Chapter 3-22 : I Want Fish-nya! (part 2)
「Good day, Raykard-sama. Are you here for work?」(Kako)
I thought he was just passing by while patrolling around the city, but he shook his head.
「No, I came to see you.」(Raykard)
「See me?」(Kako)
I glanced at Thea, wondering if she knew something, but she shook her head.
「Umm, did something happen?」(Kako)
「Nothing, please be reassured. We have caused you trouble, so my father ordered me to show you around the port city as an apology.」(Raykard)
「I see.」(Kako)
They have apologized by inviting me to dinner, so he didn’t have to do it, but honestly, I don’t mind having a tour guide right now.
「Am I bothering you?」(Raykard)
「N-no, no! Not at all!」(Kako)
「Haha, you can be honest with me. I too would find it annoying if someone suddenly offered to show me around when I didn’t feel like it.」(Raykard)
He’s such a considerate young man.
「No, I don’t feel bothered at all. Besides, I was about to stroll around the city, so…」(Kako)
「I’m pleased to hear that. I know all interesting places in this city since it’s my home, but, Lady Kako, rather than tourist spots, you’d probably prefer visiting shops. Specifically, the ones that sell affordable goods for commoners rather than pretentious shops that serve the rich and nobles. Am I right?」(Raykard)
Oh! He really knows what I want.
「Yes. But, Raykard-sama, do you know shops like that?」(Kako)
He’s a duke’s son who easily spends thousands of gold coins to buy rare weapons for collection. It’s hard to imagine someone like him would go to commoners’ shops selling cheap items.
「Yes, I know every shop in this city. I used to sneak out of my studies to wander around the town a lot when I was a kid.」(Raykard)
That’s unexpected.
Now that I think about it, I remember he mentioned that he didn’t like studying, unlike his brother, Roberto-sama.
We had been talking for a minute, but I just realized that he looked different from yesterday, perhaps because of his clothes.
He was wearing an expensive-looking suit for nobles when we had dinner at his mansion, but today he’s wearing nice commoner’s clothes, maybe to avoid gathering attention while walking around the town.
I see. Seems like he’s in incognito mode right now.
He takes all the trouble just to show me around. It would be rude if I declined.
「Alright. I will be in your care today.」(Kako)
「Excellent! Well then, please follow me.」(Raykard)
Now then, we’ll see how good a duke’s son is at tour guiding.
◆◆◆
「The streets where those shops are located are too narrow for a carriage, so we will travel on foot if you don’t mind. If you get tired, please tell me. I will carry you.」(Raykard)
「Eh?」(Kako)
Carry me, he says? I understand that he sees me as a child, but… I’m not a child!
「Raykard-sama, I will carry Kako when she gets tired-nya.」(Nyat)
「Ah, you’re right. I should let her bodyguard do that.」(Raykard)
Nyat! I know I can depend on you!
After leaving the inn, we walked down the main street and turned into a narrow alley that led to a small shopping street. It looked like most people here had turned their houses into shops.
「Oh! Isn’t that Raykard-sama?」
「Raykard-sama! It’s been a while!」
「Raykard-sama, I have your favorite snacks in stock! Come buy some!」(townspeople)
Every person who spotted Raykard-sama greeted him so casually even though he was a noble. Looks like he’s popular among commoners in this area.
「I’m sorry, but I’m this lady’s tour guide right now. I’ll stop by another time.」(Raykard)
「Ara~ What a cute young lady~ Which noble house did you kidnap her from~?」(teasing lady)
「Hey, you’re talking as if I’m a kidnapper. She’s my guest.」(Raykard)
「Fufu, I see, I see~ So you’re on a date~」(teasing lady)
「Haha, I’m just showing her around.」(Raykard)
A woman selling bread talked to Raykard-sama with a teasing tone.
Normally, a commoner would get arrested by just joking around with a noble like that, but Raykard-sama laughed it off.
It shows how friendly he is. I can understand why he’s popular.
「Hahh… I’m sorry, Lady Kako. People here like to fool around.」(Raykard)
「I don’t mind at all. In fact, I like this kind of atmosphere.」(Kako)
「That’s Lady Kako for you. Well then, which shop should we visit first?」(Raykard)
「Let’s start withー」(Kako)
「ーFishmonger-nya!」(Nyat)
Before I finished my sentence, Nyat interrupted. What an impatient giant cat.
「Well, fishmonger it is.」(Kako)
「There are hundreds of fishmongers in this city, but if you’re looking for affordable and fresh fish, I think that shop is the best. This way.」(Raykard)
Raykard-sama beckoned and led us to a nearby fishmonger.
「Oh! Raykard-sama, welcome! Are you looking for fish?」(fishmonger)
「Not me, but this lady.」(Raykard)
「Hoho~ On a date with another lady, are we?」(fishmonger)
「Don’t say it as if I often take a girl on a date. I’m just showing her around.」(Raykard)
「Hahah! I’m just joking! So, lovely lady, what fish do you want?」(fishmonger)
He’s such an energetic fishmonger, but despite his vigorous behavior, his face looked a bit pale for some reason. I wonder if he’s not feeling well today.
「Umm…」(Kako)
I looked around his shop and wondered what to buy, but before I decided, Nyat talked to the man.
「I want every kind of fish in this shop-nya!」(Nyat)
「Every kind?」(fishmonger)
「Yes! Give me ten of each kind-nya!」(Nyat)
Ugh, I did agree to buy him various kinds of fish, but that’s too many!
