The Retired [Armed Merchant]’s Laid-back Journey Across the Continent 19

Chapter 19: The Rip-off Artist Returns.

“I see, I see. This might be a little… bad.”

In the newly discovered area called the ‘Third Shallow Area’, I had reached the first floor but was unable to move, hiding in the shadows.

There were too many monsters due to the effects of the alert trap, and the map was still incomplete.

It’s a bit of a shame, especially since I’d made it this far relatively smoothly.

Looking at my magic watch, it’s been about six hours since I entered the dungeon.

So, I decided to turn back a little.

“Time for a break. I’ll eat and get some sleep.”

I set up a ‘Monster-Repelling Barrier Stake’ in a small room I found along the way and, for good measure, burned some ‘Monster-Repelling Incense’.

I also cast the Hard Lock spell on the door.

It’s a convenient spell that not only magically locks the door but also strengthens it, and it can prevent most monsters from entering.

The room itself, though small, wasn’t cramped, and I quite liked it.

If I were still working, it would be the perfect place for my dungeon shop.

Maybe I’ll make a note of it and give it to Quince.

A Yaje armed merchant might settle in here.

“Now, what to do…”

I thought while munching on rations, with the incomplete map in hand.

The map shows the location of the alert trap, but the surrounding map is a bit unreliable.

In the first place, I heard that one of the ‘Mapmakers’ who makes a living creating maps stepped on the trap and retreated, so it’s safe to say that this area is unexplored.

In addition, there are too many lured monsters.

The first floor of a shallow area should only be dangerous enough for sightseeing, but whether it’s because this area can only be reached by a special route or because they were lured by the alert trap, there were some moderately dangerous monsters wandering around.

Even I, who has walked the depths of Alanis, am hesitant to proceed.

There’s a possibility that the adventurers who come on flyer requests won’t be able to handle it.

And the Adventurer’s Guild might not even be aware of this information.

“Should I take a detour, or retrace the steps of the ‘Mapmaker’ who fled… I’m torn.”

Wander through an unexplored area of an unfamiliar dungeon relying on my intuition?

No, that’s not an option. That’s relying too much on luck.

When things go wrong in those situations, it often becomes irreversible.

In that case, I have no choice but to proceed along the previous route.

At the very least, it’s a route that the ‘Mapmaker’ confirmed with his own two feet, so it should be correct.

The only problem is that there are too many monsters.

It’s only been a week or so since I left the field.

I’m not out of practice.

I’ll have to be careful and check the monsters… but it’s not impossible.

I told Al I’d be back within 45 hours, but that’s the time limit.

In other words, it’s cutting into my fun sightseeing time with Al, and when I think about it, the later I am, the more of a negative return it is for me.

As a proper merchant, I can’t accept that.

While showing Al that I’m a ‘reliable master’, I need to collect my reward from Quince and enjoy the sightseeing to depart in a good mood… there’s no time for unnecessary thoughts.

What’s a few monsters?

Part of an armed merchant’s job is to knock down any obstacles to business.

Alright, I’ll start after I finish eating.

Having decided in my heart to take a nap on Al’s lap, I… popped the rest of my rations into my mouth and stood up.

◆

“Rody-san!”

Al greeted me with a smile when I returned to the inn we had arranged in Yaje.

I had told Al to wait in our cabin on the Magitek Train, but she insisted on waiting in Yaje city, so I had to book a hotel room in a hurry.

“I’m back, Al.”

“Welcome back! Are you just checking things out today?”

It’s been a little over ten hours since I made that grand declaration at the Adventurer’s Guild.

Indeed, for someone who went into a dungeon, it might seem like a ‘quick return’.

Especially for Al, who was used to waiting for me for five days at a time… it wouldn’t be strange if she felt like I had just gone out for a bit of shopping.

“No, it’s resolved. I’ve already reported to the Adventurer’s Guild.”

“Huh, eh…?”

Al tilted her head in surprise as I sank into a chair with a very comfortable cushion.

“It was a pretty big incident, wasn’t it?”

“I suppose so.”

“Something that would throw the Yaje Adventurer’s Guild into chaos…”

“Apparently.”

I’m a little tired, and I can’t seem to come up with any clever words.

Is this what it means to get old?

“You… resolved it?”

“I just removed the cause. I’ll leave the rest to the adventurers of Yaje.”

I recalled the adventurers I met on my way into the dungeon.

I was taken aback by how proper they all were, but on the other hand, I was confident that if I left the rest to them, it would be fine.

Anyway, Al. I’m low on Al-components.

To have withdrawal symptoms after just half a day in the dungeon, I can’t do dungeon work anymore.

The ‘Rip-off Company’ can never be revived. Ever.

“Amazing! As expected of you, Master!”

“Thanks. But I’m a little tired… and sleepy.”

“Oh my, are you okay? Are you injured or anything?”

Al patted my slumped body.

It tickles a little, but it feels like I’m home.

Ah, I see. This is where I belong, with her always here.

“No injuries. I’ll take a quick shower, then let me sleep for a bit.”

“Got it.”

“And then—…”

I was about to ask for a lap pillow, but I froze.

That’s why I rushed back without taking a nap, but now that I’m about to say it, I can’t seem to find the courage.

You might laugh at me for being spineless… but as a man over thirty, is it okay to say, “Can I have a lap pillow?”

“And then, what?”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

“I sense a hint of cowardice!”

Why are you so sharp in the strangest of ways!

“Come on, come on, spit it out!”

“I said it’s nothing! Don’t worry about it!”

“It’s the disciple’s duty to care for her tired master, and it’s the girlfriend’s duty to care for her tired boyfriend—in other words, it’s my turn!”

Al puffed out her thin chest, looking proud.

When she’s this enthusiastic, it makes me feel like I have to say something or I’ll feel bad.

“Come on, say it. I’ll do anything I can for you.”