Chapter 6

In the evening, we returned to the castle town and visited the weapon shop again.

"Hey, it's the shield kid. The other heroes have been here too, you know."

Everyone must have bought their equipment here. The shopkeeper, with a satisfied smile, greeted us.

"Right, where can we sell this?"

I showed the orange balloon to the shopkeeper, who pointed outside the shop.

"There's a shop that buys monster materials. They'll take most things if you bring them there."

"Thank you."

"So, what brings you here this time?"

"Well, Main. We decided to buy equipment for her."

When I turned to Main, she was intently examining the equipment in the shop.

"What's your budget?"

I had 680 silver coins left. I had to decide how much equipment to buy.

"Main, how much do you think is good?"

"..."

Main was very serious, comparing the equipment. She wasn't listening to me at all. I don't know how much the inn costs, but I should probably keep enough for a month's living expenses.

"About your companion's equipment... Indeed, better equipment will make her stronger."

"Right."

Since I seem to be useless in terms of attack power, it's better to focus on buying equipment for Main.

"Since it's a bit expensive, I'll give you a discount while we chat."

"Hey, you're a funny hero."

"80% off!"

"That's too much! 20% more."

"It's not more! 79% off."

"Someone who haggles without even looking at the goods doesn't deserve a discount! Double the price!"

"Ha! 90% off!"

"Tsk! 21% more!"

"Don't increase it! 100% off."

"That's free, hero! Fine, 5% off."

"Too little! 92% off—"

After a while,

Main brought a cute-looking armor and a sword made of some strange, expensive metal.

"Hero, I like these."

"Old man, how much is this? 60% off."

"Let me give you a deal, 480 silver coins, and that's my final offer at 59% off."

The haggling I did before Main made her decision paid off, and the price was reduced. But, with only 200 silver coins left, isn't that a bit tight?

"Main... Can't you compromise a bit? I don't know how much the inn costs or how much living expenses will be."

"It's fine, hero. The stronger I get, the more loot we'll get from defeating monsters."

With sparkling eyes, Main pressed her chest against my arm and pleaded.

"Well, I guess there's no helping it..."

With 200 silver coins, I have at least three companions: Ren, Genkou, and Itsuki. It's tough to allocate funds for both living expenses and equipment. With 200 silver coins, we might be able to live for a month. Recruiting more companions might be better after we level up and start earning more.

"Alright, old man, I'm counting on you."

"Thank you very much. You're quite a hero, aren't you?"

"Hehe, I actually enjoy bargaining."

In online games, I always enjoyed making money. I was good at buying low and selling high in auctions. Haggling with people isn't easy, but with the prices right in front of me, it's manageable.

"Thank you, hero."

Main kissed my hand, looking very pleased.

This boosts my favorability!

Tomorrow's adventure will be easier!

With Main's new equipment, we headed to the inn in town.

30 copper coins per night per person...

"Two rooms."

"Aren't we sharing one?"

"Hero..."

Main gave me a silent, intense look.

Ugh... I guess there's no helping it.

"Alright, two rooms."

"Sure thing. Thank you for your patronage."

The innkeeper, rubbing his hands, showed us to our rooms.

While keeping the price in mind, we had dinner at the bar next to the inn.

I ordered two meals at 5 copper coins each.

"By the way..."

I spread out the map I bought on the way back and asked Main.

"The grassland we fought in today is here, right?"

The map shows the terrain around here. I should probably ask Ren or Genkou, but from their attitude yesterday, they probably won't tell me. Those types don't hesitate to outsmart others. If they led me to a powerful monster's nest, I'd be in trouble. So I asked Main, who seemed to know the area.

"Yes, that's right."

"From what we talked about earlier, the forest beyond the grassland is our next hunting ground, right?"

The map gives a general idea of the country's terrain. The grassland spreads out from the castle, leading to a forest and mountains, and there are paths to rivers and villages.

The map isn't very large, so there aren't many nearby villages. I can't predict what's beyond the forest, but I need to anticipate the path and the appropriate monsters to fight.

"Yes, the map doesn't show it, but we're heading to Lafan Village beyond the forest."

"Hmm... I see."

"Beyond Lafan Village, there's a beginner dungeon."

"Dungeon..."

The possibilities are endless! In online games, it's just about hunting monsters.

"It might not be very profitable, but it's a good place for you to level up, hero."

