After passing through the central plaza and resisting the delicious smells coming from the food stalls, I headed east and entered a shop marked by a sign with a suit of armor.
「Hello there. We're from the Alchemist Guild.」
Thinking it'd be best to introduce myself first so there wouldn't be any more confusion, I greeted the shopkeeper.
「Oh, welcome. Well, if it isn't the two from the Red Front as well.」
「Yeah. It's been a while, shopkeeper.」
「So, what brings you in today?」
「Ah, it's something for my lord.」
「Lord?」
「Yes. I've become his slave, you see.」
The shopkeeper's head turned toward us so fast it was almost startling.
「A lot happened…」
See? I knew this would happen.
「Well I'll be… Living this long really does bring surprises. You, of all people…」
「Hahaha…」
This isn't what it looks like! It's all a misunderstanding! Well, okay, it is true, but still.
Please, don't look at me like I'm that kind of lust crazed maniac!
「So, are you here to sell those two's equipment today?」
「Hey! I'm not this guy's slave, okay?!」
「Oops, my mistake. You two are so close, like sisters, I just assumed you were in on it too.」
No no no. I'm already having enough trouble with one. Two is impossible, especially someone this wild.
「Actually, I'd like you to appraise and buy some accessories.」
「Accessories? Then the Adventurer's Guild would be… Oh, I see.」
The shopkeeper seemed to figure it out after seeing Aina-san give a self-deprecating smile.
「Ah, I get it. Granny Reinrich, huh? So you got dragged into it too, kid. Sorry for looking at you funny.」
「Ugh… I appreciate your understanding.」
I mean, yeah. I've technically resolved it already, but I didn't want to go to the Adventurer's Guild before I got the whole slave thing sorted out. Besides, I'm still feeling a bit shaken and uneasy about it. Just give me a little more time.
「Hang in there… So, let's take a look, shall we?」
「I've got kind of a lot. Is that okay?」
「Sure. Accessories are scarce in the market right now, so having more is no problem at all.」
Just as I was about to pull out the necklaces, I remembered—oh right, I stored them in the magic space, not the magic pouch.
The other two were… yeah, they were looking at armor. As long as I don't startle the shopkeeper, it should be fine.
I pretended to pull them from the pouch at my waist, grabbed the necklaces with both hands, and placed them on the counter.
「All necklaces? And they're all the same kind.」
「Sorry. I kinda got carried away making them.」
For reference, the breakdown is:
Twisted Iron Necklace +2 – 10
Twisted Iron Necklace +3 – 8
Twisted Iron Necklace +4 – 5
Twisted Iron Necklace +5 – 3
I used up nearly all the iron ore, but I'd say the results were more than satisfactory.
Now then, let's see how much they're worth.
「Hoo, you've got some real skill.」
「Of course. He is Reinrich-sama's apprentice.」
「What? That old woman actually took on a student?」
「Yes, and she seemed to have taken quite a liking to him.」
「…Hard to believe. I can't imagine that old hag doting on anyone.」
That's not it. I think Reinrich just lied to use me.
I really don't think she was fond of me or anything.
「Alright then. The +2s—10 pieces—come to 50,000 Nohl. The +3s—8 of them—are 60,000 Nohl. The +4s—5 pieces—make 50,000 Nohl. And the +5s—3 of those—are worth 60,000 Nohl. The design's original, doesn't get in the way of movement, not bad. That brings us to… 220,000 Nohl total. What do you say?」
Whoa! 220,000 Nohl!! Nice, nice. I'm rich!
「By the way, if you sold them at the Adventurer's Guild, you'd probably get nearly double.」
Double, huh. That's a big difference…
Hmmmm… It's tempting, but right now I want certainty.
You never know what might happen in this world, and I'd like to have some cash on hand.
「It's fine! I'll go with that.」
「Got it. I'll mix in some copper coins to make it easier to use. Here—2 gold coins, 1 silver coin, and 10 copper coins. That makes 220,000 Nohl. By the way, I noticed you didn't stamp a maker's mark.」
「Maker's mark?」
「Yeah. Like saying 'I made this!' It's a signature. It also helps keep others from copying your work.」
「Oh, I see. But I'm still just a no-name beginner. I'll wait until I've polished my skills a bit more.」
「That so? Still, why not try stamping one, just once? Anything you make from now on should have a mark, and I can teach you how.」
「Hmm… Alright, I'll take you up on that.」
If he's offering to teach, I'll gratefully take advantage of it.
「Well, 'teach' might be a bit much—it's just a matter of focusing your will during alchemy. When you use 『Reconstruct』, try carving your mark into the design.」
He casually handed me a +5 Twisted Necklace.
Following his instructions, I activated alchemy and used 『Reconstruct』.
For the design… I'll use kanji. I'll just go with my name.
I was already used to imagining the Twisted Necklace's shape. Adding a small inscription of my name was quick work, and it was done in no time.
Since the original item was small, the lettering came out small too, but there it was—『忍宮一樹』 engraved cleanly.
「Nicely done. Alright. Once you get famous, this necklace will fetch a high price. I'll hang on to it until then.」
The shopkeeper lifted the accessory with a light touch, gazed at the engraved name,
then gently wrapped it in a cloth and placed it carefully into what looked like a vault.
