City of Merchants

It took a while, but I finally reached the foot of the mountain.

It’s within Imperial territory, but the town spread out in my field of view is a new land that I’ve never been to before. It’s the commercial town, Unaidan.

There are no tall buildings like the Imperial City, but there are tents on the left and right of the city streets, many stalls with sheets spread out on the floor and products lined up, and many people flocked into the town.

There are merchants at their vendor stalls shouting. Calling out for attention of the possible customers. Children gossiping about the famous brand watches and trinkets and other toys. While the fathers scold the children for attempting to burn hole in their coin pouches. 

Others are complaining about prices, so the merchants and customers haggle loudly. While men talk about other black-market deals. While others talk about dark substances like leaves that can make their problems all fade away. 

Gossipers said, “When does the slave auction start?”

Others said, “This here comes from a certain leaf. If you light it up and smoke it, it’ll guide you to the world of fascination.”

The liveliness is different from that of Candlehearth, where they had a public Go tournament. Both sellers and buyers are serious and have a unique enthusiasm.

On the street, there aren’t many housewives with children out to buy dinner, as in the Imperial City, or young students like me. However, it was still crowded with a lot of people, and the city was overflowing.

I was enamored, “In-Incredible! It’s even more crowded than the commercial district of the Imperial Capital.”

Enuma scolded me. "Huh~. Too much, do not look so restless, will you? An unaccustomed young man like you comes across as easy prey."

Ah, that’s right. From here on out, I had to be careful.

I rubbed my noise in confidence, saying, “Oh, I know. However, if you are wary from the beginning, you’ll be deceived. I’ll feed my eyes and look at a lot of things.”

『Of course. And if possible, tis better to raise as much military funds as possible. Even lacking an ID card, there are numerous ways to traverse the world so long as you have money.』

What Enuma told me before I got here. Authenticity. To develop the ability to identify not only things but also people. And to prepare for future trips, I would like to secure some money if possible.

With that in mind, I finally stepped foot into Unaidan. A man on the street shouted, “You there, young man! Will you listen to me for a moment?”

Oh, I was spoken to right away. The old man was standing at the entrance of the city. He was neatly dressed, yet he was trying to talk to a stranger. It’s suspicious.

The old man, “Oh, I’m sorry to call out all of a sudden. I’m thinking of opening a new store in this town, Mansion Gates. But it’s kind of hard to open a shop by yourself. I’d like to borrow a young man’s hand, but if you’re interested, could you help me? I’ll pay you well, and if the store thrives, I’ll pay even more, okay?”

I see. Hinting at money to a young man. It’s too suspicious. In general, I do not think that a shop opened by an old man on his own will prosper.

I decline, “No thanks, I think you’ll have to find someone else.”

The old man became gloomy when I refused. He doesn’t seem to be trying to pester me.  Old Man said, “Oh, yes, that’s right. That’s too bad, it’ll definitely thrive, but…”

Enuma chimed in, "Oi, you could at least ask what sort of products they handle, could you not?"

I gasped, “Eh? Is that right?”

Enuma mentioned, "Ah. I told you to identify people, but I never said you should make a quick decision."

I thought on the advice. “Hmm”

I’ve only walked a few steps into the city, but I’ve been called at by various people.

“Hey there, friend! Are you short of money? I’m Mago! Mago Madsey. If you’re troubled, why not help me out?”

“Wait a minute! Sir, aren’t you interested in apples? Why don’t we change the world together with my apples? Name’s Steve Works.”

“Are you interested in our products? I’ll make it cheaper now, right? We, the Lamp brothers made a tool that can fly through the sky without using magic–“

What’s this talk about helping with your work, asking to buy your products, or flying through the sky without magic?

I felt like the place was shady but more nuisance then that. I said, “I don’t know how to put it. it’s lively, but it’s a chaotic town.”

Enuma replied, "Is that so? It seems to have people with very passionate eyes in the mix as well."

I was getting tired and sighing. It was then someone bumped into me from behind. A soft squeal from a woman. “Kyaa”

I lost my balance, and both the lady and I tumbled to the ground, I exhaled, “Oh!?”

The lady squealed, “No, I’m sorry.”

Two watermelons!? Skirt Short!? The lady was dress exposed and very flirty, definitely grabbing attention of males. 

The lady said, “I beg your pardon, sir. This sis was just walking around in a daze with this vase.”

“N-No, please get off me.”

She had bright red lipstick, and a sexy mole near the mouth, and she’s so beautiful and her killer body bumping into me, holding her hips. 

