ã€ŠOtherworld Dagashi Shop Yahagiã€‹


 Chapter 1: Prologue

    <h4>Chapter 1: Prologue</h4>

    Even though our lives are our own, there are not many things in life that we can choose for ourselves.

    Take parents, for example.

    I would have preferred having rich, kind and caring parents, but life doesn¡¯t always turn out the way we want it to.

    However, such a thing may be inevitable.

    The world would copse if all moms were beautiful, stylish, kind, cooks well, and usually unleashes two-hit multi-target attacks.

    Bloody battles between fathers and sons over a woman would break out here and there.

    The world is maintained by a delicate bnce.

    I understood this well even in the short 25 years of my previous life.

    My life began without me wanting it to, and ended when I was it by a truck.

    It wasn¡¯t a death that I wanted.

    In other words, my choice did not intervene at either the moment of my birth or the moment of my death.

    And now, even in the time between rebirths, I am not allowed the freedom to choose my upation.

    In this room, people that are to be reincarnated gathered.

    It was a small conference room with only a few pipe stools.

    There was nothing special about the room that would make one feel like they were in the afterlife.

    I was killed in a traffic ident and found myself here.

    At what seemed to be the head seat in the room, a man in a suit is interviewing the dead one by one.

    He is confirming each people¡¯s next reincarnation and gives out Unique Jobs.

    It seems that there¡¯s no careless big-breasted Goddess that would bestow people cheats huh¡­¡­

    Well, I guess it¡¯s a mistake to seek encounters before reincarnation.

    Besides, rather than an airheaded Goddess, I prefer slit-eyeddy knights more.

    Yeah, that might be a rare attribute, but exactly because it¡¯s rare thatpetition is lower for it.

    I look forward to meeting such a person in the next life.

    At any rate, it seems that it wasn¡¯t an urban legend that if you are hit by a truck, you will be transported or reincarnated in another world.

    Even now, there are several people in the room waiting to be transported or reincarnated.

    [Heehhh¡­¡­ You were hit by a 4-ton truck huh. I was hit by a 10-ton one.]

    I guess, no matter where it is, there would be people who would want to make meaningless boasts.

    An e-faced guy was bragging to a thin boy.

    I mean, it¡¯s not like he wanted to get hit by that 10-ton truck, right?

    If he had wanted to kill himself by getting hit by a really big truck, he should have gone to the US and threw himself in front of a trailer truck.

    Heartbreakingly, he was sent off to the next world with a shabby Unique Job ¡°Novice Mage¡±.

    He must have wanted a better Job.

    After all, when he was told his Job, the man had an obviously mortified look on his face.

    Incidentally, the boy who was hit and killed by the 4-ton truck started his isekai trip as a Hero.

    It seems that there¡¯s no causal rtionship between the size of the truck and the goodness of the Unique Job you¡¯d get.

    At least, it seems that bigger isn¡¯t always better.

    I was sttered by a lightweight truck, so I was a little relieved.

    [Next, Yahagi Yuusuke-san.]

    [Yes!]

    I stood up vigorously when my name was called.

    While it may seem strange for the deceased to be so vigorous, I believe that feelings are important.

    [Yahagi-san won¡¯t be reincarnated, but transported.]

    As the man flipped through papers, he spoke to me.

    [Transported?]

    [Yes, you will go to another world as you are.]

    [Huh¡­¡­]

    I guess that even if I defied being transported somewhere, this will not be overturned.

    I ept my new life with open arms.

    As I said before, there are few things in life that you can choose for yourself.

    [As for the world Yahagi-san will be heading to, it will be a so-called world of swords and magic.]

    I have no objection to that either.

    In my next life, I will probably spend my days fighting.

    If I received a cheat ability, I will be satisfied with that.

    I intend to live life to the fullest.

    [As for the Unique Job Yahagi-san will receive, it has been decided to be ¡°Dagashi Shopowner¡±.]

    I see, I see, that¡¯s my cheat job huh¡­¡­ Wait, Dagashi Shopowner?

    [Ummm, this Dagashi Shopowner is¡­¡­?]

    [You don¡¯t know what dagashis are? They¡¯re inexpensive snacks that even children can buy.]

    Of course, I know that.

    [If you solemnly think ¡°Open¡±, the shop opens. Conversely, if you solemnly think ¡°Close¡±, the shop disappears. It¡¯s a useful ability, isn¡¯t it?]

    The man in the suit in front of me said confidently.

    Seeing the smug look on his face kinda pisses me off.

    [May I ask you a question?]

    [Well then, please enjoy your new life.]

    I didn¡¯t even get to ask my final question before I was thrown out into a new world.

 Chapter 2: 10-Rim Gum

    <h4>Chapter 2: 10-Rim Gum</h4>

    I mentioned earlier that we can¡¯t choose our parents when we are born.

    One of the irrationalities of birth is that you can¡¯t choose the country or region you were born in.

    The same is true for being transported, as I found myself standing on a dirty street in a dirty city.

    The poorly drained streets were muddy, soaking my sneakers brown.

    It seems that I was transported to this world with nothing but my clothes on.

    It seems to be morning at the moment, and there are quite a few people on the streets, many of them equipped with swords and leather armor.

    Looking at everyone walking in the same direction, there must be a guild or a dungeon ahead.

    Seeing all those people, without any particr reason, I followed them.

    Some might even say that conformity is one of the mostmon Japanese cultural traits.

    Even though I was in a new world, I hadn¡¯t spent enough time to forget the customs of my homnd.

    Going with the mindset ¡°because everyone else is doing it¡± is an effective self-defense strategy in unfamiliar ces.

    The line of people stretched long into the outskirts.

    We walked on, skirting around and eventually came to a wilderness with no buildings around.

    In the distance, surrounded by walls, there is a staircase leading underground.

    The people walking along this path seemed to be adventurers heading for the dungeon.

    Near the entrance to the staircase were stalls selling food and tools.

    Adventurers seemed to be generally eating their breakfast at these stalls, as everyone is buying some of the food around.

    Come to think of it, I was getting hungry too.

    I could smell the scent of something delicious wafting from a nearby food stall.

    Checking the ce out, they were selling fried meat and onions sandwiched between bread.

    Seems to be the burgers of this world.

    I would like to try one out, but I don¡¯t have a single coin in my pocket.

    At this rate, I would starve to death in the near future.

    I need to earn money somehow, but I don¡¯t feel like following the adventurers into that dungeon.

    After all, I¡¯m no Hero or Mage.

    I have no weapons or armor either.

    I¡¯m just a dagashi shopowner.

    Hmm?

    ¡­¡­That¡¯s right.

    That¡¯s right!

    I¡¯m a dagashi shopowner!!!

    In that case, why don¡¯t I just sell my dagashi here?

    Since there are so many people here, there might even be people who would buy some dagashi.

    If I remember correctly, I should solemnly think ¡°Open¡± to open the store, right?

    However, I don¡¯t think opening a shop here out of the blue would be a good idea.

    The surrounding street vendors might get angry at me.

    I¡¯m not sure what kind of stall I might end up setting up.

    It is possible for an imposing establishment to appear and crush the stalls nearby.

    Being modest, I moved to the edge.

    It¡¯s a long way from the entrance to the dungeon, but there shouldn¡¯t be any trouble here.

    Taking a deep breath, I calmed myself down and quietly murmured.

    [Open.]

    I felt a rush of energy drain from my body.

    The store must have consumed my mana to appear.

    However, what appeared wasn¡¯t a store.

    What appeared was a small shoulder-pole stall.

    It¡¯s a simple contraption consisting of a long pole withrge tes attached at both ends by strings, on which goods are ced.

    There are only 10 different types of products in my stall.

    It was shabby, to say the least, but I can¡¯t see what else I can do.

    I moved over to a rock that wasfortable to sit on and ced my shoulder-pole stall on the dirt.

    Checking out my goods again, they are all things I know well.

    Round candies and gums worth 10 yen, a small case of ramune candies, curry crackers in a point, squid skewers and more.

    They all look just like the snacks I used to buy at the dagashi shop when I was a kid.

    However, looking closely, I noticed that the packaging is slightly different.

    The characters on the package are also from this world.

    Come to think of it, I can also read the letters of this world.

    I can understand what the locals are saying, so it seems that I won¡¯t have anguage problem.

    That¡¯s good.

    Since I knew they wouldn¡¯te if I just kept quiet, I decided to call out to the customers.

    [How about some dagashi? Delicious and cheap dagashi.]

    A passing adventurer nced at me, but just continued on his path and passed by silently.

    That¡¯s scary¡­¡­

    It¡¯s a guy whose face is just as threatening as the real threatening weapon sheathed on his waist.

    I was a civilian in peaceful Japan, so I can¡¯t help feeling scared seeing a guy like him.

    However, if I don¡¯t do anything, I wouldn¡¯t be able to have a proper meal to eat!

    While patching up my fragile heart with the duct tape of my soul, I managed to squeeze out a trembling voice.

    [How about some dagashi¡­¡­?]

    The voice that I managed to bring out of my mouth was small, but a short girl looked my way.

    Curiosity in her eyes, she alternately looked at me and my dagashi.

    Here¡¯s my chance¡­¡­

    [They¡¯re cheap. How about trying out some?]

    At my words, the girl trotted towards me.

    She looked around at the snacks on the te.

    Her pink short hair was swaying in the wind.

    [This is cute. What¡¯s this?]

    She pointed to a piece of gum with a picture of a cat on the wrapping paper.

    It was a bite-sized piece of gum, and in my memory from a previous life, it was known as 10-yen gum.

    [This is a 10-yen gum¡­¡­]

    The moment I focused my attention on the product, information poured into my mind.

    Product name: 10-rim gum

    Description: While the vorsts, recovers 1 MP every 10 seconds. Strawberry vor!

    Price: 10 rims

    I don¡¯t know if 6 MP recovery in 1 minute is big or small.

    There¡¯s also the mystery of mary value.

    Back in Japan, an item worth 10 yen is something even a child can buy, but what would 10 rim be worth in this world?

    The only way to find out is to test it out on the adventurer in front of me.

    [This is a 10-rim gum.]

    [What¡¯s a gum?]

    I guess I gotta start my exnation from that huh.

    There seems to be no gum in this world.

    [It¡¯s a sweet snack that you can enjoy chewing, but not swallow. Moreover, as long as the tastests, it restores 6 MP per minute.]

    [Heehhh, that¡¯s amazing!]

    She seemed surprised, but her surprise wasn¡¯t that great

    My guess is that there¡¯s probably because there were much more powerful restorative consumables on the market.

    [It¡¯s priced at 10 rims?]

    [Unnn, how about trying out one?]

    [I think it¡¯s cute and looks interesting. I¡¯ll buy another one for Mira too.]

    It seemed that she was buying one for her friend too.

    If she was buying them so casually, I guess the price of 10 rims was probably not too expensive.

    The girl paid with 2 worn-out brown copper coins, a little smaller than a 10-yen coin.

    So these are 10-rim copper coins huh¡­¡­

    So as not to lose the only money I have on hand, I tucked my first sale into the back of my pocket.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    <strong>Yahagi Yuusuke</strong>

    <strong> ïÓñ: Amedama / Round Candy</strong>

    <ol start="2"><strong> £±£°ƒÒ¥¬¥à: 10-yen gum</strong>

    <ol start="3"><strong> ¤¿¥é¥à: Ramune. The author only said ramune, but I think they¡¯re talking about ramune candies.</strong>

    <ol start="4"><strong> ¥«¥ì©` ¤»¤ó¤Ù¤¤: Curry Senbei / Curry Crackers.</strong>

    <ol start="5"><strong> ¥¤¥«´®: Ika Kushi / Squid Skewers</strong>

    </ol></ol></ol></ol>

 Chapter 3: Curry Crackers

    <h4>Chapter 3: Curry Crackers</h4>

    After themuter rush was over, the open space in front of the dungeon became sparsely popted.

    The many adventurers seemed to have gone underground.

    The other street vendors have also started cleaning up.

    As it turned out, I was only able to sell the earlier 10-rim gums, making my total amount of sales being only 20 rims.

    The gusting wind blows the leaves of the trees and hits my body.

    I feel as if I¡¯m going to freeze not only physically, but also mentally.

    Feeling extremely hungry, I put my hand on one of my snacks on sale.

    Product name: Curry Crackers

    Description: Restores stamina. Even when it¡¯s cold, consuming this will keep your body warm.

    Price: 20 rims

    Yum¡­¡­

    It really warms me up and even gives me a lot of motivation.

    Both the ramune candies and round candies also seemed to have their own wonderful effects if you eat them.

    The reason my products haven¡¯t sold well is probably because they aren¡¯t advertised enough.

    When the adventurers returned, I suppose I should try to sell them more aggressively.

    Since curry crackers weren¡¯t enough to fill me up though, I also ate some squid skewers, which were also stored in jars just like curry crackers.

    Product name: Squid Skewers

    Description: Increases sensitivity for a while. Makes it easier to detect the presence of enemies.

    Price: 30 rims

    Perhaps because my senses were sharpened after eating a squid skewer, I noticed a street vendor paying attention to me.

    He seemed to be interested in the squid skewer I was eating.

    Even as he was cleaning up his own store, he would sometimes nce my way.

    Perhaps, he might be interested in buying one.

    [Hello.]

    I greeted him casually.

    [Yo, you don¡¯t look familiar.]

    [I just started my business today. Nice to meet you.]

    [You¡¯re new? Nice to meet you too. By the way, what¡¯s the stuff you¡¯re selling, bro? They all looked like stuff I haven¡¯t seen before¡­¡­]

    The uncle looked at the items on the te with a curious look on his face.

    As I thought, it seems that they really can¡¯t tell what these are at a nce.

    That in itself is a problem, but it¡¯s also proof that we have no business rivals.

    Let¡¯s not give up hope.

    [These are dagashi.]

    [Dagashi?]

    They don¡¯t know what dagashi are?

    I see!

    I guess the word ¡°dagashi¡± wasn¡¯t verymon.

    It¡¯s no wonder people would just pass me by.

    [I mean cheap snacks.]

    [Ahh, so they¡¯re sweets.]

    The uncle nodded in understanding.

    [Would you like one?]

    [No, I don¡¯t like sweet stuff.]

    [I have some that aren¡¯t sweet. Like the squid skewer I¡¯m eating or the curry crackers over here.]

    Thereupon, upon smelling the squid skewer, the uncle frowned.

    [Urk, what¡¯s with that smell? In the first ce, what¡¯s a squid?]

    [A squid is a squid. It¡¯s an animal in the sea.]

    [The sea!? This is something you got from far away?]

    Judging from the uncle¡¯s words, it seems that this ce is ind.

    [Ohh, this one smells appetizing.]

    Now, he sniffed the scent of the curry crackers.

    [They are sprinkled with a lot of spices after all.]

    [Spices!? Aren¡¯t those luxury items!? How much are these?]

    [20 rims.]

    [Cheap! Are there really spices on these?]

    [It¡¯s true. Please try it out yourself first.]

    [Well, if it just costs 20 rims, I won¡¯t be angry even if it tastes bad¡­¡­]

    The 20-rim price really seemed to be low.

    The uncle paid me 2 copper coins.

    With this, my total sales for the day came to 40 rims.

    The uncle seemed wary of the food because it was his first time eating it, so he tried a small nibble on the tip of the cracker.

    [Mhmm¡­¡­ It¡¯s tastier than I expected. If it¡¯s for 20 rims, it¡¯s totally worth it.]

    [Right? It goes well with alcohol, so they¡¯re even disyed at my favorite bar.]

    [Yeah, it does seem to go well with alcohol.]

    After he finished eating his curry cracker, the uncle stretched out his body.

    [I¡¯m feeling a little warm inside. I¡¯m also feeling energized, so I will continue cleaning up and go home!]

    [That¡¯s the effect of these curry crackers!]

    [I see, that¡¯s an interesting snack.]

    Arehh?

    As I had thought earlier, their impression of my snacks having effects really is light.

    Warming up a person¡¯s body and making you feel energy is like a snack out of the dreams for me.

    Aren¡¯t they even gonna suspect that I¡¯m selling a dangerous product mixed with illegal drugs?

    Well, in a world where magic exists, I guess this is just not so impressive.

    Or perhaps, was it that they didn¡¯t believe me?

    In any case, before the uncle goes back to what he was doing, I will ask him something important.

    [By the way, is there any ce around here where I can get a drink of water?]

    My throat was parched from the curry crackers and squid skewers.

    [If you¡¯re looking for water supply, they¡¯re in the city.]

    There seemed to be fountains all over the city where water could be drawn freely.

    It would be some time before the adventurers returned from the dungeon.

    I should get some information while I can.

    Putting away the shoulder-pole stall by thinking ¡°Close¡±, I started walking back to the city.

 Chapter 4: 10-Rim Chocolates

    <h4>Chapter 4: 10-Rim Choctes</h4>

    Probably because my senses had been heightened by the squid skewer, I soon found the water station.

    I had imagined it would be something like a well, but it seems like it was slightly different.

    Here, water was gushing out of a lion¡¯s mouth like the ones I had seen in onsen inns.

    Come to think of it, I didn¡¯t have a single cup or water bottle with me.

    Having no other choice, I scooped some water with my hands and gulped it down.

    The thought that I might get a stomach ache after drinking this world¡¯s water crossed my mind for a moment, but I don¡¯t have the time to worry about appearances.

    That¡¯s how thirsty the squid skewer made me.

    Gulp, gulp, gulp...... Delicious!

    Why does the water I drink after eating squid skewer taste so sweet?

    It tastes so good that I could eat a squid skewer just for the sake of drinking the sweet water.

    Anyhow, with that, I was finally able to calm myself down.

    I looked around the city again.

    There were many buildings, but there was this undeniable feeling that the city seemed somewhat deste.

    If I were to use an analogy, it was like an onsen resort that flourished in the Showa era but became deserted in the Reiwa era.

    The buildings are old and sparsely popted.

    If they were given a European touch, it would probably end up like this city.

    I started wandering around, letting my feet lead me somewhere.

    Come to think of it, I needed to find a ce to stay for the night.

    The season here is a little chilly, about the same as spring in Japan.

    It¡¯s too cold to camp outdoors.

    Besides, it would be troubling if it suddenly rained.

    As I was walking along, I saw a signboard for an inn.

    ¡°Reliable Inn: Bottakuro. Prices 850 rims and up.¡±

    The name of that inn doesn¡¯t really make it feel reliable, but 850 rims per night seemed quite inexpensive to me.

    From what I felt from my earlier sales, 1 rim is about 1 yen.

    In Japan, it costs more than 7000 yen to stay in a business hotel.

    Even a capsule hotel or a stay in an inte cafe would cost about 3000 yen per night.

    Compared to that, I guess 850 rim seems reasonable, wouldn¡¯t it?

    What the inn was like inside would probably not be that bad......

    But though I said that, I only have 40 rims in my pocket.

    My purse is far from enough to stay even in such a cheap inn.

    I¡¯ve made up my mind that I need to put all my effort into my business.

    As the sun set in the west, the open space in front of the dungeon suddenly began to liven up.

    Adventurers who had been beneath the dungeon returned to the surface.

    [Hey, mister!]

    While I was setting up my stall at the edge of the open space, two girls came running up to me.

    One of them was a cheerful girl with pink hair, the adventurer who had bought a 10-rim gum this morning.

    [Mira,e quickly!]

    The one called Mira had blue hair and looked much more demure.

    She was wearing a wide-brimmed hat and a loose-fitting robe.

    From the way she was dressed, I guess she¡¯s a mage.

    In her hand, she held a long wooden staff.

    [You don¡¯t have to be in such a hurry, Merle.]

    Spreading a soft and gentle atmosphere, the child named Mira also came to the front of the shop.

    [Uwaaa, it really was as Merle said. Are these all sweets?]

    Mira looked thrilled and sped her hands together in front of her chest.

    She had such big breasts that are noticeable even from on top of her loose-fitting robe.

    [How was the 10-rim gum?]

    [Unnn, it was delicious and helpful. It was only a little, but it really recovered my MP.]

    [Wasn¡¯t it just like I said?]

    [Unnn. However, the taste went away quickly and the MP recovery also stopped.]

    That¡¯s what the 10-rim gum is like after all.

    It¡¯s cheap and tasty, but the taste doesn¡¯t stay around much.

    [Ummm......]

    Mira, the blue-haired girl, timidly asked me.

    [I opened the wrapper and found this......]

    ¡°WIN: You can get another piece of gum at the shop¡±

    Speaking of which, this was gum with a lottery in it.

    [Congrattions. Here, I¡¯ll give you another gum.]

    [Uwahh! Is that alright?]

    [Of course. That¡¯s the kind of product it is after all.]

    I handed Mira a new piece of gum, which she carefully tucked into her pocket.

    She will probably eat it tomorrow when they go exploring in the dungeon.

    Thinking that this gum would be useful for Mira, I feel happy.

    On the other hand, Merle looked envious when she saw Mira receiving the gum.

    [That¡¯s nice. I also want to win gum!]

    [If you¡¯re looking for lottery, I also have these.]

    I opened a box of 10-rim choctes.

    This also cost 10 rims each.

    [Hehh...... They look just like 10-rim copper coins.]

    [There¡¯s chocte inside.]

    [Chocte!? Isn¡¯t that something only the rich can eat?]

    Not just spices, it seems that choctes are also considered luxury items.

    In that case, should I raise their price?

    No, no, that is something my pride as a now-dagashi shopowner won¡¯t allow.

    Dagashis are products that have been researched and developed to be sold at a price that even children can afford.

    How can I trample on the efforts of my predecessors for the sake of my own greed?

    [If I win, will I get another piece of chocte?]

    Merle looked at me with expectant eyes.

    Grinning at her question, I wagged my finger.

    [Nope. You¡¯ll find a voucher inside?]

    [Voucher? What for?]

    [Different kinds of vouchers. There¡¯s a 50-rim, 30-rim, 20-rim, and 10-rim purchase voucher. You can exchange them with items on par with your vouchers.]

    [I¡¯ll buy one!]

    Merle handed me a 10-rim coin and stared at the numerous 10-rim choctes.

    [What are you doing, Merle?]

    [I¡¯m picking out which one is the winning chocte...... Be quiet for a moment, Mira.]

    It¡¯s not like staring at them makes it possible for you to find the winning chocos though.

    I think whatever Merle¡¯s doing would just be useless.

    However, her having fun like this is one of the best parts of buying snacks.

    I just stayed silent and let Merle do what she wanted.

    Before long, Merle seemed to have made up her mind and put her hand inside the box.

    [It¡¯s this!]

    In Merle¡¯s hand was her carefully selected 10-rim chocte.

    With her hands nervously peeling off the film, what she found...... was the word ¡°FAIL¡±.

    [Too bad, it¡¯s a failed draw.]

    [Gununununu......]

    Merle bit her lip in disappointment.

    [However, you should just eat it. It¡¯s delicious after all. Moreover, it also helps you slightly recover your vitality.]

    [Hmmm.]

    Merle popped the chocte into her mouth and happily smiled.

    [It¡¯s true, it really is delicious! I also feel like some of my fatigue was relieved.]

    Hearing that, Mira was also motivated to buy some.

    [I¡¯ll have one too please.]

    [Yes, yes, choose whichever you like.]

    Mira takes no time to select one and dexterously flips through the film.

    [Arehh?]

    Oh my, isn¡¯t that a ¡°10-rim voucher¡± written on the back of her film!?

    [Congrattions! I can exchange it for any 10-rim item.]

    [Is that alright? That kinda makes me feel bad.]

    It seems that Mira has a lot of luck to win so many prizes in a row.

    However, seeing Mira win again, Merle couldn¡¯t keep quiet.

    [Why is it only Mira that¡¯s winning!? Are you showing favoritism just because she has big breasts!?]

    [Of course not!]

    [T- That¡¯s right. Also, can you lower your voice? That¡¯s embarrassing......]

    However, Merle wouldn¡¯t stop.

    [If that¡¯s the case, I¡¯ll buy three!]

    [Oi, oi......]

    [Here, 30 rims!]

    Merle seems to be the type of person who gets easily heated up.

    However, thanks to the ruckus Merle is making, other adventurers beganing along.

    [What¡¯s all the fuss about? You found something interesting?]

    [Keh, you guys stay away! The vouchers are mine!]

    Ignoring Merle, I exined what dagashi are to the young adventurers.

    [That sounds kinda fun. Give me some gum and chocte too.]

    [I¡¯ll have some of these round candies.]

    Completely unlike this morning, the shop remained bustling until it got dark.

    <hr>

    Trantor Note:

    Showa is from 1926-1989. The Reiwa era is the current period, after 2019. The name of the inn, Bottakuro, is a close pun to Bottakuri, which means rip-off/unfair overcharging.

    Mira (Left) and Merle (Right). Mira¡¯s holding a 10-rim gum, while Merle¡¯s holding 10-rim choctes.

 Chapter 5: Bottakuro

    <h4>Chapter 5: Bottakuro</h4>

    Thanks to Merle, customers starteding and the sales that day amounted to 2070 rims.

    Each customer¡¯s average spending was about 200 rims.

    As for Merle, she was so enthusiastic about the lottery that she must have spent more than 300 rims. It was only after her 7th try that a teary-eyed Merle drew a voucher.

    The amount of the voucher she won was 30 rims, but she seemed to be satisfied with that.

    She said she woulde back tomorrow.

    It seemed that ¡°Dagashi Yahagi¡± had gained a cute regr customer.

    After buying some bread with meat and vegetables in between for dinner, I went to the inn I had my eye on.

    I¡¯m talking about the ¡°Reliable Inn: Bottakuro¡±.

    Looking at that inn as it was engulfed in the darkness of the night, the ce had this slum-like atmosphere straight out of a foreign movie, making the suspiciousness of the ce doubled.

    When I passed through their small door, there was a reception counter where an old woman, who had eyes and a body shape resembling that of a wild boar, absentmindedly resting her cheek on her hand.

    When her gaze stopped on me, she asked in a rough voice.

    [Staying overnight? Or just taking a break?]

    The woman¡¯s voice was sharp and it sounded like she was questioning me.

    [I¡¯m staying the night.]

    [What do you do for work?]

    The woman sits up and stares at me.

    [¡­¡­I¡¯m a street vendor.]

    I answered, thinking that she wouldn¡¯t understand me even if I said I was a dagashi shopowner.

    I¡¯m already too tired to exin about dagashi.

    [850 rims, up front.]

    The atmosphere around this ce seemed suspicious, but the price written on the signboard seemed to be true.

    After I paid 850 rims, the old woman pompously lifted her big body and showed me to my room.

    [Make sure to be quiet at night. If you make too much noise, a fight will break out.]

    The walls are so thin that any conversation can be overheard.

    If they are awakened while they are sleeping, the rough ones would apparentlyin with their swords drawn.

    Hearing her words, I swore to myself that I would walk stealthily¡­¡­

    The room I was ushered into was so small that it was no more than three tatami mats wide.

    I mean, it isn¡¯t much, but the room was thoroughly cleaned.

    [The magicmp only holds a magic crystal enough for it to run for two hours.]

    After two hours, the light in the magicmp on the bedside table would apparently disappear.

    Well, I was already tired to the bone, so I didn¡¯t really intend to stay upte at night.

    When the old woman left, I covered myself with the nket provided and fell asleep immediately.

    ¡ó

    The next morning, I woke up to the sound of people¡¯s footsteps.

    The hallway was creaking even when people tried to walk softly, so I suppose it can¡¯t be helped.

    I got up too and headed for the well in the courtyard.

    As I put my weight on the wooden hallway, the floors creaked.

    As I walked along, I could hear the clicking of tonguesing from somewhere.

    I¡¯m starting to feel like this ce only has rough guests¡­¡­

    Anyhow, I washed my face in the courtyard and then wiped my face with the hem of my shirt.

    Come to think of it, I¡¯m living a life without a single towel in hand.

    I have 920 rims in my pocket.

    The open space in front of the dungeon was full of stalls selling all sorts of things, so there should be at least a towel if I search around.

    I was told that I could just leave without needing to check out, so I went outside trying not to make any noise.

    I bought a towel I found at a stall in the early morning for 500 rims.

    Well, though I said it was a towel, it was far from the towel I know, being more like just a piece of cotton cloth.

    However, it was still useful.

    It can be used as a scarf if I wrap it around my neck, or for washing my face and body.

    As I was looking around for a cheap breakfast somewhere, a cheerful voice stopped me.

    [Ahh, there you are! Are you still not going to run your stall?]

    The voice belonged to Merle, with Mira following behind her.

    [Good morning, Merle. Mira too.]

    [Hey, hey, aren¡¯t you going to open your stall this morning? I really want to buy 3 more 10-rim gums.]

    [Alright. I¡¯ll set it up right away, soe with me for a moment.]

    Along with the two of them, we moved to a ce where I could set up my stall.

    [Open! Dagashi Yahagi.]

    I shouted, and soon, my shoulder-pole stall appeared.

    [Ara, mister is also a mage like me huh.]

    Mira happily says that, but it¡¯s kinda different¡­¡­

    My Job is Dagashi Shopowner.

    [I wonder about that? This is the only magic I can use after all.]

    [Oh my. Even so, that¡¯s an unusual power. Is that perhaps Spatial Magic?]

    While Mira and I were conversing, the cheerful Merle interrupted us.

    [Rather than that, let¡¯s get our 10-rim gums already. We¡¯ll end up gettingte in the assembly time.]

    Merle had bought a lot yesterday, but that didn¡¯t seem to be enough.

    [Are you sure you want to buy that many?]

    [If it¡¯s just 30 rims, it¡¯s no big deal.]

    Well, they are dagashi after all.

    [Besides, while chewing gum, we¡¯ll do a lot of power shots today. We¡¯re gonna earn a lot of money!]

    [Earn money, how?]

    Both Merle and Mira looked stunned when I asked that question.

    [Of course, by defeating monsters!]

    Well, that¡¯s something I can guess.

    [No, I don¡¯t mean that. I just want to know why defeating monsters would earn you money. Are there rewards for them or something?]

    At my words, Merle and Mira looked at each other, looking like they were wondering if I¡¯m being serious or what.

    Thereupon, Mira started exining it to me in a simple and easy-to-understand way.

    [When you defeat a monster, the monster disappears, leaving behind magic crystals and money. You didn¡¯t know that?]

    That¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve heard of it.

    [I see, so the more you defeat, the more money you get.]

    [That¡¯s right. Ah, we¡¯re running out of time already, Mira!]

    [Indeed. We need to go.]

    Merle and Mira hurriedly packed their luggages.

    [Well then, see you in the evening then.]

    [Ou,e back alive!]

    [Hey, can you not say something ominous!?]

    [We¡¯ll be backter.]

    Leaving those words, they ran off toward the entrance of the dungeon.

    [Good day.]

    Meanwhile, young adventurers came to take their ce.

    They were the same ones who hade yesterday, and this morning, they were apanied by a few others.

    All of them looked like young boys.

    [Wee.]

    [Do you have any more curry crackers? I thought of telling them about it.]

    [Is it true that they¡¯re tasty and restore your stamina?]

    His friends look at him doubtfully.

    [I said it¡¯s true. Just think you¡¯ve been tricked and try buying them. It¡¯s just 20 rims anyway.]

    [I¡¯ll buy one then.]

    [Me too.]

    They ended up buying not only curry crackers, but also c and soda-voredrge round candies (which increase speed while eating them).

    The mornings are hectic, so business hours are short.

    That being said, it still resulted in sales of 360 rims.

    With this, I now have 720 rims in my pocket.

    Even so, that¡¯s still 130 rims short of an overnight stay at Bottakuro.

 Chapter 6: Powdered Juice (Grape Flavor)

    <h4>Chapter 6: Powdered Juice (Grape vor)</h4>

    The sun tilted to the west and the busy time for my dagashi shop arrived.

    I wait for the adventurers toe up on the ground, just as dagashi shops back on Earth wait for the grade schoolers to leave school.

    Rumors seem to have spread by word of mouth, and several customers have already bought snacks from me.

    As I was selling my snacks, my eyes stopped to look at two people walking towards me.

    They were Merle and Mira, two of the shop¡¯s regrs.

    However, there was something strange about them.

    Merle, who was usually like a bundle of energy, was walking with a limp, holding onto Mira¡¯s shoulder.

    [What¡¯s going on?]

    I got up and ran toward them.

    [Merle got caught in a trap in the dungeon. She was inflicted with the Vertigo Curse.]

    If that curse really was just as I imagined, being under the effect of Vertigo Curse in itself shouldn¡¯t be life-threatening.

    However, it could also be a terrible curse to be under a dungeon because it causes severe fatigue and makes it impossible to move properly.

    [Come here, I have something good for you.]

    I helped Mira bring Merle to my shoulder-pole stall.

    [Do you have a cup?]

    [Yes. Ah, would it be alright, giving us medicine?]

    [No, it¡¯s not medicine. It¡¯s juice.]

    [Juice?]

    What I¡¯m having Merle drink is this.

    Product name: Powdered Juice (Grape vor)

    Description: Dissolve in 120 ml of cold water and drink. Fruit-vored power mix, made with artificial vorings. Has the effect of breaking curses.

    Price: 30 rims

    In addition to grape-vored juice, there are four other types of powdered juice: strawberry, melon, pineapple, and orange, each with its own effect.

    The grape vor has the Anti-Curse effect, orange vor has the Detoxify effect, strawberry vor reduces MP consumption (15 minutes), melon vor increases EXP gain by 1.2 times (10 minutes), while pineapple vor increases money gain by 1.2 times (10 minutes).

    [Mira, do you have some water?]

    [I will make some right away.]

    Saying this, Mira magically created a ball of water in the air.

    [I don¡¯t need that much. Too much water makes the drink taste weak and bad.]

    If I¡¯m going to blend it, I want the drink to taste good.

    I mixed the powder and water in a metal cup and made grape juice.

    [Now, drink this.]

    [Hnn¡­¡­]

    Though it seemed like she was out of breath, Merle slightly opened her mouth.

    Through that small opening, I slowly poured the juice into her mouth.

    [Gulp¡­¡­ gulp¡­¡­ Gulp gulp gulp!]

    [How are you feeling?]

    [There¡¯s none left?]

    Oi!

    The effect of the juice was so dramatic that Merle got up and asked for a refill.

    Merle¡¯s face, which looked pale a moment ago, now has a healthy blush to it.

    [A packet only contains a small amount of powdered juice after all. So much so that when I was a kid, my dream was to dissolve and drink 5 packets at the same time.]

    [Yeah, I get ya!]

    Merle and Iughed in sync upon that thought, but Mira just remained surprised.

    [Merle, are you really alright now?]

    [Unnn. I feel much better now!]

    [Amazing¡­¡­ Umm, it looks like there are five different juices, but do they all have the same effect?]

    I exined the other types of juices to them, to which Merle showed interest in the pineapple-vored juice.

    [Does this mean what I think it is? Let¡¯s say I defeat a Giant Bee. The money left by a Giant Bee is about 100 rims, so if I drink this juice beforehand, it will instead drop 120 rims!?]

    [Well, that¡¯s what it would mean.]

    [Give me 10 packets, all your stock!]

    She bought up all the stock in the shop.

    With that, I¡¯m now out of pineapple juice.

    Meanwhile, Mira wanted the other types of juices.

    [I¡¯ll have three grape-vored and three orange-vored ones please.]

    She must be very cautious.

    The juices she bought were the anti-curse and detoxify ones.

    [Now then, should I try much luck with the 10-rim chocte again today!?]

    After buying up all the pineapple juice, Mira puts her hand into the box of 10-rim choctes.

    It¡¯s hard to believe that she was cursed just a moment ago.

    [Ahh, you guys are here too?]

    The adventurers who had bought curry crackers in the morning had also arrived.

    It seems like my friends here in this world are increasing.

    [Wee. How were the curry crackers?]

    [Thanks to it, I didn¡¯tck stamina at all. At first, I thought it was suspicious, those really are amazing. Thanks to the round candies, I can move faster, and I got a lot ofpliments from the boss today!]

    [You probably made a lot of money then?]

    [Yep, that¡¯s why I¡¯m here to buy some more.]

    Making a lot of ruckus, the young adventurers shopped for goods.

    [Bro, what¡¯s this?]

    [It¡¯s a magical whistle candy. When you blow on it, it makes this ¡°pweeee¡± sound which attracts monsters.]

    [What¡¯s that, that¡¯s scary!]

    [How about using it after setting up a trap or something beforehand?]

    [I see! I¡¯ll have one.]

    [Don¡¯t use it when there are many strong monsters around, okay? That will be 60 rims.]

    Sales are going well.

    [Ughhaaa! Another fail!]

    Seems like Merle got another fail from the 10-rim chocte again.

    [Geez, can you stop it with that already?]

    [Shut up, shut up! One more!]

    If she were actually gambling, she would have been the type to suffer huge losses, but if it¡¯s just for 10-rim choctes, her current losses would just be cute.

    However, with her being like that, I couldn¡¯t help worrying about her future.

    [Merle, you¡¯re getting too heated there. Buy one of these too and eat them.]

    [What¡¯s that?]

    [Mini c.]

    The little stic container is filled with c-vored ramune candies, and the hard candy is just the way I like them.

    Product name: Mini C

    Description: C-vored ramune candies. Has a calming effect.

    Price: 40 rims

    [It might be a good idea if you always carry one of those around, Merle. To prevent your life from falling apart, that is.]

    With a cute smile on her face, Mira harshly said.

    Trantor Notes:

    Powdered Juice

    <ol start="2"> Whistle Candy

    <ol start="3"> Mini C

    </ol></ol>

 Chapter 7: Level-up and Pop Rockets

    <h4>Chapter 7: Level-up and Pop Rockets</h4>

    When I bought a towel this morning, I had already prepared myself to camp out tonight because I might not earn enough, but thanks to regr customers like Merle, sales exceeded 3000 rims.

    And so, I can also stay at the inn I stayed at before, Bottakuro, tonight.

    [Staying overnight? Or just taking a rest?]

    As this is already the second time I visited, the blunt attitude of the proprietress didn¡¯t bother me anymore.

    [Overnight please.]

    [The same room is avable, so you use that. Remember to keep quiet.]

    It seems like she remembered my face.

    Thereupon, I noticed a stain on the corner of the counter that wasn¡¯t there yesterday.

    [That is......]

    Seeing where I¡¯m looking, the proprietress loudly sighed.

    [A fistfight happened earlier. Good grief, can¡¯t they put themselves in my shoes!? Who the heck do these people think cleans their mess up!?]

    As I thought, this ce really is a rogues¡¯ den.

    However, I don¡¯t think I have enough money to move to a fancy hotel.

    Even if I wanted to, the situation wouldn¡¯t allow it.

    I quickly climbed the stairs, trying not to make a sound.

    The next day, I headed to the open space in front of the dungeon early in the morning.

    I wanted to earn and save a little more so that I could move to a safer inn.

    Taking up a position closer to the entrance than usual, I said ¡°Open¡± to myself.

    [Arehh, it had a slight upgrade?]

    The usual shoulder-pole stall appeared, but with a slightlyrger selection of items.

    Moreover, the powdered juice (pineapple vor), which had been out of stock, had been replenished.

    Moreover, there was arge piece of cardboard hanging from the shoulder-pole.

    Turning it over, I found that they were pop rockets. That¡¯s certainly something I feel nostalgic about.

    Pop rockets are stic toys.

    When paper gunpowder is inserted and thrown, the gunpowder bursts upon impact and makes a loud noise.

    It was being sold in a lottery form, with the customers possibly drawing out arge rocket or a pack of 3 rockets.

    However, these rockets seem to be a little different from those in Japan.

    Product name: Rocket (Lottery)

    Description: Explosion Magic bursts when thrown at a monster. Consumable. The bigger they are, the more powerful they are.

    Price: 50 rims per draw

    Are you serious......

    .

    No, is this even something I can sell in a dagashi shop?

    I thought about not selling it because it¡¯s dangerous, but then Merle and Mira¡¯s faces crossed my mind.

    They hunt monsters for a living.

    If using rockets would make them any safer......

    [Ohhh, the pineapple-vored juice is refilled! I¡¯ll buy them all!]

    At that moment, Merle and Mira appeared in high spirits.

    [You¡¯re buying them all again?]

    [Obviously! Wait, what¡¯s this?]

    They seemed to have noticed the rockets right away.

    I exined to them about rockets, but there were many questions about their power.

    It would be better if I ask a specialist here first.

    [Hey, Mira. Is Explosion Magic powerful?]

    [Let¡¯s see...... I would say it depends on the caster, but as an Offensive Magic, it is quite the effective magic. Incidentally, I can¡¯t use it.]

    I won¡¯t be able to know unless they¡¯re actually used huh......

    [How about it, Merle, want to draw the lottery one time?]

    [Ehh~~ I just wanted to buy the pineapple-vored juice......]

    Saying this, Merle pressed three 100-rim copper coins on me and she quickly pocketed the pineapple juice.

    [I¡¯d like to try it.]

    With a smile, Mira raised her hand.

    As I thought, Mira really is the soothing type of girl.

    [Well then, draw in the lottery.]

    I held out a lottery box with a bunch of small pieces of paper in it.

    [Which one should I choose...... Here!]

    The ticket Mira drew won her the 3rd prize.

    Incidentally, 1st prize was a giant rocket, 2nd prize was a medium-sized rocket, 3rd prize was three small rockets, 4th prize was two small rockets, and 5th prize was one small rocket.

    [Congrattions, you get three small rockets. You sure are lucky as always.]

    [Ehehe.]

    Mira looked cute while she was happily smiling, but she got deadly weapons held in her hand.

    [Be careful with handling them, okay?]

    [Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m used to magic items. Besides, this seems to be something that reacts to a monster¡¯s magic power and explodes. That¡¯s why, I don¡¯t think you have to worry even if humans hold it.]

    So that¡¯s how it is!

    Mira¡¯s words lightened the burden in my heart.

    That meant that even if this thing hangs on the shoulder-pole, it wouldn¡¯t suddenly explode.

    I could continue my business with a little piece of mind.

    Evening.

    [Mister!]

    Merle, who had returned from the dungeon, jumped towards me.

    [Whoa, w- what is it?]

    Suddenly being hugged by someone, I couldn¡¯t help feeling shaken.

    [Thanks to the pineapple juice, today was the best! I think we made over 1000 rims more than usual. There are also those rockets! That was crazy.]

    [How was it crazy?]

    [It blew up a Poison Lizard with a single shot! That¡¯s a tough opponent for us, but it was one-shotted today. I¡¯ll definitely pull on this lottery too! Come on, bring it out quickly!]

    As Merle was drawing lots, Mira arrived too.

    [Wee back.]

    [I have returned. I see Merle has started pulling for some rockets.]

    [She seemed to be in high spirits.]

    [The rocket is an item that anyone can use after all. They aren¡¯t as powerful as the magic used by veteran adventurers, but they were perfectly practical items.]

    I see, if it can be bought for 50 rims, it might be just the right item for new adventurers.

    Taking her time yet again to choose her pick, Merle pulled out her ticket.

    [Ghaak, 5th prize!]

    And she¡¯s as unlucky as ever......

    [Hello! I heard you have some new items in stock.]

    Other regrs came in.

    Behind them was a little boy, curiously peeking at my wares.

    [Wee. You¡¯re new here, aren¡¯t you?]

    [Unnn, I¡¯m Regal, a porter. I heard I can buy snacks here that were as cheap as 10 rims.]

    [That¡¯s right. These ones over here are 10-rim snacks.]

    Dagashi shops are for the sake of such children after all.

    The storefront is bustling with customers.

    That day, even after dark, they didn¡¯t let me close up my stall.

    <hr>

    Trantor Notes:

    ¥í¥±¥Ã¥ÈŽ / Rocket-dan. It¡¯s also called ¥¸¥ã¥ó¥×Ž / Jump-dan. It doesn¡¯t really seem to have an english trantion (or it does and I¡¯m just being an idiot), so I named it pop rocket. It¡¯s a small, rocket-shaped toy made of stic, with a small amount of gunpowder at the base of its tip. When thrown onto a hard surface, it produces this popping sound.

 Chapter 8: Dorachoco

    <h4>Chapter 8: Dorachoco</h4>

    Sales have increased, but I still can¡¯t afford to waste money.

    And so, tonight too, I¡¯m staying at the Reliable Inn: Bottakuro.

    [You came again?]

    On the third night I came to her inn, the proprietress¡¯ attitude softened a bit.

    [I¡¯d like the same again tonight.]

    [If you¡¯re gonna stay for consecutive nights, I can give you a discount. 3500 rims for 5 days.]

    That means I would only have to pay 150 rims less per day huh.

    I would like to move to a better inn, but luxury is still my enemy.

    I also have to factor in food expenses.

    To eat well, I¡¯ll have to stay in Bottakuro for a while.

    [Not forcing you to do that or anything.]

    [No, I¡¯ll have that please.]

    I paid 3500 rims in advance.

    [Also, regarding that room next to yours......]

    For some reason, at that moment, the blunt proprietress seemed to hesitate saying something.

    [Is something the matter?]

    [There¡¯s a pretty dangerous person staying there tonight, so be extra careful......]

    [By any chance, are they a criminal?]

    Bottakuro is the perfect ce for such people to hide after all.

    However, the proprietress brazenly shook her head.

    [It¡¯s not that simple. Next to your room stayed a man called Grim Reaper. I don¡¯t have any proof, but it¡¯s rumored that he killed a number of people in the past.]

    The heck, that¡¯s so scary!

    [How could the authorities let such a man atrge?]

    [You really don¡¯t know anything, do you...... Wait a moment there.]

    Perhaps bored, the proprietress brewed me a cup of tea.

    The tea tasted somewhere between roasted green tea and ck tea.

    I felt bad about just being served by her, so I brought out my shoulder-pole stand and took out some snacks.

    Product name: Dorachoco

    Description: Two bite-sized dorayaki filled with chocte cream. Split them up and eat them with another to increase intimacy levels. You can be even closer with your friends. Overfeeding and abuse of this product is prohibited!

    Price: 30 rims

    I¡¯m not trying to make advances on the proprietress, but I chose this one because it was just right for the two of us to eat together.

    ......We won¡¯t get too intimate, will we?

    I¡¯m a little scared.

    [Please eat if you¡¯d like. They¡¯re pastries I handle.]

    [Ara, I feel bad now.]

    The proprietress popped a dorachoco into her mouth.

    [Isn¡¯t this tasty!? So you sell stuff like this huh? How much is one of these?]

    [30 rims each.]

    [That¡¯s cheap! Sell me ten.]

    I got a business from a ce I didn¡¯t expect.

    Anyhow, I ate my share of the dorachoco and sipped my tea.

    [So, why are the government officials letting a criminal go around atrge?]

    [Ahh, we were talking about that, weren¡¯t we?]

    Opening up a new pack of dorachoco from the ones she had just bought, the propritress began munching on it anew.

    Naturally, she seems to be eating it alone.

    If I ate any more of that dorachoco with her, we might end up bing lovers.

    If the proprietress had a spouse, that would be an adulterous rtionship.

    I didn¡¯t want that, so I just kept my mouth shut and sipped my tea.

    [You know this country is at war, don¡¯t you?]

    This was the first time I¡¯d heard of that, but I just vaguely nodded along.

    [All the excellent generals and soldiers have gone to the border. Besides, there¡¯s also the King¡¯s curse.]

    [What curse?]

    [You don¡¯t know that either?]

    [I¡¯ve only been here a few days.]

    [In that case, I guess it can¡¯t be helped. The King once had a fianc¨¦e. She was a famous witch by the name of Michelle, but one day, their engagement was annulled.]

    [Why?]

    [Because the King fell in love with our current Queen. It was a terrible story. The Queen is a bewitching woman who makes men fall in love with her, and I guess the King was unable to resist her charms either. Geez, this is why men are......]

    [And the enraged witch put a curse on him huh.]

    [Yeah, rumor has it that the King is so sick that he can¡¯t get out of bed. Heard rumors that his skin had be like the scales of a fish.]

    Sounds like a curse that can¡¯t be cured with the powdered juice (grape vor).

    [Since the King left office, the city¡¯s security has only worsened. Even if there¡¯s someone a little suspicious around, they aren¡¯t even investigating.]

    And that¡¯s why there¡¯s that Grim Reaper walking around as he pleased......

    [What happened to the witch then?]

    .

    [I heard she ran away deep into the dungeon. That¡¯s why the eyes of the high-ranked adventurers changed and they decided to go deep into the dungeon.]

    In order to break the curse, the witch must be caught.

    Adventurers are also tasked with hunting monsters, but their ultimate goal in the dungeon seems to be the capture of the witch.

    There¡¯s apparently a 100 million rim bounty ced on her.

    Even so, one-sidedly having her engaged with them and one-sidedly having that engagement annulled......

    [I kinda feel sorry for that witch named Michelle.]

    When I said that, the proprietress looked at me with a surprised look on her face.

    [Guess so. However, you shouldn¡¯t say such things in this city. The soldiers would let those criminals walk around, but they will catch anyone who speaks ill of the royal family.]

    I would be in big trouble if I were snitched on.

    Anyhow, I should thank her for the tea and returned to my room.

    [Thank you for the tea.]

    [Yeah. Also, I¡¯ll say this again, but be very careful of the guy in the next room. Remember, you must never even peek into his room.]

    [Ummm, can I ask for a room change?]

    [Unfortunately, we¡¯re already at full capacity.]

    I have only just started to fit into this world.

    I don¡¯t want to die yet.

    Trying not to make even a single decibel sound, I slowly climbed the stairs.

    <hr>

    Trantor¡¯s Notes:

    Dorachoco ¨C Chocte Dorayaki

    Also, this is how Proprietess-san looks like from the manga.

 Chapter 9: The Sweet-Toothed Grim Reaper

    <h4>Chapter 9: The Sweet-Toothed Grim Reaper</h4>

    With the thought that someone with the moniker Grim Reaper was sleeping in the next room, it was hard to fall asleep.

    If I snore, he wille to kill me with his scythe, won¡¯t he?

    Such delusions were rising up and disturbing my sleep.

    However, I must have been tired from daytime work, as before I knew it, I had fallen asleep.

    The next time I woke up though was in the middle of the night.

    I don¡¯t have a watch, so I don¡¯t know what time it is.

    However, it was still dark and the surroundings were silent.

    All I could hear was the silent cry of my dder.

    The irresistible urge to pee was overtaking me.

    If things continue, I might pee in my room.

    If I did, I would definitely be cklisted in this inn.

    The proprietress would no longer allow me to stay at the Bottakuro.

    At the moment, that happening would be a problem.

    It¡¯s not easy to find amodation as cheap as this ce.

    However, the bathroom is in the courtyard.

    If I make a noise at this time of night, there¡¯s a great risk of waking the Grim Reaper.

    Death or for me to pee here, that was the question.

    I got up with all my might.

    Rather than sit in my ce and be smeared in humiliation, I decided to die with dignity.

    Opening the door slowly, I took 10 seconds to scout out the area before stepping out into the dark corridor.

    And to my surprise, the door to the neighboring room was half open and light was leaking from the inside.

    The Grim Reaper was awake huh¡­¡­

    I wanted to return back to my room, but my dder, craving release, wouldn¡¯t allow me.

    And yet, the staircase is just beyond the Grim Reaper¡¯s room.

    I have no choice but to go!

    This was the first and biggest crisis I¡¯d had since I was teleported to this world.

    Curiosity kills the dagashi shopowner.

    Even when our rational and our understanding know it, it¡¯s an emotion that we can¡¯t suppress.

    If it¡¯s just for a moment¡­¡­

    Even though I knew that this was something I shouldn¡¯t do, I nced at the Grim Reaper¡¯s room.

    The room is small, just like mine.

    The room is empty, and it seems that the Grim Reaper is absent at the moment.

    However, my eyes were glued to the relics on the bed.

    [Why are those things¡­¡­]

    They weren¡¯t people¡¯s skulls or the Grim Reaper¡¯s scythe.

    They were a pair of women¡¯s underwear, a top and bottom set, light pink in color.

    The material seemed to be silk.

    The cup size of that bra isrge enough for me to see even from this distance.

    No way, the Grim Reaper is an underwear thief!?

    Or perhaps, is that just because of his preferences?

    I hope it really was just for his preferences.

    In my previous life, I also had fun ying around with apps that swap the genders of people in photos.

    I can understand how he feels.

    As long as he didn¡¯t steal those, it would be nonsensical for me to question personal freedom.

    I pretended I didn¡¯t see anything and hurried to the bathroom.

    I walked out into the courtyard, feeling a sense of freedom.

    I feel light, both in body and mind¡­¡­

    I looked up in a good mood and saw that the eastern sky was slightly white.

    Dawn is just around the corner.

    I am afraid to go back to my room now.

    Rather than risk my life and get some more sleep, I¡¯d rather just depart now.

    I feel hungry now that I feel relieved, but there are no establishments open at this time.

    I have no choice but to eat some of my stall¡¯s products.

    Thinking of ¡°Open¡±, I called up my shoulder-pole stall.

    [Arehh, it seems like it had an upgrade.]

    What appeared in the dimly lit courtyard was a shoulder-pole stall that had be a little more luxurious.

    The old shoulder-pole stall used to have t tes hanging on each end of the pole, but they have now been reced by a small chest of drawers.

    It seems that the products can be neatly disyed by pulling out the drawers in a staircase pattern.

    [Oh, it also has more new products.]

    I picked up a small bag of potato chips.

    Product Name: Monster Chips

    Description: Lightly salted potato chips. Contains a monster card that can be summoned and be under the summoner¡¯s employment for 3 minutes. 1/3000 chance of pulling the SSSR Ancient Bismarck!

    Price: 100 rims

    This is yet another item that adventurers are going to love.

    Let¡¯s see, how about trying out one?

    While eating potato chips, I opened the pouch containing the card.

    C

    Flying Snake: Wings attached to its body allow it to fly into the air, and it specializes in attacks from above.

    Habitat: The 1st Basement Floor of the Dungeon and Jamb ins

    Notable Techniques: ¡°Coil¡±, ¡°Poison Fang¡±

    If I collect enough cards to make a deck, even I might be able to conquer the dungeon.

    But if I do that, I feel like if I were to take a direct hit, it¡¯ll be a game over.

    It would be better to stay away from dangerous ces.

    However, I decided to keep this card just in case.

    The potato chips were delicious, but the quantity was a little bit small, so I¡¯m still a bit hungry.

    I picked up a bag of dorachoco, which I hadst night, and opened it.

    Unlike the potato chips, this one was quite filling.

    [Oi, what are youying out over there?]

    At the sudden sound of a deep, hoarse voice that seemed to echo from the depths of hell, I couldn¡¯t help shrieking.

    Turning around, I saw a man with long ck hair with a jet-ck robe standing there.

    His face was covered with a silver mask, so I couldn¡¯t make out his expression.

    However, his eyes that seemed to emit a faint glow behind them caught my attention.

    Is he the Grim Reaper¡­¡­?

    [I am a street vendor and these are my merchandise, dagashi.]

    Lord have mercy on me, Lord have mercy on me, please don¡¯t kill me!

    [Dagashi¡­¡­ You mean sweets?]

    [Yes! Would you like one?]

    Not wanting to be killed, I offered the Grim Reaper the other piece of dorachoco I was holding in my hand.

    [¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­..]

    Hesitating for a moment, the Grim Reaper epted and popped the dorachoco into his mouth through the gap in his mask.

    Ah, I just shared dorachoco with the Grim Reaper¡­¡­

    [It¡¯s delicious¡­¡­]

    Ehh?

    That voice just now sounded like that of a woman¡¯s.

    [Kehum, kehum! It tastes good¡­¡­]

    Was it just my imagination?

    What I¡¯m hearing now was that hoarse voice he had before.

    [That¡¯s good¡­¡­]

    [What else do you have¡­¡­?]

    [Eh, you mean my products?]

    [That¡¯s right.]

    When I exined my products to him, the Grim Reaper started purchasing from one end to the other, making a total purchase of more than 1000 rims.

    Is it because we¡¯ve be friends from the effect of the dorachoco?

    [Do you have a sweet tooth?]

    [I- It¡¯s not like that.]

    He denied it, but all he purchased were sweets, not even looking at the pop rocket, curry crackers, or monster chips.

    [Do you always stay at this inn?]

    [For the time being¡­¡­]

    [I see.]

    After a quick shopping trip, the Grim Reaper quietly left.

    Before I knew it, the sky had already brightened and sparrows were chirping noisily.

    It seems like I had survived.

    Trantor¡¯s Notes:

    I can¡¯t see the IRL equivalent of the monster chips, so I take the image from the manga for reference.The <strong>C</strong> above the Flying Snake¡¯s name stands for Common.

    Here¡¯s the image of the Grim Reaper.

 Chapter 10: Anzu-bou and Powdered Juice (Orange Flavor)

    <h4>Chapter 10: Anzu-bou and Powdered Juice (Orange vor)</h4>

    Uponing to my stall this morning, Merle, who saw my face, looked worried.

    [You look kind of pale, are you okay?]

    [It¡¯s because of the inn I¡¯m staying at. There¡¯s this guy staying next to my room called Grim Reaper, and I was so scared I couldn¡¯t sleep well.]

    [I know that guy! He¡¯s that one with the silver mask, right?]

    [Yes, him!]

    He seems to be quite a celebrity.

    [He¡¯s an expert with sabers. I saw him chop up a two-meter-diameter serpent once.]

    [That¡¯s not all. I also saw him use Tier 2 Magic. I had never seen such amazing magic before.]

    Mira knows about him too huh.

    [Is it true what I heard about him killing a lot of adventurers?]

    [I don¡¯t know. However, I did see him beating up adventurers who picked a fight with him.]

    [Same here. I¡¯ve seen him beat up 10 adventurers in an instant.]

    As expected, him being a scary fellow doesn¡¯t change.

    [Ah, a new product! Contains Monster Cards? That sounds interesting.]

    [Give me one of those too.]

    They both bought a pack of the new Monster Chips.

    [You see the little pouch inside? There¡¯s a card in it. You can summon the monster on the card and have them under your employment for 3 minutes.]

    [Uwahh, there¡¯s an R card, Stone Golem. It¡¯s a good card that can be used both offensively and defensively.]

    [Good for you, Mira. What about you, Merle?]

    [Slime¡­¡­]

    As expected of Merle, the unluckiest in lottery-like items in the world.

    [That¡¯s right, Mira. Won¡¯t you do a small part-time work for me?]

    [Part-time work? What is it?]

    [Well, I have another new product here, you see. However, I need you to freeze it with your magic.]

    What I took out was this.

    Product name: Anzu-bou

    Description: Chopped anzu soaked in syrup stored in a stick-shaped bag. Eating it will give you courage.

    Price: 30 rims

    Anzu-bou is delicious eaten as they are, but it¡¯s more enjoyable to eat them when frozen, feeling like you¡¯re eating sorbet.

    However, Mira apologetically bowed her head.

    [I¡¯m sorry. I can¡¯t use Ice and Cold Magic.]

    [I see. It can¡¯t be helped then.]

    [If it¡¯s magic you want, why don¡¯t I help you out?]

    I recognized that hoarse voice.

    [Gr¡­¡­]

    I barely swallowed the words ¡°Grim Reaper¡± down my throat.

    [Wee.]

    [Unnn. What should I do with magic?]

    His silver mask looked straight at me.

    I¡¯m afraid of offending him though, so I asked him honestly.

    [I¡¯d like to ask you for a favor, but how can I thank you then? I don¡¯t have much money¡­¡­]

    I bought a change of clothes at the market earlier, so I only have 2500 rims on hand.

    [Doesn¡¯t matter, I don¡¯t need it.]

    Cold air surged from the Grim Reaper¡¯s hand, and all the anzu-bou instantly froze.

    Just helping me out with his magic for free, Grim Reaper might actually be a good guy.

    [Then, in return, please at least take a frozen anzu-bou. It¡¯s delicious, feels like eating sherbet.]

    [Unnn¡­¡­]

    Grim Reaper inserts the anzu-bou through the gap in his mask.

    After taking a bite, he stayed silent.

    Ah, this is bad, did he not like it?

    [Sell me ten.]

    It seems like he liked it.

    Feeling relieved, I sold him 10 anzu-bou for 300 rims.

    I thought he was going to leave after that, but he sat down in front of the stall and started picking out through the dagashi.

    It¡¯s just my hunch, but he seemed to be enjoying himself.

    Even though his long ck cape was touching the ground, he was looking at the sweets without care.

    His presence here made it difficult for other customers toe by, but it¡¯s not like I canin either.

    [Well then, we will also be excusing ourselves.]

    [Later~~]

    Mira and Merle also left as if they were running away.

    The other regrs also quickly left for the dungeon.

    As long as the Grim Reaper was around, other customers would probably note this morning.

    I mean, even the adventurers, who seemed to be seasoned veterans, made a huge detour when they recognized the Grim Reaper being here.

    ¡ó

    Even though I had the anzu-bou frozen, it thawed out in the evening.

    If I continue leveling up, will I be able to get refrigerators and freezers?

    Come to think of it, the dagashi shop I went to back then had refrigerators with ss walls on all four sides.

    Now that I¡¯ve taken on a new life as a dagashi shopowner, I¡¯d like to have something like that with drinks lined up.

    [Heeeey! I¡¯d like to draw in the pop rocket lottery again.]

    One of the regr customers came in.

    It was time for people toe out of the dungeon, but I feel like they¡¯re more sparse than usual.

    [There aren¡¯t many people here today.]

    [Yeah, heard there¡¯s been a sighting of the witch down there for the first time in a while. I wonder if the higher ranks are tracking her down? Ohh, 3rd prize.]

    [Congrattions. Here, three small pop rockets.]

    [Since I drew three pop rockets, I think I¡¯ll get myself a juice and a magical whistle candy. Do you have any powdered juice left?]

    [If it¡¯s the vors other than pineapple, yes.]

    [I¡¯ll have one strawberry and one melon-vored juice then!]

    Recently, pop rockets, magical whistle candies, and juices have been very popr.

    After drinking the juices that reduce MP consumption (15 minutes) and increase EXP gain by 1.2 times (10 minutes), the young people use the magical whistle candy to draw monsters and then use the pop rockets to exterminate them.

    This set-up costs about 120 rims.

    The 100-rim Monster Chips also have good responses.

    .

    Although they are more expensive than other products, the monster cards are also practical and they tickle collectors¡¯ fancy.

    The unit price of all products is fixed, but since the cost price is low, I¡¯m still making a good profit.

    At this rate, I should be able to graduate from the Bottakuro by the end of the week.

    Then, I could move to a more secure inn or even rent an apartment.

    As I had such thoughts in mind, I couldn¡¯t help being lost in thought.

    When I can afford it, I would like to have a decent life, and if possible, a girlfriend¡­¡­

    If I were to bring her back to my ce, it really would have to be an apartment¡­¡­ Dehehe.

    [Oi.]

    As expected though, if I were to be asked what my preference was, it has to be the slit-eyed knight.

    Even after being transported to this world, this hasn¡¯t changed.

    I mean, in my previous life, I could only see slit-eyed knights from cosyers, but if I looked for that person in this world, she should be here somewhere.

    [Oi.]

    She would usually have this easy-going personality, but she¡¯s surprisingly passionate in bed¡­¡­

    [Oi!]

    [Uwaahh!?]

    When I came to, I found the Grim Reaper squatting in front of me, looking towards me.

    [W- Wee, Grim Reaper-san.]

    Ah, sh*t! I identally slipped up¡­¡­

    [Who the heck¡¯s a Grim Reaper? My name is Mi¡­¡­]

    [Mi?]

    [Minerva¡­¡­]

    I thought he was going to kill me, but he didn¡¯t, as he simply held out an item in front of me.

    [I¡¯ll have this.]

    The item Minerva held out was an orange-vored powdered juice.

    This is a juice that is supposed to remove the poison in your body.

    Speaking of which, Minerva¡¯s clothes were covered in dirt and there were noticeable cuts on his body.

    [You buying the orange-vored juice¡­¡­ Were you poisoned?]

    [It¡¯s no big deal¡­¡­]

    Even though he said that, the scruff of his neck looked ghastly pale.

    That seems like a pretty big deal to me.

    I dissolved the juice in a cup and gave it to Minerva.

    I wonder if it was because we shared a dorachoco together?

    I felt like I couldn¡¯t leave her alone.

    [Now, drink this.]

    [¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­..]

    Seemingly savoring the vor of the juice, Minerva drank slowly.

    I put two packs in that single cup and made it a little thicker.

    [How is it? Did the detoxifying effect work?]

    [Unnn¡­¡­]

    Arehh? Didn¡¯t her voice sound a little high-pitched just now?

    [I- I¡¯m alright. Gehok, gehok¡­¡­]

    Nope, as expected, her voice was as hoarse as usual.

    [I¡¯lle visit again.]

    Saying this, Minerva paid and disappeared into the crowd.

    When he waspletely out of sight, something crossed my mind.

    ¡­¡­¡­¡­Wait a moment, isn¡¯t Minerva a woman¡¯s name?

    Or perhaps, was it just different here in this world?

    Trantor¡¯s Notes:

    Anzu-bou: ¤¢¤ó¤º°ô / Apricot Sticks

 Chapter 11: Scratch Card (Gum Included)

    <h4>Chapter 11: Scratch Card (Gum Included)</h4>

    A few days passed and my dagashi shop leveled-up again.

    It seems that the level increases are rted to my sales, but I don¡¯t keep any kind of ledgers, so I don¡¯t know the details.

    However, it seems that if I sell more, my dagashi shop will upgrade.

    In any case, restocking was done and new products were added.

    The new product seems to be the typical scratch card.

    Product name: Scratch Card

    Description: Status Bonus when the same pattern is matched (Lasts for half a day). Depending on the pattern, strength, speed, magic or other stats will increase. There¡¯s also a possibility of winning a voucher worth 200 rims. Stat stacking doesn¡¯t work. Comes with a free gum.

    Price: 30 rims

    My first experience with gambling was at a dagashi shop.

    When I think about it again, dagashi shops are full of items that really feel like gambling.

    Even the dagashi shop I went to as a child had these voucher sheets on a piece of cardboard, and the maximum amount you could win from them was 200 yen.

    I was often disappointed, but when I had some money to spare, I would try them out.

    If the effect of the status booststed only half a day, this would be a product that should be sold in the morning.

    The number of people diving in the dungeon at night isn¡¯t really zero, but they were few.

    With the nature of this thing though, I have to be careful not to let Merle get too heated on this.

    These days, there are times when Merle won¡¯t stop even when she eats a calming mini c.

    [Heeeey!]

    [Good morning, Garm.]

    .

    The first customer of the day was the young adventurer who once promoted curry crackers to his friends.

    He was one of the first regrs in my shop after Merle and Mira.

    [Arehh? There¡¯s something new huh.]

    I quickly exined what the Scratch Lottery is to him.

    [Heehhh¡­¡­ That looks interesting. If it¡¯s just 30 rims, I guess I¡¯ll try my luck.]

    [Pick one that you¡¯d like.]

    At my words, Garm detached a card from the cardboard.

    [So, what am I gonna do now?]

    [You scrape off the silver circles with a coin.]

    He took out a 10-rim copper coin from his pocket.

    [Let¡¯s see¡­¡­ Oh, there¡¯s a drawing behind it.]

    The pattern drawn is the symbol of a sword.

    [When you get all three with that symbol, you get a strength status boost.]

    [Okay¡­¡­]

    Garm scraped the second scratch-off coating with expectant eyes.

    He is a warrior after all, so an increase in strength status would be useful to him.

    The pattern that came out was¡­¡­

    [Alright! I got the second one!]

    Two sword patterns lined up.

    However, the first two scratch-offs matching is amon urrence.

    The question is whether he¡¯d get the same results in thest scratch-off¡­¡­

    Keeping himself from speaking, Garm scraped off thest scratch-off.

    In the meantime, his friends also came over and watched him over his shoulder.

    [Oh¡­¡­ Ohhhh!]

    The pattern that came out was the same sword.

    The moment the three patterns were aligned, the card glowed brightly, and the red light was sucked into Garm¡¯s chest.

    [Whooaaa!? What is this!? I can feel my power surging!]

    It seems that the effect of the card has been felt immediately.

    [Keep in mind that the effect onlysts half a day, okay? Well, I guess it will continue while you¡¯re diving in the dungeon.]

    [Oh, give me a scratch card too!]

    [Me too! And a c candy too!]

    Dagashi Yahagi is thriving today too.

    This would allow me to buy all sorts of necessities that I wanted.

    Bag,b, I have all sorts of stuff I need.

    [What¡¯s this!? It looks like the fun items have increased!]

    Merle and Mira arrived.

    [It¡¯s a new product, Scratch Lottery.]

    [Hehh, 30 rims huh. In that case, let¡¯s immediately¡­¡­]

    [Wait a moment. Merle should eat a mini c before ying.]

    [Uuuu¡­¡­ Alright, alright. Here, satisfied?]

    Merle popped a hard candy into her mouth from the bottle she carries with her at all times.

    [I¡¯m saying this now, but this one also got lots of fail draws too. In that case, all you¡¯ll get is a piece of gum that doesn¡¯t have any effect.]

    [That¡¯s exactly what scratches my urges¡­¡­]

    Merle took her time to select her card, and then expressly taking out a 1000-rim silver coin, she began scraping off.

    [With this silver coin in my hand, I feel my luck increasing!]

    Here you can see a gambling ult whose mentality doesn¡¯t have any basis.

    The silver scratch-off was scraped and the first pattern turned out to be a wand.

    If she got a full line-up of this pattern, it would boost one¡¯s magic.

    However, her dream was shattered by the second pattern.

    The second pattern was a boot, a pattern indicating speed.

    [Kuh¡­¡­ D*mn it¡­¡­]

    No, no, you can¡¯t say that.

    In any case, as one would expect from Merle, the patterns that came out were all different: a wand, a boot, and a crown.

    <i>(T/N: Author wrote sword, wand, and crown here, even though it was not stated that Merle drew another card, so I changed it to wand, boot, and crown.)</i>

    Most of the time, people could at least draw out two same patterns.

    [If you got a full set of crowns, all of your abilities would have been improved.]

    [O- One more¡­¡­]

    Merle, chewing on his constion gum, reached for a new scratch card.

    [That¡¯s enough with that.]

    [But you see, it seems like the witch being in the lower-leveled floors for the past few days isn¡¯t a rumor. Even if it¡¯s just a bit, I would like my abilities to be increased.]

    The witch is in the lower-leveled floors?

    [I thought the witch lived deep underground in the dungeon?]

    [That¡¯s the thing. There seemed to be a sighting of her yesterday on the 3rd Underground Floor. The top team hit her with a poisoned arrow, but in the end, she escaped.]

    [Hmmm. By the way, what does the witch look like? It seems like everyone knows who she is, but was there like, some description about her?]

    [A wanted poster was posted in the za in front of the royal pce. Also, as a reaction to the curse she ced on the king, the witch¡¯s body ended up being liked by Flower Sonobugs.]

    [Flower Sonobugs?]

    [They¡¯re insects that live in dungeons. Even though they don¡¯t usually cry, only when the witch is nearby do they make this ¡°riii riii¡± sound.]

    It¡¯s like a bell cricket.

    [Low-ranked adventurers like us try to run away when the Flower Sonobugs start to chirp.]

    [Hmmm, in that case, can you catch me one of those Flower Sonobugs?]

    [Why?]

    [I mean, you know, if I have a Flower Sonobug, I¡¯ll know if that witch is nearby. If it starts chirping, I¡¯ll run away.]

    [You¡¯re so cowardly. Anyhow, I don¡¯t think you need to worry. I heard that the witch don¡¯te out of the dungeon.]

    Is that true?

    Even that witch would need to get food and snacks, right?

    [Besides, Flower Sonobugs can only live deep in the dungeon.]

    [is that so?]

    [Unnn. In fact, Flower Sonobugs live below the 2nd Underground Floor.]

    Thinking about it again, I guess the witch might never attack a dagashi shopowner.

    The only person that witch should hate is the King.

    No, with everyone chasing after her, I guess it¡¯s not impossible that she has turned her animosity against the entire human race¡­¡­

    I think I¡¯ll take a walk after my morning business is done and look at that wanted poster.

    Trantor¡¯s Notes:

    Scratch Card. Can¡¯t see the IRL base, so here¡¯s the image from the manga.

 Chapter 12: Grim Reaper and Carol Choco

    <h4>Chapter 12: Grim Reaper and Carol Choco</h4>

    For breakfast, I had vegetable soup and arge sausage from a food stall.

    I am d to be able to eat what I like now that I have more room in my pocket.

    The price is 150 rims for the soup and 350 rims for the sausage.

    I feel that dishes using meat are generally expensive.

    With my stomach full, I walked along as nned until I came to the za in front of the royal castle.

    On the way, I also bought a leather bag at a bag shop.

    It wasrge enough to be used by adventurers and would be useful for storing daily necessities.

    I have spent almost all of my money, and now only have 3000 rims left in my pockets.

    The za in front of the castle was much bigger and cleaner than the open space in front of the dungeon.

    It seems that they have hired professional cleaners for this ce.

    Thereupon, I saw therge bulletin board in the corner with the announcements from the government.

    For example, ¡°tolls on the bridge have increased¡± or ¡°a felon has been arrested¡±.

    It¡¯s like a rough official gazette.

    As I restlessly looked around for what I was looking for, I quickly found it.

    The wanted poster for the witch Michelle.

    It was a portrait drawn on a piece of paper about the size of a movie poster.

    Listless, dark eyes that looked somewhat tired, with a few dark circles beneath them.

    Jet ck hair longer than her shoulders.

    Her breasts that lifted up her white blouse wererge, and although she looked gloomy and in, there was no doubt that she was a beautiful woman.

    She seemed to be making a somewhat sulky expression in the portrait but......

    [So she¡¯s the witch Michelle huh...... Isn¡¯t she quite the beauty?]

    I mumbled to myself, but a hoarse voice suddenly called out to me from behind.

    [You think so?]

    [Whoa!?]

    I jumped involuntarily, and when I looked around, there I found the Grim Reaper in his silver mask.

    [Minerva-san, please don¡¯t startle me!]

    [It¡¯s not like I mean to do that though......]

    Perhaps because of the dorachoco¡¯s effect, my fear of Minerva has diminished.

    [What are you doing in a ce like this?]

    [I thought I should get to know the face of the rumored witch.]

    Me and the Grim Reaper stood side by side, looking at the wanted poster.

    [Are you also aiming for the witch?]

    [You jest. I¡¯m just a street vendor. Besides, I kinda feel sorry for this witch......]

    Ah, wait, wouldn¡¯t I be in trouble if I said that?

    I had been warned by Bottakuro¡¯s proprietress, but I had forgotten about it.

    However, Minerva didn¡¯t seem to mind.

    [Why do you think so?]

    [After all, she had her engagement unterally broken off, didn¡¯t she? Well, I think it¡¯s going too far to put a curse on people, but I do have some sympathy for her.]

    [Fumu...... By the way......]

    The Grim Reaper kinda feels like he¡¯s fidgeting about......

    The heck is this guy squirming about?

    [That...... was that true?]

    [What was?]

    [T- That thing you said earlier, that she¡¯s beautiful......]

    [Ahh, you mean the witch huh.]

    [Umu. W- What¡¯s so good about this woman?]

    Hmm, contrary to his appearance, does Grim Reaper like the outgoing ones more than the in ones?

    I did hear how people seek what they themselfck, but it seems to be true.

    [She¡¯s quite good-looking, isn¡¯t she? She may have a gloomy personality, but she might be a nice person to be around if you get to know her.]

    [Hmmmm, that¡¯s one way to look at it...... However, it is said that she wasn¡¯t popr at all. Well, that¡¯s just from the rumors I¡¯ve heard......]

    Seems like the conversation was going to be a long one, so I took out some snacks.

    It was a new product, Carol Choco.

    These bite-sized choctese in a variety of vors.

    The packaging is colorful and fun to look at.

    Product name: Carol Choco

    Description: Bite-sized choctes. Eating one makes you feel a little happy.

    Price: 20 rims

    [Please take one, it¡¯s chocte.]

    [S- Sorry......]

    The Grim Reaper, who has a sweet tooth, hurriedly opens the wrapping paper.

    [Continuing what I said earlier, I find it surprising that the witch wasn¡¯t popr.]

    [In this country, cheerful women are popr. Besides, the witch doesn¡¯t have any charm......]

    [Eh, you think so? Doesn¡¯t that slightly tired look on her face look sexy? She also got big breasts, so if you were to ask me, she¡¯s pretty high up.]

    [Y- You think so? Her buttocks are ratherrge though. Don¡¯t you think they¡¯re rather unshapely?]

    [Rather, that¡¯s a really great charm point for her! She really smells like danger, but she has more than enough charm topensate for it.]

    Why am I having a boy¡¯s talk with the Grim Reaper?

    Moreover, I don¡¯t know how it happened, but I ended up supporting the witch.

    Even though we have never met, how strange.

    [By the way, you seem to know a lot about the witch?]

    [I¡¯ve only happened to see her in the past.]

    [Could it be that Minerva-san is also a fan of the witch?]

    [Hmph, I don¡¯t like her......]

    Minerva-san popped the carol choco into her mouth from the edge of her mask.

    [Ah, strawberry vor......]

    [We have four kinds right now: strawberry, caramel, milk and pistachio.]

    [I- I¡¯ll take your entire stock!]

    As expected of a sweet tooth!

    I¡¯ve suddenly got a 2400-rim sale.

    [......Your name?]

    [Eh?]

    [I¡¯m asking your name......]

    [Ahh, I¡¯m Yahagi Yuusuke .]

    [Yuusuke huh......]

    Is it because I had eaten some carol choco? Even though I¡¯m with the Grim Reaper, I¡¯m having a somewhat pleasant and joyful time with him.

    Over time, I¡¯ve also be frank with him.

    [I¡¯m d you¡¯re buying my wares, but you shouldn¡¯t eat too much sweet stuff.]

    [Eh, but I like them~~]

    Huh?

    What¡¯s with that cutesy way of speaking......

    The voice, however, is still that hoarse voice of a man.

    [N- No...... I like them so much that I can¡¯t stop.]

    Speaking of which, Minerva had a pair of women¡¯s underwear.

    Pink and silk underwear.

    I don¡¯t really mind those kinds of stuff, but maybe he has circumstances he doesn¡¯t want to share with others.

    I think I¡¯d better not get too deep into this though.

    Minerva and I chatted about sweets and other recent topics until almost noon, and I think we became closer with each other.

    [By the way, I¡¯d like to ask again......]

    [What is it now?]

    [Did you really think the witch was cute?]

    [Don¡¯t make me say it again. Well, it¡¯s just a matter of preference. I won¡¯t really know until I meet her myself.]

    [Fumu fumu......]

    I don¡¯t really know what is with him, but the Grim Reaper was quite persistent on this subject.

    <hr>

    Trantor¡¯s Notes:

    ¥­¥ã¥í¥ë¥Á¥ç¥³ ¨C Carol Choco. Can¡¯t find its IRL equivalent, so I¡¯ll post the pic from the manga.

 Chapter 13: Chowing Down on Monster Chips

    <h4>Chapter 13: Chowing Down on Monster Chips</h4>

    The blood-red setting sun is dyeing the western sky with its colors.

    I couldn¡¯tpose myself since this morning.

    For some reason, I have this bad premonition and my chest won¡¯t stop pounding.

    I ended up tripping on my newly opened shoulder-pole stall, destroying the disy setup I had just put up, and gave too much change to the wrong person.

    On days like this, I feel like nothing good would happen.

    The most unusual thing today was Merle, who had only been winningrge round candies and 10-rim gums one after the other, even won a rare card from the Monster Chips.

    [Uwoooohhh! I got a Ghost Knight card!]

    It¡¯s just an R card, but that¡¯s already a miracle for Merle.

    [Amazing¡­¡­ Mere, you might die tomorrow.]

    [Can you not say terrible things, Mira? Today is my lucky day, which is said toe only thrice in a lifetime!]

    Don¡¯t spend such an important day in a dagashi shop¡­¡­

    Also, rather than Merle¡¯s lucky day, it feels more like this is my unlucky day.

    [Yuusuke-san, I¡¯ll challenge the 10-rim choctes this time! Today is the day I¡¯ll make up for my daily losses!]

    [Losses you say, the way you say that really sounds bad for my reputation!]

    While we were having this exchange, the open space became noisy.

    As I looked around to see what was going on, I saw a group of soldiers heading in our direction.

    [We are now conducting permit inspections. Merchants, show your permits!]

    Hearing those words made me break out in a cold sweat.

    By permits, they meant business permits, right?

    I had just been doing business as I pleased, so I don¡¯t have such a thing.

    Doesn¡¯t this look bad?

    I thought about whispering ¡°Close¡± and putting my shoulder-pole stall away, but I didn¡¯t want to do anything illegal in front of Merle and Mira.

    [Disy your permit.]

    I confided honestly to the soldier who came to me.

    [I¡¯m sorry, but I didn¡¯t have one.]

    [What? How long have you been doing business here?]

    [About 8 days now.]

    [Is that true?]

    It isn¡¯t just me who said this, as the other regrs nodded in agreement.

    [I would have thrown you in jail, but it was very admirable that you honestly reported this. I will let you off with just a special fine this time. If you continue doing business in this city in the future, make sure you properly buy a business permit!]

    I managed to get away with only a fine.

    [I did think you were kinda ignorant of society, but I can¡¯t believe you didn¡¯t have a business permit.]

    Merle said, looking at me astounded.

    [No, I¡¯ve only just arrived here¡­¡­]

    I¡¯ve properly paid my taxes back in Japan, buting here in a different world, I hadpletely forgotten about it!

    [However, I wonder how much is that permit? After paying the fine, I have almost no money left on me.]

    [If I¡¯m not mistaken, it was 12000 rim a month for street vendors.]

    Mira told me.

    [12000!? What should I do, I only have 4200 rims left¡­¡­]

    [Ara, that¡¯s troubling¡­¡­]

    I have enough money to stay at Bottakuro and my meals.

    However, if I can¡¯t start doing business tomorrow, I¡¯m gonna end up starving sooner orter.

    [I have a good idea.]

    [Really? You have one, Merle?]

    [Unnn, there¡¯s only one ce in this city where you can do business without a permit.]

    [I see, he really could do that.]

    Mira, seemingly understanding what Merle meant, nodded her head in understanding.

    [Ohh, so there was a ce like that!? Tell me, Merle. Where is it?]

    At my words, Merle smiled and pointed to the ground below us.

    What is Merle talking about now?

    [No, no, I can¡¯t sell here! You just saw how I was fined earlier.]

    [Not above ground.]

    [Not above ground¡­¡­ Wait, don¡¯t tell me¡­¡­ You want me to do business in the dungeon!?]

    [Exactly what I meant.]

    Even though she said that, I¡¯m just a civilian without a single weapon¡­¡­

    [Hey, monsters appear in dungeons, right?]

    [Of course they do, it¡¯s a dungeon after all.]

    [I understand that you¡¯re worried¡­¡­ However, if you set up your stall near the entrance, it will be less dangerous.]

    If the need arises, I can just run outside.

    However, Mira told us that was not a good idea.

    [Thew prohibits people from doing business near the entrance. Even without thatw, if you block the passage, you will also be scolded by other adventurers. If you want to set up a stall, you must start from District 2.]

    District 2 is about 500 meters away from the entrance.

    Even there, monsters are said to appear from time to time.

    [Hey, can¡¯t Merle or Mira be my guard?]

    [Even someone with my skills earns about 5000 rims a day. If you pay me more than that, I can think about it.]

    If I end up having to pay 5000 rims, there won¡¯t be much left for me.

    If there aren¡¯t many customers on a given day, I would be in the red.

    [You don¡¯t have to be that worried. If it¡¯s just the monsters in District 2, you should be able to handle them yourself with Monster Chip cards.]

    Come to think of it, I have a Flying Snake card.

    Tonight, in ce of my dinner, I¡¯ll eat a lot of Monster Chips and prepare for tomorrow¡¯s business¡­¡­

    If I can gather about 10 cards, I should be able to make it through the day.

    [Hey, how about we go together when you go into the dungeon? I¡¯ll treat you both to your favorite snacks.]

    Merle and Mira looked at each other and smiled.

    [If it¡¯s just that, you can count on us.]

    [If it¡¯s on the way, we can send you off.]

    Going into the dungeon all by myself is just too scary.

    However, with these two people who I know so well, I could feel safe.

    Since I don¡¯t have a permit, I can¡¯t continue selling my items in this ce any longer.

    Having this in mind, I went back to Bottakuro as soon as possible.

    Trantor¡¯s Notes:

    R means Rare.

 Chapter 14: Inside the Dungeon

    <h4>Chapter 14: Inside the Dungeon</h4>

    In preparation for the next day¡¯s dungeon raid, just as I had nned, dinner was Monster Chips.

    I opened up everything in my inventory, which was 10 pieces.

    The cards that came out were in order¡­¡­

    C Kobold Warrior: Cute and loyal

    C Giant Crow: A big crow

    R Zombie Knight: Scary and strong

    C Pixie Fairy: Disturbs enemies

    C Piranha Bird: Flying piranha!?

    SR Turtle Ninja: A turtle ninja with a sword on his back

    C Goblin: A ssic of all ssics

    C Dancing Knife: A tinier version of the Dancing Sword?

    R Stone Golem: Excellent in offense and defense

    C Jack-o¡¯-Lantern: Has menacing eyes

    ording to Merle and Mira,mon cards are enough to deal with the monsters that appear in District 2.

    If I¡¯m really having a hard time, I can use two cards and I won¡¯t lose.

    While looking at the cards, I nibbled on a bag of potato chips.

    I could afford up to three bags, but by the fourth bag, as expected, even I¡¯d get tired of it.

    Throwing them away would have been a waste though, so I gave them to Bottakuro¡¯s proprietress, who was quite delighted.

    I feel like I¡¯m getting closer to the proprietress¡­¡­

    ¡ó

    I waited at the entrance to the dungeon in the early morning, and Merle and Mira came as promised.

    [Good morning!]

    Merle, who usually looks so carefree, feels very dependable this morning.

    [I- I¡¯m in your care.]

    [Ei! Yuusuke-san, you¡¯re too nervous! It¡¯s not like we¡¯re going to the 2nd Underground Floor, so you should rx a little more.]

    [She¡¯s right. Why don¡¯t you have an anzu-bou?]

    If I ate an anzu-bou, it would give me courage.

    Doing as she suggested, I had one for breakfast.

    [Unnn, I¡¯m starting to feel more rxed.]

    [That¡¯s good, let¡¯s keep that up.]

    [Well then, let¡¯s go!]

    Merle leads the way, with Mira protecting the rear.

    Now that I was walking between the two of them, I was even less scared.

    And thus, that¡¯s how my first entry to the dungeon went.

    The entrance to the dungeon was somewhat simr to the entrance to a subway.

    It wasn¡¯t as bright as that, but the walls were faintly luminous, so there was nock of visibility.

    It was also about the same size, so I felt a sense of familiarity with it.

    [The stairs here have sixty steps.]

    Mira said from behind.

    When monsters appear, I will have to run up these stairs to escape.

    Thinking about how troublesome that would be just made me feel depressed.

    If that¡¯s the case, it would just be easier to fight with the monster cards I gotst night.

    For me to have these thoughts, was it because of the anzu-bout I just ate?

    When we went down the stairs, I found myself in arge entrance-like area.

    There, a few adventurers were checking their equipment and discussing their ns for the day¡¯s battle.

    I¡¯m relieved to see that there were more people than I had expected here.

    [Now, let¡¯s go to District 2. From here on out, tighten up your focus, okay?]

    [Ou¡­¡­]

    I grasped a monster card, ready to activate it at any moment.

    The first card I decided on was the Goblin card.

    I proceeded through the dimly lit corridor with other adventurers.

    Along the way, there was this pathway that led to a narrow alleyway, but Merle ignored it and we continued on.

    Eventually, we passed through arge gate with carved reliefs and came to a slightly wider entrance-like area.

    Up to this point, no battles had urred and no monsters were to be seen.

    It seems like I may have been too much of a scaredy-cat.

    [Good work. Here on out would be District 2.]

    [Thanks. There were more people than I thought there would be, so heading to this area wasn¡¯t really that big of a deal.]

    [Today, that is. Depending on the day,rge amounts of insect-type monsters could spring up, so you shouldn¡¯t let your guard down.]

    That makes sense.

    If this really is a safe zone, there should be more street vendors around.

    Including myself, there were only three of us here.

    Having imagined I would be all alone here, I feel reassured that there were other people around.

    [Thanks, Merle, Mira. As promised, you can take 300 rims worth of snacks, Pick whichever you like.]

    [Then, I¡¯ll take Monster Chips!]

    [Sorry, that¡¯s out of stock.]

    I had opened up all of them after all¡­¡­

    Please don¡¯t look that sad.

    My life is at stake here too.

    After Merle and Mira left, some of the regrs stopped by my stall.

    [I was wondering why I hadn¡¯t seen you, but you opened up your stall inside the dungeon huh.]

    [I have some circumstances in hand. What can I get you today?]

    [Give me a squid skewer and a 10-rim choco.]

    [Here, that¡¯s 40 rims.]

    The ce is now different, but what I do is still the same as usual.

    Although sales decreased a bit, customer traffic was still adequate.

    After the morning rush was over, District 2 suddenly became quiet.

    I heard that most adventurers go below the 2nd Underground Floor.

    The only people on this floor were rookies, and every once in a while, I would hear angry shouts or the high-pitched sound of shing metal in the distance.

    I thought this would be a good time to leave, but the two other street vendors besides me showed no sign of closing up their store.

    One is an old man, thin as a branch, and he brings with him the tools of a field smith.

    Perhaps, his business is about repairing weapons.

    The other was a woman about 30 years old, with a stall that had a sign that said ¡°Herbal Tea¡±.

    I guess I should at least say hello to them.

    [Good morning. I¡¯m Yahagi, a dagashi vendor. Pleased to meet you.]

    [I¡¯m Mirai, I sell restorative tea.]

    [Ou, I¡¯m Sanaga.]

    Both of them aren¡¯t very talkative.

    [Are you two still continuing your business?]

    [My business starts now. After those brats dull their weapons, that is.]

    I see, there certainly aren¡¯t many people who would stop by a smithy first thing in the morning.

    [It would be the same for my herbal tea. My customers are the injured adventurers.]

    It seems like her herbal tea has the effect of healing wounds.

    It seems that these two have no intention of returning aboveground.

    This is kinda troubling.

    Merle and Mira dropped me off on the way here, but I¡¯m on my own on the way back.

    There are no adventurers nearby, and if monsters appear, I¡¯ll have to fight them alone.

    Even if I returned to the surface, I would have toe back again in the evening when it was time to do business.

    Moreover, I havee here alone this time.

    If that¡¯s the case, I should probably stay here too¡­¡­

    As I was pondering this and that, thick fog suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

    [Hmm!?]

    Sanaga-san, who had been sitting leaning against the wall, quickly sat up.

    Mirai-san, who was sitting at her herbal tea, also pulled out a spear from somewhere and held it at the ready.

    [What¡¯s going on?]

    [They¡¯reing!]

    [Coming, what is¡­¡­]

    [Monsters areing.]

    Are you serious!?

    I took out the Gobin card I had tucked away in my breast pocket and braced myself.

    However, I didn¡¯t even have anyposure to say that catchphrase ¡°Alright, I choose you!¡± right now.

 Chapter 15: Hungry Adventurers and Butamen

    <h4>Chapter 15: Hungry Adventurers and Butamen</h4>

    The monsters that emerged from the fog were four Goblins.

    The card I am holding in my hand is also a Goblin card, but would it be able to deal with them?

    However, I don¡¯t have the time to re-select among my cards right now.

    Following what was written in the manual, I cast the card and chanted the spell.

    [Monster summon, activate!]

    What appeared from the summons was, as expected, a Goblin.

    I was wondering if it could win in a four-on-one fight, but the Goblin I summoned suddenly jumped on an enemy and used its knife to cut their carotid artery.

    The Goblin whose neck got cut crumbled to the ground and vanished in a puff of luminous smoke.

    All that was left in its ce was a small copper coin and a green magic crystal.

    [That¡¯s great, Goblin. Keep going and beat the others down! ......Arehh?]

    My excitement onlysted at that moment, as my Goblin was beaten down by the other three Goblins.

    It was outnumbered, so I guess it can¡¯t be helped.

    Even so, Merle¡¯s information is so unreliable.

    The heck is with ¡°onemon card is already enough¡±.

    Thinking of this, I stopped being stingy and casted my next two cards at once.

    [Monster summon, activate! Go, Piranha Bird! And one more time, monster summon, activate! Pixie Fairy!]

    The Piranha Bird bit an enemy Goblin from behind with its sharp teeth, while the Pixie Fairy flew around at high speed and distracted the others.

    Thanks to this, my Goblin once again managed to wield its knife and atst, all four Goblins were defeated.

    [Fuuu...... It¡¯s finally over.]

    Thereupon, I called out to the two who had been watching with bated breath.

    [That was surprising, I didn¡¯t expect four of them to show up at the same time.]

    The cksmith wiped the sweat from his forehead.

    [Is that unusual?]

    [Yeah, most of the time when a monster is born out of the fog, it would just be one.]

    Hmmm, I didn¡¯t know that monsters are born from fog.

    Moreover, they only appear one at a time huh.

    If that were the case, Merle didn¡¯t tell me wrong information, as what happened this time was just a coincidence.

    It¡¯s a good thing I prepared several monster cards for today.

    I also had a pop rocket in my pocket just in case, but I didn¡¯t even need to use it.

    I¡¯m d I didn¡¯t expose howcking my technical skills are.

    Even in my previous life, I had been bad at stuff like baseball and darts.

    [And for that matter, I¡¯m d you¡¯re here, Summoner-san.]

    I hurriedly denied Mirai-san¡¯s words.

    [I¡¯m a dagashi shopowner, not a summoner.]

    [Then, what was that earlier?]

    [That was a freebie from a product I sell.]

    I exined to them about the dagashi I was selling.

    [What a convenient card. If it¡¯s just for 100 rims, I¡¯d like one too.]

    [Sorry, I¡¯m already out of stock for this one.]

    [Oi, bro. Aren¡¯t you gonna pick up those money and magic crystals?]

    The drops from when I defeated the Goblins were still on the floor of the dungeon.

    [Is it okay if I take those?]

    [You defeated them, bro, those belong to you.]

    Mirai-san didn¡¯t seem to have any objections either, so I guess I¡¯ll take them.

    The money that came out was 200 rims.

    That makes 50 rims per Goblin huh......

    The purchase price of these magic crystals also seems to be about 10 rims per piece.

    I used three cards to defeat them though, so this brings me in the red.

    [Even so, if you can summon those monsters, why are you a street vendor, Yahagi?]

    Sanaga-san tilted his head, seemingly not understanding my way of thinking.

    [I told you, I¡¯m not a summoner, I¡¯m a dagashi shopowner.]

    [But with that power, you could make money on lower-leveled floors, couldn¡¯t you?]

    Mira-san also seemed to be wondering about this.

    [I don¡¯t want to do anything dangerous. Besides, I like my job.]

    No matter what they say, Dagashi Shopowner is my Unique Job, and I myself like doing this.

    For a while, no customers or monsters appeared, but as noon approached, rookies who had been hunting monsters on the 1st Underground Floor began appearing in groups of twos and threes.

    Those with minor injuries went to Mira-san¡¯s ce to drink tea, while those with chipped des and armors that needed repairing went to Sanaga-san.

    A few hungry adventurers gathered at my ce as well.

    [Ahh~~, I¡¯m starving. I think I¡¯ll get myself some umaibo.]

    [I¡¯ll have a curry cracker.]

    It was lunchtime, so it seemed like the adventurers were hungry.

    They had probably already eaten their lunch, their young stomachs emptied quickly.

    That¡¯s when I had an idea.

    I have never been able to sell this product, but with Mirai-san¡¯s help, I would be able to sell my stock.

    [Mirai-san, may I have a word?]

    [Is something the matter, Yahagi-san?]

    [Would you mind coborating with me? I want to sell this.]

    Product Name: Butamen (Tonkotsu vor)

    Description: Mini-sized cup noodles, prepared by pouring 180ml of hot water. Although small, one serving of this will fill you up.

    Price: 80 rims

    Mirai-san sells restorative tea, so she has brought the tools to boil water.

    I would sell the butamen to the hungry adventurers and they would buy the hot water at Mirai-san¡¯s ce.

    [Yum! This is the first time I¡¯ve tasted this vor, but it tastes great.]

    [The meat broth tastes really good!]

    The n worked, and my stock of butamen soon ran out.

    <hr>

    Trantor¡¯s Notes:

    ¥Ö©`¥á¥ó / Bumen. Dunno if Author¡¯s censoring it, but they should be talking about butamen.

 Chapter 16: Grim Reapers Lunch Box

    <h4>Chapter 16: Grim Reaper''s Lunch Box</h4>

    After noon, the entrance to District 2 became deserted again.

    Adventurers who had taken a break scattered around the dungeon in search of monsters.

    As for me, finally being able to get my break, I¡¯m going to eat the bread and apple I brought with me.

    [Someone, help me carry someone wounded! Anybody!?]

    Just as I was about to bite down though, I heard a voice calling for help from within the dungeon.

    It wasn¡¯t that far away from here.

    It would be dangerous, but I just couldn¡¯t abandon them.

    Holding the Flying Snake card in my hand, I ran toward the voice.

    The deeper I went into the dungeon, the louder the voices became.

    It seemed that there was still a battle going on.

    [Where is it!? Where are you!?]

    [This way! Our porter got hit in the leg. Please get him to safety.]

    I went toward the voice and found 5 adventurers engaged in battle with a rhino-like monster.

    In the vicinity of the room, there¡¯s a boy lying on his back.

    It was the same boy who hade to my stall.

    [Regal, get a hold of yourself!]

    [Uuu¡­¡­ Ngghh¡­¡­]

    The adventurers are fighting while trying to protect Regal, and they seem to be having trouble moving freely.

    [Quickly take him away!]

    [Alright.]

    I picked up Regal and headed back the way I came.

    When I returned to the entrance of District 2, I examined Regal¡¯s wounds.

    The flesh of his thigh was split open and blood was pouring out.

    [Mirai-san, please give me some restorative tea.]

    Restorative tea is a drink, but pouring it over the wound would also be effective.

    Cutting apart the cloth in Regal¡¯s trousers near his wound, I poured the cooled restorative tea over it.

    [Kuh!]

    Perhaps feeling the sting from his wound, Regal bears with it with some tears in his eyes.

    The bleeding had stopped slightly, but the wound was still not healed.

    [More restorative tea.]

    [I don¡¯t know. With a wound this bad, I don¡¯t think he can be healed with just restorative tea.]

    Even so, I want to do what I can.

    [If it¡¯s money, I¡¯ll pay for it, so I¡¯d like to have some more.]

    [What¡¯s the matter?]

    A voice suddenly called out in the dungeon, and the Grim Reaper appeared out of the darkness.

    His sudden arrival made both Mirai-san and Sanaga-san reflexively let out a short shriek.

    Even Regal, who was wounded and lying on the ground, began to tremble.

    However, I¡¯ve already gotten used to the Grim Reaper.

    There were rumors that he was a murderer, but when I talked to him, he seemed more normal than I had expected.

    [It¡¯s just as you see. This child is wounded. Ah, Minerva, do you have any bandages? If so, please share them with me.]

    [No, I don¡¯t.]

    [I see. It can¡¯t be helped then.]

    I have to find something to tie his wound shut and stop the bleeding.

    As I was rummaging through my bag for something to use as a tourniquet, Minerva approached.

    Then, he put his hand close to Regal¡¯s thigh.

    [Ohh!]

    A burst of green light came from Minerva¡¯s hand, and Regal¡¯s wounds healed quickly.

    [Oi, oi, you can use Recovery Magic!? That¡¯s amazing.]

    [Being at least able to use this is no big deal.]

    The Grim Reaper replied bluntly, but despite not showing it outright, he seemed to be pleased with the praise.

    [U- U- U- Ummm¡­¡­ Thank you very much.]

    Regal too, even though he was trembling, thanked him.

    [By the way, why are you here, Yuusuke?]

    Minerva turned to me and asked.

    [Actually, I didn¡¯t have a permit, so I can¡¯t do business in my earlier spot anymore.]

    [So that¡¯s how it is. I¡¯ve been looking for you for a long time, and was surprised that you¡¯re not there.]

    [You were looking for me?]

    At my words, the Grim Reaper exaggeratedly waved his hand in denial.

    [I was not! I wasn¡¯t wandering around the open space in front of the dungeon looking for you!]

    [You just said you were looking for me though.]

    [Uh, w- well¡­¡­ I meant I wasn¡¯t frantically looking for you. Don¡¯t get me wrong¡­¡­]

    The heck is with this guy.

    [Ah, alright. You¡¯re craving for something sweet again, aren¡¯t you?]

    [U¡­¡­ mu¡­¡­]

    [However, it¡¯s not good for your health if you eat sweets all the time. Here, I¡¯ll share my apple and bread with you, so eat them with me.]

    [N- No¡­¡­ If it¡¯s lunch, I have them with me.]

    [Minerva¡¯s going to eat now huh. Guess I¡¯ll eat mine too.]

    Thereupon, Minerva suddenly stood up.

    [Oi, Yuusuke!!!]

    With a shout, he red at me.

    Did I do something to offend him?

    [W- What¡¯s the matter, suddenly talking so loudly¡­¡­]

    [¡­¡­I- If you want, how about eating together with me!?]

    [Huh?]

    [H- Here¡­¡­ I¡¯ll give you this¡­¡­]

    Minerva brought out a cute light blue lunch box.

    The side of the box has a picture of a cat walking in a meadow.

    [However, what about your lunch, Minerva? You won¡¯t have anything to eat though?]

    [Don¡¯t worry. I have another one.]

    Saying this, Minerva took out a different colored lunch box, a pink one this time, from her luggage.

    Matching lunch boxes¡­¡­

    [Sorry. I¡¯ll eat them without reservations then.]

    [Umu, I made two of them by ident.]

    He apparently made two by ident.

    How is that even possible?

    Well, whatever. One of my good points is that I don¡¯t sweat the small stuff.

    Yep, I¡¯m singing my own praises.

    Opening the lid, I found sandwiches and fruits neatly arranged.

    The sandwich had sauteed chicken, vegetables and bacon.

    [Whoa, these look delicious. Minerva is good at cooking huh.]

    [It¡¯s no big deal¡­¡­]

    [Alright then, let¡¯s dig in. Ah, I¡¯ll buy you some tea. Mirai-san, I¡¯d like some tea for him.]

    [Y- Yesh!]

    The tea was handed to me by Mirai-san with trembling hands.

    [It¡¯s alright, he looks and sounds scary, but in reality, he¡¯s not such a bad guy.]

    [I- Is that so¡­¡­]

    [What are you doing, Yuusuke!? Stop talking to other women ande over here already! Being swayed by the allure of a mature woman¡­¡­]

    He started grumbling about incoherent stuff.

    Was he getting irritable from hunger?

    [Are you some possessive boyfriend or what? Saying stuff like that could cause misunderstandings.]

    [Not like I care.]

    [Geez. Anyway, I¡¯ll start eating. Oh, this is tasty!]

    [You think so? Ufu¡­¡­ ufufu¡­¡­]

    Even if you giggled ufufu like that¡­¡­

    With the way he looks, it just feels like some vicious criminalughing.

    Sorry.

    By the way, why is this guy wearing a mask?

    Does he have a burn scar by any chance?

    If so, it would be better not to ask questions carelessly.

    He may be a man, but he probably wants to hide such scars.

    In any case, as we ate lunch, I don¡¯t know why, but Minerva seemed to be in a good mood.

 Chapter 17: 10-rim Game

    <h4>Chapter 17: 10-rim Game</h4>

    Maybe it was because I had experienced some fighting, but I gained a little bit of confidence.

    With monster cards and pop rockets, I feel like I can manage even when I go a bit deep into the dungeon.

    That feeling further festered when Merle cheered me up.

    [I told you, it will be alright. There were other adventurers with us when we went down before, right? You cane back with us on the way back.]

    ording to Merle, there¡¯s a convenient room near the stairs that leads to the 2nd Underground Floor.

    Adventurers use this room for rest and rxation, and it¡¯s rtively safe and free of monsters.

    She said that adventurers who had gone to the 2nd Underground Floor woulde back to that room to rest, and that I could expect to make a lot of sales there during daytime.

    [If Yuusuke-san woulde there, it would also be convenient for me too. I can buy some 10-rim choctes when I¡¯m tired.]

    [Couldn¡¯t you just buy them in the morning?]

    [If there are some, I end up eating them, making me wanna buy them every time!]

    It¡¯s a matter of Merle¡¯s self-control huh.

    But even so, I¡¯m also interested in being able to earn quickly.

    I want to get my permit as soon as possible and be able to rent an apartment.

    I don¡¯t really feel at home staying in Bottakuro.

    If it will increase sales, I¡¯m willing to take a few risks.

    [If Yuusuke-sanes, everyone will be happy.]

    Before I knew it, I was lulled by Mira¡¯s words, and decided to go down the underground stairs.

    As I was about to leave Bottakuro, my usual lodging, I saw Minerva standing leaning against the outer wall.

    [Oh, Minerva!?]

    [Good morning. What a coincidence¡­¡­]

    [What are you doing?]

    [Nothing¡­¡­]

    Even though Minerva said that, it was currently raining outside.

    The fact that he¡¯s there in spite of that suggests that he has something very important to do.

    [I¡¯m going to the dungeon. What about you, Minerva?]

    [I¡¯m also going to the dungeon.]

    [Hmmm¡­¡­]

    Did we really meet each other here by coincidence?

    In any case, we walked side by side into the dungeon.

    ¡ó¡ô¡ó

    I did it¡­¡­ I did it, I did it, I did iiiiiiiit!

    Thanks to my waiting before dawn, I managed to pretend that we coincidentally encountered each other and seeded in apanying Yuusuke to work.

    Yesterday, I was able to get him to eat my homemade sandwiches, and Yuusuke said they were delicious.

    All¡¯s well that ends well, but I¡¯m afraid that my ns may have been going too well¡­¡­

    I made lunch again today, but will Yuusuke eat it?

    It would be easy to get him to turn his head my way if I used the Mystical Love Technique, but I know that that won¡¯t do.

    I want Yuusuku to love me without that magic.

    However, how will he know that I¡¯m a girl?

    I usually cast a Recognition Inhibition Area Magic on me so that people won¡¯t know I¡¯m the witch Michelle, but should I just cancel it out?

    No, no, that¡¯s overly hasty.

    If I make it look like a coincidence and have him close to my body, maybe he¡¯ll realize it¡­¡­

    My, oh my, what¡¯s with me? Since when did I be so lewd!?

    They say love changes a woman, and that may indeed be true.

    Today, I will be hiding in the darkness of the dungeon as Yuusuke¡¯s bodyguard.

    Ahh, what happiness!

    ¡ó

    It was raining, so I quickened my pace and rushed to the dungeon.

    In this world, umbres aren¡¯t sold.

    Instead, acting as some sort of raincoat, there are only hooded leather cloaks.

    However, it was hard to walk into the dungeon because Minerva kept on bumping into me.

    What game is he ying now?

    I couldn¡¯t see the expression on his face because of the mask though, so I couldn¡¯t really understand what he was thinking.

    I met up with Merle and Mira, who were waiting for me in front of the dungeon.

    [Morning.]

    [Good morning¡­¡­]

    Because of Minerva¡¯s presence, the two of them were more nervous than usual.

    [Minerva, you should also greet them too.]

    [Hmph, it¡¯s the slutty brats who make sexual advances on Yuusuke huh¡­¡­ If you get carried away, I¡¯ll crush you.]

    [Oi, the heck are you saying to my regrs!?]

    [I- I¡¯m sorry. I couldn¡¯t help myself¡­¡­]

    Is Minerva a misogynist?

    He certainly seems bad at talking and tends to be socially inept.

    When I strongly scolded him, he became downcast and lowered his head.

    [Merle, Mira, you shouldn¡¯t mind what he¡¯s saying. He just tends to say strange things. He doesn¡¯t mean any ill.]

    [Huh¡­¡­]

    Despite the awkward atmosphere, we joined the throngs of people entering the dungeon and headed toward our destination.

    We witnessed a few fights between adventurers along the way, but we arrived at our destination without any danger.

    [This is the staircase to the 2nd Underground Floor huh. It¡¯s wider than I thought.]

    This staircase seems to be about 7 meters wide.

    [The rest room is this way.]

    Merle said.

    [You b*tch, trying to bring into a rest room, what are you trying to do!?]

    [I mean, he is a dagashi shopowner¡­¡­]

    [I see¡­¡­ Then, I¡¯ll allow it.]

    Today, Minerva was even stranger than usual.

    The room that was shown to me was about the size of a banquet hall at a Japanese inn.

    Come to think of it, I went to one on apany trip before.

    Japan feels so far away now¡­¡­

    I moved to the corner and set up my stall.

    [Open, Dagashi Yahagi.]

    Ohh!?

    There¡¯s a big level up this time!

    What appeared was a shop that looked like a food stall at a festival.

    A curtain hanging from the roof reads ¡°Dagashi Yahagi¡± inrge letters from this world, and the number of products has increased.

    There aren¡¯t only sweets, but also toys on the stand.

    With those things being products of this shop, I guess they wouldn¡¯t simply be toys huh¡­¡­

    [What¡¯s with this box!?]

    Just when I was wondering why Merle was making a fuss, I found a nostalgic game machine in the corner of the shop.

    Product name: 10-rim Game ¡°Dungeon Crawler Game¡±

    Description: A game in which you aim for the goal by flicking the 10-rim copper coin you put in with a spring-loaded lever. When you reach the 7th Underground Floor, you will receive a prize at the goal. The prize is Elixir.

    Price: 10 rims per try (only 10-rim copper coins can be used)

    How nostalgic.

    It looks like the ¡°Shinkansen Game¡± I saw at the Retro Game Museum.

    I remember there were also simr-type games with ¡°Catch Ball¡± and ¡°Car Race¡± as themes.

    Even so, isn¡¯t an Elixir too amazing of a prize?

    That¡¯s a medicine that heals any kind of wound or disease.

    This Dungeon Crawler Game does seem to be more difficult than the 10-yen game I know though.

    Merle immediately put in a 10-rim copper coin and started ying.

    [You¡¯re pretty good at this, Merle.]

    [Rather than lotteries that depend on luck, it seems like I¡¯m better suited to this game. I¡¯m a woman of ability after all.]

    [Be careful in that spot. If you hit too hard, you¡¯ll fall on the other side.]

    [Yeah, I can see it. Let¡¯s do this here¡­¡­]

    However, Merle rxed her grip too much, and the copper coin fell into the hole right in front of her.

    [Ghaaaa! I blundered. Tsk, one more time.]

    [No, we have to? go to work¡­¡­]

    A new specialty has been added to Dagashi Yahagi.

    Trantor¡¯s Notes:

 Chapter 18: Minervas Invitation

    <h4>Chapter 18: Minerva''s Invitation</h4>

    Morning sales at the rest room in front of the stairs were brisk, and the line in front of the 10-rim game was long.

    I suppose it¡¯s understandable. If you can get an Elixir for 10 rims, everyone will want to try it.

    That said, there has been only one sess so far.

    I collected the copper coins from the earnings of the machine and found 1020 rims.

    The sess rate at this point of time is 1/102 huh¡­¡­

    Just like that, I can easily collect the money, but even I, the owner of the stall, can¡¯t get my hands on the prized Elixir.

    The prize is automatically replenished.

    If I wanted the Elixir, I would have to seed in the 10-rim game myself.

    The adventurer who had obtained it showed me the Elixir, which was a light brown, cuboid tablet that looked much like the Japanese confectionery, rakugan.

    I¡¯d like to get one too, just in case.

    It¡¯s my privilege as the owner to y the game as many times as I want after closing time, so I should try it out at night.

    However, if I do it at Bottakuro, I¡¯m sure I¡¯ll getints from my neighbors¡¯ rooms¡­¡­

    Depending on the situation, I might even be beaten up.

    It can¡¯t be helped. I¡¯ll think of a ce to practice this gameter.

    [Hello.]

    Regal, who was injured the other day, came to the store.

    [Ah, Minerva-san. Thank you for the other day.]

    [Umu.]

    Minerva, who didn¡¯t go hunting in the dungeon at all, was looking this way a few distance from the stall.

    He got a pretty sharp look in his eyes right now though, making me feel a little scared.

    [Yo, Regal. You taking a break?]

    [Yes. Oof, ouch¡­¡­]

    Regal clutched his left shoulder with a wry smile.

    [What¡¯s wrong? Did you get hurt again?]

    [I was hit in an earlier battle.]

    [If so, I have something good for you.]

    In the past, I have sold snacks and goods that aid in battle.

    However, I didn¡¯t have anything like a recovery item.

    But now, at longst, Dagashi Yahagi now has a snack that can heal wounds.

    It would be this.

    Product name: Moro Yogul

    Description: Sweet and sour creamy snack, eaten with a wooden spoon. Minor recovery of injuries

    Price: 20 rims (If one gets a WIN, one can acquire another one)

    [Eat this and your wounds will heal.]

    They¡¯re more effective than the restorative tea sold by Mirai-san.

    After Regal ate two pieces, the bruise on his shoulder cleanly disappeared.

    [They¡¯re cheaper than Life Potions, and they make a nice snack. I¡¯lle back next time to buy some more.]

    [Yeah, just having one on hand increases your chances of survival a lot.]

    It also has a size that wouldn¡¯t hinder your movements even if you put it in your pocket.

    They¡¯re so good that Merle and Mira also bought three.

    The first day of the stall in front of the stairs was over.

    My sales were higher than when I was selling in the open space in front of the dungeon.

    Well, this is partly due to the 10-yen game and my other new products, but it also has something to do with the fact that there are fewer rival stores.

    If I continue to run my store here tomorrow, I should be able to buy myself a permit.

    However, I now don¡¯t feel too inclined to do that.

    I decided that it would be more profitable to continue running my shop here than to pay the 12,000-rim fee.

    Besides, my shop¡¯s regrs are very happy.

    It¡¯s convenient for them to have me here.

    There were times when monsters appeared, but because the nearby adventurers took them out, the time for me to battle didn¡¯t appear.

    No, I guess it¡¯s more like the time for my monster cards to battle didn¡¯t appear.

    And for some reason, Minerva was around all the time today, so I didn¡¯t feel in any danger.

    [Minerva, is it really alright for you to not work?]

    [I took the day off today.]

    [Then, why don¡¯t you go out and chill somewhere?]

    [Hmph, I am rxing here in your dagashi shop¡­¡­]

    Minerva sometimes yed in the 10-rim game and ate sweets, but most of the time, she just stared nkly at my shop.

    Was she even having fun there?

    I don¡¯t want to speak out of turn, but I guess everyone has their own way of spending their day off.

    The rush hour for adventurers to return home had passed, and the number of people had dwindled.

    It was also time for me to go home.

    If I don¡¯t go with this flow of people, I might be in danger in this dungeon.

    [I¡¯ll be closing up shop soon.]

    I called out to the adventurers still ying.

    I just have to solemnly think ¡°Close¡±, so closing up shop was quick and easy.

    [Are you heading back?]

    Thereupon, Minerva came up to me.

    [Ou. You heading back with me, Minerva?]

    [I- If you ask me that much, it can¡¯t be helped. I¡¯m worried about you just having the slutty brats¡­¡­ Merle and Mira guarding you by themselves, so I¡¯ll go with you.]

    The four of us, Minerva, Me, Mira and me, moved through the dungeon side by side.

    [Speaking of which, is there any ce I can go that isn¡¯t frequented by people?]

    I asked Merle and the others.

    [What¡¯s the matter?]

    [I want to get an Elixir from the 10-rim game. I think the people back at my inn would get mad if I took it out and made noise there.]

    [Then, why don¡¯t you just do it somewhere nearby?]

    [If I do it at night in the city, I¡¯ll be afraid of muggers.]

    Even if it¡¯s the royal capital, the security isn¡¯t that good.

    [I really want to do it in the inn, but they¡¯ll get angry if I make any noise¡­¡­]

    At that moment, I suddenly felt a strong grip on my shoulders.

    [Gwahh!]

    There, I saw the ck leather-gloved fingers of the Grim Reaper dig tightly into my shoulders.

    [Ouch! What are you doing, Minerva!?]

    Iined, but Minerva wouldn¡¯t let go of his hand.

    On the contrary, he even brought his silver mask closer, looking like he was trying to pick a fight.

    [I- In that case, w- w- why don¡¯t youe to my house?]

    [Minerva¡¯s house? Wait, let go of me already! It hurts.]

    [U- Umu¡­¡­]

    Minerva finally let go of his hand.

    [You have a house?]

    [I just rented it the other day. It¡¯s in the middle of nowhere, but if you¡¯re alright with that¡­¡­]

    [Can I y the 10-rim game there?]

    [I don¡¯t mind. Y- You can also have meals and stay the night there if you want!]

    [Seriously? Minerva¡¯s food is delicious, so I¡¯m grateful for that, but I feel bad.]

    He had made me lunch again today.

    It was just as delicious as before.

    [No need to hold back¡­¡­ I¡¯ll make you as many meals as you want.]

    [If that¡¯s the case, that really helps. I¡¯ll be in your care.]

    Tonight, I¡¯ll y with the prized game and have a lot of fun together with him.

    I was grateful to be allowed to use Minerva¡¯s room.

    Trantor¡¯s Notes:

    ÂäÑã / Rakugan: traditional Japanese sweets made of sugar, rice flour, and sometimes other ingredients such as starch, agar or fruit juices. The mixture is then molded into various shapes, such as in this case, rectangr, or other shapes, and then dried until hard.

    <ol start="2"> ¥â¥í¥Ã¥³¥°¥ë¥È / Moro Gult? That¡¯s what the Author typed in the novel, but they were talking about Moro Yogul. A rather¡­¡­ mysterious snack. I rmend reading Chapter 6 of ¡°Dagashi Kashi¡± for more info.

    </ol>

 Chapter 19: Sweet Temptation

    <h4>Chapter 19: Sweet Temptation</h4>

    ¡ó¡ô¡ó

    Is this a dream?

    I am on a date with Yuusuke.

    A market date to buy ingredients for dinner.

    Today, I was able to ask him out to my house in a rtively natural way.

    I¡¯m really d I had the courage to grab Yuusuke¡¯s shoulders.

    Love really is about taking action.

    Shopping for dinner together, it¡¯s like we¡¯re living together.

    Ahh, my body feels kinda hot¡­¡­

    [Can you drink, Minerva?]

    [A little bit.]

    [Then, I¡¯ll also buy some wine.]

    Oh my, trying to get me drunk, I wonder what he¡¯s gonna do?

    However, it¡¯s alright. If it¡¯s Yuusuke, he¡¯s fitting to have my first time.

    And fitting to be my partner for life¡­¡­

    But first, we need to have dinner, right??

    I¡¯m going to use a lot of herbs and secret medicines to imprint the taste of heaven in your mind and body!

    They say the way to a man¡¯s heart was through his stomach.

    I¡¯m going to make him lots of delicious food.

    So delicious that he won¡¯t be able to get away from me¡­¡­

    ¡ó

    After buying the ingredients for dinner, we headed to Minerva¡¯s house.

    Minerva said he would pay for the ingredients himself, but since I am in his care, I¡¯m not going to let that happen.

    I¡¯ve also prepared some nice wine for us to drink together.

    This is the first time since I came to this world that I have had a drink with a male friend.

    I¡¯ll have him inform me about a lot of stuff tonight.

    Minerva¡¯s apartment was located far from the center of the city.

    It was tucked away in an inconspicuous back alley, like some sort of hideout.

    However, the building was spacious inside, and I could see that money had been spent at every spot I looked¡­¡­

    [You have a nice ce.]

    [It¡¯s not that great.]

    [No, no, you don¡¯t have to be modest. Whoa, this ce also has a bath?]

    Behind an open door was a circr bathtub.

    The bathroom looked spacious enough to amodate several people.

    The bathtub had blue tiles on the bottom and looked very luxurious.

    [If you want, do you want to have a bath first? Or perhaps, dinner? Or perhaaaaaaaps¡­¡­ Mbfuuuu!]

    [Why are you suddenly spitting out blood!? Pull yourself together, Minerva!]

    Arge amount of blood dripped from under his silver mask.

    No way, did he just vomit blood!?

    [Sorry, my (delusion) powers got out of control. I¡¯m alright¡­¡­]

    [You don¡¯t look very alright¡­¡­]

    [Believe it or not, I¡¯m healthy. I¡¯m so healthy that it¡¯s troubling.]

    Is that a recoil from possessing powerful magic?

    [You go take a bath first, Yuusuke. I¡¯ll make our meals while you¡¯re at it.]

    [I¡¯ll also help you.]

    [I don¡¯t really want people in my kitchen though¡­¡­]

    [I understand. Then, I¡¯ll be borrowing your bath.]

    [Take your time.]

    Minerva slightly waved his hand and the bath was filled with hot water.

    As expected of a top-notch Mage.

    ¡ó¡ô¡ó

    Just imagining me making love with Yuusuke made my nose bleed.

    I¡¯ll go take off my mask and wash it.

    I don¡¯t have much time.

    I have to prepare the ck Lizard liver that I will mix into the dish.

    This is a very time-consuming task.

    However, if one eats a meal mixed with ck Lizard liver mixed in, they will be free from diseases for a year.

    They say it makes that part powerful¡­¡­

    This won¡¯t do, another nosebleed¡­¡­

    What would I do if I don¡¯t get a hold of myself?

    I have to take care of my lover¡¯s health!

    [Roar, Dancing Sword! Also, Space-Sealing Barrier!]

    Finely chopping the ingredients with Combat Magic, I also prepared soup by adding pressure to the pot.

    My magic feels better than usual.

    This is definitely because of love.

    If it¡¯s for Yuusuke¡¯s sake, I feel like I can be as strong as I want.

    The cooking went well.

    Thereupon, Yuusuke came out of the bath.

    [That smells good.]

    He had changed into a sleeveless shirt and his arms were bare to see.

    Oh my, they¡¯re quite rugged¡­¡­

    I usually thought he had beautiful fingertips, but those arms, I like them.

    I wanna touch.

    [Let me know if I can help.]

    Nope, stop with that thought. I have to concentrate on cooking now.

    [It¡¯s no problem. You can go y the 10-rim game, Yuusuke.]

    Somehow managing to stifle my emotions, I started to finish my cooking.

    ¡ó

    Minerva seemed to be writhing, did some oil ssh on him?

    He¡¯s an expert in Recovery Magic anyway, so I guess I don¡¯t need to worry.

    While I¡¯m waiting for the food, I bring out the 10-rim game and tried it in the living room.

    I hope I¡¯ll somehow manage to procure an Elixir by the end of the night.

    With time, more and more coins in my pocket were sucked into the game machine.

    The lower the coins went, the harder and harder the game became.

    In the blink of an eye, I¡¯ve used up 32 copper coins, but I felt like I finally got the hang of it.

    [Darling~~?, wait, no. Yuusuke, dinner is ready.]

    Hmm? Did I just get called?

    I was so focused on the game that I wasn¡¯t listening carefully.

    [Did you call me? Whoa, it looks delicious! You¡¯re amazing, Minerva.]

    On the table, a variety of delicious dishes are lined up.

    [By the way, how are you going to eat, Minerva? With that mask on your face¡­¡­]

    If it¡¯s sweets, he can insert it through the opening in his mask, but if he¡¯s going to eat a full meal, he¡¯ll have to take off his mask¡­¡­

    [Unnn, I¡¯m going to take it off now.]

    Ehh, you¡¯re gonna take it off!?

    I thought it was unexpected, but I waited without saying anything.

    Now then, I wonder what kind of face is gonna appear.

    Wait, the heck is that?

    ¡ó¡ô¡ó

    I¡¯ve already expected things to turn out like this.

    In order for the two of us to dine together, the mask must be removed.

    However, I still can¡¯t let Yuusuke know that I am a woman, or more specifically, that I am the witch Michelle.

    What would happen if he found out my true identity¡­¡­ That is something I was still not sure of.

    [Hey, what did you do? I could only see a smiley face on top of your face!]

    [I¡¯m sorry, but I¡¯ve strengthened my Recognition Inhibition Magic. I have my own reasons.]

    [I see¡­¡­ Well, whatever! Let¡¯s eat.]

    [Unnn.]

    Yuusuke was much more open-minded than I had expected, and we had a dreamy time together.

    He was a man of many topics, and when I told him about various things about the country, he seemed very happy to listen.

    Even so, for someone so intelligent, he was surprisinglycking inmon sense.

    I mean, he didn¡¯t even know about the permit.

    Seriously¡­¡­. He really would be helpless without me?

    I know! Yuusuke should just live here with me!

    [If you like, Yuusuke can live here too. I have plenty of rooms here.]

    [That¡¯s something I can¡¯t do. Even I want to rent my own apartment.]

    ¡­¡­I don¡¯t want him to go home.

    The sweet temptation of ¡°confinement¡± mesmerizes my mind.

    I want to keep him here, spoil Yuusuke so much that he can¡¯t live without me.

    I wonder if I should just use the ¡°Infinite Spiral Tower¡± Barrier and keep him locked up?

    However, I can¡¯t do that.

    If I were to do such a thing, he might note to love me.

    Besides, I like to watch Yuusuke run his dagashi shop for adventurers.

    However, even if it¡¯s just for a little while, I want him to be my own dagashi shopowner-san.

    Ahh, what should I do!?

    Even after Yuusuke went to bed, my agony continued.

 Chapter 20: Lovesickness and Elixir

    <h4>Chapter 20: Lovesickness and Elixir</h4>

    When I woke up, I was surprised to see a silver mask very close to my face.

    I should be in the guest room of Minerva¡¯s apartment.

    [Uwaaahh!]

    [Good morning.]

    I checked again and found Minerva sitting on the edge of the bed, looking into my face.

    [What are you doing?]

    [I was just¡­¡­ observing your sleeping face¡­¡­]

    [What the heck is that?]

    Is this some magic-rted matter or something?

    Like, that phrenology or what¡­¡­

    [Breakfast is ready, soe.]

    Minerva ignored my question.

    The table was filled with fresh pancakes, omelets, bacon, sd, and sliced fruits, all of which looked delicious.

    Minerva¡¯s cooking really captivates my heart in an unbelievably remarkable way.

    It¡¯s as if they¡¯re magical dishes¡­¡­

    [You sure have no blind spots, Minerva.]

    [Absolute Resonance Domain was indeed my specialty, but how did you know that?]

    [I¡¯m not saying that, I was just admiring how you handle everything. Not just swordsmanship and magic, you¡¯re also good at cooking? It was delicious this morning too.]

    [I- I worked very hard on them¡­¡­]

    [Ou¡­¡­]

    It seems that he has a habit of fidgeting when praised.

    Yeah, that doesn¡¯t really suit him, but I¡¯m not gonna say that out loud.

    It might hurt him.

    [Now then, time to clean up. Let me do this part.]

    [Yuusuke could just sit down¡­¡­]

    [I feel bad leaving everything to Minerva alone. Oya, what¡¯s this?]

    There were several pieces of paper scattered on the floor with magic circles drawn on them.

    All of them have partially drawn lines that were either scribbled out or ended up being messed up.

    Were these failed magic crystals?

    [That¡¯s the ¡°Infinite Spiral Tower¡±!]

    Looking distraught, Minerva snatched the pieces of paper from me.

    [Whoe? Ahh, it¡¯s part of your magic research huh. Sorry for touching them.]

    [I don¡¯t mind, but I managed to endure until sunrisest night, fighting the onrushing temptation. I¡¯d like to at least be praised for it.]

    [I don¡¯t really know what you¡¯re talking about, but that¡¯s amazing. You did great.]

    I tapped him on the shoulder, to which Minerva shivered.

    [W- What¡¯s wrong?]

    [Nothing. It¡¯s nothing, but if you could just stay like this for a little while longer, I¡¯ll offer my everything to Yuusuke¡­¡­]

    [Huh? Offer, like sacrifice? What, I¡¯m getting treated like an Evil God now? Ah, I get it.]

    [Eh? What?]

    I went behind Minerva and put my hands on both his shoulders.

    .

    [You¡¯ve worked really hard all night and your shoulders are stiff, right? As thanks for letting me stay, I¡¯ll give you a massage.]

    [Wha¡­¡­ Ahh¡­¡­ Auuu¡­¡­]

    Minerva writhed in agony, his hoarse voice letting out groans.

    [Is it here? Should I apply pressure here?]

    This guy surprisingly has a delicate body.

    Since he was a skilled swordsman, I thought he would be more muscr.

    He definitely uses magic to strengthen his body when he fights.

    I carefully rxed the area around his shoulder des.

    [Does that feel good?]

    [Unnn¡­¡­ I feel like I¡¯m melting¡­¡­]

    [Fuhahahahaha! Thus, vow thee to be beth mine, and relinquisheth all unto this Evil God!]

    JK lol

    [I vow. My everything belongs to you¡­¡­]

    Minerva also went along with the joke.

    However¡­¡­

    [Nah, not happening!]

    I patted Minerva on the shoulder.

    [Heh?]

    [People can¡¯t own people. I¡¯m against things like very, and the idea of owning another person is way too burdensome and unpleasant to me.]

    [Is¡­¡­ that so?]

    [Obviously. Ah, could it be, there¡¯s a very system in this country?]

    [ve trading is forbidden byw.]

    That¡¯s good to know.

    [Well, there¡¯s that, you know? I think being overly possessive in a romantic rtionship is questionable, and being excessively controlled is tough as well.]

    [So that¡¯s¡­¡­ how it is¡­¡­]

    Arehh, does Minerva think differently?

    [Are you the type of person who would control your girlfriend, Minerva?]

    When I asked that, Minerva looked very troubled.

    Of course, it¡¯s not like I can be entirely sure with his mask on.

    [I myself don¡¯t think it¡¯s good, but I think when I fall in love, I¡¯d be someone who¡¯d likely be possessive.]

    [I¡¯m having doubts about that way of thinking. If you go overboard, they might end up running away, you know?]

    [So that they won¡¯t run away¡­¡­¡­¡­ I¡¯ll be careful¡­¡­]

    Hmm?

    That was a questionable way of saying it.

    Well, if he¡¯s going to be careful about it, I guess it¡¯s okay¡­¡­

    That marked the end of our conversation, and we cleaned up the dishes together.

    Minerva had grown quiet after that, but I didn¡¯t mind it that much.

    We left for the dungeon together.

    [Speaking of which, are you aiming for the witch Michelle too, Minerva?]

    [I have no business with the witch. My own task is this.]

    Minerva took out an orb tied with a leather strap and showed it to me.

    It glowed a pale purple color.

    [Is that some kind of magic tool?]

    [Yeah, it¡¯s a magic item that stores mana. My research involves this item.]

    Is it like the batteries in my previous life?

    [When it¡¯s perfected, it will be possible to perform magic on arge scale that no one has ever been able to do before.]

    [However, what does that have to do with the dungeon?]

    [At the deepest part of this dungeon lies a rift in the earth, from which a high concentration of mana is leaking. I have been experimenting with filling magic orbs such as this with it.]

    [So that¡¯s why you¡¯ve been diving deep into the dungeon.]

    [Yeah. I actually really wanted to leave this city, but I don¡¯t know of any other magic spots with such favorable conditions.]

    Minerva shrugged.

    I took his hand and made him hold a certain item.

    [Y- Yuusuke!?]

    [It¡¯s the Elixir that I got from the 10-rim game yesterday. I¡¯ll give it to you as thanks for letting me stayst night. Minerva, you may be strong, but keep a hold of that just in case.]

    [However¡­¡­]

    [Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll try challenging it again to keep some for myself. I think I¡¯ve got the trick for the game, so I should get it before long.]

    Even though Minerva looked sorry for receiving it from me, he still carefully tucked the Elixir into his pocket.

    ¡ó¡ô¡ó

    I understood one thing.

    What is truly important can be immediately felt when one actuallyes in contact with it.

    The moment Yuusuke¡¯s hand wrapped around mine, I understood.

    He was the man fated for me, the person more important than anything else.

    Is this what people call ¡°lovesickness¡±?

    If that¡¯s the case, then it makes me feel afraid to consume this Elixir.

    After all, I want to keep this lovesickness within my heart.

    And I want to keep hold of Yuusuke, never letting him go¡­¡­

 Chapter 21: Communication with Cocoa Cigarettes

    <h4>Chapter 21: Communication with Cocoa Cigarettes</h4>

    After lunchtime passed, the customers stoppeding in.

    Merle and Mira are the only ones in the shop, and they are working hard on the 10-rim game.

    Both Merle and Mira have tried more than 20 times, but they have yet to get the Elixir.

    I pull out a chair in the storefront and open the lunch box Minerva made for me.

    [Ohh¡­¡­]

    It was packed tightly with grilled, a riddle terrine, pickled vegetables, homemade bread, and a small banana cake.

    Thereupon, Merle looked at me, seemingly astounded.

    [You got anything you wanna say?]

    I asked Merle.

    [No, I was just thinking. That¡¯s quite the bento you got from your beloved wife.]

    [Beloved wife, his name sounds like a woman, but Minerva¡¯s a man. He¡¯s just a friend.]

    [You think so? It doesn¡¯t look that way to me¡­¡­]

    Today, Merle sounded as if the words were stuck in her throat.

    [Then, what does it look like to you, Merle?]

    [You don¡¯t look like ¡°just friends¡±.]

