by Aneko Yusagi
“Wai—bubba! I still get motion si—”
I ignored Keel and took off. We spent the day traveling around to several nearby towns, spending around an hour at each. With Filo running at top speed, that was possible. It had been a long time since I’d last been out hawking goods. Many of the same townspeople from before showed up, acting like they had missed me.
“So the saint was actually the Shield Hero!”
“Oh, uh . . . yeah. I figured I wouldn’t get any business if people knew who I really was.”
“Sorry for all you had to go through.”
“No worries.”
They were all just empty apologies, anyway. If I were to now cause a problem instead, there’s no doubt they would all be screaming, “So you were the Shield Demon, after all!” I didn’t go for the whole “customer is god” thing that Japanese people liked to push. The phrase originally came from something some Japanese folk singer said and wasn’t even supposed to mean what people think it does.
“I was given a territory, so I decided to peddle medicines and other goods more extensively to help with the country’s reconstruction and prepare for the coming waves. Your business is appreciated. Just look for the shield sign hanging from the carriage.”
That’s right. There was a sign shaped like a shield hanging on the outside of our carriage right now.
“So you’re doing it for the country and our people, I see!”
Making an impression like this would lead to more customers. It might have been a good idea to have Filo’s underling pull a carriage in filolial queen form, too. Then again, I didn’t want to deal with the racket that would come with it. It might be fine if there was someone else willing to look after the thing, but I’m sure that would never work out.
“You hear that?! Let’s give our business to the Shield Hero!”
“Yeah!”
Word of mouth sure was handy at times like these. Even good rumors spread before you knew it. I had no idea how they knew, but customers were showing up to meet us the moment we arrived at the next town.
“Hey bubba, did I do okay?”
After we finished selling our wares, Keel, looking ridiculously embarrassed, asked for my verdict.
“Yeah. Your smile can’t sell quite like Raphtalia’s can, but several of the customers were grinning because they thought your clumsiness was cute.”
“Is that supposed to be a compliment?”
It was the same no matter what world you were in. Seeing that kind of innocence just made people feel good inside. Raphtalia’s support role worked well, too. This setup should allow us to make a bundle. Even cheap, poor-quality medicinal herbs would end up being average quality if I used my shield to make the materials. Then, if I used those average-quality materials to make more advanced medicines by hand, the end product would turn out to be above average. We could expect to make a nice profit.
After vending for three days, we’d made pretty respectable earnings. We also bought up medicinal herbs along the way and I used my shield to make medicines out of them. Keel and several of the other slaves had observed our work and seemed to have the basics down, so things were going well. I’d delegate more carriages to peddling soon.
And that’s when it happened.
“Well, well . . . If it isn’t the Shield Hero!”
The slave trader’s carriage rolled up into the village. He’d been visiting a lot lately. I guess I couldn’t really complain, though, since I had him searching for the slaves from the village for me. I’d seen him talking to the slaves here, too, though. Would he even try to sell the slaves a slave of their own? I mean, I was giving them a small allowance, but come on . . .
“Did you bring me another slave from the village?”
“Unfortunately, I have brought no such thing. Yes sir.”
“Then why are you here?! Go away!”
Should I throw salt over my shoulder? If he tried saying he came to mooch food because he was bored I’d knock him off his carriage.
“Your response to my showing up without a purpose sends tingles of excitement down my spine!”
“I get the feeling you’re trying to turn me into your own personal chef lately.”
“That was just a joke. Yes sir.”
“Are you trying to pick a fight?”
“Not at all. I’m actually here to extend an invitation to the Shield Hero.”
“An invitation?”
The slave trader threw his hands up into the air. Everything was theatrical with this guy. Whatever it was, it was sure to be a waste of time.
“Indeed. Since we’ve had so little luck finding any of the slaves here in Melromarc, I consulted a relative of mine, and I’ve been told that they are on the market in Zeltoble. Yes sir.”
“Ah, I see.”
In other words, the slave trader had found out where the slaves were, so he had come here in person to report his findings. What a bothersome guy.
“How long does it take to get there?”
“Let’s see . . . Travelling by boat would normally be fastest, but that precious filolial of yours should be able to make it there in around a week and a half, I think.”
A week and a half for Filo . . . That was a long way. Even so, it was closer than the Spirit Tortoise country. That reminded me of something. A while back, the other heroes had mentioned that the weapon shop in Zeltoble was really good. That meant they had traveled there. No wonder their levels weren’t as high as I expected them to be back then. Their weapons were top-class, though.
“How long by boat?”
“Two weeks.”
“Hmm . . .”
I glanced over at the others around the village. Everyone was busy doing his and her part to help with the reconstruction. Raphtalia was teaching some slaves the dos and don’ts of peddling, and Filo was taking a nap. The slaves that wanted to fight had been training with the old lady in the neighboring town during their free time, just like Keel.
Even if I did make the trip, I could use my portal to return to the village at night. With daily reports, things would still be manageable.
