Chapter 2-14 : Ancient Magic Weapon (part 3)
While thinking, I glanced at the sword on the table.
It’s not a rare ancient magic weapon, but it’s still an ancient magic weapon, so I guess it still have a high value.
I might be able to do something with it.
However, the problem is… the price…
I would have to spend most of my savings to pay for it.
Is it really worth it…?
「Umm… Sir, about this sword. Do you think it’s valuable enough that collectors would want it so badly?」(Kako)
I asked the clerk for his opinion just to be sure.
It might help me decide whether or not it’s worth spending all my money on it.
But, honestly, I have low expectations that a collector as big as Count Oglan would want it.
「Hmm… If we were talking about knights and soldiers, I’m pretty sure they would want it so badly, but… Weapon collectors, huh…? It depends. If you’re a beginner collector who just started collecting weapons, you might want it in your collection even if you had to spend your fortune on it, but I don’t think people who have long experience in collecting weapons would want it badly since they most likely already have similar weapons in their collection.」(clerk)
As expected…
Count Oglan is not someone who just started collecting weapons, that’s for sure. He might already have a few ancient weapons in his gallery.
The chance of him getting interested in this flaming sword is pretty low.
He might want it but not that badly.
「I see. Thank you for telling me your opinion, but… That’s a bit surprising.」(Kako)
「Surprising? What do you mean, my lady?」(clerk)
「I thought you would say “yes” and tried as best as you could to sell me this sword.」(Kako)
Most salespeople would only say good things about the products they sell to convince the buyers to buy them.
Some dishonest ones would even try to trick the buyers into buying their products at a high price to gain as much profit as possible.
「Haha. My lady, I wouldn’t dare to lie to the daughter of the marquis who rules this city. Besides, I only do honest business and always give my honest opinion. I wouldn’t be able to do business anymore in this city if I ever disappoint my customers.」(clerk)
「I see.」(Kako)
He seems to be an honest seller.
I’ve met quite a few merchants in the market in Tranto Town and the market in this city. It’s rare to meet honest people like him.
I think I can understand why Father recommended this shop.
However, even a big shop with an honest clerk like this doesn’t have a rare ancient weapon to sell.
Finding one would be quite a challenge…
「Umm, thank you for the information, Sir. I think I will go take a look around the city.」(Kako)
「I see. I’m sorry I don’t have the product you are looking for.」(clerk)
「No, no. It’s alright. I will come again.」(Kako)
「Understood. Please feel free to visit again. You are welcome here anytime, Lady Kako.」(clerk)
As the clerk bowed his head, Thea, Nyat, and I left the store.
◆◆◆
Before I got into the carriage, I folded my arms and thought while looking around the busy street.
「Hmm… What should I do now…?」(Kako)
「I think we should start looking for an alchemist-nya.」(Nyat)
「You’re right, but… Where can I find one?」(Kako)
Now our only option is to find an alchemist.
I would prefer an apprentice alchemist since their products are cheaper than the professional’s, but finding an apprentice alchemist who can make magic weapons will be extremely difficult.
Should I ask Father? He might have an acquaintance who knows some alchemists.
But… He’s now resting. Honestly, I don’t want to bother him too much…
「Oooii~ Kako~!」(??)
While I was thinking on the side of the road, I heard a familiar voice calling my name.
I turned my face and saw someone I knew well running over here while waving her hand.
「Sheila-san!」(Kako)
「What are you doing here?」(Sheila)
「I’m hunting for some rare weapons.」(Kako)
「Rare weapons? Ah, I almost forgot that you were a merchant. So, you are buying some goods for your future shop. I see, I see.」(Sheila)
She nodded as if she completely understood.
I’m looking for rare weapons for our mission, but… Well, I can tell her about it in detail later.
「What about you? Are you running some errands or something?」(Kako)
The other day, she said that she couldn’t stand the rich people’s atmosphere in the mansion, so she decided to stay in an inn while working at her master’s friend’s workshop for the time being, at least until we could retrieve the stolen goods.
「Yeah, something like that, but it’s finished. Now, I’m looking for lunch. The food around this area is good, you know? Well, it’s still inferior to the food made by professional chefs in the mansion, but I prefer eating here than in the mansion, because, you know… Table manners are so troublesome.」(Sheila)
「You’re right! I totally agree with you!」(Kako)
I can fully understand her feelings.
The food in the mansion does taste good, but I can’t enjoy it because of the table manners thing…
「Haha! Well, you’ve become a noble lady now, so you should get used to it. Do your best, Kako!」(Sheila)
「Hahaha… Yeah…」(Kako)
「Anyway, shall we eat lunch together?」(Sheila)
I think this is a good time to take a break. I have no reason to say no.
Besides, I’m a bit worried about whether she’s doing well in her new workplace. I want to hear about her work while eating.
「Nice idea. I’m starting to get hungry too. Let’s get into the carriage.」(Kako)
「Nah, we don’t need a carriage. There’s a good restaurant on this street. It’s right there. Follow me!」(Sheila)
「Alright. Lead the way!」(Kako)
Nyat, Thea, and I followed Sheila walking down the street.
◆◆◆
Sheila took us to a simple restaurant. Not too small, not too big. It looked like a typical diner.
The busy atmosphere inside combined with the freedom of how to eat my food reminded me of a typical diner back in Japan.
Moreover, the food tastes great too!
「Ahh~ It’s been a while since I could enjoy my food to my heart’s content. No stiff table manners required. This is awesome!」(Kako)
「Kako ojou-sama, I understand your feelings, but you need to slow down.」(Thea)
「I know.」(Kako)
「The food’s not bad, but I still prefer your cooking-nya.」(Nyat)
「Is that so? Can’t be helped. I will cook something for you later.」(Kako)
「Looking forward to it-nya~」(Nyat)
While we were enjoying our food, I turned to Sheila and started a conversation.
「So, Sheila-san, how’s your work at the new place?」(Kako)
「It’s not that different from my old workshop. Morwa-san is a good person but he’s strict just like Master.」(Sheila)
It seems that Morwa is her master’s friend, the owner of the workshop she’s currently working at.
「What kind of work do you do there?」(Kako)
「Just like most blacksmith apprentices do. Preparing materials, replenishing firewood, cleaning the workshop, stuff like that. At first, at least, until he gave me a weird job yesterday.」(Sheila)
「A weird job?」(Kako)
「Yeah, he asked me to make weapons.」(Sheila)
「Hm? What’s so weird about that?」(Kako)
「Normally, you use a weapon as a tool to fight and protect yourself, right? However, it seems that the weapons I make will be used as materials. Weird, isn’t it?」(Sheila)
As someone who used weapons as materials myself, it doesn’t sound weird at all, to be honest…
「Use weapons as materials, huh? What kind?」(Kako)
「Materials for alchemy.」(Sheila)
「Alchemy!?」(Kako)
Hold on… Alchemy? Could it be…
「Yeah. Morwa-san said that our client was an alchemist who was researching magic weapons or something.」(Sheila)
「Sh, Sheila-san, can you tell me more about that person!?」(Kako)
I couldn’t help but stand up and grab Sheila’s hands.
I never thought I would find a new lead this quickly.
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