Chapter 6 - 6: Mines Betrayal (1/2)
By the time we got back to the castle town, it was already evening. We headed straight for the weapons shop.
”Ah, if it isn't the shield kiddo. You know, the other Heroes stopped by after you left.”
So everybody ended up outfitting themselves at this shop, huh? No wonder the shopkeeper looked so pleased with himself.
”I see. Say, you wouldn't be willing to buy these, would you?”
I showed him the scraps I had scavenged from the Orange Balloons we hunted today, but he just waved toward the door indifferently.
”There's a shop around here that specializes in buying and selling materials from monsters. I'm sure they'd be willing to take them off your hands.”
”Thanks.”
”No problem. So, do you need anything else?”
”Yes. I wanted to buy some equipment for my companion, here.”
I looked around the store for Mine and found her staring intently at the equipment on display.
”What's your budget this time?”
I still had 680 silver coins left. What was the best way to spend them?
”What do you think, Mine?”
”...”
Mine was comparing equipment with a serious look on her face and didn't seem to hear me at all. I really needed her input here, though. After all, when we were done shopping we needed to have enough left over to get us through the rest of the month, but I didn't even know how much lodgings would cost, let alone everything else.
”Equipment for your companion, huh? Well, it will definitely make her stronger...”
”Right?”
Since I couldn't attack at all, we'd get get more bang for our buck by making sure Mine was as well-equipped as possible. Or at least, that was the idea.
”It'll probably be pretty expensive, though, so why don't we negotiate a discount?”
”You sure say some amusing things, Mr. Hero.”
”80% off!”
”Are you crazy!? 20% increase!”
”You're going in the wrong direction! 79% off!”
”Even double-price is too good for some bastard trying to haggle without looking at the wares!”
”90% off!”
”Tch! 21% increase!”
”Stop trying to bump up the price! 100% off!”
”That's just asking for it for free! Ugh, fine, 5% off!”
”Not enough! 92% off!”
And so on.
Eventually Mine came back to the counter, carrying a lovely set of armor and a sword made out of a strangely expensive-looking metal.
”I'm done shopping, Shield Hero.”
”So what's the total, pops? Including the 60% off, of course.”
”480 silver coins. 59% off is as low as I'll go!
My preemptive haggling had been surprisingly effective at dropping the price. Still, to be left with just 200 silver coins...
”Mine... can't you be a little more understanding? I've still got lodging fees and living expenses to think about, you know.”
”It's fine, Shield Hero. If I get stronger, we'll be able to defeat stronger monsters and make back the money by selling their materials, right?”
Mine pressed her ċhėst into my arm and pleaded with me. Her eyes were sparkling.
”W-Well, if you insist...”
Come to think of it, those 200 silver coins had been given to me to make up for my lack of followers. The rest was meant to be used on equipment from the start. Looking at it from that point of view, there was a good chance that the amount of 200 silver coins was chosen specifically because it would be enough to get me through the month.
...That said, I'd still feel more comfortable if I leveled up a bit and got a steady source of income before trying to recruit anybody.
”Okay! I guess I'll take these, then.”
”Thank you very much! You're a pretty ridiculous Hero, you know that?
”Ha ha, well. I just really enjoy business, that's all.”
In online games, I always enjoyed making money. I had an uncanny ability to buy low, sell high, and play the auctions. And it wasn't like it was easy, mind you. With all the information available at their fingertips, actual humans in games were tough to haggle with!
”Thank you, Shield Hero.”
Mine gently kissed my hand in gratitude.
...Yeah! Affection Points: UP! Our journey from tomorrow on was sure to be more enjoyable!
At any rate, New equipment in hand, Mine and I headed to the town's inn. The rates were 30 copper coins per person per night.
”We'll take two rooms.”
”Not one?”
”Shield Hero...”
Mine was emitting a silent pressure.
Urk... I had the feeling I'd already lost this one.
”Okay, two rooms it is.”
”Right, right. Thanks for your patronage.”
The innkeeper rubbed his hands together greedily and told us about the rooms we'd be renting. After having an unreasonable amount of information hammered into my head, we stopped in at the tavern next door for dinner. I ordered two deluxe specials, which ran five copper coins a piece.
”Which reminds me...”
I spread out the map I'd purchased on the way back into town and asked Mine to help me get my bearings.
”This here is the plain we were fighting in today, right?”
I was making notes about this area's terrain on the map, for future reference. It might have been better to ask Ren or Motoyasu about it, but judging from the way they were acting yesterday, they probably wouldn't have told me anything. Guys like that would do anything to get a leg up on other people, without a second thought. I wouldn't be surprised if they took advantage of my ignorance to guide me right into a nest of powerful monsters or something.
That was why I had decided to consult with Mine, who seemed knowledgeable enough about this sort of thing.
”Yes, that's right.”
”And from our conversation earlier, would I be right in thinking this forest here is the next hunting ground after the plains?”
The map gave a broad overview of this country's terrain. Basically, there was a vast plain with the castle at its center. From there, there were roads running toward the forest and the mountains, as well as roads that intersected with rivers and villages.
However, since this map was so small, only a few villages near the castle were actually shown. It didn't give any indication of what to expect beyond the forest, either, which was problematic. Without knowing where to go and what kind of monsters would be there, it was impossible to progress.
”Yes. It's not recorded on this map, but our current goal is Raffin Village, on the other side of the forest.”
”Hmm...”
”And, just past Raffin is a dungeon well-suited for novice adventurers.”