Read Novel Full Vol 16 Chapter 14
Vol 16 Chapter 14
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(15/20)
Chapter 14 – Toyen
The small village I visited to gather information seemed to be a transit point to a larger port city, and I was able to gather the minimum information necessary. Next, I went to a general store to get some currency that could be used in this country, and for some reason, the man in the general store taught me how to be a merchant.
I learned from him how to be a merchant and was able to sell my goods at a reasonable price.
The amount I received was 80,000 sigs. The unit of currency in this country is sig, and although the pattern of the currency is different, it seems to be the same as on the continent of Eltrude.
With the minimum amount of money and information safely in hand, we left the village and met up with Alessia-san and the others.
“The only thing left was the information I got when Wataru couldn’t translate.”
After Marina-san finished her report, all eyes turned to me. When she says when I couldn’t translate, she means when I was doing business.
“Most of the time I was in the mindset of a merchant, but I was able to get a fair amount of information.”
I begin my report with a slight puffing of my chest. I worked pretty hard, so I have a fair amount of confidence.
As I listened to the uncle’s advice on how to prepare for the trip, I asked a few questions in between. Most of the questions were about the port city of Toyen, but the man was not averse to answering them.
He looked at me as if he had experienced such a time in his life, so I guess he felt like a volunteer for the inexperienced merchants. It was a time when people’s goodness was sinking in.
So as not to waste his kindness, let’s report it properly.
“I see, with the money you get, even a cheap hotel will only last a few days. And the port fee is even more expensive.”
“Yes.”
That’s right. 80,000 sig is not exactly a small amount of money, but there are a lot of people in this group.
Even if we brought our own food, we would run out of money in a few days, even if we saved.
The uncle told me about a store in Toyen, so it is possible to get additional funds, but if we want to do business in a big city, there is a high probability that we will need identification.
If we don’t do this, we will soon run out of money.
Even if we run out of money, we can get by if we leave the city and live on the ship, but if we want to learn the language and get used to the local culture, it is more efficient to live in the city.
It is a difficult problem to solve.
“Should I start with small businesses or do big businesses to get all the money at once?”
Since we have a wide variety of products, from spices to treasures, we can do almost any kind of business.
“Right, but it would be better not to make so much money all at once because it would be too noticeable. I don’t want to lose to them in terms of ability, but since we don’t speak the language, the troublesome matters will be concentrated on Wataru.”
I was so happy to hear Alessia-san’s concern that I couldn’t help but smile. I’m very light, aren’t I?
In this situation, I would like to say, “Don’t worry, leave it to me,” but it’s hard to deal with a thousand merchants from all over the world by myself.
Even if I could handle a normal business meeting to some extent, I would not be able to handle a situation like the one I had to deal with when I was on the Japanese-style boat because I would not be able to handle the situation.
“In that case, I think it would be better to do more detailed business. I’ll register with the Merchant Guild first, and Ines, Felicia, Alessia-san, and the others will act as my escorts?”
“Fufu, Master, for a newly registered merchant, your escort is quite luxurious.”
Ines laughed and pointed out the biggest problem.
I think so. Whether we do big business or not, the mere presence of a group of women will certainly make us stand out.
And men are attracted to a group of beautiful women. It’s a surefire way to get into trouble.
“…There’s also the problem of funds, so let’s limit the number of people until we get used to it.”
Alessia-san and the others are aware of their good looks, so they regretfully suggest limiting the number of people.
But it’s not a bad suggestion.
They are beautiful women, so they will stand out no matter where they are, but it will definitely be less noticeable if there are fewer of them, and if there are fewer of them, they can move around more stealthily.
“That might be a good idea.”
The moment I said that the air around us became tense.
“Huh?”
Why is everyone looking at each other in alarm?
“I’m the leader, so of course I’ll go.”
“As a slave, I shouldn’t be separated from my master, right?”
Following Alessia-san’s words, Ines also makes a statement that I don’t understand. What is she talking about when she is usually so unconcerned about being away from me?
While I was puzzled, the women exchanged heated arguments. I see; they all want to go to an unknown city.
Especially Alessia-san and the others who said they became adventurers because they wanted to see places they didn’t know, so I guess they were even more determined to go there. Even the reserved Carla-san and Claretta-san were adamant that they would go themselves.
It’s going to be a long journey.
＊＊＊
“We finally arrived.”
“Well, it took longer than I thought.”
“Ufufu, I’m looking forward to it.”
“Yeah.”
We finally arrived at the port city of Toyen and lined up at the gate.
After a fierce competition, Dorothea-san, Ilma-san, and Marina-san were chosen to accompany me.