    [Same here.]

    [Ah, you also agree with her, Mira?]

    [Unnn, I think you¡¯d be best friends.]

    [That¡¯s not what I meant!]

    Looking irritated, Merle¡¯s shoulders raised.

    [I don¡¯t mean that! What I meant is that Minerva-san definitely likes Yuusuke-san!]

    [¡­¡­No, there¡¯s no way, right?]

    [Yes way! Even Yuusuke-san should also be aware of it by now, right?]

    Yeah, I certainly had slightly felt that was the case, but I couldn¡¯t be sure.

    [Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have made such a splendid box for you.]

    I suddenly felt like this lunch box was getting heavier.

    This love feels heavy¡­¡­

    [You think so?]

    [You can tell just by looking at him. If I or Mira get even the slightest bit friendly with Yuusuke-san, he gets all cranky.]

    He certainly thinks they¡¯re slutty brats¡­¡­

    [What are you gonna do?]

    [With what?]

    [Of course, I¡¯m talking about Minerva-san.]

    I don¡¯t really care if a guy likes another guy.

    However, if I were to be asked if I could see a guy as a lover, then I don¡¯t think that would be possible.

    I¡¯ll only get sexually aroused when I¡¯m with a woman.

    A gay friend once told me that if one can masturbate by imagining a man, it suggests that they have gay tendencies.

    I¡¯ve never tried it before, but I don¡¯t really think my body would respond¡­¡­

    [But you see, it¡¯s not like he confessed or anything. I mean, we don¡¯t even know what Minerva really thinks, right? It¡¯s not good to jump to conclusions.]

    [The way I see it, it seems like you¡¯re just dying the issue.]

    Merle¡¯s 10-rim copper coin fell into a hole and it¡¯s a game over.

    [Now then, we¡¯d better get going. We need to make some more money.]

    [Right. It¡¯s about time we go.]

    Merle and Mira went back to work.

    Meanwhile, I absentmindedly thought about Minerva.

    I think he¡¯s a good guy.

    After all, he is kind to me.

    Come to think of it, he does seem to be slightly misogynistic¡­¡­

    Even when we looked at Witch Michelle¡¯s wanted poster, she didn¡¯t react to those big breasts at all.

    Even though Merle said something like that, I really think I should just go with the flow.

    It¡¯s a waste of time to fret about this and that while the person in question isn¡¯t here.

    As he was apparently going to the deepest part of the dungeon, Minerva also said that he wouldn¡¯t be back for three days.

    Let¡¯s just put this matter off.

    Meanwhile, a group of adventurers returned.

    It was Garm and his group, regrs of my shop.

    [Yuusuke-san, give us Moro Yoguls.]

    [Here, that¡¯s 80 rims. Are you hurt?]

    [Yeah, it¡¯s nothing serious, but this guy over here blundered.]

    Garm lightly poked one of hisrades, a young boy, in the head.

    [That can¡¯t be helped, right? I couldn¡¯t hold back the sneeze.]

    [We were hunting Rogue Methan, and we¡¯re not supposed to make a sound because it¡¯ll make them run away.]

    Rogue Methans are gaseous monsters that are easy to kill, but drops a lot of money.

    [But you know, it¡¯s tough when you have to be so quiet that you can¡¯t even give orders.]

    [Yeah, with our weapons in hand, it¡¯s also hard to give hand signs.]

    [In that case, how about you buy these?]

    I rmended one of the products in the shop.

    Product name: Cocoa Cigarettes

    Description: Sugar candies in the shape of cigarettes. When one solemnly thinks with one in their mouth, it allowsmunication with people within a 10-meter radius. However, both parties must be holding cocoa cigarettes in their mouth.

    Price: 30 rims (6 pieces)

    When I was a kid, me and my friends used to pretend to smoke with this in our mouths.

    I guess it was fun to imitate adults.

    Meanwhile, the cocoa cigarettes of this world seemed to be acting as soundless walkie-talkies.

    They alsoe in a variety of vors, as in addition to cocoa, there are also orange, blueberry, and c vors.

    [We¡¯ll buy one and give it a try.]

    Garm and his group began experimenting withmunication with a cocoa cigarette in their mouths.

    [Amazing, I can really hear your voices in my head!]

    [Oi! Who the heck is repeatedly spamming dick?]

    [Fuhahahaha, stop with those jokes!]

    [Repeatedly spamming poop is also banned!]

    [Guhahahaha, you¡¯re all idiots!]

    Hmmm, seems like no matter whether it¡¯s in Japan or in this world, there would be lots of idiots among boys¡­¡­

    However, if they use it seriously, wouldn¡¯t it be an indispensable item for conquering a dungeon?

    With that thing only costing 30 rims, any rookie team should be able to avail them easily.

    Let¡¯s market this thing on arger scale.

    Trantor¡¯s Notes:

    ¥³¥³¥¢¥·¥¬©` / Cocoa Cigars. Renamed to Cocoa Cigarettes based on its source item.

 Chapter 22: Gachapon

    <h4>Chapter 22: Gachapon</h4>

    When I walked out of Bottakuro early in the morning, I found Minerva standing nearby.

    It¡¯s been three days since I¡¯ve seen him since he went deep into the dungeon.

    [What a coincidence, Yuusuke. I never expected I¡¯d meet you here.]

    With how much we¡¯ve been meeting each othertely, I don¡¯t really feel like it¡¯s a coincidence at all......

    [Good morning, Minerva.]

    [Yuusuke, you¡¯re going to the dungeon now? I¡¯m just on my way there myself, so why don¡¯t we go there together?]

    Somewhat forcefully persuaded, we set off for work together.

    [By the way, did you manage to buy a permit?]

    [No, I¡¯ve decided to do my business in the dungeon for a while. I¡¯m hoping to save up some money soon so I can rent an apartment.]

    [I see......]

    The expense of 12,000 rims per month is painful, and it was better for the customers with me working in the dungeon.

    The daytime customers were especially a big contributor to sales.

    Since yesterday, I have been traveling alone to the rest room in front of the stairs.

    I had been going there and back with other adventurers, and I decided that as long as I had monster cards, it wouldn¡¯t be too dangerous.

    Today, I will be descending with Minerva, so it would be even safer.

    I don¡¯t know what he¡¯s nning, but there¡¯s no one more reliable as an escort.

    Once I¡¯m in position at the rest room, I opened the shop with an ¡°Open¡±.

    [Arehh, there¡¯s a new game here. A different 10-rim game from before and a capsule toy!]

    Product Name: 10-rim Game ¡°Continental Conquest¡±

    Description: A game yed with 10-rim copper coins. The prize is Defense Barrier Charm

    Price: 10 rims per try (only 10-rim copper coins can be used)

    [Ohh, isn¡¯t this Kunitori Gassen!? It¡¯s a bit different from what I know though.]

    [Fumu, drawn here seemed to be a map of the Nautis continent.]

    Minerva also seemed interested and came closer.

    The front of the cab has a map of the continent, and it seems the ce we are in is called Nautis continent.

    [How do you y this?]

    [It¡¯s just like the Dungeon Crawler Game beside it. First, you insert a 10-rim coin here.]

    After inserting the coin, the left and right roulettes at the bottom of the screen started spinning.

    The left roulette has numbers and the right roulette has pictures.

    [Use this stop button to stop the left roulette first.]

    [Fumu, the numbernded on a 10.]

    [That¡¯s a big number. That¡¯s a big opportunity. Next, press the right button to settle on a picture.]

    There are four types of pictures: Princess, King, Witch, and Skull.

    [If you get a Princess, you take over the country ording to your number. If you get a King, you get twice as many countries. However, if you get a Witch, you lose countries you upied by that number.]

    [Witches are treated as evil huh...... And, what happens when you draw out a skull?]

    [Death is the end of everything. It¡¯s a game over.]

    When I pressed the stop button, the picture that appeared was a Princess.

    Thereupon, the lights of 10 countries on the screen lit up.

    [If you upy all 50 countries on the continent in this way, you will get the prize. Oops, a skull appeared.]

    That¡¯s a game over.

    [Do you want to try, Minerva?]

    [I¡¯m good. It¡¯s more fun watching Yuusuke do it.]

    There was a girl I knew who said that kind of thing too......

    Even though he got that frightening hoarse voice, there would sometimes be times like this that make Minerva seem like a girl.

    [I see. So, what¡¯s this gachapon over here?]

    It¡¯s a rtivelyrge capsule toy, and it seems to be a new variety.

    Product name: Capsule Toy: Miniature Furniture (8 types in total + a secret)

    Description: Miniature furniture made by a famous furniture manufacturer. Each piece is handmade by skilled craftsmen. The first series features chairs and sofas.

    Price: 300 rims

    The front description includes photos of a leather sofa and a velvet-upholstered chair.

    All of them are made of real materials and look very expensive.

    Shall I try out getting aplete set and disy it in the shop?

    The lineup tickled a collector¡¯s fancy.

    However, this capsule toy wasn¡¯t even looked at by adventurers.

    I wonder why......

    [That¡¯s because they¡¯re expensive.]

    Mira told us while eating a frozen anzu-bou.

    Mira and Merle are back for a break.

    It certainly was as she says, 300 rims is on the higher end among Dagashi Yahagi¡¯s products.

    [They also don¡¯t seem to be special magic items either.]

    Merle didn¡¯t seem interested either.

    [However, they are cute, aren¡¯t they? Doesn¡¯t it make you feel like arranging them side by side?]

    [We¡¯re not at an age to y with dolls. If we had to spend 300 rims, we¡¯d buy something else.]

    The adventurers are all browsing at my wares realistically.

    I don¡¯t think this product will sell.

    By the way, I wonder what will happen in this case?

    Will the contents of the product be reced after a certain period of time passes?

    It¡¯s not something that directly affects me, so I¡¯m not taking it too seriously, but I¡¯m curious what would happen in this situation.

    Using my own money, I pulled out one of the capsules.

    Whates out is a single ck leather sofa.

    The stitching is beautiful and it looks like it would befortable if I could use it as a reading chair.

    It¡¯s too small for me though.

    After enjoying myself observing the sofa for a while, I put it on the shelf.

    It was almost time to close the shop when an unusual customer came to Dagashi Yahagi.

    [Excuse me.]

    I stood up and looked around because I heard a strangely high-pitched voice, but there were no customers in sight.

    [Arehh, was that just my imagination?]

    [No, no, I¡¯m over here.]

    There, I heard the voice again, but there was still no one there.

    Could it be that there¡¯s some invisible guy here?

    [Yuusuke, at your feet.]

    After Minerva told me to look down, I found three small people, each no taller than 15 cm.

    One was an old man with a long beard, and the other two looked like young men.

    [Wee.]

    [Shopkeeper, one of our youngsters mentioned seeing a lovely chair in your shop. If you still have the item, we would like to see it, if possible.]

    By chair, I assume he was talking about that one I got from the capsule toy.

    I gently ced the miniature sofa on the floor.

    [Is this what you¡¯re talking about?]

    [Ohhh! This is wonderful. What afortable chair.]

    [Isn¡¯t it so, Elder? It was as I said, wasn¡¯t it?]

    I wanted to close up shop, but the small people started to make a big fuss around the sofa.

    <hr>

    Trantor¡¯s Notes:

    ¹úÈ¡¤êºÏ‘é. Author typo¡¯d as it was ¹úµÁ¤êºÏ‘é¡¢ but both was still read Kunitori Gassen. Gashapon. Also sometimes called gachapon or capsule toys.

 Chapter 23: Gnomes Gratitude

    <h4>Chapter 23: Gnomes'' Gratitude</h4>

    The small people who appeared at Dagashi Yahagi called themselves Earth Sprites, Gnomes.

    <strong></strong>

    [Shopowner, we would like you to sell us this sofa, but how much would it be?]

    <strong></strong>

    The Gnome Elder seemed to like the sofa so much that he asked with a serious look on his face.

    However, this is not for sale.

    <strong></strong>

    [It¡¯s actually a prize from the gachapon.]

    [Gachapon?]

    [I¡¯m talking about this.]

    <strong></strong>

    I exined the gachapon to the Gnomes.

    <strong></strong>

    [In other words, we can get this piece of furniture for only 300 rims!?]

    <strong></strong>

    The Gnomes became excited.

    <strong></strong>

    [That¡¯s right. On the other hand though, it wouldn¡¯t be sure what you¡¯re going to get from your draws.]

    [U- Umu, this is a great store we found. Itchichy, Scratchichy, let¡¯s bring the whole n tomorrow.]

    [Understood, Elder!]

    [If it¡¯s just 300 rims each, we could even buy them all up!]

    <strong></strong>

    Buy them all up, he said, there¡¯s 50 gacha capsules in this gachapon, you know?

    There should be 49 gacha capsules in the gachapon at the moment, which means I¡¯d have 14700-rim sales!

    <strong></strong>

    [Will you still be here tomorrow?]

    [Yes, I will being here tomorrow as well, so pleasee by.]

    [In that case, we¡¯ll see you in the morning!]

    <strong></strong>

    As the Elder said this, poking the floor with his staff, the Gnomes¡¯ bodies were swallowed up by the earth and disappeared.

    <strong></strong>

    [For Gnomes to appear here, how unusual. They must really like your sofa, Yuusuke.]

    <strong></strong>

    Minerva said.

    <strong></strong>

    [Do Gnomes not appear in public?]

    [Even adventurers who dive into dungeons rarely see Gnomes. I myself have only seen them a few times.]

    <strong></strong>

    In that case, I¡¯m probably lucky then.

    <strong></strong>

    [By the way, do the Gnomes have any money?]

    [I¡¯ve heard that Gnomes are wealthy.]

    [However, isn¡¯t it impossible for them to lift a 100-rim copper coin with their size?]

    <strong></strong>

    Three 100-rim copper coins are required to y the gachapon once.

    A 100-rim copper coin is muchrger and heavier than a 10-rim copper coin.

    <strong></strong>

    [It would probably be fine. Gnomes are also great Mages that make use of Earth Magic. They should be able to lift a coin or two.]

    <strong></strong>

    That¡¯s what Minerva told me, and it turned out to be true.

    <strong></strong>

    The next day, the Gnomes showed up just as the shop opened and brought two 10,000-rim silver coins with them.

    He mentioned how they would bring their whole n with them, but it seemed like he really brought close to a hundred people.

    Their high-pitched voices echoed off the walls of the dungeon.

    <strong></strong>

    [Shopowner, please exchange this money for us. Also, it¡¯s hard for us to spin this gachapon. Would you be so kind as to spin it for us?]

    [That would be no trouble at all.]

    <strong></strong>

    I called out to Minerva, who was also visiting today.

    <strong></strong>

    [I¡¯m sorry, but could you help me out?]

    [¡­¡­Me?]

    [Yeah, as my temporary clerk.]

    [Looking after the store together¡­¡­ Alright.]

    <strong></strong>

    Minerva nodded and began to spin the gachapon machine silently with the exchanged coins.

    I took the capsule that Minerva had just released, twisted it open, and pulled out the content.

    The Gnomes cheered as each new piece of furniture was ced on the floor.

    <strong></strong>

    [Hey, hey, what¡¯s all the fuss?]

    [Whoa, there are a lot of Gnomes here.]

    <strong></strong>

    Merle and Mira had arrived as well.

    <strong></strong>

    [You came just in time. It¡¯s fine even if it¡¯s in the morning, but won¡¯t you work for me part-time? I¡¯m a little busy right now.]

    [You sure are hopeless.]

    [Leave it to us.]

    <strong></strong>

    As my two oldest regrs, they know the store¡¯s products inside and out.

    They also remember the price well, so I don¡¯t have to worry about leaving sales to them.

    And thus, Minerva and I were able to open 49 capsules and deliver the furniture to the Gnomes.

    <strong></strong>

    [Ohh! The secret special furniture is a rocking chair huh! I¡¯ll have that in my room.]

    <strong></strong>

    The Elder seemed to like the rocking chair.

    <strong></strong>

    [Yahagi-dono, we¡¯re very happy with the purchase. Please allow me to thank you.]

    [No, no, it should be me thanking you for all your purchases.]

    <strong></strong>

    This item which I thought wouldn¡¯t sell at all had been cleared up.

    It was a nice extra ie.

    <strong></strong>

    [However, is that really alright¡­¡­ Selling such wonderful products at such a low price?]

    [I don¡¯t mind. This is the established price.

    [But even so, I couldn¡¯t feel at ease just paying this much¡­¡­ That¡¯s right! Yahagi-dono, do you like baths?]

    <strong></strong>

    Ie from Japan, thend of onsens.

    I was a bath lover then, and that hasn¡¯t changed even after being transported to this world.

    But in this world, baths are only avable in the homes of the wealthy.

    Naturally, they are a luxury item that can¡¯t be found in the inn I¡¯m a regr in, Bottakuro.

    <strong></strong>

    [I love baths, but is there something about it?]

    [I see, so you love baths! Then, I will tell you the location of my secret onsen.]

    [What!?]

    [The secret onsen is located on the 2nd Underground Floor of this dungeon. It is located on the site of an ancient temple, so it¡¯s a safe zone where monsters don¡¯t appear.]

    <strong></strong>

    Proudly saying this, the Elder¡¯s nose twitched.

    <strong></strong>

    [I would be really grateful for that. I absolutely love onsens after all.]

    [Hohoho, excellent, excellent. From now on, Yahagi-dono can use it as you like. I also don¡¯t mind if you tell your friends about it.]

    <strong></strong>

    The Elder left me a map with the location of the onsen, before leaving with a poke of his staff.

 Chapter 24: Annihilation!

    <h4>Chapter 24: Annihtion!</h4>

    As the Gnomes left, Merle, who was nearby, shouted excitedly.

    [Onsen, isn¡¯t that amazing!? Let¡¯s go check it out immediately!]

    [Right. Ah, please sell me this squirt gun. We¡¯ll y with them in the onsen.]

    Also looking eager, Mira picked up one of the store¡¯s products, a light blue squirt gun.

    [Oi, oi, you can¡¯t y with toys in a public bathhouse.]

    [Isn¡¯t it fine, we¡¯re the only ones there anyway. Besides, my shoulders have been stifftely¡­¡­]

    Seemingly looking pained, Mira tapped her shoulders with her hands.

    Mira¡¯s are quite big after all¡­¡­

    Product name: Squirt Gun

    Description: A toy one fills with water and squirts it away. Aiming at a point on the body and firing it has a massage effect. It also relieves painful stiff shoulders and back pain.

    Price: 100 rims

    At first nce, it looks like a traditional pistol-type squirt gun.

    However, the quality of the squirt gun in this world is very high.

    Even being able to massage people, what a great thing it was.

    Just as Mira said, since it¡¯s still a private onsen, it should be okay if they have a little fun.

    I¡¯ve also never used the squirt gun before, so I¡¯ll take this opportunity to try it out.

    However, while we were in such high spirits, Minerva suddenly yelled at us.

    [You can¡¯t! You can¡¯t! You can¡¯t!]

    What is this guy mad about?

    [Why can¡¯t we?]

    [There¡¯s no way I¡¯ll allow you three to have a mixed bath! You shameless sluts! You n to sandwich Yuusuke and eat him up!? I won¡¯t allow you to do that!]

    The words Minerva said made Merle and I be taken aback.

    [No, of course we¡¯ll go in in turn. Where did you even get the idea that we¡¯ll be mixed bathing?]

    [I don¡¯t dislike Yuusuke-san, but we¡¯re not exactly lovers, so I obviously won¡¯t go in with him.]

    [Uwehh? ¡­¡­Seriously?]

    [I don¡¯t really mind though?]

    And there, the airheaded Mira just had to say that.

    [Mira?]

    [I mean, we¡¯re just going to take a bath together, right? If we just cover those with a towel, they won¡¯t show.]

    I don¡¯t really think a towel could cover how big Mira is¡­¡­

    [I- I won¡¯t allow this!!!]

    It was hard trying to calm down Minerva¡¯s outburst.

    ¡ó¡ô¡ó

    What in the world is happening? At this rate, Yuusuke will be prey for these slutty brats.

    The two of them were going to take Yuusuke to the onsen.

    Him not realizing how dangerous that would be.

    Moreover, not even bringing me.

    No, of course, the kind Yuusuke also invited me.

    However, I can¡¯t go with him.

    If I go to the 2nd Underground Floor, those pesky Flower Sonobugs will start crying, and my true identity will be revealed.

    I do think I would eventually have to confide in Yuusuke that I am the witch Michelle, but that¡¯s only after the two of us have be a little closer.

    I thought it would be a good opportunity to deal with them today, but for those two hindrances to make their moves now¡­¡­

    That Mage Mira is especially disturbing.

    Acting like an airhead, trying to make Yuusuke drool over her by using women¡¯s weapons.

    Besides, if it¡¯s breasts, I have bigger ones than those. If it weren¡¯t for the Recognition Inhibition Magic, Yuusuke wouldn¡¯t be able to turn his gaze at any woman other than me¡­¡­

    Ahh, this world is just so absurd.

    However, what can I do?

    I trust Yuusuke, but I just couldn¡¯t help thinking about that ¡°one in a thousand¡± time chance that such a thing happens.

    If those two kept on pestering him, Yuusuke¡¯s rationale could easily copse.

    Onsens are filled with mana that makes people open up.

    As expected, I had to go with Yuusuke and protect him.

    However, what should I do with the Flower Sonobugs?

    It would be great if all those just burned to hell¡­¡­

    Wait, why didn¡¯t I notice something so simple?

    In the first ce, they¡¯re hated bugs because they suck blood from people¡¯s bodies.

    They will probably increase in numbers again, but if I keep burning them with me Magic all night tonight, I can handle at least the Flower Sonobugs on the 2nd Underground Floor.

    Alright, let¡¯s work all night and go to the onsen with Yuusuke tomorrow?

    ¡ó

    Minerva, who had closed his eyes, suddenly stood up.

    It seemed like he had grown up in a strict family.

    He was angry, insisting that it waspletely uneptable for men and women to go to the onsen together.

    I calmed him down, telling him that we weren¡¯t going in together, but did some sort ofinte into his mind again?

    [Yuusuke, about tomorrow¡¯s onsen, as expected, I¡¯ll also go.]

    [O- Ou. I¡¯m fine with that, but I thought you had something to do?]

    [There¡¯s no problem about that. I¡¯ll take care of it tonight. In line with this, I¡¯ll have a box of 10-rim gum.]

    [A box of 10-rim gum? You¡¯re going to use a lot of magic?]

    [Umu, I will be using a bit of Maximum Incendiary Magic¡­¡­]

    I don¡¯t know what kind of magic that was, but its name sounds kinda awesome.

    I handed him the remaining box of 10-rim gum.

    [Don¡¯t push yourself, okay?]

    [Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m just doing a little pest control.]

    [Huh¡­¡­]

    Minerva looked like she was in a much better mood than she had been a few minutes ago.

    ¡ó¡ô¡ó

    When all the people left for the night, the dungeon became quiet.

    I gathered wind and used it to detect any presence within the surroundings, but it seemed that only monsters were there and no adventurers were on the 2nd Underground Floor.

    The only sound that could be heard was that of the annoying cries of the Flower Sonobugs.

    They¡¯re also called screech bush mosquitoes, as it has the appearance of arge mosquito.

    [Riii, riii, riii.]

    [Hmph, screech as much as you want while you still can. You lot have always been a hindrance to me. It¡¯s because of you lot that adventurers are always trying to kill me.]

    [Riii, riii, riii.]

    [Begging for your life? Oh, I feel so sorry for you, but this is for the sake of my and Yuusuke¡¯s happiness. Take this, Maximum Incendiary Magic!]

    Huge mes flooded the dungeon¡¯s corridors, rushing past with a great surge.

    The sh of light that illuminated the darknesssted for a while, before the dungeon was once again enveloped in darkness.

    [Did that deal with all of them¡­¡­]

    [Riii, riii, riii.]

    [You¡¯re still freaking here!?]

    I popped a 10-rim gum into my mouth and let my mana circte again.

    A few hourster.

    [Riii, riii, riii.]

    No matter how many times I burned them, the Flower Sonobugs kept popping out like hell¡¯s ghosts.

    I can¡¯t take them anymore.

    [Riii, riii, riii.]

    I¡¯m the one who wants to cry here.

    [Riii, riii, riii.]

    [Shut up!]

    My me burned the bugs, but after a while, I heard their cries again from somewhere.

    [Ufufu, I¡¯m gonna wash Yuusuke-san¡¯s back.]

    No, no, noooooo!

    I won¡¯t let Mira and Merle do what they want to Yuusuke.

    With things like this, should I just make it so Yuusuke can¡¯t hear¡­¡­

    [That¡¯s it!]

    What a fool I was.

    It would be much easier to make Yuusuke and the other girls deaf to the sound of the Flower Sonobugs than it would be to annihte these bugs on the 2nd Underground Floor!

    Let¡¯s use Sound Magic to rece the bugs¡¯ voices with bird sounds.

    As an ingenious idea came to mind, I flopped my butt down on the floor.

    It¡¯s almost dawn.

    It¡¯s almost time for my appointment with Yuusuke.

 Chapter 25: Onsen Discovery

    <h4>Chapter 25: Onsen Discovery</h4>

    The onsen I was told about was on the 2nd Underground Floor, so going there would be dangerous.

    I decided to take all possible precautions by using the shop¡¯s products.

    Even if Minerva, Merle and Mira were with me, I at least wanted to be able to protect myself.

    I didn¡¯t want to look like a fool in front of everyone.

    Dagashi shopowner I may be, even I want to look cool.

    My four remaining monster cards are C-card Giant Crow, R-card Zombie Knight, SR-card Turtle Ninja, and R-card Stone Golem.

    I have some rtively strong cards left, so I¡¯d like to use them to deal with the situation.

    I also drew a scratch card on my way out.

    After my fourth draw, I finally got a winning card.

    I got a line-up of swords, increasing my strength.

    Whoa, I really feel like I¡¯ve gotten strong.

    I wonder how heavy the dumbbells I can lift now?

    After that, I ate two anzu-bout to increase my courage!

    I also stuff my pockets withrge round candies that boost my agility and Moro Yogul.

    I waited at the entrance of the dungeon, and soon, Mira and Merle arrived.

    [Good morning, Yuusuke. Is Minerva-san not here yet?]

    [Yeah, he¡¯s quite strict when ites to time, but he¡¯ste today.]

    When we meet up, Minerva is usually the one whoes to our meeting spot even before me.

    There are also lots of times when we run into each other at unexpected ces.

    When that happens, he would show up saying things like ¡°How unexpected¡± or ¡°What a coincidence¡±.

    Sometimes though, I feel as if he had been staking out the ce in anticipation of my arrival.

    But today, Minerva iste.

    Yesterday, he said he had something important to do, so I wonder if he was busy.

    After waiting for a while, Minerva emerged from the dungeon.

    [I¡¯m sorry to keep you waiting.]

    [No, it¡¯s nothing serious, but are you alright? Your voice sounded like you¡¯re tired.]

    [I¡¯m just a little sleep-deprived, that¡¯s all. Don¡¯t worry about it.]

    He doesn¡¯t even look like he can walk properly, but is he really alright?

    [They say there are no monsters in the onsen, so you might as well take a nap.]

    [No, I can¡¯t sleep. I have to keep an eye on those two to make sure they do anything indecent¡­¡­]

    He¡¯s still saying stuff like that¡­¡­

    Minerva looked tired, but only his eyes seemed to be zing with eagerness.

    ¡ó

    I had seen the stairs leading to the 2nd Underground Floor, but this was my first time actually going down.

    There were several frightening stone statues, making the ce even more eerie than the 1st Underground Floor.

    [Poh, poh, poh.]

    As we went deeper, I heard a bird-like cry.

    [What is that? Are there monsters nearby?]

    I grabbed my Giant Crow card and braced myself.

    Meanwhile, both Merle and Mira looked around with worried faces.

    [I¡¯ve never heard such a cry before. Is that a new kind of monster?]

    [Poh, poh, poh.]

    [The rhythm of its cry seemed to be simr to that of a Flower Sonobug, but this is a bird¡¯s call¡­¡­ This is the first time I¡¯ve heard of them.]

    The three of us were rmed, but as to be expected, Minerva was calm.

    [Don¡¯t worry about it. That¡¯s probably just a pigeon that wandered into the dungeon.]

    [A pigeon?]

    [I can hear more than one cooing though¡­¡­]

    [Then they wandered in as a flock! Enough with the needless worry, let¡¯s get going already.]

    Minerva snatched the map from me and moved ahead at a brisk pace.

    .

    We encountered a few monsters along the way, but Minerva killed them all in seconds.

    I had heard that he was an amazing guy, but he seemed to be a world apart from the other adventurers.

    Even Merle and Mira seemed to be overwhelmed.

    Eventually, we passed through a narrow alleyway that was barely wide enough for one person to pass, and arrived at a slightly open dead end.

    [We¡¯re here.]

    Minerva handed the map back to me.

    [Here, we will just have to recite the chant the Gnomes taught us.]

    I knelt down and knocked my fist on the floor.

    [Do not miss it, my knock, open the secret door and lead us to the room with the warm spring.]

    When I finished reciting the chant, the wall in front of me slid to the side, revealing a path leading to the back.

    [No signs of monsters. Let¡¯s keep going.]

    With Minerva leading the way in, we found ourselves in a room that looked like a rest area, with a door leading to the back.

    Beyond that door should be the onsen, right?

    Boldly opening the door, I was greeted by a cloud of steam.

    Unlike the fog that appears when a monster appears, it smells like the odor of onsen water.

    When the steam faded, I saw arge, beautiful bath in front of me.

    The bathtub was asrge or evenrger than the famousmunal bath I saw in onsen resorts.

    Hot water was gushing out of the bathtub and flowing toward the edge of the bathtub.

    It¡¯s that so-called free-flowing onsen huh.

    [Ohh, this looks nice. The bottom of the bathtub is nketed with gravel.]

    [The water feels soothing!]

    Mira seemed delighted as she put her hand in the bath.

    [Alright, let¡¯s get right in. You girls go in first. I¡¯ll wait in the room over there.]

    [In that case, don¡¯t mind if I do!]

    [I¡¯m looking forward to it.]

    I was about to leave, but for some reason, Minerva didn¡¯t move.

    Seriously, ying this joke now¡­¡­

    [Hey, don¡¯t you try secretly staying behind here!]

    [Eh?]

    [You¡¯re a man!]

    When I threw my tsukkomi, Minerva looked flustered.

    [T- That¡¯s right. Sorry, sorry.]

    [There are always people like you who y that joke when they go to an onsen.]

    [No, I didn¡¯t mean to¡­¡­]

    [Anyway, you girls go in first.]

    [Yeeeeees.]

    Minerva and I returned to the waiting room in front of the onsen.

    The room was empty and deserted, but it was safe from monsters.

    Since my shopes with chairs, I decided to set up shop here and take a break.

    [Open.]

    And it seems that my Unique Job has leveled up again.

    [Ohhh¡­¡­]

    Realizing the appearance of something I had been waiting for, I was shaking with excitement.

 Chapter 26: Too Early for Squirt Guns

    <h4>Chapter 26: Too Early for Squirt Guns</h4>

    The newest addition to my shop was a refrigerator surrounded by te ss on all four sides.

    It was made in such a way that the products inside could be seen.

    [What is this box? There seem to be colorful bottles inside.]

    [This is a refrigerator, a tool that keeps things inside cool. This is great, there are two kinds of drinks included inside it!]

    Product name: Ramune

    Description: A soft drink. Carbonated beverage with a citrus vor. Drinking this will put one¡¯s mana cirction in order.

    Price: 100 rims

    The term ¡°Ramune¡± is said to have originally been a corruption of the word ¡°lemonade¡±.

    Lemonade ¡ú Lemone ¡ú Ramune

    I have always loved drinking it.

    When I was a child, I used to open the lid and take out the marble inside when I finished drinking.

    [Yuusuke, is that colorful stuff over there some kind of medicine?]

    [That¡¯s Nikki. It¡¯s a sweet drink with cinnamon in it. It has this fizzy sensation on the tongue and throat, but it¡¯s delicious.]

    [There seemed to be three kinds of this thing, but is there any difference between them?]

    [No, they¡¯re just different in color.]

    It brought back vivid memories of me and my friends showing each other the color of our tongues stained with food coloring.

    Product name: Nikki

    Description: A cold beverage containing cinnamon extract. Has an antipyretic effect when drunk.

    Price: 100 rims

    It¡¯s a good thing that cold drinks have been added to the product lineup.

    After all, the ce just doesn¡¯t feel like a proper Dagashi Shop without it.

    It would be perfect if they also added hiyashiame or mikansui.

    [That drink that puts mana cirction in order seemed interesting. I¡¯ll have one of these ramune.]

    [Why don¡¯t you drink it after the bath? It tastes better that way.]

    The coldness of the ramune would definitely permeate into his flushed body.

    [I see, that¡¯s a good idea.]

    Minerva and I yed a game of Continental Conquest, yed dart ball, the prize of another game, and waited for Merle and Mira toe out.

    [Phew, that was a nice bath.]

    [It totally feels rxing, isn¡¯t it?]

    Merle and Mira came out.

    In their hands were the squirt guns they had bought from my shop.

    [How was it?]

    [It was the best!]

    Mira exined with unusual gusto.

    [I¡¯ve been suffering from stiff shoulders for a long time, and this has helped me alleviate it. I¡¯m really d I bought this!]

    The massaging effect of the squirt gun seems to be real.

    [I¡¯m d to hear that. In that case, I guess I¡¯ll try it too.]

    [By all means, I highly rmend it.]

    I grabbed two orange squirt guns from the shop.

    [Alright then, let¡¯s go in too.]

    I invited Minerva to join me in the bath.

    However, Minerva didn¡¯t move an inch.

    [What are you doing?]

    [Eh? What?]

    [Like I said~~ Let¡¯s get in the bath already.]

    [¡­¡­¡­¡­We¡¯re going in there together?]

    [Yeah, that¡¯s what I was thinking¡­¡­]

    Minerva suddenly began to tremble.

    His mouth also opened and closed, but no words came out of it.

    What¡¯s with him?

    [Ah, do you not like it when people see your body? In that case, you don¡¯t have to mind me. Go in first.]

    There are probably people who don¡¯t like their bodies being seen by others, even when they¡¯re fellow men.

    There¡¯s no need to force them to go in together.

    I¡¯m also not interested in Minerva being nude.

    [I- I- I don¡¯t mind. Let¡¯s go in qyuickly¡­¡­]

    Minerva¡¯s voice was trembling, but he also slid into the bathroom.

    [Anyway, we¡¯re going in. There are some cold drinks in there you can have. There¡¯s ramune and nikki.]

    Leaving Merle and Mira behind, I also headed for the bathroom.

    The sound of the hot water was echoing and the surface of the bathtub was shimmering.

    Even though this is the second time I¡¯ve seen it, the water really just looked nice.

    I quickly took off my clothes.

    [Now then, let¡¯s get in¡­¡­ Wait, the heck are you staring that intently for?]

    Minerva, who was staring at me, froze.

    [¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­..]

    [Oi. don¡¯t stare at me so much. Even though we¡¯re both guys, being stared at still feels embarrassing!]

    [I- I- I- I¡¯m sorry! I just saw something I¡¯m unfamiliar with¡­¡­]

    Something he¡¯s unfamiliar with?

    [Could it be that there are no public bathhouses in this country? Or perhaps, is there a rule in this country to cover the lower half of your body with a towel when taking a bath in such public bathhouses?]

    There¡¯s that saying that goes ¡°When in Rome, do as the Romans do¡±.

    I¡¯m a man who always goes utterly stark naked in the bathtub, but I am willing to abide by the rules of this country.

    [No, there are public bathhouses here. I don¡¯t think it was required for people to cover themselves with a towel, but this is more of a personal problem¡­¡­]

    I see, he just isn¡¯t used to going to such ces huh.

    [Alright. If it bothers you, I¡¯ll wrap a towel around my waist.]

    [No, that¡¯s okay! Stay like that. I think it¡¯s better for me to get used to it now too¡­¡­ for the future¡­¡­]

    What does that even mean?

    Ahh, he must be thinking of actively going to public bathhouses in the future huh.

    [In that case, I¡¯ll stay as is.]

    [Umu. By the way, Yuusuke.]

    [What¡¯s the matter?]

    [As for me, it¡¯s just, because of my circumstances, just like my face, I really can¡¯t show others my body. Do you mind if I use Recognition Inhibition Magic for today? I¡¯m sure I¡¯ll eventually be able to show my everything to Yuusuke but¡­¡­]

    I don¡¯t really want you showing your everything, Minerva¡­¡­

    Heck, I might just get depressed¡­¡­

    [Suit yourself.]

    [Thanks.]

    With a wave of Minerva¡¯s hand, it was like a big mosaic covering her body from head to toe.

    In that state, his body bes unclear to my eyes.

    [Unnn, you turned into something iprehensible. Not even the outlines of your body are showing.]

    [I see.]

    Leaving Minerva behind, I went ahead and soaked in the water.

    I also felt the tingling sensation in the skin for the first time in a long while.

    [Hmmm, the bath feels nice. Come on, Minerva too, quickly get in.]

    [I¡¯ming.]

    [Eh¡­¡­]

    [I said I¡¯m going.]

    [Ahh, I see.]

    Minerva came in beside me.

    Can¡¯t tell how he¡¯s like with the mosaic though.

    [It feels good, doesn¡¯t it?]

    [Umu¡­¡­]

    I¡¯m not sure if it was just my imagination or not, but I kinda feel like Minerva was ncing my way.

    Well, I don¡¯t really know with that mosaic.

    [Next time Ie here, I should bring an onsen chair. I brought a bucket, but I didn¡¯t even think about bringing a chair.]

    [If you don¡¯t mind it being made of stone, I can make them.]

    Minerva quickly made a chair for me with Earth Magic.

    [As expected of Minerva. Well then, let¡¯s sit on this chair¡­¡­]

    I got out of the hot water, pointed the squirt gun I had brought to my shoulder and pulled the trigger.

    The water current, amplified by mana, stimted my pressure points with its exquisite strength.

    [Ohh! This really works.]

    I pulled the trigger several times with great enthusiasm.

    Each time I pulled the trigger, the fatigue in my shoulders, lower back, and calves would bepletely gone.

    [You should try it too, Minerva. It feels really good.]

    [I see¡­¡­]

    Minerva came over and sat down next to me.

    I can¡¯t make out the details because of the mosaic, but I think he has very fair skin.

    He also seemed to have well-developed pectoral muscles¡­¡­

    Minerva seems to have used his squirt gun to his neck.

    Even still, I can¡¯t make out much from the mosaic.

    Pshaaa!

    [Haahhh¡­¡­]

    [How is it?]

    [Very good¡­¡­]

    [I know, right!? I¡¯m surprised it¡¯s this good. That¡¯s right, I¡¯ll shoot you in the back, Minerva.]

    [Eh, but¡­¡­]

    [Don¡¯t be shy! You can¡¯t shoot yourself in the back, right? You can do mer. I¡¯ll start then.]

    I went behind Minerva and aimed my squirt gun.

    However¡­¡­

    [No¡­¡­ Stop, stop, stooooooop!]

    Why the total refusal?

    Also, doing that in a slightly cutesy way¡­¡­

    He¡¯s saying all that with his hoarse, manly voice though.

    [What¡¯s wrong?]

    [I feel like¡­¡­ it¡¯s too early for that.]

    Is there such a thing as too early to shoot warm water with a squirt gun?

    Since this is a different world, I guess it wouldn¡¯t be strange that there were rules here that I didn¡¯t know about.

    Well, I wouldn¡¯t dare to do something that he doesn¡¯t want to do.

    [I¡¯m kinda starting to feel dizzy¡­¡­]

    [Me too¡­¡­]

    [Let¡¯s get out of the bath and have a ramune.]

    [Unnn.]

    We got dressed and went back to the front room.

    Trantor¡¯s Notes:

    Ramune

    <ol start="2"> Nikki sui

    <ol start="3"> Àä¤ä¤·ï / Hiyashiame: A traditional Japanese chilled beverage that ismonly consumed during the summer months to beat the heat. A sweet, refreshing drink made by dissolving malt starch syrup or rice syrup in hot water and then cooling it down. Sometimes, additional ingredients such as ginger juice or grated ginger are added to the drink to enhance the vor and provide a subtle spicy kick.

    <ol start="4"> ÃÛ¸ÌË®/Mikansui: A Japanese citrus beverage made from mikan, a type of mandarin orange.

    </ol></ol></ol>

 Chapter 27: The Witch in the Menko

    <h4>Chapter 27: The Witch in the Menko</h4>

    Merle and Mira were drinking Nikki when I entered the room.

    [Yuusuke-san, this one makes my throat hurt, but it¡¯s pretty tasty. However, I don¡¯t know how to open this ramune.]

    The marble attached to the drinking spout of the ramune needs to be pushed into the bottle first.

    That¡¯s something people didn¡¯t know when they first heard of ramune.

    [Ou, I¡¯ll open it for you in a minute.]

    I opened four bottles one after another.

    [They are delicious. Moreover, I can feel the flow of mana in my body bing smoother.]

    The Mage Mira seemed to be very pleased with the ramune.

    [Unnn, this is very good.]

    Minerva immediately bought a bottle and put it in his bag.

    We sat side by side on a stone bench Minerva had made for us and enjoyed a rxing moment after our bath.

    [It¡¯s nice and quiet here. Moreover, because there are no monsters around, I can feel safe.]

    [Right. I¡¯m also getting sleepy. I wish I had brought a futon or something.]

    [If we use this ce as a rest spot, it will be easier to explore the 2nd Underground Floor.]

    Hearing the words Mira said made me realize it myself.

    [It certainly would be nice if I could do business here.]

    [Here?]

    [Yeah, I¡¯m going to open the bath to the adventurers, while I run my dagashi shop here. There are no monsters here, so I can do my business in peace.]

    [If Yuusuke-sanes here, I¡¯m sure the rookies who frequent the shop would be delighted. Many of the rookies wanted to go to the 2nd Underground Floor.]

    Alright, I¡¯ll advertise this ce to everyone.

    However, there¡¯s still a problem.

    [There¡¯s only one bathroom here. I think it¡¯s inconvenient that there¡¯s no changing room.]

    [Fumu, would it be better if there was a dividing wall?]

    Minerva stood up.

    [What are you going to do?]

    [With Earth Magic, I¡¯ll make partitions.]

    [You look tired though, are you alright?]

    [After entering the onsen, I can feel myself revitalized.]

    Minerva, with his hands on the bathroom floor, sent his mana into the bathroom.

    Thereupon, the floor rose up and rocks were lifted to almost the ceiling.

    With that, the bathroom was nowpletely bisected.

    [Amazing......]

    [Now, all we need to do is add another entrance.]

    Although it was roughly done, the bathroom was divided into two in an instant.

    Well, this is an unmanned bathhouse in a dungeon. It doesn¡¯t have to be that borate.

    [I think the cleaning could be done by everyone who uses this ce.]

    [If there are Mages who can use Water Magic and Wind Magic, cleaning the ce won¡¯t take long. I¡¯ll help out too!]

    Mira is very motivated.

    [Alright, I¡¯ll give the Mages who help out with the cleaning some 10-rim gums or some or other mana restoration snacks.]

    I hope this ce will be a ce for adventurers to rx.

    One weekter.

    The onsen on the 2nd Underground Floor was crowded with adventurers.

    Many of them especiallye in the evening after work, returning home after taking a bath.

    Until now, the only customers of Dagashi Yahagi have been rtively young adventurers, but recently, the number of veteran customers has been increasing as well.

    [Ou, I¡¯ll have a ramune.]

    [Thank you for the purchase!]

    Sales are gradually increasing, especially for the after-bath drinks.

    The product that especially got popr is that squirt gun.

    [Kazakh, shoot me in the back.]

    [Can¡¯t be helped. Shoot me in the back in exchange.]

    [I know. Oh, a little more to the left. There, right there! Ofuu..... You¡¯re really good, Kazakh.]

    The sight of naked men shooting each other is quite surreal, but squirt guns are now selling well, especially among middle-aged people.

    The number of naked men with towels in their left hands and colorful squirt guns in their right hands was rapidly increasing.

    Speaking of things that have gotten popr, menkos were enjoying a quiet boom among young adventurers.

    Product name: st Menko

    Description: Toys made of cardboard. Palm-sized cards in various shapes. Usually used as a game or a collector¡¯s item, but when used against monsters, it generates Storm Magic to blow away the enemy. When used as a magic tool, it will disappear.

    Price: 20 rims

    ying menko is simple.

    First, the first and second attackers are decided by rock-paper-scissors (they exist in this world too).

    The second attacker ces their menko on the ground.

    The first attacker would then m their menko against the opponent¡¯s.

    If they manage to flip over the opponent¡¯s menko, they win and they can keep the flipped-over menko for themself.

    The menko sold in my shop had illustrations of famous adventurers of the past.

    Many of them were either cute or handsome with a cartoonish touch.

    Just like trading cards though, they are sold in booster packs, so you don¡¯t know what kind of menko you¡¯re getting until you open it.

    [Geh, I got a Witch Michelle card!]

    There also seems to be menko of active adventurers.

    One boy was sad for pulling out the menko of the witch, so I traded it with my own collection.

    Witch Michelle really is unpopr.

    On the surface of the menko, there¡¯s a description added.

    Witch Michelle: The Great Mage who constructed the ¡Þ-type mana cirction theory. SS-Rank Adventurer.

    Despite being so strong, for her to be so hated, I guess it really has to be because she put a curse on the King?

    Perhaps, it may be because of the negative campaign by the country.

    Or perhaps, is it because she really is a bad guy?

    [I think she¡¯s pretty cute though......]

    I ran my fingers through the ck hair of Michelle, the witch depicted in the menko.

    The witch in the painting has a grumpy, frowning expression on her face, while for some reason, Minerva¡¯s mood was good all day long.

    <hr>

    Trantor¡¯s Notes:

    Menko. Seems like the Author is only talking about the rectangr menkos though.

 Chapter 28: Baron Essel

    <h4>Chapter 28: Baron Essel</h4>

    The shop location was moved in earnest to the 2nd Underground Floor in front of the onsen.

    I invited Sanaga-san, the cksmith, and Mirai-san, the restorative tea shopowner, to open their stores in this area as well.

    The more shops grouped together, the more synergistic the effect is.

    I don¡¯t know who named it that way, but before I knew it, the name ¡°Yahagi Onsen¡± had somehow taken hold, and I felt a twinge of embarrassment every time I heard it.

    First thing in the morning, a team of young adventurers came into the shop.

    [Yuusuke-san, do you still have cherry mochis?]

    [Yeah, we¡¯ve restocked both cherries and green apple-vored mochis.]

    Recently, an epidemic called the dungeon flu has been raging.

    It¡¯s said that this disease causes high fever, breathing difficulties and even death.

    Thanks to this, a certain product has been selling well.

    Product name: Cherry Mochi

    Description: Gummy mochis containing 12 pieces. Eating these has the effect of preventing the dungeon cold. Even if it develops, the risk of serious illness is reduced. Green apple and mikan vors are also avable.

    Price: 30 rims

    At first, they were only bought by young adventurers, but recently, veteran adventurers have been buying them as well.

    They apparently buy them to feed their families.

    In this world, illnesses are generally cured by those who can use Recovery Magic, but it¡¯s said that dungeon colds are difficult to cure with magic.

    In any case, I¡¯m d that the snacks I sell are useful.

    Thinking that it had been my first time in a while eating them, I also poked a small piece of gummy mochi with a toothpick.

    Hmmm, yep, this is it.

    They stick to my teeth, but I used to like them because of their unique vor.

    In my previous life, there were c and soda-vored gummy mochi, but I wonder if they will appear in this world soon?

    I also shared my gummy mochis with Minerva, Merle and Mira so as to prevent them from bing sick.

    It waste afternoon when an unfamiliar visitor arrived in the dungeon.

    He was a small, fat, middle-aged man escorted by 8 soldiers, looking quite well-dressed.

    He also wears arge gold ring on his finger.

    [Is this the shop called Dagashi Yahagi?]

    [That¡¯s right. I am the owner, Yahagi.]

    [Ohh, that¡¯s great. The path to reach this ce is ratherplicated, so I was worried.]

    Stroking his chest and calming himself down, the man looked around the shop.

    No matter how I look at him, he does not look like a dungeon-diving adventurer.

    He must have found this onsen area curious.

    [So this is the rumored Yahagi Onsen huh. It¡¯s bigger than I thought it would be.]

    [Is customer-san here to take a bath?]

    [No, no, that isn¡¯t the case.]

    The man leaned forward and spoke in a hushed tone.

    [Actually, I heard a rumor that you sell Elixirs in this shop. Is this true?]

    [Ahh, I see you¡¯re seeking for the Elixir. In that case, you¡¯ll have to challenge this.]

    I exined to him the Dungeon Crawler Game.

    [You¡¯re not selling it, but it was a prize for the game huh...... In that case, I¡¯ll have to give it a try. I¡¯m sorry, but could you exchange this for me?]

    What he held out to me was a 100,000-rim gold coin.

    This is the problem with rich people.

    [I don¡¯t have that many small changes. I can exchange a 10,000-rimrge silver coin, but exchanging 100,000 rims is a bit too much for me.]

    [Oh my! That was a careless mistake. In this case, it can¡¯t be helped. You lot, lend me some small change.]

    Hearing the man¡¯s words, his escorting soldiers went through their own pockets and assembled small changes.

    They must have umted about 4000 rims in silver and copper coins.

    [Umu, umu, this should be enough.]

    [I¡¯ll say this now, but this is a popr game. If you get a game over when there are people in line behind you, please give the next person a chance to y too.]

    [That¡¯s the rules of the streets, right? I understand.]

    He looked like a pompous old man, but it doesn¡¯t seem like he has any bad intentions.

    [Kuoohhhh! The coin suddenly fell into the hole!!!]

    [Nuoooooo, I can¡¯t get past the 3rd Underground wall!]

    [Atst, the 4th Underground Floor. Ghuwaaahh! I can¡¯t cross that bridge......]

    He¡¯s quite the lively chap.

    At first, the soldiers watched him in silence, but then they started saying they¡¯ll win the prize themselves.

    [Baron Essel, please entrust this task to this Grande.]

    [No, no, please allow this Thor instead.]

    [I, Venti, shall give you victory.]

    They were having a lively conversation like this, but then that scene broke out.

    [This is troubling. I¡¯ve spent all of my 4300 rims.]

    Ara ara......

    [Shopowner, is it really possible to finish this game? You¡¯re not pushing me to y an impossible game, are you?]

    [It¡¯s true that it¡¯s difficult, but it¡¯s properly possible to clear it.]

    I took a 10-rim coin out of my pocket and inserted it into the game.

    I have yed this game more than 300 times, so I know all the subtleties of force and timing.

    Besides, I¡¯m the shopowner, so I seem to have a special talent.

    On my first try, I made a blunder on the 6th Underground Floor, but the second time, I sessfully got the Elixir.

    [See, it¡¯s properly possible to clear it, right?]

    [Ohhh......]

    The old man and his soldiers who looked impressed, suddenly looked at me sharply and bowed their heads.

    [Yahagi-dono!]

    [What¡¯s going on?]

    [Please give me that Elixir!]

    Hmmm, so that¡¯s how it turned out huh......

    [That would be troubling. This is a prize after all.]

    [I am Mou Essel, a noble of the Kingdom. I would be most grateful if you would grant me the Elixir for the sake of His Majesty, who has been ill for a long time.]

    [Baron Essel is offering the Elixir to his Majesty, the King?]

    [Indeed. If things continue as they are now, government affairs will remain stagnant and society will be in turmoil. Please, kindly allow me this request!]

    This is troubling......

    [Yuusuke-san, I feel sorry for him. Why don¡¯t you concede just this once?]

    Mira, who hade to the shop for a break, mediated.

    [Just this one time. Next time, you¡¯ll have to win it yourself.]

    [Ohh, my gratitude! With this, his Majesty would probably be cured of his illness. Please ept this, as a token of my gratitude.]

    Baron Essel shoved a small leather bag on me and he and his group hurriedly left the room.

    I¡¯m sure he will now head straight to the King.

    [Hey, that King is under the curse of the witch Michelle, isn¡¯t he? Can you get rid of that curse with an Elixir?]

    I asked the nearby Minerva.

    [Seems impossible. His physical condition should improve for about two weeks, but the curse itself will not improve. He should return to before after that.]

    Minerva¡¯s voice was cold.

    [Heehhh...... In that case, that old man would probablye back huh.]

    [I guess so. However, the effect of that curse should wear off soon......]

    [How would Minerva even know that!?]

    [T- That is..... I just heard about it.]

    [Heard it? From whom?]

    [......From the witch Michelle.]

    The two of them knew each other huh.

    I wanted to ask him about the details, but Minerva quickly went away.

    <hr>

    <Afterword>

    Gummy Mochi. They aren¡¯t actual mochis, but vored soft candies of some sort.

 Chapter 29: The Spring Breeze is Mint Blue

    <h4>Chapter 29: The Spring Breeze is Mint Blue</h4>

    Thanks to my thriving business, I finally got an apartment of my own.

    This marks the end of my life in Bottakuro.

    It¡¯s a small apartment that only consists of two rooms and a kitchte, but it¡¯s nice andfortable for a single person to stay in.

    No matter what other people say, I¡¯m d that I no longer had to endure verbal abuses like ¡°I¡¯ll kill you!¡± or ¡°Get the f*ck outta here!¡± just for making a slight noise.

    However, there¡¯s still a problem.

    There¡¯s this guy who keeps oning to visit me every day......

    [I bought the ingredients for our meal. I¡¯ll cook us dinner.]

    When I opened the door, I found Minerva behind the door again today.

    [You¡¯re here again......]

    [I¡¯m going to make stew today.]

    Minerva walked into my kitchte, looking quite ustomed to my ce.

    For some reason, my kitchte ended up bing Minerva¡¯s camp, where he stored many of his personal belongings.

    [You know, why the heck are you storing strange tools in my home again?]

    [This is a cookware called a blender. ......Am I bothering you?]

    [I don¡¯t mind now, but when I get a girlfriend, I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll hate you being here.]

    [You got a girlfriend!?]

    [No, I don¡¯t have a girlfriend yet. However, even I want to eventually have one. I don¡¯t think it would look good if I had a male friend who came into my house every day.]

    [That¡¯s right. Guys like that are nothing but trouble!]

    [Right? So, when I get a girlfriend, take all your stuff here and bring them back home.]

    [Umu......]

    Minerva nodded honestly.

    [Yuusuke really wants to have a girlfriend?]

    [That¡¯s obvious, having a girlfriend makes life more enjoyable. We can talk about various things and go on dates, having one would enrich your life, don¡¯t you think?]

    Minerva nodded in agreement.

    [Besides, it¡¯s not like I¡¯m some sort of saint or anything like that. Even I want enjoyment in my nightlife.]

    [Nightlife!?]

    [Is that really so surprising? Do you not feel the desire to do that, Minerva?]

    [No...... To be honest, I¡¯m interested...... quite interested......]

    This guy, even with all his entricities, is just like me.

    You freaking closet pervert!

    [However, if Minerva stayed over every night, you wouldn¡¯t be able to do that, right?]

    [Umu......]

    [It¡¯s not like I hate you, Minerva. It¡¯s just, no matter how good of a friendship we have, I don¡¯t think it¡¯s right for you to stay over every night. Do you understand?]

    [I understand. In other words, Yuusuke wants to be with your lover all the time.]

    [All the time......? Well, I guess you can say that......]

    I think it would be a bit stifling being together with someone all the time though.

    [If it¡¯s that feeling, I know exactly how it is. I¡¯ll also do my best.]

    Minerva, for some reason, suddenly became in a good mood and started cooking.

    Cooking for us two, eating together, cleaning up together, talking after dinner over tea or other drinks, sometimes ying chess or reading books......

    Arehh, something¡¯s strange, isn¡¯t it?

    This sounds a lot like the way lovers act around each other......

    No, no, no, no, we haven¡¯t done anything lewd together.

    Even though he¡¯s staying over, we¡¯re sleeping on different beds.

    Minerva uses the sofa that he had given to me as a housewarming gift as his own bed.

    However......

    After dinner, we rxed on the sofa and drank brandy.

    This was also a gift from Minerva.

    It was a very expensive-looking drink, but Minerva kept pouring more and more into my ss.

    Is this guy trying to get me drunk?

    I was a little wary, but the taste of the alcohol made me forget to restrain myself.

    As my consciousness began to fade, Minerva began to ask me questions.

    [Tell me honestly. Do you really not have any girlfriend?]

    [Of course not. if I did, I wouldn¡¯t be drinking with a guy friend like this night after night.]

    Chatting like this with Minerva is fun, but that wouldn¡¯t make me give up some aspects of one¡¯s life.

    [So, what is Yuusuke¡¯s preference?]

    [My preference......? Hmm~~ Dunno!]

    [Dunno, you say, there¡¯s no way that¡¯s true......]

    [I wouldn¡¯t know what I dunno!]

    In my previous life, I liked slit-eyeddy knights, but if I¡¯m asked if I would like them in real life, I¡¯m not that hung up on them.

    Until now, my only romantic experience had been when I fell in love with someone close to me before I knew it.

    I don¡¯t have any particr preference.

    [I guess you must like big-breasted ones like Mira huh?]

    [Hmm? Unnn, Mira is cute and nice. She has big boobs, and she has this gentle and healing feeling around her. I also like energetic girls like Merle. She¡¯s a bit blunt, but she¡¯s quitepassionate and cute.]

    [Those two really had......]

    I feel like I could hear the sound of gnashing teeth from behind his silver mask.

    [However, they¡¯re too young.]

    [What?]

    Phua, I¡¯m getting sleepy......

    [In that case, what if it¡¯s not like the slutty brats, someone older than them, has big breasts, a big butt, is great at cooking and the strongest adventurer?]

    [Ehh~~ ......What about face and personality? Fuaaahhh......]

    I can¡¯t stifle my yawn anymore.

    I should go back to bed now......

    [Her face...... is a bit in......]

    [Unnn, that¡¯s not that big of a deal, isn¡¯t it? The most important thing is her personality. [Someone gentle really would be nice...... Unnn......]

    Minerva was still talking about something, but I¡¯ve reached my limit.

    I let myself fall into the pleasant world of dreams.

    [Alright. I¡¯ll be gentle......]

    Before I let go of my consciousness, I felt like Minerva said something.

    [That¡¯s...... a good...... thing...... z z z z z z.]

    ¡ó¡ô¡ó

    I gently removed my mask in front of the drunk Yuusuke.

    The magic robe that hides my womanly body is also taken off on the floor.

    If Yuusuke wakes up now......

    A mixture of anxiety and anticipation clenched in my chest.

    I picked up Yuusuke, who was sleeping defenselessly, and carried him to bed.

    [Geez, you really are helpless without me......]

    Yuusuke doesn¡¯t wake up even when I poked his cheek with my finger.

    Should I do the usual thing now that I have the chance?

    I quietly crawled next to Yuusuke and snuggled up to him.

    Feeling his body warmth on my skin, I¡¯m also feeling sleepy.

    How happy would I be if I could just fall asleep right here next to Yuusuke?

    [Someone gentle huh......]

    If that¡¯s what Yuusuke wanted, I felt like I could be as kind as I could be.

    ¡ó

    My head hurts. I¡¯mpletely hungover.

    I must have drunk too muchst night.

    [Here, drink some water.]

    Minerva magically produced a ss of water for me.

    [Thanks.]

    Every dry cell in my body is starting to get moistened.

    [Fuuu...... Feels like I¡¯ming back to life.]

    I feel like I¡¯ve been relying on Minerva a lottely......

    [Do you want to take the day off work today?]

    [No, I can¡¯t do that. I¡¯ve got a lot of regrs waiting for me.]

    I take out one of my snacks.

    Product name: Sky Mints ¨C Blue

    Description: Refreshing mint-vored soft candy. Eating this will help sober you up.

    Price: 100 rims (15 pieces)

    The spring breeze blows in through the window Minerva has opened.

    The smell of flowers whose names I don¡¯t know mingled with the scent of mint and wafted through my nose.

    <hr>

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Sky Mints ¨C Blue

 Chapter 30: Mobile Force

    <h4>Chapter 30: Mobile Force</h4>

    My shop leveled up again.

    Stall-like shops, just like the floor booths in department stores, can now beid out if I so desire, and a slightly more splendid shop had beenid out in a corner of the onsen room.

    With the expansion of the sales floor alsoes the increase of new products.

    That morning, my voice involuntarily shook upon the discovery of a certain new item.

    [What the heck......]

    Once upon a time, a certain stic model was sold in dagashi shops and toy stores in Japan.

    It was said to be a product that imita...... paid homage to the merchandise from a mecha anime that boasted nationwide poprity, but the product that came into my shop this time was a homage to that homage product.

    Product name: Mobile Force Gungalf

    Description: Robot stic model. It can be built by simply fitting in the parts without using any adhesives. Can be operated with mana maniption.

    Price: 300 rims

    There seemed to be six types in total in my stock. Including the protagonist¡¯s robot Gungalf, the bad guy¡¯s mass-production robot Zako, and the high-mobility type GGRKS.

    The finished robot is about the size of a palm, smaller than a Gnome.

    However, that isn¡¯t the case with its weight, as it is heavier than it looks.

    Is there metal used inside it?

    [What¡¯s that? It looks like a Homunculus...... No, more like a Golem.]

    Minerva, who was also visiting today, showed interest.

    [This is a stic model that you assemble and y with. However, it seems that the stic models in this world can be moved and yed with by mana.]

    [It looks interesting. Give me one.]

    Minerva had chosen the Gyan model, which was d in knightly armor.

    Meanwhile, choosing the protagonist¡¯s robot, Gungalf, I opened up another box.

    [It¡¯s easy to assemble. All you have to do is to insert the arms and legs into its torso like this.

    All the joints were movable, and it was even more well-made than the Gungal back on Earth.

    For this thing to cost 300 rims, I guess that¡¯s to be expected from a different world.

    The stic model waspleted in less than 5 minutes.

    ording to the instructions on the box, sticking thepleted robot to your forehead creates a mana link with it.

    The only magic I can use is ¡°Open¡± and ¡°Close¡±, but I should still possess mana.

    If that¡¯s the case, I should be able to move Gungalf.

    [Ohh!]

    As soon as I put the machine on my forehead, I felt some iprehensible connection with it, like electricity being connected or some string being attached.

    I put Gungalf on the floor and sent my thoughts.

    Step forward!

    Thereupon, my Gungalf, with its legs shaking, slowly took a step forward with its right foot.

    [It¡¯s moving!]

    While I was shaking with excitement, Minerva¡¯s blue Gyan briskly moved alongside my Gungalf.

    His operations are much smoother than my Gungalf.

    [Are you some sort of Mobile Force monster, Minerva!?]

    [It seems to respond exactly as it should when you give it a more detailed image. For stable operations, it¡¯s necessary to keep hold of a certain amount of mana. Conversely, if you want more power, you can increase the power you¡¯re imbuing into it, but if the mana you imbue is too strong, it seems like the machine could get stuck.]

    His Gyan leaped, bounced, and moved as smoothly as a rhythmic gymnast.

    D*mn it, I can also do that......

    [Go, Gungalf!]

    I visualized a cartwheel in my head and sent it to the Gungalf.

    Even though it had hit its head on the ground, it performed a cartwheel and gracefullynded on its feet.

    [Ohh, I did it!]

    [It seems like you¡¯re also getting used to it, Yuusuke.]

    I¡¯m kinda getting the hang of it.

    The key is to send my mana and images smoothly and without interruption.

    [Alright, let¡¯s go, Minerva!]

    I maneuver Gungalf to tackle Gyan.

    Suddenly taken by surprise, the Gyan falls to the ground.

    [W- What are you doing?]

    [Pro wrestling. When you get a count of three with the opponent¡¯s shoulders on the floor, you win.]

    Aiming for a restraining position, I swerved Gungalf behind Gyan and held it by the thighs.

    Minerva had his Gyan wriggle around, somehow trying to escape.

    [Oi, what indecency are you trying tomit with those dolls!?]

    Merle and Mira came to visit.

    I noticed that the store¡¯s regrs were also watching the match between me and Minerva.

    [What indecency are you talking about? This is pro wrestling.]

    [Pro wrestling?]

    [No, I guess it¡¯s more like  wrestling?]

    I exined the rules of pro wrestling to everyone.

    [That¡¯s kind of fun. 300 rims, right?]

    [Yeah. I think that¡¯s a bargain.]

    [Then, I¡¯ll have the Zako one. I kinda like it.

    To see the romance of mass-produced machines, what a remarkable child Merle is......

    [I want this Dom.]

    Mira¡¯s also going to buy one huh.

    [I¡¯ll have the GGRKS!]

    You¡¯re gonna buy one too, Garm?

    [How nice...... I want one too. I have to somehow save up some money.]

    Even Rigal wants one huh.

    In the morning, all forty pieces of Mobile Forces I had in stock had been sold.

    There¡¯s even that one adventurer who bought all six different kinds by themselves.

    As the owner of the shop, I checked out the varieties of Mobile Force I have and found that each one had different characteristics.

    The mass-produced Zako, even with itscking power, was the easiest to maneuver, while the extremely agile GGRKS was fast, but difficult to control with mana.

    All Mobile Force have their advantages and disadvantages, but I feel that the protagonist¡¯s robot Gungalf is the most stable.

    [Yahagi-san, I heard there¡¯s a new product called Mobile Force......]

    A young adventurer rushed in, gasping for breath.

    [I¡¯m sorry, but they¡¯re all sold out. I think they¡¯ll be restocked tomorrow, soe back again.]

    As I watched the adventurer¡¯s shoulder slumped as he left, I could feel a new trend emerging.

    <hr>

    <Afterword>

    Mobile Force Gungal was a daring model kit line released during the height of the ¡°Gundam¡± boom in 1980 by Tokyo Marui. This is Gungal, the one Gungalf is based on and the only mecha that is based on Tokyo Marui¡¯s Mobile Force Gungal. Zako GGRKS ¨C Originally named gugurekasu, based on the gundam Gelgoog (<i>guregugu</i>) Gyan Dom  Wrestling ¨C Short for stic Model Wrestling

 Chapter 31: Reliable Partner

    <h4>Chapter 31: Reliable Partner</h4>

    Four days had passed since itsunch, and the Mobile Force series was selling like hotcakes.

    Forty boxes were replenished every day, and within two hours, they were sold out.

    The customers consisted not only of adventurers, as the general public also showed an interest in the series, even going so far as to employ guards to bring them to Yahagi Onsen down on the 2nd Underground Floor to buy stic models.

    [This is the perfect toy for practicing mana maniption.]

    While making his Gyan do a graceful dance, Minerva told me.

    It seems like the Mobile Force has established a position as an educational toy.

    The Mobile Force is only as powerful as a radio-controlled car, so it¡¯s not dangerous.

    It¡¯s a toy that even children can safely y.

    [My Zako is on a different level! Get them!]

    [Don¡¯t underestimate me! I¡¯m the best Gungalf operator!]

    In a special ring set up next to the shop, a heated match using the Mobile Force is being yed out again today.

    I built the ring for the customers, but I honestly didn¡¯t expect things to get this exciting.

    People are gathering in the morning and in the evening, participating in the games and enjoying the spectacle.

    [Easy peasy! Good game, well yed! Yuusuke-san, I want a ramune.]

    Merle approached with a smile reaching her cheeks after the game.

    [Did you win again?]

    [That¡¯s right. My Red Shoulder is just built different.]

    Merle painted her Zako¡¯s shoulder protectors red.

    Being born in Japan though, seeing that Zako makes me have mixed feelings.

    In the beginning, there were a lot of wrestling-style matches, but recently, there have been more and more closebat matches using weapons.

    Amused with the boom of the Mobile Force, Sanaga-san, the cksmith, made miniature weapons, which became a big hit with the yers.

    [Thanks to Yahagi, I¡¯m making a lot of money. I¡¯m busier doing this than at my actual job.]

    Sanaga-san has received so many orders that he can no longer keep up with production.

    Since yesterday, he has even taken on an apprentice to produce weapons for the Mobile Force.

    The Mobile Force has a characteristic that if it receives a certain amount of impact, its mana link with its owner will break.

    When that happens, it¡¯s a knockout and the winner is decided.

    [Yuusuke-san, since things are this exciting, let¡¯s hold a Mobile Force Tournament.]

    Mira suggested, caressing her Dom.

    [Hou¡­¡­ That sounds interesting.]

    Minerva seemed to be on board with the idea as well.

    With how crazy everyone is about it, there should be a lot of participants.

    It certainly wouldn¡¯t be a bad idea to host a tournament to thank them for their patronage.

    [That sounds interesting, so I guess I¡¯ll try hosting one. I¡¯ll also sponsor some products from Dagashi Yahagi. Well, I can only offer an assortment of snacks and toys though.]

    If I include the Elixir, its status as an additional prize should elevate the tournament, right?

    Not many people can win the Elixir at the moment after all.

    [In that case, I¡¯d enter the tournament too. I¡¯m going to prove to everyone that my Zako is the best!]

    [What absurdity about Zakos are you prattling about, slutty brat? My Gyan has no enemies. My Gyan is a top-notch machine.]

    [My Dom won¡¯t lose.]

    The three of them were immediately engaged in the spark ofpetition.

    A little before noon, a noble arrived with his guards.

    It was Baron Essel, who I¡¯m already acquainted with.

    [We havee to visit, Yahagi-dono.]

    [It¡¯s been a while. How is His Majesty, the King feeling?]

    [The Elixir has taken effect, and he¡¯s rtively well. The curse itself, however, has not disappeared.]

    Baron Essel¡¯s men are already working on the 10-rim game ¡°Dungeon Crawler Game¡±.

    Having learned from their previous experience, they have prepared arge number of 10-rim coppers themselves this time.

    [By the way, Yahagi-dono, I heard that a toy called Mobile Force is all the rage these days.]

    [Yes, thanks to everyone, they are very popr. No one is around at the moment, but at dusk, battles start every day in the arena over there.]

    [Hohou, do you still have any Mobile Force in stock?]

    [We happen to have two leftovers today.]

    One is the most popr one, Gufufu, and the other is the hard-to-handle Z-Zeong.

    Gufufues with a whip by default, so it can participate in the arena right away.

    I also hear that if you equip it with a sword and shield sold at Sanaga-san¡¯s ce, it is quite strong.

    On the other hand, Z-Zeong is a machine for advanced users.

    It has no legs and moves by floating in the sky.

    Its arms can stretch out and attack from all angles, but it¡¯s said that this makes it more difficult to control your mental image and mana.

    I tried it myself, but just making it move freely in the air was already difficult for me.

    [Interesting. Sell me both of them.]

    Baron Essel opened a box and assembled the Mobile Force on the spot.

    After a little practice, he was able to move it around and had fun fighting with the other Mobile Force controlled by a soldier under hismand.

    [This is really good! It¡¯s no wonder everyone is fascinated by it.]

    This man¡¯s a noble, but he really doesn¡¯t have that pretentious air around him.

    [We are holding an MF Tournament in the near future, and if the Baron would like to join us, you¡¯re wee to participate. The prize for the champion will be an Elixir.]

    [Oh my! Can I also take part in it?]

    [Everyone with a Mobile Force can participate.]

    [That makes me excited. I¡¯ll have to start practicing hard today.]

    Baron Essel finished his snacks, curry cracker and ramune, and after getting into the onsen, he drank another bottle of ramune.

    He then bought five more bottles as souvenirs on his way home.

    He must have liked them very much.

    If there are too many participants, I¡¯ll have to make 5 special rings.

    I guess I¡¯ll have to ask my reliable partner for this.

    [Minerva-chaaaaaan!]

    [W- What¡¯s with that strange way of calling me?]

    [I have a favor to ask you.]

    [I- I¡¯ll at least hear you out. (Quickly say it, I¡¯ll grant it for you!)]

    [I want you to make four more MF rings with Earth Magic. Can I ask you to do that?]

    [Hmph, it¡¯s no big deal. (I¡¯m happy to help Yuusuke?)]

    As expected of Minerva.

    No matter what he said, he willingly epted it.

    [What would you like as a thank you? Take any of my products you like.]

    [It¡¯s not necessary.]

    [Don¡¯t be shy. How about our new product, mikansui?]

    [In that case¡­¡­]

    [What¡¯s the matter? You can tell me.]

    Minerva sometimes bes extremely reserved.

    There are times when that can be troubling.

    [Lately, my magical research has been stagnant, and my shoulders are¡­¡­ A- Auu¡­¡­]

    [What, you have stiff shoulders and want another massage? If it¡¯s just that, isn¡¯t it fine? I¡¯ll even give you the mikansui I mentioned earlier.]

    [U- Umu. (I¡¯m d I got the courage to say that. The me from three seconds ago, good job!)]

    Minerva immediately made a ring for me and I carefully massaged him.

    Touching his body like this, Minerva¡¯s body really is slender.

    His skin also feels kinda soft.

    As if he¡¯s a woman.

    A woman¡­¡­?

    [What¡¯s the matter?]

    Nope, must be just my imagination.

    How could there be a woman with such a hoarse voice?

    <Afterword>

    Gufufu: Based on MS-07B Gouf.

    <ol start="2"> Z-Zeong: Based on MSN-02 Zeong.

    </ol>

 Chapter 32: 1st Mobile Force Fighting Tournament

    <h4>Chapter 32: 1st Mobile Force Fighting Tournament</h4>

    I advertised the Mobile Force Tournament to the regrs who came to the shop in the morning.

    [We¡¯re having a Mobile Force Tournament today, soe by in the evening if you want to join us.]

    [Eh, really? Can I also join?]

    [You have Gufufu, right, Guile? Anyone who has an MF can join. You can also tell your friends to join.]

    [Alright. Then, I¡¯ll show up after work. Kuhh, I¡¯m looking forward to it!]

    [Oi, oi, keep your focus on your workter, okay? Getting injured is no fun, you know?]

    [I know that. I¡¯ll properly keep my thoughts on my workter, so it will be alright.]

    Seriously, go focus on your work when you¡¯re working. You have a life-threatening job there.

    [I¡¯ll show you the power of my GGRKS¡¯ naginata!]

    [Stupid, my Gufufu is stronger than yours.]

    Guile and the others departed, chattering excitedly.

    .

    They seemed to be very happy about the tournament.

    It really seemed worthwhile for me to organize this tournament.

    In the evening, the tournament participants began to gather one after another.

    The main participants consist of Minerva, Merle, and Mira, and my regrs like Guile and the others.

    I expected to see only young adventurers, but there were also a few middle-aged veterans.

    MF seems to be popr among all generations.

    We finally closed today¡¯s entry when we had 32 people who wanted to participate. If there were too many participants, it would be difficult to keep track of them all.

    I think there were more than 100 spectators.

    The front room of Yahagi Onsen was packed with people.

    [Well then, it¡¯s finally time to get this started!]

    The matches begin in the 5 arenas.

    Thepetitors had to y 31 matches before the winner was decided, so everyone had to proceed with the matches efficiently.

    From the first match, a heated battle is being waged.

    Oya, has the match already been decided in the arena over there?

    It hasn¡¯t even been 2 minutes since the tournament started.

    [Amazing! As expected of Grim Reaper Minerva!]

    [The Silver Mask is so strong!]

    It seemed that Minerva had quickly knocked out his opponent.

    Minerva¡¯s Gyan had a crushing victory over his opponent¡¯s Zako with a powerful thrust attack.

    [Congrattions, Minerva.]

    [It¡¯s only the first round.]

    Minerva disyed his confidence.

    In contrast, Regal, who had just recently acquired Gungalf, approached the shop with his shoulders slumped down.

    [I lost.]

    [It happens. Is your machine damaged?]

    Regal shakes his head, holding his Gungalf as if it were precious to him.

    He had saved up 300 rims to buy it while working as a porter.

    The Mobile Force is very sturdy, but it can get damaged in a fight.

    When that happens, he has no choice but to rece the parts or buy a new one.

    [It¡¯s not damaged.]

    [That¡¯s good to hear. In that case, you can try again.]

    [I¡¯ve never been this absorbed in something before. Every moment is just so fun! I¡¯m really looking forward to the next tournament!]

    It¡¯s moments like these that make me happy to be working in a dagashi shop.

    I can do my best here because of the people who came here so enthusiastically.

    It feels great to be needed by someone.

    Even so, I feel like it would be a big deal if some other stuff like Mini 4WD are added to our product lineup.

    Well, that in itself sounds interesting though......

    The tournament went on and the Top 8 were selected.

    Some of the regrs, such as Minerva, Merle, Mira and Guile are still in the tournament.

    Baron Essel was also present at the tournament, but he was eliminated in the first round.

    [Good gracious, I was so close to winning.]

    [That really was a regrettable defeat, Baron Essel.]

    [Unnn, I hope I can do better in the next tournament.]

    Baron Essel has been ying with the MF every day for the past few days.

    He did n to acquire an Elixir for the King from the 10-rim game, but it¡¯s actually his subordinates who are challenging the game for him.

    He has spent more than 3000 rims every day, but he has yet to get a new Elixir.

    The tournament went on and the four who would y in the semifinals were selected.

    Among them are Minerva and Merle.

    [I¡¯ve been done in!]

    Mira was unusually expressing her displeasure.

    She¡¯s usually calm and easygoing, but it seemed that she was very disappointed not to have made it to the Top 4.

    [Now, now. Let¡¯s all have a constion party for the tournament tonight. It will be my treat.]

    [Really!? Whoa, where should we go?]

    The shop has been quite profitable, and I have always been under the care of Merle, Mira, and Minerva.

    [I heard that! Were you just asking Mira out on a date!?]

    And why the heck is Minerva¡¯s voice sounding like he was in tears just now?

    Also, from where is he getting that emotion from?

    [I told her we¡¯d all have a party to celebrate the tournament. Minerva will also be there, right?]

    [U- Umu. Obviously.]

    [In that case, go and win the tournament. I¡¯ll make you drink the wine of victory.]

    [It¡¯s not that big of a deal. (I will definitely win here!)]

    [Nah, the winner will be me and Red Shoulder. Yuusuke, let¡¯s make a ranking list after the tournament. I¡¯ll have the name Merle engraved in the Champion section forever!]

    [Ohhh, go for it.]

    The two were fired up and headed for the semifinals.

    Unfortunately, Merle¡¯s Red Shoulder was defeated by a veteran adventurer¡¯s Z-Zeong.

    [Geez, extending hands and attacking from behind isn¡¯t fair!]

    Merle was furious, but it takes a great deal of skill tounch such an attack while moving his machine.

    Her opponent¡¯s mana maniption was a notch or two better this time around.

    Minerva, on the other hand, beat his opponent¡¯s naginata-wielding GGRKS by afortable margin to advance to the finals.

    [Minerva¡¯s amazing! Not many people can handle the Mobile Force so smoothly.]

    [Not only that. His swordsmanship sense is originally very different from the others.]

    Minerva was so strong that even Merle honestly praised him.

    In the finals, the Z-Zeong, who had defeated Merle, went head-to-head with Minerva¡¯s Gyan, but his Gyan won the match with a lightning-fast thrust.

    [Congrattions, Minerva. That was quite an amazing battle.]

    [It¡¯s no big deal...... (I¡¯m happy, I¡¯m happy! I¡¯m so happy?!)]

    [That was a shame, Merle.]

    [Uwaahhh! My Red Shoulder......]

    Merle¡¯s machine was damaged, leading to her defeat, and she finished in fourth ce.

    [Now then, let¡¯s have our Top 3 finalists receive the prizes from Dagashi Yahagi!]

    I handed each of the yers my products and praised them for their great match.

    [The tournament was so much fun, so I¡¯m thinking of hosting another one soon. Would everyone be willing to participate again?]

    [UWOOOOOOOOOHHHHH!]

    The tournament ended with so much excitement that the venue exploded in cheers.

    <hr>

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Mini 4WD

 Chapter 33: Takeaway

    <h4>Chapter 33: Takeaway</h4>

    After sessfullypleting the Mobile Force Tournament, we decided to have a constion party at a tavern.

    [This ce has very good food, especially the fried chicken.]

    Mira¡¯s words made me drool.

    Thest time I had fried chicken was back in my previous world.

    I wonder if they also put lemon on fried chicken in this world?

    Wanting to eat as soon as possible, I quickly closed shop.

    [Have you guys forgotten anything?]

    [Yuusuke-san sure is always so light on your feet.]

    Merle, carrying a heavy-looking backpack, looked envious.

    .

    I¡¯ve closed the shop for the day, but I don¡¯t have luggage of any kind.

    The only things I carry in hand are monster cards and pop rockets in case I get into a fight.

    Today¡¯s card would be the C-card Giant Crow. I choose you!

    [Oiiiii, Minerva! It¡¯s time to go.]

    I called out to Minerva, who was talking about something with Baron Essel a few distance away.

    No, rather than talking with him, Minerva seemed to be being followed around by Baron Essel.

    [Minerva-dono, hear my plea. Please give the extra prize Elixir to me!]

    [To cure the King¡¯s illness huh¡­¡­]

    [Indeed! He¡¯s rtively well at the moment, but sooner orter, his health will fail again because of the curse. I beg of you, please allow us to be prepared for that moment.]

    Baron Essel has often tried the 10-rim game, but he has yet to win the prize.

    [Minerva-dono, please!]

    [However, this is something Yuusuke gave me¡­¡­]

    Baron Essel himself is rather persistent.

    I guess that¡¯s just how valuable the Elixir is huh¡­¡­

    It¡¯s just, we can¡¯t wait here for this matter to be resolved any longer.

    The dungeon is said to have more powerful monsters at night.

    All is well for people as strong as Minerva, but I¡¯m an amateur who would be a heavy burden for Merle and Mira, who are still newbies.

    [Minerva, we¡¯re gonna go first.]

    [Eh, w- wait!]

    Minerva rummaged around in his bag and took out the Elixir.

    [Ei, just take the d*mn thing!]

    [Ohh, thank you. We are in your debt, and we will definitely repay this.]

    [I don¡¯t want to take any gratuities from the King. You don¡¯t have to mind the repayment, so just leave me alone. Yuusuke is leaving already.]

    Minerva gave him the Elixir and was finally liberated from Baron Essel¡¯s repeated pleas.

    [Alright, I will deliver this medicine to the castle¡¯s treasury. Yuusuke-dono, we will be excusing ourselves.]

    Baron Essel rushed off with his men.

    After watching them leave, I turned to Minerva and asked.

    [Is it really alright, giving that away for free?]

    [Hmph, I don¡¯t want to take money from the King.]

    Minerva doesn¡¯t seem to like the King.

    Did something happen in the past?

    [I see. Alright, it¡¯s my treat tonight, so eat and drink as much as you like.]

    [It¡¯s not like I need Yuusuke to treat me. I have money.]

    [I want to congratte you all on a great battle!]

    I put my hand around Minerva¡¯s shoulders.

    [Alright, let¡¯s go!]

    [Get off¡­¡­ (No way, no way, no way. It would be great if time just stands still at this moment forever¡­¡­)]

    Chatting about what to eat and what to drink, we returned to the surface.

    I think I had frolicked quite a lot that night.

    My life here had be more stable and I had my own apartment.

    Sales were good, and it would be easy to get a license if I wanted to buy one.

    I could safely do business anywhere I want.

    Moreover, I was dealing with trendy toys and the tournament was a huge sess.

    I guess I couldn¡¯t help feeling bolder.

    [Let¡¯s make the tournament bigger next time!]

    [That sounds nice, Merle. In that case, I should also try having a trophy for the champion.]

    [What¡¯s that?]

    [A big championship cup, a symbol for the champion. It will be passed down from one champion to another. I¡¯ll ask Sanaga-san to make a magnificent one for me.]]

    [Mnhh~~ That makes me feel excited. Miss, more beer for me!]

    [I also want to win the prize next time. Ahh, I¡¯d like to have another ss of wine.]

    Both Merle and Mira were strong drinkers and emptied their sses one after another.

    [Yuusuke, drink more too. What would you like next?]

    Minerva is being very gentle tonight.

    [I think I¡¯d like something a little sweet.]

    [If that¡¯s the case, the white wine I¡¯m drinking is delicious.]

    [Heehhh, may I have a sip then?]

    [Ehh¡­¡­]

    I took the ss and tried Minerva¡¯s wine.

    It¡¯s a white wine with a thick, rich feel in the mouth.

    Unlike its name though, the color is more yellowish than white.

    [Ah, this is delicious. I¡¯ll also have that bottle of yours.]

    [Unnn¡­¡­ It¡¯s sweet¡­¡­]

    [Ehh?]

    [It¡¯s nothing. Enough with that, just drink!]

    Minerva pushed the bottle of alcohol to me, and we gulped it down together.

    All four of us were in high spirits, indulging in plenty of food and drinks. Unusually, I ended up drinking until I became heavily intoxicated.

    By the time we left the restaurant, I waspletely smashed, and with Minerva supporting me, I was barely able to stand.

    [Yuusuke-san, are you alright?]

    [I¡¯m fine, I¡¯m fine. Just that much won¡¯t get me drunk.]

    [Yeah, this looks worrying.]

    I¡¯m aware that I can¡¯t properly articte my words.

    I think I drank a little too much.

    Come to think of it, tonight¡¯s Minerva had been unusually urging me to drink more alcohol.

    [I¡¯ll bring Yuusuke home, so don¡¯t worry. You two should go straight home.]

    [I guess he¡¯d be safe with Minerva-san escorting him.]

    [In that case, good night~~]

    As the two disappeared from sight, Minerva¡¯s voice became a little gentler.

    [My house is closer. Do you want to stay the night?]

    [Ehh, I feel bad¡­¡­]

    [Don¡¯t worry, it¡¯s all going ording to n¡­¡­]

    [n?]

    [Like I said, don¡¯t worry!]

    Hmmm, because of the alcohol, my brain refuses to think.

    [Alright, I¡¯m gonna stay at Minerva¡¯s house.]

    So as not to cause any trouble, I put my shaky legs out in front.

    Minerva lends me his shoulder.

    Right next to my face is Minerva¡¯s silver mask, this is the kind of gentle person he is.

    [Somehow, there¡¯s this nice womanly smell. I wonder where that¡¯sing from.]

    [Silly, you¡¯re just drunk¡­¡­]

    [Is that so?]

    I was in a good mood as I walked down the street at night.

    (Just to be clear here, but there won¡¯t be any lewd developments happening!)

 Chapter 34: Until the Bottle is Empty

    <h4>Chapter 34: Until the Bottle is Empty</h4>

    ¡ó¡ô¡ó

    Things are going exactly as I nned.

    I¡¯ve already moved the hindrances, Merle and Mira, out of the picture.

    Yuusuke was staggering as he walked with me holding him.

    With him like that, he will fall asleep on the bed as soon as we get to a room.

    Once that happens, he will be as I pleased.

    Undress him, make himfortable, and then¡­¡­ enjoy Yuusuke¡¯s sleeping face to my heart¡¯s content.

    For making him drink so much just to satisfy my own desires, am I perhaps a bad woman?

    However, that¡¯s alright.

    The teacher at the institute said that top-notch researchers must be faithful to their own desires.

    It would be morefortable for Yuusuke if the second¡­¡­ third button of his shirt is unbuttoned, right¡­¡­

    S- S- Should I hold his hand as well?

    If he finds out, will I be reported to the police?

    No, no, I have to be at least that proactive.

    I¡¯ve been passive in love my whole life.

    I¡¯m gonna say goodbye to my weak self!

    ¡ó

    When I woke up, the ce was dark.

    This is¡­¡­ not my room.

    Ah, right, I should be in Minerva¡¯s house.

    I was convinced by the familiar scenery of the guest room.

    It may be vague, but I remember the eventsst night.

    The drunk me had stayed overnight at Minerva¡¯s house.

    I checked my appearance and found that my shoes and jacket had been removed and I wasfortably dressed.

    The clothing taken off from me were carefully hung on hangers, so Minerva must have taken them off for me.

    I¡¯ve troubled him once again.

    I¡¯ll have to make it up to him by cooking breakfast tomorrow.

    Even when I just make him coffee, Minerva already gets happy.

    He may look and sound scary, but he has a cute side to him.

    Outside the window, the stars were twinkling.

    I woke up at an odd time, but my mind feels surprisingly clear.

    I feel a little light-headed when I get up, but it doesn¡¯t feel bad.

    [I want some water¡­¡­]

    I must have used up all the water in my body to break down the alcohol.

    Each and every cell in my body seemed to be asking for water.

    Normally, I would have asked Minerva to magically make water for me, but at this hour, I think he¡¯s already sleeping.

    Thinking that there might be some water left in the kitchen, I wandered out of the bedroom.

    I found some water in a kettle in the kitchen and drank all its contents at once.

    It tasted good.

    I heard that there¡¯s a saying in this world about ¡°drinking 1000 rims worth of water to sober one up¡±, but I think it¡¯s worth more than 1000 rims to me right now.

    While we¡¯re at it, I guess I¡¯ll also use the bathroom.

    Minerva told me to feel free to use his facilities anytime.

    Whether I¡¯m just gonna stay awake or go back to sleep, I want to refresh myself.

    Come to think of it, Minerva usually doesn¡¯t take a bath in the onsen.

    He hasn¡¯t used it once since he bathed together with me.

    I wonder if he doesn¡¯t like going in with others?

    When I came to the bath, I noticed that the lights were on.

    It seems like he forgot to turn off the lights before going to bed.

    I took off my clothes and opened the bathroom door.

    [¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­]

    There was something ck and shimmering floating in the round bathtub.

    Long hair.

    Beneath it, there¡¯s a white body swaying with the warm water.

    Wait, a woman!?

    The moment our eyes met, I looked away.

    [I¡¯m sorry!]

    I hurriedly closed the door and put on my clothes.

    What the heck, was that Minerva¡¯s girlfriend?

    Even though I feel annoyed that he would intentionally hide him away on the days I¡¯m crashing in his house, Minerva may have had his own reasons.

    Still, this feels awkward.

    I had just seen my friend¡¯s girlfriend naked.

    Even though it was only for a moment, I saw her breasts quite clearly.

    I¡¯ve done something bad¡­¡­.

    I waited in the kitchen for her to return so I could apologize properly.

    I took out Merle¡¯s favorite mini c and simultaneously popped seven of them into my mouth.

    The mini c has a calming effect.

    As I chewed on the crunchy ramune candy, the pounding in my heart started to calm down.

    Waiting for her to arrive, I decided to apologize sincerely, without making excuses.

    After a long time, I finally heard the bathroom door open.

    [I apologize for earlier.]

    As the woman entered the room, I deeply bowed.

    She was a beautiful woman with long ck hair and looked to be in her mid-twenties.

    She had a kind of stiff look on her face, but I guess she was angry at me for seeing her naked.

    [I am a friend of Minerva¡¯s, Yahagi Yuusuke.]

    [Yuusuke¡­¡­]

    [Yes, that¡¯s my first name.]

    Arehh, have I seen this woman somewhere¡­¡­

    Errr, I think I¡¯ve seen her a few times.

    Was she a customer of mine?

    No, no, if that were the case, I would have remembered her clearly.

    Then, is she an adventurer I saw in the dungeon?

    I don¡¯t think so either.

    If I¡¯m not mistaken, her image should be illustrated in a menko¡­¡­

    [¡­¡­¡­¡­Ahh!]

    I couldn¡¯t help raising my voice.

    After all, standing in front of me was the wanted witch Michelle.

    Come to think of it, Minerva had mentioned before that she was acquainted with the witch Michelle.

    Both of them are skilled adventurers, so they might have such a rtionship.

    [Ummm¡­¡­ Are you Minerva¡¯s friend or something like that?]

    [Yuusuke, you¡¯re mistaken¡­¡­]

    The witch Michelle looked somewhat familiar though.

    [What do you mean, I¡¯m mistaken?]

    [It¡¯s me.]

    [Even if you say ¡°it¡¯s me¡±, we shouldn¡¯t be acquainted¡­¡­]

    [I¡¯m Minerva.]

    Looking like she was about to cry, the witch Michelle said.

    That means¡­¡­

    She¡¯s Minerva without the silver mask!?

    He¡­¡­ She was my regr, someone who takes good care of me, my best friend recently, the person I¡¯m with every day, someone who makes me dinner¡­¡­ Even though she has a scary voice, she sometimes speaks like a girl, and before I knew it, her behavior had started looking suspicious, and the person who I entered the onsen with¡­¡­ That Minerva was actually the witch Michelle!?

    [There were a few times when I thought things were strange. But every time I thought about it, I reconsidered, thinking that there¡¯s no way such a thing could happen¡­¡­]

    [I¡¯m sorry. I think it was my Recognition Inhibition Magic that was making you do that. However, I wanted Yuusuke to realize my identity, so I¡¯ve recently been reducing the power of my magic.]

    Still, am I so thick-headed that I didn¡¯t notice until she came out to me!?

    [I never thought that the man I thought was my best friend was the witch Michelle¡­¡­]

    Minerva¡­¡­ No, Michelle asked with a sad look on her face.

    [Does that make you hate me now?]

    I take out my mini c again and throw some into my mouth.

    I can¡¯t count how many of these I¡¯ve already eaten.

    Chewing on it, the distinctive aroma of the ramune candy filled my mouth.

    [It¡¯s not like that. Sit down. You want some too, Michelle? This calms people down.]

    Michelle took the bottle I offered to her and put some ramune candies into her mouth.

    The bottle she returned to me was empty.

 Chapter 35: Minervas Confession

    <h4>Chapter 35: Minerva''s Confession</h4>

    Michelle and I sat facing each other at the kitchen table.

    Not knowing where to begin the conversation, time passed in silence.

    Thinking that I should put the situation in order, I spoke.

    [What made you decide to confide in me that you were the witch Michelle?]

    She could have continued covering this truth up.

    However, Michelle had confided in me.

    [I was surprised when Yuusuke saw my true face in the bath, but I also thought it was a good opportunity. I wanted you to eventually see the real me.]

    [Why was that?]

    I somehow knew the answer without asking.

    Merle and Mira had already pointed that out.

    However, I still want to confirm it right here and now.

    [Because I love you, Yuusuke¡­¡­]

    For the first time in both my lives, I was confessed to by a woman.

    As expected, that should be a happy thing¡­¡­

    The problem is that she is a wanted criminal.

    [Umm¡­¡­ That¡­¡­ makes me happy¡­¡­]

    Michelle¡¯s face lit up.

    It was a look that couldn¡¯t be seen both in the wanted poster and menko.

    [Really?]

    [Yeah.]

    [Then, can we be lovers!?]

    [Hold on a moment there.]

    Are you a hound who found prey?

    She¡¯s quite the eager one¡­¡­

    [I want you to tell me something first. What is it that happened between you and the King?]

    Michelle¡¯s expression clouds over and the slightly disappointed look I saw before returned.

    Yep, the same one as what I saw in her wanted poster.

    [It¡¯s not that big of a deal. It¡¯s something I don¡¯t really want to remember, but if Yuusuke wants to hear it¡­¡­]

    [I just want to get to know you properly.]

    [Properly¡­¡­ get to know me¡­¡­ Unnn, I also want you to know everything about me.]

    Michelle fixes her posture in her seat, seemingly clearing her head a bit before she began to speak.

    [It was when I was a teacher at the Magic Academy that an offer to marry the King came up.]

    [Michelle was a teacher?]

    [Yes, I graduated at the age of twenty-one and went on to be a teacher at the Magic Academy. I had always loved learning since I was a little girl, and having always been immersed in the study of magic, I thought it was my calling.]

    [And that¡¯s when the offer arrived.]

    Michelle¡¯s face became gloomier.

    [The thesis I publicized, titled Mobius Theory: The Theory of ¡Þ-type Magic Cirction, was very well received. The world called me a genius. The King also seemed to have be interested in it.]

    [So, you got engaged?]

    [In retrospect, I think he calcted that there would be all sorts of magic-rted benefits to having me as his wife. But at the time, I was just thrilled because the King asked me to marry him.]

    [Did you love the King?]

    When I asked her that, Michelle, looking surprised, greatly shook her head.

    I was worried that this calcting side might be the reason they broke off their engagement.

    [That¡¯s not it! Ever since I was a little girl, I¡¯ve always studied and never fallen in love. Because of my in and gloomy personality, boys had always been teasing me, and since I use magic that I¡¯m proficient at to get back at them, eventually, no one that could be like that was around me¡­¡­ Hearing that someone appeared who said that they would marry a person like I was, I lost sight of myself.]

    I see.

    .

    By the way, there¡¯s something in what she said that I got curious about.

    [How exactly did you do to get back at them?]

    [I showed them nightmares, made them wet their bed, caused the toilet to overflow with Water Magic, used Space Magic to hang one of their shoes at the tip of the Great Temple¡¯s spire¡­¡­]

    Hmmm, those sound quite impressive feats with magic!

    [So, was the curse you put on the King just like that?]

    [After all, they¡¯re so terrible. He broke off his engagement to me and said he would marry Titti.]

    [Titti is currently the Queen Consort, right?]

    [Yes, and my little twin sister.]

    What the heck!?

    [The Queen Consort is Michelle¡¯s little sister?]

    [Yes. We don¡¯t look much alike at all though¡­¡­]

    Looking annoyed, Michelle exined.

    [My little sister Titti has always been cheerful and there was never a day when she didn¡¯t have a boyfriend. She puts her studies to the side and just ys around. So much so that I don¡¯t know how many guys she has slept with.]

    She seems to dislike her little sister a lot.

    [That day, I was summoned to the royal pce. I stayed up all night working on a special potion as a souvenir for the King. I was sure he would be pleased about it. But when I arrived at the pce, I found Titti next to the King. And then, he freaking told me he¡¯s marrying Titti and wants to call off our engagement!]

    [That¡¯s terrible¡­¡­]

    [Titti was wearing her usual slutty open-breasted dress, and she was smiling down at me. That made me mad, so right then and there, I casted a curse.]

    [What kind of curse?]

    [A curse that would make a person suffer from ill health for three years. After all the humiliation I had been put through, I thought such a thing is a matter of course.]

    Ahh, so you said the curse was about to wear off.

    [I really wanted to cast it on Titti, but she resisted just before it had effectively struck her. She¡¯s always beenzy, but she¡¯s got an excessively good sense for magic.]

    Thereupon, Michelle burst into tears.

    [You¡¯re still hurt about it?]

    [No, that¡¯s not it. I don¡¯t care about the King anymore. I never loved him anyway.]

    [Then, why are you crying?]

    Perhaps, Michelle unknowingly still had leftover feelings behind her.

    [Because I couldn¡¯t leave my curse on Titti¡­¡­]

    Heh?

    [That¡¯s what I was so vexed about!]

    Her regret wasn¡¯t about the King, but about her hatred for her little sister!?

    To sum up Michelle¡¯s story, it seems that the two of them werepared at an early age and hade to loathe each other.

    [So, umm¡­¡­]

    Michelle started bing fidgety.

    [What¡¯s the matter?]

    [Will you love me?]

    A sudden straight ball!?

    [I have a good friendship with Minerva, but if you ask me if I could suddenly love Michelle, I would be at a loss for an answer. Let¡¯s see, why don¡¯t we start as friends first?]

    [But we are already friends, aren¡¯t we?]

    Michelle looks up at me with her bright eyes.

    She¡¯s¡­¡­ kinda cute¡­¡­

    Besides, now that she mentioned it, that really was the case.

    Even knowing that Minerva¡¯s true identity was Michelle, we are already friends.

    [T- Then, what do you say we start dating each other?]

    [Dating¡­¡­]

    [So far, my thoughts for you were that of a friend. And so, from here on out, it will be a period of getting to know each other a little more deeply¡­¡­]

    [Are you sure? I¡¯m a wanted criminal, but you¡¯re gonna go out with me!?]

    Ah, forgot about that.

    However, I can¡¯t take back what I had already said.

    Besides, I do like Michelle.

    [How should I say this¡­¡­ I¡¯m in your care.]

    [Unnn! Making sure not to get caught, I will be together with Yuusuke forever!]

    Michelle looked at me with a big smile on her face.

    Dating her makes me both happy and somewhat worried, but I also feel like things would work out somehow.

    If pushes to shove, we can just emigrate to another country, right?

    I¡¯ve be tougher since I came to this world.

    Perhaps, because I had already died once, I don¡¯t get shaken over the slightest thing.

    For the time being, I think it would be good to start dating Michelle and get to know each other little by little.

 Chapter 36: Secret Notebook

    <h4>Chapter 36: Secret Notebook</h4>

    ¡ó¡ô¡ó

    I told him he could stay here, but Yuusuke wouldn¡¯t listen and insisted on going back home.

    Perhaps, he¡¯s embarrassed now that he knows I am a woman.

    Or perhaps, he doesn¡¯t find me attractive as a woman.

    Does he find a in and gloomy woman like me uninteresting?

    However, I don¡¯t feel like that¡¯s what this is about.

    Yuusuke is just sincere and cares about me.

    He is not like a certain lecherous King. When I came to that realization, the feeling of loneliness in my heart immediately disappeared.

    [Well then, I¡¯ll see youter in front of the dungeon.]

    Our meeting time and ce are the same as before, but something feels different from our usual rendezvous.

    After all, we are now dating.

    [I¡¯ll make lunch again today, so you don¡¯t have to buy lunch.]

    [Sorry for troubling you as always. However¡­¡­]

    After a pause, Yuusuke smiles.

    [I will have to ask you that. Michelle¡¯s meals taste the best after all.]

    Those words alone make me want to jump into Yuusuke¡¯s chest.

    I really don¡¯t want him to go anywhere, but I pushed those feelings away and sent him on his way.

    [I went to the trouble of buying this, but it seems like I didn¡¯t need it¡­¡­]

    I threw the manacles I had bought to restrain Yuusuke into the trash.

    I didn¡¯t really intend to confine him.

    I just wanted to use these to fasten Yuusuke to me.

    I felt like it was the only thing that would make me feel relieved.

    However, I don¡¯t need this anymore.

    After all, we¡¯ve really started dating!

    ¡ó

    I met Michelle in front of the dungeon and she was wearing a silver mask as usual.

    The fact that I have discovered her true identity doesn¡¯t change the fact that she¡¯s a wanted criminal.

    For a while (not sure how long it will be), she¡¯ll have to keep disguising herself like that.

    [Good morning.]

    Her voice is the same low hoarse voice as usual.

    Once again, I realized how amazing the Recognition Inhibition Magic is.

    With that magic, I don¡¯t think anyone will realize that this person is actually a girl.

    [Let¡¯s get going then.]

    We walked down the stairs to the dungeon side by side.

    There was nothing unusual about Michelle¡¯s appearance.

    It¡¯s just, I think we are standing a little closer to each other.

    Our shoulders touched each other as we descended the stairs.

    Once we arrived at the location in front of the onsen, I opened the store by thinking ¡°Open¡± in my mind.

    [Oh, the gachapon had been restocked.]

    Because the Gnomes had bought everything, the gachapon had been out of stock for a long time, but today, the contents were suddenly reced by new items.

    Product name: Capsule Toy: Waterproof Notebook and Mini Pencil (6 types in total)

    Description: A set of mini waterproof notebooks and pencils that can be used even in heavy downpours. It¡¯s also fireproof.

    Price: 200 rims

    The capsule itself is bigger than before, but the price is 100 rims cheaper.

    When I bought one to try it out, I found a notepad slightly smaller than the palm of my hand and a thin pencil about 4 cm long inside.

    The cover of the notepad is red with a cool design of a me crest.

    It seems that six different designs can be acquired from the gachapon: earth, water, fire, wind, light and dark.

    In this world, quills and ink are the mostmon writing tools, and I have never seen anything that looks like a pencil.

    Paper does exist, but the paper I have seen in this world is rough and of poor quality.

    Inparison, this notebook looks very sturdy.

    I scribbled my signature on it and the writing was surprisingly smooth.

    I have read that in my previous life, special forces personnel carried waterproof notebooks.

    They¡¯re apparently called Tactical Notebooks.

    There may be a demand for this type of notebook among adventurers in this world.

    [What¡¯s that?]

    Merle, who hade to visit the shop, immediately noticed the new item.

    She has always been on the lookout for new things.

    [This is a writing tool set. It¡¯s an item whose writing won¡¯t smudge even if it gets wet in the rain, and it apparently also has a certain level of fire resistance as well.]

    [Really?]

    Mira also looked interested.

    [It¡¯s true. That¡¯s what was written in the introduction. If you think I¡¯m lying, you can try it out.]

    I handed her my notebook.

    [I¡¯ll take you for your word then. Ei!]

    Mira suddenly wraps the notebook in her Aqua Ball magic.

    [Oi, oi, no matter how waterproof it is¡­¡­ Oya?]

    [Amazing! It really doesn¡¯t tear apart.]

    The pages started sticking to each other, but it didn¡¯t seem to tear apart or smudge.

    Even my poorly-doodled signature was clearly legible.

    Mira immediately yed with the gachapon and got a notebook with a water design.

    Mira isn¡¯t the only one who wanted a waterproof notebook, as Guile and the others also spun the gacha.

    [We¡¯re a bunch of forgetful idiots, but if we wrote the route here, it would help us explore the inner regions.]

    The notebook certainly would be great for mapping out the dungeon.

    That morning alone, the new gacha had been pulled about nine times.

    Michelle had also pulled once and won a dark notebook.

    I don¡¯t think this is something I should be saying, but the dark design really does fit her¡­¡­

    Michelle didn¡¯t bring it along in an exploration for the dungeon though, just sitting next to me and writing something down in her little notebook.

    [Hey, aren¡¯t you gonna go exploring?]

    [If I write this¡­¡­]

    [Are you writing a research report or something?]

    .

    [No¡­¡­ A love poem¡­¡­]

    [I- I see¡­..]

    [Do you want to read it?]

    It feels strange, as I want to see it and at the same time, I don¡¯t.

    What could be written in such a dark-designed notebook?

    Magical words of love?

    Michelle¡¯s wishes?

    I won¡¯t be cursed by reading that, right¡­¡­?

 Chapter 37: Too Sweet

    <h4>Chapter 37: Too Sweet</h4>

    In the afternoon, Yahagi Onsen suddenly became noisy.

    [Move aside, there¡¯s an injured man here!]

    [Four cups of restorative tea please!]

    It seemed that injured adventurers had been brought in.

    I went to check on them, but was relieved to find that they weren¡¯t seriously injured and had recovered with Mirai-san¡¯s restorative tea.

    However, one of the mages lookedpletely exhausted, lying there limp and motionless.

    [What¡¯s wrong with her?]

    I asked a nearby adventurer.

    [That mage was hit by a Gas Ghost. They always go after the mages first.]

    As the name implies, Gas Ghosts are gas-like creatures.

    They are weak to Fire Magic, and if you kill them, they drop at least 10,000 rim silver coins.

    It¡¯s one of the more tasty monsters on the 2nd Underground Floor.

    However, it is said that the Gas Ghosts are aware of their weaknesses, so they target mages first.

    Moreover, they inflict people with the ¡°Silence¡± curse to prevent a mage¡¯s ability to chant.

    It¡¯s said that those who are possessed by them be powerless and can¡¯t even speak.

    I walked up to the fallen mage and squatted in front of her.

    The woman¡¯s face was pale and her lips had turned purple.

    She was also slightly trembling, and drinking the restorative tea didn¡¯t seem to have helped her recover.

    [Wait a moment, I have something good for you.]

    Product name: Vinegared Kelp

    Description: Kelp seasoned with vinegar-based seasoning. Eating this lifts the Silence curse.

    Price: 100 rims

    I picked up an item from the shop and slid the white-powdered vinegared kelp between her slightly opened mouth.

    I could have given her a grape-vored powdered juice if I wanted to break the curse, but it¡¯s rather troublesome how it has to be dissolved in water.

    The vinegared kelp is specialized for the ¡°Silence¡± curse, so it¡¯s easy to use.

    [How are you feeling?]

    [¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­]

    Arehh? Is it not working?

    [Keho! Keho, geho! Keh, sour! What is this!?]

    [Ohh, seems like your voice ising out properly.]

    [Ehh? Ah, you¡¯re right!]

    It seems like the mage has regained her voice.

    Thanks to this, I also sold four vinegared kelp.

    However, Michelle, who hade to hang around today as well, had her back turned to me and started doing something against the wall of the dungeon.

    When I went to see what it was, I found that she was using her Mobile Force Gyan to punch the stone wall.

    That¡­¡­ doesn¡¯t exactly look like she¡¯s training her MF.

    She somewhat looked like she was sulking, but I can¡¯t exactly make out her expression because of her silver mask.

    [What are you doing?]

    [Nothing¡­¡­]

    That doesn¡¯t look like it¡¯s nothing.

    It seems like we need to discuss this, but Michelle is a wanted criminal.

    She usually acts as the Grim Reaper Minerva, so we have to refrain from the lovers¡¯ talk.

    I checked my surroundings.

    There are no customers in the shop at the moment, and the ce is deserted.

    If it¡¯s just for a bit, I should be able to do it now.

    I gently pat Michelle on the shoulder.

    [It¡¯s not nothing, right? Tell me, did I do something wrong?]

    [¡­¡­You fed her.]

    [What?]

    [Vinegared kelp. You went and did the ¡°ahhn¡± with a woman other than me¡­¡­]

    Is she sulking because I fed vinegared kelp to that cursed mage?

    [That can¡¯t be helped. The woman is sick.]

    [I know that¡­¡­]

    Even though she said that, Michelle¡¯s Gyan doesn¡¯t stop pounding the wall with its fist.

    [Yahagi-san, let me draw pop rockets.]

    Whoa, looks like there¡¯s a customer.

    [Hold on a second. Stay there.]

    I left Michelle and went to serve the customer.

    Then, after I picked up something from my shop and then returned.

    [Minerva, stand up and look at me.]

    [¡­¡­¡­¡­What?]

    [Here¡¯s something for you. Open your mouth and say ¡°ahhn¡±.]

    I put a blueberry cigarette through the gap in her silver mask and put it gently between Michelle¡¯s lips.

    I also took one out and put it in my mouth.

    (Don¡¯t be angry now. Overwrite your memory with this. It¡¯s a new product, blueberry cigarette.)

    With cocoa cigarettes or blueberry cigarettes, those who hold them in their mouths can talk to each other with their thoughts.

    (¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­..)

    This way, we can exchange our thoughts without having to say them out loud. Are you still mad at me?)

    (I¡¯m not mad¡­¡­)

    From the sound of her voice, it seems she really isn¡¯t angry.

    (Even so, I wish I had thought about the cocoa cigarette earlier. Then, we could have talked like this in public.)

    (Unnn.)

    (But be careful, if someone with a cigarette in his mouthes within a 10-meter radius, they¡¯ll hear our conversation.)

    (You¡¯re right.)

    Even though we¡¯re finally able to have a private conversation, Michelle isn¡¯t saying much.

    However, rather than sulking, it feels more like she¡¯s embarrassed.

    Speaking of which, her Gyan had stopped punching the wall.

    (Yuusuke.)

    (What¡¯s up?)

    (Sell 10 boxes each of cocoa cigarettes, blueberry cigarettes and c cigarettes. I want to keep on doing this.)

    (Haha, thank you for the purchase! Wait, I don¡¯t care about the money, so just take it.)

    (That won¡¯t do.)

    Michelle is dutiful in a strange way.

    I guess I¡¯ll have to keep holding onto one of the cigarette series in my mouth for a while.

    It¡¯s like I¡¯m a chain smoker.

    In all sorts of ways, I feel like it¡¯s too sweet.

 Chapter 38: Take This! Cracker Ball!

    <h4>Chapter 38: Take This! Cracker Ball!</h4>

    It was a morning of heavy clouds.

    I wasn¡¯t one to miss work just because the weather was bad, so I headed out to the dungeon again today.

    Once outside, I double-locked the door to my apartment as a precaution.

    I heard that there are frequent burries in this neighborhood.

    Even if this was the country¡¯s capital, this isn¡¯t a safe neighborhood.

    There are plenty of robbers, thieves, and drug addicts.

    Bottakuro¡¯s proprietress said that it was because of the curse that prevented the King from engaging in government affairs, but from what I observed, that isn¡¯t exactly the case.

    The curse casted by Michelle is just a mild one, and it apparently only induces headaches and stomachaches intermittently.

    She assured me that the curse wasn¡¯t so bad that he couldn¡¯t go to work.

    [Titti and the King are just living a carefree life.]

    Michelle¡¯s resentment could be felt from her voice, but that does seem to be the case.

    Rumor has it that there are even ns to build a new castle for the Queen Consort.

    The Queen Consort, who loves shy things, has asked them to make it a morous castle.

    Even when there¡¯s a war going on at the border, what is she thinking, asking for such a thing?

    As I briskly walked to the dungeon, I spotted a familiar face in the alleyway.

    It was Regal, a regr at my shop who works as a porter.

    Surrounded by three ruffian-looking people, I wonder what was going on?

    I quietly walked over to the entrance of the alley.

    [Come on, just hand it over. You¡¯ve at least got some small change there, don¡¯t you?]

    [That is¡­¡­]

    [Take it out already. I¡¯m starting to get irritated here.]

    It seems like he was being mugged.

    Being called ¡°mugging¡±, it sounds like it¡¯s just a minor crime.

    However, it¡¯s no different from a robbery.

    Regal has no rtives and is working hard as a porter.

    He¡¯s a regr customer whoes to my shop with his meager spending money.

    I want to do something to help him, but it¡¯s not like I can use monster cards or pop rockets in the middle of a city.

    Oh, wait, I think I have something good for a time like this.

    Product name: Cracker Balls

    Description: A toy that makes a loud sound when it hits the ground or is stepped on. A type of firework. It has a mild Fear Magic effect on a 50 cm radius around the point of detonation.

    Price: 50 rims (10 pieces)

    I quietly crept up behind them and threw cracker balls on the ground.

    Pang! Pang! Pang!

    [Uhyiihh!]

    [Gyaaahhh!]

    They were small balls, less than one centimeter in diameter, but they made a really satisfying noise.

    The punks surrounding Regal jumped up and ran away.

    It seemed that the Fear Magic had worked.

    Even so, extorting people so early in the morning, I wonder if it¡¯s because of theck of security.

    [Regal, you¡¯re safe now.]

    I helped Regal, who was slumped on the ground, to his feet.

    [Y- Yahagi-san¡­¡­]

    Regal was trembling in fear.

    He must have been caught within the range of the Fear Magic.

    [Here, lick this. It should calm you down.]

    I take out a grape-vored powdered juice.

    It has an Anti-Curse effect, so it should help with the Fear Magic.

    Normally, you would dissolve this in water and drink it, but since I don¡¯t have a cup or the water to dissolve in, he could only consume it in powdered form.

    [I- I¡¯m sorry¡­¡­ Keho, keho!]

    Licking powdered juice without water does make someone choke on them sometimes.

    After a while, the color in Regal¡¯s face returned to normal.

    [How are you? Have you calmed down?]

    [Yes, thanks to you.]

    Regal gave a small sigh.

    [Does that sort of thing happen to you often?]

    [I¡¯m a child, so I¡¯m not often targeted, but I hear that robbers often appear at night. I don¡¯t go outside after dark.]

    [What a hard world this is¡­¡­]

    I looked at the workers passing by on the street.

    I heard that the number of adventurers has recently increased again.

    There were originally few people who wanted to be an adventurer, as it was a job that inherently held dangers to one¡¯s life, but society has be so devastated that one can¡¯t afford to be picky or demanding.

    [Recently, it seems that even people who couldn¡¯t use Physical Strengthening or Offensive Magic enter the dungeon. Well, that¡¯s also the same case for me¡­¡­]

    Unlike Merle and Mira, Regal has no talent forbat.

    However, since he doesn¡¯t have parents, he has to desperately find a way to survive.

    Even though he¡¯s a child who¡¯s not yet 15 years old¡­¡­

    [Take this, in ce of a charm.]

    I handed Regal my favorite Monster Chips card.

    [Ehh? Isn¡¯t this the SR-card Turtle Ninja!? I can¡¯t take this.]

    [Just take it. I don¡¯t want my regr customer to die.]

    If a cheerful ninja turtle can protect this boy, it would be a lot better than having it in my possession.

    [Thank you.]

    [If you feel even the slightest bit unsafe, use it. Don¡¯t think it¡¯s a waste using it. Your first priority should be to survive.]

    [Yes, I promise. I also want to participate in the next MF Tournament.]

    [That¡¯s the spirit. Come to think of it, there¡¯s that thing Minerva mentioned to me. Minerva told me that as one improves their mana maniption, they may even be able to use new magic.]

    [Is that true?]

    [Yeah. I can only use ¡°Open¡± and ¡°Close¡± magic, the ones that help me with my shop, but I was told that I might be able to use one of the four major magics. It would be cool if I could use something like Fire Magic.]

    [Then, I¡¯ll work hard in my mana maniption too. It would be a dreame true if I could control Gungalf freely and also use magic.]

    [Right?]

    Regal is still a boy, but he has the toughness to make a living in the dungeon.

    [Alright, it¡¯s about time we get going.]

    Regal and I walked side by side toward the dungeon.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Cracker Ball

 Chapter 39: Date Invitation

    <h4>Chapter 39: Date Invitation</h4>

    It¡¯s the season of dazzling fresh greenery.

    ording to Michelle, summer can get pretty hot in this part of the world.

    Hopefully, shaved ice and ice cream will be avable for sale before the summer heat gets too strong, but so far, there¡¯s no sign of that happening.

    Michelle is currently away, off to the deepest part of the dungeon to continue her research on filling magic orbs with mana.

    ording to the schedule, she won¡¯t be back until tomorrow.

    However, that doesn¡¯t mean that my daily life will be any different.

    [Good morning! For the time being, I¡¯d like to have my usual scratch cards.]

    [Good morning, Merle. You¡¯re also working hard today huh.]

    Merle ys the scratch lottery every morning, but she has only won once so far.

    Her luck is so bad that it¡¯s well-known among the regrs.

    [Good morning. I¡¯d like some 10-rim gums and vinegared kelps please.]

    [Mira, are you two going to hunt Gas Ghosts?]

    Vinegared kelp is indispensable to breaking the Silence curse used by the Gas Ghost.

    [Yes, we n to earn big money and go to Garju.]

    [Garju?]

    [She¡¯s talking about Mount Garju. This is the season when the fujiru flowers are so beautiful that everyone in the Capital goes there to see them.]

    [Yuusuke-san sure is clueless about things as usual. People buy lunch boxes from top restaurants and go to Mount Garju to go flower viewing.]

    Is it something like the cherry blossom viewing back in Japan?

    Society is in a bad shape, but it seems like people are willing to work hard for such a small pastime as flower viewing.

    [That sounds like fun. Is Mount Garju near the Capital?]

    [It takes about an hour to get there by horse-drawn carriage. We are going in a chartered carriage, right?]

    [Yes, we need to earn money for that.]

    It¡¯s apparently a fad to go to Miranshe in afortable chartered carriage.

    <i>(T/N: I don¡¯t know where that ¥ß¥é¥ó¥·¥§/Miranshe came from. It could be the location of Mount Garju.)</i>

    [Hmmm, that sounds interesting. Maybe I should invite Minerva to go with me.]

    Merle grinned when I said that.

    [You two sure have be particrly closetely.]

    Rather than close, we¡¯ve actually been dating in secret.

    Hopefully, this flower viewing will be our first date.

    [Yuusuke-san, aren¡¯t you gonna have a girlfriend?]

    [Ehh!?]

    [I had my doubts too. If you just wanted to, you could have one right away.]

    [Y- You think so?]

    I¡¯ve never been popr before.

    Ah, Michelle is a different case.

    [That¡¯s right. You work hard every day, and your face is, well, you aren¡¯t ugly.]

    Oi!

    [Yep, what she said. You seem to make a fair ie, and you don¡¯t have a bad personality. You seemed like the type who would do whatever your lover asks.]

    Merle and Mira exchanged looks before giggling.

    [Are you two making fun of me?]

    [That isn¡¯t the case. I¡¯m saying that in the eyes of the public, it¡¯s not surprising that you would have a girlfriend.]

    [That¡¯s right. And yet, since you always hang out with Minerva-san, everyone¡¯s holding back. Yuusuke-san, there were quite a few female adventurers who had their eyes on you. However, everyone is afraid of Minerva-san¡­¡­]

    [Is that so!?]

    I had no clue at all.

    However, I¡¯d better not let Michelle hear about this.

    She¡¯d easily get jealous and sad.

    Perhaps, is it because shecks self-confidence?

    Even though she¡¯s a magical genius, cute, attentive, and stylish, how strange.

    I¡¯ll praise her a lot for her good qualities when she gets home.

    [So, there¡¯s something I¡¯d like to ask. Where are these popr restaurants? Also, how do you rent a carriage?]

    Since this would be my first date with Michelle, I gathered information with great enthusiasm.

    When Michelle returned, she looked tired.

    The deepest part of the dungeon is littered with powerful monsters, and continuous encounters with them mentally strained her.

    And yet, when Michelle came to my apartment, she was carrying arge shopping bag and was about to cook dinner for the two of us.

    [I¡¯ll cook tonight, so you just sit down.]

    [No, I¡¯ll cook.]

    [Let¡¯s have my home cooking once in a while. I¡¯ll put my love into it.]

    [Uuuu¡­¡­ Unnn.]

    I managed to get Michelle, who had been doing her best, to sit down and make us a pf.

    Even though I sounded haughty when I told her that, my ability to cook was actually only on that level.

    The meal I prepared for us was just a spiced pf with sunny side-ups on top, and bacon and vegetable soup.

    However, Michelle was pleased.

    [It¡¯s very delicious.]

    It sure feels nice to be praised.

    The pf was a little spicy because I may have put in too much pepper, but it isn¡¯t bad.

    Since we¡¯re at it, I guess I should invite her to Mount Garju to go flower viewing.

    [Michelle, are you busy with your research?]

    [I guess you could say I¡¯m busy. My recent experiments haven¡¯t been going well. Why?]

    [You see,tely, I haven¡¯t been taking any breaks from the shop at all.]

    [Now that you mentioned, that really was the case. You do open your shop every day, don¡¯t you, Yuusuke?]

    [That¡¯s why, I was thinking it¡¯s about time for me to take some break, but why don¡¯t we go somewhere? For example, Mount Garju perhaps.]

    [¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­..]

    [I heard that the flowers there called fujiru are beautiful. I¡¯ve never seen it before, so I was wondering if you have time to go with me.]

    ng!

    The spoon fell from Michelle¡¯s hand and hit the te of pf with a loud ng.

    [That¡¯s¡­¡­]

    [Well, it¡¯s a date invitation.]

    [Uuuu¡­¡­]

    She¡¯s so moved to tears that she¡¯s even holding her chest!?

    [Oi, are you okay?]

    [I¡¯ll have a mini c¡­¡­. My heart hurts¡­¡­]

    [No, you¡¯ll have to wait until after meal¡­¡­]

    Instead, I got her a ss of water and gave it to Michelle, who seemed to be hyperventting.

    [By the way, what¡¯s your response?]

    [Eh?]

    [Are you going or not?]

    [I¡¯m going! I¡¯m definitely going!]

    Michelle¡¯s eyes were lowered from embarrassment, but I could see a smile on her lips.

 Chapter 40: Wrapped in Monster Smoke

    <h4>Chapter 40: Wrapped in Monster Smoke</h4>

    The rain that had been falling since the previous day had stopped by midnight.

    Today was the day Minerva and I would go to Mount Garju.

    I woke up early, freshened up, and went to pick up Michelle in a chartered horse-drawn carriage.

    This carriage is apatible type and offers a good view of the scenery.

    Yes, I¡¯m really enthusiastic today.

    I helped Michelle to get into the carriage, to which the coachman looked at me with a strange expression on his face.

    Michelle, a wanted criminal, is wearing her silver mask today as well, dressed as a man.

    Perhaps due to the effect of her Recognition Inhibition Magic, from the side, she looks like a man.

    He must find it unusual for a man to escort a man.

    However, I don¡¯t mind.

    We are dating after all.

    As soon as we got into the carriage, Michelle put a cocoa cigarette in her mouth.

    [Yuusuke, would you also like one?]

    I don¡¯t feel like eating sweets, but as long as I have that, we can enjoy our conversation as we please.

    [Guess I¡¯ll have one.]

    As soon as I took one and put it in my mouth, Michelle mentally spoke to me.

    (I¡¯m sorry, Yuusuke. I really wanted toe more dressed up......)

    (It can¡¯t be helped. We¡¯ll just have to save that for some other time.)

    We¡¯ve had some talk of emigrating to a foreign country once Michelle finished her research.

    It seems like there¡¯s also the option of undoing the curse casted on the King and providing somepensation to receive amnesty.

    One day, the two of us will be able to walk outside together in public.

    (Let¡¯s stop by the restaurant first and pick up our lunch box.)

    (As expected, wouldn¡¯t it be better if I just made it for us? I wanted Yuusuke to eat a lot......)

    (Let¡¯s also leave that for next time.)

    Michelle had initially said that she would cook our food herself, but I heard that the trendy lunch boxes have very cute and stylish containers.

    This time, I¡¯m interested mainly in those containers.

    The lunch box we received was a three-tiered bento box made of porcin.

    The top part was decorated with small flower patterns in subdued pastel colors of pink, white and light blue.

    (Cute......)

    Michelle seemed to like it too.

    (Next time we go on our outing, I¡¯ll pack it full of my home-cooked food.)

    She isn¡¯t usually so talkative, but today¡¯s Michelle has been talking a lot since this morning.

    However, I wonder if the coachman driving the carriage in front of us is suspicious?

    From the side, it looks like we¡¯ve been silent the whole time with our cocoa cigarettes in our mouths.

    Only once did he turn around and call out to us.

    [I have an ignitor if you want. Would you like to use it?]

    [This isn¡¯t a cigarette.]

    He must have been just trying to be kind.

    Mouth Garju was a big bowl-shaped mountain.

    It was only about 100 meters high.

    Here and there on the mountain, what I think were fujiru flowers were in full bloom.

    The color of the flowers ranged from light pink to dark purple, and the shape was simr to that of wisteria flowers.

    The flowers were so densely packed that the entire mountain seemed to emit a pale luminescence.

    <i>(T/N: Wisteria flowers are known as Fuji flowers in Japan)</i>

    [They¡¯re amazing. It¡¯s no wonder everyonees here for flower viewing.]

    [Unnn. I¡¯m d Yuusuke and I were able toe this year.]

    The entrance to the mountain was crowded with visitors here for flower viewing.

    Of course, with all the potential customers around, there are many stalls and noisy barkers trying to pull in people.

    [Let¡¯s move a bit.]

    Michelle urged me to move a bit and we set foot on the trail.

    The higher up the mountain we went, the fewer people were to be seen, seemingly finding it a hassle to climb up the mountain.

    The stairs were long and I was getting a little out of breath, but I kept going, looking forward to the view from the top.

    And then, finally climbing up thest step, we arrived at the top with a great view.

    [Ohh, this is amazing......]

    The sight of fujiru spread out below us took my breath away.

    It was like a cloud of purple and light pink.

    [I wanted to see the view from here with Yuusuke.......]

    [Thank you. I¡¯ve never seen anything like this before......]

    After a while of gazing at the view in a daze, Michelle let out a shaky voice.

    [Y- You know...... There¡¯s a legend that says lovers who kiss here will live in happiness until the next fujiru flower blooms......]

    In other words, it¡¯s something like a blessedness charm thatsts for a year?

    Now that she mentioned it, I¡¯ve been seeing some couples here and there since a while ago.

    Good grief, they¡¯re totally showing off......

    [W- Well, I can¡¯t take my mask off outside, so I have nothing to do with it......]

    Sounding a little sad, Michelle turned her gaze back to thendscape.

    As the fully bloomed fujiru swayed, the wind blew up from the valley.

    The distance between me and Michelle is about five apples.

    As her ck hair flutters in the wind, I can¡¯t take my eyes off her.

    Did Michelle cast some sort of Love Magic on me?

    No, the witch I know is quite talented, but I don¡¯t think she can use that kind of magic.

    A happy year spent for lovers huh......

    I¡¯m the type of person who doesn¡¯t believe in traditions like that, but I¡¯m sure that a kiss would make this moment happy.

    And this marvelous dagashi shopowner can take out anything from his shop at any time.

    Product name: Monster Smoke

    Description: If you apply some ze to your fingertips and repeatedly press your fingers together, a mysterious smoke wille out. Highly effective when used as a smokescreen while escaping battles.

    Price: 30 rims

    Monster Smoke is used by applying the ze on the card to your fingers.

    When I applied the ze to my thumb and forefinger and repeatedly pressed them together, white smoke appeared in the blink of an eye and faintly enveloped us.

    No one should be able to see us anymore.

    [Michelle, won¡¯t you take off your mask?]

    [Eh? Unnn......]

    It was the first time I had seen Michelle¡¯s face outside.

    Perhaps because she doesn¡¯t usually receive sunlight, Michelle¡¯s skin is so far that it appears translucent.

    [Because I have big lips, I don¡¯t like my face......]

    [I like your face though. You¡¯re beautiful.]

    When I said that, Michelle stared at me in surprise.

    She stared at me for so long that I couldn¡¯t help chuckling.

    [It would be troubling if you don¡¯t close your eyes.]

    [Eh?]

    [I¡¯d be too embarrassed to kiss you.]

    [Ahh......]

    This time, as if something scary appeared, Michelle squeezed her eyes shut.

    For him to brush aside such a cute witch, that King must have been crazy.

    Well, it¡¯s thanks to that that we¡¯ve be lovers......

    In any case, putting those thoughts to the side, I put my mouth over Michelle¡¯s puckered lips.

    <hr>

    <Afterword>

    Monster Smoke is a reference to Youkai Kemuri. The aforementioned ze was something rubbed off from behind the card.

 Chapter 41: Dagashi Yahagi, On a Business Trip

    <h4>Chapter 41: Dagashi Yahagi, On a Business Trip</h4>

    Cheers resounded from around one of the Mobile Force arenas.

    Merle¡¯s Zako had defeated Michelle¡¯s Gyan.

    The audience cheered at this unexpected result, but it was Merle who was cheering the most.

    [I DID IIIIIIT! I FINALLY GOT A WIN FROM MINERVA-SAN!]

    [¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.]

    Michelle silently picked up the disconnected Gyan and walked to the sides.

    Michelle is often in a dazetely.

    Perhaps, she had been like that since we kissed at Mount Garju.

    So much so that she even burnt food, something that has never happened before.

    She sometimes goes to the deepest part of the dungeon for her research, and with Michelle being like that, I¡¯m feeling worried.

    However, it¡¯s also impossible for me to go with her.

    The other day, I had a rare encounter with a monster on the 2nd Underground Floor.

    I quickly used the C-card Giant Crow and the R-card Zombie Knight and summoned them to get out of the predicament, but I think I would have been injured back then if I made a mistake.

    And from what I heard, the monsters in the deepest part of the dungeon are much more vicious than the monsters spawning on the 2nd Underground Floor could only be seen as weaklings.

    All I had left was the R-card Stone Golem.

    Having that in mind, I picked up a packet of Monster Chips and sat down next to Michelle, who was sitting against the wall.

    [You want some?]

    [No, I don¡¯t have the appetite.]

    I opened the packet and found the SR-card Fire Condor.

    [Oh, lucky. I got an SR card.]

    The zing condor looked very strong, but Michelle only nced over it before turning away.

    [Oi, oi, what¡¯s going on? I¡¯m getting kinda worried here.]

    [It won¡¯t get out of my head.]

    [Huh?]

    [I can¡¯t get Yuusuke out of my head!]

    [Oi, keep your voice down.]

    I looked around, but none of the adventurers were looking in our direction because they were too focused on ying MF.

    [Hey, you said you were going to go to the deepest part of the dungeon tomorrow, but how about canceling that?]

    [Unnn¡­¡­ I think that would be better too.]

    If she kept on having this state of mind, she might not be able to get away with just an injury.

    [Ummm¡­¡­ Are you that bothered about that kiss? If so, I¡¯m sorry.]

    [I¡¯m not bothered by it! That was my best memory. I just couldn¡¯t stop thinking about it!]

    [Like I said, lower your voice.]

    She¡¯s a wanted criminal. She could be exposed at any moment.

    [How can I concentrate on exploration and my experiments?]

    [How would I know¡­¡­]

    I guess she could only rest for a while.

    [Why don¡¯t you leave the dungeon until you calm down?]

    [Unnn¡­¡­ Do you hate me now?]

    [Why would I?]

    [Getting all worked up over just a kiss, I may be being too burdensome¡­¡­]

    Minerva rested her head on her knees and looked down.

    [I don¡¯t think so. Let¡¯s just take a couple of days off and see what happens. Things will settle down in time.]

    [Yuusuke, can I stay with you during that time?]

    [Yeah, that would also make me more relieved.]

    Michelle spent the whole afternoon leaning against the wall in a daze.

    Sometimes, she would let out that ¡°gufufu¡­¡­.¡± giggles with that very hoarse voice her disguise has and mumble stuff like ¡°I¡¯m not gonna let you go¡±, which seemed to have frightened everyone around.

    Perhaps, she was lost in some strange fantasy.

    Like, daydreaming about catching some evil monster or something.

    Eh? No way she¡¯s daydreaming about me, right?

    ¡ó

    After I closed up shop and came out of the dungeon with Michelle, Baron Essel spoke to me.

    It seems he had been waiting for me here all this time.

    [Yahagi-dono, I came here to ask you a favor.]

    Baron Essel wants a favor, does he want another Elixir?

    However, the Baron had something unexpected in mind.

