「はーい、ちょっと待っておくれ」
歩いて一分ほどのお隣へ向かい声を掛けると、
「何か手伝いが必要かい?」
「えっと、手伝いというか、買い物がしたくて。ベッドとテーブル、椅子、あとは調理器具なんかが欲しいんですが、どこで買えば良いでしょう?」
「そうだねぇ、ベッドなんかは大工、鍋釜は鍛冶師のとこかね。この村で買う人なんか滅多にいないから、頼んで作ってもらうことになるね。雑貨屋はあるが、よく売れる物以外は街への注文だね」
小さい村だとそうだよねぇ。
王都だとそのあたりはまず困らないんだけど。
まぁ、私は見るだけで買うことは無かったけどねっ!
「やっぱりそうですか。場所を教えてもらっても良いですか?」
「そりゃかまわないが......」
エルズさんは少し考えて、ウンと一つ頷く。
「そうだね、アタシが案内してやるから少し家に入って待っといておくれ」
「良いんですか?」
「小さい村だからね。あんたも顔つなぎしておいた方が良いだろう? まかせな!」
「それは助かります! ありがとうございます」
頼もしい笑みを浮かべて胸をドンと叩くエルズさんに、私は頭を下げてお礼を言う。
「良いってこと。ささっ、入んな!」
エルズさんに誘われるまま家に入り、出してくれた温かいお茶を頂く。
よく考えたら、村について水の一杯も飲んでなかったなぁ、と思い出し、ホッと一息ついていると、しばらくしてエルズさんが戻ってきた。
「よし、準備できたよ! 行くかい?」
「あ、はい! お願いします。お茶、ごちそうさまでした」
エルズさんの家を出て、案内されるまま、たどり着いたのは一軒の民家。
周りに木材が置かれ、作業場のような所はあるものの、何か看板が出ていたりはしない。
多分大工さんなんだろうけど、これは案内してもらわないと、ちょっと声を掛けづらいよね。
「ゲベルク爺さん、いるかい?」
そんな私の心情とは関係なく、エルズさんはさっさと家の扉を開けて中に入ってしまった。
私も遠慮がちにその後に続く。
「なんじゃ、エルズか。仕事か? ん? 後ろの嬢ちゃんは初めて見る顔じゃな?」
奥から出てきたのはかなり高齢のお爺さん。
とした動きであまり老いを感じさせない。
ちょっと鋭い視線と厳しそうな表情が
「こっちは、越してきたサラサちゃん。なんと、錬金術師様だよ!」
「おお、あの店かの? それは助かるわい。それで、家の修理か?」
「あ、いえ、それもそのうち頼むかもしれませんが、今日は家具の方を」
絶対に無いと困るのはベッド。
野宿することを考えたら、床の上でも大丈夫だけど、さすがに自分の家でそれは悲しい。
テーブルや椅子も欲しいけど、所持金のことを考えたら、とりあえずは保留かな?
「ベッドをお願いできますか? できるだけ早く。作りさえしっかりしていれば、他は細かいことは言いませんので」
「ふむ。寝るのに困るものな。そうさな、それなら値段は――」
少し考えて、値段を告げようとしたゲベルクさんの背中を、エルズさんがパシーンと叩いた。
「なんだい、爺さん! 可愛い嬢ちゃん、しかも錬金術師様が越してきてくれたってのに、ベッドの一つや二つ、引越祝いにくれてやったらどうだい!」
「あ、いえ、きちんと払いますよ......?」
「でも、サラサちゃん。新米な上に、こんなど田舎に来るぐらいだ。あんまりお金、余裕が無いんじゃないのかい?」
「うっ......」
「それに、あの家、なーんにも家具が無かっただろう?」
「......そうか、あの家の家具、キリクの坊主が新宅を構えた時、軒並み持っていったんだったな。よし、解った。ベッドはタダで作ってやる」
「えっ!? あの、良いんですか?」
「エルズの言うとおり、孫よりも小さい子に引越祝いもくれてやれねぇようじゃ、男が廃る。余裕ができたら、注文してくれりゃ良い」
「あ、ありがとうございます!」
正直なことを言えば、運転資金が心許ないから、非常に助かる。
怖そうなお爺さん改め、気前の良いお爺さんは片頬を上げて笑い、そんな彼に私は、お礼と共にぺこりと頭を下げた。
ゲベルクさんの元を辞し、次に案内されたのが鍛冶屋のジズドさんの所。
ただし、予算の関係で注文はせず、顔合わせのみ。早々にお暇して、次の目的地、雑貨屋へ。
「この村で店といえば、この雑貨屋だけだね。夫婦でやっている店なんだけど、買い付けなんかで良く留守にするから、娘のロレアが店番していることが多いんだよ」
そこは、他の民家の二倍ぐらいはありそうな大きな建物。
居住部分は他と変わらないと思うので、店舗スペースが家一軒分ぐらい?
