Episode 61: The Unruly Customer

“I’ll go check it out. You two stay inside. Lilia, keep an eye on things from the entrance!”

“Yes, sir!”

“Understood. If anything happens, I’ll be right there!”

“Thanks!”

I left the store in their care and stepped outside. About ten customers were still waiting in line, and near the entrance, two men were arguing loudly.

One of them was a young man with gear that marked him as a rookie adventurer, not particularly impressive. The other was a bearded man in his 30s, sporting better-quality, well-worn equipment.

“I’m the store owner. What seems to be the issue?”

The two were glaring at each other, looking like they might start throwing punches any second. It was terrifying to step in, but as the person in charge, I couldn’t just ignore it. I hoped Lilia would back me up if things escalated.

“This guy cut in line! Everyone saw it!”

“Yeah, that’s right!”

“No cutting!”

The bearded man had apparently jumped the line. Yesterday, two adventurers had a minor dispute about who had been waiting first, so this wasn’t entirely unexpected.

“I’m sorry, but could you please line up like everyone else?”

“I’ve got a wagon to catch soon. I came all the way here from the neighboring town. I’m a C-rank adventurer, you know. I heard this store is all the rage, so I made a detour to check it out. Can’t you let me in first?”

“...”

He had a reason for wanting to jump the line, but allowing it wasn’t an option. All customers needed to be treated equally.

“I really appreciate you going out of your way to visit us, but I must ask that you wait your turn in line like everyone else.”

“Tch, can’t you make an exception?”

“I’m truly sorry, but I can’t. If you’re looking for the compass, it’s also sold at the Adventurers’ Guild shop in this town. Perhaps that would be quicker than waiting here.”

“Ha? What a stubborn fool. Listen, I’m a C-rank adventurer with way more money than these newbie customers. My kind of patron would give this shop some prestige!”

You’re the one being unreasonable! Sure, C-rank adventurers are rare in this town, and maybe you’re wealthier than others, but that doesn’t give you special privileges. Also, weren’t you a rookie once, too?

“We don’t prioritize customers based on rank or wealth. Please move to the back of the line.”

“What did you just say?!”

The bearded man started stepping toward me. He was taller and more imposing than me, and it was honestly terrifying.

“Yeah, that’s right!”

“Get in line already!”

The other customers voiced their support, which was reassuring, but it probably wasn’t helping calm him down.

“That’s enough out of you.”

“Lilia!”

“If you cause any more trouble, I’ll have to ask you to leave!”

Lilia stepped between me and the bearded man. I felt a bit pathetic relying on her like this, but she was incredibly dependable.

“And who the hell are you? Hah, you’re just some one-armed freak of a woman!”

“...”

The man didn’t seem to recognize Lilia as a former B-rank adventurer. And that insult—it made my blood boil. I wanted to teach him a lesson right then and there!

“We will not tolerate disrespect toward our customers or staff. We will not serve you. Leave immediately!”

“What did you say?! You’re just a bunch of nobodies!”

Whoa, he’s actually taking a swing at me?!

“Ugh?! What the?!”

“You’re all bluster.”

The bearded man tried to punch me, but Lilia caught his fist effortlessly with her right hand. Despite his larger frame and muscular build, she stopped him cold with one slender arm.

“Argh! Let go, damn it!”

She twisted his arm and pinned him to the ground with ease. Where does she even hide that strength in her lean frame?

“Tetsuya, can you go fetch the guards?”

“Y-yeah! I’m on it!”

“Argh! Let me go!”

While Lilia restrained the man, I dashed off to the guard post. Thankfully, I already knew where it was for situations like this.

The bearded man was taken away by the guards I brought back. Thanks to Lilia, neither I nor any of the customers got hurt, and the situation was resolved safely.

The man claimed to have come from another town, but there’s a chance he was sent by a rival shop to cause trouble. We’ll need to stay on high alert.

The guards said he would be charged with attempted assault and possibly demoted as an adventurer. Lilia mentioned he might face other penalties, but honestly, I wouldn’t mind if they threw the book at him.

After that, there were no more major incidents, and we successfully wrapped up our second day of business.