Since we came back early in the afternoon, deciding with Raphtalia and the others, the evening is still young.
While spending time studying medicine and magic is good… playing at the beach before was good too.
And, with that thought in mind, we went for a walk in the marketplace to enjoy a change of pace.
"Is there something here that you need, Raphtalia?"
"Nothing this time."
"Firo's stomach is empty."
"Yes, yes."
Providing Firo with lighter meals from the food stands, we met with a crowd in front of us.
Just then…
"Please wait. We have lots of inventory so there's no need to push. Please form yourselves into a line!"
This voice… it must be the merchant who was ripping people off.
He's sure raking it in. I see selling based off of that jinx is going well.
"Ah!"
Hm?
My eyes meet Fraudster's who's directing the people in line from on top a high platform.
Fraudster comes down from the platform and pushes his way through the crowd in my direction.
"Hero of the Shield-sama!"
I don't remember ever identifying myself as a hero around here… well, I guess something like the heroes being on this island would be common knowledge. Somehow or other, it'd be possible to feel the difference in atmosphere.
And then, how could he not know when my hero equipment is a shield?
"Sure looks like your business is booming."
"Yep! It's all thanks to Hero of the Shield-sama!"
"Did you do something?"
Raphtalia and Firo incline their heads to listen.
"Ahh, actually…"
I tell Raphtalia and Firo about what happened on the first day we came to the island.
Hearing about my actions that were bordering on bad, Raphtalia nods in consent.
"Ahh, so that's why you were closed when we came by with Moto… Hero of the Spear a couple of times."
He's already not even getting a '-sama' any more.
Well, it can't really be helped.
It seems after being with the heroes she no longer holds any respect for them.
For the time being, I'll just have to reflect on it. I don't think an understanding can be reached.
It wonder if it's at the point where I, too, am called without honorifics.
…that's rather uncomfortable.
"Always address me with a '–sama'."
"Huh…?"
I don't pursue the matter of always calling me with a '-sama'.
While Raphtalia looks confused, I turn back and talk to Fraudster again.
"So? Why did you call me? If you're only thanking me you still have many things to sell. We can talk when you're closed."
"Ch, it's not usually like this. Please come into the store."
"Why?"
"I want to show you my gratitude as well as various other things."
"Hmm…"
His financial standing must be quite good now from all the profits he received, so I should be able to expect some small expression of thanks.
He might be on cloud 9 from the scheme consistently earning him money. To get something I should get it early.
I can work on the problem of being called with a "-sama" later.
"Sure…"
Fraudster nodded and led me into the store.
…the portable tent is gone. This is a proper shop built out of stone.
So the renovation has already been taken care of. I wonder how much profit has been flowing in.
It's obvious from the line in front of the store. The jinx trade must be formidable.
"It's over here."
Going around the store we entered from the back entrance. The sales people were bustling about in the shop selling accessories for the merchant.
In the workshop at the back then, artisans were taking turns making lots of accessories out of processed ore.
…isn't this too profitable? If it doesn't die down I'll get anxious.
I mean, who's to say how many adventurers are coming to this island?
Thinking about it is impossible.
"Soon, the island god festival will start and we'll be able to open a food stand by the alter."
Already, it seems they want to turn it into a special product for those who come, by turning it into a kind of shrine amulet.
Naofumi: "Now, what was this gratitude you were talking about?"
Fraudster: "It's this here."
While saying that, he handed over a bracelet he was carrying. Calmira Island's own…
Miraca Bracelet (EXP Bonus Small)
Quality Top Grade
A red… a pure blood red gem was given to me.
The effect, too, is considerably good, and the quality is high.
"What should I say, it really does have the effect of increasing experience points."
"This is the highest quality bracelet made with the Miraca ore found on this island. So I could thank you by all means possible, I had it prepared. Ah, the granted effect came about by chance and won't be found in another accessory."
Well, that's how it is. It's not like they're selling things that really have a jinx attached.
Or rather, it was surprising that there really was a system where accessories could provide a boost to experience points.
