After meeting the cat-eared slave girl, I stuffed my stomach with cold beef skewers and plain white bread, then decided to head for the Adventurers' Guild to earn some funds.
On the way there, I was reconsidering my plan for a slow and lazy life without working.
If I have a slave, it might be easier to manage than hiring someone, and I could even have them live in and work full-time.
If being a slave isn't just a matter of status but comes with skills or restrictions, then I wouldn't have to worry about betrayal.
To be honest, the biggest concern when hiring someone is them running off with the profits or stabbing you in your sleep.
So, the key employee for my plan to live a slow life without working might as well be a slave.
Of course! Since I'm the one running the business—and I don't tolerate black companies—I intend to make it a proper white company. Even if they're slaves, they'll get benefits, paid vacation, bonuses, and raises.
I haven't figured out any specifics yet, but I'll keep it as one of the possible options.
That merchant earlier did say
『Looks like we'll have a long and fruitful relationship』
and maybe he wasn't too far off the mark.
The Yasis Slave Market, huh.
Once I've saved up a bit, dropping by there might not be such a bad idea.
I'll ask for the details about slaves and decide after that.
I don't even have a place to live yet, after all.
-0-
As I was thinking about all that, I finally arrived at the Adventurers' Guild!
The sign above showed a sword and shield crossed together, and the entrance had a pair of saloon-style swinging doors.
When I pushed those doors open with a creak and stepped inside, everyone inside turned their gaze toward me all at once.
Whoa, come on, cut it out.
This is scary. Seriously scary.
It's that same heavy pressure you feel when you walk into the meeting room after one of your subordinates screws up.
There's a reception desk directly across from the entrance, but the rest of the space is filled with round tables and chairs.
As I walked between the tables, some of the chairs were deliberately pulled out wider than usual, and a few legs were stretched out across the path, swinging lazily like they were trying to trip me.
Maybe I should just turn back…
Just as I was thinking that, I found an oasis in this strange, hostile atmosphere!
Reception lady, help me! I'm about to get eaten alive here!
Ah, that guy just looked at me while licking his knife! That's disgusting!
「Come on now, the newcomer looks troubled, so let's not be mean, okayー」
A single commanding line from the receptionist!
With a sharp shuffle, everyone quickly adjusted their chairs, though they still kept glancing at me from time to time.
「Sorry about that. These folks really don't like nobles like you.」
「Um, no… I'm not a noble, actually.」
「Huh? But with those weird clothes, I figured you were some eccentric noble-sama. Well then, hurry up and say so alreadyー」
Weird clothes…? A dress shirt and suit look weird here…?
Maybe I should at least take off the tie…
Well, I guess it doesn't really fit the vibe of this world.
「So, what brings you in today? If you're here to register as an adventurer, I wouldn't recommend itー You look weak.」
Ouch, this girl's unexpectedly blunt!
Not that I was planning on registering anyway!
「Uh, well… I'm here to sell some healing potions, and also a necklace, if possible…」
「「「「「「「「!!」」」」」」」」
Huh?
I suddenly felt a surge of intense stares from behind. I really don't want to turn around…
「Ahh… I see. Hmmm… Then could you show me the potions firstー?」
「Ah, sure.」
What's going on here?
She's clearly acting a lot colder now…
Anyway, I do as she asks and start pulling out the potions from my magic bag.
Healing Potion (Inferior) – 10
Healing Potion (Inferior +1) – 4
Healing Potion (Inferior +2) – 2
Healing Potion (Minor) – 5
Healing Potion (Minor +1) – 3
Healing Potion (Minor +2) – 1
Healing Potion (Small) – 10
That's 35 in total.
Should be worth at least ten thousand Nohl, even at the lowest estimate.
「Wow… It's all low-grade stuff. Not like those ridiculously expensive mid-tier ones you usually bring inー」
「Huh?」
So they really are considered low-grade…
Are they not going to buy them at all?
As I was thinking that, something suddenly bumped into my shoulder.
「Hey there, Miss Firill! Got any good quests today?」
Clatter clatter crash shatter smash tinkle
Ahh… What was that sound…?
Wait, why is everything so cold…?
