Chapter 136: Peddling Water
“Greetings, brave adventurer!” said the merchant crab, with a cheerful voice and his shell held high. “It sure is a fine day to travel, wouldn’t you say?”
The young man stopped dead in his tracks, appearing surprised by the approach and looking around for a moment.
“Uh… hi?” he said sheepishly, before shrugging. “I guess? It’s a day like any other to me.”
“Come now, don’t say that,” Balthazar exclaimed, moving to the side of the passing traveler and waving a claw towards the sky. “Look at that. Not a cloud in sight all day. Perfect weather for a hike. Shining sun and everything! Maybe that’s the only downside, hah! Makes a traveler sweat like a pig.” He gave the adventurer a playful wink and added, “A handsome pig, in your case, of course.”
The young man looked at the crab with a mix of confusion, befuddlement, and pure awkward discomfort.
“I didn’t think crabs could sweat?” Mr. LaTan whispered from his front row spot to the show near the cart, despite the fact that the adventurer could hear him just as much as the crab.
“Shut up, Charles,” Balthazar said between grinding teeth, before turning back to the passerby with a smile. “So, how long have you been out here walking today, young man?”
“Since the early morning hours,” the traveler answered. “Stopped for a quick lunch and then kept going.”
“Goodness!” the crab exclaimed with exaggerated flair. “That’s a lot of hours on your feet, walking, under this scorching hot sun.”