Morning came unusually fast.
I was still half-asleep when Mac shook me awake.
I slowly sat up on the bed, rubbing my eyes lazily.
"Loid… didn't you sleep well last night?"
"Well… I was doing something last night."
Mac tilted his head. "What were you doing?"
I got down from the bed.
"Marketing."
"Huh?"
"You'll know later," I said as I walked toward the door. "Let's go downstairs."
After freshening up, I went down.
Everyone was already seated at the table.
I noticed something.
Dark circles under their eyes.
Looks like no one slept well.
Miss Liza served breakfast as usual, warm and kind.
We ate quietly, exchanging a few words.
Then—
It was time.
Mahna Village was unusually lively.
Word had already spread.
"The Falcon Merchants are being inspected."
Villagers gathered outside the inn.
Some were curious.
Some were excited.
Some were waiting for drama.
Hearing the noise, Miss Liza looked toward the door.
"What is happening outside?"
She was about to step out when Hasami spoke seriously.
"Aunt… they came for us."
"For you? Why?"
Before we could answer, Martin Guor came running inside, breathing heavily.
"What happened? Why are you being inspected?" he asked with a worried face.
Hasami explained everything that happened last night.
As soon as he heard it, Martin's face turned red with anger.
"That bastard merchant must be behind this!"
Miss Liza was angry too.
"That's why the Village Chief came at night? Why didn't you tell me?"
Roberto smiled gently.
"I didn't want to make you worried, Miss Liza."
We all stared at him strangely.
Even Martin looked shocked.
It was probably the first time he saw Roberto speaking that softly.
Martin wanted to go confront the Chief and Carl immediately.
But Roberto stopped him.
"Don't worry. We will take care of it. You calm down."
Then he added quietly,
"They did us a favor by gathering the crowd."
I stood by the window, watching the situation outside.
Villagers were already filling the road.
Inside, everyone was talking nervously.
But I remained calm.
Soon—
Village Chief Hanson Dryl arrived.
Behind him were Carl Brian and Logue.
They stopped in front of the inn.
Roberto walked beside me.
"Will you do the talking?"
I smiled slightly.
"Let's do it together."
He didn't reply, but I saw a faint smile in his eyes.
The three entered the inn.
Carl was smiling.
Too confidently.
"Good morning," he said loudly. "Have you decided?"
Roberto stepped forward.
"Yes. We accept the inspection."
The Chief folded his hands behind his back.
"Wise choice."
"But," I added calmly, "it will be conducted in front of everyone."
Carl's smile thinned.
The Chief looked at me for a moment.
"…Very well."
He stepped outside and announced loudly,
"The inspection will be conducted publicly!"
A murmur spread across the crowd.
Carl smiled again—this time more coldly.
The Chief came back inside.
"Bring your goods outside."
We walked out of the inn.
The crowd stood before us.
The Chief looked around, then at us.
"Where are your goods?"
There it is.
I stepped forward calmly.
"In our merchant storage."
Carl narrowed his eyes.
"That is not an answer."
The Chief added, "For transparency, clarify and present your goods before the crowd."
The atmosphere grew quiet.
Roberto glanced at me.
I nodded slightly.
Then—
I raised my hand.
A black leather pouch materialized in my palm.
"An item bag…"
Logue's eyes sharpened.
The Chief's posture stiffened.
Carl's confident smile finally cracked.
I spoke clearly.
"Our goods are stored inside our merchant-grade item bag."
The villagers began muttering in shock.
Only nobles.
Only large merchant houses.
Possess such storage.
Carl forced a laugh.
"That bag must be fake. Anyone could claim that."
Roberto replied calmly, expressionless.
"Would you like to inspect it?"
Carl hesitated.
The Chief cleared his throat.
"Inspection of private storage artifacts requires authorization from kingdom officials."
Exactly.
I nodded respectfully.
"Correct. And since this inspection was requested under suspicion of illegal trade…"
I paused deliberately.
"…shall we notify the regional trade office as well?"
Silence.
Heavy silence.
Carl's jaw tightened.
The villagers were no longer whispering in doubt—
They were whispering in awe.
"They're not simple traders…"
A farmer stepped forward.
"Their bone meal improved my crops."
Another said,
"Their tools are stronger than town steel."
Public opinion shifted.
Visibly.
Carl realized it.
The stage he prepared—
Had turned against him.
The Chief exhaled slowly.
"This inspection is complete."
Carl turned sharply.
"But—"
"It is complete," the Chief repeated firmly.
He looked at Roberto.
"There will be no further interference."
Roberto bowed slightly.
"We appreciate your fairness, Chief Hanson."
Carl glared at me.
That glare said everything.
This was not the end.
As the crowd dispersed, villagers began approaching us.
Some placed orders.
Some asked questions.
Some stared at the item bag in awe.
Our reputation—
Had just doubled.
Roberto walked beside me quietly.
"It worked more easily than I expected."
I smiled faintly.
"But it looks like that guy hasn't given up yet."
"I know."
Across the road, Carl was speaking quietly to Logue.
Logue's eyes were calm.
Not angry.
Calculating.
Back inside the inn, Hasami closed the door.
Mac exhaled loudly.
"That was intense."
Moneru grinned.
"Loid, you were cool!"
Arim nodded.
"They didn't expect that."
I leaned back in the chair, listening to their excited voices.
Then I looked at Roberto and gave a small nod.
He understood immediately.
With a bright tone, he said,
"Alright everyone."
"Get ready."
"It's selling time."