    [My territory is a city called Grantham, about 40 kilometers from the capital, and there¡¯s a festival there next week.]

    [A festival?]

    [Yes, yes, a festival to pray for a good harvest this time. Our festival¡¯s special event is the Milk Can Carrying Race, in which people carry milk cans on their shoulders and run down a hill.]

    [There¡¯s no way you¡¯re asking me to join that, right?]

    I¡¯m the sweets guy, not a festival man.

    [No, that¡¯s not it. I¡¯d like to ask Yahagi-dono to set up shop in the venue.]

    Oh, it was a request for Dagashi Yahagi to set up a stall at the festival to make it livelier.

    [We especially want to ask you to sell Mobile Force to the public. The sacred ce of Mobile Force may be Yahagi Onsen, but we¡¯d like Grantham to follow the trend.]

    [I¡¯m very grateful for your offer, but no matter how hard I try, I can only sell 40 boxes a day. Is that still eptable?]

    [The festivalsts for 3 days, so I would like you to set up shop before the festival. With you setting up on the day before, you will be able to sell for 4 days, making 160 Mobile Force circting to the public. I think that would be enough this time.]

    ¡°This time¡± he says, does he n to request this from me again?

    [I will provide you a carriage and a ce to stay, so by all means, pleasee.]

    Before I could give my final answer, I turned to Michelle.

    [Will youe with me, Minerva? I¡¯m unfamiliar with the ce, so I need an escort and a guide.]

    [U- Umu. I guess I¡¯ll help you out, Yuusuke. (A sleepover¡­¡­ I¡¯m not ready to t- take off everything, but I¡¯ll definitely be there!)]

    [Baron, would you mind if Minervaes with me?]

    [But of course. I¡¯m also indebted to Minerva-dono for giving me Elixir. We¡¯ll have a suite in the best hotel in Grantham prepared. Please enjoy our festival.]

    Michelle needed a vacation, so this would be the perfect opportunity for her.

    It would also be a good chance for me to get to know the world.

    Alright, this will be Dagashi Yahagi¡¯s business trip to Grantham!

 Chapter 42: Moving a Boulder

    <h4>Chapter 42: Moving a Boulder</h4>

    The further we got from the Capital, the worse the road became, and our carriage rattled and shook loudly.

    Michelle and I were headed for Grantham City in the carriage that the Baron had prepared for us.

    With a barrier put up around us, Michelle was rxing with her mask off.

    [Have you ever been to Grantham, Michelle?]

    [No, but I heard it¡¯s a pretty big city. They¡¯re apparently a major producer of wool.]

    [Grantham¡¯s lord, Baron Essel, does seem to be rich.]

    [They¡¯re also famous for theirmb dishes.]

    [Lamb huh. Speaking of which, I used to eatmb skewers back then.]

    Back in my favorite family restaurant, I likedmb skewers because I loved the spices they sprinkled on them.

    [Yuusuke lovesmb meat after all. I¡¯ll make it for you next time.]

    [If Michelle makes it, I¡¯m sure it will be dangerous.]

    [You jest¡­¡­ I¡¯ll procure some ebiren, a spice that grows only in the inner regions of the Sabra Desert, and sprinkle it over for Yuusuke.]

    Michelle¡¯s love sure is heavyweight.

    [You don¡¯t have to go to such lengths¡­¡­]

    It¡¯s almost evening.

    The time is almost dusk, and we are going to spend the night at an inn in a town on the way and arrive in Grantham tomorrow.

    Because they make the horses stop along the way, our journey is a leisurely one.

    My buttocks ached, but each time it hurt, Michelle healed it with her Recovery Magic.

    [Hahh! Haaahh!]

    The carriage came to a halt at the sound of the coachman¡¯s voice.

    From what I saw around us, we were still on the road and had not yet reached the city.

    [What¡¯s the matter?]

    I stuck my head out the window and asked.

    [The road seems to be blocked, and a crowd of people gathered in front.]

    It was apparently still more than 10 kilometers to the city.

    We didn¡¯t really want to be stranded here.

    [Let¡¯s go take a look.]

    Michelle, wearing her silver mask, got off the carriage, and I followed her.

    In the middle of the road sits arge boulder.

    It was about 5 meters high, blocking the road.

    Where did this bouldere from?

    [Vivarde Fairies must have appeared.]

    [Is this the work of fairies?]

    [Yeah, Vivarde Fairies love to y pranks on humans and are famous for cing boulders like this to hinder the path.]

    [What troublesome fairies.]

    [That¡¯s not necessarily the case.]

    Michelle said with a chuckle.

    [Rocks ced by Vivarde Fairiese in all sizes. The smallest is about the size of a pebble, and thergest is about that big.]

    Thisrge boulder in front of us seemed to be one of thergest.

    [No, they¡¯re just being a nuisance, right?]

    [However, the story goes that there is always a treasure hidden under the rocks ced by these fairies. For example, someone trips on a rock and scrapes their knee. In exchange, they¡¯d find a gold or silver coin under that rock.]

    I don¡¯t know if I should say they¡¯re annoying or kind.

    [They seem to love seeing people feeling troubled. They are sometimes annoying, but that¡¯s why they aren¡¯t that hated.]

    However, the boulder here is a problem.

    It would be a hassle to walk to the city from here.

    [With a boulder that big, is there some great treasure hidden in it?]

    [No, the size of the rock isn¡¯t proportional to the value of the treasure. No matter how big the rock is, it¡¯s said that thergest piece of treasure ced would only be worth a gold coin.]

    One hundred thousand rims is a lot of money, but considering the cost of the work it would be to remove a boulder of this size, one would be in the red.

    The road is between a slope and a ditch, so it is still possible for people on foot to pass through on the side of the road.

    However, it would be impossible for a carriage to pass through.

    [Don¡¯t worry, I will destroy it. Everyone can then move the crumbled rocks out of the way.]

    [As expected of Grim Reaper Minerva.]

    [Don¡¯t call me Grim Reaper. Well, if I do this though, the treasure underneath will disappear.]

    The rocks used by fairies are apparently special, as if it¡¯s hit by a magic attack, the treasure hidden under the rock will disappear.

    That¡¯s kind of a waste, isn¡¯t it?

    Ah, wait, that¡¯s right!

    [Minerva, let me try something for a bit.]

    I took out a dagashi.

    Product: Jumbo Cutlet

    Description: It has the appearance of cutlets, but the ingredient is minced fish. As the name suggests, it¡¯s a big snack. By yelling ¡°Power Boost¡±, one¡¯s arm strength increases for three seconds.

    Price: 30 rims

    It¡¯s quite a satisfying snack, and the sauce has a strong vor that makes it delicious.

    [Omnom¡­¡­ Gulp. Alright, I¡¯m ready.]

    Guile told me that thanks to eating this, he was able to easily open a big door in the dungeon, which had been rusty and unopenable for a long time.

    With the jumbo cutlet, I can probably also move this big boulder.

    Putting my hand on the boulder, I loudly shouted.

    [Power Boost!]

    At that moment, I was d in golden light and my whole body was filled with power.

    Little by little, the rock begins to move.

    Almost there.

    [Uwwoooooohhhhh!]

    Before three seconds had passed, I managed to move the boulder to the side of the road, opening a space that would have allowed a single carriage to pass.

    [Ohhh! That¡¯s amazing, bro!]

    As the cheers of the surrounding people resounded, I reservedly waved my hand.

    I¡¯m not really good at standing out like this.

    [Yuusuke, I found this.]

    Michelle was holding a small wooden box.

    The top of the box is carved with a face that looks like a fat cat, a finger lowering one of her lower eyelids and sticking out her tongue, seemingly yfully teasing the person seeing it.

    So this is a Vivarde Fairy huh.

    That look on her face is kinda annoying, but it was also a face that I couldn¡¯t hate.

    After returning to the carriage, I opened the box and found a small bracelet inside.

    The medium-thin chain is made of gold with three small jewels on it.

    The blue ones at both ends are sapphires, while the red one in the middle would probably be ruby, right?

    These jewels might just be ss beads, but it is quite beautiful.

    [Give me your arm.]

    I took Michelle¡¯s hand and put the bracelet on her wrist.

    It looks much better on her arm than it would on me.

    [Unnn, it looks good on you.]

    [Yuusuke¡­¡­]

    [If you don¡¯t like it, I can get you a new one¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C]

    [No! I like this one.]

    It seems like she liked it.

    [Ufufu, a present from Yuusuke¡­¡­ I¡¯ll cast a curse on it so it won¡¯t be stolen¡­¡­ For the time being, I¡¯m gonna set it up so that if anyone other than me touches it, they¡¯ll have nightmares, and then it¡¯s gonna be electric shocks. Or perhaps, I can make it so their body hair will fall out.]

    A mere piece of jewelry has been transformed into a cursed item!?

    Well, she seems happy, so let¡¯s just leave her alone¡­¡­

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Jumbo Katsu

 Chapter 43: Not Ready

    <h4>Chapter 43: Not Ready</h4>

    Grantham, Baron Essel¡¯s territory, was arge city surrounded by walls.

    Both agriculture andmerce seem to be developed, and the people¡¯s faces are brighter than in the capital.

    The Baron seemed to be a plump, good-natured old man, but perhaps, is he actually a sharp and capable lord?

    Our carriage arrived at the Baron¡¯s mansion in the center of the city, but my whole body is aching.

    As expected, it¡¯s probably due to the poor condition of the roads and the poor quality of the carriage.

    If I hadn¡¯t been healed by Michelle¡¯s Recovery Magic, I might have had a terrible backache.

    [Yahagi-dono, how was your trip?]

    In the reception room, Baron Essel greeted us in a good mood.

    [Baron, it has been a long time. Thanks to the carriage, we¡¯ve made it here safely. It¡¯s a well-developed city, isn¡¯t it?]

    [Thank you. Come, sit down. I¡¯ll have some tea prepared.]

    I offered him the additional Mobile Force sets I had brought as a souvenir.

    [This here is the easy-to-operate Jam, and the powerful Z¡¯Kot.]

    [Ohh, thank you!]

    The Baron had tried all the snacks I¡¯ve released in my shop so far, but he was pleased with the two newly released items.

    [After you both have a short rest, I¡¯ll have someone guide you to the hotel where you are staying. While we¡¯re at it, would you like a preview of where you¡¯re going to set up your shop?]

    [I¡¯d love to. We also had our preparations ready.]

    The maximum number of Mobile Force that can be replenished is 40.

    The more I can sell, the more people will be able to acquire it.

    After leaving Baron Essel¡¯s mansion, we arrived at the hotel we seemed to be staying in.

    It was a luxury hotel with a magnificent stone building with a doorman at the entrance.

    I think this may be one of the best hotels in this world.

    Going out of his way to prepare such a hotel for us, I could feel the Baron¡¯s enthusiasm for Mobile Force.

    [Hello. I¡¯m Yahagi, referred here by Baron Essel.]

    [Yahagi-sama, yes? We have heard about you. This way please.]

    After checking in at the reception hall, a staff member carried our luggage and led us to our room.

    As expected of a luxury hotel.

    [This is your room.]

    [Ohh, it¡¯s a lovely room.]

    The suite that Baron Essel had promised us was a double room with a wide bed and a reception set in the back.

    The room also had arge bathroom and toilet, a far cry from Bottakuro where I used to stay.

    [From the balcony here, you can see Kanpu za.]

    Kanpu za is also where it¡¯s nned for Dagashi Yahagi to be set up.

    There aren¡¯t many people there now, but I was told it would be filled with people on the day of the festival.

    [Well then, please enjoy your stay.]

    [Thank you very much...... Wait, eh?]

    [Is something the matter?]

    You don¡¯t ask that here.

    The way things are going......

    [Ummm, was there only one room prepared?]

    [We don¡¯t have single rooms during the festival season because it gets very crowded. Would that be a problem?]

    Of course, that¡¯s a problem. That would mean Michelle and I will be staying in the same room.

    [If it¡¯s possible, I would like to have two rooms prepared for us. Of course, we will pay the twin rate for the two rooms.]

    [Unfortunately, we are already fully booked, so my apologies.]

    The attendant apologetically left the room.

    Michelle and I were left helpless in the room, but she didn¡¯t say a word the whole time.

    [I¡¯ll see if I can find a ce to stay somewhere.]

    [I- I don¡¯t really mind though. You¡¯ve stayed in my room many times before, haven¡¯t you? You don¡¯t have to be that perturbed about it now.]

    [Michelle, your hands are shaking. You¡¯re the one perturbed here, you know? Besides, this and that are two different things. I didn¡¯t know you were a girl at the time, Michelle]

    Michelle stammered for a moment, but then refuted.

    [I- It¡¯s just a sleepover. We¡¯re just gonna sleep together, right? Then, it¡¯s not a problem, is it?]

    [That is...... That is true but......]

    [Considering how there¡¯s an iing festival, there¡¯s no way I¡¯d get a room anywhere.]

    It¡¯s not like I don¡¯t have a sexual desire.

    In fact, I would love to have sexual rtions with Michelle.

    The trouble is, Michelle is also quite attractive.

    But you see, there are no condoms or pills in this world.

    If we have sex without contraceptives, there¡¯s a good chance that we¡¯d suddenly have a child.

    [Papa...... Abuu~~]

    I imagine our baby having dark circles under her eyes.

    Her name is Machelle, and she¡¯s as cute as a button...... not!

    My love for Michelle grows stronger with each other, but I¡¯m not ready for that yet.

    Besides, it¡¯s hard to raise a child calmly if the baby¡¯s mother is a wanted criminal.

    We¡¯re gonna delve into this topic only when we clear all those issues and can have peace of mind.

    However, if we¡¯re just gonna sleep together......

    [Alright. I promise I won¡¯t do anything strange to you.]

    [Ah, wait. Ummm, I don¡¯t mind if you do it a bit......]

    How much is a bit?

    No, no, no, that won¡¯t do. I feel like I¡¯m definitely gonna be swept away.

    [Come on, let¡¯s drop off our luggage and set up shop at Kanpu za. Things are going to be busy......]

    Without giving her a clear answer, I cheerfully began to prepare my stall.

    <hr>

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Jam ¨C Not sure of this since there was no description other than being easy-to-operate but probably based on MA-08 Big Zam Z¡¯Kot ¨C Based on MSM-07 Z¡¯Gok

 Chapter 44: Notice Board

    <h4>Chapter 44: Notice Board</h4>

    The space prepared for Dagashi Yahagi wasrge and even had a Mobile Force arena prepared next to it.

    Baron Essel had thoughtfully arranged this.

    [Open, Dagashi Yahagi.]

    Today, I set up the stall-type shop.

    This is just right for outdoor use.

    [What¡¯s that!?]

    [I¡¯ve never seen anything like that before!]

    [Amazing¡­¡­]

    The neighborhood kids immediately gathered around.

    [Wee. We are a very popr dagashi shop in the capital.]

    Well, I can¡¯t really say we¡¯re very popr of a shop, but as is the case with stalls, you would always exaggerate with the sales pitch.

    [What¡¯s this gum that¡¯s written here?]

    [It¡¯s a snack that you chew but not swallow. It alsoes with a lottery.]

    [A lottery?]

    The children¡¯s eyes sparkled as they asked more and more questions.

    Eventually, one of the boys pulled a 10-rim copper coin out of his pocket.

    [I¡¯d like to have one of these.]

    His choice was arge c-vored round candy.

    There¡¯s no c or cider in this world, so I can say that he¡¯s quite the challenger.

    It must take courage to challenge the unknown.

    [Thank you. There¡¯s a lottery on the wrapping paper, so keep an eye out for them. Also, don¡¯t throw the garbage around, okay? Put them in this cardboard box.]

    [Unnn.]

    The boy who had been rummaging through the wrapping timidly put therge round candy in his mouth.

    [Yum! Thish is ghood! Also, it¡¯sh so hugke!]

    The round candy must have filled his mouth to the brim.

    The boy was having a hard time speaking, but he was loudly expressing his excitement to his friends.

    [I¡¯d like a gum!]

    [Chocte for me!]

    Unnn, unnn, no matter which ce it was, children are a bundle of cheerfulness.

    Since we weren¡¯t in a dungeon today, I decided not to sell dangerous items such as rockets.

    Those items are for adventurers only, and it would be a little too early for children.

    Come to think of it, the Baron asked me to spread the word about Mobile Force.

    Since he had prepared an arena for us, there was no reason not to make use of it.

    Sanaga-san has also entrusted us with MF weapons as a consignment sale.

    [Minerva, I have a favor to ask you.]

    [What is it?]

    [Show everyone a demonstration of the Mobile Force. I think the Capital¡¯s Champion performance would draw customers well.]

    [Alright.]

    When Michelle took out her Gyan and began to move it, the children¡¯s attention turned to her.

    [Amazing! The doll is moving!]

    [How are you doing that?]

    The children were very curious.

    [It¡¯s called Mobile Force, and it¡¯s a very popr toy in the capital.]

    [Can we also move it?]

    [Of course. Anyone with mana can do it.]

    As expected, there were no children who were willing to pay 300 rims for it, but everyone seemed to be interested in it.

    [Was it 300 rims each?]

    [Yes, that¡¯s right. Any one of them costs 300 rims.]

    [Then, we¡¯ll have one.]

    An old man with his grandson handed merge copper coins worth 300 rims.

    [Which one do you want?]

    [Hmm¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª-¡­¡­ Gangulf!]

    It seems that children here also like ying the protagonist in the mecha world.

    [Would you like to try assembling it and ying with it right away? We now have the Capital¡¯s Champion here to instruct you at the moment.]

    [M- Me!?]

    Michelle was so surprised that her original voice came out.

    [Isn¡¯t it fine if you teach them a bit? You¡¯re good at teaching people, right, Minerva?]

    She used to be a teacher at the Magic Academy.

    She was also very attentive when she taught me.

    [A- Alright. Youngd,e here.]

    As expected, Minerva was good at teaching him, and the boy was soon able to make his Gungalf walk.

    The other customers then came one after another.

    [I¡¯ll have the Gufufu please.]

    [I¡¯ll have a Zako.]

    [I¡¯ll get Mama!]

    [Me too!]

    And just like that, all the 40 boxes we had prepared were sold.

    [What time do you open your shop tomorrow?]

    A young man with bloodshot eyes asks me.

    He should have already bought thest of the Zakos.

    Does he also want to have the other types of MFs?

    [I¡¯ll probably start tomorrow at about 10 o¡¯clock.]

    [Really? Alright, I¡¯lle at that time and buy them all. I¡¯ll reserve them all now.]

    Baron Essel wanted to make the Mobile Force widely avable to the people of his territory.

    Even I want a lot of people to enjoy it.

    That¡¯s why, I can¡¯t allow him to buy it all.

    [I can¡¯t do that. I will only sell one box per person while I¡¯m here.]

    [Why not!? If you want, I can even pay a deposit!]

    [I¡¯ve decided to sell one box per person so that as many people as possible will know about the Mobile Force.]

    [No way, you¡¯ll just end up with the same earnings, right? If you want, I can even pay 400 rims per box!]

    What a troublesome customer.

    While I was thinking about how to drive him away, a group of five soldiers came running to my shop in a line.

    Then, giving me a bow, they put up a signpost next to the stall.

    What on earth have they posted here?

    <i>Notice</i>

    <i>Buying up and reselling Mobile Force is strictly banned. Those who break the ban are sentenced to 30 days of forcedbor.</i>

    <i>City Lord, Baron Essel Mou</i>

    Arehh? The guy who was asking me to sell the Mobile Force just a moment ago is gone?

    Was he trying to resell it?

    Did Baron Essel anticipate this happening?

    Preventing resellers in advance, as expected, that old man really may be as sharp and capable as I thought.

 Chapter 45: Gyans Sword Points

    <h4>Chapter 45: Gyan''s Sword Points</h4>

    The shop remained open until the light dimmed, and once again, Mobile Force was sold out.

    Mobile Force is very popr here as well.

    [Thanks to Michelle, we sold out.]

    [I didn¡¯t really do anything¡­¡­.]

    [You¡¯ve been teaching the kids the tricks to moving the MF around, and you¡¯ve been receiving their battles, right? You didpletely crush them though¡­¡­]

    She wasn¡¯t very good at holding back.

    The sun was setting behind the buildings and Kanpu za was covered in darkness.

    The children have long since gone home, while the eager ones looking to enjoy the eve of the festival have started walking towards bars and restaurants.

    It¡¯s about time we also close our shop.

    [It¡¯s still early for supper, but shall we take a walk home?]

    [Unnn.]

    Michelle, fidgeting, looked delighted.

    Because of the Recognition Inhibition Magic, she just looks like a burly man in a silver mask moving his body around.

    But when you put those thoughts aside, she¡¯s actually really cute! Well, I want to say that out loud, but that¡¯s a wish I can¡¯t fulfill.

    Even when I hade to an unfamiliar ce, I wanted to at least walk around the city holding hands.

    I returned to our room and sat down on the sofa.

    We had sold a lot of merchandise, and I was exhausted.

    [Why don¡¯t you take off your mantle and remove your disguise, Michelle?]

    It would feel much more at home that way.

    [I will do that¡­¡­ but can you to close your eyes for a minute?]

    [I¡¯m fine with it, but what¡¯s the matter?]

    [I was thinking of changing into something a little morefortable.]

    [Alright.]

    I closed my eyes and covered my face with my palms.

    I¡¯m not thinking about peeking through my fingers while she¡¯s changing.

    It certainly is tempting, but I won¡¯t give in.

    I heard the sound of a suitcase lid being opened with a tter, and then I heard the shuffling and rustling of clothes.

    I¡¯m sure she¡¯s taking off her clothes right now¡­¡­

    Having such thoughts in mind, I suddenly remembered the day I first saw Michelle without her mask.

    Not only was she without her mask back then, I also saw her without her other clothing.

    I couldn¡¯t help feeling my face heating up at that.

    [Are you done yet?]

    [Not yet! Wait a little longer.]

    Michelle¡¯s footsteps pped away toward the bathroom.

    Meanwhile, I sat back on the sofa with my eyes closed.

    I guess girls really do take their time getting ready.

    With my eyes kept closed like this though, I¡¯m starting to get sleepy.

    [Yuusuke, I¡¯m ready.]

    [Hmm? I see. Fuuaahh¡­¡­]

    I almost fell asleep.

    Letting out a yawn, I turned to Michelle.

    [Ah¡­¡­]

    [What do you think? I bought this to show Yuusuke. It¡¯s unfortunate that I can¡¯t go out wearing this but¡­..]

    The sleepiness I just had earlier disappeared.

    Michelle was wearing a new evening dress.

    It was ck in color, which was befitting Michelle, but the fishtail skirt with its folds of fluffy fabric was knee-length, dazzling me with her slender white legs.

    The open bust and sleeves were decorated withces, giving her a chic yet bewitching allure.

    Michelle seemed embarrassed, but made small movements to show the details of her dress.

    [It¡¯s very beautiful. Both the dress and you, Michelle.]

    Words of praise spontaneously came out of my mouth.

    [Y- You think so? Can I confirm it through a Truth Verification Magic experiment? I¡¯ll draw the magic circle right away.]

    A lie detector magic exists!?

    [Believe me! I¡¯m being serious here.]

    [I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯ve always been insecure about my looks¡­¡­]

    [I¡¯m telling you, you¡¯re very lovely.]

    She¡¯s so attractive that it feels troubling.

    [Yuusuke.]

    [What¡¯s the matter?]

    [Do you really love me?]

    Michelle¡¯s upturned eyes looked up at me.

    [I wouldn¡¯t go out with you if I didn¡¯t.]

    [Then, why don¡¯t you reassure me?]

    Eh, what¡¯s going on?

    Don¡¯t tell me¡­¡­ There¡¯s no way Michelle is gonna push me down, right?

    If that happens, I would also¡­¡­

    [I want you to let me conduct Truth Verification using this Mobile Force!]

    Hahhh¡­¡­ The heck is this witch talking about now?

    [Hold on a minute!]

    Michelle spread arge sheet of paper on the floor and began to draw a magic circle.

    First, she drew a circle, around which she drew various shapes and letters.

    Finally, the circle was divided into two parts, with a ¡¸©–¡¹ drawn on the left side and a ¡¸¡Á¡¹ on the right.

    [Now, I¡¯ve finished preparations. Yuusuke, put the Gyan on your forehead.

    As the Mobile Force Gyan was ced between my and Michelle¡¯s foreheads, Michelle chanted a spell.

    Thereupon, a magic link was formed between Michelle and me, centered on the Gyan.

    [Oi, this is¡­¡­]

    [Don¡¯t move. This link is very sensitive and could immediately break.]

    With those words, Michelle gently ced the Gyan in the center of the magic circle.

    [Well then, please put out your hands.]

    [What are you doing?]

    [I want to know if Yuusuke really loves me. Probably because I¡¯ve had my engagement broken before, I¡¯m feeling really insecure. Please, reassure me.]

    I don¡¯t think my feelings of love for Michelle were a lie.

    [Don¡¯t ask me anything weird, okay?]

    [¡­¡­Unnn.]

    Though she got that strange pause before she nodded, I held out my hands to Michelle.

    [This is the first time I¡¯ve used this magic, so let me practice a little bit.]

    [Alright.]

    Michelle took a deep breath.

    [Answer only ¡°yes¡± to all my questions. Yuusuke likes plum cake.]

    [Yes.]

    Michelle makes the best dried plum cake.

    She must have known this is my favorite after I pestered her to make those several times.

    When I said yes, the Gyan, who was in the center of the magic circle, turned 90 degrees and pointed at the ¡º©–¡» with the sword in its hand.

    In other words, it judged that I was telling the truth.

    [Ohh!]

    [I¡¯ll experiment some more.]

    [Good, good.]

    .

    I was starting to enjoy this experiment.

    Michelle put the Gyan down and asked a few more questions.

    [You didn¡¯t sell any Mobile Force today.]

    That isn¡¯t the case.

    We sold out again today.

    [Yes.]

    There, the Gyan¡¯s sword pointed to the ¡º¡Á¡».

    I see, so this is how it determines between truth and falsehood huh.

    [It seems to be working properly. Well then, let¡¯s go for real¡­¡­]

    We both swallowed our saliva at the same time.

    Even though I knew my love for Michelle was real, I couldn¡¯t help feeling nervous.

    [Here I go¡­¡­ Yuusuke likes Michelle more than Mira.]

    [What¡¯s with that?]

    [Don¡¯t mind it, just answer the question! Yuusuke likes Michelle more than Mira.]

    [Yes¡­¡­]

    The Gyan¡¯s sword properly pointed at ©–, to which Michelle let out a sigh of relief.

    [Asking that isn¡¯t fair. I told you I love you the most, Michelle.]

    [I¡¯m sorry. However, you were always ncing at Mira¡¯s breasts so¡­¡­]

    Geh, I got found out!?

    Yep, I¡¯ll reflect.

    [Come on, on with the next question.]

    [Eh?]

    [You want to make sure I love you, right, Michelle?]

    [U- Unnn. Is that alright?]

    [It¡¯s toote to ask that now. Just get on with the next question already.]

    Even I, the one being questioned here, am starting to feel embarrassed here.

    [Do you love me, Yuusuke?]

    [Yes.]

    Gyan¡¯s sword pointed straight at the ©–.

    [I¡¯m d¡­¡­ I believed that was the case, but I just couldn¡¯t help feeling really worried.]

    Arge tear glistened in the corner of Michelle¡¯s eye.

    [Oi, oi, don¡¯t cry.]

    [I want to ask one more thing!]

    [Huh?]

    [Would you be okay with a girl with a big butt?]

    Rather, I would even say I like it that way¡­¡­

    [Yes.]

    [Then, then, tonight, when we¡¯re on bed¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª]

    [Oi, that¡¯s too many questions!]

    I shook off Michelle¡¯s hand.

    Thereupon, I heard a snap in my head and knew that the magic link had been broken.

    [Let¡¯s leave that truth verification there, why don¡¯t we have dinner?]

    [Unnn¡­¡­]

    Though she looked discontent with me stopping her from asking any further questions, Michelle seemed satisfied after she ascertained my love.

    Tonight, so that Michelle could eat in her evening gown, I decided to order room service for us.

 Chapter 46: Victory Report

    <h4>Chapter 46: Victory Report</h4>

    I thought I would be too nervous to sleep because I was sleeping in the same room as Michelle, but surprisingly, I wasn¡¯t.

    No, my heart certainly was beating fast, but once we were in bed, sleepiness came quickly, and I didn¡¯t wake up even once until morning.

    Well, Michelle was a little grumpy because of that.

    [I couldn¡¯t sleep at all, but you sure slept well, Yuusuke¡­¡­]

    [Hahaha, I¡¯m the type who quickly switches my thoughts after all.]

    It¡¯s my principle to not care too much about things.

    You¡¯re making a big mistake to think that men are horny all year round.

    [If that¡¯s the case, I¡¯m gonna wear this tonight!]

    Michelle pulled out of her trunk a ck top and bottom set of underwear and a ck babydoll.

    The babydoll is short and see-through, so I can see her underwear.

    [Isn¡¯t that cheating!?]

    [I mean, that was just frustrating. I¡¯ll have you lose sleep with me, Yuusuke!]

    [No, what you¡¯re thinking is strange.]

    [Huh?]

    Hmmm, I¡¯d definitely lose sleep if I saw her in such naughty underwear.

    Moreover, it does look so good on Michelle¡­¡­

    [Are you really going to wear that?]

    [I mean, it¡¯s great being with Yuusuke¡­¡­.]

    [In that case, just match pace and sleep with me. I have work tomorrow.]

    [Just thinking about Yuusuke being next to me makes my heart beat so fast that I can¡¯t sleep though.]

    Michelle has dark circles under her eyes.

    If she keeps being sleepless like that, it will be detrimental to her health.

    [Can¡¯t you do something about it?]

    [I wonder if some sleeping incense would help me sleep?]

    [That¡¯s it. Let¡¯s go with that incense.]

    [I¡¯ll see if I can find the materials for them¡­¡­]

    It¡¯s unfortunate that I can¡¯t see her wearing that babydoll, but it¡¯s the only way I¡¯d get a good night¡¯s sleep.

    Was it really that I didn¡¯t have a choice though? I feel like that is worth me sacrificing some sleep.

    Nope, let¡¯s not pursue this issue too deeply.

    ¡ó

    I opened shop in the same ce as yesterday, but even early in the morning, there was already a line of people waiting for Mobile Force.

    As Baron Essel had hoped, the Mobile Force seems to be taking root in Grantham as well.

    It was also hot at sunrise, so my beverages sold well today.

    Ramune, in particr, was very popr and sold out in no time.

    And also, a new product that went on sale today is proving very popr.

    Product name: Super Orb

    Description: A magic item in the form of a 2cm diameter orb. If you jump while holding this, your jumping power will increase (about 30 cm).

    Price: 50 rims

    The Super Ball in my previous life was a rubber ball that bounced well, but this Super Orb instead makes the human bounce well!

    Since it makes it so that they¡¯re jumping height will be their jumping power + 30 cm, everyone was delightfully jumping around.

    This item was sold by lottery, with numbers 1 through 5 beingrger than the others.

    ordingly with its size, the jumping power it gives is also greater, as it can apparently make one jump about 1 meter.

    I was worried that the impact of the fall might injure people, but the bounces seemed to be designed so that even if they fell, they wouldn¡¯t injure themselves.

    It¡¯s very popr not only with children, but also with teenagers, as Kanpu za was filled with people jumping around.

    Even though there were 110 Super Balls disyed on the cardboard, they sold out in no time, and now I have released the second disy cardboard.

    It was about noon, and the shop¡¯s clientele had slowed to a crawl.

    I was getting hungry too.

    Since it was a festival, there were many food stalls in Kanpu za.

    I decided to choose my lunch from there.

    While I was discussing lunch with Michelle, the za suddenly became filled withmotion.

    What on earth was going on?

    [We won! We won!]

    [Ohhhhh!]

    Themotion spread like fire in a dry field.

    What do they mean ¡°they won¡±?

    Curious, I asked someone nearby.

    [What did they win?]

    [The war! General Bartos¡¯ army stationed on the border defeated Ahelka¡¯s army!]

    Speaking of which, Bottakuro¡¯s Proprietress did say that this country is at war.

    The victory report was also conveyed to Grantham.

    [General Bartos has already left the border and is on his way back to the Capital. He will arrive in Grantham tomorrow.]

    [Heehhh¡­¡­ In that case, he¡¯s also going to see the festival on his way back?]

    [Yeah, it will be an honor for our Grantham City!]

    The man went away excited.

    In any case, with that, the war is now over.

    Come to think of it, I have heard that some of the excellent people have gone to that war.

    I wonder if the security of the Capital would be a little better if the decent Generals returned?

    Having such a thought in mind, I asked the nearby Michelle.

    [What kind of man is General Bartos?]

    [He is the younger brother of the current King. He is much better than his idiotic brother. Not like I like him though.]

    [Why not?]

    [He¡¯s a dirty womanizer. He¡¯s always surrounded by his four beautiful lieutenants.]

    [Heehhh¡­¡­]

    He¡¯s a guy with an actual harem huh¡­¡­

    They did say how great men have great fondness for the sensual pleasures.

    [Don¡¯t tell me, Yuusuke, are you envious?]

    [Not really. Making a harem is just too much trouble.]

    [I- I see. If you insist on that though, I can use my Clone Magic.]

    [What¡¯s that?]

    [I¡¯ll split myself into five people. That way, there would be five of me for Yuusuke to love, right? It¡¯s a very advanced magic, and I think I¡¯m the only one in the country who can use it.]

    Quintessential Quintuplovers!?

    Wait, that would mean I have to deal with 5 Michelles huh¡­¡­

    That seems too heavy even for me to hold up.

    [One Michelle is enough for me.]

    I am interested!

    I am interested, but I¡¯m afraid of receiving 5 times as much love as now.

 Chapter 47: An Expert Visits

    <h4>Chapter 47: An Expert Visits</h4>

    As the festival entered its third day, the famous Milk Can Carrying Race was also held.

    This is apparently Grantham¡¯s 8th District Competition, and carrying arge can that holds 12 liters on one¡¯s shoulders, thepetitors are to run a ry race in the city.

    The most difficult part of the race was the section where they had to run down from the top of a hill in the suburbs.

    If they fell and spilled their milk, they had to start all over again from the top of the hill.

    Thinking of this, I reflected on the fate of the cloth I had used to wipe up the milk I spilled during recess back when I was in grade school.

    I wonder what everyone¡¯s clothes will smell like tomorrow¡­¡­

    Kanpu za was crowded with people at the finish line of the race.

    The winner had already been decided, and now, the awards ceremony was taking ce.

    The stall was empty as everyone was watching it.

    While I was taking a breath of relief arge shadow covered my body.

    It was a clear, cloudless day today, but is there going to be an evening shower tonight?

    When I looked up at the sky, wondering that, what I saw wasn¡¯t a cloud, but a man with a huge stature of nearly 2 meters.

    Moreover, he was apanied by 2 beautiful women.

    Not only that, the one on his left had long ears.

    Could she be an Elf!?

    This is the first time I¡¯ve seen an Elf here in the other world.

    The chest window in her clothes is wide open and the slit of her skirt is deep.

    This is troubling, I don¡¯t know where to look at.

    [Wee.]

    The big man staring at me broke into a smile.

    He looked big and scary, but when he smiled, he had this strange charm.

    [Shopowner, I heard you sell something called Mobile Force over here. Could you tell me where those things are?]

    [Yes, yes, Mobile Force are over here. I only have three boxes left.]

    We sold a lot today, so we only have three in stock: a Gufufu, a Jam, and a Z-Zeong.

    [Hohou. May I hold them?]

    [Feel free. There are instructions on the side of the box.]

    The big guy picked up the Gufufu¡¯s box and read it carefully.

    He looks older than me, but he looked like a young man with how serious he looks at it.

    He seems to have spent a good amount of timeparing the different Mobile Force boxes before finally deciding which one to buy.

    [I really think I¡¯ll get this Gufufu. It seems to be the best match for me.]

    [Gufufu it is then. Would you like to buy a weapon or protective gear? with it?]

    Just like a server rmending fries, I also introduced Sanaga-san¡¯s weapons.

    Most people buy them together.

    [I wonder. Which one do you think I should get, Cress?]

    [As expected, it has to be the spear, isn¡¯t it? Ufufu¡­¡­]

    Crossing her hands in front of her breasts, the Elf called Cress advised bewitchingly.

    Her appearance feels like a special sale of pheromones.

    [What about you, Lana?]

    [How about practicing with the whip for a change? It¡¯s also included in the box.]

    This woman looks very serious.

    As she pointed out, on the box, there is a picture of the Gufufu equipped with a whip.

    [Hmmm¡­¡­]

    The big man took out the parts from the box and started to assemble the Gufufu in front of the shop.

    Assembling a Mobile Force is super easy, so even if a small child did it, it wouldn¡¯t take them more than 5 minutes.

    The man¡¯s fingers were thick and burly, but he moved dexterously and before long, the Gufufu waspleted.

    [Do you mind if I try equipping it with weapons ?]

    The big man seemed to want to actually try equipping it first before deciding.

    Perhaps, he may have a delicate heart that matches his physique.

    [It¡¯s alright. However, please don¡¯t strike hard and break it.]

    [I¡¯m aware of that.]

    The man put the Gufufu on his forehead and connected with it with a magic link.

    Then, he made the robo move so smoothly that it was hard to believe this was his first time.

    This is just like that time with Michelle all over again, isn¡¯t it¡­¡­

    I mean, no one else could operate them so dexterously.

    [Ohh, this is nice! It¡¯s really interesting!]

    The Gufufu leaped, jumped and struck fighting poses, and there was absolutely no stagnation in its movements.

    Perhaps, the man in front of me is what one would call an expert.

    After trying various weapons, the man chose the unpopr longsword.

    It¡¯s arge sword, slightly curved like a seiryuto.

    The entire de is glossy ck, with decorative carvings colored red.

    [I like this, I¡¯ll take this one.]

    [What about protective gear? This shield is very popr.]

    [I won¡¯t need a shield. I would have it hold the sword with both hands.]

    I see, that would probably make a sword attack more powerful¡­¡­

    The price was paid by the serious-looking one named Lana.

    However, the guy¡¯s still really staring at my face. Is there anything that bothers him about?

    [By the way, Shopowner, I heard that if one buys a Mobile Force here, the Champion from the Capital will teach you how to use it. I¡¯d like to have a bout with them, but would be alright?]

    Hearing his words, I looked at Michelle, who was sitting while leaning against the wall of the stall, already having stood up and stretching her arms.

    Perhaps she knew this wasing.

    [Minerva, is it alright?]

    [Yeah, no problem.]

    Michelle equipped her Gyan with a sword and shield.

    Somehow, she also looked eager to fight.

    [Well then, this way please.]

    The man nodded and ced the Gufufu into the arena.

    In its hand was the longsword he had just purchased.

    Even though this was supposed to be a Mobile Force battle, the tension rising between them felt like that of a duel between knights

    Before I knew it, the awards ceremony had been ignored, as the gallery was full of spectators paying attention to this match.

    [It¡¯s not an official match, so introductions aren¡¯t needed.]

    The man was taking the fight very casually.

    [Come anytime.]

    Michelle was also brimming with fighting spirit.

    She¡¯s the type that gets passionate in battles.

    Without a signal to begin, the two Mobile Force, as if it¡¯s arranged beforehand, charged forward.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Seiryuto

 Chapter 48: Secret Talk

    <h4>Chapter 48: Secret Talk</h4>

    Both swords met with a sharp step.

    The Gufufu¡¯s attack was heavier because it was holding its sword with both hands, and Michelle¡¯s Gyan staggered slightly before its attack.

    The big man took advantage of the momentary opening she showed and went on a barrage of strikes.

    However, Michelle¡¯s title of First Champion isn¡¯t just for show.

    While narrowly avoiding the attack, she smoothly retreated, swiftly pulling back and leaping backward, immediately creating a significant distance between them.

    Moreover, using the kick from hernding, she leaped forward, this time aiming for a counterthrust.

    Compared to other robos, Gyan has a very nimble thrusting technique.

    The Gufufu used itsrge sword to change the trajectory of the Gyan¡¯s thrust, but it was unable to dodge and was hit in the shoulder, severing its magic link with the big guy.

    It was a thrilling battle that makes one¡¯s palms sweat, but the winner ended up being Michelle.

    [Kuh¡­¡­ You got me!]

    [¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.]

    Michelle only silently bowed in response.

    [As expected of the Champion. It¡¯s unlikely toe around a skilled person such as you easily. Are you an adventurer?]

    [Yeah.]

    [Well, this had been a good experience for me. I¡¯ll challenge you againter.]

    After the decision was made, Michelle sat back down in her seat near the stall, seemingly having lost interest.

    It seems like they aren¡¯t gonna exchange words of praise for the good fight.

    Rather, Michelle seems to be trying not to talk as much as possible.

    Does she know him by any chance?

    In any case, seeing as they have finished the fight, I called out to the man.

    [That was a close battle. I¡¯ve seen a lot of different MF users in my business, and you¡¯re pretty good at them.]

    [Thanks. I heard there was a tournament for this in the Capital?]

    [Yes, it was held on the 2nd Underground Floor of the dungeon. We have a lot of adventurers among our customers.]

    [I see, then why don¡¯t you organize a tournament above ground?]

    The man suggested with an amiable expression on his face.

    [It would definitely be big and spectacr.]

    [That would certainly be nice, but it would be difficult to find a venue and organizing such a tournament would cost a lot of money.]

    [I guess so. However, it might eventually be a reality. Fuuu, I had a lot of fun today. I look forward to seeing you again.]

    The big man waved his hand and left with the beautiful women in tow.

    Meanwhile, I went and sat down next to Michelle.

    [Thank you for the hard work. That man sure as a unique air about him, didn¡¯t he?]

    [That¡¯s the King¡¯s brother, General Bartos.]

    Michelle, who had lowered his voice, told me.

    [He¡¯s that guy!? I had heard that he mighte to see the festival, but I never expected to meet him.]

    [He¡¯s just as much of a pleasure seeker as his brother. I don¡¯t like him.]

    It seems that Michelle doesn¡¯t have a good image of the King¡¯s brother, General Bartos, either.

    [Hmmm, Michelle said he was a capable, yet perverted General, but when I see him in person, he¡¯s exactly like that.]

    I got the impression that he is very domineering and wants to have everything in the world.

    I don¡¯t think he¡¯s a bad person, but he isn¡¯t someone I¡¯m good around either.

    I want to live a leisurely and enjoyable life.

    [Well, if he¡¯s that distinguished of a guy, I guess I won¡¯t see him that often.]

    In fact, although we didn¡¯t see each other very often, it seemed that the guy named Bartos ended up having a significant impact on my life.

    ¡ó

    General Bartos is rxing in the living room of Baron Essel¡¯s mansion, drinking from arge cup of alcohol.

    Cress is leaning against the General, while Lana is sitting with her back straight.

    Across from him, the Baron was smiling and serving drinks.

    [I¡¯ve seen that Dagashi Shop you mentioned.]

    [Did you find anything that met your expectations?]

    [I bought this.]

    The General put the Gufufu he had just purchased on the table.

    It was a brand-new Mobile Force, but it had a small crack at the shoulder.

    [How did you like it?]

    [I like it. It¡¯s a well-thought-out toy. I prefer fighting with my own body though.]

    [So that is the case. Your Excellency is a battle-hardened veteran after all.]

    The Baron fills Bartos¡¯ cup with new alcohol from its bottle.

    [I heard Brother is crazy about this.]

    The General gave the Baron a meaningful look.

    [Yes. He hadpletely fallen in love with the toy. Every day, he spends his time ying MF with his subjects. So much so that even Queen Consort-sama was astounded¡­¡­]

    [Even though they¡¯re probably half-heartedly fighting him, is he under the misconception that he¡¯s winning based on his own abilities?]

    [Well, something like that.]

    Taking a sip of his alcohol, the General sharply looks at the Baron and asks.

    [And, what do you think? Do you think he¡¯lle out of the pce if a Mobile Force Tournament is held in the Capital?]

    [Most probably¡­¡­ That¡¯s how much His Majesty is obsessed with MF these days.]

    Despite being an ipetent libertine, the current King had a cautious personality.

    He would y around to the fullest extent of his luxury, but he himself never wanted to leave the safety of the pce.

    The General licked his liquor-soaked lips before letting out a sigh.

    [The pce is covered with magical barriers that have been in ce for generations. Deploying the army while he¡¯s in it is impossible. The only way to capture him is for him to go outside.]

    [Even if His Majesty leaves the pce, won¡¯t he be escorted by the Imperial Guards?]

    [Once he is outside, we can easily crush the Imperial Guards. The key is to get him out of the pce. If we can just entice Brother outside with this Mobile Force¡­¡­]

    These two men are trying to use the Mobile Force to stage a military coup d¡¯etat.

    [That man, Yahagi was his name, right? Can¡¯t we pull him into our camp? I¡¯m also interested in his partner, Grim Reaper Minerva.]

    [I¡¯m not so sure about that. Yahagi-dono doesn¡¯t seem to be a guy who is interested in riches.]

    Thinking about Yahagi, the Baron chuckled in amusement.

    [Oh my, is there really a guy like that in this world? As a man, one must indulge in delicious food, drink fine wine, and embrace beautiful women. Isn¡¯t that what a normal man wants?]

    [How should I put it¡­¡­ I don¡¯t think Yahagi-dono is uninterested in those. However, I feel like he¡¯s the type of person who doesn¡¯t desire much.]

    [Fumu.]

    Bartos gave him a vague nod, seemingly suggesting both understanding and not understanding his exnation.

    [Well, that¡¯s alright. In any case, give Yahagi a good treatment. From the information I gather, his shop will keep on getting bigger as his sales increase.]

    [That would seem to be the case. That¡¯s why I invited him to Grantham¡¯s festival this year. Right now, it seems like he could only sell 40 Mobile Force boxes a day, but as his shop grows in size, he may be able to sell more.]

    [If he so desires, I could obtain a business license in a prime location in the capital. I¡¯ll make the necessary arrangements for that. In any case, spread the word about Mobile Force and organize a tournament that would make the King interested.]

    [By your will, Your Excellency.]

    Baron Essel bowed deeply.

 Chapter 49: Prime Locations are Cramped

    <h4>Chapter 49: Prime Locations are Cramped</h4>

    The three-day festival was over, and I was in my hotel room calcting the sales.

    [Hehh, a sale of nearly 170,000 rims in just three and a half days. The effect of festivals in sales really is great.]

    In addition to the Mobile Force, toys such as the Super Ball and high-cost beverages sold well.

    [Good for you, Yuusuke.]

    Michelle took off her mask and smiled.

    She changed her clothes in her loose-fitting loungewear and made herself at home.

    [With this, you can now buy those boots you¡¯ve been wanting to get.]

    The sneakers I¡¯ve been wearing from my previous life are bing battered from my daily trips to the dungeon.

    The soles are about to wear out.

    [How about I buy you a present, Michelle?]

    [For me!? It¡¯s true that it¡¯s almost our 30-day anniversary since we started dating but¡­¡­]

    Sorry, I don¡¯t remember how many days it has been since we started dating.

    [You remember even such small details?]

    [I have this after all.]

    Saying this, Michelle took out her waterproof notebook with a dark crest.

    It seems to be her tenth Cursed¡­¡­ rather, her tenth Poem Notebook.

    Speaking of notebooks, the contents of the gachapon will soon run out of stock.

    I wonder what items it will contain next¡­¡­

    [That¡¯s right, let¡¯s leave a note of that exchange just now. ¡°What would you like as a present for our monthsary?¡±, Yuusuke asked.]

    With a hum, Michelle wrote with her small pencil.

    [You don¡¯t really have to document our life in that much detail, right?]

    Moreover, she¡¯s kinda distorting what actually happened just now.

    I¡¯m not really a fan of history revisioning.

    [It¡¯s okay. I can be happy just rereading this notebook. That¡¯s why I carry them with me all the time.]

    What, will she be carrying around a hundred notebooks in the not-too-distant future?

    [Yuusuke¡­¡­]

    After reading her poem, Michelle sidled up to me with moist eyes.

    It seems like she was enraptured with her own writing.

    Michelle sat down beside me and leaned towards me just a bit.

    It seemed that she was already satisfied with that, as she smiled with a blush on her cheeks.

    [Even so, keeping a diary does sound nice. Maybe I should write one too.]

    The one saying this is this me, who doesn¡¯t even write a sales log, but taking notes on my daily life does sound fun.

    [Unnn, Yuusuke should try it too.]

    Resting her head on my arm, Michelle read her poem to me again.

    ¡ó

    Our days in Grantham are quicklying to an end, and today is the day we return to the Capital.

    Michelle and I came to the Baron¡¯s mansion to say our greetings.

    [Thanks to you, we did a good business.]

    [No, no, we¡¯re d that you¡¯re spreading the Mobile Force in our city. By the way, I have something good to tell you.]

    [What¡¯s that?]

    [There was a proposal to have Dagashi Yahagi open in a prime location in the Capital?]

    What is this old man talking about?

    That¡¯s like opening a Dagashi Shop in a prime location in Ginza.

    Having such thought in mind, I kinda imagined a wooden house dating back from the Showa era, sandwiched between buildings of famous brands.

    [I¡¯m just a Dagashi Shopowner. The only people who need me are child porters and newbie adventurers. You may not think much of it, but that isn¡¯t something fitting for me.]

    [You say that, but some of the items in your store aren¡¯t worth the price. I¡¯m talking about Mobile Force and the Elixirs. I think that even if you priced Mobile Force for 3000 rims, it would still sell like hotcakes.]

    [It¡¯s not about making money. I believe that the reason I can be a Dagashi Shopowner is that there are people who want me to be one¡­¡­]

    If I¡¯m surrounded by Chanel and Gi, I could only shrink back, couldn¡¯t I?

    You asking me to open up my store next to a famous chain grocery?

    I don¡¯t like that.

    I thought the Baron might be offended by my refusal, but he only gave a smallugh.

    [As I thought, Yahagi-dono really isn¡¯t one to care about riches and prestige.]

    [Eh?]

    [Well, don¡¯t sweat the small stuff. Forget what I just said. It¡¯s just, I have a favor to ask of you.]

    [What is it?]

    [I would like the Mobile Force to be sold above ground. I want Mobile Force to be popr in the Capital.]

    That¡¯s nice and all, but I basically operate my store in the dungeon¡­¡­

    Baron Essel, perhaps reading my thoughts, makes a suggestion.

    [In that case, I would like to ask you to ept consignment sales. Of course, I won¡¯t take anymission for it, nor do I have any intention of making money from resale.]

    Since the Baron is a wealthy man, I certainly am not worried about him bing a greedy reseller.

    He just wants to promote MF.

    [I understand. In that case, I will give the Baron 30 boxes per day.]

    [I see, that¡¯s very helpful! With this, we can hold another Mobile Force tournament in the near future.]

    [A MF tournament?]

    [That¡¯s right. I would like to organize a grand one myself, but would that be a problem? Well, I¡¯d like to host one so grand that His Majesty the King would hopefully preside over it.]

    [His Majesty!?]

    [Yes. As a matter of fact, I¡¯m presenting this tournament to His Majesty, who¡¯s into Mobile Force.]

    Before I knew it, things had turned into quite a big deal.

    However, I don¡¯t really care who organizes the tournament.

    As long as everyone has fun, that¡¯s all that matters. That was my stance.

 Chapter 50: Shaved Ice

    <h4>Chapter 50: Shaved Ice</h4>

    After we returned from our trip, Michelle regained herposure and went to the deepest part of the dungeon for her experiment.

    She looked reluctant when we parted, but she is a natural-born researcher.

    Love is important, but I don¡¯t think she can give up on her experiments.

    I think it¡¯s great that she¡¯s working so diligently.

    It¡¯s been around three days since we left, so it¡¯s about time for me toe back to my previous station.

    I¡¯ve gotten used to the dungeon enough to go to Yahagi Onsen on my own.

    My shop even leveled up thanks to my sales back at Grantham¡¯s festival.

    And finally, Dagashi Yahagi has added this product to its line of snacks!

    Product name: Shaved Ice

    Description: Three kinds of Shaved Ice avable: Strawberry, Lemon, and Melon. Eating this will help one stay healthy and not dehydrated in the intense heat. If you pour condensed milk on it, it will increase one¡¯s stamina.

    Price: 200 rims (+50 rims for condensed milk)

    The season already feels like early summer and temperatures are rising day by day.

    It was good that we could introduce shaved ice at this time of the year.

    It will surely be a great help to the adventurers.

    It would also be delicious to eat after a bath.

    On top of the small freezer is an old-fashioned hand-cranked shaved ice machine.

    As for the ice, it¡¯s automatically generated inside the freezer.

    A world with magic has its own conveniences.

    As an option, a g was attached to the machine as a sales promotion item.

    Of course, it was the ¡°ice¡± g that was often seen in streets back in my previous life.

    The ice written on it wasn¡¯t the ¡°šê¡± back in our world, but with the letters of this world, they were still the same red letters between blue waves.

    I immediately hung the g on the eave of my shop.

    [Arehh, it seems like you got something new!]

    Merle and Mira, who stop by my shop every morning, immediately noticed the shaved ice machine.

    [Good morning, this is our new shaved ice machine.]

    [Shaved ice? You mean crushed ice?]

    [No, n, it¡¯s shaved ice. Wait, since you¡¯re a regr, I¡¯ll especially give you a sample.]

    I took a block of ice from the freezer and set it in the machine.

    Turning the handle, the shaved ice was piled into a ss bowl.

    Including my own portion, I made three mini shaved ice, and ced them on the table.

    [Which vor do you want? From right to left, there¡¯s strawberry, lemon and melon.]

    [I¡¯ll have strawberry!]

    [Then, I¡¯ll have the melon vor.]

    I poured a generous amount of syrup over their shaved ice.

    [Uwahh, that looks vibrant.]

    [It seems cool and delicious.]

    [Alright, it¡¯s ready. Try it.]

    Merle and Mira scooped a small portion with their spoon and popped it into their mouths.

    [It¡¯s delicious!]

    [It¡¯s cold, refreshing, and feels very nice to eat.]

    It seems like shaved ice is epted in this world as well.

    [It¡¯s not just delicious either. Eating shaved ice makes you more resistant to the heat. The effectsts about half a day.]

    [In that case, it would be great to eat this before going to the Lava Field on the 3rd Underground Floor.]

    [Yeah. That ce is so hot that we don¡¯t go there, but if we eat this, we might be able to subjugate Rock Slimes.]

    Rock Slimes is a Slime with pebbles stuck to its body.

    They are easy to defeat and drop a lot of money.

    [Also, if you pour condensed milk on it, you won¡¯t get tired as easily.]

    [What is condensed milk?]

    [It¡¯s milk boiled down with sugar.]

    As I exined it to them, I poured condensed milk on Merle and Mira¡¯s shaved ice.

    [Ohh, it tastes milder now. It also tastes good!]

    [Somehow, that kinda increased the gorgeousness of the snack in one go.]

    [Isn¡¯t this also delicious in its own way?]

    [Unnn, I definitely prefer it this way!]

    Merle seemed to like strawberry shaved ice with condensed milk very much.

    [Alright, let¡¯s earn money by hunting Rock Slimes. I¡¯ll buy a new swimsuit with the money we make.]

    [It is almost pool season, isn¡¯t it?]

    Do they also have swimming pools in this world?

    [Are there swimming pools in the Capital? I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve seen them.]

    [It¡¯s near the Ribou River.]

    It seems like they had created a tributary in the river, and water is stored there to form a pool.

    [That¡¯s right. Yuusuke-san, how about going to the pool with us?]

    [That sounds great. We¡¯ll take you there as a thank you for all you¡¯ve done for us.]

    Going to the pool with Merle and Mira huh. That sounds fun.

    [If you see me in my swimsuit, I don¡¯t think Yuusuke-san would¡­¡­. Hyiiihh!]

    Suddenly, Merle and Mira¡¯s faces turned pale.

    [You slutty brats, I take my eyes off you two for a moment¡­¡­]

    A displeased hoarse voice resounded from behind me.

    She returned huh¡­¡­

    [Wee back, Minerva.]

    [I¡¯m back¡­¡­ Can¡¯t say I¡¯m impressed with the shamelessness in broad daylight though.]

    [We were just talking about going to the pool though? Besides, I¡¯m not going.]

    [Eh? Really?]

    [I have work after all.]

    I mean, I can¡¯t really go to the pool with other girls when I have a girlfriend.

    Besides, Michelle definitely wouldn¡¯t go to the pool.

    I would feel bad if I¡¯m the only one enjoying my time there.

    [I- I see¡­¡­]

    [That aside, I have a new product, shaved ice. Do you want some too, Minerva?]

    [Ice? These ones that seemed to be colored by some sort of reagent?]

    Michelle seemed a little surprised.

    [It¡¯s delicious. Come on, try a bite.]

    I hand her my melon-vored shaved ice.

    [Umu¡­¡­ (A reward has arrived!)]

    Michelle took a spoonful and gently popped it into her mouth.

    [How is it?]

    [It¡¯s delicious alright. It makes my head sting though¡­¡­]

    [Ahaha, eating something cold does give you a brain freeze. Fun fact, when that happens, drinking lukewarm water will cure it.]

    Meanwhile, other customers also came to the shop.

    [Yuusuke-san, what is with that sign?]

    [It¡¯s a new product, shaved ice huh. Shall we give it a try?]

    Seems like today is going to be another busy day.

    ¡ó

    Evening didn¡¯t seem to be getting any cooler and it was going to be a sweltering night.

    I was invited by Michelle, who had returned aboveground after a long absence, toe to her ce for dinner.

    Michelle had prepared some refreshing and easy-to-eat dishes such as cold pasta and cold vegetable terrine.

    Meanwhile, I¡¯m getting better at washing ingredients and cooking utensils.

    Recently, I¡¯ve been able to take care of the little prep work for her.

    It¡¯s fun to be able to stand in the kitchen together with her, talking about various things like recent events or her research.

    After we finished eating, Michelle was looking very fidgety.

    Every time she tried to speak to me, she seemed to swallow her words.

    [What¡¯s the matter? You look like you got something you wanna say.]

    [Rather than something to say¡­¡­ It¡¯s more that I can¡¯t make up my mind¡­¡­]

    [If you¡¯re being mindful about me, you don¡¯t have to hold back.]

    [Alright, I¡¯ll be back in a minute¡­¡­]

    Michelle excitedly went into the inner part of her home.

    Even so, tonight¡¯s a sweltering night.

    My forehead was wet with sweat.

    I think I¡¯ll have some shaved ice for dessert.

    I¡¯m in the mood for lemon-vored shaved ice this time.

    [Thank you for waiting¡­¡­]

    Just as I thought I heard a thin voice like a mosquito, I saw Michelle standing in the doorway.

    And seeing her appearance, I was so surprised that I couldn¡¯t speak.

    After all, Michelle is now wearing a swimsuit.

    [Yuusuke couldn¡¯t go to the pool because of me, right? That¡¯s why¡­¡­]

    I didn¡¯t know what she intended to say after that, but it didn¡¯t matter.

    Logic isn¡¯t needed before the ck bikini.

    Only a small area of her body covered with a cloth, Michelle¡¯s skin is so dazzling that I can¡¯t take my eyes off of her.

    Gorgeous and sexy, and even though she had this calming atmosphere¡­¡­¡­¡­ She looked so erotic¡­¡­

    .

    [You¡¯re beautiful.]

    However, I¡¯m a sensible person who only takes one aspect out and gives out apliment.

    [When did you buy something like that?]

    [I made it myselfst week. I wanted Yuusuke to see it.]

    Michelle is dexterous, so she¡¯s good at sewing too.

    [I made matching ones for Yuusuke as well. We can¡¯t go to the pool together though¡­¡­]

    She handed me a ck casual-type swimsuit.

    [I¡¯m too embarrassed to be wearing a swimsuit on my own, so I¡¯d like you to try it¡­¡­]

    [O- Ou¡­¡­]

    I felt the temperature of the sweltering night rise a bit again.

    My head and body are hot all over the ce, and it feels like shaved ice is no longer enough.

    [Michelle, why don¡¯t we fill the bathtub with water? That way, we could use it as a pool, right?]

    [¡­¡­¡­¡­! I¡¯ll do that!!!]

    Herrge breasts swaying along, Michelle ran to the bathroom.

    She looked so happy¡­¡­

    Being a wanted criminal, she probably hasn¡¯t yed in the pool in years.

    Thinking it might be fun to have them floating around, I pulled out a bunch of water balloons from my shop.

 Chapter 51: Growth

    <h4>Chapter 51: Growth</h4>

    The first customer to arrive that morning was the porter named Regal.

    [Yahagi-san, good morning!]

    [Good morning. You seem to be full of energy today.]

    Hearing my words, Regal held out his palm to me with a big smile on his face.

    What, did he trap a fart in his hand?

    [Please look at this!]

    Regal opened his palm upward, and what appeared there was a small me.

    [Ohh!? You can now use Fire Magic?]

    [That¡¯s right It¡¯s all thanks to the Mobile Force!]

    Operating the Mobile Force robo is a good exercise for mana maniption.

    Regal diligently operates his Gungalf every day.

    As a result, he, who had never had Offensive Magic before, seemed to have learned a new kind of magic.

    [Isn¡¯t that great, Regal? I guess you will graduate as a porter before long.]

    [Yes. Garm-san promised to make me an official member of the team when I can shoot 3 fireballs.]

    .

    [That¡¯s great. Here, a congrattory gift from me.]

    I grabbed a handful of 10-rim gums and handed it to Regal.

    This gum helps one restore their mana.

    [You can practice your magic while chewing this.]

    [Thank you very much! I will practice a lot and be able to make a bigger me.]

    It¡¯s nice to see someone you know grow.

    Somehow, I felt like Regal had suddenly grown taller.

    Next came Merle and Mira.

    In Merle¡¯s excited hands was a pamphlet printed on rough paper.

    [Yuusuke-san, have you seen this!?]

    [You mean the Mobile Force tournament? It certainly was surprising.]

    [It¡¯s not just surprising! It¡¯s a tournament organized by His Majesty the King. Moreover, the prize money is 1 million rims. We have no choice but to participate here!]

    When Baron Essel told me about this, I didn¡¯t think it was possible, but it turned out that the King was really going to hold the tournament.

    I¡¯ve asked the Baron how the consignment sale for the Mobile Force was like, but he still sells out every day.

    Even though my shop¡¯s level has risen and the amount I could acquire has increased, that¡¯s 50 boxes a day I¡¯m entrusting to them.

    There have even been thefts and robberies in the city over the Mobile Force.

    It has be quite a social phenomenon.

    [This time, my Red Shoulder will be getting that championship!]

    Merle¡¯s record at thest Yahagi Onsen Tournament was 4th ce.

    With her performance back then, it wouldn¡¯t be strange for her to be the champion.

    However, the number ofpetitors has increased significantlypared tost time¡­¡­

    [This time¡¯s tournament would have more participants, so you need to do your best.]

    [That¡¯s it! Yuusuke-san, stop selling Mobile Force anymore. I can¡¯t have any morepetitors.]

    [Like heck I can do that. The Top 8 will be rewarded with a prize, right? Go win it with your own skills.]

    [Please, aren¡¯t Merle-chan and Yuusuke-san friends¡­¡­]

    Merle sidled up to me with upturned eyes.

    [Get away from Yuusuke, you slutty brat.]

    After she finished cleaning the bath, Michelle came to the shop.

    [Thank you for the hard work, Minerva.]

    [Yeah, I¡¯ve cleaned up the bath with magic.]

    Overwhelmed by Michelle¡¯s intensity, Merle backs away.

    [You boys sure get along quite close as usual¡­¡­]

    [Hmph!]

    Because of her Recognition Inhibition Magic, Merle and Mira still think Minerva is a man.

    Not even trying to hide her displeasure, Michelle sits down next to me.

    Seeing such a Michelle, Mira asked.

    [Are you also going to participate in the tournament, Minerva-san?]

    [I will not.]

    If it was just as big as Yahagi Onsen¡¯s tournament, it wouldn¡¯t be a problem, but if she yed an active role in a tournament hosted by the King, she would stand out.

    It would be unthinkable for a wanted criminal to do something like that, so she refrained from participating.

    Michelle probably could have won that tournament though.

    When I asked her if she wasn¡¯t even interested in the 1 million rim prize, she just said that she could earn that much in no time at all.

    The monsters in the deepest part of the dungeon apparently drop a lot of money.

    Though she said that, Michelle apparently uses her money to pay for her research, so she technically isn¡¯t very rich of a person.

    Still, she seems to make much more money than I do.

    Michelle did say ¡°I can always support you¡±, but I¡¯m not gonna live a sponger life here.

    [What about you, Yuusuke-san? Aren¡¯t you going topete?]

    As I had such thoughts in mind, Mira unexpectedly spoke to me.

    [Me? I¡¯m not going to participate. There¡¯s also the Mobile Force¡¯s sale on the same day.]

    [Ehh~~ That¡¯s a shame. Even though Yuusuke-san¡¯s quite strong¡­¡­]

    In fact, I have been training with Michelle.

    I¡¯m strong enough that in practice matches, I can beat even Mira and Merle.

    You see, if I can operate the Mobile Force well, I might be able to use new magic like Regal, right?

    That¡¯s why I¡¯m working hard at it.

    So far though, I haven¡¯t seen any signs that I can use any actual magic.

    [Mira, don¡¯t say unnecessary things. I don¡¯t want any more rivals!]

    Meanwhile, here¡¯s Merle who¡¯s quite honest with herself.

    [Well, you two do your best in my stead. That aside, I have new products in stock, you know?]

    I rmended my newly added candy to Merle.

    Product name: Dodon Pachin

    Description: A candy that crackles and pops in your mouth. When one physically attacks while the candy is popping in their mouth, their attack will be imbued with lightning attribute. Orange vor.

    Price: 100 rims

    If one¡¯s attack is imbued with the lightning attribute, the power and speed of their attack will increase.

    [It burst in your mouth? That sounds fun!]

    Merle, who loves new things, immediately bought one.

    [Don¡¯t put too much in your mouth. If it pops too much, it can be quite painful.]

    This was a lesson I had learned as a child.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Dodon Pachin: Pop Rocks / Popping candy

 Chapter 52: Special Robo

    <h4>Chapter 52: Special Robo</h4>

    By the end of the summer, the Mobile Force Tournament began.

    I heard that the total number of applicants exceeded 500, and even several preliminary rounds were held.

    I couldn¡¯t help feeling deeply moved seeing that Mobile Force had be that popr.

    Many of the contestants chosen to be in the Top 100 were acquaintances, such as Merle, Mira and Garm.

    There was also that veteran adventurer, Komsei-san, whopeted with Michelle in the finals of Yahagi Onsen Tournament.

    The venue for this tournament was the city¡¯s stadium, which looked like a smaller version of the Colosseum.

    It was a fairlyrge venue, but it was crowded with people.

    I¡¯ll be setting up my stall again today at the ce that Baron Essel has prepared for me.

    In this stall, I n to set up a Mobile Force booth for a little while.

    The King and the Queen Consort will be watching the tournament, with a royal box prepared at the venue for them.

    Before long, the King announced the opening of the tournament.

    [Minerva, are you going to go to the opening ceremony?]

    [No, I¡¯m not going. I don¡¯t want to see the King and Queen Consort, nor do I want to hear their voices.]

    If Michelle went, I feel like she would attempt to throw a curse on Queen Consort Titti, so I guess that¡¯s fine.

    There are hundreds of Guard Knights waiting at the venue.

    I myself don¡¯t want this to be a bloodstained tournament.

    [Well then, I¡¯m going to take a look around, so can I ask you to look after the stall?]

    [Unnn.]

    I¡¯m a little curious to know what kind of people the King and the Queen Consort were like.

    Neither of them seems to be popr among the people, so I¡¯m a little bothered about them.

    After what they did to Michelle, I don¡¯t have a good feeling about them either.

    With the thought of ascertaining what the King¡¯s face is like, I entered the venue.

    I watched as the King gave his speech, and to be frank, he really looked like a suspicious guy.

    He certainly was good-looking in his own way, but he oozed frivolity and arrogance.

    Michelle is very lucky that she didn¡¯t end up with such a man.

    He talks a lot.

    I got bored of listening to his boring chatter, so I discreetly returned to my stall where Michelle was waiting for me.

    [I¡¯m back. I¡¯ve seen the King and the Queen Consort.]

    [Hmmm¡­¡­]

    Michelle replied absentmindedly.

    There are no people around the stall at the moment as everyone has gone to the venue.

    [I thought you two might look a little like each other since you¡¯re sisters, but the Queen Consort and Michelle don¡¯t look alike at all.]

    [People had been telling me that very often for a long time. Titti was much prettier than me, right?]

    [You think so? I went to see her with high expectations because everyone said she had a seductive beauty, but she wasn¡¯t really my type. Well, she does have a shy face. She also has a bewitching sex appeal. However, you can clearly see her bad disposition.]

    [¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­]

    [If you ask me, I would definitely choose Michelle over her. Definitely.]

    [Yuusuke¡­¡­]

    [Whoa, your mask turned red! What¡¯s going on!?]

    It would normally be the face that¡¯s turning red, not the mask, right!?

    [I¡¯m sorry, I got so stimted that the Recognition Inhibition Magic¡­¡­]

    It seemed that her magic had gotten disrupted.

    Flustered, I looked around us, but there was no one paying attention our way.

    The tournament went smoothly and Merle remained in the Top 16.

    If she had won her next match, she would have won a prize, but unfortunately, Merle got eliminated.

    After all, her opponent was Komsei-san, the runner-up in the previous tournament.

    [Even though I can use the Zako the best¡­¡­]

    It was hard to look at her with her shoulders slumped in disappointment.

    [I was thinking of using that million rims to help me get ready to open a small grocery store¡­¡­]

    Adventurers tread on a tightrope of death and survival.

    It¡¯s not a job that they can keep on doing forever.

    It seems that both Merle and Mira are saving money to start a new business in the future.

    [Don¡¯t be so downhearted, I¡¯ll treat you to lunch today.]

    [I don¡¯t need the lunch, please just give me that instead, Yahagi-san!]

    Merle pointed to a not-for-sale Mobile Force.

    Product name: Char Zako

    Description: A custom machine with 30% more thrust. Its control is more difficult. A robo painted in deep crimson.

    Price: Not for sale

    Thanks to the level-up, I got a promotional item for Mobile Force.

    This Char Zako is a special machine for disy.

    Not only does it have good performance, it also has this unique dignity to it.

    As a Zako user, Merle must be drooling over this model.

    [I can¡¯t have that. This is going to be the overall winner¡¯s prize.]

    [Can¡¯t you somehow do something about it instead!?]

    Merle is a cute regr of mine, but this isn¡¯t something I can¡¯t grant her.

    After all, doing that would exactly be favoritism.

    [Merle is getting attached to it because you kept on disying it here. Why don¡¯t you just hand it over to the Baron?]

    [Guess you¡¯re right, Minerva. I¡¯ll go hand it over, so wait for a moment.]

    [I¡¯ll go with you.]

    The Baron should be in the Guest Room of the arena.

    If I show the Guard the Special Mobile Force, they might usher me in.

    Minerva and I started walking together.

    The building where the Baron and the King¡¯s waiting room were located was heavily guarded.

    Many of the Royal Guards who usually stand in position in the pce were busily going in and out of the building.

    As I headed straight for the gate, I was immediately stopped.

    [Where are you going?]

    [My name is Yahagi, I sell Mobile Force. I am here for business with Baron Essel.]

    [What is your business with him?]

    [I am here to deliver this Special Mobile Force.]

    I took out the Char Zako from the box and showed it to the Guards.

    The Guards, however, didn¡¯t look at me favorably.

    [This is no ce for plebians like you. Go do your business at a different time and ce.]

    If the time and ce is changed, the tournament would have ended.

    In that case, the winning prize wouldn¡¯t be able to make its debut.

    [It¡¯s an urgent matter. Could you somehow announce my arrival to the Baron?]

    [No, get lost!]

    It was the staple scenario of being turned away at the gate.

    It wouldn¡¯t be good to push what they think is unreasonable and end up being imprisoned, so I simply gave up.

    I don¡¯t feel like anything goodes from getting involved with those with authority.

    Having this in mind, I turned to Michelle.

    [Can¡¯t be helped, let¡¯s just directly hand it over to the winner.]

    [That would be better.]

    We were about to leave when we spotted the Baron heading towards us.

    It seems like he had been outside and had just returned.

    For some reason though, the Baron looked flustered when he saw us.

    [If it isn¡¯t Yahagi-dono, what are you doing in a ce like this?]

    [It¡¯s good I met you here. Actually, I got a special robo prepared, so I brought it to add it to the overall winner¡¯s prize.]

    [Hou¡­¡­]

    I exined so, but somehow, the Baron¡¯s attention doesn¡¯t seem to be present in our conversation, as he was constantly looking around the building.

    At that moment, a group of Guard Knights rushed in our direction, so me, Michelle and the Baron dodged to the side.

    [What¡¯s going on?]

    No one answered my question, but that question was soon answered.

    The King hade out of the building.

    If Baron Essel hadn¡¯t been with us, we would probably be eliminated long ago.

    The King was walking leisurely with the Queen Consort.

    I nced at Michelle.

    She wouldn¡¯t do anything strange, would she?

    However, Michelle remained calm andposed.

    It seemed that she didn¡¯t care about the King.

    [Ohh!]

    The King suddenly shouted and came our way.

    For some reason, he was looking at me.

    No, to be more precise, he was looking at the thing in my hand.

    Ahh, he¡¯s looking at the Char Zako, which I was about to give to the Baron huh.

    Yep, I have a bad feeling about this though¡­¡­

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Char Zako: based on MS-06S Char¡¯s Zaku II

 Chapter 53: Shouting "Shut up, Ugly!" to the Seductive Beauty

    <h4>Chapter 53: Shouting "Shut up, Ugly!" to the Seductive Beauty</h4>

    The King¡¯s eyes were glued to the Char Zako in my hand.

    [What¡¯s that you got there?]

    The King approached me and as if it was the most natural thing in the world, snatched the Char Zako from my hand.

    [Isn¡¯t this a Zako? However, it¡¯s a little different from what I know.]

    [It¡¯s a special-made robo, Your Majesty.]

    Baron Essel exined on my behalf.

    [A special-made, you say? How is it different?]

    The King asked the Baron more questions about the Char Zako, but someone interrupted him.

    [Wait a minute! You¡­¡­]

    Queen Consort Titti is staring at Michelle.

    .

    Michelle¡¯s Recognition Inhibition Magic is so perfect that she doesn¡¯t even let others feel anything out of ce with her wearing a mask.

    The Queen Consort, however, is staring at her silver mask with a stern look on her face.

    The Queen Consort is also a famous witch, so I guess she had realized Michelle¡¯s true identity?

    This feels like a bad situation.

    [You there, you are being disrespectful in the presence of the King. Take off your mask.]

    The Queen Consort orders Michelle to take off her mask.

    [I have been badly burned. I can¡¯t let you see something so unsightly.]

    [Unsightly huh¡­¡­]

    The Queen exaggeratedly shrugged her shoulders and deliberately sighed.

    [Yeah, your gloomy face is unsightly, but this is a reunion after a long time. Show your face without the mask, Michelle.]

    As I thought, she really had noticed.

    I looked at Michelle to see what she would do, but to my surprise, she readily took off her mask.

    I guess she decided she couldn¡¯t cover it up anymore.

    What in the world is going to happen now¡­¡­

    [How did you know?]

    [There was something off with your actions. After all, even though you¡¯re acting like a guy, you didn¡¯t look at me at all.]

    Queen Consort Titti is a seductive beauty.

    Most men would have paid attention to her.

    And yet, Michelle has been averting her gaze. It¡¯s because of this that she found out huh.

    [Besides, you¡¯ve always curled up your fingers that way when you¡¯re nervous. Haven¡¯t you noticed?]

    When I looked at her hands, I saw that all of the fingers in both of Michelle¡¯s hands wereplicatedly intertwined with each other.

    So she had that kind of habit huh¡­¡­

    The Guard Knights all drew their swords, and an explosive atmosphere filled the ce.

    [What do you intend to do with me?]

    Michelle asked the King and the Queen Consort without a trace of fear in her.

    [You will be punished for cursing me!]

    The King eximed, his voice rising in anger.

    [Wasn¡¯t it because you¡¯ve done such a rude thing to me? Besides, the curse should have been lifted by now.]

    [That doesn¡¯t matter! Do you know how much I have suffered because of that curse?]

    [Fufufu, this is it for you, Sister. You¡¯ve been an eyesore for so long, but we can finally settle this here.]

    Titti¡¯s red lips twisted into a smile.

    [This is it? I¡¯d like it if you¡¯d stop misunderstanding things here. Do you really think you can capture me with just this many soldiers?]

    Even though she was surrounded by a hundred Guard Knights, Michelle kept her calm demeanor.

    Is that how powerful the Witch Michelle is?

    However, Queen Consort Titti¡¯s smile became even deeper and her face looked almost evil.

    [Act allposed while you still can. Look at this!]

    Titti thrust her staff into the ground.

    A crack of light ran through the earth centered on the staff, shaking the air around it.

    [This is¡­¡­]

    For the first time today, Michelle looked shaken.

    [Fufufu, this is a magic item that I had specially developed to defeat you, Sister.]

    [To defeat me, what do you¡­¡­]

    [This staff is a device that strikes back with a Reverse-phased Mana Wave when someone tries to use magic, canceling their magic out. I¡¯ve been waiting to use this on Sister the moment you appear before me. Today is the day I¡¯m going to make Michelle kneel before me.]

    The Queen Consort smiled triumphantly.

    [Excellent, my Queen Consort. Witch Michelle had thoroughly betrayed us. I will torture and humiliate her to my heart¡¯s content before executing her. Fufufu¡­¡­]

    This Queen Consort and King sure are the same¡­¡­

    I¡¯m so d Michelle didn¡¯t marry this guy.

    However, what are we going to do now?

    We¡¯re surrounded by over a hundred armed Guard Knights and Michelle can¡¯t use magic.

    Without even needing to think about it, I¡¯m facing the biggest crisis of my life.

    Worst case scenario, Michelle gets captured, beaten badly and executed.

    I may also be doomed to a simr fate.

    Or perhaps, will they at least spare my life?

    Even if they are yours, there aren¡¯t many things in life that you can choose for yourself huh¡­¡­

    However, when ites down to things, you still have to make your own choice.

    Even if you can¡¯t choose your parents, you can choose your lover.

    And I¡¯m not going to let go of Michelle.

    I¡¯ll trust in the power I have as a Dagashi Shopowner.

    [By my royal decree, capture the traitor Michelle!]

    The King announced loudly, the Knights rushed forward.

    But all of a sudden, a strong gust of wind blew away the Knights who were trying to capture Michelle.

    [W- What¡¯s going on!?]

    The dust raised by my st Menko obscured the view of the surroundings.

    As I had expected, that Reverse-Phase Mana doesn¡¯t react to my toys.

    It seems to be working only on Michelle.

    I stepped forward to protect Michelle.

    [Like heck I¡¯ll let your filthy hands touch Michelle!]

    [W- What¡¯s the matter with you!?]

    I throw a pop rocket at the feet of the annoyingly screeching Queen Consort.

    The explosion scattered pebbles around, making the Queen Consort tremble.

    [Shut up, ugly!]

    [U- UGLYYYY!?]

    Titti became at a loss for words at the insult which she had probably never heard before.

    No matter how beautiful your outward appearance is, if you have an ugly personality, you are ugly.

    That¡¯s how it is to me.

    As the Knights were about to rush towards us with swords in hand, I showed them my best andrgest pop rocket.

    It was about the size of a rugby ball, and I don¡¯t know how powerful it was.

    [Nobody moves! If this thing blows up, both the King and the Queen Consort will be blown to pieces!]

    I lifted the oversized pop rocket high in the air with both hands to stop the knights.

    Now is a desperate time.

    I¡¯ll take the King hostage and get out of here.

    For the time being, let¡¯s move to a ce where that magic item that blocks Michelle¡¯s magic won¡¯t have any effect.

    [Michelle, can you move?]

    [Unnn.]

    As Michelle and I were about to move back though, we suddenly heard a loud voice from outside.

    At the same time, General Bartos, with his greatsword in his hand, came running towards us with his men.

    His lieutenants, the two beautiful women, were alsoing with him.

    They were most probably very skilled people.

    The gate to the outside, which serves as an escape route, is quickly filled with soldiers under Bartos¡¯mand.

    It seems like escape may not be possible¡­¡­

    [Michelle¡­¡­]

    [Yuusuke¡­¡­]

    [ [ I¡¯ll always be with you. ] ]

    Despite the hopeless situation, our feelings for each other were one, and Michelle and I had a smile on our lips.

 Chapter 54: Arc 1 Final Chapter : My Place

    <h4>Chapter 54: Arc 1 Final Chapter: My ce</h4>

    General Bartos, who had rushed to the scene, shouted loudly.

    [What¡¯s going on here!?]

    Upon the appearance of a reliable ally, the frightened King looked relieved and cried out.

    [Bartos, they are rebels who have tried to harm me. Cut them down! However, Michelle must be captured alive!]

    General Bartos¡¯ and my gazes crossed.

    [That person over there is Witch Michelle huh. However, why is she with Yahagi?]

    [Stand down, General. Else, I will detonate this giant pop rocket.]

    Our conversation is interrupted by Titti¡¯s screeching voice.

    [The Witch¡¯s power has been sealed by the Sealing Staff. You should be able to easily catch her now. General, do something about that bomb!]

    General Bartos looked at the staff still stuck in the earth.

    [I see, that staff over there¡­¡­]

    The next moment, the General sliced the Sealing Staff in half with the greatsword she was holding.

    As the staff was destroyed, that high-frequency sounds ceased, and the heavy air around us faded away.

    [What have you done!?]

    Titti hurriedly picked up the staff, but there was no way the broken staff could be restored.

    [Kukuku, as you can see.]

    [What are you doing, Bartos!? Are you disobeying my orders? Imand you to seize the Witch and that man!]

    General Bartos was ordered to do so, but he turned his back to us and turned to face the King.

    [Haahhh¡­¡­ It¡¯s time to end this, Brother.]

    The General loudly sighed, looking fed up.

    [Time to end this? What are you talking about?]

    [I¡¯m tired, you know?]

    [What do you mean ¡°you¡¯re tired¡±? Didn¡¯t you get plenty of rest aftering back from the front?]

    [That¡¯s not what I mean. I¡¯m tired of working for an ipetent fool.]

    [What are you¡­¡­]

    It seems that the King still wasn¡¯t able toprehend the General¡¯s behavior.

    General Bartos, sneering at such a King, dered in a loud voice.

    [My men have already surrounded the arena. Knights, drop your swords. From this moment on, I, Bartos, will seed the throne. If you surrender to me, your social status is guaranteed. Anyone who objects, step forward!]

    Ohh, isn¡¯t this a coup d¡¯etat?

    We are somehow witnessing a historic moment.

    [S- Stop fooling around, Bartos.]

    General Bartos struck the staggering King with a punch.

    The King fell to the floor, and the Char Zako in his hand rolled off the floor.

    I moved slowly to pick it up, but no one scolded me for my actions.

    [Brother, you should abdicate at once. It¡¯s better than dying, isn¡¯t it?]

    [Kuh¡­¡­]

    [Show Brother and his Queen Consort to their rooms. There, Brother, you will sign your deration of abdication.]

    None of the Guard Knights moved. It seemed like they had decided to abandon the King and epted this end.

    To not be protected by the Royal Knights, who can be said to be under his direct control, what a pitiful guy.

    However, he¡¯s just getting his just deserts¡­¡­

    No one bothered to stop me and Michelle, while General Bartos, Baron Essel and the others went to the guest room in the back.

    Michelle only watched in silence as the King and the Queen Consort were taken away screaming.

    It was a surprise that the tournament went on despite all themotion.

    The contestants did their best until the final match, and instead of the King, Baron Essel handed over the certificates and mary awards, and the tournament came to an end.

    ¡ó

    Not many dayster, General Bartos became King.

    The people were happy because taxes were a little lower, security was strengthened, and there were no more wasteful financial expenditures.

    The new castle that was to be built for the Queen Consort has also been canceled.

    The former King and Queen Consort are imprisoned and under house arrest.

    They are forced to live on bread and water to make up for their past extravagance.

    I don¡¯t think that will be enough to redeem the wealth that they had spent like hot water though.

    And well, that¡¯s how their coup d¡¯etat went down.

    Society seems to be improving a little bit, which is a good thing.

    Though I say that, the general public has been feeling that the past government has been too bad.

    Let¡¯s hope for the future.

    Even though the King has changed, my basic lifestyle remains the same.

    Today too, I continue to run my shop at Yahagi Onsen.

    Michelle too is just as usual, off to her research in the dungeon¡¯s deepest depths.

    Feeling lonely and liberated at the same time, I¡¯m doing my business in high spirits.

    Shortly before noon, that man came into my shop.

    [It¡¯s been a while, Yahagi-dono.]

    [Hello, Baron Essel.]

    Our greetings were awkward.

    [Because of the chaos happening here and there, I hadn¡¯t been able toe visit for some time.]

    A coup d¡¯etat did happen after all. Of course, there was a lot of confusion.

    I heard that the Baron had taken up an important position in the country.

    Apparently, Baron Essel was in cahoots with King Bartos.

    [How can I help you today?]

    I couldn¡¯t help feeling displeased with how my Mobile Force was used like that.

    I was also aware that the way I responded to him was somewhat sharp.

    [As expected, you didn¡¯t like that happening huh. Are you offended that we used the MF?]

    [Not so much as offended¡­¡­ It¡¯s just, I really don¡¯t feel it¡¯s right.]

    [It was the only way to get the former King out of the heavily guarded pce. We did use Yahagi-dono this time, but my love for Mobile Force was indeed true. At the very least, please believe that.]

    [Well, that is¡­¡­]

    Baron Essel went out of his way to apologize in this way.

    I think there are few nobles who can do that.

    Besides, I don¡¯t dislike this old man in the first ce.

    [How about some ramune? It¡¯s gotten a little chilliertely, but if you¡¯ve been walking, you¡¯re probably feeling thirsty.]

    [I¡¯d be most grateful.]

    With a clink of the marble rolling down the bottle, we reconciled.

    [By the way, putting aside verbally saying it, is there anything I can do to thank you? We have been under the care of Yahagi-dono after all.]

    What came to mind was, of course, Michelle.

    With a new King on the throne, Michelle¡¯s crimes could probably be pardoned now.

    Once the wanted designation in her name is released, we can probably go out without any problems.

    [I only want one thing. Will you remove the wanted designation for the Witch Michelle?]

    Baron Essel looked a little taken aback when I said this.

    [Is that all you want? You can ask me for more favors, you know?]

    [No, that¡¯s all I ask.]

    The Baron gave a small smile.

    [That¡¯s very typical of you, Yahagi-dono¡­¡­ Understood. I will take care of it.]

    With this, Michelle could confidently devote her attention to her research.

    She would also no longer need to wear a mask.

    ¡ó

    [Yes, ramune and mikansui, right? That would be 200 rims.]

    Michelle, wearing a ck apron, smiles at the rookie adventurer.

    The regrs such as Merle and Mira, who had been watching her, looked slightly taken aback.

    [I never expected that Minerva-san was the Witch Michelle. Moreover, she¡¯s Yuusuke-san¡¯s girlfriend? This is unbelievable!]

    After her wanted designation was removed, Michelle took off her mask and has been helping out at the store ever since.

    I¡¯m not really that busy to ask for her help, so she¡¯s more like an intruding clerk.

    [What happened with your research? Don¡¯t you have to go to the depths?]

    [It¡¯s alright. I can finally be together with you unreservedly. I will just resume my studies next week.]

    Well, that seems to be the case.

    [Well, you look pretty good together! I¡¯m happy for you, Yuusuke-san.]

    [Ara, Garm-kun, you and your mouth. However, do we really suit that much¡­¡­?]

    Michelle¡¯s eyes narrowed suspiciously.

    [O- Of course. You¡¯re the best couple in the dungeon¡­¡­]

    I felt like he was being told what to say, but Garm managed toe up with a few words of praise.

    [What an honest child.]

    <i>(T/N: Michelle called him sunao, which could either mean honest or obedient)</i>

    Satisfied with his answer, Michelle recited a long chant and casted some kind of spell on Garm.

    A band of white and gold light surrounds Garm, but what¡¯s that?

    [There, I casted the Ultimate Support Magic ¡°Archangel¡± on you. It should help you take down even the Orc King on the 4th Underground Floor now. Keep in mind that it onlysts for three hours, okay?]

    Garm jumped up and looked back at hispanions.

    [That¡¯s an Orc King! One of thems us 150,000 rims, wouldn¡¯t that be a super big catch!!!? Thanks, Sis! Let¡¯s get going, everyone!]

    The team ran and left Yahagi Onsen.

    [Oi, oi, is that alright?]

    [I¡¯m just sharing my happiness. Today is just special.]

    She¡¯s being a bit troublesome, but I can understand Michelle¡¯s sense of liberation.

    She had been hiding her face and heart behind a mask for so long.

    Thinking about it again, we were lucky.

    We could have died in the arena that day.

    Had anyone of us died there, I might have regretted my choice.

    I¡¯m not that strong.

    But even now, I¡¯m a little proud of myself for being able to say ¡°Like heck I¡¯ll let your filthy hands touch Michelle!¡±

    [Yahagi-san, I¡¯d like to pull for the Super Ball lottery.]

    At that moment, a young and innocent porter came into the store.

    Well, you have to live until you die. That¡¯s life.

    And the Dagashi Shop is the stage of my life.

    [Wee!]

    I greeted the adventurers with a smile.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    <i>Hello, LazyCat here. I¡¯m currently trying to catch up with another novel, which suddenly uploaded consecutive amount of chapters for the past few days. And so, Yahagi¡¯s daily chapters would be paused for a week or two. I¡¯ll try going back to my daily schedule as soon as possible.</i>

 Chapter 55: Suffering of the Rookies

    <h4>Chapter 55: Suffering of the Rookies</h4>

    The days when Michelle kept on closely sticking to mested a week.

    We were always together, whether it was when I¡¯m doing business or on my days off.

    We went on many dates.

    We took walks on the castle walls, went to famous restaurants, and went to the theater.

    Every day, from morning till night, we were by each other¡¯s side until we went back to our homes.

    Michelle was very happy to be able to take off her mask and act unreservedly, and she was always within my arm¡¯s reach.

    However, it¡¯s not easy to be with her all the time.

    [I¡¯m d you feel that way, but please stay outside when I¡¯m in the toilet.]

    [But¡­¡­]

    [You don¡¯t say any ¡°buts¡± here. That¡¯s just embarrassing.]

    [I¡¯m fine with it though.]

    Well, I¡¯m not fine with it¡­¡­

    [Seriously, give me a break.]

    [Alright¡­¡­ However, don¡¯t go anywhere, okay?]

    And how does she expect me to get out?

    I¡¯m not slender enough to fit through the small window in the bathroom.

    Haahhh¡­¡­ I feel like I just lost the desire to let it all out after this exchange.

    In this way, Michelle was wlessly demonstrating her yandere-like personality, but as expected, she seemed to be getting concerned about the state of leaving her research unattended.

    [Isn¡¯t it about time you went to the deepest part of the dungeon?]

    [That¡¯s right but¡­¡­ Is Yuusuke gonna be alright while I¡¯m away?]

    [Not really, but don¡¯t you think the time we don¡¯t see each other would tie us even stronger?]

    [That is¡­¡­]

    [If we were together all the time, we would get ustomed to each other, wouldn¡¯t we? I want to feel more heart-pounding moments with Michelle. Besides, the person I liked was the Witch enthusiastic about her research.]

    [Uuuu¡­¡­ Alright. I¡¯ll resume my research.]

    Here we see an obedient yandere, a rare subspecies of yandere¡­¡­

    [But I¡¯ll say this now, you can¡¯t cheat on me, okay?]

    [I won¡¯t. You should already know that, right?]

    [Unnn¡­¡­ You also can¡¯t look at other girls!]

    [That¡¯s just impossible!]

    How the heck does she expect me to do business like that¡­¡­

    We had a bit of a dispute, but Michelle went off to the deepest party of the dungeon, while I¡¯m heading to Yahagi Onsen by myself for the first time in a long time.

    Summer is over and the season is turning to autumn.

    Since I came to this ce, I guess that makes it about half a year?

    I¡¯m no longer threatened by the danger of the 1st Underground Floor.

    As I was going along my usual path without hesitation, I heard a shouting from somewhere.

    It sounds like a voice that still had childishness to it.

    [Are you alright, Yurin?]

    [It¡¯s just a scratch! That aside, enemies on the left! They¡¯ll surround us.]

    [I¡¯ll deal with those from that side!]

    Rookie adventurers seem to have encountered monsters.

    [D*mn it, there¡¯s too many of them. How do we fight against seven at the same time!?]

    [Stop whining and retreat!]

    In the dungeon, arge number of monsters can spring up out of nowhere.

    The 1st Underground Floor is no exception.

    From the sound of their conversation, it seems that they¡¯re in danger.

    The name Yurin is also familiar to me.

    She was one of the rookies who came to my shop.

    Her freckled face looked like she was still in middle school¡­¡­

    Taking out a Monster Card and pop rockets, I ran toward the voice.

    The party of five was facing 3 Poison Moths and 3 Poison Worms, thervae of Poison Moths.

    Right next to them lies a grasshopper-type monster that they must have defeated.

    The Poison Moths were 80cm wide when they spread their wings, and their scales contained poison.

    The poison really isn¡¯t something that would kill you instantly, but if you inhaled it, your throat would burn and your body would go numb.

    Their weakness was fire.

    [Monster summon, activate! Come out, R-card Smander!]

    I summoned a fire-breathing lizard from its monster card.

    The Smander extended its long tongue, seemingly aiming at a target, before spewing out red mes like a methrower.

    In a sh, the Poison Moth¡¯s wings burst into mes and the Poison Worms were also scorched to ashes, and the battle was over.

    As to be expected of an R-card.

    [Gehook, gehok!? Yahagi-san, thank you very much.]

    Seemingly having inhaled the scale powder, the rookies coughed as they thanked me.

    [Enough of that, just drink this. It has detoxifying properties.]

    I dissolved the powdered juice (orange vor), which is effective against poison, in water and gave it to them all to drink.

    For the wounded Yurin, I also passed her Moran Yogul with a wooden spoon.

    Her wounds aren¡¯t that deep, so she should be fine even with just this.

    [Ahh, I feel better.]

    As I had expected, Yurin sighed with relief with the wooden spoon in her mouth.

    The others also seemed to have gotten rid of the numbness in their bodies as well.

    [Even so, a lot of them sure sprung out at the same time. It¡¯s not every day that seven monsters appear here.]

    [Actually, we got lost, and the more we ran away, the more of them appeared.]

    And so, as a result of running around avoidingbat, they were chased by arge number of monsters.

    [I wish we had a map or something like that. We weren¡¯t used to the dungeon yet.]

    Their team must not have been dungeon diving for very long.

    In fact, the number of such teams has been increasing recently.

    The cause is the end of the war.

    As a result of the massyoff of soldiers near the border, the number of people bing adventurers has been increasing.

    [Maps huh. Come to think of it, we don¡¯t have any dungeon maps.]

    If there were at least a map of the 1st or 2nd Underground Floor for rookies, the survival rate would dramatically increase.

    Maybe I should make one myself?

    The customers gather in the morning and evenings.

    .

    If I allocate my free time during the day, I should have plenty of time avable.

    Besides, our main customers are rookies.

    It would be troubling if they die.

    If I drew the structure of the dungeon and wrote down what kind of monsters spawn in each area, they would probably be happy.

    I decided to pick up my pen and paper and try making it.

 Chapter 56: Map-Making Starts

    <h4>Chapter 56: Map-Making Starts</h4>

    As soon as the morning crowd subsided and the adventurers began their own explorations, I quickly closed up the store.

    I am now going to explore the 1st Underground Floor and work on my map.

    [Yahagi-san, shall we go?]

    Regal is in high spirits.

    I¡¯m going to make a map, so I¡¯ll have to take a lot of notes.

    During that time, I would be defenseless, so I asked Regal to help me out.

    [If pushes to shove, I¡¯ll also be there to help in the battle. However, I¡¯m not proud of it, but I¡¯m not very confident.]

    [Please count on me. This is also a good chance for me to get some practical experience. I will work to my fullest extent.]

    Regal is usually a porter, so he¡¯s usually not allowed to fight very often.

    He seems to be in high spirits today because he can use the Fireball that he learned.

    He is now apparently able to fire up to two shots.

    [If you can fire three shots, you¡¯ll be able to enter Garm¡¯s team, right?]

    [Yes, I¡¯m almost there!]

    How reliable.

    In any case, I also brought a new weapon with me today. It¡¯s Dagashi Yahagi¡¯s new product.

    Product name: 8-Shot Pistol

    Description: A pistol that fires magic bullets. Do not point at people.

    Price: 500 rims

    The toy pistol sold in my previous life was a gun with an eight-round cap filled with gunpowder.

    Pulling the trigger would ignite the gunpowder with a loud bang, and as a child, I felt a considerable amount of excitement and power ying with this toy.

    It made quite a loud noise, so I don¡¯t think there are any ces in the city where you can y with them anymore.

    After all, if you¡¯re not careful, you may end up being reported to the police.

    Now then, this pistol here produces magic bullets.

    As for its power, it¡¯s weaker than the pop rockets.

    However, the pistol is easier to aim and the movements needed to attack are short.

    Moreover, it can fire eight shots in a row, so it¡¯s good for multiple enemies.

    Also, unlike the pistols from my previous life, it has almost no recoil, making it easy to shoot.

    The disadvantages are that the power is low and the gun crumbles after the eight rounds, making it unusable.

    It was not well received by adventurers.

    Many of them feel that they would rather fight with bow and arrows or a sword than pay 500 rims for this weapon.

    For adventurers who can use Offensive Magic, it makes less sense to use it.

    [I think it¡¯s quite convenient though.]

    [Hmm~~, but the 500-rim cost is a bit expensive.]

    Certainly, even if you hunt monsters on the 1st Underground Floor with this, there¡¯s no point if you¡¯re getting less money.

    If it¡¯s a product that can¡¯t be sold, I¡¯ll just make good use of it, so I set out to map-making with two guns at the ready.

    Starting at the dungeon entrance, we arrived at a narrow alley that I usually never enter.

    [Have you gone through here before?]

    [Yes, I have. Many times.]

    .

    Regal had been a porter for so long that he knew the dungeon better than most rookies.

    [What¡¯s beyond this path?]

    [Well, beyond this path is several more branches of paths. There are no strong enemies here, but that doesn¡¯t mean you can¡¯t make a lot of money from them.]

    While we were having such a conversation, a thick mist, a signal for the spawning of monsters, began to flow out from the back of the passageway.

    [Yahagi-san.]

    [Ou, I¡¯m seeing it.]

    As I held a pistol in each of my hands, I also had a Monster Card prepared to activate.

    What I nned to use today is the R-card Stone Golem, which is capable both offensively and defensively.

    [Enemying, they¡¯re Dungeon Maimais!]

    The Dungeon Maimai is a giant snail monster with a shell of 50 cm diameter.

    It¡¯s known to prey on its enemies by emitting a highly acidic mucus that dissolves them.

    They¡¯re troublesome enemies when approached, but fortunately, it moves slowly.

    The concept of attacking before they get close and winning the battle preemptively is somethingmon no matter which world it was.

    Using only the gun in my right hand, I took aim and pulled the trigger.

    Pop! Pop!

    With a sound like the opening of a stale soda pop, two magic bullets were fired.

    However, it hit the shell of the Dungeon Maimai and the bullets were easily bounced off.

    [That won¡¯t work, Yahagi-san. The shell of a Dungeon Maimai is very tough. If you want to attack them, aim for the head.]

    [Alright.]

    I took two steps forward and aiming my gun, I fired more magic bullets at the approaching Dungeon Maimai.

    One, two, after three shots, I finally blew the monster¡¯s head off, and the Dungeon Maimai I was targeting finally fell.

    Boom!!!

    With a loud roar, I saw arge fireball shot out of Regal¡¯s hand.

    It was so hot that even I, who was some distance away, could feel its heat.

    So this is the Fireball huh!

    No matter how hard its shell is, it¡¯s meaningless in front of such a magic attack.

    It would just be burned to a crisp.

    That¡¯s quite impressive.

    When the two monsters disappeared, magic crystals and sixrge copper coins fell.

    I used 5 magic bullets and only 3 bullets left.

    If I get used to using a pistol, I might be able to kill them with one shot, but it really isn¡¯t a good weapon for earning money.

    [For a battle like that, it¡¯s 600 rims + magic crystals huh. Rookies sure had it rough.]

    [That¡¯s true, but it¡¯s better than working as a porter for 1000 rims a day.]

    It was agreed that today¡¯s earnings would be split 50:50 with Regal.

    The earnings we made in that battle are still 300 rims per person.

    We¡¯ll have to kill a few more monsters to make this dive worthwhile.

    [Alright, let¡¯s go further in. I want to finish mapping this area by the end of the day.]

    [I understand. There are spots where the footing is wet and slippery though, so be careful in the path ahead.]

    I guess I¡¯ll have to put that information on the map too.

    As I counted my steps, we continued further down this passageway.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    8-Shot Pistol

 Chapter 57: Let Me Take Care of It

    <h4>Chapter 57: Let Me Take Care of It</h4>

    A new product at Dagashi Yahagi has be a huge sess.

    Product name: Calpas

    Description: Individually wrapped small dry sausages. Eating it gives a small stamina recovery.

    Price: 10 rims

    Meat has originally been precious in this world.

    It¡¯s a luxury item thatmoners can eat only twice or thrice a week.

    The fact that it can be bought for 10 rims seems to have made its poprity explode.

    Not only rookies, but even veteranse to the store to buy them.

    The poprity was so great that a limit of 3 per person had been set.

    [Good morning, Yuusuke-san. Is there any Calpas left?]

    [Three for me too please.]

    Merle and Mira, who had arrived early in the morning, seemed to bepletely charmed by them.

    [Good morning. You two sure are up early.]

    I enjoyed the morning conversation with them as I handed over their orders.

    [We¡¯re nning to go on a little excursion today. It¡¯s right about time for Golden Frogs to spawn after all.]

    [Golden Frogs?]

    I had never heard of that monster.

    [It¡¯s a monster that appears every year when autumnes. If you kill it, it drops a silver coin, but there¡¯s a 1/100 chance that it will drop a gold coin. This is the year I¡¯m gonna get that gold coin!]

    [Heehhh¡­¡­ Good luck¡­¡­]

    Or so I said, but in my mind, I only thought that that was impossible.

    After all, Merle¡¯s bad luck in lotteries is already well-known in the neighborhood.

    Dagashi Yahagi offers a variety of products with a lottery implemented to them, which had a high percentage of gaining a winning lot, but Merle almost never won.

    Heck, there is even a frightening legend going around now that whenever she actually wins something, something bad will happen that day.

    [Ufufu, we¡¯ll go at it leisurely.]

    Her partner, Mira, smiled at Merle¡¯s enthusiasm.

    Come to think of it, Mira has a lot of luck in lotteries.

    With the two of them working together, I guess that would bnce their luck to normal.

    [Yuusuke-san, how¡¯s the maping along?]

    Merle quickly took a Calpas out of its package and popped it into her mouth.

    Seems like that¡¯s what she¡¯s having for breakfast.

    [Oh, after 2 weeks of work, the 1st Underground Floor¡¯s map waspleted.]

    I handed Merle the map I had drawn up.

    It was drawn on arge sheet of specially-ordered paper, about the size of an unfolded newspaper.

    I would eventually try printing it with woodblocks and distribute it, but that would be after I reduce the size of the drawn map.

    [Ara, it¡¯s very well done. Not only does it show the structure of the dungeon, but it also tells what kind of monsters are there and gives warnings.]

    [I want to make something useful for everyone after all.]

    [I think that¡¯s what makes Yuusuke-san wonderful.]

    Hearing the airheaded Mirapliment me while looking straight into my eyes, even I¡¯d get embarrassed.

    [You think so? Well, it¡¯s no big deal. After all, I would only make them for the 1st and 2nd Underground Floor.]

    [That isn¡¯t the case. Seriously, I¡¯m really envious of Michelle-san.]

    [Ehh¡­¡­]

    The heck is with that, all of a sudden?

    [Right~~ He makes a lot of money and is really nice, I should have hit on him earlier.]

    Oi, oi, even Merle is saying stuff like that.

    Is this a sudden and unexpected arrival of my poprity period?

    [If Yuusuke-san had been my boyfriend, I could have eaten all the Calpas I could eat.]

    [That¡¯s what you¡¯re aiming for!?]

    I don¡¯t know how serious Merle and Mira are about the stuff they were saying, but being praised like that doesn¡¯t feel bad.

    [Would you like another piece of Calpas?]

    As I said that, both Merle and Mira brought their faces closer .

    [Yuusuke-san¡­¡­]

    [W- What?]

    [You¡¯re too easy.]

    [Unnn, unnn.]

    Yahagi Yuusuke, 25 years old.

    A dagashi shop owner that tends to be slightly made fun of.

    [Even so, this really is a very well-made map. How about continuing further and make one for the 3rd Underground Floor? That would make our job a lot easier.]

    [Nah, that¡¯s impossible. I¡¯m gonna end up getting myself killed.]

    Exploring that ce is too difficult for me.

    [You think so? I think Yuusuke-san can do it though¡­¡­]

    Both Merle and Mira overestimate me too much.

    But well, if they¡¯re gonna praise me that much, I wonder if I should really try challenging that ce¡­¡­

    Wait, am I really that easy?

    Even though I felt uneasy, the one who unconsciously felt such a thing was me.

    ¡ó

    It was just before evening when Michelle came home.

    Her experiments this timested for 5 days, so she seemed to be very tired.

    [Wee back. How was it?]

    [Unnn. The energy reserves have increased by 14%. At this rate, we should have some results by winter.]

    [I see. In that case, let¡¯s celebrate tonight. I¡¯ll cook for us.]

    [You¡¯re tired too, Yuusuke, so I¡¯d feel bad.]

    [I told you already, don¡¯t worry about it.]

    Though I say that, as usual, what I can make are only simple dishes.

    Today, I¡¯m gonna make an omelet with lots of vegetables.

    [Hey, Yuusuke, after the meal, let¡¯s do ¡°that¡± for the first time in a while. Let¡¯s do it until Yuusuke¡¯s satisfied.]

    After Michelle spoke those words, the rookies who had been shopping in the store simultaneously turned toward us, looking startled.

    The way Michelle said that was also bad.

    With the way she worded it, it wouldn¡¯t be strange for them to imagine something perverted.

    [Don¡¯t get her wrong. She¡¯s talking about our Mobile Force practice match.]

    [Ah, so that¡¯s what she meant¡­¡­]

    [So it¡¯s just that huh¡­¡­]

    We haven¡¯t crossed thatst line yet.

    It¡¯s a good way to practice the basics of magic, so when Michelle is around, we often y MF.

    We aren¡¯t only operating our MFs to fight, but recently, I enjoy making them dance.

    The waltz between my Gufufu and her Gyan is quite the spectacle.

    I¡¯m hoping that I¡¯ll be able to manifest a new magic, but so far, I haven¡¯t seen any signs of that happening.

    Michelle said that if I patiently keep at it, I will eventually learn how to use it.

    Believing in what my girlfriend says, I¡¯ve been practicing day after day.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Calpas

 Chapter 58: Making a Killing with Sacchan Squid

    <h4>Chapter 58: Making a Killing with Shan Squid</h4>

    Autumn haspletely set in, and the mornings and evenings are getting colder.

    The wind in the other world is cold, and the wintry wind has deeply prated my very bones.

    [Gehok, gehok!]

    I was careless and caught a cold.

    I had forgotten to buy bedding for autumn and winter, and that ended up being my downfall.

    I don¡¯t have a fever, but my head hurts and I feel tired.

    And so, my store is closed today.

    [Here, I made you a porridge.]

    Michelle, dressed in a maid uniform, came into my bedroom.

    The white apron over her ck uniform was quite dazzling.

    Her hair was tied in an updo so that she could move easily, and that really hits the spot for me.

    Michelle hade to see me because she was worried about me not showing up in the dungeon.

    And when she found out I was down with a cold, she expressly changed into a maid uniform.

    [I¡¯ve been wondering since a while ago, but why the maid uniform?]

    [Because I¡¯m gonna devotedly take care of you...... Keeping a service-oriented mentality, or something like that? That¡¯s why, I thought I¡¯d start with appearance......]

    I appreciate that very much.

    I appreciate that but......

    [If possible, couldn¡¯t you just use your Recovery Magic to cure me of this cold?]

    [That won¡¯t do.]

    [Why not!?]

    [I wanna take care of you after all...... Alright, I¡¯ll take your temperature, okay?]

    Her face blushing red, Michelle puts her forehead to mine.

    [Ouch! Isn¡¯t your fever higher than mine?]

    [Our faces are so close so......]

    She seems to be feeling a different kind of tension from when we kissed.

    [Come on, eat your porridge. I¡¯ll wipe the sweat off your body after you¡¯re done eating. Here, ahhn.]

    After Michelle yed nurse for about 30 minutes, she finally let me go with a Recovery Magic.

    She actually wanted to take care of me for about half a day, but seeing how much I¡¯m groaning, she changed her mind.

    After that, I went around the city to buy some bedding.

    Of course, Michelle was with me.

    We ended up having an unnned date, but I had a nice day off.

    ¡ó

    Since I took a day off yesterday, I arrived in the dungeon with a lot of energy.

    The new duvet isfortable, and I slept soundly.

    My physical condition is perfect.

    Duvets are quite a luxury item in this world, but I¡¯m pretty rich.

    I mean, isn¡¯t it a given that I¡¯d be rich?

    The price for my stock is my mana, so almost all of my sales revenue is pure profit.

    Thanks to that, I¡¯m making as much as veteran adventurers.

    [Good morning, Yahagi-san. Why didn¡¯t youe yesterday? Sis Michelle was making a big fuss.]

    My first customers this morning were the regrs.

    [I caught a cold with the change of season. You take care of yourselves too.]

    [So that¡¯s how it is. Are you feeling better now?]

    [Michelle casted Recovery Magic on me.]

    Hearing what I said, Garm looked envious.

    [That¡¯s nice, Yahagi-san. If you went to a healer, that¡¯s definitely gonna cost 3000 rims.]

    In this world where health insurance doesn¡¯t exist, it¡¯smon for the sick to be charged 100 percent of the cost.

    It seems that there are almost nomoner who would go to a healer just for a cold.

    [By the way, Yahagi-san. Do you have a snack that can restore the Sleep state?]

    [Sleep state?]

    [It¡¯s almost Golden Frog season, so we thought we¡¯d try our luck at them.]

    [I guess your group also wants to get rich from them too huh, Garm.]

    [That¡¯s right.]

    Golden Frogs have a one-in-a-hundred chance of dropping a gold coin.

    [However, what does that have to do with sleep?]

    [If one inhales a Golden Frog¡¯s belch, they¡¯ll end up falling unconscious.]

    Frog belches...... I definitely don¡¯t want to inhale something like that.

    My thoughts aside, I took out from the corner of the shelf a small sachet of pickled torn squid, separated into small sachets.

    Product name: Shan Squid

    Description: Pickled squid jerky. When put in a person¡¯s mouth, they will wake up no matter how deeply asleep they are.

    Price: 50 rims

    Each person has different tastes, but this sourness ents the taste.

    People who like these can¡¯t get enough of it.

    There are even veteran adventurers who like to drink alcohol with this as a snack.

    Garm and the others bought a pouch of Shan Squid and went off to hunt Golden Frogs.

    Taking their ce, Michelle arrived.

    Normally, she wears her magician robe, but today she¡¯s wearing a very light outfit.

    She was dressed in a long ck skirt and a white blouse with short sleeves.

    It¡¯s a fashion that goes against the season.

    [Oi, oi, if you wear such light clothes, you¡¯re gonna catch a cold like me. Well, I¡¯m sure Michelle can just cure yourself with magic, but aren¡¯t you cold like that?]

    [Unnn, I¡¯m actually trying to catch a cold......]

    [Hah?]

    Are you a schoolboy who wants a reason to go absent from school?

    [I enjoyed nursing Yuusuke yesterday, and I now want to try out being the one getting nursed...... Getting fed, being told kind words, having my sweat wiped off, helping me change my clothes......]

    I put my hand on Michelle¡¯s forehead.

    Unnn, no fever.

    She didn¡¯t seem to be talking nonsense in delirium.

    She was spouting out her distorted desires in her normal state......

    [Let¡¯s leave the sleep-talk when you¡¯re asleep.]

    [I¡¯m not speaking sleep-talk!]

    [Nah, sounds like sleep-talk to me.]

    That being the case, I handed Michelle the small pouch of Shan Squid that I had on hand.

    [Eat this and wake yourself up.]

    Seriously, you should keep being healthy at the top of your priority.

    <hr>

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Saki Ika / Squid Jerky. The Shan Squid name, my guess, is an AOT reference.

 Chapter 59: I Can Use Magic!

    <h4>Chapter 59: I Can Use Magic!</h4>

    It happened all of a sudden.

    I was ying Mobile Force with Michelle after dinner as an after-meal exercise, when I felt a jolt throughout my body as if I had been struck by lightning.

    Did my mana finally get its kickstart!?

    [What¡¯s the matter, Yuusuke? Are you feeling unwell?]

    As I felt like my body was temporarily paralyzed, Michelle peeked at my face worriedly.

    [No, that¡¯s not it. I¡­¡­ might be able to use magic now.]

    It is simr to the feeling of having unexpectedly solved a philosophical problem that I have always been unable to understand.

    Or perhaps, should I describe it as having reached a state of enlightenment?

    In any case, without any omen beforehand, I suddenly became able to use magic.

    [Ara, isn¡¯t that great? What kind of magic did you learn to use?]

    I thought it was a very special thing to be able to use magic, but Michelle was nonchntly happy.

    This must be a verymon thing in this world.

    It¡¯s just like how it was like with Regal when he¡¯s able to use Fire Magic huh.

    [Unnn¡­¡­ I can now use a magic called ¡°irvoyance¡±.]

    The fact that I didn¡¯t learn Offensive Magic does feel like me.

    irvoyance seems to be a magic that allows me to see what is going on in a distant location, just like watching a live camera feed.

    [irvoyance!? That¡¯s a Legendary-rarity Magic you¡¯ve got there. Yuusuke¡¯s specialty really must be Special-type Magic.]

    ording to Michelle, there are various types of magic, including Offensive, Defensive, Support, and Creation.

    Among them, my ¡°Open & Close¡± and this time¡¯s ¡°irvoyance¡± are ssified as Special-type.

    [It sounds useful, but I can only use it for about 5 minutes a day.]

    .

    [irvoyance consumes a lot of mana, so it inevitably takes a toll on the body. Be careful not to use it too much.]

    [Hmmm¡­¡­ I¡¯ll try it right away.]

    [What are you looking at?]

    [Let¡¯s see¡­¡­]

    If I focus on a ce or a person I know, I can immediately see how they were like, that¡¯s not the only power of irvoyance.

    The great thing about this magic is that, just as if there¡¯s a search engine provided for me, keywords will bring up suggestions for viewing.

    It can also be used like a Map app, or like astral projection, where the user¡¯s consciousness leaves the body to look at the outside scenery.

    Because of my mana limit, the duration of the live image is currently about 5 minutes, but the maximum speed of movement of my ¡°camera¡¯s¡± viewpoint is faster than the speed of sound.

    It is also possible for me to look at a very wide area.

    Because of how amazing this magic is, I honestly understood why Michelle said such magic would be had on the body.

    [For the time being, I¡¯ll just wander around outside for now.]

    When I activated my magic, I really felt like I had astral projected.

    My perspective drifted to the top of the room, looking down at my and Michelle¡¯s head from the ceiling.

    Theck of a real body allowed me to pass through people and walls with no problem, so I soared into the sky.

    [This is amazing. Thanks to the moonlight, I can see all the way to the edge of the city..]

    I approached the soldiers patrolling the city walls, but they didn¡¯t seem to notice my gaze at all.

    They didn¡¯t even seem to notice me when I slipped past their bodies.

    [I wonder where I should go next?]

    [Be mindful of the duration, okay? You¡¯ll wear yourself out without even knowing it.]

    [Alright.]

    Michelle¡¯s voice faintly resounded in my ears.

    It was a strange feeling, as if she is far away, yet close by.

    Come to think of it, I think I¡¯m starting to feel short of breath.

    However, it kinda felt like I just did a light jog, so I could go further.

    One with the wind, I flew around the world in all directions.

    ¡ó

    It is a morning so cold that my breath turns white.

    [Yuusuke-san, I¡¯d like some curry crackers.]

    Coming that chilly morning was the shivering Merle and Mira.

    Curry crackers warm you up, so they are a big seller among adventurers this morning.

    When I first came to this world, I used to eat them to keep warm.

    [I¡¯ll have some Shan Squid please.]

    Mira had bought Sleep-prevention Shan Squid.

    They were probably gonna hunt Golden Frogs again today.

    [How¡¯s it going? Gold dropped yet?]

    [Not yet. We have only killed seven Golden Frogs so far this season.]

    The chance of getting a gold drop is one in a hundred.

    Having just hunted 7 frogs, they probably still have a long way to go.

    Let¡¯s see, guess I¡¯ll test out the power of my irvoyance for a moment.

    I set the keyword to Golden Frogs and the location to the 3rd Underground Floor of the dungeon and invoked my irvoyance Magic.

    [Ohh, there they are¡­¡­]

    [Wait, the heck is that distant look!? Your expression looks real bad, Yuusuke-san.]

    I heard Merle¡¯s voice, but I ignored her and continued my search.

    And then, I was able to find a ce where there were 5 Golden Frogs.

    [Hey.]

    [Ah, you¡¯re back. You looked like the Temple Priestess in a trance just now. Are you alright?]

    I guess that¡¯s what I looked like while I¡¯m using irvoyance.

    [That aside, do you know of a wolf-headed stone statue? It¡¯s somewhere with three red gs nearby.]

    [You should be talking about the Divine Statue of Lipris.]

    Mira replied.

    [If you go straight down the passage to the right of that area, you will find a narrower passage that leads further to the right. It¡¯s just barely wide enough for one person to pass through.]

    [I think I know the path you¡¯re talking about.]

    [On the dead end of that path, there are 5 Golden Frogs.]

    [Huh?]

    Mira and Merle blinked their eyes in surprise at my sudden words.

    [It¡¯s up to you two to decide whether you¡¯re gonna believe me or not. However, if you¡¯re going to the 3rd Underground Floor anyway, I think that ce is worth checking out.]

    Merle and Mira looked at each other and pondered.

    In the end, Merle decided to ask a question.

    [How can you know that, Yuusuke-san?]

    [I got something like fortune-telling.]

    I don¡¯t think it¡¯s a good idea to spread around that I got the power of irvoyance, so I nomittally glossed it over.

    I mean, wouldn¡¯t it be vexing if they thought I was peeking into women¡¯s baths with this power?

    As a matter of fact, I already got warned by Michelle about that yesterday.

    Even telling me she would curse me if I used my irvoyance to look at any other naked woman¡¯s body except hers.

    There¡¯s no way I would ever do that.

    I- I would never¡­¡­

    Yep, never would.

    Curses are scary after all¡­¡­

    I did try to use this power to make a map, but it didn¡¯t work.

    After all, 5 minutes went by so fast when I¡¯m jotting down notes or drawing the pathways.

    Moreover, after using up the entire 5 minutes, my chest bes painful and I feel struck by palpitations and dizziness.

    It would be safer not to use irvoyance to make a map.

 Chapter 60: Magical Stick

    <h4>Chapter 60: Magical Stick</h4>

    Snow started falling on the Capital. Winter has finally arrived in earnest. The use of the onsen had increased due to the cold weather, and they are bing very crowded in the evenings.

    As for me, I got more level-ups and new products have been added to the shelves. There are several additional items, but this one stands out in particr.

    Product name: Stick Chocte

    Description: A stick filled with colorful chocte pellets. When used as a magic item, it increases the power of one¡¯s magic by 30% for one time. However, it also increases the amount of mana used for the magic, so keep this in mind. Disappears after use.

    Price: 30 rims

    It¡¯s a small stick of about 12 cm in length, with a handle curved like the handle of an umbre. The inside of the wand is filled with ordinary chocte pellets, but the container itself is a magic item. This makes this item sell well to the magicians. Regal, whose specialty is his Fireball, sometimes buys them.

    [When I¡¯m done eating, I keep it as a good luck charm. The price is rtively cheap, and the power boost is nice.]

    [Does that 1.3x damage increase really make a difference?]

    [It would be the greater the power of your magic is.]

    Therger the number multiplied, the greater the effect. If a magic originally deals 10 damage, a 1.3x increase would be turned into 13 damage, but if it originally deals 1000 damage, 1.3x of that would be 1300. It¡¯s no wonder it sells so well to veteran adventurers. I was wondering why some grumpy-looking magicians were buying so many stick choctes.

    I¡¯m now nearingpletion on the map of the 2nd Underground Floor. Since he has been helping me a lot with it, I gave 5 stick choctes to Regal.

    ¡ó

    When I came back to my room with Michelle, the room was cold. I immediately start up the magic heater. This is a magic item that makes use of Fire Magic, and in this world, in ce of home appliances, there are many tools that run on magic crystals.

    [That¡¯s strange, I should have set the heater¡¯s timer on when I left this morning.]

    [Isn¡¯t it fine? Anyhow,e scooch over here.]

    While shivering, the two of us stood side by side and held our hands near the heater. With us sticking to each other and trying to heat ourselves, I feel strangely warm. Michelle is a great magician, so if she wanted to, she should be able to heat the room right away. However, I knew she wouldn¡¯t do that.

    [It¡¯s really cold. How about scooching over here a little more?]

    I unfold my winter cloak and hug Michelle¡¯s shoulder close, and she then lightly leans her weight on me.

    [It¡¯s so warm¡­¡­ Ufufu¡­¡­]

    [What¡¯s the matter?]

    [I smell Yuusuke¡¯s scent.]

    I don¡¯t smell bad, do I? I just took a bath in the onsen on the way home. Michelle is nuzzling her face against my chest, so it doesn¡¯t seem like she¡¯s bothered by my scent. Rather, she seemed to be pleased with it instead. I wonder if she has a smell fetish? We huddled together and waited for the room to warm up.

    When the room reached afortable temperature, Michelle decided to make me her special stew.

    [I¡¯ll help out too.]

    [Yuusuke, why don¡¯t you go ahead and do the sales calctions and put together your map? I¡¯ll be fine on my own today.]

    The map for the 2nd Underground Floor is almost finished. As soon as the maps of the 1st and Underground Floor are finished, I will distribute them to the rookies free of charge. Rookie adventurers had it rough in their early days of dungeon diving. I feel like the effort I made to make these maps is already worth it as long as they can make it below the 3rd Underground Floor.

    Reading the notes I had taken today, I dug up my memory and drew a map.

    [Arehh, what was this ce again?]

    I tried to remember the structure of the dungeon as I looked at my notes, but the lines were blurry for me to make out the details. I¡¯m pretty sure there¡¯s a big cave in here¡­¡­ I would like to write down this area¡¯s features, but I can¡¯t seem to remember them.

    Ah, that¡¯s right, this would be the time to use ¡°irvoyance¡± and find out! When I use it, it seems like I would go into a trance-like state, so I sit firmly in my chair¡­¡­

    [Hmm, did I sit on something?]

    When I went to sit down, I felt something solid in my pocket hit my thigh. I took it out and found that it was a stick chocte with its contents emptied out. Come to think of it, I remembered bringing it home to give to Michelle.

    ¡­¡­I wonder what would happen if I use this? Offensive Magic increases in power by 30%, Enchantment Magic increases in duration and its ability itself improves, so it has varying effects. In a way, I couldn¡¯t help but wonder what would happen if I use it with irvoyance.

    [Let¡¯s try it out¡­¡­]

    Holding the stick in my right hand, I lightly waved it while using my magic.

    [irvoyance!]

    Feeling mana drain from my body, my consciousness drifted into the air. Even though I still haven¡¯t made my choice in how to use my irvoyance yet, it seemed I directly entered the state of astral projection.

    [Arehh, I was thinking of checking out the dungeon¡­¡­]

    My consciousness feels light and fluffy, my thoughts won¡¯t settle themselves. There was even something in the back of my head that sought to ask me a question.

    ¡°Do you want to go forward or go back?¡±

    Who the heck¡¯s asking? In any case, I feel like going forward in this state wasn¡¯t a good idea. Alright, let¡¯s go back. As soon as I thought that, time went backwards.

    [What the heck is this!?]

    As my astral projection floated in my room, I watched my room go in a reversed fast forward. Michelle and I leave the ce walking backwards and the room became unupied again. Eventually, daylight returns and morninges, and Michelle and I walk backwards into my ce. From the way things were like earlier, this must be the video of this morning.

    [Can I pause this?]

    As soon as I thought that, the video promptly stops. Uwahh, the ce ending up pausing just as we¡¯re exchanging a goodbye kiss¡­¡­ Looking at it again makes me really embarrassed.

    Can I y it again? This time, the video continued normally. Arehh, what is Michelle doing? While I was putting on my cloak, she secretly turned off the timer on the heater. Did she expressly do that just so that we can have some intimate time earlier? Good grief, I¡¯m not sure if I should say she¡¯s cute or she¡¯s troubling¡­¡­

    [Ughk!]

    I suddenly felt pain in my chest. This is bad, is this recoil from magic overuse!?

    [Yuusuke! Yuusuke!]

    I can hear Michelle¡¯s voice. This is back¡­¡­ How do I get back?

    [¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­]

    As the video cked out and my consciousness was cut off, my surroundings were dyed in total darkness.

    Feeling my lips forcibly pried open, I felt warm liquid pour in. That sensation woke me p with a start. Thereupon, I saw Michelle¡¯s face close to mine.

    [Have you regained consciousness, Yuusuke?]

    [Arehh, what was I¡­¡­?]

    [Don¡¯t you remember? You copsed from mana exhaustion. What in the world did you do?]

    If I¡¯m not mistaken, I used a stick to activate my irvoyance and saw images from the past¡­¡­ That must have drained me all of my mana.

    [Here, drink some more mana potions.]

    Michelle put a teaspoon of potion in my mouth.

    [How are you? Have you settled down? Can you remember what happened?]

    [I saw it¡­¡­]

    [Saw it? Saw what?]

    [I saw Michelle tamper with the timer on the heater¡­¡­]

    [That is¡­¡­!?]

    She looked flustered. As Michelle turned bright red and curled herself up, I exined to her what really happened.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Stick Chocte

 Chapter 61: Probably......

    <h4>Chapter 61: Probably......</h4>

    The use of irvoyance with stick chocte has been banned by Michelle.

    [irvoyance is a magic that consumes more mana than you can imagine. Using an item to forcibly draw out power is a suicidal act. It wouldn¡¯t be surprising if your heart stops like that!]

    Michelle scolded me, her eyes welling up with tears.

    [I¡¯m sorry, but don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t use it recklessly anymore.]

    [If Yuusuke is gone, I¡­¡­]

    My heart ached at the sight of Michelle crying aloud.

    There has never been anyone who has thought so much about me¡­¡­

    I don¡¯t want to make Michelle sad anymore.

    [I promise you. I definitely won¡¯t do it again.]

    [That¡¯s for sure, okay?]

    [Michelle, hold out your pinky finger.]

    [What are you doing?]

    [It¡¯s a little magic spell for promises.]

    [We can¡¯t! The Pinky Promise chant is a very powerful Contract Curse. If you carelessly break it, you could lose your life!]

    [Eehhh!?]

    I did simply want us to make a pinky promise.

    However, there¡¯s actually a terrible magic equivalent to that in this world?

    [Let¡¯s just¡­¡­ save that for when Yuusuke and I promise to get married¡­¡­]

    Michelle blurted out.

    [¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­]

    Bound by fear, I just pretended I didn¡¯t hear what she said and withheld my reply.

    I decided to seal off using my irvoyance together with the stick chocte.

    Even I don¡¯t want to die yet.

    However, there is one thing that I¡¯m curious about.

    That voice that resounded in my mind at that time¡­¡­

    ¡°Do you want to go forward or go back?¡±

    At that time, I had chosen to ¡°go back¡±.

    What I wanted back then was to ¡°go back to my original state¡±, but as a result of that thought, I was able to see the past.

    That should mean that, by choosing to ¡°go forward¡±, I would be able to see images from the future¡­¡­

    I kinda want to try that.

    That is honestly what I felt, but to be honest, I¡¯m feeling really scared.

    This may just be my unfounded feelings, but I feel that glimpsing into the future is more taxing than peeking into the past.

    I have a lot of things I¡¯m curious about, such as how my rtionship with Michelle would turn out.

    But in the end, because of all sorts of reasons, I think it¡¯s better not to use irvoyance to see the future.

    I felt that if I pushed myself too hard, I might actually die.

    ¡ó

    The maps of the first two Underground Floors werepleted, so I asked artisans to print them out to be distributed to the rookies.

    [Can we really take this?]

    [Is it true that it¡¯s free? I kinda feel bad.]

    It seems that there¡¯s no such thing as free service in this world, as everyone ended up equally feeling apologetic.

    However, since people buy the store¡¯s products while theye to get the maps, my sales are also increasing.

    [Well, I¡¯ll keep the 1st and 2nd Underground Floors free. However, if you go below the 3rd Underground Floor, you have to buy my map. Not like I¡¯ve finished making it though.]

    This is also like an upfront investment.

    The more adventurers who survive with these maps, the more my products will sell, and maybe even the maps for deeper levels will sell well.

    If that happens, my life will be even more prosperous.

    My retirement dates would also be secure.

    That being the case, I now move on to the 3rd Underground Floor.

    I have already asked for new coborators for this purpose.

    [I¡¯ll be counting on you, Merle, Mira.]

    I held out my hand, intending to shake their hands, but their attitude looked unclear.

    There¡¯s even a hint of fear in their expressions.

    [No, we¡¯re fine with this¡­¡­ but won¡¯t Michelle-san get mad at us if we team up with Yuusuke-san?]

    [That¡¯s right. You teaming up with Regal-kun is fine, but I¡¯m afraid she¡¯ll turn hostile towards us¡­¡­]

    Michelle did call them slutty brats before.

    Sheter apologized for it though.

    [Come to think of it, she did question me before, asking me if I was gay.]

    [That happened!?]

    I had no clue at all.

    [Ah, please don¡¯t worry. I had always been under Yuusuke-san¡¯s care, so when I told her about how enthusiastic I am that I got to guard you, she praised me instead. Telling me to take care of her Yuusuke, she gave me a Protection Talisman.]

    [Isn¡¯t that an extremely valuable Defense Amulet!?]

    Merle looked at Regal¡¯s amulet with envy.

    To make the map for the 3rd Underground Floor, I asked these three to escort me.

    I had only asked Regal to protect me so far, but that can¡¯t be the case when ites to the 3rd Underground Floor.

    If I¡¯m going to be working with someone anyway, I think it¡¯s better to have partners that I know well, so I asked the two of them, who are my oldest regrs.

    The basic fee for the escort was 4000 rims per person.

    We also agreed that the money and magic stone drops would be shared by everyone.

    [Why won¡¯t you explore together with Michelle-san? Is it that you don¡¯t want to be tied down?]

    Mira made a slightly good point.

    However, that isn¡¯t the main reason why I didn¡¯t ask her.

    [I don¡¯t want to bother Michelle. She has her research after all.]

    I have a feeling that if I asked Michelle, she would help me even if she had to throw away her own research.

    However, I don¡¯t want that to happen.

    Developing that Magic Orb that can umte arge amount of mana is something only Witch Michelle can do.

    I want her talents to shine even brighter.

    [I¡¯ll talk to Michelle about me asking the two of you to help me. I think she¡¯ll understand if I exin it properly. Probably¡­¡­]

    [Probably!? We¡¯re really gonna be alright, right? I don¡¯t want us to be cursed like the former King!]

    She might sulk a little bit, but if I properly exin to her my reasons and the possible effects of my actions, I think she¡¯ll understand.

    Michelle may be possessive, but I don¡¯t think she¡¯d put a curse on Merle and Mira.

    Probably¡­¡­

 Chapter 62: New Store

    <h4>Chapter 62: New Store</h4>

    My level has risen again.

    So far, new products are being added to my shop, arcade games, refrigerators, and other stuff have appeared, but the changes this time are quite amazing.

    The store now appears as a stand-alone house.

    It was a wooden house, a rarity in Japan these days.

    On a tin sign board were written in ck on a white background the words ¡°Dagashi Yahagi¡±.

    [The heck is this¡­¡­.]

    Even Michelle, who is known as a great magician, was surprised.

    As expected, the change this time really is amazing huh?

    [It¡¯s a level-up.]

    [Even if your magic is a Special-type, Yuusuke¡¯s magic is too special!]

    She looked half-astounded, but I had no control over how my dagashi shop improved.

    With this, even if I acquire the most undesirablend, I wouldn¡¯t have to go into debt to acquire my own home.

    Not like I know if mortgages exist in this world.

    [Let¡¯s get inside right away.]

    Sliding the sliding door to the side, making a rattling sound as it moved, I entered the store.

    [The store has this mysterious atmosphere to it.]

    Michelle looked around curiously.

