Chapter 222
Excuse me . My name is Hiraku . May I meet with Michael-san?」
I politely bow as I asked the shopkeeper .
「My apologies, please wait a moment . Let me ask if he’s here . 」
The shopkeeper went inside .
I then ask Gulf who’s beside me .
「Is this the right place?」
「Ah, when I came here before, I was led to this place . 」
Today, Gulf’s wraps his head with a cloth and hide his body using a mantle .
When he came here before, Gulf won the championship of the martial arts tournament .
That made him considerably famous .
We’re not wary of this area so we enter the city nonchalantly but Gulf was immediately surrounded by the local residents so we were forced to withdraw temporarily .
He’s incredibly popular .
But mostly those are there for him for battle challenges, business invitations, or solicitations for some people… .
Because of that, Gulf is now dressed like this when we enter the city .
He looks really suspicious but at least there’s no commotion now .
But I was surprised when I saw other people dressed like him .
They seem to be adventurers .
I see .
「Oi, sorry, he’s not here . 」
The shopkeeper seems to be unable to find him .
Michael-san is doing a lot of business, could it be that he’s in another shop?
It can’t be helped .
Let’s change our schedule .
I left Big Tree Village and came to Shashaato City .
My purpose is to carry additional cooking ingredients to the store I left for Marcos and Paula to manage .
A while ago, ancestor-san heard about the store and went to Shashaato City .
It seems like both Marcos and Paula are doing well .
However, though I’m the one who taught them, I was perplexed to know that their situation greatly differs from my assumption .
It is good that the shop is prospering but the number of employees is totally unexpected… . .
Opening a store is harder than I thought .
Unfortunately, we can’t industrialize .
This is a world of magic but not everyone can use magic .
Manpower can only mean they need to hire more since everything can only be done manually .
Ancestor-san, who went to Shashaato City, brought back a letter from Marcos and the content was asking us to send more ingredients .
The timing is good since I thought that it is necessary for me to go see the situation first hand .
Since ancestor-san will send me himself, it will be harder to prepare for the ingredients I’ll be bringing there than travel preparation .
I thought that someone coming with me is unnecessary but I agreed eventually because Loo said that it is an absolute necessity .
But why? Isn’t Shashaato City a normal port city?
Isn’t it safe there?
Ah, there are monsters around that city .
I see .
Let’s decide on who’s going to be my companions .
Ancestor-san will be the one sending us to the city so of course he’s included .
As for luggage carriers… . . six minotaurs from Village Two .
Three cargo vessels that can be pushed or pulled .
Six lizardmen as both guards and helper for loading and unloading the things we brought .
I thought that it is already good as it is but it was pointed out that I have no dedicated guard .
I told them that I don’t need it but now that I think about it, I have never been to other towns or villages of this world .
The only place I have visited are……the northern dungeon and the sun castle?
The rest are places made by me .
I didn’t want to go out until now either .
In a certain way, I am a novice villager .
Though I don’t need guards, I want a guide .
Given that condition, they should be those who have been to Shashaato City .
Frau, Rasuti, the lizardmen, and two civil servant girls are qualified .
I thought Loo and Tier have been there too but that’s not seem to be the case .
「I may have been there but the name of that city doesn’t ring a thing in my memory . 」
「Me too . Maybe… . I’ve been there once…but I’m not really sure . 」
As for Frau, Rasuti, and the Lizardmen, they used to go there to sell crops to Michael-san .
Though the lizardmen accompanying us should have gone there already… . they already have the role of guarding the minotaurs .
It seems like Gulf also went there alone to register as an adventurer .
As for the other civil servant girls, they have gone there for shopping several times when they were small .
Among them, Gulf is the only one who could guide me around Shashaato City so it has been decided that Gulf will be my guard .
I apologize for troubling you .
I, Gulf, ancestor-san, 6 minotaurs, and 6 lizardmen started moving .
