Chapter 27

Twelve kilometers west of Kattenstrokt.

Finally, we managed to enter the Reinga Road, the main artery cutting through the Kingdom of Saxens from north to south.

Along the way, we had been delayed by five days due to the zombie investigation and the sealing of the new dungeon. There were still nearly 1,400 kilometers to go until the Royal Capital, Dresden; at our current pace, it would likely take about forty days to arrive.

We still had fifty days before our military service officially began, so we should make it in time, but one never knows what might happen on the road. This is a world where a simple rainstorm causing a river to swell can bring a journey to a dead halt.

The Reinga Road lived up to its name, proving to be a magnificent thoroughfare. While the path we had taken from Ebba-berg was a narrow track barely two meters wide, this road spanned over ten meters at its broadest points. Carriages could pass each other with ease, and even a stagecoach system had been established. I was relieved to find the ground well-packed, which meant far less rattling for the bike and the trailer.

Heading south along the Reinga Road for seventy-nine kilometers—three days after leaving Kattenstrokt—we finally arrived at Bremen, the largest city in the north.

Bremen was a city entirely encircled by massive stone walls. Its population was just under 20,000. By Japanese standards, that’s barely a small regional municipality, but the population density here was significantly higher.

“Those are some imposing walls,” I remarked.

“Until a hundred years ago, this was where we held the line against invasions from the north,” Clara-sama explained. “Records show this city once endured a siege lasting over seven years.”

We headed toward the registration desk at the city gates as Clara-sama continued her history lesson.

“However, now that peace has been brokered with the northern nations, the former fortress city has become a major hub for north-south trade.”

“The summer grass… all that remains of warriors’ dreams, huh?”

“You are quite the poet, Kota.”

Well, it was actually Matsuo Basho’s poem, but I’ll take the compliment. Regardless, a trade city… I can practically smell the money! Yoshioka and I caught each other’s eyes and couldn’t help but smirk.

“Regarding the business you mentioned before, Kota—would you like to test the waters here in Bremen?”

“Is that alright with you?”

“Yes. This is a city where the Merchant Guild carries great influence. Trade goods overflow here, and there are plenty of buyers and sellers alike. I believe it is an excellent opportunity.”

Tomorrow would finally be our first day of sales. We’re going to rake it in! I felt much safer knowing Clara-sama would be coming along. Honestly, if it were just Yoshioka and me, we’d be lost—it would be like being dropped into the middle of Shinjuku or Umeda without a map. With Clara-sama’s backing, we were set to be introduced to merchants who also traveled to Ebba-berg, allowing us to cultivate our own sales channels.

We reached the inn and hauled our luggage inside. Since the world can be a dangerous place, I made sure to lock the bike and trailer to a sturdy pillar using heavy chains. It was just before 4:00 PM.

“I am going to pay my respects to Lord Jurgen Bandt, the Count of Bremen. Kota, come with me.”

I see, we’re going to observe the formalities with the local lord.

“And Kota, regarding that chocolate you gave me before… do you still have more of it to sell?”

“The boxed kind? Yes, I have some.”

I pulled a box of twenty-six chocolates from my Spatial Storage. It was an item I’d bought for 321 Yen including tax. Since giving it away in its original packaging felt a bit tacky, I’d used an elegant heart-shaped box from the 100-yen shop to give it a stylish wrap.

“Is this not wonderful? I am certain the Count of Bremen will be pleased with this.”

I was glad the gift-wrapping supplies I’d bought for business purposes were already paying off. I made a mental note to prepare even more varied containers for future gifts to VIPs.

The city of Bremen was teeming with energy. Even though it was getting dark, many shops were still open. On the road so far, everything had shut down the moment the sun set—if you could even find a shop to begin with. I was actually a little moved.

After walking through the bustling district for about ten minutes, we reached the castle at the center of the city.

Whoa!

The Count of Bremen’s castle actually had glass windows. Real, transparent plate glass. Incredible! So it did exist in this world. Yoshioka and I had been talking about how we were fine now because it was winter, but we’d have to worry about bugs in the summer. It seemed, however, that glass was reserved for the homes of high-ranking nobles and the windows of grand temples. It must be incredibly expensive.

If that’s the case, then Yoshioka’s and my plan should work perfectly. You see, we’d also bought various glassware at the 100-yen shop. It was a shame that colorless, transparent glass already existed here, but if it was considered a luxury item, I had a feeling we could sell ours for a very high price.

I’ll be looking forward to tomorrow’s negotiations.

