Spice and Wolf: MERCHANT MEETS THE WISE WOLF

What is it?

Can you hurry up and put that under the blanket?

Don't treat my tail like a body warmer!

But your tail is so magnificent, that just having it under the blanket

makes it as warm as being under a mountain of thick fur pelts.

Oh, here's a thank you gift.

Up until now, dressing you up like a nun helped us avoid unwanted trouble.

But things will be different in Kumersun,

since the town is made up of both members of the church and pagans.

That is a sign that indicates that you

are a member of the church but don't intend to preach.

You have to put it somewhere visible.

What? Did you think I was going to give you a real gift?

Don't underestimate my ears!

I was just expecting something more surprising.

So, are we going to get to town anytime soon?

Almost.

I finally get to eat a warm meal, huh?

I don't want to eat cold porridge in this chilly weather anymore.

Yeah, look forward to that.

Kumersun is holding a fair right now

and a big festival is coming up too.

A festival?

It's called the Laddra Festival.

Crowds of people come for the festival each year.

There will be lots of food too.

Oh, but...

Is it okay, financially, to be buying such unnecessary things?

We can afford to buy you food.

There's nothing to worry about.

After all,

I wasn't able to buy you honey-pickled peaches in Ruvinheigen.

So let me make up for it.

If you say so...

-But you know... -What?

If I spend money on food,

won't our inn be downgraded as a result?

I'm planning on staying at a decent place.

You're not going to ask for a room with a personal fireplace or anything, right?

I'm not asking for that much.

I just don't want you to use my food money as an excuse.

An excuse for what?

I don't want you to book a room

with only one bed because we "don't have money."

I want to relax and sleep alone, once in a while.

What a joke! You're always snoring without a care in the world!

Excuse me?

Plus, you are not my type.

You can tell that I'm not lying, can't you?

In other words...

You like it better when I'm like this, right?

What a fool.

The dumber the male is, the more they're attracted to the helpless type.

They don't realize that their brains are the most helpless.

If you want me to play the role of a helpless princess,

you'd better be a powerful knight.

But look at reality...

But then again, I guess you did act as my knight once...

What?

Did you forget?

In the underground aqueduct, when we got involved in that silver coin ordeal.

That time, huh?

Being a strong fighter isn't the only way to be a knight.

I must say, that was the first time I was

protected by someone else.

Keep on treating me well, okay?

I'm sorry for saying that you're not my type.

I...

like that about you.

Well, I wouldn't mind if our room only has one bed,

if I can eat two plates of food instead.

All right, all right.

ORIGINAL STORY BY ISUNA HASEKURA

So, what kind of food is this area known for?

Fish, I guess.

Fish dishes, huh?

I can't really wrap my mind around it.

You can steam it with vegetables and other meat,

you can cook it with herbs, and so on.

Also, there are ingredients that are specific to the town we're heading to.

Interesting!

I'll leave that as a surprise for when we get there.

In that case, if we find a good one in one of those wagons,

why don't we buy it and have it for dinner?

The wind has been carrying that scent over here.

I bet they're transporting fish.

These fish?

Yes, I was wondering if you could spare me a few.

I'm sorry.

We already have buyers for all of our fish.

Excuse me, but are you a traveling merchant?

Yes, I just came from Ruvinheigen.

In that case, you can negotiate with the fishermen by the lake

that's about half a day's trip from here, and they'll probably sell you some.

We've been catching a lot of high-quality carp these days.

Oh, I'm not trying to purchase large quantities.

I just wanted to get a few for tonight's dinner.

I see.

You're a hardworking businessman.

I can tell you're thinking of how to make a profit.

Oh, pardon me.

If you are looking for fish to eat for dinner,

does that mean you're staying at Kumersun tonight?

Yes, to check out the winter fair and festival.

Have you booked a place to stay?

No.

The festival hasn't started yet, right?

Are the inns already fully booked?

Yes.

Every year, they become full a few days before the Laddra Festival.

In that case, I'll ask the trading firm.

Oh, you're a member of a guild? May I ask which one you'll visit?

The Rowen Trade Guild's Kumersun trading firm.

What a coincidence!

I am also a member of Rowen.

This must be God's will...

Oops, I shouldn't say that around here, huh?

Don't worry.

I'm from the south and a member of the church too.

I'm Fermi Amati.

I go by Amati when doing business.

I'm Kraft Lawrence. People just call me Lawrence.

This is Holo.

Due to circumstances, we're traveling together, but we're not married.

Nice to meet you.

N... Nice to meet you.

Is Ms. Holo...

Yes, she's a traveling nun.

Then I guess you can view these minor difficulties you face

on your journey as tests of faith.

The thing is, booking two rooms will be difficult,

but I'm sure I can get a hold of one room at my client's inn.

Oh no, you don't have to do that...

Of course, I am a merchant too,

so I'm thinking about business.

I want you to eat plenty of delicious fish at the inn.

You're a smart businessman, after all.

Can I take you up on that offer then?

Leave it to me.

This is a great room! I like it!

I bet we'll have a good view of the festival.

All right, first things first. Let's eat!

What's that?

A letter from a fellow merchant.

It was delivered to the trading firm we just stopped by.

What does it say?

Look.

Important information

often times comes around when you don't need it anymore.

Isn't it hilarious?

I can't read.

Oh, really?

There are too many letters to memorize!

Plus, there are too many combinations that don't make any sense!

Well, I remember struggling with it too.

So, what does it say?

"The great northern expedition was canceled this year,

so be careful when dealing with armaments," it says.

Reading and not reading a letter can either send you to heaven or hell.

Tell me about it.

Information that can fit in one letter can really change your fate.

Well, forget about that useless letter.

Let's eat already!

Okay, okay.

Thank you for such a wonderful room.

Y... You're welcome.

Since it's an inn you recommended,

we can't wait to try the food here.

Yes! I can vouch for it!

It's thanks to me! You'd better be thankful!

If Amati sees this, he might cry and call you a fraud.

Their alcohol is great. It reminds me of my homeland.

The fish is delicious too.

That youngster is quite the connoisseur.

And at such a young age too.

The amount he was transporting was impressive too.

Compared to that,

look at the cargo you have in your wagon.

Can't you sell something that's more exciting?

Or did your failure in Ruvinheigen make you hesitant?