Kays Translations

Chapter 18

The Pigeon Merchant Guild we finally found, just as Melt had said, didn’t appear to be a particularly large or well-established guild yet.

Its location and the size of its building didn’t stand out much.

However, the building itself was relatively new, perhaps giving the impression of an up-and-coming business.

Still, it must be doing fairly well if it could secure a building in the commercial district like this.

“Excuse me, may I ask something?”

I knocked and opened the guild’s door, calling out.

A young boy, perhaps something like a page, came out to greet us.

“Yes, how can I help you?”

“This is the Pigeon Merchant Guild, correct?”

“Of course it is! I read the sign properly!” 

Melt chimed in.

“Melt, keep it down.”

This is about manners, you know.

I’m not doubting them or anything.

“Yes, this is the Pigeon Merchant Guild. How can we help you?”

“I actually have an appointment to meet with the guild master, though we didn’t settle on an exact time. I’ve come by to check in. Could you please inform them that an adventurer named Same is here to see them?”

“A-An adventurer? Understood. Please wait a moment. Ah, feel free to have a seat inside.”

Melt and I sat side by side in the waiting area.

Might as well explain some social conventions while we wait.

“I see… To ensure smooth communication… creating a situation that doesn’t feel strange as a conversation opener… it’s a standard interpersonal tactic, right?”

“Exactly. Makes sense, since you’ve always been alone until now.”

“Yeah. Honestly, I know that no matter how many books I read, I’m probably still a complete child. But… I don’t really understand what I’m doing wrong. Maybe I should just copy you, Same?”

“Hmm… Well, eventually you’ll change into a girl around your age. If you watch how she behaves, you might be able to imitate that. I plan to give her equipment that I want you to try out.”

Still, absorbing the memories and experiences of the opposite sex… I’m a little hesitant about that.

I wouldn’t go so far as to call it mental contamination, but… there’s definitely some inner conflict.

Still, Melt’s current state is a little concerning. Looks like I’ll have to step in myself.

…If only I had a trustworthy female acquaintance.

“You mean that nice lady from yesterday who’s good at cooking? She’s bigger than me, though. Taller and… you know, boob-wise.”

“Don’t say ‘boobs’. It’s ‘chest’.”

“Got it. Big, right?”

“I have someone else in mind, so don’t worry about that.”

I’ll need to test if the equipment fits properly. Her build should be about the same.

“Thank you for waiting. I’ll show you to the meeting room now.”

The boy came to fetch us.

Other employees were busily handling documents or inspecting packages, but we were guided upstairs, weaving through the activity.

“Well then, I’ll leave you here.”

“Thanks for guiding us.”

“Thank you.”

Inside the meeting room, the same person who had appraised the gem I brought last time was already waiting.

Alright, I should present the item right away too.

“Good to see you again, Guildmaster. Let me show you the item right away.”

“Haha, sorry to rush you. Please, go ahead.”

I took a raw sapphire from the leather pouch I had prepared.

This one was also categorized as a “small raw sapphire,” but it was roughly the size of a clenched fist — maybe due to individual variance.

…This is really big. Why is this considered small, game developers?

“This is…! Guild master, may I begin the appraisal?”

“Yes, please do.”

He started examining it eagerly, using a loupe, checking it under candlelight, holding it up to the sun.

He even used a tool that looked like a penlight, changing its color to examine the gem, and lightly scratched an inconspicuous part of the stone with a metallic needle.

Finally, he placed the raw gem on a beautifully ornate scale and began stacking small blue stones—presumably sapphires—next to it, making fine adjustments until the weights balanced.

“…Unbelievable. This is without doubt a blue sapphire… and of the highest quality, comparable to ‘Deep Ocean’ or ‘Noble Blood’. This could easily be considered a national treasure…”

“What…! I never expected it to be such a valuable piece… Same, we will take full responsibility for placing this item in the Central Merchant Guild auction. We will give you sixty—no, seventy percent of the sale proceeds. What do you say? Would you entrust it to us?”