    The ground floor near the entrance was the store, with shelves full of familiar merchandise.

    The walls are lined with lottery games and Super Orbs, with toys firmly piled up with one another.

    This ce really got the elegance of a Dagashi Shop.

    [What¡¯s that area over there?]

    At the back of the store was an agari-kamachi, and from that elevated area, it became a tatami-floored Japanese-style room.

    There were some furnishings provided, such as a tea table and a small cupboard.

    [This is a living space. Wait, you need to take off your shoes when youe in.]

    [Shoes?]

    [That¡¯s right. Where Ie from, we have a custom to take off our shoes before entering living spaces.]

    [Hmmm, why do you do that?]

    [Because it keeps the house clean.]

    I had already told Michelle that I am from another world.

    As she lived in a world with magic, she epted that fact very easily.

    There were apparently records of people who have been summoned to this world by magic.

    [Oh, there¡¯s a kitchen over here too.]

    When I opened the sliding door attached to the tatami room, I found a passageway and a small kitchen on the opposite side of the room.

    It was quite small, but it had a stove with two burners, a small sink with running water, and a small cooking table.

    The kitchen is fully equipped with cooking utensils, so it looks as if it could be used for simple cooking.

    On the back of the passageway, there¡¯s also a bathroom and toilet, and stairs leading to the second floor.

    By the way, the ceiling of the dungeon isn¡¯t high.

    Even though what was summoned was a run-down shabby house, the height of this house¡¯s roof is still higher than the interior space of the dungeon.

    When I went up to check how it turned out, I found that the second floor existed as if it had wedged into the dungeon¡¯s ceiling.

    [It seems like it¡¯s possible to summon the store even underground.]

    [In that case, would the summoned store be also able to wedge into the walls of a dungeon?]

    [I think so.]

    Basically, even if there are obstacles, it seems to be possible to summon the store, ignoring thews of physics.

    Incidentally, when the store was unsummoned in the evening, the ceiling, which should have been caved in, was restored as if nothing had happened.

    On the second floor, there were two rooms, a 6 tatami-sized room and an 8 tatami-sized room.

    The 8 tatami-sized room had a closet and there was even a futon inside.

    [With this, we will have a ce to live no matter what happens.]

    [This house also has a kitchen and a bath huh. It seems like it would be tough for two people to get into that bath though¡­¡­]

    Your first thought was if two people can enter the bath!?

    That seems to be rough¡­¡­ In all sorts of ways.

    [Excuse meeeee, anyone there?]

    I heard a customer¡¯s voice from the front.

    They seem to be confused because of my new store.

    Understandable, I guess. I would also be surprised if a house like this was suddenly built in the dungeon.

    [Coming!]

    Quickly walking down to the storefront, I saw about four customers inside from outside the house.

    [Wee,e in,e in.]

    [Good morning. What¡¯s with the house?]

    [From today onwards, this would be Dagashi Yahagi. I look forward to your continued patronage.]

    [Ah, we have more new products.]

    Saying so, one of the adventurers picked up a snack.

    Product name: Lettuce Taro

    Description: Bite-sized, crunchy snack. Sd vor. Eating it temporarily increases one¡¯s speed.

    Price: 30 rims

    This has always been my favorite snack.

    It has a nice texture and is the perfect size for a light snack.

    It also goes well with beer.

    [Is this snack made with lettuce in it?]

    The adventurer asked, tilting his head.

    [No, there¡¯s actually no lettuce in it¡­¡­]

    [What¡¯s sd vor?]

    [That is¡­¡­ hard to exin. Well, it has something like a light salty taste¡­¡­]

    [In that case, couldn¡¯t they just put salty in it then?]

    [I know how you feel, but that¡¯s an arrangement I have no hand on.]

    [Huh¡­¡­]

    Even with all that light banter, the adventurer still bought a Lettuce Taro.

    [Ehhh, what is this!?]

    Noisilying into the store were Merle and Mira.

    [Good morning. Wee to my new store.]

    I weed them both with open arms.

    [Fuahhh, Yuusuke-san¡¯s magic is as iprehensible as ever.]

    [It really is out of the ordinary. How is it that you can summon a house with it?]

    If you ask me that, my thought would just be that magic itself is far outside the realm ofmon sense.

    [Arehh, there¡¯s also something on the back too. Can I check it out?]

    Merle was about to peek into the tatami room when Michelle stopped her.

    [The second floor is our matrimonial bedroom, so don¡¯t go in there!]

    When did that happen!?

    Oddly enough, that 8 tatami-sized room does only have one set of futon, but for some reason, there are two pillows¡­¡­

    Seriously, magic sure is a mystery.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Agari-kamachi: A piece of wood at the front of the edge of the entranceway floor of Japanese houses. You¡¯re normally supposed to take off your shoes before you step on or past it.

    The dark brown part is the agari-kamachi.

    <ol start="2"> Japanese often refer to the size of a room by the number of tatami mats that fit inside it. A tatami mat measures approximately 1.91m x 0.95m, which is roughly 3.12ft x 6.26ft. A 6 tatami-sized room would be around 9.18m2, while an 8 tatami-sized room is around 12.24m2.<ol start="3"> Lettuce Taro: Based on the IRL snack, Cabbage Taro, just with Lettuce instead. Cabbage Taro is a corn puff snack that, despite its name, actually does not list cabbage in its ingredients.

    </ol></ol>

 Chapter 63: Putting Ones Feelings

    <h4>Chapter 63: Putting One''s Feelings</h4>

    It was Mira who first noticed the new product that had gone on sale that morning.

    [Yuusuke-san, what is this paper bag? It seemed to have the image of a bird-like tool on it......]

    She was holding a long, thin envelope-like piece of paper.

    [For you to notice that, you have great eyes. This is my favorite item in my shop right now.]

    Product name: Assembly Glider

    Description: This is a hand-thrown airne that can be easily assembled. With a propeller enchanted with Flight Magic, it flies to the ce or person the sender has in mind. If you write a message on the wings, it can serve as a substitute for a letter.

    Price: 300 rims

    This is actually an extraordinary product.

    It is one of the more expensive items sold at Dagashi Yahagi, but it¡¯s much cheaper than a typical letter delivery.

    This world already has an established postal system.

    It¡¯s mainly the Temples that y this role.

    Priests go on a pilgrimage to various temples all over the world, and they deliver the letters on their way.

    Their services cost about 500 to 3000 rims, and the further the distance, the more expensive it bes, making them much more costly than an assembly glider.

    Moreover, it takes a long time for the letters to reach the recipients.

    There are even some instances where the letter never arrives. (This is actually quite often)

    [This assembly glider is amazing. You just throw it in the air, thinking about the person you want to deliver the letter to, and it will surely reach the recipient.]

    [Then, if I throw it while thinking about my mother, will it fly to her?]

    [That¡¯s right. The propeller takes a small amount of mana, but it isn¡¯t much. The speed is also over 100kph, so it will reach your mother in no time.]

    [That¡¯s amazing...... but my mother can¡¯t read. Even if this suddenly appears, she may not even realize that it¡¯s a letter from me. Worst case scenario, she might get creeped out and burn it......]

    The literacy rate in this world isn¡¯t very high.

    Mira looked very sad.

    [Mira, aren¡¯t you from the Royal Capital?]

    [I came from a vige called Arum, about three days away from here.]

    Even though I¡¯d been hanging out with her for more than half a year, I didn¡¯t know that at all.

    [I wonder how Mom was like now? I want to let her know that I¡¯m well.]

    Mira looked up at the ceiling of the dungeon, seemingly looking at the unseeable sky.

    They did say how the sky is connected to one¡¯s homnd.

    [Isn¡¯t there anyone in your vige who can read?]

    [The Chief and the Priest can read.]

    [If so, just send out a glider thinking of that Vige Chief. Wouldn¡¯t it be alright if you write ¡°This is a letter from Mira, please deliver it to Mom¡±?]

    [I really can do something like that! Yuusuke-san, please give me an assembly glider.]

    [Thank you for your patronage!]

    The glider has a wingspan of 20cm.

    Mira wrote her letter to her mother with a pen I had lent her.

    [It¡¯s done.]

    [Okay, then throw the glider into the air while thinking of that Vige Chief. Don¡¯t worry, it will fly even from inside the dungeon.]

    [Yes.]

    Mira closed her eyes and thought pensively.

    She was probably thinking about her home vige and the Vige Chief¡¯s face.

    Then, she opened her eyes and released the glider into the air.

    As it left her hand, the propeller of the glider shone.

    It must have absorbed Mira¡¯s mana and activated the Flight Magic.

    The glider made its way through people and objects, and quickly exited through the entrance of Yahagi Onsen.

    [I¡¯m sure it will reach your mother soon.]

    [Right. Unnn...... That would be great......]

    Mira said, looking slightly teary-eyed.

    ¡ó

    In the evening, Michelle returned from the deepest part of the dungeon.

    She was also interested in the assembly glider.

    [It¡¯s another great product. I¡¯m sure this would sell out quickly just like that time when the Mobile Force was just released.]

    [That doesn¡¯t seem to be the case though.]

    The main reason seems to be that there aren¡¯t many adventurers who can write.

    If I were to write for them, would I be able to sell a little more?

    If Baron Essel or someone higher up like him finds out about this, they might buy in bulk, so let¡¯s just keep quiet about this.

    [That¡¯s right, I have a favor to ask you, Michelle?]

    [What is it? Y- You want ap pillow?]

    I never said anything like that.

    [That¡¯s not it, I want you to send me a letter through an assembly glider. I wanted to see how it arrives.]

    [A letter to Yuusuke huh......]

    [I¡¯ll also try sending one out.]

    [Really!? Oh my, a love letter from Yuusuke......]

    [I¡¯m not sending a love letter. It¡¯s just a normal letter. Don¡¯t expect such a sweet letter. Sending something like that is embarrassing after all......]

    Michelle looked a little disappointed, but she was willing to exchange letters, and we decided to fly gliders together in the evening.

    As soon as I got home, I wrote a letter to Michelle on the wing of the glider.

    <i>Dear Michelle,</i>

    <i>Thank you for making me a delicious dinner today again. As I told you before, the pumpkin soup was fantastic. I¡¯ve never had a pumpkin dish as good as yours.</i>

    <i>It¡¯s going to be especially cold tonight, so sleep warm. See you in the dungeon tomorrow.</i>

    <i>I¡¯m not very good at putting my feelings into words, but thank you for being with me. This feels embarrassing to write, but I love you.</i>

    <i>Yuusuke</i>

    Something like this, I guess?

    Even back in my previous world, I had some difficulty with message exchanges.

    In any case, I opened the window and threw the glider.

    Under the stars, the blue light from the propeller traveled fast towards Michelle¡¯s house.

    Ten minutester, I heard a knock at the window.

    When I opened the curtains and shutters, I saw Michelle¡¯s glider hovering still in the air.

    I¡¯m surprised that this glider could move like this.

    I reached out and grabbed the wing, and the propeller stopped moving.

    [Let¡¯s see, what has Michelle written?]

    <i>Dear Yuusuke,</i>

    <i>I love you I love you very much I love you to death I incredibly love you I will never part with you I love you so much that I feel short of breath</i>

    <i>I want to see you immediately I want to use magic to make it morning I want to make the sun move I won¡¯t let you go I want to be with you forever I want to touch you I want you to touch me I want Yuusuke I love you so much I¡¯m going crazy............</i>

    <i>I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you</i>

    The wings were densely packed with such tiny words that it somehow made my eyes hurt.

    <hr>

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    1. Assembly Glider

 Chapter 64: For Now, These Jewels......

    <h4>Chapter 64: For Now, These Jewels......</h4>

    With the help of Regal, Merle and Mira, I finally set out to map the 3rd Underground Floor.

    This was a different world from the first two floors.

    There were many monsters, and each one was exceptionally powerful.

    [Whoa!? Three monsters suddenly sprang up!]

    Near the stairsing down from the 2nd Underground Floor, we suddenly got a baptism from Dungeon Lizards.

    Komodo lizard-looking creatures rushed toward us at high speed.

    Of course, I didn¡¯t just stand there and watch.

    I fired my 8-round pistol in rapid session, but I couldn¡¯t hit a single shot.

    Is it really this difficult to hit a moving target!?

    [Yuusuke-san, move back!]

    Merle caught a rushing Dungeon Lizard with her shield.

    While I was thinking this, Regal had already finished off the enemy on the left side with a Fireball and Mira took down the one on the right with an Ice Needle.

    [D*mn it!]

    Aiming for the lizard whose movements Merle had stopped, I finally hit it with two shots to the head.

    It was scary trying to get close enough to avoid missing, but it seemed I had made it through the first battle.

    [Yuusuke-san, you sure have a lot of guts when ites down to it huh. I can¡¯t believe this is your first time on the 3rd floor of the dungeon.]

    Hearing Mira praise me, I couldn¡¯t help feelingplicated.

    I¡¯m well aware that my body had stopped moving because of the sudden incident.

    Even so, the Dungeon Lizards were powerful.

    Its movements werepletely different from those of the monsters on the 2nd Underground Floor.

    I had thought monster cards would be more effective than a pistol, but I only had four of them on hand. Monster Card Chips have been very popr these days.

    I now understand why the rookies can¡¯t easily descend to the 3rd Underground Floor.

    I also found out one more thing.

    It¡¯s about the number of people on a team.

    I used to think that the more team members you have, the less risk you take.

    However, the reward for defeating a Dungeon Lizard was 2100 rims.

    Even though we risked our lives in that battle, that¡¯s not even 600 rims per person.

    If we had a party of 10, the reward per head would be 210 rims.

    And so, that¡¯s why the party diving together into the dungeon got limited to about 6 people.

    [I wish we could earn more money. Like, why don¡¯t Slimes just drop gold coins?]

    Merle¡¯s grumbles were understandable.

    Mira alsoined with a small sigh.

    [It would be great if we could at least find a treasure chest.]

    [A treasure chest?]

    [Yes, they do appear from time to time. Once every 3 months or so.]

    It seems that treasure chests spawn below the 3rd Underground Floor of thebyrinth.

    [If you find out, do you get rich enough to live out your life in leisure?]

    [Nope.]

    Merle waved her hand andughed.

    [The deeper you go, the bigger the treasure chest gets, and therger the sum of money will be. However, the size of a treasure chest from the 3rd Underground Floor is about yay big.]

    Merle showed the shape of the box with both hands.

    It¡¯s about the size that can be held in one hand.

    [It¡¯s that small?]

    [Unnn. The contents are only 10 silver coins and a jewel. Still, 100,000 rims are very attractive.]

    [Hmmm¡­¡­ Wait a moment.]

    I turned to the wall and used my irvoyance.

    I set the search word to ¡°treasure chest¡± and the search location to the 3rd Underground Floor.

    [Yuusuke-san, you wanna use the toilet?]

    I heard Mira¡¯s voice behind me, but I couldn¡¯t deny her now.

    Perhaps because I¡¯m not used to using it yet, my magic would be canceled if I speak in the middle of using it.

    The search ended quickly, and from the instantly switched perspective, I was looking at a treasure chest on the ground.

    Merle had told me that treasure chests on the 3rd Underground Floor were small, but this one was quite small.

    It was about the size of a cardboard box containing mikan oranges.

    The area was pitch ck, and there was no sign of monsters.

    Thanks to my irvoyance, I can see in the dark, but the ce I arrived at seemed to be a closed space.

    The walls on all four sides were bare, craggy rocks.

    Does this ce have any entryway?

    I phase through the wall and explore my surroundings.

    Thereupon, I see the passageway of the dungeon.

    The area was dank and gloomy, and more than a hundred small, moss-covered Goblin statues were lined up in a row.

    The entrance to this room was hidden behind one of thergest statues.

    After checking the entrance, I entered the hidden room.

    However, I have to get back soon or I will get sick again.

    But first, let¡¯s check the contents of the box.

    Using my irvoyance, that would be a simple matter.

    [Is something the matter, Yuusuke-san?]

    Regal poked me on the shoulder.

    [It¡¯s nothing. I was just thinking about something.]

    I tried to act nonchnt.

    However, Merle was looking at me suspiciously.

    [Don¡¯t you seem rather short of breath?]

    [T- That¡¯s not true.]

    It¡¯s troubling that I turn out like this when I use irvoyance.

    [You know, you seemed to be in a daze a lottely. When you do, you end up breathing very hard¡­¡­]

    Merle was worried about me huh¡­¡­

    [Were you having perverted fantasies about me?]

    [I don¡¯t have the time for that in the dungeon!]

    Her actually thinking that way is just unexpected.

    [By the way, do you know the area where there are lots of Goblin statues scattered around?]

    [You would be talking about the Pandemonium Statues. That ce is pretty deep in the 3rd Underground Floor, so we¡¯ve never been there.]

    [There¡¯s nothing to see there. Monsters rarely appear there.]

    [I see. Well, we have to go there for the map.]

    After I finish making the map of the 3rd Underground Floor, I will present that treasure chest to the three of them.

    [Let¡¯s wait patiently for that treasure chest. We may be able to get one in the near future.]

    [What do you mean by that?]

    I just handed a candy to Regal, who was curiously tilting his head.

    [For now, please bear with these jewels.]

    Product name: Jewel Candy

    Description: Candy with the color and shape of a jewel. There are three types: Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald. Each has a premium vor of Strawberry, Blue Hawaii, and Muscat respectively. Eating them will restore one¡¯s energy and make one positive.

    Price: 30 rims

    Colorful candies twinkled in the lights of the dungeon.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Jewel Candy

 Chapter 65: The Legendary Nail Bat

    <h4>Chapter 65: The Legendary Nail Bat</h4>

    The first person to arrive at the store that morning was Regal, who had been working with Garm and his party.

    [Good morning, Yahagi-san!]

    [Good morning, Regal. I see you¡¯ve finally be an official team member.]

    [Yes! Thanks to Yahagi-san, I will start my induction course today.]

    Regal¡¯s Offensive Magic is rapidly improving.

    As he was promised, he is now an official member of Garm¡¯s team.

    He is now a full-fledged adventurer.

    It seems a lie that only a short time ago, he was a porter who always looked like he was about to cry.

    It¡¯s amazing how quickly a boy can grow up.

    [And so, hereafter, my assistance for dungeon mapping......]

    [Don¡¯t worry about that.]

    It hurts that Regal is leaving, but mapmaking is a time-limited job.

    Inparison, being on a team is a long-term activity.

    Now, as their new member, he has to be used to his new team.

    Fortunately, Merle and Mira will continue to help me out, so I congratted Regal wholeheartedly on his departure.

    Including Regal, there were actually three neers who would be receiving Garm team¡¯s induction course.

    It seems that Garm has erged his team and moved his base of operations to the 3rd Underground Floor.

    Even him, who until recently was hunting with veteran adventurers, has grown up remarkably.

    I suppose this is how rookies be veteran adventurers.

    [Yo, Garm. You¡¯ve be quite a big group.]

    [We will have our start here. We¡¯re going to make a lot of money and make a name for ourselves in the Royal Capital.]

    Garm turned to the excited-looking rookies.

    [Alright, today is my treat. You little chicks can buy as much as you want up to 300 rims.]

    The rookies cheered at Garm¡¯s words.

    Seems like the rookies were still a bit childish.

    Pondering on the treat given to them, Regal and the others put the store¡¯s items in their baskets.

    Snacks up to 300 rims huh......

    This reminds me of my field trip back in grade school.

    I used to go to the neighborhood dagashi shop and do a lot of shopping like this.

    Let¡¯s see, what is it that Regal chose?

    Squid Skewers ¨C 30 rims

    10-rim Gum x 7 ¨C 70 rims

    Monster Card Chips ¨C 100 rims

    Stick Chocte ¨C 30 rims

    Pop Rocket Lottery ¨C 50 rims

    Moran Yogul ¨C 20 rims

    I see, I see.

    It¡¯s basic for one to increase sensitivity with a squid skewer.

    In the dungeon, you never know when a monster will surprise you.

    And Regal, a magician, would certainly buy more 10-rim gums, which restores his mana, and prepares a stick chocte in hand for a coup de grace.

    A logical choice he made here.

    Monster chips are expensive, but one could hope to get rare cards from them.

    The chips can also be used to trade with friends.

    Pulling for the pop rocket lottery is also a good choice, as he can use it when he runs out of mana.

    Not forgetting the Moran Yogul in case he gets hurt...... It¡¯s a very good line-up of items he had chosen!

    [Ah, that¡¯s right, this may not be relevant to a magician like Regal, but there¡¯s a new product that just came out.]

    Product Name: Chocte Bat

    Description: Bread dough coated with chocte. The shape resembles that of a bat. Eating it will help you regain a slight amount of stamina. Ites with a lottery, and if the back of the package says ¡°Home Run¡±, one can receive the Legendary Nail Bat. Seasonal Product from Autumn to Spring.

    Price: 30 rims

    Regal curiously picked up a Chocte Bat.

    [It¡¯s unusual for an item to be acquired from a lottery. What kind of item is this Legendary Nail Bat?]

    [Fufufu, look and be amazed. This is the Legendary Nail Bat!]

    I took out the nail bat I had hidden under the table.

    Under what seemed to be heavenly light, it glistened silver.

    Even though it was called Nail Bat, it isn¡¯t just a wooden bat with nails on it.

    If such a thing was actually used in a real battle, it would break immediately.

    This one is shaped like a metal bath with nails in it.

    It isn¡¯t like the hollow, metal bats like those used in high school baseball games.

    It¡¯s a true, blue heavy weapon, carved entirely out of metal.

    [It¡¯s a magic item that deals a fixed 300 damage.]

    [What does that mean?]

    [It means it does a certain amount of damage no matter who uses it.]

    Well, if their attack hits, that is.

    Therefore, it¡¯s a weapon that should be held by those who are good at closebat.

    [Wait a moment there! Is that fixed 300 damage true!?]

    The one who reacted to the Nail Bat¡¯s specs the most was the warrior Garm.

    [That¡¯s what the product description says.]

    [That means, it can smash a Spider Crab with a single blow! Give me five!]

    [I¡¯ll have ten of those.]

    Merle, who had arrived before I knew it, handed me 3rge copper coins.

    Perhaps because she was able to earn more money than before, she was a bit rough with her money these days.

    [Stop there, Merle. You won¡¯t be able to win easily.]

    [Don¡¯t stop me, Yuusuke-san. I¡¯m not buying snacks here. I¡¯m buying a dream.]

    [No, you aren¡¯t buying a dream. It¡¯s a snack! Wake up, Merle.]

    That¡¯s a gambler¡¯s way of thinking you¡¯re having there, Merle.

    [Merle, let¡¯s just buy three. I¡¯ll buy it myself, and if I win, Merle gets the bat.]

    Mira nonchntly bought a bat.

    [Arehh, it seems like there¡¯s something written on it?]

    No way, did the lucky Mira really just pulled out the Legendary Nail Bat!?

    While everyone around her watched with bated breath, Mira happily showed me the writing on the back of the package.

    [It says ¡°Hit¡±.]

    [If it¡¯s a hit, I¡¯ll trade for you another chocte bat.]

    Ahh, that surprised me. I got flustered because Mira actually is a lucky girl.

    There was a bit of amotion from the introduction of the Chocte Bat, but not a single adventurer that day won the Legendary Nail Bat.

    I guess winning it isn¡¯t so easy.

    <hr>

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Chocte Bat

 Chapter 66: Neon Jelly

    <h4>Chapter 66: Neon Jelly</h4>

    The end of the year is approaching.

    This year is finallying to an end.

    Looking back, a lot has happened in the short time since I moved here in spring.

    I started a dagashi shop in another world, got acquainted with Michelle, and got involved in a coup d¡¯etat¡­¡­ I must say, it has been a turbulent and eventful life.

    [What are you going to do at the Cordelius Procession, Yuusuke-san?]

    Regal, who hade to my shop, asked me this question.

    [What is this Cordelius Procession?]

    [It¡¯s a festival for St. Cordelius.]

    There was apparently once a great priest named St. Cordelius.

    There¡¯s an anecdote that when an epidemic broke at the end of the year, he went around the houses all night long, using Light Magic to light up his path.

    [On New Year¡¯s Eve, people all over the city parade through the streets with lights in their hands. There were many food stalls along the street, and it was very lively.]

    As I was Japanese in my previous life, I interpreted it as some kind ofntern parade.

    [It sounds like an interesting event.]

    [Are you going to set up your store, Yuusuke-san? Or perhaps, are you going to participate in the festival with Master?]

    By Master, he was talking about Michelle.

    Since Regal is quite attached to me, Michelle was also being mindful of him, and she ended up teaching him magic.

    Even so, setting up a stall or joining the procession huh.

    What should I do¡­¡­

    [I¡¯m thinking of taking the end of the year off, what about you Michelle?]

    [I¡¯m fine either way. As long as I can spend time with Yuusuke¡­¡­]

    When I asked the nearby Michelle, I received such a reply as she fidgeted.

    We¡¯ve been working apart a lottely, so I¡¯d like to enjoy the end of the year with her.

    [If that¡¯s the case, I guess we¡¯ll join the procession. I¡¯ll be busy making the map for the 3rd Underground Floor from the beginning of the year, so I¡¯ll take New Year¡¯s Eve off.]

    The n was to enjoy the festivities together first, and then we¡¯ll go have our date with just the two of us.

    [Nevertheless, Cordelius Procession huh¡­¡­ In that case, maybe we can sell this product.]

    [What kind of product is it?]

    I pulled out a new product that has joined my lineup of items today.

    Product name: Neon Jelly

    Description: A stick-type jelly. It emits light when mana is channeled through it. There are 5 types of jellies: Cider, Pineapple, Strawberry, Melon and Grapes. They glow blue, yellow, red, green and purple respectively.

    Price: 30 rims

    It¡¯s refreshingly sweet and tasty, and the konjac in it gives it a delightful texture.

    I think it¡¯s a significant corporate effort considering that this can be purchased for 30 rims.

    There¡¯s apparently no health problems even if you eat the jelly while it¡¯s glowing.

    [Watch this, okay¡­¡­ Here.]

    When I imbued my magic power into the cider-vored jelly, the 30cm long stick began to glow light blue.

    It¡¯s not noticeable in bright light, but if you put it in the shade, you can see it glowing like a beam sword.

    [Uwahh, that looks interesting.]

    [Give me two of each, a total of ten of those jellies.]

    Merle came out of nowhere and immediately bought them.

    [We¡¯re going to shily decorate these and get everyone¡¯s attention. Mira, you should buy some too.]

    [Ehh, I can just use Light Magic¡­¡­]

    [However, that light only has one color.]

    [Hmmm.]

    Michelle, who was beside me, magically created a ball of light.

    So this is Light Magic huh.

    Moreover, Michelle¡¯s ball of light changed colors one after another, from red to yellow, from yellow to green, and so on.

    [The point is, if you change the wavelength of your mana wave, the color will also change like this.]

    [Amazing¡­¡­]

    Mira watched Michelle¡¯s magic.

    [You should be able to easily learn to do this with practice. I suppose I¡¯ll teach you¡­¡­]

    [Really!? Thank you!]

    [It¡¯s not that big of a deal.]

    The atmosphere around Michelletely makes her more approachable than before.

    Perhaps, her mental state is calmer now that she¡¯s off the wanted list.

    That¡¯s a good thing.

    [Here, the longer the mana wavelength, the brighter the color, right? On the other hand, if it¡¯s short, it bes subdued. Just like me¡­¡­]

    Hmmm, I guess she isn¡¯t quite stable yet huh.

    Still, Michelle has been kind to people other than metely.

    Perhaps, her personality had originally been like this.

    ¡ô

    The former Queen Consort, Titti, looked down at the Cordelius Procession with abhorrence from the top of the tower where she was imprisoned.

    There were several unfamiliar colorful lights this year, giving the procession a more festive impression than in previous years.

    Little does Titti know that those lights are the neon jellies sold by Yahagi Yuusuke.

    If she had known, her anger would have been even greater.

    [Titti, why don¡¯t youe over and have a ss of wine? Tonight is New Year¡¯s Eve, so there¡¯s a special red wine prepared for us. Well, it¡¯s a cheap wine that isn¡¯t really good¡­¡­]

    Titti ignored the former King¡¯s voiceing from the dining room table.

    She has hardly spoken since she was locked up in this tower.

    Her marriage to him was originally a non-affectionate one.

    Titti was only attracted to the status of Queen Consort, which she had acquired from plundering the King from her sister.

    [Oi, Titti, are you listening!?]

    Titti was getting annoyed just by hearing her husband¡¯s voice.

    She didn¡¯t care one bit about a loser who had lost his money and power.

    How could this foolish man not understand that?

    If things were going smoothly as what originally should have happened, she would have been enjoying the end-of-year party at the royal pce by now.

    But this year, there¡¯s nothing but poor food served to her.

    Titti believes that this is the fault of the current King, Bartos, and her sister, Michelle.

    .

    She held no remorse for her own licentious behavior.

    [There¡¯s that man too¡­¡­]

    Titti gritted her teeth as she recalled Yahagi Yuusuke calling her ¡°ugly¡±.

    It wasn¡¯t that she had never been insulted in all the years she had lived.

    However, that was the only time she had ever been called ugly in her life.

    And for Titti, her beauty is the only thing that gives her absolute confidence.

    She couldn¡¯t forget Yahagi, the insignificant street vendor, who had denied such a thing.

    [I¡¯ll definitely get my revenge¡­¡­]

    ¡°For the time being, I should get out of here¡±, Titti thought.

    She would target the newly hired young servant.

    Pretending that she was an unfortunate woman who had been deceived, she would ensnare that servant.

    All she had to do was smile at him affectionately, and that stupid man would believe her immediately, or so Titti thought.

    Looking outside the ss window, a reserved smile appears on Titti¡¯s lips.

    Her expression was filled with innocence and purity, just like that of an unfortunate woman in a difficult situation.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Neon Jelly

 Chapter 67: Since the Corn Potage Ran Outâ€¦â€¦

    <h4>Chapter 67: Since the Corn Potage Ran Out¡­¡­</h4>

    Looking at them from a distance, the line of people was beautiful, like a streaming band of light. Michelle and I hade for the Cornelius Procession, an end-of-year event.

    [Come on, let¡¯s get our lights too.]

    I pull out my neon jelly.

    [Michelle, what color do you want?]

    [I¡¯m thinking of going for the grape-vored one. The one with purple color......]

    As usual, she chooses the one with the most subdued color.

    However, a Witch with the purple neon light looks more mysterious and shines shadier than usual.

    The contrast created with Michelle¡¯s short wavelength suited a Witch such as her.

    I didn¡¯t realize it before, but I guess this is my type huh......

    [What¡¯s the matter?]

    Noticing my gaze, Michelle curiously tilted her head.

    [I was just rediscovering my preferences.]

    [Eh?]

    I took out a melon-vored green jelly for myself and lit it up.

    [Alright, let¡¯s go.]

    We hadn¡¯t held hands outside much, but today is the end of the year.

    Let¡¯s not be shy and enjoy the festivities with her.

    Having that in mind, I gently held Michelle¡¯s hand.

    [Yuusuke......]

    [Do you not want to?]

    [No, that¡¯s not it.]

    Michelle widely shook her head.

    Her appearance is irresistibly adorable.

    [It feels warmer this way, right?]

    [Unnn. It makes me feel happy......]

    We started walking with the flow of the procession, holding each other¡¯s hand.

    I was worried about what would happen to me after being transported into another world, but I¡¯ve somehow managed to get my hands on my own happiness......

    Frankly speaking, I may even be living a more fulfilling life here than in that world.

    I was miserable just before I died after all.

    I don¡¯t want to remember those days too much......

    As I was thinking about the future, I felt a strange sensation in my right hand.

    Looking at it, I saw a thin, golden string that was tied around our wrists.

    [Michelle-san?]

    [What is it?]

    [What is this shiny string?]

    [Restraint Magic. To make sure we won¡¯t identally split up, just in case......]

    Michelle¡¯s smile dimly shone before the light of neon jelly.

    Is this really gonna be alright?

    Well, even though there are some things I¡¯m anxious about, I am happy.

    People from all over the city were attending the festival, so we met a few people I knew.

    [Yahagi-san, merry new year!]

    [Ara~~ You two are on a date huh. Hmmm......]

    Exchanging words with other adventurers we knew, we walked along the roadside stalls, looking for something to buy.

    Our destination was a temple dedicated to St. Cordelius, where I was told that if we paid a visit, we would be blessed with good health for theing year.

    While everyone was smiling, I spotted a group of dejected people.

    They were the always cheerful members of Garm team.

    They were usually drinking hot wine and making a lot of noise, but today, they were sitting on the stone steps with their shoulders slumped.

    [Oi, oi, what¡¯s going on?]

    I called out to Garm, who seemed to be in a bad mood.

    [Ahh!? Oh, it¡¯s Yahagi-san and Elder Sis huh......]

    Though Garm seemed irritated, he reluctantly acknowledged us and acting all meek and submissive, he sat back on the stairs.

    [Well, we¡¯ve had a terrible time in the inner areas of the 3rd Underground Floor......]

    Garm, who had erged the size of his team, set out in high spirits for the inner areas of the 3rd Underground Floor.

    However, they got lost and ran into a powerful enemy, barely escaping alive.

    [I really thought we were gonna die. Not only did we lose some of our luggages, with the medical bills umting on us, we¡¯re at a great deficit.]

    And so, even though there¡¯s a festival around, they don¡¯t have enough money to buy alcohol huh.

    [Uuu~~ It¡¯s so cold. I¡¯d love a ss of warm apple wine.]

    Regal shivered.

    Although he has been promoted from porter to adventurer, his ie was still far from stable.

    Well, back in my former world, I suppose there are people with stable jobs who also end up like them.

    It would be nice to treat them to some alcohol, but I sell dagashis.

    Guess I¡¯ll just help them out in my own way then.

    [I¡¯ll give you something warm to drink, soe with me.]

    Moving to a less crowded area, I brought out my shoulder-pole stall.

    [I¡¯ll make you something good out of this.]

    [Umaibo? If that¡¯s the case, I¡¯d be more grateful for some warming curry crackers......]

    [Well, just wait and see.]

    Product name: Umaibo (Corn Potage vor)

    Description: A dagashi that restores one¡¯s stamina.

    Price: 10 rims

    Umaibo is a very popr product in my store.

    The low price and great taste keep peopleing back to buy them.

    Today, I¡¯m going to use it to serve something good to everyone.

    I take out a pot and milk that I had stocked in the stand-alone house provided with my store.

    [Alright, everyone, I want you to crush the umaibos while they¡¯re still in their packs.]

    [Is it really good to crush them?]

    [Yeah, just make sure you thoroughly crush them until it¡¯s turned into powder.]

    Garm and the others split upbor and crushed the umaibos into pieces.

    The powdered umaibos were then transferred into a pot.

    [Let¡¯s pour some milk into it...... Michelle, can you use magic to heat up the pot?]

    [Alright.]

    While I stirred gently, the contents of the pot gradually heated up and started thickening.

    [Is that corn potage?]

    [Correct. For the time being, drink this to warm you up?]

    Adding around 3 umaibos to 100ml of milk makes it rich and delicious.

    [Ohh, it really is potage!]

    [Delicious......]

    I¡¯m d I have tableware and pots stocked up in my stand-alone house.

    With the way things are going, I feel like I¡¯ll be able to summon up a griddle or something like that soon.

    It¡¯s not a bad idea to serve easy-to-make dishes like this in the future.

    [We have refills, so you don¡¯t have to be reserved.]

    [Seconds!]

    [Me too!]

    The young adventurers had no reservations, and the pot was quickly emptied.

    [Thanks to this, we warmed ourselves up!]

    [Thank you, Yahagi-san!]

    If they were happy with this kind of service, I suppose I wouldn¡¯t mind doing something like this every now and then.

    [It can¡¯t be helped! Let¡¯s forget about what happened and start earning money again tomorrow!]

    [Ou!]

    Everyone seemed to have recovered a bit.

    Garm and his team, having regained their spirits, vigorously went to pay their respects.

    Somehow, watching them like that, I¡¯m kinda starting to feel hungry and cold too.

    When cold wind blew by, I shivered.

    [Are you feeling cold, Yuusuke?]

    [Yeah, I should have had a sip of corn potage too.]

    Because Garm team had been so hungry, neither Michelle nor I drank any of it.

    [Everyone had such great appetites after all.]

    [You said it. Well then, shall we also have something to drink?]

    [You know......]

    Muttering for a bit, Michelle pulls herself closer to me.

    [We have some tasty apple wine back home. It¡¯s sweet and easy to drink. If you want......]

    Apple wine huh......

    Michelle seemed anxious as she invited me over, but tonight, I feel like I¡¯m under a spell.

    Even if she was leading me to eat a witch¡¯s poisoned apple, I might not hesitate to eat it.

    [Can I stay over?]

    [Unnn......]

    Hand in hand, we walked off again.

 Chapter 68: Its Finally Here

    <h4>Chapter 68: It''s Finally Here</h4>

    When I woke up, Michelle was close enough that I could feel her breathing.

    My head gradually awoke, finding myself in a dimly lit room.

    We are sleeping on the same bed, wrapped in one nket.

    Only the area where our bodies touch is sweltering hot.

    Thereupon, I noticed Michelle was already awake, staring at me intently, seemingly observing something unusual.

    [Good morning, Michelle. Did you sleep well?]

    [Unnn......]

    The New Year sun was shining behind the curtains.

    [It¡¯s already the next day huh. Happy New Year, I¡¯m in your care this year too.]

    [Me too. Happy New Year.]

    I reached out my arms and gently embraced Michelle.

    Feeling happiness within Michelle¡¯s warmth, I indulged in the little bit ofziness I had in the bed.

    Michelle also embraced me back, rubbing her face against my chest like a cat, leaking out a small giggle.

    [We should probably get up soon.]

    [Isn¡¯t it fine, staying here for a bit longer......]

    [I wanna drink coffee. You probably want some too, right?]

    Pushing away thezy thoughts out of my mind, I got up from the bed.

    [In that case, I¡¯ll help you out on that.]

    Michelle got up as well, and the lighting through the curtain shined on her exposed breasts.

    No matter how many times I looked at them, they wererge and beautiful.

    Noticing my gaze though, Michelle covered her breasts with a nket.

    [Don¡¯t stare so much, it¡¯s embarrassing.]

    Even though I had already seen everythingst night, it seems that she was still embarrassed being looked at.

    Well, I guess that¡¯s just the way it is.

    [Stay in bed a little longer. I¡¯ll just turn on the stove and make us some coffee.]

    I left Michelle in bed and headed for the kitchen.

    It was our first night in the same bed, but we didn¡¯t actually cross thatst line.

    We talked a lot about this matter and decided on this.

    Michelle has her research, while I have my own map-making goals.

    Neither of these things could be aplished while raising our children.

    As I mentioned before, there is no reliable birth control in this world.

    I think the unborn Machelle (temp) or Malfoy (temp) would be cute, but it¡¯s really just too early.

    Michelle agreed with me on this.

    Every day in the dungeon, several adventurers die.

    Whenever I hear of the death of someone I know, my heart aches.

    If tomorrow, Regal, Merle or Mira were to die...... No, just the thought of that is already heartbreaking.

    What¡¯s more heartbreaking is that such a thing happening is not at all improbable.

    However, once my maps arepleted, the survival rate of adventurers will surely increase.

    The death rate, especially among rookies, will definitely decrease.

    With this belief in mind, I will make maps.

    I want to maintain this small bundle of happiness surrounding me as long as possible.

    As a Dagashi Shopowner, meager it may be, this is my will and my dream.

    ¡ó

    On the fourth day of the New Year, I dove into a dungeon for the first time in a long time.

    It seems that in this world, just like back in Japan, it¡¯smon for people to rest for the first three days of the New Year.

    Though I say that, such rest days don¡¯t matter for the adventurers who are struggling to make ends meet, already back to their job after weing the New Year.

    [Good morning, Yahagi-san! We¡¯ve been waiting for you to open!]

    When I arrived at the underground onsen, Garm¡¯s team was waiting for my arrival.

    [Yo, you guys are early.]

    [Look, we got screwed over at the end of the year, didn¡¯t we?]

    If I remember correctly, they ran into a powerful enemy and had to flee.

    I heard that at that time, they left behind a bag filled with magic stones in the depths of the dungeon.

    That must be why they gave up their New Year¡¯s holidays to work.

    [Did you make some money?]

    [Just enough to buy us dagashis.]

    Garm bought some dagashis at my ce, and it looks like they¡¯re going to work a little harder after they get their boosts.

    [Hold on a moment, I¡¯m opening my store now.]

    Solemnly thinking of opening up the store, I take out the stand-alone house acting as my store inside the walls.

    Even though it¡¯s a small wooden house, it would take up a lot of space to upy if it¡¯s brought out inside the open space outside the onsen.

    On the other hand, if I brought it out inside the wall of the dungeon, it won¡¯t get in everyone¡¯s way, so this is what I¡¯ve been doing recently.

    The appearance of my ce now looked like a stone building with a Showa-style remodeled store.

    [Arehh? Seems like my shop has gottenrger.]

    It looks like my level has increased again.

    The frontage is still the same, but the interior of the store is a little wider.

    When I opened the sliding door and entered, I found that the right side of the store had been extended.

    Moreover, there were about three tables in that area.

    [What strange tables. They had this steel te in the center.]

    Garm and the others looked at new tables with curiosity.

    I see, the time has finallye huh......

    Yes, Dagashi Yahagi finally got its hands on griddles.

    [That¡¯s a griddle for cooking. There¡¯s a portable magic stove underneath the table that gets that griddle very hot.]

    [Cooking? Is Yahagi-san gonna cook?]

    [No, the customers are basically the ones doing it......]

    When one thinks of what represents the griddles, okonomiyaki and monjayaki are the staples.

    In the western areas of Japan, okonomiyaki is the mainstream, right?

    Meanwhile, monjayaki should be served only in a few areas in Kanto, though I also remember it being served as a regional food in Tokyo as well.

    The dagashi shop I used to go to didn¡¯t have either though.

    Now then, what is it that Dagashi Yahagi newly serves......

    [Oh, they added a new fridge.]

    I stopped to look at a white refrigerator I had never seen before.

    It was an old-fashioned refrigerator with their staple white colors.

    I guess the ingredients for the griddle were probably stored in this refrigerator.

    [Let¡¯s see, I wonder what we¡¯ll have here......]

    When I opened the fridge, the curious Garm team peeked in together.

    [What are those, pasta?]

    [Moreover, are those chopped cabbages?]

    There were only two kinds of ingredients in the fridge.

    [That isn¡¯t pasta. They¡¯re steamed noodles.]

    [What are steamed noodles?]

    [It¡¯s an ingredient for yakisoba.]

    [Yakisoba?]

    The adventurers from another world, not knowing what yakisoba is, looked at me with a look of confusion on their faces.

    Product name: Sauce Yakisoba

    Description: A simpleposite dish made with just noodles and cabbages. Customers prepare it by themselves with sauce, salt, pepper, oil or any other condiment or ingredient they want. Customers can also bring their own meat to mix in! Eating it helps to reduce fatigue and increase stamina.

    Price: 200 rims

    Because of its low price, the dish is quite simple in itsposition.

    They hadn¡¯t even provided dried greenver or red ginger huh.

    [I don¡¯t really know what that is, but I¡¯m feeling kinda hungry. I¡¯ll have one of those for breakfast.]

    Garm gave me two of therge copper coins he had just earned.

    [Then, I¡¯ll teach you how to cook it.]

    I¡¯m not that confident with my cooking skills, but even if I mess up a bit with the yakisoba, I don¡¯t think it would be so bad that it¡¯s inedible.

    As I watched the steam rise from the griddle, I gripped a spat in each of my hands.

    <hr>

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Okonomiyaki ¨C Thick, fluffy pancake with mixed fillings. Thicker batter made from flour, grated yam or nagaimo, eggs, and water or dashi. Shredded cabbage is amon ingredient. The batter and ingredients are mixed together to form a pancake-like dish.

    2. Monjayaki ¨C Gooey mixture cooked at the table.

    Thinner batter made from flour and water or dashi. It typically contains a variety of ingredients such as seafood, meat, and vegetables. The ingredients are ced directly on the hot griddle in a liquid form and mixed as they cook.

    3. Yakisoba ¨C a Japanese stir-fried noodle dish with veggies and meat, cooked with a savory sauce.

 Chapter 69: Arrangement

    <h4>Chapter 69: Arrangement</h4>

    Arranged yakisoba is bing a fad among adventurers.

    They don¡¯t just stir-fry noodles and cabbages, as they also mix in a variety of ingredients.

    Many bring in scraps of vegetables and dried meat, but there is also an increase in people who opted to add dagashis to it.

    There¡¯s a reason for this.

    It has been discovered that cooking yakisoba with dagashis can have a high magical effect.

    [For example, there¡¯s this Jumbo Cutlet.]

    While exining to Michelle, sitting in front of the griddle, I chopped up the Jumbo Cutlet into bite-sized pieces.

    [Normally, with the ¡°Power Boost¡± shout, your arm strength would increase for three seconds, right? If you add that to yakisoba¡­¡­]

    Since this snack is sauce vored, there¡¯s no discrepancy in taste when added to yakisoba.

    Mixing the cutlet chunks and noodles, I then added the cabbages at the end.

    Lastly, I poured the sauce over the stir-fried noodles, and I now have a Jumbo Cutlet Yakisoba.

    [What happens?]

    [The power boost buffsts up to 12 seconds.]

    [Extending the buff four times longer is amazing. It coulde in handy in battle.]

    [Moreover, it has a half-day standby time. In other words, you can use Power Boost once at any time within half a day of eating it.]

    Thanks to this effect, many adventurers had recently been eating Jumbo Cutlet Yakisoba for breakfast.

    Since there are only three griddles though, its poprity has made it so that there¡¯s a long line of people waiting to eat a serving.

    [Now, it¡¯s ready. Try it.]

    It was Michelle¡¯s first time eating yakisoba.

    I think I did a good job with it, but serving someone my arrangement just makes me a bit nervous.

    [Thank you for the meal.]

    Michelle trying to bite into the yakisoba, only to puff her mouth from its warmth, looks adorable.

    [How is it?]

    [It¡¯s very tasty (if it¡¯s something Yuusuke makes, it will always be tasty?).]

    Since she often cooked for me, I¡¯m happy that she was pleased with my cooking.

    Next time, let¡¯s consider nutrition bnce and make her something with a lot of meat and veggies.

    [Are there any other arrangements you have in mind?]

    [It seems that crushed and topping New Orleans mayonnaise-vored snacks is popr. Also, I¡¯ve heard that eating it in between sauce crackers gives the eater an extrayer of defense.]

    <i>(T/N: I don¡¯t know what they meant by New Orleans mayo)</i>

    The carbohydrate mayhem that is Yakisoba Bread also seems to have some kind of magical effect on the people here.

    I wonder if it¡¯ll be popr if I made and sold those?

    [Hmmm. So, does that mean those guys over there are working on a new recipe?]

    Michelle nced toward Merle and Mira, who were cooking their yakisoba at the table next to ours.

    Merle has been eating a lot of yakisoba morning and night, looking for an effective arrangement.

    It seems like Mira could only helplessly go along with her whims.

    [Alright, let¡¯s go¡­¡­]

    Merle said with a trembling voice.

    What she has in her hand is a packet of powdered juice (pineapple vor).

    [Merle, seriously!?]

    I reflexively called out to her.

    [I told you that¡¯s definitely not a good idea!]

    Mira also looked worried.

    [Don¡¯t stop me, you two. I¡¯ve decided to devote myself to this study!]

    Study, she said¡­¡­

    The powdered juice (pineapple vor) that Mira is holding in her hand is a popr product that increases the amount of money drops from defeating monsters by 1.2 times (for 10 minutes).

    In any case, she¡¯s probably just aiming for a duration and multiplier increase, right?

    [If you put powdered juice in that, the taste wouldn¡¯t make any sense.]

    Michelle looks worriedly at the item Merle had in her hand.

    [Hmmm, I¡¯m not so sure about that. Back home, some restaurants put pineapple in their sweet-and-sour pork. There¡¯s also the possibility that if you add pork to it, it might taste better than you might think¡­¡­]

    I guess it depends on the quantity, but I don¡¯t think it would taste that awful.

    Well, it would turn out to be a very sweet yakisoba though.

    As the powdered juice was sprinkled over the noodles, the scent of pineapple filled the room.

    It was the same scent I had smelled when I passed by a pineapple candy factory.

    It kinda reminded me of the scenery in Japan.

    However, that was only until sauce was added.

    When Merle poured the sauce over the top, all the pineapple scent was reced by the sauce.

    It was proof of how overwhelming yakisoba sauce is.

    However, it smelled more fruity than usual.

    [It might surprisingly work out well!? Maybe I am a genius!]

    Merle eximed as she inhaled the sweet scent of yakisoba.

    It¡¯s obvious at a nce that she isn¡¯t a genius, but this happening was just a coincidence.

    Besides, when ites to arranged yakisoba, until you actually taste it, you can¡¯t let your guard down.

    I¡¯ve seen many adventurers get sick from sipping the vinegar out of their Shan Squid Yakisoba, so there¡¯s no doubt about this.

    Merle packed the finished yakisoba in her lunch box.

    Perhaps being wary that the effect time might be short, she decided to eat it after finding monsters.

    Unlike powdered juice, consuming that is pretty troublesome¡­¡­.

    You might be chased or attacked while you¡¯re eating, you know?

    [We¡¯re off then! With this, maybe the amount of money will get multiplied by 5 or the duration will extend to 30 minutes. Just wait and see!]

    Well then, let¡¯s see what happens¡­¡­

    Since Merle has bad luck with lottery, I don¡¯t feel like she¡¯d have good luck with arrangements either.

    At the very least, I hope their arrangement will turn out delicious.

    ¡ô

    The royal pce had rooms of various sizes, but the new King, Bartos, preferred a small room for secret talks.

    Now, only King Bartos and Baron Essel are in this private room of about 20 square meters.

    Bartos looked over the report with a bored expression on his face and seemingly tossing out something she found something trivial, he threw the bundle of papers on his desk.

    [My brother isn¡¯t making any moves huh.]

    [Not at the moment.]

    [Even though I¡¯ve gone out of my way to give him an opening to plot a rebellion.]

    Not wanting to be used of killing his brother and usurping the throne, Bartos has imprisoned the former King.

    However, this is only a pretext.

    His true intentions lie elsewhere.

    He was also waiting for the influential nobles who were against him to rally around the former King and have them reinstated as their puppet.

    But so far, no such movements have been made.

    [For the time being, the nobles are showing their allegiance but¡­¡­]

    [That¡¯s a great thing.]

    [Keep a close watch on them.]

    [I¡¯m aware of that. Ah, that¡¯s right, there¡¯s one thing that concerns me.]

    Baron Essel said with a slight chuckle.

    [What is it?]

    [It seems that the former Queen Concert-sama is more intent on escaping from prison than the former King.]

    [Titti was?]

    Bartos also chuckled as he recalled the former Queen Consort¡¯s character.

    [The attendant observing them reported this to me. It seems that she has been trying to cajole a servant.]

    [Good grief, she¡¯s fallen that far huh. She¡¯s a good woman, so I¡¯d like to have her at least once, but I¡¯ve lost my appetite.]

    The Baron rebuked the King¡¯s joke.

    [Your Majesty.]

    [I was just joking, no need to get mad.]

    King Bartos was a capable man, but his only fault was that he was too lecherous.

    The Baron knew that he meant 60% of what he said.

    [How would you like to deal with Titti-sama?]

    [Fumu¡­¡­ Just leave her alone. If she actually tries to escape from prison, catch her and put her to death. Make a spectacle of her in the za and that should relieve the people¡¯s pent-up frustration on them.]

    The Baron didn¡¯t like this approach, but what the King said was also true.

    Somehow keeping arge sigh to himself, the Baron kept his thoughts to himself.

    For the first time in a long time, he felt like taking a bath in the onsen, drinking a bottle of ramune, and having a Mobile Force match with someone.

 Chapter 70: Replica

    <h4>Chapter 70: Replica</h4>

    Seven days into the new year, I¡¯m back to map-making.

    Today, with the help of Merle and Mira, I havee to the inner areas of the 3rd Underground Floor.

    I can¡¯t deny that our group¡¯s strength has lowered since Regal left.

    However, we¡¯ve got some powerful weapons in hand.

    [Is this really alright?]

    Merle swung a toy in her hand with a worried look on her face.

    Product name: Murasame Replica

    Description: A lottery toy product. Even though it¡¯s a stic toy, its sharpness isn¡¯t to be outdone by the Legendary Demonic Sword. It can be used 10 times, and disappears after 10 uses.

    Price: 100 rims

    A lottery toy has been added to the store¡¯s product line.

    It was part of a string fishing lottery, where one pulls a string within a bundle of strings, and a toy is attached to the end of a string.

    The pull-string lottery was attached to a wide variety of products, about 50 or so.

    Well, not all of the products you could draw from it have magical effects.

    Some are just stuffed toys, others are retro toys such as bamboo dragonflies.

    On the other hand, there are products like this.

    If I were to rank the products from 1 to 7, with 1 being the best and 7 the worst, Murasame Replica is a Rank 2 item.

    For Merle, who has bad luck in lotteries, she won a pretty good prize.

    [However, can a sword as light as this really cut something?]

    It¡¯s understandable for Merle to be concerned.

    Murasame Replica looks just like a stic sword sold at festivals.

    The de is about 50 cm long, but can it really be used in an actual battle?

    Because it¡¯s an item brought out by my Dagashi Shop, I want to believe in this product, but I myself really feel uneasy about it.

    [This sounds wasteful, but why don¡¯t you give it a try once?]

    [That certainly would be for the best huh¡­¡­ If I feel worried with this thing in my hand, I won¡¯t be able to properly move my body.]

    The number of times she could use it would decrease, but I wanted to reduce the risk since lives depended on it.

    [Then, I¡¯ll give it a try on the vines over there.]

    Merle stopped to look at a nt vine hanging from the ceiling.

    It was as thick as my arm and would be tough to cut with a single sh.

    [Alright¡­¡­]

    Merle faced the vine and unsheathed the Murasame Replica.

    [Uwehh!?]

    Merle, letting out a cry, stumbled on her steps.

    At the same time, the previously inorganic white de was enveloped in a shimmering red light.

    [Are you alright, Merle?]

    [Unnn, the sword absorbed my mana, making me wobble a little. It sucks up a lot more mana than I thought¡­¡­]

    Toy it may be, a Demon Sword will still be a Demon Sword huh.

    Merle¡¯s eyes, which had been distracted earlier, turned serious.

    [I guess using it here would be wasteful huh? Let¡¯s stop with the trial¡­¡­]

    [Don¡¯t think that¡¯s possible anymore. Once I imbued mana on it, it seems I can¡¯t put it back into its sheath until I cut something.]

    It seems that the only relief in this situation was the fact that she wouldn¡¯t need to go as far as drawing blood.

    [Alright. Then, bring out your best strike.]

    [Unnn. However, I¡¯m gonna try shing that way.]

    Merle pointed to a stone pir sticking out of the ground.

    The height is about 2 meters, with thickness about the same as my torso.

    [I feel like I can cut it¡­¡­]

    The bloodshot-eyed Merle licked the edge of her lips.

    Her current state lost her usual cheerfulness, instead holding this ghastliness that sends shivers down other people¡¯s spines.

    Merle, readying herself with a gedan stance, runs up to the stone pir.

    As the pointed edge, which was scraping against the ground, was swung diagonally upward, the thick stone pir was smoothly sliced with a clean cross-section.

    [Amazing¡­¡­]

    Mira is trembling, not only her voice, but also her whole body.

    Thereupon, the sword was put back into its sheath.

    [Merle¡­¡­]

    [Well, this is one scary sword.]

    Merle turned around, her expression returning back to usual.

    The power of the Demonic Sword seems to havepletely hidden itself.

    That¡¯s good¡­¡­

    [Are you alright?]

    [What is alright? I¡¯m just as usual.]

    Merle looked at us with a nk expression on her face.

    [That¡¯s great if that¡¯s the case¡­¡­]

    [It¡¯s just, I feel like that trial feels kinda wasted. With this sword, I think I can defeat even pretty strong monsters. Now, I can only use it nine more times. Tsk, what a shame!]

    Unnn, Merle really is just as usual.

    It seems that the Murasame Replica has no adverse effects on her body and mind.

    That¡¯s a relief.

    [Come on, let¡¯s continue our search!]

    With those words, Merle started to vigorously walk forward.

    Merle, who was walking in front of the ground, turned around and hushed us, putting a finger in front of her lips.

    Seems like she had spotted something ahead.

    Mira held a cocoa cigar to her mouth while hiding behind a rock, and Mira and I followed suit.

    (What¡¯s the matter?)

    (There are three Leprases up ahead.)

    Peeking out from behind the rock, I saw three men about 150cm tall.

    They weren¡¯t tall, but their muscles were tremendous.

    Their arms, pecs, and other muscles seemed to be more than twice my size.

    They were all wearing ck leather masks and holding war hammers in their hands.

    If I were hit with one of those things, it would shatter my bones.

    (Are those humans?)

    (No, they¡¯re not. They¡¯re also monsters created from the fog.)

    That was close.

    If I met them without knowing about them, I would have called out and greeted them hello.

    (What should we do? Surprise attack?)

    (That¡¯s well and good, but Leprases are pretty tough. We¡¯d usually use a trap against a Lepras.)

    (A trap?)

    (We set up a magic trap and lure them with a silver coin. However, Leprases are quick, so I¡¯d say the chances of sess are 50-50? Worst case scenario though, they¡¯ll just take the silver coin.)

    If it¡¯s a silver coin, that would be 10000 rims huh.

    That¡¯s a pretty painful loss for a rookie.

    (However, the Lepras is a big catch when properly subjugated, each of them dropping 2000 rims. There¡¯s no way one would normally pass up on them. Besides, if too many gather, they could be a troublesome enemy.)

    (Unnn, Lepras enjoy capturing and torturing humans. I¡¯ve even heard people saying they would rather be killed than captured by them.)

    Well, that sounds terrifying.

    I guess it really would be better to set up a trap and catch them.

    (Does it have to be a silver coin to lure them in though? I think arge copper coin would be fine.)

    Even if they take it away, the loss will only be 1000 rims.

    (That won¡¯t do. The more the coin is worth, the more sessful the trap will be.)

    I¡¯d normally be happy just by spotting a penny on the ground, but we aren¡¯t sure what the monsters think.

    (That¡¯s right, let¡¯s use this.)

    I came up with a good n.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    String Fishing Lottery

    <ol start="2"> Gedan Stance: Gedan-no-Kamae, meaning ¡°lower-level posture¡±, is adopted when the sword is held out in front of the body pointing at the waist, knee or sometimes the ankle. A variant of Chuudan-no-Kamae, making it seem like a defensive posture, but it¡¯s instead used to deflect blows and create striking opportunities.

    </ol>

 Chapter 71: Lepras Chase

    <h4>Chapter 71: Lepras Chase</h4>

    I take out a new item.

    (Let¡¯s lure the Leprases with this.)

    (Gold coins!?)

    (Look closely. It¡¯s a snack.)

    Product name: Gold Coin Choctes

    Description: A pot of choctes in the shape of a gold coin. It looks like a real gold coin and is difficult to differentiate from the real one until they hold it. Eating it will bring you a very slight increase in money luck.

    Price: 20 rims

    (It¡¯s light¡­¡­)

    (It¡¯s a snack, so it¡¯s obviously light. Don¡¯t get teary-eyed.)

    Looking disappointed, Merle opens the aluminum wrapper and eats the chocte.

    (Isn¡¯t it good to leave behind these gold coin choctes and jewel candies here?)

    (Yes, this would be a good way to fool the Leprases. I¡¯ll set up the magic trap right away.)

    Mira drew a magic circle on the floor while chanting a spell.

    This magic trap is circr with a diameter of about 50 cm.

    If a monster takes even a single step into that trap, it would apparently immobilize them in an instant.

    (Though I say that, it doesn¡¯tst that long. It can only immobilize them for about 20 seconds at most.)

    (20 seconds is already plenty of time.)

    Patting the Murasame Replica with her hand, Merle reassured me.

    When everything was ready, we hid behind the shadows of the rock.

    Then, we threw a stone against a wall and made a small noise.

    The Leprases immediately came trotting over to see what was going on, their warhammers at the ready.

    [Gugyagyagyagya!]

    [Gyagya!]

    They seemed to be excited to find the gold coins.

    Leprases may be cautious, but they were apparently obsessed with treasures, as when they find one, their reason goes out the window.

    With bloodshot eyes, they rushed straight for the chocte.

    [Gugeaahh!?]

    The Leprases screamed as they stepped into the magic trap.

    Their whole body went numb and with them running before stepping into the trap, the inertia sent the rest of their body forward and with their body bending like a bow, they stiffened.

    Merle immediately jumped out and shed her red-glowing Murasame Replica at them.

    [One!]

    The Lepras, whose torso has been cut in two, disappeared to smoke.

    The cutting power of the Murasame Replica is frighteningly powerful even in actualbat.

    When the Lepras vanished, it left behind a purple, pea-sized magic crystal and two silver coins.

    [Two!]

    Merle shed the second Lepras with a diagonal sh from its shoulder, leaving me in a state of amazement.

    Her magically enhanced body is agile and simply overwhelming.

    This monster, too, was struck down with a single blow.

    In the third monster¡¯s case though, that wasn¡¯t the case.

    Perhaps the effects of the magic trap were wearing off, the Lepras writhed around, trying to release itself from its restraint.

    Merle¡¯s speed had also visibly slowed down, as if her previous barrage of attacks had been a lie.

    [Fatigue huh? Or perhaps, was this a bacsh to using the power of Murasame Replica?]

    Toy it may be, it is a Demonic Sword.

    Is it possible that using it had some sort of curse?

    [It¡¯s alright. Please watch over her.]

    While I was so worried, Mira called out to me.

    [However, Merle is¡­¡­]

    At that moment, Merle made her move.

    So as not to let the enemy narrow down the target of its attack, Merle moved forward in a zig-zag pattern.

    The Lepras still seemed to be unable to escape the effects of the magic trap.

    It lifts its warhammer and prepares itself for Merle¡¯s attack, but its movements are sluggish.

    As Merle¡¯s sword shes in red again, the right hand holding the warhammer falls to the ground.

    [Ugyaaahh!]

    Rolling in pain, the Lepras managed to slip its legs out of the magic circle.

    After tumbling on the ground for a bit, the Lepras jumped up and started running away.

    Seeing this, I readied the 8-round pistol in my hand.

    [Please wait!]

    Mira grasped my wrist and turned my targeting away.

    [It¡¯s gonna run away though?

    [Merle let that Lepras escape on purpose.]

    [On purpose? Even though we could have just taken it out?]

    [Yes. Lepras dens often contain treasures. It does have its risks, but she must have let it go so we could explore its nest.]

    [That¡¯s right. Let¡¯s go after it!]

    Following Merle¡¯s back as she started chasing after the Lepras, Mira and I also started running.

    We were here to make a map, but before I knew it, I ended up getting involved in adventurer business.

    I was admittedly overwhelmed by Merle and MIra¡¯s momentum, but I have noints.

    I have always been under their care.

    If they see this as a chance to get rich, I would at least be willing to lend them a hand.

    At the far end of the dimly lit dungeon corridor, we could see the burly back of the Lepras.

    We are in the process of following that back while keeping our distance.

    The Lepras¡¯ movements are sluggish due to its wounds.

    It shouldn¡¯t be too difficult for us to follow it.

    [However, don¡¯t get too close, okay? It may not return to its den.]

    [Alright. By the way, how much do you estimate a Lepras¡¯ treasures would have.]

    [I¡¯m told it would be worth at least 300,000 rims.]

    Merle told me with an excited look on her face.

    [Even if we split it among the three of us, that¡¯s 100,000 rims each. That will increase our savings.]

    Mira also seemed like she was in a dream.

    For her, who¡¯s usually calm and collected, that¡¯s rather unusual.

    I suppose that¡¯s how much of a good opportunity this is.

    [However, what if there are other Leprases in that den?]

    Our enemy here may not necessarily be a wounded individual.

    [I guess we¡¯ll have no choice but to rely on reinforcements at that time. Our share will be reduced though.]

    [We¡¯ll ask Garm-san to help us. Of course, we will be charging for the information fee.]

    Adventurers often fight together.

    This is how people who have known each other since they were rookies grow up.

    The Lepras¡¯ back, which was visible at the end of the passageway, was covered in darkness.

    [Arehh? Let¡¯s rush forward a bit.]

    Merle, who was walking in the lead, ran off.

    Soon, we reached a fork in the road.

    [Dang it, which way did it go?]

    We had been too cautious that the Lepras had gone too far.

    We looked at the floor, but we couldn¡¯t find any traces of blood.

    [If we don¡¯t hurry, we might really lose sight of it.]

    It can¡¯t be helped.

    Michelle might scold me for this, but I guess I should use that power of mine huh¡­¡­

    Sitting for a moment at that ce, I quietly closed my eyes.

 Chapter 72: Sun and Moon Room

    <h4>Chapter 72: Sun and Moon Room</h4>

    Which way did the Lepras go, right or left?

    I thought as I circted the mana in my body to activate my irvoyance.

    If I were to search for ¡°wounded Lepras¡±, I should be able to immediately tell what that monster is up to.

    However, that doesn¡¯t mean I would be able to tell where it is.

    It would take time for me to find out.

    That being the case, it would be quicker to take a glimpse into the past and find out the path it took.

    It would take an enormous amount of mana to see into the past, but I only wanted to see what happened just a minute or so ago.

    If it¡¯s just that, it should be less stressful on the body.

    Probably¡­¡­

    Having decided on my n, I take out a stick chocte.

    Using this will increase the power of a magic I use by 30%.

    Holding it in front of my chest, I swung it down, I elevated my mana.

    ¡°Do you want to go forward or go back?¡±

    The usual voice echoed in my head.

    Choosing ¡°go back¡±, I kept my gaze on the fork in the road.

    A vision opened up like a haze around me.

    For a while, all I could see was an empty dungeon corridor, but soon I could hear rough breathing and scuttling footsteps.

    Thereupon, the Lepras without a right hand came into my view.

    The Lepras looked puzzled for a moment, but then, looking back for a moment, it proceeded to the right path.

    Knowing that is enough already.

    I quickly released my magic.

    [Right. It went right.]

    [How do you know?]

    Merle asked me that, but my irvoyant power is a secret.

    [No time to exin. In any case, let¡¯s go.]

    [Merle, let¡¯s trust Yuusuke-san.]

    Since Mira said so, it seems that Merle also epted the situation.

    We followed the Lepras again.

    As soon as we started running, I felt a pain in my chest, as if I had been pricked by a small thorn.

    The aggravating pain kept on pricking me, and I couldn¡¯t help but click my tongue.

    [Tsk.]

    [Is something the matter?]

    [Nothing. I¡¯m just a little out of sorts.]

    ording to Michelle, these diforts will lessen as the amount of mana I have increased.

    It was apparently because the stick chocte had forcibly increased my mana usage that I¡¯m experiencing this.

    I guess I would need to work on this a little more.]

    [There it is.]

    Merle, who was running in front of us, raised her hand and whispered.

    Peeking out from the shadows of a rock, I saw the Lepras standing in front of a wall decorated with reliefs of a sun and a moon.

    It raised its remaining left fist and began pounding on the wall.

    Gon, gon, gon! Gon, gon, gon, gon!

    After hitting the sun three times and the moon four times, the wall with the reliefs split in two, revealing an entrance.

    [So that ce had such a mechanism huh.]

    I could hear Merle¡¯s surprised murmurs.

    She, who had reinforced her body using magic, has much better eyesight than I do.

    [Did you get a glimpse inside?]

    [It¡¯s impossible from this angle. Whatever is inside that room, we can only charge in ourselves to know.]

    [Wait a moment.]

    I sat down again and decided to use my irvoyance.

    This time, I would just phase through the wall, so I wouldn¡¯t need to use a stick chocte.

    [You gonna use your strange magic again?]

    [Nevermind that, just give me a moment.]

    I closed my eyes and activated irvoyance.

    Gradually moving around my viewpoint, I came up to the wall with the sun and moon reliefs.

    Since I¡¯m currently intangible, I don¡¯t even need to hit the wall and open the door.

    I just phased straight through the stone wall and flew into the Lepras den.

    [Ugheek!]

    I inadvertently felt nauseous.

    I mean, it can¡¯t be helped. The first thing that entered my sight was an adventurer chained to the wall in a terrible state.

    Seemingly dead already, his eyes were clouded white and lifeless.

    His body was covered with gruesome torture marks, which I think must have been inflicted by the Leprases.

    His body had so many¡­¡­ different kinds of injuries that it¡¯s hard for me to list them all.

    I had heard that they enjoyed torturing people, but I had never expected anything like this.

    Once again, I felt I had learned the horrors of the dungeon.

    [Yuusuke-san, are you alright? Pull yourself together.]

    I think I heard Mira¡¯s voiceing from somewhere far away.

    Regaining myposure, I observed the surroundings once again.

    There was a campfire in the center of the room, and arge pot was hanging over the fire.

    They seemed to be stewing something, as a Lepras was stirring the contents with adle.

    The human bones piled up in the corner of the room suggest that their food was probably humans¡­¡­

    Stifling the nausea rising up from beneath my throat again, I shifted my gaze to the back of the room.

    Thereupon, the Lepras we were tracking earlier was wrapping a cloth around its arm.

    It doesn¡¯t seem like they had any otherrades in the room.

    Releasing my irvoyance, I turned to Merle and Mira.

    [There¡¯s only the wounded Lepras and another Lepras. If weunch a surprise attack, wouldn¡¯t we be able to defeat them?]

    [That won¡¯t be any problem, but how do you know what¡¯s in there?]

    [With something like fortune-telling. Just trust me on this.]

    [Fortune-telling huh¡­¡­ Alright, I¡¯ll believe you, Yuusuke-san.]

    Both Merle and Mira nodded toward me.

    When we came in front of the reliefs, I readied my 8-shot pistol and Mira readied her magic rod.

    As Merle also held up her buckler, she struck her fist at the sun and moon reliefs.

    Gon, gon, gon! Gon, gon, gon, gon!

    The wall immediately parted in two, revealing a dark entrance.

    Since I had given them information about what was behind the wall beforehand, Mira and I rushed inside to bring down the Lepras sitting in front of the pot.

    My pistol sted fire and Mira¡¯s wind des danced wildly.

    Unable to put up much of a fight, the Lepras in front of the pot fell next to the fire.

    Soon after, the wounded Lepras rushed forward from inside the room, but Mira and I finished it off with my pistol and her magic.

    Thanks to the fact that it was restricted in its movements within the small room and that it was already wounded, we had no difficulty taking it down.

    [It¡¯s finally over huh.]

    [Yeah¡­¡­ Urph!]

    It was then that the putrid smell of the room hit my nose and I finally vomited out the contents of my stomach.

    [Geez, get a grip, will you?]

    Even though sheined, Merle rubbed my back.

    It¡¯s exactly because of this kindness of hers that makes her someone one can¡¯t dislike.

    [Uegghh¡­¡­]

    [If Michelle-san sees this scene, she might kill us. Please pull yourself together.]

    Even when she said such things, Merle kept rubbing my back.

    [Sorry. I¡¯m alright now. That aside, let¡¯s give the guy on the wall some proper burial.]

    [I guess so¡­¡­]

    The three of us dug a hole and buried the wounded adventurer.

    With the door left open, Mira used Wind Magic, and the smell in the room seemed to have diminished a lot.

    [Now then¡­¡­ Let¡¯s look for the treasure!]

    As if to switch away from the previous vibe, Merle raised her bright voice.

    Mira and I vigorously nodded.

 Chapter 73: Temperament at a Full-Throttle

    <h4>Chapter 73: Temperament at a Full-Throttle</h4>

    The search for treasures promptly began.

    It was conceivable that other Lepras woulde into this room. It¡¯s obviously better not to take too long.

    Merle turned over the shelves lined with torture devices, while Mira turned over the rug in the center of the room.

    [Wait, wait. I¡¯m going to teach you a trick to cleaning and searching.]

    [What¡¯s that?

    [You go from top to bottom, then innermost to the outermost.]

    Michelle is a neat and tidy person, but she does have a careless side.

    This is probably why she often loses things.

    She would sometimes lose a small essory, her handkerchief, and asionally, her underwear.

    In such cases, the spotlight would always be on me.

    After I search carefully in the way I have just described to them, I would definitely find what items she¡¯s missing.

    The Leprases¡¯ treasure should be no exception.

    [Then, let¡¯s start searching from the back of the room over there.]

    [Unnn, alright.]

    It didn¡¯t take us long to find a metal box hidden under what seemed to be a bed.

    It was about the same size as the cardboard boxes of mandarin oranges I used to see back in Japan.

    [I¡¯m pretty sure this is it¡­¡­ Hmmm, there don¡¯t seem to be any traps.]

    Merle, who was examining the treasure box, nervously put her hand on the lid.

    Gripping the lid, she slowly lifted it and the box opened without a sound.

    Inside were silver coins, magic crystals, and even though they were few, there were also gold coins.

    [Ohhhh! This is more than I expected. They sure have saved up a lot of money.]

    [How astonishing. How much do you think there is?]

    [I estimate there¡¯d be at least a million rims.]

    [A million!?]

    [Yeah, even with just the money alone, not counting the magic crystals, I think it would be around that much.]

    Merle and Mira heard my estimates, but reality doesn¡¯t seem to have sunk in their minds yet.

    They just gazed at the sparkling treasure with a vacant expression on their faces.

    [A million, that would be worth around that much, right? Ummm, around 25 months¡¯ worth of rent.]

    [With this much money, I could send money home to my parents¡­¡­]

    [Alright, let¡¯s leave counting the money after we go back home. Let¡¯s get the heck out of this ce already.]

    The money and magic crystals were transferred into three bup pouches, each of us then carried a pouch.

    [Let¡¯s go.]

    Merle briefly said, and we ran out of the room.

    However, to our dismay, seven Leprases appeared ahead of the passageway.

    They must be the other Leprases that nest here.

    Now that we had their treasures though, it wouldn¡¯t be a good idea to fight them head-on.

    I take out my magic smoke and put up a smoke screen.

    Thereupon, I blindly fired all eight rounds of my 8-shot pistol.

    This should buy us some time.

    On top of that, I also took out a Monster Chips card.

    [Monster summon, activate! Come out, C-rank Kelpie!]

    Kelpie is a horse-like monster that lives by the water.

    It disguises itself as a fine horse, and as soon as one tries to catch it, it would drag them into the water.

    [Yuusuke-san, we have to retreat here!]

    [I know. Just because I summoned a monster doesn¡¯t mean I intend to fight. Kelpie, lower your body!]

    I gave the order, to which the Kelpie got down on the ground like a dog.

    I immediately straddled the Kelpie¡¯s back.

    [Mira and Merle, quickly get on!]

    The summoning time is just three minutes, but the Kelpie¡¯s legs are much faster than most monsters.

    Three minutes should be enough time for us to draw away from the enemy.

    Merle and Mira, sensing my intention, immediately jumped on the Kelpie.

    [Run, Kelpie!]

    The Kelpie, carrying the three of us, started running vigorously towards the stairs on the 3rd Underground Floor.

    ¡ó

    That afternoon, I hung a ¡°Temporary Closed¡± sign on Dagashi Yahagi.

    The door is securely locked and the ss door has the curtains drawn as well.

    We made sure that the situation inside couldn¡¯t be glimpsed at all.

    Even if one tries to listen attentively, they shouldn¡¯t be able to hear us.

    The three of us gathered in the tatami-mat room at the innermost part of the house and quietly inspected our gains.

    [97, 98, 99, 100¡­¡­]

    [T- There¡¯s still more?]

    As I counted the silver coins piled up in stacks of tens, Merle asked in a trembling voice.

    [Calm down. There¡¯s a total of 1000 silver coins. If you add the 26 gold coins to that¡­¡­ That would be 3.6 million rims.]

    [3.6 million!]

    [Shhh! Merle, you¡¯re too loud.]

    [U- Unnn¡­¡­ Sorry. However, that¡¯s 3.6 million rims we¡¯re talking about here. Split between the three of us, that¡¯s errr¡­..]

    [1.2 million rims.]

    [O- One point two¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C Mnnghh!?]

    Merle was about to scream again when Mira put her hand over her mouth.

    [I said, keep quiet.]

    [Phua! I- I¡¯m sorry. I won¡¯t make any more noise. But what should I do? My hands won¡¯t stop shaking here.]

    [Same here. For it to actually be 1.2 million¡­¡­]

    At first, we thought the treasure would be worth about 300,000 rims, making it about 100,000 rims per person.

    However, the amount of money we got actually turned out this much.

    For two people who have just escaped from rookie status, 1.2 million rims must be quite arge sum of money.

    I guess it would be like a college student suddenly winning a 1.2 million yen lottery?

    Considering one¡¯s money sense, acquiring a million could sound even more amazing.

    [Let¡¯s keep this a secret from everyone, okay?]

    [Yes, there¡¯s no way I¡¯d expressly publicize that I¡¯ve won a lot of money. If I end up getting aimed at by others, all we went through back there woulde to nothing.]

    [You¡¯re right.]

    Gan! Gan! Gan!

    There was suddenly a knock at the door, making us jump up in surprise.

    It seems like a customer was knocking on the door.

    [W- What should we do?]

    [For the time being, let¡¯s put the money in a bag. Take it upstairs where it won¡¯t? be seen by others.]

    [Alright!]

    The three of us packed the thousand silver coins into a bag.

    Meanwhile, the door was knocked on several times.

    [Yuusuke, you there? It¡¯s me, Michelle!]

    Relieved, I stroked my chest.

    Michelle, who had gone to the deepest part of the dungeon, had just returned.

    [Wee back, Michelle.]

    I ran to the door and opened it.

    [Geez, what¡¯s going on? I saw the door locked and curtains closed, so I got worried.]

    [Well, stuff happened.]

    At that moment, Michelle noticed Merle and Mira in the tatami-mat room.

    They both have stiff smiles on their faces.

    [Ah¡­¡­]

    [What¡¯s the meaning of this?]

    The tone of Michelle¡¯s voice dropped a notch.

    [Oi, don¡¯t make any misunderstandings now.]

    [What the heck are you doing here with those slutty brats!? I knew it! I¡¯m just a gloomy woman after all!]

    [You¡¯re mistaken!]

    [I¡¯ll just kill Yuusuke and then kill myself!]

    She¡¯s gone yandere for the first time in a long while and it¡¯s gone full-throttle!?

    Moreover, her mana is swelling to the point that it¡¯s getting tyrannical!!!

    [Michelle, stop chanting Maximum Magic! Just look at what¡¯s going on for yourself!]

    After exchanging looks with her, the attentive Merle dumped the contents of the bag on the tatami mat.

    Silver and gold coins scattered on the tatami mat with a ttering sound.

    [Eh?]

    [We hunted a Lepras den and got their treasure. We were just counting the money here away from the eyes of others.]

    [A- Aren¡¯t you just enjoying harem y¡­¡­]

    And where the heck does she learn words like that¡­¡­

    [Like heck we¡¯re doing that. I¡¯m devoted to Michelle. Can¡¯t you just believe me even for a bit?]

    [I¡¯m sorry. I thought¡­..]

    The rage Michelle had until a few minutes ago seemed to have faded away.

    Well, it was a situation where it couldn¡¯t be helped if we were suspected huh.

    I¡¯ll just apologize and talk about this with her when it¡¯s just the two of uster.

    [Will you stay with me tonight?]

    When I whispered that in her ear, Michelle turned bright red and gave a small nod.

 Chapter 74: Alluring Scent

    <h4>Chapter 74: Alluring Scent</h4>

    It¡¯s been three days since we found the Lepras treasure, and so far, my life hasn¡¯t really changed.

    I couldn¡¯t really think of anything I wanted.

    Frankly speaking, I¡¯m already satisfied with my current life.

    Michelle cooks good food for me, and my living space is also not bad.

    Her restraint on my life is a little tight, but the two of us are in love with each other.

    Of course, there are some inconveniencespared to my previous life.

    In this world, there are no new smartphones on the market, and there are no gacha games that I have to pay a lot of money for.

    There are no novels or manga that make me want to read them.

    However, I think I am enjoying my happiness to the fullest in the environment I have been given.

    The capital for my Dagashi Shop is just my mana, so I don¡¯t have to worry about facility investments.

    I don¡¯t have much entertainment, but I spend my time buying books and helping Michelle with her research.

    Well, since I have managed to obtain some extra spending money, I am thinking of enjoying it to the fullest.

    [Hey, have you two decided what to do with the treasure?]

    I quietly asked Merle and Mira, who had alsoe to the store this morning.

    [I immediately ordered a new sword and armor. I went to the weapon shop yesterday.]

    Merle seemed to have decided to invest in herself.

    [Amazing, you spent all that 1.2 million rims?]

    [No way. I only spent 120,000 rims for that. The rest would go for good meals and fun enjoyment, while I would keep the rest for savings.]

    Spending that much money on equipment is something only intermediate-level or higher adventurers can afford.

    This time, Merle is now also a full-fledged warrior.

    [Mira?]

    [I ordered a new magic robe. As for the rest of the money, a portion would be sent to my parents and for hanging out with Merle, and just like her, I would also allot a portion to savings.]

    I guess the two of them are using it in a steady way huh.

    [What about you, Yuusuke-san?]

    [Me? I haven¡¯t used it on anything yet¡­¡­]

    At my words, Merle and Mira unreservedly stared hard at me.

    [T- The heck?]

    [Why don¡¯t you also prepare some equipment for yourself, Yuusuke-san?]

    [She¡¯s right. You intend to go around the dungeon making a map for it, so it would be better if you have some decent armor.]

    Now that they mentioned it, it really was just as they said.

    The equipment that I usually wear is cheap stuff that I bought at a tool shop.

    To reduce the risk, it would be better to buy something with a slightly better quality.

    [I guess you¡¯re right¡­¡­ Alright, I¡¯ll also get myself some armor.]

    I¡¯ll invite MIchelle to join me if I were to go around the city.

    Why don¡¯t I buy her a new coat while I¡¯m at it?

    As I was thinking about that, Michelle, who was cooking breakfast on a griddle, called me over.

    [Yuusuke, breakfast is ready.]

    As I hurriedly approached, I found a line of golden brown pancakes on the griddle on which yakisoba is usually cooked.

    The apanying sausage and heated vegetables make a delicious sound as it sizzles on the griddle.

    [Ohh! That looks delicious.]

    [You won¡¯t know if something¡¯s really delicious until you try it¡­¡­]

    Michelle¡¯s cheeks are blushing with embarrassment.

    [I¡¯ve never been disappointed with whatever Michelle has made for me so far. Thank you for the meal.]

    I quickly take a seat and enjoy a freshly-cooked pancake.

    The pancakes were firm, yet not heavy.

    I could have eaten as many of these pancakes as I wanted.

    [They¡¯re very delicious.]

    [You think so? That¡¯s great. I¡¯m taking tomorrow off from research, so let¡¯s go shopping together for your protective gear.]

    Even when she was cooking, it seemed like she was listening carefully to the conversation between me, Merle and Mira.

    I cleared up the misunderstanding the other day, but I guess she was still feeling bothered about it huh?

    Harem y with Merle and Mira?

    That¡¯s impossible.

    I¡¯m not that popr of a guy.

    At the very least, I¡¯m not the type of person who enjoys fooling around.

    ¡ô

    Titti was quietly spending her time in confinement.

    Her husband, the former King, is still arrogant, but seemingly bing a different person, she became calmer, even admonishing him for his rudeness on asion.

    Even towards the servants, she had started interacting with them politely, surprising those around her.

    Of course, this was just an act¡­¡­

    ¡°Good morning¡± ¡°Thank you for the meal¡± ¡°Thank you¡±

    Greetings and words of gratitude can lower people¡¯s guard even so slightly.

    The more tyrannical the former King was, the more good-natured the nearby Titti seemed to be.

    Eventually, albeit slightly, the servants¡¯ wariness towards Titti lowered.

    Moreover, Titti is a woman who knows how to make herself look like a pure beauty, and she is sensitive to the male gaze.

    No matter how much they tried to hide it, Titti could tell who exactly was harboring illicit desires for her.

    One day, as Titti was walking down a hallway, she came upon a servant carrying arge package.

    Noticing her arrival, the servant, who was still young, huddled against the wall and bowed his head.

    Titti knew that this servant always looked at her with lustful eyes.

    [You¡­¡­]

    The servant cowered when he was unexpectedly approached.

    Although she had been stripped of her status, she was still the former Queen Consort.

    A person like him would normally not be approached by someone like her.

    As he thought about whether he should respond or not, Titti called out to him in a gentle voice.

    [Your hand is bleeding.]

    It was a bitterly cold winter, where the cold prated to the bone.

    The servant¡¯s hands were cracked from frostbite.

    [How pitiful¡­¡­]

    Titti put her handkerchief on the servant¡¯s hand.

    [Come on, wipe the blood off. Your hands sure have be cold.]

    [¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.]

    The servant whose hands were grasped remained stiff, unable to utter a word.

    [Titti-sama, do not do anything unnecessary.]

    The female knight in charge of surveince stopped her, but Titti pleaded with a serious expression on her face.

    [I can¡¯t just look on while he¡¯s in pain. It¡¯s alright, I¡¯ll just use a little Recovery Magic.]

    The hand on the servant¡¯s wound glowed a pale green, and Recovery Magic was deployed.

    The servant, who hadn¡¯t expected to receive treatment, watched in bewilderment as the situation unfolded.

    [There, you¡¯re all healed.]

    Titti, with a smile on her face, could easily be mistaken for a Saint.

    [T- Thank you very much.]

    [You¡¯re wee.]

    The servant looked at Titti, who gave him a smile so sweet that it seemed to steal his soul away.

    [What is your name?]

    [I- I¡¯m Marco.]

    [That¡¯s a nice name. If you ever need anything else, just let me know.]

    Marco looks at Titti as she gracefully walks away, leaving her handkerchief in his hands.

    The scent of Titti¡¯s perfume lingers on it.

    Feeling irresistible attraction, Marco inhaled the scent of the handkerchief without letting the others notice.

    A numbing sensation of pleasure runs through his body along with the sweet aroma.

    Thereupon, realizing what he was doing, Marco looked up and gazed at Titti¡¯s back as she disappeared from his sight.

    He doesn¡¯t know when he¡¯ll see her again.

    He wanted to burn the sight of Titti¡¯s appearance into his memory while he still could.

    The moment Titti was about to turn a corner, Titti¡¯s and Marco¡¯s gaze slightly crossed.

    Just that alone made Marco feel as if he was in heaven.

    As she turned that corner, a smile appeared on Titti¡¯s lips.

    The first step to her sessful escape has been aplished.

    The servant who had sniffed the ¡°Bondage Rose¡± would be seeking her contact in the not-too-distant future.

    It was an expensive drug, but she hid it in her Poison Ring (*a ring in which several medicines can be hidden), which she carried with her at all times, and has now proven beneficial.

    (He said his name was Marco, right? He seems like a boring guy, but I¡¯ll let him hold on to his few good imaginations. All of this was to leave this ce after all.)

    Titti pondered, working out a n for the future.

 Chapter 75: Holy Armor

    <h4>Chapter 75: Holy Armor</h4>

    After having pancakes for breakfast, Michelle and I discussed tomorrow¡¯s shopping.

    [Should we buy a weapon first? Or perhaps, armor?]

    [I don¡¯t need a weapon.]

    [Ah, Yuusuke has that 8-shot pistol after all. Besides, if you really needed it, you still have that Legendary Nail Bat.]

    [No, no, I told you that was a prize for the customers.]

    Even though I own the Dagashi Shop, that doesn¡¯t mean I can just use the prize toys as I pleased.

    An example of this was the special prize of Chocte Bats, ¡°Legendary Nail Bat¡±.

    This is a very useful weapon that inflicts fixed damage, but it can only be owned by those who pull a ¡°Home Run¡± in the Chocte Bat lottery.

    In the same way, the other lottery toys aren¡¯t allowed to be used as I pleased.

    It¡¯s like there¡¯s some sort of magical contract in ce.

    Of course, if I were to buy an item with my own money and win the lottery, then that item would be my property.

    [Then, what if you find something you want in your store?]

    [I have to spend my own money until I hit the jackpot. It¡¯d turn out like that so-called ¡°Adults¡¯ Bulk Buying¡±. Well, I try not to do that though.]

    [Why?]

    [Because the merchandise are for customers.]

    Dagashi Shop Yahagi stocks up goods for the price of my mana.

    Naturally, there are limits to my mana, and the amount I can acquire is also proportional to that.

    If I spend as much as I want, it¡¯s only natural that I¡¯ll run out of products to circte to my customers.

    Well, there was that time when I bought up all the Monster Card Chisp, but I¡¯d rather not do that again if I can help it.

    [If that¡¯s the reason, then you also can¡¯t use these huh.]

    Michelle poked at the Seiryu Shield, a Special Prize in the Toy Lottery.

    It¡¯s a small round shield, but it¡¯s an excellent shield which could bounce back any three attacks unleashed towards the wielder.

    Just like the Murasame Replica, it¡¯s a product that will disappear into dust once its usability charges have been used up.

    [There are customers who pull the Toy Lottery aiming for that. There¡¯s no way I can use it.]

    [Yuusuke sure is earnest with stuff like that.]

    [Rather than earnest, it¡¯s more like I just don¡¯t want to see the sad faces of my customers.]

    I don¡¯t want the rookies toe with a bunch of coins in their pockets, only to find that the item they were aiming for isn¡¯t avable.

    [Then, the two of us should go to an equipment store after all.]

    [I don¡¯t know much about equipment stores, so I¡¯ll leave it up to Michelle to choose.]

    Thinking about how tomorrow would be a date we¡¯d be having for a long time, I¡¯m looking forward to it.

    When I nced at her, Michelle was also looking at me with a smile.

    I¡¯m sure she feels the same way as I did.

    [Speaking of equipment, your shop had a new item in stock today, right? There¡¯s a picture of armor on the box, but what is it?]

    Being told that, I also remembered.

    A new snack has been added to the store¡¯s lineup today.

    The price is a bit expensive, but it¡¯s an interesting item.

    Product name: Only One Gum (Limited Time Offer)

    Description: A piece of gum that has a freebie included. The freebie is an borate scale model of the armor used by Holy Knights. It¡¯s made of metal and it has the efficacy which could make it be mistaken for the real thing.

    Price: 300 rims

    This is one of those high-end toys that was often seen back in Japan.

    It¡¯s a product that was teased as ¡°toy is the real item, with a snack freebie¡±.

    This one is just like that.

    However, will this even sell?

    The snacks in my ce are all things that have marvelous powers.

    Even gum, which you can buy for only 10 rims, has the power to replenish mana.

    However, the Only One Gum has no such effect, and the armor thates as a free gift is too small to be worn by a human.

    It¡¯s more than attractive enough to enjoy looking at, but I doubt that rookies without money will buy it.

    To see the real thing, I paid to open one of the products.

    [Heehhh¡­¡­ It¡¯s well made¡­¡­]

    The meticulously crafted armor is both solid and exceptionally beautiful down to the smallest details.

    When I put the pieces of armor together, they began to glow blue, tinged with mana.

    It looks quite good.

    Looking at the aura surging from within it, I wondered if it had special power.

    [Ohhh¡­¡­ Is that perhaps the Legendary ¡°Holy Armor¡±¡­¡­]

    Just when I thought I heard a trembling voice, the Gnome Elder and the Gnomes who had told me about the location of Yahagi Onsen were staring up at me.

    [Long time no see, Elder. What is this Holy Armor you were talking about?]

    [The Holy Armor is the armor and helmet worn by the Legendary Twelve Holy Knights.]

    [No, no, this is just a freebie from a gum¡­¡­]

    [A gum¡¯s freebie? It looks like the armor set worn by War Maiden Shakashaka though¡­¡­]

    Size-wise, it¡¯s the perfect size for a Gnome to wear.

    [Elder, would you like to try it on?]

    [May I!?]

    [Feel free.]

    I owe a debt of gratitude to the Gnomes for their purchase of the furniture gacha.

    Besides, if they like this armor, they might buy them all up again.

    [Itchy, Scratchy, help me put on the armor.]

    [Got it, Elder.]

    [Leave it to me.]

    The Elder closed his eyes quietly as his two attendants helped him put on the Holy Armor.

    [Hmmm, it seems like my mana is spreading everywhere¡­¡­ With my current state, I feel as if I can use the Ultimate Secret Technique passed down among the Gnomes, Monarch¡¯s Sacred Gem¡­¡­]

    <i>(T/N: ÌìÓE±¦Öé/Tenran Houju)</i>

    Seriously!?

    I thought it was just a freebie from a gum, but it seems like it¡¯s an awesome treasure for Gnomes.

    [Yahagi-dono¡­¡­ Can we perhaps have everything in your stock?]

    [Ah, yes¡­¡­ With pleasure.]

    All of the twelve Only One Gums had been sold.

    And since they were only avable for a limited time, it seems that they will not be restocked.

    With a smile on his lips, the Elder turned to me.

    [Thank you again, Yahagi-dono, for selling such treasures to us for just 3600 rims.]

    [Well, it¡¯s a fixed price after all¡­¡­]

    Even though they¡¯re special sales, I can¡¯t raise the price.

    That¡¯s just the way it is.

    [We must express our gratitude for this once again.]

    The Elder¡¯s eyes sparkled.

    Just like how they did for this onsen, will they tell me a secret of the dungeon once again?

 Chapter 76: Seiryu Ring

    <h4>Chapter 76: Seiryu Ring</h4>

    The Elder ordered his two attendants.

    [Itchy, Scratchy, go and get some of our people to carry the Holy Armors. Then, bring the ¡°Seiryu Ring¡± here.]

    [Understood.]

    The two bowed their heads before pounding their fists on the ground.

    Thereupon, a hole opened in the ground and the two disappeared into it.

    [We have a wonderful present for you, Yahagi-dono.]

    [No, no, you don¡¯t have to worry about it.]

    [That won¡¯t do, that won¡¯t do. The Sacred Armors are to be the Gnomes¡¯ greatest treasure. I wouldn¡¯t feelfortable if we did not return the favor.]

    Soon, many Gnomes appeared at the Yahagi Onsen.

    [Elder, we heard you acquired the Legendary Holy Armors!?]

    [Oh, that armor Elder is wearing, isn¡¯t that the Holy Armor of Shakashaka, she who was known as the strongest knight!?]

    Everyone looked equally excited.

    [Umu, there are others here too. Holy Bow Yoichi, Lion King Arion, all the other pieces of the Holy Armor are also here. Let¡¯s get them into the treasure hall right away.]

    The Gnomes were so excited as they carried the boxes of Only One Gums away.

    [I¡¯ll be the one carrying Lion King Arion. You carry the Northern Sea Crab¡¯s Mask.]

    [Oi, stop fooling around!]

    As it seemed that every product has the popr and unpopr ones, the Gnomes argued over who should carry what.

    It seems that Humans and Gnomes are the same in this respect.

    [Now then, Yahagi-dono.]

    While I was idly watching the Gnomes, the Elder spoke to me.

    [Just as we had talked earlier, please ept our gratitude.]

    Itchy and Scratchy were working together to carry a thick ring.

    It has a greenish luster like jade and looks very charming.

    [This is a magic item called Seiryu Ring. Feel free to try it on.]

    It didn¡¯t look like a cursed ring to me, so I did as I was told and put it on my finger.

    [How do you like it?]

    [Arehh? My body somehow suddenly feels much more at ease¡­¡­]

    I was uptest night and was slightly sleep deprived.

    Michelle came home after she was out for a long time for her research, and she didn¡¯t let me sleep well¡­¡­

    That¡¯s why I was feeling somewhat lethargic today, but as soon as I put the ring on, I felt much better.

    [What¡¯s going on? My body feels lighter.]

    [Ho ho ho, I¡¯m d you like it. The Seiryu Ring has the function of regting the mana cirction in one¡¯s body. If one¡¯s mana flows without interruption, it will strengthen one¡¯s body and its self-recovery ability.]

    [Then, as long as I have this ring, I will never have stiff shoulders or back pain.]

    [Not only that, you also won¡¯t catch colds, and it can also reflect weak poisons.]

    In other words, it¡¯s like it¡¯s boosting my immune system?

    [Can I really receive such a wonderful thing?

    [Not like those can fit into us anyway.]

    Now that he mentioned it, that really was the case.

    I epted the ring without hesitation.

    Putting the ring in my hand, I held it out to Michelle.

    [It¡¯s really nice, you know? How about you try it on too, Michelle?]

    I can¡¯t really say it out loud, but Michelle has stiff shoulders.

    You see, she got thoserge breasts¡­¡­

    However, wouldn¡¯t this ring help her out a lot?

    [I¡¯m good. Yuusuke can have that.]

    [But you know¡­¡­]

    [Yuusuke massaged me against night, so I feel much better today.]

    [Ho ho ho, it¡¯s great you two are getting along so well.]

    The Elder nodded with a smile.

    At his words, Michelle suddenly felt embarrassed and turned her gaze away.

    [There¡¯s no need to be embarrassed. Being close with one¡¯s other half is beautiful. Right, right, if you give a massage while wearing that ring, it should also help bnce a person¡¯s mana cirction. It¡¯s a convenient feature, don¡¯t you think?]

    [That¡¯s wonderful.]

    [Umu, umu. Well then, Yahagi-dono, we will meet again.]

    The Elder thrust his staff into the ground and disappeared into a hole.

    [Even so, it sure is amazing.]

    With this, it seems I can help various people with their mana cirction.

    I look at the Seiryu Ring shining on my finger.

    [Hey, Michelle, I wanna try the effect of the ring, but you mind if I massage you?]

    [I¡¯m fine with it¡­¡­ Should I take off my jacket?]

    [No, it¡¯s just a palm massage.]

    I feel that perhaps even that much was already enough to regte the flow of mana.

    Holding the palm she held out to me, I started giving her a gentle massage using the thumbs of both my hands.

    [Ahh¡­¡­]

    A seductive sigh leaks out of Michelle¡¯s lips.

    [How does it feel? Does it feel good?]

    [Unnn¡­¡­ Even though I¡¯m just having my palms pressed, it feels like toxins umting in my body are being released. My mana is flowing smoothly, and right now, it seems like I can perform magic operations more easily than usual.]

    The effect seems to be immediate.

    [In that case, I guess I can also open a massage parlor.]

    [What does that mean?]

    [I¡¯ll give the rookies cheap magic massages. In that case, everyone¡¯s physical and magical abilities would likely increase, right? They¡¯ll definitely love it.]

    [Y- You can¡¯t!]

    Michelle¡¯s face turning red, she opposed it with all her might.

    [Why?]

    [I can¡¯t stand the idea of Yuusuke touching other girls! No, even if they¡¯re boys, I will still not allow it. Yuusuke and Regal doing such¡­¡­]

    I¡¯d like it if you¡¯d stop with such delusions.]

    [Oi, oi, it¡¯s just a normal massage. Moreover, you¡¯re even against me giving guys massages¡­¡­]

    [If I said you can¡¯t, you caaaaan¡¯t!]

    I can¡¯t massage not only Merle and Mira, but also Regal?

    Geez, it can¡¯t be helped then¡­¡­

    [Alright, I¡¯ll only give Michelle my massages.]

    [¡­¡­Really?]

    [Yeah, only Michelle gets the special treatment.]

    When I said this, Michelle, teary-eyed, nodded strongly in agreement.

    Good grief, I guess I¡¯ll never be able to be a masseuse.

    it can¡¯t be helped, I¡¯ll continue living as a Dagashi Shopowner as I have until now.

 Chapter 77: French Perfume

    <h4>Chapter 77: French Perfume</h4>

    The sunny days continued.

    The cold weather has eased up a bit, and the weather is showing signs of spring.

    The snow may be melting soon.

    A new gachapon has appeared at Dagashi Yahagi.

    Unlike the small ones I have seen in the past, it has a tall cab-like structure, simr to that of juice vending machines.

    I¡¯m not talking about that one with the round handle that you turn after inserting a coin, but that one designed with a lever that you push down to retrieve the item.

    On the red cab, the word ¡°Microcosm¡± was written in white letters.

    Microcosm?

    ¡­¡­Is that thepany name?

    When ites to the gachapon at my store, it has always been associated with the Gnomes, but the new product this time has be popr among the adventurers as well.

    Product name: French Perfume

    Description: Comes with four types: Diamant, Emeraude, Saphir and Rubis. If one wears the Diamant (Lily Scent) perfume, they are more likely to be targeted by monsters. If one wears the Emeraude (Green Note Scent) perfume, monsters won¡¯t approach them. If one wears the Saphir (Citrus Scent) perfume, monsters will be charmed by them. If one wears Rubis (Rose Scent) perfume, the wearer¡¯s aroma will make monsters dizzy.

    Price: 300 rims

    The perfumees in a very small bottle with a golden chain attached to the bottle.

    When the lid was opened, each perfume gave off a strong smell.

    [Hmmm, I can¡¯t really tell if this product smells good or stinks.]

    [However, it¡¯s going to be useful in monster hunting.]

    Guile, who hade to the store, immediately pulled out some coins from his pocket and pulled on the gachapon.

    He had been short of money at the end of the year due to a screw-up they had, but recently, his mary situation seemed to have gotten a little better.

    What he pulled out was a Diamant, which makes the wearer easier to be targeted by monsters.

    Perhaps the strong scent you have would taunt the enemies towards you.

    [Hmmm, Diamant huh¡­¡­ Oi, Grav, you¡¯re the one who should try this on.]

    [Ou, alright.]

    Grav is the tank on Guile¡¯s team.

    .

    He is a big guy with arge spiked shield, and he is known for his defensive capabilities using his big, stout body.

    Diamant, with its characteristics of making the wearer more targeted by monsters, would be the perfect perfume for him.

    However, whether the Lily Scent would suit Grav is another matter¡­¡­

    Grav removed the cap of the perfume and vigorously sprayed it onto his bald head.

    [Oi, you¡¯re putting too much on!]

    [Really? Hehe, it smells so good!]

    I think it stinks if you put that much perfume on, but Grav seemed to like it as he squinted his eyes, looking ecstatic.

    Here, the tank emitting a strong fragrance of lilies was born.

    Later, Grav would earn the not-so-fitting nickname ¡°Tiger Lily¡±, but that¡¯s a story for another time.

    [By the way, Yahagi-san, what is French?]

    Garm asked innocently.

    [French are people who live in France. A country that¡¯s very¡­¡­ very far away from here¡­¡­]

    I did want to go to France before, but it was just too far away¡­¡­

    As the memories of my previous life surfaced in my mind, I couldn¡¯t help feeling a bit sad.

    [What¡¯s the matter, Yuusuke? You look sad.]

    Michelle looks at me with concern.

    [It¡¯s nothing.]

    [However¡­¡­]

    Michelle, seemingly something,es up to me and whispers softly in my ear.

    [I¡¯ll give you a hug back inside the store when you close up shop.]

    Michelle encouraging me even when she¡¯s shy is just so precious.

    [¡­¡­.S¡¯il vous ?t (<i>If you please</i>).]

    My French is very upbeat today.

    ¡ô

    While the adventurers were flocking the French Perfume, in the Rondas Tower where political prisoners were held, a young man was simrly captivated by a bewitching scent.

    It is Marco, a servant who has been captured by Titti¡¯s perfume (Bondage Rose).

    The Bondage Rose is a magic drug that has a charming effect.

    In the past, Titti also used it to steal even her sister¡¯s fiance.

    Yes, the former King was also one of those who were charmed by Titti¡¯s magic drug.

    The night Titti gave him the perfume-soaked handkerchief, Marco couldn¡¯t sleep at all.

    Even after midnight, all he could think about was Titti.

    Both his body and soul burning with heat, the throbbing sensation became too much. Eventually, he couldn¡¯t resist, and he slipped out of his bed, just wanting to catch a glimpse of her.

    Marco tried to sneak into Titti¡¯s bedroom, but there were several soldiers guarding the corridor and door.

    Since he would have been caught if he went through the front door, Marco ascended to the top floor of the tower.

    Thankfully, the dark staircase was empty.

    When he peeked out of the inspection window, he was shaken by the sheer height, but under Titti¡¯s spell, Marco managed to endure it.

    Then, using a rope typically used for repairing the other walls, he made his way down to Titti¡¯s bedroom window.

    Titti inwardly chuckled when she saw Marco hanging from a rope, tapping on the window of her room.

    As she had expected, she got this man caught in her charms.

    All that remains for her to do is to turn him into a ve who will do as he is told.

    [What are you doing?]

    Pretending to be demanding an exnation, Titti invited Marco into the room.

    [My apologies, Queen Consort-sama. I know it¡¯s rude of me, but I couldn¡¯t stop myself froming to see you.]

    [Why?]

    Starting to get teary-eyed, she asked Marco.

    [It¡¯s because I love you dearly.]

    Titti tried hard not to burst outughing.

    (Ahh, that¡¯s hrious! This guy is being serious. He¡¯s seriously charmed!)

 Chapter 78: Nerineri Millet Jelly

    <h4>Chapter 78: Nerineri Millet Jelly</h4>

    At Dagashi Yahagi, a certain product has been enjoying a quiet boom.

    About 20 of theme in stock every day, but they sell so well that they are gone by midday.

    The item in question is this.

    Product name: Nerineri Millet Jelly

    Description: Millet jelly in a cup. Ites in four vors: strawberry, lemon, apple and cider. Eating it increases one¡¯s dexterity.

    Price: 50 rims

    It¡¯s millet jelly in a small cup.

    It has two sticks attached to it, and when mixed with air, it turns white and bes fluffy, bing a snack that is pleasant to the pte.

    It has been popr since it first went on sale because it¡¯s gentle to the tired body and increases the consumer¡¯s agility.

    However, that isn¡¯t the only secret behind its boom.

    Apparently, there are other uses not mentioned in the product description.

    While kneading the cider-vored millet jelly with the attached sticks, Merle informed me.

    [It all happened by chance. An adventurer was taking a break and had some cider-vored nerineri millet jelly.]

    Sweet things are good for a tired body.

    Thanks to that, my business is prospering.

    [He was a solo adventurer, but he was carelessly sitting on a rock in the passageway and eating that millet jelly.]

    [Oi, oi, even I know that that isn¡¯t something you should do in the dungeon.]

    [You normally wouldn¡¯t, right? However, he was too tired back then to take precautions.]

    [And that¡¯s why he sat on the side of the passageway to eat that millet jelly huh.]

    [Unnn. However, the dungeon isn¡¯t so sweet that one can just carelessly eat their snacks. Army Ants appeared and attacked him right away.]

    Army Ants are ant monsters about the size of a small dog.

    They¡¯re individually weak, but they attack in packs.

    A solo adventurer would have been helpless if surrounded by them.

    [That adventurer was apparently prepared to die when he was surrounded by 20 Army Ants.]

    [He could only feel helpless when he had no way out huh.]

    [On the contrary though, that adventurer managed to get out of the enclosure.]

    [How?]

    I don¡¯t think it¡¯s impossible for anyone to escape from such a situation unless they have extraordinary skills.

    For an amateur who was negligent in ensuring his safety, he¡¯s bound to be killed.

    [The Army Ants didn¡¯t attack the adventurer, and had instead swarmed around his nerineri millet jelly. Moreover, they had gotten so crazy about the nerineri millet jelly that they were killing each other over it.]

    The adventurer managed to escape and watched the Army Ants kill each other from behind a rock.

    Eventually, the Army Ants that had devoured all the nerineri millet jelly pulled out, but more than dozens of them had died after getting killed by their own kind.

    The average drop items of Army Ants was about 200 rims each.

    That adventurer had earned 2400 rims without doing anything.

    That information gradually spread, leading to the current boom.

    [If you can make money just by watching, things would be easy, wouldn¡¯t it?]

    [Yeah. That said, that doesn¡¯t mean it¡¯spletely risk-free.]

    [What do you mean?]

    [The habitat of Army Ants is pretty deep into the dungeon, and there are times when Army Ants notice people who are hiding. It¡¯s also possible that the Army Ants lured by the nerineri millet jelly would be more than they can handle.]

    I see, the dungeon really isn¡¯t as sweet as millet jelly.

    [And so, that¡¯s why it was just having a subtle increase in poprity huh.]

    [That¡¯s how it is. Regardless of the hunting bonuses, I buy millet jellies because I like them. Give me one more of every kind!]

    Merle finished her snack and headed back to hunting, but as she left, a young man arrived at the shop.

    I have never seen this young man before.

    He was well equipped, but what he was wearing isn¡¯t typical gear.

    He¡¯s wearing an old standard soldier¡¯s armor.

    It¡¯s not umon for adventurers to be former soldiers, but this one doesn¡¯t look familiar with the dungeon.

    The young man observed the shelves with merchandise he was likely unfamiliar with in a puzzled manner.

    I wondered if he was gonna shoplift, but that doesn¡¯t seem to be the case.

    Guess I¡¯ll call out to him......

    [Wee. Are you searching for something?]]

    [Ah, h- hello. Ummm...... I heard about this candy for hunting Army Ants......]

    Oya oya, this customer is also looking for millet jelly huh.

    [Yes, yes, nerineri millet jelly, right? A gourmand adventurer who you just passed by earlier bought four of them earlier, so there¡¯s only one cider-vored and one lemon-vored left.]

    [Ah, yes...... I¡¯ll have those then.]

    Looking at this young man¡¯s awkward hands as he takes out his purse worries me.

    [You mind if I ask something?]

    [W- What is it?]

    [You¡¯re not an adventurer, aren¡¯t you?]

    [I- I work at Ronda...... no, umm...... I work at a certain mansion.]

    [You seemed to already have a stable job, so why are you in the dungeon?]

    The young man in front of me doesn¡¯t seem like the type who¡¯s after a quick fortune.

    With his docile demeanor, he seems to have littlebat experience.

    [I really need the money at the moment......]

    I see, everyone¡¯s got their circumstances.

    However, it¡¯s too much for an amateur to suddenly aim for Army Ants.

    [Customer, anyone with you?]

    [I¡¯m going solo......]

    So, he just heard the rumors and is now aiming for the Army Ants huh.

    He must have heard somewhere that he could make money even if he¡¯s going solo.

    However, as Merle said, the dungeon is riddled with dangers.

    I don¡¯t think this inexperienced person would be able to hunt them well.

    I may be being nosy, but he seems to be a good person, and I would feel bad just letting him go like this.

    [I¡¯m the owner of the Dagashi Shop in the dungeon, Yahagi. You are?]

    [Ah, I¡¯m Marco.]

    [Marco-san, don¡¯t take this the wrong way. However, I think it¡¯s better if you drop hunting for Army Ants.]

    [There¡¯s a woman I¡¯d like to help!]

    He¡¯s got woman-rted circumstances huh......

    The young man in front of me seems desperate.

    [So, you need the money?]

    [Yes...... We¡¯re going to live together in a foreign country. For that reason, I¡¯m spending my days off in the dungeon......]

    He would usually do his work in that mansion, and he now ns to use his days off to hunt in the dungeon huh.

    He must really care about that woman.

    I was so impressed by how admirable this young man is that I decided to meddle a little bit.

    <hr>

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Nerineri Millet Jelly ¨C Based on Mizuame (Ë®¤¢¤á), or as Neriame (¾š¤êï) as it¡¯s ¡°a kneaded candy¡±. A sticky, translucent candy syrup that is often vored andes in various fruity vors.

 Chapter 79: Yahagi Set A

    <h4>Chapter 79: Yahagi Set A</h4>

    Dagashi Yahagi is located beside Yahagi Onsen on the 2nd Underground Floor.

    Since he made it this far in one piece, Marco must at least have somebat experience.

    [How muchbat experience do you have, Marco-san?]

    [I trained for two years in the military service. Ah, but I don¡¯t have any actualbat experience.]

    [No actualbat experience? Then, you did well managing to reach our ce.]

    [I followed the other adventurers early in the morning. Since they¡¯re all heading to the onsen, I was able to get here without getting lost.]

    In other words, he got here in the morningmuter rush.

    [You battled a monster before?]

    [I had fought a Giant Worm.]

    Marco puffed out his chest.

    Oi, oi, that¡¯s a monster that even I can hunt.

    This is bad. It¡¯s like that situation where a rookie has been following behind a veteran and identally ended up on the 3rd Underground Floor.

    [Marco-san, do you know your way back?]

    As soon as I asked this, Marco¡¯s face turned pale.

    [No, well¡­¡­ I think I can sorta¡­¡­]

    Suppressing the urge to sigh, I handed him the map of the dungeon.

    [This is¡­¡­?]

    [It¡¯s a dungeon map from my ce. The maps for the 1st and 2nd Underground ce are free, so you take them with you.]

    [T- Thank you very much!]

    Marco bowed deeply and thanked me, then started to check the map.

    He¡¯s probably checking the ces where Army Ants spawn.

    [Can you make it back above ground by yourself with that?]

    [Yes, as long as I have this, I think I can manage. Thank you for your kindness.]

    The path isn¡¯tplicated, so I also think he can manage with the map.

    [Then, have a safe trip out there. However, there¡¯s something I would like to rmend.]

    [What is it?]

    [Take a look at this.]

    Product name: Yahagi Set A

    Description: An assortment of dagashis. Popr products in one bag. Contains a 10-Rim Gum, a Large Round Candy, a Moran Yogul, a Calpas, a Chocte Bat, an Umaibo, and a packet of Lettuce Taro.

    Price: 100 rims

    This is a special set that is avable only for porters.

    It¡¯s a little cheaper for porters who don¡¯t have much money.

    Incidentally, in Yahagi Set B, the Chocte Bat is reced by a Jumbo Cutlet.

    The Chocte Bat is a boon to porters as it restores stamina.

    Also, even though it¡¯s only for 3 seconds, the Jumbo Cutlet allows the consumer to use Power Boost.

    Even porters with lowbat power have a chance to hunt monsters.

    [This bag is filled with useful snacks. I originally only sold these to porters, but if you want, how about buying one?]

    I exined the effects of each snack.

    [That¡¯s wonderful. I¡¯d love to have one.]

    After buying a Yahagi Set, Marco immediately popped arge candy ball into his mouth.

    This would increase his speed.

    With that, he shouldn¡¯t be instantly killed if he met a monster.

    [Take care of yourself, okay? You go left in the first fork aftering out of the onsen. Go left, then right, then left, and then you should arrive on the main path.]

    [Thank you very much. I¡¯ve really been in your care.]

    As I watched Marco¡¯s back as he left, I earnestly hoped that he would somehow survive.

    ¡ô

    Just as the date was about to change, Marco snuck into Titti¡¯s room.

    [Ahh, thank goodness. I didn¡¯t see you today, so I got worried.]

    Crossing her arms in front of her chest, Titti looked relieved.

    It was as if there was a bewitching aura emanating from her loose-fitting loungewear.

    [I was off work, so I went to the dungeon. Please take this.]

    Marco held out a small leather purse.

    When Titti looked inside, she found 5600 rims.

    (Is this all he has?)

    Titti clicked her tongue in her mind.

    It wasn¡¯t enough money to buy disguise clothes, to bribe the soldiers guarding the checking stations, or to pay for living expenses at the ce she was running away to.

    Titti regretted her decision, thinking that if she¡¯s gonna ensnare a man anyway, she should have chosen a better man, but she didn¡¯t show it in her face.

    [Thank you, Marco. I¡¯m causing you trouble all the time.]

    [What are you talking about? If it¡¯s for Titti-sama, I will¡­¡­]

    [Geez, have you forgotten again? I told you not to call me Titti-sama, just simply Titti.]

    [U- Unnn¡­¡­]

    Titti held Marco¡¯s rough hand in her clear, white hands.

    [If we can save up a little more money, we¡¯ll have our future together. I know it¡¯s hard, but let¡¯s do our best.]

    [Unnn. Guh¡­¡­]

    Thereupon, Marco¡¯s face twisted and he held his arm with his free hand.

    [What¡¯s wrong?]

    [I got hurt in a fight with a monster.]

    [Let me see.]

    Marco stripped his shirt off and showed her a blood-stained bandage wrapped around his left arm.

    [It¡¯s no big deal. The blood has already stopped¡­¡­]

    [Don¡¯t say stupid things.]

    Titti quickly deployed her Recovery Magic.

    (I may not seem like it, but I¡¯m the type to take good care of my toys. Well, I throw them away when I¡¯m done with them though.)

    Marco felt like he was in heaven as he was enchanted by Titti¡¯s magic.

    Being treated kindly like this makes him feel like it wouldn¡¯t even matter if he were to die in the dungeon.

    [Now, that¡¯s better. Don¡¯t push yourself too hard, okay?]

    [I¡¯ll be fine. A very kind merchant had been helping me recently.]

    [That¡¯s great. What¡¯s his name? The one who saved my future husband, I mean.]

    Marco¡¯s head floated like vapor at Titti¡¯s words.

    [I- If I¡¯m not mistaken¡­¡­ Errr¡­¡­ I think he¡¯s called Yagi-san¡­¡­]

    [Ufufu, it doesn¡¯t matter whether he¡¯s called Goat-san or Sheep-san. We should be grateful to him.]

    <i>(T/N: Yagi means goat.)</i>

    Titti hated Yahagi Yuusuke, but she didn¡¯t know that he runs the Dagashi Shop in the dungeon.

    She was insulted ¡°ugly¡± when they first met, and she was then immediately imprisoned soon after.

    She wished he could have just stolen money from that merchant, but she thinks it¡¯s still too much to ask Marco to go that far.

    If she were to allow Marco to have his way with her body and be pregnant¡­¡­

    Marco, with how earnest of a man he is, might even be willing tomit a robbery for the sake of the baby.

    But then¡­¡­ Titti had second thoughts.

    (Letting this dimwit hold me in his arms? My pride won¡¯t allow me that¡­¡­)

    No matter how her actions may have beentely, Titti¡¯s thoughts were still as ugly as they were before.

 Chapter 80: Its Finally Come Out!

    <h4>Chapter 80: It''s Finally Come Out!</h4>

    Even in Dagashi Yahagi, there are also products that don¡¯t sell well.

    A typical example would be these stic sunsses.

    Product name: Wide Sunsses

    Description: A stylish item that is on the cutting edge of fashion. They allow the wearer to see very well.

    Price: 300 rims

    It states that it¡¯s the ¡°cutting edge of fashion¡±, but to be honest, it looks cheap and tacky.

    Well, value and trends change depending on the era and ce, so I thought there might be a chance it would sell, but there was absolutely no demand for it in this world either.

    [If I were to wear something like that, I¡¯d be treated like a weirdo.]

    [What she said. As expected, that¡¯s just embarrassing.

    Neither Merle nor Mira seemed interested in it.

    [I don¡¯t think I can wear them either. It¡¯d darken my vision and I won¡¯t be able to see very well.]

    Michelle¡¯s argument is valid.

    Inside the dungeon, it¡¯s already dimly lit as it is.

    If she had to wear something like this, her vision would be even worse.

    It would be impossible to fight a battle with it.

    The description says you can see very well with it, but that¡¯s not true.

    At first, I was excited when it appeared, thinking that it was something like night vision goggles, but they were just cheap sunsses.

    Merle puts the sunsses on herself.

    [Yep, really can¡¯t see anything in it. Moreover, when I press this button here, a bunch of iprehensible characters appear. It¡¯s distracting, and I don¡¯t think I can focus on hunting with it.]

    What does she mean by ¡°iprehensible characters¡±?

    I didn¡¯t know that.

    [Where¡¯s that button?]

    [Look, here.]

    There¡¯s indeed a small protrusion on the edge of the sses¡¯ right frame.

    [It¡¯s really here. It was so small that I didn¡¯t notice it at all.]

    I put on a pair of wide sunsses and pushed in the protrusion.

    [Hmm? No letters are appearing though. What¡¯s going on, Merle¡ª¡ª¡ª Wait, whoa!?]

    Gender: Female

    Total Combat Power: 128 (78 PATK, 50 MATK)

    Excels in Physical Combat with a goodmand of Body Reinforcement Magic

    Height: 158 cm

    Three Sizes: 82-57-83 cm

    At first, nothing was shown, but the moment Merle came into focus, various information was projected!

    Thenguage used for this was a mixture of Japanese and English, with numbers written in Arabic characters, so Merle had no idea what she was seeing¡­¡­

    [What¡¯s the matter, Yuusuke?]

    [W- Well¡­¡­]

    [Something seems to be strange.]

    [T- That isn¡¯t the case, Mira.]

    Thereupon, Mira¡¯s information popped into my vision¡­¡­

    Gender: Female

    Total Combat Power: 119 (24 PATK, 87 MATK)

    Excels at Water and Wind Attribute Magic

    Height: 164 cm

    Three Sizes: 90-58-92 cm

    <i>(T/N: Yes, there¡¯s an error with the numbering in Mira¡¯s TCP, dunno which number is wrong.)</i>

    This thing is now turning out to be quite a dangerous item.

    As I was pondering this in a daze, Michelle grumpily called out.

    [Hey, why are you staring at Mira!?]

    [Hwah! Wait, that¡¯s not it!]

    Gender: Female

    Total Combat Power: 1324 (542 PATK, 782 MATK)

    Proficient in All Kinds of Magic. Capable of Using Dark-Attribute Magic. An Expert in Saber Techniques.

    Height: 169 cm

    Three Sizes: 95-56-87 cm

    A dynamite in all sorts of ways!

    [Seriously, what¡¯s going on with you, Yuusuke?]

    [Well, I was just thinking how useless of a product this is. I¡¯m not gonna sell these anymore, so I¡¯m gonna put them away in the closet.

    I stood up holding the box with the sunsses in it.

    I think this is a product that shouldn¡¯t be released to the world.

    Vowing to return it back to the public if it¡¯s possible, I sealed it up.

    It was morning when Marco arrived.

    He seemed unfamiliar withbat, so I breathed a sigh of relief seeing he was alive.

    His armor and clothes have several new scuffs on them, indicating that he had been through many battles.

    All those battles turned his equipment into tatters, but strangely enough, I can¡¯t see any signs of injuries on his body.

    Did he pay a healer to cast their magic on him?

    Recovery Magic is expensive, but it may have been that his earnings were good enough to cover it.

    [Thank you for the help the other day. Thanks to Yahagi-san¡¯s snacks, I survived.]

    [I¡¯m d to hear that. Are you going hunting again today?]

    [Yes. I will be heading out after this. I¡¯m here today to buy Moro Yoguls and Large Round Candies. I also heard about a food that increases sensitivity?]

    [You¡¯re talking about squid skewers. They¡¯re in that pot over there.]

    Just as rookies umte more experience, they also find the right products for them.

    Of course, there are some cases where people just buy their favorite snacks and toys regardless of their effectiveness.

    [Five Moro Yoguls, three Large Round Candies, a Squid Skewer, for a total of 160 rims.]

    [Here you go. Ah, that¡¯s right¡­¡­]

    After paying the bill, Marco fumbled in his pockets.

    [After I ate a snack yesterday, I found this in the packaging¡­¡­]

    Marco pulls out a Chocte Bat wrapper.

    Don¡¯t tell me¡­¡­

    ¡°It¡¯s a Home Run! Hand it over to the shop staff and exchange it for a prize, okay?¡±

    I- It finally came out.

    [Congrattions! Your prize is the Legendary Nail Bat.]

    [Whaaaaaaaat!?]

    [Oh my.]

    Instead of Marco, who looked dumbfounded, seemingly not having any idea what was going on, the ones who expressed their surprise were Merle and Mira, who hade to the store.

    [Umm, what is this Legendary Nail Bat?]

    The excited Merle exined on my behalf.

    [It¡¯s a treasure that deals a fixed 300 damage to any enemy. I¡¯ve been aiming for it for a long time, but I never expected others would beat me to it¡­¡­ Uuuu¡­¡­]

    [Don¡¯t cry about stuff like that, Merle.]

    [You won¡¯t know how I feel, Yuusuke-san. Do you know how much I spent on Chocte Bats?]

    If I¡¯m not mistaken, she should have already bought more than a hundred of them.

    Well, each one costs 30 rims, so even if she bought a hundred, it would just be 3000 rims.

    [With that, you can hunt as many Giant Coconut Crabs as you want.]

    Mira said with a smile.

    [Giant Coconut Crabs? What kind of monsters are those?]

    Merle, looking annoyed at the rxed conversation between Marco and Mira, interrupts.

    [You sure are clueless about everything, aren¡¯t you!? Giant Coconut Crabs are monsters with unusually high defenses. On the other hand though, it moves slowly and can be hunted rtively safely. However, its shell is abnormally tough, so it takes a long time to kill one. That¡¯s why people usually ignore them, but with that nail bat, you should be able to take them down with a single blow.]

    [A single blow!?]

    [That¡¯s right. The average drop of a Giant Coconut Crab is 300 rims. You can tell now how amazing of a treasure that is, right?]

    [Huh¡­¡­]

    While Marco still didn¡¯t seem to feel like everything was real, I handed to him a shiny nail bat shining with a silver gleam.

    [It should alsoe in handy not only for the Giant Coconut Crabs, but for regr hunts as well. Maybe you can even help someone special with it.]

    [¡­¡­Yes! Thank you very much!]

    A smile that he had never shown before appears on Marco¡¯s face.

    [That¡¯s right, you¡¯re a solo adventurer, right? In that case, team up and hunt with us!]

    Marco was bbergasted by Merle¡¯s sudden suggestion.

    [Eh, even if you suddenly say to team up with you¡­¡­]

    [The heck are you talking about? Giant Coconut Crabs spawn on the 3rd Underground Floor. Even if you have that Legendary Nail Bat, it¡¯s still dangerous to go there on your own.]

    That¡¯s true.

    If he just goes there on his own, I have a feeling that Marco, who isn¡¯t ustomed to the dungeon, would end up in danger.

    He would have much to learn if he teamed up with Merle and Mira.

    [Marco, these two are adventurers you can trust. Even if it¡¯s just for today, why don¡¯t you try out teaming up with them as a trial?]

    [If that¡¯s what Yahagi-san says, then I will be in your care.]

    If he works with the two of them, I can rest assured that Marco will be in good hands.

    I felt as if a weight had been lifted from my shoulders.

 Chapter 81: Want a Kiss?

    <h4>Chapter 81: Want a Kiss?</h4>

    A rather adult-oriented product has just arrived.

    I¡¯ve heard it existed in my previous life, but this is the first time I¡¯ve seen the real deal.

    It¡¯s that legendary perfume gum.

    Product name: Eva (Perfume Gum)

    Description: Holds the charm of a perfume. If two lovers eat it together, they will want to kiss each other. Ineffective for people who aren¡¯t lovers.

    Price: 70 rims

    This productes in a gorgeous golden box with pieces of gums in it.

    There¡¯s even a love poem written on the wrapping paper.

    The poems were apparently written by Mitsuku Rondon, a famous poet in this world.

    I thought it was crazy that a gum smelled like perfume, but when I actually tried it, it was surprisingly tasty.

    Also, I kissed Michelle after chewing it.

    It was amazing.

    It¡¯s like, the kiss tasted sweet.

    Well, I won¡¯t go into details.

    Michelle liked it so much that she bought a box, but it¡¯s troubling how she rmends chewing one at every opportunity¡­¡­

    I doubted if it would sell since it¡¯s not a hunting-rted product, but I¡¯ve been able to sell a good amount of my stock.

    Even if they don¡¯t have lovers, boys and girls who overstretch themselves a bit are buying them.

    It seems that these days, it¡¯s bing fashionable to give perfume gum instead of love letters.

    [Yuusuke-san, I¡¯d like to buy this.]

    Herees another customer buying a perfume gum, Merle.

    [That¡¯s 70 rims.]

    As Merle was paying for it, Garm¡¯s group, who arrived in the store earlier, started raising a cheer.

    [The heck, Merle, you don¡¯t even have a lover, yet you¡¯re buying those?]

    [Shut it, will you? I buy them because I like the taste. Just go back to work and drop dead somewhere!]

    Garm smirks at her and holds out his hand.

    [What?]

    [Give me one of those too. I¡¯ll give you a kiss in return.

    [Screw you! If I¡¯m gonna kiss someone, Regal is a hundred times better than you.]

    [Ohh, Regal, you¡¯ve gotten name dropped!]

    Garm and the others burst outughing, but Merle remained calm.

    She pulled a piece of gum out of its packaging and quietly handed it to Regal.

    [Eh? Eh? I was, umm¡­¡­]

    [I¡¯m just sharing gum. What, you want a kiss?]

    Merle usually acts like a boyish girl, but today, she seems very mature.

    Well, girls can suddenly grow up after all. Astonishingly enough that they could take your breath away.

    In any case, at this age, girls tend to be more mature than boys.

    At their age, Garm and his group are still brats.

    [Now then, guess I¡¯ll try out my morning luck today again. Yuusuke-san, I¡¯d like a 10-rim chocte and a Chocte Bat.]

    Well, Merle is still very much a child for matters like this though.

    [Speaking of Chocte Bat, how was your team-up with Marco? Didn¡¯t you and Marco go hunting together yesterday?]

    [Unnn. That Legendary Nail Bat really is just unfair. We got to hunt Giant Coconut Crabs like they¡¯re just illusions.]

    Merle lowered her voice and whispered to my ear.

    [How much do you think we earned yesterday?]

    [I dunno.]

    [Over 40,000 rims in total. Mira and I said we¡¯d just take 10,000 each, but Marco gave us 12,000 each.]

    [That¡¯s amazing.]

    For adventurers like Merle and Mira, who had just graduated from rookie level, being able to earn 8000 rims in a day is already great.

    [We invited him again, so we¡¯ll team up with him again some other time.]

    [I¡¯m d to hear that. Why don¡¯t you give Marco a perfume gum?]

    [Ehhh, Marco is a nice guy, but he¡¯s not my type. Besides, he looked devoted already.]

    [Ahh, he did say he had this girl he wanted to help.]

    [That¡¯s right, but there¡¯s something I¡¯m a little worried about.]

    [What is it?]

    Aplicated expression on her face, Merle lowered her voice even further.

    [That woman he¡¯s talking about, she¡¯s apparently married¡­¡­]

    [Seriously!?]

    The woman he talked about was apparently the madam of the mansion where Marco is working.

    Marco looked like an earnest guy, so this was rather unexpected.

    No, it might be that it¡¯s exactly because he¡¯s earnest that he ended up sympathizing with a woman who seems to be caught up in an unfortunate marriage.

    [W- Well, he hadn¡¯t really said they¡¯re in a romantic rtionship though¡­¡­]

    [With how he¡¯s acting, you think he had at least got himself a kiss?]

    [There¡¯s no way, right?]

    [If not, would you really risk your life for such a person? Marco got his day job, right? That¡¯s why he¡¯s trying to enter the dungeon at night.]

    That¡¯s just dangerous.

    The monsters in the dungeon are much more powerful at night.

    Even if he has the Legendary Nail Bat, it¡¯s still dangerous.

    [Mira and I are also nning to keep himpany under the condition that it¡¯s just limited to the 1st Underground Floor.]

    [Oi, are you sure you guys are gonna be alright!? Even if it¡¯s just the 1st Underground Floor, it¡¯s still dangerous, isn¡¯t it?]

    I¡¯ve heard rumors that monsters from 4th Underground Floor would asionally spawn as well.

    [But you see, we¡¯re worried about Marco. We feel sorry for him if we just let him go alone. Besides, Mira¡¯s mother is sick.]

    [Sick?]

    [She needs a lot of money to see a healer. That¡¯s why we¡¯re going to have to work a little harder.]

    Mira hadn¡¯t mentioned anything like that at all, so I had no clue at all.

    She has a reserved personality, so she must have been holding herself back.

    [Alright. I¡¯ll keep my shop open tonight. It¡¯ll be a specialte-night opening from Dagashi Yahagi. You can use my ce as a rest stop.]

    [Really!? However, is that alright? If your shop gets attacked¡­¡­]

    [I can summon the store by putting it in the stone wall, so it¡¯s alright.]

    [But what about the entrance?]

    [Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ve got an idea.]

    Merle and I had a good discussion about what we will be doing tonight.

    With the morning rush over, the adventurers went off to work.

    The open area in front of Yahagi Onsen was already devoid of people.

    [Yuusuke, I¡¯m done cleaning in the back.]

    Michelle, who had been cleaning the tatami mat rooms, came out to greet me.

    [Thanks. I¡¯ll be right there after I¡¯ve finished counting the sales.]

    [Unnn, how about we have some break? We have some gum over here, you know?]

    No, we don¡¯t really have to eat it right now, right?

    Even if you act all embarrassed inviting me like that, I¡¯ll just be troubled.

    Well, you do look cute but¡­¡­

    [Let¡¯s just save that for tonight. Ah, wait, I was going out tonight.]

    Michelle¡¯s gaze at me instantly turned intense at that moment.

    [Where are you going? Weren¡¯t we supposed to be together tonight!?]

    She spends a lot of time away during her research, so on her days off, it¡¯s like she was glued to me.

    This is especially the case these days.

    .

    On the other hand, when we¡¯re together, it¡¯s like she¡¯s going above and beyond to take care of me, so much so that it ends up making me feel guilty.

    [I¡¯m gonna open the shop tonight.]

    I exined the situation to Michelle.

    [So that¡¯s what it is. In that case, I¡¯ll stay here in the dungeon with you.]

    [Is that alright? I only have a thin mattress here¡­¡­]

    [If I¡¯m with Yuusuke, wherever it may be, I will always be happy¡­¡­]

    A blushing Michelle is just cuteness overload.

