Erhard (Spin-off)

Erhard (エルハルト) or ambiguously translated as Elhart, usually simply called the Weapon Shop Owner or Old Guy, is a blacksmith and a weapon shop owner in the Castle Town of Melromarc.

Appearance
Erhard is a middle-aged (or older) Caucasian male whose well-built body, notably face and arms, is full of old scars. He has a shaved head, Amish-style beard without a moustache, brown or black eyes, and partially darker skin. He wears an off-white undershirt with medium-length sleeves beneath a beige overalls-like forger apron (with a brown pouch-like bag on the waistline) hung only by the left shoulder, black gloves, dark brown pants, and brown-beige upturned boots.

Personality
Erhard is a passionate man with a generally cheerful disposition. Despite being a businessman, he tries to help out those had can. He may also take matters into his own hand when he sees or hears a wrongdoing.

Unlike most people in Melromarc, Erhard does not have discriminatory attitude towards demi-humans and would rather judge people for himself. He is a rather good judge of character since he was able to determine that Naofumi did not rape Malty despite the royal family's claims.

Background
When Erhard was an adventurer in the past, he would earn a living by hunting monsters and travelling around. One day, after he encounters a Blacksmith who was inspired and fascinated by the weapons he made, Erhard dropped the adventurer’s life to train under him along with another student.

Many years later, he settled in Melromarc and put up a shop in Castle Town.

Loop 1
Malty and Naofumi first meet Erhard where they buy a chain mail shirt which Malty later steals. After Malty had framed Naofumi for raping her, Motoyasu had saved him from the persecution from the royal family. They then go to Erhard's shop to get Naofumi equipped since Naofumi had only his underwear. Erhard was about to punch Naofumi for raping Malty but stops once he sees that Naofumi was framed. He then provides equipment at a generous price to help Naofumi.

Loop 5
After Motoyasu defends Naofumi again from being framed, the two head to Erhard's shop. Like before, Erhard is able to determine that Naofumi did not do what the rumours say he did and allows them to use his back room for discussion. Erhard then allows Naofumi to copy all of the weapons within his shop - revealing that Ren and Itsuki had already done so without permission.

After Naofumi and Motoyasu bring back their new slave Keel to get equipment, Erhard is disappointed that they got a slave but agrees. After getting equipment, Motoyasu has a private conversation with Erhard. He shows all of the high-level drop items he had received from levelling up and asks Erhard to sell these to Naofumi so it looks like Naofumi is legitimately levelling-up. Erhard agrees and the Heroes then start their adventures. After Naofumi and Motoyasu hatch Yuki, Kou, and Sakura, they bring them to Erhard to get equipment but Erhard redirects them to the magic shop owner.

During their adventures, the group save Tolly and a group of Lumos from slave traders. When they return to Erhard's shop it is revealed that Erhard and Tolly were old friends and Erhard then offers a discount. The group gets swords for Sakura, daggers for Keel and armour for Motoyasu.

Trivia

 * Erhard is only named in the finale of the web novel and as Elhart in the subbed anime.