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33 - bigoted old arms dealer

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　A castle town in the opposite section of the city from the refugee camp.

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　It's an old section of the city that has existed since the moment I was born into this world.

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　No, according to Eve, it's a venerable old town that has existed since the time of the last Demon King.

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　In one corner of this ancient city is an old weapons shop... where Godreave once forged the tail of a fire dragon. It is said that there is a fire-dragon axe that was once forged by Godreve.

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　I came here with such information, but the arms shop was deserted.

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　The only sign of its former popularity is the size of the store.

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　The signboard was blackened and illegible, the door was creaking, and there was a musty smell upon entering the store.

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　A girl of about 10 years old greeted us.

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　She calls out to me from behind the counter.

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　She was a small girl, so her voice seemed to come from under the counter.

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Welcome. Sir!"

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　He was very friendly, but I couldn't see his face because he was under the counter.

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　Standing in front of the counter, I peeked in and could finally see his face.

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　It was a little girl after all.

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　She was a girl with flaxen hair and two pigtails.

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　She must be the store keeper. I ask the owner to take care of her.

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　I asked her, but she showed me no interest.

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The owner is your grandfather, isn't he?　That might be difficult."

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"Why not?"

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"That's right. My grandfather is ill."

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"I see, that's unfortunate."

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　But that was probably not a good idea, because an angry voice is heard from the back of the store.

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"Who's being compassionate? I'm not a sick man!

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　An old man with a cane and a trembling body comes in.

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　He looked like a sick man from all angles.

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　The old man looked at us with a suspicious look.

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"What the hell are you people?

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　When Jeanne heard these words, she said a little angrily.

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"Who do you think you are? This man is, after all, the one who is in the castle of the Demon King..."

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　I then physically shut Jeanne's mouth to silence her.

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　It's not a bad idea to negotiate with him after revealing myself as the lord of the castle, but I don't want to use my authority too much.

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　I wanted to keep things quiet.

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My name is Asito. These two are my traveling companions. In fact, there is an axe in this store that was forged by a master craftsman known as the Tail of the Fire Dragon. I'd like to have it.

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"What, you know the tail of a fire dragon?"

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Yes, I heard rumors.

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　The old shopkeeper stares at me suspiciously.

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　He seems to think about something for a while, but then shakes his head quickly.

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No, no, no. You can't handle this.

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　He shakes his head and tries to get rid of them.

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"Can't you give me that part somehow? I'll pay more than the market price, not to say that I'm willing to pay anything.

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"It's not about the money. I choose the bearer of the weapon. I only sell to those who can bring out the best potential of the weapon."

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My companion is the best fighter.

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"I know that when I see it. But that Asian guy over there is a swordsman. You've never held anything else.

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　Toshizo nodded his head in agreement.

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"There is no way you can use that big axe with your slender body.

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"That makes sense."

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　Toshizo easily agrees.

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　The sword he wears at his waist, Izumimamori Kanetada, is one that he received from a master swordsmith, and he understands the old man's feelings.

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　I wanted to say to him, "Whose side are you on?" but he kept his moderation by his silence.

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　Then the attack shifts to Jeanne.

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"Your little girl is even more out of line. You're a swordsman too. You're not good with an axe.

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"I've only used it to chop wood."

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　Jeanne's chest heaves with pride.

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"I'm not as strong as you. I'll never be able to use it.

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　He gestures for them to go away.

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　Jeanne accepts, but the moment she hides behind my back, she sticks her tongue out at the old shopkeeper.

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　This is childish.

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　I ask him if he will give it to me, even though I am afraid to come forward after a heroic warrior has been turned down.

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　The old shopkeeper makes the most unpleasant face of the day when he hears these words.

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"...... you're not just a warrior, you're a magician."

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　He is a demon king, to be precise, but he can also handle weapons.

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"If you can handle the great axe, please give it to me. If not, I will not come back.

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"That's a very silly thing to say. Fine. You have one chance. Swing the axe in front of me and I'll give it to you.

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　And the old shopkeeper brings an axe.

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　Since he can't do ......, his granddaughter, Hijikata, and Jeanne bring it to him.

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"Why am I doing this ......?"

