230: Market principles can't be overturned, you know

We left the forest behind and approached the volcanic region, and the flatlands ahead grew increasingly barren. As we advanced through the wasteland, a caravan came into view—bigger than I'd imagined.

Dozens of cargo wagons formed a line, and the air around the group felt familiar.

Jitarou made a makeshift awning with his palm, peering closely.

"Wait... those horses—aren't they from Goldendoon?"

Persia narrowed her eyes, staring hard at the caravan’s horses.

"Those muscle patterns—no mistake."

Was she declaring it with Beastrider ability? Or just guessing?

Persia, always thinking with her gut...

Leifan gave them a faintly exasperated smile at their horse-based deductions.

"Even before that—just look at the caravan banner. That's Akindoo Trading Company."

Well, I’ll be. Guess it’s true what they say—yep, that really was an Akindoo Trading Company caravan.

“Travelin’ all the way out here to do business, huh?”

Chiyome tilts her head slightly.

“What’re they haulin’, I wonder?”

Nobuna squints at the caravan, then shrugs.

“Can’t tell. Covered up with cloth.”

We’re still too far to see anything, so what’s the point?

“Wasting time talkin’ about it. Let’s just ask ‘em.”

Honestly, I don’t even care what’s in the crates. But curiosity’s got me. If it’s Akindoo, they’ll tell us.

As we approach, one of the adventurers guarding the caravan spots us and calls out.

“Hey!? Leifan! Craft!?!”

I don’t remember the face, but there’s something faintly familiar about it.

Lyuco whispered, “The one hurrying over here is Lady Azifira. The one waving from behind is Lord Raktaan.”

Remembering you well...

“What the hell are you guys doing out here in the frontier?”

“Ah, well, you know how it is. The whole ‘confidentiality’ thing.”

I tensed up for a second—hadn’t we just left Goldendown as an open secret?—but then remembered these two had been traveling with the caravan the whole time. They didn’t know Kyle. So I decided not to say anything more.

Unaware of the tiny shift in my expression, Azifira asked cheerfully,

“Got it. Came here to stock up on volcanic ash, preparing for the empire’s invasion, right?”

These two hadn’t left until after the invasion was confirmed.

“Volcanic ash?”

"Yeah. Most of this cargo wagon’s just volcanic ash."

"Ah. So it’s been hauled all the way from up north. No wonder the transport cost’s through the roof."

"Most of the cost’s in transport and labor, apparently. Don’t know the numbers, but… if Craft and the others are here, that means the Empire hasn’t reached Goldendown yet, right?"

I should tell them the war’s over. Word’ll spread to the whole caravan.

"No, no— it’s already settled. We pushed them back."

"Whoa! That’s incredible! I was thinking of joining the militia, but Akindoo talked me out of it. Said transport’s just as important."

"Of course. Don’t mind me. Go back to guarding the convoy."

I can’t thank them enough for wanting to help Goldendown."

We’ll do that… ah, right. If you follow the wagon ruts, there’s a village. There’s an inn too—why not stop by?

"Would be a big help."

We waved at each other and went our separate ways.

◆

So that’s how it got turned into a road—tons of wagons passing this way over and over.

As we walked along the road, the horizon came into view. Jitarou pointed at a mountain that stood especially high.

"Pretty far off, but you can see a mountain spewing smoke! Damn impressive, huh?"

Leifan’s eyes lit up too. Guess he’s got that half-nomad thing going—naturally drawn to the wild.

"Always pictured volcanoes going *boom*, lava shooting up like a geyser. Just a little white smoke poking out here and there?"

Jabir, listening in, let out a quiet sigh.

"You're just not studying enough. Volcanoes in stories are usually apocalyptic, but in reality, they're just small eruptions going on for ages. If they blew up this often, this whole area'd be a dead zone by now."

I glance around.

"Plants are pretty scarce, from what I can see."

"Even small eruptions cause damage. That's what volcanoes do."

Small eruptions this bad? My spine goes cold.

"More terrifying than a horde of monsters. No way to deal with it."

"Indeed. Nature's always the toughest opponent."

"Got it. I’ll remember that."

◆

Before the sun set, we reached the village.

Surrounded by walls of alchemically hardened rock, taller than a man, with watchtowers standing guard. Smaller than I expected, but still impressive.

The gate looked like it was meant for the village entrance, and there a young woman was waiting for us. Probably saw us coming from the lookout tower.

Smiling wide, trying to show we meant no harm. Key thing? Smile!

"Hi! We're harmless travelers!"

The petite woman—barely more than a girl—twisted her face into a grimace.

"Ugh! That suspicious smile! That suspicious vibe!"

Beside me, Eva groaned, rubbing her head.

"I should've been the one to do this..."

Jitarou gave a surprisingly cheerful grin and pointed at me.

"Smile's stiff! Real stiff!"

"Shut up."

The girl tilted her head, watching our exchange.

"Uh... um... are you performers?"

