Chapter 13

On the day after I sold just one knife in town for the first time, I spent the morning making knives. They were the kind made without much effort, the "mass-produced" ones. As I made them, I pondered.

When I went to town, I realized that farming tools didn't sell much at the free market. It made sense when I thought about it; the residents of the new town were mainly merchants and craftsmen who catered to them. They generally didn't buy farming tools.

As for the farmers who went from the old town inside the walls to the fields outside, the tenant farmers who rented fields from the lord naturally borrowed farming tools from the lord. Even the free farmers who owned their own fields would buy or repair their tools from the blacksmiths inside the walls, who were employed by the lord and also handled the creation and repair of the tools the lord lent out. In that case, there was no need for them to come to the free market to buy farming tools.

Looking back now, there were other shops selling knives, long swords, and spears for "self-defense during travels," but no shops selling farming tools. If I had noticed that, I wouldn't have needlessly lined up sickles. This was the biggest point of reflection from yesterday, and what to do with the remaining sickles and hoes was a current concern. Well, I could cut the grass around the house and till the fields. "I have production skills," I had said, so I was probably capable of handling it.

In any case, knives were definitely going to be my main product from now on. It would be great if other weapons sold to the guards, but I didn't think the guards, who also served as the lord's private army, would buy long swords or spears, as they were generally provided.

The guard who bought the knife probably did so because knives were not considered issued weapons and could be used as personal tools during work.

Still, if I made good weapons for merchants and their guards, there would be times when they could be sold. I needed to make them in between making knives.

However, I spent the whole day making knives. I thought they would be my main source of income for now. Then, during dinner:

"Hey, Eizou, can you make arrowheads?"

"Hmm? Yeah, I think I can. Why?"

"I'm thinking of going hunting again soon, and it would be nice to have arrows with Eizou's arrowheads."

"I see. Got it. I'll make them."

"Awesome! Thanks a lot!"

"Yeah. Oh, and I'm going to town tomorrow, so I'll ask you to come along."

"Sure, leave it to me!"

Sermia seemed incredibly happy that I would make the arrowheads. When someone is that pleased, it gives me motivation to make them.

The next day, I went to town the same way as before. It was safer than expected, which was good, but it was a bit of a problem that it was a full day's work.

I went through the same checks by different guards, entered the town, and set up my stall at the free market. This was exactly the same as the day before yesterday. The difference was that this time, the only product I had was knives.

Since I had fewer items, I placed a bundle of wheat straw that I had cut as a demonstration. The knives themselves were the least elaborate, but it was immediately clear that they were much sharper than ordinary knives. I thought customers would want to try them, so I also prepared some uncut wheat straw. Today, I was determined to sell more than before.

Sure enough, thanks to the demonstration, by mid-afternoon, I had sold two knives to a man who looked like a traveling merchant. This already exceeded my sales from the previous time. I did a mental fist pump.

"Eizou, you must be really happy right now."

Sermia teased me, but I was so happy that it didn't bother me.

"Of course, I'm selling more than before. At this rate, I'll sell even more."

Sermia looked surprised for a moment but then said with a bright smile,

"Yeah, that would be great."

However, contrary to my expectations, nothing sold after that. I sent Sermia on an errand to buy salted meat, wheat, and beans with part of the sales, but during the time he was gone, I had a very idle time.

"Is that it for today?"

I muttered.

"Well, you've already surpassed last time, so it's not bad, right?"

Sermia replied.

"Yeah, but still..."

Just as I was thinking about closing up, a big change happened. About five men in leather armor appeared. They didn't have weapons in their hands, but the emblem on their armor was the town's emblem—meaning they were guards. They headed straight for us.

I could feel Sermia reaching for his knife. I couldn't see clearly from behind, but if something happened, he would probably put on a big show without caring about his own injuries.

I didn't want it to come to that. Ignoring my concerns, the leader of the group said,

"Is this your stall? Did you sell that knife to Marius?"

I didn't know anyone named Marius, but I recognized the person I had sold the knife to.

"Yes, I don't know his name, but was it the young guard? He seemed a bit effeminate."

"That's him! That's the guy! I knew I'd find you here. Do you still have knives for sale?"

"Yes, I do. I made more after that, and I haven't sold many today."

"Good, good. Then give me all the knives you have."

"Huh? All of them?"

I was confused by his words, but the man clarified,

"Yes, all of them. Yesterday and the day before, that guy was showing off his new knife, and it was really sharp. Plus, it wasn't expensive. We all wanted one. Will you sell them to us?"

"Well, I don't mind selling them... but..."

"Is there a problem?"

"No, no, just the ones I have now are fine."

I was worried that if I sold enough knives to all the guards, even as personal items, the blacksmiths inside the walls, who were employed by the lord, might take notice. But I decided to sell what I had.

"Um, I have 8 left. That would be 40 silver coins in total."

"Here you go, 40 coins. Count them."

"Okay. 1, 2, 3... 39, 40. Yes, I have them. Here you are."

"Can I draw it?"

"Sure, go ahead."

The man drew the knife from its sheath. He was more skilled at it than "Marius." He might be in a higher position among the guards.

"Here you go."

I handed the knives to the other guards. They all drew their knives and examined them closely. Oops, this number of people was a bit unusual.

"Sure enough, these are good."

"Thank you."

I replied politely to the compliment, and the men left looking satisfied.

The scene had been unusual, and the appearance of the guards in their armor had been intimidating, so I apologized to the people around me.

"Sorry for the commotion."

"No, no, it was a bit of a surprise, but it's good that your products are selling."

A stout merchant who sold textiles right next to my space said this, and I sighed in relief, ending my business for the day.