It was the second visit, so Wataru was able to observe the Welcome Trading Company more calmly and in detail.

Last time, he had entered without any prior knowledge, so even though he was looking, he hadn’t fully recognized what he was seeing.

The Welcome Trading Company had a customer-facing entrance in the front and what appeared to be a loading dock in the back alley. There was a spot for carriages to park, and several employees were busily loading and unloading goods. The company seemed to deal in a wide range of products, from dried fruits and miscellaneous goods to lumber, furniture, and furs. It felt more like a general store than a specialty shop.

"It’s got a bustling, lively atmosphere."

"Yes, it doesn’t feel like a specialty store; it’s rare to see a shop run as a general store."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. Specialty stores usually have strong relationships with the various craftsmen’s guilds. As the volume of transactions increases, they can naturally reduce the cost of procurement."

"Why wouldn’t they do that?"

"Perhaps the shop owner has a particular preference. Maybe they’re aiming to become a great merchant one day."

Wataru nodded at Mariel’s explanation. Indeed, in the modern world, specialty stores are strong, whether it’s clothing or anything else. There are some universal truths that remain constant regardless of time or place. Conversely, there are cases where someone starts with a bookstore and ends up with a global general merchandise online store. If that’s the case, William should pursue his dream wholeheartedly.

Although the products were piled up in a haphazard manner, the premises were well-maintained, and there was no stagnant atmosphere. There was even a sense of energy accompanying the busyness. The people working there didn’t seem overbearing; they were all moving energetically and efficiently. Looking at it anew, Wataru felt that his intuition about choosing this store hadn’t been wrong.

Suddenly, Wataru’s gaze was drawn to a horse, and he was surprised.

“I just noticed, but that’s a horse… but it’s not a horse!”

The creature snorted, and at first glance, it looked just like a horse. However, from its size and, more importantly, the small horn and six legs, it was clear that it wasn’t the kind of horse Wataru knew.

"That’s a Hyupos. Judging by your reaction, is this your first time seeing one?"

"Yeah. It looks really fast."

"It’s fast and also good at pulling loads. Though, I’m better at running!"

"What are you competing for? Hyupos are valuable as draft animals, and their speed makes them useful in battles and for messengers."

Air stood proudly as she looked up at the Hyupos, showing off her excellent physique, but her attitude was childlike and endearing. Meanwhile, Mariel provided detailed explanations, which were also helpful.

“It seems to be staring at me a lot. Do you think it’ll bite me?”

“Hyupos tend to nibble on the heads of people they like.”

“Interesting.”

“They’re generally well-behaved. My family used to own one when we were somewhat affluent, and it was very docile.”

“By the way, are they carnivores?”

“No, they’re herbivores. They like things like Kyuruso carrots and Ratatatat apples.”

"That’s a relief, then. By the way, are those foods tasty for people too?"

“Hmm, I haven’t really seen people eating them. They’re very large and probably have a bland taste.”

“In my village, we cook Kyuruso until it’s tender and eat it.”

There are creatures that are similar but slightly different. Perhaps there are livestock that can be crossbred. If he could bring these fruits to Earth, they might solve food problems or become luxury fruits.

Well, he didn’t yet know how to mediate and sell them, though.

As Wataru was thinking about these things and carelessly approached the Hyupos, it suddenly opened its mouth quickly and bit down on Wataru’s head.

“Whoa, wait, am I being eaten!?”

“What!? It’s licking you all over!”

“Let go! You’re scaring your master!”

The Hyupos neighed and repeatedly nibbled on Wataru’s head. Although there was no intense pain, the discomfort of having his head covered in slobber and the shock of the sudden event left Wataru with no composure. He couldn’t move recklessly, either.

Air, radiating an alarming amount of killing intent, grabbed the Hyupos by the mouth and forcefully pried it open. The pressure eased, and Wataru hastily crouched down, staggering away from the spot.

“Are you alright, Master!?”

“Yeah, thanks to you, I’m completely fine. But I’d like to clean up a bit—I'm all sticky.”

Mariel hurriedly stood between Wataru and the Hyupos.

