My stay in the village was much less hectic than I had expected.


　Since they were not in a nobleman's mansion, there was no one to take care of them or make arrangements for them, and they were basically on their own.
　Noah, Kazi, and the guide man were there, so it wasn't too much of a burden, but by the time we finished the engraving, preparations for tomorrow, reconfiguring the route to the capital, and all the other necessary tasks, the sun was already down.


　And now it was dinner time.
　In front of me, on the mahogany-colored wooden table, there was the most sumptuous meal I had ever imagined.
　A soup with wild vegetables and eggs.
　Pie crusted with river fish.
　A whole roasted duck stuffed with herbs.
　And so on.


　These were dishes that the villagers would rarely see, as they would only be served at celebratory occasions.
　They were all illuminated by the glittering glass hanging from the ceiling.
　The skin of the duck was browned and glistened in the light from the ceiling, the soup was fragrant with the aroma of steam, and the fish pie was to die for.
　The creamy dough is shaped like a fish and has a golden brown crust.
　On the surface is a layer of lemon slices.
　Surrounded by boiled vegetables for color.


　But...


"...... big pie


　I naturally rolled my eyes at the pie, which was as big as a whole roasted duck. I wondered what was going on when a huge dish that took up most of the table was brought in from the oven outside.
　It looked like something out of a national animated film in a man's world, yet it had an indescribable simplicity to it.


This fish is a white trout, isn't it? It's common in the western part of Japan.


　But it's huge. The question arose whether we could eat it.
　There were four of us, including the man who was guiding us. We could only eat one head.
　While the lady smiled calmly and said, "Mmm-hmm," one of us was amazed at the size of the pie.


You can't eat the whole thing, you know.　"You can't eat the whole thing, you have to leave at least half.

It is a common custom in all regions to prepare a sumptuous meal for a visiting guest and let the younger children eat the remainder. It's a common practice in all regions.

So that's what this is all about.


　Their explanation made sense to me.
　But even so, it's not hard to imagine that these are very expensive. No matter how stable the food situation is in this world, serving several whole roasted ducks and a pie crust together is not an ordinary thing.
　After all, it seems that the villagers were quite grateful for the maintenance and repair of the imprinting tools.
　Even after that, every time I went out, I received words of thanks from many people.


　It had been a long time since we had had a sumptuous dinner, and my followers and I enjoyed it very much.
　The baked goods were especially delicious, with the cheese between the dough and the white meat melting into an indescribable taste. Combined with the sliced lemon, the smell and aftertaste of the river fish were not overpowering.
　It's a great way to get the most out of your meal.


　............ If that was all, there was nothing special about it, and I was at peace.


I'm sorry about that!　I'm so sorry!　It's so good, I think my cheeks are going to fall off.

"............

"............

"............


　The three Arxes look at each other indescribably, and see Gills smiling with a good mood. Next to the guide man who struggles with the growing cheese, he now takes off his hat to show his short brown hair.
　He, too, is being treated to dinner.
　It seems that the village chief had received various supplies from the Guilds, and he was invited as a way of thanking them.
　It's okay that I don't mind, but I was overwhelmed by his strong personality even at the dinner table.


...... Dear Arx. You might want to moderate your strange acquaintances.

"Hey Noah, did you just glance at me for a second?　Did you?

Was it my imagination?　Or do you think you're crazy, Mr. Kazui?

This ......


　I'm sure you'll be able to understand why.
　I'm not sure what to make of that. Even though they have opposite personalities, they still manage to communicate with each other in a casual way. Noah wouldn't say something like this unless he was with someone he was comfortable with, and Kazu is shrugging his shoulders without seeming to care much.


　Anyway, as for the other one who was called "strange"...


The other one, the one who was called funny, said: "Your beautiful girl is very strict.

"No, no, I'm very flattered.

That's very nice. I think your brother is easier to get to know. See?

No, please. I try not to hang out with people who are overtly smelly. Khihihi.


