Chapter 32: Down Payment

“For now, since you’re accepting our demands, the alliance is formed. It’s possible for me to go purchase manga, but the problem is I don’t have enough Japanese money to buy everything on this list.”

Because I had sold the goods quite cheaply at the flea market the other day, I earned a considerable amount over two days. But after buying Japanese rice, seasonings, Shinkansen tickets to Aichi Prefecture, clothes, and various small items, I had only about 20,000 yen left.

Buying everything on the list would probably cost several hundred thousand yen.

“Huh? If it’s money, I’ll figure something out on my end. Can’t you just exchange gold coins for cash in Japan?”

…Everyone thinks that at first, don’t they?

I explained to Rain-san once again that being reincarnated left me without identification and subjected me to many restrictions. I also told him that gold prices were soaring, so even selling a small amount would immediately draw attention.

“…I see, that was a blind spot. I thought if I could make round trips to Japan, I could easily earn money.”

“I thought the same thing at first. And if I sold large quantities of Japanese goods here, Blessed Ones would probably gather immediately.”

“Yes, I think that’s correct. After all, among Blessed Ones, there are those with bad behavior.”

“Ah, so there are Blessed Ones like that?”

Come to think of it, Rain-san had said he was gathering information on Blessed Ones. Apparently, some of them abused their Unique Skills.

“Wealth, fame, women—such desires are hard to suppress. In this world, depending on the Unique Skill, one could easily take over villages or towns, so there are quite a few Blessed Ones who think that way. Among those I’m aware of, there’s one leading a band of thieves, and there are also those who have formed factions among Blessed Ones. Groups with powerful Unique Skills are the most powerful groups in this world.”

“There are also Blessed Ones with bounties at the Adventurers’ Guild.”

“There are also Blessed Ones researching dangerous magic.”

“…”

As expected—or perhaps unfortunately—such people existed everywhere. Not everyone who was reincarnated or transmigrated was a good person, and if someone like that obtained the tremendous power of a Unique Skill, it wasn’t surprising that they might misuse it.

If I were caught by people like that, there was no telling what they might do to me. …It seemed my judgment had been correct after all.

“So you’re secretly forming a group of Blessed Ones to counter such people. I think that’s good, quite logical.”

“Great! Let’s form a party like adventurers!”

“Kakeru-sama’s Royal Guard!”

Yeah, I’ll reject the royal guard, but maybe we could come up with some cool name like an alliance organization.

Something like a shadow organization of Blessed Ones sounds a bit chuunibyou-ish but kind of cool.

“Chi-chi-chi, Yuuka-san and Aoi-chan don’t get it. At times like this, it’s decided. For greatly livening up another world, Kakeru-kun’s—”

“Long and lame.”

“That’s definitely not it.”

“Eeeeh! I took it from an anime that was popular in my time…”

…So that kind of anime was popular 16 years ago. That said, it might not be very trendy now.

“Let’s set aside the name for now, but forming a cooperative organization among Blessed Ones might be a good idea. Well, let’s think about that later. To get back on topic, since I can’t easily earn Japanese money, I’ll have to earn it at flea markets and such while gradually collecting things.”

“Got it. Just knowing I can obtain Japanese manga is a huge step forward. I’ll prepare things that seem like they’d sell at Japanese flea markets right away. …So, as a down payment for now, please get me just a little of this list from the top!”

After talking with Rain-san, we decided that he would provide the funds for purchases in Japan. Of course, I couldn’t use this world’s currency there, so I would receive goods that could be sold at Japanese flea markets instead.

To prove my Unique Skill, I first agreed to go buy manga at a Japanese bookstore.

“Then I’ll buy about 5,000 yen worth. Some are a bit old, but I should be able to find them cheap at used bookstores.”

“Aah, Kakeru-kun, sorry for being selfish, but if possible, even if it’s a bit more expensive, I’d like you to buy them new.”

“Hm? I don’t mind, but that’ll cost more.”

“Yes, with used books, the mangaka doesn’t receive royalties. I want the mangaka to receive proper compensation!”

“I-I see…”

I thought maybe he wanted them in better condition if they were new, but that wasn’t the reason.

For me, who was poorly paid, I thought cheaper was better, but it seems proper fans think about such things too.

“…I understand the feeling. It’s a fan’s duty to support their favorites with purchases!”

“Yes, that’s exactly what we readers can do!”

Aoi and Rain-san were agreeing on something I didn’t quite understand. Perhaps that way of thinking didn’t change even across different generations.

For now, I would go to a large Japanese bookstore. At the very least, I hoped they had the final volume Rain-san had mentioned.

In the meantime, Rain-san would arrange lunch for us. I was a little excited to see what kind of food they served at the royal castle.