Light rain has been falling for several days now.
Apparently, this drizzle is a sign that the rainy season is ending, and once the rain stops, it is considered autumn.
In my previous world, after a stretch of hot days, the temperature would suddenly drop, and before you knew it, it was autumn. Still, this world is generally cooler. Even on hot days, it was only around thirty degrees. After experiencing thirty-nine degrees so many times, that kind of heat hardly felt hot at all.
After finishing training with Kainzel-san, I was looking outside while Miriel cast healing magic on me when the peddler Dyne-san arrived.
「It’s been a while」
「Yes, it has. I’m glad to see you’re doing well」
Huh? When was the last time Dyne-san came by? It was a rainy day, so it hasn’t even been a month, right?
「Would you be willing to sell me some alcohol again? There have been more people who’ve taken a liking to the drinks I bought from you, Takato-san」
Is everyone in this world either a lover of alcohol or sweets?
「I see. That’s no problem. What kind of alcohol are you looking for?」
「If you could prepare a good amount of sake, I would appreciate it. One of my major clients has grown quite fond of it and asked me to procure fifteen bottles」
「Sake, is it? That’s quite a refined palate you have there」
I don’t really drink sake myself, so I can’t say much about it, but it must suit the tastes of people who drink wine or ale. Maybe he’s a real drinker.
Since there are many kinds of sake, I prepared fifteen bottles all different. Some cheap, some expensive, ginjo, daiginjo, junmai, and sparkling varieties.
「I’ll prepare them in medium-sized bottles this time. If you tell me which ones you like, I’ll bring those next time」
I also prepared some whiskey and wine, and after consulting with Kainzel-san, we decided to sell everything for thirty-two silver coins.
「Can you really sell this much once you stock it?」
「If it weren’t enchanted with disappearance magic, I’d love to sell it outside the territory」
Outside the territory, huh. I’ve heard about it from Kainzel-san, but since it’s not a place people go to often, he only knows it by rumors. If I’m going to leave the territory eventually, it might be worth going to take a look at least once.
「Dyne-san, have you ever been outside the territory?」
「When I was an apprentice, I went to Count Rydand’s territory many times. After I became independent, though, I’ve mostly stayed within the Margrave’s lands」
He looks about thirty. Judging by his demeanor, he’s probably not even forty yet, so that would have been over ten years ago. In that case, his connections would be almost nonexistent now. It might be better to go to the guild and take on an escort request.
「Ah, I have a senior apprentice brother in Count Rydand’s territory, and he comes to the Margrave’s lands a few times a year」
Maybe he noticed the troubled look on my face, because he pointed out his connection to Count Rydand’s territory.
「Do you have some business in Count Rydand’s territory?」
「No, I was just thinking I should see outside the territory once. Going alone feels pointless, so I was thinking of doing it while escorting someone」
If I could also hear about their goblin situation, even better. Once I learn the route, I could go there with the Pioneer. It’s probably not a hundred or two hundred kilometers away, so it should be a distance I could manage if I really wanted to.
「If that’s the case, would you be willing to escort me? I want to transport materials for wine」
Materials?
「……Aren’t those controlled by a guild or trading company that sells alcohol?」
Didn’t he say something like that the last time he came?
「The sale of alcohol is handled by the big organizations, but the trade of raw materials is managed by the towns. Well, there are brokers who handle it, but for third-grade goods, even I can buy them. The profit margin is small, but if I procure wool in Count Rydand’s territory, I can still make a profit」
Is Count Rydand’s territory a wool-producing region? Maybe Romy would know.
「If I can go to Count Rydand’s territory, that’s fine by me. When would we leave?」
「How about ten days from now? I’ll make the preparations right away」
「Ah, you don’t have to rush. I need to go shopping in the city anyway」
「Then would fifteen days from now be acceptable? I’m based in the town of Misrim. Once everything is ready, I’ll come to contact you」
「Understood. If we’re not here, please tell the giant Gorg. Unless something serious happens, we’re usually back by night. Oh, should this go through the Adventurers’ Guild?」
I asked Dyne-san while glancing at Kainzel-san.
「I can’t offer a very high reward, so if we go through the Adventurers’ Guild, the payment will be even lower」
「Going through the guild reduces trouble, but Takato wants Dyne to guide him and to learn about Count Rydand’s territory, doesn’t he? In that case, you’re going together as collaborators, so there’s no need to involve the guild. If it’s third-grade goods, even losing everything wouldn’t be a fatal loss, right?」
「Yes. The materials are really just an excuse to go to Count Rydand’s territory. It would feel odd to go empty-handed」
Is that how it works? I honestly don’t really get it.
「I’ll leave those details to you, Dyne-san. We’ll be five people, traveling in one magic carriage」
If we’re escorting a carriage, it’s better if some people are on foot. One carriage should be enough. If something happens, we can always retreat into Home.
「I’ll keep in contact with Dyne. Takato, you should focus on the city side of things」
「All right. Then I’ll leave it to you」
With that decided, Dyne-san headed home.
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