Yari no Yuusha no Yarinaoshi (LN) - Volume 2 - Chapter 18

Chapter Eighteen: A Peddling Permit 

“So thanks to Keel and Kou, I was able to figure out recipes for mixing most of the medicines. I’ll eventually have to make them myself, but that part is fun for me.” 
Father was chatting casually about what he had been up to for the last few days. 
“In that case, Father, could you tell me where you stayed the first night of the adventure? I can’t remember.” 
“Huh? Why?” Father looked uncomfortable. 
“Just as a precaution,” I said. 
Father nodded, guessing my intentions. Yes, it was essential information for me to know in case the time loop were to reset, I say. I had absolutely no idea how I would use it, but it’d be useful to know regardless. 
“Well, I have some errands to take care of. Want to come along?” Father asked. 
“Sounds good,” I said. “Okay, Sakura. Switch places with Kou. You’re going to protect Father from now on. Do your best!” 
“Gweh!” Sakura went over to Father and nuzzled him. 
“Ah, that tickles, Sakura!” 
“Gwaa!” 
Sakura was delighted to be reunited with Father! The mood had considerably lightened. We set off through the town and passed by an inn. 
“That one—and the room is that one, right there.” Father pointed and I made sure to remember exactly where he had stayed. 
If the time loop were to reset again, this small piece of information could make a world of difference. 
“You’re the shield hero, right?” 
“That’s me . . .” 
On our way to the next meeting place, a demi-human called out to Father. 
“What do you want?” Father asked. 
“I have something I must ask of you,” the demi-human said. “Please, will you come to our nation of Shieldfreeden?” 
Oho? Another invitation for Father? 
I remembered a group that seemed like they might’ve been from Shieldfreeden from the first go-around, so I suppose it was them soliciting Father to come there. I stayed quiet while Father paused and muttered to himself, as if carefully considering it. 
“Sorry, but I think I have to pass,” Father told the demi-human. 
Fortunately, I had already told Father all about the events from previous go-arounds! In Shieldfreeden, there was Takt and all of his followers, like the aotatsu girl, I say. Heading there was like jumping right into the fire. There was no need to make our lives more difficult than they already were. 
“You don’t need to decide right away,” the demi-human said. “Why don’t you accompany me for just a little? We’ve prepared something very nice for you, Shield Hero.” 
“Hmmm . . .” Father glanced at me. “Thanks, but no thanks. I’m pretty busy right now.” 
“How dare you! I must say, please, come along! If you’re worried about the demi-human girl at your side, we can take care of her too!” 
“Talk about pushy.” Father wrinkled his brow and glared at the demi-human. I wonder if Father had reacted harshly to this incident the first time around as well, right after he had been so cruelly betrayed. “Look, I do things the way I want to, so leave me alone. As the shield hero, I’m asking you to leave me alone.” 
The demi-human looked shocked and clicked his tongue. “Tsk! You’ll regret this, Shield Hero!” The demi-human ran off. 
I supposed Takt had put his followers up to this. I swore to finish them off sooner rather than later—Takt and every last one of his followers, I say! 
“That was uncomfortable,” Father said. “The Siltvelt emissary was much more polite than that. He was a little pushy too though.” 
“Pushy?” 
“I said I had things to do and I wasn’t going to his country. But he wouldn’t give up. It wasn’t easy talking to him.” 
“So now we’re going to go talk to him again?” 
“Yep. I thought it would be better if you were there, and he finally left me alone when I told him we could talk tomorrow.” 
And if he didn’t leave Father alone, he could simply say it was by order of the shield hero. It was very much like Father to have trouble turning down someone’s request for help. 
“Oink oink oink oink oink?” 
“Oh, my bad. Did you want to go?” 
“Oink.” 

