A bit disappointed he doesn’t confront the idiot.

By the way, I have decided to instate a little… punishment when the next person asks when the next chapter is. You’ll see…

Chapter 160: Return to the Village

After Itsuki’s game ended, the coliseum continued to host other events but I didn’t feel like watching.

“I heard that the weapon shops here had a wide variety. I’m going to go check them out.” (Naofumi)

“Should I show you around? Yes.” (Slave Dealer)

“Yeah… I’ll leave it to you.” (Naofumi)

It’s quite a bustling city. I think that it will be easy to get lost.

“Then, you there, please lead him around.” (Slave Dealer)

A large muscular man raises his hand to announce his presence.

I follow him and arrive at the biggest market area in the city.

It reminds me of a mall from the other world.

“Well, well. If it isn’t the Hero of the Shield.” (Accessory Merchant)

“I don’t know you.” (Naofumi)

The Accessory merchant beckons to me from a nearby store. I act oblivious.

“This is one of the stores I manage. I’d definitely like to show off some of my wares.” (Accessory Merchant)

So it’s his own store.

I can see some rubys on sale.

If I keep ignoring him here, I may come to regret it later.

I take a deep sigh and enter the store.

“You have quite a big store here.” (Naofumi)

“Yes, is there anything you are particularly looking for?” (Accessory Merchant)

“I’m looking for weapons and armor.” (Naofumi)

“Then you will want the second floor. Are you certain you have no interest in the accessories on the first floor?” (Accessory Merchant)

I scan the store’s interior. Sparkling gems are displayed in multiple cases and hung all over the walls. It’s too bright.

“I’m not interested.” (Naofumi)

“By the way, is Hero-sama still using the techniques I taught you? You can’t make good equipment if you let your skills dull.” (Accessory Merchant)

“I use them occasionally.” (Naofumi)

I’ve made some accessories for the slaves out of monster materials.

Most of them now wear items made of monster bone.

The bone makes for quite potent accessories, giving numerous bonus effects. They also deteriorate slowly. The downside is that they don’t grant much stat boosts.

“Here, though it may look rough.” (Naofumi)

I hand over an accessory I had randomly made in my free time.

“Wow! A bone accessory!?” (Accessory Merchant)

“… Is something wrong?” (Naofumi)

“What are you saying… The materials used to make it may be cheap, but the bonuses it grants will make it sell high among adventurers.” (Accessory Merchant)

“It’s definitely cheap, but I’ve been practicing my design skills.” (Naofumi)

“Obviously! By the way, is it true that you’ve recently acquired a large amount of land?” (Accessory Merchant)

“… If you want to set up a store there, then just go over.” (Naofumi)

“I still have contracts here, you know!” (Accessory merchant)

The accessory merchant’s eyes shine with an evil light as he says this.

I hesitate before proceeding. Anyone would.

“Anyways, if you come over, make sure not to interfere with reconstruction. ” (Naofumi)

“I know… Fufufu…” (Accessory Merchant)

Why is it that all the merchants I meet seem evil?

“How goes the selling of the Miraka accessories?” (Naofumi)

“They’re quite popular. After all, a great calamity did just occur… Even average civilians have begun training to protect themselves.” (Accessory Merchant)

So his profit has increased.

“Well, I’m going off to check the weapon selection.” (Naofumi)

“I look forwards to our next meeting.” (Accessory Merchant)

“Yes, Yes.” (Naofumi)

It enervates me dealing with this type of merchant.

I think as I proceed to the second floor.

Weapons are displayed everywhere like in an exhibition.

There are also various articles of clothing.

…hmm. There are some familiar weapons, such as the Meteor Iron Sword and the Meteor Iron Lance. They’re on sale for a bargain price.

Oh? There’s also Spirit Turtle armor here.

The variety here isn’t much different from Melromark.

And the price is exponentially higher.

Well I guess the price of imports are higher than they are in their original country.

… I look around for shields, but I don’t see many that I haven’t seen at the Old Man’s shop.

