By the Grace of the Gods

Simultaneous release of 10 chapters today.

This story is the 6th chapter.

Night

As work hours were drawing to a close, Mr. Serge visited the shop.

“I heard you wanted to discuss the music box matter today?”

“Yes. First, a status update… We have partnered with the Dinom Magic Tool Workshop and have set a target to begin sales. Right now, they are preparing a certain amount of inventory beforehand.”

Only a few months have passed, and they’re already at the stage of starting sales?

He showed me samples of the products as we talked.

“So there are music boxes for nobles and for the general public?”

“Yes. The ones for nobles, as you can see, incorporate magic tools inside decorative boxes. These boxes are specially commissioned from box artisans, tailored to the motifs and materials requested by the buyers.”

So these will be unique, high-end pieces. Since the boxes are custom-made, Mr. Dinorm’s burden is reduced.

On the other hand, the general public’s version comes in small wooden boxes with just a brand on the surface, no special decoration. These seem reasonably priced.

“Since the noble versions are made to order, will sales start with these general public ones?”

“Exactly. The trading company has prepared the push to sell to nobles, but the general music boxes will be unveiled at the upcoming Founding Festival.”

“So you mean as a booth at the festival?”

“Yes. The music used in the music boxes was provided by a bard who has recently gained fame, on the condition that the music box would bear the song title and the bard’s name. This bard leads a semiroid troupe named 'Semiroid Troupe' that will perform in Gimul. We plan to sell the music boxes there during their performance.”

They’re already putting the music boxes to good use...

“I’d like to hear them. Where will the performance be held?”

“There is one thing I’d like to consult about.”

It was a request to use the shop as a dressing room on the festival day and to use the section used for security drills (almost a vacant lot) as the venue for the performance.

...I should probably get others’ opinions on this matter.

I told Mr. Serge I needed to check, then called Mr. Calm and Mr. Fay, the head bodyguard, and explained the situation.

After discussing with the two of them, it was agreed that using the vacant lot was fine, and the dressing room would be a spare room in the dormitory, not the shop. Naturally, they must not enter other areas.

“Thank you for your cooperation. This way, I can report favorably to the others. The troupe is expected to arrive in Gimul in about two weeks, so we will visit again to greet them once they arrive.”

Thus, the discussion with Mr. Serge was settled.

I saw him off to the front door and just as I returned inside the shop—

“Huh? Didn’t you hear a strange noise?”

“From the kitchen, right? I’ll go check it out.”

Ms. Fay quickly headed over.

“Did you hear it…?”

“It was really a small sound.”

While we were talking, Fay came back.

“Shop owner, there’s a barrel in the kitchen with a weird smell. Ms. Shelma seems to have unknowingly opened it.”

“A barrel with a bad smell? …Ah.”

The Shappaya we received. Since it’s food, we left it in the kitchen just as it was...

“Sorry, that was me who put it there. It was a preserved food I got...”

“Yours? Then hurry, or it’ll be thrown away!”

Thrown away!? That would be disrespectful to Mr. Mord!

“Excuse me for a moment!”

I rushed to the kitchen. The barrel of Shappaya was about to be tossed into the trash by Ms. Shelma, who was making a grimace.

“Stop!!!”

“Eek!? Shop owner, what’s the matter?”

“Ms. Shelma, sorry, this is preserved food I received. It smells bad, but it’s not garbage.”

“Oh, I see. I’m sorry then.”

“I should have told you earlier. I’ll deodorize it now.”

I put the lid on the barrel and removed the bad smell from the kitchen with deodorant.

Being experienced, the work finished in no time.

“It’s done.”

“Thanks. But can you really eat that...?”