私のお店は、店舗スペースを含めてもほぼ普通の民家と同じだから、負けてるね......。
「こんにちは~」
ゲベルクさんの所などとは違い、きちんと看板が出ているので少しは入りやすい。
再びさっさと中に入るエルズさんに続き、私も挨拶しながら中に入ると、出迎えてくれたのは、たぶん私と同じくらいか、少し年下の女の子。
短めに切った髪の毛に、活発そうな表情で笑顔が可愛い。
「いらっしゃいませー。あ、エルズさん。こんにちは! お買い物ですか?」
「サラサと言います。錬金術のお店を開店するので、今後ともよろしくお願いします」
エルズさんに押し出されるようにして、私は前に出て自己紹介。
「あ、はい! ロレアです。お願いします! ......ほえー、都会っ子だぁ」
「え? 都会っ子?」
周りに比べれば、私なんてイモですよ?
勉強に忙しかったから、オシャレに掛ける時間もお金も無かったし。
「あ、いや、その......服とか、仕草とか、このへんの子とは違うし......?」
「そう、なの?」
確かにこの服は、先輩に連れられて行った、王都のお店で買った物だけど。
先輩たちは、あまりに無頓着な私を見かねたのか、時々連れ出してくれたんだよね。
私の懐具合を考えて、貴族の先輩たちは普段利用しないだろう古着屋でコーディネートしてくれる良い先輩だった。
仕草とかは......判るほど違うかな?
「いや、だって! この村だと基本手作りだし、もう、着られたらいいや、みたいなのが多いから!」
「え? でも、ロレアさんの服は、王都でも違和感ないと思う、わよ?」
むしろ、ちょっとオシャレな部類に入ると思う。
王都にも『着られれば良い』という人は一杯いるからね、私みたいに。
「王都! 王・都! すごい、超・都会だ! ね、ね、時間があるときで良いから、お話聞かせてください!」
「う、うん......」
私がそう言うと、ロレアさんはキラキラした目で私を見つめて、そう詰め寄ってきた。
都会......いや、まあ、この村と比べたらそうなるけど、そこまで憧れること?
王都でも貧乏人は貧乏で
「ほらほら、ロレア、仕事しな。サラサちゃんは買い物に来たんだから」
「あ、うん。そうだね! 何が必要? 私頑張って勉強しちゃいます! ......許されている範囲内で」
「えっと、良いんですか?」
「うん、そんなには値引きできないけど、ちょっとしたおまけぐらいなら?」
「ありがとうございます。なら、大きめのタライと布団、あと食料品をいくつかお願いできますか?」
「タライはこのあたりですね。木製の方が少し安いですよ」
そう言って指さしたところには、一抱えほどのタライが何種類か積んである。
金属板を加工して作った物と木製の物。どちらも出来は悪くない。
これらをゲベルクさんとジズドさんが作ったのなら、腕の心配は必要なさそうだね。
「布団は置いてないから、受注生産......って言っても、近所のおばさんたちが作るだけだから、できるなら自分で作っても良いかも。材料は売ってるから」
なるほど。こういった村だと基本は自分で作るのかな?
ちなみに私も作れます。
学校の寮に入るとき、孤児院の先生と一緒に作ったので。
布団を作ったのはその一回だけだけど、裁縫自体は得意なので自分で作ろうかな?
理由は解るよね? 限界まで補修して使ってたからだよ。
「食料品は――普段の食事だよね? 採集者向けの保存食はそれなりに充実してますが、それ以外は穀物ぐらいかなぁ? ここだと作っている人に直接もらいに行くから。売買の仲介はできますが......」
「ああ、それはアタシがやるよ。サラサちゃんもこの街に住むんだから、顔繋いでおいた方が良いだろう?」
あ、このへんは田舎っぽい。
王都だと食料品はお店で買う物で、生産者に直接交渉なんてやらないから。
何で店に置いてないのかと訊いてみると、売れるか解らないのに収穫してしまうと日持ちがしないためだって。
畑に置いておけば結構日持ちするお野菜もあるので、頼んだら収穫してきて分けてくれるらしい。
「そうですね。お願いします。でも、まだ料理できる状態じゃないので、明日以降、時間があるときにお願いできますか?」
それから私は、少しの間お店の中を見て回り、木製のタライを一つ、布団用に布と綿を余裕を見て多めに、それに食器などの雑貨を購入した。
ただ、持ち歩くのは大変なので、一先ずは取り置いてもらい、帰りに寄ることにする。
「買い忘れは......無いかな?」
家を出る前に必要な物を考えていたよね......えーっと。
あ、釣瓶。あと、コンロ!