Some people say that there are too few guards but we’re only going to a city where people live .
I don’t want to be treated like a child .
Ancestor-san’s teleportation magic moved us to a place near Shashaato City . Gulf and I went ahead to meet with Michael-san .
The luggage carrying group will be going directly to the shop so ancestor-san is with them… .
Argh… .
I never thought that I won’t be able to meet Michael-san so I didn’t ask ancestor-san .
I’m like a lost child .
「Gulf, for the time being, can you guide me around the city?」
Let’s depart .
But before that .
「Please pass this letter to Michael-san . 」
「Eh?」
He was surprised .
「Gulf, is it normal for someone to leave a letter?」
「I think it’s normal . 」
Good .
I thought that I failed .
However, let’s confirm the details first .
「This is Goroun Company . 」
「Yup, that’s true . 」
「Then, there is no doubt that I should leave these letters here . 」
The letters were written by Loo and Tier before we came here .
I don’t know the content since I’m looking forward to Marcos’ and Paula’s shop .
I passed the letter to the confused storekeeper and strolled around the city .
This place is more developed than expected .
That is my impression .
There are stone pavements and carriages and cargo vessels frequently pass by .
This is a port city so logistics might be its backbone .
There are many people and it is full of vigor .
The houses are either made of stones or bricks and they are either two or three-story-tall .
The highest building is about four-story tall .
When I asked Gulf, he said that rooms at the highest places are the cheapest .
Thinking of I reason, I concluded that it is probably because toilets are only installed on the first floor .
I see .
There’s no elevator either so moving up and down using stairs is a pain .
Thank you for coming with me . Gulf’s guidance is adequate .
However, I feel like this is too business devoted .
Inns, cheap restaurants, high-class restaurants, weapon shops, armor shops, tool shops, training ground… .
Though I don’t really know this area, why are you going to take me to the adventurer’s guild?
Though I yearned to be an adventurer that can use sword and magic, I don’t think I’m capable of being one .
I’ve been plowing fields and I think it suits me the best .
However, I, at least, learned on how to request for adventurers .
By the way, Gulf .
How many times have you fought a match while I’m talking with the guild employee oniisan?
You’re my guide… . but don’t forget that you’re supposed to guard me too .
「The other party is the one who started it . Not my fault . 」
I continue walking around the city with Gulf .
Though we’re walking all over, we still can’t find Marcos’ and Paula’s shop . It seems like there are still a lot of places we haven’t seen .
「Do you know where the market is? I want to know the prices . 」
「Ah, there are about… . 5 to 6 markets . The biggest one is in the south but it is not for retailing . 」
「Then, where’s the second biggest?」
「North . You can see it from here . That huge building . 」
「That’s the market?」
「That’s the arena but we will reach the market before that . 」
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「Alright, let’s go there . Let’s finish eating this . 」
「Okay . 」
Gulf and I found a stall and bought food there .
This is market research .
I think Marcos and Paula have already done this but it is necessary to verify it myself .
It is cheap… . the amount depends on which stall you buy from .
I have no comment on the taste .
At least I now understand why Marcos and Paula’s shop is popular .
When I was thinking of researching at the next stall, I was called out .
No, it is not someone who’ll promote their product to me .
It is a familiar face .
It is the shopkeeper of the Goroun Company that I entrusted the letters with .
「I-I found you . Great . 」
「Eh?」
The shopkeeper suddenly blew the whistle that’s hanging around his neck and bowed to me .
「I’m very sorry, Hiraku-sama . The president is moving towards here now . 」
Hah?
Did he already pass the letters to Michael-san?
I guess he did but why is he here?
I suddenly stopped thinking after seeing a carriage running towards us with all its might .
It stopped before us and Michael-san looks like he’s going to roll down with how fast he gets out .
「Vi-village chief-san . Great . We found you . 」
「Did something happen?」
Seeing how flustered he is, I became worried .