"I see."

"With new equipment, and depending on your defense, it should be easy."

"Thanks, that's helpful."

"By the way, hero, don't you drink wine?"

In the bar, wine was served with the food, but I hadn't touched it.

"No, I'm not much of a drinker."

I can drink, and I'm very resistant to alcohol. I just don't enjoy getting drunk.

In college, during drinking parties, I never got drunk while everyone else was wasted, and I grew to dislike it.

"Really? But one glass wouldn't hurt."

"Sorry, I really don't like it."

"But..."

"Sorry."

"Alright, then."

Main looked disappointed as she put away the wine.

"Well, it's good we could discuss our plans for tomorrow. I'm going to turn in early."

"Sure, see you tomorrow."

After finishing our meal, I left the noisy bar and returned to my assigned room.

I couldn't sleep in my chainmail, so I took it off and hung it on a chair.

"..."

I placed the bag with the silver coins on the table.

200 silver coins left... 199 and a bit after paying for the inn.

I felt a bit uneasy, maybe because I'm a bit of a cheapskate. I hid about 30 silver coins in my shield.

Yeah, I feel a bit more at ease now.

Today was eventful.

The feeling of defeating a monster was... just like popping a balloon.

I sat on the bed and lay down.

Looking at the unfamiliar ceiling, I remembered that I'm in another world.

I can't contain my excitement.

My glorious days are about to begin.

Sure, I'm behind the other heroes, but I have my own path.

I don't need to be the strongest; I just need to do what I can.

I'm getting sleepy. I can hear cheerful voices from the bar.

I think I heard Genkou and Itsuki chatting as they passed by. They must be staying here too.

I reached for the lamp and turned it off.

It's a bit early, but I'll go to sleep...

*Chirp chirp...*

Hmm... What was that sound?

Are the people in the bar still noisy?

Mmm...

*Shuffle shuffle...*

It's hot... My clothes are getting in the way.

"Huh?"

It's cold...

The sunlight on my face tells me it's morning.

I squinted and looked out the window.

I must have slept in. The sun is already quite high.

By my internal clock, it's around 9 AM.

"Huh?"

My clothes were somehow reduced to just my underwear. Did I take them off unconsciously?

Oh well.

Looking outside, people were walking on the streets as usual.

The lunch preparations at the restaurants and stalls were in full swing, and carriages were moving along the road, giving me a dreamy feeling.

Ah, this other world is truly wonderful.

There are two types of carriages: horse-drawn and bird-drawn. The birds look like ostriches or something like Chocobos from a certain game.

Horses seem to be the more luxurious option.

Occasionally, there are carriages pulled by cows, which gives it a very medieval feel.

"Well, it's about time for breakfast and to set off on our journey."

I searched the bed for the clothes I took off.

...That's strange. They're not here?

The chainmail I hung on the chair is...

Gone.

The bag with the silver coins I put on the table is also missing!

Even the spare clothes I left for a change are gone!

"What...!"

No way!

A pillow thief!

Stealing while I was sleeping is outrageous!

What kind of security does this inn have!

I need to tell Main, my companion, right away!

*Bang!* I opened the door and knocked on Main's room, where she should be sleeping.

"Main! Something's wrong! Our money and my equipment are gone!"

*Knock knock knock!*

No matter how many times I knocked, Main didn't come out.

*Shuffle shuffle shuffle!*

Noisy footsteps were approaching from the hallway.

The castle knights were coming my way.

I'll explain about the pillow thief and ask them to catch the thief.

Who would dare to rob a hero in their sleep?

"You're the castle knights, right? Can you listen to me for a moment!"

I tried to get their attention.

Main, please come out of your room quickly; something serious is happening.

"You're the Shield Hero, right!"

"Yes, but—"

What's with the hostile response?

"The king has issued a summons for you. Please come with us."

"Summons? No, I was robbed by a pillow thief. The thief—"

"Come on, hurry up!"

*Grip.*

"Ow! Listen to me!"

The knights grabbed my arm and dragged me away.

I'm almost in my underwear, and this treatment is ridiculous!

"Hey, Main! Hurry—"

The knights ignored my pleas, and I was forcibly taken to the castle, leaving Main at the inn.

The carriage that came for me was waiting.

Thus, I was treated like a criminal, despite not understanding what was happening.