846 Bear, goes to the bad medicine shop - Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear

"Thanks to Yuna, I didn't have to step in at all," Mane remarked as she started walking. "Does Mane's reputation have the same effect at the Adventurers' Guild?" I asked. "There's a connection between the Magic Ministry and the Adventurers' Guild regarding magical tools and the like, so there's not much inclination to openly defy us. So yes, it has some effect. Besides, it's not like I'm imposing unreasonable demands or anything." Well, it's not as if we were planning to lie and claim that Lydia and the others had defeated the monsters. "Still, I didn't expect Yuna to be known in this town already," Mane continued. I agreed with her. Who would've thought the receptionist we dealt with had a friend working at the Adventurers' Guild in the capital? The world is vast yet surprisingly small. "But with this, Lydia and the others' business is done," I noted. "Are you and the others heading back to the capital?" Lydia inquired. "That's the plan, but we'll take care of some trash before leaving." "Trash?" Lydia and Zekt seemed confused by Mane's mention of "trash." I thought I knew what she meant. "By trash, do you mean the apothecary who deceived Lydia?" I guessed. "You got it," Mane confirmed. "I'll ensure they face consequences for tarnishing the apothecaries' reputation." To Mane, someone masquerading as an apothecary only to deceive people for profit was unforgivable. "In that case, I want to help," Lydia offered. "Yeah, I’d like to give them a piece of my mind too," Zekt added. "This is my trash to deal with. I get how you feel, but it's best you both stay out of it. Even corrupted, they're still a noble." Dealing with someone of power seldom ends well. Things would be easier for Mane and me to handle. "Focus solely on your family," Mane advised. "...Okay." "Good, then go home and be with Est. That's the quickest way for healing," Mane continued. "Alright. But this isn't goodbye, right?" Lydia confirmed. "No, I’ll drop by before we leave," Mane reassured her. "It's a promise," Lydia said. With that, we parted ways with Lydia and Zekt. "I’d appreciate your help with taking care of the trash, Yuna," Mane offered. "I can pay extra." I didn't need the extra fee. The motivation to rid the town of its trash was plenty for me to help. "What do you need me to do?" I asked. "It might get a bit rough, so just protect me as usual," Mane instructed. If things got turbulent, it'd be up to me to step in. "Leave it to me. I'll take down any adversaries," I committed. "I’m counting on it," she replied. It felt great to be trusted. "So, do you know where this apothecary is?" I questioned. "...Yuna, can you decipher the address on this paper?" Mane handed me a sheet with the apothecary's name and location from the Commerce Guild. Without an address-searching skill, it was beyond me. I longed for the convenience of a smartphone, though I hadn't frequently used it due to being a recluse. "I guess we’ll have to visit the Commerce Guild," Mane decided. We spotted Lydia and the group walking in the distance. "I'm too embarrassed to ask them. Besides, the Commerce Guild isn't far," Mane mentioned. Close enough, indeed. So, we headed to the Commerce Guild, and Mane called for the Guild Master. "What brings you today, Mane-sensei?" The Guild Master greeted her with a humble demeanor. Unlike Mylene, he was not cunning, only unable to defy Mane. "It's nothing major. I just need to know the location of Corvo's apothecary." The Guild Master seemed relieved. "Is your visit here for... trash disposal?" He asked cautiously. "We're here to clean up," Mane confirmed. "Just to clarify, does the Commerce Guild have ties with Corvo?" The Guild Master fell silent. "We're somewhat accommodating," he admitted. "Like prioritizing the distribution of rare herbs to him or recommending him if someone asks." Mane sighed. "I see." "As he's the lord's son, we don't wish to stir trouble as the Commerce Guild," the master justified. I could understand that. Stirring discord with the town's lord brings no benefit. It's often wiser to maintain good relations for the perks. "So, once more, will you betray me?" Mane asked pointedly. The Guild Master replied, "I choose the most profitable side." "Understood," Mane acknowledged. "You've made your stance clear." To me, this meant siding with the lord for profit. "Here's Corvo's location," the Guild Master passed her a paper, which Mane accepted with thanks. "Yuna, it's time to go," Mane instructed. "Okay," I replied, trailing behind Mane as she exited the room. "Mane, is this okay?" I asked. In response, Mane handed me the paper received from the Guild Master. It had a map from the Commerce Guild to Corvo’s shop on it. "Check the back," she urged. As I turned it over, I read, "There are agents of the lord among the guild staff." "What