"Miraca ore, eh."
Since the workshop had been opened to me, I took the opportunity to look through the ore.
The quality of any one of them was bad. What, all the gems here are nothing but garbage.
It seems it's not easy to find something that will help you out in battle.
"Isn't this one considerably expensive? From what I've seen, this high a standard is hard to keep up it seems."
"As expected you figured it out… that's correct. The biggest issue with Miraca ore is it's poor quality."
"Hmm…"
"When comparing the level of gems…"
"Is it okay to accept something that's so rare?"
"Yes. I received the cost for this piece a long time ago from the lessons I received from Hero of the Shield-sama."
"What do you mean?"
I should have only given him tips on how to make people happy to take out their gold.
Fraudster: "Until now, I thought that doing trade meant grasping the other person's weakness. However, I wanted to try using the same trade methods I saw the Hero of the Shield-sama using. Ahh, this is definitely the true way of commerce."
Up until that point, the Fraudster had tried to swindle all his customers.
However, then I talked to him about how to do trade, how to sell things at an unreasonably high price, while the customers buy them with a smile on their faces.
Provoking resentment. That had been the only way he knew how to perform a good trade.
"Is that so… when the fad dies out, you have to be careful not to go back to the way you worked before."
"I've already played my hand. There's no need to worry."
"Oh? What makes you able to say that?"
"There's some small collaboration."
Saying that, Fraudster points out his collaborator.
…the accessory merchant smiles at me and waves.
You came to the island too, huh.
"As expected of Hero of the Shield-sama, even in this backwater area you were able to drum up such an interesting and fresh new business."
"Please meet our store's merchant trade sponsor."
"Huh, you…"
Is your nose attuned to the smell of money? Well, that's the thinking that comes across.
While he's that kind of trader, I'm reluctant to associate him with money-mad people.
"At the moment, the fame of Calmira Island accessories is going through the roof. Ha ha ha."
"Well, more or less."
There's no real efficacy.
At worst, we might have to put some countermeasures in place if the mood turns sour.
"Yes, well. There are a great number of success stories verifying that rumour. Who would feel the need to pursue the truth?"
With a black aura coming out, both merchants laughed.
What unpleasant faces.
They'll chew it to the bone, this island.
"Let's add a rumour about the colour later."
"…what do you mean to do?"
"You'll just have to look forward to that."
"Not even…"
"Won't Hero of the Shield-sama take care of the store too? I'm fine with anything you'd like to do. Why don't you become the shop's store manager?"
"I'm not about to step into your shoes."
I know.
This guy wants me to eventually inherit the merchant guild and take charge of its success.
"Is that so. Please feel free to drop in any time you like."
"…please pardon me as it's unlikely I'll be back once I'm done."
"Please choose something you'd like for your companion as well."
"Oh? You're sure being generous."
"Yes… since it's been so profitable I'm likely to explode from being overweight."
The Fraudster and the accessory merchant won't stop laughing with that face.
That face is one that has gotten drunk on the dark side of business dealings.
It's a scary thing, doing business.
Some people hate the dark side and some people love it… that should be remembered.
In the end, both Raphtalia and Firo received Miraca series accessories.
Raphtalia got a strap she put on her sword. Firo got a shoelace strap.
Miraca Strap (Stamina Recovery, Medium)
Quality Top Grade
Miraca Strap (Magic Power Reinforcement, Medium)
Quality Top Grade
"This seems bad somehow."
"Don't worry about it so much, just accept it."
I try to ignore my feeling that the shadows of those guys are laughing.
For those guys, that's their way of life.
I don't care if a riot happens and they get caught later.
In case my fault is unreasonably brought up, I can just show this accessory and play the victim after all.
"For the time being, we should probably get together if any problems come up."
"Perish the thought. Hero of the Shield-sama worries too much. Well, I guess that's proper for a merchant."
"It's perfect because of the promise. Do you know what to do when I'm together with the other heroes?"
" "Yes, we're ready." "
That harmonizing of words is unpleasant.
Honestly, do you really get it?