Ugh, this stickiness is really unpleasant...

As Wataru grimaced in discomfort, an employee, noticing the commotion, hurriedly ran over.

“Are you alright, sir?”

“Yes, I’m fine. But I’d appreciate it if I could get some hot water and something to wipe with.”

“My apologies. I’ll have it prepared immediately.”

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

The employee quickly ran around, and in no time at all, they had prepared a bucket filled with plenty of hot water and several towels.

“Even though Hyupos are generally docile, it’s rare for them to take such a liking to someone they’ve just met…”

“Is that so? So it was just a matter of me being particularly liked, then?”

“Most likely…”

“You must smell really good, Master!”

“Really? I can’t tell myself.”

Perhaps it was because there were no injuries. Or maybe it was because Wataru wasn’t angry, despite wearing a wry smile. Even after the accident, time passed peacefully.

They returned to the front of the store, and Wataru and his companions entered the Welcome Trading Company. He worried that visiting two days in a row might be a nuisance... But his concern proved unnecessary, as William greeted their visit with a smile.

"Welcome, Wataru-sama, to our store, Welcome!"

“Ah, thank you for your help yesterday. I’m sorry to bother you with another visit so soon.”

“Not at all, it was a very good deal. And…”

William’s gaze turned to Mariel and Air. Both were strikingly beautiful young women, and anyone who saw them would likely recognize them as slaves at a glance.

"After that, I followed your recommendation and went to the slave merchant Maso’s place. I’ve decided to have these two work for me."

"Is that so? That’s wonderful to hear."

"Let me introduce them. Mariel will be taking care of my personal needs, and Air will be serving as my bodyguard."

"Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you."

“What lovely young ladies you have. I’m William, head of the Welcome Trading Company. I look forward to your patronage.”

Mariel and Air bowed deeply and introduced themselves. Wataru had been a bit worried about whether Air, being a beastkin, could manage, but those concerns proved unfounded. Air’s bow was so polite that it would have been appropriate even in modern Japan. Wataru would later learn that she had been taught proper manners as a slave.

"I mentioned your name at Maso’s shop. They treated me very well, thanks to you."

"I'm glad I could be of help. Would you like to discuss matters in the back room? I have some news regarding the sale of the sugar. I’d like to report it to you."

“That was quick. Yes, please.”

William likely understood that Wataru had some business to discuss. The subtle invitation made Wataru feel more at ease. Moreover, moving to a different room signaled that William saw Wataru as a suitable business partner.

The sugar trade must have been significant for him.

Realizing this, Wataru relaxed a little.

The reception room had chairs adorned with intricate carvings. The milky white material had a mysterious hue that made it look like both marble and ivory. There was no doubt that these were exceptional pieces William had prepared to entertain guests.

After serving Wataru tea, William began to drink it himself. This was a customary gesture to show that the tea wasn’t poisoned, but Wataru hadn’t even considered the need for caution. He sipped the tea without hesitation.

(This tea isn’t like black tea; it has a unique flavor. It’s like a herbal tea, perhaps?)

Tea, as a single term, could refer to various materials and drinking methods. The refreshing taste and the fragrance that lingered in his nose were pleasant.

"This is delicious. It has a wonderful aroma."

"I'm glad you like it. Some people add jam or sugar to it, depending on their preference."

"Do people here commonly drink this tea?"

"Yes, from commoners to nobility. Though, for commoners, adding sugar is usually reserved for celebrations. Even then, it would be sugar with quite a bit of impurities."

William had likely chosen this tea to help Wataru, a foreigner, get accustomed to their customs. Such small considerations were very much appreciated. There’s nothing more likely to cause an accidental faux pas than the subtle differences in everyday customs and practices.

In some countries, gestures like "come here" and "go away" are completely reversed. Or stepping into a Japanese home with shoes on would certainly provoke anger if one didn’t know better.

"The white sugar I acquired from you was purchased by the magistrate of this town. It will likely be showcased at noble banquets in the royal capital in the future."

"It’s impressive that you found a buyer so quickly."

