This time, Leon released a total allotment of 40 vials.
As the supplier, the rest had nothing to do with him from here on. All he and his people had to do was sit comfortably on the sidelines and watch the "allocation drama" unfold between the three parties of Freya, Loki, and Astraea.
And the hours that followed went exactly as he'd predicted, with the contest among the three sides growing quite fierce.
No, to put it more precisely, the contest was between Freya Familia and Loki Familia. As old hands, both sides tacitly avoided touching the share that rightfully belonged to Astraea Familia. After all, the Familia of justice followed the elite route, with limited numbers, and everyone had a fair sense of how much they'd need. The figure of eleven vials was more than enough for them...
Add to that the delicate relationship between the goddesses Astraea and Demeter, as well as the one between Leon and Kaguya... let's just say those in the know understood.
Beyond fists, the gods of Orario did, to varying degrees, observe a certain etiquette of give-and-take.
It was the remaining 29 vials that became the real focal point of the back-and-forth, where both sides crossed swords with sharp tongues.
In the end, on the strength of Freya Familia's superior overall power, Hedin successfully secured 15 of the remaining vials, while Finn took 14 for Loki Familia.
And so it was settled.
The allocation ratios among the three Familias were set in stone:
Astraea : Loki : Freya = 11 : 14 : 15
Total transaction price: 51.96 million (Orario's standard gold coin: Valis)
...
With that, the Hart Familia's fixed monthly income became:
"Monster Hunter Special"
Quantity: 504 servings / month
Revenue: 50.4 million Valis / month
"Wild Mixture"
Quantity: 40 vials / month
Revenue: 51.96 million Valis / month
Total monthly revenue: 102.36 million Valis
...
102.36 million Valis!
For the likes of Hephaestus, Goibniu, Demeter, Freya, and Loki, large Familias that stood at the peak of their respective fields with members numbering in the hundreds or thousands, this sum probably wouldn't even cover their daily expenses. But concentrated into a Familia of barely more than a dozen people, the weight of that money was an entirely different matter.
Take the elite-route apostles of justice, for instance, or take Leon's household.
And of course, Alise and the others had genuinely contributed no small part of this income.
...
With the cooperation settled and the contracts signed, the several representatives naturally needed to return and report as soon as possible. So, after draining the tea in their cups, they rose one after another to take their leave.
"That about wraps things up. We won't impose on you any longer."
Seeing Hedin and Finn rise first, Alise hurriedly pulled Kaguya up to stand as well.
"Leon, we're heading back too!"
"Lady Astraea is waiting on our news, after all!"
Leon's gaze swept over Miss Yamato Rindou, half of her body hidden behind Alise, her head still bowed as she stared at her toes. He gave a faint smile:
"Sure, it is getting late."
"The city isn't exactly peaceful at night these days, so please take care on the way back."
Alise patted her breastplate-covered, slightly regrettable chest and hummed, brimming with energy:
"Don't worry! We're the messengers who wield the sword and wings of justice. We're not about to trip up in a place like this!"
Leon exchanged a glance with Persephone and Jeanne beside him, and all of them let slip a slightly helpless smile.
Reaching the entryway, the group chatted as they changed their shoes.
A certain someone's gaze, however, stayed fixed on Kaguya the whole time. She bit her lip lightly, cheeks flushed, first lowering her head to look at the short boots set out at her feet, then quietly shifting her eyes to the plain white tabi wrapped around them. As if she could sense that gaze, a small shiver ran through her, and, blushing, she hurriedly changed back into her heeled short boots. Then she instinctively tucked her hair back, bowed her head, and quickened her steps out the door.
Watching her retreating figure, a trace of amusement curled at the corner of Leon's mouth.
Just then, Rose suddenly took hold of Kaguya, and said to Leon with a beaming smile:
"I'm going to have a quick word with Kaguya."
Leon: "..."
...
A little later.
Leon saw the guests off to the courtyard gate, shaking hands with each in farewell.
"Mr. Hedin, Mr. Finn, Lady Riveria, until we meet again."
Hedin pulled up his hood, shook hands, and turned crisply on his heel:
"No need to see us off. Freya Familia isn't so frail as all that."
"All right then!"
Off to the side, Heith Velvet silently rolled her eyes, an image flashing through her mind for no clear reason: a certain dark-skinned elf who'd once collapsed at her feet, calling out "Heith, save me" in barely a breath...
Really, was he that... durable?
"Leon, bye-bye!"
"Goodbye."
Riveria walked at the very back. Once Finn and Hedin had departed ahead with Heith, she paused and asked Leon:
"Your new base, construction's already begun, hasn't it?"
"Hm? Yes. You've already heard?"
Riveria's brow rose slightly:
"A few days ago I happened to be training with Ais on the city walls and caught sight of it by chance. I guessed it was your new base going up, though hearing you confirm it does give me something to reflect on."
She paused, recalling the all but astronomical construction cost of the Twilight Manor, and the debt only recently cleared, and her tone couldn't help carrying a note of wistfulness:
"It seems your finances are in good shape."
Leon merely smiled and gave her a wink.
"All right, head on back."
Riveria said no more and quickened her pace to catch up with Finn ahead.
By the courtyard gate, Laurier waved with a radiant smile, while Aura pressed a hand solemnly to her chest in salute:
"Lady Riveria, safe travels!"
Having seen off the representatives of the two "giants," Alise and Kaguya then came out from inside the courtyard. As for what exactly Rose had discussed privately with Kaguya, that Leon had no way of knowing.
"Tsk, I didn't expect this from you, Alise," Leon said, arms folded, his tone teasing. "Your household's got quite the deep pockets..."
"Buying over 14 million worth of potions on the spot, plus 4.4 million a month in Monster Hunter Special purchases... your fixed spending with us alone comes to nearly 20 million a month."
"Your Lady Astraea... she really isn't going to go bankrupt?"
Alise's cheeks reddened, and she shot back loudly, on reflex:
"W-we're not going to go bankrupt!"
"As long as... as long as we explore the Dungeon a little more diligently, an expense like this is nothing at all!"
Leon grinned:
"Yes, yes, these little 'worldly possessions' really are nothing..."
At that, Kaguya, standing beside Rose, suddenly lifted her head, her small face flushed as she glared hard at Leon, mouthing the words silently:
Scumbag! Pervert!
Leon: ?
His expression froze, and he instinctively looked toward Rose...
The grand housekeeper was leaning against the door frame with her arms folded, eyes narrowed, gazing at him with a beaming smile.
That expression again!
Leon's heart skipped a beat. This cunning girl Rose, she isn't scheming something again, is she...
His gaze flickered, and he mused inwardly:
Looks like the target for that first vial of "Stimulant Elixir" is going to have to change...
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