Read Novel Full Vol 16 Chapter 13
Vol 16 Chapter 13
TN: Please read my translations only on my website since I never give my permission to any site to host my translations. And if you like my translations, please support this site on Ko-fi and Patreon to read several chapters ahead!
Thanks toTbird90677 for the Ko-Fi and this chapter~
(14/20)
Chapter 13 – Information Gathering
The first land was blocked by barriers, but we were able to land safely on the second. We decided to have Marina-san scout ahead of us and gather information from a small village for safety. I am the only one who understands the language at the moment, so I have to do my best.
We reached the village before dawn.
I thought we would wait until dawn to enter the village, but I was told that entering the village first thing in the morning would look suspicious, so we had to wait.
It seems that the village and the place to camp are somewhat fixed, and although there is a difference between walking and taking a horse-drawn carriage, the time when the village becomes lively is also somewhat fixed.
In other words, it seems that if we enter the village at any other time, we will stand out.
I told Dorothea-san, who shared her knowledge with me that it was a great learning experience, and she expressed concern, saying that it was a basic rule for adventurers and peddlers.
I was aware of my lack of knowledge, having spent most of my life on ships or in port cities, but it seems I am still inexperienced in even basic knowledge.
While waiting, I watched the village and noticed that the villagers began to move at sunrise.
It seems that even in other worlds, morning comes early in the countryside, and I could watch the villagers heading out to the fields.
Apparently, there is not much difference in race here either, with the familiar humans and beastmen making up the majority.
Since the beastmen were participating in the fieldwork as usual, it is pretty reassuring to know that there seems to be no discrimination against beastmen, at least in this area.
Also, since it was a bit chilly, it seems that long sleeves are the basic clothing around here.
About two hours after dawn, people arrived from the port city by horse and wagon. It seems that this village is the first resting place for travelers, and they leave the village after a short rest.
Perhaps because it is connected to a large port city, there seemed to be a lot of tolls.
Two hours later, the village became even busier, with peddlers and travelers on foot arriving from the port city and people on horses and carriages arriving from the other side.
It seemed that walking, carriages, and horses were the basic means of transportation and that the civilizations were not so different.
We changed into less conspicuous clothes, and except for the fact that no one but me could speak the language and that we had no currency, we seemed to be able to move around without any problems.
“What do you say? Should we get going?”
If we were going to the port city, it would be better to wait for people coming on foot from the other side, but if our goal was to gather information, it would be better to enter the village when there were more people there.
“Well, it is time to go, please. There is no hurry to join the others, so don’t push yourself too hard.”
It seemed I was right, and Alessia-san gave me the green light. I was getting nervous.
“Okay, I understand. Then Marina, let’s go.”
“Yes.”
After Felicia set up the barriers, we walked out onto the road together and headed for the village.
Normally, it would have been safer for all of us to go to the village together, but a group of beautiful women would have been conspicuous in the village, and it would have been difficult to gather information if we got mixed up with others, so it was decided that Marina-san and I would gather the information together.
During our discussion, I suggested that I should go alone in case we were afraid of being noticed, but they warned me in a very gentle tone that I should go with Marina-san.
I felt that if I thought about it too deeply, it would hurt me badly, so I silently accepted it, but even without thinking about it deeply, I could tell that they were worried about me, and that made me sad.
Remembering the sad memories, I lowered my tension and proceeded with the air of a normal traveler, entering the village with a nonchalant look on my face.
Although I knew from previous observations that people were rarely stopped, I was relieved that we were able to pass through the village without incident.
“Shall we go to where the people are gathered?”
“Yes.”
I called Marina-san and approached the crowd.
The village is small, but they seem to be taking advantage of the large number of pedestrians. They have built a square to make it easy to take a break, with two shops lining the side of the square.
One sells simple snacks and drinks, while the other sells general merchandise.
“Wataru, this way.”
As I looked around the shops, Marina-san pulled me by the sleeve and led me to a corner of the square.
“Sit down.”
It seemed like we were going to sit here and gather information. It is a rather conspicuous place, but perhaps such a place is less suspicious than a place to hide in secret.
“Wataru. Translate what that group over there is saying.”
I looked in the direction Marina-san had indicated and saw a horse-drawn carriage, its owner, a merchant, and two men, one of whom seemed to be an adventurer, chatting over a drink.
They seemed like a good group to gather information from. I would be grateful if I could get some information about the shop or the adventurers.
“I understand.”
I replied to Marina-san, listening carefully.
“Hehe, we should reach the city of Toyen before nightfall.”
Suddenly, I knew the name of the city. I guessed that Toyen was the name of a large port city.
“Yes, finally. It was a long trip this time, but I am relieved to be back in one piece. What are you going to do when you get to the city?”
“It’s a big city, so I’m thinking of using Toyen as a base for work for a while.”
“Well, then, I may have another opportunity to ask you to do some work for me. I’ll look forward to working with you then.”
“Well, I’d be very grateful. I’ll be waiting for you with great anticipation.”
