◈ The Saviour Embarks on a Nameless Journey
Chapter 9: Ignorance of the world
“I’ve had quite a hard time thanks to Shato giving up things with absolutely no hesitation.”
Marius looked nostalgic, rolling the fang in the palm of his hand.
Shato was the kind of man who couldn’t leave people in trouble, especially when it wasn’t their fault. Even if he was deceived, he would get a little angry, but then say to himself: ‘Wasn’t there someone who needed help?’ and laugh a little.
For example, he wouldn’t give money to someone who lost it while gambling, but if he knew that the person’s daughter was facing trouble because of her parent, he would go and help the daughter instead.
Seeing Shato like that used to really irritate me back then. By the way, the fellow clinging to my back is showing no signs of getting off.
“Weren’t you also living extravagantly and spending all over the place at the beginning of your journey?”
The little pet fidgeted with its paws behind its back while keeping its face turned towards Marius. Where am I supposed to grab?
“It was that way only because I chose so based on my living standards. I quickly learned how much money everything costs and how much I actually have. Life in a Ducal house rarely involves handling money after all. Even gratuities are handled by the attendants, and payments are made on credit to be billed later.”
Marius said, shrugging his shoulders.
In the first place, he’s not in a position to go out alone; he always has a life where an attendant, doubling as a guard, accompanies him. Being ignorant of how the world works was inevitable.
A duke’s job is not about shopping in stores but rather about considering the flow of goods between territories and nations, enriching the whole, and improving the lives of the people. I do believe that he should know about his people’s lives though.
In a way, Shato might’ve not been best suited to be a king. Because he sacrificed himself to save individuals, he often ended up halting the quest to defeat the Demon King. It would’ve been better for the greater good to abandon some people so the Demon King could be defeated faster.
—Looking back now, he might have actually been suited to be a hero. I got quite irritated a lot of the times we were together though. In my view, a hero is someone who does not abandon individuals and spreads hope among the people.
“Are you… handling money personally?”
Alina said, tilting her head while looking puzzled yet amazed.
Turns out there was one more person who’s ignorant of this world…!
However, while listening to the conversation, I felt their gaze fixed not at me, but towards somewhere around my back. You’re focused on the wrong thing!
“It’s called ‘strictly cash, no haggling,’ if I recall correctly.”
Io, who memorized it somewhere, responded.
“It seems that this kind of trade is becoming popular in the streets recently.”
Marius laughs gently.
Most items are made to order, and new goods are brought only to trustworthy clients—nobles concerned with their reputation or wealthy merchants. And those payments are handled monthly or annually.
For that reason, aside from used goods, it was common to buy new items on credit. However, recently in town, there’s a trend of paying in cash for a lower price by removing the usual markup added to cover missed payments on credit.
“I’ve heard it started from a former hunter.”
I joined the conversation again while trying to peel off the thing stuck to my back.
Hunters are people who make a living off hunting monsters. They may have money, but their credit is low, or untrustworthy, due to the constant risk of all sorts of injuries in their line of work.
“By the way, how about you give up?”
Marius said with a smiling face, while I was restlessly reaching my hand to my back.
“This bastard…!”
“Grandfather, I’ll help you.”
Unable to just stand and watch, Alina offered help, and I turned my back to her.
My granddaughter was raised to extend her hand to troubled people who are in need of help. While I was happy, I dropped on my knees so Alina could reach my back.
“Ah…?”
A small voice of confusion came from Alina.
“Oh? Are you not going to touch it?”
“It seems like uncle aster is touching it though.”
Marius and Io said while looking into my back.
Even when there was a troubled person right before them, these two refused to help.
“As one would expect, it’s a holy spirit. Its form is quite pleasant though.”
Holding his laugh, and with a soft voice. Marius, you bastard!
“Do something about it. Isn’t it the territory of the temple?”
“One’s duty is to also satisfy the will of the holy spirit as well.”
He calmly answered back.
Even though you’re not showing a hint of respect to the holy spirit that’s stuck to my back…!
“Pya—”
Don’t ‘Pya—’ on me, stop asserting yourself!
“If you allow me to accompany you, at least you’ll be freed from that amusing sight.”
Smirking—though his refined face doesn’t show it, Marius was definitely grinning.
“You bastard…”
I glared at Marius, yet he showed no concern.
Are you telling me to bring along this ‘pya—pya—’ crying thing along with me? The holy beast of the goddess Lānu on this journey?
The goddess Lānu guided us in our past journey, and we were able to reach the whereabouts of the Demon King Torah. This time too, signs of the Goddess Lānu and remains of the Demon King Torah everywhere, it feels like our journey has been decided already, whether we want it or not.
And yet, what I want to do is remember our past journey, not go through new trials from the Goddess. If anything, they’re a hindrance.
“Grandfather… It’s desperately clinging on, it looks quite pitiful.”
Alina admired while looking a bit sad.
“Ugh…”
My, my cute granddaughter is…!
“Alina…”
Io embraces Alina’s shoulders to calm her down while directing a reproachful gaze at me.
“What a mean old man you are.
Marius lifts his chin, looks at me, and smiles with narrowed eyes.
“Kugh…”
“Pya—”
Stop with the ‘Pya—’! You bastard…!!
“I understand. I’ll bring it along, that should solve the issue, right!?”
Ah, geez, damn it all!
“Grandfather!”
Alina enthusiastically showed a smile that bloomed like a flower.
“Pya—”
Stop it already, goddamnit!