"The product was high quality and valuable. Thanks to that, I was able to secure a good deal. Now, what brings you here today, Wataru-sama?"

"Actually, I’m thinking of buying a weapon for Air."

As Wataru explained the situation, William nodded lightly. There seemed to be many points he could agree with. Wataru then asked for guidance on how to obtain the weapon, and William readily agreed to help.

"I'm not a weapons dealer myself, so this is just my perspective as a merchant, but would that be alright?"

"Of course, please."

"There are a few options to consider. One is to commission a blacksmith in this town. There should be blacksmiths who handle all sorts of weapons in the district where workshops are clustered."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. Some workshops likely supply weapons to the adventurers' guild, so they should have some inventory."

"Being able to buy something directly from a workshop sounds good."

"However, depending on the item, it may need to be made to order, which could take some time. Also, since the blacksmiths aren’t specialized in any one type of weapon, they might adjust the weapon to fit the wielder, but the quality might be somewhat lacking."

"I see. It would be great to have a master craftsman, though."

"If there were such a person, I would’ve heard of them, even if it’s not my field. Merchants are naturally sharp-eared for such things. But at least, I haven’t heard of anyone like that here."

"I see..."

Having everything settled in this town might be advantageous for Wataru. Since he was unfamiliar with the common sense of this world and had no established base, it might not be a bad idea to focus his activities in this town for the time being.

However, he wasn’t sure how he felt about the quality being not so great. Air, who was supposedly a renowned warrior, seemed to have a certain preference for her weapons. Wataru decided to hold off on interrupting and waited for the next option.

After wetting his mouth with the tea, William continued.

"The second option is to extend your journey to a nearby town. There’s a village known for its blacksmithing, about a day's journey by carriage west after traveling by boat on the river. It's called Fiskars Village. In terms of quality, this would likely be the best choice."

"Is there a downside?"

"If it’s a made-to-order item, I can’t predict the cost. Also, I have no previous dealings with them, so I can’t rely on any connections. If time is of the essence, purchasing an already made product from the storefront might be a good option."

This option required travel. But if he was going to spend money, he wanted something good. Since weapons are essential for protection, it would be Wataru who would bear the consequences if Air couldn’t perform well due to subpar weapons.

Even in modern Earth, while Japan is one of the safest countries in the world, some places, like certain areas in Brazil, are rife with murder. This world didn’t seem as safe as Japan. Otherwise, William wouldn’t have warned him when they first met.

Wataru glanced at Air.

Air was listening intently, without moving a muscle, her eyes serious. Her usually cheerful demeanor was now subdued, revealing her true nature as a warrior.

(She can make a face like that too...)

"The third option is to travel up the river to the royal capital."

"The royal capital?"

"In terms of selection and quality, the royal capital might be the best. However, just like anywhere else, there’s always the risk of choosing a bad shop, and the prices might be even higher. I do have connections with a trading company that does business in the capital, so I could arrange for someone to guide you."

"If we go with that option, I know the general layout, so we shouldn't get lost, Master," Mariel added.

This option was also appealing. The prospect of sightseeing in the capital and visiting other shops made it even more attractive. However, if prices could be higher, he might end up buying a lower-quality item for the same price. If he wanted something truly good, he might face a hefty expense or might not even be allowed to purchase it. Additionally, traveling to a crowded, unfamiliar place increased the risk of running into trouble.

Each option had its pros and cons, making the decision difficult.

"These are the three options I can suggest for now."

"That was very helpful. Thank you."

"I'm glad I could be of assistance."

Wataru expressed his gratitude to William, who nodded graciously with a smile. He was truly grateful that William had taken the time to help, even though it wouldn’t directly benefit his own sales.

Wataru decided to take some time to drink his tea and gather his thoughts.

But then, seeing Air waiting anxiously for his decision, Wataru realized he had overlooked something important. He hadn’t asked the opinion of the one who would be using the weapon, Air.

“Hey, Air, what do you think? I’d like to hear your opinion.”

“Huh?”

Air made a surprised sound, clearly not expecting to be asked.