「ロレアさん、釣瓶と携帯用のコンロはありますか?」
「釣瓶? 手桶とロープで良いのかな? 本格的な滑車付きとなると、ゲベルクお爺さんの領分だから」
「はい、それで構いません」
しばらくはそれで我慢するとして、そのうち、井戸に屋根を架けて滑車付き釣瓶にするか、
「釣瓶って事は、サラサさんのところには井戸があるんですね」
「はい。錬金術に水は必要ですから」
個人で井戸を持つのは金持ちかよほどの大家族、もしくは水をよく使う職業の人ぐらいで、普通の人は共同井戸を利用するのが一般的。
その中で錬金術師は、水をよく使う職業に入るし、収入も多めなので、工房付きの建物には大抵井戸も付いている。
ついでに、自動で水を汲み上げる
屋外に置く物だから、空き家に放置されていたら盗まれる危険性もあるわけだし。
「携帯コンロの方は在庫はないですね。土で作るタイプは他所へ注文、金属の物はジズドさんです」
「そうなんですか......では取りあえず保留で」
コスト次第だけど、すぐにお蔵入りになるような物を買うような余裕は無いからね。
「さて、これで大丈夫、なはず」
「ま、何か買い忘れがあればいつでも来てよ! 夜中じゃ無ければいつでも対応するから!」
おおぉ、さすがは田舎。
王都だと時間を過ぎたら対応してくれないよ?
「ありがとうございます。困ったときにはお願いしますね」
「さて、サラサちゃん、他に案内して欲しいところはあるかい?」
購入予定の物はすべて買った。
農家の人たちには近いうちにエルズさんに案内してもらう。
後は......食事!
食堂か何かに案内してもらわないと。
「えっと、食堂、あるんですよね? そこをお願いできますか?」
「ああ、そろそろ昼だったね。この村には一軒しか無いが、それなりにうまいから期待しな!」
「はい! あ、エルズさんも一緒にどうです? 案内のお礼に奢りますよ?」
お世話になったらお礼は必要、とお昼に誘ってみたのだが、エルズさんは呵々と笑って私の背中をバシバシと叩いてきた。
うん、痛いです。
「はっはっは、娘ぐらいの歳のサラサちゃんに奢られると、おばちゃん、体裁が悪いよ! むしろおばちゃんが奢ってあげるね!」
「え!? そんな、案内してもらった上に、そこまでしてもらうわけには......」
「若い子がそんなこと気にするんじゃ無いよ! おばちゃん、太っ腹だから!」
そう言って、ポンとお腹を叩くエルズさん。確かにちょっと太......いやいや、もちろん比喩表現ですよ? ええ。
エルズさんに案内されたのは、宿屋兼、食堂になっている店舗。
こんな村には不釣り合いなほど大きいのは、採集者が多く集まっている証拠だろうか。
中に入ると、食堂で数組の採集者らしき人たちが食事をしている。
今の時間帯なら樹海に入っている人たちもいるだろうし、これなら私の商売もそれなりに安泰かも?
「ディラル、食べに来たよ!」
「おや、エルズ? 昼間から来るのは珍しいね?」
エルズさんの声に応えて、奥から顔を出したのは多分エルズさんと同じくらいのおばさん。
ニコニコと
「ディラル、止めとくれよ。まるであたしが夜になると飲んだくれてるみたいじゃないか!」
「エルズには稼がせてもらって、頭が上がらないねぇ」
あっはっは、と笑いながら互いの肩をバシバシとたたき合うエルズさんとディラルさん。
う~む、この村のおばさんたちのコミュニケーションなんだろうか、あの“バシバシ”は。
華奢な私には結構キツいんだけど。
「それでどうしたい? さすがに昼間っから酒をかっ喰らいに来たわけじゃないんだろ? 後ろのお嬢さんが関係してるのかい?」
「ああ。このお嬢ちゃんは錬金術師様さね! この娘の紹介と昼食に来たんだよ」
「あ、あの、サラサと言います。この村でお店を開きますので、よろしくお願いします!」
そう言われてエルズさんに前に押し出された私は、慌てて挨拶をして頭を下げた。
「へぇ、その若さで店を構えるのかい!? スゴいねぇ。あたしゃ、この宿の女将でディラルってんだ。良かったら贔屓にしておくれ!」
「はい、今、ウチは料理できる状態じゃないので、しばらくはお世話になると思います」
「ああ、引っ越し直後はどうしてもねぇ......よし解った! お嬢さんの引越祝いだ! 今日はおばさんが奢ってやるよ!」
「あ、ありがとうございます」
正直奢りは嬉しいけど、バシバシと叩かれる背中が痛い。
「おや、ディラル、悪いねぇ」
「エルズ、アンタはちゃんと払いなよ!」
「なんだい、けち臭いねぇ。ここは気前よく奢る場面じゃないのかい?」
「ほら、こんなお嬢ちゃんに気を使わせて」
私が遠慮がちに申し出ると、エルズさんがニヤニヤと笑いながら、私を示してそんなことを言う。
それを見て、ディラルさんが舌打ちをした。
「ちっ、仕方ないねぇ。アンタもタダでいいさね」
私が少し困った顔で二人の顔を窺うと、エルズさんたちは顔を見合わせ、揃って笑い声を上げる。
「気にするこたないよ。エルズとは幼馴染みでねぇ。あたしらはいつもこんなもんさ。それに、エルズの旦那には世話になってるんだ。たまに奢るぐらい、どうって事ないよ!」
「あたしたちのこれは、じゃれ合いみたいなもんさ。悪いね、気を使わせちまって」
エルズさんの旦那さんは猟師で、この宿にも肉類を卸しているらしい。
その時、オマケしてあげることもあり、互いに持ちつ持たれつの関係で、この程度の言い合いは気の置けない仲のコミュニケーションみたいなもの、なんだとか。
う~ん、解らない!
