Bang!

"Is the person in charge of this store here?"

It was the third day since we began selling the new products. As expected, customers had been coming every day, and while we’d been busy dealing with occasional troubles, a particularly troublesome-looking customer had shown up.

"Excuse me, excuse me! You'll cause problems if you don't line up properly!"

Lange scolded the man who had suddenly entered the shop. It seemed that this man had skipped the line and barged in without waiting his turn.

The man, who appeared to be in his 30s or 40s, was small in stature and dressed in an impeccably tailored outfit, the likes of which I had never seen since coming to this world. The fabric was crisp and embroidered with patterns, giving it an expensive appearance. Judging by his look, he probably wasn’t an adventurer.

"Hmph, I am no mere customer! Bring out the person in charge of this store at once!"

"...I am Tetsuya, the owner of this shop. What can I do for you?"

It was hard to see this leading to anything good, but I still had to deal with anyone who came into the shop properly. After all, there was always the off chance that he might be like Rizac, the Adventurer’s Guild Master—someone who looked intimidating but turned out to be reasonable.

"Hmm, Tetsuya, was it? Rejoice! My master, Baron Clemance Rigeem, has taken an interest in this 'outdoor shop' of yours. He has graced you with an exceedingly generous offer to buy this shop’s management rights, along with the manufacturing methods and suppliers for the products sold here—something a mere commoner like you could never hope to see in their lifetime!"

"................"

...There was no chance of this going well. This was trouble, without a doubt.

Judging by his grand outfit, the man seemed to be a messenger for a noble. He mentioned a baron, which, as I’d learned from Lilia, was the lowest rank among nobles.

In the first place, this town of Al-Flare—known as the starting town for adventurers—was a large town, but it was far from being an economic or cultural hub, with low living costs. From what I’d heard, no nobles ranked higher than a baron resided here.

"There is a carriage waiting in front of the shop. You shall hear the details directly from my master. …Though your appearance is shabby, I suppose it cannot be helped. Now, don’t keep my master waiting. Come at once!"

"I refuse!"

"...What did you say?"

I’d already decided what to do the moment someone like this came knocking.

"...Surely I must have misheard. Are you saying you would outright reject such a generous offer from the esteemed Baron Rigeem without even hearing the details?"

"Yes. I’m sorry, but this shop wasn’t opened just for the sake of making money. My life was saved by the adventurers of this town, and I owe a great debt to them for everything they’ve done for me since. I opened this shop to repay that debt.

No matter how much money you offer, I cannot sell this shop. Please convey my apologies to Baron Rigeem for the trouble."

Although this was an offer I had no interest in, I made sure to bow my head and show respect, since it was coming from a noble.

Thrown into another world, nearly killed by monsters, and saved by Roya and the others... Even now, I owe so much to the Adventurer’s Guild and everyone in this town. There’s no amount of money that would make me give up the shop or its products.

If I were only interested in money, I’d have opened a shop in a bigger city like the royal capital, where I could charge much higher prices. Part of the reason I chose this starting town was to avoid dealing with troublesome nobles like this, but I guess they’re everywhere...

"This is not a bad deal for you. You would receive far more money than you imagine, and you’d also gain connections to Baron Rigeem. Do you realize how rare it is for a commoner to even meet a noble?"

"It’s a very generous offer, but I’ve already made up my mind. I’m sorry."

It’s not generous at all, but let’s pretend I didn’t say that. Just trying to be polite here.

"...You will hear the details directly from my master. Come along now."

"No, even if I were to meet Baron Rigeem, my decision wouldn’t change. I would hate to waste his valuable time, so I must respectfully decline."

There’s no way I’m falling for that. Going to a noble’s mansion is asking for trouble—who knows what might happen? They could easily kidnap or torture me. I was prepared to refuse no matter what excuse they gave.

"...I had hoped to avoid resorting to force."

Snap!

The messenger snapped his fingers, and three men clad in full armor entered the shop.

"It seems negotiations have ended, Tetsuya."

"Tetsuya, step back."

Just as the situation seemed to be escalating, Lilia and Dolph stepped forward to protect me.

"I’ll go inform the guards!"

"I’ll let the Adventurer’s Guild know!"

Our regular customers ran out of the shop to get help. But this is bad... A fight with a noble’s men would create a huge problem. Even if Lilia and Dolph could handle them, it would cause complications. Still, it’s not like I can ask them to avoid hurting the attackers.

"...Lilia, Dolph, are you going to be okay?"

"No problem. Their equipment might be good, but judging by their movements, they’re no match for us. Dolph and I can handle them easily."

I didn’t know much about fighting, but if former B-rank adventurer Lilia says so, I have to trust her. I told them that if things got truly dangerous, we’d surrender and buy time instead.

"You lowly shopkeepers are such a bother. Hurry up and subdue them. But remember, don’t kill them!"

Step.

The three armored men stepped forward. Their numbers were greater, but were Lilia and Dolph really okay?

"...Let me make this clear. If you make the first move, we won’t hold back. Come with the resolve to risk your lives, even with that armor."

"Sorry, but I don’t intend to pull any punches! If you’re coming, prepare to die!"

"Ugh..."

Intimidated by the pressure of Lilia and Dolph, the armored men couldn’t move forward. It seemed they were clearly outclassed.

"That’s enough! Lower your weapons, all of you!"

"What?!"

Just as the battle seemed inevitable, Rizac, the Adventurer’s Guild Master, entered with a commanding shout that echoed through the area.

Whew... It seems he made it in time.