“I can’t believe it... Is this a genuine article?” No, impossible. This cannot be... Gratt thought as he checked other enchanted items to test, but it provided the correct ability and a detailed explanation for each one. This was his first time meeting Ristia, and not even Eindebelle knew of every enchanted item that Gratt walked around with, which meant there was no way this could have been set up in advance. He couldn’t suspect them now that he was faced with all these facts. The appraisal crystal was the real deal. So that means... Gratt thought as he timidly appraised the brooch, and it gave him a detailed explanation. In addition to the ability to nullify any and all bodily ailments, it was also enchanted with self-restorative abilities. Even if the owner had a fast-acting deadly poison enter their system, it would immediately nullify it, and even if the brooch was smashed into a million pieces, it would restore itself as good as new. This was a brooch crafted by a normal girl.
“...Haha, hahaha,” Gratt let out a dry chuckle, perplexed as to where he should even begin pointing out the lunacy.
──5──
In the corner of Eindebelle’s shop, Mr. Gratt the merchant sat in astonishment as he looked at the brooch that Ristia had brought to him. It seemed that the enchantment Ristia had placed on it had him in a state of shock. That being said, Ristia had started to realize that her own enchantment abilities did stick out a bit—a teensy bit—after that lecture she gave both Eindebelle and Nanami earlier before Gratt showed up. Even so, the reason she was trying to sell the brooch in the first place was because she needed money for the orphanage. That was why Ristia waited for Gratt to regain his composure and carried on with the proceedings, asking, “So how much would you be willing to buy that brooch for, Sir?”
“R-Right... If I am to be honest, I’m completely unqualified to buy this from you.”
“...Huh?” Ristia was confused at his unexpected answer.
“Please, do not get the wrong impression. I am not saying that this brooch holds no value. On the contrary, I am saying that it holds too much value for me to make you a reasonable offer.”
“There’s no need to worry about that.” Ristia didn’t want the money for herself; she just wanted the money because she needed it for renovations to the orphanage.
I think she would settle for an amount that would net her a small fortune, but... Gratt trailed off, shaking his head.
“No, my dignity will not allow me to purchase this at the meager price that I can provide.”
“Oh, I see...” Even Ristia was pleased that he held the brooch she made in such high regard. While it did put her in a difficult situation, she couldn’t find it in her to ask him to buy it regardless. Gratt was not finished with his statement, however.
“...That being said, I can represent you in selling this brooch, Lady Ristia.”
“Um... what does that entail, exactly?”
“Once a month in the imperial capital, they hold an auction. What do you say to me selling the brooch on your behalf and taking a small commission from the sale?”
“An auction once a month...” Ristia had no idea where the imperial capital was, but she worried over whether it would take a considerable amount of time until she could receive any money, which showed on her face.
“Pardon me asking, but do you need the money immediately?”
“I want to rebuild the orphanage.”
“I must say... That is quite noble.”
“No, I just want to help the children. Nothing necessarily noble about it,” Ristia gently denied. Gratt, on the other hand, was touched, taking it as a show of modesty and virtue. “You are like an angel, Milady.”
I’m a normal girl who just wants a little sister, after all. And I don’t need Nanami jumping into the conversation saying stuff like, “She is not like an angel, she is an angel,” either, Ristia thought to herself, but since she decided to not to say that she wanted a sister aloud, she kept it to a whispered comment, “But I am a normal girl...” It was a comment that he laughed off for whatever reason.
“So, the only orphanage in this town I recall is the one that sits on that hill, correct? That would be the same one with all the unsavory rumors about it, if I remember correctly.”
“Oh, well, um...”
She wasn’t sure how much of the situation she should expand upon, but Eindebelle advised her from the sidelines.
“Mr. Gratt is a reliable guy, so ya can tell ‘im the whole story, Dear.”
Given the okay, she disclosed that the director running the orphanage was operating illicit activities out of the facility, and she explained how she had exposed him and taken over the position of orphanage director herself.