やっぱり人付き合いになれてないからかなぁ?
「お嬢ちゃんは何か苦手な物はあるかい?」
「いいえ、特には。......今まで食べたことのある物に関してはですが」
贅沢を言えるような環境では育ってないので、好き嫌いはともかくとして、食べられない物は無い。
話に聞く限り、世の中にはとんでもなく臭い物やら、腐っているのに食べられる物もあるみたいだから、そんな物が出てくるとちょっと不安だけどね。
「なら大丈夫だ。ここは採集者を相手にしてるからね。出す料理には一般的な食材しか使ってないさ!」
「この村、何か変わった郷土料理があるんですか?」
「ん? 郷土料理ってほどの物じゃないね。田舎だと結構食べられるものさ。昆虫や芋虫、場合によっては毛虫を食べたりも......」
それは無理っ!
死にかけレベルで飢えてないと!
「あっはっはっは。心配しなくても、ウチじゃ出してないし、村人でも食べるのは一部の物好きさね!」
「でも、アレなんかは人を選ぶんじゃないかい? ほら、漬物の」
「あぁ、アレかい。好きな人は好きだから出しちゃいるが、頼まれたときだけだからねぇ」
やや不穏な会話に不安になり、詳しく訊いてみると、エルズさんの言った“漬物”とは、普通の漬物とは違い、一年以上の長期にわたって樽に漬け込んだ、ちょっと特別な代物らしい。
不作時の非常食として作られているのだが、この村の人でもそのまま食べるのは厳しい代物で、普通の人はしばらく水にさらしてから食べる。
しかし、その酸味と臭いがクセになる人もいて、そのまま食べる強者も中にはいるとか。
エルズさんもディラルさんも「全くお勧めできないし、私たちも食べない」というレベルだから、私が食べる機会はきっと来ないだろう。
「ま、普通のオススメ料理を持ってくるさ。ちょいと待っとくれ!」
そう言って厨房へと下がったディラルさんは、然程時間をおくこともなく二人分の料理を手に持って戻ってきた。
「ウチの昼は大体こんな感じだね。今日は奢りだけど、普段はこれで四〇レア。気に入ったら贔屓にしておくれ!」
「ありがとうございます。ごちそうになります」
並べられたのは、肉の細切れと豆を一緒に炒めた物、パンが二つ、それにお野菜たっぷりのスープ。
良い匂いが漂ってきて......うん、美味しい!
ここしばらくは旅の空で、塩辛い干し肉と堅いパン、それに水だけだったから、温かいだけでもかなり嬉しい。
「気に入ったようだね?」
「はい! 美味しいです!」
「そいつは良かった! ゆっくりしていっとくれ」
ディラルさんは再び私の肩をパンパンと叩き、呵々と笑い声を上げて仕事に戻る。
うん、いい人なんだけど、激しいボディタッチはちょっと控えて欲しいかな?
私、勉強しかしてこなかった、もやしっ子だから。
「すまないね、がさつな女で。こんな村には、お嬢ちゃんみたいな細っこい娘はいないから、接し方が解らないのさ。村の女は子供の頃からたくましいのばっかだから」
顔に出ちゃったかな?
取りあえず否定して話題を変えよう。
「あ、いえ。良い人なのは解りますから。――エルズさんはここに良く来るんですか?」
「ん? 昼間はたまに来る程度かね。ウチは亭主が猟師だからね。昼は一人なのさ」
「あの、お子さんは?」
「娘が二人、息子が一人いるよ。娘は普通に嫁いだんだが、息子の方は亭主のあとを継ぐのは嫌だ、商人になるって村を出て行っちまったねぇ......」
こ、こういうとき、なんて返せば良いの!?
