The Retired [Armed Merchant]’s Laid-back Journey Across the Continent 53

Chapter 53: The Rip-off Artist Returns to the Hotel.

“Vottark-sama…?!”

What awaited me when I stealthily ran through the unfamiliar streets of Morcomisky and reached the hotel was a rather chaotic lobby and the concierge in charge, Canone.

“Ah, Canone-san. I’ve gotten into a bit of trouble.”

“Yes, I am aware.”

I was a little impressed by Canone, who immediately regained her composure and gave a small nod.

As expected of a professional.

“Al is back, right? Sorry, but we’re checking out immediately and going back to the Magitek Train.”

The ones I’ve made an enemy of are the Stoner family, the rulers of this city.

I’ve also caused damage to their subordinate military police, so staying here any longer would be a problem for the hotel as well.

“That will not be necessary.”

“What do you mean?”

I see, this is bad.

Since they’re doing business in this city, I should have assumed that this hotel is also under the influence of the Stoner family.

“Please sheathe your killing intent, Vottark-sama. I was not clear enough.”

Canone cleared her throat and continued.

“This hotel is a facility directly managed by the Presidential Office, where many state guests also stay. We are prepared to provide a full range of services to ensure that our guests can stay safely and comfortably.”

“Meaning?”

“That there is no problem whatsoever.”

Canone smiled slightly and pointed to the elevator.

“Please, Vottark-sama. Al-sama is waiting. We sincerely apologize for the rudeness of the people of Morcomisky this time.”

Disarmed by Canone’s deep bow, I gave a small nod and got into the elevator.

After a feeling of floating, the moment the doors opened… Al rushed at me.

“Rody-san!”

“Whoa… you surprised me.”

I caught her and lifted her up.

“My bad, my bad, it took longer than I thought.”

“You’re late! You were so late, I was so worried!”

I gently stroked the head of Al, who was pressing her cheek against me, and smiled wryly.

From the looks of it, I must have made her worry a lot.

Well, in that situation, it’s to be expected. I couldn’t even contact her.

“Was everything okay with you, Al?”

“That whatever-his-name-was guy came storming into the hotel. Canone-san and the hotel staff chased him away, though…”

“Cadry Stoner?”

“Ah, that was his name.”

As a merchant’s apprentice, you need to remember names and faces well, Al. But well, does that mean this hotel is safe?

“It was pretty bad on my end. I was beaten and kicked, forced to make a false confession, and to top it all off, they said they were going to sell me to a slave trader.”

“…Huh? What’s that? I’m going to go kill them right now.”

“Sorry to burst your bubble, but I’ve already killed them.”

Well, to be precise, one is still alive, but ‘that’ is a substitute for a written note.

To let the people involved know what kind of person I am, just a corpse is a little too quiet.

There’s a saying, ‘dead men tell no tales’… but if I leave both a dead man and a mouth, I’m sure they’ll understand.

After all, I’m a merchant with a strong sense of service, so I have to be kind.

“What are we going to do now?”

“Hmm, if I’ve become a criminal, I can’t go back to the Magitek Train, can I?”

“But they were the ones in the wrong!”

“That’s true, but.”

Society is a place where being right isn’t always the right path.

Even though they were trying to kill me, since I’ve actually made a corpse, I have no choice but to see this trouble through to the end.

And it’s not like I’ve forgiven them.

Depending on the situation, I’m prepared to ‘file an objection’ against the military police and the Stoner family with all my might.

Of course, I will respond to violence with violence.

Even my master used to say, “It’s a certain kind of courtesy to respond to killing intent with killing intent.”

I don’t intend to be as scary as him, but I won’t hesitate to use my power to protect the people I need to protect.

If that Stoner kid is going to lay a hand on Al, I’ll tear off his hands, feet, and neck and turn him into a stain on the ground.

“Vottark-sama, please refrain from scattering your killing intent in the room.”

Canone, who had appeared from the elevator, bowed with a small, wry smile.

On the cart she had apparently brought with her were snacks and a pitcher of fruit water.

“You don’t need to worry. Nothing that would trouble Vottark-sama will happen again.”

“I heard that Stoner is the ruler of this city.”

“Yes, that was the case until a little while ago.”

Canone, with a composed expression, put ice in a glass and poured fruit water.

There was no sign of impatience or tension in her demeanor.

“What do you mean, ‘until a little while ago’?”

“Exactly what I said, madam.”

Canone served snacks and fruit water for two on the table and smiled faintly.

“They… or rather, he. Cadry got too carried away. By now, he is probably regretting his poor behavior.”

“Him? He didn’t seem like the type.”

“You’re too modest. In an old saying of our country, this is called ‘stepping on a dragon’s tail’.”

Al and I tilted our heads at Canone, who was explaining with a somewhat amused expression.

The Republic of Ravanant is a country with a deep connection to dragons, so there might be such a saying, but what does it mean?

If you take it literally, stepping on a dragon’s tail seems like a very dangerous thing to do.

“Now, you two must be hungry. Please have a light meal and relax.”

“Is it really okay to be so leisurely…?”

Canone smiled at my small complaint.

“Yes, there is no problem at all. When the matter is settled, I will come to report.”

With that, Canone disappeared into the elevator.