Published: February 1, 2026
Why are there so many lovers in the world?
Even though the probability that the person you like will like you back at the same time is almost zero.
Lizel believes it’s because affection can be imprinted.
From the moment the other person realizes that they like you, they begin to recognize your existence, follow you with their eyes, and every time you show them affection, it’s engraved deeper.
If you want to be liked, you must make an effort to be likable; and one part of that effort is learning “how to show affection” in a way that wins the other person’s favor.
To a merchant striving hard to become fully fledged, he shows complete trust by buying in a way that leaves everything to that merchant.
To an emotionless staff member who doesn’t know how to rely on others, he conveys a never‑before‑known, unreserved affection through the palm of his hand.
If you first clearly show your affection and etch your existence into them, and then continue to give them what they seek.
Not so frequent that they get used to it, not so rare that they fear losing it—if your affection becomes something indispensable to them, you’ve succeeded.
It’s one of the methods Lizel uses when he meets someone he wants to get along with.
It may sound like a despicable tactic, but it’s not.
It’s only natural to show affection to someone you want to be close to; Lizel can simply choose the most precise way to show it.
He can do this because his insight into others is exceptional, and he understands what they want.
Lizel doesn’t particularly care what others think of this method, but there is one thing he doesn’t want misunderstood:
Neither the affection he gives, nor the affection others develop in response, contains any falsehood.
“I know you’re useless at everything but business, but do your best to come back as soon as possible.”
“Useless…?”
“What happened to answering properly? Honestly, only your height keeps growing.”
“Ow.”
Because of that, as they’re horsing around right before leaving for the Commerce Nation (Malcaid), Lizel finds Stud and Judge rather endearing, and unlike Gill, he doesn’t feel the slightest urge to tell them to hurry it up.
Though he did step in when Stud smacked Judge.
“Stud is always so harsh with me.”
Hearing Judge plainly voice his dissatisfaction for once, Lizel only chuckled, thinking how close they were.
Inside the carriage that rocked faintly with a soft rattling sound, Lizel suddenly turned and looked at the back of Judge, who was acting as coachman.
Ahead, as far as the eye could see, stretched grasslands; if no monsters appeared, the mild weather would certainly lull one to sleep.
The carriage Judge owned, of course, was primarily meant for transporting goods.
One might think the items could just be put into a bag enchanted with spatial magic, but Lizel has heard—though he has yet to encounter such a thing himself—that among dungeon items there are many which are completely unaffected by magic.
To transport such goods, a carriage is still necessary.
Despite being for transport, its exterior resembled that of a stagecoach.
A solid frame, and a body covered not in canvas but in wooden panelling. The wood used seemed to be from the labyrinth; despite the heavy, solid appearance, the whole thing was said to be lighter than a covered wagon.
Out of consideration for the delicate goods it carried, the carriage hardly shook at all—an extravagant vehicle for the owner of a single shop.
But it was precisely because Judge’s store frequently handled dungeon items that such a thing could be specially made.
Still, it was clearly intended for cargo: there were no windows, and there was only a single bench in the compartment, set back‑to‑back with the driver’s seat.
A plank projected from the wall that could seat about three people side by side, but thanks to Judge’s thoughtfulness, it had been turned into an extremely comfortable seat.
Though there were no windows, the back opened up entirely for loading and unloading, and the area behind the driver’s seat also opened so the coachman could reach in to take out goods.