“It’ll be a huge help to the guild if you pair up with Jeff. Other adventurers can’t really keep up with him, so he usually works alone. Unfortunately, some jobs just can’t be done alone, and because of that those jobs tend to be untouched.” [Wogan]
“What kind of job are those?” [Ryouma]
“Right… For example, a job that’s C Rank, but requires one to mine flame crystals from a volcano. That’s a difficult job without a skill to resist foul smell since an adventurer would normally have to come back several times and mine for a long time, leaving him exposed to the rotten-egg-like smell of the volcano. On top of that, the volcano is also covered with a weak poison that could kill a person depending on the place.” [Wogan]
“Volcano poison? …By any chance, could this poison cause people’s eyes to swell and become teary-eyed in light doses, and at heavier doses cause people to become unable to breathe?” [Ryouma]
“Oh! That’s right! You’re sure privy to it.” [Wogan]
“I just know a thing or two.” [Ryouma]
“Well, that sort of knowledge is an advantage to adventurers. Do you know how to deal with it? Is there an antidote for it?” [Wogan]
Ryouma became thoughtful upon being asked that, but this world did not have any knowledge on medicine and there was also no guarantee that he could make the medicine from Earth here.
“Unfortunately, I’m not sure if there are any. That being said, it seems the poison comes from the smoke from the volcano and the gas coming out underground, so you might be able to mitigate or nullify the effects by using a wind spell to protect oneself.” [Ryouma]
“Oh… Your grandma must be quite the expert considering how much she’s taught you. I’ve been working as the guild master for a long time, but you just keep surprising me when it comes to poison and diseases.” [Wogan]
Ryouma was startled a little when his grandma was brought up, but he quickly recovered and chuckled as he said she’s an amazing person, then he spoke to Carm and Carla.
“Carm-san, Carlsan, how was the food?” [Ryouma]
“It w as very delicious!” [Carm and Carla]
“That’s good to hear. By the way, I would be glad to have you work here for me, but are you really okay with it? As I’ve mentioned before, I don’t think the two of you will be able to make the most of your abilities with a store like mine.” [Ryouma]
“I was actually discussing that with my younger brother just now.” [Carla]
“Please let us work here.” [Carm]
“Huh? …Did something happen? Somehow it feels like you’re so eager all of the sudden…” [Ryouma]
There was no hesitation in their words. It was almost as if they were completely different from when they entered the store for the first time.
“Our deepest apologies for our early behavior. We’ve had a change of heart after seeing your store in person, Ryoumsama.” [Carla]
“We were worried at first, but after seeing the tools and policies you’ve come up with, we believe there is much to be learned here.” [Carm]
“You sure change switch quickly…” [Ryouma]
“The young are simply that flexible, Ryoumsama. I know people with more skill and experience than these two, but the reason I chose them is because of their flexibility” [Serge]
“We will do our best not to shame our introducer, Serge-sama’s Morgan Company, and our boss, Ryoumsama of the Takebayashi Family!” [Carla and Carm]
When Ryouma heard the two say that, he felt they were somewhat similar to Serge.
“I understand. Having someone with a wealth of knowledge in merchant work is indeed reassuring, so I have no complaints. I look forward to working with you two.” [Ryouma]
“Yes!” [Carm and Carla]
The two replied with a smile that extended from ear to ear.
Meanwhile, Serge watched Ryouma’s exchange with the two with a face full of satisfaction.
“Remember not to push yourselves too much, though. Just do what you usually do. I don’t know about the Morgan Company, but you don’t have to worry about bringing shame to my family.” [Ryouma]
“No, it’s imperative that we be have at least this much resolve. A little bad reputation is all that’s needed for word to spread among nobles, after all.” [Carla]
“Huh? Carm-san, do rumors reach nobles so quickly even when it’s concerning a newly opened store?” [Ryouma]
“Most nobles are cautious of other houses’ movements, so things probably would end up just as my older sister said.” [Carm]
“Other house? …Could it be the both of you think I’m a noble?” [Ryouma]
“You’re not? But you have a relationship with the duke?” [Carm and Carla]
“We do have a relationship, but we just happened to meet by coincidence. So I’m not exactly a… Serge-san?” [Ryouma]
“…My apologies. I may have failed to mention that.” [Serge]
As Ryouma and the twins realized this inconsistence, they turned to Serge to clear up the misunderstanding.
While Ryouma, the twins, and Serge were all talking, another group was watching them and talking to each other.
“Hey, shitty old hag.” [Wogan]
“What, inconsiderate man?” [Grisiera]
“Can Ryouma’s store turn over that much of a profit? It’s a pretty strange store…” [Wogan]
“It will, though I can’t tell you how much exactly.” [Grisiera]
When Wogan heard that, Wogan knitted his brows.
“Aren’t you going to give him a hint or two?” [Wogan]
“For now I intend to quietly watch over him and let him do as he wishes.” [Grisiera]
“Is that alright?” [Grisiera]
“Serge has already given him two aides. Even if they get some attention, they should be able to deal with it. And should things get dangerous, he can ask for help himself, and I will be more than willing to help as a merchant.
Of course, there are always some unscrupulous ones that wouldn’t care to choose their methods. You should keep an eye out too.” [Grisiera]
“I know, but he probably won’t need my help. That guy got into a fight with the Fang of Orbtem just recently.” [Wogan]
“You mean those delinquent adventurers that have been getting infamous lately? …That kid is the one who crushed them?” [Grisiera]
“Yeah. He happened upon them while in the middle of adventurer work and found them picking a fight with some children. After that is just as you’ve heard. If there’s anything to add, well, let’s just say it was a one-sided fight.
Other than that, he also took part in the goblin subjugation. He has a lot of slimes, that kid…
It’s just secondhand knowledge, but it seems you’ll be in a world of pain if you look down his slimes just because they’re slimes.” [Wogan]
“Do those slimes use weapons?” [???]
While they were talking to each other, another person interjected.
“Grandpa Taylor, you knew?” [Wogan]
“‘Can slimes use weapons?’ An adventurer asked our clerks just recently. It’s already become a rumor. But it’s my first time seeing his slimes in action today. Regardless, I think I’ll recommend him to take a short course.” [Taylor]
“Right. It would probably do him good to know what a normal monster tamer is expected to be capable of doing and not doing… We need to be careful.” [Grisiera]
“I know.” [Wogan]
“Usually, it’s a welcome thing for an able individual to appear, but… Reinbach also asked me to watch over him.” [Taylor]
The three of them spoke among themselves like that in a corner of the room, while Ryouma enjoyed his time with his friends and colleagues that he did not have back in his previous life.
Before long, it was time to end the party. Before going back home, everyone reminded Ryouma not to push himself. When everyone had left, Ryouma cleaned the place up, then he stepped outside and took a good look at his store.
Ryouma felt a strange sense of fulfillment that he did not have in his previous life. After that, he went back to the lodging.