Chapter 10: Sambabano

Lubon is a relatively large town. It has a solid exterior wall and the main street is paved with cobblestones. The economy seems to be large, so they will be able to buy the goods we bring in. As we walk while asking people for directions, a kind uncle told me about a general shop called “Sambabano”. He had a large scar on his face and was missing a little finger, but he was a pretty friendly person. He also answered my questions politely.

“If you want to buy all kinds of materials, that’s the best place to go. And boy, let me tell you, it’s a shop run by three witches.”

“……Witch?”

“Don’t be scared, the Sambabano witches are scary to look at, but they are good-natured old ladies. They are honest people who offers fair prices for your items too.”

“That’s reassuring then. Thank you for your kindness.”

I thanked the uncle and made an appointment with Lulu.

“I’m going to the grocery shop. I want to sell the prawns and abalone while they’re still fresh.”

“I’ll go to Sambabano’s shop. Let’s meet up here later.”

“Got it. But, are you okay by yourself? That man from earlier looked suspicious too…”

“I’m fine going to that shop alone. I’ll see you later.”

I parted ways with Lulu and went through the back alleys I had been taught. The eaves of the houses lined up tightly in the narrow alley formed a tunnel like space. It was damp in the shade, and the smell of rotting things wafted from somewhere.

Is there really a shop in such a place?  

The area feels a bit scary too…. is it really a legitimate shop?

As I walked forward with my heart pounding, the road turned into a dead end. A house leaning at an angle stood there. It got a peeling thatched roof, dull green doors, and pillars leaning at an 85 degree angle. It was a mystery how the house did not collapse yet. A sign was hung above the eaves, and it was written in a handwriting that looked like a wriggling caterpillar. It says, 『Sambabano, a high-end magical items specialty shop, buy things at a high price.』

This shop is very shady.

I wondered whether such door could be opened. But when I put my hand on the doorknob, the door surprisingly opened smoothly. The inside of the shop is dimly lit and miscellaneous things are piled up everywhere. There are books, dusty vials, specimens of unknown monsters, staff bundled together, magic tools of unknown use…… and much more.

I thought there were three statues lined up in front of the door, but they turned out to be the owner of the shop. Five small eyes stared at me intently. The old ladies were of different sizes, from large, medium, and small body type. The one in the middle only had one eye and she wore a black eye patch. All three of them have the same face and plump figures. Their unkempt hair were tied up in a bun. They are even all wearing the same long black dress.

“Welcome……”

The smallest old lady opened her mouth. She has a gloomy voice.

“Are you buying something? Selling? If you’re just going to take a look, get out of here!”

The old lady in the middle has an aggressive tone.

“My, my, don’t scare the little one. Boy, what are you here for?”

The biggest old lady seemed to be the kindest.

“I came here to ask if you are willing to buy my items.”

I couldn’t help but gulp. My throat was hoarse and I couldn’t speak well, but I managed to tell her what I was here for.

“I see, I see. Well, what are you going to sell? Blood? Or hair? If it’s from you boy, I’ll buy it at a high price. Hihihi……”

“……Shotacon witch.”

The smallest old lady muttered then the largest old lady became furious.

“Sumoma, shut up for a bit! I’m going to sew that cheeky mouth of yours with a thread!”

“Bigma-oneesama, don’t be so angry. It’s true that you are into such naive cute child.”

“Shut up, Midoma! I’m running a proper business. You don’t have to say such unnecessary things!”

Apparently, the largest one is named Bigma, the eldest sister, the medium one is named Midoma, the second sister, and the smaller one is named Sumoma, the third one.

“Uhm, please buy this.”

I took out the items I dug out from the star-shaped depression and laid them out on the counter.

“Hoh~, a tratta stone, a coin from the Mabone Empire, and Hermes’ wings.”

The old coin is a coin from the Mabone Empire huh.

Wait, I feel like I’ve heard of Mabone before….

Now that I think about it, it’s a place that come up a lot in the settings of Island Maker.

“Mabone is the name of a magical empire that flourished in ancient times, right? I’m sure the empire’s relics had great magical value.”

“Tch, you knew huh……”

Midoma clicked her tongue in frustration. Maybe she was planning to buy the coin cheaply?

“I love smart boys. Here’s the purchace price.”

Bigma threw an old feather pen that fluttered in the air and moved smoothly across the paper. Blood-red ink seeps into the paper.

This is the first time I’ve seen someone who can use automatic writing. Only an accomplished practitioner could do something like this. These three witches seem to possess terrifying powers.

“How is it, boy? I’ve included quite a bit of extras there.”

“If you’re going to sell it, hurry up!”

“It’s a fair trade……”

The three witches begin to speak at the same time. I don’t know any other shop that does buy and sell, and it would be a waste of time to look for another shop. Also, somehow, I feel like this is a normal purchase price. My memory of the game in my previous life makes me think so.

“Okay, I’ll sell it in that price.”

Sumoma took out a portable safe and unlocked it by casting a spell. I caught a glimpse of it, it was packed with gold coins. Looks like this shop is thriving more than it seems.

Midoma laughed, her toothless mouth wide open.

“Don’t even think about touching this safe. If you touch it without permission, you’ll turn into an animal.”

Bigma nodded her head in agreement.

“Would you like to try it? Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you when that happens, Hihihi….…”

Gulp. This is scary. Sambabano is too scary!

“T-thank you.”

“Come again….…”

With Sumoma’s voice behind me, I left Sambabano as if fleeing.

This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.

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