An active hunter from Hokkaido was thrown into another world

Chapter 28 Traveling Merchant

“Hey, what are you two doing here?”

We were surprised when someone called out to us at the inn!

And when we looked, it was that young merchant who bought salt from us at the gates of Saaplast!

“Oh, we appreciate your help back then!”

Since it was a nice opportunity, we decided to have dinner together.

“That salt was of excellent quality. The new business partner was delighted. I wanted to buy more, but do you still have any?”

“I apologize. We no longer have any since we sold it to you.”

“Oh, I see… That’s a shame.”

“We were completely broke at that time, so we really appreciated your purchase.”

“Well, I’m glad to hear that.”

“You bought it at quite a high price, didn’t you? Did you make a profit?”

“Hahaha. Actually, I didn’t care about making a profit at that time.”

While laughing, the merchant waved his hand.

“A top-tier merchant won’t engage in a business that doesn’t bring profit. Most people would have given up for ten gold coins, right? But as a newcomer, I saw it as an opportunity to build a reputation and attract new customers. Many customers wanted to buy the salt. Instead of selling it all at once, I divided it and made connections with many new customers. It had a value beyond the price they paid. Thank you.”

So, that’s how it was.

Looking back, the price of the salt was quite high.

Impressive. This merchant is quite resourceful.

“What are you up to these days?”

“We’re hunters. Thanks to that, we’re managing somehow.”

“Wow, that’s impressive. Show me your cards.”

I showed them our cards, and they were amazed.

“Just a month since then, and you’re already Rank 3… That’s incredible, you two.”

“Thanks to your help.”

“What are your plans for tomorrow?”

“We’re planning to head back to Saaplast.”

“I’m also going to Saaplast.”

Saying that, they had a look on their face as if a good idea had struck them.

“By the way, if it’s not too much trouble, could I ask you to be the escorts for my carriage? Hiring personal guards is expensive, and joining a caravan is also costly. As a novice traveling merchant like me, there are many challenges. I can’t offer much money, but I can give both of you a gold coin for riding on my carriage… Hmm, maybe that’s too cheap.”

“That sounds fine to me. We also owe you for purchasing the salt, and we were planning to walk back without a carriage, so I think it’s a fair deal.”

“I’m okay with it too.”

“Alright, it’s settled then! Phew, I’m relieved!”

The three of us raised our glasses and enjoyed a hearty meal together.

“I am Bassoon.”

“I’m Shin.”

“I’m Saran.”

“Nice to meet you both!”

The next morning.

“That pattern on your clothes that looks like leaves sticking to it is amazing. It’s definitely perfect for hunters. Where can I buy one?”

“Well, there are some reasons why I can’t tell you. I’m sorry.”

“I see.”

Bassoon-san was looking at our camouflage outfits with great interest.

“That hat looks nice too… Can I buy one? It’s sure to become popular.”

“This is our trademark, so if we sell it, people won’t remember our names.”

“What name do you go by?”

“We’re called ‘Raccoon Head.'”

“That looks like a tanuki head, doesn’t it?”

Bassoon-san laughed, saying, “Ahaha.” Maybe it’s not the right choice.

“Where can I buy one?”

“We had them made in the Elf Village. They’re made from raccoon fur.”

“Oh, I see. When I first saw you, Saran-san, I thought, ‘Ah, an elf, how rare.’ So both of you are from the Elf Village.”

“That’s right.”

“And Shin-kun, you’re human, right? It’s amazing that you were accepted in the Elf Village.”

Saran addresses me with “san,” but he calls me “kun.” Why is that…

“I was picked up when I was lost.”

“Just that?”

“They took a liking to me and I was able to marry Saran.”

“We’re a married couple! The two of us are married!!”

Why the surprise?

“…Well, it’s just surprising. When I see you two, it’s like an adult and a child… Oh, never mind.”

Bassoon-san, your words can be troublesome. I’ve deliberately avoided mentioning it until now.

Is it an older sister and younger brother dynamic? Do we look like that?

Please leave it alone.

