A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation (穏やか貴族の休暇のすすめ。)

Episode 5

"Equals"

He won't be up for two more hours.

The breakfast here is good, too.

Good morning.

Would you like a flier?

An auction?

Yes, at the event hall nearby.

That sounds interesting.

You're welcome to simply watch.

If you have time, please stop by.

Look, Gil.

They have books.

You've read most books, haven't you?

They could be valuable books.

If they're labyrinth goods, they're unique.

So books can be labyrinth goods.

Do you have any, Gil?

I already sold it.

A Collection of Rare Plays by Adventurers.

Rare plays?

So, do you want to go?

I was actually thinking of visiting bookstores today.

So you'd be poring over books either way.

It starts at three, huh?

If I rush through the bookstores, I should be able to make it.

You'll probably get stuck somewhere.

I'll do my best not to.

Gil, let's go to the auction together.

Then I'll meet you there when it starts.

Very good.

Are you going to buy that, mister?

I read a study by this author before.

I remember it because it was so difficult to read.

You can say that again.

What else?

Also, do you have any recommendations?

Huh? Sure.

You've got two of this author's books.

Do you like them?

Ah, yes. The studies on magic items.

I like the diagrams.

In that case...

Here.

Read this.

This looks similar to the other ones.

Interesting, right?

It directly challenges those books you like.

I see.

Hey, no reading until you buy it.

Oh, I'm sorry.

This is a good book.

It's both fascinating to compare or read on its own.

You need a bit of knowledge to read it,

but I'm sure you'll be fine.

Then I'll take this as well, please.

Sure, but can you carry all that?

I have spatial magic.

Yeah? You sound like an adventurer.

Because I am an adventurer.

That's a funny joke.

I'll throw this one in for free.

Also, I hate to ask, but are there any bookstores you recommend?

Why would you even ask that?

Well, I can see that you really like books.

Take the next left.

Now, where is Gil?

Do you have any plans after this?

I'm not surprised.

Hurry Up

My companion's here.

Sorry to keep you waiting.

Oh, that's a shame.

It doesn't look like we can join you.

If we see each other tonight, let's spend some time together.

You were watching for a while, weren't you?

You noticed?

Hey.

It's a good thing they were so considerate.

Because I'm on the clock escorting a noble?

Did I interrupt something?

Idiot. Let's go inside.

Thank you for coming.

Take this number 37 paddle.

Thank you.

Enjoy.

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for waiting.

The 23rd Great Marcade Auction will now begin.

Here's our first item.

A low-level healing potion from the labyrinth, starting at two silver coins.

Four silver coins.

I have four silver coins from 44.

Five silvers, ten coppers.

I have five silvers and ten coppers from seven.

How does being from a labyrinth make it different?

It doesn't hurt when you use it.

I see. The standard ones are incredibly painful.

Enough to make a grown man roll around in pain from just a scratch.

Nine silvers, nine silvers.

If there are no other bids, 44 has won the bid with nine silvers.

Next, we have a painting collected by everyone from nobles to common folk.

Let the bidding start at one gold coin.

I have one gold coin from four.

Why are you laughing?

That's Ein and his friends.

Oh, right.

They're going the wrong way.

Did they not decipher the code?

They really did check everything.

It's probably faster for them that way.

63 wins the bid.

They're doing their best.

Next, we have a unique item.

A genuine strategy guide from a labyrinth treasure chest.

A strategy guide?

A guide to defeating the labyrinth where the book was found.

It's exactly what it sounds like.

It has maps of every floor, describes the monsters on each,

and the ecology and harvestable materials.

That's incredible.

Let the bidding start at one gold coin.

I have one gold from sixteen.

One gold coin, one gold coin.

Two gold coins.

I have two gold from 48.

But the people who want it don't seem like adventurers.

You get it, don't you? They're collectors.

Besides, adventurers don't need them.

They only appear on deeper floors.

Getting beaten up reaching the deepest floors

and finding that in a treasure chest just before the finish line

is way too late.

They describe the monsters that appear,

but just reading a book won't make you beat them.

So only the maps are useful.

But they sell maps at the guild, don't they?

Then what are the books good for?

They can be sold for a lot.

I have six gold from 51.

Eight gold.

I have eight gold from sixteen.

Ten gold, then.

I have ten gold from 37.

Why would you buy that?

Aren't you curious to read a strategy guide?

Ten gold coins, ten gold coins.

Twelve.

I have twelve gold from sixteen.

Fifteen.

I have fifteen gold from 37.

Sixteen.

Twenty.

Twenty gold coins, twenty gold coins.

If there are no other bids, 37 has won the bid with twenty gold.

Gil, do you want anything?

A powerful opponent I'd struggle to beat.

I'm not sure we can buy that at an auction.

That's all I have to report.

What am I supposed to learn from that report except that he likes books?

I-I don't know.

Surely you don't believe he's actually here to sightsee.

Your lordship, should I continue watching him tomorrow?

No. Return to your normal duties.

Yes, sir.

They stick out.

If anything happens, I'll hear about it right away.

Nicely done.

If they're going to pick fights, they should get stronger first.

He must've wanted to test his skill against the strongest adventurer.

It's a pain in my neck.

Gil, who do you actually struggle against?