“I guess we might as well go, then.”
“I thought you might say that!”
“Raphtalia, Filo, and everyone else, too! Gather ’round over here for a minute.”
I called everyone, and they came swarming over.
“I’m going to be leaving for Zeltoble in just a bit, so I’ll be away from the village during the day. I’ll be taking Filo and . . .”
Honestly, if I just went with Filo at first, I could bring anyone else I needed afterward.
“Raphtalia, you’re in charge of the village during the daytime.”
“Huh? You’re leaving me behind?”
“Heh heh heh . . . big sis gets to house-sit!”
“Rafu!”
Before I knew it, I ended up taking Filo and Raph-chan with me. Well, I guess I wouldn’t have a means of transportation without Filo.
“It’s only for a week, and only during the daytime. So relax.”
“But still . . .”
“With how busy we’ve been, we’ve been split up more and more lately, right? I’m leaving things up to you because I know I can count on you.”
Or was it me that Raphtalia was worried about?
“Understood. If anything comes up, please return immediately.”
“If it really bugs you that much, then you can just come with us every now and then.”
“You’re right. With such a convenient teleportation skill, there’s no reason not to make use of it.”
I’d be coming back each night, so Raphtalia could either go with us or stay here, depending on the day.
“Alright, we’ll be back.”
“Safe travels, Mr. Naofumi!”
And so I accepted the slave trader’s invitation and we set out for Zeltoble.
Chapter Ten: Zeltoble
Our journey went smoothly, and we arrived at the capital city of Zeltoble.
“Pre
tty lively place.”
We made our way noisily through the city’s bustling streets. Even the Melromarc castle town wasn’t this lively. Once we arrived, I went back and fetched Raphtalia and Rishia, of course. There was plenty to be uncertain about, and I wanted to be able to fight if needed. It didn’t really feel so much like we had traveled to a faraway place, since we were returning to the village at night.
As for Zeltoble, how should I describe it? The country was full of stone coliseum-looking buildings that really stood out.
“What kind of country is Zeltoble, anyway? I don’t really know anything about it.”
“Well, then, allow me to explain! Yes sir!”
The slave trader began his explanation, full of excitement.
“Zeltoble is known as the country of merchants and mercenaries. Just like it sounds, the country runs on mercantilism and the mercenary business.”
“Yeah, I got that impression.”
“You know what mercenaries are, I take it. They’re people who earn money by fighting. The country also has strong ties with the guild that oversees all of the adventurer business. As a commercial hub, it single-handedly takes care of everything from distributing weapons and armor to supplying medicines and other consumables that the guild needs. Here money changes hands on a scale that is unheard of in other countries.”
Looking out of the carriage as we trotted along down the streets it wasn’t hard to believe. The Melromarc castle town was full of life, too, but this place felt like a real smorgasbord. The urban landscape seemed to continue on and on, alternating between bustling business districts and slums.
“The country has no king, by the way. It is administered by a council comprised of the most influential merchants.”
“Oh?”
So the country was more of a republic, then? It made sense for a country that touted itself as the country of mercenaries. Maybe it was a merit-based society.
“The country also has a profound dark side, as evidenced by the saying, ‘war is fought in the shadow of Zeltoble.’ Do be careful, Shield Hero.”
“I will.”
“My family is based out of Zeltoble. The country has treated our pockets well.”
“I thought that might be the case.”
That reminded me, I had a nightmare the night before. A whole crowd of creeps that looked just like the slave trader appeared out of nowhere and started trying to sell me slaves and monsters.
“Zeltoble is famous for the coliseum events that are held all around the country.”
“Coliseum?”
He was talking about fighting arenas, right? They were probably pitting mercenaries against each other and betting on who would win.
“It’s one of Zeltoble’s top attractions. I am confident that attending one of the events would make your whole trip worth it, Shield Hero.”
“I’ll think about it. So where are we supposed to go now?”
“We need to get off of the main street. Turn down that back alley over there. That should work.”
“Got it. Filo.”
I guided Filo toward the back alley that the slave trader had pointed out. As soon as we entered the alley, a rope came flying toward Filo from out of nowhere.
“Heh heh heh . . . That sure is an unusual monster you have there, eh?”
A group of brutish-looking guys stepped out in front of us. Did these idiots not know who Filo was? Either way, they reminded me of another group of idiots I knew.
“Hiya!”
“Arghhhh!!!”
Filo kicked the fool that had recklessly tried to capture her with a lasso and sent him flying off into space.
“Huh?! What is this thing?! Stop struggling! Ugh!”
“This monster is a savage! Hurry up and wring its ne—arghhh!”
Ah, Filo had bitten down on the head of one of the idiots. He struggled for a few moments before going limp. I guess he’d passed out.
“M . . . monster!”
“Somebody save me!”
Filo spit the unconscious half-wit out and tore the rope from her neck.
“I prefer them a bit saltier. He didn’t taste very healthy!”
