183 Episode 183 "I tried to dazzle the escort who finished the training with a suspicious movement".txt (1/2)

Nagi, Letitia, and the Cutlass team.

In the mansion of the merchant Dolgor.

That's why I don't need a 'rookie training'.

At the doorway, Mr. Dolgor, the merchant, shouted.

The entrance to this mansion is wide. It's about the size of a little classroom.

There, the merchant, Mr. Dolgor, and a small, fat merchant were talking to each other. The merchant is wearing a hat and round glasses. According to what I heard earlier, he's an executive of the 'Merchant's Guild'.

The two women are standing on either side of the merchant.

They are wearing leather armor and carrying short swords at their waists. Perhaps they are guards.

They have no expression on their faces and are listening to the merchant's conversation with Dolgor. Occasionally he looks around from side to side, jerking off like a machine.

...... It's a bit eerie, isn't it?

...... Those guards ...... are really human?

Cutlass and Letitia murmured.

'We're hiding on the landing of the stairs.

There is a large pillar on the landing, and people can hide behind it. Originally, it is said that this is where the guards stand by when an uninvited guest comes.

”I just received a message from Cecil in the 'mind linkage, modified'

I whispered.

'The mermaid girl said that Iris had calmed her down. Finally she said, 'New trainees, they're scary...'

You're... That tickles!　Your breath is hitting your ear.

Letitia shrugged right beside me.

She looks up and glares at me like she's having a ”mmmm” moment.

It can't be helped, Lady Letitia. It's too small,

This place is for two people.

Right now I'm sitting with my back to the pillar and my legs stretched out.

Letitia is next to me, leaning on my shoulder.

Cutlass has been asked to sit on my lap. It's nice because it's light, but the distance is absurdly close. ......

'There's more to Cecil's message. There was something called 'rookie training' going on in the ocean, and it took away a mermaid girl's dwelling place (vii). She escaped to the river through a secret underground canal.

”Did the Horned Serpent that we saw in our quest the other day - the corpse of a sea monster - also flow through the same channel?

Maybe.

''If that's the 'rookie training' that merchant is talking about, then it's just a nuisance ....... I can't believe they're kicking sub-humans out of their homes for that.

I agree.

Why would I do such a thing? There are plenty of places where there are no people.

And that merchant. Why is it that you are so persistent in recommending the 'newbie training' to Dolgordo?

...... that's probably... ...... that's somewhat predictable.

'How many times do I have to explain to you, Dolgor?　Merchants who had their subordinates undergo 'rookie training' would be subsidized by the nobles and would also be given favors in their dealings with them. That's why the 'Merchant Guild' has issued a proclamation that all of the 'Merchant Guild' should have their subordinates undergo 'training'!

””...... is easy to understand (yes, it is).”

He's after the subsidy.

Aristocrats love that sort of thing, don't they?

And with that in mind, I'm declining your request.

But Dolgor-san is shaking his head. Come to think of it, that guy was a former adventurer, right?

Maybe he has a gut feeling that that 'rookie training' is in trouble, having done quests. Just like we do.

''No matter how many times you say it, I'll give you the same words back, Kaimal-sama.

Mr. Dolgor declared, his shoulders flaring in anger.

'This Dolgor has asked his guards to be old acquaintances and adventurers. The shopkeepers are all long-time workers as well. There are no newcomers. So we have no one to send out for training.

''Wasn't it supposed to be decided at the 'Merchant's Guild' meeting?　He said that each merchant in the guild would have a few people join them. As long as they're new to the guild and get trained, that's all that matters.

I thought we were talking about 'as much as possible' and 'as little as possible'.　I don't recall being forced to do so, sir.

When did I force you to do this?

The merchant Kaimal twisted his lips in displeasure.

'That's a shame to hear. Do you think I grabbed one of Dolgor's employees by the arm and asked him to join the 'recruiters' training?　I am only speaking repeatedly to your coordination.

That's why I've said no to you many times!

Speaking of which, there's a general meeting of the Merchant's Guild next month.

His tone changed.

The merchant Kaimal's lips twitched as he spoke to the guards lined up on either side of him.

''It's a meeting that takes place every two years, and that's when the ranks of guild members are determined, right?　Hey.

”...just as you said, Mr. Kaimal...

''A merchant with a problem could lose his guild rank, right?　Hey.

”...just as you said, Mr. Kaimal...

The two guards replied with a blank expression.

''The lower the rank of the guild, the less goods we can handle. It's deadly ...... for merchants, so are you saying that we should do as you say, Kaimardo?

I'd appreciate it if you would stop making accusations. When did I ever say anything like that?

...... I hate 'training' because I see those who have come back.

Mr. Dolgor pointed to the merchant Kaimal's guards.

'When I give them instructions, they obey, but until then, they just stand there like puppets. They don't talk to you or tell you what they want. What on earth is going on in the 'training'?

'These men have been 'trained' and have become very useful guards?

The merchant Kaimal laughed.

'He knows the spacing of every weapon. If you tell him how many enemies there are, he will fight them accordingly. He doesn't look away or talk privately when he's working. There's nothing wrong with that, is there?

I don't want ...... such a subordinate.

'Then will you prove to me that your people are better than you?

One hand is raised, the merchant Kaimal.

In response, the two guards on either side of him stepped forward.

''We would like to fight these men, two against two, your guards.

What...?

