ep6: Baseball Warrior
1056 Words
The day after the draft conference, I found myself on a peculiar vehicle. A square metal box that seemed to be called a car. According to Mariam, it's like a carriage in this world. Although carriages exist in this world, they are treated as outdated items.
"Alright, I'll get off here."
Mariam, dressed like me in a beige hunting cap and a dark brown apron, was the one driving this vehicle. Unsure of what to do, I gazed around as she spoke.
"Let's get started."
With that, Mariam got out of the car. I stood there, uncertain of what to do.
"If you keep standing there, you better help with the shop."
I was reprimanded by Mariam, but the car's door wouldn't open. Surely, it required a thief's key or a magic key.
"Um, where could the key be..."
"Ah! Seriously!"
Mariam walked over and opened the door for me with a little irritation. It seemed you just had to move something like a handle to open it.
"When will you get used to the norms of this world?"
It would be troublesome to complain about it, even if she did. After all, I had only recently arrived in this world.
"Come on, start unloading the goods from the back of the car."
"Yes."
I gave a templated response and started taking out the products. I was a traveling merchant selling Quest Trade goods. I often relied on traveling merchants when I was a hero in my previous world, but I never thought I would become one myself. I silently arranged items like Miso in brown pots and smoothie-like potions on the road.
"We're going to sell a lot today!"
With determination, Mariam, with a stretched posture, looked like a tool shop owner. Watching her, I suddenly felt curious.
"By the way, Mariam, why are you serving a god?"
Arses is a low-level monster that appears in the forest dungeon. I wondered why such a creature would serve a god. Mariam sighed and began to explain, raising her index finger.
"One day, I encountered a female adventurer who was hunting monsters for experience points. Unfortunately, I happened to run into her, and she left me half-dead. Just when I thought it was over, Odilis-sama saved my life. Since then, I've been serving that person."
It felt like a simple question, and I had a somewhat naive doubt. Would a god bother saving a low-level monster like Arses?
"That person is a whimsical god."
Mariam answered my silent question, and we finished arranging the goods. With a break, I decided to ask another question.
"May I ask another question?"
"Sure."
"Do you know why Odilis is in this world? I mean, why are gods like Odilis here in the first place?"
I had another question. Why were gods like Odilis in this world, not monitoring the world where I, as a god, was present?
"In short, it's a hobby."
"A hobby?"
"Odilis-sama is into exploring different worlds. He happened to come here while exploring various worlds. He became fascinated with the game called baseball played in this world."
I see, exploring different worlds is a hobby. But why baseball?
"Alright, let's start the business. Make sure you work hard too!"
With a grin, Mariam was in high spirits. Her appearance was like that of a tool shop owner. Seeing her like that, another question crossed my mind.
"By the way, is Arses there for any special reason?"
Arses, the low-level monster from the forest dungeon, served Odilis. I was curious why a god would bother with a creature like Arses.
"That guy is just Odilis-sama's whim."
"Whim?"
"Odilis-sama is a capricious god. He happened to save Arses, and since then, Arses started serving him. It's as simple as that."
I couldn't help but feel a simple doubt. Would a god really bother saving a creature like Arses?
"Well, let's get started with the business. You better work hard too!"
"Yes!"
☆★☆
"I'd like the Cockatrice Egg Cookies, please."
"Thank you. That'll be 350 gold."
(G-Gold?)
Sales were going well. For some reason, the customers were mostly young women. It was a mystery, but I didn't mind as long as the customers kept coming. Mariam, handling the transactions next to me, was watching attentively.
"You've got the handsome effect going on."
"Huh?"
"That person, isn't he charming?"
"He might be a foreigner..."
"Super handsome! ♥"
Suddenly, a group of women formed a line, and even though I had no idea why, things were going well.
"Maybe I should stay in this world."
Mariam was grinning. Somehow, her eyes seemed a bit like gold coins.
"Oh... Are you the Blue Alan?"
Out of nowhere, a man with a hood barged in. He wore vista-colored clothes, white pants, and black leather shoes.
"He looks good, huh?"
"He's so cool! ♥"
The women in the line were booing the man, understandably upset about him cutting in. However, he ignored their complaints and turned the attention to me.
"Stop it. Don't harm these people!"
"Hmph... Just because you have a good face, you get all the attention without doing anything."
"What do you want from me?"
"Hehe... I challenge you to a duel, Alan!"
The atmosphere began to stir. An event was unfolding.
"A duel?"
"Yes, a duel. A one-hitting baseball match."
The man pointed somewhere with his bat. There was a park-like square. Upon closer inspection, there was a small coliseum—a baseball field. It seemed like that was where the battle would take place. Whether it was a combat or a baseball match, I was worried about inconveniencing the people around us.
"Fine, it sounds interesting. I accept your challenge!"
"H-Hey, you can't just..."
Mariam accepted the challenge without my consent. The man seemed pleased.
"Haha! Your manager makes things quick. I'm saved."
The event continued as it was. The start of an event battle. The man's intentions were unclear. I followed him to the park, feeling swept away.
"I'll show you, Blue Alan. Let's see if you have the potential as a pitcher."
"Who are you, old man?"
"Hmm... I'm a scout..."
While Mariam talked to someone behind us, I didn't care. I felt the fierce fighting spirit emanating from the man's back. It was like a needle piercing through, telling me that this guy wasn't just anyone.
- Writer
