Chapter 19

The next day, Semia and I were heading to town. I had considered bringing a spear for self-defense, but since I hadn't tested it yet, I left it behind. I should try it out tomorrow...

We arrived in town without any incidents. The guard at the entrance was Mr. Marius again.

He was holding a short spear issued to him, but at his waist was a longsword, which he claimed he had "accidentally brought."

"Hey, you're a bit early today."

"Yes, I have some new stock."

"I see. Has the selection changed?"

"Not really, it's the same as last time."

"I see. You still have the longswords, right? I'll let the others know."

"Yes, I do. Thank you."

"Ah, and one more thing."

"What is it?"

"Never mind. You'll understand when you go to the Free Market."

"...? Alright. Well then."

"Yeah."

Mr. Marius, who usually speaks more clearly, seemed unusually hesitant today, but my goal today was to sell some items and buy salt and other things, so we headed to the Free Market.

Since I was the only one carrying the goods today, I went to the sales area first, while Semia went to do the shopping.

As usual, I paid the fee, received the sales stand, and headed to the space. The receptionist seemed to recognize me a bit more today and was unusually friendly.

The spot I usually use was taken, so I placed my stand a little off to the side and started preparing to open. The textile merchant wasn't around today. Maybe we came a bit early, or perhaps they won't be coming for a while... It's a bit lonely without any acquaintances.

Since the items were the same as last time, I quickly finished the preparations and was ready to open. Of course, in the Free Market, there's no official opening time, so being ready means being open.

As I waited until just before noon, the male merchant who bought the longswords last time came by.

"Hey, how's it going?"

He greeted me casually, so I responded in kind.

"Not so good today."

"None at all?"

"None at all."

"Alright, I'll buy the longswords you have."

"Really!? Is that okay?"

"Yeah. The ones I brought before were well-received, and they've asked for a few more."

"Really? If I had known, I would have made ten more last night."

"You're a greedy blacksmith, aren't you?"

"Spending a whole week hammering iron, you start to crave silver sometimes."

"I see. I understand."

We both laughed. The merchant really did buy all four longswords. Today's goal is almost complete.

I also brought the "premium model" today, but it hasn't sold because no suitable customers have shown up. However, if it doesn't sell, I'll need to cut my losses at some point. Maybe I'll entrust it to the merchant next time he comes.

While I was thinking about this, Semia returned from her shopping. She had bought salt for curing venison and some street food for lunch. The street food was a dish where slices of roasted wild boar were placed on a hard-baked bread and covered with a sweet and savory sauce. It's not quite a pizza or a hamburger, but it's quite delicious, so I always eat this when I come here. Inside the walls, there are various complicated rules, and you have to buy each ingredient separately, but here in the Free Market, there are no such rules, so you can get such dishes.

After satisfying our hunger and selling a few knives to some new customers, it happened.

A woman who looked like a child at first glance but had an unusually sturdy build was wandering around, looking for something. Seeing this, Semia whispered to me.

"That's a dwarf. It's rare to see one."

"Are they rare?"

"I don't see them much around here. I only once guided one who came from the forest to the road, and that was it."

"Is that so?"

It's nice to see something rare. Plus, dwarves. I've heard of them before. They do exist... At this rate, there might be elves too. I'll ask Semia if she's ever seen one next time.

The dwarf woman, upon seeing the knives left on the stand, hurried over. Her nose was slightly round, but otherwise, she looked almost human. However, her arms and legs were very muscular. Not as much as a bodybuilder from my previous world, but it was clear she had trained rigorously at the gym.

"Excuse me!"

"Yes, what can I do for you?"

I responded, a bit overwhelmed by her enthusiastic approach.

"Did you make the guard's knife!?"

"Yes, I did, but..."

Semia slightly changed her position. I don't think anything will happen, but it's nice to see her taking her guard duties seriously. The woman continued without noticing our exchange.

"Are these knives the same as the guard's?"

"Yes, they are."

"Can I see them?"

"Of course, please go ahead."

The woman unsheathed the knife and carefully examined the blade and handle. After a while, she said,

"Can I see your best item?"

"Sure, if you'd like."

The best item... I think the knife she's looking at is as good as any from a regular blacksmith, but her request to see something better suggests she's confident about something. I was planning to sell it eventually, so showing it is fine.

I took the "premium model" longsword from my waist and handed it to her. She received it with unusual reverence and gently drew it from the sheath. The blade, while not perfect, was quite impressive even to me. At this level, even a skilled blacksmith would find it challenging. If I were to sell it, I could charge ten times the price of the regular model without complaints.

The woman examined the longsword much more carefully than the knife. She was so engrossed that I had time to sell another knife to an interested man (as usual). She continued to examine the sword intently.

Finally, when I thought it was time to ask for it back,

"Thank you. I'll return it."

She sheathed the longsword and handed it back.

"Thank you."

As I took it, the woman moved. Semia reacted by pulling me back and stepping forward.

However, the woman's posture was not an attack. She bent her knees, placed her hands on the ground, and bowed her head—she was kowtowing.

Does this world have kowtowing!?! Ignoring my shock, the woman, in the middle of the Free Market, kowtowed and shouted,

"Please take me as your disciple!"

For a while, all I could do was stare blankly.