Thanks for the chapter!
Seems MC is dense on the fact that she is hinting wants to spend time alone with him or that a guy and gal shopping together is something couples do. Will probably take a confession to get the point in between MC denseness and having the mind of a forty year old in a 17 year old body. Wonder if he's been making passes at the forty year old women here and there?
Alitera seems more than a little shy considering she's the only one who didn't remove her hood. Think she might be a childhood friend or someone who left the village to find their fortune a while ago and embarrassed? Would explain why she knew his full name when his family calls him Bie not to mention if Touta had been the one to tell them about Bie and the bath he'd have led them rather than being tailed by them. Also, hard to tell but I think she might be the elf on the cover although don't think any of the others from the party were there.
@Ironclad Just because a port is big enough for ships doesn't mean ships go there often. For example, if there are no unique local products to trade or major cities nearby most merchants aren't going to be interested in coming by, especially if it's at the edge of known territory or middle of nowhere. Also, farmers usually don't have a lot of money after buying food for their family and animals, tools for work, and materials for house/barn/fence repairs. So Mithril or Oricalcum weapons and armor are way out of their price range and likely wouldn't have anyone around who would use them much assuming they know how to. Furthermore, it takes a lot of time, like weeks or months, going from port to far off ports so any goods would need a long shelf life, be able to endure all the moisture in the air created by that much water, food and pay for crew, and repairs or replacement parts for any damage on ship due to everyday wear and tear or storms or hostile sea life. Granted can use magic to create wind, make or use magic stones as fuel, etc. but for a ship that big it's likely to be expensive along with the high rates of any magicians used to cast magic and any mana potions or equivalent used to recharge them. So unless a merchant knows he can sell everything and make a good profit over production and shipping costs while purchasing goods to fund the trip back he's unlikely to go to a far village port unless he's sure to make a profit.