After the negotiation was established, Mist and I walked onto the main street together.
We didn't talk much.
But that was fine.
She was just accompanying me for shopping.
It was a purely temporary arrangement.
She understood that too.
Or so I thought—
"Hati-sama, which inn are you staying at?"
She opened the conversation.
"..."
There was no reason not to answer.
I told her the name of the inn.
"Oh, we were staying at the same place."
So we were at the same inn.
I hadn't noticed her face, but…
We must have passed each other without realizing.
"Even though you need money, you didn't choose the cheaper inn."
The woman gives a wry smile.
"I can't sleep well unless I have a private room."
"Since when?"
"Eh? Um—always, since long ago."
The answer felt hastily made.
There seemed to be another reason.
She had some issue with shared rooms.
Just like how I want to hide Pigi-maru.
Still, I had no intention of prying further.
The woman points to a tool shop sign with her finger.
"For ruin subjugation and travel tools, that shop should be good."
I was about to enter the store.
But Mist didn't move.
She seemed to be thinking about something.
"Sorry, could you wait a moment? There's something I want to confirm."
Mist disappears behind the shop.
After a while, she returns.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"What did you go confirm?"
"More precisely, reconfirm. Though—I'm not thrilled about it. I feel like it's a bit sneaky on my part. But right now, I've been entrusted as your negotiator by Hati-sama. I have to fulfill my role."
She's so earnest in everything.
She seems strict with herself…
"Then, let's go in."
She probably has her own thoughts on the matter.
We enter the store.
It has the atmosphere of an outdoor goods shop.
There's a distinctive woody smell.
Mist crouches down and checks the price tags.
"These prices feel quite a bit higher than market rate."
The shopkeeper approaches with a grin.
"I don't know where you're from, but compared to the royal capital, getting stock here is tough. Quite a few items can't be made in Mills. And with that recruitment, demand from mercenaries has shot up too."
"If you anticipated that demand, wouldn't your stock be fully prepared?"
The shopkeeper shakes his head wearily.
"We have our own professional circumstances. You wouldn't understand as amateurs. Just look at the state of these shelves. Demand exceeded expectations, and we don't have enough stock. We've been desperately restocking bit by bit. You get it? That's why these prices are fair—"
"Some of the boxes stacked behind the shop had the same item names as the ones displayed here, didn't they?"
"W-What!? Did you look at those behind the shop without permission!?"
"I just happened to pass by and noticed them."
"Those are—empty boxes."
"Is that so? For empty boxes, they seemed quite heavy."
"W-What are you doing touching other people's goods without permission!?"
"I'm sorry. When I tried to pass through, the boxes were blocking the back alley."
"Hm?"
"I moved them aside, thinking it was rude."
"Y-Yes, they were blocking the alley… but that back alley almost never has foot traffic…"
"By the way—"
Mist stands up.
"You said 'merchandise' just now—but you're awfully nervous about someone touching 'empty boxes,' aren't you?"
"Nn, guh."
The shopkeeper's position weakens.
Next, a sigh escapes his mouth.
"You seem used to this kind of thing."
Mist softens her expression.
"I'm traveling while trying to save as much as possible."
"Fine, I get it… So you want a discount negotiation, right?"
"Yes, simply put. If I had a bit more money, I might have bought at the listed price without saying anything—but right now, my purse is rather light."
"Hmm~"
The shopkeeper thinks.
Mist glances at me.
"We came today to buy gear for two people. I believe we can contribute to this shop's profits."
"Tch, can't be helped… Then how about a discount under the name of bulk purchase? But I'll attach conditions."
"What would those be?"
"Don't ever tell other mercenaries about this. If word gets out about my methods, I'm done for. If you spill, I'll never sell to you two in Mills again. I'll also spread rumors to other shops that you're troublesome customers."
"Yes, I swear I won't tell."
"Good. Deal's done."
Grumbling, the shopkeeper returns to the counter.
"Damn… I should've moved those boxes inside the shop sooner… I got a bit complacent lately because business has been good."
So it was a scarcity tactic.
Right now, the shop has only me and Mist.
We came straight back from the plaza.
No other customers.
First, Mist buys the tools she needs.
Then I purchase mine.
After the discount, the prices are roughly one-third of the original tags.
They were trying to rip us off quite a bit…
The shopkeeper starts rearranging the merchandise.
He's displaying a bit more generously now.
Probably realized that obviously low stock would be too noticeable.
He quickly rewrites the price tags too.
As we're about to leave, the shop door opens.
"All right! Let's stock up!"
Several mercenaries pour in.
The shopkeeper gives Mist a small nod.
That's probably the signal for "keep the promise."
Mist nods back lightly.
And so, after leaving the first shop, we went around to the others.
▽
I managed to gather most of the tools I'd need for the ruin.
Spare clothes.
A belt.
Attached to the belt are a short sword and leather sheath.
I also bought a small hammer.
Both for monster materials.
For skinning or breaking bones.
Some preserved food as well.
If needed, there's the leather pouch's transfer function for food.
Other small tools.
A sleeping bag, just in case.
I also bought one backpack.
The bag has two large compartments.
One side can hold monster materials.
I stuff the purchased items into the other side.
There's still plenty of space.
My luggage isn't actually that much.
I wandered the discarded ruin with just one leather pouch.
Food, water, a makeshift bed.
With these three things, survival is basically possible.
That's what experienced people say.
"You helped a lot. Here's the promised advice fee."
I hand Mist three silver coins.
"Eh?"
She receives them with both hands, eyes widening.
She looks up.
"This much?"
"By my calculations, I saved more than three silver coins. Especially if I'd bought at the first shop without knowing anything, I would have lost a lot."
Mist clutches the silver coins to her chest.
She looks slightly reluctant.
"I'll gratefully accept these silver coins then. Um… honestly, I feel a bit guilty because the advice fee ended up higher than I expected. I had no intention of demanding this much…"
This kind of foolish honesty reminds me of my aunt.
Though the voice and way of speaking are different.
"Don't worry about it."
Most of my current funds came from those four anyway.
I still have gems left too.
"Then I'll be going— ...?"
Mist staggers.
I step forward and catch her.
Pof.
"..."
She's light.
She has normal human weight.
But she feels light.
I peer at her face.
Her eyes are slightly unfocused.
"…Ugh."
"You okay?"
Mist looks up.
"Ah—"
Her face is almost right in front of mine.
Up close, the dark circles under her eyes are clearly visible.
"—!"
She quickly pulls away from me.
I remember when that lean-muscled guy tried to touch her.
She had shown strong rejection then too.
Perhaps she doesn't want men touching her?
Mist hurriedly fixes her hair.
"…Haa."
She lets out a breath.
"You okay?"
"—Eh?"
"You've got dark circles under your eyes. Lack of sleep?"
"Y-Yes. I've had trouble sleeping lately."
I recall her words.
"I can't sleep well unless I have a private room."
Mist chose a private room.
Yet she's not sleeping.
Insomnia?
Or is there something else—?
"A-Anyway, I'm fine. It's just fatigue hitting hard. Sorry for worrying you. I'll take my leave now. If I was of help, I'm glad."
She turns abruptly and leaves curtly.
As if trying to avoid any further involvement.
"..."
"Pi?"
Pigi-maru lets out a small cry.
"Hm? What to do next?"
"Pi."
I head toward the plaza on the outskirts of town again.
"Of course—we start the Mills ruin conquest right now."