Chapter 75: Shopping
The request board seemed to be divided into two sections: one exclusively for advanced adventurers and another for general use. Since I was a mid-level adventurer and Nolte was considered a beginner, we looked at the general use listings.
However, we ran into an immediate problem. My reading and writing skills were not yet proficient enough to understand the detailed descriptions and conditions. Nolte couldn't read or write either, which wasn't surprising considering he had been a slave in this world since childhood.
So, it was time for Lina to step in. Since we were already drawing a lot of attention with the life-sized Lina, we decided to continue with her as a priestess version and review the listings together.
"The most common requests seem to be for escorts, like guarding caravans or pilgrimages, specifying the starting point, destination, and estimated duration in days. On this side, we have a list of thieves and bounty targets. Then there are invitations for labyrinth expeditions..."
Thinking about it, labyrinth expeditions were often associated with free adventurers in RPGs, but we had ventured into them as part of the lord's party. "In regions with many labyrinths like this, there are limited areas where the lord can directly dispatch troops, so it's more common to offer favorable conditions to adventurers to clear them," Lina explained.
For instance, lords would set up businesses like shops offering to buy magic stones at prices higher than market value, affordable inns, and weapon stores to attract adventurers naturally. Karena couldn't do this because she needed to demonstrate her strength for the sake of inheriting the earl's title, and she simply didn't have the money for such infrastructure development. Poverty was indeed tough, and it only widened the gap between lords who could invest and those who couldn't.
It seemed that the most profitable option was labyrinth expeditions, but it looked dangerous without a well-prepared team. Since I was taking Nolte with me, it would be wiser to start with less risky jobs.
Also, going after bounties had its own dangers, and I didn't want to engage in work that involved killing people, even if they were criminals. I didn't want Nolte involved in that either. It seemed like a dangerous world, and I would defend myself if attacked, but that was a different situation.
However, escorting caravans... I did want to travel the world eventually, but for now, I wanted to establish a base of operations near the royal capital and get to know the city itself. For that purpose, leaving for extended periods with caravans would be too early...
"In that case, how about this one? 'Extermination of monsters that raid the village's fields'... It's about 3 kunarts from the royal capital, which should be around 5-6 kilometers in Shiro's world units. The reward is low, but they provide lodging and meals," Lina suggested.
That sounded like a good option. Since I had left the lord's army, I didn't have any trumas with me, so being within walking distance would be helpful. The expected monsters were "Goblin Rabbits, Level 1-2, or Magic Boars, Level 2-3," suitable for beginners like Nolte to gain experience.
I went to the counter and expressed my interest in this job. The young man at the counter checked the ledger and then wrote our names and other details on a parchment with the guild's seal.
"Show this to the requester, Mr. Hammett, the village chief of Ozak Village. It's a document confirming that the guild has officially dispatched you. There's no strict deadline, but it says 'as soon as possible,' so maybe head there tomorrow morning?" he explained.
There were probably about two hours left until dusk, so theoretically, we could move today if we were determined. However, rushing without any preparations might lead to mistakes.
Following the advice, we decided to head there tomorrow morning and stay at the guild's lodging for the night.
I had used up quite a bit of MP, so my thoughts weren't very clear, but the first thing to take care of was Nolte's clothing and footwear.
He was currently wearing shabby slave clothes, so I wanted to dress him in proper, preferably cute attire. Additionally, when I rescued him, he was barefoot, and Beth had given him a pair of old sandals, but the royal capital was much colder than Suctari or Dorlas, and tomorrow, we would be walking 5 kilometers to deal with monsters.
I inquired about some shops at the guild and then relied on my map skill to find them.
Even though it was a shop for commoners, Nolte seemed embarrassed at first, but once he was told he could choose whatever he liked, he started enjoying himself, although he was a little indecisive. Being a young girl, she didn't seem completely disinterested in fashion.
However, the first thing she picked out was a combination of regular pants and a tunic. It was necessary for traveling and rough work, so I kept two sets of suitable colors for her. She also chose a Chelorian dress, which was relatively cute and consisted of a skirt with an apron. I added my own touch, and then I let Nolte choose her underwear. Underwear in this world wasn't particularly appealing...
Additionally, Nolte suggested, "Since you've become a knight, Master," and picked out a toga-like garment that could be worn over his current clothes. It made sense; layering would keep us warm.
Next was weapons and armor.
I could create ceramic weapons and armor using my clay skill, but crafting armor was challenging due to its intricate details, as I had realized when making Lina's. Furthermore, original ceramic equipment tended to stand out. It would be inconvenient to constantly explain about my skill, so I decided to buy general items for now.
Being the royal capital, there were apparently dozens of shops, including small ones. As a start, I headed to a store that claimed to offer both weapons and armor.
While it would probably have been more cost-effective to visit specialized leatherworkers for leather armor and skilled blacksmiths for swords, I could always buy additional items later.
However, the store they recommended turned out to be a huge four-story building that was almost like a department store, which initially overwhelmed me with choices. After some consideration, I decided to start with the essentials, which were easier to decide on, and picked out leather boots for Nolte.
It's warm, and even on slightly muddy paths, you can walk, and there should be some defense. I was worried about finding something that fits my size, but surprisingly, the shoe size wasn't too small for my height, so I found a pair of normal petite women's shoes.
