Kamisama Shop de Cheat no Kaori

Chapter 212. The Freeman And The Adventurer

A somewhat muscular man in his 50s, dressed in stylish, fashionable clothing, was my first impression of him—a dandy.

The closest image I could think of was the attire of a fencer, a speed-focused profession from social games that wields slender swords.

Green-themed, with large leather boots and gloves. A flashy outfit with lots of decorations. And a large feathered hat with a wide brim.

It’s been a while since I came to this world, but this old man is definitely on the flashy side.

“Thanks, brother!”

And then the old man in the fencer outfit hugged me with all his might.

He’s a bit sweaty.

“Ah, it’s nothing. I just tripped him.”

“No, no! Your timing and that wave… impressive skills! I’m impressed!”

Huh, so he saw through my wave in that instant, from that distance.

“Nah, my waves are all about power! I’m slow on my feet! Hahaha!”

“Well, glad we caught him. Are you going to hand him over to the guards?”

“Street thieves like that are a hassle to deal with properly. I already gave him some punishment! That settles it! Wahahaha!”

As he spoke, the old man kept slapping my shoulder.

Is he subtly wrapping his waves around me?

“Now! I must thank you for helping me recover something important! I know a place with cheap and delicious food! Let me treat you!”

“Ah, sorry, but I’ve got some business to take care of.”

“At this hour?”

“Looking for someone… something like that.”

“Oh! Who are you looking for? I know this area well! Tell me!”

When I glanced at Cherina, she nodded with a sigh.

In that less-than-a-second moment, she must have gone through a lot of internal conflict.

“Ah, we’re looking for the Veliero Merchant Company’s caravan. I think they’re still in this country.”

“Hmm… I don’t know about that… but I know someone who might! Come with me!”

“Hey, hey.”

Without waiting for my reply, the green fencer old man marched ahead.

Cherina sighed again.

After we both let out a sigh, we followed the old man.

◆

“Adventurer… Guild?”

Is this like the adventurer guilds you see in games?

Reading the signboard, I furrowed my brows.

Urged by the old man, we entered a visibly rundown building, and sure enough, the inside was just as shabby.

Though, it did seem spacious.

Round tables were lined up, with unique individuals seated around them.

Dwarves, elves, dog beastmen, humans… all armed and seemingly capable.

“Hey, you guys, I’ve got a question. Uh, what was the name again?”

“Veliero Merchant Company.”

“Yeah, that’s it. Seems like that company’s in this town. Anyone know about it?”

“Veliero? Hold on.”

A one-eyed dog beastman quickly dashed outside and returned after about five minutes.

“They’re running around buying wheat. Their inn is the Pelican’s Feather.”

“Oh, is that so? Thanks! I’ll buy you a drink next time.”

“Sure.”

The one-eyed dog beastman returned to his seat and resumed chatting with his companions.

“I’ll guide you to the Pelican’s Feather!”

“That’s appreciated, but…”

“But?”

“Well, what is this place? A hunter’s hangout or something?”

People who make a living by taking on hunts commissioned by merchant guilds are commonly called hunters.

Yaralai are broadly classified as hunters too, but they don’t need any special qualifications, living a rootless lifestyle.

The adventurer lifestyle I know is more like that.

So this adventurer… no, adventurer guild thing feels a bit off.

“Huh? The adventurer guild’s job is adventure.”

“……”

Cherina and I both fell silent.

“Exploring unknown creatures and plants. Venturing into lands deemed impassable. Adventure! That’s a man’s romance!!”

“Hey, Spawn. There’s a woman here too, you know.”

One of the one-eyed dog beastman’s companions spoke up in dissatisfaction.

He had the kind of physique you’d see in bodybuilding commercials.

“Wahahaha! You’re the only one in this country who’d call her a woman!”

“Shut up!”

Laughter filled the guild building.

Come to think of it, I never asked the old man’s name. Is it Spawn?

“Hey, do you guys know this story?”

“What is it?”

“When claiming a country’s territory, you usually plant a flag to assert your claim, but mountains are a bit different. You have to plant a flag at the very top of the mountain to have your claim recognized.”

“Huh.”

“That’s where we adventurers come in! We’re hired by the country to go to places no one else can reach and plant that precious flag! How about that! Romantic, right?”

“Well… I can see that.”

Though I wouldn’t do it myself.

“Though, that flag was just stolen earlier! Wahahaha!”

That’s not something to laugh about.

“Anyway, our job is to wander around seeking rare lands and animals!”

Come to think of it, I remember Hagg saying adventurers are a bunch of eccentrics.

Yeah.

I get it now.

“Alright! Let’s head to the Pelican’s Feather! This way!”

Once again, Spawn started walking without waiting for our reply.

A deep sigh came from beside me.

I realized I was exhaling cigarette smoke.

◆

Thanks to Spawn’s guidance, we successfully found the Veliero Merchant Company’s caravan.

A medium-sized caravan of about 20 people, and Cherina seemed to trust their leader.

Of course, all the caravan members knew Cherina. In fact, they practically worshipped her.

“I can’t believe we’d meet the young lady in a place like this!”

“What!? Setting up a shift room!?”

“Huh!? The country has changed!!??”

They were overjoyed at the reunion.

“Akira, I’m sorry, but I’d like to discuss work matters for a while.”

“That’s fine.”

“Then why don’t you join me at the tavern over there to wait!”

Spawn laughed heartily as he slapped my back.

Yeah, a normal person would’ve been sent flying by that.

“That might be a good idea. It’ll probably take about two hours.”

“You haven’t seen each other in a while, right? Take your time.”

“It’ll be late at night, and we’re not exactly close friends.”

“Got it. I’ll kill some time then.”

“Alright. If anything comes up, I’ll be at the inn.”

And so, we ended up at the tavern.

“Wahahaha! Cheers!”

“To what?”

“To finding the person you were looking for!”

“Sigh…”

“Oh! I haven’t introduced myself yet! I’m Spawn Shatrange! An adventurer!”

“I’ve heard that many times. I’m Akira.”

“Akira! That’s an interesting name! Hahaha!”

“Whatever.”

“So, Akira, are you a merchant’s bodyguard? You look like a merchant yourself…”

“Ah, half and half, I guess.”

“Is that beauty with you…?”

“Who knows?”

I can’t really confirm or deny that.

“Wahahaha! Youngsters! Well, drink up! It’s on me today!”

“Then I won’t hold back… another round!”

“Oh!? Akira, you’re stronger with alcohol than you look.”

“Well, I’ve been through a lot.”

Back then, it was all stuff that could’ve gotten me sued for power harassment.

Chugging drinks is definitely not a good idea.

Maybe I was just lucky.

“Now, let me tell you about my glorious adventures, and you’ll have to share yours too!”

“Yeah, yeah… oh, another round, please.”

And so, the two of us old men chatted while waiting for Cherina.

Well, this isn’t so bad once in a while.