112-112 Markets in Wangding (2/2)

...... It's definitely sweet.

You know?　It's even sweeter when it's cooked.

I see.

The meat was tender, and a slight sweetness spread in my mouth even without chewing.

I was surprised to find that I could enjoy it so much just by grilling it.

If it can be grown on a thin land, it must be a very good crop.

”This is nice. ...... Can I have a bag of it?

”Oh, what. Are you going to start a farm again?

No, I don't plan on it for a while, but it's ...... good for a snack.

Yeah, they keep well and you can just burn them.

As he spoke, the man put some black roots in a bag and presented them to me.

”Here you go, that's ten copper coins. That's ten copper coins. I gave you a little extra.

”Oh, thank you.

I handed him the money and received a bag of 'Mandragora'.

When you're ready to start farming again, I'll give you a hand. I'll be happy to serve you.

”Yeah, I'll see you then.

俺は店を離れると早速、その『呪叫草(マンドラゴラ)モドキ』を一本、袋から取り出した.

「【プチファイア】」

そうして、歩きながら俺のスキル【プチファイア】で焼き、頃合いを見て口に入れた.

「────甘い」

確かに、焼き方によっては少し甘みが増す気がする.

今のは強火目で焼いたが、それが良かったらしい.

そして、焼きたてはホクホクとしてさらに美味しい.

やはり、これはおやつとしてはいいかもしれない.

また買いに来るか.

◇

その後も俺は市場を歩いて廻り、色々人に話を聞いたりしながら普段買わないものを沢山買った.

だが、どうせならたくさん使おうと思って持ってきた金は一向に減る気配がない.

結局、俺が買ったものは今すぐに使う日用品か、食べ物ばかりだった.

珍しい道具もあって興味は惹かれるものの、だいたいどういう使い方をするものだ、という話を聞いただけで満足してしまうし、俺に何かを買わせようと一生懸命説明してくれる店主もいたが、話を聞けば聞くほど自分にはいらないものだという気がしてくる.

同じ日用品や食べ物でも、高級品を買えばお金は減るかもしれないが、そもそも、どこに行けば買えるのかという知識がない. 土地や建物なども買えば減るだろうが、そもそも、そんなものはいらないしな…….

今日一日市場を歩き回り、俺はつくづく『買い物』が下手なのだと自覚した.

だが色々知れたし、得るものはたくさんあったと思う.

市場を見て回った俺はますます『商売』というものに興味が湧いてきた.

どうやら俺は物を買うこと自体にはあまり興味はないが、沢山のものが人の手から人の手に流れていく様子を眺めるのは好きらしい.

あんなにも色々な種類の商品が、余っているところから仕入られ、必要としている誰かに届けられる. きっと『市場』というのはその一場面でしかないが、その流れの一端を見ているだけで楽しくなってくる.

王都の市場を眺めるほどに、南にある『商人の国』サレンツァというのにもますます興味が湧いた. 俺にとっては王都の市場でさえ巨大と思えるが、聞けば、サレンツァの首都の市場はまるで規模が違うという.

街が海に面し、様々な場所と交易する大きな船が乗り入れられ、大陸中から沢山の物資が集まり、また流れていく.

街の大きさも、人の多さも王都の数倍だという. そこにどんな場所があるのか見当もつかないが、王都でこれだけ楽しめたのだから、きっとサレンツァの街はもっとすごいのだろう.

どうせなら、一生に一度ぐらい見てみたいという願望が湧く.

評判(うわさ)ではサレンツァの商人はあくどい商売をしている者も多いと聞くが……きっと、皆が皆そうではないだろうし、何より『大陸一の商売上手』と呼ばれるだけの何かがあるのだろう.

そういうのにも少し、憧れる.

まあ、俺自身が商売には向いていないだろうというのは、なんとなく理解はしている.

でも、俺の手元には使うあてのない金が沢山あるわけだし……試しに商人の真似事をしてみるというのもありなんじゃないか、とも思い始めている.

失敗すれば綺麗さっぱりなくなるだろうが……元々、別になくなったところで全く困らない金だ.

最初から使い切るつもりで持っていくなら、ありだろう.

……もしかしたら、意外な商売の才能というやつもあるかもしれないし.

試してみるだけならタダだろう.

それにもしかしたら、様々な品物が集まるというサレンツァになら、王都にはなかった俺が欲しいものもあるかも知れない.

そう思うと、ますます行きたくなる.

だが、サレンツァというのはとても行きにくい国だという.

サレンツァから入ってくるのは比較的容易らしいが、クレイス王国からの入国は、単に国境をまたぐだけでも、様々な種類の許可をとらなければならないらしい.

商売などの交易目的であれば許されるらしいが、かなりの知識が必要になるそうだ.

The uncle of the guild told me that I should hire someone for that purpose. ...... I don't really know what kind of person I should hire for that either.

I'll have to consult him again.

As I was walking down the main street of the capital, it was getting dark, I suddenly felt someone approaching me from behind.

I was a little surprised to see someone suddenly standing behind me in the middle of the crowd, but when I turned around ......, there was Leanne, the girl I had imagined.

”Sir?

...... Lean. It's been a while.

I hadn't seen her since she invited me and her father to go to Mithra.

It's strange how easy it is to find yourself wherever you are, but ...... I've gotten used to it.

You can think of it as being found by a bird.

How did you find me in such a crowded place? ...... Oh, so you tracked me with your skills again?

”Yes. I didn't think it would be polite to find out where you were without permission, but ...... I wanted to ask you a favor as soon as possible.

A favor?

Yes. I was wondering if you could follow Mithra and head south with me to the commercial district of Sarenza.

You're going to Salenza with me?

I was just thinking about going to Salenza, so it was like I was caught off guard.

So, you're a courier again?

”...... Yes, ostensibly. My father thought it would be a good idea. I know this is a very urgent and confusing request, but I would really appreciate your help. That's because this time, I'm the heir to the throne. ────

”Good.

...... What?

Actually, I've been wanting to go to Salenza myself. It's rather convenient.

Lean, who was trying to explain something, looked at me with a puzzled expression.

”You too?

”Yeah. It's not much of an errand, but ...... you can afford to do some shopping on your way there, can't you?

Yes, yes, of course.

I'd love to go. In fact, I'd even pay for the trip myself.

No, no!　That's not true. ......!　You don't have to pay anything to Dr. Noor. ......!　We'll take care of all the expenses for your stay, so please don't hesitate to ask for anything.

...... No, that means I can't use my extra money.

Well, I guess I don't need her permission to spend my own money on the road.

If you spend it without saying anything, there is no problem.

Besides, I heard that the country of Salenza is very difficult to enter without permission.

If I had tried to get permission on my own, I wouldn't have been able to leave at all. That alone would have been a great help.

I feel a little embarrassed as a grown-up to be relying on a girl from a rich family for everything, but I'm really lucky to have ...... her as an acquaintance.

So, when are you going?

It's ──── really urgent, but I'm hoping to leave soon.

Oh, well. That'd be great for me too.

The construction site is closed for the vacations, but I'm sure the work will come back after a while. It would be best if I could go to Salenza and come back during that time.

I'm really hoping for the best, and I'm a little scared.

”If it's all right with you, Doctor, I'd like to leave for ...... tomorrow morning.

Okay. Give me a minute. I'll get you some money to take with you on your trip.

No, no. We'll pay for everything over there at ────.

No, it's for personal purchases. I don't want to spoil it for you.

So I hurried to the adventurer's guild.