「Ah, no cough . Let us apologize first . 」
When Michael-san gives the signal, the shopkeeper, the one who found us, bowed again .
「I didn’t know it was Hiraku-sama . That was very rude of me . 」
Michael-san also lowers his head .
No no, what rude?
I looked at Gulf since I don’t know what they mean but it looks like Gulf doesn’t know what’s happening too .
「Actually, I’m at the shop when you came . 」
While Michael-san is explaining, the shopkeeper continuously lowers his head .
「I know that this is only an excuse but the only ones who call me, the president, Michael-san are my relatives . 」
I finally understand what’s happening .
The shopkeeper thought the Michael-san I’m referring to is an ordinary employee and not the president .
Because of that, the shopkeeper only noticed that he misunderstood something when he found out that there’s no employee called Michael working there .
As for Michael-san, he usually pretends to be out of office .
I see .
So that’s why they consider themselves rude .
However… .
「I’m also at fault for not informing you that I’ll come to visit . 」
I think the root of all of this is me who did not make a proper appointment .
Since that is the case, I don’t mind it .
The shopkeeper there shouldn’t mind it too .
「Th-thank you very much . 」
「Michael-san, though he misunderstood, he managed to properly convey what happened so you don’t have to get mad . 」
「I understand . 」
With that, the matter ends there .
I told Michael-san that I wanted to know where the shop is .
「Do you want to go there using the carriage?」
「Is it far?」
「No, it is not that far… . . 」
「Then, let’s walk since I still want to see look around the city . 」
「Affirmative . 」
Michael-san told the coachman to return with the carriage and act as a guide for me .
Though the carriage was asked to go back, there are four additional people accompanying us now .
Michael-san introduces them to us .
「This is my son, Maron . 」
「I have heard about Hiraku-sama from my father . Please continue to favor Goroun Company in the future . 」
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He looks like a serious man who’s in the latter half of his 30’s .
He seems to be the next president of the Goroun Company .
Another one is Tito who’s in charge of accounting .
And Randy who’s in charge of supply .
Both of them are Michael-san’s nephews .
They are Maron’s cousins .
The last one is Milford .
He seems to be the chief security officer of the company .
Everyone will be attacked by monsters and demon beasts as soon as they go out so guards are indispensable .
Though it is common for a company to hire adventurers during times like those, the Goroun Company seems to employ guards permanently .
It seems like their line of work made them decide to permanently employ guards .
These four walked along with me who’s sightseeing the city .
My apologies for causing trouble .
With Milford on the lead, I followed Michael-san along with Gulf, Maron, Tito, and Randy .
I’m a little ashamed for walking with other men of age in a row .
Our walking in one line was finally disrupted when we arrived at our destination .
… .
Big .
Yeah, really big .
My first impression of the building, what’s this monstrous roof?
The roof is at the height of a two-story building and the inner part of the store… . is really wide .
What’s with this area?
Amazing .
The interior is also bright… . what’s with those window like things? Is it light magic?
And at the center is a mountain of people… . .
It’s crowded .
Eh, a total panic?
Ehto… . it doesn’t seem that the business is ongoing .
Screams can be heard too .
「Michael-san, is it usually like this?」
「No, it is usually quieter… . 」
…… . This is bad .
Though it might be good if our shop is not the cause… .
I want to grasp the situation but I can’t seem to do so .
「Do you want to do something?」
「Hnn?」
It was ancestor-san .
He came here earlier than us so he might know what’s happening .
「What’s causing all of this?」
「Ehto… . they run out of stock . 」
「Run out of stock?」
「Yeah . They can no longer cook curry . Though we are carrying ingredients, it might cause a ruckus if we declare that we’re here with supplies . 」
In short, our shop is the cause .
I want to panic but I have no time to do so .
Since that is the case, it is necessary for me to do something .
