Published: August 2, 2025
Today, five chapters posted simultaneously.
This is the second chapter of this story.
"I'm home."
"Welcome back."
By the time I returned to Gimul, it was already night. At the shop, the employees were having dinner.
"Are you eating now?"
"Would you like something to eat, Manager?"
"It's raining outside, and it must have been cold. Please have some soup at least."
Starting with Chef Shelma, the women stopped their meal to prepare some for me.
I gratefully accepted, taking a sip of the soup.
"Phew..."
It warmed me up from deep inside.
"Thank you very much."
"Not at all. Manager, thank you for your hard work."
"What was the job this time?"
"It was quite sudden."
I explained that after joining the Guild yesterday, I happened upon a missing persons search request and took it on. After various events, I found and rescued the missing person.
"So, after sending that person to Kerevan, I greeted some acquaintances there and then came back."
"Glad they were saved."
"Truly a blessing in disguise. We also recovered and delivered the cargo that was supposed to be delivered. The weapon shop on the other side understood the situation regarding the victim, so there should be no problems with future business... Oh, yes. ‘Item Box’ Mr. Calm, here."
"? ...This is a list of magic tools. Dinorm Magic Tool Workshop, if I recall, is the place that makes music boxes for the Morgan Trading Company, which partnered with us at the last Founding Festival. I hear they've been steadily expanding their influence recently — a stock worth watching."
Impressive knowledge, indeed.
"The acquaintance I mentioned earlier is from there. I had a personal connection before. We agreed that they would provide magic tools for us..."
When I visited the magic tool craftsman Mr. Dinorm,
"What should I give in return for the music box? It's selling like crazy, and I'm racking up quite a tab, you know."
He said.
So I requested they develop a clock with an alarm function, and surprisingly, a finished product was pulled from the back of the shop. It was already completed before I even ordered it, and they claimed the idea was mine, which confused me a bit. Apparently, Mr. Serge had heard me talk about it.
Come to think of it, I do recall discussing such things with Mr. Serge when I showed him the music box.
I accepted it with understanding, but the accumulated tab was too big to pay off with just one alarm clock. He pressed if there was anything else I wanted.
"But I already have what I think I need for camping and nothing's broken... So I couldn't think of anything else. I brought back a list of magic tools that the craftsman can arrange. Please let me know if there’s anything the shop needs or anything useful to have. If there is, we can introduce it."
"Any specific budget limits?"
"He didn’t answer that... He said to ask for whatever I want without hesitation. I trusted it because Mr. Serge was there when we made the promise.
From the conversation, it really seems I don't have to hold back. If I asked for too much, they would probably consult me about it indirectly. Also, I wouldn’t mind buying the necessary items myself... We do have some budget to spare, right?"
"Yes. If it's considered necessary capital investment, there’s absolutely no problem."
"Good. Sorry to trouble you, but please gather opinions from everyone and pick what’s necessary. I’ll contact Renaf’s Branch the same way."
"Understood."
"Okay, Deputy Manager, let me see it too!"
"What kind of things are there?"
"I’d like magic tools for security if there are any."
"Right, as Lilin said. If not, that’s fine, but I’m interested."
The employees seemed curious. They passed around the list, each naming the magic tools they found interesting.
"I’ve heard of this magic tool called a ‘stove’. Although I haven’t used it, it’s said to make fire adjustment really easy. I’d like to try it if possible. There are also lots of other rare cooking utensils."
"Shelma-san really goes for cooking tools—she cooks every day. But I might want to try some too."