The day has come to go to town. Today we will go to Camilo’s shop to wholesale the goods and pick up the beddings then we’ll head home afterwards. I’m concerned about the condition of Marius-shi’s sword though so I would like to check on it.
We then load the produced items in the cart. Although I did not work on blacksmithing for a week, it has a larger load than usual, so it is pretty heavy. Me and Rike almost made a mistake when pulling it.
“As you have seen on our way home two weeks ago, let’s be careful when going there today.”
“Understood.”
“Yes, leave it to me.”
I also decided to put a short sword on my waist. I remade Helen’s previous short sword by hitting it again, since its sharpness is more than enough, it will be useful for self-defense. We move on more carefully than usual. It’s unlikely that a wolf or a bandit would think that an ordinary person would pass through a place like this but there’s nothing wrong about being careful. After a short break on the way, we came to the forest exit we normally go by. Once there, we stop and look around for a moment.
“How is it? I don’t feel any presence.”
If there’s someone else’s presence, I can feel it as well. However, if an expert erases his presence, I won’t be able to know. I don’t think it’s possible for bandits to be able to do such thing but it would be dangerous if there was someone who could do that. I asked Samia who can smell odor as it’s something that can’t be erased easily here.
“I can’t feel it too. There is no smell of blood or smell of people around here either.”
“If that’s the case, it’s good. Let’s be careful on the road as well.”
“Okay.”
I can’t overlook such presence so we go on the road at a speed in which we can respond quickly if something goes wrong. Since we were being careful, we walked slower than usual but we arrived safely in the town. The guard standing at the gate today is still not Marius-shi. He’s the colleague who came to buy a sword with Marius-shi before.
“Hello.”
“Oh, it’s you guys. Hello.”
“Recently, I haven’t seen Marius-san. Did something happen?”
I asked straightforwardly. It doesn’t seem to make much sense if I say it in a roundabout manner.This is translated by Yume Neiji (yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com)
“Ah that… he went to the capital for a while.”
The colleague answered in vague words. Well, if it is difficult to answer, it can’t be helped. I’ll just hear it from others.
“Is that so? Ah no, I was worried about the condition of the sword you see. If you are interested, please go to Camilo’s store for consultation.”
“Oh, I see. Uhm, I’ve used it a few times but it’s still okay for now.”
“I see. That’s good then.”
I responded with a smile, but I also felt relieved in my heart. The thing I made was used and on top of that, my acquaintance seemed to be safe. Regardless whether the opponent is big or small, they won’t be left unscathed. It’s a weapon for that purpose.
—However, if in reality, someone was hurt using my work, I can’t just look away either… I think I have to take this in and be able to digest it properly, instead of looking away or becoming insensitive about it.
Such determination resides in my heart and then I continued talking to that colleague.
“By the way, I saw traces of blood around the forest about one hour from here two weeks ago. There are also traces that something seemed to be dragged inside the forest.”
“Oh. Yeah, occasionally, there were reports like that. For that, we are increasing the number of patrols recently too, but if you see something again, please tell me when you come next time.”
“Okay, then please give my best regards to Marius-san.”
The guards in this town are much more diligent than what I think after all. Maybe they are treated well?
We nodded to that colleague and entered the town. Today, there are many wagons and people pulling carts on the main street so it is so lively. Camilo’s store is just off the main street so when we turn to that side, the number of people is extremely reduced. It’s not that it’s dark or extremely narrow, it’s just that it’s not a place where people without particular business wander around aimlessly. We proceed while pulling the cart with clanking sounds there then we arrived at Camilo’s store in no time.
We put the cart near the warehouse and from there, we call out to the people on the store. When the door of the warehouse is opened, we placed the cart inside and asked for Camilo. We were guided to the business discussion room on the second floor (I don’t really know what Camilo calls it) and wait for Camilo there. It wasn’t long before Camilo and Clerk-san (that’s what I call him internally) came.
After entering, the first thing Camilo said was,
“Did I keep you waiting?”
“No, not at all.”
“Are the goods the same as usual?”
“Yeah. I have placed the knives, both long and short swords in the warehouse. It’s not enough for two weeks but it’s a little more than a week’s worth. Well, you can just leave the surplus.”
“No, your works were sold out in 2 weeks. I’ll take the ones you brought with you.”
“I see. Thank you. And by the way, did you acquire the beddings?”
“There is no problem in that. Was it two sets?”
“About that, I want three sets if you have it.”
By the time I made the bed, I had completely forgotten about the guest room, so I didn’t have enough bedding for that room. Well, even if there’s no extra here today, I’ll get it next time or I can go to the flea market and buy it.
“Oh sure, there should be some in stock. Then, is it the usual iron ores, charcoal, salt and wine?”This is translated by Yume Neiji (yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com)
“Sorry. That really helps.”
“What? We are friends you know.”
The talk ended there then Camilo glanced at Clerk-san who nodded back and left the room. When I saw that Clerk-san has left the room, I begin to talk.
“By the way, Camilo, is there something going on here in town?”
“Why?”
“I heard that the guard I get acquainted with went to the capital for a while now but haven’t returned yet. Even though they say that the guard protecting this town went to the capital, it’s not like he’s going to other City. Even if it’s visiting one’s parents, it won’t take that long, is it? I’m a little worried because that person has taken care of various things for me, he also bought my knife and the like.”
“I see……”
Camilo thinks about my words. It’s to the point where he’s almost brooding, it’s the same as confessing that he knew something. Well, he’s a merchant so I’m sure he would know about it.This is translated by Yume Neiji (yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com)
A rather heavy silence fills the room. Eventually, Camilo told me a little about it.
“Right now, there’s something suspicious in the capital. Rather than saying that it’s from the King, it’s from another higher-ranking noble below him. It seems like something will happen around there. So maybe the guards have something to do with that area… Anything more than this, I won’t be able to say it to you.”
“I see. Sorry for that. Thank you anyway.”
“Don’t worry about it. Honestly, just don’t delve on this matter too much.”
“Okay, I understand. Leaving that aside, since the information isn’t really disclosed, the information fee is free, right?”
“Y-Yeah. The way you put it, you’re not bad as a merchant!”
After saying so, Camilo and I laugh at each other. We mutually wished that we won’t get caught up in the Capital’s mess.