「First of all……ancestor-san, can you make a loud sound?」
「Loud sound?」
「Yeah, something like an explosion but nothing exploding . 」
「Ahaha . It’s okay . If it’s only a sound like that, I can do it . 」
「Can you also make my voice louder?」
「Of course . 」
「Then, please do so . 」
「In here?」
「Yeah . Michael-san and the others, please hide at the back and cover your ears . Gulf, I want you to make a way for me . Don’t use weapons or force . The other party are our customers . 」
With my signal, ancestor-san made a loud explosion sound .
The building even trembles .
「Please don’t move and crouch down to where you are . If you move unnecessarily, you might get injured . Please follow my instructions . 」
My voice is really loud because of ancestor-san’s magic .
It seems like they were surprised by the sound so they quietly crouched down .
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Great .
「Yes, continue to stay where you are . Please crouch down quietly . It will be great if you don’t panic . In fact, I’m here to talk about a piece of good news for you . If you leave without hearing me, it will be counted as your loss . 」
Though these crouching people are somewhat puzzled, I continue talking .
And I asked the minotaurs and lizardmen make a way towards the counter .
They seem to manage to make the customers on their way to move in order to go to the counter .
Thank you for your cooperation .
Afterwards, I found a lot of employees behind Marcos and Paula .
They seem to be safe .
I sent a signal to Gulf and ancestor-san to move to where Marcos’ group is .
Though the crouching people are obstructive, in order to not cause any confusion, it will be better for them to continue crouching .
We finally arrived .
Ancestor-san stopped his magic and checked if everyone’s not injured .
「Village chief, I’m sorry . 」
「Let’s talk about the details later . For now, stand and repeat everything that I’ll say . 」
Ancestor-san loudens Marcos’ voice for me .
「First of all, blewgh… . ah, I’m Marcos, the acting manager . 」
I told him to repeat what I’m going to say… . he blew it immediately .
「This crowd and confusion, I apologize for it . I would like to know first if there’s anyone who’s injured? Please raise your hand and inform me . 」
Fortunately, no customer was injured .
Good .
「Earlier, we ran out of ingredients so we can no longer cook curry . However, new ingredients have arrived a little while ago . We can cook them immediately so please wait a moment . Also… . as an apology for this disturbance, everything today will be free of charge . 」
Hearing that it will be free, the crouching customers shout with joy .
「However, it is necessary for us to do something about this crowd so I apologize but we have to dissolve the present queue . 」
It was dissolved at once .
After an hour, the shop resumes its operation .
「Today, even if a person was not involved earlier, we will still serve him for free . You can invite your friends later . Thank you in advance . Today’s disturbance, I’m really sorry . 」
After making Marcos bow, all other employees bow too .
「We’re sorry . 」
…… .
「Now, please line up slowly without rushing… . 」
Once you give them solution like this, they won’t begrudge and some will even forget what happened earlier .
……… .
But there’s still a thing that needs to be done .
I instructed the lizardmen and minotaurs to do something .
「Ask the customers if they are hurt in any way . If there’s anyone injured, ask them to come here . 」
I heard a while ago that there was someone who fainted and someone who fell down .
They are probably treating them as a simple arm or foot pain and enduring them .
Even so, we can’t just abandon them .
「Paula, is there someone here that can use healing magic?」
「Village chief, I can use healing magic . 」
Ancestor-san raises his hand .
「Then, I’ll be troubling you . 」
This is not the time to decline .
「Paula, how about our employees? Is someone injured?」
The employees are young girls and boys . They are both younger than I imagined .
I’m not even sure if they are at the age of a junior high school student or an elementary schooler .
They are not injured .
Or are they enduring it?
They’re probably alright .
By the way… . . this place, is our shop the only one here?
Are there other shops?
None .
Is that so?
Ehto… .
And here I am thinking of apologizing to the other affected shops around . It seems there are none .
Then… .
「Start cleaning! Clear everything that the disturbance earlier caused! Those who are in charge of cleaning, bring the cleaning tools now!」
It is still early noon .
A busy day has just started .
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