人生経験の少ない私では、言葉が出ないよ!
「あぁ、気にするこたないよ。普通に元気にやってるし、たまにはこの村にも商売で来るからね。それなりに上手くやってるんじゃないかい」
ちょっと遠い目をしてたから、てっきり音信不通とか、そういう事を想像しちゃった。
「さて、小さい村だから主なとこは回っちまったが......昼を食べ終わったら、村長にも紹介しておこうかね」
「あっ! そうですね、必要ですよね! ご挨拶。王都じゃそういうのなかったのでつい......」
「あっはっは、そりゃそうだ! 王都のてっぺんは王様じゃないか。挨拶に行くわけもないねぇ!」
おかしそうに笑うエルズさんに私も苦笑を返す。
王都だと引っ越してきて挨拶するにしても、せいぜい隣近所ぐらい。
だから、すっかり頭から抜け落ちていた。
王国の法で引っ越しは自由に認められてるけど、こういう村で上役からの覚えが悪いと生活していけるわけない。
危なかった!
文字通り村八分にされるところだったよっ!
エルズさん、ありがとう!
"Yes, just give me a minute"
When I walked to the neighborhood for a minute or so and rang my voice, Mr. Elles came out without waiting for me.
"Need any help?
"Uh, I mean, I wanted to help, I wanted to shop. I want a bed, a table, a chair, and then some cookware, where can I buy it?
"Well, the bed is a carpenter, the pot kettle is a blacksmith's place. There are very few people in this village who buy it, so I'm going to ask them to make it. I have a grocery store, but other than what sells well, I order from the city."
If it's a small village, it is.
If it's Wang Du, I won't have any trouble around it first.
Well, I never bought it just to see it, but hey!
"Is that right, after all? Can you tell me where it is?
"I don't mind that..."
Mr. Elles thinks a little and nods one at Un.
"Well, Atashi will show you around, so just go in and wait a little while."
"Is that good?
"It's a small village. You'd better keep your face connected, wouldn't you? Let it go!"
"That helps! Thank you."
I bow my head and say thank you to Mr. Elles, who smiles reliably and slaps his chest with a dong.
"I mean good. Come on, don't come in!
Mr. Elles invites me into the house and gets me the warm tea he served.
When I thought about it, I remembered that I hadn't had a glass of water about the village, and when I took a whiff of it, Mr. Elles came back after a while.
"Okay, I'm ready! You want to go?"
"Oh, yes! Please. Thank you for your tea."
Leaving Mr. Elles' house, being guided, it was one private house that arrived.
There is wood around, and although there are places like the workplace, there are no signs.
Maybe he's a carpenter, but if you don't show him this, he's a little hard to call.
"Grandpa Geberg, are you there?
That had nothing to do with my mood, Mr. Elles just opened the door to the house and went inside.
I reluctantly follow suit.
"What is it, Elles? Work? Hmm? Isn't that the first face you've ever seen in the back lady?
It was a pretty old grandfather who came out of the back.
For this reason, it doesn't make you feel too old with the "Kakushaku" movement.
It's a bit of a sharp gaze and a stubborn craftsmanship for "I don't like it" and as far as I'm not very good at communicating, it feels a little scary talking to you alone.
"This way, Sarasa, I came over. Oh, my God, he's an alchemist!
"Oh, is that the store? That helps. So, you're fixing the house?
"Oh, no, I might ask for that one of these days, but I need the furniture one today"
It's the bed that's in trouble if it's never there.
If you think about going wild, it's okay on the floor, but that's just sad in your own house.
I want tables and chairs, too, but if you think about possession, is it on hold for now?
"Can I have a bed, please? As soon as possible. As long as it's well made, I won't say anything else in detail."
"Hmm. I have trouble sleeping. Well, then the price is..."
After a little thought, Mr. Elles slapped Mr. Geberg on the back, trying to tell him the price, with a pastime.
"Oh, my God, Grandpa! Pretty lady, and the alchemist came over, why don't you give me one or two of the beds, to celebrate the takeover!
"Oh, no, I'll pay you right...?
"But, Sarasa. On top of the new America, it's about to come to the country like this. Don't you have a lot of money to spare?
"Ugh..."
"And that house, Nah, wouldn't have had any furniture, would it?
"... well, the furniture in that house, when Kilik's boy set up his new house, you had it all lined up. All right, I got it. I'll make you a bed for free."
"What!? Um, is that good?
"Elles is right, he can't even give a kid younger than his grandson a takeover celebration. Well, the man abolishes it. If you can afford it, you should order it."