No way. No way, right?
That can't be what I think it is…
「Hehe…」「Poor thing, we shouldn't laugh」「But still, BAHAHAHA!!」
And just like that, laughter erupted across the entire Adventurers' Guild in perfect unison.
...
Potions, poured over my head.
Shattered potion bottles scattered across the floor.
The adventurer who shoved me was grinning smugly.
「Aww, come on. Be more careful, will youー」
That's what she said, but her eyes were laughing deep inside.
「Serves you right, damn pharma guild bastard.」
Drips fell from my soaked hair.
I didn't understand any of this.
I'm part of the Alchemy Guild to begin with.
What the hell is the Pharma Guild?
If you can make potions with alchemy, does that mean there's a separate skill just for pharmaceuticals?
No—this isn't the time for that kind of question.
My potions… the potions I painstakingly made… were destroyed.
I wanted to show my anger, but the man before me was clearly a seasoned adventurer.
The large falchion hanging at his waist made it clear he wasn't just for show—he probably knew how to use it.
Ahh… why didn't I learn any combat skills?
I clenched my teeth in regret so hard I thought they might crack.
Is this what it means to be truly unfair?
Of course it is. This isn't Japan anymore.
I'd gotten soft, too used to the peace of home.
I thought I could just make a living here easily with some simple trade.
I forced myself to swallow down the urge to scream and punch him.
Now's not the time. I have to endure…
It's fine. I'm calm.
I'm calm.
But my body had already moved on its own, my fist swinging straight toward the man.
Even if I understand it in my head, there are things I just can't forgive.
「What do you think you're doing!」
The man had drawn his sword to counter, but it was stopped by another sword—and my fist was caught easily in one hand by a woman.
A woman clad in crimson armor, with blazing scarlet hair, and a sword adorned with a flame-shaped crest.
And judging by how I couldn't move my fist even a millimeter, she was very strong. Not that I had any sense for that sort of thing.
「Hey… that's Aina from Red Front」「Why's Aina-san here」「Sorte-san's with her too」
Red Front? What's that supposed to be?
When did they even get here?
With armor that flashy, how did I not notice them until now?
「Y-you saw that, right? I was just defending myself 'cause he came at me.」
「Yes, I saw. From the moment you shoved him and knocked the potions off the shelf.」
As the woman called Aina glared at him, the man sheathed his sword, raised his hands slightly, and stepped back as if to say Alright, alright, I get it. My bad.
「And you, would you mind lowering your fist?」
What the hell is this woman talking about?
…No, I need to stop. Haa… cool down, cool down.
I've already swallowed enough bitterness here. Still, I guess you could say she saved me.
If she hadn't stepped in, that guy might not have killed me, but I definitely would've been cut.
Well, whatever. Not that I'm okay with it—but still.
「…Fine.」
「Sorry about that… My colleague was out of line.」
「No kidding. Was he trying to be funny?」
「Hey, watch it!」
「It's fine, Sorte. I really am sorry.」
The least they can do is let me speak my mind.
Not that an apology from her will make this sting any less.
And that receptionist—she hasn't stopped sweating bullets since these two showed up.
「Haa… whatever. I'm going home.」
As I trudged toward the exit, the adventurers parted to clear a path.
Still… what now?
I've got 7400 Nohl left. If I count the potion crafting tools I agreed to pay for later, I don't even have enough to enter the alchemy lab.
If I'd known this would happen, I would've just made a bunch of cheap ingots while I could.
All those potions I worked so hard on—gone to waste.
-0-
From now on, I'll just sell them to the Alchemy Guild.
Even if the price is low, at least they'll actually buy them.
「Oh, right. I'm not with the Pharma Guild. I'm with the Alchemy Guild. Get it right.」
I made sure to correct that one thing as I stepped through the doors.
He probably just mixed up the Pharma and Alchemy Guilds.
Whatever the Pharma Guild even is—it's got nothing to do with me.
I heard voices from behind me, but I couldn't be bothered.
What should I do now…
Worst case, I could sell the jade, or maybe swallow my pride and ask Reinrich if I can delay payment for the alchemy lab.
For now, I decided to head to the Alchemy Guild.