“. . .”
The thought that Filo might actually turn into a man-eating monster scared me. I had a feeling she was growing up to be a real basket case.
“Filo, people are not for eating.”
“Huh?”
She was just a filolial, after all. Maybe it was delayed intellectual development. What a bother. Considering what I needed her for, less intellect would be better.
“Filo. The thing about people is . . . it’s the children that taste best. They’re nice and tender.”
“Rafu! Rafu rafu!”
“Don’t tell her that, Mr. Naofumi! And don’t you encourage him, Raph-chan!”
I remembered there being a monster from some game or book that said something like that, so I tried repeating it to Filo, but she shook her head with revulsion.
“Nooo!”
“See, that kind of thing works better on Filo.”
“Oh, for crying out loud. I can’t tell if she actually gets it or not.”
“Look, Filo. Don’t go putting people in your mouth unless you’re trying to scare them. It’s for your own good.”
“Yup! I just did it because I figured it would make them run away!”
Oh? So she actually understood intimidation and that’s why she did it. I guess she was learning, after all. I couldn’t have her being too smart, but understanding that much should be fine.
“What was that about being salty?”
“The taste he left in my mouth.”
I just had to pray she didn’t acquire a taste for humans because of that.
We stopped the carriage in front of a shop owned by an acquaintance of the slave trader, and then we got out and followed the slave trader down the alley. When we came out of the other side, I could see a huge coliseum. It was a stone building that resembled a domed ballpark, and a brawny man stood guard at its entrance. It must have been a pretty popular place, because there was a long line of people waiting to get in.
“This way.”
The slave trader continued around to the back entrance and gave a quick nod to the man standing guard, who then stepped aside and let us through.
“This place is a coliseum on the surface, but underground is a black market where slaves are sold. Yes sir.”
“Oh?”
“Of course, the same is true for the vast majority of coliseums in this country. The wares offered vary with each guild. Yes sir.”
“What about yours?”
“Needless to say, we deal primarily in slaves. Even so, we don’t control the market exclusively.”
After continuing on for a few moments, we came to a stairway leading underground. As we walked down the steps, I could hear cheers coming from above. Business must have been good.
“Business seems good on the coliseum side of things. What kind of competitions go on up there?”
“Fights, for the most part, but sometimes there are other events, such as eating contests. Yes sir.”
“I’d like to get Filo in on one of those.”
I wouldn’t have minded seeing just how far that bottomless pit could go.
“Huh? I’m going to enter?”
“It’s a possibility.”
We could cut our food expenses and even make some extra cash. Then again, I was sure losing would carry significant risks.
“I’m sure that would turn out to be quite interesting. Yes sir.”
The slave trader made some kind of strange signal to the brawny man. He knew I was just running with the conversation he started, right?
“So? How much further?”
“We’re almost there.”
A few moments after he responded, we arrived at the bottom of the stairs. I could see countless cages at the end of a corridor lined with stone walls. There were more cages here than in the slave trader’s tent, and they were
packed full of slaves with no regard for their race—human, demi-human, or otherwise. I could see a small room beyond the prison area. Inside, another slave trader stood waiting.
“Ohhh! If it isn’t Melromarc’s—”
“Ohhh! My dear uncle!”
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the man that the slave trader was hugging, evidently overjoyed to see him. The slave trader was an excessively obese, odd-looking gentleman who wore a tailcoat and spectacles, and this other merchant had the exact same figure. Even his face was nearly identical. The only difference between them was the design of their spectacles and tailcoats.
“Mr. Naofumi, I think there’s something wrong with my eyes.”
“What a coincidence. Me too.”
“Fehhh . . .”
He had said it was a family business, but these two were practically clones. Shit. My nightmare had become reality. I’d seen something similar in an anime about a girl at a family-run hospital, but this . . . You wouldn’t be able to tell them apart at all if they wore the same outfit.
“This is the man that invited you here, Shield Hero. My uncle. Yes sir.”
“Well, well, if it isn’t the Shield Hero. Pleasure to meet you. That look in your eyes is liable to steal my heart. Yes sir.”
“Just stop now!”
This was bad. I was getting goosebumps. I wanted to run away immediately. The thought of having come all that way for nothing pissed me off, though, so I resisted the urge to turn around and leave.
“Now that’s a voice fit for a slave driver! How thrilling! Can I interest you in taking my daughter’s hand in marriage?”
I imagined a female version of the slave trader.
“Oh god, spare me.”
“Spare us both! Did you call Mr. Naofumi here just to make such ridiculous remarks?!”
An angry Raphtalia rested her hand on the handle of her katana. We were searching for her friends and fellow villagers, so you couldn’t hold it against her for getting upset. Lash out, Raphtalia! It’ll confuse them.
“Ha ha ha! Just a joke!”
“You’re bad, uncle.”
“Ha ha ha! Not as bad as you are!”
The two were laughing together. I felt sick . . .