    [Michelle.]

    [What is it?]

    [On second thought, can I have a perfume gum? We can never know when Marco and the girls would suddenly visit the shop after all, right?]

    [Unnn¡­¡­]

    Thereupon, the two of us went back inside the store and chewed some gum.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Eva: Based on Eve Perfume Gum

 Chapter 82: Put a Sticker On It

    <h4>Chapter 82: Put a Sticker On It</h4>

    The fine silver moon is emitting a chilly light in the winter night sky.

    The za in front of the dungeon, which is crowded with stalls and adventurers during the day, is now quiet, with no one making a sound.

    As Michelle and I made our in front of the stairs descending into the dungeon, we found Merle and Mira waiting for us.

    [Where¡¯s Marco?]

    [He¡¯s not here yet. Maybe he¡¯s working too long at the mansion.]

    Working untilte, and then wanting to challenge the dungeon at night, I couldn¡¯t help feeling impressed with the depth of his love.

    If it were me, I¡¯d probably be too exhausted to move.

    Is that woman Marco loved really that charming?

    I¡¯m kinda getting a little curious.

    [I wonder what kind of person they are. The person in Marco¡¯s mind, I mean.]

    [Wouldn¡¯t she be someone beautiful? She made him that desperate after all.]

    Someone beautiful enough for one to risk their life?

    [He also mentioned how she¡¯s apparently kind and like a saint.]

    Mira added.

    [I see. If it¡¯s for a woman with a good face and a good personality, it¡¯s no wonder Marco is devoted to her.]

    That¡¯s what I was thinking, but then Michelle shook her head.

    [You couldn¡¯t be so sure. It¡¯s also possible that an extremely evil woman is deceiving him.]

    [Deceive him for what?]

    [That I don¡¯t know, but is there really someone who¡¯s beautiful and stylish, yet like a saint? Besides, even if I were in that woman¡¯s shoes, I would never send Yuusuke to the dangerous dungeon. My heart would burst with worry.]

    She can be quite restrictive, but Michelle is a verypassionate person¡­¡­

    [Now that you mentioned it, that¡¯s certainly true. For the two of them to choose to elope, it¡¯s probably because they had no other options, don¡¯t you think?]

    It is conceivable that the husband is domineering and the wife might not have any money or freedom.

    [In that case, she could have just sold everything she could, even the things in that mansion, to make funds for their escape. If it were me, that¡¯s what I would do. I would never make Yuusuke do something that would put him in danger!]

    [Everyone already knows how much Michelle cares about me. Well, don¡¯t get so excited.]

    Michelle expressing her emotions so straightforwardly makes me feel embarrassed.

    Merle and Mira are here with us, so I wish she¡¯d hold herself back a bit more.

    I¡¯m too embarrassed to say my thanks, so I silently wrapped my scarf around Michelle¡¯s neck.

    I hope my feelings can reach her with this¡­¡­

    [Yuusuke¡¯s scent is¡­¡­ wrapped in Yuusuke¡¯s love¡­¡­ Even if I die, Yuusuke will¡­¡­ If he were to cheat, I¡¯ll destroy this world¡­¡­]

    She¡¯s kinda mumbling something, but I did at least get my feeling across, right?

    That¡¯s good, that¡¯s good¡­¡­

    After waiting for a while, Marco arrived with the Legendary Nail Bat in his hand.

    [I¡¯m sorry I¡¯mte. Work ended up taking a little longer than expected.]

    [Don¡¯t worry about it. That aside, have you eaten yet?]

    [No, I went here in a hurry¡­¡­]

    That¡¯s what I thought.

    [Come on. For the time being, eat these. It¡¯s better than heading to the dungeon hungry, right?]

    I handed out curry crackers to everyone.

    This snack helps restore stamina and keep you warm.

    When I first came to this world, I couldn¡¯t even count the number of times I had eaten these.

    After everyone ate curry crackers, we then entered the dungeon.

    The dungeon at night was shrouded in a thin haze and had a strange atmosphere.

    [The miasma is thicker than usual. Seems like monsters are more likely to appear tonight.]

    Keeping a wary eye around us, Michelle said.

    I clutched an 8-round pistol and a pop rocket in my hands.

    [You don¡¯t have to be so nervous, just stick close to me.]

    Michell is reliable at times like this.

    We may be armed, but Michelle and I are just backups behind them.

    Marco, Merle and Mira are the ones doing the hunting.

    If we actually take part in the hunt, we¡¯ll also have to take our share.

    [Let¡¯s go.]

    Merle, the vanguard, walked in the lead with her shield at the ready.

    The first monster to appear that night was a Stone Golem.

    It¡¯s a powerful enemy that will never be sighted on the 1st Underground Floor during the daytime.

    It¡¯s usually found on the 3rd Underground Floor and the lower floors.

    Mira immediately used Wind Magic: Wind Cutter, but it didn¡¯t seem to have much effect.

    [Mira¡¯s magic had a bad affinity against Stone Golems. Mira is good at unleashing speedy, rapid-fire spells, but her destructive power is low.

    Michelle calmly exined.

    However, in her right hand, I could sense her mana gathered and ready to assist them in case of danger.

    Even with all the things she say, Michelle is kind after all.

    [I¡¯ll handle its attacks. Marco, get behind the enemy!]

    With her sword sheathed, Merle held her shield with both hands, charged at the Stone Golem.

    Seems like she¡¯s giving up on attacking and intends to concentrate entirely on defense.

    Merle¡¯s entire body was glowing blue under the effect of Body Reinforcement Magic.

    [Merle¡¯s vigor is great. She¡¯s quick in her decisions, making her quite capable as a leader inbat. However, seems like she isn¡¯t very good at strategizing¡­¡­]

    I think Mira is the one who makes their battle ns.

    The two of themplement each other and are a good duo.

    Marco, circling behind the enemy, cleverly struck the Stone Golem¡¯s back with his Nail Bat.

    Several chunks of rocks were peeled off by his attack.

    However, the Stone Golem isn¡¯t so easy to deal with to kill with a single blow.

    Mira and Merle provided exquisite diversions, allowing Marco to keep attacking, before finally, on his sixth strike, they managed to defeat it.

    [Uhyahyahya, six silver coins dropped!]

    Merle, whose excitement from the battle had not abated, let out a funnyugh.

    Although it¡¯s quite dangerous, I guess the profits they¡¯re making would berge huh.

    If they continue earning well tonight, they should have about 60,000 gold by midnight.

    <i>(T/N: Not sure if typo by author, but they really stated gold here instead of rim)</i>

    After a couple of small battles, we reached the central area of the 1st Underground Floor.

    [Now then, I¡¯m going to open up the store here, okay? Open!]

    With a mental thought, the store appeared within the stone walls.

    The windows were also buried in the stone, leaving only the entrance exposed to the passageway of the dungeon.

    [I think it will be alright with Michelle-san here, but wouldn¡¯t the door be broken by monsters?

    Mira¡¯s worried about me, but I¡¯ve got something special for this moment.

    [I¡¯ve got this, so we¡¯ll be alright.]

    Product name: Surprise Mountain Choco

    Description: Chocte snack that restores energy and stamina. Includes a sticker of Light vs Dark. The stickers depict the Angels of Light and Demons of Darkness characters. When a sticker is applied, a powerful barrier is formed. The strength of the barrier depends on the strength of the character depicted.

    Price: 30 rims

    [If I stick this sticker at the entrance, even monsters won¡¯t be able toe in.]

    [A Surprise Mountain¡¯s sticker huh! However, since it¡¯s the nighttime dungeon, won¡¯t a regr sticker¡¯s barrier get broken through?]

    [Don¡¯t be naive, Merle. Look at this.]

    I held out a sticker with a sparkling holo prism.

    [Whoa, it¡¯s a very rare Head Korokoro sticker! That would certainly work!]

    The Head Korokoro is a powerful Light character that can rarely be obtained.

    [With this, the monsters won¡¯t be able to get inside the store. Then, we can go hunt in peace.]

    [Wait a moment. To remove the barrier, the stickers need to be peeled off, but only the person who ced it can do that. If you guys get chased by monsters, wouldn¡¯t it be possible that I won¡¯t have enough time to peel it off?]

    [You¡¯re right. If we ce a Darkness sticker on top of the Light sticker, we can neutralize the barrier, but for a sticker to counteract Head Korokoro¡¯s barrier¡­¡­]

    [Bring this with you.]

    [Ohhh, a Santa Maria sticker! You¡¯re really going to give it to us!?]

    [I didn¡¯t say you should use it to neutralize the barrier. I¡¯m just giving it to you for you guys to use in case of emergency.]

    [Okay, okay!]

    Does she really get what I¡¯m talking about?

    [Alright then, let¡¯s go night hunting!]

    After seeing off Merle and the others walk off in good spirits, I put a sticker on my shop¡¯s door.

 Chapter 83: Yellow Talisman

    <h4>Chapter 83: Yellow Talisman</h4>

    After Marco and the others departed, the store fell silent.

    Michelle quietly pulled herself closer to me.

    I looked at her face, wondering what was going on, and I saw her staring at me with moist eyes.

    Then, her slender and supple fingertips traced my corbone.

    [We¡¯re finally alone¡­¡­]

    It seems that she wanna make out with me.

    Yeah, I do feel the same way as her, but I can¡¯t exactly calm myself down while we¡¯re inside the dungeon.

    [We can¡¯t do it tonight. We won¡¯t know when Marco and the others woulde back, right?]

    [Ehhh, they just left though.]

    [Even still¡­¡­]

    They may encounter a strong enemy, get wounded, and immediately return.

    Monsters can¡¯te in thanks to the Head Korokoro sticker, but the entrance door is made of ss.

    If we were to make out here, we would be easily seen from the outside.

    [We could just put back the curtains. Or like, we could do it in the back.]

    [What if we get so absorbed in it that we don¡¯t notice when everyonees back?]

    [Well, I don¡¯t really mind getting seen.]

    [No means no.]

    Michelle sulkily pouted her cheeks.

    [I¡¯m going to the kitchen to boil some water. Wait there, I¡¯ll make us some tea.]

    [Geez¡­¡­]

    Guess I¡¯ll bring out Michelle¡¯s favorite snack to put her in a good mood.

    When I came back after boiling the water, I saw Michelle picking up something from the store.

    [You find anything you want?]

    [No. That¡¯s not it, I just wanted to know what this is for.]

    What Michelle was holding in her hand was a yellow talisman.

    Product name: Jiangshi Talisman

    Description: A conspicuous talisman. Stick it on and y with it in various ways. When this talisman is thrown to an Undead monster, their movements will be sealed. When this talisman, it temporarily gains a specialization power against Undead.

    Price: 30 rims

    I¡¯ve seen that in an old Jiangshi movie.

    On the yellow talisman, six chinese characters ¡°„ÈÁîêyÉí±£Ãü¡± are written in red.

    As Michelle can¡¯t read Chinese characters, I exined to her what the Jiangshi Talisman is.

    <i>(T/N: „ÈÁîêyÉí±£Ãü / ¡°By Imperial Decree, Let this Servant Continue to Serve Even in Death¡± The meaning of these words tranted in english isn¡¯t really something that can be properly written in a talisman, so I¡¯ll just keep it as is.)</i>

    [By the way, are there any Undead monsters in this dungeon?]

    [There are. The northernmost part of the 3rd Underground Floor is particrly most known for their Undead.]

    [Don¡¯t tell me, there¡¯s actually Jiangshis there?]

    [I don¡¯t know any monsters called Jiangshi. The monsters there are mainly made up of Zombies and Skeletons.]

    Thinking about it again, zombies and jiangshis have a lot inmon.

    They are both corpses, and when they bite on someone, they turn into a monster.

    It seems that this talisman works for those Zombies and Skeletons.

    [The average drop for a Zombie is just under 400 rims. They form arge pack, so if you have a strong team, you can make a lot of money from hunting those. However, not many people hunt them.]

    [Why?]

    [It¡¯s because not only are their packs just sorge, they¡¯re also tough. Fire Magic is effective against them, but you¡¯ll eventually run out of mana.]

    [What if you bring this?]

    At my question, Michelle tilted her head.

    [It might work during the day, but at night, it¡¯s too risky. Zombies may be slow during the day, but I heard they start running at nightfall.]

    I saw them doing that in a movie in my previous life too.

    Zombies running just isn¡¯t unfair, isn¡¯t it?

    [Besides, Zombies are originally Humans, so hunting them isn¡¯t good for adventurers¡¯ mental health.]

    I see. Yeah, I get that reason.

    Zombies being smacked around by nail bats, that happens only in movies.

    I guess it¡¯s better to just keep the talismans as more of an amulet.

    ¡ô

    Titti was in her room illuminated by candlelight.

    Marco had gone to the dungeon and wouldn¡¯t be back tonight.

    [Haahh¡­¡­ This feels refreshing.]

    She was fed up with Marco following her around like a dog.

    With a sigh, Titti looked at the small gold coin in her palm.

    [Finally, 100,000 rims¡­¡­]

    Of course, this was money that Marco had worked so hard to earn.

    But to the former Titti, this money was nothing more than small change.

    When Titti was the Queen Consort, a 100,000-rim gold coin was like a 10-rim copper coin to her.

    As Titti was thinking of fleeing the country, she wanted to have at least 3 million rims on hand.

    She could easily find a new source of revenue as long as she was out of the country, but she didn¡¯t want to lower her standard of living while she finds an excellent man.

    She also has some things to do before leaving the country.

    If possible, she wanted to take revenge on the current King who turned her in such a state.

    Even if that was impossible, she wanted to at least exact revenge against Michelle and Yahagi.

    [Let¡¯s give Marco an ultimatum¡­¡­]

    It seems that Marco has acquired a good weapon of some sort, and his earnings have been improving recently.

    Titti had been thinking he waspletely useless, so this happening was a pleasant surprise.

    This way, she found it not needed to coerce him to do a crime.

    [Hmph, looking at me with expectant eyes like a vulgar dog¡­¡­]

    So far, Titti had been thinking of dumping Marco as soon as he saved up enough money.

    However, she changed her mind, thinking of bringing him if he was useful.

    [It¡¯s not that I¡¯ve developed feelings for him or anything, but that guy did have cute points¡­¡­]

    Marco worships Titti like a Goddess.

    [Well, I wouldn¡¯t mind spending a little more time with him.]

    Titti pondered on her ns.

    First, she¡¯s going to encourage Marco to stop being a servant and start living as an adventurer.

    Marco would likely make more money that way.

    Then, when everyone has forgotten about Marco, Titti ns to escape from Rondas Tower and move into Marco¡¯s house.

    Gathering her thoughts, Titti nced outside the window.

    She should prepare the various tools necessary for her escape ahead of time.

    She already has the ingredients for the sleeping incense and poison.

    Marco has earned the money to buy them.

    However, she still has a lot of work to be done, such as making the various duplicate keys and stealing the patrol map.

    [I would also need a wig for disguise. Guess I¡¯ll go with a in ck one like Michelle¡¯s hair. So that I won¡¯t stand out¡­¡­]

    As if she thought her idea was funny, Titti silently giggled in the dimly lit room.

 Chapter 84: Toying Around with Toys

    <h4>Chapter 84: Toying Around with Toys</h4>

    It waste at night and I could hear the bustling of people in front of the shop.

    I drowsily got up from my kotatsu in the inner tatami room.

    [Yuusuke-san, open up!]

    From Merle¡¯s voice, I could tell that they weren¡¯t in dire straits.

    It seems that they have returned safely.

    I opened the door as quickly as I can.

    [Wee back. Come on in and warm yourself up.]

    [Well, it was my first night hunt, and I was pretty nervous.]

    All three of them were shivering from the cold, but they didn¡¯t seem to be badly hurt.

    I ushered the three of them into the kotatsu and prepared tea and snacks.

    [I¡¯d heard rumors, but the dungeon at night really is dangerous. There are all kinds of monsters that we¡¯ve never even seen before.]

    [Right. Still, we¡¯ve somehow worked things out thanks to the Legendary Nail Bat. It¡¯s reassuring to know that it can deal fixed damage.]

    Perhaps due to using too much mana, Mira¡¯s face has turned into an almost translucent paleness.

    [Even so, we¡¯ve earned quite a bit of money.]

    Marco¡¯s face is red, seeming excited.

    [So much?]

    Merle answered my question with her chest puffed out.

    [We¡¯ve got 97000 rims, you know!? 97000 rims! We earned what is usually 5 days of our in just 3 hours.]

    That¡¯s quite a lot.

    Even if they split it among the three of them, that¡¯s still more than 32000 rims each.

    [Good for you, Mira. That should pay for your mother¡¯s treatment, right?]

    [Yes!]

    A hint of blush showed on Mira¡¯s pale cheeks.

    [Right, right, this is from me. If you¡¯re going to send money to your mother, I thought you should give this along with it.]

    I gave her a bag of snacks that I had packed for her.

    [She¡¯ll definitely be sluggish after getting sick, but I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll feel better after eating these.]

    [Yuusuke-san¡­¡­ Thank you.]

    The three of them quickly split the money they had earned.

    Thereupon, Merle shouted excitedly.

    [Ufufufu, should I buy a new cloak with this? Marco, just stop being a servant and just be a full-time adventurer. Team up with us.]

    [If I were to leave the house though, I won¡¯t be able to see the madam¡­¡­]

    [Ah, I see.]

    That¡¯s certainly putting the cart before the horse.

    Marco is only doing his best for that madam.

    [Yahagi-san, can I shop for some things?]

    Marco approached me hesitantly.

    .

    [I don¡¯t really mind, but are you buying something for her?]

    [I had earned a lot tonight, so I thought I¡¯d bring something for the madam.]

    Marco¡¯s gaze was directed toward the toy section.

    It seems that he was thinking of something that couldfort the boredom of that madam who is confined in the mansion.

    Well, my ce has a lot of cheap toys, but they don¡¯t really sell well to adventurers.

    At best, I would asionally sell some ying cards, hanafuda, and other amusement items that could be used for gambling.

    There are also puzzles and toys like kendama here, but only the young porters buy them.

    Marco put stuff like soap bubbles and slide puzzle in his basket one after another.

    He also put all kinds of analog handheld games called Pocket Mates in his basket.

    Pocket Mates is a mini-game with many gimmicks built into a stic case that fits inside one¡¯s pocket.

    There are different types of games, like one where the yer ys by flicking and rolling around small silver ball.

    It also includes sports, shooting, mazes and athletic games.

    If he buys this many, guess that madam might not be bored for a while.

    [All in all, that would be 4600 rims.]

    It¡¯s rare for people from this world to invest so much in toys like this.

    He must really like her.

    [That¡¯s right, since you bought so many, I¡¯ll give you something good as a freebie.]

    What I took out was a dorachoco.

    Two bite-sized dorayaki filled with chocte cream, it¡¯s an amazing treat that helps you get along with others by sharing it with them.

    Thanks to this, I had the chance to talk with Michelle and Bottakuro¡¯s Proprietress.

    Speaking of which, I wonder how Bottakuro¡¯s Proprietress now?

    I haven¡¯t seen her for a long time.

    [I don¡¯t serve this in the store because it¡¯s a bit dangerous, but this is actually a pastry that brings people closer when shared between two people. If you share this with that madam, you might be able to get to know each other better.]

    [That sounds interesting. However, is it safe? I mean, you said it¡¯s dangerous¡­¡­]

    [There¡¯s no problem if you just share up to five packets. However, if you eat too much of these, it can have a Charm effect, so I don¡¯t put them in the store.]

    There might be people who abuse it, so I can¡¯t be too careful about this.

    With how much of a glutton Merle is, I might suddenly find her getting entangled because of this.

    [If it brings me closer to the madam¡­¡­]

    Marco carefully put the dorachoco back in his pocket.

    [Alright, it¡¯s about time we go back and get some sleep.]

    [Unnn, I¡¯m exhausted. I think I¡¯ll take the day off tomorrow.]

    Merle drowsily rubbed her eyes.

    Merle and Mira are free to take a day off tomorrow, but Marco, who got a day job at the mansion, could not.

    He will probably have to start work early tomorrow.

    Looking at such a Marco, I couldn¡¯t help thinking again.

    The power of love sure is an amazing thing.

    ¡ô

    That night, Marco came to Titti with arge sum of money.

    [How did you earn this much!?]

    Titti inwardly snickered, but a worried expression could be seen on her face.

    [I earned itst night in the dungeon. I also mized the magic crystal drops.]

    He had earned 46000 rims in cash, which was much better than his usual earnings.

    It seems that the dungeon at night is very profitable.

    [Also, please take these too.]

    (What¡¯s this junk? Moreover, he even brought cheap-looking snacks.)

    That was her honest thoughts, but of course, Titti didn¡¯t say a word.

    [I hope you like them¡­¡­]

    Titti, who has eaten the best pastries made by the best confectioneries, was not pleased with the snacks Marco offered.

    She considered telling him she¡¯ll eat themter, only to dispose them, or just throwing them away right in front of him.

    However, Titti reconsidered.

    Her life under confinement had been frugal, and she had not eaten anything sweet in a long time.

    She was furious how low her status had fallen, but the snacks in front of her whetted her appetite.

    Thinking of pleasing Marco, Titti considered it best to eat them in front of him, so she put a dorachoco in her mouth.

    (Hmmm, so-so, I guess¡­¡­)

    Truth was that she found it delicious, but Titti stillined in her mind.

    She felt like if she didn¡¯t do that, she wouldn¡¯t be able to maintain her pride.

    [It was incredibly delicious, Marco. I¡¯ve never had a treat this tasty before. It¡¯s even better than the extravagant sweets from the royal court. You must have braved danger to bring it to me.]

    Saying this, Tittiid her hand on Marco¡¯s.

    And at that moment, Marco felt that all his hard work had been worth it.

    When Marco left, Tittinguidly reached out for the toys.

    At first, she thought Marco just brought her worthless ythings, but when she actually tried them, she found them quite interesting.

    [Hmmm, well, hadn¡¯t he gotten a little useful¡­¡­]

    Titti¡¯s eyes fell on one of the products.

    Reading the description on the back, her hand trembled.

    Product name: Nose sses

    Description: A disguise set made up of round sses, eyebrows and a mustachebined. It has a magical effect that makes you look like apletely different person. Let¡¯s heat up the party!

    Price: 500 rims

    This is the perfect item for escaping from prison.

    Titti immediately tried it on.

    When she looked in a mirror, she was met with the face of a silly-looking middle-aged man. If she were to wear a wig and men¡¯s clothing, no one should recognize him now.

    [Fufufu, he really had gotten himself useful. Ahahaha!]

    Titti¡¯sughter did not stop for a while.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Kotatsu: Japanese furniture designed to provide warmth during colder seasons.

    <ol start="2"> Hanafuda: Japanese ying cards. You dunno the rules, nor do I.

    <ol start="3"> Kendama

    <ol start="4"> Soap Bubbles

    <ol start="5"> Slide Puzzle

    <ol start="6"> Nose sses

    </ol></ol></ol></ol></ol>

 Chapter 85: Harukaze

    <h4>Chapter 85: Harukaze</h4>

    The weather is starting to feel like spring.

    The snow covering the road has begun to melt, creating several narrow streamlets.

    I hope it will just stay warm like this, but it seems that even in this world, there are still those days during early spring, when the temperature fluctuates between warm and cold.

    [I¡¯m fine if it stays cold though, I can just cling on Yuusuke and sleep.]

    The shy Michelle is cute this morning as well.

    She would be a great girlfriend if she wasn¡¯t so constricting, but well, let¡¯s not mind it anymore.

    As soon as I opened shop, Regal came in.

    In the past six months, he had grown up to be a full-fledged mage.

    It seems that he¡¯s bing reasonably well-known as a Fire Magic-user.

    [Yahagi-san, I¡¯d like some Acorn Candies.]

    [Yeah, what vor do you want?]

    [Two c and two grapes.]

    Acorn Candies turned out to be a popr product these days.

    Because of their special characteristic, they are especially popr among magic users.

    Product name: Acorn Candies

    Description: Gum that replenishes mana, wrapped in a candy that increases speed. Alsoes with a lottery ticket, giving out thrice the fun!

    Price: 10 rims per piece

    This candy utilizes one¡¯s agility to evade enemy attacks while they deliver magic attacks, and furthermore, it also replenishes mana.

    This makes them popr not only among magic users, but also among warriors like Merle who specialize in Body Strengthening Magic.

    [Umu umu, II see you¡¯re restocking items! You sure are working hard, Regal-kun!]

    Just as I was wondering where that annoying voice ising from, I found Merle, acting all arrogant.

    [The heck are you acting like a big shot for?]

    [I¡¯m not acting like a big shot, Yuusuke-kun. I am a big shot.]

    [Has the warmth rotted your brain?]

    [Am not! I am now a Team Leader. The Leader of Team Harukaze.]

    [Huh?]

    I was having a hard time understanding what was going on, when Regal exined to me.

    [I¡¯ve just been recruited from Garm-san¡¯s group to join Merle-san¡¯s team.]

    Garm¡¯s group had grown sorge that it had be unmanageable.

    Their hunts certainly were safe, but the wages paid to each person were low, which apparently troubled Regal.

    It was at this time that she was approached by Merle.

    [We¡¯re a small elite team after all, different from a group of loafers.]

    Merle had been teaming up with Mira, but it seems that she had headhunted Regal in order to move to the lower levels.

    [Then, you¡¯ll be a three-person team from now on?]

    At my question, Merle impertinently wagged her finger.

    [Tch, tch, tch. We have another powerful helper, Yuusuke-kun.]

    I¡¯m starting to get a little annoyed, but well, I¡¯ll just let this pass.

    [That helper, are you talking about¡­¡­]

    At that moment, a head popped up behind a shelf.

    [Yes, it¡¯s me.]

    [Marco.]

    It was mid-afternoon on a weekday morning.

    If it were the usual Marco, he would have been working at the mansion at a time like this.

    [Could it be¡­¡­]

    [Yes, I have resigned from the mansion.]

    Hearing his words, I whispered to him a question.

    [What about that madam though?]

    [The madam encouraged me to be a professional adventurer.]

    Marco has be quite ustomed to hunting, and once he dived into the dungeon, he earned quite a bit of money.

    He could save up more money working here than if he worked as a menialborer in a mansion.

    [However, won¡¯t that mean you won¡¯t be able to meet that madam anymore?]

    [I¡¯m worried about that myself, but I heard that in a month, she will escape from the mansion. When she does, she would apparently stay at my ce and¡­¡­]

    [And?]

    [L- L- Live together with me¡­¡­]

    Even when he¡¯s blushing red, Marco looked happy.

    [I see, things between you two progressed that far huh. However, is it really alright, escaping that mansion?]

    [I will be hiding her. And when we have saved up enough money, we n to elope out of the country.]

    Marco said decisively.

    He¡¯s usually acting like a gentle pushover, but he¡¯s willing to do anything for the sake of the woman he loves.

    [Ummm, with that in mind, could I buy an assembly glider?]

    It seems like Marco and that madam would be exchanging messages via glider.

    He had already bought one for that madam and left a substantial amount at that mansion.

    [By the way, what¡¯s that madam¡¯s name?]

    [She¡¯s¡­¡­ Cecilia.]

    Hou, Cecilia-san huh¡­¡­

    [That¡¯s a nice name.]

    [It¡¯s not just her name, she herself is a really nice person. She¡¯s kind, lovely, and beautiful¡­¡­]

    He sure praises her a lot.

    [Well then, keep up the good work, okay?]

    [Yes. I must be ready to wee Ti¡­¡­ Cecilia-sama at any time.]

    I¡¯m worried that he¡¯ll overdo it and do something dangerous, but if he¡¯s working with Merle and Mira, he should be fine.

    [That¡¯s right. In that case, I¡¯ll give you this as a celebratory gift for your change in upation.]

    [Dorachocos! Even the madam said they were delicious.]

    [Is that so? Two pieces might be too heavy for it, but you can put one on the glider before letting it fly. Marco can eat one while sending out the other to Cecilia-san.]

    Michelle had already experimented with the glider¡¯s load capacity.

    She had managed to send out a glider with a 10-rim gum on it.

    [Thank you. I¡¯ll send it to her tonight as soon as I can.]

    I¡¯m d Marco was pleased with them.

    This should bring him and that madam even closer together.

    [Alright, Team Harukaze, let¡¯s go!]

    Merle cheerfully leads everyone along.

    Even so, Harukaze huh¡­¡­

    It¡¯s aid-back name, but I felt it was perfect for that 4-person group of theirs.

    ¡ô

    Titti looked up when she heard a steady tapping on the window.

    She¡¯s sure it must have been a message from Marco.

    Marco had been sending out gliders every day since he had left the mansion.

    With Titti¡¯s personality, she would normally feel annoyed, but to her surprise, she found herself looking forward to the glider¡¯s arrival.

    Marco writes to her about the events in the dungeon, the apartment he rented for the two of them, and their daily meals.

    The messages from the outside seemed to add a little excitement to her monotonous life in imprisonment.

    [Ara? What¡¯s this?]

    Today¡¯s glider came with a small package.

    When she opened it up, she found a small snack that she remembered having eaten before.

    [It¡¯s this cheap-looking snack again¡­¡­]

    Even when she said that, Titti popped the dorachoco into her mouth.

    In her current livelihood, sweets are precious.

    If she wrote back to say how delicious it was, Marco would surely send her more sweets.

    Titti took out a pen and began to write a message on the wing of a glider.

    As she thought about her message, Titti unconsciously touched her lips with her fingers.

    Thereupon, she suddenly remembered Marco.

    To keep her grip on the man¡¯s heart, they had their first kiss the day before Marco quit the tower.

    She remembered the feeling she had at that time.

    [What the heck is this!?]

    As if to spat out such thoughts out of her mind, Titti mumbled.

    Was she actually¡­¡­ missing Marco?

    That can¡¯t be true, thought Titti.

    After all, she was just using him.

    After calming down a little, Titti picked up the pen again.

    It was fun to y the role of thedylike, gentle, yet passionate woman.

    The thought that she would eventually abandon a man who coveted her like a dog brings about a sadistic thrill within her, making her heart tremble.

    However, at such a moment¡­¡­ She couldn¡¯t help but ponder.

    Why is it that tonight, Titti was also feeling a little sadness?

    Just for a tiny bit, a thought so small that she herself might not even notice it¡­¡­

    Just for a tiny bit, she felt like a warm spring breeze stinging her wound-riddled heart.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Acorn Candies

 Chapter 86: Marcos Question

    <h4>Chapter 86: Marco''s Question</h4>

    The snow has melted and lush green grass has begun to sparsely appear.

    The season is finally fully transitioning into spring.

    Horses are apparently in their birthing season at this time of the year, and in the meadow on the way to the dungeon, I saw several foals running close to their parents.

    Seeing them acting spoiled, frolicking, seeking milk; they¡¯re so cute that I could watch them endlessly.

    [Yuusuke, you¡¯re gonna gette at your usual time for opening your stall.]

    Disregarding all that though, Michelle just urged me to hurry down the street.

    After a busy morning, I set off today to make my map again.

    The 3rd Underground Floor Map is almost 60%plete.

    I hope to have it finished by the time Fujiru flowers bloom.

    [Everyone, thanks for waiting.]

    I called out to Merle and her team who were waiting for me in front of the shop.

    Today too, I will be apanying Team Harukaze on their hunt.

    [Alright, today we¡¯re aiming for big game heading west. Let¡¯s go!]

    Merle starts to walk briskly. Standing alongside Marco, I asked him how things are like recently.

    [Is that madam moving in soon?]

    [Yes, she¡¯s finally going to carry out her n the week after next.]

    [You¡¯re finally gonna be spending the joys and embarrassments of cohabitation huh.]

    [Well, when you say it like that, I¡¯m gonna get nervous¡­¡­]

    Marco smiled shyly.

    [Yahagi-san, this is just between you and me¡­¡­]

    Looking somewhat cornered, Marco¡¯s eyes looked straight at me.

    [What¡¯s up?]

    [How do you think I could make this work? You could say Yahagi-san and Michelle-san are almost cohabiting with each other, right?]

    [Even if you ask me that¡­¡­]

    I rarely think about how I do things.

    [I¡¯m not confident about how to make the madam happy. What does Yahagi-san do to make Michelle-san happy?]

    [Eh? I don¡¯t know? Michelle just gets happy no matter what we do¡­¡­]

    Thinking about it again, she certainly is the best girlfriend ever.

    [Maybe cooking,undry, or helping her with her research? Also, we do sometimes go on unusual dates together.]

    [P- Please wait a moment!]

    Marco hurriedly pulled out a waterproof notebook from his pocket and started taking notes.

    The item he has in his hand is another product from my Dagashi Shop, a prize from a gachapon.

    [I see, I guess it won¡¯t do if I don¡¯t do the cleaning andundry myself. The madam probably didn¡¯t have the experience doing any of those¡­¡­]

    [In that case though, wouldn¡¯t it be better if you two do that together?]

    [I can¡¯t make her do that.]

    [Even if she¡¯s an upper-ssdy, it¡¯s not like she can continue living the same way from now on, right? I don¡¯t think it¡¯s right for Marco to shoulder all the burden indefinitely.]

    [Y- You think so?]

    [I think it would be a good idea if you two worked together at first. This will also give you the chance to talk.]

    [I understand. I¡¯ll think about this. Other than that, ummm¡­¡­]

    Marco looked fidgety, seemingly thinking of a hard-to-ask question.

    [What is it?]

    [Ummm, Yahagi-san, how is it¡­¡­ that you invite her for the night?]

    [Huh?]

    [No, I mean, since we¡¯re living together¡­¡­]

    No, I understand what he¡¯s talking about, but Michelle is very proactive about such things, so it¡¯s actually her that¡¯s more likely to invite me.

    Like heck I can say such a thing to others though!

    [It depends on the person. So they can understand your intent better, maybe it¡¯s better to ask her straight out? Just wishing she¡¯d sense what you want is just asking for misunderstandings.]

    [T- That is¡­¡­? I¡¯m too afraid to just do that¡­¡­]

    [Go buy one of my shop¡¯s anzu-bou.]

    He¡¯ll get courage if he eats those.

    They cost 30 rims each, but Marco should be making enough money now to buy a box of them.

    [Then, I¡¯d like to have everything you have of those in stock.]

    This ain¡¯t the time to be bulk buying though¡­¡­

    [And what is it that you think I mustn¡¯t do?]

    [I¡¯m not sure? I think you should respect her wishes and not force her to do something she doesn¡¯t want to do. Also, don¡¯t look at other women. They could immediately find out if you look at others with a perverted gaze, and when that happens, it¡¯ll turn out into big trouble.]

    [What kind of trouble?]

    [The royal capital being blown to smithereens.]

    [I think that only goes with Michelle-san¡­¡­]

    Ah, I see.

    [What are you talking about?]

    Mira looks our way with a smile.

    Her cuteness sure is healing.

    Hah!

    No, no, this won¡¯t do. The peace of the royal capital rests on my shoulders.

 Chapter 87: Cyanotype Photography

    <h4>Chapter 87: Cyanotype Photography</h4>

    The weather haspletely felt like spring.

    Along with the change of seasons, a new product has been trending at Dagashi Yahagi. Following Mobile Force and Surprise Mountain Choctes......

    This item has be the next big craze.

    Product name: Cyanotype Camera

    Description: A tool to transcribe people and scenery on special paper.

    Price: 100 rims (one per box)

    It¡¯s said that Cyanotype Photos were sold in ancient dagashi shops.

    As it¡¯s a toy from Grandma and Grandpa¡¯s generation, I have never seen the real thing either.

    They were apparently substitutes for a film of a character on photosensitive paper, and when that film was exposed to sunlight, the picture on the film would be transferred to the paper.

    However, the Cyanotype Camera sold in Dagashi Yahagi ispletely different from that.

    To put it bluntly, they feel just like ordinary cameras.

    The product is about the size of a caramel box.

    The box is held between the fingers, and when the paper protruding slightly from the right side is pulled out, a hole opens in the front part of the box, exposing the special paper inside.

    At that point, the scenery in front of the hole is transcribed.

    Well, it¡¯s simr to Proid Cameras or the earliest versions of instant cameras sold on the market.

    However, the paper here must be exposed to sunlight to be developed.

    The size of the photo is about 5 x 3 cm.

    It¡¯s muchrger than purikura photos, but when youpare it to regr photos back on Earth, it¡¯s a bit small.

    Such Cyanotype Cameras are very popr.

    It¡¯s popr not only with young rookies, as middle-aged and elderly veterans line up at the shop for it.

    It seems that carrying around photos of family and loved ones has be a trend.

    It also seems that taking pictures of the monsters you fight in the dungeon is bing a popr pastime, and there is even talk of a growing demand for porters who are good at taking pictures.

    Incidentally, it¡¯s Michelle who buys the most Cyanotype Cameras.

    She buys several boxes of them, and before I know it, she¡¯s taking pictures of me.

    [What are you even gonna do with all those pictures?]

    [I decorate them on my wall. So that I won¡¯t get lonely......]

    The other day, I went to Michelle¡¯s house to visit her, and her ce looked quite dreadful.

    There were lots of pictures of me crammed on a single wall.

    It¡¯s like one of those walls from a psycho-horror movie I saw from my previous life......

    You know, the one with the stalker as the protagonist.

    [Thanks to this, it makes me feel at ease even when I¡¯m alone.]

    Well, I can only feel uneasy here though!

    Nevermind......

    I wouldn¡¯t have dated Michelle if I¡¯m worried about something like this.

    After Michelle, it was Baron Essel who was the next one to buy most of these.

    [Yahagi-dono, this is exactly what I needed. I¡¯d like to acquire 20 sets of these every day! Please!]

    From what I heard, they¡¯re apparently needed for military purposes.

    They are to be used to take pictures of the border areas and to n their operations.

    The great thing about Baron Essel is that he doesn¡¯t use his authority to forcibly take them away, but rather bows to me.

    I was also indebted to him, so I willingly agreed to allocate Cyanotype Cameras for him.

    [Even so, it¡¯s amazing how you can actually use 20 boxes of these every day.]

    [That is, well, because His Majesty......]

    To my dismay, it seems that King Bartos uses more than half of them.

    The reason for this is apparently that he takes pictures of his beloved concubines.

    That perverted King, I wonder what kind of pictures he¡¯s taking......

    Speaking of which, I¡¯m not the only one making money from Cyanotype Cameras.

    Sanaga-san, the cksmith, is also busy selling rted products.

    When Cyanotype Cameras first started appearing in the shop, I advised Sanaga-san to make a selfie stick.

    Sanaga-san, who had greatly increased his sales by making Mobile Force weapons, followed my advice.

    And then, he seeded in developing a selfie stick that opens the box using a lever located near the holder¡¯s hand.

    I was given a prototype, and it was really well made.

    Thanks to it, I was able to take some lovey-dovey pictures with Michelle.

    ......Guess I can¡¯t really criticize the King huh.

    Just like that, Dagashi Yahagi is thriving again today.

    [Yuusuke-saaaaaan!]

    That voice should be Mira¡¯s.

    What¡¯s she making a fuss about outside the shop?

    I stopped cleaning and went outside to see everyone from Team Harukaze.

    [What¡¯s up, Mira?]

    [I¡¯m thinking of using a glider to send photos to my family¡¯s home. While we¡¯re at it, pleasee join the picture.]

    Mira¡¯s parents would be delighted to see their daughter in such good health.

    Even though I¡¯m a bit embarrassed, I joined their line-up.

    It was Sanaga-san who took our picture.

    [Come on, guys, smile more! I¡¯m gonna take it now¡ª¡ª-]

    The sound of paper being peeled off acted like the sound of the shutter back in my previous world.

    My store¡¯s products are connecting everyone¡¯s hearts.

    Thinking of this made my heart feel as warm as spring.

    After snapping the shot, Marco asked me.

    [Umm, are there still any Cyanotype Cameras in stock?]

    [We¡¯ve sold all of today¡¯s stock. Sorry.]

    [I see......]

    [What¡¯s the matter? You don¡¯t look well.]

    Did he really want to buy Cyanotype Cameras that badly?

    [Actually, we¡¯re finally going through with that n tonight.]

    [Cecilia-san is finally......?]

    [Yes......]

    We both lowered our voices in our conversation.

    That madam would apparently be slipping out of the mansion tonight.

    [I thought I¡¯d take a picture tomemorate our new beginning......]

    [In that case, I¡¯ll sell you one of mine. It¡¯s something Michelle asked me for, but I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll understand if I exin to her what¡¯s going on.]

    [Is that alright? Thank you very much!]

    [In return, show me a picture of that Cecilia-san the next time we meet. I¡¯d like to see what kind of person this woman that Marco considers the most important person in the world looks like.]

    [That is...... Someday, if there¡¯s an opportunity......]

    Oya, it doesn¡¯t seem like Marco wants to show me.

    Even if she¡¯s a wonderful person, it seems like Marco isn¡¯t the type to show off his girlfriend.

    But then, Cecilia-san is someone nning to run away from her husband to hide at Marco¡¯s ce.

    Marco is probably just being wary of various circumstances.

    This is what I thought at that time.

    Little did I know that these Cyanotype Cameras would eventually be used for something unimaginably sinister.

 Chapter 88: Tittis Escape

    <h4>Chapter 88: Titti''s Escape</h4>

    ¡ô

    Midnight, when all was quiet in Rondas Tower, Titti got up from her bed.

    She went to the bathroom without putting on her shoes so as not to make a sound.

    Thereupon, she climbed up on the toilet seat to retrieve a box containing escape tools from the ceiling.

    Marco had taken great trouble to build this hiding ce, and he had also purchased this escape set and brought it here.

    Titti took out a hypnotic incense from the box and lit it up near the door.

    In an instant, sweet smoke spread throughout the room, seeping out through the keyhole and gaps in the door, drifting toward the corridor.

    After checking it out, Titti turned back to the bathroom.

    Undressing on the spot, she shoved her undressed clothes into the ceiling where the box had been.

    Without any hesitation, she removed her bra and exposed her beautiful skin.

    Then, breathing heavily, she started wrapping a sarashi around her chest.

    Since she was going to be dressed as a man, herrge breasts would be nothing more than hindrances.

    Her breasts had charmed many men in the past, but now, their size was a problem for Titti.

    After she had finished wrapping a sarashi around her breasts, Titti checked the results.

    Though her ttened chest was still plentifully bulging out, it doesn¡¯t seem to stand out significantly when covered with a thick jacket.

    She was about to swap out her panties for men¡¯s underwear, but Titti¡¯s hands abruptly stopped.

    She was now wearing a luxurious pair of silk panties with ckces.

    Although she had been forced to live a frugal life, they had not taken away her previous dresses and underwear.

    Even though she had to dress up as a man, she reconsidered whether she should reallypletely dress up like one, down to her underwear as well.

    Besides, if Marcoes on to her tonight¡­¡­

    Such a thought popping in her mind made Titti angry.

    [I¡¯m like an idiot!]

    She didn¡¯t like the fact that she was being mindful of Marco.

    She¡¯s considering her movements with that guy¡¯s pleasure in mind?

    Or perhaps, was it to keep him from being embarrassed?

    No, what she found the worst was that she was thinking about sleeping with him in the first ce!

    Titti¡¯s mind has been poisoned.

    Still, she kept her panties on and put on a pair of trousers worn by amon man.

    Titti was just thankful she doesn¡¯t have the time to mull over all sorts of things.

    She puts on a wig and finishes her get-up with nose sses.

    These nose sses, which Marco bought at Dagashi Yahagi, are a disguise set consisting of round sses, eyebrows, and a mustache.

    They were originally guileless party goods, but for the current Titti, it¡¯s a thin spider thread hanging down into hell.

    After all the disguises were put on, she saw herself in the mirror as a surprisingly different person.

    No one would recognize her now even if she walked down the street.

    She doesn¡¯t even seem to be in any danger of being recognized as a woman.

    Holding her breath, she left the bathroom and opened the window of her room.

    In this way, she left the hypnotic incense smoke escape, and now she opened the door of her room slightly.

    The smoke seemed to have sessfully made its way into the corridor, as the two guards watching over her door were lying on the floor.

    Titti stepped over the guards and left the room.

    Then, without even ncing aside, she hurried down the corridor.

    On the way, she passed by the bedroom of her husband, the former King, but thoughts of him didn¡¯t even cross her mind.

    The former King is no longer in her thoughts anymore, he¡¯s already a person of the past.

    In the darkness, Titti made her way to the courtyard.

    Whether it was the main or the back gate, it was locked and guarded by arge number of guards.

    Even if she¡¯s disguised, it wouldn¡¯t be possible for her to break through those paths.

    So, as she had originally nned, she hurried to a spot facing the courtyard wall.

    Since she was carrying no candles, it was very dark and she had to grope her way through the darkness.

    Still, Titti walked slowly, keeping a hand on the wall, before finally finding what she was looking for.

    It was a rope hanging from the outside of the wall.

    Of course, the one who had thrown it from outside the wall was Marco.

    It also had nubs tied up at equal intervals for easy grasping.

    Feeling the touch of the rope, Titti was relieved.

    If she were to be asked, Titti honestly wasn¡¯t sure until the very end whether Marco woulde or not.

    Using the special perfume called Bondage Rose, Titti charmed Marco.

    However, its effect doesn¡¯tst forever.

    She was worried that the brainwashing would wear off by now.

    Titti¡¯s enchantment on Marco actually was starting to wear off significantly.

    Then why was it that Marco still came to Titti¡¯s rescue?

    It was because of Yahagi Yuusuke.

    Yahagi Yuusuke, thinking of Marco and Titti¡¯s rtionship, gave them dorachoco for them to eat, and that snack restored the rtionship between the two of them, which was about to break down.

    Not only that, it even encouraged them to take a half-step forward that neither of them would have taken otherwise.

    Marco would never have had the courage to make advances on Titti.

    With his character, he would have quietly backed away after helping her out.

    Titti, on the other hand, would have taken no notice of Marco.

    The servants in the tower were useful pawns but when she was done using them, they would be no different than the pebbles on the side of the road.

    However, that single dagashi has made Titti take an interest in Marco.

    To signal Marco, Titti tugged the rope twice.

    Thereupon, she received a quick tug back from the other side.

    As he had promised, Marco was on the other side of the wall.

    Freedom was at hand.

    Titti fiercely clung to the rope and began climbing up the wall.

    Once shended on the ground, Titti hugged Marco.

    [Ahh, Marco.]

    [Titti-sama¡­¡­]

    She held no romantic interest for him, but Titti thinks this hug is a kind of thank-you for saving her.

    She is rewarding her obedient pet, that¡¯s all there is to it.

    Since they¡¯re in a hurry, they can skip the kiss.

    Even though she was trying to make herself look teary-eyed from their reunion, she thought about such a thing calmly in the corner of her head.

    However, as Titti gazed at Marco with a rehearsed expression, she was taken aback.

    Marco, whom he hadn¡¯t seen in a while, seemed to have grown a little more robust.

    His face is also much wilder than before.

    His arms were unexpectedly rough to the touch, and Titti felt a slight tingle in the pit of her stomach.

    [Is something the matter?]

    [It¡¯s nothing.]

    Considering he ventures into the dungeon day and night to battle monsters, it¡¯s not surprising that Marco had be more rugged.

    Moreover, he¡¯s fighting with more vigor than the average adventurer.

    All of this was to make his new life with Titti a fulfilling one.

    The anxiety about pursuers, the anticipation towards a new life, the joy of freedom¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª- It appears that those weren¡¯t the only reasons for her racing heartbeat.

    She doesn¡¯t understand it herself, but Titti is the kind of person who doesn¡¯t think much about all sorts of things.

    She decided to stop using her head and concentrate on moving her limbs.

    [Let¡¯s hurry.]

    [This way.]

    Within the darkness, their shadows seemingly cuddling close together, the two walked closely side by side.

 Chapter 89: Hanakushi Castella

    <h4>Chapter 89: Hanakushi Caste</h4>

    The royal capital has bepletely spring-like.

    Flowers are blooming everywhere and the world has taken on a pastel hue.

    The faces of adventurers in the dungeon had also rxed somewhat.

    It¡¯s almost time for the Fujiru flower-viewing season to begin.

    My first date with Michelle was at Mount Garju to look at Fujiru flowers.

    A year had already passed since then huh.

    They say that time flies like an arrow, but I¡¯m amazed by how quickly time passes.

    Of course, we are nning to go to Mount Garju again this year for our date.

    We¡¯ll pack our lunch boxes of memories full of delicious food and go have some fun.

    <i>(T/N: I don¡¯t know why, but Author calls it Mount Gashel this chapter)</i>

    Today I¡¯ve got a new product that¡¯s perfect for flower viewing, so let¡¯s make a big ssh.

    Product name: Hanakushi Caste

    Description: Skewered flower-patterned castes. Eating it makes one feel slightly happy. After consumption of the castes, the skewer bes a weapon that deals a fixed 30 damage. When thrown, it has a 75% uracy correction.

    Price: 30 rims (1 skewer)

    I¡¯ve had this snack back in my previous life too.

    They¡¯re bite-sized castes covered with sugar, so it has a strong sweet taste, and I think it tastes better with tea or coffee.

    My memories about it are a bit faint, but I believe it was a dagashi that originated in Nagoya.

    The flower petal pattern makes it a perfect snack for the current season.

    [Wee, wee, check out our new product, Hanakushi Castes! For tea time, flower viewing, and fighting off enemies, Hanakushi Castes got your back. Eat and be happy, throw for the finishing move¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Have some deliciously sweet Hanakushi Castes!]

    I think it¡¯s quite a surreal sales pitch, but I¡¯ve gotten used to this world.

    Not only am I used to it, I¡¯m also filled with happiness.

    That¡¯s because I¡¯m with Michelle and other like-minded friends.

    Thereupon, another man with a face full of happiness came to the shop.

    Marco.

    The other members of Team Harukaze also came in as usual and checked out my various products.

    [Good morning.]

    This morning, Marco is looking unusually radiant.

    He looks like a dandelion bathed in the light of spring after a long winter.

    [Good morning. By the looks of it¡­¡­]

    [Yes. The madam escaped safely yesterday.]

    It seems she has finally escaped from the mansion and moved into Marco¡¯s apartment.

    From now on, their cohabitation life of happiness and embarrassment starts.

    [Congrats. How about buying some Hanakushi Castes tomemorate the asion? Eating it makes you slightly happy.]

    [No, I¡¯m already so happy that I could die¡­¡­]

    Uwahh, someone¡¯s boasting¡­¡­

    [R- Rather than that, I¡¯d like some anzu-bou.]

    [You just bought a box of them the other day though.]

    [I¡¯ve already eaten them all up¡­¡­]

    [You ate them all, wait, that madam just arrived in your room yesterday, right?]

    [About that, well, I ate them when I was practicing the lovenguage I wanna tell to Ti¡­¡­ the madam.]

    That¡¯s certainly just like Marco, using up his items in the practice simtion.

    In any case, I pulled a box of anzu-bou out of the tatami room in the back.

    [Are you going to be alright with that?]

    [I got a kiss this morning on my way out. So, maybe¡­¡­ Yahagi-san.]

    [What¡¯s up?]

    [Being able to return back home with someone waiting for you is quite the happiness, isn¡¯t it!?]

    Yeah, can¡¯t me him for not needing Hanakushi Castes.

    But with the way he is now, is he gonna be alright?

    With his head over the clouds, he could lose his life in the dungeon.

    I might be a bit too concerned about this, but I guess I¡¯ll give Merle a warning.

    Having this in mind, I whispered to Merle, who was already dual-wielding the new Hanakushi Castes in her hands.

    [Marco looked like he¡¯d be quite flighty, so do your best with supporting him, okay?]

    [I know already. We¡¯re just nning on going to a rtively easy hunting ground today. After a couple of days, Marco should also settle down. Then, we can resume our regr operations.]

    Even with how she usually is, Merle has grown into a dependable leader.

    Well, I guess that¡¯s just obvious. A year has already passed since we first¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C

    [Ughhhaaa! A fail draw from 10-rim round choco again! The heck is going on!!!?]

    Unnn, you just keep being you, Merle.

    Everything seems to be going well.

    Michelle was away at the deepest part of the dungeon, but when shees back, we¡¯ll go flower viewing together.

    Marco will also have his new life with his girlfriend.

    Team Harukaze is steadily growing as mid-level adventurers.

    However, there was a piece of slightly disturbing news that afternoon.

    The former Queen Consort, Titti, had escaped from Rondas Tower, where she was confined.

    The search continues, but they still haven¡¯t found any sign of Titti.

    There¡¯s a mary award from reporting sightings of Titti, which is quite surprising.

    Come to think of it, there was also a 100-million-rim bounty on Michelle for being a Curse Witch.

    Having bounties on their heads, I guess those sisters do resemble each other huh?

    Incidentally, the bounty on Titti was just 1 million rims, so Michelle¡¯s bounty is much higher in scale.

    However, it¡¯s said that Titti¡¯s bounty is written with a special note that it¡¯s for either she¡¯s alive or dead.

    I think imprisonment is inevitable because she¡¯s guilty of having indulged in extravagance and squandering the country¡¯s finances.

    However, I feel she¡¯s a bit pitiable, getting herself killed for such a thing.

    I mean, she¡¯s still Michelle¡¯s little sister¡­¡­

    What in the world will happen to her?

    At that time, I felt more like a bystander on this matter, but then I ended up bing a rted party.

    I had no idea that Titti had a grudge against me.

    I mean, all I said was ¡°Shut up, Ugly¡±.

    Well, they did say out of the mouthes evil.

    ¡ô

    Four days have passed since she had taken refuge in Marco¡¯s apartment.

    As search parties have been sniffing around the city, in all that time, Titti has not stepped outside.

    However, his ce had been reasonablyfortable.

    Marco did all the cleaning,undry, and cooking, so Titti didn¡¯t have to do anything.

    All Titti had to do was to pretend that she couldn¡¯t do it, and express her remorse and gratitude.

    [I¡¯m sorry, Marco. I¡¯m really no good. I¡¯ve never cooked or doneundry¡­¡­]

    [It¡¯s no problem, Titti-sama. I¡¯ll do that for you!]

    [I¡¯ll learn about this little by little¡­¡­ for Marco¡¯s sake¡­¡­]

    [Titti-sama¡­¡­]

    With that, Titti didn¡¯t have to do any household chores.

    Since she ns to leave here once things settle down in the public, Titti believes that things will somehow work out for the time being.

    However, she was bored being alone in the narrow apartment.

    Marco considerately bought her toys from the Dagashi Shop, but they can only keep her upied for a limited amount of time.

    Titti stretched out the sheets of her bed a little to relieve her boredom.

    It was crumpled and disheveled, a trace from their deedsst night.

    As she stretched the sheets, Titti thought back tost night.

    Marco, smelling of apricots, approached Titti, whispering words of love.

    Titti epted him.

    Perhaps, she could have refused him.

    If she had refused, Marco would have obediently followed her wish.

    By that point, Titti should be able to tell that Marco wouldn¡¯t betray her.

    Marco is a man who offers Titti unconditional love, and Titti herself sees it.

    However, though she herself couldn¡¯t tell why, Titti epted Marco.

    (I don¡¯t know why, but I got horny¡­¡­)

    Seeing how desperate Marco was in expressing himself, Titti honestly felt the desire to do it.

    Perhaps she herself had started harboring love, but Titti herself wasn¡¯t even aware of it.

    However, even though she herself was quite surprised about it, the deed with Marco brought Titti more pleasure than ever before.

    Fortunately or unfortunately, their bodies were the mostpatible.

    Remembering how promiscuous she had beenst night, Titti buried her face in the pillow.

    [Even though he¡¯s just Marco¡­¡­]

    Titti sat still for a while, but then she got up and went to the kitchen.

    She held no desire to cook, but she thought she could at least prepare Marco some tea when he got home.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Hanakushi Caste

 Chapter 90: Eat Well and Get Stronger!

    <h4>Chapter 90: Eat Well and Get Stronger!</h4>

    Due to the warmer weather, I woke up earlier than usual.

    As Michelle was currently away, there wasn¡¯t much to do at home.

    And so, I went to the dungeon to get to work, when I met up with Mira at the entrance.

    [Good morning, Yuusuke-san. Is Michelle-san not with you?]

    It has been a year since we first met, and Mira seems to have grown a little more mature.

    [Good morning. Michelle is still in the deepest part of the dungeon. It should be about three days before shees back.]

    The two of us walked leisurely down the stairs side by side.

    I used to be frightened even near the entrance, but I¡¯ve already gotten used to the dungeon.

    Of course, I didn¡¯t forget to prepare my monster cards and 8-shot pistol.

    I was ready for any enemy to appear at any moment.

    When we arrived at Yahagi Onsen, I immediately opened shop.

    [Mira will drop by too, right? Come on in, I¡¯ll at least offer you a cup of tea.]

    Once I closed up shop, the shop would be automatically cleaned, so there¡¯s no need for me to clean up in the morning.

    As I ignited the stove and checked the shelves, I found that there was a new product once again.

    Product name: Basco

    Description: Bite-sized cream sandwich biscuits. When eaten, it strengthens the body and increases defense by 20 times. Has a duration of 10 minutes.

    Price: 30 rims

    How nostalgic, I used to eat this snack in my previous life.

    It¡¯s a very long-selling product that has been on the market for over 90 years.

    They were biscuits with yeast in it, and it was a revolutionary product when it was first released.

    I believe there were also strawberry and green tea-vored cream, but it seems only the in type was avable for me.

    [Look, it¡¯s a new product. Let¡¯s sample it together.]

    Bascoes in a pack of two pieces, so I decided to share it with Mira.

    It was just the right snack for two people to share.

    [They¡¯re crunchy and delicious.]

    [Since it increases defenses, it¡¯s going to be a hot seller. Let¡¯s see, how about a little experiment then? Mira, try pping my cheek.]

    I want to see how much it increases my defense.

    However, Mira surprisingly refused.

    [I can¡¯t do that.]

    [Come on, isn¡¯t it fine? It¡¯s just an experiment.]

    [Then, how about I ask you that then? How about you p my cheek, Yuusuke-san?]

    [Ehh¡­¡­]

    pping Mira¡¯s cute cheeks¡­¡­?

    No matter how much Basco she eats, there¡¯s no way I can do that.

    [Guess you¡¯re right, a p is too high a hurdle. Then, how about a shippe then?]

    [Shippe?]

    [Yes, a p on the wrist with two fingers.]

    It¡¯s somethingmonly used in punishment games.

    This way, we would feel less guilty.

    [However¡­¡­]

    [This is just an experiment. Please, hit me as hard as you can!]

    If someone arrives at a moment like this, they must think I¡¯m some really perverted masochist¡­¡­

    No, I don¡¯t have such a fetish, okay?

    [I don¡¯t like to be hit either. However, this is necessary for the development of my dagashis.]

    [I understand. If Yuusuke-san says that much¡­¡­]

    Mira holds her forefinger and middle finger aloft.

    Then, she powerfully swings it down.

    Smack!

    A satisfying sound echoed in the shop.

    Mira may be a graceful girl, but she¡¯s a full-fledged adventurer.

    She had considerable physical strength in her hands.

    I originally should have received pain right down to the bone.

    [How is it? Does it not hurt?]

    Hearing Mira worryingly ask me that, I smiled.

    [It doesn¡¯t hurt at all! This could turn out amazing. Look, it didn¡¯t even leave a bruise.]

    [Really? Then, try it on me too.]

    [Eh, seriously?]

    As expected, that¡¯s just¡­¡­

    [I¡¯d like to try it out too. Please. Please hit me as hard as you can too.]

    Can you stop with those upturned eyes?

    That¡¯ll just tickle the sadist in me¡­¡­

    No, I don¡¯t have such a fetish either.

    [A- Alright. This is just an experiment, okay?]

    [Yes. Please.]

    Smack!

    I hit her pretty hard, but Mira looked unfazed.

    Even though I hit her with a force normally enough to hurt my fingers, she was perfectly fine.

    Basco, how terrifying!

    [Amazing! It doesn¡¯t hurt at all. Maybe even a knife won¡¯t hurt with this.]

    Mira looked at me with suspicious eyes.

    [W- Wait. I don¡¯t have the courage to lead the experiment that far.]

    As expected, I won¡¯t try it out with a knife.

    [Eh, It¡¯ll just be a light prick with the tip¡­¡­]

    Smiling, Mira pulled out her knife.

    Wait, even though you look like that, you¡¯re actually a sadist!?

    [Don¡¯t worry, this wouldn¡¯t hurt.]

    [N- No, that¡¯s¡­¡­]

    [This is also for the development of the dagashis.]

    Mira held her knife in a reverse grip and brought it up near her face.

    [Kuh¡­¡­]

    I resigned myself and just gritted my teeth.

    [Ei.]

    With a cute shout, the knife was swung down, but the tip was aimed at the back of Mira¡¯s hand.

    [Uwaaahhh! A- Are you alright, Mira?]

    [Ahaha, there¡¯s no way I¡¯d stab Yuusuke-san. That aside, this really is amazing. I certainly hadn¡¯t put much force into it, but my skin repelled the knife. It really has improved my defense.]

    [Ahh, that surprised me. However, I guess this will be useful for adventurers.]]

    [Yes, I think everyone will buy it. I¡¯d also like to have three of these.]

    [Thank you for your patronage!]

    I gave Mira, who had gone along with my experiments, four Bascos for the price of three as a special treat.

    ¡ô

    When Marco returned home after his day¡¯s work, Titti happily weed him.

    She was bored staying all alone in the apartment.

    [Here you go, today¡¯s earnings and some souvenirs.]

    Marco offered Titti all the money and magic crystals he had earned from hunting monsters.

    This was done under the genuine belief in Titti¡¯s words that she would manage the money for their future.

    He was under the illusion that they are already like a married couple.

    For Titti, she just wanted to keep the money on hand so that she could escape at any time.

    She has already received over 400,000 rims in cash from Marco.

    With the money she had on hand, it may not be easy, but it would still be possible for her to flee the country on her own.

    Titti quickly counted the amount of money she received and was satisfied.

    Marco had earned more than 24,000 rims today.

    Only those who are considerably superior even among mid-level adventurers would be able to earn this much money.

    [Thank you for your hard work. I¡¯ll wipe your body down, so take off your shirt.]

    There¡¯s no bathtub in Marco¡¯s house.

    By dedicating some time in this way, Titti is winning Marco¡¯s favor.

    However, she does not do any household chores such as cooking andundry.

    She is a cunning woman in this respect.

    While taking off his shirt, Marco urged Titti to open his bag of souvenirs.

    [What did you get me today?

    Titti opened the bag with a look of delight on her face.

    [It¡¯s a biscuit called Basco. When you eat it, your defense power goes up. If your pursuers find us, eat those while I¡¯ll fight them.]

    Tittiid her cheek against Marco¡¯s bare back from behind.

    [Ah, I¡¯m sweaty¡­¡­]

    [Ara, something like that doesn¡¯t bother me at all.]

    While cing a kiss on his scar-riddled shoulder, Titti whispers.

    [Thank you, Marco.]

    [I¡¯d do anything for Titti-sama¡¯s sake¡­¡­]

    When she heard Marco¡¯s words filled with determination, Titti¡¯s heart slightly fluttered.

    Since the time they slept together, gradually it may be, she had developed an attachment to Marco, finding it difficult to distance herself from him.

    She was still prepared to abandon Marco if necessary, but she no longer had the thought of mocking Marco while he¡¯s engulfed in sorrow.

    Even though she would have done so if it were before¡­¡­

    (Maybe I¡¯d even shed him a tear or two.)

    Her thoughts felt distant as if it was someone else¡¯s affair, yet she does begin to feel that way.

    [Hey, did you get those snacks from that Dagashi Shop too?]

    Trying to keep away from the gloomy mood, Titti changed the subject.

    [That¡¯s right. I bought these at Yahagi-san¡¯s ce too.]

    [They sure do have a curious assortment of snacks.]

    [It¡¯s not just the snacks that are wonderful. The shop owner Yahagi-san is also someone out of this world.]

    [You¡¯re talking about Yahagi-san again? I¡¯m getting kinda jealous.]

    [Ahaha, you jest. Yahagi-san already has a lover. It¡¯s also none other than that Michelle.]

    Titti, startled, moved her face away from Marco¡¯s back.

    [That Michelle, are you talking about that Witch Michelle?]

    [That¡¯s right. Arehh, didn¡¯t I tell you about this before?]

    [No, this is the first time I¡¯ve heard of this¡­¡­]

    It¡¯s not widely known that Witch Michelle and the former Queen Consort Titti are sisters.

    It was because it wouldn¡¯t be good for her reputation if a wanted criminal like Michelle were the sister of the Queen Consort.

    That is why Marco did not know that Titti was Michelle¡¯s sister.

    (If so, that Yahagi should be that guy huh. That guy who called me ugly¡­¡­)

    [I¡¯m kinda getting interested in that Dagashi Shop too.]

    [However, Titti-sama can¡¯t meet Yahagi-san¡­¡­]

    [I know that. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll stay here and be quiet.]

    Saying this, Titti¡¯s hand slinked down and unbuttoned Marco¡¯s pants.

    At the mercy of her bewitching hands, Marco¡¯s mind went nk.

    (I was just getting bored. Maybe I¡¯ll go investigate that Dagashi Shop or whatever he calls his ce tomorrow¡­¡­)

    As she wiped Marco¡¯s body with a towel soaked in water, Titti quietly smiled.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Basco: Based on Glico¡¯s Bisco. The in type Yuusuke¡¯s talking about is probably butter vor. Also, I¡¯m not sure if the author really intends to give it a DEFx20 effect, which is kinda overpowered for a 30-rim snack, instead of DEF+20.

 Chapter 91: Kibi Dango

    <h4>Chapter 91: Kibi Dango</h4>

    Soon after I opened my shop, Team Harukaze arrived, chattering with each other.

    [Ohh, there¡¯s a new item in stock!]

    The sharp-eyed Merle snacked up a snack.

    [As expected of Merle. You sure noticed it well.]

    [What¡¯s this? It has a picture of a boy with a sword¡­¡­]

    [Fufufu. That¡¯s kibi dango.]

    Product name: Kibi Dango

    Description: A rod-shaped bean-jam cake. When fed to a monster, it can be tamed. (Depends on the corrtion between the user¡¯s status and the monster¡¯s status)

    Price: 60 rims

    Merle jumps for joy when she reads the description.

    [So, does that mean I can turn a monster into a pet by feeding it this?]

    [Well, that¡¯s right, but there seem to be various limitations to it. To tame the monster, you have to imbue your magic power into the kibi dango and personally feed them. Moreover, it seems that you can only tame them if the monster is considerably weaker than yourself.]

    [So, like Kobolds?]

    [No, if it¡¯s Merle¡¯s taming them, I think monsters on the level of slimes¡­¡­ Depending on the situation, probably Dungeon Mice or Flower Sonobugs¡­¡­]

    [I¡¯m not interested in rats or bugs!]

    Tentatively, Dungeon Mice and Flower Sonobugs are still monsters.

    They apparently drop a 10-rim copper coin about once every 30 times they¡¯re defeated.

    However, there are no adventurers who do it because it¡¯s too inefficient.

    Not everyone is like Merle who seems to dislike rats or bugs, but there probably aren¡¯t many people who would bother taming monsters like those.

    [I had expectations, only to be disappointed.]

    Seeing Merle pouting her cheeks, I tore off a piece of kibi dango and handed it to her.

    [What, you trying to tame me?]

    [Like hell I am! I just want you to taste-test it. It¡¯s very tasty.]

    I have always been a big fan of kibi dango since my previous life.

    Even if it¡¯s not that effective in taming monsters, I¡¯d like it if she wouldn¡¯t hate the snack itself.

    [Good grief, how can you even like¡­¡­ Omnyomnyomnyom¡­¡­ It¡¯s delicious!]

    [Isn¡¯t it?]

    [What a strange texture¡­¡­ However, that¡¯s what makes it addictive. Yuusuke-san, gimme another bite!]

    The way she waits with her mouth open is like a baby bird waiting to be fed.

    Or rather, instead of taming a monster¡­¡­

    She was instead making it easy for others to feed her.

    Merle, are you even less than a slime¡­¡­?

    [Unnn, I like this snack. Give me six.]

    [Thanks for the patronage!]

    My dagashi lineup is getting better and better.

    Isn¡¯t it about time for the shop to expand?

    [Yahagi-san, three yakisobas.]

    [Bill please!]

    The shop is suddenly bing more and more lively, and I¡¯m busy running the ce.

    I wish Michelle were here to help me, but she¡¯s still deep in the dungeon and won¡¯t be back until tomorrow.

    (I can¡¯t wait to see Michelle.)

    The Michelle in the cyanotype photo I had stuck on the wall is looking at me with a shy smile.

    Just looking at it, I felt somewhat motivated.

    After the morning business was over, I made tea in the tatami room in the back.

    We had more customers than usual this morning,

    The general public sporadically showed up, mixed in with the adventurers.

    With the warmer weather, there seemed to be Mobile Force amateur tournaments being held in city zas and other ces.

    Perhaps this is the reason why 18 boxes of Mobile Force were sold this morning.

    I guess it¡¯s about time we hold a tournament to attract new customers.

    We can also hold it as an entertainment event along with flower viewing, maybe calling it the Fujiru Cup.

    While thinking about future business, I drink tea.

    I¡¯m getting kinda hungry.

    Come to think of it, there¡¯s still some leftover kibi dango from that pack I gave Merle a taste of.

    [Excuse me.]

    Just as I was about to eat my first kibi dango in a while, another customer appeared.

    It was the voice of a rather elegant woman.

    [Yes, yes, I¡¯ming.]

    I rewrapped the kibi dango into its wrapping again and tucked it into my packet.

    Taking ast sip of tea before heading out, I returned to the shop.

    A middle-aged man with a small mustache came into the shop.

    Arehh? That¡¯s strange.

    I¡¯m pretty sure I heard a woman¡¯s voice¡­¡­

    I looked around the shop, but there was no one with him.

    [Hello.]

    Hearing the uncle with round sses greet me, I was surprised again.

    It seems that I got the right person.

    [Ah, could it be¡­¡­!]

    [That¡¯s right. I¡¯m using a disguise set sold at this shop.]

    The uncle giggled with a voice beautifully ringing like bells.

    Unnn, it was quite surreal.

    [Well, that was surprising. It¡¯s a product I sell myself, but they sure have an amazing effect huh.]

    They¡¯re supposed to merely be party goods, but I¡¯m starting to worry about them being misused.

    [Marco has always been under your care.]

    Giving me a box of pastries, the person elegantly bowed.

    Heehhh, since he¡­¡­ she mentioned Marco¡­¡­ Then this person is¡­¡­!

    [Then, you¡¯re Cecilia-san?]

    The madam put her finger to her mouth and looked around.

    Cecilia-san had run away from the mansion after being subjected to violence by her oppressive husband.

    She must be taking precautions because under no circumstances could she let her identity be revealed.

    I lowered my voice and continued.

    [Excuse me. Marco already went down the dungeon a while ago.]

    [Yes, I know. I didn¡¯te here today to chase after Marco. I came here to meet Yahagi-san.]

    [Me?]

    [Yes, in fact, I have an urgent matter to discuss with you¡­¡­]

    The eyes shining behind the round sses looked serious.

    She seemed to have something important to tell me.

    [In that case, shall we talk in the tatami room in the back?]

    I led Cecilia-san into the tatami room in my shop.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Kibi Dango: The one Yahagi got here was actually Nihon-Ichi Kibi Dango

 Chapter 92: Tittis Visit

    <h4>Chapter 92: Titti''s Visit</h4>

    After brewing tea for us, I asked Cecilia-san what business she had with me.

    [So, what exactly is it that you want from me?]

    [No, no, it isn¡¯t that big of a deal.]

    She was disguised with round sses and a beard, but Cecilia-san¡¯s voice sounded like a woman¡¯s.

    The tatami room is so narrow that the faint scent of perfume wafts through the air.

    Although I had nothing to feel guilty about, I¡¯m kinda feeling guilty about being alone with a married woman.

    Let¡¯s leave the sliding door of the tatami room open¡­¡­

    [Actually, I heard that Yahagi-san is handing out maps to adventurers free of charge?]

    [Ahh, you¡¯re talking about the dungeon maps.]

    [That¡¯s right. I was wondering if you could share the map of the 1st Underground Floor with me.]

    If that¡¯s the case, this conversation would be quick.

    I quickly took one of the maps from the shelf and handed it to Cecilia-san.

    [Please take it. However, why does Cecilia-san need the map?]

    There¡¯s no way she¡¯s nning on having a side job for their savings and is nning to start as an adventurer, right?

    [That is¡­¡­ Can I ask you to keep it a secret from Marco?]

    Prefacing such words, Cecilia-san told me what was going on.

    [Not many people know about it, but there¡¯s a nt called Elcid Moss that grows deep in the dungeon¡¯s 1st Underground Floor. I wanted to have it.]

    [That Elcid Moss certainly isn¡¯t something I¡¯m familiar with. Is it used to make medicine?]

    [That¡¯s right. Elcid Moss can be used as a material for Enhancement Potions. Marco has always been doing his best, which makes me worried. I was hoping I could help him even if only a little¡­¡­]

    In other words, she wants to make Enhancement Potions and give those to Marco.

    That¡¯s something praiseworthy.

    [I¡¯m sure Marco will be happy to hear that.]

    [Ah, please don¡¯t tell Marco. I want to surprise him.]

    Fumu fumu, a surprise present huh.

    [I understand. However, Cecilia-san, would you be alright searching for that moss yourself? The dungeon is a dangerous ce.]

    Since she was able to reach Yahagi Onsen down on the 2nd Underground Floor, I guess she knows what she¡¯s doing.

    However, can she explore the dungeon by herself?

    She was originally a high-ssdy after all.

    [I have zero experience in actualbat, but I can still use Offensive Magic. I think I can manage the 1st Underground Floor¡­¡­]

    Though she said that, Cecilia-san looks anxious.

    Even still, she looked like she wanted to do her best for Marco.

    However, is it really alright to let Cecilia-san go alone?

    It seems like she didn¡¯t encounter any monsters when she went here, but she can¡¯t just hope for that if she¡¯s going to spend a long time searching for that moss.

    Even if she could use Offensive Magic, she would find the fights difficult when her mana runs out.

    [If you want, how about I go with you?]

    [Yahagi-san will?]

    [I did make the maps after all, so I know the 1st Underground Floor pretty well.]

    [However, you want work to do, don¡¯t you? I don¡¯t want to be a bother.]

    [Don¡¯t mind it, I¡¯m only busy in the mornings and evenings anyway. If we go out now ande back in the evening, there will be no problem.]

    When I said this, Cecilia-san smiled.

    [Thank you very much. To tell you the truth, I was worried about heading out by myself.]

    [Well then, shall we depart?]

    [Ah, I¡¯d like to ask one thing first.]

    [What¡¯s the matter?]

    [I can buy that Cyanotype Camera thing here, right? If so, I would like to buy some.]

    Cyanotype Cameras are the most popr item right now.

    But today, we happen to have three items left in stock.

    [Come to think of it, Marco bought one the other day, didn¡¯t he?]

    [Yes, the two of us took a picture together. It was quite surprising, seeing such a thing depicting an image closer to the real thing than the intricate paintings created by skilled artists. However, that did give me an idea¡­¡­]

    Cecilia-san let out a suspicious smile.

    Was she nning to take a picture of the two of them and exchange them with each other?

    Michelle apparently carries around a hundred or so pictures of me with her at all times.

    It¡¯s like she¡¯s got her card collection always in hand.

    I told her to stop because it was embarrassing, but she wouldn¡¯t listen.

    Telling me ¡°I won¡¯t show it to anyone¡±, she still keeps it close to her at all times.

    Without thinking much about it, I sold all that was left of my stock to Cecilia-san.

    ¡ô

    Titti giggled inside when she heard that Yahagi would being with her.

    She had seen through that this kind of man would help her if she yed the role of a helpless woman, and her expectations were on the spot.

    (An easily-swayed man. Well, I don¡¯t dislike his type.)

    [What¡¯s the matter, Cecilia-san? Smiling like that.]

    [After all, Marco has such a wonderful friend. I couldn¡¯t help being happy for him. Please continue looking after him.]

    Yahagi Yuusuke looked bashful upon her praise.

    Of course, he had no way of knowing what was in Titti¡¯s mind.

    Titti¡¯s preparations were already finished.

    She had gone to the 1st Underground Floor early in the morning and carried various items into a small room where people rarelye.

    Though she isn¡¯t as good as Michelle, Titti is an excellent mage. She could easily handle everything on the 1st Underground Floor by herself.

    (Ufufu, Michelle, before I leave this country, I¡¯m going to make you fall into despair. You will pay for depriving me of my position as Queen Consort.)

    [Well then, let¡¯s go.]

    Yahagi, making his shop disappear, called out to her.

    The mere thought of her sister and this man¡¯s imminent doom made Titti almost writhe.

    Such a thought fueled her sadistic fetishes, which made her involuntarily shudder.

    With an 8-shot pistol and a Monster Card in his hand, Yahagi Yuusuke walks in front of Titti.

    (This is your fault, you called me ugly. I¡¯ll never forgive you.)

    Looking at Yahagi¡¯s back, Titti licks her lips with her red tongue.

 Chapter 93: Annoying!

    <h4>Chapter 93: Annoying!</h4>

    Cecilia and I stepped into the inner areas of the 1st Underground Floor.

    [ording to the map, we should be there soon, right, Cecilia-san?]

    [Yes, just down this hall, turn left and go about 400 meters.]

    There we would arrive in a small room, the target of our current trek.

    In that room, there is a small red moss growing in the corner of the room, which is apparently a material for Reinforcement Potions.

    Up to this point, we had three encounters with monsters.

    All of them were weak monsters though, so I defeated them with only my 8-shot pistol.

    If things continue as they are, it seems like there will be no need for me to use my Monster Card.

    I had prepared an SSSR card just in case, but my fears seemed to be unfounded.

    After turning a corner and walking for a while, a rusty iron door appeared in front of me.

    [We arrived. It¡¯s this room, right?]

    [Yes. Let¡¯s cautiously get in. I will back you up with magic.]

    [Understood.]

    With a pistol at the ready, I kicked the door open with a m by my foot.

    I feel like a detective forcing my way into a closed door.

    Inside the small room though¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª-

    [No sign of enemies! I¡¯ve confirmed it¡¯s safe. Arehh?]

    There¡¯s something I¡¯m not quite used to seeing in the room.

    There¡¯s a nket on the floor, something that someone may have identally left behind.

    Well, that¡¯s what I would have thought if I didn¡¯t see other stuff like ropes andnterns. It seems like some people had made preparations to turn this room into lodging.

    [Did someone stay in this ce?]

    That would be reckless.

    Nights in the dungeon are extremely dangerous.

    Monsters are strengthened at night, and monsters in the deeper levels alsoe up in the higher floors.

    [For someone to stay overnight in a ce like this, they would have to be quite capable or else it would be dangero¡­¡­]

    As I bent down to investigate further, something blocked my nose and mouth.

    [ ! ? ]

    This is¡­.. a handkerchief?

    It kinda¡­¡­ smells sweet¡­¡­

    As such a thought crossed my mind for a moment, I lost consciousness.

    ¡ó

    I woke up shivering from the cold.

    My head kinda hurts.

    I wonder if I caught a cold¡­¡­ Wait, why the heck am I naked!?

    Moreover, I¡¯m tied up!

    Eh? Eh?

    Did Michelle wake up to a new fetish and she went on a rampage!?

    Come to think of it¡­¡­ This ce¡­¡­ isn¡¯t this the dungeon?

    That¡¯s right, I was supposed to be in a small room on the 1st Underground Floor with Cecilia-san.

    Unnn, I¡¯m starting to remember what just happened¡­¡­

    [You¡¯re finally awake.]

    There was an unfamiliar woman in the dimly lit room.

    Could she be Cecilia-san?

    In any case, the upper half of Cecilia-san¡¯s body was naked, exposing herrge, white breasts.

    I involuntarily turned away.

    [Wait, what¡¯s going on here? I don¡¯t understand.]

    [Ara, you don¡¯t remember? Even though we did a lot of good things together.]

    Good things?

    No way, we did that all the way!?

    ¡­¡­Nah, doesn¡¯t look like that¡¯s the case.

    I¡¯m naked, but that¡¯s just my upper body.

    The lower half of my body is still properly clothed, and there¡¯s no sign that I have been undressed.

    I sighed with relief.

    [Fufu, don¡¯t you think it¡¯s too soon for you to be relieved?]

    As the woman put on her bra, she provocatively taunted.

    [Arehh, you are¡­¡­]

    [Yes, you remember now? I¡¯m the former Queen Consort, Titti.]

    There¡¯s no way I¡¯d forget that shy appearance of hers.

    It was Michelle¡¯s little sister, Titti.

    [What are you doing this for? Why did you tie me up?]

    [You don¡¯t have to be that flustered, I¡¯ve already done what I have to do after all. Our photo shoot is over.]

    Saying this, Titti enchantingly smiled.

    Three cyanotype photos are tucked between her white fingers.

    Those photos don¡¯t seem to have been exposed to sunlight yet, and the cyanotype paper is still ck.

    What in the world is in those photos?

    No, with the current situation, I think I can sort of guess what it is¡­¡­

    [I¡¯ll ask just to make sure, but what photos did you take?]

    [It¡¯s quite uncouth to ask such a thing, don¡¯t you think? It¡¯s our act of lovemaking these photos depict after all.]

    [Tsk¡­¡­ You really thought of something vile.]

    Titti sharply raised her gaze and walked over to me.

    Thereupon, she poked the tip of my nose with her finger.

    [Well, all of this is your fault!]

    [The heck did we do? All we did was brush off the sparksing our way. It¡¯s the present King who has brought you two to ruin!]

    [Shut up, shut up! Besides, you called me ugly!!!]

    [Eh?]

    Ah¡­¡­ That really did happen huh, unnn.

    [Yeah, I said that, what of it? Isn¡¯t that because you did those horrible things to Michelle?]

    [You gotta be kidding me! I¡¯ve been called ¡°evil¡± and ¡°sly¡±, all sorts of things before, but that was the first time I¡¯ve been called ugly! That¡¯s the worst insult I¡¯ve ever heard my whole life!]

    Is that so?

    [And you want to get revenge on Michelle by dragging me into this?]

    [That¡¯s right. What do you think will happen if I show this to Sister Michelle? Ahahaha!]

    Titti triumphantlyughed.

    [You¡­¡­ sure are annoying.]

    [I don¡¯t want Michelle¡¯s boyfriend to tell me that! Of all the people in the world, you¡¯re dating the most annoying woman in the world!

    [Michelle isn¡¯t that annoying. She may have that quota of 30 kisses a day and 60 minutes of baby ytime, but she¡¯s not as troublesome as you are!]

    [Like heck I¡¯m gonna let that sh*tty joke slide! Ahh, geez, I¡¯m not gonna deal with this!]

    Titti put on her jacket and turned to leave.

    [Oi, stop right there! Don¡¯t show that picture to Michelle!]

    If she does that, Michelle will go berserk with jealousy.

    [Of course, I¡¯m gonna show it to her. Why do you think I would strip in a cold ce like this? You should just sit there and wait for this country to be destroyed.]

    [That¡¯s not all that¡¯s happening!]

    [Yeah, a big rift certainly would open between you, wouldn¡¯t it?]

    [That¡¯s not it! Does Marco know what you¡¯re nning? If Marco sees something like that¡­¡­]

    Hearing my words, Titti flinched.

    It seems like Marco had nothing to do with her n.

    [Marco will get sad, you know?]

    [H- Hmph, what does it matter? Marco will forgive me no matter what I do. That¡¯s the kind of man he is after all!]

    Titti sulkily turned her head away.

    Arehh, perhaps, does she actually care about Marco?

    I thought she was just using him, but it seems that their rtionship wasn¡¯t just like that.

    [You¡­¡­ You¡¯re being serious about Marco¡­¡­]

    [Like heck that¡¯s the case! He¡¯s more like a pet. I¡¯m just being affectionate to the dog attached to me. A dog who I¡¯ll throw away when I get tired of it. Besides, I won¡¯t need to worry when Marco isn¡¯t going to see it. We¡¯ll be out of this country by the time Michelle unleashes her Maximum Magic.]

    Titti snorted in dismissal before leaving the room.

 Chapter 94: Chuutaro

    <h4>Chapter 94: Chuutaro</h4>

    It¡¯s been about an hour since Titti left.

    It is cold in the dimly lit dungeon, and with my top half naked, I feel as if I might catch a cold.

    I have to quickly do something¡­¡­

    I tried cutting the rope by rubbing it against the raggy stone wall, but it¡¯s not going well.

    I probably did manage to cut it somewhat, but with my hands tied behind my back, I can¡¯t even check.

    [Ahhh, I¡¯m starving.]

    It was almost lunchtime.

    If my hands were free, I could eat some of my shop¡¯s goods, but with my hands tied behind my back, that¡¯s not possible.

    I heard how monsters seldom spawn in small rooms like this, but is it true?

    If they really spawn, I can¡¯t put up any resistance with my current state.

    I¡¯ll have to cut this rope as soon as possible¡­¡­

    [Chuu chuu.]

    [Whoa!]

    I jumped wide in surprise at the sound of a squeak, but what appeared was a small Dungeon Mouse.

    It seems to have entered this room through a hole in the wall.

    Although it is considered a monster, they aren¡¯t much different in size frommon mice.

    These mice don¡¯t attack people out of the blue, so I don¡¯t have to worry about being helplessly attacked, but they do bite people¡¯s fingers when they sleep.

    I don¡¯t want to catch some strange disease after getting bitten by them.

    [Shoo! Shoo!]

    I chased the rodent away with my foot before I went back to cutting the rope.

    After rubbing the rope for a while, I tried to pull it apart with greater force.

    [Hnnngh! Pfuaahh¡­¡­ Still no luck huh.]

    That freaking Titti, she just had to prepare an unnecessarily sturdy rope.

    Breathing heavily for a moment, I tried rearranging my thoughts.

    At that moment, the back of my hand touched something bulging in the back pocket of my pants.

    What¡¯s this?

    Ahh, it¡¯s the leftovers from the kibi dango I fed Merle.

    I was about to eat it when Titti came over and put it away, wasn¡¯t I?

    Hmm¡­¡­ Kibi dango?

    ¡­¡­¡­¡­That¡¯s right, with this, couldn¡¯t I tame that Dungeon Mouse!?

    Making an effort to bend and contract my arms, I grabbed the kibi dango from my pocket.

    Then, I gently called out to the Dungeon Mouse that I had cruelly shooed away earlier.

    [Oi, Chuutaro, I¡¯m sorry about earlier. Come here, I¡¯ll give you something good.]

    I tore a bite-sized piece out of the kibi dango and held it out to the Dungeon Mouse.

    [Chuu¡­¡­]

    It seemed wary since I had just chased it away with my foot.

    [It¡¯s alright, Big Bro isn¡¯t scary, okay? Here, it¡¯s delicious, you know?]

    I softly called out to it, using a voice for coaxing cats.

    Let¡¯s just put aside whether a voice for coaxing cats can be understood by a mouse.

    I¡¯m also desperate here too, okay?

    [Chuu.]

    Rather than my actions, the Dungeon Mouse seemed to be attracted by the kibi dango and came closer to me.

    It turned its pointed nose upward and repeatedly sniffed the kibi dango¡¯s scent.

    [That¡¯s right, you should try some. It¡¯s tasty, you know?]

    [Chuu chuu¡­¡­]

    The Dungeon Mouse still seemed wary, but it seemed like it couldn¡¯t resist its appetite anymore, as it finally bit into the kibi dango.

    [Alright, you¡¯re doing great. There are still more of those, okay?]

    While leaning my neck so much that it hurt, I watched the Dungeon Mouse chomp down on the kibi dango.

    Soon, the Dungeon Mouse, its stomach full, sat there and stared at me, not running away.

    It seems I¡¯ve sessfully tamed it.

    [Good, from now on, you¡¯re no longer just a Dungeon Mouse. You¡¯re my servant, Chuutaro. You understand?]

    [Chuu!]

    Ohh, it answered.

    Humans are beings who view things as they are convenient for them, and even this Dungeon Mouse that I find repulsive seems cute as soon as it canmunicate with me.

    I¡¯m a kind guy, so I¡¯m not going to ask it to exterminate demons with me.

    All I want is for it to somehow help me out with this rope.

    [Chuutaro, I¡¯m going to give you your first task: bite off the rope tying my hands with your teeth. Can you do it?]

    [Chuu!]

    Chuutaro replied with a single squeak and immediately jumped on the rope that bound me.

    I could feel furs crawling around my wrist for a moment, then the rope snapped and I was freed.

    [Great job, Chuutaro! Here, I¡¯ll give you all the rest of the kibi dango.]

    After generously sharing my kibi dango with it, I sat down on the ground.

    I had wasted a lot of time since Titti left.

    Where the heck is she now?

    Today was the day Michelle wasing back from the deepest part of the dungeon.

    However, if the two of them don¡¯t make contact, it should still be possible to prevent a catastrophe.

    Taking out a magical stick, which increases a person¡¯s magic power by 30%, I poured the multicolored chocte beads into my mouth all at once.

    [Crunch, crunch, crunch¡­¡­ Gulp. Alright, irvoyance preparations, ready!]

    Using my other special skill ¡°irvoyance¡±, I can easily locate Titti¡¯s whereabouts.

    I set the keyword to Titti and began my search!

    Thereupon, my vision quickly shifted to Yahagi Onsen.

    She¡¯s back at Yahagi Onsen huh.

    Wait, this is bad. Michelle¡¯s already at the entrance!

    Panicking, without even bothering to put my shirt on, I hastily pulled out my most powerful Monster Card.

 Chapter 95: The Power of an Archangel

    <h4>Chapter 95: The Power of an Archangel</h4>

    The distance between Michelle and Titti is about 15 meters.

    I have to do everything in my power to prevent Michelle from getting those pictures in her hands.

    I took out the golden Monster Card I had carefully tucked away in my inside pocket.

    [The time to use this finally came huh¡­¡­ Monster summon, activate! Come out, SSSR-rank Lunadian!]

    Lunadian is one of the highest-level Angels.

    In addition to her offensive power, she can also use the skills ¡°Instantaneous Movement¡± and ¡°Light Wings of Purification¡±.

    If she could use her power to leap to Yahagi Onsen, I could surely be able to prevent the worst from happening.

    The card glowed so dazzlingly that I couldn¡¯t keep my eyes open, and the thinly d Archangel Lunadian appeared.

    Even so¡­¡­ That¡¯s quite the proportions she got there.

    As expected of an Angel, she certainly possesses beauty beyond human standards¡­¡­

    Wait, this isn¡¯t the time for me to ogle at someone.

    [Lunadian, transport me to the Yahagi Onsen!]

    When I ordered her so, Lunadian wrapped me in her arms and eight wings, and in an instant, we moved to Yahagi Onsen.

    The people at Yahagi Onsen were in turmoil at the sudden appearance of the Archangel.

    Michelle, and Titti, who was standing right next to her, were also surprised, looking at us with eyes opened wide.

    [Yuusuke¡­¡­?]

    [Michelle, get away from that guy!]

    [It¡¯s you who should get away from that woman, Yuusuke! Who the heck is that exhibitionist!?]

    No, she¡¯s an archangel.

    Can¡¯t you see her wings?

    [This is Archangel Lunadian, who I summoned for her instantaneous movement¡­¡­]

    [Don¡¯t know! Don¡¯t care! Don¡¯t cling to my Yuusuke with your perverted outfit!]

    [Idiot, don¡¯t use Offensive Magic! That aside, get away from that guy with the sses. That¡¯s Titti!]

    [What!?]

    At the mention of Titti¡¯s name, Michelle¡¯s train of thought finally returned to normal.

    [Tsk! I was so close. Whatever. Michelle, look at this!]

    Titti is trying to get the photos out of an envelope.

    However, I¡¯m not going to just let her do that.

    [Lunadian, snatch that envelope from Titti¡¯s hand!]

    Having received my order, Lunadian spread her wings and surged towards Titti.

    [D- Don¡¯te near me!]

    Titti tried to fight back with Wind Magic: Wind Cutter, but it fizzled out before Lunadian¡¯s aura.

    As expected of an SSSR card, it¡¯s incredibly strong.

    [¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­..]

    Lunadian raised her right wing high.

    What on earth is she doing?

    Ohh, waves of gentle light are gathering on her wing.

    [GYAAAAAHHHHHH!]

    So this is the Light Wings of Purification huh, Titti sure looks like she¡¯s suffering.

    I heard that the Light Wings of Purification purify all the evil thoughts in human hearts.

    Is Titti gonna be alright?

    [Lunadian, that woman¡¯s my girlfriend¡¯s little sister. Don¡¯t kill her.]

    Lunadian softly smiled at my words¡­¡­ and disappeared just like that.

    I see, the three minutes of summoning time had already passed huh.

    Titti was left unconscious on the ground.

    I immediately picked up the envelope containing the cyanotype photos.

    [Michelle, can you check on Titti?]

    [U- Unnn¡­¡­]

    While Michelle went to Titti¡¯s side, I summoned my shop and ran inside.

    Then, in front of the kitchen in the back, I slightly checked the contents of the envelope.

    Uwaahh, that¡¯s an unspeakably extreme sight in there.

    If Michelle sees something like this¡­¡­ There¡¯s no telling what she¡¯ll do.

    I immediately turned on the stove and put the envelope and the photos over the fire.

    [Ashes to ashes, dust to dust¡­¡­]

    There, evidence destroyed!

    [Yuusuke, what are you doing? I smelled something burning.]

    [I just thought Titti might be up to something evil again, so I was getting rid of the thing she was gonna give to you.]

    Unnn, I didn¡¯t lie.

    Therefore, my conscience doesn¡¯t hurt from saying this.

    That¡¯s all, proofpleted.

    [Come to think of it, she was gonna give me something huh. I wonder if it¡¯s some cursed note or something like that?]

    [Probably¡­¡­]

    It¡¯s an item that was, in a way, gonna bring about an effect even more severe than that.

    [How¡¯s Titti?]

    [She¡¯s out cold. I bound her and put her in the inner tatami room.]

    I see, this should put an end to this whole ruckus¡­¡­

    Or so I was thinking, but then someone violently opened the shop¡¯s door.

    [Yahagi-san, please hand over Titti-sama.]

    It was Marco, carrying the Legendary Nail Bat in hand.

 Chapter 96: Arrest

    <h4>Chapter 96: Arrest</h4>

    Marco stands at the entrance of the shop, staring at me and Michelle with bloodshot eyes.

    [Yahagi-san, please release Titti-sama from your custody.]

    [Marco¡­¡­]

    [Please, let Titti-sama go! Or else, I will¡­¡­ I¡¯m begging you, I don¡¯t want to hurt Yahagi-san.]

    He really cares that much about Titti huh¡­¡­

    [It¡¯s you who should stand down! Do you really think I would do nothing while you¡¯re trying to harm Yuusuke!?]

    Michelle, who was furious, stepped forward, but I ced my hand on her shoulder to calm her down.

    [Michelle, wait.]

    Even though Marco¡¯s skills had improved, he still couldn¡¯t hold a candle to Michelle.

    I was hoping to settle this matter through discussion, when I heard Titti¡¯s screeching voiceing from the inner tatami room.

    [Don¡¯t you dare touch Marco! He¡¯s got nothing to do with this. He¡¯s just an idiot who I used to get what I wanted. Marco, if you don¡¯t want to get arrested, quickly get out of here. You staying here won¡¯t get you anywhere!]

    That Titti was defending Marco!?

    .

    [Titti-sama, I¡¯m not going anywhere. I will definitely get you out of here!]

    [Idiot! Having someone like you around is just annoying!]

    After shouting so, the tone of Titti¡¯s voice somewhat dropped.

    [They¡¯re just going to make an example out of me and kill me anyway¡­¡­ Well, that¡¯s the consequence of my own actions, so I¡¯ve already given up. However, you haven¡¯t really done anything wrong. Your only crime is that you were deceived by the evilest woman there is.]

    [Titti-sama is not an evil woman! I was living a life with no aspirations for the future. But since I got to know you, every day has been sparkling. I had been having fun, feeling fulfilled and filled with happiness!]

    [Silly child¡­¡­ Enough with your foolishness and just take the money you saved and run away to a foreign country. You can get a country girl that suits you and live happily ever after. That¡¯s what a boring guy like you deserves.]

    Her voice sounded a little tearful toward the end.

    Listening to the conversation between Titti and Marco though, Michelle tilted her head in confusion.

    [What does this mean? Is Titti actually serious about Marco?]

    [Perhaps, that might be the case.]

    [Even if she is, Titti would definitely choose the path that would save her own life. She would never do something like letting Marco escape all by himself.]

    [Perhaps, it could be because she was exposed to Archangel Lunadian¡¯s ¡°Light Wings of Purification¡±.]

    Thereupon, Titti spoke to us.

    [Michelle, if you want to kill me, go ahead and kill me. I wouldn¡¯t mind even if you turn me in to the King. But in exchange, let Marco go.]

    Michelle only silently looked at her, so I answered in her stead.

    [Marco is my friend. I¡¯m not nning on handing him to authorities.]

    [That so? Then, turn me in already. Well, at that time, I¡¯ll just seduce the King and be Queen Consort once again. I won¡¯t care even if youinter!]

    Her saliva flying around everywhere, Tittished out at us.

    Hearing her words, Michelle tilted her head again.

    [Hey, that ¡°Light Wings of Purification¡± is a holy light that annihtes all evil thoughts, right? Then, what¡¯s with that terrible thing she said just now?]

    [You¡¯re right¡­¡­ Ahh, that¡¯s right!]

    [What¡¯s the matter?]

    [You see, Archangel Lunadian was repatriated while she was casting it. You know, Monster Cards summoned can only be active for 3 minutes after all.]

    Because I had also asked her to use Instantaneous Movement, she was probably repatriated before she couldpletely purify Titti.

    [In other words, what you¡¯re saying is that she became a good-natured Titti that still had some faults?]

    [That¡¯s what I¡¯m saying.]

    On the flip side though, she could also still be a bad person with a good heart.

    Well, isn¡¯t that just being a normal human?

    If I summon Archangel Lunadian once more, I might be able topletely erase the bad thoughts from her mind, but I might never get an SSSR card again.

    Besides, I¡¯m feeling kinda doubtful if I really wanna go that far just to turn Titti into something saintly.

    Marco takes another step forward.

    However, he drops the Legendary Nail Bat he was holding.

    [I¡¯m begging you, Yahagi-san. Please let Titti-sama go!]

    I wish I could take Marco¡¯s feelings into consideration.

    However, it doesn¡¯t seem like I can do that anymore.

    [That¡¯s not possible, Marco. Look¡­¡­]

    A group of knights appeared at the entrance of Yahagi Onsen.

    Leading them is the female general who is also the King¡¯s lover.

    Given their impable timing, Titti might have actually just been intentionally let free¡­¡­

    [Kuh¡­¡­!]

    Marco picked up the Legendary Nail Bat.

    Wait, there¡¯s no way he¡¯s nning on fighting against the knights, right?

    [Stop!]

    Michelle moved before I did, grabbing Marco by the neck and using some kind of magic.

    Without a sound, Marco fell to his knees and copsed on the spot.

    [For¡­¡­ Titti-sama¡¯s¡­¡­ happi¡­¡­ ness¡­¡­]

    I knelt down near Marco and whispered softly.

    [I will go directly to the King and do something about it. I won¡¯t let Titti be killed, so just be quiet for now.]

    The knights entered the shop, but they nodded in satisfaction when they saw Titti already tied up.

    [Stand up, former Queen Consort Titti. You¡¯re under arrest.]

    Shackled by the soldiers before getting released from the ropes tying her, Titti was pulled along by the soldiers, but she stopped in front of Michelle.

    However, it doesn¡¯t seem like she intends to make any eye contact with her.

    [Michelle¡­¡­ Thank you for saving Marco.]

    [It wasn¡¯t for you.]

    [Right. Also, I¡¯m sorry.]

    [Sorry?]

    [I apologize for everything I¡¯ve done before. I¡¯m probably going to die soon anyway.]

    Michelle said nothing in response.

    [Yahagi.]

    [What is it?]

    [Please take care of Marco. I know you¡¯re not obligated to follow my requests, but to prevent him from following him, would you at least give him some of those dagashi that lifts people¡¯s spirits?]

    [Yeah, alright.]

    [The snacks from your ce that Marco and I had¡­¡­ They were very delicious¡­¡­]

    Leaving those words, Titti was pulled along with her boldly puffing out her chest, looking straight ahead.

 Chapter 97: Letting One Die

    <h4>Chapter 97: Letting One Die</h4>

    While amotion rose in Yahagi Onsen, Michelle and I watched Titti¡¯s back as she was taken away in silence.

    Soon after, Marco, who had been knocked unconscious by Michelle¡¯s magic, woke up.

    [Nghh¡­¡­ Arehh¡­¡­ Titti-sama¡­¡­?]

    [Titti has been arrested. She is probably being led to the castle.]

    [No way¡­¡­]

    Marco was in a daze for about 10 seconds, but then he briskly stood up and picked up a shop-provided basket.

    As I watched in astonishment, he started putting every item on one edge of the shop into his basket.

    [O- Oi¡­¡­]

    Grabbing items like 10-rim gums, curry crackers, anzu-bou, Monster Card chips, carol choco, and calpases, he put them in his basket one after another.

    [Marco, calm down.]

    [Yahagi-san, I¡¯m buying all your pop rocket lottery tickets. Give me the whole sheet.]

    [What are you going to do with that?]

    It doesn¡¯t look like he intends to go back to exploring the dungeon.

    [It would be just like when Yahagi-san had saved Michelle-san. This time, I will be saving Titti-sama! And with the biggest pop rocket in hand¡­¡­]

    [Don¡¯t be reckless!]

    [Even Yahagi-san was reckless when it¡¯s for Michelle-san¡¯s sake!]

    [The circumstances back then were too different from how it is now. At that time, the former King was right in front of me, so I could use him as a hostage. The military was also not united back then, so their response was sluggish. However, the current King isn¡¯t as naive as the previous one. He has a firm grasp of authority, includingmand over the military. If you were to casually charge over there, you¡¯d only end up getting caught.]

    [That doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯ll just let Titti-sama die!]

    Marco mmed his purse on the counter.

    Three silver coins spilled from the edge of the loose drawstring.

    [I¡¯ll have the whole sheet!]

    Grabbing the whole sheet of pop rockets from the wall, Marco turns to walk out the front door.

    However, his friends from Team Harukaze hold him back.

    [You can¡¯t, Marco! If you go now, you¡¯ll be killed too!]

    [Please let go of me, Merle-san. I have to go.

    [I said, you can¡¯t go! Mira, Regal, hold Marco down!]

    Mira and Regal moved quickly at their leader¡¯smand.

    The three of them held Marco down on the floor of the store.

    [Yuusuke-san, rope! Rope!]

    [O- Ou!

    The rope that had restrained Titti earlier was brought out of the inner tatami room.

    I feel sorry for him, but it would be better to tie him up until his emotional turmoil subsides.

    Marco struggled like a captured cat, his breathing in short gasps.

    [Can¡¯t you calm down for a moment? I¡¯ll be pleading for Titti¡¯s pardon from the King.]

    Titti may have done terrible things to Michelle, but she¡¯s still her little sister.

    Besides, she has already been bathed in ¡°Light Wings of Purification¡± and has developed a good heart.

    Even though she had stolen her sister¡¯s fiance and ced a heavy burden on the country¡¯s finances as the former Queen Consort, I felt sorry for her to be sentenced to capital punishment with the added crime of escaping from imprisonment.

    At that moment, Michelle asked a question.

    [Do you think the King will meet up with Yuusuke though?]

    It would normally be impossible for a mere dagashi shopowner to have an audience with the King.

    [I¡¯ll ask Baron Essel.]

    If I can get an audience through the Baron, whom I know very well, I might be able to work things out.

    [However, will that King really spare Titti?]

    Recently, taxes have gone up a bit in order to restore the country¡¯s finances.

    The people are filled with uncontroble anger, and many are calling for the execution of the former King and Queen Consort.

    I do feel afraid that she may have been let go so that they can use her as a scapegoat for their discontent.

    [It¡¯s not like Ipletely don¡¯t have any chance. There¡¯s a new product whose sales I had restricted, and with it, even if we can¡¯t get her to be exonerated, she could at least be exiled.]

    Marco¡¯s eyes lit up at my exnation.

    [Is that true, Yahagi-san!? You really have an item like that?]

    [I do have an item like that, but this would only work under the assumption that this could draw the King¡¯s attention.]

    Though I said that, I¡¯m pretty confident about this item.

    Since it¡¯s that King we¡¯re talking about, if I were to show this to him¡­..

    [If you can save Titti-sama, I will follow Yahagi-san for the rest of my life!]

    [Don¡¯t be so hasty.]

    As their investigation of their escape progresses, their investigation may extend to Marco as well.

    If his crime of aiding in her prison break were to be revealed, Marco wouldn¡¯t get away easily either.

    Titti probably won¡¯t say anything about Marco, but if any evidencees to light, I don¡¯t think he can avoid being arrested.

    I suppose it would be better if I moved right away.

    However, I need to consult with Michelle about this first.

    [I would probably be helping Titti out, but is that alright with you, Michelle?]

    [I don¡¯t really care about what that girl did anymore. If it weren¡¯t for Titti, I might never have met Yuusuke. Besides, it¡¯s not like we can leave Marco like this¡­¡­]

    Looking at Marco tied up, Michelle let out a small sigh.

    [I¡¯m going to visit Baron Essel¡¯s ce now. I¡¯ll be back in the evening.]

    [I¡¯ll go there with you.]

    Grabbing the restricted item I had hidden in the back of the shop, I headed off with Michelle to Baron Essel¡¯s mansion.

 Chapter 98: Be Careful Not to Eat Too Much!

    <h4>Chapter 98: Be Careful Not to Eat Too Much!</h4>

    Baron Essel arranged for me an audience with the King that day.

    Perhaps it was because he had heard I would be bringing with me a product that I myself had restricted.

    The Baron¡¯s eyes lit up with joy as he brought us to the royal pce.

    As I waited with Michelle in the luxurious sitting room, the King and the Baron arrived together.

    He sure is as full of aspirations and vigor as ever.

    [Sorry for making you wait, Yahagi. So, is the effect of that product you mentioned true?]

    Not wanting to waste time, the King abruptly cut to the chase.

    [Yes, there¡¯s no mistaking it. Here¡¯s the aforementioned product.]

    I put a small bag on the table.

    Product name: Young Doughnuts (4 pieces)

    Description: Eat one and you will be 5 years younger.

    Price: 40 rims (limited to 5 bags)

    There are many doughnuts unlocked in my shop with amazing effects, but this one stands at the top of the list.

    Moreover, for it to be priced at only 40 rims¡­¡­

    That¡¯s the only part that¡¯s making it like a dagashi, snacks that were supposed to be cheap.

    Well, I¡¯ll just keep quiet about the price to add a golden ir to its name.

    [If one eats this, will it really make them five years younger?]

    The King asked me with a glint in his eyes.

    [Yes, that¡¯s true. Be careful not to eat too much though.]

    There¡¯s that folklore I heard about after all.

    It¡¯s a story about a greedy old woman who drank too much of the waters of the Fountain of Youth and turned back into a baby.

    Being greedy won¡¯t lead you to anything good.

    My thoughts aside, the King and the Baron conversed in lowered voices.

    [If I eat of those and use it as bait, the old men in the senate will be at my mercy.]

    [If we can win over the old men to our side, then the budget allocation for Gokoun Region will be passed.]

    No matter how good the King is, politics can¡¯t be handled alone.

    They¡¯re probably nning to draw the important nobles to their side with Young Doughnuts.

    Well, that¡¯s not something within my interests as far as I am concerned.

    They can just do whatever they want.

    [It¡¯s not just about passing the budget allocation. The sickly Marquis Kepass would surelyply with any request if he sees this.]

    [That indeed seems to be the case. Our long-awaited reinforcements for the eastern garrison is now a reality.]

    Ahhh, nope, nope.

    As expected, I really don¡¯t like the idea of my dagashi being used as a political tool.

    Let¡¯s at least give the leftover Young Doughnuts to Merle and Mira¡¯s grandmothers and grandfathers.

    Having the grandparents of those two is already good enough for me.

    Now then, let¡¯s get the topic back to Marco and Titti.

    [Your Majesty.]

    [Hmm? Oh, my bad! We¡¯ve moved away from the topic, haven¡¯t we?]

    The King, who had been talking to Baron Essel, finally turned to me.

    [I present this item to His Majesty. With this merit in mind, may I ask for leniency to Marco and Titti?]

    [Fumu, leniency to that Marco fellow is fine, but I¡¯m not able to grant acquittal for former Queen Consort Titti. Now then, as for what to do with her¡­¡­]

    The King probably wants the Young Doughnuts really bad as well.

    It seems that he¡¯s trying toe up with something both sides canpromise with.

    A heavy silence filled the room, and while the King stared into empty space, he suddenly pped his hands.

    [Ah, I know! Yahagi, be the Lord of Luganda.]

    Huh? Lord?

    Thereupon, as if he thought what the King said was a great idea, Baron Essel nodded his head in agreement.

    [That option does exist. If it¡¯s Yahagi-dono, undertaking such a role would indeed be suitable for him. It would be a perfect reward for his donation of the Young Doughnuts.]

    [Ummm, I don¡¯t see what you¡¯re talking about though¡­¡­]

    I was puzzled, but the Baron exined.

    [Recently, a new dungeon was discovered in Luganda Forest, which is part of the Kingdom¡¯s territory. It¡¯s a small dungeon, but it contains magic crystals and materials, so His Majesty has decided to develop that territory.]

    [That is¡­¡­ Well, congrattions.]

    [And so, as a reward for these Young Doughnuts, he is appointing you as the territory¡¯s lord.]

    That¡¯s the part I don¡¯t understand.

    If they¡¯re gonna reward me, all they have to do is release Marco and Titti¡­¡­

    [Why me!?]

    [To tell you the truth, Luganda is just a forest clearing at the moment. However, we want to develop Luganda into a city in the future. To that end, we have decided to give thend free of charge to adventurers who investigate the dungeon.]

    And with such a n, they would recruit settlers, get funds from the dungeon and make Luganda greater.

    [Your dagashis will be of great use to adventurers who dive into that dungeon. What¡¯s more, the adventurers adore you. If you were to be the territory¡¯s lord, wouldn¡¯t many adventurers follow you there?]

    [I see, I understand why you¡¯re asking me to be that territory¡¯s lord. However, what does this have to do with Marco and Titti?]

    When I asked this question, the King answered this time.

    [I¡¯m not able to exonerate former Queen Consort Titti. However, what about exiling her to Frontier Land Luganda?]

    [¡­¡­Ahhh!]

    That would certainly satisfy the people and his subjects.

    [If you plead for Titti¡¯s pardon, it could be settled in the form of exilement to Luganda. In exchange, Yahagi would take on the role of Lord, stationed there to effectively monitor Titti.]

    [I understand what you¡¯re saying, but I can¡¯t be a lord.]

    [I¡¯ll assign an aide by your side, so don¡¯t worry. All you have to do is continue to run your dagashi shop in Luganda as you have always done. That will be the best thing for the development of Luganda.]

    While I was pondering what to do, Michelle leaned in close.

    [Yuusuke, I think it¡¯s good to ept this offer.]

    [You think so?]

    [Yes, there are various reasons why I think so, but if Yuusuke decides to go to Luganda, I will also be there with you.]

    [Are you sure?]

    [Leaving apart with you would drive me insane. We will always be together.]

    [I see. Well, if that¡¯s what Michelle says¡­¡­]

    This seems to be the only way to help Marco and Titti.

    If that¡¯s the case, then I guess it wouldn¡¯t be a bad idea to leisurely run my dagashi shop while working on developing a countryside dungeon.

    Even if they say I¡¯m gonna be a lord, it seems more like I¡¯m bing a vige chief in a pioneering vige.

    [I understand. I will go to Luganda.]

    And with that, it was decided that I would be running a dagashi shop in Luganda.

 Chapter 99: Aide

    <h4>Chapter 99: Aide</h4>

    I received a call from the royal pce and came to the designated warehouse district with nothing in my hands.

    I was told that a warehouse was stocked with supplies to be taken to the new territory to which I was to be dispatched.

    From what I heard, they¡¯re apparently all important items, such as food and the bare necessities of life.

    My first job as a lord will be to safely transport these supplies.

    There are severalrge warehouses lined up on both sides of the road, but not many people can be seen.

    As I walked towards the designated Warehouse No. 27, a middle-aged man was waiting for me.

    [Hello, are you Yahagi-sama?]

    [Yes, who are you?]

    [I am Nakaram, Yahagi-sama¡¯s appointed aide. I look forward to working with you.]

    So he¡¯s the aide who will help me manage my domain!

    At first, that perverted King said ¡°I¡¯ll arrange a beautiful aide for you¡±, but I turned him down in a second.

    Of course, what I was afraid of was Michelle¡¯s jealousy.

    The King is a brilliant man, but he doesn¡¯t understand at all how frightening Michelle can be.

    Baron Essel did admonish him though, telling him how doing that would burn down Luganda Forest, so that subject was dropped, and this man was dispatched instead.

    It¡¯s Michelle we¡¯re talking about here, so even a beautiful Elven dude would also be an object of her jealousy, so I told them ¡°The aide must be a man. A in, yet dependable one would be even better.¡±, but then someone who looked quite peculiar came along¡­¡­

    I¡¯m not sure how he actually is yet, but he looks amazing.

    Nakaram-san must be¡­¡­ nearly two meters tall, I think?

    His whole body is covered with armor-like muscles.

    And yet, the structure of his face looks in, and the hair on his head is thin and looks like barcodes.

    His square ck sses and deep smile lines reinforced his inness.

    If I were to describe him, he¡¯s a middle-aged man with an extraordinary physique.

    [Errr, is Nakaram-san affiliated with the military?]

    [Just Nakaram, please. I¡¯m a ¡°civil official¡±. I have never served in the military. I¡¯m good at arithmetic and filling out application forms. I could also cook a bit¡­¡­]

    [I- I see. I look forward to working with you.]

    No matter how I look at it, he seems stronger and more intimidating than my regr customers.

    However, looking at it in a different way, it might mean that he¡¯s dependable.

    If someone like him supports us, we can do well even in a frontiernd.

    [Well then, can we see the supplies right away?]

    [Pleasee this way. We have quite a lot of supplies, so we may need to buy or loan a horse-drawn carriage.]

    Nakaram-san opened the door of the warehouse with arge key.

    Before my eyes were arge pile of bup sacks.

    [These are¡­¡­]

    [They contain wheat. Enough to feed a hundred people for a month.]

    One person consumes about 35 kilograms of wheat a month.

    If that¡¯s enough for 100 people, that should be around 3.5 tons¡­¡­

    For the time being, we will be transporting this, and additional food supplies have to be ordered each time.

    Luganda is a forested area, so self-sufficiency is still a long way off.

    For the time being, we will have to sell the dungeon¡¯s magic crystals and drop items to purchase supplies.

    [If we have to transport all of this, it would result in a considerable additional expense, wouldn¡¯t it¡­¡­]

    [If we were to buy a carriage with the horses, it would cost around 2.5 million rims. We are supposed to receive one set from the King, but just having a single carriage would make things difficult for us, wouldn¡¯t it?]

    Nakaram-san¡¯s eyebrows knitted to a frown, he looked troubled.

    However, I think this kind of expression of his kinda has its own charm.

    Even so, 2.5 million rims per carriage set huh.

    That¡¯s like buying a car back in Japan.

    [I also rmend buying a donkey to transport the adventurers¡¯ luggage. A donkey can be bought for about 800,000 rims.]

    [It¡¯s alright. I¡¯ll split it up into several parts and transport it.]

    [Yahagi-san will transport it?]

    Nakaram-san¡¯s knitted to a frown again.

    This seems to be a habit of his.

    However, I suppose it would be quicker to show him how I¡¯d transport it than to exin it in words.

    [Please step outside for a moment. I¡¯ll exin how we¡¯ll transport the supplies.]

    [Yes¡­¡­]

    Leading the frowning Nakaram-san outside, we moved to a slightly wider area.

    [Watch what I¡¯ll be doing, okay? Open!]

    As I focused my thoughts, Dagashi Yahagi¡¯s shop appeared.

    What was summoned this time is thetest version of my shop that can be summoned after level-ups.

    [Wha!?]

    Nakaram looked up at the dagashi shop with an astonished expression, his mouth wide open.

    What I have now is a three-story shop.

    The 1st floor is the storefront, the 2nd floor is a storehouse, and the 3rd floor is a living space.

    As for me, I prefer that stand-alone house with a retro Showa-era feel, but this one is superior in being able to hold lots of stuff.

    [I- Is this the Lord¡¯s manor?]

    [It¡¯s not something that great. This is my dagashi shop.]

    [Come to think of it, I heard the public calling you Sweets Baron¡­¡­]

    Not that again¡­¡­

    The first one to call me that was Merle.

    I¡¯ve heard it spread because she and Garm were joking around about this, calling me that here and there, and it had apparently ended up spreading.

    [I¡¯m just a lord without a court rank.]

    When I wearily said that, Nakaram-san smiled for the first time today.

    [Now, now, you possess such remarkable power. I¡¯m sure you will be a knight or a bar in the near future.]

    [Is that so?]

    I¡¯m not interested in that, so that doesn¡¯t really matter.

    [Anyway, the supplies will be transported with my shop. If we have a few people to help with loading and unloading the luggage, we should be able to finish it in two round trips. Let¡¯s use the leftover funds to purchase something useful for everyone instead.]

    [That¡¯s really wonderful! I was feeling down, thinking I was demoted from the royal capital to a rural area, but it¡¯s an honor to serve a man of such ability!]

    Somehow, Nakaram-san¡¯s eyes seemed to be sparkling.

 Chapter 100: Arc 2 Final Chapter : To a New World

    <h4>Chapter 100: Arc 2 Final Chapter: To a New World</h4>

    The people crowded in front of the castle gate to catch a glimpse of the convoy of prisoners being escorted out.

    Today, the first group of pioneers is leaving for Luganda Forest.

    The main members are me, the new territory¡¯s lord, Michelle, Team Harukaze, Guile and several other adventurers, and the aide Nakaram-san.

    And then, there¡¯s also Titti and Marco, who were to be exiled, are being transported in a convoy.

    A wooden cage is attached to the back of our carriage, and Titti and Marco had been tossed into it.

    They are handcuffed together.

    [Shameless b*tch!]

    [Get out of the Royal Capital!]

    [You d*mned prostitute!]

    The people who had crowded around to get a glimpse of Titti were yelling at her.

    Some even threw rotten eggs at her, turning her into a mess from head to toe.

    Archangel Lunadian¡¯s ¡°Light Wings of Purification¡± had removed 60-70% of her wicked thoughts, but the fact that she caused unnecessary fiscal spending can¡¯t be erased.

    She has no choice but to endure this as some sort of purification ceremony.

    Me and Team Harukaze were worried about them. Only Michelle had different thoughts.

    For some reason, she was sighing, looking at the two of them enviously.

    [How nice......]

    [Why?]

    [I mean, they¡¯re both alone in that cage and chained together. I kinda wanna be handcuffed to Yuusuke too......]

    [Oi, oi.]

    [Even if we make enemies of the whole world, the two of us are still holding hands together. Even in such a situation, I couldn¡¯t be happier...... Don¡¯t you think so, Yuusuke?]

    The enraptured Michelle was scary, but I understand what she was trying to say.

    [I know how you feel, but I still prefer when things are more peaceful. Just a in one is good enough, I just want to have a peaceful love.]

    [Unnn...... You¡¯re right. Just as Yuusuke says, I prefer it that way too!]

    Michelle giggled happily.

    Watching us talking like that, Regal looked at me in awe.

    [Yuusuke-san sure is amazing. Isn¡¯t Yuusuke-san the only one in the world who can receive Michelle-san¡¯s love?]

    Hearing his words, Michelle looks even happier.

    [You sure understand well, Regal. Yes, Yuusuke is the only one for me. Since you¡¯re such a good and honest child, I will teach you Intermediate-level Fire Magicter.]

    You¡¯re being too easy, Michelle.

    Also, I don¡¯t think Regal meant that as apliment.

    He was just being dumbfounded at you.

    Well, I¡¯ve already epted super heavyweight love, and since Michelle isfortable with that, let¡¯s just call it good.

    In the meantime, the aide Nakaram-san came running our way.

    [Yahagi-sama, we are ready to depart. Please give the order.]

    The day had finallye for us to leave for a newnd.

    It has been more than a year since I was transported from another world, and I have grown attached to the Royal Capital.

    It would be a lie to say that I don¡¯t feel lonely, but the peopleing with me are all friends that I get along with.

    [Everyone, it¡¯s time to go! Leave our snacks during our trip to me. I¡¯ll be serving up stamina-boosting snacks today!]

    Product name: Kabayaki Sansuke

    Description: Minced fish cooked in kabayaki style. Its exquisite crispiness is delicious. Eating it increases stamina. Allows the consumer to withstand a 16-hour march.

    Price: 20 rims

    The carriage started moving with a rattling sound.

    Michelle sits next to me, her body snuggling up with mine, just enjoying herself in our excursion.

    I¡¯m nervous about the heavy responsibility of being a lord, but my true calling really is that of a dagashi shopowner.

    Always have, always will.

    Now, Dagashi Yahagi opens its doors for business in Luganda Forest.

    (Arc 2 End)

    <hr>

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Kabayaki Sansuke ¨C Based on Kabayaki Santaro. Kabayaki is a Japanese cooking technique where a fillet of fish, typically eel, is split open, boned, and dipped in a sweet soy sauce-based marinade before being cooked on a grill or griddle.

 Chapter 101: Arrival in Luganda

    <h4>Chapter 101: Arrival in Luganda</h4>

    It¡¯s approximately 350 kilometers from the Royal Capital to Luganda Forest.

    The further one goes into the countryside, the rougher the road bes.

    The road is getting harder and harder as we approach the end of our journey, but the pioneers are in high spirits.

    [Yahagi-saaaan, snack time!]

    A group of boys and girls crowded around me, all between the ages of 12 and 13, asking for snacks.

    These children had just graduated from their orphanage this spring.

    Well, even though I said that, they were actually forcefully kicked out.

    They had nowhere to go, so I took them in.

    At the beginning of the trip, they all had gloomy faces, but as the day went by, they got used to me and the adventurers and carefree smiles started appearing on their lips.

    [You are in your growing phase after all. Are you hungry already?]

    [Ehehe, we¡¯re actually still fine, but Grandpa Sanaga, Mirai-san and the others looked tired.]

    Sanaga-san, the cksmith, and Mira-san, who sells restorative tea, will be moving to Luganda with us, and they are on the move with us now.

    [Heeeey, you brats! Don¡¯t use other people as a pretext to extort people for food! I¡¯m still quite lively here!]

    Sanaga-san waved around his clenched fist angrily.

    Besides him, Mirai-san was silently giggling to herself.

    [Now, now, Sanaga-san. I¡¯m getting tired too anyway, so let¡¯s take a break.]

    [Keh, if that¡¯s what Yahagi...... Lord-sama wants, then it¡¯s fine.]

    Seeing the sulking Sanaga-san, Mirai softly giggled once again.

    The two of them are talking more and more these days, and after Michelle wondered what their rtionship was like, rumors about them began circting.

    [In that case, I¡¯ll hand out ¡°Kabayaki Sansukes¡± to everyone again today.]

    This is very convenient food for the trip because it boosts stamina.

    The children, however, looked dissatisfied.

    [Ehhh~~ That¡¯s delicious, but I¡¯m getting a little tired of it. Besides, eating that makes me thirsty.]

    With how convenient it is, we were eating them everyday after all......

    [Then, how about this one? It¡¯s sweet and tasty.]

    Product name: Klico

    Description: Delicious caramel. One piece will allow you to walk 3000 meters without feeling fatigue! Comes with a small toy.

    Price: 60 rims (6 pieces)

    [What¡¯s this!? Whoa, it has a monster model inside.]

    [This one has a ship model!]

    The children who opened the box cheered at the small stic toys.

    Japanese junior high students might have been indifferent to them, but the 13-year-olds in this world are pure-hearted children.

    They were still innocent, and they tucked their toys into their pockets with great care.

    Ten days after leaving the capital, we arrived at the entrance to the forest.

    From here, we¡¯ll leave the main road and take a narrow forest path.

    While logging is active nowadays, deep within lies an untouched primeval forest.

    The dungeon we were aiming for was apparently in the middle of such a forest.

    [We¡¯ll have to mend a road for this ce eventually......]

    We sure havee a long way.

    I sighed as I looked at the deserted forest path.

    Seeing me sighing, Michelle gently encouraged me.

    [Don¡¯t be so downhearted. If Yuusuke wants, I¡¯ll burn the forest to a crisp!]

    [Haha...... I can¡¯t have Michelle bing the natural enemy of the Elves. Eventually, when the territory¡¯s ie settles down, I¡¯ll gradually have it developed.]

    The local Luganda Cypress grows tall, averaging 30 meters.

    The path through the trees was dimly lit, and it looked as if arge creature might attack from behind the trees at any moment.

    [Everyone, be careful. Michelle, you take the front, Team Harukaze, you cover our rear.]

    Titti and Marco had long since left their convoy and were walking freely, so I had them take their own positions.

    There were some children with low fighting skills in our group, but young adventurers made up the majority of our members.

    If it¡¯s just a bear, we should be able to easily repel it.

    We cautiously proceeded along the path overgrown with weeds deep into the forest.

    After two hours of walking along the path away from the main road, the forest in front of us suddenly cleared.

    In that area, a wide expanse of trees had been cleared, and the evening light was gently coloring the slope in shades of orange.

    [We¡¯re here. This is Luganda!]

    The aide Nakaram-san happily eximed, and a sigh of mixed emotions escaped from the pioneers.

    [So this is Luganda huh......]

    This circr clearing in the huge forest looks like a bald spot on a giant¡¯s head.

    The King had arranged for a group of mages to clear thend, but there was not a single establishment in sight.

    The ce feels as if it¡¯s a housingplex before any houses are built.

    It has the vibe of being in the midst of a full-scale sale......

    [Yuusuke, isn¡¯t that the entrance to the dungeon?]

    Michelle was pointing to a rock formation resembling an ancient tomb visible below us.

    [That seems to be the case. It¡¯s the same as the drawing I saw in the documents. Let¡¯s check there first. You guys can put down your luggage and take a break. Michelle, Titti, Team Harukaze, follow me.]

    I¡¯ve heard that monsters sometimese out of the dungeon.

    They had apparently sealed the entrance, but it would be a good idea to check.

    [Why even me......]

    Titti grumpily stands up.

    [You do know you¡¯re a convict, right? I have to make sure you work properly. Besides, your personality aside, I¡¯ll be counting on your magic.]

    [Hmph, I know that! I make a point of not paying my debts, but I¡¯ll make an exception for Yahagi.]

    [When we¡¯re done, I¡¯ll give you some of your favorite Chirorin Choco, Titti.]

    [Something like sweets won¡¯t be luring in me! Well, if you¡¯re going to give me those, make sure it¡¯s the strawberry choco or the milk-vored one......]

    It seems that the sisters have simr tastes in food.

    Michelle also likes strawberry chocte and milk-vored chocte.

    At that moment, I felt a tug on my sleeve, and noticed it was Michelle.

    She was looking at me as if she wanted to say something.

    It seems like she didn¡¯t like the fact that only Titti was getting those Chirorin Choco.

    [I¡¯m also giving lots to Michelle.]

    [You gonna feed me?]

    Michelle whispered in my ear.

    [A- Alright. However, let¡¯s leave that for the night......]

    I whispered back, to which Michelle stood up with a satisfied look on her face.

    [Now then, let¡¯s hit the dungeon!]

    No, no, we¡¯re just gonna be sealing the entrance......

    <hr>

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Klico ¨C Based on Glico caramel Chirorin Choco ¨C Based on Chiroru Choco

 Chapter 102: Titti and Kitchen Knife

    <h4>Chapter 102: Titti and Kitchen Knife</h4>

    The surface area around the dungeon looked like an ancient tomb made up of megaliths.

    The entrance was sealed with logs of Luganda Cypress, and I didn¡¯t observe any damage on the seal they made.

    It doesn¡¯t seem likely that the monsters inside were attempting toe out.

    [I¡¯ll cast Barrier Magic around just in case. Titti, assist me.]

    [¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­]

    Titti didn¡¯t answer her, but she did help out in setting up the double barriers.

    This is a barrier set up by two talented witches, so it shouldn¡¯t be easy to break.

    [This should do. We¡¯ll do a full-scale investigation starting tomorrow.]

    [That¡¯s right. Let¡¯s just take some rest today. Good work, everyone!]

    Merle, who hade along, sighed.

    [Haahhh¡­¡­ Another night in a tent huh¡­¡­ I¡¯m not gonna ask for extravagant stuff like a soft bed and feather bedding, but I¡¯d at least like to sleep inside a house.]

    Mira¡¯s partner, Mira, agrees with her words.

    [You¡¯re right. We don¡¯t feel fatigued thanks to the dagashis Yahagi-san was giving us, but I¡¯m mentally tired. It¡¯s about time we get some rest.]

    It wasn¡¯t just Merle and Mira who felt that way, as Regal and Marco also looked tired.

    [Now, now, don¡¯t be so downhearted. Baron Essel is going to send a group of carpenters to us in the near future. Everyone can have a house of their own.]

    For building materials, they would use the many piles of Luganda Cypress that had been cut during the winter.

    Luganda Cypress is famous for its high quality.

    [I guess so, that¡¯s why we came here after all.]

    Merle nodded vigorously.

    [Yes. I have to dive into the dungeon to earn enough money to pay the carpenter. I¡¯ve always dreamed of having a house with a garden!]

    Mira has also regained her usual positivity.

    For the girls¡¯ sake, I have to properly develop Luganda.

    With renewed spirits, we returned to the hilltop where everyone was waiting.

    Back on top of the hill, I put up my three-story shop.

    [Ohh, the Lord has his manor already!?]

    Nakaram-san looked surprised.

    I didn¡¯t mean to surprise him, but it¡¯s such a hassle to go through all the trouble of building a lord¡¯s mansion, so I feel like setting this shop up would be a good idea.

    The 1st floor is the shopfront, the 2nd floor is the storehouse, and the 3rd floor is a living space, which is very convenient.

    It may be a little entric as a manor, but this settles the issue of Luganda Lord¡¯s mansion.

    [Well then, we¡¯ll start distributing the food. Help me get the supplies from the second floor!]

    Giving out five days worth of it to everyone, we disbanded for the day.

    At night, we decided to use the store¡¯s griddle to make yakisoba.

    We also invited Titti and Team Harukaze, who had helped us in sealing the dungeon.

    [Whoa, probably because of myst level-up, I can now make monjayaki!]

    Product name: Monjayaki

    Description: A simpleposition of cabbage, flour and dashi. Customers prepare it themselves. Customers can also mix in other ingredients such as dagashis! Eating it will reduce fatigue and increase endurance.

    Price: 200 rims

    I found the ingredients for monjayaki in the fridge.

    [Yuusuke, what¡¯s monjayaki?]

    Michelle asked, curious.

    [It¡¯s a dish made with cabbage and flour. Well, I¡¯ve actually never had it myself.]

    I think that monjayaki, even in the Kanto region, is a food that is very regionally rted.

    At least, there weren¡¯t any sold where I lived.

    [However, I¡¯ve seen videos of how it¡¯s made, so I somewhat know how to make it. I¡¯ll get the floor ready, so can you chop the cabbages, Michelle?]

    [Alright. Titti, assist me.]

    [Why me!?]

    [You don¡¯t usually cook at all, right? Things are going to be difficult for you if you stay like that. We don¡¯t have restaurants here.]

    [M- Marco¡¯s cooking for me.]

    [Marco will be busy exploring the dungeon. You can¡¯t just rely on him to cook for you, you know?]

    [A- Alright already¡­¡­]

    At Michelle¡¯s urging, Titti reluctantly picked up a knife.

    [That certainly doesn¡¯t suit her at all¡­¡­

    The nearby Regal blurted out.

    I see you¡¯ve be a bit more foul-mouthed as you¡¯ve grown.

    [Titti-sama¡¯s cooking¡­¡­]

    In contrast to Regal and his insults, Marco was staring at Titti with a look of admiration in his eyes.

    [Well then, I¡¯ll show you how to cook by example, so try imitating me.]

    Michelle taught Titti how to cut cabbages, but the result was terrible.

    [Kyah! My finger is bleeding! This is a cursed weapon! You d*mned murderer!]

    [You¡¯re just clumsy¡­¡­]

    It was like an endless loop of her finger being cut by the knife, Recovery Magic, getting her finger cut by the knife again, Recovery Magic, and so on.

    However, Titti¡¯s Recovery Magic is proving itself to be very useful.

    From now on, I will have her do her best as the Witch of Luganda.

    It turned out to be a morous monjayaki dinner, but the monjayaki tasted very good.

    I cooked it with Baby Moon Ramen and it was delicious in its own way.

    Product name: Baby Moon Ramen

    Description: Fried noodle-style snacks. Chicken and cod roe vors are avable. When you eat it, your movements be sharper.

    Price: 30 rims

    I think these are delicious when eaten with a lot of people.

    To celebrate our arrival, we brought out beer from the storehouse and drank it together with everyone, then made yakisoba and other dishes.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Monjayaki: Check Chapter 68 for the exnation, but here¡¯s a pic.

