Chapter 41

"What should I do…?"

After crying for a while, Rada muttered, looking utterly at a loss. I’d like to say I don’t care, but Koushin is watching. It’s like he’s telling me to do something. The shop would probably have gone out of business even without the town’s situation.

When asked, it turned out that Rada originally wanted to be a merchant. However, the abilities he was granted were ‘Cultivation’ and ‘Compounding’. He apprenticed at a local pharmacy, finding that he didn’t mind the detailed work and thought he was suited to be a pharmacist. He dreamed of opening his own pharmacy. His master introduced him to the current master here, and he finally learned how to make a full range of medicines.

And then, various things happened, leading to the present.

"I’ll try to gather materials on my own."

"…If you could do that, you wouldn’t be struggling."

No, you should struggle. When he said this, Rada’s eyebrows drooped.

"Because monsters are scary!"

What is he saying?

"Did your master not gather materials?"

Rada nodded.

"About half of the materials were bought from acquaintances. The person who brought them retired before my master did. The rest were obtained through guild requests…"

"Was the guild accepting requests at that time? After you took over?"

"At first, it was the same… Well, there was a gap, and before I knew it…"

Rada’s gaze wandered to the lower right.

"Did you go somewhere?"

"…Yeah."

"Huh?"

"Because the guild receptionist was scary!"

What is he talking about?

"Because she smiles the whole time while scolding! She says things like, 'The reward is too low,' 'This small amount is impossible,' 'You’re back again?'"

Rada started crying again.

This is hopeless. He’s fundamentally not suited for dealing with people or negotiations. I don’t understand why he wanted to be a merchant, but running a shop is definitely not for him.

"Then, Plan B. Get hired by the Relura Pharmacy."

"Huh?"

"You’re not suited to managing a shop. Not thinking about the customers is a problem. How about working as a subcontractor, just compounding medicines? The Relura Pharmacy probably needs pharmacists."

However, I don’t know if it’s a good company.

"Plan C is…"

This guy, despite being a wimp.

"Sell the shop and start over in another town. There probably aren’t many guilds as problematic as this one."

"Another town…"

"When you do, make sure to check the town’s situation. See if there are any similar shops, the possibility of new ones opening, how many competitors there are, what kind of people they are, if there are suitable places for gathering materials, how the taxes, distribution, and security are, and consider the land prices, rent, and foot traffic for the financials."

"Raito, Raito"

"Consider it…"

"…"

When I came back to myself, Rada was rolling his eyes. Why?

"I don’t think you understand."

Did I say something that complicated…?

"Huh. There’s a dead old man!"

Rada suddenly sat up. He wasn’t about to die. Is my word a curse or something?

"Rada. Let me be clear. You can’t run a shop."

Koushin said this solemnly but clearly. Rada’s eyes widened in shock, then he wilted like a deflated balloon.

"I see… I had a feeling. The shop owner I dreamed of as a child and the person I am now are completely different. It’s embarrassing, isn’t it? A shopkeeper who gets scared by every customer…"

You were scared, huh.

Somehow, he seems to be floating, or lacking a sense of crisis… Is it his personality or upbringing?

"I… What should I do…"

Back to square one.

I sighed. Koushin sighed too.

I glanced at the products on the shelves. There were few, but they were well-organized and neatly arranged. The quantities were consistent. He’s meticulous about the products…

I checked them out a bit. They were all of the best quality.

"Hey, did your master make these?"

Rada, who had looked up, shook his head.

"They’re all mine. There’s a small field behind the shop where I grow Tokii grass and a few other things. I can only make three types."

I see. His skills are good, but the prices are a bit high. Are they the same as when his master was running the shop, or are they higher because they’re homemade? If cheaper ones are available, they won’t sell. If I could appraise them, it would be different. When I make them, they usually turn out to be ‘average’.

"Can I buy a basic healing potion?"

"Uh, sure… No, as a thank you."

"I’ll pay properly."

I paid, opened the bottle, and took a big swig.

I see. I wondered where the difference in quality would show up, but there’s no bitterness. Moreover, I can feel it spreading through my body smoothly. Maybe there’s a difference in the healing effect too.

"It’s not diluted!"

Rada said, sounding flustered.

"Huh?"

"Wait, did I get it wrong? You were staring at it. It’s not diluted, but everyone says it’s weak. Healing potions are supposed to be bitter, right?"

"Ah. What about your master’s?"

"They were the same. But no one ever said that about his."

His master was also skilled. It’s not right to leave an apprentice behind, though. Maybe there was a reason. Even so, it was a bit irresponsible…

Maybe his master intentionally added something to the finished product to make the ones for sale bitter.

Koushin tilted his head. I beckoned him over and whispered my theory.

"So, what will you do?"

"Hmm, it’s a waste to let his skills go. Maybe he could work at someone else’s shop, or it’s a long road, but he could build his confidence…"

"Confidence?"

"He keeps saying he’s a wimp. I want him to have confidence in his ability to make great things. Also, he needs to improve his social skills and knowledge outside of medicine. I’m not good at socializing either, so I’ll leave that to Koushin."

"Huh?"

"His personality of not understanding complicated things needs to be corrected."

"O-Okay."

In short, he’s a wimp!

That said, what to do next. The only pharmacist I know is grandma. She’d probably give him a strict training, but she’s old.

"Hmm, Rada."

"Uh, ah, yes?"

When I called out, he flinched.

"Are you interested in becoming an adventurer?"

"Huh?"

"Even a regular traveler is fine. Go to different places, see different things. In the process, you’ll understand how good your skills are, and the things you see and hear will be valuable. Then, find a place that suits you and open a shop there."

"T-T-Travel? Me?"

Rada’s eyes are wide.

"I did it when I was seven. You can do it, right?"

"U-U-Uh…"

"Stop saying you can’t. You should face some rough waves."

"Huh…"

Rada’s speech is broken. Well, what I’m saying is pretty messed up too. In the end, I’m just leaving him to it.

"Come on, Rada, you can come with us."

"Huh?"

Wait, that’s me.

Koushin, what are you saying?