Well, there are a few unfamiliar shields. I guess I’ll try touching one.

“Ah, can I try equipping this shield for a second?” (Naofumi)

“Go ahead.” (Store Clerk)

With the clerk’s consent, I lift up the unfamiliar shield. Weapon Copy activates.

Spike Shield, Frisbee Shield, Jewel Shield, Platinum Shield.

I copy all of the weapons unfamiliar to me.

I wonder how powerful these new additions are.

I haven’t really been fighting as of late… My stats are still effected by the curse.

I remember the Old Man saying that Spirit Turtle Materials were hard to work with, but that seems to be true.

In this large store, I don’t see any weapons made of the material.

“Hm?” (Naofumi)

I notice an item marked as ‘Not for Sale’.

It’s a single edged sword… With a glance, I can tell it is made for Spirit Turtle parts.

I try to appraise it.

Spirit Turtle Sword.

Quality …

It’s no good. My appraisal level isn’t high enough to get any info.

But I can see that it is quite skillfully made… It’s even being kept from sale.

Perhaps it shall be put up for auction in the near future.

So there really are skilled craftsmen in this world. However as I have no money, it doesn’t really concern me.

I’ll tell the Old Man about it later.

And so I stayed a little longer, then left

“You’re already back?” (Rishia)

As I return, I see Rishia waiting at our meeting spot with a depressed expression.

“I need to get the slaves I bought to the village. I don’t have any money for an inn for them all.” (Naofumi)

I could just leave them at the Slave Merchant’s place and pick them up later, or I could send them back with Firo, but… I don’t want to risk Rishia finding Itsuki so it’s probably best to leave early.

Rafatalia is comforting Rishia while sweating profusely.

“Hey hey hey, why is Rafatalia Onee-chan…” (Firo)

“Quiet, bird.” (Naofumi)

Firo stares at Rafatalia and enters Inquisition Mode, but I use her slave seal to stop her.

“Mu….” (Firo)

Firo tries to raise a complaint, but I keep her quiet.

If things go wrong here, Rishia will develop a mental trauma.

Her mental breakdown flag has been raised for a while, but I don’t want it to go off now.

After Itsuki… is able to collect himself some more, I can let Rishia deal with him.

I’m a little hesitant letting them meet. For moral reasons.

Rishia seems to hold a fantasy-like image of Itsuki.

I think their personalities will prevent them from making up.

That won’t help Rishia’s motivation at all.

But I guess I’ll at least ask.

“Rishia.” (Naofumi)

“What is it?” (Rishia)

“You want to become strong so that Itsuki recognizes you, correct?” (Naofumi)

“Yes.” (Rishia)

“Then you’ll still work to become stronger from here on out?” (Naofumi)

“Yes. I still have a long way to go. I want to get strong enough to fight alongside Itsuki-sama.” (Rishia)

And that’s why I can’t let them meet now.

For Itsuki’s sake and for Rishia’s sake.

Though I only really care about the latter.

If they meet now, both of them will only suffer.

And so we all keep silent and turn our backs to Rishia.

We load the new slaves onto the carriage, and prepare set off.

There are now three carriages connected to Firo.

And she is having more fun than ever.

The Slave Dealer apparently has business in Zeltburg, so he stayed behind.

There’s no need for us to return together. He seems to have taken a strange liking to me, but I don’t really enjoy his company.

I look at the slaves on the carriage I’m in. It’s quite cramped.

We’ve split them between the carriages to make the trip easier, but Sadina is too big… just her alone takes up much of the carriage’s space.

“Hey, you’re too big. Could you possibly get there alone by sea?” (Naofumi)

“Naofumi-sama!?” (Rafatalia)

Rafatalia seems mad.

Her reaction is justified, however Sadina really is in the way.

She’s too big to fit in a carriage. I could send her by foot, but would she be able to keep up with Firo’s legs?

That’s not possible.

Is having her go by sea that cruel?

“That sounds good!” (Sadina)

And Sadina happily accepts my proposal.

I was half-joking, you know.