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　But he also says, "I'm not a good person.

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"The weight of this axe is extraordinary. No ordinary man could lift it."

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　He says he can understand why the old shopkeeper refuses to give up.

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"It's true that an ordinary person can't do it, but I'm the Demon King, remember?

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　He says this so that only Toshizo can hear, but before he lifts it up, he has something on his mind, so he asks the old shopkeeper.

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"I've been wondering since a few minutes ago, there are some thugs around the store, aren't there?"

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"Rustlers?　Ha!　No way!

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　The old shopkeeper checks the entrance to his store.

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　There were merchants and adventurers.

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　The burly merchant walks in, ignores us, and says

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Hey, old arms dealer, when are you going to pay your debt?

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　The old shopkeeper retorts.

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"I don't owe you anything. At least not to you."

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"But my father had one. He said he could pay me back whenever he wanted, but that was just him. Now that it's my turn, I'll have my ear to the ground."

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　An old man like you could die at any time," said the merchant with a sly smile.

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　He looked like a typical villain in the story.

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　But it seems to be true that he has debts, and his granddaughter is trembling and saying, "What should I do?

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　I go up to her and ask her how much she owes.

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　At first the granddaughter was not sure whether she should tell me or not, but when Jeanne bent her knees and talked to her at the same level as her, she opened her heart to me. She is a saint indeed.

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"...... 200 gold coins, sir."

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"That's outrageous."

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　To my surprise, my granddaughter defends herself.

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　At first it was just a few dozen gold coins, but the interest got too much. ....... And at first it was really no interest and I could pay it back anytime I wanted."

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　The granddaughter complains with tears in her eyes.

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"I know I'm a crooked merchant, but a loan is a loan. Fine. I'll pay it."

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　As I say this, Toshizo takes a gold coin out of his pocket and puts it on the counter.

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　He has prepared three hundred gold coins, but he is very smart to put them all on the counter. The girl and the old man have a life to live after paying back their debts.

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　However, in front of them is a stubborn old man who firmly refuses the merchants' attempts to touch the gold coins.

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"Don't you dare. I don't take care of others."

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　I was getting angry, so I raised my voice.

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"This is the price of the goods. It's your fair share. The fire dragon's tail is the last work of the master craftsman Godreve. It is worth 300 gold pieces."

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

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"The customer decides the value of the goods. You can buy it for more than it's worth. Besides, your granddaughter will sell herself if you don't."

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　The old shopkeeper looks at his grandchildren.

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　He is a bigoted old man, but his granddaughter is lovely and he seems to have changed his mind when he sees her.

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　However, he is still not ready to sell his equipment to someone who can't equip it.

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　He is a troublesome old man.

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　I thought to myself, "I have to show him a trick," and lifted up the fire dragon's tail with my right hand. Of course, I strengthened my muscles with magic.

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　The unscrupulous merchants are stunned to see me do it.

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　The old shopkeeper and his granddaughter.

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"Don't judge a man by his looks. I can do this too.

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　I say that, and I swing my great axe down.

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　Aimed at the crooks.

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　Under their feet, of course.

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　When the big hole opens up, the merchant is stunned and incontinent.

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"Yikes!"

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　A squeal escapes.

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　His cronies seem to be freaking out, so I go after them.

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　I put my face close to theirs and said to them

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This is the land ruled by the demon king Ashtaroth. He is a merciful king who hates injustice. He hates loan sharks like you the most. I'll not say a word. You have until tomorrow to pack your belongings and leave this castle town.

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　Hearing these words, the merchant's cronies tried to draw their swords, but were quiet when Toshizo drew his and destroyed their trouser belts.

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　They fled, clutching their pants as they slipped down. They left their employer, the merchant, behind.

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　The merchant follows behind them, crying.

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"...... I cut another boring one."

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　Toshizo laments, but his swordsmanship has purified this town a little.

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　He should be proud of that.

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　Thus I bought the fire dragon's tail from the eccentric old shopkeeper.

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　He was an eccentric old man, but as we parted, he said

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"......Thank you, Demon Lord."

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　He said.

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　It seems that they knew who I was. And I was glad to see him show a little flirtation at the end.

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