CH 229

Words : 1000 Updated : Sep 25th, 2025

We Entered The Rival Store “However, is it necessary…?” “I don’t know. It’s a precaution. I don’t want to have any regrets, like I did in Range village.” Especially with the body strengthening herb. During the orcs attack, had I had such herbs, I might have been able to defeat more of them, and fewer people would have been injured. Perhaps I wouldn’t have been injured at all… While I couldn’t change what happened, I could prepare so it wouldn’t happen again… “Very well. Though…I shall not be of much use if it does turn into a fight…” “Even still. Being able to move a little better might help you until Phillip and Johanna arrive.” Sebastian did not know how to fight, and so I would have to do my best… I thought this as I checked the sword on my belt. My sword had been shattered during the battle with the orcs. When Sebastian heard of this, he prepared a new one for me once I had returned to the mansion. It was of a better quality than the previous one, which was comforting. While Phillip and Johanna were following us, they could not enter the store. We had thought of having them pretend to be customers, but that would only give rise to suspicion. They looked too much like soldiers. Still, they would wait outside. And if anything happened, they would charge in to help us. Otherwise, we might be caught and used as hostages. “But why sense strengthening?” “If I use that herb, I will be able to detect small changes in facial expression. It is the same with any suspicious movement within the store.” “I see…” I was being extra cautious. From what I had heard from Nick, the other store had a bouncer or guard type person. So things could get rough. There was a saying about how caution does no harm. It’s not like this was a great hassle, and it could help keep us safe. “Mm…it tastes terrible as always.” “Well, that can’t be helped. Don’t you know…the best medicine is always bitter?” “Oh? Is that a saying from your world, Mr. Takumi?” We ate the bitter herbs and talked while heading to the store. “There it is.” “That…” We arrived at the store and looked at it from a short distance away. In terms of appearance, it was not much different from other stores. It blended in with the rest of the town… Unlike Ms. Isabelle’s store. But unlike Mr. Kalis’s store, it looked very empty. The rumors that Sebastian had spread must be the cause of this great decrease in customers… And there was also the discounts. “There is no one outside of the store.” “Indeed. They are not calling out to customers… It is quite eerie.” The storefront was empty and quiet. As this was a store I had been wanting to deal with for some time, there was a nervous and eerie feeling in the air. “Just leave all of the talking to me. You act as we planned, Mr. Takumi.” “…I am supposed to agree with you, right? I understand.” After that, the two of us walked to the store. Not only was it quiet outside, but it seemed very quiet inside as well. The only thing that I could hear was…footsteps…but no talking. As my senses were enhanced, the quietness nearly hurt my ears. “Well then…” “…Yes.” Sebastian put his hand on the door and nodded at me. I nodded back, and then he pushed the door open. “Excuse me. Is there anyone here?” We stepped inside, and then Sebastian spoke in a gentle voice, which was different from the low voice he had a moment ago. Here, he was a pleasant old man and a customer. “What is it, old man? Herbs? Medicine?” The low voice came from the back, behind a counter. And then a large man appeared. Perhaps he was the clerk. But he looked very intimidating… “Both. I would like to have a look at your products. …Uh, who is in charge here?” “…Is that so! Forgive my rudeness. I will call the master right away.” Upon hearing Sebastian, the man immediately started to smile. Since customers were so rare now, they were probably desperate to please him. I suppose he didn’t think we were customers at first. …Though, that sounded very strange to me, since we had entered the store. “Sorry to keep you waiting. I am in charge here. You can call me Wood.” “Hello. I am Sebastian.” “Mr. Sebastian. …Have I heard that name…” The man in charge had a great grin on his face and a stout frame. His skin shone, and his clothes were extravagantly decorated. …He reminded me of those people who had become rich overnight. By the way, the last part was muttered under his breath, but thanks to the herbs, I was able to hear him. As Sebastian often visited the town, perhaps he had heard the name before. “The herbs and medicine here have such a high reputation, that I simply had to come and see for myself, as I am thinking of making a great purchase.” “Indeed! Indeed! We carry only the best herbs and medicine you have ever seen! Every customer leaves us with great satisfaction!” Mr. Wood’s smile broadened at Sebastian’s words. Good reputation… Sebastian was clearly lying, but the man seemed quite oblivious to this. “May I have a seat?” “Yes! Yes! Please make yourself comfortable!” The walls of the store were lined with shelves of herbs and medicines. But the center was empty. There was a counter in the back. And to the left corner, there was a table and chair so people could sit down and talk. …That was likely where they lied to their customers and made them buy their awful herbs.

CH 229

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