"Oh, thank you!
To be honest, it's very helpful because working capital doesn't allow it.
He looked scared. Again, his generous grandfather raised one cheek and laughed, and to him I bowed my head with a pepper as I thanked him.
He resigned from Mr. Geberg, and the next person to be guided was Mr. Zizd, the blacksmith.
However, we do not place orders in relation to the budget, only face-to-face. Free up early and go to your next destination, grocery store.
"When it comes to shops in this village, it's just this grocery store. It's a store for couples, but my daughter, Lorea, is often in the store because she's often away from home because she buys things."
There's a big building that's likely to be about twice the size of any other private house.
I don't think the residential part is the same as the rest, so the store space is for about one house?
My shop is pretty much the same as a normal private house, including store space, so you're losing...
"Hello ~"
Unlike Mr. Geberg's place and so on, it's a little easy to get in because the signs are properly displayed.
Following Mr. Elles, who just walks inside again, as I greet him too, he greeted me, perhaps as much as me, or a little younger girl.
Cute smile on shorter cut hair with an active look.
"Welcome -. Ah, Mr. Elles. Hi! Are you shopping?
"I say Sarasa. Thank you for your continued support as we open our alchemy store"
Make sure Mr. Elles pushes me out, and I'll step forward and introduce myself.
"Oh, yes! It's Lorea. Please!... Yea, he's a city boy."
"Huh? Urban?
Compared to the rest of us, I'm such an imo, aren't I?
I was busy studying, so I didn't have the time or money to hang it in style.
"Oh, no, the... clothes, tricks, they're not like this one...?
"Really?
Sure, I bought these clothes at Wangdu's store, where they were taken by seniors.
The seniors sometimes took me out, didn't they, seeing me too indifferent?
Given my condition, the aristocratic seniors were good seniors who would coordinate with me in an old fashion store that I wouldn't normally use.
The tricks... are different enough to know?
"No, because! This village is basically handmade, and I wish I could wear it, because there are so many like it!
"Huh? But I don't think Mr. Lorea's clothes are uncomfortable even in Wang Du, do you?
Rather, I think it falls into a somewhat stylish category.
Wang Du has a cup of 'I wish I could wear it' too, like me.
"Wang Du! Wang Du! Wow, it's super urban! Hey, hey, it's good when you have time, let me talk to you!
"Ugh, yeah......"
When I said that, Mr. Lorea stared at me with a sparkling eye and stuffed me like that.
City...... no, well, compared to this village it will be, but that much to admire?
Even in Wangdu, poor people are poor and wearing "Bo", and there are many places that aren't gorgeous, but can we just talk about it?
"Look, Lorea, get to work. Sarasa came here to shop."
"Oh, yeah. That's right! What do you need? I study hard! ... to the extent permitted"
"Uh, is that good?
"Yeah, I can't discount that much, but what if it's a little extra?
"Thank you. Then can I have a larger tarai and futon, and some more groceries, please?
"Talai is around here, isn't it? It's a little cheaper in wood."
There are several kinds of tarai that I have said and pointed to.
Made of metal plates and wooden objects. Neither is bad.
If Mr. Geberg and Mr. Zizd made these, you don't need to worry about your arm.
"I don't have a futon, so even if I say order production...... maybe I can make it myself if I can because the aunts in the neighborhood just make it. Because they sell ingredients."
I see. Do you make your own basics when it's these villages?
By the way, I can make one, too.
When I entered the school dorm, I made it with my orphanage teacher.
That's the only time I've made a futon, but I'm good at sewing myself, so should I make my own?
You know why, don't you? Because I repaired it to the limit and used it.
"Grocery is - it's a regular meal, isn't it? There's quite a lot of preserved food for collectors, but other than that, I wonder if it's about cereal? Because I'm going directly to the person who makes it here. You can broker the trade..."
"Oh, Atashi will do that. Sarasa lives in this city too, so why don't you just keep it face-to-face?
Oh, this place looks rural.
Wang Du said that groceries are purchased in stores, so we don't negotiate directly with producers.
When I asked him why he didn't keep it in the store, he said that if he didn't know if he could sell it, but if he harvested it, he wouldn't have sunshine.
Some vegetables will be quite sunny if left in the field, so if they ask, they'll harvest them and divide them.
"Right. Please. But I'm not in a state where I can cook yet, so after tomorrow, when I have time, can you please?
Then I looked around the store for a little while and bought one wooden tarai, more cloth and cotton to spare for the futon, plus dishes and other groceries.
It's just hard to carry around, so I'll have it set aside first, and I'll stop by on my way home.
"I forgot to buy it... isn't there?
You were thinking about what you needed before you left the house... erm.