Father and Keel were discussing some matter or another, but I hadn’t the slightest clue what they were saying. Keel appeared to be shaking her head. Regardless of what they were talking about, it was a bad idea to go to Shieldfreeden. 
“All right,” Father said. “I guess it’s time to go talk to the Siltvelt emissary.” 
Under Father’s direction, we went to meet the emissary. We turned into a back alley and entered a pub full of demi-human adventurers. I didn’t know that there were places like this in Melromarc. It wasn’t the liveliest meeting spot, but Father appeared to have made plans to meet the emissary here. Yuki and the filolials stood watch outside. 
Father pointed out the emissary to me and we went over to him. 
“Shield Hero, have you had time to think about what I told you yesterday?” 
“Yeah, about that . . . Well, let’s introduce ourselves first. This is Motoyasu Kitamura, summoned here as the spear hero.” 
“It is I, the Love Hunter, Motoyasu Kitamura!” I announced. 
“He’s a little weird, but we can trust him,” Father said. 
I am the Love Hunter, and my mission shall last for all eternity, I say! 
I wasn’t exactly sure why Father called me weird though. Was there something strange about the way I had been acting? 
“I’ve heard about you,” the emissary said. “We truly thank you for protecting the shield hero.” 
“I only did what was right,” I declared. 
No matter how many times the loop reset, I would never be forgiven for my sins from the first go-around, back before I knew the truth. I had to ensure that Father would never again be hurt by the evil schemes of the crimson swine. No matter how many times the time loop reset, I would continue to protect Father with all of my mind, body, heart, and soul! 
“So getting back to the main topic,” Father said. “Unfortunately, I don’t think I’m able to go to Siltvelt.” 
“Why not, if I may ask?” 
“The way they treat demi-humans in this country makes me sick, it really does. I want to do something about it. But we can’t just launch an attack. At the moment, I don’t intend to go to Siltvelt,” Father explained. 
The emissary’s shoulders drooped in disappointment. I supposed his job was to get Father to come to Siltvelt, after all. But it’s not like he was dispatched on the hardest mission in the world, so at least Father did the favor of telling him straight. 
“What do you want to achieve in Melromarc?” the emissary asked. 
“Since they’re keeping a close eye on me, I don’t have much choice but to hide, get stronger, and make money by peddling.” 
“I see . . .” The emissary trailed off. “But do you have a peddling permit?” 
“A peddling permit?” 
Father glanced at me and I shook my head. I had absolutely no idea. All I knew was that Father earned plenty of money and trust from his peddling in the first go-around. Had he also gotten a permit? 
“Peddlers without permits have to pay a large commission to the town,” the emissary explained. 
“Really?” Father said. 
It seemed like we had a problem on our hands. Since Father had done it in the first go-around, I had assumed peddling would be no problem. We would have no choice but to lose part of the profits, then. 
“I understand what you want to do, Shield Hero,” the emissary said. “At the very least, I’ll reach out to Siltvelt. We can make contact with aristocrats amenable to our cause and try to get you a peddling permit.” 
Father and I were both taken aback by the emissary’s goodwill. 
“Th-thank you!” Father exclaimed. “I don’t know what to say. I still won’t be able to come to Siltvelt in the near future, but thank you.” 
“I understand your intentions,” the emissary said. “After the wave, Melromarc will begin to do horrible things. Knowing that you plan to dispense God’s punishment to this wicked land inspires us to do everything in our power to help you.” 
“I’m glad that you at least understand where I’m coming from,” Father replied. 
Peddling sure seemed like it was going to be a pain. I hadn’t heard anything about a peddling permit. I supposed Father was the type to let his actions speak louder than words. Father must not have felt like he needed to explain unnecessary details to me. 
“Also, if you’re able to hide the fact that the shield hero came to Siltvelt . . . well, in that case, I may actually be able to visit,” he added. 
“Truly!?” 
“Where to begin . . .” Father explained the portal skill to the emissary. 
“I’ve been training over in Siltvelt!” I declared. “Would you like to go in secret, Father?” 
“Maybe, especially if it could help everyone class up faster. I’m thinking about it.” 
The emissary nodded. “Understood. If you wish to come in secret, I have no reason to challenge it. I’ll communicate your plans to the Siltvelt leadership.” 
“Much appreciated.” 
“I’ll reach back out soon,” the emissary said. “I’m hopeful that we can get you a peddling permit in the next few days.” 
With that, we concluded our meeting with the Siltvelt emissary. He bowed politely and hurried off.