章 22: The Apothecary
There were many types of shops Wataru had been curious about since arriving in this world. However, there weren't many items that could be quickly sold in Japan.
This was largely due to issues with selling methods, which would be discussed in detail later.
One item that caught Wataru's attention was potions.
Potions, commonly seen in fantasy novels and games, intrigued him. If the potions in this world were similar to those in his imagination, many people would be willing to pay a hefty price for them, especially considering Japan's annual medical expenses of 30 trillion yen.
Accompanied by Mariel and Air, Wataru walked through the city. He had spotted an apothecary a few days earlier during a brief exploration. The store was easily recognizable by the images of potion bottles and mortars on its sign.
(But it's striking how many shops don't have windows.)
The Welcome Trading Company, the slave shop, the weapons store, and now this apothecary. All the shops Wataru had visited so far were reasonably sized, yet none of them had large windows. In fact, they were all quite dim.
Although glass was a technology dating back to 3000 BC, it wasn't until the Industrial Revolution that plate glass became common. The absence of large plate glass led to the invention of stained glass techniques, but the superior light transmission of plate glass made shops dark and gloomy.
Of course, opening a door would let light in, but that also raised issues with ventilation.
(This could also be a product, but I wonder if nobles would want it the most.)
"Is this the store you wanted to visit?" Mariel asked.
"Yes, it's an apothecary. In a fantasy world, you'd expect to find potions and such… I wonder if they have any here."
"I think they probably do. Is something wrong with your health, Master?"
"No, no. I'm thinking of using these for business purposes."
Mariel looked concerned, but Wataru reassured her lightly. Though he was aware of his unhealthy lifestyle, he had no current physical issues. The drastic changes in his environment might make his worries seem unfounded.
"I used to visit places like this often."
"Is that so?"
"As a gladiator, I would frequently get injured during training and matches."
"For someone who got hurt often, you don't seem to have any scars. But I'm glad about that."
"I was fortunate to avoid major injuries. Plus, there were always potions available in the arena, so I drank them immediately."
"If a fighter got seriously injured and retired, it would impact the events. Especially for someone as popular as Air, they likely made sure you had immediate access to potions."
"I see."
Wataru nodded in understanding, reflecting on how natural it was for popular and strong figures to attract attention and admiration. Even if someone wasn't suitable as a betting target, their strength still had a significant appeal.
Entering the store, the door creaked loudly, causing Air to grimace. Her keen beast-like ears likely made the unpleasant sound more jarring for her.
The apothecary, like many other shops, had a counter with shelves lined up in the back. The space was filled with the scents of various powdered and brewed ingredients. The smell wasn't bad, but it was a unique, somewhat unpleasant aroma.
A woman with a goat-like face stood at the counter. She could have been an older woman or perhaps a younger lady.
It was not unusual to see beastmen with pronounced animal traits, even among their own kind. Although Wataru was taken aback, he restrained himself from showing it, feeling it would be rude to do so.
When the goat-like woman made eye contact, she greeted them with a casual, though not unkind, tone. Her voice suggested a bit of age, but her attitude was neither welcoming nor dismissive.
Wataru scrutinized the potion bottles and price lists on the shelves behind the counter. He could see various types of potions such as wound healing (fast, slow, and delayed), cough suppressants, fever reducers, antidotes for paralysis, and burn remedies.
"Excuse me. I'd like to ask what kind of effects the potions here have."
"This one quickly relieves fatigue," she said, pointing to a bottle.
"Oh, is that safe?"
"It's not meant for regular use, but it's fine if used occasionally. Adventurers buy these often; you can't afford to die from exhaustion in dangerous places, can you?"
"I see."
Wataru thought to himself that this apothecary was quite something. He wasn't sure if it was just this store or if the entire industry was like this.
He reasoned that, since he wasn't a police officer and there seemed to be no legal issues, it wasn't his place to interfere. Just as alcohol might be banned or marijuana legalized in different eras, it was important to adapt to local customs.
The goat-like woman lifted another bottle.
"This one's for wounds, and this one is a bit more expensive but can heal most cuts instantly."
"What's the difference between the expensive and the cheaper ones?"
"The expensive ones are infused with magic, so they work quickly and effectively. They can heal back pain, joint pain, and most injuries with a single dose."
"And the cheaper ones?"
"These are made only from medicinal herbs, so they work, but it takes time. Although you don't look like an adventurer."
"Oh, no, I'm not an adventurer. I'm a merchant from another country."
"I see. Feel free to buy as much as you need."
The mention of magic in the context of such everyday items was both surprising and intriguing to Wataru. While he knew magic existed from conversations with Mariel and Air, he had thought it would be extremely rare.
(I'd like to learn magic too. Is it something I can learn and use?)
"Do you have any medicines that can heal old injuries, like those sustained from significant accidents years ago?"
"This chronic treatment potion would be what you need. Although it's quite expensive."
"Will it help with things like knee pain or shoulder strain?"
"Yes, it will. Is something wrong with you?"
"No, it's nothing like that…"
Wataru felt a bit uneasy about how concerned everyone seemed. Perhaps he appeared unhealthier than he realized. Recently, he seldom went outside during the day and mostly worked indoors on his computer, which meant he hadn't gotten any sun. This might have made him appear unusual to the local people.
After clearing up the misunderstanding, Wataru continued asking about the products. The discussion moved from potion bottles to shelves with pills and decoctions.
"Decoctions are primarily for illnesses. There are also remedies for numbness, poisons, and confusion."
"I might want to stock up on these eventually, though not immediately."
"You might find this one more suitable for you."
The goat-like woman pointed to a different shelf. A bottle containing a pink, glossy, viscous liquid was particularly striking.
"What's this?"
"It's an aphrodisiac. Just a little bit given to a girl will get her all heated up."
"No, no, I definitely don't need that!!"
"Oh? You're traveling with two beautiful women. Aren't you looking to have some fun? Want to see them in a disordered state?"
"Master…"
"Sir…"
"Hold on a minute! I never said anything like that!"
Why was Wataru in this awkward position!? Under the cold stares of others, he put up a fierce resistance.
He did end up buying the aphrodisiac.
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