Published at 26th of December 2025 7:39 am

Chapter 465: The Key to Success Is Identifying the Demand.

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As a matter of course, or whatever you might call it, the memorial service continued and ended without incident. In a larger town, there might have been people getting drunk and causing trouble or making noise until dawn, but in this small village, no one did such things. A little before sunset, the food and drinks were all cleared away, and by the next day, everything was back to normal.

And we became a little closer to Magna. I managed to get a bit deeper into Magnas life, and Ruruka seems to have taken a liking to Tia. However, if you ask whether weve become close enough to be called companions it still feels insufficient.

We need something more, another step forward. The most effective thing would be a common topic. And the common topic between the outsider Pioneer Peony and Magna, the eldest son of a farming family, would be

Information about the heros journey, you say?

At the reception of the Pioneer Association in the town of Antra, the receptionist tilted her head curiously at my request.

Yes, thats right. You see the hero is amazing, isnt he? So I thought Id really like to travel the same path that my admired hero took. But when I tried to gather information myself, it seems the content differs slightly depending on the person I mean, the main points are the same, but when it comes to small villages, the names are often different.

I see. Indeed, when it comes to the details of the journey, there are regional variations in the circulating rumors. After all, if the hero visited a place, it would be a great source of pride.

In essence, its harmless lies born from self-aggrandizement or rather, vanity. Unless its particularly malicious, such tall tales are usually ignored and forgotten. But what I wanted now was information thats as accurate as possible, so that wont do.

I dont mean to make a big deal out of it, but if I go somewhere and think Ah, this is the village the hero visited, only to be told No, the hero never came here, that would be a bit embarrassing. So I thought if I made a request here, I might be able to gather accurate information.

I see. Certainly, if its a request, well thoroughly verify the information After all, our predecessor was the [Lunar Silver Sword Brigade, Lunarion]. Of course we have proper information.

The receptionist nodded in understanding as I spoke somewhat excitedly, playing the role of a young man admiring the hero. Although its now become more like a general service provider, until half a year ago, this was an organization of people fighting for others. So naturally, I assumed that accurate information about the heros movements would be kept, and it seems I wasnt wrong.

And now that the Demon King has been defeated, the heros past route was no longer confidential or anything. In fact, the receptionist answered casually while nodding and flipping through the documents at hand.

If thats the case, lets see Including the information fee and handling charge, how about three silver coins for the compiled documents?

Thats fine, please.

Alright. Please come back again this evening or later.

Understood. See you then.

Expressing my thanks, I left the association building. Tia, who had been waiting at the entrance, immediately came over to me.

Welcome back, Ed. How did it go?

Ah, it was fine. They told me to come back in the evening to pick it up.

I see. Then shall we look around this area and kill some time?

Sure.

Taking up Tias invitation, we walked around the town. It might be uncouth to compare, but the liveliness is indeed different from the village, so theres no shortage of ways to pass the time.

Still, it feels strange. Isnt this perhaps the first time weve been active so far away from the hero?

Yeah, it doesnt usually go like this.

The party judgment usually continues at most within the same town. Its about a three-day walk from the village to here, so normally we wouldnt be able to come here by ourselves.

But this time, we havent yet been recognized as companions by Hero Magna. While this action was to somehow change that, its precisely because of this that were still free now.

So, what will you do after looking at the documents? Were not really going to follow the same journey, right?

Of course not. Its just that since its the heros journey, there should probably be places Ive been to in the first run. So I thought I might be able to pique his interest by talking about those places as if Ive been there, mixing in some reminiscences.

I see. Well, thats the safe approach.

Also, Id like to meet Hero Reiholdt himself if possible but thats

Although not recognized by the world, Hero Reiholdt, who was recognized by the people, was currently traveling around the world defeating the remnants of the Night Walkers. So as an ordinary person, I dont know the heros exact location, and even if I did, I probably couldnt just casually go to meet him.

Of course, if it was absolutely necessary, I could use the [Akashic Compass] to meet him, but honestly, it seems inefficient to go that far just for a brief conversation.

Hmm. But, I see. If thats the case how about that?

That?

Fufufu, thats for later.

With a grin, I continued walking down the street. We arrived in front of a weapon shop.

Welcome!

Hello. Um, Id like to ask, do you have Luna Metal weapons here?

Of course we do. There, on that shelf.

Thank you very much.

On the shelf pointed out by the middle-aged man who seemed to be the shop owner, silver weapons were displayed. However, their prices had fallen not just to half of what they were in the first run, but to about 30%.

Wow, theyve become so cheap Mister, is this okay?

If you ask whether its okay or not, well, its tough. With the Demon King defeated, the demand has plummeted, so the market price of Luna Metal itself has dropped. To be honest, even at these prices, were selling at a loss.

Wow

What a harsh world. But since their value had skyrocketed because they were the only weapons that could defeat Night Walkers, its unavoidable that this would happen once the Demon King died. Its not that they cant be used as normal weapons, but steel swords are much cheaper and more durable.

However, while its unfortunate for the shop owner, this situation is very convenient for me.

This is lucky. Mister, Ill take this one, and this one and this one too, please.

What!?

Both the shop owner and Tia exclaimed in surprise as I pointed out swords one after another.

Hey, hey, are you sure? Its going to be a huge amount!

Wait, Ed, what are you planning to do with so many swords!?

Its fine, its fine. Or I see. If its also for practice, should I just buy all the stock in the store?

What!?

Well, it was much cheaper than I thought. What do you think? If buying everything is not good, Ill refrain.

W-well. I mean, Im happy to clear out the inventory, but

Then thats good. Ill take them all. Ah, Ill send a cart later, so could you pack them in boxes and put them somewhere out of sight behind the store?

S-sure

As I spoke with a smile, the shop owner disappeared into the back of the store with a confused expression. Left alone in the store, Tia approached me with a puzzled look.

Hey, whats really going on? I have no idea what youre trying to do, Ed.

Is that so? Then let me ask you a question If you wanted to get closer to someone you admire, or feel their presence nearby, what would you do?

Huh? Thats train, maybe?

Ah, well, I dont think thats wrong, but

I couldnt hel but smile wryly at Tias unexpected answer. If you really wanted to get closer in the true sense, that wouldnt be wrong, but what I was asking about now was something more mundane.

Listen, Tia. The best way to feel close to someone you admire is to start with the form!

Form?

Yeah! So, now that weve secured the materials, next we need to find a place to borrow a forge Oh, thats right, I should have asked that old man earlier about that too. Hey, mister!

???

Leaving Tia with question marks floating above her head, I called out to the man who was probably in the back of the shop. Heheheheh, I can just imagine the surprised look on Magnas face

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