Since I'm more comfortable with sneakers I'm used to wearing, I bought something like shin and knee protectors to guard my legs and knees.
From there, I quickly decided to go for leather armor to complement it. Plate armor, like the ones knights wear, is too heavy for us on foot, and adventurers have a lighter image. Plus, metal armor is incredibly expensive.
So, I bought two sets of leather armor, hats, and gloves. Eventually, I might consider getting them custom-made after taking measurements, but for now, off-the-shelf should do. I also bought leather bags to serve as water bottles and backpacks for Norute.
Now, weapons.
The soldiers' swords are Western-style straight swords, but I feel like something with a slight curve, like a Japanese katana, would be more comfortable for me to use. When I looked for one like that, I found some really curved sabers, kind of like an Arabian style, but none were just right. Still, I don't feel like using the sword Orcs had all this time, so I bought a straight sword that seemed to be given to adventurers during dungeon conquests. Maybe I'll look for a proper blacksmith later or resign myself to making one from ceramics?
The dilemma was Norute's weapon.
She hasn't fought before, so we don't know what suits her. However, when I checked her skills, she has "Hammer Technique (LV1)."
"Could it be because she worked as a blacksmith's apprentice and used a hammer?" It seems even she doesn't know.
I think I acquired "Sword Technique" and "Throwing" skills after defeating the Orcs, but is it possible to gain skills without defeating monsters? If a blacksmith has been using a hammer for years, their skill should improve even without fighting monsters, so it's not entirely unreasonable...
Anyway, if she has a skill, it's best to make use of it, so I consulted the shopkeeper, who told me about weapons that can be used with the "Hammer Technique" skill.
There were war hammers, clubs, and maces, like the ones priests carry.
Clubs seemed a bit barbaric, and they didn't seem very powerful. I thought war hammers would be too heavy, but then Norute picked up a small one-handed war hammer and said, "This one looks good." Is it meant for one-handed use? I see, it might be just right if she uses it with both hands. Wait, she's swinging it with one hand!
"I thought it would be lighter than this. Can I try holding it for a moment?"
Oh, it's heavy. Is she stronger than me despite being so small? Just when I thought I had shown off something good, I'm about to disappoint her with my lack of strength.
Next, we needed bows in suitable sizes for both of us. Norute has never used a bow, and I'm not that great either, but from experience, having ranged weapons makes a big difference.
However, weapons and armor, even without relying on them for our lives, were expensive. Compared to metal plate armor and such, it's much cheaper, but even focusing on leather goods, the armor alone cost one gold coin and ten silver coins each for the two sets, and when you add weapons, like mass-produced swords and hammers, two bows, and an arrow set, it adds up to two gold coins. Combined with clothing and miscellaneous items, we spent almost four gold coins in a single day. In Japanese yen, that's probably around 300,000 to 400,000 yen.
The amount we received as payment for freeing the slaves in Carenah was nowhere near enough, so if it weren't for the large gold coin we got from Gensan, we would have been in serious trouble...
Shopping was quite a haul, but the Item Box skill is really handy. Maybe it's because my Adventurer job leveled up to 15, but the storage capacity seems to have increased, and we managed to fit all our purchases inside.
As we were about to return to the guild, I noticed a fancy shop with a familiar emblem.
Could it be... yes, it's the same emblem as the one on Gensan's mansion and the stone bridge.
"Lina, what's that sign?"
"Hentai Trading Company," it says. "Good kids shouldn't make detours."
No, no, it's "Gentz Trading Company," right? You don't have to avoid it that much.
There's a rare crystal glass display that I hardly ever see in this world. Inside, there are various mannequins wearing maid outfits.
From classical Gothic styles to Akihabara maid cafe styles, and even some with revealing cosplay-like designs... Gensan really goes all out. But, will these sell?
I absentmindedly walked into the store, and Norute followed me, looking bewildered. Lina is hidden in her leather bag, maintaining silence.
Inside the store, there are imposing men in black suits and slender, attractive female clerks that seem to be to Gensan's liking, both in multiple numbers. Well, having only attractive female clerks might not be able to handle all kinds of customers.
"Welcome!"
I realized I hadn't been thinking about anything since the clerk greeted me.
"Um, so, is this Lord Gentz's shop?"
"Oh, do you know my master?"
The friendly response from the attractive clerk caught me off guard.
"Uh, well, I'm Shirou. I'm acquainted with Lord Gentz, I mean, we're friends, and I've visited his bathhouse before..."
At first, they seemed to regard me as a suspicious customer, and before I knew it, the silent, burly men in black suits were half-encircling me, which startled me. However, as we talked, they seemed to recognize that I was genuinely a friend of Lord Gentz and a customer from the main branch. So, they treated me with great respect.
"In that case, Lord Shirou, do you have an interest in our tailor-made maid outfits? Your discerning eye is truly commendable."
Before I knew it, I had ordered an Akihabara-style maid outfit for Norute. It's a dream come true for a man.
"...If your master wishes."
Norute was timidly getting measured.
Since it's a custom order, it will be ready in ten days. Another gold coin flew away in the blink of an eye, but this is necessary expenses, right?