I went to bed as soon as I got back from Paralilla, and when I woke up it was raining.

That's not a good start.

A witch with a plastic umbrella. It's a scene that could be the title of a children's story, but I don't have any talent for making up children's stories, so I gave up quickly.

You think so? I think it's a good start for me.

It's the first rain we've had on this continent. I mean, has it ever been a dry season?

Why?

The journey is a constant struggle. Traveling is a series of hardships; it's rare to have a comfortable day. Our guys are always happy when it rains on the day of departure, because it makes them feel better. But that's only for the merchants.

Apparently, it's not so much a matter of being depressed by the rain and having hardships as it is of being upset by the sunny weather.

I guess that's the way it works.

Well. We'll leave after breakfast.

We had breakfast under the tent, and without coffee, I called to the members to board the carriage.

I'm going to straddle Hayate. I'm sure you'll be able to find the right one for you.

I'm going to be the first one to go. "Xiraiyah will lead the way. Rudar is the last man in line. Rudar will be at the back. Kyners can play it by ear. Let's go!

It's just an easy start, isn't it?

The chairman of the committee who straddled the Ridger. The beast demon - or did you make him a messenger?

We're not marching, we don't do anything fancy.

Well, there are guys who stay in the village and the Sheepleit tribe, so the cheers are awesome.

By the way, does this troop merchant have a name? It's not convenient to keep track of, though.

Oh, I forgot the name. I forgot all about it.

Call it the Zelfing Company and the Coffers.

I've got a coffee cup with the Selfing Chamber of Commerce logo on it, and the coffer is coffee. I think that's a good name for me to lead.

"Zelphing's Chamber of Commerce" is the name you're going to wake up, Fiala.

Ah! I forgot to talk to the lady! What is it?

'Miss Mita. Do you have a maid who's good at counting money?

Yes, sir. There are several of them. If you want, I can bring someone from the accounting department.

There's an accounting department or something. No, I'm not surprised by how many departments there are anymore.

''Then let me be the treasurer of the troop business. We'll have a separate account from the Zelfing Trading Company.

That wouldn't upset the lady. Maybe. Maybe. That would be nice.

Yes, ma'am.

It's cool that you don't say you can't do it, Mita!

Then I'll get the names of the dealers and their paychecks.

Yes, please.

We don't have to worry about that now. I'm glad to see you're off to a good start.

"Master Bae! We'll escort you away!

Was it ...... with a thunderbolt spear and a raiden?

It's Mr. Yips.

Thank you, Mr. Cheat Ghost.

'Yips. Don't ruffle your feathers. If you're going to do it, do it quietly.

There's no point in being a troop merchant if people make a fuss about it.

I'll take care of it. I'll do it quietly.

Confidently, the yips disappeared into the jungle.

'I hope there's no disturbance,'

'It looks like the Seaprit tribe is going to obliterate them before they cause a disturbance, though.

Yeah. If they don't attack the Demon Lord, they won't be able to reach the caravan.

Two of Xiraiyah's bikini warriors straddle the liger and lead the way.

"How much defense is contained in that little bit of cloth?

It's not about defense, it's about hope and dreams.

What do you mean by that?

Women don't understand that.

I can't explain it well, but a man should be able to feel it.

The dragon car carrying a light load followed, and then entered between the fourth and fifth cars. For some reason, the chairman of the committee followed suit.

''Why are we here?''

It's a good place to lead a squad.

Well, I wouldn't say that this is the place to be, because there are many different squads and merchants. Some heads are in the front and some are in the back.

The merchants don't need this kind of bodyguard. The good news is that there are only about ten of them. There's no point in making money from just the cost of the escort. We've got the Xilaiyah and the Sheepleit tribe in front of us and behind us, and all around us. So it's best to keep your head down in the center. It's easier for me to tell you what to do.

What a complication. With this many guards, I could relax in the dragon car.

But it's my first time organizing a caravan. It'll be good to see what it's like. The next time that happens, you'll get a taste of what it's like.

Well, it's all about experience. Well, everything is an experience. Learn a lot and fail.

If you have all this, you can recover in any way you want. You're going to have to make it work for the rest of your life.

I will.

I'm glad to see your enthusiasm. Now, let's go to the city of Barzaid!