When we asked the gatekeeper to announce our arrival, it turned out the Count was at home, and Clara-sama was shown inside immediately. Blitz and I were left to wait inside the gate.

“Hey there, young man. It’s cold out there, isn’t it? Come in here and warm yourself up.”

An elderly gatekeeper invited me into the guardhouse. He had one clouded eye, but he looked like a good-natured old man. I thanked him and stepped inside, where a fire was crackling in a stone-lined hearth fed directly with firewood. It was a bit smoky, but significantly warmer than outside.

“Thank you. In this cold, a fire is the greatest treat of all.”

“Ain’t that the truth. You said you’re from Ebba-berg?”

“That’s right. It took us four days to get here.”

I chatted idly with the man. He told me he used to be a soldier but lost his eye during the war with the Kingdom of Portand to the east. Because he’d earned some merit in battle, the previous Count of Bremen had taken a liking to him and appointed him as a gatekeeper. He certainly looked tough; even though he had stepped away from the front lines, he still carried the formidable aura of a combat veteran.

“What kind of person is the current Count?”

“Let’s see… the master is a bit of a sheltered young lord who doesn’t know war, but he’s sharp when it comes to business. Everyone says life’s gotten easier since he took over.”

So he’s an economic-minded noble rather than a martial type.

“How old is he?”

“Fifty-two. Just a year younger than me.”

I suppose that’s more “middle-aged” than “elderly.” While I was asking the old man about the city, Clara-sama returned.

“Thank you. I’ve warmed up thanks to you.”

“Yeah. You work hard too, kid.”

I bid the old man farewell and untied Blitz’s reins. Clara-sama’s expression was the same as always.

“How did it go?”

“It was just a formal greeting, so there were no issues. Come, let’s head back to the inn for dinner.”

It was already dark. We lit a lantern and hurried back through the night streets. In a city the size of Bremen, the main intersections were equipped with streetlights. Beside the stone-built lamps, there were inscriptions like “Donated by the Bremen Merchant Guild” or “In Commemoration of the Victory at the Nevatts Plains.” It seems the wealthy and powerful return their riches to the citizens in this way. Places that are pitch black are terrifying, so even the unreliable glow of a streetlamp was a relief. I gripped the aluminum alloy flashlight I’d bought in Akiba, staying alert for any thugs.

“Don’t be so tense, Kota.”

Did Clara-sama see right through me?!

“There are few fools who would attack a knight capable of body reinforcement and offensive magic.”

That was true. It would be like attacking a fully armed soldier with your bare hands. I let the tension leave my shoulders and took a deep breath.

When we returned to the inn, dinner was already prepared. Clara-sama decided to dine at the same table as us today. Eating alone while traveling is a lonely affair, after all. Today’s menu was bean soup and bread. That was it.

Hmm… healthy! And… depressing!

But this was the norm in this world. Since Clara-sama was footing the bill, I couldn’t complain. The soup was a large portion and the bread was big, so I did end up full. Even if my soul felt a bit empty…

That said, thanks to Clara-sama’s consideration, we were each served a glass of wine. It was quite tart, but when drunk with the hard bread, it was reasonably tasty. As we were all discussing tomorrow’s plans, the door opened and the gatekeeper from earlier stepped inside.

“Lady Clara Ansbach, Knight Bachelor of Ebba-berg.”

“Yes?”

“A letter from my master, Jurgen Bandt, Count of Bremen. Please review it.”

The old man handed the letter to Clara-sama, who opened and read it on the spot. I wonder if it’s common courtesy to read it immediately? After scanning the letter, Clara-sama looked at me.

“Kota… do you have any of that chocolate left?”

“I have two boxes left.”

“I am sorry, but would you be willing to part with them?”

Is the “sheltered young lord” Count wanting them, perhaps? Of course, I had no objection.

“Tell the Count that I shall gladly accept his invitation for tomorrow,” Clara-sama said.

With those words, the gatekeeper departed.

“It seems the Count took quite a liking to the chocolate. He asked if he could purchase whatever you have on hand. He’s invited us to a tea party at ten tomorrow morning.”

“Well, that’s great news, isn’t it?”

It’s always better for a gift to be appreciated.

“However, I had promised to take you both to the merchant houses tomorrow morning… Hmm… perhaps selling the goods directly to the Count might be faster…”

We certainly wouldn’t complain if we could move our stock at a premium price. To send a messenger at this hour just to invite us to tea—he must have really liked that chocolate. I saw Yoshioka grinning with a devious look on his face.

Hehehe, we’ve got to squeeze as much as we can out of the rich!