    <ol start="2"> Baby Moon Ramen: Based on Baby Star Ramen.

    </ol>

 Chapter 103: A Classic Story

    <h4>Chapter 103: A ssic Story</h4>

    The next day, we were divided into two teams early in the morning.

    One is the area regtion team led by the aide Nakaram-san , and the other was the adventurer team who would dive into the dungeon.

    As for me, I decided to dive into the dungeon to support the adventurers with my dagashis.

    One plot ofnd was to be 300 square meters.

    This would be enough to build a house, a livestock pen, and a vegetable garden.

    The owner of the plot will be decidedter by lot drawing.

    As she looked at the area regtion team doing their work, Merle gloomily sighed.

    [Haahhh¡­¡­ I¡¯m worried. I have bad luck with lottery, so I might end up with a plot ofnd next to the dungeon or next to the public restroom¡­¡­]

    [Don¡¯t worry, we won¡¯t build residential areas in such ces. Well, in the future, the area next to the dungeon would likely have highmercial value though.]

    [I¡¯d prefer to be near the Lord¡¯s manor anyway. It¡¯s convenient that way since I could easilye and visit.]

    Merle has never lost her childishness, but that part of her makes her cute.

    [Let¡¯s stop worrying about boring things, it¡¯s about time we head into the dungeon too. We¡¯re only investigating the 1st Underground Floor today, but everyone should stay alert.]

    With Michelle in the lead, we rushed into the dungeon.

    Luganda Dungeon is much smaller than the Royal Capital Dungeon.

    The entrance was only 2.5 meters wide and the ceiling was less than 4 meters high.

    Well, this is only for the 1st Underground Floor, and I still don¡¯t know what the deeper levels are like.

    [Each team should map it out well. We¡¯ll put it all together to have a firm grasp of the entirety of the dungeon. And if anything goes wrong, blow this whistle and call your friends.]

    I handed out my shop¡¯s new product to the adventurers.

    Product name: Whistle Mints

    Description: Sugar candies. Comes in three types: sour, lemon and orange. When eaten, the power of Water and Frost Magic is slightly increased.

    Price: 30 rims

    This candyes in a small stic box, and when you slide the lid, it bes a whistle.

    This whistle¡¯s sound resonates much farther than a normal whistle would.

    [Ohh, aren¡¯t these quite the treat!? Omnomnom.]

    [Gah!? Garm, the heck? Why are you eating all of that already?]

    Garm poured the whistle mints into his mouth in one gulp.

    Not just Garm, but hisrades were also doing the same thing.

    [I mean, I can¡¯t use Water or Frost Magic. Yahagi-san, gimme an orange vor this time.]

    [If you want more, properly pay for it. I¡¯ll have to develop Luganda, so I can never have enough money.]

    [Yeah, yeah. Well, let¡¯s do our best to get magic stones, and we can use it to develop our ce.]

    The lords buy the magic stones and sell them wholesale to the country.

    The profit margin for the wholesale would then go into the lord¡¯s pocket.

    Well, since we still have pressing expenses at hand, I don¡¯t think we¡¯ll see any profits anytime soon.

    [I¡¯m counting on you. Also, make sure to keep the whistles on hand. It¡¯s a signal for when something happens.]

    The 10 adventurer teams split up and began to investigate the dungeon.

    As is the case in the Royal Capital Dungeon, the enemies on the 1st Underground Floor aren¡¯t that big of a deal.

    Generally, the deeper it is in the dungeon, the denser the mana essence in that area will be.

    Powerful monsters appear in areas with a high concentration of mana essence, which is why only small fries are found on the surface.

    However, this dungeon had not been touched by human hands, and the number of monsters was excessivelyrge.

    Marco, his Legendary Nail Bat lowered, was picking up copper coins and magic stones while wiping off his sweat.

    [Fuuu¡­¡­ While the enemies are just ones that can¡¯t resist at all, when they have this many numbers, the payoff is huge.]

    Marco is working hard on the front lines today.

    With Titti here, he seems to be more enthusiastic than usual.

    [How much earnings are you making?]

    [I think we¡¯ve made about 20,000 rims.]

    Team Harukaze consists of four people plus Titti, so that¡¯s 4000 rims per person.

    If they can make that much before noon, then their earnings aren¡¯t bad.

    [If we go down to the 2nd Underground Floor, the actual ie should improve a bit more. It¡¯s reassuring that everyone seems to be getting by.]

    As we walked along, chatting andughing, a rock near the wall suddenly moved and attacked Titti.

    [A Stone Crab!]

    The Stone Crab is a crab monster that mimics stone.

    It has a high defense and is a difficult enemy to kill.

    Even back in the Royal Capital Dungeon, it¡¯s a powerful enemy that would usually be found below the 3rd Underground Floor.

    Because irregrities like this exist, the dungeon isn¡¯t a simple ce.

    [Kuh, Wind Cutter!]

    Titti unleashed her magic at the Stone Crab, but it dissipated before its thick shell.

    The most effective magic against a Stone Crab is Fire Magic, but Titti, who isn¡¯t familiar with the dungeon, probably doesn¡¯t know that.

    [Titti-sama!]

    Marco quickly slides his body between the Stone Crab and Titti and raises the Legendary Nail Bat.

    This weapon, which deals fixed damage, is great for hunting monsters with high defenses.

    Bam! Bam!

    With countless holes in its body, the Stone Crab sank to the ground.

    [Titti-sama, are you hurt?]

    [N- No¡­¡­ I¡¯m alright.]

    Titti stared at Marco in a daze.

    [Thank goodness. I¡¯m sorry, I was lost in thought, and ended up putting Titti-sama in a dangerous situation.]

    [T- That¡¯s not the case¡­¡­ T- Thank you. You did a great job. (Oh my, Marco is so cool¡­¡­)]

    The two started giving off a lovey-dovey aura for some reason.

    [Ahh~~ enough of that. Once we collect the magic stones and money, let¡¯s quickly move forward~~]

    The team leader, Merle, pped her hands and urged everyone to move forward.

    However, Michelle mutters absentmindedly.

    [That looks nice, I want to be protected too.]

    Even though Michelle says that, she¡¯s one of the best adventurers, isn¡¯t she?

    [I¡¯ll do my best. No matter what happens, I¡¯ll protect you when you¡¯re in a predicament.]

    [Really? In that case, give me a dagashi that lowers my abilities!]

    [Why now?]

    [So I can get weaker and have Yuusuke protect me!]

    She suddenly came up with a stupid idea again.

    [I¡¯m not selling a dagashi like that.]

    Seeing Michelle¡¯s condition, Titti mockinglyughed.

    [If you want, how about I put a curse on you? The kind that makes Sister as weak as a slug. Then, Yahagi will have to do his best to protect you.]

    [Sounds like a great idea!]

    Doesn¡¯t sound like that though¡­¡­

    [However, something like Titti¡¯s curse can be easily lifted.]

    [What did you say!? Keh! How about I cast a curse where you keep spewing worms from your mouth?]

    As the sisters suddenly broke out into a quarrel, Regal shrugged his shoulders.

    [Why don¡¯t you just go and have Yuusuke-san handcuff you?]

    Oi, idiot, the heck are you saying now? She¡¯s gonna take you seriously.

    [That might be a good idea¡­¡­]

    Yep, see that?

    [You shouldn¡¯t do stupid things in the dungeon. It¡¯s about time youe back to your senses.]

    [Ehh~~ Doesn¡¯t having us be connected sound like a good idea? Being restrained like that seemed like it would feel good¡­¡­]

    Dang it, Regal! Because of your words, Michelle¡¯s gonna awaken to a strange fetish!

    After that, Michelle was still being insistent, but I satisfied her by having some bodyguard roley in our room in the evening.

    The story is that of a ssic tale of forbidden love between a princess and her escort knight.

    It was fun, but it made me somewhat exhausted¡­¡­

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Whistle Mints

 Chapter 104: Yahagis Stump

    <h4>Chapter 104: Yahagi''s Stump</h4>

    In about 5 days, the demarcation of the plots waspleted.

    Thin threads were stretched around Luganda, marking what would be the roads and residential areas.

    Merle, who had been worried that her home might end up next to a toilet, was relieved to get a plot ofnd next to Mira¡¯s.

    The residents must have been very happy to havend, as they immediately started mowing the grass and clearing stones.

    Of course, Merle and Mira were also busy with the same thing, and they were now working on theirnd.

    [Ei! Wind Cutter!]

    Mira was cutting trees on hernd with magic.

    [You want to get yournd in order right away?]

    [I want to be able to live here as soon as possible.]

    Mira, some sweat dripping down her forehead, looked lively.

    [In the future, I want to build my house around here, set up grape trellises in that area, and nt apricot trees over there. I would also like to have a perg with wild roses at the entrance.]

    Mira¡¯s happiness can be seen from her eyes as she talks about her dreams for the future.

    Merle was also doing her best while digging up the soil with a hoe.

    [Ughaaa! Why are these trees rooting these deep!?]

    She seems to be trying to forcefully dig up with her Body Reinforcement Magic.

    [Oi, oi, don¡¯t push yourself too hard. Why don¡¯t you hire someone who can use Earth Magic?]

    [People who can use Earth Magic are in demand, so there¡¯s a long waiting list for them. Ah, that¡¯s right! Yuusuke-san, sell me a Jumbo Cutlet.? I¡¯ll try to pull this stump with a Power Boost.]

    If she eats a Jumbo Cutlet, she might be able to pull off that stump.

    However, Power Boost onlysts for 3 seconds.

    I also fear the possibility it would turn out into a failure.

    However, if it¡¯s that dagashi, I don¡¯t have to worry about that.

    [I¡¯ve got just the right thing for this.]

    Product name: Lumberjack¡¯s Stumps

    Description: Tree stump-shaped chocte snack made from abination of chocte and cookies. Eating it allows the consumer to pull off stumps with ease. (One candy, one stump)

    Price: 100 rims

    This snack is so specialized that it has never been used in the past.

    There¡¯s no way anyone would be pulling out stumps in the dungeon.

    However, it¡¯s a different story here in the frontier areas.

    Demand for this dagashi is bound to explode in the future.

    [Here, try this.]

    [Ara, it looks delicious. However, my hands are like this.]

    Merle¡¯s hands were covered with mud from trying to uproot the tree stump with a hoe.

    [It can¡¯t be helped. I¡¯ll feed it to you, so open your mouth.]

    [Yeeees.]

    Merle opened her mouth wide.

    She looked like a swallow hatchling waiting to be fed.

    [Mogu mogu¡­¡­ This is tasty! Daaaad, one mooooore!]

    [Who the heck is your dad!? Did I have you as my child back when I was seven, Merle!? Like that¡¯s possible!]

    [Ahaha, sorry, sorry.]

    [Besides, you eat one of these and you pull out a stump. Try it quick before the effect wears off.]

    If she doesn¡¯t do anything, the effect will just reset.

    It¡¯s not a cumtive effect, so she should work quickly after eating.

    [Alright. Let¡¯s see¡­¡­]

    Merle put her hands on the stump she had been struggling with.

    Then, she braced her legs and held onto the tree stump tight.

    [Ei!]

    Zubobobo!

    [Whoa!?]

    Pulling out the tree stump must have been too easy for her, as Merle stumbled backward from too much force and fell on her buttocks.

    Even so, she didn¡¯t let go of her hands, and the long roots continued to slip out of the soil, scattering dirt all around.

    [Ouuuuch¡­¡­ Even so, this is amazing!]

    [The effect must still be going on. Just keep going and pull it out all the way.]

    [Alright.]

    Merle moved on holding the stump and seeded in pulling all of the tree stump out.

    [It has an amazing effect, hasn¡¯t it? It would normally be impossible to lift up a stump like that.]

    [Apletely extraordinary power. However, the effect of this dagashi only reacts to tree stumps. Even though being limited to such a thing is ¡°strange¡±.]

    [Only served here in the Dagashi Shop.]

    Mira and I both chuckled.

    [With this item though, the pioneering will elerate.]

    [You¡¯re right. I¡¯ll go out and hand them out to everyone. I¡¯ll leave this box here for you two to use.]

    As I was walking away to distribute ¡°Lumberjack¡¯s Stumps¡± to everyone, I noticed Regal looking at me from the shadows.

    [Yuusuke-san, Merle-san, you both are being careless.]

    Regal stared at us with a stern look.

    [What¡¯s the matter?]

    [How would you exin yourself if Michelle-san had seen you being unfaithful to her just now?]

    [What do you mean by being unfaithful?]

    [You had fed Merle-san a snack directly to her mouth, didn¡¯t you?]

    Was that being unfaithful?

    [That just now was like feeding a baby bird, so I¡¯m not being unfaithful or anything like that.]

    [Do you think that excuse would work on Michelle-san?]

    That is¡­¡­

    [It wouldn¡¯t work on her, right? Luganda¡¯s development is going well. It would be great if you don¡¯t cause any unnecessary trouble!]

    [I- I¡¯m sorry¡­¡­]

    Merle and I apologized at the same time.

    That certainly was a careless thing to do.

    [Please be very careful. You never know, a Wind Cutter might suddenly chop you in half or Yuusuke-san¡¯s tree stump might suddenly be pulled off!]

    [T- The heck do you mean by my tree stump? What is she gonna pull off?]

    [Imagine it yourself!]

    .

    My neck, my legs, or perhaps¡­¡­

    Imagining anything further is just too terrifying for my mind to think about.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Lumberjack¡¯s Stumps

 Chapter 105: Residence Change Greetings

    <h4>Chapter 105: Residence Change Greetings</h4>

    It¡¯s been two weeks since we moved here, and the pioneering of Luganda has been going well.

    The dungeon has been conquered up to the 2nd Underground Floor, and recently, some teams have begun to challenge the 3rd Underground Floor.

    The amount of magic stones collected has also increased ordingly.

    Also, new pioneers sent by Baron Essel have arrived.

    Most of them are the third or fourth sons of farmers, who have nond to inherit from their parents.

    They came to Luganda because they heard that they would be given freend and even livestock.

    We immediately asked those farmers to take care of the cows and chickens, so our supply of milk and eggs has be somewhat stable.

    Roads and other facilities are gradually being built, and the appearance of the neighborhood is being improved.

    Surprisingly, Titti has been working hard and helping us with her magic.

    She is currently working hard with Michelle to build a defensive wall to protect our settlement, even though she¡¯s grumblingints about it.

    Everything seems to be going well in the pioneering project, but there is still one problem.

    Food.

    Most of the residents are young adventurers, so they all eat a lot.

    We had expected our stock of wheat tost for 4 weeks, but we are about to run out.

    At breakfast, Michelle and I discussed our ns for the day.

    [It would be bad if the situation continues as is, so I¡¯m going to go shopping.]

    [Then, I¡¯ll go with you! It¡¯s been a while since it had just been the two of us.]

    My Dagashi Shop, which also serves as the Lord¡¯s Manor, sees a lot of visitors.

    Because I also need to prepare a room where Nakaram-san can perform his duties, the time I can spend alone with Michelle has be limited.

    We had been working all day, so it would be a nice change of pace to go shopping in a neighboring town.

    [Let¡¯s go to Betzel Town then.]

    Betzel is a town about 15 kilometers from Luganda.

    It¡¯s a big town, so we will have no trouble shopping there.

    [However, are you good with money? If you want, I can put down my money, you know?]

    Michelle, being a Grand Mage, is very rich.

    However, I¡¯m not gonna be her sponger.

    [Thanks to everyone¡¯s hard work, we have a lot of magic stones. If they buy our stock, I won¡¯t have any trouble purchasing items. Also, since I haven¡¯t done our greetings after moving to Luganda yet, I should also pay a visit to Lord Betzel¡¯s ce. I¡¯ll introduce Michelle as well. As my fiancee.]

    Yes, we were finally engaged.

    [Yuusuke~~!]

    Michelle, rubbing her face against my chest like a cat, was so cute.

    To get to Betzel, we used horses.

    My shop could be used as a dimensional storage, so it was easy to transport our luggage.

    Michelle insisted on the two of us riding together, but I felt sorry for the horse, so I asked her to give that up.

    [Even so, the road sure is terrible. With it being like this, cirction of goods won¡¯t be prosperous.]

    [Right. We have to widen the road, little by little.]

    Along the way, Michelle used Wind Cutter to clear away overhanging branches and underbrush.

    That alone made it much easier for us to walk through here.

    We will have to do some expansion work soon to make it easier for people toe and go.

    After about an hour and a half, we arrived at Betzel.

    It¡¯s a magnificent town surrounded by stone walls, with a poption of about 4000 people.

    [Let¡¯s go greet the lord of the town first. Perhaps he can introduce us to a merchant who sells food.]

    Lining up our reins, we proceeded to the center of the town.

    Leymus-san, the lord of Betzel, whom I met, was a gentleman of about 40 years old.

    He had arge belly and looked like a prettyid-back fellow.

    His wife is also a chubby and kind person, and she was happy to see me and Michelle-san.

    Leymus-san¡¯s family has been the lords of this town for generations.

    [Thank you foring, Yahagi-san. Come on, please sit down. I will bring you some cold cream.]

    I gave him a bottle of wine I had bought in the Royal Capital as a souvenir, and they were delighted.

    [This is much appreciated. Wine bes a preciousmodity when ites far away from the Royal Capital, you know?]

    This area was apparently too cold to grow grapes in.

    Instead, they are famous for their apples, which they often use to make cider wine.

    [Hansel, Gretel, you two, say hello to Yahagi-san.]

    Leymus-san introduced me to his children.

    The older brother Hansel-kun is 10 years old and the younger sister Gretel-san is 8 years old.

    [Hello, Yahagi-san.]

    [Good day to you.]

    As social interaction is highly valued in aristocracy, even though they were still young, the children were able to give their greetings properly.

    They were both so docile and cute.

    [Hello. I have a present for you both, Hansel-kun, Gretel-san.]

    I took out the Mobile Forces Gungalf and Gyan and handed it to them.

    [Thank you very much. However, what is this?]

    [It¡¯s a toy that¡¯s very popr in the Royal Capital.]

    After exining about the Mobile Force, the children immediately started assembling it.

    Mobile Force is still growing in poprity in the Royal Capital.

    With us migrating to Luganda, my promise to Baron Essel changed to me sending 200 boxes of these to his ce a month.

    [When you are finished, have the machine touch your forehead.]

    Michelle was teaching the children how to operate the MF.

    As a former teacher at the Magic Academy and the 1st Tournament¡¯s Champion, they are in reliable hands.

    The children cheered as their Mobile Force began to move.

    [It¡¯s moving! My Gangulf is moving!]

    [My Gyan is moving too!]

    The children were so excited to see their puppets move with their own power.

    Leymus-san also looked very interested.

    [That is the Mobile Force I¡¯ve heard so much about huh. I heard that there was a tournament held for it in the Capital?]

    [Leymus-san also heard about it huh.]

    [I¡¯ve heard rumors about it, but this is the first time I¡¯ve actually seen one. It¡¯s really interesting!]

    The children adapted quickly and are already ying with each other, doing what looked like sumo wrestling.

    [Just ying with them like that is a great way to train in magic. There are a number of people who, by using Mobile Force, have learned to use new magic.]

    A prime example of this is Regal.

    Regal was able to use Fire Magic thanks to practicing with Mobile Force.

    [That¡¯s amazing. Hey, let Dad try it out a bit.]

    [Mom would like to try it out too.]

    Leymus-san and his wife borrowed their children¡¯s Mobile Force and started ying with it.

    [This is quite¡­¡­]

    [Darling, want to have a match?]

    This time, Leymus-san and his wife became fascinated with the Mobile Force.

    Hansel-kun and Gretel-san waited quietly at first, but they got impatient when their parents wouldn¡¯t stop ying on their own.

    [Dad, give me back my Gungalf!]

    [My Gyan¡­¡­]

    [Just wait a minute there. Oops!]

    [Yes, we¡¯re in the middle of something. Urya!]

    Hmmm, Leymus-san and his wife seem to have gotten deeply hooked on Mobile Force.

    It can¡¯t be helped. I¡¯ll just give them a Gufufu and a Zako as well.

 Chapter 106: Strong Business Acumen

    <h4>Chapter 106: Strong Business Acumen</h4>

    Leymus-san, who had been so impressed with the Mobile Force, wrote a dozen letters of introduction to wheat and food merchants.

    [This really helps. Thanks to Leymus-san, we will be able to procure food.]

    No, no, we have received such delightful gifts. This is just an easy task.]

    Leymus-san gently stroked his Gufufu with great care.

    He must like that one a lot.

    [There¡¯s a cksmith in Luganda who makes weapons exclusively for Mobile Force. Moreover, there are regr matches being held among the residents. If you¡¯d like, pleasee and visit us sometime.]

    [Ohh, that sounds interesting! I¡¯ll definitely visit.]

    Promising to send a merchant to Luganda to handle our daily necessities, Leymus-san sent us on our way.

    Eight days had passed since we had done our greetings to Betzel.

    The mornings of Luganda¡¯s lord were early.

    Though I say that, it doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m going to be keeping a hand in the territory¡¯s administration.

    I¡¯m not good at those kinds of jobs, so I asked the aide Nakaram-san to do it for me.

    As for me, I would go to the dungeon entrance early in the morning and in the evening to open my stall and sell dagashis to adventurers.

    My lifestyle is almost the same as when I was in the Royal Capital.

    Look over there. Ines Merle this morning, rubbing her sleepy eyes.

    [Good morning. What can I get you today?]

    [Hmm~~ Well¡­¡­ I¡¯ll have 10 Bascos.]

    [Ten Bascos?]

    [There¡¯s a Killer Hummingbird infestation in the dungeon.]

    Killer Hummingbirds are ferocious bird-shaped monsters.

    Real hummingbirds are colorful and cute little birds, but when they are monsters in the dungeon, they aren¡¯t something that can be dealt with by ordinary means.

    I saw this ck-and-white movie about birds attacking humans, and that¡¯s exactly what happened.

    [Each bird has a low attack power, but they attack by more than a hundred. That¡¯s why we¡¯re setting up a trap and rounding them up.]

    [Ahh, Killer Hummingbirds are attracted to sweet honey, don¡¯t they?]

    [Yes, that¡¯s why we¡¯re setting up a jar of honey and when they gather inrge numbers, Regal¡¯s Fire Magic will annihte them.]

    So she¡¯s going to buy some Basco because they¡¯re going to end up getting attacked while setting up that honey huh.

    If you eat Basco, your body will be stronger and your defense will increase by 20 times.

    The effectsts for 10 minutes, so they will have plenty of time to set it up.

    [Be careful over there.]

    Merle, the leader of Team Harukaze and the vanguard of her team, often takes on the dangerous roles.

    [Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m used to it. Besides, each Killer Hummingbird drops 50 rims, so if we hunt a hundred of them, we¡¯ll have at least 5000 rims. Hunting one hundred and fifty would us 7500 rims. This is a moment where I can really shine!]

    If their strategy works, they would be able to earn a good amount of money.

    [That¡¯s right, I¡¯ve got a new product. How about using it with Basco?]

    Product name: Cotton Candy

    Description: A bag of cotton candy. When you eat it, you can make your presence disappear for 5 minutes.

    Price: 80 rims

    In Japan, it¡¯smonly called ¡°Wata-Ame¡± in the eastern areas, and ¡°Wata-Gashi¡± in the western areas.

    Incidentally, it¡¯s called Cotton Candy in the US, but in Australia, they call it Fairy Floss.

    They¡¯re literally calling it the fluffs of fairies.

    Well, I think the item we¡¯re selling here is closer to something a fairy would have.

    [Heehhh, that sounds interesting. I¡¯ll buy one.]

    Merle, who likes trying out new things, immediately bought one.

    As I was closing up my shop after sending the adventurers off to the dungeon, a carriage pulled up to us.

    The driver was alone, and he seemed to have arge amount of luggage in the back.

    It was unusual to have a visitor from outside, but what in the world did he want?

    The carriage is heading straight my way.

    [Hello. I¡¯m a merchant from Betzel, but is the Lord¡¯s Manor that way?]

    The merchant points to the three-story shop on top of the hill.

    [That¡¯s right, but what¡¯s your business over there?]

    [I¡¯m Joshua, a peddler sent by Leymus-sama, Lord of Betzel. I have a letter in my possession, and I would like to give it to the territory lord, Yahagi-sama.]

    I see, Leymus-san immediately kept his word huh.

    That¡¯s very much appreciated, especially since we¡¯re always running low on daily necessities.

    The inhabitants should be pleased.

    [Well, that¡¯s perfect then. I¡¯m the territory¡¯s lord, Yahagi.]

    [Eh, you are¡­¡­?]

    Joshua-san looks at me suspiciously.

    As I have kept my stall open, I¡¯m currently in a brown apron.

    As a lord, I may be equivalent to a small-time noble, but I probably don¡¯t look the part in my current attire.

    Thereupon, Mirai-san, who opened her shop next to me, vouched that I am indeed the lord.

    [Yahagi-san is definitely Luganda¡¯s lord.]

    Sanaga-san nodded in agreement.

    [He may not look like it though.]

    Thanks to the two of them, Joshua-san seemed to be convinced.

    [Excuse my impropriety. I don¡¯t mean to be rude, but I thought you were someone of the same business as I am¡­¡­]

    I¡¯m sitting behind a stall wearing an apron, so it isn¡¯t really surprising for him to think so.

    [Don¡¯t mind it, I was originally a street vendor in the Royal Capital, and before I knew it, I ended up being a territory lord.]

    When I said that, Joshua-san¡¯s eyes widened in surprise.

    [So that is possible¡­¡­ I¡¯m a peddler, but if I keep working hard in my job, will I perhaps be a Baron someday?]

    I don¡¯t know about that, but since he hade all the way to Luganda from far away, I should offer him some tea and entertain him at the Lord¡¯s Manor.

    [By the way, Lord-sama, what are these items?]

    Joshua-san looked at the dagashi and toys curiously.

    [Those are the dagashis I sell. Most of them cost between 10 rims to 100 rims each.]

    [10 rim!? That¡¯s cheap. Umm, would you mind selling them to me as well? I would like to bring some as souvenirs for my children.]

    Sugar is scarce in the countryside, so sweet stuff is precious in those areas.

    His children would probably be happy if he brought back sweets for them.

    [Please choose whatever you like. If it¡¯s for children, I rmend these choctes and round candies.]

    [Choctes!? I¡¯ve only heard about it, but I¡¯ve never had it before!]

    Right, right, even in the Royal Capital, only a few high-end shops sell them.

    [Please have a taste. I will give you one.]

    After eating the carol chocte, Joshua-san held his face with both hands.

    It seems like he finds it delicious.

    [Such a delicacy!]

    [Besides milk chocte, carol choctes also have strawberry vor, cookies and cream vor, and pistachio vor.]

    After eating a chocte, Joshua-san¡¯s body quivered.

    [Is something the matter?]

    [Won¡¯t you sell me these sweets wholesale!?]

    Even though he pleaded with me so earnestly, I politely declined.

    [Please!]

    [That¡¯s something I can¡¯t allow. My principle is to never sell my items other than? for a fair price.]

    Joshua-san was insistent, but I firmly refused.

    In the end, under the agreement that they would just be souvenirs, Joshua-san bought about 2000 rims worth of sweets and toys.

    I was satisfied with the good deal, but little did I know that this wouldter be the source of a major uproar.

    I guess I had underestimated people¡¯s passion for rare things.

    Three days after Joshua-san left, he came to Luganda again.

    No, it wasn¡¯t just him who had showed up, as there were many people in his carriage.

    [What¡¯s the matter, Joshua-san?]

    [I was told that reselling was not allowed, so I set up what I call the Dagashi and Dungeon Experience Tour. All the people on the back of my carriage are customers.]

    What a surprise, Joshua-san had started a travel agency.

    [Now then, this is Luganda¡¯s famed Dagashi Shop. You can buy the rumored choctes here! This is also where the Mobile Force is sold!]

    Yeah, he certainly isn¡¯t reselling.

    However, he seriously found 12 customers for this¡­¡­

    Even though I¡¯m a little astounded, I couldn¡¯t help feeling impressed by his business acumen.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Cotton Candy

 Chapter 107: Luganda Dungeon Out-of-Body Tour

    <h4>Chapter 107: Luganda Dungeon Out-of-Body Tour</h4>

    Joshua-san brought with him the neighborhood rich guys in his hometown.

    Merchants,ndowners, and the town¡¯s defense force¡¯s Commander and his wife are tour participants.

    Dungeons are rare in this region and haven¡¯t been found anywhere else in Luganda.

    People hade all the way for the dungeon and dagashis.

    [Oh my, so this is chocte!]

    [This is the first time I¡¯ve seen this thing called gum!]

    [Ohh, so there¡¯s that Mobile Force that Leymus-sama has! Sell me one of those!]

    People are excited to see dagashis and toys they¡¯re seeing for the first time.

    .

    It¡¯s good to see sales going up, but I decided to sell only the ones that aren¡¯t dangerous.

    While enthusiastically buying snacks, Joshua-san whispered something to me.

    [I¡¯d like to take them on a tour of the dungeon, but how much should the admission fee be?]

    The admission fee for non-residents is 1000 rims per person, but are they really going to enter the dungeon?

    [It¡¯s dangerous, you know? If you go inside, I can¡¯t guarantee your safety.]

    [It¡¯s just a few nces at the entrance area. We will go down the stairs, take a quick look, and then leave immediately.]

    [Even still, the dungeon is a ce where you can never be so sure what you will find inside.]

    Well, if it¡¯s just the entrance area, there might not be much danger, but monsters could still spawn.

    We can¡¯t just let civilians inside the dungeon without careful consideration.

    [Then, could you introduce us to some adventurers who could escort us?]

    [Unfortunately, everyone is currently in the dungeon.]

    If Garm was around, his group could have earned some extra money.

    Since they have that tank named Grav on their team, their team would have been a perfect fit for this situation.

    Grav is a tough guy who has the nickname: Tiger Lily.

    He sprinkles a lot of hate-inducing ¡°French perfume¡± on his body.

    Because of this smell, monsters will not look at the other members of their team other than Grav.

    If they were around, I could have left this to their team.

    Well, the scent of scientifically synthesized lilies is quite strong around them though¡­¡­

    [Hmmm, what should I do¡­¡­]

    Joshua-san stares at the dungeon as if troubled.

    That¡¯s right, I have something good for this situation.

    Product name: Deruderuderune

    Description: Sugar candy that you make yourself by adding water. Eating it allows the consumer 15 minutes of astral projection. There are two vors: grape and soda. Grape-vor provides a juicy astral projection experience, while soda-vor offers an exhrating astral projection experience.

    Price: 100 rims

    With this, they can explore the inside of the dungeon through astral projection.

    Though I say that, this product was something that had been discontinued until now¡­¡­

    The process of making the snack is like a scientific experiment, giving fun to the consumer, but there were just some people who were up to no good.

    I¡¯m talking about how someone attempted to peep into Yahagi Onsen using astral projection, which is just nasty.

    His target was apparently Mira.

    No, I understand how he feels, but one needs to be able to distinguish what we shouldn¡¯t do.

    Fortunately, Michelle noticed and things ended without incident, but that¡¯s how we had stopped selling them.

    However, if we limit the usage of this item here, there should be no problem selling it.

    Even so, I wonder what does that ¡°juicy astral projection¡± even mean?

    Guess I¡¯ll try it out next time.

    Ah, of course, I won¡¯t be abusing it, okay?

    In any case, I proposed a Dungeon Astral Projection Tour using ¡°Deruderuderune¡±.

    [And so, by eating this snack, it¡¯s possible to enter the dungeon in a spirit state.]

    A middle-aged man among the tour participants, while reading the packaging of the Deruderuderune, asked me a question.

    [Errr, is there no danger to doing that?]

    [Your body will stay here, so you will be safe even if you encounter a monster. Monsters couldn¡¯t sense your spirit form either.]

    [I see. By the way, what happens when the time runs out?]

    [After 15 minutes, your spirit will automatically return to your body. You don¡¯t need to worry.]

    After I carefully exined the situation, the tourists happily agreed to the tour through astral projection.

    On the contrary, they showed an extraordinary interest in the astral projection experience.

    All of them immediately bought a Deruderuderune and under my guidance, they started making it.

    [Well then, put the 1st packet of flour into the tray. Once it¡¯s in, add water with the spoon provided and knead well.]

    The adults started to enjoy preparing the snack.

    [Ara, it changed color!]

    [Ohh, it¡¯s a bright blue.]

    [Mine¡¯s green.]

    Right, right, the snacks they were making were interesting with their cyber-like feel.

    [Then, add the 2nd packet of flour and mix well.]

    [The color changed again.]

    [It¡¯s getting firmer and firmer!]

    The adults were getting excited again.

    [Finally, put the candy chip in the 3rd packet in the hole to the side and dip your deruderu.]

    With that, everything was ready.

    After a minute or so, the people who ate the deruderuderune began to lie down on the grass, and one after another, they seemed to have started astral projecting.

    Joshua-san¡¯s soul also seems to have left his body, so he¡¯s probably touring them in the dungeon right now.

    After 15 minutes of watching over the unconscious bodies, the first one woke up with a start.

    [I¡¯m back. Well, there were so many frightening monsters!]

    After that, people got up one after another, excitedly talking about the scene they had just witnessed in the dungeon.

    [I saw the adventurers fighting! They were skillfully using traps to herd the monsters.]

    [So that¡¯s how they get magic stones huh. That¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve seen it.]

    The Deruderuderune Dungeon Tour doesn¡¯t disturb the adventurers¡¯ battles.

    On that day, the average spending per customer was as much as 5000 rims, and my total sales exceeded 60,000 rims.

    Perhaps because of this surge of customers, I leveled up and I felt my mana increase.

    As I watched the satisfied tourists leave, I had a feeling that something new was about to happen at Dagashi Yahagi.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Deruderuderune: Based on Nerunerunerune

 Chapter 108: Sanagas Love

    <h4>Chapter 108: Sanaga''s Love</h4>

    As I was closing up shop after sending off the adventurers, Sanaga-san spoke to me.

    [Ou, Yahagi, mind talking for a sec?]

    [What is it?]

    [Umm¡­¡­ There¡¯s something I¡¯d like to consult with you. Ahh~~¡­¡­ Sorry, but can you keep mepany for a moment? I¡¯m not gonna take up much of your time¡­¡­]

    Sanaga-san, looking awkward, avoids making eye contact with me.

    Does he hate his life here in Luganda and want to go back to the Royal Capital?

    If that¡¯s the case, it would be troubling.

    The only cksmith here is Sanaga-san.

    I can¡¯t think of any other cksmith who woulde to this remote area.

    Moreover, although he doesn¡¯t talk much, Sanaga-san does his job well and doesn¡¯t charge exorbitant prices.

    He is well-liked by the adventurers.

    I myself have great trust in Sanaga-san.

    If he really feels dissatisfied in his current life, I have to talk this over with him.

    [Well then, let¡¯s sit on that rock over there and talk about it.]

    The two of us sat down in the deserted dungeon entrance.

    [Do you find something unpleasant here in Luganda?]

    [That¡¯s not it. I like living here.]

    Hearing his words, my shoulders rxed.

    It seems that it wasn¡¯t that he wanted to return to the Royal Capital.

    [If that¡¯s the case, what¡¯s the matter?]

    Even when I asked that, Sanaga-san just fidgets and doesn¡¯t seem like he¡¯d just bring up the topic.

    [Is it perhaps, money problems?]

    [No¡­¡­ I fell in love with a woman.]

    This time, my shoulderspletely slumped.

    However, if that¡¯s the case, I have an idea who he¡¯s talking about.

    [Are you possibly talking about Mirai-san?]

    [How did you know that!?]

    [Anyone can tell by the way Sanaga-san has been behavingtely.]

    [I see¡­¡­]

    Perhaps out of embarrassment or some other reason, Sanaga-san red at the sky with an austere expression on his face.

    [So, what are you going to do, Sanaga-san?]

    [I don¡¯t know.]

    [Huh?]

    [I¡¯ve lived my whole life doing nothing but striking iron. Of course, I had those times when I fell in love back when I was young, but I found myself single and 52 years old.]

    Ah, he was younger than I thought.

    With his plump yet short he is, and along with his white hair, I thought he was 60 or so.

    [Hey, Yahagi, if you fall in love with a woman, what do you do next? You were such a womanizer that you could lead that Curse Witch around as you pleased. Teach me how to make advances on women!]

    Well, isn¡¯t that just mean.

    I¡¯m not leading Michelle around as I pleased.

    I¡¯m always risking my life to catch her extremely heavy fastballs.

    Sanaga-san doesn¡¯t seem like he means any offense though.

    [Let¡¯s see¡­¡­ With how straightforward Sanaga-san is, wouldn¡¯t it be best if you avoid ying mind games?]

    [By that, you mean?]

    [Just straight out ask her on a date and propose a rtionship with her.]

    [I see¡­¡­ As expected of a guy who has risen from peddler to lord.]

    No, my advice isn¡¯t that big of a deal.

    [However, where can we go on a date? There¡¯s only the dungeon here in Luganda.]

    [How about going to the forest to gather medicinal herbs and mushrooms? This time of year, even the autumn flowers are in bloom. It seems that Mirai-san likes that sort of thing.]

    [As expected of Yahagi. Each of your suggestions ispletely reasonable.]

    [I¡¯m just thinking about how to get along with others.]

    But then, Sanaga-san¡¯s shoulders slumped again.

    [What¡¯s the matter?]

    [I don¡¯t know how to ask her out on a date¡­¡­]

    [Can¡¯t you also just straightforwardly say ¡°Let¡¯s go pick herbs in the forest¡±?]

    [D- Do you think Mirai will go with me?]

    [I don¡¯t know about that, but if Sanaga-san doesn¡¯t move, nothing will start. You should first have the courage to ask her out.]

    [Umu¡­¡­]

    Mirai-san is a widow who lost her husband to illness more than 10 years ago.

    I once heard how she confided to Mira how lonely she was at times.

    Sanaga-san is a taciturn person, but he works diligently and even has a kind heart.

    I feel that if the two of them support each other in life, they will be much happier than they are now.

    [I think Mirai-san and Sanaga-san are a good match for each other.]

    [I see. Alright¡­¡­]

    Seemingly having made up his mind, Sanaga-san pped his knees and stood up.

    A few dayster, without my knowledge, Sanaga-san was able to invite Mirai-san to pick medicinal herbs.

    I saw them both carrying baskets into the forest, with Mirai-san having a nice smile on her face.

    Given the way she looks, I secretly hope things might work out with them.

    I waited excitedly for them to return in the evening.

    However, the expressions on their faces when they returned wereplicated.

    Did something happen?

    I decided to indirectly inquire about the situation.

    [You went to the forest, didn¡¯t you? Oh, it looks like you¡¯ve gathered plenty of herbs.]

    In the basket they were carrying, there were not only medicinal herbs, but also flowers and mushrooms.

    [Umu¡­¡­]

    Despite their harvest, they don¡¯t look very cheerful.

    I was starting to think that their date was a failure, but that doesn¡¯t seem to be the case.

    [Did something happen, Mirai-san?]

    [About that, well, we found an old small shrine in the forest.]

    [When you say small shrine, you mean a small building that enshrines a God?]

    [Yes. A really old small shrine thoroughly covered in moss. It was made of stone, and looked so old that I don¡¯t even know how long it has been there.]

    That¡¯s quite the unusual thing they found there, but that doesn¡¯t really exin the worried expressions on their faces.

    [Did you sense something ominous about that small shrine?]

    [That¡¯s not it. Actually, there was this skinny old man sitting alone in front of that small shrine.]

    [Eh? In the middle of Luganda Forest?]

    [That¡¯s right.]

    I didn¡¯t hear anything about natives living here.

    Well, since it¡¯s in the middle of a forest like this, I guess it wouldn¡¯t be surprising if there¡¯s at least a vige that is not known by the government to exist.

    However, that old man was apparently all by himself.

    [I wonder if he lives alone in this forest? He must be quite the spry old man.]

    [He didn¡¯t seem dangerous, but he was a little strange¡­¡­]

    Mirai-san paused, seemingly hesitating to say something.

    [How is he strange?]

    [He called himself a God.]

    That¡¯s not just a little strange, that definitely sounds very strange.

    I was curious, so Michelle and I decided to go see that old man.

 Chapter 109: Forest Shrine

    <h4>Chapter 109: Forest Shrine</h4>

    I followed the path I was told to follow and came to the hollow area Mira-san had mentioned.

    There were no trees around here, and the afternoon sun was illuminating the surroundings.

    The meadow was covered with colorful flowers, making it a fantastic sight.

    [It¡¯s beautiful, isn¡¯t it? I didn¡¯t know a ce like this existed.]

    Michelle was fascinated by the fragrance of the flowers.

    Looking at her again, I think Michelle has changed a little.

    In the past, she gave off a vibe that suited the darkness, but now, even beneath the sun, she doesn¡¯t feel out of ce.

    Michelle looked lovely as she affectionately gazed at the flowers under the bright light.

    [Ah, wolfsbane! There¡¯s also spidervine here. Oh my, there¡¯s even methanicones here! With these, I can make the best numbing potion. I kinda feel like making Yuusuke drink some¡­¡­]

    [Oi!]

    [Don¡¯t worry, it¡¯ll only make you immobile.]

    [W- What are you even gonna do by making me immobile?]

    [A monopoly it¡¯ll be ? While you¡¯re number, I will have Yuusuke to myself.]

    [Haahhh¡­¡­]

    Seeing Michelle the same as always, I sighed.

    While I leave the practical matters to Nakaram-san, there are still various small, misceneous tasks that need my particr attention as the territory lord.

    Perhaps I got caught up with how busy things are, and as a result, the time spent with Michelle decreased, making her feel lonely.

    That¡¯s probably why the idea of ¡°having me all to herself¡± came to her mind.

    [I¡¯ll be with you all day, so stop giving me poison.]

    [Ehh¡­¡­ How about a tinsy bit of a trial?]

    I knew it, she really wasn¡¯t joking, saying that with a high degree of seriousness.

    [In that case¡­¡­ Just enough to make me immobilized, okay?]

    [Really!? Can I really do it!? I¡¯m so happy¡­¡­]

    Michelle gleefully picked up her poisonous nts.

    If I firmly refused, Michelle wouldn¡¯t give me poison.

    She has that much sensibility in mind.

    However, if she holds herself back, it would definitely cause her a lot of stress.

    I felt like it might be for the best to set aside some time to satisfy her desires.

    Hmmm, am I being too lenient on her?

    [What are you nning to do while I can¡¯t move?]

    [Ehh~~ That¡¯s a secret. It¡¯s embarrassing.]

    Good grief¡­¡­

    [Oya, is that the small shrine they were talking about?]

    Across the meadow, behind some shrubs, I saw a small building.

    [Let¡¯s go.]

    Putting the numbing potion aside for the moment, we headed for the small shrine.

    It was a stone shrine about the size of a storage shed.

    There were stone steps in front of the shrine, and an old man was sitting there.

    That must be the one Mirai-san had mentioned.

    He was an old man with a unique atmosphere.

    Even though he¡¯s in a forest, his kimono is pure white and without a single stain.

    His hair was also pure white, with almost no bangs, and the hair on both sides and in the back was long and flowing down to his chest.

    [Hello.]

    When I called out to him, the old man looked up at me with dazzling narrowed eyes.

    [Hey, hey, good day. I see you¡¯ve arrived.]

    From the way he spoke, I guessed that he lived in this neighborhood.

    However, there was something strange.

    The entrance to the shrine was open, but there were no household goods inside.

    It¡¯s just an open space.

    Is his house not here, but somewhere else?

    [I¡¯m Yahagi, the new lord of Luganda. Is Grandpa living from around here?]

    [Hmmm, possibly so¡­¡­]

    Looking troubled, the Grandpa thought about it.

    Perhaps he has forgotten the house he¡¯s going home to.

    It¡¯smon for old people with dementia.

    Or perhaps, someone dumped him here¡­¡­

    I mean, Japan has that ¡°Ubasuteyama¡± legend.

    It¡¯s a story about an elderly rtive who, upon not being useful anymore, was abandoned in the mountains.

    If that¡¯s the case, this is just too pitiful¡­¡­

    [Is Grandpa¡¯s house around here?]

    [Hmm~~¡­¡­]

    The Grandpa seems to be unable to give out an answer.

    If he came here from Betzel or some other ce, it would be difficult for him to go home on his own.

    If that were the case, we would have to send him home in a carriage.

    However, if he can¡¯t even remember the name of the ce he lives in, things are going to be slightly tricky.

    Can¡¯t he at least remember his own name?

    If I knew that, I would be able to inquire about him to Betzel¡¯s lord, Leymus-san.

    [What is Grandpa¡¯s name?]

    [Machine God Mani.]

    So this is what Mirai-san was talking about!?

    Come to think of it, this old man was a self-proimed God¡­¡­

    However, with a world like this, that doesn¡¯t necessarily seem like pure nonsense at all.

    In fact, I¡¯m someone who has died once and seen the afterlife.

    I definitely felt the presence of God nearby at that time.

    [Errr, Mani-san, what are you doing here?]

    [I was looking at flowers. Aren¡¯t they beautiful?]

    Mani-san smiled and pointed at the flowers in the meadow.

    It¡¯s just, it¡¯s hard to tell whether he was just a good-natured old man or an actual God.

    [What are we going to do, Yuusuke?]

    [We can¡¯t just leave him alone here¡­¡­]

    Michelle and I talked it over, and decided that we would bring the Grandpa back to our settlement.

    [Mani-san, would you like toe to my home?]

    [Hmm, to Yahagi¡¯s house?]

    It seems like he remembered my name.

    [Yes. We have food and bed there.]

    [Food huh¡­¡­ I haven¡¯t eaten for a long time¡­¡­]

    Mani-san was skinny and had arms as thin as dead trees.

    [That¡¯s not good. How long has it been since you ate?]

    [Hmmm¡­¡­ I forgot.]

    God or human, it seems like he has severe forgetfulness.

    [Then, I¡¯ll make you some delicious yakisoba. Let¡¯s go.]

    When I said that, reaching out my hand to her, Mani-san grabbed my hand and smiled again.

    [Ohhh¡­¡­ Yahagi has the Blessing of Commerce God Elmera. He¡¯s my brother, you know? We¡¯re pretty close. If you¡¯re Brother Elmera¡¯s treasured child, then you are like a nephew to me. I have to protect you.]

    And like that, the self-proimed Machine God came under my protection.

    Well, it seems that he intends to protect me though.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Mani

 Chapter 110: Godly Modding

    <h4>Chapter 110: Godly Modding</h4>

    It was already evening when I brought Mani-san back to our settlement.

    As the sun set in the western sky, adventurers were returning one after another from the dungeon after finishing a day¡¯s work.

    Team Harukaze was also justing up the stairs.

    Seeing me, Merle dragged her feet my way.

    [Yuusuke-san¡­¡­ Ramune¡­¡­]

    [What¡¯s wrong, Merle? You¡¯re out of breath.]

    [We¡¯ve been running too much and I¡¯m parched¡­¡­]

    Merle¡¯s group had apparentlye across a sheep with a golden fleece on the 3rd Underground Floor.

    [That was the legendary Golden Sheep!]

    Merle, after drinking two bottles of ramune, spoke enthusiastically about the Golden Sheep.

    [The Golden Sheep isn¡¯t just a monster. It¡¯s a legendary monster famous for dropping the Golden Fleece!]

    [A fleece made of pure gold?]

    [Not exactly, but there are a lot of rich people who want it. Rumor has it that wearing a cloak made of that fleece prevents your wealth from diminishing.]

    I see, that certainly sounds like an item attractive for the wealthy.

    The richer they are, the more they would want it.

    [However, on the other hand, it seems to be of little relevance to the poor.]

    [That¡¯s right, but in the Royal Capital, the trade-in value of a Golden Fleece isn¡¯t less than 3 million rims. I¡¯m going to get it and make a lot of money!]

    The Golden Sheep is fast, and no matter how hard Merle chased after it, it got away.

    The other teams also tried their best, but no one could catch up with the sheep running at high speed through the dungeon.

    [Haahhh¡­¡­ I can¡¯t contain my excitement. I¡¯m gonna y an MF match with someone. Anyone up for a match!?]

    She¡¯s certainly in high spirits.

    Merle took out her Red Shoulder and started warming up in the arena.

    Thereupon, unexpectedly, someone grasped Merle¡¯s Zako.

    [Hohoho, this is interesting.]

    It was Mani-san, who had been quiet until now.

    [Grandpa, give me back my Zako. You just snapped my link to it.]

    [I¡¯m sorry about that. I just couldn¡¯t help feeling excited. Fumu fumu, this looks like an easy-to-handle machine. Its low mana consumption is one of its charms huh.]

    Merle¡¯s eyes lit up at Mani-san¡¯s words.

    [Grandpa knows your stuff! However, the drawback is that its power output is much lowerpared to the other MFs.]

    Mani-san put his hand on his chin and pondered.

    [Fumu¡­¡­ Now that sounds a little unfair. Let me modify it for you.]

    [Heh?]

    Without hearing Merle¡¯s reply, Mani-san lifts the Zako up to face level.

    Thereupon, Mani-san¡¯s forehead glowed brightly, and thin threads of light connected with the Zako.

    [It¡¯s done. There, try moving it right away.]

    The modification took only a few seconds, but the Zako¡¯s appearance had changed drastically!

    The armor has beenpletely redesigned, and it looks much more massive.

    It¡¯s looking much stronger.

    Merle tried operating it immediately, and it seemed to be more nimble.

    [Amazing, the power output is much higher! It¡¯s a little less flexible, but that¡¯s perfectly eptable. Thank you, Grandpa!]

    [Do you like it? It can also hover for a short time. I call it ¡°Zako Mk II¡±.]

    To aplish something like that so easily, it seems like Mani-san is unmistakably a God.

    [Yahagi, from tomorrow onwards, you will be selling Zako Mk II instead of the original Zako. I¡¯ve already gotten Brother Elmera¡¯s permission.]

    [I don¡¯t really mind¡­¡­ but that¡¯s amazing, isn¡¯t it? Modding, I mean.]

    [Modding?]

    Mani-san looked at me as if he didn¡¯t understand what I was talking about.

    [You modded Merle¡¯s Zako just now.]

    [Me? Did I¡­¡­?]

    Hmmm, there¡¯s no mistaking he¡¯s a God, but he seems to be suffering from dementia, and I¡¯m getting worried.

    [Oh, aren¡¯t you operating something interesting over there!?]

    Mani-san looked excited to see the Zako Mk II that he had just modded.

    It seems that he really has no memory of it.

    [Hey, Grampa, please mod my GGRKS too!]

    Garm requested him, but Mani-san tilted his head.

    [Mod? What are you talking about?]

    It doesn¡¯t seem like he¡¯s ying dumb but has genuinely forgotten.

    After that, while he was savoring yakisoba and eximing ¡°Delicious, this is delicious!¡±, Mani-san seemed to be happily watching an MF match, but I looked away for a moment only to find that he had fallen asleep.

    [Marco, Regal, give me a hand carrying Mania-san.]

    Bringing out the stand-alone shop, Iid out a futon in the tatami room.

    Even though he was a God, I couldn¡¯t bear to just leave an elderly man outdoors.

    It would be better to have him live here for a while.

    [It¡¯s still too early for Gungalf Variations¡­¡­ Munya munya¡­¡­]

    Regal, a Gungalf user, responded to the words Mani-san mumbled in his sleep.

    [What does he mean by Variations?]

    [I dunno¡­¡­]

    I wouldn¡¯t know what a God thinks.

    [Based on the word variation, could it be a new Gungalf model type?]

    [I guess so. Well, even though he said it while sleep-talking, he said it was still too early for it, so I don¡¯t think you should get your hopes up for it.]

    [No way¡­¡­ Only Merle-san getting a new Zako is unfair.]

    [Don¡¯t say that. Even in my opinion, the Zako was the most underpowered among the released machines.]

    Because of that, my stock of Zako keeps on umting.

    I wonder if Zako Mk II will really start being in stock tomorrow?

    I guess I¡¯ll have to send those to Baron Essel when ites in.

    I¡¯m sure the Baron will be pleased to see a new MF model.

    [Zzz¡­¡­ Zzz¡­¡­]

    Despite the thoughts of the various people around, Machine God Mani was just snoring pleasantly.

 Chapter 111: They Who Hold the Track is Indeed God

    <h4>Chapter 111: They Who Hold the Track is Indeed God</h4>

    When I visited the stand-alone shop early in the morning, Mani-san was sitting idly in the tatami room.

    [Good morning. Did you sleep well?]

    [Unnn? Who are you?]

    [I¡¯m Yahagi. I wasn¡¯t really aware of it, but I¡¯m Yahagi, who had apparently received the Blessing of Commerce God.]

    [Eh, is that you, Brother!? You sure have gotten younger, Brother Elmera!]

    [That¡¯s not it¡­¡­]

    Mani-san, after gazing at me for a moment, opened his eyes.

    [Ohhh¡­¡­ Yahagi has the Blessing of Commerce God Elmera. He¡¯s my brother, you know? We¡¯re pretty close. If you¡¯re Brother Elmera¡¯s treasured child, then you are like a nephew to me. I have to protect you.]

    He just repeated the same thing he told me yesterday.

    By the looks of things, tomorrow morning would probably start the same way.

    It can¡¯t be helped.

    Let¡¯s just take it easy and go along with it.

    I don¡¯t know if a God needs food or not, but it would be better if I fed him breakfast, right?

    [Mani-san, are you hungry?]

    [Unyaa, I¡¯m not hungry. I¡¯m not sure why, but I feel full. Did I eat something?]

    He seemed to have forgotten that he had eaten yakisoba.

    Well, if he doesn¡¯t want to eat, I¡¯ll just leave it at that.

    He¡¯s a God anyway, so he should be fine skipping breakfast.

    [I¡¯m going to go to work then. Please make yourself at home here.]

    [Work?]

    [I¡¯m opening my stall in front of the dungeon.]

    [Hohou, in that case, I¡¯ll go with you.]

    Mani-san stood up more easily than one would expect from someone who looked like an old man.

    All the adventurers had gone into the dungeon, but my shop was still full of customers.

    The children, who usually worked for Nakaram-san, had taken the day off.

    [Oiiii, it¡¯s about time I close up shop.]

    [Ehhh, you can stay a bit longer, right? Please, Yahagi-san!]

    [You sure are hopeless.]

    In this world, 12 to 13-year-olds are already treated like adults.

    In Luganda, they aren¡¯t required to do hardbor, but they also work hard to earn their daily bread.

    Though I say that, they probably still want to have fun.

    I guess I¡¯d let them enjoy themselves to the fullest today.

    [It can¡¯t be helped. Just for today, okay?]

    [Nice! Hey, let¡¯s have an MF match! Whoever wins treats the other to a 10-rim gum.]

    [Challenge epted!]

    Betting matches are all just for fun.

    This kind of exchange is somon among adventurers that it can¡¯t be helped that the children imitate them.

    Mani-san¡¯s eyes narrowed as the MF game began immediately.

    From that title of his, I guess he likes gadgets like Mobile Force.

    [I¡¯m going to watch them.]

    Mani-san was watching their match with a smile on his face, but when he found an MF in bad shape, he tuned them.

    [Amazing! Grandpa just touched it a little bit and it¡¯s moving smoothly now. Thank you.]

    [Grandpa, check my Gufufu too!]

    [My Gungalf too!]

    He had bepletely popr.

    At that moment, one of the children took out a piece of candy.

    [Grandpa, I¡¯ll give you one of these as a thank you.]

    T- That is!

    Product name: Sour Grapes Roulette

    Description: One out of every three pieces of grape-vored gum is a sour grape. Eating the sour gum will sharpen one¡¯s senses. Share it with your friends and enjoy!

    Price: 30 rims

    That thing¡¯s sourness is just abnormal.

    [Be careful! That is¡ª¡ª¡ª-]

    I tried to warn him, but it was toote.

    Mani-san, who had put the gum in his mouth, crouched down and writhed in agony.

    It seemed he splendidly got the sour grape.

    [Are you alright?]

    God he may be, was its vor too stimting for an old man?

    I was worried and checked his state, but Mani-san, who had recovered, burst intoughter.

    [Hohoho! That¡¯s amusing! It¡¯s really amusing. I haven¡¯tughed out loud in a long time.]

    It was a relief to see Mani-sanughing with the children.

    [Well~~ I haven¡¯tughed so much in a hundred years. Unnn? I thought of a great idea. Ei!]

    After a shout, Mani-san¡¯s hands glowed brightly.

    What appeared were toys the size of the palm of his hand.

    That is!?

    [Let¡¯s give these to the kids.]

    No matter how I look at it, they look like model cars.

    Don¡¯t tell me¡­¡­

    [Grandpa, what are those?]

    [They¡¯re Mani 4WDs I made!]

    [Oi!]

    I couldn¡¯t help throwing a tsukkomi at the God.

    After all, that totally looks like a Mini¡­¡­

    [They¡¯re original items I created as a hobby. Is there something wrong with that?]

    [No, that¡¯s not it¡­¡­]

    This isn¡¯t Japan, but another world.

    Although it strongly resembles ¡°that thing¡±, let¡¯s not say too much about it.

    [Hohoho,e on, children, move and y with these.]

    Mani-san waved his sleeve and a race track appeared from the ground.

    As expected of a God.

    Unnn, even in my childhood, that ssmate of mine who got a Mini 4WD track is treated like a God!

    The children were happy to get new toys to y with, but then they tilted their heads.

    [Hey, how do you y with these?]

    [Of course, you race andpete for speed.]

    [It won¡¯t move though.]

    [What did you say?]

    Mani-san took one of the machines and turned it over.

    [Oh!? The energy packpartment is empty¡­¡­]

    [Then, put that energy pack thing in it.]

    [Hmmm, indeed¡­¡­]

    Mani-san folded his arms and pondered.

    [What¡¯s the matter?]

    [I forgot how to make it¡­¡­]

    Oya oya.

    [Hmmm, what should we do with that¡­¡­]

    Coming to the rescue of the disappointed children was Michelle.

    [Perhaps my research might be of some use for that.]

    [Michelle¡¯s research?]

    [Don¡¯t you remember? I research magic orbs that umte mana.]

    That¡¯s right!

    If it¡¯s Michelle, she should be able to create energy packs.

    [Big Sis, quickly create it!]

    [Unnn, unn, quickly, quickly!]

    [It can¡¯t be helped then. I have a few prototypes in hand here, so I can adjust the output to fit those Mani 4WDs.]

    After Michelle put the small orb she was holding into them, the Mani 4WDs started energetically moving.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Sour Grapes Roulette: Originally called ¡°One Out of Every Three Grapes is Super Sour!¡±, based on ¡°Meichu Beware of Sour Grapes Gum¡±.

    <ol start="2"> Mini 4WD

    </ol>

 Chapter 112: The Thing that Emerged from the Ground

    <h4>Chapter 112: The Thing that Emerged from the Ground</h4>

    From the next day, Mani 4WD started appearing on the shelves of Dagashi Yahagi.

    Product name: Mani 4WD

    Description: An automobile-type toy that uses mana to drive.

    Price: 1200 rims

    Just like Mobile Force, this is also something customers assemble, but with a moreplicated structure.

    It doesn¡¯t require any adhesives, but you have to do a lot of stuff to assemble it, such as assembling the shaft and applying grease.

    It takes about an hour to assemble if you aren¡¯t used to it, but adults and children alike were absorbed in the process of assembling it.

    [Oiiii, everyone? Don¡¯t you have to go to work?]

    [I¡¯ve taken today off, so it¡¯s fine. That aside, Yahagi-san, teach me how to insert this part!]

    It seems that Guile and the others have decided to take a special day off.

    In a ce with little entertainment, their level of enthusiasm and dedication tends to be off the charts.

    The price of the item isn¡¯t cheap, but many people are spending all their money to buy them.

    [Go, my Avanteira!]

    Merle, who was one of the first toplete the assembly, was driving her Mani 4WD.

    It seems to be running smoothly.

    However¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    [Uwahh! It¡¯s gone off course!?]

    It had too much speed and didn¡¯t make it around the curve.

    [Ahhh, why?]

    [When your energy pack is fully charged, it may have had too much energy. You might want to try running it dry for a while before you try again.]

    I remember doing something simr to that when I was a kid¡­¡­

    The energy pack they¡¯re using is a mana orb that Michelle created.

    It¡¯s easy to use, one just needs to feed it with their own mana between their two fingers.

    It also just takes less than 30 seconds to fully charge.

    Mani 4WD apparently requires less mana than Mobile Force.

    The young rookies would fill their machines with mana over and over again to get them running.

    [You did a great job building up 50 energy packs in one night, Michelle.]

    [Ufufu, that was for Yuusuke¡¯s sake. If everyone buys those Mani 4WD, we would save up that much for our wedding, right?]

    [However, wasn¡¯t making them difficult? I¡¯m worried you¡¯d becking sleep.]

    [Don¡¯t worry. Besides, the energy packs are rtively easy to make; I just need to refine powdered mana crystals using a specific method. The power required for a Mani 4WD is also small, so it¡¯s easy to stabilize the mana orbs.]

    [As expected of Michelle, who was reputed as a talented woman.]

    She¡¯s too good a girlfriend for me.

    [This much is no big deal¡­¡­ <i>(My oh my oh my ? Yuusuke, you flirt~~ Calling me a witch gifted with both intelligence and beauty, you¡¯re praising me too much! Ahhh, I have to work even harder and make 70 of those tomorrow. Ah, but tonight, Yuusuke might make love more aggressively with me tonight¡­¡­ Unnn, Yuusuke¡¯s gaze on me is much hotter than usual. It seems like tonight will be a hot one. It will be a sleepless night tonight huh. I¡¯ve got to get started on the production!</i>)]

    For some reason, Michelle sat down on the spot and started manufacturing energy packs.

    Meanwhile, Mani-san was watching her closely.

    [Hmmm, Michelle¡¯s energy packs are well-made. What¡¯s the maximum output of this one?]

    [At the moment, it¡¯s 248 migamatts. I¡¯m hoping to get it up to 746 migas by the end of the year.]

    Hearing her words, Mani-san thoughtfully scratched his head.

    [In that case, 1.21 gigomatts would be impossible huh?]

    [1.21 gigomatts!? Of course, an amount thatrge is impossible! That amount of mana is enough for 120 Maximum Magic shots, you know!?]

    [I see, that¡¯s unfortunate¡­¡­]

    Mani-san¡¯s shoulders slumped in disappointment.

    [Mani-san, why do you look so disappointed?]

    [I was hoping Michelle¡¯s energy pack would get ¡°that¡± working again. This is because I forgot how to make energy packs¡­¡­]

    [What¡¯s ¡°that¡±?]

    [A mechanical creature I created about 2000 years ago. Umu, I¡¯ll show it to you.]

    Mani-san lightly stamped his right foot, and the earth cracked open.

    [Whoa!? What¡¯s that?]

    [Everybody, watch out.]

    The sudden rumbling of the earth brought confusion to the area in front of the dungeon, but the moment people saw the thing that emerged from the ground, they were momentarily speechless.

    I mean, that¡¯s understandable. What emerged from the ground before my eyes was a huge mechanical creature.

    [I- IT¡¯S A DRAGOOOOOOOON!!!]

    [RUUUUUUUUUN!!!]

    Amidst the people who were stunned, I couldn¡¯t believe my own eyes.

    After all, I knew of something that looked a lot like that.

    Well, the one I saw in my previous life was 1/72 version of that. Moreover, it was a toy¡­¡­

    [Mani-san, what¡¯s that?]

    [My masterpiece, the mechanical creature Zord.]

    [Oi!]

    I couldn¡¯t help giving a 120-point tsukkomi to the God.

    After all, no matter how I look at it, that¡¯s totally a¡­¡­

    Mani-san, however, seemed unconcerned as he looked at it with a smile.

    [23 meters long, 13.7 meters high. I thought that if this Genos Breaker could move, it would be convenient for yournd remation. It also has its Focused Particle Cannon¡­¡­]

    No, we don¡¯t need any of those armaments at all!

    However, when Michelle heard that, she was quick to react.

    [If we could get it to work, would you lend it to us?]

    [I¡¯m not so stingy as to lend it to you. I¡¯ll give it to you. Hohoho!]

    Thereupon, Michelle nodded at me.

    [Yuusuke, I¡¯ll do this. I¡¯ll increase the power output!]

    [However¡­¡­]

    Well, with something like that, the development of the frontier would certainly go through the roof.

    Thend clearing and logging would be as we please.

    [How do we increase the output though? Mani-san might know something if we ask.]

    With that in mind, we looked at Mani-san. However, Mani-san looked surprised, pointing at the Zord.

    [What is this enormous thing!?]

    [You¡¯re the one who created that!]

    Hmmm, he¡¯s still as senile as before.

    Is there anything we can do to jog his memory?

    We sighed as we thought about that.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Avanteira: based on Avante.

    <ol start="2"> Zord: based on Zoid. Genos Breaker: based on Geno Breaker.

    </ol>

 Chapter 113: Behave Properly, Mani-san!

    <h4>Chapter 113: Behave Properly, Mani-san!</h4>

    Next to the dungeon, the mechanical creature Zord is motionless like an objet d¡¯art.

    Its appearance looks like that of an intense-looking iron dragon.

    Its deep red body is massive, and in addition to sharp ws and fangs, it¡¯s equipped with a number of sharp des with usability I don¡¯t know of.

    It¡¯s hard to imagine from its inorganic body, but this Genos Breaker is apparently alive.

    [It¡¯s a living creature, and if left as is, it will die. That¡¯s why I had it frozen for now.]

    Mani-san, who hade to his senses again, told me.

    [So, we have to thaw it out before we can fill it with energy packs?]

    [That¡¯s right. However, if mana isn¡¯t circted within 30 minutes of thawing, its metallic cells will be seriously damaged. Moreover, once thawed, it¡¯s impossible to refreeze it.]

    That means failure isn¡¯t an option huh¡­¡­

    [Then, how do we increase the capacity of the energy packs¡ª¡ª¡ª-

    [Energy packs? What¡¯s that, is it something tasty?]

    He suddenly forgot what¡¯s going on!?

    Just when I thought his memories had returned for a moment, this happened.

    Hmm, it¡¯s going to be very difficult to get a sensible conversation going with him like this.

    The residents, who were scared at first, approached when they found out that the Genos Breaker wasn¡¯t moving.

    Merle, a bundle of curiosity as she always had been, led the way and looked at it up close.

    [Fuehhh, a mechanical dragon huh. I wonder if this one might move.]

    Mira is also checking out the Genos closely.

    [It has big ws. With those ws, it should be easier to dig uprge tree stumps.

    [It certainly will be easy to build roads and river dikes with it. I¡¯d also like to get it moving but¡­¡­]

    The problem is Mani-san¡¯s condition.

    Just when we thought Mani-san had regained his memory, he¡¯d forget what was going on three minutester, and we would be back to square one.

    [With him like this, I won¡¯t be able to create a high-capacity energy pack anytime soon.]

    [Hmmm, the point is to get Grandpa¡¯s memory back, right?

    A mischievous look appears in Merle¡¯s eyes.

    [You got a good idea?]

    [I heard that Grandpa came to his senses when the children fed him a roulette grape. In that case, couldn¡¯t we give him some sort of big stimulus?]

    [What if we feed him a pack of Dodon Pachin?]

    Dodon Pachin, a pack of candies that pops in your mouth, certainly might remind him of something.

    Merle, however, smugly wagged her finger.

    [Tsk, tsk, tsk. That level of stimtion isn¡¯t enough. A great stimtion would be having him chomp down on a Hyper Lemon!]

    [That¡¯s¡­¡­]

    Product name: Hyper Lemon

    Description: An incredibly sour candy. It¡¯s so sour that you will forget one thing you dislike when you eat it.

    Price: 10 rims

    It¡¯s the perfect snack to get your mind straight, but I¡¯m kinda doubtful if it will bring back his memory.

    Well, there¡¯s that game among adventurers where they¡¯d stuff their mouths full of Hyper Lemons, but I don¡¯t think Mani-san would y along with such a game.

    [Then, what are we going to do?]

    [Indeed¡­¡­]

    Thereupon, Mira suddenly raised her hand.

    [How about having him eat Young Doughnuts?]

    [A strategy to rejuvenate his youth and regain his memories huh. However, even if he gets about 5 years younger, I don¡¯t think it would make much difference.]

    If one eats a Young Doughnut, their body will be 5 years younger.

    A pack of Young Doughnuts contains four pieces, so if he eats them all, he will be 20 years younger.

    However, I have a feeling that being 20 years younger wouldn¡¯t be enough for this God, who could live forever.

    [Let¡¯s just give it a try.]

    [I¡¯m fine with that, but I wonder if Mani-san will eat it?]

    Mani-san eats abnormally few foods.

    He is a God, so it wouldn¡¯t be a problem even if he doesn¡¯t eat, but since he had eaten that yakisoba the other day, he has hardly had a proper meal.

    However, he still seemed unconcerned about it and said he didn¡¯t want any food.

    [Leave it to me. I¡¯ll take care of that.]

    Intruding into the conversation was Titti.

    Thereupon, she sat down next to Mani-san with a bewitching smile on her face.

    [Hey, Mani-san, I have some delicious snacks here. How about trying some?]

    However, Mani-san turned his head to the side.

    [I don¡¯t want it. I can feel you lot sneaking around¡­¡­]

    [However, how about at least a bite? It¡¯s very delicious. It¡¯s very delicious, you know? Here, ahhn.]

    Titti coquettishly tried feeding him, but Mani-san turned his face away once again.

    [Geez, you stubborn Grampa!]

    Titti started huffing in anger, but Mira interjected at that moment, taking the Young Doughnuts from her.

    [Mani-san, it¡¯s fine if you don¡¯t like it, but Yuusuke-san¡¯s snacks are really delicious, you know? How about having some?]

    Thereupon, Mani-san looked at Mira and the Young Doughnuts several times before opening his mouth wide.

    [Here you go.]

    Mira tore a Young Doughnut in half and tossed one half-piece into Mani-san¡¯s mouth.

    She¡¯s like a parent bird.

    [Mugu mugu¡­¡­ Unnn, it¡¯s delicious.]

    [Right!?]

    [What the heck is this!? His attitude around her is totally different towards me!]

    Titti looked angry, but Mira and Mani-san just continued pleasantly eating Young Doughnuts.

    [Do you want some more?]

    [Unnn.]

    [Please eat the rest by yourself.]

    [Aye aye.]

    In the end, Mani-san ate the whole pack of Young Doughnuts.

    This should make him 20 years younger, but what will happen now?

    We watched with bated breath as the situation unfolded.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Hyper Lemon: Based on Super Lemon.

 Chapter 114: Aiming for the Level-Up

    <h4>Chapter 114: Aiming for the Level-Up</h4>

    Mani-san ate all the Young Doughnuts, but his appearance did not change.

    His wrinkles and gray hair were still the same, and his body was still as thin as a dead tree.

    [As expected, it didn¡¯t work huh.]

    [If he had existed since the beginning of the world, gaining 20 years would certainly not make much difference. Whenpared to us, it¡¯s like he¡¯s only 5 hours younger¡­¡­ it might even be less than that.]

    Michelle and I sighed at the same time.

    Thereupon, seemingly seeing our shoulders slumped, Mani-san consoled us with a smile.

    [What¡¯s wrong? You look sad.]

    [It¡¯s nothing. It¡¯s just that we were a little off the mark.]

    [Ohh, I see. Well, in life, it¡¯s important not to give up.]

    [You¡¯re right. We never know, one day, we might even be able to boost the power of the energy packs and bring the Zord back to life.]

    Hearing my words, acent smile appears on Mani-san¡¯s lips.

    [What, did you want to increase an energy pack¡¯s output, Yahagi?]

    [Eh, is it possible?]

    [How much do you want to increase it?]

    [T- To 1.21 gigomatts.]

    [That¡¯s quite difficult¡­¡­]

    [It really must be impossible huh?]

    [No, it is possible if you use this.]

    After Mani-san stomped the ground with his right foot, a metal box appeared from the ground.

    It was an item about the size of amercial refrigerator.

    [Here, this is an energy converter. You use this to convert lightning energy into mana.]

    [Amazing¡­¡­]

    Michelle, who was examining the energy converter, looked impressed.

    [There¡¯s a problem though.]

    Mani-san¡¯s furrowed brows deepened.

    [What do you mean by problem?]

    [It has to be used with the energy packs attached to the Zord.]

    To install the energy packs, the Zord must be defrosted.

    .

    However, once it¡¯s defrosted, mana must be circted in it within 30 minutes.

    Otherwise, the metallic cells in the Zord will be seriously damaged.

    [In other words, we would have a time limit of only 30 minutes?]

    [That¡¯s what I mean.]

    Titti, who had been listening to the conversation, started making a fuss.

    [That¡¯s impossible. You never know where lightning will strike!]

    If we install a lightning rod on the top of a tall tree, we might have a better chance to direct where lightning will strike, but that won¡¯t help us predict the exact time.

    If we blundered in the timing when we will defrost it, the Zord will die.

    We can¡¯t afford to simply take this gamble.

    [Let¡¯s call it a day. I¡¯ll think of a way to revive that Zord.]

    Exchanging looks with Michelle, I began to close the shop.

    Michelle seemed to have realized what I was thinking, as she had aplicated expression on her face.

    When and where lightning will strike, I might be able to figure it out.

    It¡¯s because I have my ¡°irvoyance¡±, the magic I had learned after Mobile Force training.

    At the moment, only Michelle and I know about my irvoyance.

    I¡¯ve kept it under wraps to prevent it from being used by the government, but it looks like it¡¯s finally time for me to bring it out.

    It¡¯s just, though I had seen the past and present with it, I had no experience using it to see the future.

    To see the future requires an enormous amount of mana, and it apparently ces a very heavy burden on the body.

    Recently, my Dagashi Shopowner levels have risen, and along with it, the amount of mana I possess increased.

    However, my mana is still not enough to get a glimpse of the future.

    After dinner, while rxing in the living room, Michelle and I discussed the possibility of using irvoyance.

    Michelle would normally sit next to me and act all spoiled, but today, she sits a little apart from me, a dreadful expression on her face.

    [As expected, I¡¯m just worried. Yuusuke always gets sick when you use irvoyance.]

    [I know, but there¡¯s no other way, right?]

    [But this time, you¡¯re gonna use it to see the future. It probably wouldn¡¯t beparable to the burden your mind and body had bore until now. I don¡¯t think it¡¯s something you can handle.]

    That certainly is usible¡­¡­

    The current situation is that I use irvoyance by borrowing the power of the candy ¡°Stick Chocte¡± to enhance a magic¡¯s power.

    [However, if my level goes up, wouldn¡¯t I be able to use irvoyance without danger?]

    [If the amount of mana you possess increases, it is possible but¡­¡­]

    [In that case, I¡¯m going to settle down and work hard to improve my level first. I¡¯m not really in a hurry to revive the Zord.]

    We can just proceed with the development in a leisurely manner.

    In the end, it¡¯s fine as long as Luganda bes a little more livable.

    There¡¯s no need to push myself too hard.

    [However, hasn¡¯t the speed at which your level is increasing been slowing downtely?]

    [Yeah.]

    My level seems to be rted to my sales.

    Since I left the Royal Capital, sales at the Dagashi Shop have considerably lowered.

    Maybe that¡¯s why my level-up rate has been slowing down.

    [In that case, should we just open a branch in Betzel or some other ce?]

    [Oh, that¡¯s a good idea!]

    I said that casually, but Michelle was more in agreement than I expected.

    There are a lot of children in Betzel, so they might be happy if we open a branch there.

    Let¡¯s talk to Leymus-san about it in the near future.

    Perhaps relieved to know that I wouldn¡¯t do anything reckless, Michelle started acting spoiled like usual.

    She¡¯s now ying with my hair, twirling it around her fingers.

    [Speaking of which, those Young Doughnuts ended up being wasted.]

    Those Young Doughnuts given to Mani-san huh.

    [It¡¯s fine. They were close to their expiration date anyway.]

    [In that case, it would have been better if Yuusuke had eaten those.]

    [Why?]

    [Well, I would be able to flirt with a young Yuusuke, wouldn¡¯t I? I thought that would be refreshing in itself¡­¡­]

    She came up with another strange idea.

    [Ah, but I guess I still prefer older ones. Say, Yuusuke.]

    [What now?]

    [Don¡¯t you have something like Old Doughnuts?]

    Well, I do have old-fashioned doughnuts, but my line-up doesn¡¯t have any dagashi that can make someone older.

    [Are you nning to make me a Grandpa with that?]

    [Not that old, but I was just thinking, you see. Yuusuke, old enough to have some silver-gray hair, would also look cool. I kinda want to see it.]

    Michelle looked away embarrassed.

    Even though she can see a middle-aged me in the not-so-distant future, Michelle sure is impatient.

    Then again, without something like that, she¡¯ll never be able to see the teenager me huh.

    I¡¯ve left all the pictures of my youth behind in the other world after all.

    [When I increase my level, maybe I¡¯ll be able to offer a snack like that. You know, the kind that makes you younger or older.]

    [Really!?]

    [No, it¡¯s just a fanciful idea that might happen, you know¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C]

    [Nice! That is nice! A current-age Yuusuke, a shota Yuusuke, a middle-aged Yuusuke! I can love them all as much as I want!]

    [Like I said, that¡¯s just hypothetically speaking, okay?]

    [Yuusuke, let¡¯s go to Betzel tomorrow. This is urgent! We need to set up a branch ASAP!]

    Good grief, Michelle¡¯s delusions can be troublesome.

    But well, thinking of Michelle in herte teens¡­¡­

    Ah, but Michelle in her 30s is also¡­¡­

    Hmmm, I kinda wanna see either of those.

    I¡¯m not sure when that dagashies out though.

 Chapter 115: Leymusâ€™ Kindness

    <h4>Chapter 115: Leymus¡¯ Kindness</h4>

    On Michelle¡¯s rmendation, I went to Betzel the next day.

    I intend to open a branch if we cane to an agreement on location, shop rent (or perhaps,nd rent), and taxes.

    With this, little it may be, it was still an increase in profits. That would still help me level up.

    Betzel¡¯s lord, Leymus-san, was in his office when we arrived, and I was able to meet him without waiting.

    Since the only means ofmunication in this world is by letter, mimunication is an everyday urrence.

    I hadn¡¯t really expected I would be able to go and see him today.

    I even thought that I would have to wait at a hotel for a couple of days when Leymus-san was away.

    My ce has the assembly glider, but that was an exception.

    The assembly glider has a propeller enchanted with Flight Magic, and it flies to a ce or person the user has in mind.

    It could also be an excellent alternative to a letter if you write a message on its wings.

    However, the government has directly banned the sale of these gliders to the general public.

    The King himself has told me that I must not sell it not only to the foreign countries, but even to adventurers.

    Information is a tremendous weapon in military and diplomatic affairs.

    The enemy may seriously benefit from the act of selling assembly gliders.

    Though I say that, I¡¯m not forbidden to give them as gifts to neighboring lords.

    Since there will be a lot of messages exchanged between neighbors, I had distributed a few to Leymus-san as well.

    Ah, that¡¯s right, I should also send out a glider to Prime Minister Essel.

    As for the reason, well, I¡¯m going to tell him about the Mani 4WD.

    He might send a messenger to pick up a batch of those from Luganda.

    He¡¯s probably under a lot of stress from his heavy workload in his new station, so I¡¯d at least let him relieve some of his frustrations with my toys.

    [Wee, Yahagi-san. I¡¯m d you arrived!]

    Leymus-san greeted me in the living room.

    His wife and children were also there.

    It was quite a wee, to have the whole family here to greet us.

    I suppose we could expect good results.

    [Hello, Yahagi-san. We have gotten good at operating Mobile Force!]

    [I can also now make my Gyan dance!]

    Hansel and Gretel have big smiles on their faces.

    [That¡¯s good to hear. Michelle is also good at dancing with Mobile Force, you know? Would you like to dance with her together?]

    [Yes, with pleasure.]

    [I also brought some souvenirs.]

    I first took out a Zako Mk II.

    [Whoa, a new Mobile Force!]

    Hansel happily epted the gift.

    [Brother, let me see too!]

    Gretel, who had the Zako Mk II snatched by her older brother, waved her small hands in frustration.

    [Gretel-san, I still have more souvenirs here. Look, this is a new product, the Mani 4WD.]

    [Oh my!]

    As I handed Gretel the Mani 4WD, Leymus couple came up to me.

    [Yahagi-san, what kind of item is that?]

    Leymus-san peered at the item in Gretel¡¯s hand with great interest.

    Being the toy-loving couple that they are, I¡¯ve already expected a situation like this.

    That being the case, I took out three more Mani 4WDs and a race course.

    [These products are to be yed with by running them on this course. You can customize them as well.]

    I exined the details of the Mani 4WD.

    As they listened, the family members assembled the 4WDs¡¯ frame one after another.

    [I see, changing the type of chassis (the base frame of a motor vehicle) changes the form of customization.]

    [The motor you should choose depends on the type of course.]

    [Whether to focus on power or top speed¡­¡­ That is the question¡­¡­]

    Don¡¯t this couple understand too much too soon¡­¡­?

    [Y- You seem to know a lot, don¡¯t you?]

    The Leymus couple were so absorbed in the 4WD that they replied without even lifting their heads.

    [Our Leymus family has been involved with magic tools for generations. My wife Emma also has the same hobby.]

    [I- I see¡­¡­]

    Soon after, each of the 4WDs were assembled.

    [Then, let¡¯s have a family race!]

    They¡¯re gonna race right away huh.

    No matter, I guess I¡¯ll give them a start signal as an additional gift¡­¡­

    An hourter.

    [Well, Yahagi-san, we really enjoyed ourselves. It¡¯s a really fun toy.]

    Leymus-san shook my hand, excitement visible on his face.

    [I¡¯m d you enjoyed it. To tell you the truth, we have a lot more customized goods. I¡¯ll bring them to you again next ti¡ª¡ª- Ouch, ouch¡­¡­]

    Leymus-san¡¯s eyes widened mid-conversation, and the grip on his hand tripled in strength.

    [I- I¡¯m sorry! I got too excited.]

    No, it¡¯s fine¡­¡­

    Leymus-san embarrassedly changed the subject.

    [By the way, did youe here today just to give us presents? You didn¡¯t, right?]

    Oops, with how excited Leymus family were, the main purpose of my visit slipped out of my mind.

    [Actually, we would like to open a branch of Dagashi Yahagi in Betzel, so I¡¯m here to ask for Leymus-san¡¯s permission¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª-]

    [Let¡¯s build it!]

    Too fast!

    .

    Even faster than a Mani 4WD!

    [Is that alright!?]

    [Will you also be selling MF and Mani 4WDs at that branch?]

    [Yes, we also n to sell modification parts and useful tools.]

    I have already asked Sanaga-san to make nippers, which are used to cut out the pieces of stic models.

    [Please bring it out! Leave the location to us!]

    [Errr, what about taxes and permit¡ª¡ª¡ª-]

    [No tax will be charged! You can just pay a small amount of rent!]

    [T- Thank you very much¡­¡­]

    It¡¯s going better than I expected.

    [Darling, let¡¯s have the store right next to our mansion. That will make it more convenient for us.]

    [You¡¯re right, convenience of ess is the most important. We can have that warehouse on the corner renovated for Yahagi-san¡¯s use. With that, shopping there would just be a 2-minute walking distance away!]

    L- Let¡¯s not say anything here.

    I decided to just take advantage of Leymus-san¡¯s kindness.

 Chapter 116: Dagashi Yahagi - Betzel Branch

    <h4>Chapter 116: Dagashi Yahagi - Betzel Branch</h4>

    It was a week after my visit to Betzel that I received a glider from Leymus-san, saying that I was ready to move in.

    I would have to bring the Branch Manager Candidate to Betzel immediately.

    Before I started my morning¡¯s work, I called out to the boy who was my candidate for Branch Manager.

    [Bat, I received word from Betzelst night. We¡¯re finally leaving.]

    Bat is one of the children assisting Nakaram-san.

    Even though he¡¯s technically a child, Bat is almost 16 years old, so he¡¯s already treated as an adult in this world.

    He is a cheerful boy with twinkling eyes and freckles, and his ruffled brown hair is tucked back so as not to block his eyes.

    [Finally!]

    As if he had been waiting for this moment, Bat vigorously stood up.

    He was so lively that he was the first one to raise his hand when I was recruiting for a branch manager for my dagashi shop.

    He has only been helping me at my stall for the past week, but he is a quick learner, having quickly memorized the prices and details of the products.

    He also made no mistakes in his ounting calctions.

    Nakaram-san is an earnest and good boy.

    I concluded that I could trust him with Dagashi Yahagi¡¯s Betzel Branch.

    [I¡¯ll be going there with you for the time being, so you don¡¯t have to worry.]

    [In that case, there¡¯s nothing for me to be afraid of.]

    I¡¯ll stay at Betzel until Bat gets used to the work, and then I¡¯ll juste by once every three days to restock the shop.

    Dagashi Yahagi¡¯s Betzel Branch was a tall, renovated warehouse on a wide street.

    It¡¯s a massive brick building, which held an unexpected magnificence.

    Leymus-san, who guided me around the building, looked really smug, seemingly satisfied with this shop, but I remained grateful to him.

    [How do you like it, Yahagi-san? With this much space, you can put as many products as you like.]

    [Thank you very much. However, isn¡¯t this ce a little too big? For you to prepare such a magnificent store for us¡­¡­]

    Moreover, the rent is also cheap.

    [No, no, don¡¯t worry about it. In the back, there¡¯s a Mobile Force arenas and Mani 4WD drive courses set up. It¡¯s so that anytime, I¡­¡­ everyone can y.]

    [Well, that¡¯s quite something¡­¡­]

    When I walked in, I could see that half of the floor space was used for arenas and race tracks, so the ce being thisrge is understandable.

    After Leymus-san left, we immediately set about to prepare the shop.

    [Dagashi Yahagi, open!]

    A booth-type shop was set up in front of the shop¡¯s warehouse.

    [Arehh? Isn¡¯t our stock here smaller than the main store?]

    As he checked the shelves, Bat tilted his head.

    [There are going to be a lot of kids here, right? I decided not to sell the dangerous anti-monster toys.]

    [I see. However, I think it would be better for us to stock up on snacks that increase endurance and speed.]

    [You think so?]

    [They should be indispensable snacks for farmers and travelers.]

    [I see your point. If that¡¯s the case, we should ce the Kabayaki Sansuke in a conspicuous spot.]

    While discussing this and that, Bat and I set up the store¡¯s disy.

    [We¡¯re opening tomorrow, so let¡¯s get this done by evening.]

    [Yeeeees. However, I wonder if it¡¯s going to be alright? I mean, wouldn¡¯t there be too many customers and just me looking after the shop won¡¯t be enough?]

    [We don¡¯t advertise, so there shouldn¡¯t be that many customers. The first day I opened my shop in the Royal Capital, Merle was the only one who came.]

    [You and Merle-san have known each other that long?]

    [That¡¯s right. Merle was my first friend when I first came here.]

    Thinking back, my beginning was when Merle bought a 10-rim gum.

    After her came Mira, and then Garm and then¡­¡­

    It feels like time has passed so fast.

    [I heard that Leymus-san ising tomorrow to celebrate the store opening, but I doubt there will be that many guests.]

    [If that¡¯s the case, would 50 of these celebratory gifts for the guests be enough?]

    Product name: Choco Cake

    Description: Simple-tasting sponge cakes generously coated with chocte. Eating it will make one feel rich and make parties more exciting.

    Price: 50 rims (2 pieces)

    If only people could eat this, they would be excited even if the shop is deserted.

    People eating sweets and having fun ying with toys is already enough for me.

    [I¡¯d already be satisfied if we can get 30 people toe in.]

    [Yahagi-san, is my sry gonna be okay?]

    [Don¡¯t worry, I will pay you well.]

    The cost price for my products is my magic, so I won¡¯t be in the red.

    Bat and I finished dinner early and retired to our respective rooms, preparing for tomorrow.

    Bat¡¯s room was on the second floor of the store, and he would be living there from now on.

    As for me, the sofa in the office will be my sleeping ce for the night.

    I would have been fine staying in the same room with Bat, but Michelle would definitely start saying iprehensible stuff like ¡°If Yuusuke were to awaken to BL, I will die!¡±, so I¡¯ll just sleep here.

    Michelle worrying about every single thing can be troubling.

    In any case, Iy down and read a book, before sleepiness came within 10 pages.

    The next morning, I woke up to a somewhat noisy environment.

    When I walked into the store space, Bat was already awake and peering out of the window.

    [Good morning, Bat. Is there something interesting outside?]

    [How can you be so calm, Yahagi-san? Please look outside!]

    Bat, looking extremely agitated, moved away from the window, so I peeked out through the curtains.

    [Geh, seriously?]

    There was a line of people waiting for the store to open.

    [There must be at least 20 people in that line]

    Families, couples, solos, various people were waiting in line.

    [I heard some things from their conversation earlier. They¡¯re apparently here for the Mobile Force and Mani 4WDs.]

    Leymus-san must have been bragging about his toys.

    Otherwise, there wouldn¡¯t be so many people here.

    [What do you say we open a little earlier?]

    [I agree. I¡¯m so worried about what¡¯s going on outside that I can¡¯t even finish my breakfast.]

    Bat picked up a small signboard.

    ¡°Dagashi Yahagi: Betzel Branch¡±

    [I¡¯ll bring this out.]

    It was a nice miscalction, but it seems like it¡¯s going to be a busy day.

    After sending a glider to Nakaram-san to bring reinforcements here, Bat and I opened shop.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Choco Cake

 Chapter 117: Down to Ones Soul

    <h4>Chapter 117: Down to One''s Soul</h4>

    By the time Bat and I opened the door, the line had reached 50 people.

    [Good morning. Please calmly proceed inside.]

    [Let¡¯s be considerate of others, okay? Please don¡¯t push others!]

    We both shouted loudly to guide the customers.

    [We will only be selling one Mobile Force and one Mani 4WD per person today. Please cooperate so as to spread themodity to everyone.]

    [I¡¯d like a Gufufu!]

    [I¡¯ll have a GGRKS!]

    MFs are very popr, partly because of their low price.

    People were assembling and ying with them from the moment they bought them.

    After a while, some rich people began to buy Mani 4WDs.

    [Hahaha, business is doing well, isn¡¯t it, Yahagi-san?]

    Leymus-san cheerfully arrived.

    It seems that his whole family hase.

    .

    [If it isn¡¯t Leymus-san. Thanks to you, as you can see, we are doing very well. Ah, yes, I have the item you requested from the cksmith, Sanaga-san.]

    [Ohh!]

    What he asked for is a special nipper with the Leymus family crest on it.

    It¡¯s an essential tool for stic model assembly, and having this or not makes a significant difference in the finished Mini 4WD.

    [This is wonderful. Well then, let¡¯s try it out on the MF and Mani 4WD right away.]

    Leymus-san bought a new chassis and some custom parts.

    Leymus-san isn¡¯t the only one fiddling with Mani 4WD, as customers also lined up and waited for their bill.

    I guess they were curious about the new store because there weren¡¯t many entertainment options in this rural area.

    Me and Bat couldn¡¯t handle all? the customers alone, so a servant from the Leymus family helped us, and we managed to finish the morning¡¯s business.

    In the afternoon, more help arrived from Luganda, and we started to have a little more leeway.

    Checking our sales, it was much more than my sales back in Luganda.

    Perhaps because today was the first day, but with this much sales, my level of sales will go up again.

    The mainstay of my business are the toys, but the sales of my snacks are also going well.

    Drinking ramune helps one¡¯s mana cirction and makes operating MF smoothly.

    When people found out about this, sales went through the roof.

    Leymus-san even drank three bottles by himself.

    I went around the store to check on the customers.

    It¡¯s nice to see everyone having fun.

    Oya, Gretel-san is standing there with a downcast look on her face.

    Did her father scold her or something?

    [What¡¯s the matter, Gretel-san? You look really sad.]

    [Ah, Yahagi-san¡­¡­]

    When I asked her what had happened, she told me that Gretel-san had been depressed because she hadn¡¯t been able to win a Mani 4WD race.

    [Putting aside Father and Mother, to even lose against Brother¡­¡­]

    Leymus family has a policy of not cutting corners when ites topetition, and it seems that Lord and Lady Leymus had aplete victory over Gretel with their customized cars.

    I don¡¯t mean to argue with the Leymus family¡¯s culture, but it was unbearable seeing a young girl looking this sad.

    [Yahagi-san, is there a way to make my 4WD faster?]

    [There is.]

    [How can I do it!?]

    [There¡¯s this method called body trimming¡­¡­]

    [What¡¯s that!?]

    [There are other ways too, such as choosing a straight shaft or optimizing the motor.]

    Gretel-san¡¯s eyes sparkled.

    The color of her eyes¡­¡­ I guess it¡¯s Leymus blood, who have been magic tool enthusiasts for generations, flowing in her veins huh.

    At the age of eight, I could already feel an extraordinary passion from her¡­¡­

    [I can¡¯t guarantee that this will work but¡­¡­]

    I shared every bit of knowledge I had with Gretel-san.

    I thought the number of customers would decrease on the second day of the opening, but more customers came than on the first day.

    It seems that the increase in reputation of the shop has led to an increase in the number of customers.

    Thanks to this, my level increased for the first time in a long time, and a new product has been added to the shelves.

    Product name: Dark Thunder Choctes

    Description: Love sparks like lightning! Consuming it will fill one with the courage to confess one¡¯s love.

    Price: 30 rims

    So there¡¯s a dagashi like this too huh.

    The product seems to be a hit with young people regardless of gender.

    I already have Michelle, so I have no confession to make now, but I tried it to see how it tastes.

    The crunchy texture and substantial choctey texture are very tasty.

    I think this vor is Michelle¡¯s favorite.

    I was thinking of having her eat them when I return, but it seems that she herself hade to visit Betzel.

    [Wee. Please let us know if there¡¯s anything you¡¯re looking for.]

    As the lord¡¯s fiancee, Michelle came in with a calm demeanor as she served the customers.

    If it had been before, she would have rushed up to me, saying ¡°I came here because I was worried about Yuusuke!¡±

    Michelle, who had acquired a mature and rxed atmosphere, has be even more attractive.

    [I heard the store was having difficulties, so I came to help out.]

    Michelle came up to me and gave me a bashful smile.

    I had asked her to stay behind in Luganda to develop energy packs that would power the Zord, but I guess she still ended up worrying about me.

    [I¡¯m d you¡¯re here. The long trip was rough, wasn¡¯t it? Here, I¡¯ll make you a cup of coffee, so you can sit down and try our new product. You¡¯ll love it.]

    I sat her down at a table in the corner and handed her a Dark Thunder.

    [Oh my, chocte?]

    [It has a very nice texture. Moreover, it apparently gives you the courage to confess your love to someone. Kinda interesting, isn¡¯t it?]

    [Right. I wish this had been avable before Yuusuke and I started dating though.]

    After taking a bite of the Dark Thunder, Michelle¡¯s face lit up.

    [It¡¯s delicious! I feel like I could eat this everyday.]

    Michelle¡¯s love for sweets remains the same.

    She¡¯s especially fond of choctes.

    [Do you want to bring some of these with you on your next dungeon exploration?]

    [Unnn, I¡¯ll bring ten! Also¡­¡­.]

    Michelle started fidgeting.

    [What¡¯s the matter?]

    [I love you, Yuusuke!]

    Huh?

    You¡¯re confessing now?

    [I love you so much that I¡¯d die. I love you even if I die! I¡¯ll love you even in our next life. I love you down to your soul!]

    [A- Alright. I love you too¡­¡­]

    [I love you so much that I want to drive away all the customers here right now so we can make out right here, right now! I love you so much that I don¡¯t feel like I will get any sleep tonight!]

    The heck, what is with this moist, adult-like atmosphere?

    You¡¯re gonna cause misunderstandings here!

    Fortunately, the customers were so engrossed in their dagashis and MF that no one seemed to notice her extremely heavy confession of love.

    I didn¡¯t see anyone¡¯s attention directed our way, so I breathed a sigh of relief.

    Well, it seems like it¡¯s going to be a busy day and night today, so I¡¯ll go eat some stamina-recovery dagashis.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Dark Thunder Choctes: based on ck Thunder Choctes

 Chapter 118: Business Trip End

    <h4>Chapter 118: Business Trip End</h4>

    A week has passed since my business trip to the Betzel branch.

    The shop is finally settling down after rounds of curious customers.

    It¡¯s about time for me topletely entrust the branch to Bat.

    [Well then, we¡¯re going back to Luganda. Take care of the rest over here, okay?]

    [Ehhh, Yuusukhi, you¡¯re leaving?]

    Comining, with a disappointed look on his face, was the lord of Betzel, Leymus.

    Over the past few days, we¡¯ve spent a lot of time together at the shop and have be quite close.

    [I¡¯m sorry, Ley-chan. But you see, I¡¯m Luganda¡¯s lord, so I can¡¯t be away forever.]

    [Well, I suppose it¡¯s understandable.]

    [I¡¯ll be back in three or four days to restock. Take care of Bat for me.]

    [Yeah, you can leave him to me.]

    I¡¯m sure Leymus will make time to visit the dagashi shop every day.

    No one would purposely cause trouble at a shop that¡¯s being visited by the lord.

    That being the case, I could return to Luganda with peace of mind.

    I was with Bat on the way here, but the one I¡¯m with on the way back was Michelle.

    Since the time she visited, Michelle didn¡¯t return to Luganda, staying in Betzel all this time.

    The Dark Thunder Choctes she eats for snacks makes me hear heavy confessions day after day, but well, that isn¡¯t really something I shouldin about now.

    I don¡¯t really get freaked out by anything she¡¯s said, except for that one remark about resurrecting me with necromancy and loving me even when I¡¯m undead.

    [Come to think of it, how many levels did you have, Yuusuke?]

    That¡¯s an understandable question.

    We originally set up a branch to raise my level.

    Our objective was to find out when and where lightning will strike.

    The initial goal was to level up and refine my irvoyance.

    However, the reality was that my level hadn¡¯t improved to the extent that I had hoped for.

    [To be honest, my level hasn¡¯t increased that much. I¡¯m far from being able to see the future with irvoyance.]

    With our current pace, I probably wouldn¡¯t be able to see the future with it.

    In fact, I feel I¡¯ve suffered significant damage both mentally and physically from the recoil of using that magic.

    [Don¡¯t overdo it.]

    Michelle looked up at me anxiously.

    [I know.]

    [Ahh, I¡¯m regretting what I¡¯ve said now.]

    [What you¡¯ve said?]

    [You know, about resurrecting Yuusuke with necromancy if you die¡­¡­]

    [That huh¡­¡­]

    [I¡¯m gonna revise that. If Yuusuke dies, I will die with you! Let¡¯s be happy together in heaven!!!]

    Either of those are heavy, but I guess it¡¯s a little better?

    It looks like I¡¯ll be spared from being turned into a monster.

    [I told you already, stop thinking about me dying. Just think about our happiness together.]

    I couldn¡¯t really ask her to live after I died.

    I¡¯m not sure if telling her such words would be a good or a bad thing for Michelle.

    Living is a blessed thing and dying is an unfortunate thing.

    It may be instinctive for living beings to feel that way.

    However, as a person who had died once, it was indeed a question with an elusive conclusion.

    Once we left the main road, the path quickly became rough.

    The road to Luganda is still rough.

    If the road is eventually improved by the Zord, it should be more convenient for the residents.

    [I¡¯ll have to work a little harder¡­¡­]

    Extending my hand above the horse, the nearby Michelle silently squeezed it back.

    We arrived in Luganda before nightfall.

    We had only been away for a week, but I¡¯m somehow feeling nostalgic.

    [Yahagi-sama!]

    Nakaram-san came running up to us, rocking his huge macho body.

    He sure looks as powerful-looking as ever.

    He¡¯s actually a man of tender feelings though, someone who hates conflict. Only his appearance looks quite scary.

    He¡¯s the kind of person who enjoys keeping rabbits and nting clover all over his garden.

    [We¡¯re back, Nakaram-san. Did something good happen?]

    .

    Nakaram-san looked excited, but there was no trace of concern on his face.

    An interesting incident must have urred.

    [Wee back. The day before yesterday, the Golden Sheep has finally been subjugated.]

    The get-rich-quick monster that had been causing such a stir in Luganda had finally been subjugated!

    [And the Golden Fleece?]

    [The Golden Fleece has properly dropped. I have it in my possession at the moment, but it would be a shame to leave such a valuable item in our hands. I couldn¡¯t sleep wellst night because of it.]

    The macho man, hunched over with a troubled expression on his face, had dark circles under his eyes that made him look pitiful.

    The person who subjugated the Golden Sheep was an adventurer named Zonder.

    He¡¯s in his early 30s and is a solo adventurer.

    He was originally a member of a veteran adventurer team in the Royal Capital, but all the other members of his group except Zonder were killed on the 5th Underground Floor.

    He was a survivor, but after that, he dived into the dungeon without teaming up with anyone.

    [I decided to make a fresh start in the countryside, but I never expected I¡¯d be able to take down such a big catch.]

    The middle-aged adventurer with short hair, a fearless face, and countless scars on his body peacefully smiled.

    [In any case, congrattions. You can make a substantial amount of money with that.]

    [Well, that¡¯s certainly the case, but it¡¯s rather difficult to sell it¡­¡­ Can¡¯t Lord-sama do something about it?]

    If they want to sell the Golden Fleece, they can get a better price in the city.

    However, the Royal Capital is far away from here, and there are many risks such as encountering robbers.

    There¡¯s also the possibility that the money he exchanged for the Golden Fleece may be stolen.

    [If you¡¯re worried, want to go to the Royal Capital together with me? I n to go to the Royal Capital at the end of the month to sell the magic stones we have umted. I will also meet Prime Minister Essel, so I can ask him to introduce us to some good nobles and merchants.]

    [Please. I would be very grateful for that!]

    This is also the duty of a lord.

    Taking out my shoulder-pole stall, I tie the Golden Fleece on it.

    By thinking ¡°Close¡± in that state, the Golden Fleece would be stored in the inter-dimensional space along with the shoulder-pole stall.

    This is a good measure to make sure no one could steal this treasure.

    [Well then, you should just prepare for when we will travel to the Royal Capital. Michelle will be escorting us, so you don¡¯t need to worry.]

    [She could certainly defeat even apany of knights by herself after all.]

    [If it¡¯s for Yuusuke¡¯s sake, I¡¯ll beat them all up even if they bring a battalion!]

    I don¡¯t want to lead this world into a warring era.

    Being able to protect my friends and property from bandits is already enough for me.

    [Don¡¯t overdo it, okay? You also can¡¯t change the terrain. The Royal Geographical Institute willin.]

    [I know already.]

    Putting my hand over Michelle¡¯s shoulder, she happily rubbed her cheek on mine.

    That kinda puts off everyone around though¡­¡­

 Chapter 119: To The Royal Capital

    <h4>Chapter 119: To The Royal Capital</h4>

    Time passed before I knew it, and the day came for us to depart for the Royal capital.

    The people on this trip would be me, Michelle, and Zonder, who have acquired the Golden Fleece.

    [How nice, I wish I could y in the city once in a while.

    Tittiined, and I couldn¡¯t help but throw a tsukkomi back.

    [You¡¯ll be hanged this time if you go to the Royal Capital!]

    [I know that. I was just making a joke!]

    Does she really know that?

    I was just thinking of her as an exile who doesn¡¯t feel tense about her situation at all, but I¡¯ll give her a pass for working hard as a healer in Luganda.

    The lives of the adventurers saved by Titti are already more than the fingers in her hands.

    [Titti-sama, when you have enough money saved up, let¡¯s go to a foreign country¡¯s capital city. You won¡¯t be hanged there.]

    Looking at the smiling Marco, I feltpletely drained.

    [You¡¯re going to be a big shot someday, Marco.]

    [You think so?]

    The extremely earnest Marco takes my words at face value.

    Watching our exchange, Regal loudly sighs.

    [In my opinion, the same goes for you both. You two are doing quite well¡­¡­]

    Regal has really been cheeky these days.

    Though I say that, he does a lot of things for me.

    Asking Nakaram-san to take care of the rest here, we left Luganda.

    The trip was quick because we used a stagecoach.

    Our luggage was stored in my stand-alone house, so we had a few items on hand.

    The trip went quickly and we arrived at the Royal Capital in no time.

    After arriving in the Royal capital, the first thing we did was sell our magic stones.

    The state-run buying station is located in a corner of the warehouse district.

    The total wholesale price came up to 16.72 million rims.

    The value after deducting the payment to the adventurers and the 10% tax is the lord¡¯s share.

    It has only been about a month since we started the dungeon exploration, but it has been quite a good ie.

    With this amount of money, I can start working on the riverbanks.

    The current ones we have are rather shabby, so I¡¯d like to build a proper ce for people to draw their water and do theirundry.

    I¡¯ll start recruiting craftsmen as soon as I get back home.

    After parting ways with Zonder, who said he was going to see an old friend, Michelle and I went to the government office to visit Prime Minister Essel.

    His office is now located here.

    I had sent him a message by glider beforehand, so our visit went without a hitch.

    I had heard that Prime Minister Essel was the man of the hour at the moment and that it would be very difficult to visit him, but it seems that he went out of his way to make time for me.

    In fact, even though the sun was already setting, there were still 15 people waiting for their turn in the long corridor.

    [Yahagi-dono, it¡¯s been a long time.]

    In hisvish office, Prime Minister Essel weed us with open arms.

    [It¡¯s been a while. In any case, your office is magnificent.]

    The floor and walls are made of carefully selected timber and glitter brightly, and the massive furniture is tastefully arranged.

    [Hahaha, this used to be the former Queen Consort¡¯s yroom. Speaking of which, how is Titti doing?]

    [Yes. Titti is stillining a bit, but she¡¯s living as if whatever demon possessing her has been exorcised. She¡¯s now a healer-sh-magician adored by adventurers. She doesn¡¯t say it out loud, but I think she¡¯s trying to redeem herself. She hardly charged any medical fees.]

    [That former Queen Consort has now be like that huh. You really can never know what life has in store for you.]

    [Well, it¡¯s a world where a dagashi shopowner can be a lord after all.]

    [Hahaha. By the way, Yahagi-dono¡­¡­]

    Prime Minister Essel embarrassedly rubbed his hands.

    [What¡¯s the matter?]

    [You know, I want to ask about that. That new product, Mani 4WD, that was mentioned in the letter¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª]

    The sharp and capable Prime Minister was curious about the new toy.

    Would it be cruel to keep him waiting any longer?

    I¡¯ll give him his souvenir right away.

    [Of course, I brought it. Here it is.]

    [Ohh!]

    The Prime Minister¡¯s eyes lit up when he saw the box of Mani 4WD I had brought out.

    [And this is the new MF model, Zako Mk II.]

    [Ohhhhh!!!]

    [And here¡¯s also a nipper with the Essel family crest on them.]

    [Nipper?]

    [You use them like this.]

    I took out the parts of a Mani 4WD from the box and demonstrated how to use them in front of the Prime Minister.

    Snap!

    [Whoaaaaa!]

    The Prime Minister quickly used the nipper to cut off the parts of the Zako Mk II.

    [This is amazing! The finished cross-section looks incredibly beautiful.]

    [I see you like it.]

    [Oh, yes. I¡¯m really d I met up with Yahagi-dono today.]

    Since he seems to be in a good mood, maybe I should make a request while I have the chance.

    [By the way, Prime Minister, I have a favor to ask you.]

    [Hmm, what is it?]

    Even though he was feigning an air of casualness, I felt that Prime Minister Essel had raised his guard a bit.

    Perhaps because he¡¯s one who receives petitions day in and day out, he¡¯s shrinking back from people asking him requests.

    [It¡¯s no big deal. I just want to ask if you could introduce me to a merchant who deals in treasures.]

    [Hou, treasures huh?]

    As he realized that my request wasn¡¯t that troublesome, the Prime Minister¡¯s attitude softened to his original self.

    [Actually, there¡¯s an adventurer who obtained the Golden Fleece in the dungeon. He¡¯s looking for a ce to sell it.]

    [A Golden Fleece, you say!? That item that, just by wearing it, your wealth will not diminish?]

    [That¡¯s it.]

    [I¡¯ll buy it!]

    The conversation went too fast.

    [I don¡¯t mind selling it to you, but aren¡¯t you being quite hasty?]

    [No, there isn¡¯t any wealthy man who wouldn¡¯t want a Golden Fleece. Fumu, I¡¯d like a little more time¡­¡­]

    The Prime Minister took the bell on his desk and softly rang it. Immediately, an officer opened the door.

    [That¡¯s it for today¡¯s visitation. Give me the rest of them my card. I will continue receiving visitors first thing tomorrow morning.]

    The officer bowed and left the room.

    [Is that alright?]

    [They¡¯re making me work relentlessly day in and day out here. There¡¯s no way they¡¯d punish me for at least taking a breather while Yahagi-dono is here today.]

    Now that he mentioned it, I sense a hint of fatigue from the Prime Minister¡¯s forehead.

    Perhaps letting him immerse himself in his hobby at least for today would be a good idea.

    [Well then, how about we continue our conversation over dinner? I¡¯ll send an envoy to your hotel and ask Michelle-dono to join us. I¡¯d like to have a match with the Champion using the new model!]

    Prime Minister-dono looked as excited as a child on summer vacation.

 Chapter 120: Luganda Tavern

    <h4>Chapter 120: Luganda Tavern</h4>

    The Golden Fleece was sold for 5 million rims.

    The price was a little higher than the market price, so I discussed it with Zonder and we decided to sell it at this price.

    .

    Since the other party was Prime Minister Essel, the delivery of the cash went smoothly.

    The money was paid in my presence and the shoulder-pole stall was once again hidden between space and time.

    In addition to the Golden Fleece, I also gave the Prime Minister the Mobile Forces that I sell on consignment.

    Three hundred boxes of them.

    I also have him a hundred boxes of Mani 4WDs, which I preemptively set aside.

    The Prime Minister was overjoyed about this and promised to promote these toys in the Capital.

    [I have no doubt that these will be a hit in high society.]

    [High society?]

    Even though I¡¯m a lord now, I¡¯ve never been a part of that circle.

    [That¡¯s right. Nowadays, there¡¯s no yroom in famous salons that don¡¯t have a Mobile Force arena. I¡¯m sure they¡¯ll start setting up Mani 4WD race courses in the near future.]

    [Huh......]

    So the big guys y MF and Mani 4WDs in their luxurious yrooms huh......

    It really feels surreal, but people can do whatever they want.

    I¡¯m already busy enough handling my dagashi shop to care about all those things.

    [I¡¯d appreciate it if you keep bringing them to me on a regr basis.]

    [I¡¯ll be back in about 2 months.]

    [I¡¯d like you toe again next month if possible. We will cover your travel expenses, so please.]

    The items I had handed to Prime Minister Essel for consignment would apparently quickly run out.

    [I¡¯m nning to hold another Mobile Force tournament in the Royal Capital in the near future. This time, I decided that I would be the one hosting it.]

    [A tournament personally hosted by the Prime Minister?]

    [Umu, I¡¯m nning to set up a really grand tournament, and I¡¯m going to call it the Essel Super Cup.]

    If sales increase, it will increase my level as well.

    Thus, I promised to cooperate fully with the tournament.

    And so, after all these worthwhile business transactions, we departed from the Royal Capital.

    We arrived in Luganda in the evening, so our return coincided with the return of the adventurers who had finished their work.

    We had only been away for about 2 weeks, but it felt like a long time.

    Everyone was happy to see us, but the one with the most intense wee among everyone was Merle.

    [WELCOME BAAAAAAAAAAACK!]

    [W- What¡¯s the matter, Merle? You don¡¯t need to cry that much, right?]

    [But it was Yuusuke-san who turned my body like this!]

    [Wha?]

    That¡¯s a very dangerous statement she¡¯s making. Thereupon, Mira exined with a wry smile.

    [While Yuusuke-san isn¡¯t here, Merle couldn¡¯t pull the lottery, so she¡¯s having withdrawal symptoms. ying with scratch cards and 10-rim choctes has already been part of Merle¡¯s routine.]

    Was the dagashi I was selling really that dangerous?

    [Lottery...... lottery...... Gonna win the lottery......]

    Merle reaches out her trembling hands to me.

    [Alright. I¡¯ll immediately set up the stall! I¡¯ve also got a new product added to the shelves.]

    Product name: Gettamen!

    Description: Bite-sized ramen-like munchies. Includes a lottery for a tradeable voucher (worth 100 rims, 50 rims, 20 rims, 10 rims). When eaten, even though it possesses low power, a single beam (Light-Attribute Magic) can be shot from the mouth!]

    Price: 10 rims

    [Gettamen...... One...... give me one......]

    Out of breath, Merle handed me a 10-rim copper coin.

    [That beam is dangerous, so be careful.]

    The power of the low-power beam seems to be weaker than a stun gun and could only be an actual threat to monsters.

    However, it¡¯s still dangerous, so I warned her about it.

    [Ah, the trembling stopped.]

    As soon as I handed over the product, Merle regained the vitality on her face.

    Oi, oi......

    Despite the worried looks everyone¡¯s sending her way, Merle turned over the dagashi¡¯s seal with vigor.

    [Ei, the trade voucher...... Ugaahhh, it¡¯s a miss!!!]

    And it¡¯s a miss yet again!

    Her losing in the lottery is really just as usual that made me keenly realize that I was back in Luganda.

    In the midst of her irritation, Merle fired her beam at Garm¡¯s butt, and an angered Garm bought a gettamen and retaliated with a beam of his own. Meanwhile, the easygoing Mira also bought a gettamen and with her usual lottery luck, won a 100 rim voucher, making Merle envious, but overall, Luganda was peaceful.

    [Cheers!]

    The adventurers raised their ceramic mugs high in the air, raising cheers of joy.

    Ale was poured into their stomachs one after another.

    In a shack with barely any walls, some sat on barrel chairs, while others stood and drank from their cups.

    This is the first establishment built in Luganda, and the only tavern here so far, ¡°Golden Sheep¡±.

    It was opened by Zonder, who used the money from the sale of the Golden Fleece he acquired to open this store.

    Since it was opening today, the store was overflowing with people and cheerful voices could be heard everywhere.

    Zonder bought a donkey and a wagon with the 5 million rims he had acquired, stocked up on alcohol in the nearest vige, and opened this store.

    So far, all he has is ale and distilled liquor called bakusuchi, but the adventurers in Luganda are already happy just to have a tavern.

    [Congrattions, Zonder. I¡¯m also happy having an establishment here in Luganda. Here¡¯s an opening gift.]

    As I thought they would be good snacks alongside alcohol, I gave him a pot of curry crackers and squid skewers.

    [Thank you for this, Yahagi-san. I¡¯ll serve them at the shop right away. Please enjoy yourself tonight.]

    While we were talking, orders were stilling in, and Zonder hurriedly poured out alcohol for them.

    The ale in my mouth was a little sour, but I didn¡¯t care and downed it into two or three gulps.

    I was happy to see Luganda¡¯s gradual development.

    [You look happy, Yuusuke.]

    Michelle, who was sitting next to me, was also tilting her mug, a blush visible on her cheek.

    [Yes, very happy.]

    It¡¯s nice to have a drink outside with Michelle.

    Come to think of it, this is the first time we¡¯ve drank since leaving the Capital.

    [Let¡¯se back together again.]

    [Unnn!]

    We downed the remaining ale from our small mugs and called out to Zonder.

    [Zonder, I¡¯d like a refill!]

    [Yeah!]

    The Golden Sheep was full of people untilte night that day.

    <hr>

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Gettamen !- based on yattamen!

 Chapter 121: The Story of How the Palace was Built

    <h4>Chapter 121: The Story of How the Pce was Built</h4>

    The Luganda Dungeon exploration was going well.

    This isrgely due to the efforts of Michelle, who is fighting off the strong enemies on the front lines, and Titti, who is treating people at the aid station.

    Thanks to these sisters, we have so far managed without any fatalities.

    The materials for therge energy packs that will be inserted into the Zord are already being prepared.

    ording to Michelle, the progress rate is about 46%.

    I guess the problem now is my level progress.

    Well, it isn¡¯t good to be in a hurry to expand my saleswork, so I¡¯m just going to take it easy.

    If only I knew when and where lightning would strike, I wouldn¡¯t have been troubled¡­¡­

    [Mani-san is a God, so couldn¡¯t you tell when lightning will strike?]

    I asked Mani-san, who was sipping tea in the store¡¯s tatami room.

    [I¡¯m a Machine God, so I wouldn¡¯t know how to do that. The one who can do that is Sister¡­¡­ Sister¡­¡­ Arehh, what¡¯s Sister¡¯s name again?]

    Yep, this won¡¯t do.

    I can¡¯t count on Mani-san, so I really have to do this myself.

    I need to raise my level so that I can glimpse the future with my irvoyance.

    It was almost noon.

    There were no customers at this time of the day, and I myself had nothing to do.

    [Speaking of which, Mani-san is a Machine God, but you don¡¯t see many machines in this world huh.]

    When I mentioned something that I just thought about, Mani-san looked sad.

    [The mechanical civilization perished a few thousand years ago.]

    [Really!? Did they used to live here?]

    [Who are you talking about?]

    [That perished mechanical civilization.]

    [A mechanical civilization exists!?]

    And he¡¯s back to the usual Mani-san¡­¡­

    However, since there¡¯s something like this Zord here, maybe if we excavate here, we will find some ancient machines or something here.

    Maybe Mani-san had lost his vigor because that civilization had perished.

    If the Zord is revived, will he be rejuvenated?

    .

    Spreading the mechanical civilization is a hassle, but if it makes Mani-san happy, I¡¯d like to help him at least a little bit.

    [One of these days, I¡¯ll show you the Zord moving.]

    [Genos Breaker moving huh? I want to see it fly for the first time in a long time.]

    [It flies!?]

    [Of course.]

    Mani-san, who was sipping tea in a good mood, seemed to have straightened his back more than before.

    [Mani-san, hasn¡¯t your posture gotten better?]

    [Fofofo, you think so? Maybe it¡¯s because more and more people are living here. There¡¯s also the propagation of Mani 4WDs.]

    Is it like how I heard a God¡¯s power is greater the more believers they have?

    Maybe the more the Mani 4WDs running in the world, the more he regains his power.

    While we were drinking tea together, tavern keeper Zonder came to visit.

    [Wee. What¡¯s up?]

    [I¡¯vee to stock up on alcohol snacks, the curry crackers and squid skewers.]

    Zonder is a good customer who buys up a whole pot.

    [I¡¯m d to hear business is booming.]

    [Well, that¡¯s right, but my customers have been getting more and more extravaganttely.]

    [The adventurers were?]

    [Yes. They keptining about all sorts of stuff, demanding to increase the variety of drinks or prepare more filling food, and it was really annoying. I used to be an adventurer, someone who can¡¯t cook properly.]

    The Golden Sheep¡¯s only alcoholic beverages are ale and bakusuchi, and their only snacks are curry crackers and squid skewers.

    I don¡¯t think it¡¯s surprising if the customersin a bit but¡­¡­

    [Are you going to buy different snacks today? Those guys might be happy if the variety increases¡­¡­]

    [I guess so. I wonder if there¡¯s something cheap that they would eat here¡­¡­ W- What is that?]

    Product name: Octopus Crackers

    Description: Large, thin rice crackers kneaded with octopus powder and other ingredients. Eating them removes the calluses on one¡¯s hands and feet.

    Price: 20 rims

    Each bag of octopus crackers contains 20 pieces and could also be sold individually.

    Each cracker isrge, so even hungry adventurers might be satisfied with these.

    However, there¡¯s a good dish that can be made using these.

    [That¡¯s right, let¡¯s make some tamasen!]

    [Tamasen? Cooking difficult food isn¡¯t something I¡­¡­]

    [Don¡¯t worry. I think even Zonder can make it.]

    Tamasen is said to be a snack that originated from the Nagoya area and is made from octopus crackers.

    [First, you fry a slightly mashed fried egg on a griddle.]

    I lit a fire on the griddle for yakisoba and monjayaki and dropped an egg on it.

    [While the egg is cooking, put the sauce and mayonnaise on an octopus cracker.]

    The sauce is for yakisoba.

    I used the mayonnaise that Michelle had prepared and stored.

    [If I¡¯m not mistaken, you should add negi onions, but we will use the long-stamen chives that Mirai-san picked up in the mountains.]

    Long-stamen chives are wild nts that grow in sunny ces.

    Their stems have the same taste as scallions.

    I really wanted to add some tenkasu, but I decided to skip it for today.

    [ce the grilled egg on the octopus cracker stered with sauce and mayonnaise, then sprinkle the chopped chives on top.]

    Zonder gulped.

    [Finally, break the octopus cracker in two and sandwich the ingredients together¡­¡­ and done! I made three portions, so let¡¯s all sample them together.]

    We all bit into our tamasen.

    [Yum¡­¡­]

    [Hohoho, I¡¯ve never tasted anything like this before.]

    Both of them are savoring the tamasen with smiles on their faces.

    They seemed to like it so much that even Mani-san, who has a small appetite, finished the whole dish.

    The hearty fried egg sandwiched between crispy crackers provides a satisfying texture. Thebination with sauce and mayo is also excellent.

    [Even Zonder can make this, right? I¡¯ll even sell you the special sauce, so you can serve it at your shop.]

    If this would upgrade Luganda¡¯s shops, I¡¯m willing to help out a bit.

    [Thanks! Alright, I¡¯ll order two bags of octopus crackers and a bottle of the sauce. I¡¯ll give it a try as soon as I get home.]

    That night, Zonder added the ¡°tamasen¡± to his menu.

    The new product was so popr with adventurers that it became Golden Sheep¡¯s signature menu item.

    Eventually, Zonder, who had awakened to his love for tamasen, began making his own mayonnaise and even started making tenkasu.

    Then, after he began creating his own sauce, he went even further by developing tamasen with cheese, tamasen with yakisoba, and more.

    At night, Zonder sold tamasen at his tavern, and during the day, he sold it at a stall to the clients of ¡°Luganda Dungeon Out-of-Body Experience Tour¡±. Over time, he amassed a significant fortune andter built an elegant house in Luganda.

    Out of respect for Zonder, who worked so hard for his sess, people called that house ¡°Tamasen Pce¡±.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Octopus Crackers / Tako senbei

    <ol start="2"> Tamasen

    <ol start="3"> Tenkasu: crunchy tempura scraps of deep-fried batter,monly used in Japanese cuisine.

    </ol></ol>

 Chapter 122: Lots of Souvenirs

    <h4>Chapter 122: Lots of Souvenirs</h4>

    Luganda has developed a bit again.

    There are more cows, goats, and chickens, and there were three additional settlers this month.

    The residential areas, which used to be full of shacks, are now beginning to have decent houses.

    The problem at the moment is theck of women.

    The gender ratio in the poption is about 7 to 3, with men always being in surplus.

    Perhaps because of this, there¡¯s a constant dispute for women.

    On the other hand, women are very popr.

    That is, well, with the exception of Michelle¡­¡­

    [How should I say this¡­¡­ Only Yahagi-san can keep Elder Sis at bay. If it were anyone else, they would be crushed in seconds. She¡¯s scarier than the legendary Gravity Magic.]

    That¡¯s what Garm told me.

    No, it¡¯s good for me since I don¡¯t have to worry about her cheating on me¡­¡­

    Merle said ¡°It¡¯s troubling that I¡¯m constantly being hit on¡±, but she doesn¡¯t seem to feel bad about it.

    I could catch glimpses of how proud she is about being popr.

    Seemingly irritated by that, Regal looked a bit unhappy about it.

    He does adore Merle, so he may be feeling mildly jealous.

    Mira is even more popr than Merle, but she¡¯s the same as always.

    She¡¯s a natural airhead without a care about what¡¯s going on around her, often spending her time with Mani-san, not epting the advances of men.

    Mani-san himself seems to favor Mira and cares about her in every way.

    Adventurers from other ces alsoe to the dungeon.

    We charge an entry fee of 1000 rim for the dungeon, so we¡¯re earning a good ie.

    However, many of the adventurers are ruffians, making the public order slightly worse, so I asked Michelle to crack down on them.

    Thanks to that, the criminal activities stopped.

    It seems that the nasty ones were punished so severely that they all ran away with pale faces.

    I heard that Titti also participated in the punishment, but I wasn¡¯t told about the details.

    What on earth did they do¡­¡­?

    Incidentally, the dungeon tours are very popr.

    I heard that Luganda has be the hottest yground for the wealthy people in the neighborhood.

    Both my shop and Zonder¡¯s shop are thriving.

    It¡¯s hard to believe, but there are even some people who actually take the time to drive two hours by horse-drawn carriage just to eat monjayaki and tamasen.

    Today, however, I had an unusual visitor.

    When I saw the carriage stop in front of my stall, a slender gentleman came down from the inside.

    A tall guy giving the impression of a candy stick, he was looking around the shop¡¯s merchandise with a gleeful look on his face.

    [Wee, are you looking for something?]

    [I am Viscount Peppo, the ruler of Bast Town. You are Yahagi-dono, Lord of Luganda, right?]

    Bast is arge town on the opposite side of Betzel.

    It must have taken him two and a half hours by carriage to get here.

    [Well, well, to havee all the way to this forest, I bid you wee.]

    I wanted to invite him to the Lord¡¯s manor right away, but Viscount Peppo was looking happily at my wares.

    Deciding that he might be more interested in that, I offered him a chair right in this ce.

    [The road is still not as well maintained as I would like. Wasn¡¯t it hard to get here?]

    [No, no, it¡¯s for the rumored dagashi shop. Going through the hardship of that level isn¡¯t that much.]

    As I thought, Viscount Peppo hade here for the dagashi shop.

    [Today was sunny and hot, wasn¡¯t it? Here, have some ramune.]

    [Ohh, so this is a ramune huh!]

    [You heard about it?]

    [Betzel-san wrote to me and boasted about it. I heard it¡¯s the most popr drink in the region.]

    Things are starting to feel like the dawn of the c era back in my previous life¡­¡­

    [So, when I was in Betzel on a business trip the other day, I visited Dagashi Yahagi¡¯s Betzel branch. Unfortunately, they were sold out, so I was only able to see the real thing today.]

    [Thank you for going all the way from the Betzel branch.]

    [There¡¯s no need for thanks. Thanks to you setting up a stall in Betzel, I was able to buy a Gungalf and a GGRKS. I also got my hands on a Mani 4WD.]

    He¡¯s a toy lover too huh¡­¡­

    [I¡¯m already hooked enough that I ordered artisans to create arenas and race courses. How about we have a matchter?]

    [Hahaha¡­¡­ Let¡¯s take it easy¡­¡­]

    Viscount Peppo¡¯s eyes zed as he drew closer.

    I don¡¯t think I¡¯m going to be able to say no to this.

    Well, it¡¯s good that the number ofpetitors is increasing.

    awread .

    While we were having this conversation, a procession of livestock came from the forest.

    There were 3 cows, 10 goats, and many caged chickens.

    There was even a horse along with them.

    [W- What¡¯s going on?]

    Noticing my surprise, Viscount Peppo happily exined.

    [I have brought you souvenirs today. They¡¯re essential for a new territory, aren¡¯t they? Just graciously ept them.]

    [I¡¯m extremely grateful. No, I¡¯m certainly very thankful but¡­¡­]

    I want the livestock so badly that I can¡¯t wait to turn my attention to those immediately, but can I really just ept these souvenirs without hesitation?

    It would be troubling if he asked me any strange favors in exchange¡­¡­

    [In return, I have one favor I¡¯d like to ask you¡­¡­]

    I knew that was the case!

    I reflexively raised my guard.

    [I have just be a lord and am still facing various hardships¡­¡­ so I¡¯m not sure if I¡¯d be able to meet your expectations. However, what is it that you¡¯d like to ask?]

    Weaving in some light constraints, I asked him about his true motives.

    [What do you think about opening a branch of Dagashi Yahagi in Bast?]

    [Huh?]

    [I also want to y Mobile Force and Mani 4WD with the others¡­¡­ I want to take in this culture!]

    Hmmm, his true feelings are overflowing.

    They¡¯re spilling out more than when he just opened a bottle of ramune.

    However, for me who wants to increase my level, opening up a branch in Bast is very appealing.

    [I appreciate the offer, but what about the taxes and other such¡­¡­]

    [The rent can just be waived. The location¡­¡­ It would be great if it¡¯s conveniently near my mansion¡­¡­ Alright, I¡¯ll have a suitable house built.]

    He¡¯s so generous!

    It seems that rich people are willing to spend their wealth for their own satisfaction.

    While the two of us were discussing the branch, a wagon full of pigs arrived.

    As I was gazing in wonder at what was going on, arge-built gentleman descended from the following carriage and approached us.

    [Ya, ya, Viscount Peppo. And this must be Luganda¡¯s lord, Yahagi-dono, yes?]

    [That¡¯s right, you are?]

    [I¡¯m Toskea¡¯s lord, Gogorik.]

    The three main towns in the region are Betzel, Bast, and Toskea.

    Gogorik-san, his big belly shaking about, heartilyughed.

    [Wahaha, we have brought you our local specialty, 20 Toskea pigs. We are proud of the sweetness of their fat!]

    [T- Thank you very much. However, suddenly receiving such kindness would¡­¡­]

    [Don¡¯t worry yourself too much about it, us neighboring lords must help each other out. By the way, I have a favor to ask you, Yahagi-dono.]

    Eh, don¡¯t tell me¡­¡­

    As I had thought, he really was requesting for me to set up a branch in his town.

    Moreover, the conditions really ended up being very preferential.

    Of course, I was grateful for that and decided to open a branch.

    This will make it easier for me to raise my level.

    I¡¯m d that I could make friends with the neighboring lords.

    I gave Lords Peppo and Gogorik all kinds of Mobile Force and Mani 4WDs, parts, and a lot of dagashis as souvenirs.

 Chapter 123: Professor Michelle

    <h4>Chapter 123: Professor Michelle</h4>

    Perhaps it was thanks to setting up three branches that my level increased again on a slightly chilly evening.

    I¡¯m grateful for that.

    [How is it, Yuusuke? Do you feel like you can now see the future?]

    .

    In the living room with just the two of us, Michelle excitedly asked me.

    [I wonder about that? I feel like it was still impossible though¡­¡­]

    Even though I denied it verbally, I still drank some ramune to regte my mana cirction.

    Then, holding the magical stick in my right hand, I lightly swung it and invoked my magic.

    [irvoyance!]

    I felt the sensation of mana being drained from my body as usual, but it didn¡¯t feel as dangerous as it did before.

    There was little dizziness, I was just feeling slightly tipsy, akin to having had a bit too much to drink.

    As my consciousness drifted around the room like an astral projection, choices directly asking my mind appeared.

    ¡°Do you want to go forward or go back?¡±

    If I ignored the choices, I could explore the present, and if I picked to go back, I could see the past.

    However, what I must try here is to ¡°go forward¡±.

    While holding onto my consciousness that seemed like it could falter if I let my guard down, I chose to ¡°go forward¡±.

    Thereupon, I felt an invisible hand squeezing my brain like a rag.

    The intense pain made my whole body stiffen.

    Feeling that I might die from the pain if things kept going like this, I quickly canceled the magic.

    [Yuusuke! Yuusuke!!!]

    In the midst of my blurry vision, Michelle raised a scream.

    The edges of her tear-filled eyes were red and swollen, now looking as if she was into jirai-kei fashion.

    It really suits her¡­¡­ With my dizzy head, I thought.

    [I- I¡¯m alright¡­¡­ Kinda thought I was gonna die though¡­¡­]

    [I¡¯m sorry! It¡¯s because I asked if you could see the future!]

    I managed to somehow raise my body and hugged Michelle.

    [It¡¯s not Michelle¡¯s fault. It¡¯s just that my level wasn¡¯t high enough yet. Don¡¯t worry about it.]

    It took me quite a while to calm Michelle down after she started crying, but my body started to feel better as I held her close to me.

    This was probably also due to the fact that my levels had increased.

    My body is no longer under as much strain as before.

    Thanks in part to the Seiryuu Ring that the Gnomes had given me, my body waspletely back to normal within 5 minutes.

    [It seems like it will still take some time for me to properly see the future with irvoyance. My level still increased though, and a new product has been added to my shelves.]

    Product name: Tabekko Monster Biscuits

    Description: Biscuits in the shape of monsters. The monster¡¯s name, characteristics, or weaknesses are written on the biscuit¡¯s surface.

    Price: 50 rims

    [It¡¯s delicious, so you should try it too, Michelle. It¡¯s a good snack to learn about monsters, right?]

    I offered the snack to the dejected Michelle.

    [It¡¯s delicious¡­¡­]

    After eating the biscuit, Michelle smiled a bit.

    [I think this will also help the others learn letters since they all know the monsters¡¯ names.]

    [Unnn, it might.]

    [Not many people can read yet, so if we finally manage to get some leeway, I¡¯d like to build a school here in Luganda.]

    [A school in Luganda?]

    Come to think of it, Michelle used to be a teacher at an academy in the Royal Capital.

    [Would you like to be a teacher when the school is built?]

    When I asked her that, Michelle¡¯s body wriggled about.

    [Ehh~~, it has been a while, so thinking about bing a teacher again kinda makes me feel embarrassed.]

    [Isn¡¯t it fine? Regal praised Michelle¡¯s teaching skills before. By the way, what do teachers in this world wear?]