Look, Saran is hugging me from behind and rubbing against me.

Is it a newlywed act?

It feels good though.

“I’m so envious… Oh, never mind. Well, let’s get going. The sun is setting.”

The coachman of the horse-drawn carriage is Bassoon-san. I’m sitting in the assistant seat of the driver’s platform, holding an 18-inch slug barrel with buckshot loaded in my M870.

When it comes to escorting a carriage, a shotgun is the weapon of choice. Have you heard of a coach gun? The term “coach” refers to the four-wheeled carriage I’m riding in, and in the past, American stagecoach operators used to call the side-by-side double-barreled shotguns carried by guards “coach guns.”

It’s quite a challenge to hit a robber from a swaying carriage with gunfire, but if you can do it, it’s definitely with a shotgun.

Of course, Bassoon-san is quite intrigued, but it’s not for sale, you know? I will never sell it, that’s for sure.

In the covered wagon bed, Saran has placed her bow horizontally and is looking back. We plan to switch positions occasionally.

Bassoon-san is indeed a skilled merchant, or rather, he’s good with words and tells various stories. It’s enjoyable to listen to him.

A journey is better with companions, and the world is a compassionate place… There’s actually something I wanted to ask.

“Merchant’s information comes at a price, you know?”

“Oh, is that so…”

“Gaining information quickly can bring profit, but false information can lead to losses. Information is the merchant’s weapon, you see. Ahaha. But well, if it’s something unrelated to business, go ahead.”

“Well, before coming here, there was an attempted kidnapping incident in the Elven village.”

“…Human trafficking?”

“Probably.”

“What happened??”

“It was unsuccessful. The Elven girl is safe. We don’t know who the perpetrator was.”

“Well, I won’t ask further. So, what about it?”

“Do you have any leads on dark slave traders who buy and sell Elves, nobles who purchase them, or bandits involved in kidnappings?”

“Hmm…”

Bassoon-san ponders the question.

“It goes without saying that we merchants don’t get involved in such things. For us merchants, trust is more important than money. Even without money, if you have trust, you can do business. We wouldn’t take on a job that would cause us to lose trust for the sake of money.”

“That’s right.”

“That’s why those who get involved in such things are already established merchants with existing trust.”

“I see!”

“They’re both involved in something shady. There’s a strong bond of trust between the slave traders and the nobles who buy slaves. In other words, they’re both already influential figures.”

…It’s a classic plot in period dramas.

I see, there’s a reason why the villains are always corrupt officials and shady merchants.

Saran, who had been listening to the conversation, speaks up from behind.

“There’s a possibility that hunters are involved too.”

“Hunters… I see. Breaking into the Elven village and kidnapping a girl. It’s not something an amateur can easily accomplish.”

“Do you have any leads?”

Hmmm, Bassoon-san ponders.

“In the tavern, there was a hunter-like man who persistently asked the merchants who come and go from the Elven village about the village’s situation.”

“Really? What kind of person was he?”

“He was bald, big and muscular, carrying a sword. He had scars on his cheeks…”

Saran nods.

Yes, there was definitely someone like that among the bandits we defeated in the Tokoru village. He was the owner of the Hunter’s card, Aran, if I remember correctly.

“In that conversation, it was Muraku-san.”

“Oh, Muraku-san. He’s a veteran and my senior in the business. He’s a trustworthy person who conducts legitimate business. Muraku-san said, ‘I wouldn’t go around sharing important client information!’ and didn’t engage with the man. But based on his behavior, I think he must have approached other merchants to gather information.”

It’s natural to use honorific language when talking about Muraku-san. It shows that Bassoon-san trusts him.

“If it’s Muraku-san, I know him too. He’s a merchant who frequently visits the Kopori village, and I bought my sword from him.”

“If Saran says so, he must be a reliable person.”

“Yeah, that’s right. Someone planning to kidnap elves wouldn’t sell swords to them. After finally establishing a trade relationship with such a temperamental race as the elves, he wouldn’t ruin it.”

“I see. Then it might not be related after all.”

