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

Episode 9

"Judge's Problem"

Oh, he's closed.

Even he goes out sometimes.

Mr. Lizel!

I'm so sorry. I'll open the shop right away.

It's all right. We just arrived.

Could you appraise something for me?

Yes, come in.

Judge?

Y-Yes?

Did something happen?

Well, um...

It's nothing.

Um, thank you.

I'll be back.

It wasn't those bandits.

I can't. I'm leaving.

He wouldn't pull something after being terrified that badly.

He did cry until his eyelids were puffy.

Are you going to help?

For now, I'll wait and see.

He didn't complain, so he probably doesn't want to be cheered up.

Something must've happened to his shop.

That's not something we can butt into.

Is that right?

That's what it means to be a professional.

Welcome back.

I wasn't expecting you to come today after yesterday's events.

Really? Nice.

Has your wrist healed already?

It's totally fine. I've got healing potions.

Mr. Lizel, you're not being bothered by nasty men again, are you?

You're not far from the mark.

Hey, wait!

See? You shouldn't lie about knowing Mr. Lizel.

Gil, do you mind if I take a shower first?

Go ahead.

You're leaving me here?

Wait, seriously? Let me join your party...

He's actually leaving!

Come on, don't squat there.

Your hair's brushing the floor.

You think he hates me?

Mr. Lizel wouldn't bother hating someone who doesn't matter.

I don't matter?!

Okay, I'm staying here, too. Got any rooms?

We're full.

Can't you do something about that?

No!

So you're finally willing to talk to me.

The innkeeper seemed put out.

Anyway, you had something to discuss, didn't you?

I came to ask to join your party. Is the answer still no?

Yes.

He's not responding like before, so...

I promise I won't hurt you again.

It's all right. I don't think you will.

Then what am I supposed to do?

I'd like to see you sell yourself in a way only you can.

Okay, then a bribe.

The item shop you're friendly with fought with the merchant's guild today.

That's a good bribe. One that doesn't leave evidence.

Right?

But how did you learn that?

I'd been investigating you recently, so as part of that.

Oh, I see. Gil seemed annoyed about someone watching us.

Seriously? I actually used decent guys this time.

You're not mad?

Were you watching me, too?

You couldn't tell?

Not at all.

It's not as though you did anything to me. I'm not mad.

That's good.

So, about Judge...

Oh, right.

A few of his labyrinth items were stolen by an employee he hired.

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Merchant's Guild

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Merchant

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I'd like to leave my shop for a while, but I have no one to watch the store…

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Submit Request

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Dispatch Staff

At a registered merchant's request,

the guild dispatches staff, like shopkeepers.

The employee was a high-ranking staff member dispatched by the guild,

so the fight got really nasty.

I see. The staff denied they stole anything.

Not wanting to admit their mistake, the guild believed their staff

and is treating Judge like a liar.

Exactly.

The guild's higher-ups would know that Judge is Mr. Insigh's grandson.

Perhaps he's dealing with lower-level members.

It's not my place to talk to the merchant's guild, so what should I do?

Pretty useful, right?

Aren't you a bandit leader?

I'd like to avoid having you join my party.

Then I'll quit being a bandit.

A bandit gang without a leader would sow chaos.

Oh. Should I kill them all, then?

It would be disastrous if you failed.

Poisoning them might work.

As a snake beastman, you'd be the prime suspect.

If a bandit gang as large as yours were wiped out, it'd be big news.

Are you actually worried about me?

Of course.

By the way, you can poison people?

Huh? Yeah, it's easy.

You secrete poison from glands inside your mouth, was it?

I'd rather not say, but...

Open your mouth.

If you want to know that badly, go ahead.

In exchange, let me join your party.

The glands are behind your fangs, so...

A slit at the base.

Is this the gland?

'eah.

Could you secrete something now?

What are you doing?!

I was curious what kind of poison it was.

My mouth and fingertip feel a bit numb.

Well, yeah! It's an anesthetic poison!

Aw, man.

Drink this.

Why do potions have to taste like they make everything worse?

I don't believe you.

What if it killed you instantly?

I'm fine now.

Seriously?

Were you worried about me?

I mean—

Didn't you promise to never hurt me again?

Did he actually believe that?

Hey, Blade! Hey!

Stop knocking. It's loud.

What did you teach that guy?

Nobody tastes something they know is poison.

Don't yell at me to hide your embarrassment.

What? I'm not embarrassed.

Don't close the door!

Let's talk about what you're teaching him!

Hey, open up! Open this door! Open the door!

I might get in trouble with Gil later.

All the stolen items are labyrinth goods,

all worth around one gold.

Where'd you learn that?

Total coincidence.

I was looking for something juicy to bring you and happened to stumble upon it.

How kind of you.

I've always been this way.

Anyway, do you want to spar sometime?

If you can last five minutes.

Five minutes, huh?

Judge's shop handles more valuable goods, doesn't it?

Perhaps they avoided those because it would've been too obvious.

They'd also get caught when they tried to sell them.

I'm having my gang search the black market,

and I haven't heard about any labyrinth goods on the market.

I doubt they'll show up there.

I thought you were staying out of this.

I haven't done anything yet, so I'm still okay.

Apparently he goes to the guild every day to complain.

He's got more guts than I expected.

Perhaps I'll take a job tomorrow.

What?

I'm going with you!

You're taking that one?

What do you think?

Might be tough for you.

Acquire white golem cores?

Aren't golems resistant to magic?

That'd be dangerous for you.

But I've never seen a golem before.

Suit yourself.

Then I'll get this taken care of.

Don't you think you're too soft on him?