As Wataru stepped out of the shop, a grin spread across his face.
"This is incredible—I've become rich in just one day!"
He checked his backpack, feeling the substantial weight. The gold coins were much heavier than he had imagined. Inside the leather pouch were coins worth tens of millions of yen. And this was just for a single bag of sugar bought from a supermarket.
There must be plenty more things from Japan that could be sold here. He could sell more to the Welcome Trading Company or try other shops. He could even hire someone savvy and set up his own store in this world.
"If I play my cards right, becoming a millionaire here isn't just a dream."
The thought of his promising future made him smile like a fool. Passersby noticed him and gave him space, but Wataru was too absorbed in his thoughts to notice.
Now that he had some money, he wondered if there was anything he wanted to buy. The main street seemed safe enough, as long as he avoided the backstreets.
Looking around, Wataru noticed the sky dominated his view. The buildings were only about two stories tall, unlike the tall apartment buildings and skyscrapers in Osaka. From a hill or mountain, he'd likely get a great view of the entire town.
Horse-drawn carriages moved along the stone-paved streets, but the side streets were dirt paths. The orange hues of the buildings probably came from the local soil.
Unlike Welcome Trading, most shops on the main street had tables set up outside with goods displayed on them. Under canopies, colorful food and other items were scattered across the tables, giving the street the lively atmosphere of a festival market.
"The food looks interesting. I wonder which ones taste good."
Fruit stands, spice sellers, soup vendors, and places selling fried dishes lined the street. Trying foreign food was a bit intimidating. There was always the fear of an upset stomach, but also the excitement of discovering new flavors.
As he walked, his steps slowed as a delicious scent of meat wafted through the air, making him stop in his tracks. He had planned to eat after returning home, but now his stomach growled, and his hunger became unbearable.
"Whoa, it's a meat-on-the-bone just like in manga! Never seen one in real life!"
"Hey, young man, wanna buy one? Look at the color of this meat, it's delicious!"
"What kind of meat is this?" Wataru asked.
"This here's the belly of a Ganral beast. It's got a nice chew to it, and the juices are sweet and unbelievably tasty. We season it with coarse salt and our special sauce, then grill it to perfection," the butcher said proudly.
Wataru laughed awkwardly at the butcher's puzzled look when he mentioned manga. The meat glistened with sauce, perfectly cooked, and the juices practically oozed from it. The sweet, savory aroma of the meat, fat, and sauce made Wataru's mouth water. Since it was cooked, the risk of food poisoning was low.
"This thing's huge—looks like it'll be hard to take a bite."
"I can cut it up for you if you're buying."
"In that case, I'll take one."
"Thanks for your business! That'll be three copper coins."
The butcher expertly carved the meat and handed it over. Wataru took a seat on a nearby bench, still curious about what kind of meat it was, and took a bite.
Juices burst into his mouth, making him forget his worries as he savored the delicious taste.
"This is amazing! The refreshing acidity, the tender texture, the rich flavor of the meat, and the sweetness of the fat…!"
"Glad you like it! Just leave the plate over there when you're done," the butcher said with a grin.
Nodding, Wataru devoured the meat, lost in the deliciousness.
"Thanks for the meal!"
"You've got a healthy appetite, kid!"
"It was great!"
Wataru noticed a tub beside the butcher's stand where other customers had stacked their empty plates. Rubbing his now satisfied stomach, he smiled and began browsing for his next stop.
"That was so good. Maybe settling down here wouldn't be so bad after all."
Just going from one food stall to the next would be enough to keep him entertained.
"Eating's great and all, but William mentioned hiring a guard or buying a slave. If I buy a slave, I'll need to find a place for them to live too."
"I could always have them stay at my place…"
"Since I live alone, I'd love it if they could help with chores."
"Well, looking is free. I should check prices."
William had already told him where to go. He had mentioned that the slave trader's shop was memorable once you saw it. William assured him that while the shop owner was a bit of a character, the goods were reliable.
The shop was a three-story building by the river, with a cool-looking indigo flag waving outside. It was easy to spot, just as William had described.
And sure enough, the shop stood out among the stalls. It had large windows and a grand gate, setting it apart from the other businesses. Guards with long spears stood on either side of the entrance.
"So, this is the famous slave trader's shop…"
The guards eyed Wataru warily, probably due to his foreign-looking clothes, but they made no move to stop or reject him. If they tried to turn him away, he could always mention William's name. But it took courage to keep a straight face when approaching armed men.
Feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness at the thought of slaves, Wataru stepped through the shop's doors.