Following the directions led me to a blacksmith’s shop.
It was a spacious two-story building, larger than I’d expected for a smithy. Since it was still early, no customers seemed to have arrived yet.
“Excuse me.”
I entered the shop.
Weapons and armor of every kind lined the interior, and each piece on display was superb. I began to wonder whether I could afford anything in a place like this.
“Coming. Hmm, I don’t recognize you. Did you only recently arrive in the capital?”
A short but muscular man emerged from the back. He had long white hair and a long white beard. His upturned eyes made him look frightening when he glared. He wore work clothes and carried a hammer.
“Nice to meet you. I recently arrived in the capital. My name is Erik. Amanda, the proprietress of the Fledgling Inn, referred me.”
“The boss lady sent you? Oh! So you’re a new customer. Sorry for trying to intimidate you!”
At the mention of Amanda, his wariness vanished and he greeted me with a smile.
“Some fools have been bothering me lately, so I thought you might be working for them. I’m Harold, the owner and blacksmith here. Nice to meet you!”
He laughed heartily.
“Still, I’m surprised she introduced you. She’s certainly a good judge of people, but you’re the first complete novice she’s ever sent here.”
“Really? When I said I needed equipment, she immediately introduced your shop.”
“Hmm. Then she must be especially fond of you. I’ve been buried in work lately and haven’t visited the inn, so I don’t know what she’s thinking.”
“Do you live at the Fledgling Inn too?”
I wondered why someone with such a large shop would still stay at an inn, but Harold shook his head.
“I don’t stay there. The inn serves meals to a limited number of outsiders each day. If you’ve eaten there, you know their food is the best, right?”
“Absolutely. It’s far too good for the price they charge.”
“Hah. You have a good palate… But enough about the inn. You came because you need equipment, didn’t you?”
“Yes, but after seeing the weapons and armor here, I feel I’ve come too soon.”
I answered honestly.
I’d only recently arrived in the capital and didn’t have much money. I’d intended to begin with used or cheaply made equipment, but the shop didn’t appear to carry anything of that sort.
“Hmm. With the money you have, buying from my shop would indeed be difficult.”
“…I thought so.”
I’d told him how much I’d saved, and Harold gave me an honest answer.
“But you could rent equipment.”
“Rent it?”
“Yes. I rent out pieces that didn’t meet my standards. I wasn’t satisfied enough to sell them, but they still have reasonable durability. They simply aren’t as good as the items on display.”
Harold led me to the rental equipment, which lay in an untidy pile.
“Buying any single piece here would cost at least ten silver coins, but renting one costs five silver coins per week. Since Amanda introduced you, I’ll rent you a full set for one silver coin.”
“You’d let me borrow equipment this good for only one silver coin?”
“Of course. I never intended to make much money from these. I made them, so I needed to find some use for them. When I asked Amanda, she suggested renting them out.”
Harold didn’t offer the rental service to just anyone. He’d judged me suitable and chosen to tell me about it.
I wouldn’t often have an opportunity to use equipment this good, so I decided to accept.
“Harold, are you certain one silver coin is enough to borrow all this?”
The set included five pieces of orc-leather armor covering my head, torso, legs, arms, and feet. He also lent me a short one-handed sword and a small shield.
All of it cost just one silver coin for a week. I couldn’t help confirming the price again.
“It’s fine. This is my shop and these are my products, so I decide how to lend them. Besides, I have some ability to judge people too. Looking into your eyes, I can tell you’ll return what you borrow. I also believe you’ll eventually become a capable adventurer.”
“…Thank you. I’ll work hard as an adventurer so I can live up to your expectations, even a little.”
“Good! But don’t do anything reckless. Being an adventurer doesn’t mean life-threatening adventures are always righteous. Staying alive matters most. And don’t worry about scratching the equipment. If it receives damage while protecting you, then it has fulfilled its purpose.”
Before leaving, I bowed deeply in gratitude.
I could finally begin real adventurer work. Carrying that excitement in my chest, I headed for the Adventurers’ Guild.
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