The boss of the shop didn't expect to hear something like that, but after pondering about it, he realized that it was true.
He had always been a selfish individual who thought that he always was the best. That was why the shock of failing to reach the Novice Rank had shocked him so much that he decided to retire and open a shop.
He had never tried new battle styles, nor intended to help others to train, so his comprehension of swordsmanship was extremely limited.
Although there was no need to practice different styles simultaneously like Shiba, it was important having comprehended them even if it was just in case of facing them.
Since only the guards fought against other humans, and it was when training, it was difficult for others in Border Town to realize that.
However, if one didn't have enough talent to deduce that expanding the comprehension about swordsmanship was crucial, there was no need for that person to reach the expert stage.
From that perspective, Shiba's idea to reach the expert stage in martial arts was correct. He practiced different styles due to battling different opponents simultaneously, and he also got used to the styles of his opponents at the same time.
Although there was no way to guarantee a breakthrough, the chances of breaking the final barrier to the expert stage would be far higher in that kind of situation.
"Was I wrong the whole time?"
There was no way he didn't realize the truth after hearing those words, but at the same time, he also knew that his time had already passed.
Given that he never realized by himself when being younger and even decided to give up, he didn't believe that he could make it up for his errors at that point.
Anyway, he didn't intend to become a beast hunter again or to become a guard, so he decided to forget about the matter.
"You were wrong, but you can't put the blame on being young at that time. Shiba managed to reach that conclusion by himself, and he even battled against several of the guards in my charge to improve his martial arts. In the end, I ended up joining the fight until the Lord of the town stopped us. You should also know what happened after that. To improve their skills Shiba and our Lord of the town battled each other. Shiba managed to obtain huge improvements, and our Lord of the town advanced to Rank 2. Shiba is a true talent. I am sure that he will reach the Novice Rank someday."
The guard leader spoke to the boss of the shop in a low voice.
Shiba was focused on trying other swords, so he didn't notice that conversation.
The boss of the shop was a talent that received quite a bit of focus back then, but although he failed at the last step, everyone was hoping that he would at least join the guards.
Thus, it was disappointing when he retired to open a shop.
Everyone had considered him a great genius, but in the end, he didn't have a mind resilient enough. He was narrow-minded and a coward.
Seeing Shiba and that man at the same time, it was impossible for the guard leader to avoid comparing them.
The guard leader was almost as old as the Lord of the town, so he already looked quite old since he didn't expand his lifespan, but no one doubted his strength and discernment to notice the talent of others.
Thus, the boss of the shop couldn't help but feel ashamed of himself after hearing those words.
"Give me also the same quantity of this one. This is quite standard, but it also made it more versatile. I will decide which works better after seeing how those beast battle."
Although the other two types of swords were better with his skills, he was still more used to normal ones, and they were also more versatile.
Given that he didn't know how the Soul-eating Eagles would battle, it was better to have more options.
"This will be all for the swords. I also want to try some bows."
Although Shiba could create a bow without having one, it was better to have real ones given that Earth Bow was still quite difficult for him to use without having physical support.
"Do you also know about archery?"
The boss was even more shocked. Archery was quite difficult compared to swordsmanship and martial arts.
"I am only at the apprentice stage, but I will need a bow for this battle."
Shiba was conscious that his proficiency was lower than in swordsmanship and martial arts.
"Apprentice stage?"
The boss felt that he was dreaming. Not a single person in Border Town had reached that level. At least not that he knew.
Ignoring the shock of their boss, the employees brought the swords to Shiba, and then they showed him different types of bow.
Shiba stored all the swords without effort, leaving the employees with eyes full of jealousy.
They needed to work together to carry so many swords, but Shiba could carry them without any issue.
After testing several bows, Shiba decided with which one he was most comfortable with.
"Give me a total of ten of this type of bow. As for arrows, two hundred sets."
He feared that the bows wouldn't endure too much, but since those were only for long-range, he felt that ten were more than enough.