''Hey, it's just a power play. If these two are defeated, it means that Dolgor's men are capable, and there is no need for a rookie training program. Let's back off quietly too. If we win, ...... how about you offer your daughter to the 'rookie training'?

'How could you do that!

Well, of course you do!

The merchant Kaimal turned around and shouted.

'You don't have any useful men in the house!　We have nothing but a bunch of starving, puppet-like guards!　That's why I'm telling you that you should be trained in training, but Dolgordo doesn't understand anything. You are indeed an amateur merchant with an adventurous streak!

It's a dead end.

I think I'm going to puke.

”Alright, b*tc*!

Suddenly. Cutlass grabbed my hand.

I can't take it anymore, sir. You don't mind if I mess with you, do you?

Okay.

I said.

I owe Mr. Dolgor a debt of gratitude from my last visit to the sanatorium.

It would be nice to return the favor.

'But I don't want to show as much of my hand as possible. Let's try not to use our fancy cheat skills. Just look like a somewhat skilled adventurer. The point is, we just need to have a good match with that guard.

All right, sir!

'Then me and Cutlass are going to leave like, 'Ahhh. I accidentally overheard you!' and we'll leave, so Leticia will stay here.

...... You'll be angry.

The next thing I know, Letitia is looking at me with tears in her eyes.

'I hate being left out. You know that.

It's two against two, so what can you do?

Then Nagi-san, I'd like you to be the one who comes up with the plan.

Letitia grabbed my hand.

'You'll have to figure out how to fight those guys and come up with a countermeasure, won't you? You're good at that, aren't you?

'...... You know better. Letitia.

You're my best friend.

'Hmmm,' laughs Leticia.

'Alright. Letitia and Cutlass are the vanguard. I'll just think of a plan.''

Let's get out of here first and casually break into the conversation.

Then I'll tell Dolgor-san that I'd like to lend a hand in lieu of a ”quest to pay off a debt”.

Then we'll use ”as few bland skills as possible” and ”fight a good fight there” with this.

”I'll get out of here with 'Ichinininosan'. I like that.

I get it. Eichi, then.

””S”

Enough!

Just before we jumped out of the stairwell, we heard a shout.

It came from around the door of the mansion.

I saw that the gatekeeper of the house was attached to the merchant Kaimal.

'You stalk your employer day in and day out!

Let's see if we're crucible puppets!

The gatekeepers are ready with their spears.

Oh, shit. We're too late.

”If we don't fight these people, they won't believe us, will they?　Mr. Dolgor!

We've been here two years. I owe you a debt of gratitude!

The two gatekeepers are confronted by the merchant Kaimal's guards.

Merchant Dolgor-san's mansion is large. The front door is as big as a little empty classroom. There's enough space to fight.

There, two gatekeepers with spears in their hands and two women with swords in their hands are facing each other.

''Don't hurry up, you guys!''

As long as they're good, it's not a problem!　Go ahead, both of you!

The merchant Kaimal shouted.

'Instructions!　”Two enemies.” ”The enemy's weapon is a spear.” ”Unkillable.

”Yes, Mr. Kaimal.

The two women of the guard moved.

The gatekeepers stick out their spears. The one without a hosaki - the one with the tip - is facing a stone thrust.

The timing of the attack was not aligned. One of the gatekeepers is moving faster than the other. The merchant Kaimal's guards didn't miss the gap.

Jing Jing!

What?

The first woman swipes the gatekeeper's spear, which has moved ahead of her, with her sword. Another woman steps in and thrusts her sword sheath against the gatekeeper's throat.

A scream goes up and one of the gatekeepers falls down.

Hi, hi!

The gatekeeper, now alone, starts shaking, spear in hand.

The merchant Kaimal's guards stop dead in their tracks with a snap.

With the gatekeeper surrounded from left and right, he puts his hand on his sword and turns around.

''Instructions. ''One enemy.'' ''The enemy's weapon is the spear.'' ''Incapacitate them.''

Yes, sir.

And then two of you, left and right, you bring your swords to the terrified gatekeepers...

Jing Jing!

When he tried to swing down - Leticia's short sword and Cutlass's spear caught him.

''The game is over. That's enough.

That's a bit much, sir!

Letitia and Cutlass shouted.

''Instructions. 'New, two enemies.' 'Enemy weapons are sword and spear.' 'Temporary evacuation.'

Zap.

The two guards step back at the direction of the merchant Kaimal.

'Who are they?　This was supposed to be a two-on-two match, as all of Dolgor admitted.

The merchant Kaimal glares at me with a glare.

...... because your guards just tried to kill the gatekeeper.

I pointed to the sword of the woman guarding me.

Until a while ago, the sheath was attached. But now the blade is exposed.

When the merchant Kaimal said ”neutralize”, the guards pulled their swords from their scabbards. The two guards went to thrust it straight at the gatekeeper.

I knew it was bad, so we jumped out of the way.

I'm glad I was able to get to ...... in time. Really.

We were supposed to be just comparing strength, but we were killing each other. So I stopped it. You're the one breaking the rules.

Of course, I was going to stop at the last minute?

The merchant Kaimal shrugged his shoulders.

''It's just that since I came back from my 'rookie training', these two have become too strong. Sometimes they do too much. Again, I was going to stop them, right?　Even if I had slashed him, it would have been just a scratch.

Mr. Dolgor. Do me a favor.

...... For now, we'll leave this merchant alone. Let's talk to Mr. Dolgor first.