I almost answered right away… but something inside me whispered, “You can push this further.”

…Can I really negotiate this? It already sounds like a great deal…

No. I can do this.

“Guildmaster, actually, I stopped by the Curseface Merchant Guild earlier today.”

That’s all I said.

I didn’t elaborate. I didn’t give away any other information.

But I wasn’t lying either.

“Wha…! So you know what kind of place that is… I see.”

“Yes. This city really is full of all kinds of people. I made sure to look at both sides.”

“…To have sniffed that place out in a single day, you truly aren’t an ordinary adventurer. You’re right… this gem would instantly put our guild on the map—it’s already like receiving the greatest reward possible. However, unlike that other place, we’re not that wealthy. Considering auction fees, security arrangements, warehouse rentals, and sale commissions… seventy percent is the best we can offer.”

“I understand. That makes sense. In that case, I have one more proposal. I plan to settle down in this city for a while, and I’ll need to stock up on daily necessities and adventuring supplies. I’d like to buy them from shops affiliated with your guild.”

“I see… In that case, we’ll offer you the best prices possible. As for real estate… since it’ll be a high-ticket purchase, and you’ll have ample funds after the auction, we’ll arrange it for you afterward. Most vacant properties are under noble management, and you won’t even get a showing without proving your budget.”

“Understood. Then, please prepare the contract.”

Alright, I pulled it off. I didn’t raise the payout percentage, but I’ll likely get good discounts going forward.

And I should be introduced to a wide range of properties too.

…Honestly, this might’ve been a bit of overkill.

But—even if they’re friendly, it’s better to make them think I’m not just anybody, right?

“Here’s the contract. Please review it.”

“Melt, let’s read it together.”

I don’t want them to know I can’t read or write well.

Melt… please, don’t say anything, alright…?

“Got it, I’ll read it.”

“Thanks. Please read it out loud.”

“…? Ah, okay.”

“Oh, you picked up on it!”

With that, Melt began reading the document aloud, word for word, without missing anything.

Yep, it looks fine. It’s a simple contract to begin with, just including a clause about providing flexibility with property and shopping.

…The fact they had this contract prepared ahead of time—does that mean they anticipated from the start that I might hesitate or try to negotiate?

This guy really can’t be underestimated.

“Did you prepare this assuming I’d agree to that figure?”

“Yes, because offering a bigger discount would be quite painful for us. I see you noticed.”

“If I hadn’t said anything, you were planning to bring out a different contract, weren’t you?”

“Yes, of course. My, my… You really are something else.”

Guess I’d better hurry up and learn how to read and write.

When we get back to the inn today, I’ll check out of my room alone and see if I can negotiate letting someone else stay there instead.

Of course, that “someone else” is actually me in another form.

There’s a character I have with the sub-job of “Scholar,” so I’ll act as them for a while.

Fortunately, that’s the character I was about to test for handing over Melt’s gear anyway.

“Well then, with this, the contract is complete. I’ll write up a letter of introduction to the shop right away. Please wait here.”

Saying that, the guild master left the reception room.

He carried the leather pouch with the sapphire in it, looking a little tense.

…Even a merchant of this level gets nervous handling something like that?

Looks like this is going to be a bigger deal than I thought…

“Thank you for waiting. Here’s your letter of introduction. Please use the ‘Carrot Shop’—a two-story store located at the start of the main street. They handle everything from daily necessities to adventuring gear and simple clothing.”

About twenty minutes later, the guild master returned with a letter sealed with a fancy wax stamp.

The seal bore the emblem of a bird—most likely the symbol of the Pigeon Trading Company.

“All right. Then, we’ve had a good transaction today. If you need anything else, please contact Melt at the ‘Hamusutei Inn’ in the Adventurers’ Quarter. I actually have to head outside the city later this evening.”

“Eh!? You’re going somewhere, Same!? Are you leaving me behind!?”