Well, it’s not that I don’t have money for that. I guess I’ll let him have all the fish in the world for today. He deserves a reward after all.
「T, Ten of each kind, my lady?」(fishmonger)
The fishmonger looked at me dumbfoundedly and asked to confirm.
「Uhh, yeah… Give him what he wants.」(Kako)
「R-Right away!」(fishmonger)
The man was shocked and happy at the same time.
I felt like a bourgeois rich person who would say, “Give me everything in the shop, from the right corner to the left corner, everything!”
Yeah, I would be surprised too if someone like that came to my shop.
It took him about ten minutes to pack all the fish and wrap them in large leaves.
「Phew… That’s 12 gold coins in total, but since you’re Raykard-sama’s guest, I’ll give it to you for 11 gold coins.」(fishmonger)
That’s an unexpected discount.
「Thank you, Sir. Thea.」(Kako)
As I gave her the signal, Thea nodded, took out the coins from her pocket, and handed them to the man.
「One, two, threeー eleven. It’s the exact amount. Thank you. I will ask someone to bring the fish to your inn.」(fishmonger)
「Ah, that’s not needed.」(Kako)
As I replied to the man, I put the huge packs of fish on the table into my magic bag.
「Wow, it’s rare for a noble lady to have a magic bag.」(fishmonger)
「Actually, I’m also a merchant.」(Kako)
「I see. Being a merchant at such a young age is impressive. It’s a pleasure doing business with you, my lady. It’s been a while since the last time I earned this much money at once.」(fishmonger)
「The pleasure is mine. Thank you, Sir.」(Kako)
「I should be the one thanking you. Thank you. Raykard-sama, thank you for taking this lady to my shop.」(fishmonger)
「No need to thank me.」(Raykard)
Finishing our business, we left the fishmonger.
I noticed Nyat grinning as we walked. He looks happy.
「Nya nya~ I can’t wait to eat them-nya~」(Nyat)
I understand he wants to eat the fish as soon as possible, but there’s still something I have to do here.
「Lady Kako, anywhere else you’d like to go?」(Raykard)
「Do you know a shop selling various kinds of seasonings?」(Kako)
「Of course. There’s a shop specializing in selling seasonings and spices not far from here. This way.」(Raykard)
Next, Raykard-sama took us to a food seasoning shop.
We were greeted by the strong smell of spice as soon as we entered.
「Ugu… I will wait outside-nya.」(Nyat)
Looks like the smell was too strong for Nyat’s nose. He chose to get out and wait outside.
After seeing him off, the three of us looked around the shop.
As expected from a shop recommended by Raykard-sama. It has a wide variety of seasonings. It even has spices from other countries.
I wasn’t sure what to buy. There were so many kinds of seasonings, so I decided to buy one bag of each kind, just like the fish earlier.
As expected, the shopkeeper was flabbergasted. They also gave me a discount since I came with Raykard-sama.
From there, we went to various shops such as a fruit shop, bakery, souvenir shop, and a few other shops.
Thanks to Raykard-sama, I found some items I might want to sell once I return to the Eastern Capital.
「Where to go next, Lady Kako?」(Raykard)
「Hmm…」(Kako)
「Kako, let’s go back to the inn-nya. It’s almost lunch-nya. The fish will spoil-nya!」(Nyat)
Now that Nyat mentioned it, I realized that I was a bit hungry. I was about to miss lunch if he didn’t remind me.
「Raykard-sama, I think that’s enough for today. We want to go back now.」(Kako)
「Understood. I will take you to the inn then.」(Raykard)
Ending the tour, Raykard-sama escorted us back to the inn.
It would take a much longer time for me to check around the market if he weren’t here. He has done a great job as a guide.
「Thank you for showing me around, Raykard-sama.」(Kako)
「It’s my pleasure. There are many shady shops out there, so please let me know if there are any other shops you’d like to visit next time. Well then, Lady Kako, rest well.」(Raykard)
「I will see you again.」(Kako)
He smiled at me and left.
I was expecting he would try to question me about the antidote and the mermaid village, but he really came just to be my tour guide for the day.
◆◆◆
「Alright! It’sー」(Kako)
「ーIt’s synthesis time-nya!」(Nyat)
「….」(Kako)
This cat stole my line…
After parting with Raykard-sama at the entrance, we went to our room.
I sent Thea to ask the inn’s manager if I could borrow their kitchen to cook food for Nyat.
Now that she’s gone, I have a chance to use my ability.
I quickly took out the packs of fish from my magic bag, put them on the floor, and opened the leaf wraps.
「Let’s get this done quickly before Thea comes back.」(Kako)
I stretched my arms forward and activated my Synthesis Ability.
「Merge these fish all at once! Synthesis!」(Kako)
All the fish on the leaf wraps glowed at once and disappeared, leaving only one fish.
「Nya nya~! This must be the ultimate, best of the best fish-nya!」(Nyat)
「Aa… Nyat, wait. This fish…」(Kako)
The synthesis was successful, but when I appraised the fish, it wasn’t the one I was expecting.
「What’s wrong-nya?」(Nyat)
「Sorry, Nyat, but you can’t eat it.」(Kako)
「Nyaー NYAT DID YOU SAY!? WHY-NYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!?」(Nyat)
He was so shocked that his scream echoed throughout the inn.
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