Published: August 2, 2025
Today, 10 episodes posted simultaneously.
This story is the 5th episode.
“How is it?”
“I’m surprised... Thank you, boy!”
“To think that slime could be useful, times really have changed.”
“This is something I can’t sell, so sorry about that...”
After deodorizing the damaged roads and shops as much as possible, the victims each expressed their gratitude with words or gifts. I gratefully accepted them while not forgetting to promote my own shop, then left the town.
“Wait a moment, could you stop?”
“Huh?”
I was stopped right after leaving the gate. It turned out to be the owner of that stinky preserved food who was earlier blamed, riding in a carriage and undergoing a passage check.
“Good, I made it just in time...”
“Do you need something?”
“I wanted to thank you earlier. But when I went back there, I was told you had already left.”
Including this man, the victims had once been taken to the guard post—not arrested, but to confirm the damage and receive compensation. Meanwhile, I cleaned the road and deodorized the shops of those who returned earlier... but this person seemed to be last in line, so we had just missed each other.
“Oh, if you’re also leaving through this gate, why don’t you come along for a while? You seem to be on foot, so if you don’t mind, you can ride in the cargo area.”
While traveling alone is faster, this is fate. Since it’s a thank-you, I’ll accept the offer.
“Oh, so Mr. Mondo has been a peddler for 12 years... you’re quite a veteran then.”
“Ha ha, I’m not that experienced yet. There are plenty doing it for 30 or 40 years. I’m just barely standing on my own now. That’s also in Reethil... do you know it? It’s a village by Lake Latoin.”
“I don’t know Reethil, but Lake Latoin is the largest lake in this country, right?”
Because it’s also a habitat for the magical beasts I train against, it was written on documents I received from the Guild. Along its shores are many fishing villages, including one called Shikum, where a party I met before is from.
“Shikum is almost directly across from Reethil. I basically sell daily necessities there and in some small villages nearby.”
“...Huh? Isn’t it food products you sell?”
“You mean Shappaya? That’s made back in my hometown, Reethil. My father’s a fisherman, and if I’m going to leave without inheriting the family business, he insists I at least find a sales route to contribute to the village when I return.”
“Is that so?”
“But it doesn’t sell very well... Washing it well with water before grilling or boiling helps reduce the smell a bit... but it’s still smelly. Well, I’ve never been scolded for not selling it, but it’s frustrating...”
“I saw you at Saionji Trading Company.”
“You saw, huh? I wish I could sell there, but the smell’s a problem. Well, I’m going around various places and patiently trying... By the way, Ryoma-kun, which way are you headed?”
In the distance I could see a fork in the road. I was heading to Gimul, so I’d go left here.
“I’m going right.”
“Then we part ways.”
“You’re going left, right? Then...”
The carriage stopped.
He then casually rummaged through the cargo area and took out a tightly sealed barrel.
“Here, take a barrel if you like. It’s a token of thanks and a wish for a safe journey. Having this keeps wild animals and magical beasts from attacking much—especially the ones with a keen sense of smell.”
I felt that just riding with him was thanks enough, but since it seemed genuinely kind, I accepted it. It’s apparently good as protection against magical beasts on the road… though it’s no longer really food.
Ah, maybe that’s what my father meant by forcing me to get on...
“Thank you very much.”
“Likewise. Take care and have a good trip.”
After parting from Mr. Mondo and losing sight of him, I ran straight toward Gimul.
The next day
Because I gathered medicinal herbs on the way, I arrived around noon.
I went straight to the shop to exchange information, and as usual, the business was going smoothly.