“Really?” (Naofumi)

“It’s much easier than walking on land, and if I use underwater currents, it will also be faster.” (Sadina)

“Will you be able to deal with sea monsters on your own?” (Naofumi)

“Don’t underestimate me.” (Sadina)

I think her level was… in the 40s.

Even with a discount, she was quite expensive.

“Understood, then I’ll leave it to you.” (Naofumi)

“Yes. I can’t wait to see everyone.” (Sadina)

She says as she jumps into a river by herself.

Zeltburg is close to the ocean, she’ll probably make it just fine.

“Sadina Neechan is really strong, you know.” (Rafatalia)

Rafatalia seems proud of the village slaves we found this time.

It doesn’t seem Sadina had as many signs of abuse as the others.

“Oneechan helped protect us.” (Rafatalia)

“Hmm…” (Naofumi)

Is it because she was older?

Her stats aren’t particularly high, but I guess she is skillful.

The village’s children probably relied on her quite a bit.

“…I see.” (Fohl)

Fohl watches Sadina as she disappears into the water.

Can he sense her will?

He places a jug of water next to Atlas, who is lying on the floor.

“Thank you, Ani-sama.” (Atlas)

“Don’t worry about it. Is your health getting any better?” (Fohl)

“Yes… Most of the pain is gone.” (Atlas)

“That’s good.” (Fohl)

“Naofumi-sama… when will we leave?” (Atlas)

(TL: Note, everyone pronounces Naofumi’s name phonetically, but Atlas says it with the Kanji)

Atlas directs a question towards me.

She can’t see, so I’m a little concerned.

“Yeah, we’ll depart soon.” (Naofumi)

“Understood.” (Atlas)

“I think it’s best if you took some more medicine.” (Naofumi)

I change my shield to the Sacred Tree Shield, and hand all of the Yggdrasil medicine I have left to Atlas.

Perhaps it will improve her condition further.

“Thank you…” (Atlas)

“Don’t worry about it.” (Naofumi)

I direct a condescending glare at Fohl.

“Gununu…” (Fohl) (TL: Grumbling sound)

He seems conflicted.

Well, I’ll have him work hard to pay off the medicine costs.

It was expensive, so he better be prepared for hell.

“Naofumi-sama…” (Atlas)

Atlas grasps my hand.

“Please get along with my brother.” (Atlas)

“We’re not fighting! Right?” (Fohl)

Fohl approaches me amiably and puts his arm around my shoulders.

What’s with his feigned friendliness?

If you think we’re friends, you’re wrong.

“You too, Onii-sama. Get along with this nice person.” (Atlas)

“I-I know!” (Fohl)

“That’s good.” (Atlas)

Atlas seems tired.

Even though the medicine is working, she’s still sick.

“I’m getting a little tired.” (Atlas)

“Then rest. Our village is a bit far… And our carriage’s bird is a terrible driver. It’s best to rest now.” (Naofumi)

“Your carriage’s bird? She must be… that person with a strong aura like Naofumi-sama.” (Atlas)

Atlas points in Firo’s direction.

Though she’s blind, it seems she can sense some things.

“What’s up master?” (Firo)

“Ah, our new slave, Atlas, is blind, but she could tell that you were strong.” (Naofumi)

“Ehehe, Firo has been praised.” (Firo)

“That person… is very energetic and… has a lot of innocence. I can tell that she has been raised by Naofumi-sama’s kindness.” (Atlas)

“Yeah!” (Firo)

Firo puffs up her chest and answers.

Kindness? When have I ever been kind to anyone? What is this person saying?

I’ll ignore it.

“Anyways, we have a sick patient here, so sudden accelerations are banned.” (Naofumi)

“Yes~” (Firo)

“And Atlas, if you’re sleepy then go to sleep. Let Fohl endure the ride by himself.” (Naofumi)

“…ah.” (Atlas)

Fohl glares at me with rebellious eyes. It’s of no concern to me.

The coupling of the carriages is complete. We leave Zeltburg in the darkness of the night.