“Wow… This market is way bigger than the one in the town I was staying in.”
A wide cobblestone street stretched before us, lined on both sides with countless market stalls beneath white canvas awnings fluttering in the breeze.
The stalls sold everything imaginable—monster materials, clothing, everyday necessities, fruits, food, and countless other goods. Crowds of people flowed through the bustling marketplace.
Since Yuuka was a famous S-Rank adventurer in this city, the two of us wore hooded cloaks to hide our identities as we walked.
Apparently, people with black hair and black eyes like Yuuka were extremely rare in this world and attracted attention wherever they went. If she walked around openly, she’d end up surrounded by people the way she had when we’d first met at the Adventurers’ Guild.
And if you ever saw someone with black hair and black eyes, it was generally safe to assume they had come from Japan.
Now that I thought about it, almost everyone I’d met until now had been blond or brown-haired.
“Berlia is one of the largest cities in this kingdom. Goods and people come here from all over, so the marketplace is always lively. Carriages leave for cities in every direction, making this the perfect place to gather information.”
“I see.”
So she’d established her base here because it made it easier to collect information on other Blessed—and for other Blessed to find her.
You could really feel just how desperately she’d wanted to save her sister.
“…Um… you don’t have to stay that close while protecting me.”
As we walked through the city in disguise, Yuuka held onto my arm and stayed pressed right against my side.
For someone like me, who’d had virtually no experience with women in my previous life…
The stimulation was a bit overwhelming.
Until now, I’d been too busy trying to survive in this world—and too focused on helping save her sister—to really think about it.
But looking at the situation objectively…
Living under the same roof as a cute girl like Yuuka was actually kind of crazy.
“Like you said yesterday, Kakeru, we never know who might come after you. It would be terrible if we got separated, so staying this close is better.”
“I-I guess that makes sense…”
“Mm-hmm. Exactly.”
With a cheerful smile, Yuuka leaned even closer.
I wasn’t entirely convinced, but…
Maybe that was just how bodyguards operated.
Considering I didn’t even know my way around this city, getting separated would definitely be a problem.
There were probably all sorts of things I needed to be careful about while walking through town.
“Something like these used clothes might be good. People in Japan might buy them for medieval European-style cosplay.”
“I agree. Wood carvings, dishes, and cutlery from this world might also sell well. Leather goods made from monster materials could probably fetch a good price too.”
As we browsed the marketplace, we searched for items that might sell at a flea market in Japan.
There were actually quite a few things that seemed likely to be in demand.
We also had to avoid anything too expensive, since that would attract unnecessary attention.
…Monster fur coats would probably sell too, but if someone asked what kind of animal the fur came from, we’d have a problem.
Better not.
For this first trip, we’d buy a wide variety of products.
Then, after seeing what sold well, we’d focus on those items next time.
As we wandered through the market, Yuuka bought anything that caught our eye and stored it in the Magic Bag she’d lent me.
“Hey, you two! Come take a look!”
“Rings and necklaces. I think women would like these too.”
“Yeah… Accessories sound like a good choice.”
The man calling out to us looked to be in his thirties and was selling small silver rings, bracelets, and other jewelry.
They looked like genuine silver craftsmanship.
Since they weren’t very large, they shouldn’t be outrageously expensive even in Japan, making them easy to sell at a reasonable price.
Handmade accessories might actually have a decent market.
The shopkeeper grinned.
“Man, you’ve got yourself one beautiful girlfriend, kid. Why not buy her a little gift to remember today’s date?”
“………………”
Girlfriend?
I’m not even close.
I’m just a kept man who’s having a woman pay for everything…
Seriously…
I’m so sorry…
Yuuka smiled happily.
“Oh? That’s sweet. Kakeru, let’s buy these too.”
“…Yeah. Sounds good.”
Once again, I found myself grateful to Yuuka for paying.
At the same time, it only strengthened my resolve to start earning my own money.
“Then we’ll take everything from here… to here.”
“Huh? All of it?”
“Yes. We might end up buying this much again next time too. So I’m expecting a discount.”
“Now that’s what I call a customer! All right, I’ll give you a nice deal!”
Despite the shopkeeper’s intimidating appearance, Yuuka negotiated firmly.