“Haha… I’ll explain later, okay?”

“Hmm… Understood. Then, once we’ve scheduled the auction, we’ll inform Melt-san.”

“Please do.”

With that, Melt and I left the Pigeon Trading Company.

“Hey… are you really leaving me behind? Where are you going?”

“Remember what I said? I’m going to ‘become someone else’ for a while. So, Same will be considered out of the city for now.”

“Oh… I see… That’s a relief… I thought you were abandoning me.”

“…I promise I would never leave you like that, so don’t worry.”

“Okay, it’s a promise. So when we get back to the inn, Same will check out of the room?”

“Yeah, I’ll say I had to leave on urgent business, and ask if a friend of mine can take over the contract. If there’s any extra charge, I’ll gladly pay it.”

“Ugh… You’re spending more just to fix my behavior…”

“Well, actually, in that form, I think I’ll be a lot smarter. So it’s perfect for having you teach me how to read and write. It’s beneficial for me too.”

“Hmm… So it’s a really smart girl character?”

…P-probably.

At the very least, as a scholar-type, she’ll definitely be sharper than I am now.

————————–

“Ah, this must be the shop.”

“Ooh! It’s full of customers!”

The shop we arrived at wasn’t particularly large, but thanks to its convenient location, it seemed to be doing well, with many customers inside and clearly turning a decent profit.

At the storefront, various items for adventurers were on display—liquid potions and what looked like dried herbal medicines. Inside, the shop sold a range of tools: gathering knives, fishing rods, even bundles of arrows.

I guess the second floor must be where they keep the everyday items?

“Alright, let’s head upstairs and hand them this letter of introduction.”

As soon as we handed over the letter, a man who appeared to be the shopkeeper quickly rushed over to greet us, after a brief check of its contents.

“Ah, a valued customer of the guild master! What might you be looking for today?”

“Let’s see… some household goods, extra undergarments, and anything we could use for writing—paper and writing tools, please.”

“Understood. I’ll bring them right over, so please wait a moment.”

“And I’d like a good brush and comb! Oh, and some nicely lathering soap, please!”

Oops, I almost forgot to pass along Melt’s requests too.

Before long, they brought over five shirts each for men and women in what looked like a one-size-fits-all style, as well as five sets of trunk-style undergarments for both.

Melt’s underwear was a slightly different style… I think they’re called drawers?

Ah, so these are just simple changes of clothes. Melt had been wearing more form-fitting, feminine underwear earlier—so for that kind, she’d probably have to go to a specialty store.

“Ehh, I want cuter underwear than this~! Don’t you have any?”

“W-well, in that case, we have some over in that section… Sorry, but you’ll need to pick those out yourself.”

“Got it. Same, I’m going to check it out, okay?”

“Haha… Sure, have fun.”

Yeah, that’s probably for the best.

While waiting, I checked over the bundle of papers and writing tools that had been brought out.

Hmm, they aren’t notebooks, but the paper quality looks just fine. It’s not parchment but made properly from plant fibers.

It’s finer than Japanese washi paper and should be perfectly usable for practicing writing.

The pen wasn’t a feather quill, but rather something resembling a fountain pen, and the ink bottle was filled generously.

I’m satisfied with this setup.

“Thank you. My companion is still choosing clothes, so please give us a moment.”

“Of course. Though whether a girl her age will be satisfied… we mainly focus on travel necessities, so our selection of women’s undergarments isn’t our specialty.”

“As long as it’s new, that’s fine. This is just something temporary. It’s also related to a deal with the guild master, after all.”

“I-I see. In that case, today’s total will be half-price. And from your next visit onward, we’ll offer you a 20% discount.”

“That helps a lot. I plan to shop here frequently to make the most of that discount, so thank you.”

After that, Melt came back looking pleased—completely unashamed—as she held up a pair of panties in each hand. I could only smile wryly alongside the clerk as we handled the situation and then left the Carrot Shop.

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