　I'm not going to go out with anyone who's overtly shady," Kazi replies to Gills, who comes close to him.
　I'm sure that Gilles looks like a stinker to Kazui as well.
　He is far more scandalous than the man who used to be synonymous with scandalousness. It sounds good to say that he has no idea what's going on at the bottom, but when it goes too far, it's understandable to be wary.
　Even behind his smile, Kazuhi has a hint of caution. Did you read his intentions correctly from his attitude?


"Oh no, I've been rejected. Arx-kun is my only best friend.




　This one is being made a friend without permission.


No, best friend.

So, I have a favor to ask my best friend.　You know that deal I was telling you about, the engraving equipment?

Listen, .......


　That's what you're gonna do?


What do you think?　Will you think about it?

"I'm not sure.


　Again I give a vague answer, but Gills is still insistent.


I'm not going to let you lose money. I'm going to make you a lot of money, okay?　See?　I'll make you money, okay?

Is that it?

It's not every day you get to see such a beautiful pattern. It's just for further development.

"Hmm. ......


　I groan in thought.
　Gilles also praises me, but I can't quite decipher his inner thoughts. It's nice when someone says you're good, but a merchant is a bit of a sensitive profession to take that praise at face value.


　However, it would be rash to dismiss it out of hand.
　In the first place, I don't know much about this man, especially about the merchant side.
　So the question to ask is.


"...... How many sales channels does he have?　I'd like to hear about Gills' connections.

"Oh?　Will you listen to me?　Sapphireburg in the northern union. He's got connections all over the Hanai Islands, all the way south to the Grand Shell.

That's .......


　That's ," he said, "and it covers most of the merchant houses in all the countries that have ties to the kingdom.
　Of course, that's not the whole story, but it's certainly a pretty extensive one.
　Noah lets out a sigh of relief.


That's great.

I haven't traveled all over the world.

But doesn't that come with the proviso that it's only as good as the story?

Yeah. That's true.


　Even in the face of doubt, Gills is like a willow that catches the wind.
　But if this story is true, it would be a loss not to get involved.
　Selling is not the only way to do business. If you have a relationship with these people, you can buy everything from products to information.


　......, but I travel alone. The fact that you don't even know if you have a backer is reason enough to hesitate.
　Gills may have sensed our inner feelings.


This is something I don't show people very often. ......


　Then, as if to prove he was a businessman, he took out his goods from the backpack he had prepared at his feet.


　A lump of resin that shines like a jewel.
　The reddish-black fruits of the plant with an iron smell.
　Mysterious branches filled with colorful jade fruits.


　When Noah and Kazui saw them, they suddenly groaned.


These ...... are all very valuable.

"This one's an iron collar. Oh, .......


　Noah grabbed a handkerchief and picked up a jewel-like lump of resin.
　What Kazi is looking at is the fruit of a precious plant that can only be found deep in the Cross Mountains.
　According to both of them, all of them are not so easy to find.
　Even the big stores in King's Landing can't buy some of them, they said.


　Noah even added in a whisper, "He's the real deal: ......".
　I'm not sure if Gills is in a good mood because of the endorsement, or if he's just smug and proud. He's smirking a lot.
　And then.


"Well?　How about we make a deal on this?

"Hmm. ......


　There is certainly enough merit in this for us.
　We have a lot of connections in the area, and the goods are rare.
　Regardless of whether you do business with them or not, it's an option to have a connection.

　The only problem is that we still don't know who this guy is.
　That alone is reason enough to shake your head, but the question is whether the advantages of standing firm here are balanced by the disadvantages of swallowing.

　Noah, on the other hand, kept a clear face.
　When he sees Kazui, he resumes his meal as if he doesn't care.
　I guess both of them leave it to their master's judgment.
　I wonder if they trust him, or if it's just too much trouble. Of course, he would answer our questions.


　Anyway, as I was about to go on with my story, there was a sudden noise outside.
　Soon, I heard more and more banging on the door.
　The lady hurriedly opened the door and a young man from the village came running in, gasping for breath.
　A young man from the village rushes in, gasping for air, his hands on the shelves, his back hunched, his breath coming in ragged gasps.


"M, Chief!　Oh my God!



What's wrong?

The guards are out there looking for the light. Quite a lot of them!

