Following the directions written on the paper, a blacksmith shop soon came into view.
It was a two-story building, remarkably spacious for a smithy.
Perhaps because it was still so early in the morning, there didn't seem to be any other customers around.
"Excuse me."
I stepped through the front entrance.
Inside, a wide variety of armor and weapons were displayed throughout the room.
Every single piece of equipment was a magnificent work of craftsmanship.
Seeing them made me uneasy, wondering if I could truly afford to shop at a place like this.
"Yeah, yeah. Huh, ain't seen your face before. You new to the royal capital?"
A short but muscular man emerged from the back of the shop.
He had long, flowing white hair and a matching beard, paired with sharp, upturned eyes that looked intimidating when he glared.
Dressed in work clothes, he held a hammer in his hand.
"Nice to meet you. I recently arrived in the royal capital. My name is Erik. I came on a recommendation from Amanda-san, the landlady of the Fledgling Pavilion."
"You came from Big Sis's place?! Well, well, so you're a new customer! Sorry 'bout that, didn't mean to intimidate ya!"
The moment I mentioned Amanda-san's name, his guard vanished completely.
A broad smile broke across his face as he offered his apology.
"Lately, some real idiots have been dropping by! I was on edge thinking you might be an errand boy for 'em. I'm Harold. I'm the owner and blacksmith of this shop. Nice to meet ya!"
Harold-san laughed boisterously with a hearty "Gahaha!" as he gave his name.
"Still, I'm surprised she pointed you here. Big Sis certainly has a sharp eye for people, but this is the first time she's ever referred a beginner like you, y'know?"
"Is that so? When I said I needed equipment, she gave me the recommendation right away."
"Hmm... That means she must really like you. I've been swamped with work lately and haven't had time to drop by the inn, so I can't say what Big Sis is thinking."
"Do you live at the Fledgling Pavilion too, Harold-san?"
Living at an inn despite owning such a large shop—that was what I assumed, so I couldn't help asking.
However, Harold-san shook his head. "Nah, I don't stay there."
"That inn serves meals to a limited number of outside guests each day. If you've eaten there yourself, kid, you'd know—the food at that place is ridiculously good, ain't it?"
"I definitely understand that. It's honestly too good for what they charge."
"Heh, looks like you've got good taste, kid... Ah, almost got sidetracked talking about the inn. Since you came to my place, you need equipment, right?"
"Yes. But to be honest, after seeing the gear in this shop, I thought it might be too early for someone like me."
I answered truthfully.
It hadn't been long since I arrived in the royal capital, and I barely had any savings to speak of.
My original plan had been to buy secondhand goods or cheaply made equipment.
However, this shop didn't seem to carry anything of that sort.
"Hmm, yeah, with your funds, kid, buying something off the floor would be tough..."
"...I figured."
When I told him roughly how much money I had, Harold-san gave me a straightforward answer.
"Though, I could rent ya some gear."
"Rent?"
"Yeah. I rent out the pieces that didn't quite meet my personal standards. Even if they're works I wasn't fully satisfied with, they're plenty sturdy, though they naturally fall short of what I put up for sale."
With that, Harold-san led me over to where the rental equipment was kept.
The gear was laid out casually on the tables and shelves.
"To buy 'em, each piece would run ya over ten silver coins, but renting's five silver coins a week. Well, since Big Sis sent you, Erik, I'll let you have a whole set for just one silver coin."
"Huh? Y-You'll rent me such great equipment for only one silver coin?!"
"Yeah, I ain't really looking to make a profit off those anyway. But since I went and made 'em, I had to find some use for 'em. When I talked to Big Sis about it, she suggested I keep 'em around for rentals, so that's how it all started."
It seemed Harold-san was quite selective about who he offered rentals to.
Even so, he had judged me worthy of the offer and presented it without hesitation.
An opportunity to use such fine equipment wouldn't come along again anytime soon.
Knowing that, I decided to take him up on the offer.
"Um, Harold-san? Are you really sure just one silver coin is enough for renting this many pieces of such good equipment?"
Orc leather armor.
A full five-piece set consisting of head, upper body, lower body, arm, and leg protection.
On top of that, he lent me a slightly short one-handed sword and a small shield.
All of that combined for just one silver coin a week.
Still stunned by the price, I double-checked with Harold-san.
"It's fine. It's my shop and my wares, so I'm the one who decides how to rent 'em out. Besides, I've got a pretty good eye for people myself. Looking into your eyes, kid, I can tell you're the type to return what you borrow. And I can already tell you're gonna grow into a fine adventurer one day."
"...Thank you very much. I'll do my absolute best as an adventurer to live up to your expectations."
"Ouh! Just don't go doing anything reckless, alright? Being an adventurer doesn't mean risking your life on crazy gambles is the right thing to do. Staying alive is what matters most. And don't sweat it if the gear gets scratched up, either—if it takes damage protecting your life, that's the greatest honor that equipment could ever ask for."
Hearing those words, I gave a deep, respectful bow before leaving the shop.
With this, I could finally set out and work as a proper adventurer.
With excitement swelling in my chest, I made my way toward the Adventurer's Guild.