does this imply?" I wondered. "It means the Guild Master can't openly turn against them. However, with the lord's agents among the staff, there’s a chance of information leakage," Mane explained. "But will that really cause an issue?" I questioned. Since we're visiting regardless, Mane’s presence would eventually be known. It's just a matter of timing. "If we delay, they might destroy evidence. The word could've reached Corvo as of yesterday, leading to possible evidence destruction," Mane warned. “So it might be too late?” I worried. "The fact that the Guild Master remained silent means we're still okay," Mane assured. Though it wasn’t explicitly stated that leaks had occurred, it wouldn’t change our destination. Following the map from the Guild Master, we aimed for the corrupt apothecary. "We're here," Mane announced as we paused in front of a large establishment. It loomed before us—significantly bigger than necessary for an apothecary. Thanks to noble status or possibly through illicit earnings, it showed. "Let’s go inside," Mane said as we entered the store. Inside, a few customers roamed, and at the counter stood a lone man. I ignored the whispers of "bear" and other variations, brushing them off. “What’s this? What's with this oddly dressed kid and child?” the man sneered, referring to me. The customers laughed along with him, their eyes mocking. For the first time in a long while, anger flared within me. His dismissal of what kids might want to buy was superficial. Mane, unfazed, walked to the front. “Is Corvo available?” Mane asked. “What’s it to you, calling Corvo-sama by name like that?” the man retorted. The man's tone abruptly changed, showing he was displeased with how we addressed Corvo. "Corvo-sama? An apothecary charging such exorbitant prices hardly deserves any honorifics," Mane replied, unfazed. "Missy, effective medicines come with a cost, you know. If you're serious about buying, get your parents to give you money. We'll sell to you if you can pay," the man retorted smugly. "Is that so? Fine, I'll make a purchase then," Mane decided, tossing a small pouch from her item bag onto the counter in front of him. The man inspected the pouch and looked shocked by its contents. "That should be more than enough to buy every medicine here," she declared. "I... well..." "You said you'd sell if I had money, right? Yuna, could you pack up all the medicines on the shelves?" Mane instructed me. "Right, got it," I responded. I started stashing the medicines into my bear box. There was beauty care, health supplements, cold medicine, and ointments. Countless unknown concoctions joined them as I methodically cleared the shelves. "Stop it!" the man yelled. "Didn't I pay sufficiently? Or are you claiming it's still not enough? How much more extortionate can you get? If need be, should I add more?" Mane challenged, flinging another pouch towards him. "What is your deal, missy?" he stammered. "I'm a staff member at the Magic Ministry in the capital. I was even a bit of a mentor to Corvo," Mane revealed. "The Magic Ministry? And you're saying you taught Corvo-sama?" "Tell Corvo that Mane has come for an inspection. Say it's from his mentor, and he'll understand." "Are you spewing nonsense?" "Fabricating claims, exaggerating effects, coercing other apothecaries, exerting pressure... since the purchasing and selling prices of herbs are free-market, I'll overlook that." She was right. If both sides consent, that's the nature of transactions—jockeying for mutual profit. But in Lydia and Zekt's case, they were cornered into unfavorable terms under the guise of aiding their ill sister. Even if the remedies had worked, which they hadn't. "I'll be examining the ingredients and effects of these drugs," Mane announced. "There's no way Corvo-sama will allow that!" he blurted. "Why should I need Corvo's permission? I paid for these. All I'm doing is analyzing my purchase. Is that a problem for you?" Mane pressed. "Well, I..." "Moreover, you're the one who failed to bring out Corvo. You're responsible." "T-this is ridiculous! Corvo-sama will scold me!" the man shouted, vaulting over the counter to attack Mane. I swiftly intervened, catching his arm before he could reach her. "I won't let you lay a finger on Mane," I declared, tightening my grip. "Ah, it hurts!" he cried out as he collapsed to the floor. I used earth magic to bind his arms behind him and his ankles too, leaving him helpless on the ground. "If there's a discrepancy between the ingredients and advertised effects, his apothecary license could be revoked. Not to mention, his noble reputation could suffer," Mane warned. "Corvo-sama is a noble!" he protested. "And so what?" Mane countered confidently. Mane's fearlessness was striking. "We'll be heading back to the capital first thing tomorrow morning. Make sure to pass that along," Mane said with a smile directed at the man.