Wataru was stunned by the pile of gold coins, his mind momentarily frozen. His eyes widened as he swallowed hard.

The gleam of the gold wasn't just dazzling—it was overwhelming. For someone who had never seen such a pile of gold before, it was far too captivating.

The expression "mesmerized" seemed fitting.

But the merchant, William, appeared anxious, likely worried that the negotiation might fall apart. His face showed signs of unease as he awaited Wataru's decision.

"How does this sound? Any more, and I'd be pushing the limits of what our shop can handle," William offered cautiously.

"Oh, sorry! I was lost in thought," Wataru quickly apologized. "As you can see, I'm not from around here, so I have to ask—how much is this gold coin worth?"

"Hmm, value... The annual income of a typical craftsman would be around five gold coins," William explained.

"That much!?"

Wait, then am I getting overpaid? A few hundred yen's worth of sugar in Japan is worth millions here?

Wataru was speechless, his surprise reflected in his furrowed brow.

William, perhaps sensing Wataru's hesitation, began to explain his reasoning for the valuation. He seemed eager to establish trust.

"Yes, given the purity and quality of this sugar, its rarity significantly raises its value. Likely buyers would be nobles or large trading companies. You might get an even higher price if you had direct connections, but that requires negotiation skills and a solid reputation. Other shops might offer more, but those are few and far between."

"Got it! I'll accept your offer!" Wataru agreed.

The deal was sealed.

If the price was high, there was no problem. He didn't want to risk being haggled down by revealing too much.

Wataru firmly shook hands with William. He almost bowed, but caught himself just in time. Though the handshake felt unfamiliar, it wasn't unpleasant.

I might actually become rich here. And I can always get more sugar or bring in other food items.

The sugar was taken away, and in exchange, the money was handed over to Wataru. A grin slowly spread across his face.

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"I'll break this down into some silver and copper coins for easier use," William offered.

"Oh, thanks, that helps a lot."

"No problem. It's been a good trade."

William filled a leather pouch with the gold coins, tied it with a string, and handed it to Wataru. The hefty weight surprised him.

Of course it's heavy—it's made of gold. Wataru chuckled to himself as he put the pouch into his backpack.

"One more thing, if I may. Are you traveling alone?" William asked, somewhat hesitantly.

"Yes, I am. Why do you ask?"

"Well, it's clear you're unfamiliar with the area. I had a hunch from the start of our negotiations."

Wataru realized he must have seemed out of place, like a tourist. An experienced merchant like William would spot that immediately. So William's observation didn't surprise him.

"How about this? Since we've crossed paths, I can assist you with any connections you might need," William offered.

"Really? You'd do that?"

"Of course! If you find it helpful, perhaps you could return the favor in our next deal."

"That would actually be a big help."

Although it seemed like a half-joking offer, Wataru took it seriously. He was, after all, clueless about the place.

Securing a stable foundation was crucial. This was like traveling abroad without a visa or passport, with no idea where the police or hospitals were, or what kind of services were available. Information was the most valuable resource.

"Since you'll likely be a regular customer, I suggest hiring a guard or purchasing a slave for protection. The area is generally safe, but the backstreets can be dangerous. Your attire is quite noticeable," William advised.

"Understood. Thanks for the warning," Wataru replied, a bit uneasy at the thought that he might be in danger.

He had planned to explore more of the town, but now he was concerned about his safety. He'd heard stories of Japanese tourists being pickpocketed or mugged abroad, and he knew there were regions in Africa with high crime rates where even the Japanese government advised caution.

There was no guarantee this world was any safer.

"If you've just arrived, I can also recommend trustworthy places for short- or long-term lodging," William continued.

"I'll think about it. I might need your help later," Wataru said.

He could always return to Japan through the gate and drop off his belongings at home. Making a decision now felt premature, so he politely declined, but William didn't seem offended.

"Of course. Let me at least give you some directions. Mention my name, and you should be treated well," William assured.

"Thanks, I appreciate all your help."

"When do you think you'll bring more sugar? Within a month would be ideal."

"That's no problem at all. I could bring some tomorrow, if you'd like."

"Oh, well... maybe not tomorrow. It will take some time to sell and convert to cash," William explained, a bit taken aback.

The cost was so minimal that Wataru could easily go back and forth between worlds as needed. But William seemed genuinely surprised.

"Oh, right, it's a high-value item. Sorry about that."

"To think you have more... I'm glad I offered a fair price. It's been a good trade. Please, come again anytime. We'll be waiting to WELCOME you!"

"Do you do that every time a customer leaves?" Wataru asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Of course! It's the symbol of our shop," William replied proudly.

Wataru couldn't help but smile at the friendly, slightly eccentric merchant.

He's a good guy, but a bit odd. But Wataru kept that thought to himself.