Episode 52

Today the market opens.

It’s the first market in two weeks since the last time.

That’s because I had been dealing with Reberto’s weapons, so I didn’t go to last week’s market.

I could have managed to prepare the goods if I pushed myself, but Alicia told me that would be working far too much.

Compared to my days at the court, it wasn’t a big deal, but I didn’t want to make Alicia worry, so I took extra time off last week.

As a result, this became the first market after two weeks.

Thanks to the magic box I received from Reberto, I was able to bring in many weapons.

I tried the magic box from Reberto and it could store about thirty weapons.

Depending on weight and size it varies a bit, so roughly thirty is about right.

This time I prepared 15 swords and 15 knives. All of them are top quality.

Most of these are for delivery to Arme, the traveling merchant’s apprentice I had promised.

Additionally, I had ten slightly lower-quality swords and twenty knives loaded on a cart.

As usual, when I arrived at the market I secured my usual spot and began setting up the shop.

The market got into full swing and people started to gather.

“Hey, isn’t this the shop?”

The adventurers pointed and said.

They were a trio of adventurers.

They came over, looked at my goods, and compared them with the swords strapped to their waists.

“Ah, it’s them after all! Hey, is this Faik’s smithy?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“I see, I see! The other day I bought a sword from the traveling merchant. It was pretty good quality and I told him I wanted this one. Mind if I take a look?”

That’s the traveling merchant, Rig, I suppose.

It seems he had properly advertised me. And to think they’d visit the shop like this.

I’m truly pleased.

“Sure. No problem. I also have knives that can be used for dismantling, so feel free to check them out.”

I smiled and showed the swords and knives.

There are slight differences in decoration, but their appearances are mostly the same.

The trio of adventurers stared intently at the swords,

“I want to buy this sword and knife.”

“I’d just like the knife, I think.”

“I also want an extra knife. How much is it?”

It seems each of the three liked my weapons.

I sold knives and swords to them.

Just from them, the total payment came to 200,000 gold.

Even so, I cut them a little slack on the price.

After that, adventurers came in dribs and drabs.

Some came to find out the secret of Ivas and Weather’s strength.

There were also customers who said they heard about me from the traveling merchant…

Just in the morning, the weapons I had prepared sold quite well.

What remains are five swords and five knives.

What’s left in the item box is only the shipment for Arme.

I kept doing business through the morning, but Arme didn’t show up.

After eating the boxed lunch they had prepared for me, I began the afternoon’s business.

A man who looked like a traveling merchant came and bought two swords and two knives.

He didn’t seem to be connected to Rig or anything.

Even so, today’s customer turnout is intense.

I was both happy and surprised. Compared to before, the number of visitors has clearly increased, and even if they don’t buy, more customers are stopping to look.

It was while I was looking around like that.

A woman walked up, looking around restlessly.

She had black hair and red eyes. Her face was slightly youthful, but she was tall and slender… And she had a large chest that drew the eye. It wasn’t just me; a man who looked like an adventurer nearby was also gawking at her.

Seeing that, I disciplined myself.

Beside the woman was a large slave who pointed in my direction.

…That slave was the same one who had been beside Rig.

Which means she is—

“By any chance, are you Miss Arme?”

When I asked, Arme noticed me and gave a bright smile.

“Ah, yes.”