Ah, a fishing bottle. And the stove!
"Mr. Lorea, do you have a fishing bottle and a portable stove?
"Fishing bottle? Is it good with a handkerchief and rope? When it comes to full pulleys, it's Grandpa Geberg's property."
"Yes, that's fine"
As for putting up with that for a while, in time, you'll have to think about roofing the well into a fishing bottle with a pulley or dealing with it with the smelter Artifact.
"A fishing bottle means there's a well at Mr. Sarasa's place."
"Yes, because we need water for alchemy"
Individuals are rich enough to own wells, large enough families, or people in professions that often use water, and ordinary people typically use joint wells.
In it, alchemists enter the profession of frequent use of water and earn more money, so most of the buildings with workshops also have wells.
Finally, I would have loved to have included the artifact, a smelter that automatically pumps up water... is that just what you want?
It's something to put outdoors, so if you leave it empty, you're in danger of being stolen.
"If you have a mobile stove, you don't have it in stock. The type made of dirt is ordered elsewhere, and the metal belongs to Mr. Jizzed."
"Really... then put it on hold for now"
It depends on the cost, but you can't afford to buy something that you can store right away.
"Well, this should be okay,"
"Come anytime you forget to buy something! If it's not midnight, I'll take care of it anytime!
Oh, that's the country.
Wang Du, you won't be able to deal with me after time?
"Thank you. When you're in trouble, please."
"Well, Sarasa, is there anything else you want me to show you around?
I bought everything I was going to buy.
Ask the farmers to show Mr. Elles around shortly.
After... meals!
I need you to show me to the dining room or something.
"Uh, the dining room, there is, isn't there? Can I have that, please?
"Oh, it was about noon. There's only one house in this village, but expect it because it's pretty good!
"Yes! Oh, how about Mr. Elles join us? Thank you for the guide, right?
When I took care of him, I needed to thank him, and I asked him out for lunch, but Mr. Elles laughed and bashed me in the back.
Yeah, it hurts.
"Ha ha, when Sarasa, who is about my daughter's age, is luxurious, auntie, she's not in good shape! Instead, your aunt will luxury you!
"Huh!? I can't ask you to do that after you've guided me..."
"Young kids don't care about that! Auntie, because you're fat!
That's what I said, Mr. Elles slapping Pong on the stomach. It's definitely a little too much... no, no, of course it's a metaphorical expression, right? Yeah.
Elles guided me to the inn and the restaurant.
Is the disproportionately large size of such a village evidence of a large gathering of gatherers?
Once inside, several groups of gatherer-like people are eating in the dining room.
Some people would be in the Tree Sea at this time of year, and this could be pretty cheap for my business?
"Dilal, I'm here to eat!
"Oh, Elles? It's rare to come in the daytime, isn't it?
In response to Mr. Elles' voice, it was probably as much an aunt as Mr. Elles who put his face out of the back.
Nico and the breeze "Kippu" seem to be good, and the width is even better than Mr. Elles.
"Dilal, stop it. It's like you're drinking to me at night!
"Elles let me make some money, I can't get my head up"
Haha, and Mr. Elles and Mr. Dilal hitting each other's shoulders with a bash with laughter.
Uh-huh, is this the communication of the aunts of this village, that "bashibashi"?
Pretty tight for me, though.
"So what do you want to do? You didn't come here in the middle of the day to drink, did you? What does the lady behind you have to do with this?
"Oh. This young lady is an alchemist! I'm here for lunch with this girl."
"Oh, you know, I say Sarasa. Thank you for opening your shop in this village!
That being said and pushed forward by Mr. Elles, I rushed to greet him and bow my head.
"Heh, do you set up a shop with that young man!? That's awesome. I'm a diral in this inn. If that's all right with you, leave me alone!
"Yes, right now, we're not in a state where we can cook, so I think we'll take care of you for a while"
"Oh, right after we moved, I can't help it...... ok! It's your daughter's takeover celebration! Your aunt will be happy today!
"Oh, thank you"
Honestly, I'm happy with my luxury, but my back hurts when I get bashed.
"Oh, Dilal, that's bad"
"Elles, you pay properly!
"Oh, my God, you stink. Isn't this a generous occasion?
"Look, let such a lady take care of you"
When I offer reluctantly, Mr. Elles laughs at Niyaniya, showing me and saying that.
Seeing that, Mr. Dilal struck his tongue.
"Shit, there's no choice. You're free, too."
When I glance at the two faces with a slightly troubled face, Mr. Elles looks at each other, all aligned and laughs.
"I don't care. Elles and I are not familiar with childhood. We're always like this. Besides, Elles' husband takes care of me. It doesn't matter how much I luxury you once in a while!
"This one of ours, it's like we're hanging out. Sorry to bother you."
