Chapter 69

It was around 11:00 PM, but Sancho Panza was packed with customers.

Though it wasn’t on the sales floor, I managed to get my hands on an inflatable vinyl pool and an air pump from the back office. With this, I could have a bath whenever I wanted, provided I asked Akito for help. Since the water drained from the bottom of the pool, I decided to use a vinyl hose to let it out into the balcony drain.

We also stocked up on snacks and underwear. Perhaps due to the location, the store had an extensive lineup of cosmetics and skincare products, with several women who looked like cabaret club hostesses browsing the aisles. The scent of blended perfumes was quite strong.

“It might be a good idea to stock items like these in our shop too,” Akito suggested.

“Ah!”

I accidentally let out a loud shout at Akito’s remark. I had forgotten something vital.

“What’s wrong all of a sudden?”

It had completely slipped my mind, but Earth’s medicine is incredibly effective in that world. I remembered how quickly the ointment had worked when I applied it to Ria’s wounds back then. I’d forgotten about it because I’d been relying solely on Akito’s recovery magic lately, but if people over there used our beauty serums, the results could be extraordinary.

“Akito… an aesthetic salon…”

“Huh?”

“We’re going to make a killing with a spa!”

I explained to Akito just how potent Japanese medicine was in the other world.

“I see. I can practically smell the profit,” he noted.

“Yeah. It’ll definitely sell. But we’ll run into transport capacity issues eventually.”

Because of that, I figured that if the shop applied the serums as part of a treatment, we could use a single bottle of cosmetic product on multiple people. For example, say a 30-day set of basic skincare costs 10,000 yen. That means one set can be used 30 times. If we charged 5,000 Marques per treatment, 30 treatments would bring in 150,000 Marques. The price would vary depending on how much the skin improved and how long the effect lasted. I’d have to see how it worked on Lady Clara or Fiene first.

“The issue is the staff. It would be great if Emma could introduce us to someone.”

“Hans mentioned he has an elder sister. Apparently, she works as a maid somewhere, so headhunting is an option.”

For now, I bought several types of cosmetics, including souvenirs for Lady Clara and Fiene. I hoped they’d be pleased. Carrying shopping bags bulging with cosmetics in both hands, we looked like foreign tourists on a shopping spree—though you don’t see that as much these days.

“Akito, it’s almost time.”

“Roger. Let’s move somewhere secluded.”

We headed toward the South Exit bus terminal to ensure we could be summoned at any moment. At this hour, there were few people around. The pre-set alarm vibrated, and we were whisked away to the Small Room in the Gap.

When we arrived, Mr. Handsome was waiting for us. I was so startled it felt like someone had squeezed my heart.

“Lord Seraphim!”

His expression was as calm as ever, yet the aura he radiated was staggering.

“I have come to speak with you today. I shall require a moment of your time.”

Was it the skincare products?! Was buying them a mistake?!

“We’re very sorry! We’ll dispose of all the luggage we brought immediately!!”

We bowed in a formal 45-degree salute, practically ready to hammer nails with our foreheads.

“No, such things do not matter. There are no side effects, so feel free to use them as you wish.”

Oh, really? Then don’t mind if I do… In that case, what did he want to talk about?

“Mr. Hinoharu, you sent a letter to Ria, did you not?”

“Yes. I asked if she would come to the Royal Capital. Is there a problem with that?”

Oh no, did I overstep? Mr. Handsome seemed to be deep in thought.

“Do you recall the conversation about you being summoned by mistake?”

Of course I did. A Phoenix was supposed to have been summoned instead of me.

“Yes. When I was summoned, I received a Gift, and that’s how I ended up as a summoned beast. But how does Ria factor into this?”

“In truth, Ria is a girl destined to become a member of the Hero’s party as a Phoenix Summoner. She was intended to train in the Labyrinth of Lagas alongside a Phoenix to build her strength for the day she is called upon.”

Ria had a mission like that?!

Wait, doesn’t that put us in a bit of a spot? She was supposed to be conquering the Labyrinth of Lagas with a summoned beast, but she’s likely still entering the labyrinth all by herself.

“Should I… be working as Ria’s summoned beast then?”

Lord Seraphim maintained his quiet, gentle smile.

“Things are fine as they are. I have already requested that you handle the scriptures and the newspaper; please focus your efforts there. We are currently in the process of selecting a new summoned beast for Ria.”

So, that meant I could continue serving as Lady Clara’s summoned beast. But was it really okay to call Ria to the Royal Capital? She’s supposed to be gaining experience as an adventurer in the Labyrinth of Lagas.

Lord Seraphim read my mind and answered.

“I have decided that is also acceptable. However, as Ria has not yet obtained a summoned beast at this stage, her growth has fallen behind schedule. We must make up for that lost time somewhere.”

“If there’s anything I can do, I won’t hesitate to help.”

“I thought you might say that. I ask this not only of you and Mr. Yoshioka, but of Ms. Ansbach as well. Please, assist in Ria’s growth.”

So I just needed to pass the message to Lady Clara. But how exactly were we supposed to help? Maybe by giving her martial arts training?

“I shall consider the specifics of Ria’s training on my end. When the time comes, I will ask for your cooperation once more.”

With that, Lord Seraphim vanished, leaving only a lingering afterglow. Even if he hadn’t asked, I’d intended to help Ria and her siblings anyway, so I had no objections.

Still, what exactly is Ria supposed to do in the Hero’s party? I missed my chance to ask the most important thing. In stories or games, the goal is usually to defeat some kind of Final Boss, but I’d never heard of a Demon King or any such existence here.

“Lord Seraphim did say he’d come back to ask for help when the time came, didn’t he? We can just ask him then,” Akito pointed out.

True. I only just sent the letter, and it’ll take over a month to arrive. Between their preparations and the trip to the capital, it’ll be another month at least—so it’s still a long way off.

…Maybe I should go pick them up? If I can get river passage rights, I could combine “Water Walking” with the motorbike to make the trip pretty smoothly. “Water Walking” actually makes for a better ride than regular roads since there are fewer bumps.

“Come on, Senpai, let’s just pull the Skill Card for now.”

He was right. I’ll think more about the future before making any big decisions.

“Please give me a good one today.”

I pressed my hands together toward the Carddas machine as usual and turned the dial.

Now, this is an interesting skill. As a test, I activated “Dummy” while holding a staff, and sure enough, the dummy appeared equipped with a staff too.

“The Art of Cloning?! Man, I’m jealous!!” Akito’s excitement shot through the roof.

As the description said, it couldn’t handle complex movements, but it seemed capable of basic thrusts at an enemy. Of course, if the thrust connected, the impact would make the dummy vanish, and if the enemy dodged, the dummy would just keep marching forward like a broken robot.

Still, it was perfect as a distraction, and I had a feeling I could use it for simple manual labor too. Seems pretty handy.

If I combine “Staff Arts,” “Pull,” “Gecko Hand,” and this “Dummy” skill, I feel like I could unlock a whole new style of combat. I’ll have to ask Lady Clara to help me train. She loves training, so she’ll be more than happy to spar.

Apparently, she’s glad that as my skills improve, she can stop holding back as much. Plus, if we’re training, we can be alone together without anyone suspecting our relationship. I just hope she remembers to go easy on me.