Chapter 17 - Glasses-kun Visits Joseph’s Shop

Chapter 17 - Glasses-kun Visits Joseph’s Shop

We returned to the royal capital a little earlier than evening.

The red bear pelts and meat we brought back were hauled to a warehouse the Adventurer’s Guild used for dismantling and exchanging large beasts. Since there were fewer people here than at the guild, I went inside to help unload before leaving.

Exchanging the goods for money would take time, so it was arranged that Laila would bring my share to the inn where I was staying later.

She insisted, “If I wasn’t useful, at least let me do this much.” Apparently, she didn’t want to feel indebted as an adventurer. Honestly, I was fine with letting her handle it, so I left it to her.

After parting ways with Laila at the warehouse, I stopped by the Hunting Guild. They had requested that hunters report whenever they took down big game, so I made the report.

“I see. So you do have the strength to hunt a red bear.”

The receptionist at the small, still-quiet Hunting Guild said it with her usual disinterested tone—

“Nah, it was my adventurer companion who did the work. I just acted as bait.”

I responded immediately. It was true that Laila had put in the effort, and it wasn’t a lie that I played the bait role.

I had also told Laila beforehand, “If anyone asks, let’s stick to that story.” I’m not an adventurer, after all. There’s no benefit in making a name for myself.

Besides—

“Thanks for the report. We’ll buy it as ecological distribution data. Though the reward’s just pocket change.”

After receiving the meager payment, I left the Hunting Guild.

—Besides, that receptionist definitely isn’t ordinary.

When I consciously checked, the number “3” floated above her head.

Even though she was slouching lazily, cheek resting on her palm, completely unguarded—despite that, my Glasses told me I stood no chance against her. Just by the numbers, she was stronger than Lorobel.

I had vaguely sensed something off about her—“Full of openings, yet something’s different.”—but really, who was she? Well, whatever. Whoever she was, I had no intention of getting involved.

I just didn’t want her knowing too much about me. If she decided I was “usable,” I had a feeling she’d drag me into all sorts of trouble.

Ideally, I’d return to Alvat Village without getting too close to her.

…But ever since that thought crossed my mind, I had a bad feeling about it. I just hoped my premonition wouldn’t come true.

The day after the red bear hunt.

Instead of hunting, I spent the morning sightseeing around the capital. There were still plenty of places I hadn’t seen.

Part of it was because I had made a decent sum of money, but more importantly, I wanted to avoid drawing more attention as “the Glasses Hunter.” I hadn’t been trying to stand out before, but now I made sure to avoid anything that would make me more noticeable—hence, no hunting today.

Since I had orders from the castle to prepare twenty Glasses, I couldn’t leave the capital yet. Plus, my sister Holn still hadn’t returned.

Since I was stuck here anyway, I couldn’t afford to make a bad impression.

“Oh? Glasses-kun, you’re back? Josephie is sooo happy~☆”

The bow and ranged weapon specialty shop, “Joseph’s Shop,” was as empty as ever. The heavily made-up old man, Joseph, sat bored, whittling wood to make arrows.

Well, he did light up with exaggerated joy when he saw me.

“I’d like to borrow the training range.”

There weren’t many ways to stay inconspicuous. So, I decided on sightseeing and bow practice.

“Go ahead, shoot all you want~☆ Oh, and you can pierce my heart while you’re at it—not that you haven’t already, teehee~☆”

Muscular middle-aged Joseph—who, upon first meeting, had insisted I call him “Josephine~☆”—was a heavily made-up old man who wriggled flirtatiously whenever he talked to me.

Cities really have all kinds of people, huh?

I had no idea how to respond, so I just ignored it. If I let it bother me, I might never come back.

That said, despite Joseph’s… eccentricities, his merchandise was top-notch.

Especially the shop’s finest bow, which he had shown me—that thing was incredible. Even with my limited knowledge of bows, I could tell at a glance it was no ordinary weapon.

Made of a different material than plain wood, it was a pure white, beautiful bow. Apparently, it was crafted from dragon bone and had some kind of special magical effect.

Price-wise? Probably more than I could earn in a lifetime. He wouldn’t give me exact numbers, but it might have been even more expensive than I imagined.

“Honestly, you’re just too adorable~☆ I could just eat you up~☆ Who’d think you’re that grubby Vector’s student?”

Incidentally, Joseph knew my master through their shared involvement with bows. They didn’t seem particularly close, though.

Still, despite being a heavily made-up weirdo, Joseph’s skill and knowledge of bows were undeniable. I hadn’t mentioned my master—Joseph had recognized the bow’s craftsmanship as his.

Apparently, bows carried unique traits from their makers. Maybe if I handled more bows, I’d learn to see it too.

—Oh, and despite all the wriggling, Joseph’s number was “41.”

Meaning this old man was strong. Normally, my numbers assumed an ambush advantage—so unless my target was in the 90s, I doubted I could even land a surprise attack. And if it failed, I’d definitely lose.

Most ordinary people were in the 90s, so that logic wasn’t wrong.

“Ahn~, don’t worry about money! Really, it’s fine! Just go out to eat with me and I’ll waive the fee—heck, I’ll even give you pocket money! You’re an adult, right? I’ll take you somewhere you can drink~☆”

I firmly refused to owe the heavily made-up Joseph anything and paid the fee before heading to the training range in the back.

For some reason, Joseph followed me. As usual. I wished he’d go back to the shop. And maybe redo his makeup.

The narrow, elongated space had straw targets set up at the far end. It was good for practicing mid-range shots.

Since I had gotten used to firing wooden arrows, today I switched to iron ones.

They were simply heavier, so their trajectory dropped faster. For longer distances, I had to aim slightly higher—something I’d have to learn through practice.

Against animals, wooden arrows might suffice, but monsters wouldn’t take proper damage unless I used iron ones. As a hunter, I wanted to reliably hit mid-range targets.

“Kids these days don’t use bows much. Makes the shop so lonely~”

I had a feeling the shop’s emptiness had more to do with the owner’s heavy makeup than bow popularity, but—

Ignoring Joseph’s grumbling, I kept training. Same as always.