be resolute when necessary—a person with a strong sense of responsibility.’

This suggested that the Dragona Empire took the matter seriously, for only someone with Elbafa’s status would be sent as an emissary.

‘And the other one… Ayla Sloth. She’s the Rose Empress’s disciple and one of the top ten witches in combat strength on the continent. While not as powerful as Elios or Ophelia, she’s still a formidable force.’

It seemed Ayla had been sent as Elbafa’s escort. However, should Bahamut refuse this contract, Ayla might have orders to act against him.

Of course, with Ophelia on his side, Bahamut was confident he could handle such a situation. But to avoid unnecessary conflict and sleep soundly at night, he knew he had to make a decision.

“…Fine. Since I was the one who first mentioned the idea of a deal to Her Majesty, I’ll accept this contract—for my reputation as a merchant.”

“Well then, Bahamut, as specified, you’ll need to come to the Dragona Empire to finalize the contract. When do you plan to depart?”

“After I finish my current business here. I’ll leave in about three months—you’ll need time to prepare as well.”

“Three months… that sounds good. I’ll inform Her Majesty.”

With that, Elbafa and Ayla stood from their seats.

Seeing this, Bahamut also rose and spoke in a polite tone.

“Are you leaving already? You’ve come a long way, and it wouldn’t be proper to send you off like this. Allow me to host you for at least one day.”

“No need. I have much work to do, and I can return quickly.”

With those words, Elbafa pulled something from within her robe.

Bahamut recognized it immediately.

“Then, I’ll see you soon. Until then…”

Elbafa infused the object with mana, and in an instant, both she and Ayla vanished without a trace.

Watching with some interest, Bahamut muttered to himself.

‘An emergency escape tool… It feels more like a return spell, doesn’t it? I’ve seen it in passing before, but it’s definitely convenient. Being able to return home right after a business trip…’

The spell had its limitations, such as not being able to transport objects beyond a certain size, making it impractical for trade. However, it gave Bahamut a glimpse into the advanced mana capabilities of the Dragona Empire.

‘Though they’ve made considerable sacrifices to develop that magic… If I get the chance, I’d like to learn more about it.’  

In the original story, magic was predominantly used for battle and war, but Bahamut was curious about spells that could be useful in daily life.

Since he had to visit the Dragona Empire anyway, he looked forward to seeing what else it had to offer.

‘The Dragona Empire… I always knew I’d visit it someday.’

A state that had become a public enemy to the monarchs of the continent due to their financial dealings with him.

But that fact did not concern Bahamut.

He was a merchant who acted based on credit alone. Previously, he had conducted business with the Holy Empire and fulfilled his contract to their satisfaction. Now, with that transaction completed, the Dragona Empire had simply become his next client.

He had no reason to betray them—whether they were knights sworn to loyalty or generals who staked their honor. Business was business, after all.

With this in mind, Bahamut began to plan the logistics of his upcoming journey.

‘Given the destination, I’ll need Ophelia with me. Since this will be our first trip together after marriage, I should bring my wife along as well. After all, she has business of her own.’

The Uranus Merchant Company, which held influence in the Holy Empire, also had ties to the Dragona Empire. If Bertina could leverage these connections, the deal would become even more profitable.

The reason Bahamut had requested three months was to give Bertina time, as she was still caring for their child.

‘Alright… Time to start preparing. Let’s take the next step toward something greater.’

***

“That’s right…”

“Yes, madam.”

“Good job. You may leave.”

Bertina listened to Tilda’s report, a small smile forming on her lips.

‘The Dragona Empire…’

Even Bertina was unaware of when Bahamut had made a deal with the Rose Empress. However, she knew this was a golden opportunity.

It was a perfect chance to see the seeds she had sown across the continent bloom spectacularly.

With a quiet smile, Bertina glanced at the baby sleeping peacefully in her arms.

‘My baby… wait just a little longer. Mother will make sure everything is ready for you.’ 

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