Muraku-san didn’t give a direct answer when asked. The hunter who was listening is probably already dead. There’s no point in delving deeper into this matter.

“I occasionally come across him in Saaplast. Like me, he’s a traveling merchant. It’s hard to say whether we’ll meet again.”

“But at least we’re certain that there’s a kidnapping group. Thank you for the information.”

“It’s a free service. If anything happens, please let me know and I’ll provide escort.”

“Yes, of course!”

By dusk, we safely arrived in Saaplast. Since we recently defeated the bandit group, nothing happened along the way.

“Thank you, Raccoon head!”

Finally, they called us by our team name. The reward is one gold coin, but I hope there are more valuable clues.

“You’re finally back, huh? You stayed away for too long.”

Even though it was supposed to be a round trip for training, we ended up staying for ten days. Guild Master Bal from Saaplast scolded us.

We’re not officially registered as hunters under Saaplast, though.

“The Lord has a message.”

Oh no… I don’t want to hear it…

“The message is, ‘The goblin extermination was commendable,’ and here is your reward.”

Thud.

Oh, they’re giving us money? A reward? What’s the catch?

“…What does this mean exactly?”

“I’m too suspicious to accept it, you know?”

Both of us are taken aback.

“I understand how you feel.”

Bal nods in agreement.

“You guys messed up in Topurus, didn’t you?”

“I don’t recall anything like that.”

“You should. The envoy from Count Vander La Hawksburg, the Lord of Topurus, came here as a stern warning from our own Lord. They said there are suspicions of unpaid rewards to the hunters.”

“…No, I don’t remember.”

“Their Lord is much more influential. He’s a Count. The Viscount hastily paid off what he owed here and there, trying to make amends.”

“I really can’t think of anything…”

“Hahaha! They haven’t caught on to you guys yet. Everyone else is thrilled. So, just accept it.”

I open the leather pouch that’s handed to me and examine its contents. Twenty gold coins.

Hmm, is it a lot or a little?

“Give me five gold coins for the guild fee.”

“Eh, eh, eh…”

Though Saran protests, Bal points at himself and says, “Well, it can’t be helped. That’s just how it goes. Who guided you to the goblin nest? Me, right?”

Well, there’s no choice… Fine, I’ll quietly pay.

“The messenger didn’t give a name, but they said it was a hunter who helped with pigeon control. There’s only one person who would take on a job like that, and that’s you. No matter where you go, you’re always doing the same thing, Shin. Well, this should teach our lord a lesson. Don’t underestimate the Hunter’s Guild!”

In situations like this, it would be better if they accomplished it without relying on other lords before boasting.

“Well, let’s leave it at that. Do you have any information about hunting elves?”

“Yes.”

“One of our hunters was approached to participate in hunting elves, or so the story goes.”

“…”

“Don’t give me that look. I just heard them out. Of course, I declined.”

“Who?”

“It’s Team Elfang, the ones who got beaten up by goblins and are currently on medical leave. They lost their leader, and their hunter qualifications are suspended. The members who survived don’t have any work now, so they probably saw an opportunity. They came to me to talk about it.”

“I see…”

“I’ve already told you the rule to report anything suspicious to the guild. We’re warning the hunters not to get involved under any circumstances. If they do, it’s permanent expulsion. Do you guys have any information?”

“We asked some merchants, and it seems there was a hunter who was inquiring about the state of the Elven village from the visiting traders. A bald, burly man with scars on his cheeks.”

“…That’s Aran.”

Bal crosses his arms, visibly irritated, and shakes his head.

“So, Aran went missing, and there are people looking to form a new kidnapping team.”

“Probably.”

“And they’re in this city.”

“That’s right. Saaplast is the closest city to the Elven village.”

“But who could be their sponsor?”

“That’s the tricky part… Yeah, I have no clue.”

Exactly…

“We should talk to the members of Elfang.”

“That’s a good idea. They’re living together in a rented house in this city. I’ll draw you a map.”

“Before we return to the Elven village, we might have some work to do.”