Chapter 9

■■■■■■■■■■

009 - Merchant Maurice and his guards

■■■■■■■■■■

Jun read the book that Grandma Shar had prepared every day. After five days, he heard the sound of multiple people approaching the house. Listening carefully, he determined it was a group of about ten people. He had heard that the merchant usually came with around ten guards, so he thought the number was a bit low as he went to the front of Grandma Shar's workshop.

"Grandma Shar, it seems the merchant has arrived."

"Aye."

He called out through the workshop door. He had been told not to enter, so he had never been inside.

Less than a minute later, Grandma Shar came out. Looking outside through the window, he saw a group of people who appeared to be the merchants.

"Can you make some tea for them?"

"Yes. For everyone?"

Glancing out the window, he quickly counted the figures and realized there were 13 people. A few of them walked without making any sound. With his Enhanced Hearing at Level 1, he often couldn't hear such subtle sounds, but he was still impressed.

"You don't need that much. The merchant and two guards will come inside, but just tea for me and the merchant."

"Then, should I serve some alcohol to the guards?"

"Hahaha. Maybe it's a good idea. Serve them one cup after we finish our talk."

"Yes."

Knock knock. Knock knock. The merchant knocked on the door with a unique rhythm. This was the way the merchant knocked when visiting Grandma Shar's house. The door would not be opened for any other knocking sound.

"It's open. Come in."

When Grandma Shar gave permission, the door opened.

"It's been a while, Madame Shar."

A merchant in his prime entered with two sturdy guards. The merchant had drooping ears and a gentle smile directed at Grandma Shar. The guards, who always accompanied the merchant into the house, never spoke.

"Right on schedule, Maurice."

Maurice, the merchant, had been visiting Grandma Shar's house for about ten years. Jun didn't know, but Grandma Shar was a well-known figure in the magical artifact world, and it took Maurice three years to gain her recognition. Thanks to that, he had grown into a major merchant, handling Grandma Shar's magical artifacts.

"Your promise to Madame Shar takes precedence over everything."

"Of course. Well, please sit down."

"Yes. Excuse me."

As Maurice sat down, Jun timely brought in the tea. In this house, where no one other than Grandma Shar usually stayed, Jun's presence with the tea was unusual. The two guards placed their hands on the hilts of their swords.

"Wait. This child is fine."

At Grandma Shar's words, Maurice nodded to the guards.

"Please, have some tea."

In the tense atmosphere, Jun placed the tea in front of Grandma Shar and the merchant.

"Is this your apprentice?"

"Just a lodger."

Jun bowed to the merchant and the guards.

"My name is Jun."

"I am the merchant Maurice. It's a pleasure to meet you, Jun-sama."

"Just call me Jun. I don't need the 'sama' or any formalities."

Maurice glanced at Grandma Shar, who was drinking tea.

The image of Grandma Shar was that of a difficult person. According to Maurice, she had reigned over the magical artifact world for over 50 years but had only three apprentices. In the ten years he had been visiting this house, he had never seen anyone else. Grandma Shar had never kept anyone close except for her three apprentices, and she hadn't taken any apprentices for the past ten years. Maurice felt a sense of unease and his mind raced at the thought of Grandma Shar having a lodger.

The relationship between Jun and Grandma Shar was that of a grandchild or great-grandchild, or something close to it. Maurice concluded that if he mishandled Jun, it could upset Grandma Shar.

"Then, I'll call you Jun-san."

"I don't need the 'san' either..."

"Jun, that's fine, isn't it?"

"...Alright."

Jun stepped back and stood behind Grandma Shar.

"Shall we start the negotiations?"

"Yes, please."

The conversation began with Grandma Shar purchasing the food Maurice had brought. Jun knew the price of wheat reasonably well, but the amount Maurice quoted was quite high. However, considering they were in the middle of a demon forest and it took two days to get here with 12 guards, it seemed quite reasonable.

Jun thought Grandma Shar was just a magical artifact craftsman. He had no idea she was a legendary magical artifact master. He assumed Maurice was doing this almost as a favor for a fellow magical artifact craftsman. Both of them were wrong, or rather, they were mistaken because they didn't know the truth.

Maurice and his 12 guards would spend the night at Grandma Shar's house. This was usual, with Maurice staying inside the house while the guards set up tents in the yard. Jun brought some alcohol to the guards in the yard, and Maurice allowed it, saying one cup was fine.

"This is very kind. Thank you."

Rudio, the leader of the guards, was a wolf beastman in his late 50s. He was the captain of Maurice's dedicated guard team and had previously been an A-rank adventurer. An A-rank adventurer, in terms of level, was around 51 to 70. To Jun, who was level 6, Rudio was like a god.

"Your name is Jun, right?"

"Yes, my name is Jun."

"Are you really going to the dungeon city?"

"That's my plan."

"Then, let me give you a piece of advice from an older person."

Jun, who hadn't expected to receive advice, straightened his back and listened carefully.

"Yes, please tell me."

"Initially, don't trust anyone but yourself."

"Huh?"

"To enter the dungeon, you need to become an adventurer. You know this, right?"

"Yes."

"Adventurers are often half-hearted. In other words, many of them have bad behavior."

"..."

"Many of them don't hesitate to hurt or steal from others in the dungeon."

"..."

"You might form a party as an adventurer, but some of them might even kill their party members. So, learn to judge who you can trust. Develop that eye."

The world was more brutal than he had imagined, and he was shocked. However, he wanted to go to the dungeon city, become an adventurer, level up, and most importantly, earn CHSC to gain confidence.

"Yes, I will."

"Well, if you buy a slave, you won't be betrayed."

"Slaves...?"

"Slaves are forbidden from harming their masters."

"Right, and female slaves can take care of you at night. Hahaha."

"Geitz, shut up."

"Sure thing."

Rudio scolded Geitz, a tiger beastman in his 30s, who showed his sharp teeth in a fierce grin.

Most of the guards were former or current adventurers. They tended to be crude in their words and actions, like Geitz, but they were generally good-natured. However, Geitz was not an adventurer but a former knight who had become a guard. He had originally served the country but, due to his rough personality, he didn't fit in with the strict knight order and retired early to become Maurice's dedicated guard.

"These guys were once just thugs. They're still thugs with a bit more polish."

"No way!"

"We're loyal to money!"

"Hahaha, not true."

The guards laughed loudly. It wasn't a nasty laugh, but a joyful one, and Jun felt it.

"Anyway, don't trust anyone you don't judge to be trustworthy. Consider anyone who approaches you in the dungeon as an enemy. Got it?"

"Yes, I'll keep that in mind."

"That's good. Thanks for the drink."

The glass that looked large in Jun's hand looked small in Rudio's. He downed the drink in one go.

"Ah, delicious!"

Rudio had seen many adventurers killed by other adventurers. From his experience, he knew that children like Jun, who seemed vulnerable, were easy targets.

At his age, he sometimes felt weary of living in such a brutal world. But he knew no other way of life.