Mr. Elles' husband is a hunter, and he seems to be wholesale meat in this inn as well.
Sometimes at that time, I'll make you an omelet, and in a relationship of being held to each other, this degree of rhetoric is like an unmindful amicable communication, what is it?
Uh-huh, I don't know!
I was wondering if it's because we're not dating after all?
"Is there anything wrong with your daughter?
"No, especially. ... in terms of things I've eaten before"
I don't grow up in a luxurious environment, so whether I like it or not, there's nothing I can't eat.
As far as I can tell, there seems to be a hell of a lot of smelly stuff in the world that can be eaten even though it's rotten, so I'm a little nervous when that stuff comes out.
"Then I'll be fine. We're dealing with collectors here. I only use common ingredients for serving dishes!
"Is there any unusual local food in this village?
"Hmm? It's not as good as local food. It's quite edible in the country. Eating insects, potatoes, and in some cases caterpillars..."
That's irrational!
You have to be starving on a dying level!
"Ha-ha-ha. You don't have to worry, we didn't serve it, and even villagers love eating it!
"But aren't you picking people? Look, of pickles."
"Oh, that's it. I let people out because I like them, but only when they ask me to."
I got anxious about the slightly disturbing conversation and asked in detail, unlike the "pickle" Mr. Elles said, it seems to be a somewhat special substitute, soaked in a barrel for over a year, unlike a normal pickle.
It is made as an emergency food in the absence of crops, but it is a harsh substitute for even people in this village to eat as is, and ordinary people are exposed to water for a while before eating.
But you think some of those sour and smelly will suck, and some strong people who eat as they do?
Neither Mr Elles nor Mr Dillall "recommend it at all, nor do we" level, so I'm sure my chances of eating will not come.
"I'll bring you regular recommended dishes. Just give me a minute!
Having said that, Mr. Dilal, who had fallen back to the kitchen, returned with a dish for two in his hand without taking up much time.
"This is more or less what our day looks like. I'm extravagant today, but that's usually forty rare. If you like it, give it to me!
"Thank you. It will be a treat."
Arranged are finely chopped meats and stir-fried beans together, two loaves of bread, plus a soup full of vegetables.
It smells good...... yeah, yummy!
It's been a journey sky for a while now, and I'm pretty glad it's just warm because it was just salty dried meat and strong bread, plus water.
"You like that, don't you?
"Yes! It's delicious!
"That was good! Take your time."
Mr. Dilal slaps me on the shoulder with pampers again, heaps of laughter and returns to work.
Yeah, he's a good guy, but do you want me to refrain from a bit of intense body touch?
I've only studied, because I'm a sprouts boy.
"I'm sorry, you rascal bitch. I don't know how to deal with a village like this because I don't have a fine daughter like your daughter. Village women have been a pain in the ass since they were kids."
Did I get it on your face?
Let's just deny it and change the subject.
"Oh, no. Because I know you're a good person. - Does Mr. Elles come here well?
"Hmm? About every once in a while during the day. My pawn owner is a hunter. I'm alone at noon."
"Um, what about your kids?
"I have two daughters and one son. My daughter usually married me, but my son doesn't like to inherit from the pavilion owner, he left the village to be a merchant..."
How can I give it back when this is the case!?
I don't have much experience in life, I don't have a word for it!
"Oh, I don't care. Because I'm normally doing fine, and sometimes I come to this village in business. You're doing pretty well."
I had a bit of a distant eye, so I totally imagined things like voice loss.
"Well, since it's a small village, the main part has gone around... but when I'm done eating lunch, shall I introduce it to the village chief?"
"Ah! Right, you need it! Greetings. There was no such thing in Wang Du..."
"Haha, that's right! Isn't the top of the king's capital a king? There's no way I'm going to say hello!
I also give a bitter smile back to Mr. Elles, who laughs funny.
Even if he moves in to say hello to me that it's Wang Du, it's about the neighborhood at best.
So I was totally out of my mind.
The laws of the kingdom allow me to move freely, but I can't live in a village like this with bad memories from my superiors.
It was dangerous!
Literally, the village was about to be divided. Yikes!
Thank you, Mr. Elles!
The Novice Alchemist’s Store
[Web版] 新米錬金術師の店舗経営
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/the-novice-alchemists-store/
Adventure Comedy Fantasy Shoujo Ai Slice of Life Supernatural
Adapted to Anime Adapted to Manga Alchemy Artifact Crafting Artifacts Business Management Carefree Protagonist Crafting Cute Story Fantasy World Heartwarming Herbalist Jack of All Trades Marriage of Convenience Orphans Protagonist Strong from the Start R-15 Store Owner Sword And Magic
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n3174fc/
いつきみずほ