Published: September 9, 2025
※3/19 Typo corrections made.
This is Satou. I barely remember any of the school social studies field trips, but I vividly recall the tours I took as a working adult, like visits to beer factories and semiconductor plants.
I guess when it comes to things you're genuinely interested in, your level of engagement is completely different.
â—‡
After the meal, at Ms. Zena’s request, we decided to visit shops catering to explorers.
The carriage waited at the exit of Weapon Street, and we strolled along the street on foot.
Next to the weapon shop was an adjoining workshop where craftsmen were making maces and bone hammers using materials harvested from monsters.
I suppose it’s for efficiency, but I wish they wouldn’t just pile up unprocessed monster materials in plain view from the street.
“Isn’t that a monster’s corpse?”
“It is. But it’s better to call it materials rather than a corpse.”
Ms. Zena’s offhand comment made the atmosphere among the craftsmen tense, so I quietly corrected her.
Realizing her faux pas from my words, Ms. Zena bowed and apologized to the craftsmen.
Perhaps surprised that a refined lady like her would apologize to them so humbly, the craftsmen were initially stunned but then brusquely accepted her apology with, “It’s fine.”
Many of the weapons around here are crafted by simply processing monster materials directly.
Shops that create pseudo demonic swords using alchemy work indoors or in courtyards to prevent their secret techniques from being stolen.
The shop I had been guiding Ms. Zena to was one such place dealing in pseudo demonic swords.
“What a fine establishment.”
“It’s one of the premier comprehensive shops for weapons and magical artifacts in the Labyrinth City.”
The weapons here start at a minimum price of ten gold coins, making it a high-end store that even mid-level explorers find hard to afford.
However, the quality is undoubtedly the best in the Labyrinth City, so I figured it was a good idea to bring Ms. Zena here once, introduce her to the shop owner, and get her face known.
It might be a while before she can shop here, but since the elite squad from Seryu City is competent, she should soon be coming and going for things like selling materials.
As we entered the store escorted by Ms. Zena, a group of cheerful female sales clerks simultaneously greeted us with a lively “Welcome!”
Encouraged by their enthusiasm, Ms. Zena returned their greeting, and I urged her to take a look at the displayed weapons.
The spacious interior had about ten display stands, each manned by two clerks.
These women were former explorers who doubled as both sales staff and security for the goods.
I’ve seen a few times when customers reached for the rear of these prim and proper clerks, only to have their hands twisted by the clerk still smiling politely.
Setting that aside, Ms. Zena was drawn to one of the displays like a magnet.
“This is a Crystal Dagger made from the horn of a Crystal Horned Beast.”
“It’s beautiful.”
Ms. Zena gasped in admiration at the dagger introduced by the clerk.
This weapon was made from the horn of a creature resembling a triceratops, which I had seen once during a bandit extermination.
When charged with magic power, the horn emits electric shocks like a stun gun to paralyze enemies.
But I suppose what attracted Ms. Zena the most was its gem-like appearance.
“If you’re interested, please feel free to hold it.”
Encouraged by the clerk, Ms. Zena tentatively took the dagger in her hand.
She seemed a bit excited, holding the dagger up to the light, but then suddenly paled and returned it to the stand.
Huh?
“Is something wrong?”
“The price tag…”
Ms. Zena whispered to me.
Feeling a little ticklish, I glanced at the stand’s price tag and saw “120 gold coins” attached.
It definitely wasn’t there before.
And it was nearly three times the market price.
When I asked the clerk, she explained that it wasn’t a sudden price hike but a price set to discourage merchants from outside the city trying to buy up all the stock.