I examine the content of the conversation while translating it in a whisper to Marina-san.
It seems that the relationship between the merchant and the two adventurers is good. From the way the two adventurers talk, it seems that there is a lot of work for adventurers in the city.
It’s a big city, so I’m sure the goods I bring will be sold, and worst of all, we can make money as adventurers, which is great.
“So tell me something, Danna.”
While I was translating the conversation for Marina-san, one of the adventurers spoke to the merchant in a happy tone. He seemed a bit excited.
“What is it?”
“Well, this is our first visit to Toyen, and we’d be more excited about the job if you could give us some information about the red light district.”
I think one of the adventurers started a very important conversation.
“Hey, hey, you said you wanted to make it your base, did you?”
“No, no, Danna, we work hard and play hard at night.”
Yeah, work and play; I think it’s very important to have a good balance between the two.
“Well, if it means you get more energy for work, then I guess it can’t be helped. I recommend…”
What? It was in a very good part, and then I felt a tug on my sleeve.
“Marina-san, is something wrong?”
I’m in the middle of something important, so please don’t interrupt me.
“Wataru, translate.”
I was so focused that I forgot to translate.
“Sorry, I’ll translate for you right now…”
Huh? Should I translate the information about the red light district? Me to Marina-san? That’s a punishment.
“…Well, how should I say it… it’s peculiar to men, it’s a bit of vulgar talk, should I interpret it?”
I feel like it’s just sexual harassment, but maybe I can understand the local customs… or maybe the original cultural meaning of the customs, huh? I’m confused. Should I translate it?
“No need. Let’s change the place.”
That’s right. But I wanted to hear it.
＊＊＊
We continued to gather information from different locations, peeking into shops to avoid suspicion.
We were never able to pinpoint exactly what we wanted to know, but as our visits increased, we were able to glean some useful information.
We learned that in order to enter the city of Toyen, we needed to have an identification or an entrance fee.
The merchants were escorted by mercenaries, not adventurers, and it seemed that the mercenaries also did the work of adventurers.
The security of the area.
Prices of goods and drinks.
Although I could not get any information about the red light district, I think I was able to get at least a minimum amount of information.
“Now that we have gathered information, the next step is money.”
We might be able to replace the entrance fees with monsters like I did when I first came to this world, but it would definitely be less noticeable if we paid them in the usual way.
If possible, I would like to at least earn the entrance fee for Toyen in this village.
Marina-san seemed to have no problem with that, so we went to the small general store.
“Hello.”
“Hello. Can I help you?”
I enter the store and talk to the owner. He seems like a nice guy, and I feel like I can get by even though I’m just a fake merchant.
“No, I’m a peddler. Do you want to see my products?”
“Hmm? We are a small general store, and we have our own suppliers. If you want to do business, you should visit Toyen, which is one stop away, not here.”
It seems I wasn’t wrong in my impression that the man seemed nice, and he gave me some simple advice.
I appreciate the advice very much, but the fact that he has a specific place to stock is not a happy piece of information. It might be better to be upfront about the fact that I’m in trouble here and invite sympathy.
“Yes, of course, I intend to go all the way to Toyen. But I’m ashamed to say that I’ve spent too much money on supplies, and I don’t have enough money for the entrance fee. I’ll give you a discount, so would you be willing to buy some for me?”
“Ah, you haven’t been peddling for very long, have you? You have to calculate your expenses on the road before you buy goods.”
The man looked immediately convinced. Perhaps it is common for inexperienced peddlers to run out of money when they make the mistake of buying the wrong amount of goods.
“Hahaha, yes. I’ll be careful from now on.”
“I understand; let me see your goods. But as you can see, this is a small store, so I can’t buy expensive things.”
“Thank you.”
I thanked him and placed the items I had prepared on the counter.
Camille-san had told me that it was better to start with cheap and easy-to-sell items, and since she had prepared a variety of items for me, I had no trouble finding things to sell, even in this situation.
I am grateful for Camille-san’s keen eye.
Besides, I didn’t know what kind of products to sell, so my decision to throw everything at Camille-san was also a good game.
“Wow, all these items are simple but of good quality. I can see why you’d go into trouble for stocking a lot.”
The quality of the goods seems to be very good as well.
“Hmm.”
“Is something wrong?”
“Yes, I want this cookware, this tableware, and this comb. But they are a little too good for village use.”
Camille-san, you’ve prepared some good quality items at a reasonable price. But the irony is that the quality is dragging them down. Business is tough.
“I can’t even enter the town without paying the entrance fee, so I’ll give you a discount on this occasion.
So please buy it.
“If you’re a merchant, you shouldn’t show your weakness so easily, even when you’re in trouble, and you shouldn’t make any concessions in negotiating the price from the beginning.”
…Why, when I said I would give him a discount, he warned me.
“Listen, you know, in business…”
He even started talking about being a merchant.
“Are you listening?”
“Oh, yeah, I’m listening.”
I didn’t mind taking a little loss; I just wanted some money. How did I end up like this?