Chapter 3

I checked all the seasonings and spices in the kitchen, then went out into the town wearing my sword and civilian clothes.

When they saw me, everyone passed by quickly with frightened faces.

I have to show them through my actions that I can change their perception of me, little by little.

Fortunately, I patrol the capital, so I know where the store I’m looking for is without asking anyone for directions.

Bathed in the cold gazes of the residents, I headed for the shopping district.

Unlike the ingredients sold at the market, seasonings and spices are high-end items, so I entered a store in the shopping district.

When I entered the store, the shopkeeper was visibly startled, but as a merchant, he quickly put on a smile.

"Sir Vandelier, the Knight Captain, what brings you here?"

"…Just here to shop."

"Huh? But we don’t sell weapons here. As you can see, we mainly deal in spices."

The shopkeeper’s confusion is understandable. There are cooks at the barracks, and they prepare all the food for field operations.

Even more so, from the perspective of a noble like me from yesterday, I wouldn’t even know what each spice tastes like.

"I know, I just want to look around the store a bit."

"Of course, please feel free to look around. If you have any questions, just let me know and I’ll explain."

The spices in the store are imports, so there’s not much in stock.

Since this place isn’t by the sea, salt is expensive too… I remember black pepper being as valuable as gold of the same weight… wow, that’s expensive!

Fortunately, I have no hobbies and plenty of money, so it’s fine, but if I were a regular knight, these prices would make me hang my head and go home.

It was a good idea to bring more money.

I’ll buy salt, pepper, nutmeg, and cinnamon here.

Unfortunately, I’ve never made curry from spices, so I’ll give up on that, even though I know the names of the ingredients I need.

I asked the shopkeeper to measure out the amount I wanted to buy today. In this world, items are generally sold by weight.

For a quantity that would cost around a thousand yen in Japan, I paid with gold coins equivalent to my monthly salary.

"Shopkeeper, where can I get things like thyme and rosemary? I didn’t see them here."

"Of course not, those two are sold at the apothecary."

Apothecary… right, I remember reading somewhere that herbs have calming effects and are used like medicine.

"I see, thank you. …I’ll be back."

"Yes! I look forward to your return!"

The shopkeeper, recognizing me as a good customer, saw me off with a full smile.

The items I bought are stored in a magic bag attached to my sword belt, which has the capacity of a carriage and costs as much as a mansion in the capital.

While there’s no time stop function, the time delay effect means that even after a year, only half a day has passed inside the magic bag.

The magic registration, which is only applied to high-end items, ensures that only I can use it, so all the items I don’t want others to see are stored inside.

So, I don’t have to worry about people seeing what I buy.

Next, I headed towards the apothecary.

I occasionally see the knights of this territory patrolling, but when they notice me, they turn into side streets to avoid me.

I’ve said plenty of nasty things to them, so they probably think I’ll say more and are avoiding me.

I really need to change the perception of the Third Knight Regiment before I return to the capital.

I remember that when I returned from the northern border lord’s territory to the capital, a protest letter from the border lord to the castle triggered the fiancée of the crown prince, who was in the castle for princess education, to confront me in the audience chamber… and later, I, who had fallen into darkness, attacked her and defiled her purity.

I didn’t do it!

When I attacked, it was dark, and there was no evidence, but the crown prince was convinced it was me and started to corner me.

Before coming to the border lord’s territory, he had been pursuing me relentlessly.

It seemed more like a way to annoy the crown prince than a genuine interest in me.

It turns out that his recent actions were motivated by jealousy towards the crown prince, who was promised a future from birth.

Before that, it was a rebellion against his family, who didn’t recognize his abilities… ……a child.

In a way, it’s because he grew up in a narrow world.

Not knowing how to express his anger or what to do, he went on a rampage, and the result was being killed by the protagonist, which is too sad.

If he had no combat skills, he would have just been a spoiled third son.

What he did is unforgivable, but I feel a little sorry for my past self.

"Right… if I turn this corner, it should be the apothecary."

When I opened the door to the apothecary, I heard a child’s voice.

"Please! This is all I have, but I’ll definitely pay you!"

"That’s what I’ve been telling you! If you don’t have money, go home! …!! Sir Vandelier, the Knight Captain!? What brings you to such a store!?"

The apothecary, who was shooing away a boy of about eight with a wave of his hand, noticed me and hurriedly came out from behind the counter.

"I’m looking for something. By the way, what’s with that boy?"

When I looked at him, the boy visibly stiffened.