...... at this hour?　Territorial troops or patrol?

I don't know for sure yet, but I think they might be bandits. I'm quickly gathering the young men of the village.


　Naturally, they heard the commotion.


"What?　Hey, hey, you're not really coming, are you ......?

"This is the birth of the ...... prophet Arx Raytheft.

"What?


　Noah and Kazi shouted in surprise. I'm not sure what to make of that.
　When I threatened the two followers, both Noah and Kazi turned away, looking unhappy.


　On the other hand, he casually turns his gaze toward Gills.
　This one is still smiling aloofly as before.
　In spite of the situation, though.


I'm not sure what's going on.　Mr. Arx.

No, I was wondering why Gills was so calm.

Well, I had a certain expectation.

Did he know the bandits would show up?　No, I don't know yet.

I'm pretty sure of it.

Are you sure?

You're sure?　Isn't that obvious?　Bandits are always on the lookout for someone to rob, you know?　They don't appear where there is no one to steal from, and it's natural for them to appear where there is, right?

So you were unmoved?

No. If it appears near the mountain road in the near future, you should keep in mind that it might come to the nearby village, right?

............


　Yes, that's true. Gill's answer makes a lot of sense.
　But if that's true, why did he choose such a dangerous "nearby village" to stay in? A safety-conscious merchant would have avoided risky activities as much as possible. He would never have gone near such a place.


　But Gills was still smiling, an uncanny smile on his face.
　What was he thinking? I can't see any inner thoughts in his narrow eyes.
　But now is not the time to be thinking about that.


Noah, Kazui.


　When I called out to them, they said, "Yes, sir," and "Good grief," and immediately began to prepare.
　Noah readied his weapon.
　Kazui went outside to check on them.
　When the village chief saw us start to move, he called out to us in confusion.


"Ah, Master Arx?

We'll fight you if it comes to that.

No, that's .......

Don't worry. Those two are used to fighting. Bud, you wait here.


　When I give the order, the guide man nods.
　We can't put him in harm's way, because we don't want him to get hurt.


"No!　You're so brave at your age. You look like the heir to a monarch.

Do you fight too, Gills?

No, I've got enough on my plate. I'll go hide somewhere else.


　I'll just hide somewhere else." I wondered what his intentions were in trying to stick around.
　Could it be that they are planning to hide behind us?


　Noah casually asks.


(......I'll keep an eye out for you, but be careful.

(......)


　As I was talking with Noah, Kazi came out of the doorway.
　As I was talking to Noah, Kazi came out of the doorway, smiling his usual creepy smile.


"I guess my master is a prophet after all, huh?

"Well, you'd better start worshipping me.

"Kihihi. I've always taken care of you, haven't I?


　He was carrying a cane with an unusual handle.
　He had brought it with him on his long journey, but he had never used it before, but the fact that he was showing it here meant that it was a weapon.
　The village chief asks Kazui, "What's the situation?


What's the situation?

Oh, they're trying to force through the south gate. The village people are holding them back for now, but it's only a matter of time before they break through.

"I see. ......


　The village chief looked pale. I guess he doesn't have many experiences like this.


　I don't have the same experience, but I do have the knowledge.
　In this case, .......


The chief of the village should go to ...... and prepare to fight and arrange a bonfire. Also, go around to the other houses and tell them not to go outside.

"Yes, sir!


　With Noah in tow and Gills behind me, I headed for the scene.
　A simple fence was already in place in front of the south gate, with armed village men.
　And as Kazui had said, the young men of the village were holding the gate to prevent it from being breached.


"We can't hold them!


　There was a pounding on the edge of the gate.
　With each crash, there was a heavy thud and a shudder that seemed to echo in my stomach.
　Small pieces of wood flew out.
　A voice came from beyond the gate.
　The old bolts were distorting and screeching.
　It's almost time to break it.


　That's the moment! The moment the gate is destroyed, the bandits will pour in.
　They're probably gloating now, thinking about what will happen after the attack.
　Murder.
　Looting.
　Rape.


　The only thing they can't foresee is their own misfortune in setting up a raid in such a place.