Published: August 2, 2025
Today, 10 chapters were updated simultaneously.
This story is episode 2.
Two days later.
"Yes, no problem."
"Thank you very much."
There were no attacks along the way, and we were able to safely pass through the gate of Kerevan.
"Ah, excuse me. I have one more question. Do you happen to know the way to the Dinorm Magic Tool Workshop? The address seems to be around here..."
"If it's this address, it's towards the east. Go straight down this road until you reach 24th Street... Sorry, that area has a complicated maze of streets, so it's hard to explain verbally..."
"No, it's been very helpful just hearing that much. Thank you."
"I see. Well then, please be careful. Oh, if you take that shared horse carriage over there, you'll get there faster!"
I thanked the courteous gatekeeper and headed to the horse carriage stand he had told me about.
There was a horse carriage parked there that looked like a large cart without a canopy or seats.
Only the driver was on board... but this must be the right one, right?
"Excuse me, how much to 24th Street?"
"24th? That'll be two small copper coins."
"Here you go."
"Ride in the back. We're about to depart."
"Excuse me."
Once I got on, the driver started the carriage.
As I leisurely watched the town scenery, I could feel the bustling energy of the city.
There were already many people the last time I came, but now it seemed even more crowded.
"Hey kid, where you from?"
"From Gimul."
"Pretty close. You sightseeing alone?"
"I'm an adventurer, but I plan to sightsee once my request is done. I heard there's a magic tool market being held?"
"Yeah, tomorrow. This time it's a magic tool market."
"Are there other markets too?"
"What, kid, did you come from far away around here? Even in Gimul, or well, this area, these markets are famous. There are six markets a year. The main products change, but the venue is always the Central Plaza. Also, there are always stalls and such around. After living here for a few years, it doesn't seem special anymore."
Six times a year means roughly once every two months. No wonder it’s not unusual for the residents.
"That means we get more chances to earn money. Hey, could you squeeze in a bit more?"
The horse carriage stopped, and new passengers crowded in all at once. The population density was quite high...
"Hm? Hold on tight! It might get a bit bumpy ahead!"
The driver shouted, and the passengers grabbed the edge of the carriage floor. I followed suit and held the edge, wondering what was going on. Was the road rough...?
Ahead on the right side, there was a small cart moving slowly.
"Stop dawdling!!"
"You're slow, you old geezer!"
Loaded with large barrels, an elderly man was pulling the cart, but young people who were drivers of the horse carriages were overtaking him one after another.
"Damn, that's dangerous..."
The driver frowned. Indeed, the young people’s overtaking seemed a bit aggressive even to amateurs. But the old man was definitely slow, so some might find him a nuisance. I wondered who the driver was thinking about...
"Hey, hey..."
"Is that person getting on...?"
The passengers began to murmur.
Following their gaze, I saw a woman with a sumo wrestler’s build standing at the next stop...
"To 24th Street, please. Okay, heave ho!"
"Guh!?"
The woman lost her balance and fell forward with momentum.
"Sorry!"
"It's okay..."
I told her I was only a bit squished but not hurt, and she sat down right next to me... The cramped carriage suddenly felt even more cramped...
"This is the stop."
"Thank you very much!"
"No problem, work hard."
The woman who sat next to me guided me, and we arrived at the Dinorm Magic Tool Workshop.
Honestly, I might have gotten lost if it weren't for her. Glad I asked.
“Item Box.”
I prepared the luggage and the request form... alright!
“Welcome! Oh? What a lovely customer.”
Upon entering, there was a counter straight ahead, and behind it sat a well-built woman.
The shop was not exactly spacious; it was about the size of a kiosk on a train platform.
“You don’t look familiar—are you running errands? For lights, this way; for fire starters, that way.”