Thanks for the chapter and picking up this series!
I agree with Sorcerie in that the merchant likely wanted to disrupt MC and would've done something nefarious. Likely have his way with Mimia and then say thanks but missed the deadline, or have transported the worst wheat even if it was rotting, or something evil. Frankly I wonder why or how those selfish merchants and corrupt politicians are pushing things that the Spirit is against yet aren't being punished. Even if they are human supremacists trying to push or do away with all the non-humans in the country they should be suffering from the Spirit's curse yet only others are suffering. Like that plan Sorcerie's father was a part of that turned her into a mummy. He only went with the plan and she was punished, yet the ones who made the plan, blackmailed and coerced others into doing it, and are ungrateful bastards aren't being cursed for some reason. Anyone know why? Also, why the mass deforestation efforts? Just because clear the land of the trees doesn't make it good for crops, especially if the trees had deep roots after sucking the surface soil's nutrition, and will negatively impact any woodworking businesses due to losing the local wood sources and having to import.
@Wizardrone Chances are highly likely, but first he'd have to meet and interact with a female elf who seems close to his age and know each other by name. Unless the one who helped with the kidnappers/murderers disguised as mummies is really a gal MC hasn't been introduced to any female elves. Although word about what he's been doing should be spreading around the elves so maybe the elf who's been with him will have a sister or cousin show up wanting to meet MC and gets interested. Although if an elf waifu does show up it'll probably be after handles this crisis.