Chapter 16

Well, it's been three days since Mayor Karen asked me to surprise the inspector from the Adventurer's Guild.

The store, which is currently in a pre-opening phase, is bustling with activity today as well.

The matches sold out in the morning, and we closed for the day at noon.

And I spent the free afternoon thinking about what kind of goods to bring from Japan.

After all, it's no exaggeration to say that the future of this town depends on my choice of products.

No wonder I'm struggling.

"Hmm..."

Karen had said that matches alone would be enough, but I wanted to prepare something that would really touch the heart of the inspector.

However, as someone who isn't even a resident of this world, let alone an adventurer, I couldn't quite imagine what to prepare.

There was nothing else I could do.

"Alright. I've decided."

I made a decision.

"Huh? What did you decide, Shiro-niichan?"

Aina, who had just finished lunch (which I prepared), asked me.

"Thanks for asking, Aina. Remember the favor Karen asked me to do?"

"The one from the Adventurer's Guild?"

"Right, that's the one. She asked me to show the inspector the matches, but I want to prepare something else that would be useful for adventurers."

"Oh, I see. So you've decided what to bring. Right, Shiro-niichan?"

"Wrong. The correct answer is..."

"The correct answer is?"

Tilting her head, Aina asked me. I told her my idea.

Aina was so surprised that she

"Whaaat!?"

screamed.

◇◆◇◆◇

"So, Karen, I've decided to go with the adventurers."

We were in the mayor's office at the town hall.

Karen, sitting in her chair, listened to my idea across the desk.

"Shiro, are you serious?"

She asked me seriously.

"Yes, I'm serious. I think the best way to understand what adventurers need is to go with them."

My idea was quite simple.

I planned to accompany the adventurers and learn firsthand what kind of items might sell well.

"The only place adventurers go in this town is the eastern forest. And that forest is much more dangerous than you think."

"I'm prepared for that. But I won't do anything dangerous. I was thinking of accompanying adventurers who go to gather herbs... or minerals. I could even hire an adventurer as a bodyguard and just camp in the forest for a few days."

"Hmm. That doesn't sound too dangerous."

"Exactly! So..."

I leaned forward, getting to the main point.

"Could you introduce me to an adventurer?"

Karen smiled and nodded.

"Alright. Come here tomorrow morning after you've prepared to enter the forest. I'll introduce you to a reliable adventurer party."

"Thank you."

"No, I should be the one to thank you. You're going out of your way to help a town you have no connection to. Shiro."

Karen stood up from her chair and bowed deeply.

"I'm grateful for your efforts to help the town develop. I promise to reward your hard work, so please let me rely on you for now."

"Ah, you're making me blush. But... yeah, rely on me. I might not be the best, but I'll do my best."

"Hehe, you really have a big heart. ...Thank you so much."

And that's how I decided to have Karen introduce me to an adventurer the next day.

Alright. I'll get everything ready today.