    It¡¯s not like I have a particr affection for cosy, but I¡¯m curious about this.

    This question is purely out of curiosity, okay!?

    It¡¯s not like I¡¯m trying to satisfy my fetishes or anything like that!

    [Back in the academy, it was normal to wear a square academic cap, and when you reach Professor Level, you¡¯re provided with a cloak adorned with a purple trim. I have one of those too.]

    [Did you also bring it here?]

    [I brought it with me just in case¡­¡­]

    [Let me see you wear it!]

    Michelle looked embarrassed, but she pulled out her square academic cap and cloak from the back of her luggage and put them on.

    [I- It¡¯s not like it¡¯s anything cute, right? It just makes in me even iner¡­¡­]

    [That¡¯s not the case at all. The intellectual feel it gives is wonderful. If we had a teacher like you, going to school would have been so much fun.]

    [Really? You really think so?]

    [Of course.]

    Michelle nodded shyly, before bringing her lips close to my ears and whispered.

    [Tonight would be a private lesson just for Yuusuke. Let¡¯s close the store early.]

    [O- Ohh¡­¡­]

    And like that, even with all these and that, stimting days continued in Luganda.

    As the sun was setting and I was cheerfully closing up the store, Nakaram-san came in with a report.

    [I¡¯ve brought with me the umted dungeon entrance fee. Here¡¯s the ount book.]

    [Good work. Oh, I see that we¡¯ve gathered 62000 rims today.]

    [Things have been going well as ofte. However, we still need more money to improve the roads.]

    [That can¡¯t be helped. We¡¯ll just have to go through that little by little.]

    [Was the Zord still not able to move?]

    He probably wants to have the Genos Breaker moving and have it pave the road as soon as possible.

    [I¡¯m facing a small problem. If I can level up my dagashi shop, that should solve the problem, but it feels like reaching a level sufficient enough would still be quite a while.]

    My ¡°irvoyance¡± is a secret, so I slightly shifted the subject matter at hand.

    [Level, is it? If I¡¯m not mistaken, this level increases with the amount of your sales, right?]

    [Unnn. The number of branches has increased, so the level-up rate has been going well, but it was still not enough.]

    Nakaram-san crossed his muscr arms and pondered.

    [Hmmm¡­¡­ I have a suggestion.]

    [What is it?]

    [How about holding a festival to boost sales?]

    Many peoplee to Luganda to sightsee and tour.

    If we hold a festival, we might be able to attract people.

    [However, what kind of festival should we do?]

    [A festival centered on a MF Tournament among four towns.]

    By four towns, he should be talking about Luganda, Betzel, Bast and Toskea.

    All of the other lords love MF and Mani 4WD, so maybe they will cooperate with us on this.

    [That¡¯s a good idea. I¡¯ll contact Ley-chan in Betzel right away.]

    [Please do so. I will prepare a rough budget proposal as soon as I can.]

    When ites to matters like this, there¡¯s no one better than Nakaram-san.

    Asking him to handle that, I proceeded to write messages to the lords on gliders.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Tabekko Monster Biscuits: based on Tabekko Animal Biscuits

    <ol start="2"> Jirai-kei: A fashion style that blends vulnerability and intensity, inspired by the notion of ndmine personality¡±¡ª¡ª¡ª someone who appears normal on the surface, but upon closer interaction, reveals unexpected quirks that make one feel like they¡¯ve stepped on andmine. Its basis aside, makeup and fashion work together to bnce between normal appearance and hidden edginess, featuring pale, almost ghostlyplexions that give off a mysterious vibe.

    </ol>

 Chapter 124: Selection Event

    <h4>Chapter 124: Selection Event</h4>

    After I sent out gliders about the MF Tournament between the four towns, the reply was immediate.

    In fact, all the lords jumped on their horses and came to Luganda the next day.

    The four lords unexpectedly gathered in one ce and were able to hold a discussion.

    Looking at the enthusiasm of the lords, it¡¯s not difficult to imagine that the meeting went very quickly.

    As a result, the following was decided.

    From now on, the tournament will be held once a year, in the order of Luganda, Betzel, Bast, and Toskea.

    Teams will be made up of 5 representatives from each town, and league matches will be held.

    The first tournament will be held in Luganda.

    The tournament was to be held in one month, and the lords of each city started preparations immediately.

    I¡¯m going to be busy too.

    First of all, I have to select my representatives.

    I¡¯ll make a flyer for a representative selection event right away.

    Even though the season is autumn, a freezer has appeared in the store along with a level up.

    Ice cream and anzu-bou are kept in the freezer, and they are selling very well for the season.

    There seemed to be areas in the dungeon that were extremely hot, and adventurers who go to these areas buy them.

    [Don¡¯t they melt on the way there?]

    I asked Merle, who had bought three ice cream bars.

    [No problem, Mira can use her Frost Magic to freeze the Ice Cream. Home Run Granny is the best to eat in hot ces.]

    Even if one can¡¯t use Offensive Magic, it seems like it¡¯s still possible to keep ice cream cold with a little bit of knowledge.

    Product name: Home Run Granny

    Description: Milk ice cream. When eaten, it makes it easier to get a satisfactory blow. The effectsts for half a day.

    Price: 50 rims

    It¡¯s an ice cream with wrapping designed with an olddy wearing a helmet and carrying a baseball bat.

    [Now then, let¡¯s go and make a lively earning today¡­¡­ Ahh!]

    Merle let out a small cry.

    [What¡¯s the matter, did you forget something?]

    [That¡¯s not it, look at that.]

    Merle pointed to a hand-written flyer on the wall.

    The Four-Town Mobile Force Tournament was to be held!

    A leaguepetition will be held with a team consisting of five members. A selection event will be held in Luganda to determine our representative yers. If you think you got what it takes,e and participate. For details, contact the shopkeeper.

    [Yuusuke-san, that is¡­¡­]

    [You read that right. Well, it¡¯s something like a small festival. You gonna participate, Merle?

    [You betcha! This time, I¡¯m going to make the name of Red Shoulder and myself known throughout the world.]

    [Ohhh, that¡¯s the spirit. We¡¯re going to have the selection event for the representative yers, so go participate. Spread the word to all your friends too.]

    [Alright, it¡¯s gonna be intensive training here on out!]

    With those words, Merle left with a bang.

    An amphitheater-like arena was created with Michelle¡¯s Earth Magic.

    It was beautifully decorated and very borate.

    [To be able to create something like this in just 10 days, Michelle is as amazing as always.]

    [We have guests from other cesing, so I can¡¯t let Yuusuke be embarrassed around them. I¡¯ve finished the arenas for the time being, but I will work on the spectator seating area after this.]

    Thanks to Michelle, we are going to have a grand festival.

    After the arena was built, the residents immediately held a tournament to select the representative yers.

    Since it was a cold day, I served stew, and the merchant Joshua-san set up a stall, making it a bit like a vige festival.

    Most of the residents even took time off work to participate.

    The representative yers were selected in a tournament format to determine the best 16, and the best 16 yerspeted in a league match.

    Here are the 5 yers who made it out.

    A person that used to have a 300 million bounty on her head, a Curse Witch, and a Super Heavyweight Yandere, Michelle and her Gyan.

    The exiled former Queen Consort, a reflecting viiness, Titti and her Z-Zeong.

    The leader of Team Harukaze and the unluckiest woman when ites to lotteries, Merle and her Zako Mk II.

    The Rookies¡¯ Elder Bro, Garm and his GGRKS.

    The warm-hearted mage, Mira and her Dom.

    In this way, all of them are using different machines.

    Well, it¡¯s reasonable that Michelle got in there and Titti didn¡¯t lose to anyone but Michelle.

    Those two are definitely Luganda¡¯s top two.

    [Hey, Yuusuke. Isn¡¯t it bad for Titti to be in the tournament?]

    Michelle looked worried.

    [Why?]

    [She¡¯s a criminal, remember? It wouldn¡¯t be good for our reputation to have her in the representative team.]

    Hearing this, Titti immediately retorted.

    [The heck is with you? My past crimes aren¡¯t questioned after I get exiled. Besides!]

    [Besides, what!?]

    [Even I¡­¡­ want to help Yahagi a bit. Yahagi helped me and Marco, so I do feel a sense of gratitude for him¡­¡­]

    [That is¡­¡­ Well, if that¡¯s how it is¡­¡­]

    It seems that this sisters quarrel was a dud.

    I¡¯m surprised that Titti thought of me that way.

    However, I¡¯m d she¡¯s doing her best.

    [Mira is going to be at the tournament?]

    [That¡¯s right, Mani-san. Come cheer for me and my Dom, okay?]

    Meanwhile, Mani-san and Mira are having a leisurely conversation by the side.

    There was no tension of conflict between them.

    It was like a conversation between a grandfather and his grandchild sitting on the porch.

    Mani-san is especially fond of Mira, and his affection for her oozes out.

    [I see, I see, Mira is doing his best huh. Alright, in that case, I will be rooting for you. For now, let¡¯s apply a maic coat on your Dom¡¯s fusge¡­¡­]

    [Stop right there!]

    I heard a line I couldn¡¯t ignore.

    [What is it, Yahagi? I¡¯m just modding Mira¡¯s Dom.]

    [That¡¯s cheating. We can¡¯t allow modded machines in tournaments.]

    [In that case, I will just give her a Giant Bazooka. That way, it won¡¯t be a modded machine¡­¡­]

    [That¡¯s not allowed either. Attaching firearms to the machines is prohibited.]

    [At least allow attaching a Diffused Particle Cannon in the chest¡­¡­]

    [That¡¯s not allowed either.]

    When I banned him from doing this and that, Mani-san sulked.

    [What¡¯s with you, I¡¯m not even giving her Psychic Frames or Funnels¡­¡­]

    Sometimes, when hees to his senses, he says the most outrageous things.

    [Yuusuke-san, is eating dagashis allowed? I kinda feel like drinking ramune before a match.]

    Merle asked me a question. If one drinks ramune, their mana cirction will be regted, which will make it easier for them to control their machine.

    [I will allow that. However, allowing you would also mean I would also allow the others to eat snacks.]

    My goal is to increase sales in the first ce.

    There¡¯s no way I could do that without selling my dagashis.

    It wouldn¡¯t be unfair if everyone ate dagashis that improve their abilities.

    [Then, I¡¯ll give a Mobile Force Variation¡­¡­]

    [Like I said, you can¡¯t do that!]

    [You youngsters are quick to abuse the old.]

    [No, no, there¡¯s no abusing here¡­¡­]

    It was rough calming down Mani-san when he seriously fell depressed over this.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Home Run Granny: based on Home Run Bar. Originally called ¡°Home Run Baba¡± by the author.

 Chapter 125: Hot Dr. Pepper

    <h4>Chapter 125: Hot Dr. Pepper</h4>

    The weather is getting colder, but the five selected as representative yers are training everyday for thepetition.

    They work in the dungeon during the day and practice in the evening.

    It must be quite hard work, but all five of them never cut corners.

    [Garm, you¡¯re cking on your defenses! That¡¯s your bad point.]

    [E- Elder Sis!]

    Michelle had turned into quite an oni of a coach.

    [Merle, you¡¯re too cautious. You have to be more aggressive when a chance appears!]

    [A- Alright!]

    [Mira, you¡¯re too fixated on small attacks. Incorporate surprise attacks to catch your opponent off guard!]

    [Yes!]

    [Titti is¡­¡­ well, she¡¯s doing good. You sneakily outmaneuvering her opponent from behind, and persistently attacking isn¡¯t a bad strategy. You¡¯re really using your strengths to your advantage¡­¡­]

    [Hey, are those supposed to bepliments to me?]

    It kind of reminds me of after-school club activities.

    Michelle¡¯s coaching is strict, but the skills of Merle and the others have definitely improved.

    It seems that her instructions also apply in dungeon battles, so everyone is delighted.

    [Oi, kids, the weapons you asked for are ready.]

    Sanaga-san and Mirai-san came to the practice field.

    Sanaga-san had made weapons that would fit each of the yers.

    [Sorry, Sanaga-san.]

    [Keh, Michelle aside, I¡¯m not sure if the others can gain us a win. I think it¡¯s best I give you better weapons¡­¡­]

    Sanaga-sanys out Mobile Force weapons with a sour look on his face.

    Innread".

    Each of the weapons looked artistically borate, reflecting the requests of each yer.

    [They¡¯re well made. Thank you.]

    [Of course, they would be. A lot of peoplee to see my work. They¡¯re pains in the ass, but I can¡¯t make sh*tty tools. Good grief, my shoulders are so stiff because of these!]

    Watching Sanaga-sanin, Mirai-san let out a chuckle.

    The two had recently started living together.

    They¡¯re a perfect couple.

    [Even though he said that, he¡¯s the one who looks forward to the tournament the most. Even these weapons, he was so happy to repeat the trial-and-error process every night. There¡¯s no need to be so grateful.]

    [Keh, it¡¯s not like I¡¯m looking forward to it! It¡¯s just, if we¡¯re gonna go fight a tournament, I want our representatives to win¡­¡­]

    Sanaga-san is as tsundere as always.

    [Alright, everyone, let¡¯s get outfitted with our new weapons.]

    The yers happily picked up their new equipment.

    Two hours of practice went by. The sun had already set and it was dark.

    The wind blowing by was cold, and Merle and the others shivered.

    [Uuuu, so cold! I don¡¯t think I can keep up like this any further.]

    Merle is shivering.

    The lips of the other four are also turning pale.

    I guess it¡¯s finally my turn.

    [Leave it to me. I¡¯ll give you something to warm you up.]

    [Curry crackers?]

    [No, Merle.]

    Curry crackers are a standard product when ites to warming up the body, but what I¡¯m going to serve them this time is a new product.

    I summoned my shoulder-pole stall and pulled out a shiny silver packaging.

    Product name: Hot Dr. Pepper

    Description: A carbonated beverage with a unique taste of more than 10 different vor blends. Drinking it three times will get you addicted! The warm stimtion will shake up your soul and something will happen!?

    * Effects vary from person to person. Limited to one effect per person.

    Price: 50 rims

    Dr. Pepper is by no means amon drink.

    In Japan, it was only distributed in limited areas such as Kanto and Shizuoka.

    Moreover, when ites to the Hot version, it¡¯s more of a legendary drink.

    What I took out this time was a silver can with arge logo on it.

    I heard that some old-time dagashi shops used to boil the container in a pot or warm the Dr. Pepper directly in a kettle and pour it into a cup.

    There are even records of being served in coffee shops.

    [It has a very unique aroma. Is this¡­¡­ cinnamon?]

    [That¡¯s right. As expected of Michelle, you quickly figured it out.]

    Titti, who was also sniffing its scent, interjected.

    [I could smell vani too. Somehow, its aroma kinda seems to be in the same vein as a love aphrodisiac¡­¡­.]

    [Hey, don¡¯tpare Yuusuke¡¯s products with your vile stuff!]

    [What, I was just expressing my opinion!]

    [You sisters stop fighting. That aside, try drinking it while it¡¯s warm. Each effect can only appear once per person, but it apparently has good effects.]

    After I urged them to stop fighting, they sipped their hot Dr. Pepper.

    [It¡¯s delicious.]

    [Hmmm¡­¡­]

    It seems like each person has different tastes.

    Michelle, Merle, and Garm liked it, while Mira and Titti didn¡¯t like it so much.

    Dr. Pepper really is a product that clearly divides people in terms of taste preferences.

    Incidentally, I like it a lot.

    However, I prefer drinking Dr. Pepper cold rather than hot.

    [So, did it work?]

    Upon my question, Merle was the first to respond.

    [Ahh! ¡­¡­]

    [What¡¯s the matter?]

    [I think I might be able to use Emission-type Magic now¡­¡­]

    [What!?]

    Merle was now able to unleash Non-Attribute Mana flying from her sword.

    [That¡¯s a great effect. What about everyone else?]

    [I¡¯m¡­¡­]

    [What¡¯s up, Titti?]

    [I think I¡¯m starting to like cats¡­¡­]

    [Huh?]

    [I¡¯ve never particrly liked cats before, but I now feel like caressing their fluffy fur and burying my face on their tummies.]

    [T- That is¡­¡­ well, good for you¡­¡­]

    I guess the effect doesn¡¯t necessarily improve your ability huh¡­¡­

    However, that¡¯s certainly quite a drastic change it brings.

    [What about you, Mira?]

    [I feel like I can now eat green peas, which I used to hate.]

    Unnn, it¡¯s good to have your food pickiness disappear, isn¡¯t it?

    [What about Garm?]

    [My arms have gotten a centimeter buffer. Hehehe, I¡¯ve gotten even cooler.]

    Garm, who is slightly a musclehead, looks happy.

    [And what about you, Michelle?]

    What would happen if Michelle, who is already strong enough, got even more powerful? As I nervously waited for her answer, Michelle brought her face blushing with embarrassment close and let out a sweet sigh by my ear.

    [I¡­¡­ I think I¡¯m a better kisser now¡­¡­]

    [Eh¡­¡­]

    That effect also exists!? That¡¯s great, Doctor!

    [Y- You want to try it tonight? Well¡­¡­ That¡¯s if Yuusuke wants¡­¡­]

    [I- I suppose so. I guess I¡¯ll ask for someter¡­¡­]

    Everyone looks at our secret exchange curiously.

    The most unreserved of them all, Garm, asked his question.

    [What effect did you get, Elder Sis?]

    [It¡¯s a secret!]

    [Eh~~ Don¡¯t say that, tell us.]

    [No! I won¡¯t tell anyone except Yuusuke!]

    Everyone seemed to have guessed something by the way Michelle looked.

    No one asked any more questions.

    [Hohoho, this drink tastes funny, doesn¡¯t it?]

    Hearing a sudden voice from behind us, I looked back and saw Mani-san sipping a cup of hot Dr. Pepper.

    [Good evening, Mani-san. Have youe to watch them practice?]

    [Unnn¡­¡­ Oh, what is this?]

    Whoa, it seems that the power of the hot Dr. Pepper extends even to a God like Mani-san.

    [What¡¯s the matter, Mani-san?]

    [I just remembered something.]

    [Could it be the way to create energy packs?]

    [I don¡¯t know how to do that.]

    Even though he¡¯s the one who developed it, he¡¯s now saying he can¡¯t create it¡­¡­

    [Then, what did you remember?]

    [An elevator.]

    [By elevator, you¡¯re talking about that ascending and descending elevator?]

    [That¡¯s right. A dungeon elevator.]

    A ridiculous terminology just got brought up, what should I do?

    I drank a hot Dr. Pepper too to relieve myself from the tension.

    I think it smells more strongly of cinnamon and vani than when it¡¯s cold¡­¡­

    Now, what effect will it have on me?

    I hope it will strengthen my magic and allow me to see the future with irvoyance¡­¡­

    Nope, that wasn¡¯t the effect I got.

    As a result of my soul being shaken and the hidden ability within me blossoming, I¡¯ve be a menko master.

    It doesn¡¯t really help me in any way, but well, I guess I¡¯ll just be happy about it¡­¡­

    That aside, let¡¯s think about that dungeon elevator first.

    I have to get the details out of Mani-san before it disappears from his memory.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Hot Dr. Pepper: An intellectual drink, for the chosen ones. Amercially sold ¡°Hot Dr. Pepper¡± doesn¡¯t exist afaik, but hot ¡°Dr. Pepper¡± does exist.

    <ol start="2"> For those who forgot, menko are those pog-like toys that had other shapes.

    </ol>

 Chapter 126: Dungeon Elevator

    <h4>Chapter 126: Dungeon Elevator</h4>

    It was gettingte at night, but I couldn¡¯t help but wonder about the dungeon elevator that Mani-san had mentioned.

    [Hmmm, while it was still clear in Mani-san¡¯s memory, I¡¯d like to make sure it really exists.]

    Expecting rity of memory from Mani-san, whose memory focus function has be fuzzy, isn¡¯t viable.

    He might even forget about it tomorrow.

    [Are we going to dive into the dungeon now?]

    Titti¡¯s face turned pale with nervousness.

    [I understand your concern. It¡¯s already this time of the night after all¡­¡­]

    The monsters that roam the dungeon are more active at night and more ferocious than during the day.

    Also, powerful monsters in the lower levels sometimese up to the upper levels.

    [Let¡¯s go, Yuusuke-san, I will also help you. If that elevator thing really exists, it will make our exploration much easier.]

    Merle offered to help.

    Merle¡¯s aggressiveness is always reassuring at times like this.

    [I agree. It¡¯s reassuring to be able to reach our destination without wasting time and energy. I¡¯ll be happy to assist as well.]

    Mira¡¯s kindness cheered me even more.

    [Mani-san, where¡¯s the entrance to the dungeon elevator?]

    [In the management room on the 1st Underground Floor.

    [If it¡¯s there, I guess we can really do it¡­¡­]

    [Hehe, forming a temporary team isn¡¯t a bad idea sometimes. It¡¯s been a while since I acted as the vanguard with Merle.]

    [Don¡¯t go charging in like an idiot, okay, Garm? I¡¯m tired of cleaning up your mess.]

    [The heck you said, you crude woman!?]

    Despite their bickering, the two seemed to be enjoying each other¡¯spany.

    [Good grief, it can¡¯t be helped. I¡¯ll go along with you.]

    Titti also seemed very supportive on this matter.

    [Let¡¯s go, Yuusuke. With this team, we¡¯ll be just fine.]

    The ones here right now are Luganda¡¯s representative yers, and their strength in Mobile Force remains just as strong as their actualbat abilities.

    Michelle¡¯s words helped me make my decision.

    [Alright, Mani-san, lead us to that dungeon elevator.]

    [Ho ho ho, alright.]

    Looking as if he were going out for a night stroll, Mani-san unsteadily strode out.

    Before entering the dungeon, I took out snacks from the dungeon and handed them out.

    Product name: Tonight¡¯s Crucial Crackers

    Description: Helps you to see at night.

    Price: 100 rims

    This product is popr among adventurers because it allows them to see in dimly lit dungeons.

    It¡¯s also a snack often bought by people who work at night because it¡¯s more cost-effective than candles or magic crystals.

    About half a month has passed since its release, but word of mouth about its effectiveness has been promoting sales, and the sales of Tonight¡¯s Crucial Crackers at the branches also increased.

    In the future, this will be a mainstay of Dagashi Yahagi.

    From what I have heard, they are crackers with a long history, dating back to when my grandparents were still children.

    After a while, my vision brightened as if I had taken off my sunsses.

    [They¡¯re as convenient as ever. I¡¯ve been eating too many of themtely though, so I¡¯m getting a little tired of them¡­¡­]

    Michelle had been eating Tonight¡¯s Crucial Crackers every night and knitting. She¡¯s apparently knitting a sweater for me by hand.

    [You don¡¯t have to push yourself too hard.]

    [I¡¯m not pushing myself. I¡¯m having fun doing it. Knitting suits me well.]

    [Is that so?]

    [Unnn. I enjoy putting my love and magic into each stitch.]

    [You also put magic into it?]

    p??wread".

    [That¡¯s right. I make sure it has Magic Reflection and Physical Protection. It also works against poison.]

    I was wondering why it had been taking her a long time to finish it¡­¡­

    [When it¡¯s finished, it should be even more powerful than a te mail imbued with Support Magic.]

    For that sweater riddled with heart marks to actually have such effects¡­¡­

    [It won¡¯t be ready for this winter, but you can rest assured it¡¯ll be done by next autumn. Don¡¯t worry, it won¡¯t be heavy like a te mail?]

    [O- Ou.]

    The love she imbued in that sweater is heavy, but I¡¯ll definitely receive it!

    We encountered a monster once on the way, but Michelle easily brought it down.

    She¡¯s as strong as ever.

    My eyes weren¡¯t even able to catch her doing the three parts of swordsmanship: step-in, draw and sh.

    In the meantime, we had reached the east end of the dungeon.

    It¡¯s a dead end, a ce with nothing in particr.

    [We¡¯re here.]

    As if to confirm something, Mani-san touched the wall in front of him and spoke with an inhuman voice.

    Would it be appropriate to say he¡¯s speaking in ¡°divine words¡±?

    It felt like he spoke both in a heavy bass sound and a high-pitched note yed by a hard metallic instrument.

    Hearing the dissonant harmony felt unreal to my ears, instilling fear down to my core.

    Mani-san really is a God huh¡­¡­

    As soon as Mani-san closed his mouth, a door that hadn¡¯t been there before appeared on the wall and opened up.

    What¡¯s behind that door was a retro type of elevator, ones that I have seen in ck and white movies.

    An analog needle indicates the floor the elevator is on.

    The door is opened and closed manually, operated by an up-and-down lever.

    After checking the floor number disyed above the elevator, Michelle asked Mani-san a question.

    [Does this dungeon only go up to the 10th Underground Floor?]

    [No, this dungeon goes even deeper. You¡¯ll have to go on foot to go below the 10th Underground Floor.]

    [I see. Perhaps I¡¯ll go there and check out what it¡¯s like.]

    [I don¡¯t think you should. Even you can¡¯t handle the monsters on the 10th Underground Floor by yourself.]

    [I see¡­¡­]

    Michelle went alone even to the deepest part of the Royal Capital¡¯s dungeon, so is this ce even more dangerous than that?

    [If that¡¯s the case even for Michelle, should we seal this elevator? If someone mistakenly goes below the floor they want to go to, they might not be able to make it back.]

    [There are elevator halls on every floor, and monsters don¡¯t appear there, so you don¡¯t have to worry. If you want, you can also limit the functionality of the elevator so that people can only go up to the 4th Underground Floor.]

    I was worried, but if that¡¯s the case, then it would be fine.

    It should be fine if I set up a permit system for going below the 4th Underground Floor.

    Just to make sure there are no idents, it might be a good idea to hire an elevator assistant.

    That way, I can collect usage fees from adventurers who aren¡¯t residents, killing two birds with one stone.

    With that decided, I asked Mani-san to teach me how to control the elevator on the spot.

    [By the way, Mani-san, what¡¯s in the deepest part of this terrifying dungeon?]

    [At the deepest level lies the forgotten civilization¡­¡­]

    As Mani-san paused, I nervously waited for his next word.

    [¡­¡­¡­¡­A civilization in which I myself had also forgotten.]

    I knew that¡¯s gonna be the case!

    Perhaps, there may be things lying around deep within this dungeon that are better left forgotten.

    Standing before Pandora¡¯s Box always makes people hesitate.

    Let¡¯s not touch upon this matter for the time being.

    There¡¯s no one here who can reach that ce anyway.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Tonight¡¯s Crucial Crackers: Dunno what it¡¯s based on. Originally named ¡°Kon-ya ga Yamada no Cracker¡±, and I¡¯m not sure if this is what the author is referencing, but ¡°Kon-ya ga Yamada¡± is a gag from ¡°<i>Downtown no Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende!!</i>¡°.

 Chapter 127: Gold Medal

    <h4>Chapter 127: Gold Medal</h4>

    Arge lodge waspleted in Luganda just prior to the Four-Town Mobile Force Tournament.

    It¡¯s a three-story building with 50 rooms.

    With a maximum capacity of 200 people, it¡¯s thergest building in Luganda.

    Well~~ I¡¯m d we were able to make it in time for the tournament.

    There are a lot of tourists who would only be here for a day, but it seems that some of them stay overnight.

    We are nning to have the tournament participants and spectators sleep here.

    The lodge is already booked and is expected to be fully upied on the day of the tournament.

    We n to use the lodge even after the tournament is over.

    We are nning to rent rooms to adventurers in the area.

    There¡¯s a rumor going around that Luganda Dungeon is a good source of ie, and nearby farmers and various other people areing to work there for winter.

    On average, they spend about 20 days here, but most of them live in temporary huts in the forest.

    Those temporary huts aren¡¯t very good ces to live in.

    They are simply patchwork houses made of long branches that have fallen around the area, tied together with hemp rope and vines, and topped with pine and other trees¡¯ leaves to serve as a roof.

    The cold season is just beginning.

    Living in a temporary hut in the extreme cold of Luganda would be difficult.

    For such adventurers, we are nning to keep the fees low.

    Luganda¡¯s main iees from amodation fees, dungeon entrance fees, and elevator usage fees, so we want as many adventurers toe to Luganda.

    For this reason, this kind of infrastructure development is indispensable.

    However, the increase in the number of visitors has caused some problems.

    The crime rate has increased.

    Since Michelle and the others had been keeping them in check with their res, there have been heinous crimes, but some drunken idiots often start fights and other incidents.

    Some men try to mess with the girls, and there are also some troublesome female adventurers who tried to abduct the handsome boys.

    It¡¯s difficult to control such people.

    Fortunately, many of the residents are skilled fighters, so thanks to everyone¡¯s cooperation, peace in Luganda is maintained.

    Today too, Garm and his group caught three ruffians.

    They were mugging people in broad daylight.

    I¡¯m d they were caught before the residents were harmed.

    [Yahagi-san, I put those three idiots in jail for drawing their swords in the za.]

    [Thanks, Garm. Are you or the others hurt?]

    [Nah, dealing with their bunch is easy for us.]

    Garm and the others have certainly be more robust.

    Their opponents may be weaker than them, but they still managed to subdue adventurers who had drawn their swords.

    [It may not be much, but take this.]

    In addition to reward money, I also gave them a product from my store.

    Product: Gold Medal Choco

    Description: Chocte in the shape of a gold medal with a red ribbon. Wearing it around the neck lifts up one¡¯s spirits, and when eaten, it increases physical strength, speed and magic power by a small amount each.

    Price: 150 rims

    It¡¯s very useful because it raises three kinds of abilities by itself, but few people buy it because of its high price.

    It¡¯s probably because eating three kinds of snacks that could give them the same effect would be cheaper.

    My stock of these gold medal choco is full, so it was just right to give to Garm and the others as a reward.

    [Ohh, this looks cool!]

    [Hehe, this might be the first time I¡¯ve ever beenplimented¡­¡­ This feels kinda embarrassing, but I like it.]

    [Let¡¯s go show it off to the others!]

    Team Garm happily wore the chocte on their necks.

    Thete teens of this world still hadn¡¯t been worn down by the world, making them innocent in this aspect.

    It¡¯s an amusing sight seeing strong-looking guys with dagashis dangling from their necks.

    I guess this is also gap moe?

    [Ah, wait. I have a favor to ask you and your group, Garm.]

    [What is it, Yahagi-san? If there¡¯s anything we can do, let us know.]

    [There¡¯s a Mobile Force Tournamenting up, right? I¡¯d like Team Garm to act as security guards for it, if possible. Well, I won¡¯t force you, Garm, since you¡¯re also one of our representative yers.]

    [What does a security guard do?]

    [All kinds of things. They help guide spectators, protect lost children, break up fights, and arrest criminals. Of course, I will pay you well.]

    They are all strong but good-natured people.

    Because they dive into the dungeon together, they work well together.

    I think they¡¯d make the perfect security force.

    [In other words, it¡¯s like guards?]

    [That¡¯s right.]

    [It¡¯s for Yahagi-san, who has always been taking care of us. You guys wanna give it a shot?]

    [Ou!]

    [Thanks. This will make the tournament run smoothly. I¡¯ll get you the security guard manuals and uniforms.]

    [Uniforms?]

    [Yeah, you¡¯ll have to wear it so it¡¯s easy to recognize your status. We¡¯ll make sure it¡¯s got a good design.]

    When I told them about the uniforms, Garm and the others looked delighted.

    Are they at the age when they like such things?

    The cold weather in Luganda is getting severe.

    It¡¯s finally the season for the magic heater to be put to use.

    I told Michelle, who was refilling the heater in the living room with magic crystals, about Garm and the others.

    [I¡¯ve asked Team Garm to take care of the security. I¡¯m sure they¡¯ll do a great job on this.]

    [I¡¯m d to hear that. I¡¯ll also be on the lookout on the day of the event, so don¡¯t worry. I will catch all the bad guys and punish them.]

    [No, no, Michelle has a very important job yourself, remember?]

    [Eh?]

    [As the territory lord¡¯s fianc¨¦e, you have to wee our guests.]

    [Ah¡­¡­]

    [Michelle!?]

    She just copsed with steaming out of her head!

    [Pull yourself together, Michelle!]

    [I¡¯m sorry. I was so happy that I lost consciousness¡­¡­ Eh, I wonder if I should do some smile training? Also, maybe I should get myself a more mboyant dress.]

    [You¡¯re already charming as you are, Michelle. If you want to get some dresses though, we can have that arranged.]

    The tournament is only a month away.

    I want to increase my sales here and level up.

    We¡¯ve got everything ready to go.

    [By the way, how are the energy packsing along?]

    [The materials are almost ready. We¡¯re still short on quantity, but don¡¯t worry, we¡¯re gathering them little by little from the dungeon.]

    [Don¡¯t push yourself too hard, okay?]

    [I¡¯ll be fine. The dungeon elevator is making our search a lot easier.]

    Saying this, Michelle confidently puffed out her chest.

    I¡¯d like to boost sales at the tournament and get myself much-needed level-ups.

    At this rate, it won¡¯t be long before we can get the Zord moving.

    But before that, it seemed like the dungeon elevator had caused a bit of a ruckus¡­¡­

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Gold Medal Choco

 Chapter 128: Tittis Stocking Up

    <h4>Chapter 128: Titti''s Stocking Up</h4>

    A small room in the center of the 2nd Underground Floor has been repurposed into Luganda Dungeon¡¯s first-aid room.

    Titti, who was once vilified as a viinous prostitute, a wench who deceives men, is now doing her best as a healer here.

    [There, good to go. The wound is closed, but it will open up if you push yourself too hard. Take a rest from today¡¯s exploration.]

    [Thank you very much, Dr. Titti.]

    Titti absentmindedly saw off the adventurer whose wounds she healed.

    [Dr. Titti huh¡­¡­]

    Compared to when she was called Queen Consort, she lives a much more modest life now.

    She sometimes self-deprecatingly says that she has fallen from grace, but deep down, Titti feels that her current peaceful life isn¡¯t so bad.

    Titti had certainly changed.

    Since her exile to Luganda, living with Marco, and bing a healer in the dungeon, she has changed.

    (Well, I still end up troubling Marco just like before though¡­..)

    She has no ability to cook and doundry, and is solely dependent on Marco for her livelihood.

    It¡¯s not that she wasn¡¯t eager to learn.

    However, when she tries cleaning, things only get dirtier than before.

    When she cooks, she wastes a lot of food.

    (Even though I¡¯m good at making poisons, why is this happening?)

    Marco cheered her up, telling Titti that people have things they are good and not good with, so she doesn¡¯t have to worry about it, but she still feels guilty about it.

    She was the same way even back in the past.

    Today is a rare day in which she had few patients.

    Titti felt a little bored with nothing to do, so she got up from her chair and stretched her body.

    She was in a room of about 40 square meters, with murals of various golems on the walls on both sides and an oddly shaped statue in front.

    A closer description of it would be that it was a statue of a rhinoceros head on a human body.

    The statue of the rhinoceros-like creature, with its seemingly perverted eyes, stands erect and immobile.

    Titti often looked at this statue when she was bored.

    [It sure is ugly¡­¡­]

    As she said this, Titti crawled her fingers over its rhinoceros horn.

    Unlike most rhinoceroses, its horn is covered with numerous warts,rge and small.

    [If it weren¡¯t for these, its face would have at least been a little more discernible. Hmmm¡­¡­ I wonder if I can get these off?]

    As such a thought came into her mind, Titti put all her strength into her hands and twisted its horn.

    Thereupon, the horn twisted to the side, and the rhinoceros¡¯ mouth, which had been tightly shut, snapped open.

    [Oh my, it got even uglier! Unnn, what¡¯s that?]

    Driven by curiosity, Titti picked into the mouth and found a small piece of carefully folded paper.

    It seemed to be very old, as the paper was very damaged.

    Wondering if there might be something important on it, Titti carefully opened it to see.

    [This is¡­¡­ a map? Moreover, these letters, they¡¯re ancient script. I think Sister could have read this¡­¡­]

    She had only been ying around back in her school days, so she wasn¡¯t able to perfectly read it.

    However, Titti could at least skim through the words she recognized.

    [Temple¡­¡­ was it for an enshrined God? Underground¡­¡­ 6th floor, golden golem statue¡­¡­ A golden golem statue!]

    Titti was convinced that she had obtained a treasure map.

    However, the 6th Underground Floor was a dangerous ce.

    Titti may be an excellent mage, but even she couldn¡¯t easily handle such a ce by herself.

    [However, If I were to get my hands on this¡­¡­]

    Although no one was in the room, Titti carefully tucked the map away in her pocket, making sure it wasn¡¯t seen by others.

    <strong>Yuusuke POV</strong>

    After the busy morning hours, Titti came in alone.

    [Wee. It sure is rare to see you here alone.]

    [W- Well, it¡¯s just one of those days¡­¡­]

    Titti doese to my shop, but she would most often be apanied by Marco.

    There should have been no precedent of hering alone.

    I know she¡¯s already reformed, but I¡¯ve had some bad experiences with her in the past, so I couldn¡¯t help raising my guard a bit.

    [Are you going to the first-aid station afterwards?]

    [Yes. I thought of stocking up some snacks for use there¡­¡­]

    Titti¡¯s hands didn¡¯t rest as she replied, putting one snack in her basket after another.

    That¡¯s quite an extraordinary amount she¡¯s getting.

    10-rim gums,rge round candies, umaibos, stick choctes, and other items are all in her basket one end to the other.

    [Oi, oi, what¡¯s going on? You look like you¡¯re about to head off for a subjugation mission.]

    [I¡¯m just buying a little more. Do you not have any Monster Card Chips anymore?]

    [Yeah, just hold on a sec.]

    The shelves were out of stock, so I took a box out from the back.

    [While you¡¯re at it, how about some of these? It¡¯s a popr item right now.]

    Product name: Barley Choctes 666

    Description: It contains 666 grains of barley chocte. Eating it gives one¡¯s skin a cool tan. It also supplements your Vitamin D. With one bag of this, you won¡¯t need to go to the tanning salon anymore!

    Price: 100 rims

    Since adventurers spend most of their days in the dungeon, many of them look pale.

    This is why this snack is so popr, especially among the young adventurers.

    [How about trying out tanning too, Titti? I think you can pull up the old gyaru-style.]

    [What¡¯s that ¡°gyaru¡±? Anyhow, I don¡¯t need snacks with that kind of magic effect. I want dagashis that will supplement my fighting ability.]

    [Why?]

    Even though Titti should have been doing nothing but healing work at the first-aid stationtely¡­¡­

    Innread ].

    [I- I just wanna move my muscles sometimes! Can you stop asking all these questions? I¡¯m gonna tell Michelle about this.]

    I don¡¯t know what she¡¯s going to tell me on about, but I don¡¯t want any trouble.

    This person is cunning, and Michelle is a deeply jealous person.

    I decided to quickly avoid the mess and just settle her bill.

    [Yeah, yeah, that¡¯s a total of 3020 rims.]

    [Here, that should do it.]

    The amount became so high that it didn¡¯t seem like she bought dagashis, but Titti left the money and quickly departed.

    Then, the incident happened.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Barley Chocte 666: Dunno if that ¡°666¡± part was based on an IRL dagashi, but here¡¯s a pic of the barley chocte.

 Chapter 129: 6th Underground Floor

    <h4>Chapter 129: 6th Underground Floor</h4>

    Just before noon, Michelle ran into the shop.

    The shop was empty because all the adventurers were in the dungeon.

    Normally, Michelle would have jumped into my arms without a second thought, but today, she looked different.

    [Yuusuke, big trouble!]

    [What¡¯s the matter? Did something happen in the dungeon? Is someone hurt?]

    [That¡¯s not it. However, something strange happened with the dungeon elevator. It should only go to the 4th Underground Floor, but it stopped at the 6th Underground Floor. It¡¯s great that I happened to catch sight of it, but what does that mean?]

    Did the controls malfunction?

    Or perhaps, did someone tamper with the settings?

    However, to change the settings, one would have to press the buttons in a certain order.

    Very few people know the correct code.

    The only people who were briefed on the dungeon with Mani-san were me and Michelle, then Merle and Mira, and then Garm and Titti.

    Did any of these people take the risk of going to the 6th Underground Floor?

    It would be great if nothing happened but¡­¡­

    While we were worrying about this matter, Team Garm arrived.

    [I¡¯m hungry~~ Yahagi-san, I¡¯ll have arge serving of yakisoba!]

    Garm and the others took up position in front of the griddle, innocently brandishing spats.

    Did they just return from the 6th Underground Floor?

    I¡¯ll try probing a bit.

    [Ou, you¡¯re here early today. Are you done exploring?]

    [Not really. We were hunting on the 3rd Underground Floor just now, and we took down a Cockatrice, and it dropped meat!]

    When monsters are defeated, they disappear, leaving behind money and magic crystals.

    However, there¡¯s also a rare chance that they would drop items.

    [The dungeon elevator made it easier for us toe up to the surface, didn¡¯t it? So, we decided to have lunch up here. We¡¯re thinking of having yakisoba mixed with cockatrice meat.]

    I quietly whispered to Michelle.

    [It doesn¡¯t look like Garm was the one who messed with the elevator settings.]

    [Unnn. In the first ce, I don¡¯t think Garm-kun even remembers the passcode.]

    That¡¯s also true¡­¡­

    Garm has a bold personality and doesn¡¯t pay much attention to details.

    He¡¯s crude, but honest to others, so if he wants to go to the 6th Underground Floor, he would have talked to me about it.

    [By the way, Garm, have you seen Team Harukaze?]

    [Hmm, Merle¡¯s group? They¡¯re on the 2nd Underground Floor.]

    [2nd Underground Floor?]

    That¡¯s strange. They¡¯re over there even though they normally operate in the 3rd Underground Floor below that?

    [Marco was apparently taking the day off today. That¡¯s why they¡¯re working on a higher floor to be safe. Speaking of which, I didn¡¯t see Titti in the first-aid room either, so I guess she and Marco are getting it on somewhere?]

    [Fyuuu~~!]

    The adventurers were acting like young kids when they heard something sex-rted, but my thoughts didn¡¯t lead me to the same conclusion as theirs.

    I highly doubt it, but there¡¯s no way the two of them had gone to the 6th Underground Floor, right?

    [Yuusuke, if something happens, it would be toote¡­¡­]

    [I know. I¡¯ll go in the back and check where Marco and Titti are. Take care of the shop.]

    Getting a Stick Chocte to use my irvoyance, I went into the tatami room in the back.

    <strong>Titty POV</strong>

    Geez, what in the world is this!?

    I didn¡¯t expect the monsters on the 6th Underground Floor to be this strong.

    If it had been just me, I would have died a long time ago.

    I was saved thanks to Marco supporting me¡­¡­

    [Titti, we can¡¯t go any further. Let¡¯s get out of here.]

    [¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­..]

    I silently handed him a Moran Yogul as a sign of refusal.

    My resolve on this matter is firm.

    [Do you really want that golden statue?]

    [That¡¯s right¡­¡­ If you don¡¯t approve of my decision, you can leave now, Marco. It won¡¯t be worth a single rim to Marco anyway.]

    I don¡¯t intend to share any portion of the treasure with others.

    That¡¯s why I came all this way without inviting anyone.

    [I know that, Titti. You can do whatever you want, but I will apany you until the end.]

    Without waiting for my reply, Marco readied his Legendary Nail Bat and started walking in front.

    I could only lower my head looking at his back.

    Even at a time like this, I can¡¯t be honest with myself.

    I can¡¯t even say ¡°Thank you¡± in a situation where I¡¯m standing next to death.

    By the time we reached the room marked on the map, both Marco and I were exhausted.

    I was able to heal our wounds with magic, but my mana was on the verge of depletion.

    Fortunately, there were no monsters in the room, so I sealed the door and slumped to the floor.

    [Titt, here¡¯s ourst 10-rim gum.]

    I had bought arge amount of dagashis, but we had already eaten most of it.

    My arms were too heavy to even receive the dagashi.

    [I¡¯m sorry, but can you feed it to me, Marco?]

    [Eh? Unnn¡­¡­ I¡¯m fine with it.]

    Men really are stupid.

    They get so happy just by us fawning upon them a bit¡­¡­

    But well, Marco¡¯s shy smile does make me happy.

    The sweet gum restores a little bit of my mana and makes me feel better.

    [Come on, let¡¯s set our eyes on the treasure.]

    Managing to stand up with all the strength in my lower body, I looked around.

    At a nce, it looked no different from the countless ordinary rooms in existence.

    However, I hade here ording to the map.

    There was no mistaking this ce.

    [Titti, look! There¡¯s a small crest carved here.]

    The crest Marco found was as small as the tip of a finger, and had the design of a cogwheel.

    Such a description was also drawn on the treasure map.

    [There¡¯s no doubt about it. It¡¯s definitely here¡­¡­]

    Are there any other clues around?

    I carefully looked again at the half-unreadable ancient script and picked out the words I could read.

    [Golden golem statue¡­¡­ Altar¡­¡­ This word should be¡­¡­ Rotation?]

    Rotation¡­¡­ Could it be talking about this cogwheel?

    This could also be a trap though.

    However, after going this far, I couldn¡¯t hesitate now.

    [Marco, stay back a bit.]

    [I¡¯m fine with that, but why?]

    [It¡¯s nothing. Just do as I say.]

    I let Marco back up to the opposite wall and traced my finger over the cogwheel crest.

    If someone¡¯s gonna be a victim of a trap, me being caught in it by myself is already enough.

    First, turn right¡­¡­

    Nope, no response.

    In that case, let¡¯s rotate left¡­¡­

    Go¡­¡­ Gogogogogogo¡­¡­

    I did it!

    The wall slides down to reveal a hidden back room. And in that room¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C

    [Whoa, is that real?]

    On a low pedestal sat a golden golem statue measuring 60 cm in height.

    It¡¯s a rock golem with a rounded form, but its entire body is shining in a golden hue.

    [Fu¡­¡­ Fufu¡­¡­]

    I finally did it.

    A dry chuckle escaped the corners of my mouth, from a mixture of exhaustion and a sense of aplishment.

    [T- That¡¯s amazing¡­¡­ Titti, how much is that worth?]

    [Right¡­¡­ I think it¡¯s worth at least 300 million rims for the gold alone. Adding in the artistic and historical value, I think I¡¯d be able to sell it a bit more.]

    I carefully examined the pedestal and found no traps.

    The question now was how to get this to the elevator.

    I used both hands to try and lift it to check its weight, but it was considerably heavy.

    [Fuuu, bringing this back¡¯s gonna be rough.]

    [Unnn, even though it¡¯s so small, it¡¯s as heavy as Titti.]

    [Can¡¯t you have some delicacy with your choice of words?]

    I should be a bit lighter than this thing.

    In any case, what should I do?

    Both Marco and I are already at the limit of our strengths.

    [Titti, I really think we should go back. Let¡¯s call the others to help us out.]

    [No! I¡¯ll bring this back myself even if I have to drag it.]

    [You¡¯ll just wear down the gold if you do that. Besides, if it¡¯s Michelle-san, I¡¯m sure she will understand what¡¯s going on.]

    [Absolutely not. I don¡¯t want to depend on Sister! Marco may have been helping me now, but I was originally going to do this on my own. I will deliver this golden statue to the national treasury as I nned. That¡¯s why I came all the way here without any help!]

    That¡¯s why I¡¯ve gone through all this trouble.

    I can¡¯t ask Michelle for help now.

    [Titti, are you sure about this? If you acquire that, you could even livefortably in a foreign country, you know?]

    [Hmph, I spent billions of rims when I was the Queen Consort. What¡¯s a few hundred million rim now? Besides, I want to pay back some of my debt. Not like this statue would fullypensate them¡­¡­ Marco, are you not mad? All this trouble yet you¡¯re not getting a single rim?]

    [I¡¯m fine with it as long as it makes Titti happy.]

    Marco never lies to me. However, that¡¯s exactly why my heart ached.

    [I¡¯m sorry, it¡¯s because you got involved with someone like me¡­¡­]

    [My life now is filled with so much happiness though.]

    [Marco¡­¡­]

    Unable to express my feelings with words any further, I let my emotions move me and jumped into Marco¡¯s chest.

    <strong>Yahagi POV</strong>

    As the intense kissing scene began, I turned off my irvoyance.

    Even so, that was surprising.

    I had no idea that such a golden statue was lying under Luganda Dungeon.

    What¡¯s even more surprising was Titti¡¯s words.

    Fumu, I guess I¡¯ll just save her without her noticing.

    With this resolve in mind, I pulled open the storeroom¡¯s door.

 Chapter 130: Wakuwaku Slime Operation

    <h4>Chapter 130: Wakuwaku Slime Operation</h4>

    Titti doesn¡¯t seem to want anyone to know what she is doing.

    If that¡¯s the case, I would like to respect that.

    For that reason, it might be best to assist without letting the person in question realize it.

    I also don¡¯t want her to know about my irvoyance either.

    I took out a new snack that I was going to put on the shelvester in the afternoon.

    Product name: Wakuwaku Slime

    Description: A dagashi prepared by the customer. When you mix two kinds of powder in order, you can make a jelly that looks like slime. If one eats it, they can camouge as a slime for 15 minutes.

    Price: 200 rims

    This is a slightly overpriced self-made dagashi.

    Once you transform into a slime, you will not be attacked by other monsters, so you can use this for scouting and other purposes.

    Moreover, there seems to be a 1% chance that you¡¯d transform into a Metal Wakuwaku Slime.

    Eating it can allow you to transform into a slime that can move at high speed.

    It¡¯s truly a slime that makes you go wakuwaku.

    Eating this will allow me to walk around safely even on the 6th Underground Floor.

    Fortunately, there are no adventurers hunting monsters on the 6th Underground Floor, so there¡¯s no need for me to worry about being killed by mistake.

    My n was to go to the room where Titti and Marco were resting and provide them with snacks without their knowledge.

    At that moment, the door of the tatami room opened and Michelle peaked in.

    [How is it? Did you find out where Titti is?]

    Even though they don¡¯t seem to get along, it seems that she¡¯s still worried about her little sister.

    Sinceing to Luganda, the two of them have been talking more and more.

    They even started smiling at each other once in a while.

    I exined the situation to Michelle.

    [I never thought that that Titti would actually think that way¡­¡­]

    [Well, isn¡¯t it a good thing? Anyhow, I¡¯m gonna go out for a bit.]

    [Are you going to be alright, Yuusuke, heading out there on your own?]

    [I¡¯m just going to supply them with snacks, so it won¡¯t be a problem. I also won¡¯t be attacked by any monsters when I go there as a slime.]

    [Alright. However, don¡¯t you dare have an affair with a female slime!]

    Whoa there, I don¡¯t have such preferences.

    In the first ce, I don¡¯t think monsters born from magical mists even have romantic feelings.

    The wall between different species is higher and thicker than this yandere witch thinks.

    In any case, I pacified Michelle¡¯s insecurities and headed for the dungeon.

    When the elevator door slid open, I found myself in a small entrance area.

    Just as Mani-san had informed us, there seemed to be no monsters here.

    I quickly opened up a pack of wakuwaku slime and started making snacks.

    [Too bad, I didn¡¯t turn into a Metal Slime huh.]

    I was hoping to experience their fast movement speed, but that would have to wait until next time.

    [Well, let¡¯s just go and make it. First, I should make the juice¡­¡­]

    I put Powder ¢Ù in the tray provided and poured water up to the marking line.

    [Stir it well here or it will fail.]

    Mix well with a spoon until there are no lumps.

    Being that I¡¯m a dagashi shopowner, I properly checked to make sure there was no gunk umting at the bottom.

    [Alright, we¡¯re good to go!]

    Licking the stirring spoon, I could smell the slight hint of soda aroma.

    [Now, by adding Powder ¢Ú to the mixture¡­¡­]

    I added the rest of the powder and stirred, and the liquid turned into a gel, and a gtinous jelly was soon formed.

    It was cleanly finished and had a faint greenish tinge.

    [Before I eat it, I guess I¡¯ll check out where Titti and Marco are now.]

    Because of my increase in level, using irvoyance hardly puts a strain on my body.

    If I don¡¯t look into the past or future, I would be able to use irvoyance continuously.

    [Let¡¯s see, Titti and Marco are¡­¡­ Uegh!]

    They¡¯re still freaking making out in the same room¡­¡­

    Whatever.

    By the looks of it, they¡¯ll probably be in that room for a while.

    I quickly canceled out my irvoyance and ate the wakuwaku slime.

    [Fumu, chewier than jell-o.]

    When I finished eating it, my body started to feel itchy.

    It seems that I can camouge as a slime at any time.

    When I let my mana circte through my body, everything I was wearing became slime-like.

    With this, preparations are nowplete.

    Since it enables your armor and weapons to camouge as a body part of a slime as well, it has quite an amazing effect.

    Moreover, the camouge can be immediately released.

    The price is a little high, but I have a feeling this will be a hit product.

    As soon as I stepped out of the entrance area, I encountered a monster.

    That was scary¡­¡­

    It was a rhinoceros-like monster that looked to be about 4 meters long.

    It had a rugged exoskeleton and bare muscles, and it looked ferocious.

    If I hadn¡¯t been camouging as a slime, it would have ripped my head off with one bite.

    Thankfully, it only took one look at me before it returned lumbering down the dungeon corridor.

    It was so terrifying that I really felt like a pipsqueak around muscr grown-ups.

    How did Titti and Marco even beat that thing?

    Even with how she usually acts, Titti really must be an excellent witch huh.

    Allowing myself some extra time, I ate another pack of wakuwaku slime in a safe room before continuing down the path.

    And then, finally, I made it to the treasure room.

    I wonder if they were still here?

    Putting my ear to the door¡­¡­

    [Titti! Titti!]

    [Ahhn, Marco?]

    They¡¯re still at it!?

    Ahh, can¡¯t they finish their deed already?

    Putting down the bag full of snacks I had prepared, including some wakuwaku slime and kabayaki sansuke, which is, well, increases their stamina if they still wanna continue doing that, I left the ce.

    <strong>Titti POV</strong>

    With our stamina and mana restored, we left the room, only to discover a strange bag on the other side of the door.

    [Marco, was that thing over there before?]

    [No, I don¡¯t think so¡­¡­]

    Maybe an unknown monster has disguised as a paper bag.

    I nervously checked it out, but the contents were just the snacks sold at that dagashi shop.

    [Why are these dagashis here? Ah, it¡¯s a new product.]

    Marco pulled out a dagashi I had never seen before called Wakuwaku Slime.

    [Did Yahagi-sane here earlier?]

    Why was Yahagi here?

    Had hee to rescue us?

    However, that isn¡¯t possible.

    I hade all this way without telling anyone.

    [I don¡¯t know¡­¡­ but in any case, we will use this. If we camouge as slimes, we should be able to make it to the elevator entrance area safely.]

    Marco and I went back to the room for a moment, preparing ourselves with some dagashi, before we started moving.

    Thanks to the dagashi we found by the door, we managed to make it back aboveground.

    The golden statue was hidden in my home and protected with a Sealing Barrier.

    It¡¯s now safe from theft.

    Now, I just need to contact Prime Minister Essel and he will have someone pick it up.

    With that decided, I visited the dagashi shop to ask for an assembly glider.

    [Wee.]

    I was greeted by Yahagi, who looked the same as usual.

    [I¡¯d like to have an assembly glider.]

    [ording to government policy, they aren¡¯t for sale.]

    [I¡¯ve got a situation here. I¡¯m trying to get in touch with someone among the government officials¡­¡­]

    [Well, if that¡¯s the case¡­¡­]

    Yahagi came from the room in the back with the item.

    [Hey, were you on the 6th Underground Floor today?]

    [Hmm? Hmmm, yeah, I was. Well, I was making my rounds. Dropped a bag of my products along the way though, so it wasn¡¯t really any good. How¡¯d you know that?]

    [Not much. ¡­¡­Thanks.]

    [Eh? Why did you thank me?]

    [Annoying! It¡¯s nothing.]

    It was obvious that Yahagi was feigning ignorance about something.

    He must have found out about how we were in a crisis somehow.

    Despite everything between us, he¡¯s an excellent guy.

    I can understand why Sister was that madly in love with him.

    I still hate myself, but have I perhaps be a little better person than I was yesterday?

    I suppose I¡¯ll tell him how I feel one more time.

    [Thank you¡­¡­]

    I don¡¯t know if Yahagi heard me.

    However, Yahagi was smiling, so I decided I¡¯d just be content with that.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    I don¡¯t know what that Wakuwaku Slime is based from.

 Chapter 131: Four-Town Mobile Force Tournament

    <h4>Chapter 131: Four-Town Mobile Force Tournament</h4>

    Finally, the day of the tournament arrived.

    The number of tourists had been increasing for several days now, and today, the ce was packed with so many people that Luganda was afraid it would copse.

    [It¡¯s like a crossing scramble in Shibuya.]

    [Shibuya? Scramble?]

    [It¡¯s a ce with lots of people in my previous life.]

    While exchanging trivial conversation, Michelle and I continued to work tirelessly without taking a break.

    There was a line of nearly a hundred people in front of the dagashi shop¡¯s booth.

    [Yes, Super Orb lottery. Congrattions, you¡¯ve won the third prize.]

    [Wee, Hot Dr. Pepper, right?]

    Even though the aide Nakaram-san, Team Harukaze, and Titti helped out, the line kept going without interruption.

    With this, as per the initial n, I might be able to expect a significant amount of level-ups.

    [Yahagi-sama, we¡¯ve run out of yakisoba ingredients.]

    Nakaram-san, who was cooking with a smile on his face and apron on his muscr muscles, reported with a frown.

    Nakaram-san is good at dealing with request documents and cooking.

    Because the yakisoba he cooked was better than what Michelle made, he was the star of the show today.

    [It can¡¯t be helped. Let¡¯s end the sale of yakisoba. Nakaram-san, please support Mira, who is in charge of the string fishing lottery.]

    [Understood. Yahagi-sama, it¡¯s nearly time for you to receive the guests.]

    As the territory lord of the hosting town, I have to give an opening speech.

    However, I¡¯m not used to speaking in front of so many people¡­¡­

    [As expected, can we just drop the speech? It¡¯s kinda embarrassing¡­¡­]

    [What are you saying? This is also a duty of the lord.]

    Thereupon, Michelle leaned in closer.

    [If you¡¯re worried, would you like me to hold your hand while you¡¯re making a speech?]

    Holding hands while I¡¯m making the opening speech?

    [No, that¡¯s more embarrassing. Don¡¯t worry, I may not be used to it, but I can at least say hello.]

    I left our booth to the others and started preparing for the opening.

    The Mobile Force arena was overflowing with people.

    Everyone except for the VIPs is standing, and there are many people climbing trees and the roofs of houses to watch.

    When I went up on the stage, there was a big round of apuse.

    [Foring to the 1st Four-Town Mobile Force Tournament today, thank you very much!]

    Stopping the cheers with a hand, I exined today¡¯s schedule and the rules of the tournament.

    [The matches will be yed by each town¡¯s representative, each consisting of five yers. They consist of the Vanguard, Secondary Guard, Main Body, Vice-General, and General, who will engage with members of other teams in the same position as them. The first team to achieve three victories is dered the winner.]

    No matter how strong Michelle is, winning a team match is no easy task.

    This is a tournament that tests a team¡¯s overall strength.

    [Also, I have a special gift for all the yers participating in this year¡¯s tournament.

    Product name: BEZ Limited Edition: Dragon Series

    Description: Peppermint-vored tablet candies. The dispenser has heads of various characters. When the heads are moved backwards, a tablet candy is pushed out. When you eat the Dragon Series, a part of the dragon¡¯s power will be in your body for 10 seconds.

    Price: Not for Sale

    BEZ sure brings back memories.

    I remember my cousin collecting Sunleo¡¯s Hero Katty BEZ.

    I also once treasured a Trunksformer Robot BEZ that a rtive of mine brought me as a souvenir when he went abroad.

    I probably still got it somewhere in my parents¡¯ house.

    The one I¡¯m giving away this time is a dispenser with a dragon head on it.

    There are 24 different types, including Earth Dragons, Wind Dragons, Fire Dragons, Water Dragons, and Thunder Dragons, and the finely crafted dragons create a sense of luxury.

    The regr BEZ dispensers are made of stic, but the limited editions are made of metal.

    Considering the formidable image it holds, it would make a fitting participation prize for the representative yers.

    [We have the limited edition for the representative yers, but our Dagashi Yahagi also sells a general edition of BEZ. We have a Monster Series, Animal Series, and Mobile Force Series, and if you have the opportunity, please check them out. They are priced at 100 rims each.]

    I also cheekily advertised my dagashi shop, but a little bit of amusement should be good enough.

    [First match, Toskea vs Bast, will begin shortly hereafter. Everyone please wait for a moment.]

    Thus began the Four-Town Mobile Force Tournament.

    Bast won the first match, but the overall winner was still to be determined. There¡¯s something calledpatibility in battles, so someone who won over someone won¡¯t necessarily win over another. Just like rock-paper-scissors, rock beats scissors, but is beaten by paper.

    Well, there are also some absolute powerhouses like Michelle¡­¡­

    [Match over! Winner, Luganda General Michelle!]

    The crowd cheered.

    In the match between Luganda and Betzel, Vanguard Garm and Secondary Guard Mira had lost one after the other, but Main Body Merle, Vice-General Titti and General Michelle had won one after the other toplete theeback.

    [Yuusuke!]

    .

    Having won her match, Michelle ran to the bleachers.

    [Did you watch my match?]

    [You were wonderful. Michelle is like Luganda¡¯s guardian deity.]

    [Oh my, you jest (Ahhn, Yuusukepliment me?)]

    Michelle happily sat down next to me.

    [I got another level-up just now. It seems like seeing the participation prize BEZ, the audience started simultaneously buying it. Now Regal and some others are going around the auditorium as vendors.]

    [I¡¯m d to hear that. The festival seems to be a great sess.]

    [Yeah, this is thanks to everyone. By the way, which BEZ do you want, Michelle?]

    The order the BEZ participation prize is given is based on the number of wins, with the most wins picking first.

    Michelle would probably be the first one to choose.

    [Hmmm, I guess I¡¯ll go with Dark Dragon Lord Hadera¡­¡­ As for me, I would have preferred something cuter.]

    All of the Dragon Series that are participation prizes look overbearing.

    [It would have been better if you got one with Yuusuke¡¯s head on it¡­¡­]

    [My head? That would just look like a freshly severed head, which is in creepy.]

    [That isn¡¯t true! If they ever go on sale, I¡¯ll buy up your entire stock and put them all in my pockets. Then, I would decorate them in the living room, in the kitchen, and in our bedroom.]

    Stop that. Can¡¯t you think what it¡¯s like for me, who¡¯s living with you?

    It seems that the Dragon Series is of little value to Michelle.

    Well, you¡¯d only get a small part of a dragon¡¯s power, and it onlysts for 10 seconds.

    It¡¯s not a very valuable item.

    I¡¯ve already exined that to everyone.

    However, it seems like there¡¯s just that certain group of people in the world who don¡¯t listen or don¡¯t understand what people are saying¡­¡­

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    BEZ: Based on PEZ

    <noscript></noscript>

    <noscript></noscript><ol start="2"> The tournament positions Yahagi made were based on Kendo ordering, ¡°Senpou, Jihou, Chuuken, Fukushou and Taishou¡±.

    </ol>

 Chapter 132: After the Festival

    <h4>Chapter 132: After the Festival</h4>

    The tournament was won by Luganda with three wins and one loss.

    The only opponent they lost to was Toskea in the third round.

    Toskea had a group of veterans in their team with excellent tactics. The young adventurers Garm, Mira and Merle werepletely at their mercy.

    However, it was a good experience.

    In their final match, they shifted their mindset and secured victory with only the rookies.

    The tournament was a great sess and our stock of Mobile Force was sold out.

    Mani 4WDs and my dagashis were also selling well, and my level went up by 3 just today.

    However, an incident happened during the closing ceremony.

    The participation prize BEZs that I had ced behind my booth disappeared.

    It must have been stolen.

    The fact that there was nothing else stolen suggests that the culprits must have had their eye on it from the beginning.

    Michelle stared at the empty space where the BEZ should have been with a frightening look on her face.

    [I wonder who could have stolen them? This ispletely unforgivable!]

    [I¡¯ll look into it, just give me a moment.]

    As I sat in ce, Michelle worriedly touched my shoulder.

    [You¡¯re going to use irvoyance?]

    [You can count on me. I¡¯m now able to look back to the past easier than before, thanks to my level-ups.]

    I think if I were to set Limited Edition BEZ in the search tab, I could easily find out its whereabouts, but I wanted to check the ability increase I got from my previous level-ups.

    I intended to look into what happened through the past and assess the extent of the strain by doing this on my body.

    [irvoyance!]

    I muttered quietly and activated my magic.

    This time, I didn¡¯t use a Stick Chocte.

    I¡¯m now confident I could peek into the past without using it.

    I felt like something was pressing into my chest, but as I had expected, the burden on my body was lessened.

    This was probably thanks to the level-ups.

    I might even be able to get a glimpse into the future now.

    But for now, I must look for the missing BEZs.

    Selecting ¡°go back¡±, I looked at the past.

    It shouldn¡¯t be that long ago that the BEZs were stolen.

    As I looked at time as if it was a video being yed back, I seeded in capturing the footage of suspicious people taking it.

    I was wondering why their faces looked rather familiar, as if I¡¯d seen them from somewhere, but they were the same guys that were captured by Garm¡¯s group for mugging the other day. It may have been a mistake to let them go with only a stern warning since they were only caught for an attempted crime.

    I never expected they would actuallymit theft this time though¡­¡­

    When I reyed the video, I could hear their voices.

    [So these are the special items they¡¯re giving out to the representative yers huh¡­¡­]

    [From what I see, it¡¯s worth a lot of money.]

    [It apparently gives you the power of a dragon.]

    [I bet each one costs over 100,000 rims¡­¡­]

    The three of them gulped, and after exchanging nces, they nodded.

    Then, carrying the cardboard boxes containing the BEZs, they seamlessly blended into the crowd and started moving away.

    The BEZs really had been stolen huh.

    Even so, they really hadn¡¯t listened to what I said.

    The power of the dragon resides in your body for only a mere 10 seconds.

    Moreover, that¡¯s only a part of the power of a dragon.

    There¡¯s no way you can sell that for 100,000 rims.

    Yeah, a BEZ collector might pay for it, but it would only cost 5000 rims at most.

    After I released my magic, Michelle reached out to touch my cheek.

    [Yuusuke, how do you feel? Does it hurt anywhere?]

    [I¡¯m fine. The increased level has reduced the strain on my body. I think I¡¯d be able to see a little into the future tonight.]

    [Thank goodness¡­¡­ So, where are the BEZs?]

    I exined what I saw with my irvoyance.

    [They are fleeing through the forest¡¯s off-road path toward the main road. Let¡¯s quickly chase them.]

    [We¡¯re on it!]

    It was Merle who energetically responded.

    I looked over and saw Team Harukaze in full force.

    [They¡¯ve got a lot of nerve stealing my Bahamut. We¡¯ll catch them red-handed and bring them to justice!]

    Thanks to the quick action of Michelle and the others, the thieves were quickly caught.

    Incidentally, the three guys whomitted the crime were sentenced to one month of forcedbor under thews of the kingdom.

    Well, let¡¯s have them do their best in clearing up the road for us.

    The closing ceremony ended without incident, and many people were on their way home.

    Those who are still excited about the tournament seem to be ying matches here and there in the arena.

    The Mani 4WD race courses set up outside the arena were also well-received, and many people were making their cars run.

    [Yuusuke-san, the BEZs have sold out!]

    Regal, who was helping me as a salesboy, told me.

    [Thanks for the hard work! We¡¯re gonna have an afterpartyter at night, so you shoulde too.]

    [Is that alright!? Thank you very much.]

    Regal has been known for bing brazentely, but in situations like this, he¡¯s still very much a child.

    The twinkle in his eyes shows how happy he is.

    To thank the people who helped me, I n to ughter a cow and grill it tonight.

    It¡¯s going to be a big barbecue party.

    [I failed in the selection matches this time, but I¡¯ll definitely be a representative yer next year. I¡¯m going to contribute to the team with my Gungalf.]

    Regal¡¯s ability is improving rapidly, so perhaps, he really might be able to qualify next year.

    [I¡¯m looking forward to it. We have high expectations for the up-anding young mage Regal-kun¡¯s Fire Magic for tonight¡¯s barbecue after all.]

    [Ehhh, I don¡¯t think I can roast a whole cow.]

    [You¡¯re going to use this at that time. Check out my dagashi shop¡¯s new product.]

    Product name: Hikaramucho

    Description: A snack with a hint of chili pepper. Eating it increases the power of Fire Magic by 15%.

    Price: 100 rims

    [But I don¡¯t like spicy food¡­¡­]

    [Well, it¡¯s reasonably spicy, so I won¡¯t force you, but isn¡¯t that 15% increase pretty big?]

    [It certainly is¡­¡­ I wonder if Merle-san and the others would be happy with it?]

    On the path that started dimming with theing of the night, Regal and I walked side by side.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Hikaramucho: Based on Karamucho. The ¡°hi¡± part is most probably based on fire¡¯s kun¡¯yomi, which makes it ¡°fiery karamucho¡±.

    <noscript></noscript>

 Chapter 133: I Looked Into the Future

    <h4>Chapter 133: I Looked Into the Future</h4>

    As night fell and the area becamepletely quiet, Michelle and I prepared for my use of irvoyance in the bedroom.

    It was finally time for me to look into the future.

    [Are you sure it¡¯s going to be alright?]

    [You¡¯re being a worrywart, Michelle. This time won¡¯t be like before. I¡¯ve already drunk a bottle of ramune to improve my mana cirction, and I also have the Seiryu Ring that the Gnomes had given me. If I enhance my magic with a Stick Chocte, I would surely be able to see the future.]

    [But¡­¡­]

    [Besides, even if something happens, I have you and your Healing Magic with me, Michelle. I¡¯m counting on you, okay?]

    [Unnn¡­¡­]

    I sat down on the floor and took a deep breath.

    I almost diedst time, but things shouldn¡¯t turn out that way this time.

    [irvoyance!]

    As I closed my eyes and deployed my magic, I heard that voice calling me.

    ¡°Do you want to go forward or go back?¡±

    As I chose to go forward, a creaking pain shot through my body.

    It felt like my brain was being mped in a vise, but not to the point that the pain would render me unconscious.

    Alright, it¡¯s a sess.

    As I endured the pain, two search boxes and a map appeared.

    It seems there are two ways to see the future.

    One is to select a time and a ce.

    The other would be to select from a list of ces that were caught in the search engine.

    The map was within a 10-kilometer radius, and the time could be specified up to 12 hours in the future.

    I guess that¡¯s the limit of what I can do at the moment.

    If my level goes up even further, the time and space that I can see should expand even more.

    For the time being, I tried a search using the keywords ¡°lightning¡± and ¡°lightning strike¡±, but no possible list showed up.

    In other words, there must be no ce where lightning strikes within a radius of 10 km within 12 hours.

    It can¡¯t be helped, let¡¯s probe something different in the future this time¡­¡­

    After some thought, I specified tomorrow morning in front of the dungeon.

    Thereupon, a vision immediately unfolded in front of me.

    Oh, I can see myself opening up my stall.

    It seems that the adventurers aren¡¯t going to take some rest tomorrow and will be hard at work.

    Team Harukaze came running.

    Just like usual, Merle went straight to trying her luck in the Scratch Card.

    ¡­¡­Oh¡­¡­?

    Ohhh!

    Merle unusually drew a winning lottery card!

    After confirming that much, I deactivated irvoyance.

    Reaching the limit of headache I can bear, an unbearable pain runs from my shoulders to my lower back.

    [Fuuu¡­¡­]

    [Yuusuke, pull yourself together!]

    [I¡¯m not going to die, so don¡¯t worry. Thanks to leveling up, I don¡¯t lose consciousness like before, but it still hurts. Mngh¡­¡­]

    [Where does it hurt?]

    [In my neck and shoulders. Sorry, I¡¯d like some Healing Magic¡­¡­]

    Michelle¡¯s cool fingers rested on my neck.

    From there, gentle soothing mana began to flow in.

    [I¡¯ll give you a massage as well, so you just rx there, Yuusuke.]

    [Sorry, but I would have to ask you to pamper me today.]

    [Geez, you know I could pamper you around the clock?]

    .

    Michelle definitely is trying to make me a useless person¡­¡­

    As I felt her hands moving smoothly up and down, I closed my eyes in rapture.

    [So, did you see the future?]

    [So far, I can only see 12 hours ahead. However, if I were to use it on a bad weather day, I think we would be able to tell where lightning will strike. With half a day in hand, we can prepare the essentials in advance, right?]

    [Right. With that much time, we will have enough time to prepare the energy packs and converters. All that¡¯s left is to finish the energy packs.]

    [How¡¯s thating along?]

    [It¡¯s almost finished, but there are still some materials missing. They¡¯re all drop items from monsters, but obtaining rare materials is quite challenging.]

    Monsters dropping those items aren¡¯t guaranteed, so it seems that no matter how strong Michelle is, they¡¯re still difficult to obtain.

    [Then, I¡¯ll also ask the assistance of other adventurers. Make a list of the items you need. I¡¯ll make a bulletin board and put it up. If we buy them at a fair price, everyone will be happy.]

    [That¡¯s a good idea. Luganda is finally going to have a purchase station huh.]

    In the Royal Capital, if I¡¯m not mistaken, there¡¯s a guild that handles requests and purchase transactions.

    Luganda will have a system simr to that.

    For the time being, Nakaram-san and I will operate the guild, but I¡¯d like to eventually set up an official guild.

    Unnn, Luganda is gradually bing more and more presentable as a town.

    I¡¯m very happy about that.

    [How is it, Yuusuke? Does it feel great?]

    [Thanks, it made me feel better. I¡¯ll massage you this time.]

    [I¡¯m good¡­¡­ I¡¯m happy as long as Yuusuke feels good¡­¡­]

    [Enough of that, we¡¯re taking turns.]

    One doesn¡¯t need irvoyance to see what happens from here, right?

    Feeling the flirty time with our skin, we intertwined our fingers with an aura of expectation and affection.

    I made a bulletin board with Nakaram-san early in the morning.

    We had plenty of wood, so we didn¡¯t have to worry about the materials.

    With the powerful Nakaram-san wielding his hammer with gusto, the bulletin board was ready in no time.

    The board was set up right next to my stall, so people who came to the stall would notice it.

    [Is this good enough?]

    Nakaram-san¡¯s eyes squinted as he looked at the signboard, seemingly proud of the finished product.

    [It¡¯s excellent. Your help saves me the trouble.]

    [No, no, this is nothing.]

    His upper arm muscles are twitching.

    I recently found out that Nakaram-san has a habit of flexing his muscles when he¡¯s happy.

    [Arehh~~ Yuusuke-san, what did you make?]

    [Good morning, what is that?]

    Merle and Mira came over.

    [Oh, you came at the right time. Help us out on this too, Team Harukaze.]

    [Help out? Hmmm¡­¡­ Ohh, you¡¯ve set up a purchase list!]

    Luganda will buy the following drop items.

    Pinus Wev¡¯s Silver Horn: 20000 rims

    Stunning Eel¡¯s Beard: 8000 rims

    Hell Priestess¡¯ Staff: 12000 rims

    Metal Golem¡¯s Heart: 50000 rims

    If we get these four items ready, the energy packs will be ready soon.

    If the adventurers work hard, we may be able to gather them soon.

    [The purchase price is a little better than in the Royal Capital.]

    [Whether the Genos Breaker will move depends on this after all. Everyone, I¡¯m counting on you. If you bring me the especially rare Metal Golem¡¯s Heart, you can even fill your basket with my ce¡¯s snacks as much as you want.]

    [Really!?]

    Mira looked really eager there.

    [Of course.]

    [T- Then, I can pour as much condensed milk on my Milky Crackers¡­¡­?]

    [I don¡¯t mind!]

    Milky Crackers are apparently Mira¡¯stest favorite.

    Product name: Milky Crackers

    Description: A snack with a light, crispy texture. Eating it allows one to float in the air for 7 seconds.

    Price: 20 rims

    At Dagashi Yahagi, customers can choose from either sauce, apricot jam, or condensed milk to put on their Milky Crackers.

    Back in Japan, pouring apricot jam is moremon in Kanto region, while pouring condensed milk is moremon in Osaka.

    Mira loves Milky Crackers with condensed milk on them.

    [Merle, let¡¯s go! I¡¯m gonna eat my fill of Milky Crackers coated with plenty of condensed milk!]

    [Alright, alright! Alright already, so stop pulling me¡­¡­ Wait, whoa! I won! I won at the Scratch Card!]

    In Merle¡¯s hand, she holds a scratch card with three different patterns of swords on it.

    Good, good, the effect of my irvoyance has been proven.

    Things are getting more and more exciting.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Milky Crackers / Milky Senbei

    <noscript></noscript>

 Chapter 134: Material Gathering

    <h4>Chapter 134: Material Gathering</h4>

    The eyes of the adventurers lit up when we started buying drop items.

    The highly priced Metal Golem¡¯s Heart seems to be especially popr.

    Thanks to this, this dagashi sold well.

    Product name: Compass Chocte

    Description: Apass that contains chocte beads. Not only does it tell the direction, but when a huge metallic object moves, the needle swings to show its location. It also has a feature that conveys feedback through vibration and amp function that illuminates the area.

    Price: 100 rims

    Along with the fact that it has various functions for the cheap price of 100 rims, this product is selling very well.

    The key to its poprity is that one can enjoy not only the food, but also the container.

    There are several colors and designs to choose from, and avid collectors seem to havepleted all of them.

    The Metal Golem is a powerful monster, but everyone is searching for it.

    It shouldn¡¯t take long before the necessary materials are collected.

    However, the doctor in the first-aid station is the one making herints.

    [Good grief, the number of injured people increasing is annoying. There are so many idiots challenging a monster without considering their own abilities, and they¡¯re being a nuisance. I wish they would consider what it¡¯s like for the one trying to heal them.]

    The Metal Golem is powerful, but it moves slowly.

    There¡¯s no end to the number of rookies who tried challenging it, thinking they might have a chance.

    Most of them are unable to handle it and end up running away though¡­¡­

    [Don¡¯t say that, Titti. If we can get our hands on a Metal Golem¡¯s Heart, we can get the Genos Breaker moving. I¡¯ll bring you some yakisobater, so hang in there.]

    [You¡¯re bringing me junk like that¡­¡­ You better bring me something to drink too.]

    [Alright. You fine with mikansui?]

    [Unnn, thanks¡­¡­]

    I thought she would be angry if I said this, but the way she¡¯s embarrassed kinda resembles Michelle.

    Titti seems to be getting busier, but I must ask her to do her best.

    I decided to make her a big bowl of yakisoba.

    It was almost lunchtime, so I guess I¡¯ll bring Dr. Titti her yakisoba.

    The first-aid station is located in the center of the 2nd Underground Floor, so I felt a bit uneasy about going there alone.

    I thought that if there were any adventurers diving into the dungeon now, I would ask them to apany me, but I don¡¯t seem to find anyone around today.

    Michelle is also already deep in the dungeon.

    [It can¡¯t be helped, I guess I¡¯ll go there on my own¡­¡­]

    While grumbling, I put on a simple body protector.

    After that, I prepared various dagashis and toys.

    I should manage with a monster card and pop rockets in hand.

    Fully prepared, I headed for the first aid room.

    .

    As I was walking down the 2nd Underground Floor, something suddenly vibrated in my pocket.

    It seemed like thepass chocte I had in my pocket was reacting to something.

    I checked and with the vibration getting stronger, I found that there was a Metal Golem nearby.

    Come to think of it, I¡¯ve never seen a Metal Golem before¡­¡­

    My curiosity suddenly perked up.

    I only have one monster card, ck Panther (R) in hand.

    It¡¯s a powerful monster with quick movements and strong fangs and ws.

    With this ck Panther, could I take down a Metal Golem though¡­¡­?

    The odds are against me.

    Besides, if I continue down this passageway, I might even run into other adventurers.

    Let¡¯s check things out for now.

    The drop rate for Metal Golem¡¯s Heart is low, and we still haven¡¯t been able to gather the required number of hearts.

    Normally, I would hedge the risks cowardly, but desire got the better of me today.

    Relying on mypass chocte, I proceeded down the passageway and found a Metal Golem standing in a slightly wide hall.

    No other adventurers were to be seen and no helpers were avable, but the Golem got its back turned to me,pletely defenseless.

    The Metal Golem boasts excellent attack and defense, but it also has a weakness that if it falls down, it takes a long time to get back up.

    In that case, let¡¯s give this a shot¡­¡­

    I take out a pack of jumbo cutlet out of my bag and ate it.

    I also remembered to eat arge candy ball to increase my speed.

    I ate them so fast that the taste of sauce and soda got mixed up in my mouth, but I didn¡¯t care about that.

    I snuck up on the Metal Golem from behind, and with a ¡°Power Boost!¡± shout, I tackled it.

    The Metal Golem lost its bnce and fell to the ground with a resounding thud.

    Just as nned, it copsed face down and struggled to get up.

    [Monster summon, activate! Go, ck Panther. Seal its left arm!]

    The ck Panther¡¯s ws are sharp, but not powerful enough to incapacitate the Metal Golem.

    However, just keeping the enemy¡¯s attacks at bay is enough.

    I took out a 2nd prize pop rocket and inserted it in the Metal Golem¡¯s groin joint.

    [Leap back, ck Panther!]

    The explosion urred almost simultaneously with our leap.

    A small splinter grazed my cheek, but it was nothing serious.

    That aside, what about the Metal Golem?

    Alright! It¡¯s brought down and disappearing into the mist.

    Left in its ce were 30,000 rims worth of coins, magic crystals, and¡­¡­

    [Ohh, so this is a Metal Golem¡¯s Heart!]

    The item, whose drop rate is said to be quite low, was dropped.

    It¡¯s cylindrical, about 40 cm long, and has several tubes connected to it like a boiler.

    A window on the side revealed the mechanical structure inside, with a number of gears and cams in motion.

    It was quite heavy when I lifted it up, but it wasn¡¯t much of a burden to me.

    I put it on top of a chest in my shoulder-pole stall and stored it directly in the dimensional space.

    With this, we¡¯re one step closer to restoring the Genos Breaker.

    As the adrenaline from the battle cooled, I felt pain all over my body.

    It seemed that I had injured myself in various ces without realizing it.

    Good grief, after I finish delivering the yakisoba to Dr. Titti, I¡¯ll go ask her to heal me.

    I¡¯m sure she¡¯s gonnain about it.

    However, I¡¯m d I was able to get a rare item.

    My body was heavy with fatigue, but my heart felt light.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Compass Chocte

    <noscript></noscript>

    <noscript></noscript>

 Chapter 135: Dark Beer

    <h4>Chapter 135: Dark Beer</h4>

    After the peak of the cold weather, a pleasant seasones approaching.

    It was the first winter since we moved here, and we have all made it through.

    The regrs, who gathered at my shop early in the morning were in good spirits, white air exhaling out of their mouths.

    [I was worried that something may happen at first, but we sure have plenty of trees around us huh. Thanks to that, we can keep the heat going.]

    Taking a sip of a Hot Dr. Pepper, Merle scrapes her scratch card.

    She seems to have beenpletely addicted to its taste and vor.

    [Did anyone catch a cold?]

    [Unnn, there were, but Michelle-san and Titti healed them.]

    There aren¡¯t that many people in the territory yet, so it seems that even just the two of them were enough to heal everyone.

    However, the number of migrants is increasing day by day, and Luganda¡¯s poption has finally exceeded 250.

    This certainly is something we should be happy about, but it¡¯s also a headache for Luganda as food production is currentlycking.

    .

    We really need to restore the Genos Breaker as soon as possible and swiftly secure housing and farnd.

    It¡¯s winter now, so the trees are dry.

    It¡¯s the right season for logging.

    At that moment, Garm¡¯s group arrived with noisy footsteps.

    [Good morning!]

    [Good morning, Garm. I didn¡¯t see youst night, but did your group go dungeon divingst night?]

    [No way. I¡¯m not that overconfident. We just got caught up in a couple of difficulties and had toe homete.]

    [That¡¯s alright then.]

    There¡¯s no end to the number of reckless adventurers.

    That especially goes for the drifters who pay an admission fee to enter the dungeon, such a tendency is strong, and there have been many casualties among them.

    [That aside, Yahagi-san, please buy this. You¡¯re still looking for this, right?]

    Garm brought one Pinus Wev¡¯s Silver Horn.

    [Ohh, you¡¯ve done well! I was getting flustered because we just had tock one finalponent. Wait a moment, I¡¯ll bring you your money.]

    When I handed over the payment money, Garm and the others cheered.

    [We did it. Tonight¡¯s gonna be an all-you-can-drink at Golden Sheep, right, Leader?]

    [You sure are helpless, Grav. Whatever, just for tonight. We¡¯ll just earn a good amount during the day!]

    Meanwhile, looking at the excited Garm and the group, Merle seemed downhearted.

    [Tsk, I was nning to redeem thatst silver horn. Freaking musclehead beat me to it.]

    [Don¡¯t be so down, Merle. I posted new requests this morning. We are short of medicinal herbs, so we¡¯ll pay for them with a good price.]

    [Really? Unnn, we¡¯ll check them out before diving into the dungeon.]

    The purchase station is working great and logistics are thriving.

    Materials acquired in the dungeon are also sometimes exported out of Luganda by peddlers such as Joshua-san.

    We can use the money earned to buy food and other necessary materials.

    However, Nakaram-san handles all such mary transactions, and the burden on him has be heavy.

    In the future, we will need an organization like the Adventurers¡¯ Guild.

    In any case, we now have all the materials needed to make the energy pack.

    First up, I¡¯ll have to report this to Michelle.

    Michelle has developed this unusual ability to focus.

    Once she makes up her mind, she seems to have the temperament to staymitted to it forever.

    She must truly be a natural-born researcher.

    It had been three days since she started assembling the energy pack, and the way she devoted herself to the work, even forgetting to eat or sleep, was uncanny.

    And then, on the night of the 7th day¡­¡­

    [It¡¯s done¡­¡­]

    Michelle, with dark circles under her eyes, mumbled under her breath.

    On the workbench was arge energy pack about 60 cm tall.

    [Can¡¯t¡­¡­ take it anymore¡­¡­]

    As she almost copsed, I held Michelle¡¯s body towards me.

    [You did a great job. Thanks, Michelle. How are you feeling?]

    [Ehehe, just having you worry about me like this makes all the hard work worth it.]

    Held in my embrace, Michelle behaved like a pampered child.

    [Should I bring you straight to bed?]

    [Nope. I¡¯d like to stay like this for a while. Hey, Yuusuke. Let me drink some dark beer.]

    Product name: Dark Beer

    Description: When dissolved in water, the mixture starts frothing and looks just like dark beer! When drunk, Dark Magic is amplified.

    Price: 30 rims

    This is Michelle¡¯s favorite snacktely.

    ording to her, she feels better when her Dark Magic is amplified.

    Just 30 rims for Michelle¡¯s emotional stability is a great deal.

    As Michelle and I sat down on the sofa, her being held in my arm, I gave her a cup of dark beer.

    [Ahh¡­¡­ The power of darkness is growing within¡­¡­]

    [That line makes you sound like an evil heroine.]

    Hearing my words, a suspicious smile creeps up Michelle¡¯s lips.

    [That¡¯s right, I¡¯m an evil witch. I now have Yuusuke in my grasp and will never let you go.]

    [O- Oi, you should get some rest¡­¡­]

    [No. I¡¯ve been working on that energy pack for a while now. You¡¯re not getting away today!]

    [Alright already, so calm down a bit. We won¡¯t get the mood going if we¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Uegh!?]

    The room suddenly turning dark startled me.

    [What is this¡­¡­ Dark Magic?]

    [I reduced the reflectivity of the walls and ceiling. It¡¯s useful for setting the mood, isn¡¯t it?]

    d in an aura of darkness, Michelle¡¯s arms wrapped around my neck.

    I can see it in her moist eyes, she doesn¡¯t intend to let go of me.

    The sweet scent of almond blossoms emanates from her approaching lips.

    [Rather than that, Yuusuke, just look at me¡­¡­]

    I¡¯m just the local dagashi shopowner.

    There¡¯s no way I can resist the dark witch.

    In the blink of an eye, I was ensnared by her Love Magic and we melted in a sea of sweetness.

    <Trantion¡¯s Notes>

    Dark Beer: Not actually an alcoholic beer. It¡¯s a powder-form dagashi that turns into something dark beer-like.

    <noscript></noscript>

 Chapter 136: Genos Breaker

    <h4>Chapter 136: Genos Breaker</h4>

    [Yuusuke, wake up.]

    Michelle¡¯s voice woke me up.

    We should be in our bedroom, but there was no light around us.

    It was still dark outside the window, and I could barely make out the outline of Michelle¡¯s face.

    [What¡¯s the matter, is it morning already?]

    I can wake up well in the morning, but my body still needs sleep.

    It should still be pretty early at the moment.

    However, it¡¯s quite unusual for Michelle to wake me up.

    Even though she¡¯d normally just stare at my face while I sleep¡­¡­

    [Yuusuke, listen. It¡¯s raining!]

    Rain?

    It¡¯s not snowing, but raining¡­¡­

    I see, the constant sound pounding against the roof does sound like rain.

    [Spring has finallye huh¡­¡­]

    [That¡¯s not all. Listen carefully.]

    [Hmm¡­¡­]

    Goro goro goro¡­¡­

    Upon realizing what she meant, I jumped out of the bed.

    It was faint, but I heard the distant rumble of thunder.

    [It¡¯s finally here!]

    [Yes, it¡¯s time for Yuusuke to use your irvoyance. I¡¯ll back you up.]

    [Got it!]

    Sitting on the bed, I immediately activated my magic.

    I then chose the most convenient area we could work from the list of lightning strike locations within a 10-kilometer radius.

    [This one is deep in the woods and inessible to people. This one¡­¡­ is no good, we won¡¯t make it there on time. Then this one¡­¡­ could work! We¡¯re gonna go here!!!]

    Choosing the best location, I then deactivated my irvoyance.

    However, my heart was immediately assaulted with pain and I felt like curling up in agony.

    [Yuusuke!]

    [I¡¯m alright. Don¡¯t worry about me, just ring the bell. Within three hours, we have to be near a lone cedar tree in the eastern forest. It¡¯s near Mani-san¡¯s shrine.]

    [Alright.]

    Michelle hurriedly ran.

    I¡¯ve already asked the residents of Luganda for their cooperation about this in advance.

    They promised that they woulde running if they were notified when lightning was about to strike.

    ng! ng! ng!

    The sound of the rm bell being struck by Michelle echoed outside the window.

    From this point on, it would be a race against time.

    This is also a job where failure is absolutely not an option.

    Stifling the pain, I changed out of my clothes and headed for the za.

    Almost all the residents had gathered in the still-dark za.

    [Everyone, thank you foring even though it¡¯s quite early. The day has finallye for us to unseal the Zord. We need everyone¡¯s help!]

    Feeling excited that the Zord was about to move, the people waited for my instructions.

    [First, we need to get the Zord near a lone cedar tree in the forest east of here.]

    It may sound like I¡¯m saying something easy, but this is a really tough task.

    The Zord weighs 130 tons.

    That would be the equivalent of the three tanks.

    It¡¯s an outrageous task to carry this with human power.

    However, this is another world, and I¡¯m the owner of the miraculous dagashi shop.

    I know that was an unreasonable request, but here in another world, asking that is eptable.

    [I¡¯m making yakisoba with jumbo cutlets in it, so everyone eat it before lifting it up.]

    Eating the jumbo cutlet with yakisoba will extend Power Boost¡¯s duration to 12 minutes.

    [Also, eat this new product!]

    Product name: Dondokodonyaki

    .

    Description: Sauce-vored snack. Eating it will increase team coordination (for about an hour)

    Price: 30 rims

    This snack has a long history.

    The package depicting people enjoying festival music hasn¡¯t changed since childhood.

    It looks like this would also go well with alcohol, so I guess I¡¯ll also rmend this to Zonderter.

    The n is to have everyone eat this and carry the Genos Breaker to the lone cedar tree.

    It¡¯s a rough n, but I can only trust the power of my dagashi.

    [Yuusuke-san, I brought Mani-san!]

    Mira pulled Mani-san, who looked a little woozy.

    When the rm bell rang, Mira would bring Mani-san with her, a procedure that we had also decided beforehand.

    I thought that if it was Mira, Mani-san would listen to her, and it seemed I was right.

    [What¡¯s the matter, Yahagi? Everyone is causing a big fuss here, you having a festival?]

    [That¡¯s right. We¡¯re finally restoring the Zord!]

    [Ohh, the Zord! ¡­¡­What¡¯s a Zord?]

    Today¡¯s a no good day huh!

    With him like this, I¡¯ll have to forcibly make him remember.

    The key to the Zord¡¯s restoration rests with Mani-san.

    [Mira, can you do something about him?]

    When I pleaded with her, Mira sweetly smiled.

    [Look, Mani-san. That¡¯s the Genos Breaker.]

    [Ohh! You sure dug up quite the ferocious Zord. It would have been great if you had at least acquired an Ancient Gorgodon¡­¡­]

    You¡¯re the one who dug that out!

    I threw that tsukkomi in my mind, but didn¡¯t say it out loud so as not to disturb Mira.

    Fumu, it seems like his memory hase back already.

    [I heard that they¡¯re now going to use lightning to imbue mana into the energy pack.]

    [Umu umu, that¡¯s good. However, this Zord seems to be frozen.]

    [That¡¯s right. That¡¯s why, we¡¯d like to ask Mani-san to thaw it when the timees.]

    [If mana doesn¡¯t circte in it within 30 minutes after thawing, the metallic cells of the Zord will be seriously damaged, so are you certain about that?

    [Yuusuke-san has already identified the ce where lightning strikes with his fortune-telling.]

    [I see, I see. Then, I¡¯ll thaw it out at that time.]

    Alright! That clears out Mani-san¡¯s side.

    I think we can do this if Mira had him follow us.

    In any case, powering up with jumbo cutlets and working in tandem with dondokodonyaki, we carried the Genos Breaker all the way near the lone cedar tree.

    We pulled a cable and tied it to the lone cedar tree, connecting it to the energy converter.

    From there, we pulled another line and connected it to the Genos Breaker loaded with the energy pack.

    This would convert the electrical energy of the lightning into mana, and thatrge 1.21 gigomatts of mana would flow into the Genos Breaker.

    The Genos Breaker has already been defrosted and everything is ready to go.

    [Everyone, get away from the lone cedar tree and the Genos Breaker. You could get electrocuted!]

    The citizens turned pale at my words, retreating back, but not a single one of them wanted to go home.

    Despite flinching at the roaring sound of crackling thunder, they¡¯re eagerly waiting for the Zord¡¯s restoration.

    The rain intensified with time, and the wind grew stronger and stronger.

    This is exactly the scene I saw with my irvoyance.

    With a rain this intense, I¡¯m sure¡­¡­

    [It¡¯s almost time!]

    With a buzzing sound ringing in my ears, I felt a tingling sensation on my skin.

    Signs of electrification were showing everywhere.

    However, at that moment, a thick dead branch fell onto the cable connecting the lone cedar tree to the converter.

    And to make matters worse, the cable hade loose from the converter.

    [Oh no!]

    Michelle ran towards the converter.

    I hurried after her.

    [Don¡¯t bother anymore, Michelle! We¡¯re running out of time!]

    [No! I¡¯ll make sure it¡¯s connected!]

    Michelle held the end of the cable and tried to attach it to the converter, but a branch was blocking her way.

    We¡¯re clearly running out of time.

    With her like that, I¡¯ll have to use this dagashi!

    Product name: Daradarashitenjaneyo!

    Description: A dagashi made from fish paste. Eating it will turn one¡¯s body metallic.

    Price: 50 rims

    I heard that many adventurers eat it when dealing with monsters¡¯ powerful attacks.

    It would turn your body into a lump of iron, so you apparently wouldn¡¯t be affected even when exposed to a Dragon¡¯s breath.

    If we eat this, we should survive lightning strikes.

    Heck, having a metallic body might even conduct electricity better.

    [Michelle!]

    As Michelle turned towards me by my call, I fed the dagashi to her mouth-to-mouth.

    With a surprised look on her face, Michelle¡¯s body turned into metal.

    With me turning to metal too, I couldn¡¯t move anymore either.

    The next moment, a tremendous sound and a torrent of light cut through the air, and a lightning bolt vertically struck through the lone cedar tree.

    The raging energy flowed into the cables and ran through our bodies into the converter.

    The converted mana then poured into the Genos Breaker.

    Perhaps due to the heat, both the converter and the Genos Breaker seemed to burn red.

    As people screamed in terror, the eyes of the Genos Breaker shone.

    GYAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOOO¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C!!!

    The coniferous trees in the forest trembled at the roar of the Genos Breaker.

    [It has finally been restored huh¡­¡­?]

    [Fo fo fo, it has been a long time¡­¡­]

    Everyone looked horrified, but Mani-san was the only one with a satisfied smile on his face.

    [We did it, Yahagi-san!]

    I heard Merle¡¯s voice congratting me, but we still couldn¡¯t move.

    After all, as all the citizens looked on, we have turned into a lump of iron in the middle of a kiss¡­¡­

    Geez, I¡¯m gonna die from embarrassment here.

    It¡¯s just, well, I have this feeling that Michelle is absolutely delighted.

    GYAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOOO¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C!!!

    Meanwhile, the Genos Breaker seemed to be in good spirits under the thundering rain.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Dondokodonyaki: Based on Dondonyaki

    <noscript></noscript><ol start="2"> Gorgodon: Based on Gorgodos

    <noscript></noscript><ol start="3"> Daradarashitenjaneyo!

    <noscript></noscript>

    <noscript></noscript> </ol></ol>

 Chapter 137: A Long-Time Return to the Royal Capital

    <h4>Chapter 137: A Long-Time Return to the Royal Capital</h4>

    Thanks to the restored Genos Breaker, Luganda¡¯s development has progressed quickly.

    With the w that was its standard equipment, it can mow the forest as much as we want.

    Isn¡¯t it amazing that it can mow cypress trees just like awnmower?

    It can even dig up stumps after logging.

    Thanks to this, the residence areas and farnds are spreading out in the blink of an eye.

    Moreover, it has semi-autonomous circuits, so if it is given a certain amount ofmands, it will do its job automatically.

    [Yuusuke-san, please let me pilot it too!]

    Merle begged, looking up at me.

    It seems that she¡¯s sorely tempted to operate it.

    However, I can¡¯t do it.

    [I¡¯m sorry, but that¡¯s something not possible. I¡¯m the only one who can operate the Genos Breaker, and I¡¯ve had Mani-san set it up so that it only listens to mymands.]

    inly speaking, the Zord is a dangerous item.

    If just about anyone could use it, it would be extremely dangerous.

    [You also shouldn¡¯t try slipping out of my sight and try operating it. You¡¯ll end up like that drifter the other day.]

    There was a drifter who tried to steal Genos a few days ago as well.

    The only thing they didn¡¯t know is that it has biometrics security, so no one but me can activate it.

    Moreover, if one tries to tamper with it, an electric current will flow to the control stick and the seat.

    After being discharged, he was punished to hell by Michelle and Titti.

    Even though he was a bandit, the way he turned out makes me kinda feel a bit sorry for him¡­¡­

    Because he was publicly punished, no one messed with the Genos after that.

    I rode the Genos like I was operating heavy machinery every day and worked onnd development, river dike construction, and road maintenance.

    As thend and roads were being cleared, I decided to recruit more people who wanted to move to my territory.

    Recently, I have been working with peddler Joshua-san to offer an ¡°Immigrant Experience Tour¡±.

    The n is for second sons of farmers and artisans who are nearing the end of their apprenticeships to be invited under special rmendations.

    We really need people who have trade skills to make the vige run smoothly.

    The purpose of this program is to let people see thend they will be given and the way of life in Luganda, and it¡¯s quite popr.

    However, most people prefer to live in the city, so the number of migrants is still small.

    [Even though I would have given themnd, a house and every kind of Mobile Force if they migrated right now¡­¡­]

    As I let out a sigh, Mani-san consoled me.

    [How about giving them a new model?]

    [A new model?]

    [Next gen Mobile Force. Like Zeta Gungalf or Gap Moeran¡­¡­]

    [Hohou¡­¡­]

    [Asshi-kun or Shirosai, there¡¯s also Hakushiki.]

    [Those sound like fun, but that may not be enough to get them to migrate¡­¡­]

    [You think so?]

    Mani-san tilted his head in wonder.

    [A lot of people like the city. Perhaps because there are a lot of job opportunities and the wages are high.]

    When I said this, Mani-san pped his hands.

    [What, so they¡¯re worrying about something like that huh.]

    [Well, I¡¯m not that desperate to recruit them anyway.]

    Even in our current state, we can still get by.

    I do feel like it¡¯s okay if I just take it easy about this matter.

    Well, that¡¯s what I was thinking, but Mani-san nodded his head and started pulling my hand.

    [Yahagi, we¡¯re going to the dungeon.]

    [What are we going to do in the dungeon?]

    [We¡¯re going to activate the Teleportation Portal.]

    [Huh?]

    I feel like I just heard something crazy there.

    [All dungeons are connected to each other by a Teleportation Portal. I will connect Luganda¡¯s dungeon to the dungeon near that big city you¡¯d like. If everyone can easily enjoy the city, the problem will be solved, won¡¯t it?]

    No, rather than solve a problem, I feel like that will open up more problems.

    Though I say that, I am interested in the Teleportation Portal.

    I suppose I¡¯ll confirm if it really exists.

    [For the time being, can I see what it looks like?]

    [Aye aye.]

    Mani-san strode out with unsteady steps like usual.

    I guess you could say I¡¯m being guided by God?

    I¡¯m not sure how it would turn out, but I decided to just follow Mani-san.

    When we arrived at the dungeon, I reconfirmed things with Mani-san.

    [The Teleportation Portal is on the 2nd Underground Floor, right?]

    [That¡¯s right. Near the room with the cranky girl.]

    The cranky girl he was talking about should be Titti.

    In other words, the portal is hidden near the first-aid station.

    In that case, I should have no problem getting there myself.

    Powerful monsters rarely appear, and as long as I¡¯m prepared, I can get there on my own.

    We rode the dungeon elevator to the 2nd Underground Floor.

    [This way.]

    Mani-san strode unsteadily down the stairs.

    I was worried that his memory might fade like usual, but that doesn¡¯t seem to be the case.

    Eventually, we arrived at a dead end.

    [Here we are.]

    In a small pit surrounded by stone walls on three sides, there was something like a slightlyrger shogi board ced.

    It was made of stone and was barely big enough for one person to sit on.

    Simr to a shogi board, the surface of the stone was marked with grid lines.

    [Yahagi wants to go to Lursanjon, right?]

    [Yes, yes, the Royal Capital.]

    [Lursanjon is the Royal Capital? That ce is just a frontier vige though.]

    Mani-san talked about something from a long time ago.

    [That isn¡¯t the case. Luganda is now the frontier rural area and Lursanjon is a big city.]

    [Fuo¡­¡­ Times sure have changed. Well, whatever. Keep your gaze to the movements of my finger.]

    Mani-san moved his finger in a steady pattern along the dots and lines marked on the board.

    It¡¯s like he¡¯s entering a passcode to unlock a smartphone.

    [Does the way you move your finger change the destination?]

    [That¡¯s right.]

    I wouldn¡¯t be able to remember every single code there is, so what I just want to know is how to get to the Royal Capital.

    As Mani-san finished moving his finger, the portal began to glow bluish-white.

    [If you get on the portal while it¡¯s still glowing, you will be teleported. You cane back the same way.]

    [Hmmm. This leads to the dungeon over there, right?]

    [Umu, it¡¯s on the same Underground Floor.]

    The 2nd Underground Floor is where Yahagi Onsen used to be.

    Since I made a map of the area, I know the geography well.

    I¡¯ll have to check the location of the portal on the 2nd Underground Floor over there.

    [Can I use the Teleportation Portal now?]

    [Yeah, you can do whatever you want. I¡¯ll go back and have some tea.]

    Just to make sure, I tried activating the portal with my finger.

    Good, good, it¡¯s working.

    There was a moment of hesitation, but I ced my foot on the portal glowing bluish-white, and transcended time and space.

    I felt no impact on my body.

    The teleportation was instantaneous, and I just found myself standing in Royal Capital¡¯s dungeon.

    This ce looked familiar.

    Ah, right, this area should be very close to Yahagi Onsen.

    I had no idea there was a teleportation portal so close to where I was doing business.

    Getting off the portal I was on, I took a closer inspection around the area.

    Come to think of it, I had seen this ce before when I was making a map.

    I never thought that this little tform was a portal though.

    Even so, it had been a long time since I had been to the Royal Capital¡¯s dungeon.

    It¡¯s less than a hundred meters from here to the onsen.

    Guess I¡¯ll go for a short walk.

    The scent of onsen water filled the air as I stepped through the nostalgic door.

    Yes, yes, this ce is like this.

    I used to take a bath here¡­¡­

    [Arehh, if it isn¡¯t Yahagi-san!? Long time no see.]

    As I looked around, feeling nostalgic, familiar-looking adventurers started calling out to me.

    [You¡¯vee back to the Royal Capital huh. Are you going to do business here again?]

    [No, I just stopped by the onsen today¡­¡­]

    As I stammered my response, loud, morous footsteps resounded, and an injured person was brought over.

    [Move over, my buddy¡¯s arm got shot!]

    The young adventurer looked pale, his arm covered in blood.

    The wound seemed to be quite pale.

    [Please bring out a salve and bandages!]

    First aid was hurriedly being administered, but the medicine and bandages were shoddy items.

    They were still a young team of adventurers, so they probably couldn¡¯t afford to buy all the proper gear.

    [Leave it to me.]

    [Eh, Yahagi-san!?]

    I set up my shoulder-pole stall and brought out a new product.

    Product name: Chou Himo QQ

    Description: 127 cm long string gummies. Half of a string gummi is c-vored, while the other half is orange-vored. It¡¯s delicious to eat, but if one wraps it around a wound, it turns into a first-aid tape for medical use.

    Price: 100 rims

    [Thank you, Yahagi-san!]

    I had intended to just drop in for a quick visit, but everyone begged me to open my store for the first time in a long while.

    Well, it really has been a long time since I opened my shop in front of the onsen.

    [Sorry, but this is the only day I¡¯ll open up my shop here. Well, I may make asional trips¡­¡­]

    When I told them my circumstances, the adventurers bought my items in bulk, and the items in my shoulder-pole stall were gone in the blink of an eye.

    In particr, the Chou Himo QQ, which had been shown to be so effective right before their eyes, sold out in no time at all.

    The teleportation portal sure is convenient.

    I certainly could make it public, but it would be troublesome to have people using it so casually.

    I guess I¡¯ll just have to pretend I don¡¯t know about it for a while.

    Well, I¡¯m nning to use it to wholesale magic crystals and buy supplies though.

    After enjoying my time in the onsen, making sure that I wouldn¡¯t be seen by the other adventurers, I reactivated the portal and returned to Luganda.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Zeta Gungalf: Based on MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam.

    <noscript></noscript><ol start="2"> Gap Moeran: Based on ORX-005 Gant, I think?

    <noscript></noscript><ol start="3"> Asshi-kun: Based on NRX-044 Asshimar, I think?

    <noscript></noscript><ol start="4"> Shirosai: Based on RMS- 108 Marasai, I think?

    <noscript></noscript><ol start="5"> Hakushiki: Based on MSN-00100 Hyaku Shiki.

    <noscript></noscript><ol start="6"> Shogi boards are like chess boards, but 9¡Á9 instead of 8¡Á8

    <noscript></noscript><ol start="7"> Chou Himo QQ: Based on Shijou Saichou Gummi: Chou Himo Q.

    <noscript></noscript> </ol></ol></ol></ol></ol></ol>

 Chapter 138: Arc 3 Final Chapter : The End of a Story

    <h4>Chapter 138: Arc 3 Final Chapter: The End of a Story</h4>

    Spring hase to Luganda.

    The snow covering the ground has melted and daffodils are beginning to bloom in sunny areas.

    It¡¯s still cold, but every day I realize that the weather is getting better and better.

    Development using Zord has progressed considerably during the winter.

    The main roads to the street have beenpletely paved and are now good enough for two horse-drawn carriages to pass each other.

    Honestly speaking, it¡¯s even better than the road managed by the country.

    It¡¯s as if the prefectural roads are wider than the national roads.

    Not only did we maintain the roads, we also built a lot of things.

    We have more than tripled the amount of fields and residentialnds, and we even built a public bathhouse.

    We dug an onsen with Genos, and it was splendidly done.

    Public hygiene is very important.

    However, it didn¡¯t feel enough to just have a bath, so I made full use of my knowledge from my previous life and prepared a rock bath and a sauna.

    We even dug a hole beside the dungeon to create a cave bath.

    This has been well received not only by the locals, but also by tourists.

    Luganda is developing now not only as a Dungeon Town, but also as a tourist spot.

    Recently, the number of wealthy people whoe to Luganda to take a good bath has increased.

    With that in mind, a new hotel is currently under construction.

    Thanks to this, jobs have been created and the poption has increased again.

    It seems like our current poption has now increased to 316.

    The development has been so rapid that the number of houses has not kept pace with the poption.

    Nakaram-san, panting heavily, is busy preparing administrative documents.

    I wish he could just be the territory lord, but things apparently don¡¯t work that way.

    We were living peacefully like this, but then, an incident suddenly happened.

    One windy day, while my shop was open as usual, the aide Nakaram-san came running in, his muscles tense with nervousness.

    [Yahagi-sama, it¡¯s an emergency! This is no time to be carefreely cooking monjayaki!]

    [This isn¡¯t monjayaki, it¡¯s our new product, ankodama!]

    [What it is doesn¡¯t matter! We have received a message from the Royal Capital!]

    [What¡¯s the message?]

    [I don¡¯t know, but it seems to be an emergency. The messenger is waiting in the living room, so pleasee to the Lord¡¯s Manor immediately.]

    I don¡¯t remember doing anything wrong, so I don¡¯t think I have anything to be scolded for.

    Ah, did they find out about the Teleportation Portal?

    Or perhaps, is this about the Zord?

    Well, it¡¯s no use thinking about this. Let¡¯s just go see that messenger.

    [I¡¯m sorry, everyone, but I¡¯m closing up shop for the day. See you tomorrow.]

    I said goodbye to everyone who looked worried for me and returned to the Lord¡¯s Manor.

    I met the messenger at the Lord¡¯s Manor.

    After he graciously bowed his head to me, he handed me the King¡¯s royal decree.

    There were no soldiers around to arrest me, so it didn¡¯t look like he was sent here to capture me.

    I wonder what the King had written though.

    [Errr¡­¡­ Luganda¡¯s Territory Lord, Yuusuke Yahagi. At this juncture, I am¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª HAAHHH!?]

    I was so surprised by the content that I couldn¡¯t help letting out a cry.

    Without a moment¡¯s dy, the nearby Michelle asked me why.

    [What¡¯s the matter, Yuusuke? What did the King say?]

    [This¡­¡­ is a summons¡­¡­]

    [Huh?]

    [It¡¯s an order from his Majesty. He wants me to bring soldiers and participate in the war¡­¡­]

    This ispletely out of the blue.

    Me, who had be a lord because of my dagashi shop, have apparently been sent to war.

    However, to cut to the chase, this battle will end soon.

    Read the most updated version of this novel and other amazing tranted novels from the original source at [ Innread ]

    It was only after this war though that my destiny would once again change drastically.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Ankodama/Sweet Bean Paste Balls: simple, ssic Japanese confection consisting of vored shiroan with a shiny decorative coating of kanten gtin.

    <noscript></noscript>

 Chapter 139: A New Beginning

    <h4>Chapter 139: A New Beginning</h4>

    As it turns out, the war ended quickly.

    Incidentally, this war wasn¡¯t one brought by a conflict between humans, but rather against an army of monsters that swept in from the north and threatened the borderline.

    Honestly speaking, the war situation was quite dangerous.

    Among the monsters were Evil Dragons and legendary Colossus Trolls.

    I myself saw one with my own eyes, and I think it was about 50 meters tall.

    They were so big that the wall along the border, as grand as the Great Wall, was easily leaped over.

    However, the human side defeated all of these monsters.

    No, rather than the human side, it¡¯s actually the Genos Breaker who defeated them.

    We couldn¡¯t afford to lose human lives, so I called it in by remote control and sent it running into the enemy lines.

    There, it exhibited its tremendous strength¡­¡­

    Unfortunately, the Genos Breaker was destroyed in the battle and never moved again.

    It seems that its core had been damaged.

    It has been useful in many ways for the development of Luganda, so seeing it being destroyed was a shame.

    Well, on the other hand, I was also relieved.

    People like me get nervous when we have too much power.

    I¡¯m just a dagashi shopowner with no desire for power.

    Having such an armament just doesn¡¯t suit me.

    At best, just having the 8-shot pistol or the Murasame Replica is just fine.

    In fact, the government had even suspected me of treason and sent a team to Luganda to investigate.

    They checked to see if I was hiding any other Zord.

    They didn¡¯t find anything suspicious though.

    Despite all the ruckus, there were no rebukes sent my way.

    On the contrary, they thought it was strange not to reward a vassal who had done well, so they raised my status to a Count this time.

    I was even given a prestigious ce in the capital.

    Well, this wasn¡¯t really just a reward.

    It wasn¡¯t implicitly stated, but what they¡¯re trying to say was that it was dangerous to just leave me unwatched in the countryside, so I basically should live in the Royal Capital.

    Well, if I use the Teleportation Portal, I can return to Luganda in no time.

    Having to live here wouldn¡¯t interfere with the management of the territory.

    The aide Nakaram-san ispetent, and those in our branch stores are doing well.

    I have no particrint.

    Besides, the location of thend given to me was the best.

    I heard that Prime Minister Essel personally selected thend for me.

    He really knows me well.

    My oh my, what I ended up with was a piece ofnd sandwiched between two schools.

    One was the Royal Academy. This is an elite school for the children of powerful nobles, and Michelle was a teacher at this school.

    It¡¯s a school that¡¯s kinda like abined middle and high school setup back on Earth.

    The other school is called the Adventurer Academy, where many children of knights and soldiers are enrolled.

    This is a vocational school designed to train first-rate adventurers.

    Anyhow, the ce we were given is a spot where kids pass by to go to school, you know?

    This certainly lights a fire in the heart of a dagashi shopowner.

    What¡¯s more, from what I heard, the director of the magic academy asked Michelle to return to her previous work.

    It seemed like Michelle was contemting various things, but in the end, she ended up taking charge of two courses: ¡°Fundamentals of Dark Magic¡± and ¡°A Guide to Curses¡±.

    In my case, if I just solemnly think ¡°Open¡±, my shop will be built.

    I can start my business anywhere.

    And so, Dagashi Yahagi had newly opened up its shop in the academy area this time.

 Chapter 140: A Strange Shop Appeared

    <h4>Chapter 140: A Strange Shop Appeared</h4>

    Me and Michelle came over to thend we were given and set up the stand-alone shop during the night.

    It¡¯s a wooden stand-alone shop with a retro Showa-era feel.

    This is a convenient shop mode because it can be used as both a residence and a store.

    It¡¯s small for a residence where a Count lives, but it¡¯s just right for me.

    If it were too big, it would be hard to clean, wouldn¡¯t it?

    It would also be strange to have servants in a dagashi shop.

    I made the kitchen bigger at Michelle¡¯s request, but left the bathroom the same size as before.

    I was strictly ordered not to change this part.

    It was apparently just the right size for the two of us to be in close contact when we were in there¡­¡­

    I agree with Michelle on her point, but I also want to be able to stretch out my arms and legs in the bath.

    With how often I¡¯m going back to Luganda, I guess I can just stop by in Yahagi Onsen and stretch out there?

    Come morning, Michelle started to get ready for school.

    Today was their entrance ceremony, and for Michelle, this was her first meeting with the students.

    [W- Well then, I¡¯m off.]

    [Don¡¯t be so nervous. If it¡¯s you, you¡¯ll do just fine.]

    [Aren¡¯t the students going to look down on me?]

    I don¡¯t think anyone will do that.

    After all, she¡¯s the Curse Witch who had the whole country shudder a few years ago.

    Let alone the students, not even the senior teachers would dare look down on her.

    However, with Michelle saying that, I¡¯m starting to feel concerned.

    [With a teacher as cute as you are, that isn¡¯t something you should worry about¡­¡­]

    When I seriously told her that, Michelle cheered up.

    [It¡¯s alright, Yuusuke. I¡¯ll curse anyone who dares make passes on me! I got the Deption Curse, Dislocation Curse, and also Disrobing Curse!]

    [That¡¯s a full line-up of D-Curses huh.]

    [Yes, and I¡¯m good at it?]

    Michelle sure looks happy when she talks about her curses¡­¡­

    [I understand Deption and Dislocation, but what¡¯s with that Disrobing one?]

    [It¡¯s one where the stics of the target¡¯s belts and pants break easily. Also, buttons on their clothes would somehowe off without them noticing.]

    It¡¯s a simple but unpleasant curse.

    [You shouldn¡¯t just go cursing people, okay? If you¡¯re having a bad day, I¡¯m here to listen to you.]

    [Unnn¡­¡­ Yuusuke too, if something bothers you, feel free to tell me.]

    [Me? Well, I guess I¡¯ll report that to you if something really happens, but I don¡¯t think anything bad happens in a dagashi shop.]

    [You wouldn¡¯t know that. You might get a lot of cheeky bratsing here.]

    That may be true, but it¡¯s just gonna be children.

    No way they¡¯re gonna do anything close to getting me killed.

    [You worry too much, Michelle.]

    [You wouldn¡¯t know that. There really are a lot of cheeky brats at the Royal Academy.]

    [You¡¯re an alumnus there, aren¡¯t you? Are you saying you¡¯re also cheeky?]

    [I- I¡¯m one of the quiet ones!]

    [I¡¯ve heard a lot about you though¡­¡­]

    I¡¯ve heard many legends about Michelle in her days at the academy.

    She apparently trapped a perverted vice principal in an endless corridor and cursed someone who tried bullying her so that every time they spoke, snakes, frogs, or venomous insects came out of their mouths.

    [I- It¡¯s just the follies of my youth¡­¡­]

    [Well, now that you¡¯ve mellowed out, let¡¯s just settle for that Disrobing Curse.]

    [R- Right.]

    I kissed Michelle goodbye.

    [Take care.]

    [Unnn, I¡¯ll have more when I get home¡­¡­]

    Looking high from happiness, Michelle went to work.

    Now then, I guess I¡¯ll get on with my own thing.

    Since I¡¯m selling my stuff to kids, I won¡¯t open the shop until after school.

    Until then, I guess I¡¯ll go back to Luganda and manage my territory.

    Though I say that, all I have to do is listen to Nakaram-san¡¯s report and restock thecking goods.

    When I have time, I guess I¡¯ll show up at the adventurers¡¯ spot and open my stall in front of Luganda Dungeon.

    After confirming my schedule for the day, I headed to the Teleportation Portal.

    In the afternoon, I properly opened up my shop.

    Dagashi Yahagi: Royal Capital Branch has finally opened its doors to the public in its new location.

    The academy is still quiet, so the children must still be in ss.

    Every once in a while, I could hear some sort of explosion, but I wonder if that¡¯s a magic explosion or something?

    For the time being, I checked my shop¡¯s merchandise and cleared out the items that were too dangerous.

    The people I¡¯m selling to this time aren¡¯t adventurers, but students.

    Then, I disyed today¡¯s choice items in a conspicuous spot.

    Here is today¡¯s rmendation.

    Product name: Star Comfits (20 bits)

    Description: When bitten with the back teeth, it enables high-speed movement (not an eleration tool). Comes with stars scattering around special effects when moving.

    Price: 30 rims

    They¡¯refits in small sachets.

    The pastel-coloredfit bits packed in a blue sachet are adorable.

    Even though it said ¡°high-speed movement¡±, at most it¡¯s about 1.3 times their own speed, and its distance onlysts for 50 centimeters.

    Well, it would be quite a terrifying thing if a swordmaster used it.

    <i>(T/N: Not sure if that 50 cm the author gave is urate. The author really did type 50cm, but that¡¯s like only the distance of one wide step.)</i>

    Oh, I heard bells ringing from both schools.

    That must be the signal for the end of the school day.

    After waiting for a while, children started to appear on the street.

    Since both schools are boarding schools though, few childrene outside.

    The children passing in front of the shop seemed to have immediately be curious about the newly opened shop, whispering with their friends while looking my way.

    Their uniform should be for the Royal Academy.

    It¡¯s a zer-like design made of well-tailored fabric.

    The striped tie is also stylish.

    Anyhow, I decided to call out to them.

    [Wee, Dagashi Yahagi opens today!]

    They seemed a little interested, but they never came close to us.

    Are they shying away?

    Or perhaps, do they have some sort of school rule against loitering in shops after school?

    I took out a bit of starfit and biting it with my mrs, I stepped forward.

    As soon as I did, seven-colored stars scattered from my feet and my body streamed forward, as if the earth itself had shrunk.

    [Our snacks are all kinds of fun. Come by and have a look!]

    [Whoa, that¡¯s amazing! What¡¯s that!? Magic?]

    Three boys came running with great enthusiasm.

    They were about the age of junior high students back in Japan.

    They are wearing the uniform of the Adventurer Academy.

    Wearing protectors on their vital parts, their outfit looks like they¡¯re ready to battle any time.

    [If I eat the snacks here, I can make stars fly like you did!?]

    [Yeah, I have a lot of different kinds of snacks, so go ahead and take a look.]

    The boys happily entered the shop, but the children from the Royal Academy who were looking my way earlier just kept looking from a distance.

    Do they find it difficult to enter my shop?

    [Mister, what¡¯s a 10-rim gum?]

    [Whoa! He¡¯s selling Mobile Forces here!!!! You can¡¯t get this stuff very often!]

    [Gungalf! Sell me a Gungalf!]

    [Yes, yes, I¡¯ming.]

    The energetic boys yed until just before their curfew.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Star Comfits

    <noscript></noscript>

 Chapter 141: The Children Came Over

    <h4>Chapter 141: The Children Came Over</h4>

    After two or three days of opening my shop here, Dagashi Yahagi became crowded with children after school.

    Many of them were from the Adventurer Academy, with a few from the Royal Academy.

    The ratio of children between the two schools is about nine to one.

    The three most enthusiastic regrs are Kurtz, Gort, and Kikka.

    They are 14-year-old, energetic middle schoolers from the Adventurer Academy.

    Kurtz is the leader of the three.

    Gort is quiet, cool and good-looking.

    Kikka is a girl who seems to be taking good care of the two boys.

    The three of them are at my shop today, filling their baskets with snacks.

    [Oh, you¡¯re buying a lot today huh.]

    [Our practicals were finally starting tomorrow.]

    Kurtz¡¯s face was a mixture of anticipation and anxiety.

    [When you say practicals, does that mean you¡¯re going to dive in the dungeon?]

    [Only to the 1st Underground Floor though.]

    The 1st Underground Floor is full of weak monsters that even I can handle, but that doesn¡¯t change the fact that they would be standing beside mortal danger.

    [Then, you guys will have to be well prepared. Buy dagashis not only for their taste and your preferences, but also for their effects.]

    [Unnn, we¡¯re limited to 500 rims for snacks, so we¡¯ll have to examine them carefully.]

    There are about 90 first-year students in the Adventurer Academy¡¯s middle school side.

    Their practicals are done in teams of six.

    It¡¯s a little worrying, but I¡¯ve heard that instructors are ced in various locations, so I suppose it would be alright¡­¡­

    [Even so, everyone seems to be enthusiastic.]

    [The money and magic stones from your hunts will be used as our pocket money, so we¡¯re really fired up.]

    I see, so that¡¯s how it is.

    [When I get some pocket money, I¡¯ll definitely buy equipment and weapons for my Zako Mk. II! Nippers too.]

    Hou, Kikka likes Zako huh.

    Maybe I should introduce Merle to her sometime.

    They¡¯ll probably hit it off with each other.

    [Yahagi-san, what kind of snacks do you think we should buy?]

    Cool Gort calmly asks for advice.

    I heard that Gort has quite a few fans.

    Well, he certainly does look like the guy who would be popr.

    [I¡¯d basically say therge round candy and 10-rim gums. I also think you should bring some Moran Yogul to heal wounds and grape-vored powdered juice as a precaution in case you get cursed.]

    Gort obediently puts those items in his basket.

    [You may not need them now, but I rmend cocoa cigarettes to enhance team coordination, and some monster smoke to reduce the risk of retreat would be useful too.]

    If they¡¯re gonna hunt on the 1st Underground Floor though, they probably wouldn¡¯t need those things yet.

    [Any other suggestions?]

    [Well, there¡¯s also my new product.]

    Product name: Milky Bolo

    Description: A dagashi with a mysteriously satisfying texture¡ª¡ª¡ª crispy on the outside, but melts in your mouth the moment you put it in your mouth. Eating it raises your defense.

    Price: 20 rims

    This is a long-selling product that has been around since my grandparents¡¯ generation.

    It¡¯s cost-effective and has the ability to be a part of the dungeon exploration snacks.

    It¡¯s also attractive because it can be eaten quickly in an emergency.

    [With its price, I¡¯d like to buy at least one.]

    Gort also had a Milky Bolo in his basket.

    [Good grief, can¡¯t even get into the dungeon without relying on these sh*tty cheap snacks.]

    Just when I was thinking that was quite the sarcastic voice, a boy wearing the Royal Academy uniform was standing by the door.

    He was probably about the same age as Kurtz and the others.

    His silver hair was pulled back all the way and brushed behind his head.

    [Keh, herees trouble.]

    Mumbling something to himself, Kurtz red at the boy.

    [Hah, a 20-rim snack? How is this going to help in a dungeon exploration?]

    When the boy feigned surprise with an exaggerated expression on his face, the boys following him, seemingly hisckeys,ughed.

    [Geez, I¡¯m doubting your sanity. If I were you, I would never rely on such pathetic snacks. My pride would never allow it. This is why adventurers are unmanageable.]

    Hmmm, someone¡¯s interrupting my business.

    Interrupting everyone¡¯s fun is also not an admirable act.

    Besides, I¡¯m on the side of those who dive into the dungeons.

    They may be kids, but I will not allow them to make fun of adventurers.

    [Have you ever been in the dungeon?]

    [I, the eldest son of a Viscount, would never go to such a ce.]

    So that¡¯s why he¡¯s acting so arrogant huh¡­¡­

    [I see, that¡¯s why you¡¯re saying something so naive.]

    [W- What did you say!?]

    [You rely on anything you can rely on, that¡¯s the kind of ce the dungeon is. You shouldn¡¯t show off your ignorance when you¡¯re clearly clueless.

    Did I get annoyed so much that I overstepped my bounds?

    The boy¡¯s pale face turned red and he became angry.

    [Are you making fun of me? You¡¯re making fun of Viscount Parmanen¡¯s Marl!?]

    [I¡¯m not making fun of you. I¡¯m just telling the truth.]

    It seems like he hadn¡¯t experienced being renounced before.

    Trembling all over, the boy raised his fist.

    [D*mn it, you better remember this! I shall tell Father and he¡¯ll make sure you pay for this!]

    Wow, acting all proudly when he¡¯s just gonna cry to his daddy¡­¡­

    I¡¯m feeling a bit of a culture shock there.

    The boy, Marl, throws out a parting threat before leaving the shop.

    [Yahagi-san, is that really alright?]

    Kurtz asked me worriedly.

    [What is it?]

    [That guy¡¯s quite famous, you know? In a bad way, that is.]

    [Does he do that to other people too?]

    [I heard that a few shops have actually been crushed because of him¡­¡­]

    Kurtz and the others looked dejected.

    [Don¡¯t worry. My ce will be just fine.]

    [However¡­¡­]

    I¡¯m actually more worried for the Parmanen family.

    If Michelle finds out about this, that Parmanen family would be in a rough spot.

    I¡¯ve gotta settle things here privately.

    [Well, things will work out somehow. Rather than worrying about that, worry about your practicals more. Have you decided on your snacks? Right, right, this is just my rmendation, but I think buying a Chou Himo QQ would also be good.]

    [What¡¯s that?]

    [It¡¯s a 127 cm long gummi string. Not only are they delicious to eat, but if you wrap them around a wound, they turn into medical first-aid tape.]

    [That sounds fun!]

    With smiles returning on the children¡¯s lips, they went back to stuffing snacks into their baskets.

    The next day, an incident happened right away in the middle of the day.

    After running some errands in Luganda, I came back home to find two guys making a ruckus in front of my store.

    Both of them wererge and portly.

    The two of them were carrying big hammers, but what were they nning to do?

    [Oi! Get out of here! Come out or we¡¯ll smash the door down!]

    They¡¯re fellows who say outrageous things in broad daylight.

    However, seriously?

    If you do that, you¡¯ll be in big trouble¡­¡­

    [Don¡¯t you dare be scared now! We¡¯re Viscount Parmanen¡¯s envoys! You better open the door now!]

    Ahh, so that guy Marl from yesterday sent these guys.

    In that case, there¡¯s no need to warn them.

    Let¡¯s just have them get a bit of pain.

    After I left them alone for a while, the two who seemed to be thinking I was away raised their hammers.

    [Listen here, this is not a threat! We¡¯re gonna smash down the door right now and see your face!]

    The two big hammers are swung down with all their might toward the door.

    However, it was the men with the hammers who were blown away.

    Ohh, they were blown away about 5 meters.

    As expected of the Barrier Magic Michelle had put up.

    It had automatically reacted to an attack.

    I wonder if those guys are alright?

    [Ouch¡­¡­]

    [What the heck happened¡­¡­]

    They¡¯re as tough as they look.

    It¡¯s annoying to have them here until opening time, so I guess it¡¯s time I deal with them here.

    Well, I¡¯m sure we can work something out if we talk.

    I¡¯ve dived into the dungeon and fought on a battlefield, so I¡¯ve acquired some courage unlike when I first arrived in this world.

    [What are you doing in front of my shop?]

    I called out from behind them, and they got up in a hurry and put on airs.

    [Are you the owner of this store?]

    [That¡¯s right, but have youe to buy snacks? I haven¡¯t opened up the shop yet.]

    [Fool, who the heck wants to eat your snacks? We are envoys of Viscount Parmanen. I heard that our young master was humiliated by you! How do you want to settle this?]

    What they¡¯re doing doesn¡¯t feel noble-like at all, acting more like yakuzas.

    Are they telling me to pay them money by any chance?

    Or perhaps, are they simply trying to destroy my shop?

    Well, not like that¡¯s possible with the barrier around.

    [Even if you tell me that¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C]

    I started to talk, trying to tell him to back off, but one of the guys looked at me and the signboard of my shop, before turning pale.

    [W- Wait! This man is¡­¡­]

    [What now?]

    The pale-faced man gulped.

    [Umm, are you perhaps Count Yahagi?]

    [Unnn.]

    This guy knows what I look like huh.

    In that case, we can settle things here easily.

    [I- I belonged to the 2nd Regiment of the Northern Army!]

    Ahh, he must have seen me during the war.

    [What are you talking about?]

    [I- Idiot. He¡¯s the country¡¯s National Hero, Count Yahagi.]

    [Ahh?]

    [The Hero who vanquished the monster wave with his mechanical dragon, Count Yahagi!]

    [Ahh!]

    It seems that both of them had stumbled upon my identity.

    [We had been extremely rude. W- What¡¯s the Count doing here?]

    [This is my shop. I don¡¯t want the children to be intimidated by my identity, so I¡¯m not telling anyone that I¡¯m a Count. Can you keep it a secret?]

    [O- Of course!]

    [So, what do you want?]

    [N- N- Nothing. Please excuse us!]

    Ah, they ran away.

    Well, that should put a stop to their harassment.

    For the time being, settling this matter like that is fine.

    I started preparing to open my shop in time for the evening as usual.

    Incidentally, when I was closing my shop that night, Marl and his father came over.

    Marl had a bruise on his face, probably from getting hit.

    Both father and son were apologetic, but I had already reported this incident to Prime Minister Essel by assembly glider.

    I can¡¯t forgive Marl for destroyingmoners¡¯ stores after all.

    He should be investigated and brought to justice.

    Even when things are like that, we still managed to resolve things in a more peaceful way.

    If Michelle had heard about this, the Parmanen family, both the child and his parents, would be in a lot of trouble¡­¡­

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Milky Bolo: Based on Milk Bolo

    <noscript></noscript><ol start="2"> Kurtz

    <noscript></noscript><ol start="3"> Gort

    <noscript></noscript><ol start="4"> Kikka

    <noscript></noscript> </ol></ol></ol>

 Chapter 142: Fluffy Girl

    <h4>Chapter 142: Fluffy Girl</h4>

    It¡¯s been about a week since I moved to the Royal Capital, and Dagashi Yahagi is doing well.

    After school, my shop was crowded with students from both schools.

    That said, most of my customers are from Adventurer Academy.

    Of course, there are students from the Royal Academy, but I have this feeling that our vibes don¡¯t really fit well with the characteristics of those from their academy.

    The most obvious example is Carmine.

    First of all, she looks like a gyaru.

    It seems like gyarus exist even in this world.

    She has blonde hair with ends dyed pink.

    After school, she would alwayse visit my shop, sitting by the wall, trying to puff out a big bubble with her fruit gum.

