Episode 23

Happiness and surprise welled up at the fact that a customer had come.

“Yes, I’m selling them. This is a longsword. Would you like to try holding it?”

However, I immediately smiled and handed him a longsword. They were mostly of the same quality, but I gave him the best one among them.

After all, he’s my first customer.

He gripped the longsword and gave it a light swing. His shirt lifted a little in the motion, revealing fairly nice muscles.

“Are you an adventurer?”

“Y-yes! I’m currently an F-rank adventurer, and I’m aiming for E-rank now!”

“I see.”

If that’s the case, his budget might be tight.

“This longsword is really light and easy to handle!”

“It’s been given a special Enchantment. Be careful—if you get used to this longsword, other longswords might feel awkward to use.”

“T-true… c-can I buy this for 10,000 gold!?”

It’s the height of foolishness to tell someone your entire fortune. The basics are to always act like you have wiggle room and negotiate a discount.

And 10,000 gold was much cheaper than I had expected.

However… the shortfall can probably be made up by word of mouth.

“Originally, this longsword costs 50,000 gold.”

“…Huh? Really?”

The boy’s shoulders slumped dejectedly.

…Well, of course 50,000 gold was a lie. I planned to sell it for 30,000 gold, or even 20,000 if bargained down.

“But this time I’ll sell it specially for 10,000 gold.”

“Eh!? Really!?”

“Yes. So, in exchange for the discount… if you have any friends or fellow adventurers who use longswords, could you tell them about this shop? I set up shop around here in the market every week with this flag.”

When I said that, the boy nodded repeatedly.

“O-okay! I’ll tell my companions too!”

“Yes, thank you. Very well, I’ve received 10,000 gold.”

I handed him the longsword in exchange for 10,000 gold.

The boy bowed briefly, then hugged the longsword happily and left.

…Well, the amount was lower than planned, but it’s still within a profitable range for me.

Also, regarding the material, the Magic Ore, I currently have the duke’s support.

Well, I have to give the profits to the duke, but it’s still something done on my own initiative.

There’s no clear quota like “earn this much,” so there’s no need to worry.

“I-it sold!”

“Yeah… For now, we met today’s goal.”

I let out a relieved breath.

“Goal… was it? But there are still four left, aren’t there?”

“I thought selling them all at once would be difficult. So, one for now. If that kid thinks my longsword is good, he’ll spread the word on his own. For now, I need to increase the variety of weapons by next week.”

“…I see. Yeah, do your best without overdoing it, okay?”

“Yeah, I know.”

After I told her about my work at court, Alicia was just worried about it.

…Up until now, no matter how reckless I was, only my body would get broken, but now it’s different.

I can’t recklessly expose a pathetic appearance to Lord Goral.

I need to do my best so I’m not shameful as Alicia’s husband-to-be.

Though it’s a disguise, admittedly.

After that, no more items sold, and as the sun began to set we packed up the shop.

First day’s sales were 10,000 gold.

For me, it was an excellent start.

I wanted to clench my fist here and show my joy, but that would be a bit childish.

Alicia was right beside me. To look cool even a little, I kept my joy inside.

Even so, I couldn’t help the smile that naturally spread across my face.