Not only did she get a discount, but he even threw in the display stand the silver jewelry had been sitting on.
Perfect.
We could simply attach price tags and use it as-is at the flea market.
After spending two years in this world, she was far better at shopping than I was.
…I really wanted to become more useful myself.
“That was a productive shopping trip.”
“Yeah. I just hope everything actually sells in Japan.”
After finishing our shopping, we headed back toward the mansion.
We’d bought a wide variety of goods.
Surely at least some of them would sell.
Then—
“R-Robbery!!”
“Somebody get the city guards!”
“One of them’s using magic!”
Suddenly, screams erupted from deeper inside the marketplace.
Crime was far more common in this world than it was in Japan.
Pickpockets and robbers were frequent occurrences.
The town where I’d first lived had been no different, and as someone with no combat ability whatsoever, I’d constantly lived in fear.
People were legally allowed to carry weapons here.
And with magic involved…
Criminals were far more terrifying than anything you’d encounter back in Japan.
“…………”
“Yuuka… if you can, could you stop the robbers?”
She instinctively started to move, then froze for a split second after remembering she was supposed to be protecting me.
As an S-Rank adventurer, she’d probably spent years immediately subduing criminals like these.
No one knew about me yet.
And Yuuka had already entrusted me with a powerful magic item for self-defense.
For the moment, I should be safe enough.
“Leave it to me! Kakeru, don’t move from this spot no matter what. I’ll take care of them and be right back!”
“Yeah. Be care—…Wait, she’s fast!?”
The Yuuka standing in front of me vanished.
…No.
She hadn’t disappeared.
She had simply run toward the robbers so quickly that my eyes couldn’t even follow her.
“Gyaaaaah!”
“W-Who are you—ghk!”
“It hurts!”
From farther down the market came what sounded like the robbers’ screams.
There seemed to be four or five of them, and cries rang out one after another.
“Kakeru, I’m back! I’m so relieved you’re safe!”
“Whoa—welcome back. I was fine, of course, but are you okay, Yuuka?”
Less than a minute later, Yuuka was standing in front of me again.
Just like when she’d rushed off, she moved so unbelievably fast that I hadn’t seen her return at all.
It was as if she’d simply appeared out of thin air.
“Of course. I didn’t get so much as a scratch. I’m really happy you were worried about me! I knocked the robbers unconscious using only my sword’s scabbard and tied them up, so we can leave the rest to the city guards.”
“Got it. Still… that was incredible. Was that your Unique Skill too?”
“Yep. Sword Saint enhances both my swordsmanship and my physical abilities, and it lets me sense people’s presence and killing intent. It’s basically a Unique Skill specialized entirely for combat. I’ve also gained plenty of real battle experience as an adventurer, so I’m confident I won’t lose to anyone in close-quarters combat!”
“…T-That’s amazing. I’m glad you’re on my side.”
“Ehehe~♪”
Yuuka beamed after being praised.
Even so…
I was genuinely astonished.
She’d defeated several armed criminals in an instant.
And judging from what she’d said, she hadn’t even drawn her sword.
That meant she probably hadn’t shown even a fraction of her true strength.
…If a Blessed One with a combat-oriented Unique Skill ever targeted me, someone like me—with absolutely no fighting ability—wouldn’t stand a chance.
Once again, I realized I’d made the right decision asking Yuuka to protect me.
That afternoon, I returned to Japan.
We headed for a nearby flea market that I’d researched and reserved the previous day—one that didn’t require identification.
“You’re Kael-san, correct? Please place this vendor permit somewhere visible at your booth. The stall fee is 1,500 yen.”
“Yes, here you go.”
“Your Japanese is excellent. Well then, enjoy the event.”
“Kael” was the alias I’d adopted in this world.
Since my current appearance looked distinctly foreign, I figured it suited me.
Registration went smoothly.
However, after paying the stall fee, transportation costs, and buying price tags, markers, and other supplies from the 100-yen shop, there was barely anything left in the piggy bank Yuuka had brought from her room.
No matter what…
We had to earn enough money at today’s flea market to fund our future activities in Japan.
If this failed…
Our only option would be to swallow our pride and go crying to either Yuuka’s family or my own.
…Please.
I’m seriously begging for this to work.
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