"No!"

We ended up wanting to talk, so she led us to an inn. We settled in the ground-floor tavern, eating while swapping stories.

The girl, chewing on meat, introduced herself.

I’m Elin. No last name. Been helping the village chief lately.

I’m Craft. Craft Walker. Basically the group’s rep.

We were gonna have Professor Javir lead us at first, but he backed out—said he looked too young for the job.

No big deal. I told the others to shut up, and they all shoved it on me.

Still don’t get it.

“Kinda mismatched bunch, huh? Noble lady with a maid and all.”

Maina’s a noble… you can tell from the look? Only one in a dress.

Can’t exactly say we’re hunting for a revival potion and searching hidden villages, so I’m just faking it.

“Uh, just think of me as the lady’s guard and part of the investigation crew.”

“Guard I get. But investigation?”

“Ah… yeah. Looking for villages that haven’t been found yet, or places with no contact, or even half-breeds.”

“Huh. Weird request. Glad it’s not some kind of trouble in this village.”

“Glad you get it.”

We all just chatted while eating.

Lyuco, no need for serving at the inn’s meal. You sit and eat too.

Maina, eat alone. Here, wipe your mouth. What? You want me to wipe it on your lap? Fine, go ahead.

Persia, why suddenly so hostile?

Evie, don’t give me that icy stare, okay?

Master Javir, I know the food’s not to your taste, but don’t make a face about it.

Jitarou, no quick flirting! And for the record, I’m the one talking to Elrin! Going for a walk outside? You’ll be late coming back. Don’t cause trouble for the village.

Nobuna, don’t go challenging some random guy around here, okay?

I kept up a casual back-and-forth with the crew while gathering intel from the village girl acting as deputy headman.

During idle chat, Elrin let slip something.

"Huh... I wanna expand the fields now that we’ve got more hands, but we’re stuck. Can’t build the wall."

"Uh? Don’t you have the materials?"

In Goldendown, volcanic ash was the hardest thing to get. But if it’s unlimited, you’d think materials wouldn’t be an issue.

Didn’t I see limestone piled up in the village corner?

"Materials are ready. Just not the alchemical reagent."

Weird. I heard Van say alchemical hardening rock reagents were spreading nationwide.

That guy running things, is he just winging it?

I frowned, then asked the teacher.

"Teacher. Alchemical reagents for hardening rock—they’re being made across the regions, right?"

"Improved alchemical recipes have been disseminated. That’s what it should be."

Elin raises one eyebrow at my conversation with the teacher.

“Don’t really get what you’re saying, but the capital and the satellite nobles snap up almost all of it. Hardly ever makes it out to places like this. Comes around a little, sure—but way above market price. …Can’t complain, really. That’s why some merchants still bring it here, even at the high price.”

Seems like the territories around the capital are hoarding it all.

I guess prices go up when demand’s high. But damn it, Van said he was gonna protect people from monsters, didn’t he?

“Guess that’s how it is. Van’s been all ‘gotta strengthen the provinces,’ but he’s not doing squat.”

I mutter that out loud before I can stop myself. The teacher jumps in, flustered.

“Gehun gehun! You shouldn’t be tossing that name around so freely. And stop criticizing too. That fellow’s doing just fine. Honestly, it’s impressive the alchemicals even reach this far out here.”

I was still mulling that over when Erinn let out a quiet sigh.

“Don’t know what you’re talking about, but that’s some impressive alchemy. Hard to get, so what can you do? Still, they’re selling raw materials at a fair price. Isn’t it only fair to expect a little more leniency? Seems reasonable, doesn’t it?”

Yeah, sure you’d think that!

“Alchemicals for such a hardworking Erinn!”

I yanked out a whole barrel of alchemical hardening rock from my spatial storage.

“H-Hey! Craft!?”

“Stupid apprentice…”

“Huh… well, I did it.”

“Just like the master.”

Maina and Ryuuko were the only ones smiling, the rest of the crew rubbing their heads in disbelief.

Erin stared at the label stuck to the barrel, eyes wide.

“Wait… alchemy elixir? You’re kidding, right? It’s not like we’re getting one of those just lying around.”

I glanced back at the others, watching Erin’s shock.

“Uh… did I just mess up?”

Leifan gave me a look I couldn’t read.

“It’s not wrong… but those merchants who’ve been hauling alchemy elixirs this far? They’re gonna lose big.”

Master Javir looked utterly baffled.

“There’s balance in circulation. But if this place is a hub for volcanic ash, then maybe it makes sense.”

Erin, who hadn’t heard a word of our exchange, suddenly stood up.

“Wait—let me check this!”

She called someone over, then vanished with the barrel in tow.

A little while later, she flew back.

“H-hold on—this is real! Real alchemical hardening stone elixir! I’m buying it! All of it! You’re not getting out of this, not even if you try!?!”

Yeah, that’s exactly how it goes.

Subaru scam alert ＼(^o^)／

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