Tch. Smart merchant.
I don't mind, but I'm not promising I'll become famous or anything.
With a word of thanks from him, I went to go call Aina and Sorte.
「Are you done?」
「Yeah, just finished.」
「Then let's go get some lunch.」
「Sounds good. I've got some money now, and I kept you waiting, so it's on me.」
「Of course! You're supposed to cover a slave's meal!」
「You're paying for yours.」
「What!? Why!?」
「Because you're not a slave.」
So I am expected to pay for my slave's food, huh.
I do feel bad for making Sorte wait, but she followed me here of her own accord.
Well, enough teasing. Let's eat. Hunger makes people cranky.
「Come on! It's just a meal!」
「I know, I know. I was joking.」
「Tch! Then just say so from the start!」
…I did briefly consider making her pay for real, but in the end, we each bought what we wanted from the food stalls and sat down on a bench to eat.
Aina-san was holding back, so I practically forced the food on her.
She ate it reluctantly at first, but eventually seemed satisfied with a full stomach.
The total came out to 14,000 Nohl.
That stupid dog bought the most expensive food she could find and ate as much as she could, so the cost shot up fast.
Still, I did manage to get her to skip the caterpillaryaki.
Watching someone eat bugs next to me would absolutely kill my appetite.
And as for the way Aina-san gently wiped her mouth afterward—how it warmed my heart and made me want to keep her by my side—let's just skip that part.
-0-
When we arrived at the Yasis Slave Market, we were greeted not by the man we'd met last time, but by a cheaper-looking fellow, who immediately came toward us with a big smile.
「Ah, welcome, sir. Here to make a sale today?」
「No, actually—」
「Oh my, what lovely young ladies. Hmm. With faces like these, how about 1,000,000 Nohl each?」
「No, listen—」
「Not to your liking? Then 1,500,000. No, 2,000,000! I can't go any higher, though.」
This guy doesn't listen at all.
I was starting to get annoyed and was about to speak up when—
「Ah, well well. Aren't you the gentleman I met at the plaza?」
Coming down the stairs was the merchant-looking man with the kindly face we'd met in the plaza.
His name… right, I never got it back then.
「My apologies. Did this man cause you any trouble?」
As soon as he appeared, the cheap man stiffened like a board, standing ramrod straight.
「Ah, no. He just mistook us for someone selling slaves.」
「I sincerely apologize for that. If you'd like, please come into the back room. Ah, I almost forgot—I'm Yasis, the owner of this slave market.」
He's the owner!? No way.
「Owner! These customers were mine—」
「Silence. Speak later.」
Terrifying!
Whoa, his friendly expression changed in an instant—just his eyes!
So he's not as harmless as he looked… He's actually scary.
Poor cheap guy—no wonder he's frozen stiff.
「This way, if you please…」
We were shown into a room in the back.
There was a table with chairs lined up on both sides, and we sat across from where Yasis would be.
I ended up in the middle, with Sorte on my left and Aina-san on my right.
Yasis rang a little bell with a chirin, and a woman appeared from the inner room.
After exchanging a few quiet words with her, she disappeared again.
「Please wait just a moment. Some tea is being prepared.」
Apparently, she was one of the staff working here.
When she returned with the tea, she set it down with a graceful bow and quietly withdrew once more.
「Did she happen to catch your eye?」
「Uh, wait—what?」
…Okay, yeah. I might've stared a little.
She had a calm, mature aura about her, and I couldn't help but notice her, um, assets.
It's not like I'm an oppai is life guy!
「She's one of our products, as well. If you'd like, I can call her in for you?」
Wait, she's a slave too!?
That's wild. I mean, how does this guy not want to keep someone like her for himself?
If it were me, I'd be all over that in broad daylight!
「N-No, um, well… Ow!」
Huh? What the—my side felt like it was getting twisted off!
I turned to see Sorte pinching me with a furious expression I'd never seen before.
「Get! On! With! It!」
「Yes ma'am!!」
Damn it, you damn washboard! Just because your chest is small doesn't mean—OW OW OKAY I'M SORRY IT HURTS!!
Flat is justice girls should just compete with their butts! Butts are the great equalizer—ouch ouch ouch!!
「Well then, perhaps when you next visit us alone.」
Shut up, Yasis, don't stir the pot!
Just her hand on my side now fills me with fear. That's how much it hurts.
「Can we move on to the main topic?」
Whether she was trying to help or just tired of this nonsense, Aina-san brought us back to the matter at hand.
「Of course. I take it you're not here to make a sale?」
「Right. It's just for reference, but I'd like to know how much I'd need to buy her.」
「I see. Very well, we can provide an estimate.」
With a ring of the bell, Yasis summoned the woman from earlier once again.
「Wendy, an appraisal please. Show them to the assessment room.」
「Understood. Right this way, please.」
「I'm coming too!」
「I'm afraid we can't allow guests to accompany slaves into the appraisal room…」
「Then appraise me too!」
「…Very well. Wendy, please appraise both of them.」
And so, both girls followed Wendy deeper into the building.
The room felt hot… It's my day off and a perfect time to write, but it's so warm my brain's turning to mush…
Also, I'm adjusting my budget now—turns out I'm terrible with money.