Episode 45

Aside from Ivas and Weather, two swords and two knives were sold.

They were of reduced quality and were bought by novice adventurers.

A total of 80,000 gold. Including Ivas’s and Weather’s items, the morning’s sales amounted to 180,000 gold.

While waiting at the market during the lunch break, the traveling merchant Rig came over.

Unlike before, he had brought a man with him today. A slave, perhaps? The large man wore a collar.

“Long time no see, Faik.”

“Long time no see.”

“I tried selling Faik’s swords and knives in the neighboring town and they were rated quite highly. I did a solid job advertising them, so they might come here someday.”

“Really?”

That’s very pleasing. Having a relationship with Rig will likely have a considerable positive impact on life here.

“Yeah, not only adventurers but also knights bought them. He said he’d boast to the other knights.”

“Is that so? Aren’t knights supplied with weapons by the state or their lords?”

At least in the Levanand Empire where I used to be, that was the case.

That’s precisely why we had to perform large numbers of sword Enchantment every week.

“Even so, the standard-issue weapons aren’t that good. People of a certain rank tend to have their own weapons, after all.”

“I see.”

…Well, it was the same in Levanand.

“So, I’d like to buy today as well. How many do you have?”

Hoping Rig might come again, I focused on making higher-ranked weapons.

I offered them to Rig.

“The swords and knives of this quality amount to ten pieces.”

“I see, I’ll buy them. How much?”

“Hmm, about 800,000 gold, I suppose.”

“…Hmm, I’ll buy them all together, so can’t you go a bit cheaper? How about 700,000 gold!”

“That’s a bit much. In that case, I’ll throw in some slightly lower-quality swords and knives too—how about 760,000 gold?”

“…Alright! That’s fine!”

Rig smiled. I handed the box containing the weapons to him.

Rig looked at the large slave beside him and had him carry the load.

“Alright, thanks. I’m heading out of town for a bit, so I won’t be able to come next week or the week after.”

“Is that so?”

That’s a shame. Rig is the one who buys for the highest price at my shop.

“Instead, I’ll send an apprentice here the week after next.”

“An apprentice?”

“Yeah. A girl named Arme. I want to test her a bit… Sorry, but could you leave some weapons of various qualities? I’ll buy them all.”

“Understood.”

“See if Arme can correctly distinguish weapon qualities.”

“…Alright.”

He’s thinking up quite the test. I hope the apprentice, this Arme, works hard and treats it as good training.

“About the items I want prepared that day… Ten swords of this quality and ten knives. Also, could you put out one sword and one knife of each quality?”

Ten swords and ten knives of the highest quality made from Irea Magic Ore, huh. I’m more accustomed than before, so I can make about five a day—so it shouldn’t be a problem.

“Understood. I’ll prepare those and wait.”

“Yeah, please. My slave kid will accompany me. If Arme seems unsure, could you speak up and help?”

“I understand.”

The big man nodded after glancing my way.

“So, about how much will it come to in total?”

“That would be about 1,500,000 gold, price-wise, right?”

“Hmm… 1,300,000!”

“That’s a bit much—1,450,000.”

“1,400,000!”

“…Make it 1,450,000. I’ll be helping to train your apprentice too.”

“Well, I guess there’s no helping it. You win. Okay, that’ll do—please.”

“Alright, understood. I’ll prepare them and wait.”

“I’m counting on you—see you!”

…And with that, most of the stock is gone.

That said, there’s still time before the sun sets. Maybe I’ll keep doing business here a little longer.