Considering safety and cost savings, we decided on four people, including me. Rimu and the other familiars were to remain on the ship for the time being.
The first to be chosen was Marina-san. Marina-san, who is a scout and can eliminate presence, was easily chosen because she could not be left behind at a time like this.
Next was Ilma-san. She was chosen next because she could learn the language faster than anyone else. She won by a landslide, slicing through the other members with a knife of words.
Only one seat remained.
In the midst of tremendous tension, Felicia was the first to be eliminated. The reason was that there were no dark elves in the village, and we didn’t know how dark elves were treated in this country, so she couldn’t help herself.
Next to leave was Ines. She tried to take advantage of the fact that she was my slave, so it was natural for her to stay with me, but she was crushed by a very sincere and merciless argument that Ines was not allowed because she might do something unnecessary.
The four remaining were Alessia-san, Dorothea-san, Carla-san, and Claretta-san.
It was a fierce battle, but Carla-san, who is not very talkative, and Claretta-san, who is more reserved, were weak in verbal battles, so it was a one-on-one battle between Alessia-san and Dorothea-san.
I thought that the leader, Alessia-san, had the advantage, but to my surprise, the sub-leader, Dorothea-san, won.
The deciding factor was the difference in their daily behavior. Alessia-san is someone who is followed, while Dorothea-san is someone who follows.
Dorothea-san is usually the one who takes the lead, but when it comes down to it, the side she follows is stronger, and in the end, Alessia-san looks like she is about to cry and admit defeat.
It took a long time to get to Toyen, and the members who stayed behind had to wait for the luxury liner on the open sea, so it took time to move again, and it was decided that we would go to Toyen the next day.
After overcoming such hardships, we arrived at Toyen. I was moved by the sight of the people there.
“Wataru. It’s almost time to go, so please do your best.”
Dorothea-san’s voice brought me back to reality. I knew that from now on, I was in charge. I have to escort everyone and prove that I’m a reliable guy.
“Next!”
When I heard the call, I went to the gatekeeper.
“Identification, please.”
“I have no identification.”
“Without identification, you will be required to pay a five sig entrance fee and be inspected with a magic tool.”
After listening to the gatekeeper’s explanation, it seems that there is not much difference from Western City in terms of how to deal with the situation of not having identification.
“Yes, that’s fine. I’ll pay it along with the three behind me.”
I tried to give the gatekeeper twenty sigs at once, but he stared at the back without looking at me.
Ah, yes, I get it. They’ve changed their equipment and clothing to be less conspicuous, but that doesn’t hide the beauty of Dorothea-san and the others. I can’t help but be amazed.
“Excuse me. Please pay the fee and be inspected.”
The gatekeeper kept looking at Dorothea-san and the others during the procedure.
Usually, I would boast in my heart that they are my friends, but under the current circumstances, I have nothing but fear for the future.
The gatekeeper didn’t call out to me because he was at work, but from now on, I’ll have to steel my nerves against the pick-up men.
…I begin to lose my confidence. I walked through the city gate with slumped shoulders.
“Heh. Looks like there’s a lot more ancient technology left here.”
I heard Ilma-san’s impressed voice as I walked in a dejected mood.
It didn’t seem that different in the small village, but was it different in the big city? Curious, I also walked around the city but couldn’t see much difference.
“Ilma-san, what’s the difference?”
“Ara, don’t you know?”
“Yes.”
I feel the vibrancy of a port city, but I don’t see much difference.
“Look at the window.”
Windows? They are normal windows, aren’t they?
“Oh, they use glass-like things for windows.”
I didn’t feel uncomfortable because windows are normally used on luxury liners, but back there, the windows were wooden planks and unprotected when open.
“That’s right. Besides the window panes, there are a number of magic tools used in small details.”
I see, if magic tools are used so extensively on a daily basis, it would be profitable to buy them cheaply and give them to Camille-san.
“You two are talking too loudly. You both speak in different languages, so please lower your voices.”
Oops, that’s right.
I looked at Dorothea-san, who had warned us, apologized, and started to walk away.
My destination was… I wanted to ask at the gate for the location of the Merchant’s Guild, but I forgot to ask.
…Well, it didn’t help that I wasn’t in the mood to ask, even if I had remembered under the circumstances. Anyway, I decided to ask someone who looked like a local about the location of the Merchant’s Guild.
I asked a lady who was passing by, and she immediately told me the location of the Merchant’s Guild.
Things went quite well.
All I had to do was register with the guild and ask for a recommendation for an inn, and that would be the end of my mission for the day.
At this rate, the day may soon come when Dorothea-san and the others will recognize me as a man they can count on.