The carriage continued to gallop down the main street.

When we arrived at the central square, Zeke stopped the carriage in front of a large building.

“We’ve arrived at the Merchant Guild.”

So, this is the Merchant Guild, huh.

The sign had a picture of a staff with wings, with two snakes coiling around it.

Why snakes, I wonder?

I think I’ve heard before that snakes represent wealth, so maybe that’s the reason.

I’ll ask Ermine about it next time.

“Should we have Pegasus wait here?”

“…Ah, I’ll keep an eye on him. No fool would dare mess with a mithril rank, but if someone tries, I’ll drive them off.”

It seems Alex will keep watch over the Pegasus and the carriage.

The Pegasus snorted as if to say it didn’t need any guarding, but if something were to happen, it could be a big problem.

If Koko’s subordinate got hurt, she might go on a rampage.

“Thank you very much.”

“Leave it to me. You too, pup, you’re staying here to keep watch.”

“Woof!?”

Robo, who had been sitting on my lap, was suddenly lifted up by Alex, his eyes widening in surprise.

“Animals aren’t allowed inside the Merchant Guild, so behave yourself here.”

“Well, I guess it can’t be helped. Robo, stay here with Alex, okay?”

Though Robo seemed dissatisfied, he quieted down when I handed him a golden fruit to snack on while waiting. It’s tasty but rare, so he doesn’t get to eat it often.

I couldn’t just give it to Robo alone, so I handed some to Alex as well.

“Oh, you’re giving me one too? Thanks.”

As I handed it to Alex, I felt a gaze on me. Through the window where the coachman’s seat was, Pegasus was turning back and staring at the golden fruit.

“Does Pegasus want one too?”

“Hee-hin.”

Yep, looks like it.

“I’ll give you one, just wait a moment.”

Zeke climbed down from the coachman’s seat and opened the carriage door for us.

Cloud got out first, and then I took Zeke’s hand and stepped out.

Wow, we’re being watched.

I could tell the townspeople were staring at us from a distance.

Well, I guess it’s hard not to stand out with such an extravagant carriage, especially with a Pegasus in tow. It’s only natural we’d attract attention.

And on top of that, I’m wearing gothic lolita fashion.

But hey, it’s not my fault, okay? The gothic lolita outfit is Ermine’s idea, not mine. So please, don’t point fingers at my clothes, alright?

As Ermine emerged from the carriage, the murmurs among the onlookers grew louder.

“A beastman? But what kind of beastman?”

“Is that a weasel? But why does it have wings?”

Too bad, folks. He’s not a weasel, he’s Ermine.

Oh, that’s right. There are no weasels in this world.

Then again, there weren’t any winged weasels in my previous world either.

Anyway, I need to give Pegasus his golden fruit.

“Thank you for carrying us, Pegasus. Please wait until we’re ready to leave. Here’s your treat.”

When I brought the golden fruit to his mouth, Pegasus chomped it down in one bite.

It made a satisfying crunching sound.

He nuzzled his head against me, asking for more, but that’s it for today. Even Koko only gets one fruit per day, so it wouldn’t be right for Pegasus to have more.

Alright then.

Time to enter the Merchant Guild.

The doors at the entrance were wide open, with what seemed to be knights standing on either side, guarding the place.

As soon as we stepped inside, a man wearing silver-framed glasses who looked sharp and shrewd stood before us.

“Well, well. If it isn’t Zeke of the mithril rank. Welcome to the Merchant Guild.”

“Ah, I’m sure you already know, but I’m not here on business of my own. I’m just escorting this girl.”

The sharp-looking man shifted his gaze from Zeke to me, smiling with a friendly expression.

…But his eyes weren’t smiling, which made him quite intimidating.

“May I ask for your name?”

“It’s Mei.”

I considered lifting my skirt to greet him, but unsure of the customs in this world, I settled for just bowing my head.

“Miss Mei. What brings you to the Merchant Guild today?”

“I’m here to sell some potions.”

“Potions, you say?”

I could feel his gaze sharpen behind his glasses.

The sharp-looking man glanced at Zeke.

Zeke just shrugged lightly.

“I see. This requires a more private discussion. We’ll prepare a special room for you. Ah, if you don’t mind, we can take care of your carriage outside. Shall we treat the Pegasus like an ordinary horse?”

I wonder. Even though it has wings, Pegasus is still technically a type of horse, right?

I should ask Ermine about this.

“Ermine, is that okay?”

“If you give him some water and fresh fruit, he’ll be happy.”

When Ermine spoke, the sharp-looking man twitched his eyebrows slightly.

“Very well, we shall make the necessary arrangements. Please, follow me.”

A special room, huh?

I feel like a VIP already.

Maybe they’ll buy the potions at a high price!