Ridiculous. What is this overwhelmingly short dress, it like she is trying to distract me. 

The lady spoke again, “Well, this vase?”

Regrettable, regrettable. Before she notices my gaze. it’s a completely ordinary vase.

The lady offered a condolence, “I’m sorry, you had to pick it up for me. Well, I wonder if big sis could treat you to a cup of coffee to apologize?”

I replied, “Well, no.”

Lady did not let up, “Come now, kids shouldn’t be so modest. Have a chat with big sister for a little while, okay?”

While we were standing again, the lady closed in and wrapped her body around my arm. My arm is snugly within the valley.

She asked, “What’s your name?”

I replied “Oh, Terran”

Lady replied, “Oh. I’m called Shoho. Nice to meet you ♪”

This is suspicious!? Yes, it’s suspicious! I have to listen to a lot of things, right? I mean, if I don’t take a better look.

I force out a question, “Ta-Talk about to me, um, is elder sister in town for shopping?”

Shoho replied, “No, I’m here to sell. This vase.”

She was trying to sell the vase, but her expression suddenly turned desperate. “This is a lucky vase. A vase that brings good luck to those who have it, right?”

I tried hard to listen, “Okay”

Shoho continied to sell, “It’s just, because of some circumstances, and I’m selling this. To get medicine for my sick dad.”

I was confused, “Huh?”

As I thought of her flashy outfit, and the vase that would be little value would not be worth cheap medicine.  

Saying that, the older sister who puts out her tongue with a little tear in her eyes, and saod, “If it could sell for tens of thousands, but it didn’t work out.”

Enuma scoffed, "The vase is rubbish, its value is dirt cheap at best to begin with. If it truly brought good fortune, her father would be safe, and her luck would enable a sale from the onset."

At that time, Enuma made a cold-blooded and outrageous remark. 

Shoho spoke again while still clinging to me, “Hey, Mr. Terran, you know. I’d like to, if you help a sister out. As a thank you…”

Enuma said, "Oi, do not be fooled. She is picking your pocket of your coin purse." 

Because all her assets were tight against me, then she saw my express. I was quite displeased that she was distracting me to steal my money. The elder sister smiled quickly took the money and ran from there, flinging the good luck vase as she ran away.  

Shoho shouted, “Thank you very much! Terran, this kind sis just remembered an errand, so I’m going home bye-bye.”

Enuma said quietly, "Oi… Do not look so pathetic."

I said aloud, “I’m gonna catch that bitch!”

I was told to be careful. In the first place, that was money that Enuma earned, and I had nothing left to survive with out that money.

Rather than getting angry, Enuma, who seemed astounded, suggested something to me.

Enuma mocked me, "Hah~ for the time being, we could chase that woman down right away and retrieve the funds or otherwise hunt a bargain. No, unless there is some business with her you would like to attend to."

I asked, “Ah? What does that mean.”

A passerby shouted something, “Hey, there’s trouble! Someone assaulted that lady on the other side of the street!?”

I was already walking that was and saw it. I described it, “Somehow, she’s stuck in a net, like some kind of trap?”

A little Insei woman shouted, "Big-breasted monsters must perish."

Shoho was struggling inside the net, “Guh, why are you attacking us? That tiny~ yubuhheagu!?”

I went over and found Vin smiling, and said, "I believe this coin purse belongs to you."

When I was about to ask what she doing here, Shoho in the net said, “Somebody, help me.”

The moment I saw the woman, I was shocked and my eyes flared open. “Hmm? Uhhh!?”

There was a crowd around the corner, where a naked Shoho caught in a net was seeking help.

I then blurted out, “You con woman get what you deserve!”

The moment the woman saw me, her face turned pale.

Shoho replied, “Huh? Oh, geez. It wasn’t me. Hey~, what’s up with you, why so angry?” 

Honestly, my anger outweighed my questions about the situation and her nudity and all that.

I was upset, and shouted, “Hey! Return the money that you just stole!”

Shoho cried, “Hey, wait, I have nothing look at the state I’m in, utterly naked! A weird girl robbed me!”

Vin shouted, “Too bad! You trample on people’s good will! Purity! What the hell is wrong with you?”

The Vin said to me quietly, "Also, don’t let the boobs and stuff fool you again."

Three men came out to the front, parting out the crowd. The men who came out are young, and they may be older than me, but they are in their late teens to early twenties.

All of them wore long black coats for some reason, and the clothes had some flashy embroidery.

Enuma warned me, "It is Mafia, the Bockmati Family most likely."