“You took over the orphanage...?”
“Yes, indeedy. He signed off on a letter of authorization and everything. ...Oh, right. Would you mind taking a look at the letter to make sure everything is in order?” Ristia asked, pulling the letter of authorization out from her Item Box.
“My pleasure,” Gratt said as he took the letter and scanned his eyes over what the agreement detailed. After he finished checking the letter from top to bottom, he looked back at Ristia. “...This letter of authorization has an intentional drawback built into it.”
“Huh? Does that mean that... it doesn’t make me the owner of the orphanage?” If they kick me out of the orphanage... What should I do? Do I take the kids with me and move to someplace that’s available...? Or do I create an orphan town outside of this one? Ristia pondered, thinking well outside the box. Plus, if Ristia did build another town outside the town they were already in, the town’s greatness would cause people to start migrating there, which would lead this town to ruin in the not-so-distant future. However, that wouldn’t end up happening—for better or worse.
“You can relax, Lady Ristia. This still gives you ownership of the orphanage.” Her fears weren’t going to come true, thanks to Gratt’s welcome news.
“Oh, but, umm... You said there was a drawback, right?”
“This letter of authorization includes a clause that states that if the bestower petitions within the span of six months, the transfer will be null-and-void.”
“Aah... so that’s what you meant.” It meant that Director Georg never had any intention of handing over the orphanage. If he had made his escape back then, he would have objected after Ristia used the letter of authorization to reclaim ownership.
“So essentially, everything is fine so long as you make certain that the predecessor cannot file for the transfer to be null-and-void, but...” Gratt said with a implicative look shot Ristia’s way. She hadn’t explained what happened to Former Director Georg, but... maybe Gratt had already realized that he was no longer in this world.
This man sure is one capable merchant... Ristia thought as she answered him. “If that is the case, I don’t see any problems arising.”
“Ah, I see. Well, I can get this squared away, if that is all right by you.”
“...Are you sure?” Ristia was not very privy to human law. She appreciated the prospect of Gratt doing things in her place, but she was also not sure whether she should have him put himself out like that.
“Also, my shop has a branch in this town as well, so my business will help front any expenses that you may need for the orphanage.”
“While I do appreciate that, Sir... are you really sure about all this?”
“Certainly. Even the lowest bidding price I have in mind for your item is enough to help build a few dozen orphanages, so just think of it as a down payment.”
“Oh, thank you so much!” Despite the rocky start, they hammered out the details and finalized their agreement. After which, Ristia shared a short chat with Nanami and Eindebelle before going back to the orphanage.
“Hello, everyone! I’m back~”
“Oh, Director! Welcome back~” When she announced her return in the entryway, the children came rushing in from the back and glomped Ristia, which caught her off-balance and made her totter. It wasn’t because she was physically knocked off-kilter, but because she was being surrounded by a group of adorable younger children.
“Whoa, whoa! Director, you okay?” Mew, the tomboy, asked with a concerned look in her eyes.
Ristia crouched down and assured her, “I’m fine, my dear. Thank you for being so concerned,” gently petting her dog-eared head.
“Woof...” she said with a delighted-looking smile. That sparked a chorus of pleas from the other children.
“Me next!”
“No, me!”
Ristia was in so much bliss that she could die.
“Alright, you guys. Break it up! You’re going to give Director Ristia a hard time if you don’t cut it out.”
“Okay!”
Maria rushed from the back of the crowd right into the scene of the crime and let out a thunderous roar. The children obediently broke away from Ristia, albeit in a slightly reluctant manner. In response, Ristia did not flop her shoulders like she normally would, but instead smiled sweetly.
Maria sure is cute. Has me jealous. Ehehe. It’s okay. I’ll give Maria’s pretty little head the headpats she deserves. Ristia thought as she gave Maria’s head a gentle stroke. As a result, Maria’s brown skin turned a subtle shade of red.