As for arrows, since he couldn't shoot Wind Arrows without limit, he also needed real ones.
Each set had twenty arrows, so with two hundred sets, he believed that he would have enough.
"Of course, everything will be here soon."
The boss of the shop finally overcame his trauma and focused on how much he was selling. Although he wouldn't get any money since he was selling the goods at the price he bought them, in the case that Shiba managed to make a great contribution to the town using weapons from the shop, the reputation of the shop would increase even more.
Soon, Shiba collected everything into his spatial ring.
"As for payment, tell the Lord of the town that I can wait until the current danger is dealt with. Just be sure to tell everyone that I have sold you those weapons."
He knew that he couldn't flee, so he didn't mind about the payment until the danger was over. After all, the money was useless if he was dead.
"I will thank you on behalf of the Lord of the town."
The guard leader bowed slightly while speaking.
"I am not suited to battling anymore. However, tell me if you have any need for supplies."
Each person had a different way of helping. The supplies of that shop could help a lot the guards, so although that man wouldn't battle at all despite his level, he at least was contributing to the town in his own way.
"I will come back if we need anything. Now we need to check about those beasts. We can't allow them to attack us without being fully prepared."
The guard leader was about to leave after speaking.
"Wait. Based on the news, I doubt that they will come here today, so better focus on strengthening the defenses rather than checking for news. The last person who saw them said that they were in the direction of that town with the water artifact. Based on the habits of the Soul-eating Eagles recorded from ancient times, after eating the people in that town, they shouldn't look for another target until the next day. Tomorrow, they will probably attack us, so it is better to make all the preparations today."
The guard leader and Shiba only knew the basic information, but since they heard it, there had been more information spread. The Lord of the town also just learned of it, but he didn't have time to notify others about it when the boss of the shop spoke about it. The boss of the shop received the information just before an employee told them about someone asking for him.
Given the distance of the other town, it was highly possible that their Border Town would be the next target.
"Wait, did you say the town with the water artifact? There are several towns with a water artifact like that, right?"
Shiba couldn't believe what he heard.
"No, there is only one. They are quite famous for that water artifact and for how well they treat guests. It is a pity that they would die, but there is no way we can help them. When I was young, they helped me once. Don't worry, we will avenge them."
The one who replied to Shiba was the guard leader. Like him, a lot of people had a good impression of that town, which was one of the reasons no one had the guts to steal that water artifact from them.
However, since the Soul-eating Eagles were already going there, there was no way they could help.
Battling those beasts on the arid zone would be far too dangerous, so the best they could do was avenge them later.
"I will go to save them. Don't we need those beasts killed? I will go to kill them now!"
Shiba couldn't endure his urge to go and save them. After Master Liye, they were the first ones to be kind to him.
"Don't be stupid, there is no way you can..."
The guard leader tried to stop Shiba, but he stopped midway, looking at Shiba's eyes, the guard leader knew that Shiba was determined.
"Ah, alright. I know that you will go anyway. At least, don't try to kill them if you can't do it with certainty. Attract the bests to the city so we can all help you to kill them."
That would also work.
Shiba could fly, so it should be possible to attract the Soul-eating Eagles to the city.
They were still at level 9, so with the help of all the guards and the Lord of the town, killing them shouldn't be too difficult.
It was just too dangerous for Shiba, but since he was determined, the guard leader wouldn't stop him.
"Take this bottle with pills. They can help you to recover your stamina quickly. This is a gift. I hope you can save them."
The boss of the shop threw the bottle to Shiba. He needed to admit that he liked Shiba's choice. It wasn't the wisest choice but showed that Shiba was someone who cared about his relationships with others.
No one would like to befriend a heartless monster that wouldn't bat an eye when his friends die in front of him, but for someone wanting to risk his life for others, a lot of people would be glad to befriend him.
Initially, he wanted to sell those pills to them before they left, but Shiba's behavior made him change his opinion and gifted them.
"Thank you."
After speaking, Shiba left the shop and ran towards the extreme of the town connecting with the arid zone.