    Product name: Fruit Gum

    Description: Four pieces of bubble gums in one box. There are four different kinds of vors: orange, grape, strawberry and melon. When the gum is inted, the body floats slightly for three seconds. Comes with a lottery game.

    Price: 20 rims

    Carmine seems to love this gum and buys it every day, but other than that, she does nothing but sit in the corner of the store and inte her gum.

    There, she just absentmindedly watches as the other children y with Mobile Forces and Mani 4WDs.

    [Aren¡¯t you going to y with the others?]

    [I¡¯m fine here, it¡¯s fun for me just watching the others.]

    A loner gyaru huh¡­¡­

    With the look on her face, it doesn¡¯t really look like she¡¯s having fun, but Carmine herself doesn¡¯t seem to mind.

    Well, it¡¯s hard for me to tell what she¡¯s thinking just by looking at her from the side.

    I first thought she may not have any money, but that doesn¡¯t seem to be the case.

    When she bought gum from me, she once brought out a silver coin.

    Being a student of the Royal Academy, her family must be wealthy huh?

    It didn¡¯t feel like she was being bullied, but she did seem to have this subtle distance between her and her fellow students from the Royal Academy.

    Today too, there was a lot ofmotion inside the shop, but it¡¯s getting darker outside as the sun sets.

    [Alright, it¡¯s about time we close. You guys got your curfew, right? You¡¯d better hurry home.]

    Both schools have a boarding system, so if they don¡¯t get back home, they¡¯ll be penalized.

    [Oh, sh*t! Let¡¯s go, Gort, Kikka!]

    Kurtz¡¯ group hurriedly packed their Mobile Force and Mani 4WDs into their bags.

    [You didn¡¯t forget anything?]

    [Even if I forget about myself, I will not forget about my Gufufu!]

    [Don¡¯t you go forgetting yourself over the Gufufu¡­¡­]

    [Ou! See you tomorrow!]

    Kurtz¡¯ group energetically ran off.

    Is this perhaps youth?

    The rookie adventurers didn¡¯t have that kind of energy.

    Looking at their departing backs, I returned back to the now quiet shop, and saw Carmine still puffing out her gum.

    [What¡¯s the matter, aren¡¯t you going home yet?]

    [I¡¯m spending the night out today after all.]

    [Are you going back to your parent¡¯s ce?]

    [To my mom¡¯s ce.]

    [I see. Well, you¡¯d better get going, or they¡¯ll be worried.]

    [No, my mom works as a Healer, so she won¡¯t be home until a littleter¡­¡­]

    I heard that many of the children at the Royal Academye from wealthy families, but Carmine¡¯s family seems to be ordinary folks.

    Perhaps, she may even be under the care of her single mother.

    Carmine turned her eyes away and continued chewing her gum.

    She must be feeling lonely to go home where no one is waiting for her.

    Perhaps, looking for a ce where she can belong, she¡¯s staying here¡­¡­

    [Then, I¡¯ll keep the store open a little longer.]

    [Thanks. You¡¯re so kind, Yuusuke-chi.]

    [Can¡¯t you do something about the way you call me though?]

    [Isn¡¯t it fine? It sounds cute.]

    I can¡¯t help feeling like I¡¯m being made fun of though.

    Well, I don¡¯t really care much what people call me with.

    [That¡¯s right, how about ying a little bit of Mobile Force match with me?]

    If I¡¯m not mistaken, Carmine brought her Gyan.

    [Ehhh¡­¡­]

    [I¡¯m not gonna force you if you don¡¯t want to.]

    [I¡¯ve never really fought against anyone though¡­¡­]

    [Then, you¡¯ll do just fine fighting me. I¡¯m not that strong.]

    [Then¡­¡­]

    We had a match, me and my Gungalf and Carmine with her Gyan.

    And so, our match began¡­¡­

    [Strong! That was amazing, Carmine!]

    [Y- You think so? Ehehe.]

    Carmine was strong.

    I¡¯ve seen a lot of yers, and I could tell this girl has a lot of ability.

    [Why don¡¯t you join a tournament somewhere?]

    [Ehhh, I¡¯m not interested in that kind of thing though.]

    [What a shame.]

    While we were having this conversation, the sliding front door opened with a rattling sound.

    [I¡¯m home~~ Yuusuke, are you still not closing up the shop?]

    It seemed that Michelle had returned.

    [Wee home. There¡¯s a bit of a situation today.]

    [Did something happen? Hmm, you are¡­¡­ Carmine?]

    [Teacher Michelle!]

    Both of them seemed surprised, as if they didn¡¯t expect they would meet at a ce like this.

    [Why is Teacher Michelle here in the dagashi shop?]

    [That is, well¡­¡­ No matter what happens to my soul, it just leads me to where Yuusuke is¡­¡­]

    Her body swaying about, Michelle shyly said.

    Even so, that¡¯s quite a heavy expression she made.

    [Soul¡­¡­? Ah, are you two lovers!?]

    [We¡¯re engaged. We¡¯re going to get married when things settle down a bit more.]

    Carmine¡¯s eyes widened in surprise.

    [Amazing¡­¡­ For a guy to actually be able to receive the Curse Witch, like for real, mad respect from me!]

    .

    Well, she sure says what she wants.

    [Yes, Yuusuke is special!]

    You don¡¯t mind her words, Michelle!?

    [Ahh~~ Well, you really do suit each other well.]

    [Thanks, what a nice girl.]

    You¡¯re being too easy there, Michelle.

    [Ah, it¡¯s about time I go.]

    [Be careful on your way home. It¡¯s already dark outside¡­¡­]

    [It¡¯s alright, I have my guards.]

    [Guards?]

    [See ya!]

    Carmine energetically ran off.

    [What did she mean by guards?]

    [There was one beside that tree and one near that building over there.]

    [I didn¡¯t notice them at all.]

    [I don¡¯t know much about her, but I assume she¡¯s someone of a certain status.]

    And so, she got something like the Secret Service guarding her huh.

    However, she said her mother works as a Healer¡­¡­

    [She¡¯s a slightly strange girl, isn¡¯t she? She¡¯s got this unique vibe.]

    [Unnn, but she¡¯s doing very well in her Magic sses. She¡¯s even got an A+ in my ¡°A Guide to Curses¡±.]

    [Hmmm.]

    [It¡¯s just, she doesn¡¯t seem to open up to those around her. Just like the old me¡­¡­]

    [Even if you two don¡¯t look like each other at all, you¡¯re feeling like kindred spirits?]

    [I¡¯m not sure. However, I can tell that she¡¯s lonely. That¡¯s why I was so surprised earlier.]

    [Surprised, about what?]

    [That Carmine looked so happy when she was ying with Yuusuke. I had never seen her smile like that at the academy¡­¡­]

    There might be a reason why she hasn¡¯t been able to fit in with the others.

    I hope this bes a ce where Carmine can feel at home.

    [Yuusuke, be nice to that girl.]

    [I will.]

    Michelle can probably see her past self in Carmine.

    [However, cheating is absolutely not allowed!]

    [I¡¯m telling you, my eyes can only see Michelle.]

    Good grief, there¡¯s no way I would reach my hands out to such a young girl.

    However, let¡¯s just be careful how I act so that the Royal Capital doesn¡¯t turn into a pile of rubble.

    The next day, Carmine came to my shop again.

    Today too, she bought her favorite fruit gum.

    [Achaaa, you¡¯re out of melon-vored ones huh¡­¡­]

    As Carmine¡¯s shoulders slumped, I handed the item she was looking for to her.

    [Here you go, melon vor.]

    [Eh, why?]

    [I put them aside for you because you were buying them everyday.]

    [What godlike treatment! I¡¯m getting mental care from the Dagashi shop.]

    Today too, Carmine isn¡¯t ying with anyone, sitting at the edge of the shop and watching the shop in a daze.

    Well, she seems to be enjoying herself in her own way.

    When Carmine puffed up her gum, her floating body fluffily swayed.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    The title: Fluffy Girl / Fuwa fuwa no onnanoko: What we were talking about here isn¡¯t the same Fluffy Girls you would first see when you google search it. It¡¯s just, I can¡¯t really say Carmine here is like the ¡°fluffy people¡± in those tropes. You know, that girl who was airheaded, doesn¡¯t get angry too much, optimistic, goes around at her own pace, rather insensitive, but honest and pure. I also can¡¯t say that Yuusuke described Carmine as ¡°fuwafuwa¡± being that she¡¯s someone whose head is in the clouds. I feel like Yuusuke¡¯s just saying Carmine is ¡°fuwafuwa¡± is because, well, she likes floating with that fruit gum. So, the title could also be ¡°Floaty Girl¡±.<ol start="2"> Carmine: She¡¯s the girl in the front of Volume 4¡¯s cover image.

    <noscript></noscript><ol start="3"> Fruit Gum

    <noscript></noscript> </ol></ol>

 Chapter 143: Magical Whistle Candy

    <h4>Chapter 143: Magical Whistle Candy</h4>

    I went out to the dungeon early in the morning and took the teleportation portal to Luganda.

    This has be my routine these days.

    I receive reports from the aide Nakaram-san, replenish the goods in the shop, have a chat with the town¡¯s inhabitants, and then return home.

    Today I was going to do the same and return to the Royal Capital, when Merle and Mira approached.

    [How unusual, are you off work?]

    [Unnn, I have a favor to ask you, Yuusuke-san.]

    Merle brought her mouth to my ear.

    [Can we use the teleportation portal? We want to visit our parents¡¯ house for the first time in a while.]

    I¡¯ve told the existence of the portal to Merle and a few other people whom I trust.

    From what I heard, Merle and Mira wanted to give the money they earned to their parents.

    The postal system in this world isn¡¯t reliable, so it¡¯s safer to give it to them directly.

    Both of them are my oldest friends in this world, and they were myrades who joined me in the war without even considering the danger to their lives.

    At that time, Michelle, Merle, Mira, Regal, and Garm directly volunteered to help me¡­¡­

    I was so happy that I cried.

    Marco had been exiled, but he said he would go with me even if he was arrested.

    Well, it was a blessing in disguise that he was officially allowed to participate in the war, and that his military merits allowed him to erase his past crimes.

    As thanks, I gave Prime Minister Essel, who was helping me out behind the scenes, a new type of Mani 4WD.

    And so, it was no big deal for me to bring Merle and Mira to the Royal Capital.

    [Alright. If that¡¯s the case, let¡¯s leave right away.]

    [While we¡¯re at it, show us your mansion in the Royal Capital.]

    [Mansion? I just have my usual stand-alone house over there though.]

    [Huh? Yuusuke-san is already a Count. Why is your house so shabby?]

    [Oi, don¡¯t call my ce shabby, that¡¯s just rude. Besides, it¡¯s just the right size for me.]

    [Ehhh, here I thought I¡¯m gonna see a gorgeous room.]

    [Now, now, that¡¯s just like Yuusuke-san, isn¡¯t it?]

    With Mira mediating on this matter, we set out together.

    When I came back from the Royal Capital¡¯s Dungeon, I saw a bunch of kids hanging out in the storefront even though it was still early afternoon.

    Thinking about it again, today¡¯s a rest day for school.

    I guess some children with free time on their hands hade to check if the store was open yet.

    [Ah, Yahagi-san is back!]

    Kurtz, a regr customer, was the first to spot me.

    [Hey, Kurtz. Yesterday was your first day of practicals, wasn¡¯t it? How did it go?]

    [Well, we somehow managed. Thanks to the dagashi, we got through a lot of situations.]

    Kurtz also defeated a Slime and a Giant Spider.

    Neither of those is a strong monster, but it doesn¡¯t change the fact that facing them is dangerous.

    I could see a sense of confidence in the faces of Kurtz¡¯s group afterpleting their first battle.

    [By the way, Yahagi-san, who are these people? Are they Yahagi-san¡¯s girlfriends?]

    At those words, me, Merle, and Mira immediately turned pale.

    [Don¡¯t thoughtlessly say things like that!]

    [Do you want to die!?]

    [Do you not care even if the Royal Capital gets blown up!?]

    [All three of you are vehemently denying it!? Why do you press on this matter that much?]

    Merle exined with a serious expression on her face.

    [What do you think will happen if Michelle-san hears about this?]

    [Ah, that¡¯s right, the Curse Witch lives here!]

    It seems that the information that Michelle lives here is slowly spreading among the children.

    [I already have Michelle, so there¡¯s no way these two are my girlfriends. Merle and Mira are active adventurers and regrs of Dagashi Yahagi.]

    [In other words, they¡¯re our Senpais. We are in your care!]

    Hearing they¡¯re adventurers must have made them feel a sense of camaraderie.

    Kurtz¡¯s group bowed their heads.

    [By the way, what¡¯s the matter? Did you alle here to buy some snacks?]

    Kurtz wagged his finger at that.

    [That¡¯s not it, Yahagi-san. We¡¯re here to prepare for our exploration.]

    [Exploration, your practicals should have ended already, right?]

    [Hehehe, look at this!]

    Kurtz, Gort, and Kikka all held up a small metal te in front of me.

    [What¡¯s that? Adventurer Academy Proficiency Assessment Certificate: D Rank: Up to 1st Underground Floor.]

    [It¡¯s a certificate of academic excellence! With this, we can go into the dungeon.]

    People don¡¯t really need permission from the government to enter the dungeon.

    This seems to be some kind of guideline that the school gives to its students.

    [There are only a few groups in the same grade that got this. We¡¯re among the few who acquired it.]

    [That¡¯s great. And now, you¡¯re preparing for your next exploration?]

    [Rather than next exploration, we¡¯re actually about to head out after this.]

    [You¡¯re going to the dungeon after this?]

    Kurtz¡¯s group was apparently heading to the dungeon to train and get some extra money.

    [S- Senpai! What kind of snacks does Senpai buy?]

    Kurtz asked Mira.

    He looked like he just mustered the courage to talk with the beautifuldy he¡¯s crushing on next door.

    [What would I buy? Let¡¯s see¡­¡­ If you¡¯re hunting on the 1st Underground Floor, I¡¯d say the basic snacks like 10-rim gum¡­¡­ and then, some magical whistle candy.]

    [Magic Whistle Candy?]

    Product name: Magic Whistle Candy

    Description: A candy with a hole in the center. When one puts it to their mouth and blows on it, it makes a sound that lures monsters. Comes with a free toy.

    Price: 60 rims

    [Heehhh¡­¡­ So this kind of dagashi exists huh.]

    [It¡¯s very useful in the 1st Underground Floor because there are only a few monsters there.]

    Its maximum effective range is about 200 meters, so it¡¯s quite convenient.

    [However, if you¡¯re not careful, you can get surrounded.]

    [I see.]

    [Other than that though, not only can it be used to call monsters, but also to lure them into traps.]

    It would be beneficial for Kurtz¡¯s group to hear advice directly from an active adventurer.

    The three were listening intently to Mira and Merle¡¯s advice.

    Looking at them like this, Mira and Merle sure have grown.

    [By the way, what will happen if we blow the magical whistle candy here? Will the monsterse out of the dungeon.]

    [As expected, there¡¯s no way that¡¯s gonna happen. Not like I¡¯ve tried it before though.]

    [Then, I¡¯ll give it a try.]

    Kurtz quickly popped the magical whistle candy he had purchased into his mouth and blew in it.

    Thereupon, the door in the back opened.

    [Yuusuke, you called?]

    It was Michelle who came out.

    [Ugyehh, the Curse Witch!?]

    Oi! Ah, no, that¡¯s certainly her title but¡­¡­

    Well, Kurtz and the others are quite scared of Michelle, who has left behind many legends.

    Even though she was so cute¡­¡­

    [This is bad¡­¡­ I just blew it a bit and the Last Boss appeared. If I use something like this in the dungeon¡­¡­]

    Seeing Kurtz¡¯s group trembling from fright, Merle calmed them down.

    [Don¡¯t worry, there¡¯s nothing as dreadful as her in the dungeon.]

    Seems like Merle¡¯s got the same opinion as them.

    [What about me?]

    Michelle looked around.

    [It¡¯s nothing. I was just exining to everyone again that Michelle is my fiancee.]

    Michelle immediately smiled.

    [Is that so? Everyone please take your time and enjoy your shopping. I¡¯m going to go back to making lunch. Merle and Mira, youe eat with us too.]

    Humming a tune, Michelle withdrew to the back.

    [Fuuu¡­¡­ The world¡¯s equilibrium has been saved yet again¡­¡­]

    You¡¯re overreacting, Merle.

    Anyhow, paying close attention to the back of my home, Kurtz and the others quickly finished their shopping.

    [We¡¯re off to the dungeon then!]

    [Don¡¯t let your guard down over there, okay?]

    [We know that!]

    Gort and Kikka nodded to us.

    [Don¡¯t worry, we know what we should do.]

    [I¡¯m with them, so I won¡¯t let them do anything dangerous.]

    Kurtz is bold, Gort is calm, and Kikka is cautious, the three of them make a bncedbination.

    [Be careful.]

    I walked them off to the storefront.

    .

 Chapter 144: Intertwining Paths

    <h4>Chapter 144: Intertwining Paths</h4>

    In the evening, Carmine came to the shop.

    She does nothing in particr, just buying her gums and puffing it up as usual.

    She feels a bit out of ce, but I have grown ustomed to seeing her here.

    As usual, she doesn¡¯t y with anyone, but she seems to be enjoying herself in her own way.

    [You sure always only buy fruit gums huh, Carmine.]

    [Eh?]

    [We have other gums like 10-rim Gums and Fruity Bubble Gums, you know? I was wondering if you won¡¯t buy anything else.]

    Product name: Fruity Bubble Gums

    Description: Contains three vors: blueberry, sourberry, and yogurt. Eating it will improve your eyesight for a while.

    Price: 80 rims

    It¡¯s round pieces of gum in a stic container.

    In Luganda, it was a popr snack for middle-aged adventurers with poor eyesight.

    The sight of middle-aged adventurers with presbyopia, chewing gum with the aroma of either blueberry or yogurt, evoked this sense of mncholy¡­¡­

    Sales aren¡¯t as high as before because this area is filled with children.

    However, since there are three different vors to enjoy, they seem to be very popr purely as a snack.

    However, Carmine only buys fruit gum.

    [Why don¡¯t you try something different once in a while?]

    [I have a no-cheating doctrine¡­¡­]

    [Buying a different gum doesn¡¯t mean you¡¯re cheating on it, doesn¡¯t it? Try being adventurous.]

    [Hmm, I¡¯ll think about it.]

    I don¡¯t intend to force her to eat them, but all of my snacks are ones I highly rmend.

    I hope Carmine will enjoy them too.

    Speaking of adventurous, did Kurtz and his groupe back from the dungeon?

    It was getting dark by now.

    As I gazed at the street while cleaning the storefront, anxiety crossing my mind, the tired-looking trio returned.

    [Oh, they¡¯re back safe and sound. Good grief, I was worried for a moment.]

    Before I knew it, Carmine was suddenly standing beside me, also looking at Kurtz and the others.

    [Doesn¡¯t their countenance look different?]

    [They¡¯ve been through the dungeon. The expression they have on their faces would definitely change.]

    [Hmmm¡­¡­]

    Lit by the setting sun, Kurtz¡¯s group arrived at the front of the store.

    All three were covered in mud on their faces and gear.

    They must have gone through a fierce battle.

    [Wee back. Are you hurt?]

    .

    [Ou, all three of us just have a few scratches.]

    Kurtz, Gort and Kikka are all smiling.

    [You guys did well. Not getting injured is the most important thing.]

    [Our dream is to find the treasure in the deepest part of the dungeon. We can¡¯t afford to stumble around here!]

    [So, how did it go?]

    [Hehe, look at this!]

    Kurtz unfolded the contents of his small leather bag into the palm of his hand and showed it to me.

    There were several small copper coins and magic crystals in his bag.

    I suppose the total amount would be about 1900 rims.

    [If we can make this much earnings with just the three of us in our first actual exploration, it would be superb.]

    Even if it¡¯s impossible for them to be a professional adventurer, such an amount isn¡¯t as bad as pocket money for a student.

    Moreover, Kurtz¡¯s group is still going to get stronger.

    Carmine, who had been watching our exchange, let slip a few words.

    [Dungeon huh, I wonder if I should also try it out¡­¡­]

    Kurtz reacted reflexively to these words.

    [You feel like trying out the dungeon? If you don¡¯t have the ability and knowledge, you¡¯ll just get yourself killed.]

    He may sound a bit pompous, but what he says isn¡¯t wrong.

    However, I¡¯m kind of curious why Carmine, who is reluctant to do many things, showed interest in the dungeon.

    It¡¯s a dangerous ce, but if they¡¯re just going to the 1st Underground Floor¡­¡­

    [Carmine, are you serious?]

    [Unnn, bing an adventurer after graduating might be good too.]

    [However, going into the dungeon alone is dangerous. Why don¡¯t you at least get some friends to go with you?]

    [I don¡¯t have any friends.]

    As if she was making fun of Kurtz, Carmine dered.

    [A weak Royal Academy student going into the dungeon? Bing an adventurer after graduating? You must be kidding. Go serve at the royal castle like how you lot usually do.]

    Students of the Royal Academy are elites, so many of them be bureaucrats or high-ranking military officers.

    [What I want to do is entirely up to me to decide. Besides, I¡¯m not weak.]

    [What?]

    [I can use Offensive Magic.]

    [Don¡¯t act all proud just for that. Even though Kikka is a fighter, she can use Wind Magic!]

    At those words, Kikka looked triumphant.

    [I certainly can¡¯t engage in closebat. However, I can use Support Magic.]

    [You can also use Support Magic?]

    Oh, the three of them looked surprised.

    [I can also use Healing Magic and Curse Magic¡­¡­]

    [¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­..]

    The trio fell silent before Carmine¡¯s excellence.

    Come to think of it, Michelle did mention how Carmine has excellent grades.

    Kurtz stepped forward and looked straight into Carmine¡¯s face.

    [Then, I¡¯ll test your abilities.]

    [Oi, don¡¯t start fighting.]

    [We aren¡¯t fighting. It will just be a Mobile Force match!]

    Kurtz mmed down his challenge brimming with his emotions, but Carmine¡¯s response was simple.

    [Nah, I¡¯m good.]

    [You gonna run!?]

    [Ehh¡­¡­]

    Kurtz straightforwardly steps forward, but Carmine always keeps her distance.

    I wonder what kind of reaction urs when their paths intersect.

    I¡¯m kinda feeling curious about it.

    [Why don¡¯t you give it a little try? I¡¯d also like to see Carmine operate your Mobile Force again.]

    [If that¡¯s what Yuusuke-chi says¡­¡­]

    Carmine takes her Gyan out of her bag.

    She always seems to carry her Gyan like that.

    Perhaps, even Carmine secretly wished to have a match with someone.

    [Seems like you¡¯re finally motivated now. Let me show you how strong I am.]

    Kurtz also took out his Gufufu.

    Both Gyan and Gufufu are Mobile Forces that excel in meleebat.

    Hearing themotion, the children gathered around them.

    [I¡¯ll be the referee then. Let the battle begin.]

    And so, the match began.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Fruity Bubble Gum

    <noscript></noscript>

 Chapter 145: Sharing

    <h4>Chapter 145: Sharing</h4>

    Thend I was given was quiterge.

    I think it¡¯s probably about 1000 tsubo.

    My stand-alone house stands on such a vacant lot.

    Thankfully, there¡¯s plenty of space.

    So, I built some arenas for Mobile Force battles next to my shop.

    <i>(T/N: Tsubo is equal to 3.31 square meters)</i>

    The creator is, of course, Michelle, and they are all very well-made arenas.

    There are several types of them.

    There¡¯s the most orthodox type, the round circr arena.

    There¡¯s also an arena with ropes stretched around like a wrestling ring.

    There¡¯s also an arena with the image of an abandoned city, providing an atmosphere of urban warfare for enjoyment.

    There are also some of the more unusual ones, from an arena with traps everywhere that are triggered after a certain time to an arena decorated with flowers.

    [I¡¯ll let you choose which arena you want.]

    Kurtz has a rxed attitude, but it doesn¡¯t seem like he¡¯s making light of his opponent.

    [The most normal one.]

    Meanwhile, Carmine is trying to look natural, but she seems pretty nervous.

    Her expression is much stiffer than usual, so it¡¯s easy to tell.

    [That¡¯s the arena I¡¯m most proficient in. You fine with that?]

    [Not like it really matters¡­¡­]

    The fight was to take ce in the circr arena, the format was unlimited time, and the match was to be decided by either submission, broken link or ring-out.

    [Yuusuke-chi, you watch me, okay?]

    [Yeah, do your best.]

    Giving me a small nod, Carmine linked up with her Gyan.

    It was Kurtz¡¯s Gufufu that moved as soon as the match started.

    This boldness is Kurtz¡¯s charm.

    However, Carmine also seemed to have anticipated Kurtz¡¯s move, she swiftly evaded and retaliated with a flurry of light attacks.

    The speed of a Mobile Force varies slightly depending on the strength of the controller¡¯s magic.

    Though it¡¯s a small difference, a millisecond is quite a long time.

    The movements of Carmine¡¯s Gyan are so fast that it¡¯s getting closer to Michelle¡¯s Gyan.

    [This guy!]

    He must have realized that she was a stronger opponent than he had expected.

    Kurtz¡¯s face shows impatience.

    However, Kurtz is no slouch either.

    He exhibits explosive power at key moments, bouncing back from Carmine¡¯s dominance.

    [Kuh¡­¡­]

    Kurtz¡¯s fierce attacks forced Carmine to be cautious.

    Power fighters possess an absurd strike capable of turning the tide of a battle.

    As they had been fighting in a no-interval format, the two had been fighting for more than 10 minutes now.

    Both Kurtz and Carmine were sweaty, with only their eyes zing with determination.

    Carmine is always chewing gum in a daze, but she can also have such an expression on her face huh¡­¡­

    The two engaged in a back-and-forth battle, but the Gyan¡¯s movements suddenly slowed down.

    Just like a boxer who has run out of stamina, it could only unleashckluster attacks.

    [She¡¯s running out of mana?]

    [Go, Kurtz!]

    The children watching the match shouted.

    Most of the spectators are students at the Adventurer Academy, so most of them are cheering for Kurtz.

    This is totally an away match for Carmine.

    Pushed by their cheers, Kurtzes forward.

    He is about to deliver the decisive blow, swinging his sword into the air in a great overhead motion.

    However, Carmine¡¯s Gyan matches his movements and rapidly elerates.

    It was a bluff!?

    Carmine pretended to be out of mana and caught Kurtz off guard.

    A sword sliding from a low position is aimed at the Gufufu.

    The two machines moving at top speed couldn¡¯t stop their movements anymore.

    [Ohhhhhhhh!]

    [Take thiiiiiiiiiiisss!]

    The two swords crossed each other from above and below.

    However, Carmine had been a moment faster.

    The tip of the Gyan¡¯s sword flicks up the wrist of the Gufufu.

    The Gufufu¡¯s sword, which is knocked out of position, is cut down with a diagonal sh.

    The game was won.

    Everyone thought so.

    However, Kurtz¡¯s persistence had not been broken.

    Before the link could be broken, he brought forth his maximum mana to have his Gufufu tackle the Gyan along with it, pushing it down towards outside the arena.

    And then, the two Mobile Forces stopped moving.

    The crowd around me was in high spirits, waiting for my decision as the referee.

    [The winner, Carmine!]

    .

    [Boo!]

    Some students booed, but I didn¡¯t overturn my decision.

    [It was Carmine who fell to the ground first outside the arena, but Kurtz had his link broken first. Therefore, Carmine won.]

    The crowd was stillining, but it was Kurtz who silenced them.

    [Yahagi-san¡¯s right, I broke the link first. That¡¯s why I lost.]

    When Kurtz gracefully conceded defeat, none of the studentsined anymore.

    I asked Kurtz.

    [How is it, Carmine¡¯s abilities?]

    [Yeah, I admit she¡¯s got that. I won¡¯t lose next time though.]

    [Why, thank you.]

    [And so, from now on, you¡¯re on our team.]

    [Eh?]

    [You¡¯re interested in the dungeon, right? Then, isn¡¯t it fine?]

    Carmine looked restless after being forcibly invited.

    [Why? I¡¯m a student of the Royal Academy¡­¡­]

    [What, does the refined student of the Royal Academy not like being paired with the crude students of the Adventurer Academy?]

    [That¡¯s not it!]

    [Then, isn¡¯t it fine?]

    [Unnn¡­¡­]

    There are a few unforgettable moments in one¡¯s life.

    Perhaps, this is the case for Kurtz and Carmine.

    The four of them are already talking about their next exploration.

    [Fuuu, even so, I¡¯m starving.]

    [I¡¯ll give you this. I like this melon vor the best.]

    Each pack of fruit gumes in four gumballs.

    The four of them sharing a pack of gum is a sight I¡¯ll always remember.

 Chapter 146: Spring

    <h4>Chapter 146: Spring</h4>

    Since the time I came here, my ns were about to drastically change.

    I had nned to close the shop on days when the academy was closed, but it seems like that can no longer be the case.

    [Yuusuke-chi, youe to the dungeon too.]

    [Right. If Yahagi-san does business in the dungeon, it will help us too.]

    Not only Carmine and Kurtz, but other students asked me to do it.

    The days off at both academies are the same, with three days off within ten days.

    The students are gonna use their days off to dive in the dungeon.

    I¡¯m also worried about Carmine and the others.

    Although I will have fewer holidays, I have decided to open my shop in the dungeon.

    For the first time in a long time, I opened my shop on the dungeon¡¯s 1st Underground Floor.

    Michelle, who was also on her day off at the academy today, is alsoing to help me out.

    I would be setting up my shop where Merle and Mira brought me when I just came to this world.

    Back then, I didn¡¯t have the money to buy a business permit, so I did business in this tax-free ce.

    It was also here that I first met Sanaga-san and Mirai-san.

    Feeling nostalgic for the years I spent in this world, I was deeply moved as I gazed at the nondescript rock wall.

    [Arehh, Yahagi-san? It¡¯s been a while! Why are you here?]

    The adventurers who knew me were surprised to see me.

    Many of the rookies have grown stronger within the year I hadn¡¯t seen them.

    [I¡¯m especially opening up my shop today.]

    [Really!? Then, I¡¯d like to pull in the rocket lottery.]

    [I¡¯d like a Jumbo Cutlet.]

    Not only the students from the academy, but also a number of my former regrs lined up at the shop.

    [Yuusuke-chi, are you actually famous?]

    Carmine looks at me curiously.

    [I used to set up my stall in the dungeon.]

    [Ahh, could it be that Yahagi Onsen is Yuusuke-chi¡¯s?]

    [Yeah, that¡¯s right. The Gnomes told me about it.]

    Staring at my face, Kurtz looked surprised.

    [Then that means¡­¡­ Yahagi-san is the famous Sweets Baron!]

    [You heard about me?]

    [Of course I did! We¡¯re talking about the Legendary Sweets Baron, who thoroughly defeated the Curse Witch, made her a subordinate, discovered an onsen, and manipted the current King¡¯s military coup from behind the scenes, you know!?]

    [That¡¯s right!]

    No, that isn¡¯t right, Michelle.

    When did I ever thoroughly defeat you?

    Rumors really aren¡¯t just spreading, they¡¯re running at full sprint huh.

    [90 percent of those are false.]

    [Even so, doesn¡¯t that mean you¡¯re the Legendary Knight-sama!?]

    I¡¯m a Count now, but I don¡¯t want people starting up solicited rumors again, so I¡¯ll just keep quiet.

    [By the way, isn¡¯t your merchandise different from what you usually have in your shop?]

    Holding up a product he¡¯s never seen before, Kurtz tilts his head.

    [It¡¯s because we are in the dungeon. I¡¯ve decided to sell even powerful items that I don¡¯t usually have in the shop. Here, you aren¡¯t treated as students. You are all adventurers.]

    Kurtz and the others nodded with solemn expressions on their faces, before earnestly selecting snacks on their limited budget.

    Today¡¯s Gort had a short bow slung across his back.

    Although inferior in prating power, shortbows are often used in the dungeons because they¡¯re easy to handle and have a high rate of fire.

    Combat is basically started with long-range attacks.

    From what I heard, Gort is skillful and is apparently an expert archer.

    Such a Gort bought 20 pieces of 10-rim gums.

    [You sure bought a lot of those. Do you imbue mana on your arrows?]

    [Half of them are for Kikka. The shortbow has a weak prating power, so Kikka uses Wind Magic to make it more powerful. So, as a token of my gratitude¡­¡­]

    Gort, cool for his age, looked a little embarrassed.

    Perhaps he¡¯s still at an age where the idea of giving something to a girl is embarrassing.

    [Boosting the power of your arrows with a tailwind huh. In that case, I¡¯ve got something for you.]

    I took out a new pot of sweets.

    Product name: Mintos Mini

    Description: Mint-vored chewing candy. Comes in strawberry, orange and lemon vors. Eating them strengthens Wind Magic.

    Price: 30 rims

    [It¡¯s good value for your money because it also reduces the mana consumed when using Wind Magic.]

    [Unnn, the packaging is cute too. I¡¯ll have one of each vor.]

    Gort handed the 10-rim gums and the Mintos Minis to Kikka right away.

    [You don¡¯t have to be that attentive.]

    [However, you¡¯re always looking after us.]

    [Thanks. We¡¯ll share themter.]

    [Yeah¡­¡­]

    I wonder why?

    That was just supposed to be an ordinary conversation, but I could smell the scent of youth in the air.

    Heck, I even feel like I¡¯m seeing a hallucination that cherry blossom petals are dancing only at the spot Gort and Kikka stand on.

    [Geez, it¡¯s getting so irritating watching them.]

    Scratching his head, Kurtz sighs.

    [You jealous?]

    [That¡¯s not it! They¡¯re obviously in love with each other, but they¡¯re making no progress at all.]

    So that¡¯s what this is about huh.

    [Acting all wishy-washy, Gort should just confess already.]

    [Isn¡¯t it fine? They can just fall in love at their own pace.]

    Carmine, who was puffing up her gum, isid back about it.

    [Kah, that¡¯s just pathetic.]

    [Then, why don¡¯t you go confess your feelings to Mira-san already?]

    [Ugh.]

    Kurtz, who got his own situation pointed out by Carmine, suddenly acted very suspicious.

    [T- That¡¯s for when I¡¯ve grown a bit more, like when I be a full-fledged adventurer¡­¡­]

    Kurtz likes Mira huh.

    From up to Mani-san to Kurtz below, Mira really is popr with all ages.

    However, looking at the fact that she¡¯s still single, could it be that Mira has high standards?

    Or perhaps, is she just the type of person who isn¡¯t interested in romance?

    [You¡¯re just as pathetic then, Kurtz.]

    [What about you, Carmine?]

    [Me? I don¡¯t really care much about love. Hanging out with Yuusuke-chi and the others is already enough for me¡­¡­]

    When Carmine fluffily answered that, the bubble gum she had blown up burst with a loud pop.

    I see, such happiness also exists.

    As someone who had been searching for a ce of my own in this unknown world for a long time, I understand how Carmine feels.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Mintos Mini: based on Mentos Mini

    <noscript></noscript>

 Chapter 147: Haggard Titti

    <h4>Chapter 147: Haggard Titti</h4>

    Early in the morning, as I was opening my shop in front of Luganda Dungeon, Marco, looking rather uncheerful, came in.

    [Good morning, Marco. You look a bit down.]

    [Titti hasn¡¯t been feeling well sincest night.]

    Marco seemed restless as he looked in the direction of their house.

    Luganda is still in the development stage and we still don¡¯t have any doctors.

    The only healer who was doing his best for everyone was Titti, but if she herself were to fall ill, we would be in quite the trouble.

    [Can¡¯t a Healer heal her own illness?]

    [I also asked her that, but she said she just couldn¡¯t concentrate on her magic. Yahagi-san, do you still have an Elixir in hand?]

    [Ahh, about that¡­¡­]

    There used to be a retro game in my shop called Dungeon Crawler 10-rim game.

    It was a very difficult game, with an Elixir as its prize.

    However, that 10-rim game no longer exists.

    In fact, 10-rim games are no longer avable, being reced by muchter game consoles.

    Taking its ce were video games called ¡°Invaders¡± and ¡°Packing Man.¡±

    It doesn¡¯t give out any sort of prizes, but Merle is addicted to them.

    She¡¯s always in the top 10 in the rankings.

    She sure hasn¡¯t grown out of her hot-tempered personality.

    In any case, the only Healer we have is Titti, so there¡¯s no one to examine her, which is a problem.

    [I¡¯ll go and visit himter. If his symptoms are too severe, I¡¯ll ask Michelle toe and see her, so don¡¯t worry.]

    [That¡¯s good to hear. Titti says it¡¯s nothing serious, but she¡¯s acting a little strange. I¡¯ll leave her to you, Yahagi-san.]

    As Marco went into the dungeon with Team Harukaze, I went to Titti¡¯s ce.

    I went to Marco and Titti¡¯s home and knocked on their door, but there was no answer.

    [Oiiii, Titti, are you there? It¡¯s me, Yahagi.]

    That¡¯s strange, Marco said Titti was at home.

    Putting my ear to the door to inspect what was going on, I heard groaning from the inside.

    Mixed along with it were the sounds of gasping from vomiting.

    [Yahagi¡­¡­ Help me¡­¡­]

    I hurriedly opened the door and entered the house.

    [Titti!]

    Titti looked quite worn out.

    Her skin had lost its moisture and her plump lips were wrinkled.

    Her cheeks were also hollow, showing how much weight she lost.

    [O- Oi¡­¡­]

    [Yahagi¡­.. Powdered grape juice¡­¡­]

    [Powdered¡­¡­? O- Ou. I¡¯ll have it ready in a minute, so just wait a bit!]

    I ran into the kitchen and looked for some water to scoop from.

    Even so, powdered grape juice?

    Of all the things she could ask for, what¡¯s the point of her asking for this?

    The powdered juices I sell have various effects, and the grape-vored juice has an anti-curse effect.

    Could it be, did Titti get cursed?

    While supporting her body as she wobbled, I gave Titti the grape juice.

    [How are you feeling?]

    [I feel a bit better. It looks like it really was the symptoms of a curse.]

    Grape juice is a mild remedy for curses, but in the end, it¡¯s still just a dagashi.

    The effect is limited because it¡¯s not a specialized medicine.

    It seems like aplete cure hasn¡¯t been achieved, as Titti remained pale-faced, lying down while looking tired.

    [What¡¯s going on?]

    [A few days ago, I started showing symptoms of a curse.]

    [You mean someone has cursed you?]

    [If this is a curse, there are too many possible culprits for me to know who cursed me.]

    Titti sarcastically sneers to herself.

    When she was the Queen Consort, Titti had expended a lot of money, so she must have had a lot of enemies.

    Since she met Marco and was exiled to Luganda though, she has done a lot for the citizens¡­¡­

    [I¡¯ll bring Michelle back after this and have her check on you.]

    [I can heal myself just fine.]

    [Stop with the boring stubbornness. If you could have dealt with it yourself, you would have done it by now. Marco is worried about you, you know? Just have it healed already.]

    [¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­]

    When I mentioned Marco¡¯s name, Titti stopped resisting this idea any further.

    Titti, who had a reputation as a woman of many romances, seems to bepletely devoted to Marco now.

    [For the time being, I¡¯ll leave you 10 packs worth of grape juice, so if you feel any pain, drink it.]

    After preparing it in a pitcher and leaving cups within her reach, I left Titti¡¯s house.

    After returning to the capital, I was worried about Titti¡¯s condition and couldn¡¯t calm down.

    The grape juice seems to have helped alleviate her symptoms a little, but I feel like she could have a seizure at any moment.

    Michelle has sses so she won¡¯t be back until after dark, but we might not make it in time if I had to wait for her.

    I hesitated for a moment, but putting up a ¡°Temporary Closed¡± tag on the door, I ran out of the shop.

    It was my first time entering the Magic Academy.

    I was neither a student nor a teacher, so that was no surprise.

    The academy grounds are surrounded by a high fence, with a gate as magnificent as a castle.

    Facilities for more elderly citizens cost a lot of money.

    Next to the gate is a guardhouse, where the gatekeeper is constantly on the lookout.

    The gate is tightly closed, so the only way to get in is to ask permission here.

    [Hello. My name is Yahagi Yuusuke and I¡¯m acquainted with a teacher named Michelle. An urgent matter urred and I¡¯d like to visit Michelle¡¯s researchb. Can you let me through?]

    I approached him like this, but the gatekeeper looked at me sternly.

    [You know Teacher Michelle? Do you have any proof of that?]

    [No, I don¡¯t have anything like that.]

    [The academy is off-limits to anyone other than authorized personnel. I must ask you to leave.]

    [Her rtive is ill and I need to tell her about this matter as soon as possible. Couldn¡¯t you at least contact her?]

    I asked politely, but the gatekeeper¡¯s attitude didn¡¯t change.

    On the contrary, the guard¡¯s attitude seemed as if he didn¡¯t want to get involved in troublesome matters, and he was trying to get rid of me.

    [Go home, go home. This is no ce formoners.]

    Hmmm, doesn¡¯t seem like he¡¯d believe me even if I tell him I have a court rank.

    I was in a hurry, so I came here in ordinary clothes and on foot.

    Since this is an academy attended by children of nobility and royalty, it¡¯s likely that this person isn¡¯t just barring me ess out of malice.

    I was wondering what to do, but then Carmine came running from across the academy¡¯s za.

    [Yuusuke-chi, what are you doing here?]

    [Ohh, Carmine. I came here to see Michelle, but he won¡¯t let me in. I¡¯m sorry, but could you go and get her for me?]

    [I¡¯m fine with that, but the next ss is starting soon.]

    Saying this, Carmine turned to the gatekeeper.

    [Let Yuusuke-chi in.]

    [Y- Y- You¡¯re acquainted with Carmine-sama?]

    The gatekeeper¡¯s face turned depressingly pale, but why though?

    [Unnn, he¡¯s someone important. He¡¯s also someone Papa always keeps an eye to.]

    [Wha¡­¡­]

    At Carmine¡¯s words, the guard¡¯splexion turned even more pale.

    [Please excuse my rudeness!]

    It seems like permission for me to pass has been granted.

    However, Carmine¡¯s Papa?

    I thought she was from a single-mother-and-daughter household, but it seems that wasn¡¯t the case.

    [Carmine¡¯s Papa is someone I know?]

    [Unnn?]

    [Who is he?]

    [Secret.]

    She doesn¡¯t want to tell me.

    She probably has various circumstances for why she won¡¯t tell me.

    However, among my acquaintances, someone who keeps an eye on me¡­¡­?

    No way, Prime Minister Essel!?

    However, when I was invited to the Prime Minister¡¯s residence, I was introduced to his family, but I didn¡¯t see Carmine there at that time.

    There¡¯s also no way that Mrs. Essel is working as a Healer¡­¡­

    Could she possibly be an illegitimate child?

    It seems to bemon among the nobility, so that being the case is possible.

    But still, Prime Minister Essel¡­¡­

    He had a mild-mannered look on his face, but he was also a perverted old man huh.

    [Teacher Michelle¡¯sb is over there.]

    [Thank. Right, right, the dagashi shop is temporarily closed today. Sorry about that.]

    [Ehhh¡­¡­]

    Carmine looked very sad.

    [Don¡¯t look so sad. I¡¯ll properly open up the shop tomorrow.]

    [Unnn¡­¡­]

    Carmine suddenly came up to me and lightly pressed her forehead against my stomach.

    [I wish Yuusuke-chi had been my Papa¡­¡­]

    [Oi, oi, can¡¯t you at least fill me in on the Onii-chan position?]

    The sadness that had been on Carmine¡¯s face when she looked at me earlier had already disappeared.

    [Ahahaha, that¡¯s fine too. Latersss~~]

    The first time I saw her, I thought she was a bit of a loner.

    This may just be my hunch, but I felt as if I had caught a glimpse of her loneliness.

    Although a heartrending feeling welled up within me, I hurried to Michelle¡¯s researchb for the time being.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    <noscript></noscript>

    <noscript></noscript>

 Chapter 148: Brother and Sister

    <h4>Chapter 148: Brother and Sister</h4>

    Michelle¡¯sboratory was a unique ce to visit.

    The door is decorated with a skull with a withered purple rose in its mouth, surrounded by a number of protective charms.

    However, I¡¯m not one to be perturbed by that.

    Knocking lightly on the door, I waited for a reply.

    [Who is it? State your name¡­¡­]

    A gruff voice answered.

    It reminds me of the voice Michelle used when she was working under the alias Minerva.

    [It¡¯s me, Yuusuke.]

    [Yuusuke!? Why? I¡¯m lifting the barriers now, so wait for me? Don¡¯t go home.]

    After groan-like chants, the door creaked open.

    [It¡¯s kind of a tight lock, isn¡¯t it?]

    [There are dangerous books and chemicals in here, so I have to make sure not just anyone can easily get in.]

    It can¡¯t be helped then.

    [I¡¯m d. Come in, I¡¯ll show you around.]

    [I¡¯m interested too, but I can¡¯t just sit back and rx at the moment.]

    [Did something happen?]

    I described Titti¡¯s condition.

    Even when she heard about Titti, Michelle remained indifferent.

    It¡¯s not an overly concerned attitude, but she¡¯s not being cold or dismissive either.

    And so, I didn¡¯t say anything unnecessary about their rtionship as sisters.

    [That¡¯s a bit tricky.]

    [What is?]

    [Titti is also quite cautious, you know? Most probably, even when she was living her usual life, she hadn¡¯t neglected to prepare to resist curses. She even repelled my curse once.]

    If that¡¯s the case, does that mean a powerful magic-user casted that curse?]

    [Hmmm¡­¡­]

    At this moment, it seems that Michelle couldn¡¯t say anything definitive either.

    [In any case, I¡¯m going to check on Titti.]

    [What about your work?]

    [I¡¯m going to cancel my afternoon sses. I¡¯ll ask another teacher to cover for me.]

    [Sorry.]

    [It¡¯s alright. I haven¡¯t forgiven Titti for everything, but she¡¯s doing her best for Luganda now. That much is true.]

    Afterpleting the necessary formalities, Michelle and I flew to Luganda.

    Michelle, who was examining Titti with a stern look on her face, sighed loudly.

    [I think I¡¯ve pretty much figured out what¡¯s going on. It¡¯s simr, but this isn¡¯t a curse. It¡¯s a side effect.]

    I was surprised, but Titti seemed to have understood what Michelle was saying and said nothing.

    [A side effect?]

    Michelle said with a repulsed look on her face.

    [Yes. Titti, you¡¯ve dabbled with Forbidden Spell Fusion, haven¡¯t you?]

    [Tsk¡­¡­.]

    A frustrated click of the tongue was a sign of affirmation.

    [What¡¯s that Forbidden Spell Fusion? Exin it so that even I can understand.]

    [It¡¯s one of the Forbidden Arts. In a nutshell, it¡¯s a technique where different wavelengths of magic are mixed together to gain significant power. However, when you do it, the repercussions are huge, and if you fail, you get symptoms like this, as if you were under a curse.]

    [Hmph, I was quite sure Michelle had secretly cursed me.]

    Without any particr thought, Titti hurled back insults.

    [Why would you even want to use Forbidden Spell Fusion?]

    [¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­..]

    At my question, Michelle answered instead of the unspeaking Titti.

    [Probably because of a chronk of mana.]

    [What do you mean?]

    [Healing Magic uses a lot of mana. With how much she works hard every day around adventurers, a night¡¯s sleep might not be enough for a full mana recovery. This would eventually lead to a decrease in her total amount of mana.]

    [And so, she used Forbidden Spell Fusion to try to manage that¡­¡­ I¡¯m sorry, Titti, for only relying on you for this.]

    [It¡¯s nothing for Yahagi to apologize for. It¡¯s just something I wanted to try out.]

    Titti turned away.

    [I¡¯ll treat you for the time being, but healing her from the root of the problem will take time. Gathering the ingredients for the cure is troublesome¡­¡­]

    Michelle gave a small sigh.

    [A cure for it does exist then?]

    p>

    [There is, but it¡¯s not something that has a dramatic effect. She¡¯ll have to heal herself with it slowly and surely. And for that, we¡¯d have to collect a lot of Amani Herbs¡­¡­]

    [Is there a problem?]

    [It¡¯s a herb that grows in the low levels of the dungeon, but it¡¯s not the sort of thing being handled by apothecaries. Rather than a medicinal nt, it¡¯s more of a weed.]

    <i>(T/N: Low levels here is talking about the areas where weaker mobs are, not low as in the deeper levels)</i>

    With no demand for them, there¡¯s no one going out of their way to collect them huh.

    [Then, I¡¯ll collect it myself.]

    [ [ Yuusuke (Yahagi) will? ] ]

    The two sisters spoke in unison.

    [I¡¯m frequently diving into the dungeons anyway. I¡¯ll look for them while I¡¯m around there.]

    [That¡¯s dangerous. What if you¡¯re attacked by a monster while looking for Amani Herbs?]

    Michelle was apparently worried.

    However, I can handle up to the 1st or 2nd Underground Floor without any problems now.

    I also have my dagashis and toys.

    [If it¡¯s just around the low levels, I¡¯ll be fine. I¡¯m already quite used to that area. Besides¡­¡­.]

    [Besides what?]

    Michelle is still against it, looking displeased.

    [I¡¯m about to marry Michelle, right? That means Titti will be my sister. I can¡¯t just disregard her while she¡¯s like that.]

    When I said this, they both fell silent.

    After a while, Michelle came to her senses and lightly poked Titti on her forehead.

    [W- What are you blushing for!]

    [I- I¡¯m not blushing! Michelle¡¯s the one blushing! You¡¯re already too old to be acting all embarrassed!]

    [That¡¯s just because Yuusuke suddenly talked about our marriage. It¡¯s you who shouldn¡¯t get embarrassed just because he called you his sister!]

    [You¡¯re so annoying! I¡¯ve only got a creepy Sister, so I was just longing for a proper Brother.]

    [Stop fighting, okay? Anyhow, I¡¯m going to search for those Amani Herbs.]

    Michelle eventually agreed.

    [Titti, how are you feeling?]

    [Michelle¡¯s magic and the medicine seem to be working. I feel much better than before.]

    Herplexion does seem to have improved.

    [If you get negligent, you¡¯re in for a rude awakening. You¡¯d regrly get headaches, dizziness, insomnia and hot flushes.]

    [That kinda sounds like menopausal symptoms.]

    [Why, indeed.]

    [I¡¯m not that old. Don¡¯t you dare include a girl in her twenties on that!]

    Titti startedining.

    That aside, in ce of visitation gifts, I¡¯ll give her some sweets.

    Product name: Fruit Gummi

    Description: Fruit gummies made from natural fruit juice. There are several varieties, including grape, strawberry and tangerine. The pomegranate vor relieves menopausal symptoms.

    Price: 100 rims

    [Here, a visitation gift.]

    [I told you I¡¯m not menopausal!]

    Titti was angry, but she looked much better than she had in the morning.

    Michelle¡¯s healing must have been a really good thing.

    However, that was just a coping mechanism.

    The fundamental cure depends on the Amani Herbs I collect.

    Leaving her medicine and gummies behind, Michelle and I left Titti¡¯s house.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Fruit Gummi

    <noscript></noscript>

 Chapter 149: Gentle Flowers

    <h4>Chapter 149: Gentle Flowers</h4>

    The days of searching for Amani Herbs have begun.

    Early in the morning, I returned to Luganda to do my governmental duties and work at the dagashi shop, by noon, I wandered around the dungeon in search of Amani Herbs, and after school, I spent my days selling dagashi in the Royal Capital.

    When I was chatting with Carmine and the others who came to the shop, we somehow got on the subject of Amani Herbs.

    [Ehh, Yuusuke-chi¡¯s also diving in the dungeon?]

    [Only in the low levels though, I¡¯m trying to gather Amani Herbs. I need them to cure a friend¡¯s illness.]

    [How much do you need?]

    Carmine looks more serious than ever.

    [A lot, and there¡¯s never enough of it.]

    [In that case, I will also help you.]

    [We will help out too.]

    It seems like Kurtz¡¯s group of three who were with Carmine will also help out.

    However, this could perhaps be a good thing.

    The students diving into the dungeon will earn a little extra money, and this will also be a lot of help for me who needs a lot of Amani Herbs.

    It¡¯s a win-win situation for both parties.

    [Is that so? In that case, I¡¯ll make sure to buy them from you, so can I ask you guys of that?]

    [A purchasable item! We¡¯re finally starting to look like proper adventurers!]

    Kurtz¡¯ group looked excited and happy.

    [However, you should never be careless. Amani Herbs grow on the 1st and 2nd Underground Floor, but don¡¯t let your guard down.]

    [We know already. We¡¯re gonna gather a lot and y the string lottery 10 times!]

    The things they said were still childish, but they were very dependable.

    When I was about to head to the dungeon while the academy¡¯s got a day off, Kurtz¡¯ team of four was just about to depart as well.

    It seemed like they had met up in front of the shop.

    [Good morning, Yahagi-san!]

    [You¡¯re about to depart?]

    [Ou, we¡¯re gonna go make some money!]

    Steel breasttes, leather shoulder and elbow guards, steel-ted boots.

    Kurtz¡¯ team is now wearing some pretty good gear.

    It¡¯s said that the students at the Adventurer Academy aren¡¯t wealthy, but that¡¯s just whenpared with the Royal Academy.

    Kurtz¡¯ original group of three is also from families of knights or senior soldiers, so they have some money.

    Compared to Regal, who could only start out as a porter, their equipment is unbeatable.

    Meanwhile, Carmine¡¯s equipment is exceptional.

    At first nce, it looks like she¡¯s just wearing ordinary clothing, but it apparently has anti-magic effects and high physical resistance.

    Michelle also mentioned how it¡¯s made with very rare dragon leather.

    Feels like it costs a hell of a lot of money.

    Though I say that, the sweater I¡¯m wearing under my leather armor filled with heart marks is even more amazing.

    That¡¯s because Michelle carefully wove her mana into each of this sweater¡¯s strings.

    This is probably considered a Legendary-level gear already.

    It¡¯s just, inside each heart mark is knitted my name and Michelle¡¯s name.

    It looked so embarrassing that I can¡¯t really show it to people.

    So much so that I swore I would never take off my armor in front of the children.

    I had overlooked this because I hadn¡¯t been aware of them before, but there were quite a lot of Amani Herbs around.

    The herbs look like a reddish clover, about one-fifth the size.

    I suppose a slightlyrger version of the water pepper used as sashimi garnish would be a more urate way to describe it?

    It seems to grow in clusters and is often densely packed along walls and such.

    [We can find them easily like this, but they¡¯re not a lot because they¡¯re rather small.]

    Carmine tears up the Amani Herbs and puts them into a jute bag.

    [Try not to pull out the roots. That way, they¡¯ll grow back again.]

    [Yeeeeees.]

    Just as Carmine said, it¡¯s not easy to gather the right amount.

    We¡¯d need arge quantity of Amani Herbs to make medicines.

    Can¡¯t we find it more efficiently?

    It would be easy to find them using irvoyance, but my mana won¡¯tst¡­¡­

    Oh wait, that¡¯s right, I could try using a dagashi that boosts my sense of smell!

    Product name: Honke: Plum Jam

    Description: A sweet and sour sachet of jam made from plum. Eating it will boost your sense of smell.

    Price: 10 rims

    This is another nostalgic snack.

    I remember spreading it on thin rice crackers and eating it when I was a child.

    In this world, when the scent of plum leaves your nose, your sense of smell is boosted to the level of a dog¡¯s.

    The duration is about 30 minutes, but it might be useful to look for some Amani Herbs.

    Best of all, the price is at a cheap 10 rims, so it¡¯s quite cost-effective.

    I immediately handed them out to the four, but Carmine looked worried.

    [Are you sure eating that¡¯s gonna be alright? If Kurtz farts, I won¡¯t suddenly die of shock, right?]

    [Oi, that¡¯s just rude! My farts don¡¯t smell that bad.]

    [No, no, they stink to death!]

    Both Gort and Kikka nodded in agreement.

    Don¡¯t be too hard on Kurtz.

    [Don¡¯t worry. Even a dog won¡¯t die if it smells a fart. It¡¯s the same case as that. Besides, increasing the ability to distinguish scents doesn¡¯t mean the intensity of an odor doubles.]

    After convincing them of this, the four of them ate the plum jam.

    [Ah, it¡¯s not as sour as I thought it would be.]

    Kikka¡¯s face broke into a smile.

    [Right? It¡¯s like a product that was developed through trial and error. Even Merle, who doesn¡¯t like sour food, is happy to eat this.]

    After hesitantly taking a small lick of Mira¡¯s jam, she immediately bought her own portion.

    [Arehh? Doesn¡¯t it smell good?]

    With his nose raised in the air, Gort turns slowly.

    The calm Gort doesn¡¯t miss the changing situation around him.

    [What do you mean, it smells good?]

    Kurtz moves his nose in the same way, but doesn¡¯t seem to smell it.

    [Over there.]

    Since Gort identified the scent¡¯s location, we all advanced together to check it out.

    After a few steps, I identified the scent too.

    It¡¯s citrusy with a fresh sweetness and a hint of forest green.

    [It has a captivating scent, but wouldn¡¯t it be a monster trap?]

    There are monsters that deceive people¡¯s minds with their scents and voices.

    There are countless stories of people who have been lured by the voice of a beautiful, morous woman and wandered off, only to have their head bitten off by a hideous monster.

    [It¡¯s alright. That scent is probably from the Raizen Flower.]

    Kikka confidently nods.

    [You know it well. Are you knowledgeable about nts, Kikka?]

    [It¡¯s not just nts. Kikka also knows about monsters and ores.]

    Kurtz states on behalf of the embarrassed Kikka.

    She apparently always gets A+ grades in Natural Sciences.

    I really need to collect medicinal herbs at the moment, but I¡¯m also interested in that Raizen Flower.

    That¡¯s how attractive its fragrance was.

    [Alright, let¡¯s check it out.]

    Walking towards an area on the 1st Underground Floor that I wouldn¡¯t normally go to, in a corner that had be an alley, there were orange flowers in bloom.

    [So that¡¯s a Raizen huh.]

    The shape is very simr to daffodils, but the smell is much more wonderful.

    [They say Raizen has a fragrance that alleviates the pain from the sick.]

    [Is that true, Kikka? Then, couldn¡¯t we sell them for a lot?]

    Kurtz seems excited.

    [Right, their average transaction price should be around 3000 rims.]

    That¡¯s a pretty good extra ie for rookie adventurers.

    It¡¯s also good pocket money for the students at the academy.

    Besides, if it really does alleviate the pain from the sick, Titti would be delighted if I brought her some with me.

    [Can I buy them from you?]

    I asked Gort, who discovered them first.

    [You don¡¯t have to pay for them. Yahagi-san can have it.]

    [I don¡¯t mind either.]

    [Unnn, me too.]

    [Kuh¡­¡­ W- Well, alright.]

    They are kind children.

    Anyhow, I gave out a thousand rim silver coins to each of the four of them.

    ¡ó¡ó¡ó

    When Marco returned from work, he immediately noticed the scent in the room.

    The house is filled with an aroma that makes you feel as if the day¡¯s fatigue is slipping away.

    [I¡¯m home. What¡¯s that smell?]

    He walked into the bedroom and found Titti up on the bed.

    [Wee home. Sister and Yahagi were here a while ago. They gave me some Raizen flowers as a souvenir.]

    Pretty flowers were shining beneath the western sun on the windowsill.

    [Is this Raizen?]

    [It¡¯s a coveted flower for the sick because it makes the body morefortable. Yahagi found them in the dungeon.]

    [I see, we have to thank Yahagi-san for that then.]

    [You¡¯re right¡­¡­ Of course, I¡¯m devoted to Marco, but having such an older brother doesn¡¯t feel bad.]

    The two stood shoulder to shoulder as they breathed in the fragrance of Raizen flowers.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Honke: Plum Jam

    <noscript></noscript>

 Chapter 150: Chocolate Egg (Part 1)

    <h4>Chapter 150: Chocte Egg (Part 1)</h4>

    The search for Amani Herbs continued.

    Thanks to the medicine Michelle makes, Titti¡¯s condition has apparently turned stable.

    However, the side effects of the Spell Fusion haven¡¯t been fundamentally cured.

    It seems that her physical condition has been good recently, as she went back to working as a healer, but she still can¡¯t do without medicine in her daily life.

    Michelle herself doesn¡¯t know how long it will take for her to fully recover.

    In addition to the students, the members of Team Harukaze also came to the Royal Capital¡¯s Dungeon today.

    Of course, the students were told about the teleportation portal.

    ording to official records, Merle and her team havee here through thend route.

    [I¡¯m sorry for troubling you as always. I¡¯ll do my best today as well.]

    Marco bowed apologetically.

    [You don¡¯t have to be so uptight. Let¡¯s do our best and get a lot of Amani Herbs.]

    I¡¯m also grateful that Titti is working hard in Luganda as a healer.

    It¡¯s good to live by helping each other out.

    When Gort intercepted the enemy¡¯s attack, Kurtz and Kikka¡¯s swords sliced through the monster¡¯s torso.

    The enemy was a Dungeon Maimai, a monster ssified as a powerful monster on the 1st Underground Floor.

    There were two Dungeon Maimais, but Carmine held the other one back with Earth Magic.

    [You guys over there done yet? I¡¯m almost at my limit here.]

    [Ou, this one¡¯s all taken care of. I¡¯m on my way!]

    Kurtz¡¯ voice ovepped with Gort¡¯s arrow.

    The arrow, made more powerful by Kikka¡¯s Wind Magic, pierced the shell of the Dungeon Maimai.

    [This ends this!]

    Kurtz¡¯ sword strikes right into the monster¡¯s head, and the Dungeon Maimai disappears in a puff of smoke.

    [Kurtz and the others are getting stronger.]

    There¡¯s a world of differencepared to that time when they just did their practicals.

    Even from the perspective of an active adventurer like Merle, it seems that their abilities are worthy of recognition.

    [I think they¡¯re good enough to go to the 2nd Underground Floor.]

    [Is that true, Merle-san?]

    [Unnn, if you just make sure not to let your guard down, you guys should be fine. Shall we head on to the 2nd Underground Floor today?]

    [I want to go!]

    The four of them responded in unison.

    [Is it gonna be alright?]

    I was worried, but the four members of Team Harukaze gave their assurances.

    [With their current equipment and ability, they¡¯ll be fine. Besides, we¡¯re here with them.]

    Merle¡¯s team isn¡¯t just a bunch of rookies anymore.

    Mira and Regal are the main hitter, while Merle and Marco excel in attack and defense.

    Team Harukaze is now the top team in Luganda.

    [If that¡¯s what you guys are saying, I¡¯ll believe you. Let¡¯s stop by the onsen on the way.]

    Kurtz¡¯ team cheered at my suggestion.

    Subjugating monsters and collecting Amani Herbs, we made our way to the 2nd Underground Floor.

    Kurtz and his team were undaunted on the 2nd Underground Floor, aggressively defeating monsters.

    [The onsen is just up ahead. Once you enter the area, monsters will stop spawning, so you don¡¯t have to worry.]

    [We¡¯re finally reaching the rumored Yahagi Onsen huh.]

    Kurtz emotionally nods.

    [I¡¯ve never been to the onsen before.]

    [Me neither.]

    It seems like reaching the onsen has be some sort of first foal for dungeon rookies.

    When the four of them arrived at the open za before the onsen, they looked around nervously.

    [Amazing¡­¡­ We¡¯ve finally made it to the Yahagi Onsen.]

    [Yeah, it feels like we¡¯ve finally stepped into the entryway as adventurers.]

    Kurtz and Gort joyfully cheered with their arms around each other¡¯s shoulders.

    [Let¡¯s take a bath soon. I can¡¯t wait anymore.]

    [Same here.]

    Carmine and Kikka seemed fidgety as they looked at the entrance of the onsen.

    [I¡¯ll show you around then. Come on in.

    Mira leads them into the women¡¯s bath.

    Watching their backs as they departed, Kurtz muttered.

    [How envious. They get to bathe with Mira-san¡­¡­]

    [I understand how you feel, but don¡¯t you dare peek at them, okay?]

    [I- I know that!]

    Meanwhile, Kurtz and Gort were brought to the onsen by Marco and the other dudes.

    I¡¯d also like to have a bath myself, but that doesn¡¯t seem possible.

    [Yahagi-san, it¡¯s been a while. I¡¯m d to see you here. I wanted to have an after-bath ramune.]

    [Yahagi-san, the water pistol for massages is broken.]

    With so many familiar faces around, it doesn¡¯t seem like I¡¯d have enough time to have a leisurely soak in the onsen.

    [Alright, I¡¯ll open up my shop soon.]

    It seemed like things were going to be busy, but I was happy to see the face of my old friends happy.

    The girls finally came out of the bath.

    It was Merle who first spotted my new products.

    She has always been a sucker for new things.

    [What¡¯s this? Chocte Eggs?]

    [As expected of Merle. It¡¯s actually a new product that just came out.]

    Product name: Chocte Eggs (Familiars)

    Description: Egg-shaped chocte containing familiars. The person who opens it will be able to have the familiar inside under their employment.

    Price: 300 rims

    [Familiars, well, doesn¡¯t that sound like fun? Give me ten!]

    I admonished Merle, who immediately opted to go whaling.

    [I¡¯m saying this now, but it¡¯s no use trying to get 10 familiars.]

    [Why?]

    [Each person can only have one familiar.]

    The old familiar will disappear when you open a new one.

    [The heck is with that? I thought of making things lively with arge number of familiars¡­¡­]

    [Don¡¯t say that. In exchange for that limit, the familiarsmunicate with their masters and grow together with them.]

    [Heehh¡­¡­ I¡¯ll go and buy one then.]

    Merle took out one of the many chocte eggs.

    [I feel like this one is calling out to me. Now then, let¡¯s see what¡¯s gonnae up¡­¡­.]

    Everyone also seemed curious too, peering at Merle¡¯s hand.

    Merle peels off the aluminum foil and the egg-shaped choctees out.

    [How do I do this¡­¡­]

    [There¡¯s a trick to breaking a chocte egg cleanly. Carmine, can you use your magic to cool the chocte?]

    Carmine is a prodigy of magic.

    She isn¡¯t good at meleebat, but she can use magic of all four major attributes and also has a deep knowledge of Dark Magic.

    As soon as I asked her, she chilled the chocte egg.

    [Good, good, that¡¯s cold enough. Merle, see that vertical line on the egg?]

    [Yeah, this one, right?]

    [Right, right. You hold the top and bottom parts of the egg and slide them alternately along that vertical groove.]

    When she did as I told her, there was a pleasant crack and the chocte egg split in two.

    Inside the chocte egg is a red stic capsule.

    [It¡¯s so small! Is that familiar really gonna be inside this?]

    [They should be. Open it, and you¡¯ll immediately see.]

    [Unnn¡­¡­]

    Gulping, Merle carefully opened the capsule.

    Out came a small puppy.

    [Uwahhh¡­¡­ I- It¡¯s so cute¡­¡­]

    A small Shiba Inu, smaller than even a mameshiba, sat in the palm of Merle¡¯s hand.

    It¡¯s about the size of a stuffed toy you can get in a small crane game.

    It looks up at Merle with dull eyes, before its lips formed into a smile.

    It seemed as if it was saying ¡°Ehehe, please take care of me¡±.

    [I¡¯ve never seen a dog like this before.]

    [It resembles an endemic species of dog from my hometown.]

    [You were from a ce called Japan, right?]

    [Yeah. It¡¯s like a dog called Shiba Inu.]

    [Shiba Inu huh. In that case, I¡¯ll name him Shiba.]

    Perhaps having understood her words, when Merle said this, Shiba wagged his curled tail.

    [I see, Shiba likes his name too.]

    [Wan!]

    The capsule Shiba was in also contained a small exnation booklet.

    Dog

    Animal-type Familiar

    Familiar with extremely high loyalty. Useful in hunting when grown up.

    [I wonder if such a small guy can really help in hunting?]

    [Perhaps, wouldn¡¯t it grow bigger as you act together?]

    [I see, then I¡¯ll take Shiba with me into the dungeon from now on.]

    Merle was fascinated by Shiba, gently stroking the Shiba on the palm of her hand with her fingertips.

    Seeing this, the other members and children moved quickly.

    [Yahagi-san, I¡¯d like one of those chocte eggs!]

    [I¡¯ll have one too!]

    [Me too!]

    I had a feeling of a new hit producting.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Chocte Eggs

    <noscript></noscript>

 Chapter 151: Chocolate Eggs (Part 2)

    <h4>Chapter 151: Chocte Eggs (Part 2)</h4>

    Everyone present bought a chocte egg.

    Among the first ones to open their capsule is Mira.

    [Is this a ring¡­¡­?]

    It¡¯s a ring with a stone head and thin limbs growing out of it.

    The way it moves around is ratherical.

    The stone head is a transparent green, just like an emerald.

    Ring

    Golem-type Familiar

    Can be worn as a ring. A golem that supplies its master with mana. When it grows up, it can also use Attack Magic on its own.

    [For a mage like me, this is a very useful familiar.]

    Mira had given her familiar the name Eru.

    It was apparently based on emerald.

    <i>(T/N: Emerald => Emerarudo => Eru.)</i>

    The next one who opened their capsule was Regal.

    What came out was a golden square lighter.

    Light

    Golem-type Familiar

    Can be used as a lighter for ignition. A golem capable of transforming into a humanoid shape, a tank-type who is good at defending.

    When Regal poked it with his finger, the familiar transformed from a lighter into a humanoid golem.

    [Whoa! What¡¯s this¡­¡­ Cool¡­¡­]

    The metallic skin of the transformed golem shone.

    [This one has a good defense, so I think it¡¯ll be a good partner for Regal when it grows up.]

    [I¡¯ll take good care of this guy!]

    Regal had given his familiar the name Lightan.

    Is that a Gold Lightan¡­¡­

    [Alright,e on out, my buddy!]

    Opening his chocte egg with a great uproar was Kurtz.

    Although it¡¯s only about 5 cm tall, a familiar covered in thick muscles all over its body has appeared.

    Its muscr body is green-colored.

    Green Man

    Unique-type Familiar

    Possesses exceptional physical abilities. Good at closebat.

    [Well, isn¡¯t this a good one!? When he grows up, we can dobo moves together!]

    [He won¡¯t grow up that easily.]

    [I know that!]

    Kurtz named his familiar Hogan.

    He¡¯s apparently named after a legendary martial artist.

    [What kind of familiar did you get, Gort?]

    [I got this.]

    A hawk circled in the palm of Gort¡¯s hand, which he held out wordlessly.

    Hawk

    Animal-type familiar

    Attacks with sharp ws and beak. When it grows up, it can fly with its master on its back!

    This one is an animal-type like Merle¡¯s.

    Animal-type familiars seem to have a particrly strong bond with their masters. Such a familiar would probably make a goodpanion for Gort. Well, it¡¯s still rather small though¡­¡­

    [Yahagi-san, looked at mine too.]

    The one on Kikka¡¯s hand was¡ª¡ª¡ª-

    [A Fairy?]

    [No, Sylphy is a Spirit.]

    Sylphy

    Spirit-type Familiar

    The Spirit of Wind. Enhances the effects of her master¡¯s Wind Magic.

    [That¡¯s good, isn¡¯t she the perfect familiar for Kikka, who uses Wind Magic?]

    [That¡¯s right. Let¡¯s work hard together from now on, Lufu.]

    The Sylphy happily flew over Kikka¡¯s head.

    [Look, look, Yuusuke-chi, my familiar is cute.]

    Is this a plush toy in the shape of a girl?

    Margarethe

    Special-type Familiar

    A plush toy that predicts the future and gives advice. Although she could only see a little bit, she has the power to see into the future.

    [Margarethe, say hello to Yuusuke-chi.]

    The plush toy on Carmine¡¯s hand gets up and extends its small hands to me.

    I also extend my index finger for a handshake.

    The moment my finger and Margarethe¡¯s hand touched, a faint wave of mana passed between us.

    [ ! ]

    Margarethe¡¯s ability is to predict the future.

    It¡¯s probably simr to my irvoyance.

    Perhaps that¡¯s why I felt we were able tomunicate beyond logic.

    [Use your power to help your master.]

    Margarethe eagerly bows her head.

    [Don¡¯t worry, the Dagashi Shop is on the children¡¯s side.]

    As a plush toy, Margarethe shouldn¡¯t have any facial muscles.

    However, for some reason, I felt like she was smiling at me.

    Marco bought two chocte eggs, one for Titti and one for him.

    He was apparently not going to open his chocte egg here, intending to open it together with Titti.

    I¡¯ll follow Marco¡¯s example and buy one for Michelle too.

    As for the rest of the chocte eggs, before I knew it, they were quickly sold out to the onsen customers.

    When Michelle came home from work, I opened our chocte eggs with her.

    [I wonder what I¡¯ll get. I hope it¡¯s something cute.]

    After exining to her what everyone¡¯s familiars were like, Michelle started looking excited as she broke open her chocte egg.

    Frost Magic is also Michelle¡¯s forte.

    Crack!

    The egg cracked cleanly with a pleasant sound.

    There, Michelle¡¯s familiar appeared.

    Underworld Dragon

    Spirit-type Familiar

    Guardian of the Underworld and the Strongest within the Strongest Species. When its level reaches its peak, it is capable of creating a very small ck hole.

    [Not cute at all¡­¡­]

    Rather than just not being cute, it¡¯s in scary!

    Well, it certainly does feel like Michelle¡¯s familiar¡­¡­

    [This guy¡¯s the strongest of all dragons huh¡­¡­]

    Even though it¡¯s smaller than a gecko at the moment¡­¡­

    [Looking closely though, it does seem to have a charming face.]

    [You think so?]

    [You know, like the way it flicks its tongue around?]

    [Now that you mentioned it, it does seem a bit cute¡­¡­]

    The Underworld Dragon was named Pluto.

    [I¡¯ll bring you deep under the dungeon starting tomorrow. Let¡¯s have you grow big and strong, Pluto.]

    And it¡¯s getting quite an outrageous level-boosting!

    Just thinking about how it¡¯s gonna grow up so fast is terrifying.

    I have a feeling that a ck hole will appear in the not-too-distant future.

    [Let¡¯s have a look at Yuusuke¡¯s familiar too.]

    Michelle chilled my chocte egg too.

    I crack the egg open with a snap.

    There have been four types of familiars that came out: Animal-type, Golem-type, Spirit-type and Special-type. I wonder what I will get?

    [What¡¯s this?]

    ? ? ?

    ? ? ?-type Familiar

    Envoy from Outer Space. ? ? ?

    That description doesn¡¯t exin anything at all.

    It looks like a round mochi, and it seems firmer than a slime.

    It resembles a Japanese confectionery called Tsuru no Ko mochi.

    It¡¯s a part of a group of Japanese confectioneries known as Suama.

    And so, I decided to name my familiar Suama.

    [So this is my familiar huh¡­¡­]

    While I was feeling puzzled, Suama jumped on my shoulder.

    It seemed to have settled itself there and isn¡¯t moving anymore.

    Looking at it like that, it¡¯s starting to seem somewhat cute.

    [From today onwards, your name is Suama.]

    Suama trembled instead of giving some sort of response.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Lightan

    <noscript></noscript><ol start="2"> úQ¤Î×Óïž / Tsurunoko Mochi

    <noscript></noscript><ol start="3"> Among Japanese confectioneries are those that are rice-based, and Suama is one of those three rice-based Japanese confectioneries. Suama is a jelly-like confectionery made from glutinous rice and syrup, Mochi is a chewy and stic rice cake made from pounded glutinous rice, while Uiro is a softer, gtin-like sweet made from rice flour, sugar, and vorings.<ol start="4"> Here¡¯s an image of Kurtz¡¯ team with their familiars. From the left: Gort and his Hawk, Kikka and her Sylphy, Kurtz and his Green Man, and Carmine and her Margarethe.

    <noscript></noscript> </ol></ol></ol>

 Chapter 152: Yearned After Underworld Dragon

    <h4>Chapter 152: Yearned After Underworld Dragon</h4>

    It seems that Kurtz and his team showed off their familiars at the academy, as there was a rush of studentsing to buy chocte eggs.

    The number of students from the Royal Academy as well as the Adventurer Academy was muchrger than usual.

    I guess an eye-catching product really has just that much customer-pulling power.

    However, only 30 chocte eggs can be purchased per day.

    Even if we sell only one chocte egg per person, only 30 people will be able to get their hands on one.

    Because there are so many people wanting it, we decided on a sales method where we give out raffle tickets an hour after school and decide who can buy by drawing lots.

    It takes a lot of time, but this is the only way we can ensure fairness to every student.

    Nowadays, we even have to hire part-time workers just to sell chocte eggs.

    Our plot ofnd isrge, so the lottery is held in the vacantnd next to the dagashi shop.

    Otherwise, the shop wouldn¡¯t be able to amodate all the people.

    This setup is fine on sunny days, but it was disastrous on rainy days.

    Everyone had to wear an adventurer¡¯s mantle to take part.

    Still, there¡¯s no end to the customers whoe for the chocte eggs.

    [31! Number 31!]

    [Yay!]

    Every time a lottery number is drawn today, there are cheers and sighs.

    Those who win usually open their chocte egg on the spot.

    Otherwise, they might be mugged by bullies or powerful students.

    Once the chocte egg is opened, a bond is formed with their familiar.

    Once the master-servant rtionship is established, the familiar can never be snatched.

    As expected, no one has ever tried to snatch someone¡¯s chocte egg in front of me.

    No, there was someone who attempted once, but when I warned him, he immediately backed down.

    They probably know that the son of the Viscount went through a painful experience because of me before.

    What was that boy¡¯s name again?

    I can¡¯t remember anymore¡­¡­

    The academy has a total of about 1000 students in both schools, so even if I could only sell 30 a day, the chocte eggs should be considerably spread out.

    However, more and more adventurers areing here these days.

    It seems like they had also fallen under the charm of the chocte eggs.

    Perhaps, the cause¡­¡­

    Zushin! Zushin!

    [I¡¯m home, Yuusuke.]

    Michelle, riding the Underworld Dragon Pluto, has returned.

    Pluto has grown uppletely and is now the size of a warhorse.

    His ck scales had hardened, and the horns on his head and his long fangs had grown magnificent.

    ording to Michelle, he can easily defeat monsters that appear on the 3rd Underground Floor.

    The adventurers look at Pluto with admiration.

    They probably want to obtain a familiar themselves and have a powerful partner of their own.

    However, that one is special.

    He had only grown up that fast because Michelle had given it an insane level-boosting.

    That¡¯s impossible for ordinary people.

    And yet, the adventurers never stopped dreaming.

    [Wee back, wait, uwahh! Pluto, don¡¯t lick my face! Bfuhaa!]

    While his body has grownrger, Pluto is still very much at heart, and the fact that he still acts like a spoiled child around me is both troublesome and cute.

    [Kuehh~~]

    [I¡¯m still at work. I¡¯ll y with youter, so wait right there.]

    I told him so, but he still tugged at my sleeve.

    This is a signal that he wants a snack.

    [Again? You really like fried chicken-vored potato fries huh, Pluto.]

    Product name: Potato Fries: Fried Chicken vor

    Description: Crispy fried potato snacks. Contains four pieces. Eating it continuously regenerates stamina.

    Price: 40 rims

    [Yuusuke, don¡¯t feed him those too much before dinner.]

    [Now, now, isn¡¯t it fine?]

    Michelle chided me, but I gave Pluto some potato fries.

    [Kyuu!]

    As he eats the snack with a loud crunch, Pluto rubs his neck with my cheek as a sign of appreciation.

    It¡¯s a cuteness that one wouldn¡¯t expect from a dark dragon.

    Well, this aspect of him was rather simr to Michelle.

    It¡¯s not just Pluto, as the other familiars were growing up as well.

    Kurtz¡¯ Hogan (Green Man) and Gort¡¯s Hawk have grown up a size, while the face of Kikka¡¯s Rufu (Sylphy) has grown a bit more mature.

    Carmine¡¯s Margarethe has also grown up a bit and has recently started to talk a lot.

    It isn¡¯t just saying greetings like ¡°Good morning¡± and ¡°Good night¡±, but short sentences like ¡°The sky is beautiful¡± are also getting mixed in.

    She doesn¡¯t seem to be predicting the future yet, but maybe it¡¯s just a matter of time.

    [But then again, Suama sure hasn¡¯t changed.]

    I poked my finger at my familiar, Suama.

    Suama just trembled without making any sounds.

    [Well, it doesn¡¯t really matter.]

    At those words, Suama rubbed its body against my finger as well.

    This part of it is cute.

    It seems like it could properly understand my words.

    It¡¯s always on my shoulder, watching what I do (although it doesn¡¯t have eyes).

    [Here¡¯s thest winning number of the day. 7! Number 7!]

    Thest person received the chocte egg, and the students who didn¡¯t win slowly left the area.

    The winner was a student from the Royal Academy, who opened his chocte egg on the spot.

    [Uwahh, I got a Hawk! It¡¯s so cool. I¡¯m in your care.]

    It seems that what came out was a Hawk, just like Gort¡¯s.

    Familiars also have rarities and often ovep.

    Michelle¡¯s Pluto, for example, is quite high in rarity.

    .

    My Suama is apparently treated as a Secret Rare.

    Meanwhile, Kurtz¡¯ Hogan and Carmine¡¯s Margarethe are also in the rare category.

    Come to think of it, I wonder what kind of familiars Marco and Titti got? I¡¯ll try to get them to show me tomorrow or so, when I go to deliver them some Amani Herbs.

    The sun is already setting outside.

    [Come on, it¡¯s time to close up shop. We¡¯ll have another 30 chocte eggs prepared tomorrow, so look forward to it.]

    As I watched the children run off, I closed the shop door with Suama.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Potato Fries: Fried Chicken vor

    <noscript></noscript>

 Chapter 153: Midterm Exam

    <h4>Chapter 153: Midterm Exam</h4>

    I went to see Prime Minister Essel for the first time in a while to see how he was doing.

    I also had some things such as tax and other matters I needed to consult with him.

    My problems have been solved for the time being.

    Luganda is a pioneer vige, so at the moment, it will receive preferential treatment.

    It¡¯s developing at an unprecedentedly rapid pace.

    [Can you find any gold coins in Luganda Dungeon?]

    Seemingly just remembered something, Prime Minister Essel asked me.

    [No, I haven¡¯t received any such reports.]

    [That¡¯s unfortunate.]

    [Why are you specifically asking for gold coins?]

    [The price of gold has recently risen. If Count Yahagi has gold assets, I thought I would advise you to sell them a littleter. If you just act inconspicuously, I¡¯d advise you to buy some gold while you still can.]

    I see, this is how rich people get good information and increase their wealth.

    However, the only gold thing I got back home were gold coin choctes.

    If any Luganda adventurers get some from the dungeon, I guess I¡¯ll tell them in secret.

    [Thank you, Prime Minister Essel. As thanks for your good information, I shall give you mytest product, Chocte Eggs.]

    [Ohh, so this is the rumored¡­¡­!]

    [Not a bad bribe, isn¡¯t it?]

    [You¡¯re quite the bad guy, aren¡¯t you?]

    It¡¯s actually just a 300-rim bribe, but Prime Minister Essel is in a good mood.

    .

    When the chocte shell is broken on the spot, a palm-sized knight emerges from inside.

    Knight

    Golem-type Familiar

    A golem in the shape of a knight. It serves as a shield and sword for its master. As it grows, it changes into a mounted form and bes capable of casting Defense Magic.

    [Hohou, this is interesting. I suppose I¡¯ll add this guy to my guard force.]

    Prime Minister Essel narrows his eyes at the knight who bows in the palm of his hand.

    [If His Majesty sees this, he might want the same thing. Could you give me 2 or 3 more?]

    [I only have one more on hand. Unfortunately, the sale of chocte eggs will have to be postponed for a while.]

    As they are made of chocte, they are extremely sensitive to heat.

    That¡¯s why we have to stop stocking them during the hot season.

    The next sales are scheduled to start in autumn.

    I handed thest one to Prime Minister Essel.

    [Now that you mentioned it, it has been getting hottertely. I also n to go to the Summer Pce with His Majesty in a little while.]

    It¡¯s too hot in the Royal Capital in the summer, so they¡¯re relocating to a remote pce in the mountains to the north.

    If I¡¯m not mistaken, it¡¯s in a town called Grasse.

    It¡¯s at an altitude of 1300 meters and is said to be cool even in mid-summer.

    [How about it, want toe with us, Count Yahagi? Having you with us would make things more fun.]

    [I¡¯m afraid I¡¯m too busy.]

    The majority of the nobles would either go with His Majesty to his detached pce or return to their territories.

    I go back and forth between my territory and the Royal Capital.

    I have to take care of the management of the territory, which has been left to Nakaram-san, and I also have to gather Amani Herbs for Titti.

    [If you need me urgently, you can call on me with this.]

    I gave Prime Minister Essel an extra assembly glider.

    Fujiru flowers have fallen andrge clouds are floating in the sky.

    The season is finally in the mood for early summer, and shaved ice is selling well.

    [Thank you for waiting. Strawberry with condensed milk, lemon and melon.]

    Kurtz, Gort and Kikka were all sitting at a table, staring at a map of the dungeon.

    The map they¡¯re looking at is the map of the 1st and 2nd Underground Floor that I once made.

    The three of them are in the middle of their preparation for their midterm exams at the Adventurer Academy.

    In Japan, midterm exams happen at the beginning of July.

    In this world, it seems that midterms are held at the beginning of summer and finals in winter.

    Meanwhile, unlike their masters who were at their wits¡¯ end, the familiars are rxing in their own way.

    Rufu is with Kikka, peering at the map, Hawk was sniffing Gort¡¯s lemon shaved ice, and Hogan is doing push-ups.

    All the familiars are just a little bit bigger than when they were born.

    They must be growing up with their masters.

    [What do you do in the Adventurer Academy¡¯s midterm exam?]

    As she had Margarethe sit on her hand, Carmine asked in a leisurely tone.

    Kurtz looks fed up.

    [We¡¯re supposed to collect the designated items on the 1st or 2nd Underground Floors while defeating monsters. Also, you have to get the signatures from the teachers at certain ry points.]

    [Hmmm, sounds like fun.]

    [Don¡¯t you have it better though, not having any midterms.]

    [We also got our test though. Well, already finished with that though.]

    I did hear how Carmine had excellent grades.

    Since she went out of her way to inform us about it, I praised her wholeheartedly.

    [Just Carmine being the only one done with your midterms isn¡¯t fair. D*mn it, I don¡¯t want to do all these preps anymore!]

    [That won¡¯t do, you shouldn¡¯t, you shouldn¡¯t.]

    Oh, Margarethe¡¯s talking.

    Seems like her vocabry¡¯s expanding again.

    [I know that already. Don¡¯t nitpick on every little thing I do.]

    [¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­]

    Margarethe stares nkly into the void.

    It seems she¡¯s got no response to his words.

    [Haahhh¡­¡­]

    Beside Kurtz, who sighs loudly, Hogan starts doing squats.

    Leaving him to his antics, I turned to Carmine and asked.

    [What are you doing for the summer holidays?]

    [I¡¯ll be with Papa. He¡¯s going to a town called Grasse.]

    Come to think of it, Prime Minister Essel also said he was going to Grasse.

    As I thought, Carmine is¡­¡­

    [You got good results for your midterms, right? Your Papa must be very proud of you.]

    [I wonder about that¡­¡­]

    Carmine puffed up the fruit gum she had been chewing.

    In the sweltering heat, the day Kurtz and his team had their midterm exam, I had identally overslept.

    The Royal Academy went on their summer vacation ahead of the others, and Michelle was now able to have a lot of time to herself.

    With Michelle grasping the chance to be affectionate without reservation after a long time, we had been rather frisky untiltest night.

    However, perhaps it was a blessing that I overslept.

    Normally, I would be out in Luganda at this time, and I wouldn¡¯t be in the Royal Capital.

    As I absentmindedly gazed at the golden dust floating in the air, someone started banging on the front door.

    [Yuusuke-chi, please! Answer me!]

    That voice, is that Carmine?

    She sounded somewhat desperate.

    I hurriedly opened the sliding front door.

    [What¡¯s the matter? Your face is all pale.]

    Carmine held out the palm of her hand on which Margarethe sat.

    [Margarethe has been repeating ominous words for a while now!]

    Margarethe is Carmine¡¯s familiar who seldomly predicts the future.

    Carmine said she¡¯s never made a prediction before, but has she finally activated her ability?

    [Danger, danger, Kurtz¡¯ team is in danger.]

    Hearing Margarethe¡¯s intonationless voice as she spoke, cold sweat also ran down my back.

 Chapter 154: Following Kurtz Team

    <h4>Chapter 154: Following Kurtz'' Team</h4>

    [Anyhow,e in.]

    I pulled the pale-faced Carmine into the shop.

    [Is it possible that Margarethe is seeing the future wrong?]

    [I don¡¯t know either. This is the first time Margarethe has ever activated her ability.]

    [I suppose so. In any case, I¡¯ll go to the dungeon. With Michelle with me, we should be able to evade most of the dangers.]

    [I¡¯m sure things will be fine with Teacher Michelle dealing with whatever monsters are out there, but we don¡¯t know where Kurtz and the others are.]

    [I have an idea where they might be.]

    I should be able to tell where they are with my irvoyance.

    [Michelle, wake up! It¡¯s an emergency!]

    As I called out towards the back, I heard a small yawn.

    Then, the sliding door at the back opens, and Michelle emerges, naked and with nothing but a sheet wrapped around her body.

    [What¡¯s the matter, Yuusuke? Shouting this early in the mor¡­¡­ Gyaahh! Why is Carmine here?]

    [Whoa, Teacher, amazing!]

    Yeah, people don¡¯t usually realize it because Michelle¡¯s wearing a thick robe and cloak.

    She looks amazing when you see her naked.

    Wait, this isn¡¯t the time for that.

    [Quickly wear your clothes. Kurtz and the others might be in trouble. Let¡¯s go to the dungeon.]

    I didn¡¯t exin a lot, but Michelle quickly grasped what was going on.

    While Michelle was getting dressed, I used my irvoyance in the tatami room.

    I set the search word to ¡°Kurtz¡± and I immediately found him.

    The current location of Kurtz¡¯ team is around the center of the 2nd Underground Floor.

    I explored the surroundings, but there was nothing particrly ominous around.

    There were no dangerous monsters, nor bandits of any kind.

    [Yuusuke, I¡¯m ready.]

    Michelle, fully equipped, entered the room.

    [Kurtz¡¯ team is safe at the moment. Everyone is on the 2nd Underground Floor of the dungeon.]

    [How do you know that?]

    Carmine¡¯s eyes widened.

    [My dagashi shop has something that somewhat resembles fortune telling. It¡¯s pretty urate.]

    [The dagashi shop¡¯s power, stronger than mine¡­¡­]

    Margarethe speaks again.

    [I guess so. We have simr powers, don¡¯t we?]

    [¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­..]

    It seems like trying to have a conversation with her is still not possible like before.

    [I don¡¯t really know what¡¯s going on, but I believe in Yuusuke-chi. So, let¡¯s leave now.]

    [No. Carmine, you stay here.]

    [But Kurtz and the others are my friends!]

    [There¡¯s a possibility that we may not return. If Kurtz¡¯ team and I, or even Michelle, don¡¯te back after we follow them, please get in touch with the right people.]

    [¡­¡­Okay.]

    Carmine reluctantly nodded.

    [Michelle, get me on Pluto. I¡¯ll use my irvoyance while riding Pluto to keep track of Kurtz and the others.]

    [Isn¡¯t that dangerous?]

    While I¡¯m using this magic, my consciousness leaves my body, so I don¡¯t have the ability to keep myself bnced.

    To avoid danger, I usually do it on a solid floor or in a chair.

    But now wasn¡¯t the time to worry about that.

    [Sorry, but can¡¯t you support my body while I¡¯m using it, Michelle?]

    [Leave it to me! I won¡¯t let Yuusuke go even if the world turns upside down!]

    Riding in front of a strangely enthusiastic Michelle, I got on Pluto¡¯s back.

    [Pluto, quickly run.]

    [Kyuueehhh~~!]

    When I called out to him, Pluto understood properly and immediately started running.

    Pluto ran down the street at breakneck speed.

    Despite his huge body, he¡¯s agile, and even if there¡¯s an obstacle in his path, he avoids it with a swift movement.

    [Uwahh, we¡¯re gonna hit them!]

    A wagon was lumbering ahead.

    The road we¡¯re currently on was narrow and there was nowhere to avoid it.

    And yet, Pluto didn¡¯t slow down, and the distance between us kept getting closer and closer.

    I was prepared for a collision, but that didn¡¯t happen.

    It was because Pluto kicked off the ground and leaped.

    Dragons are beings with extraordinary physical abilities.

    Moreover, they use their joints softly, so the impact when theynd is small.

    [Yuusuke, quickly use your irvoyance!]

    Pressing her chest against me, Michelle holds me from behind.

    This would prevent me from falling.

    I concentrated and used my irvoyance.

    My consciousness immediately shifted to where Kurtz¡¯ team was.

    They seem to bepleting their task well.

    I can hear Kurtz talking to Gort.

    [Alright, we¡¯ve collected all the items we need, right?]

    [A fragment of Dungeon Maimai¡¯s shell, a Flying Piranha¡¯s feather¡­¡­ Yeah, we¡¯ve got everything.]

    Gort checked his list and their luggage before nodding.

    [I guess our next step would be to get to Point A-3 and get the teacher¡¯s signature. Who¡¯s the teacher stationed there again?]

    [It¡¯s Teacher Rittenpike.]

    [Ugh¡­¡­ I don¡¯t like that teacher. No matter how much hard work you do, that woman¡¯s words are alwaysced with sarcasm.]

    Kikka nodded her head in agreement.

    [I hate that teacher too.]

    [Speaking of which, you¡¯re taking Teacher Rittenpike¡¯s ss, right, Kikka?]

    [Basic Studies on Ancient Treasures. Honestly speaking, it¡¯s just the worst. The content of the ss is good, but Teacher Rittenpike is too biased.]

    [Eh? There¡¯s actually a student he¡¯s being biased with? Thought he was a menace to all students.]

    [Yeah, to guys like Roost.]

    [Roost? Ahh, that docile one.]

    [Right! Teacher Rittenpike likes slender, docile, and innocent-looking boys. She¡¯s being all touchy-feely and was constantly doting on them. I feel sorry for Roost too. He¡¯s annoyed by her actions, but he¡¯s too weak-minded to ask her to stop.]

    [That hag, isn¡¯t she already a reportable offender!?]

    [It was terrible. She has a particrly bad attitude towards girls. No matter how good my grades are, saying stuff like ¡°Kikka-san, can¡¯t you write more elegantly?¡±, she always finds a reason to deduct my grades!]

    [She¡¯s probably gonna be sarcastic about something today too¡­¡­]

    [Well, it can¡¯t be helped. Let¡¯s just get her signature and move on.]

    The cool Gortforts the dismayed Kurtz and Kikka.

    That Teacher Rittenpike seems to be a very bad teacher.

    Kurtz and the others proceeded through the dungeon together with me in my astral form.

    The dungeon is calm at the moment, with no new monsters appearing.

    Eventually, the group turned a corner and came to a gargoyle statue.

    A middle-aged woman with arge staff in her hand is standing right next to the statue.

    That must be Teacher Rittenpike.

    This is just my impression, but she¡¯s a middle-aged woman with a sharp, intimidating gaze, almost as if she couldpete with the gargoyle next to her.

    She was skinny and looked highly strung.

    [You¡¯re the first to arrive so far.]

    When Kurtz¡¯ team was about to be delighted at those words, Teacher Rittenpike put a damper on their mood.

    [You¡¯re not cheating in any way, are you? You seem a bit too fast to arrive here.]

    [We haven¡¯t done anything like that! We have seriously¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C]

    [That would be good. Don¡¯t shout so loud. This is the dungeon. You have to be prudent with your actions.]

    Ah, this guy¡¯s no good.

    How is it that I just disliked a human being in seconds?

    I hated Teacher Rittenpike right away too.

    Could it be that Kurtz¡¯ team is in danger because of this woman?

    However, imperfect she may be, she¡¯s still a teacher.

    I can¡¯t imagine her harming her students.

    Despite her sarcastic words, she properly signed their documents.

    If so, is it that gargoyle statue?

    In fact, that is a trap that inflicts the Vertigo Curse when touched.

    Back then, Merle had touched the very same statue.

    .

    It happened when I had just arrived in this world, and I used grape-vored powdered juice to break that curse.

    Looking back at it now makes me think of it as a nostalgic memory.

    The statue is dangerous to touch, but this trap is quite famous.

    I think even Kurtz¡¯ team should know about it¡­¡­

    At that moment, Kikka¡¯s familiar, Rufu, fluttered up toward the gargoyle statue.

    Sprinkling phosphorescence around, Rufu looks at the gargoyle statue.

    [Rufu, be careful. Touching it inflicts you with the Vertigo Curse.]

    Good, Kikka properly knows about this trap.

    However, when Kikka went to the gargoyle statue to call Rufu back, she looked as if she had discovered something.

    Kikka remained motionless, staring intently at the statue.

    [What¡¯s the matter, Kikka? There¡¯s no way you actually touched that statue, right?]

    [That¡¯s not it, Kurtz. That isn¡¯t it¡­¡­ Unnn, I knew it! I discovered it by the glow around Rufu, but there really is a number here.]

    [Did you just say number!?]

    Snapping faster than anyone else, Teacher Rittenpike brushed Kurtz and Gort aside and stepped forward.

    What in the world is gonna happen¡­¡­?

 Chapter 155: The Secret of the Numbers

    <h4>Chapter 155: The Secret of the Numbers</h4>

    Teacher Rittenpike¡¯s voice slightly trembling, she spoke with a questioning tone.

    [Kikka-san, what do you mean by there¡¯s a number there?]

    [Here. I normally wouldn¡¯t have noticed it because it was so dark, but I could see it from the light emanating from Rufu.]

    Teacher Rittenpike bent down and looked at the spot Kikka pointed to.

    It was carved just around the forehead of the gargoyle statue.

    While the passage of time had caused it to fade, there were certainly traces that seemed like something was there.

    However, it¡¯s difficult to say whether it really is a number.

    That etched line could simply be seen as just facial wrinkles.

    [Isn¡¯t that just a single vertical nd? How can you say it¡¯s a number?]

    [If that¡¯s the only thing I had seen, I wouldn¡¯t have known about it either. However, look here¡­¡­ and here.]

    Kikka also pointed to where the Arabic numerals ¡°2¡± and ¡°3¡± were written.

    Such numbers were imprinted casually on a fingertip or on the tip of a wing, and in this dimly lit dungeon, it was so small that if you didn¡¯t know they were numbers, you might miss it.

    Looking closely, I can see the number ¡°24¡± on the palm of the hand, so there seem to be quite a few numbers engraved on the gargoyle statue in total.

    [You¡¯re saying these are numbers? They seem totally different from the letters we use¡­¡­]

    [These aren¡¯t our country¡¯s numbers. They are the numbers of Yahagi-san¡¯s home country.]

    Kikka confidently exined.

    [When you say Yahagi-san, do you mean that one with the Dagashi Shop?]

    [Yes.]

    [How do you know these are numbers from his home country?]

    Product name: Number Choctes

    Description: Five colorful go stone-shaped choctes are ced in an Arabic numeral-shaped wrapper sheet. When consumed, it provides a 3% bonus to the uracy of Attack Magic.

    Price: 10 rims

    The wrappers of number choctes are shaped like Arabic numerals from 0 to 9.

    Kikka often buys this, so despite being numbers from another world, she ended up memorizing Arabic numerals.

    [Oi, Kikka. Let¡¯s get out of here. We¡¯re still in the middle of the exam.]

    Kurtz urged Kikka.

    In their midterm exam, theirpletion time also bes a factor in their grades.

    They don¡¯t have the time to dawdle in a ce like this.

    [Right, let¡¯se back and investigate this another time. Well then, Teacher, if you¡¯ll excuse us.]

    [Stop right there!]

    Kikka and the others were about to hurry on, when Teacher Rittenpike sharply stopped them.

    [What is it? We¡¯re in the middle of our exam¡­¡­]

    Teacher Rittenpike¡¯s eyes were glowing red.

    I could see a hint of wicked thoughts within them.

    [This could be a historic discovery! This is just my hunch, but if these numbers are touched in the right order, the trap on this gargoyle statue will be disarmed and some treasure will appear. So, why don¡¯t you teach me this foreign country¡¯s numbers?]

    [That is¡­¡­]

    Rittenpike clearly just intends to snatch whatever treasure that is.

    Gort quickly intervenes.

    [This is something Kikka discovered. We¡¯ll investigate this ourselves at ater date.]

    [Wha¡­¡­]

    Rittenpike was at a loss for words, but suddenly speaking in a soft, coaxing voice, she started to cajole Kikka and the others.

    [Come on, don¡¯t say that. I¡¯m a researcher of ancient treasures. This matter really interests me. Of course, any treasure found here will be yours.]

    [Is that true?]

    [Don¡¯t get me wrong. As a researcher, I just want to be present at the historic moment of its discovery. Plus, if the trap here is sessfully disarmed, I can promise you grades bringing you up three to be the top of the school. I¡¯ll even give you a letter of rmendation for graduation.]

    [However¡­¡­

    The three only looked at Rittenpike suspiciously.

    No wonder they would. Even I can¡¯t believe what she¡¯s saying.

    [Hmph, if you don¡¯t want to, then fine. However, you¡¯re all going to fail this midterm exam.]

    The three were outraged by her audacity and protested.

    [How the heck did it turn out like that!?]

    [This is tyranny!]

    [That¡¯s heartless!]

    However, Rittenpike didn¡¯t even raise an eyebrow.

    [Disrespect to your teachers you a deduction of points. This is an official authority given to me after all.]

    Once she said it like that, there¡¯s nothing Kurtz and the others can do.

    It¡¯s a form of power harassment, but I suppose it¡¯s the kind of thing that goes on in otherworld schools.

    Rittenpike smiled maliciously.

    [Suit yourself. You can flunk out, or you can stay here, disarm the traps, and get the glory of being top of the school.]

    D*mn, Rittenpike must be intending to snatch the treasure away from Kikka and the others.

    It¡¯s possible that she might even consider killing the three of them to silence them.

    We have to get there as soon as possible!

    When I regained consciousness after releasing irvoyance, Pluto was running across the open space in the dungeon entrance at full speed.

    I informed Michelle behind me.

    [Michelle, the gargoyle statue on the 2nd Underground Floor. Kurtz and the others are there! Hurry.]

    [Alright!]

    [Come on, Pluto. I¡¯m counting on you. We¡¯ve got to save everyone.]

    [Kyuehh!]

    .

    The adventurers hurriedly gave way to the Underworld Dragon, rushing forward with great speed.

    Without even slowing down, Pluto puts his foot on the dungeon stairs.

    Please, make it in time.

    As I prayed this within my heart, I used irvoyance again.

    <Afterword>

    Number Choctes

    <noscript></noscript>

 Chapter 156: That Idol......

    <h4>Chapter 156: That Idol......</h4>

    As my magic was deployed, my consciousness flew back to Kurtz and the others¡¯ location.

    Kikka is kneeling in front of the gargoyle statue.

    She seems to be just about to start disarming the trap.

    Meanwhile, Rittenpike was acting all important, giving instructions.

    [As long as you touch the engravings in the right order, you should be fine. Get on with it.]

    Even if she said that, they¡¯re still in front of a statue that inflicts Vertigo Curse upon touch.

    Gort went through his pockets and pulled out a dagashi.

    [Good, I knew I had one of these. Here, it¡¯s grape juice to lift the curse. It¡¯ll keep you safe just in case.]

    Encouraged by Gort, Kikka seems to have made up her mind.

    She gently moved her trembling index finger to the ¡°1¡± on the gargoyle statue¡¯s forehead.

    [Ahh¡­¡­ I¡¯m not dizzy. The curse didn¡¯t trigger!]

    Hearing this, Rittenpike snorted.

    [It was indeed as I expected. Continue, Kikka.]

    Even though she isn¡¯t doing anything, she sure acts proud.

    Kikka continued, touching the ¡°2¡± engraving.

    This one is dug into the fingertip of the gargoyle statue¡¯s left hand in the form of a fingerprint.

    [Still didn¡¯t trigger!]

    Touching ¡°3¡± and ¡°4¡± engravings, Kikka continued to ¡°5¡±, and the gargoyle statue glowed slightly.

    [There¡¯s no mistaking it. This is a seal that protects an Ancient Treasure!]

    Rittenpike rubbed her hands together in excitement and urged Kikka to continue.

    [Next up is¡­¡­ Rufu,e over here and shine your phosphorescence on the statue.]

    With Rufu¡¯s phosphorescence, Kikka looked for the ¡°6¡± engraving.

    She then went on to ¡°7¡±, ¡°8¡±, and ¡°9¡±, but here Kikka¡¯s hand stopped.

    Yes, number choctes only goes from 0 to 9.

    Kikka doesn¡¯t know about the number ¡°10¡±.

    [What are you doing? Quickly touch the next number!]

    Rittenpike, who knows nothing about what¡¯s going on, rushes Kikka.

    However, Kikka didn¡¯t hurry and gathered her thoughts

    [This would probably be ¡°11¡±. That means ¡°12¡± would be this one. In that case, would ten be this ¡°10¡±?]

    Kikka, being the clever one she is, was able to use guesswork to find the correct engraving.

    As soon as she touched the ¡°10¡± engraving, the gargoyle statue shone brighter.

    [I did it!]

    [That¡¯s amazing, Kikka!]

    [You did it.]

    The trio happily hugged each other by the shoulders.

    Even Rittenpike praised Kikka.

    [Kikka-san, this year¡¯s top student is definitely you.]

    Kikka seems to havepletely grasped the rulings of numbers.

    After she reached ¡°19¡±, she had properly chosen ¡°20¡±.

    However, I can¡¯t help feeling anxious.

    Kikka, disarm it more slowly. Take things slow until we get there!

    Kikka continues to disarm the trap.

    The number has progressed to ¡°29¡± and there are only a few left.

    With each sessive number, the gargoyle statue shines brighter and brighter, and it now shines like a Christmas object.

    [Fuuu, it¡¯s finally thest one.]

    Kika brought her trembling index finger close to the gargoyle¡¯s belly.

    Engraved on its navel is the number ¡°32¡±.

    I could hear them all gulping.

    Even I, in my astral body, stiffened nervously while watching them.

    What in the world is going to happen¡­¡­

    [Eh?]

    The moment Kikka touched the ¡°32¡± engraving, the gargoyle statue began to flicker intensely.

    It was like the sh of a continuous shooting camera.

    [W- What is this!?]

    [Did the trap get triggered!?]

    [Calm down. This is a sign that the trap has been released. The curse on the statue should have been undone. It will pass soon.]

    Just as Rittenpike said, the light eventually disappeared.

    The dungeon is now dimly lit.

    Eventually, with the sound of scraping stone, the gargoyle statue raised both its arms.

    With its arms raised to the heavens, the gargoyle¡¯s belly opened with a crack.

    [Eh, an idol?]

    What emerged from inside was a small idol made of gold.

    It was no more than 10 cm tall, but it seemed to be of considerable value.

    Kikka and Rittenpike were surprised, but I was more surprised than them.

    I mean, no matter how I look at it, that golden idol is a Billiken.

    The pointed head, theical nted eyes, the big, held-out feet.

    There¡¯s no mistaking it, that¡¯s a Billiken.

    Why would there be a Billiken in this other world?

    Wasn¡¯t that the God of Luck at Tsutenkaku in Osaka?

    I did hear how it was originally designed by an American illustrator but¡­¡­

    Kikka holds the statue in her hands and smiles happily.

    [Uwahh, it¡¯s heavy!]

    [Is it real? L- Let me carry it.]

    Kurtz and Gort were also happy holding the Billiken statue in their hands.

    Having obtained it through their hard work, their joy must be all the greater.

    Seeing the three of them so innocently rejoicing, I couldn¡¯t help but let out a smile myself.

    But then, Rittenpike sshed cold water at that moment.

    [Hand that statue over here.]

    With a wicked smile on her lips, Rittenpike holds out her hand.

    [Wasn¡¯t the treasure we found supposed to be ours!?]

    The three of them looked at her in disbelief.

    [I¡¯ve changed my mind. Obediently hand it over now. Or else¡­¡­]

    Rittenpike held her cane at the ready.

    [Even if you¡¯re a teacher, you won¡¯t get off scot-free for this!]

    [That¡¯s right, that¡¯s right! We¡¯re going to report you for snatching this idol from us!]

    Despite Kikka and Kurtz¡¯ protests, Rittenpike remains daringly smiling at them.

    [Suit yourself. I am a Researcher of Ancient Treasure Studies, whereas you are just students. Mere first-year students who had just entered Adventurer Academy this year. Who do you think they¡¯ll believe? Besides, we are in a dungeon, where anything can happen.]

    [Sh*t, you dastardly hag!]

    [We won¡¯t give you this idol!]

    [Yeah¡­¡­]

    The three of them raised their weapons, but Rittenpike remained rxed.

    After all, there¡¯s a gap inpetence between the academy¡¯s first-year students and a teacher.

    [Being too greedy can spell your death. Well, whatever. I suppose such things can only be learned the hard way!]

    Even though she¡¯s a teacher, to take away the achievements of her students, what a despicable person.

    Heaven may forgive such tyranny, but my Dagashi Shop certainly will not!

    I released my irvoyance and asked Michelle.

    [Where are we?]

    [A little further in after going down the stairs to the 2nd Underground Floor. We¡¯ll be there soon.]

    [Let¡¯s hurry up. Kurtz and the others are seriously in a predicament now!]

    Sending a whirlwind through the supposedly windless dungeon, Pluto ran like he was flying through the narrow passageway.

    <Trantor¡¯s Notes>

    Billiken

    <noscript></noscript>

 Chapter 157: Time to Pay the Piper

    <h4>Chapter 157: Time to Pay the Piper</h4>

    We were almost in the area where the gargoyle statue is.

    As Pluto kicked the side wall and sharply turned in a corner, I could vaguely see four figures in the dimness at the far end of the passage.

    [Rittenpike! That¡¯s far enough!]

    Rittenpike¡¯s body freezes at our sudden appearance.

    The look ofposure on her face vanished, leaving only a forced smile.

    [Yahagi-san!]

    Kurtz and the others rushed towards me, letting out a sigh of relief.

    [It¡¯s alright now. It¡¯s because I¡¯m here now¡­¡­ or rather, it¡¯s because Michelle¡¯s here.]

    I turned to Rittenpike.

    [Rittenpike, your misdeeds end here.]

    Rittenpike was at a loss for words, but she somehow managed to keep up appearances.

    [W- What are you talking about? I was just an examiner here for the midterm exam¡­¡­]

    [We know you were trying to take the golden statue away from Kikka and the others. We¡¯re witnesses.]

    [Can you not make false usations!? In the first ce, who the heck¡¯s gonna believe anything you say!? You¡¯re just a mere snack shop owner!]

    Kurtz came forward at Rittenpike¡¯s words.

    [Nah, nah, Rittenpike. Don¡¯t think of Yahagi-san as a mere dagashi shop owner. He¡¯s the famous Sweets Baron!]

    [Wha!? The one who manipted the military coup from behind, destroyed the monster army in the north, and is rumored to be the head of a newly organized secret force!?]

    And the rumors are turning out bigger again¡­¡­.

    The heck is that secret force?

    Well, we do sell gummies called ¡°Shinobi Meshi¡± though.

    Product name: Shinobi Meshi

    Description: Just one of these gummies provides all the nutrients necessary for long dungeon exploration. Comes in three vors: grape, plum and c.

    Price: 100 rims

    This product is popr among veteran adventurers who go on long exploration trips.

    The best thing about them is that they aren¡¯t bulky and don¡¯t take up much of the luggage.

    [I will have this reported to the academy through my connections.]

    [Connections¡­¡­?]

    Rittenpike asked with a pale face.

    Even though I say ¡°connections¡±, the only noble acquaintance I have is that man.

    [Prime Minister Essel.]

    When I told him his name, Rittenpike lowered her head in astonishment.

    Then, she started mumbling something.

    [What¡¯s she mumbling about?]

    [Yuusuke, be careful! She¡¯s chanting magic.]

    Michelle jumps in front of us.

    [This is¡­¡­ an Escape Spell!?]

    An Escape Spell is a fairly high-ranking magic that allows instantaneous travel over a short distance.

    No matter how corrupt she is, she¡¯s still a teacher at the Adventurer Academy!

    [You¡¯re trying to escape huh. Like I¡¯d let you!]

    In an attempt to cancel her magic, Michelle tried to release a simple offensive magic.

    Kurtz and the others also took up arms and readied themselves.

    However, neither Michelle¡¯s nor Rittenpike¡¯s magic had been activated.

    [Eh?]

    [What¡¯s going on!?]

    Michelle looks stunned, while Rittenpike seems to be both irritated and surprised.

    [Yuusuke, did you use some sort of dagashi?]

    [No, I didn¡¯t do anything¡­¡­]

    In the first ce, there¡¯s nothing in my products that can stop Michelle.

    [Yahagi-san, Suama is¡­¡­]

    Gort points to Suama, who should be on my shoulder, seemingly surprised.

    [What¡¯s the matter with Suama¡­¡­? Eh?]

    The always pure white Suama had turned pink.

    Now, it really looks like a red tsurunoko mochi.

    [W- What¡¯s the matter, Suama? Are you alright?]

    Suama just trembled as usual.

    It doesn¡¯t seem to be in any particr abnormality.

    Did its color just change¡­¡­

    [In any case, let¡¯s capture Rittenpike!]

    Michelle suggested, and Kurtz took out a rope used for exploration.

    [Let go of me!]

    Rittenpike screeched, but she couldn¡¯t use magic, and as she herself didn¡¯t have much strength, Kurtz and the others tied her with the rope.

    [We¡¯ll be taking her with us. Kurtz and the others, do your best on the exam.]

    [That¡¯s right! I¡¯d forgotten we were still in the middle of the exams.]

    [Yahagi-san, could we keep this for us?]

    Kikka held out the Billiken statue and a rolled-up piece of parchment.

    Putting aside the Billiken statue, what¡¯s with this parchment?

    [It was in the box with the golden statue.]

    [Are you sure you want to leave this with me?]

    [If it¡¯s Yahagi-san, we can be assured. After all, the dagashi shop is always on the children¡¯s side, right?]

    [If Kikka feels that way, then I¡¯ll repay your trust.]

    And so, Rittenpike was captured and had to undergo questioning.

    When we returned to the shop after that incident, it was already evening.

    Carmine stands alone in front of the shop, lit by the setting sun.

    It seems she had been waiting for us toe back here all this time.

    [Yuusuke-chi!]

    I calmed Carmine, who hurriedly came running up to me.

    [Kurtz and the others are safe. I guess this is thanks to Margarethe.]

    Carmine exhaled heavily and then hugged Margarethe.

    [Thank you, Margarethe.]

    [Do you want toe by for a bit? I¡¯ll make you some tea now.]

    I invited Carmine to join me in the shop.

    After making a pot of tea and settling down, I told Carmine what had happened.

    [Even so, Margarethe¡¯s prophecy sure is quite something. Without it, things could have turned for the worst.]

    [It was her first prophecy, so I was surprised, but I¡¯m really d Margarethe is here.]

    [Pluto has also been a big help today. I¡¯m d everyone¡¯s familiars were helpful.]

    Michelle puts down her cup and speaks.

    [Speaking of familiars, about Suama¡­¡­]

    [What about this guy?]

    I poked Suama on my shoulder with my finger.

    Its squishy texture feels good to the touch.

    It seems that Suama also felt happy as it rubbed against my fingers.

    It turned reddish in the dungeon, but before I knew it, Suama¡¯s body had turned back to white.

    [At that time, both my magic and Rittenpike¡¯s magic won¡¯t activate, right? I wonder if that was Suama¡¯s power?]

    [You don¡¯t mean¡­¡­?]

    This squishy boy stopped Michelle¡¯s magic?

    I don¡¯t feel like it¡¯s capable of such grand actions though¡­¡­

    [Can¡¯t we just try it out?]

    Carmine took out a small staff.

    Upon seeing her actions, the expression on Michelle¡¯s face changed.

    [What are you trying to do!? If you hurt Yuusuke, even if you¡¯re my student, I will not permit such actions!]

    [I¡¯m just gonna shoot a light Lightning Magic. Just a little bit of a jolt¡­¡­]

    [Even so, that won¡¯t do! What am I gonna do if Yuusuke awakens to being an M and bes addicted to it!? Ah, I suppose I could just do it for him every night¡­¡­ but still, no! If someone¡¯s gonna awaken Yuusuke to a new fetish, it will be me!]

    There it is again, her delusion overdrive!

    [No, I won¡¯t awaken to some stupid fetish. Well, whoever between you two is fine, just test it out. If Suama had the power to nullify magic, I wouldn¡¯t be paralyzed in the first ce.]

    [In that case, it really should be me doing it then.]

    Michelle channels magic into her hand.

    [O- Oi! Don¡¯t make it too strong.]

    [Ufufu, don¡¯t worry. This is just a spell that¡¯ll keep you immobile for a couple of hours.]

    [What will I do if I need to go to the toilet?]

    [I¡¯ll take care of everything?]

    [Give me a break!]

    I looked at Carmine¡¯s face for help, but all I received in return was a look that seemed to say ¡°My condolences¡±.

    In this situation, I have no choice but to believe in Suama¡¯s power.

    [Well then, here I go.]

    [Suama, stop Michelle.]

    Puru puru puru puru

    [Eh?]

    Suddenly, the magic power in Michelle¡¯s hand fizzled out.

    When I looked at Suama, its body turned reddish.

    [It really was Suama¡¯s doing?]

    I put Suama in my palm and deeply looked at it.

    Just like before, I couldn¡¯t see any abnormalities in it.

    [Carmine, you try your magic too.]

    [Yes, Teacher Michelle. Arehh?]

    Carmine can¡¯t seem to activate her magic either.

    [It really seemed as we conjectured. I still don¡¯t know the logic behind this, but it seems Suama can make it so magic is disabled around it.]

    Is this Suama¡¯s special ability?

    I thought of it as just a mascot-like presence, but it seems this guy actually has some hidden power.

    We called this power the ¡°Zero Magic Area¡±.

    <Afterword>

    Shinobi Meshi

    <noscript></noscript>

 Chapter 158: Great Legacy

    <h4>Chapter 158: Great Legacy</h4>

    When the academy went on holiday, Kurtz and the others came to the shop in the morning.

    Today, the daily routine of collecting Amani Herbs is also on holiday.

    The merchant introduced by Prime Minister Essel ising to buy the Billiken statue.

    [Good morning, everyone. How did your exams go?]

    [It went perfectly! Look at this.]

    What Kurtz and the others held out to me were tes with their Adventurer Academy¡¯s proficiency assessment.

    Previously, it used to say ¡°D Rank: Up to 1st Underground Floor¡±, but it now says ¡°D+ Rank: Up to 2nd Underground Floor¡±.

    [Well, it doesn¡¯t matter because we¡¯ve already made 2nd Underground Floor our main hunting ground.]

    Even though he says that, Kurtz and the others seem happy.

    ording to Merle and the others, Kurtz¡¯ team should be able to handle up to the 3rd Underground Floor.

    [Well then, time to return the golden statue you¡¯ve entrusted to me then.]

    I brought out my shoulder-pole stall and took out the Billiken statue and the parchment that I had stored in the inter-dimensional space.

    [Now, make sure it was the same item.]

    I hand the statue to Kikka, who acts as the representative of their group that discovered this statue.

    [Unnn, it sure is heavy.]

    [L- Let me carry it again.]

    [Me too.]

    Kurtz and Gort also held out their hands, and the three of them felt happy as they felt the weight of the gold.

    [By the way, why don¡¯t we open that parchment too?]

    The parchment was rolled up and tied with what seemed to be a kite string.

    [Right, there might be something important on it.]

    Kikka pulls out a knife from her waist, cuts the string and unfolds the parchment.

    [Errr¡­¡­]

    [What does it say? Could it be the location of more treasures?]

    Kurtz peeks from behind Kikka.

    [I don¡¯t understand. It¡¯s written in a script I don¡¯t recognize.]

    [Let¡¯s see¡­¡­ Uwahh, what are these letters? It¡¯s totally unreadable. Gort, you understand what¡¯s written here? You majored in Overview of Ancient Scripts, didn¡¯t you?]

    [Hmmm, this isn¡¯t Ancient Script. I¡¯ve never seen these letters before.]

    The trio constantly twisted their heads.

    [If Michelle was here, she might have been able to read that, but she¡¯s out today.]

    [Yahagi-san, can¡¯t you read it?]

    Kikka hands me the piece of parchment.

    [There¡¯s no way I could read that. I don¡¯t even know how to read magic letters¡­¡­ Eehhh!?]

    [What¡¯s the matter?]

    [No, it¡¯s just, I can read this. I mean, this is Japanese.]

    [Is Japanese Hachioji¡¯s letters?]

    No, Hachioji City doesn¡¯t have their ownnguage.

    It¡¯s not a city with that much individuality.

    However, what is written is modern Japanese characters.

    Although the letters were somewhat jutting out, they were carefully written in a way that made them easy to read.

    <i>To you whose name I don¡¯t know,</i>

    <i>My name is Hasegawa Kenichi. I¡¯m a Japanese born in Showa Era, year 1962. It¡¯s not necessarily Japanese who will receive this message, so I¡¯ll also write some part of my message in English just in case. However, I¡¯m not good at English. I will limit myself to a simple self-introduction.</i>

    <strong><i>My name is Kenichi Hasegawa.</i></strong>

    <strong><i>I am from Japan.</i></strong>

    <strong><i>This is a present for you.</i></strong>

    Introducing themselves with ¡°My name is¡±, this guy definitely feels like someone from Showa era.

    I think introducing themselves with something like ¡°I am Kenichi¡± would have been moremon these days.

    That aside, let¡¯s just continue reading.

    <i>I came to this world on December 8th of the Showa Era, year 1987. I was given the Job ¡°Laundromat Owner¡±. It took some hard work, but I eventually ran aundromat that was reputed to be able to remove stains that even magic couldn¡¯t remove.</i>

    <i>I will be 72 years old this year. Looking back, my life has been fulfilling, but my one regret is that I never got to meet my parents, who I left behind in Japan. I still miss my hometown.</i>

    <i>And so, I would like to leave at least part of my fortune to you who came from the same ce as I am. I won¡¯t say you had to be from Japan. I give this Billiken statue to those who havee here from Earth. Please put it to good use.</i>

    <i>Year Malm 472, Spring, Hasegawa Kenichi</i>

    [Year Malm 472?]

    [The Era Name had changed 20 years ago. If that was written in year Malm 472, then it came from about 150 years ago.]

    The timeline here seems to be a little different here than on Earth.

    Perhaps the choice of which era you¡¯d get teleported to is at the mercy of the Gods.

    He must have remembered his homnd and made this statue look like a Billiken.

    When she heard the contents of the letter, Kikka looked worried.

    [By Billiken statue, you mean this golden statue, right? Is it okay for us to receive this? Isn¡¯t this a property that Yahagi-san should receive then?]

    That seemed to be Hasegawa-san¡¯s intentions, but it was Kikka who solved the mystery of that gargoyle statue.

    [I¡¯m fine with that. I¡¯m not strapped for cash and I don¡¯t really have much interest in luxury. If someone from the same ce as I am came here sometime in the future, and if I were to call it a legacy for them, I would create a new golden statue.]

    Or rather, why don¡¯t I just give them a Golden Gungalf?

    It¡¯d be like an Ancient Superalloy, and that¡¯s kinda cool.

    Well, it¡¯s not really gonna be made by some superalloy, but with pure gold.

    [However, I really just feel bad¡­¡­]

    The reserved Kikka seemed to be feeling self-conscious.

    [I may look like this, but I¡¯m a Count. I can make as much money as I want if I wanted to. Go on, don¡¯t be shy and eat this.]

    Product name: Golden Honey

    Description: A golden candy with a crystal-like shape. Eating it brings a small amount of money luck.

    Price: 10 rims

    This is another old candy.

    I heard that it has been made since Taisho Era.

    It¡¯s exported to Taiwan, various other Asian countries, and even to the US.

    The ingredients are only sugar, syrup, and natural water.

    It¡¯s a traditional snack that I sometimes like to eat myself.

    I took a piece out of the pot and handed them out to Kikka and her friends.

    [It¡¯s a good idea to eat that before the merchant buys the golden statue. This might help increase the purchase price a bit. However, don¡¯t get your hopes up too much.]

    [Really?]

    [Merle got greedy and stuffed her mouth full of those in battle, but the money dropped was apparently the same as usual. Well, it doesn¡¯t really have much effect.]

    [Ahaha, that¡¯s very much like Merle-san.]

    [Seriously. However, Merle keeps buying them because they taste good.]

    The three of them immediately broke the candy¡¯s individual packaging and popped the candy into their mouths.

    The Billiken statue sold for just over three million rims.

    Split between the three of them, each of them got a little over one million rims.

    The three of them will apparently invest their money for their future.

    Though I say that, they aren¡¯t buying bonds or shares.

    [Good equipment costs money.]

    If properly matched from top to bottom, even cheap equipment already used by ordinary adventurers apparently costs no more than 100,000 rims.

    For advanced equipment, swords and armor alone apparently cost around 1.5 million rims.

    And such differences in equipment have a big impact on the oue of a battle.

    [Now I won¡¯t have to trouble Father.]

    Kikka¡¯s father is a soldier in the Royal Castle.

    Their life is apparently easier than for ordinary people, but they don¡¯t exactly have much surplus either.

    The three were happy that they were able to show their filial piety.

    <Afterword>

    Golden Honey: I don¡¯t know the source, but its name was apparently »Æ½ðÃÛÌÇ. All I got was that it seemed to be one of those candies sold in jars, with each candy individually wrapped.

 Chapter 159: Feeling the Gaze

    <h4>Chapter 159: Feeling the Gaze</h4>

    In a bar, a woman was in a bad mood.

    [Why do I have to go through this!? You¡¯ve got to be kidding me!]

    The woman¡¯s name is Tedes Rittenpike.

    Until recently, she was a teacher at the Adventurer Academy, but her illegal actions with her students had been discovered and dismissed as a disciplinary measure.

    Since the day she was fired, Rittenpike has been drinking day and night.

    [Seriously, what¡¯s with the students these days? Their attitude towards their superiors is appalling! They are but mere students of the prestigious Academy. And yet, even though I have contributed so much to the study of Ancient Treasures, for them to fire me would be a loss to the world!]

    Rittenpike¡¯sints continue as she drinks heavily.

    [In the first ce, it¡¯s that Yahagi guy who¡¯s to me! I don¡¯t know what that Sweets Baron whatever means, but a guy banging that gloomy skank freaking dare interrupts my ns! I¡¯ll definitely get my revenge on him¡­¡­]

    Muttering a curse, Rittenpike gulped down the beer left at the bottom of her mug.

    [Hey, quickly bring me more beer! Geez, how long are you gonna make people wait¡­¡­ What? The f*ck are you looking at!? This your first time seeing a woman get drunk!?]

    Customers and waiters are fed up with the way she picks a fight with everyone.

    The owner of the bar, who had decided that they¡¯d be in trouble if she were allowed to drink any more, mildly suggested.

    [Ma¡¯am, I think we¡¯d better leave it at that¡­¡­]

    [Shut your trap, baldy! Who do you think I am? I¡¯m the world-famous Professor Rittenpike! Quickly bring me my beer!]

    Incidentally, Rittenpike has no qualifications to call herself Professor.

    She isn¡¯t even a member of the Academy anymore.

    The owner could only shrug his shoulders, wondering what to do.

    [Get thedy over here a drink. Get on with it!]

    A man said as he threw a silver coin on the counter.

    The man¡¯s face still seemed to hold innocence to it, but one could sense his bad personality within it.

    [Ara, we have a clever one here. Wait, you are¡­¡­]

    [My name is Marl, eldest son of Viscount Parmanen. I was drinking over there, when I heard something that caught my attention.]

    [W- What is it?]

    Rittenpike was nervous because she was dealing with a noble.

    She thought he might be one of Yahagi¡¯srades.

    [You said you were going to take revenge on that man.]

    [T- That is¡­¡­]

    [Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m also one of the people who has a grudge against that dagashi shop.]

    [Is that right¡­¡­ However¡­¡­?]

    Rittenpike warily looks up with her drunken gaze

    [He¡¯s acting all arrogant just because he¡¯s on good terms with Prime Minister Essel-sama. I got caught up in that too.]

    [Oh my, that¡¯s just like me.]

    Both Marl and Rittenpike had been the ones to me for their actions, but their memories of those events had been conveniently falsified in their minds.

    When their beers were brought to them, Marl¡¯s face contorted, seemingly finding the beer unpleasant.

    The beer seemed to be from an old cask and had a strong sour taste.

    In the past, he would have called the owner andined.

    Not only that, he would have beaten him up and not paid for what he consumed.

    But now, such freedom is nowhere to be found.

    He has even been told that the next time he is found to have behaved outrageously, he will be stripped of his title.

    This is all Yahagi¡¯s fault.

    [I don¡¯t have a concrete n yet, but I intend to somehow make that man pay for his actions.]

    When Marl said this, Rittenpike nodded deeply.

    [That would be wonderful. By all means, allow me to help you.]

    Rittenpike¡¯s previously loud voice gradually quieted down, and now only their whispers could be heard.

    As the two kept a watchful eye on their surroundings, they conversed in secret.

    ¡ô¡ô¡ô

    The sweltering summer is over and a new school year has begun.

    Dagashi Yahagi is thriving as ever, with shaved ice and ramune selling well.

    [Here we go, Hogan! Take this attack!]

    Kurtz is battling with his familiar, Hogan, using his Mobile Force Gufufu.

    Hogan had grown over the summer and was about the same size as a Mobile Force. The Mobile Force is about the right size for Hogan to spar with.

    [Training them like this makes the familiars grow faster.]

    Children sure cane up with all sorts of ideas.

    By training this way, Kurtz trains both himself and Hogan.

    [Uwahh!?]

    In the wrestling ring-type arena, Hogan threw the Gufufu against the ropes.

    As the Gufufu lost its footing and was recoiled back into the center of the ring by the ropes¡­¡­

    Hogan finished him off with an explosiveriat.

    [Gwahhh!]

    With his Gufufu blown away, Kurtz¡¯ link with it was broken.

    However, Kurtz holds Hogan up with a big smile on his face.

    [That was amazing, Hogan! You¡¯ve developed a new special move.]

    [Number One!]

    I don¡¯t really know why, but Hogan has started saying this when he¡¯s happy.

    He¡¯s still small at the moment, but I think he¡¯ll be one heck of a fighter when he¡¯s the size of a human.

    I¡¯m looking forward to seeing his growth.

    [Yahagi-san, give me a Kame Senbei! I have a Tank Endurance Supplementary Test tomorrow.]

    [Aye.]

    Product name: Kame Senbei

    Description: Grain-type fried rice cracker. A long-selling product popr for its sweet and spicy taste. Eating it slightly increases defense.

    Price: 30 rims

    [Yahagi-san, I¡¯d like to order a yakisoba.]

    [Wait a moment.]

    The sky is filled with clouds and thest remnants of summer.

    The wind that shakes the curtain and blows in is beginning to give off the feel of autumn.

    Today too, the dagashi shop is peaceful.

    However, recently, I¡¯ve been feeling eyes on me from somewhere¡­¡­

    I don¡¯t have any proof, but I feel like someone is watching me.

    Even now, over there!

    I turned around with a start, but there was no one there.

    [What¡¯s the matter, Yuusuke-chi?]

    Seemingly chuckling at my sudden actions, Carmine asked.

    [I felt like I was being watched. It seems like it was just my imagination though.]

    [Wasn¡¯t it just Michelle-san?]

    [Why Michelle?]

    [Because she¡¯s already happy just by watching Yuusuke-chi. Also, couldn¡¯t she be checking if you¡¯re cheating?]

    That certainly is usible, but I don¡¯t think that¡¯s the case.

    I could somewhat tell if it was Michelle¡¯s gaze.

    Margarethe on Carmine¡¯sp looked up at me.

    She hasn¡¯t foreseen the future since that time.

    It seems to be because she ran out of mana in her body.

    [Hey, don¡¯t you know something, Margarethe?]

    [¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­]

    Because it¡¯s a plushie, Margarethe shouldn¡¯t have any expressions, but is it perhaps just my imagination that it looks like she was trying to say something?

    [It must have been Yuusuke-chi¡¯s fans who were secretly watching you. Or perhaps, is there something else you were worried about?]

    [No, I wouldn¡¯t say that was the case. Unnn, I guess it was as Carmine says. They must be my fans. Or perhaps, they¡¯re customers hoping for the re-release of Chocte Eggs now that it¡¯s getting cooler.]

    I had been taking it easy at that time.

    <Afterword>

    Lariat: Hulk Hogan¡¯s finisher when he was in Japan, Axe Bomber, is a crooked armriat.

    <noscript></noscript><ol start="2"> Number One: When Hulk Hogan started appearing in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), Japanese wrestling fans nicknamed him ¡°Ichiban¡± or ¡°Number One¡±.<ol start="3"> Kame Senbei: Rice crackers shaped like a turtle. Doesn¡¯t actually contain any turtles.

    <noscript></noscript> </ol></ol>

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