For Sale: Male Lead, Obsession Included - Chapter 51
“To tell you the truth, I am a mage.”
“…Excuse me?”
The tension that had built up in my shoulders suddenly released, and one side of my body sagged as the strength drained out of me.
“Mages from the southern continent are often said to have the power to see the future.”
Ribolto spoke as if he were discussing the weather, his tone so calm that I started to feel like I was the strange one. Ribolto… a mage from the southern continent? One of those rare mages?
“My magical power is so weak that it’s embarrassing to even call myself a mage, but occasionally, the ability does manifest.”
“Oh…”
I’d read about it in the novel. It was explained that the few mages living in the southern continent’s tribe could read the future by looking at the stars. But the author never once mentioned that Ribolto was one of those mages.
‘Why wasn’t this important fact ever brought up?’
While my mind was racing with these thoughts, Ribolto remained unnervingly calm, as if he hadn’t just revealed a massive secret.
“Is it really okay to tell me something like this…?”
Mages are rare. And a mage who can see the future? If word got out, the temple or the imperial palace would be swarming with people, clamoring to take him away. No, forget swarming. They might even resort to force to claim him. That’s how precious the ability of a southern continent mage is.
And yet, here he was, suddenly revealing this enormous secret.
I soothed my parched throat with tea and looked at Ribolto. He responded in his usual stiff tone.
“You said trust is necessary in business, didn’t you? I’m showing you my sincerity.”
“…I-I see.”
“Besides, didn’t you say we’re accomplices? Sharing a secret or two doesn’t seem like a bad idea.”
At his earnest tone, I found myself nodding helplessly. Ribolto, acting as if nothing had happened, smoothly resumed our business discussion. It was a concise and clean conversation.
Talking with him was so perfect that it almost made me forget the shocking revelation that he was a mage. Once again, I couldn’t help but think…
‘He’s really good at his job.’
No unnecessary chatter, quick progression, and a keen eye for the market. As I silently admired him, Ribolto, having finished drafting the contract, handed me a pen.
“Please sign here. The contract states that, in exchange for your investment, I’ll manage the purchase and upkeep of one building. And there are two requests to submit to the mercenary guild. You can review the rest of the terms yourself.”
“…Yes. It’s as you said.”
I signed my name at the bottom of the contract and lightly shook Ribolto’s hand.
“Please keep me updated on the business progress. As you know, I’ll be traveling for quite a while, so it might be difficult to give immediate responses.”
While traveling, I planned to propose expanding Ribolto’s business. If I could lay the groundwork for him to extend his trade routes to Dongguk, it would mean a significant profit for me.
With the bigger picture of the business in mind, I wrapped up my constructive conversation with Ribolto.
Now, there was nothing left but to leave.
***
By the time I stepped out of the Golem Trading Company, the streets had already been swallowed by the shadows of dusk.
I walked slowly, guided by the occasional glimmer of the magic stones that lit the way.
Apart from a few shops selling alcohol, most merchants were locking up their doors, causing the dark streets to be engulfed by shadows even faster.
In winter, when the days are short, stores would close even earlier.
‘So, after dark, people won’t be able to shop or grab food for dinner. And any late-night cravings will have to be buried under the blankets, I guess?’
I suddenly recalled the nights back in Korea, when I would pick up tteokbokki and soondae on my way home after overtime and grab a bottle of soju from the convenience store near my place. I had even searched for prime locations once, thinking maybe I’d open a convenience store after quitting my job.
Owning a store had always been a vague dream of mine. Convenience stores, in particular, didn’t require much manpower, and the franchise headquarters would take care of product management and sales—so I’d always thought it was the perfect business idea. It was the only reason I had for scraping together my meager salary.
‘Well, I didn’t get the chance to confirm whether it was the best business or not, since I died in a truck accident before I could even start.’
My footsteps echoed on the quiet street, the only sound in the stillness.
“This is the capital, shouldn’t there be at least one 24-hour shop?”
Feeling an odd sense of fear, I muttered uselessly to myself as I hurried back to my lodgings.
Like most inns catering to travelers, the one I arrived at also operated a small tavern on the ground floor. As soon as I opened the door, the loud chatter hit me, and I frowned involuntarily.
‘Why is it so noisy?’
It was loud enough to make me think that all the shopkeepers who had closed for the night had gathered here to drink.
