Chapter 99

It was past noon when I returned, and I had been talking with Raphatal and the others, but it was still too early for the evening. Studying medicine and magic would be good, but playing on the beach like before would also be nice. Thinking this, I decided to take a stroll through the market for a change of pace.

"Raphatal, do you need anything?"

"Not at the moment."

"Firos, I'm hungry."

"Alright, alright."

I gave Firos a light meal from a food stall and continued our stroll when we encountered a crowd. Beyond this...

"Please wait. There's still plenty of stock, so don't push. Please line up!"

That voice... it's a scam merchant. He seems to be doing well. It looks like his sales of jinxes are a huge success.

"Ah!"

Huh?

The scam merchant, who was giving instructions from a high platform, made eye contact with me. He climbed down from the platform, pushed through the crowd, and ran towards me.

"Hero of the Shield!"

I never introduced myself as a hero to this guy... but it's a known fact that a hero has come to the island, and he must have sensed something different about the atmosphere. Given that I'm a hero equipped with a shield, it's not hard to figure out.

"Looks like you're doing well."

"Yes! It's all thanks to the Hero of the Shield!"

"Did you do something?"

Raphatal and Firos tilted their heads and listened.

"Ah, actually—"

I told Raphatal and Firos about what happened on the first day I came to the island. After hearing about the evil deeds of the Greylines, Raphatal nodded in understanding.

"Oh, that's why... the Spear Hero came, and the shop was closed."

She doesn't even use the honorific 'sama' anymore.

Well, I can't blame her. The heroes have lost their respect in her eyes.

I do feel a bit guilty, but she still doesn't fully understand.

Will I start being called by my first name too?

...It feels a bit off.

"Call me with the honorific 'sama' always."

"Huh...?"

I need to make an effort to keep being called with the honorific.

Ignoring Raphatal's tilted head, I resumed the conversation with the scam merchant.

"So? What do you want from me? If it's just to say thanks, sell more and talk to me after closing time."

"N-no, that's not it. Please come to my shop."

"Why?"

"I want to thank you in various ways."

"Hmm..."

Since he's doing well, he must have some money to spare. I might as well take what I can get while the getting is good. I'll choose my words carefully to avoid any issues later.

"Alright."

The scam merchant nodded and led me to his shop.

...It's not a temporary tent anymore, but a proper stone-built store. He must have moved already. How much is he making?

There's a line of people in front of the shop. The jinx sales are impressive.

"Here it is."

We went around to the back of the shop and entered through the back door. Inside, the merchants were briskly selling the accessories.

In the back, it seemed that craftsmen were working in shifts to process the minerals into accessories.

...Is he making too much? I'm worried it might all come to a sudden end.

By the way, how many adventurers are on this island?

The more I think about it, the less I know.

"Soon, I'll be able to set up a stall at the altar dedicated to the island's god."

It's already becoming a tourist attraction and a shrine-like place for charms.

"So, what's the thanks?"

"Here."

He handed me a bracelet. It was made from the island's native...

Miraka Bracelet (Small Experience Boost)

Quality: Supreme

A beautiful red gem, like blood, was set in it. The effect was quite excellent, and the quality was high.

"Seriously, it actually has the experience boost effect."

"This is a supreme-quality bracelet made from the island's native Miraka mineral. I prepared it as a token of my gratitude. Ah, the effect is a rare occurrence, so it's not on other accessories."

Yeah, that makes sense. If it really had the effect, it wouldn't be a jinx sale.

Actually, I'm more surprised that such an experience-boosting accessory even exists.

"Miraka mineral, huh?"

I also inspected the minerals in the workshop.

None of them were of good quality. They were all junk.

Finding ones that are actually useful in battle would be difficult.

"Isn't it quite expensive? From what I can see, maintaining such high quality is difficult."

"Indeed, you noticed... Yes, the poor quality of the Miraka mineral is its biggest drawback."

"Hmm..."

"To match the quality of a gem..."

"Is it okay to receive such a rare item?"

"Yes. I learned far more valuable lessons from the Hero of the Shield than the cost of this item."

"What do you mean?"

I only advised him to make sure the customers are happy enough to pay.

"Until now, I thought business was about exploiting the customer's weaknesses. But after practicing the Hero of the Shield's method, I realized... this is what true business is."

Until then, the scam merchant thought business was about taking things from customers.

But after using the method I suggested, customers started paying large sums of money, and they were all smiling as they bought the products.

For the first time, he realized that there was such a pleasant way to do business without making enemies.

"That's not true... trends fade, so be careful not to fall back into your old ways."

"I've already taken care of that. Don't worry."

"Really? What are you doing?"

"I have a little helper."

He pointed to the accessory merchant, who was smiling and waving at me.

You're here too?

"Indeed, the Hero of the Shield has created a new and interesting business method even in this remote place."

"He is the sponsor of this shop and the merchant community."

"You...?"

Are you that sensitive to the smell of money? I thought you might be, but...

Merchants are like that, but it feels like a gathering of money-hungry people, which is unpleasant.

"Now, the Miraka accessories from this island are soaring in popularity. Haha."

"Well, keep it in check."

They don't actually have any real effects.

I should think of a plan in case they get too carried away and cause problems for us.

"Yes, but many have succeeded through such rumors. Who will seek the truth? We haven't done any advertising, you know?"

The two merchants laughed, exuding a sinister aura.

It's an unpleasant sight.

Don't let this island be drained to the bone.

"All that's left is to add some color to the rumors."

"...What do you plan to do?"

"That's for you to find out."

"..."

"Would the Hero of the Shield like to open a shop? I can provide as much support as you need. How about becoming the manager of my shop?"

"I have no intention of taking over your business."

I know that the shop owner of the pharmacy told me that this guy wants me to take over some guild or something.

"I see. Please come visit my shop whenever you like."

"...I don't think I'll be able to come back if I do, so spare me."

"I'll find something good for your companions too."

"Wow, you're generous."

"Yes... I'm making so much money, I feel like I'm going to burst!"

The scam merchant laughed with the accessory merchant, unable to stop.

That's the face of someone who has been consumed by the dark side of business.

Business is fearsome.

There's a dark side that makes people unhappy, but there's also a dark side that makes people happy... I'll keep that in mind.

In the end, Raphatal and Firos each received a Miraka accessory.

Raphatal got a strap for her sword handle, and Firos got a strap for her shoelaces.

Miraka Strap (Medium Stamina Recovery)

Quality: Supreme

Miraka Strap (Medium Magic Power Enhancement)

Quality: Supreme

"It feels a bit wrong."

"There's no need to worry, so let's take them."

I'll pretend not to notice if their shadows seem to be laughing.

They have their own path to follow.

If a riot breaks out because they get caught with fakes, it's not my problem.

Even if I'm falsely accused, I can show these accessories and claim to be a victim too.

"Just so you know, if anything goes wrong, it's not our fault."

"I understand. The Hero of the Shield is quite cautious. That's a good trait for a businessman, though."

"I made sure to get a clear agreement. If you try to pin the blame on me later, you know what will happen to you."

"Yes, we are prepared."

They said it in unison.

Really... do they understand?