Chapter 729 - Episode 2: Shop No. 6, Shop No. 7 Open
"Alright, everyone, are you ready! We're starting!"
Finally, the first authentic magic shop of the Class of 175, Shop No. 7, is opening. The manager is, of course, Beatrix. As a magic shop purveyor to the Royal Capital, it opened on the main street of the capital.
"Understood. Well then, everyone, I look forward to working with you."
"Yeah!"
Various types of voices respond. I can't tell if it's a tavern, a magic shop, or a civil engineering construction site.
Since it's the main street of the Royal Capital, I think the staff should basically be elegant, but that doesn't seem to be the case here.
The manager is, of course, Beatrix. As proof, the star of the Class of 175 is drawn on the left end of the shop's sign, with the number seven below it, signifying Shop No. 7. This number was added on the occasion of the opening of Shop No. 6 and No. 7. The main shop uses text, but Shop No. 2 and below use numbers. All the way to Shop No. 7, they share the same design.
Even though Beatrix is the manager, she is busy going to her village in Regnentes, exterminating monsters in Nakanohara, and going on expeditions with me. So, there is an acting manager. A former unit commander of the Magic Corps, recommended by Eleanor-sama. Since they have to deal with high-class customers, including ambassadors from various countries, a particularly elegant and calm person was reportedly chosen. By the way, the labor costs are covered by the Royal Palace as compensation for the exclusive contract related to Teleport.
And the two men who look like either magic shop staff or construction site workers are actually active Paratroop Jaegers. Of course, they are under Eleanor-sama's influence. In other words, it's the King's order. Since they are effectively security guards, particularly burly ones were reportedly chosen. Of course, the manager and acting manager handle the customer service.
"The now-famous Shop No. 7 of the Class of 175. It is now open!"
"Come on in! This is the authentic magic shop, Shop No. 7 of the Class of 175!"
The deep voices of the two men echo. Are they mistaking it for a fish market or something? People walking by are stopping in surprise.
As the voices echoed, a carriage bearing the royal crest pulled up in front of the shop with a rattle.
"Welcome! Well, well, if it isn't the former King Henry-sama and the former Queen Eleanor-sama. Although our shop is a purveyor to the royal family, thank you very much for your early visit!"
After that, carriages with expensive-looking decorations arrived one after another. This should be enough of a performance.
The opening being pushed from mid-October to late November was apparently the result of delays in preparation. It's better not to speak too much about the cause. By the way, Henry-sama and Eleanor-sama brought the Magic Corps Commander to the opening. The Henry Party was involved in the exploration of Testament with me until just the other day. The delay in opening was probably related to that.
Yesterday was the opening of Shop No. 6 in the downtown area. Mary (Shop No. 3 manager), Miana (Shop No. 4 manager), Beatrix (Shop No. 7 manager, the day before opening), Will, Bonnie, Beowulf, and I participated. Miana had even been on a business trip for three days, baking plenty of sweets for the unveiling, including new creations. Since the staff from Shop No. 3 also participated as support, they will eventually be sold at Shop No. 3 as well.
The manager of Shop No. 6 is a girl who was an early staff member of Shop No. 3 and has returned from maternity and childcare leave. Since she wasn't working, no allowance was provided, but Mary occasionally sent over food supplies. Under the guise of gaining experience for the future, staff were dispatched to listen to the mother's stories while looking after the baby. Having been born and raised in a brothel herself and having experienced life in an orphanage, Mary is attentive to such things. Through this process, a young mother manager was created, and as a result, it became a shop for working young mothers. Mothers are girls too. They want to take a break once in a while and vent their grievances with other neighborhood mothers. The shop also handles clothes for pregnant women and children. True to Mary's style, it also carries medicinal herbs effective for common childhood illnesses. Of course, they keep scrolls of Anti-Sepsis for magic water in stock. The shop is spacious and has a space where small children can play. Kigurumi and stuffed toys from the marine product series are placed there, free to use. In coordination with Magdalena-sama, they also post job advertisements as a measure for those in financial difficulty.
Mary also handles goods from downtown shops. Prior to the opening, she reportedly took the Shop No. 6 manager around to explain things to shops she had connections with. Those people also have wives. Of course, not just young wives. Even the older wives were once young and know the hardships of raising children. Additionally, there are mothers working while raising children alone. A shop where you can bring your children, buy various things for them, and enjoy tea and sweets is quite rare. At the opening, many regulars from Shop No. 3 who had heard the rumors and mothers with children showed up, making it a huge success.
People who used to be regulars at Shop No. 3 but had become mothers with children found it difficult to go to a purely 'girly' shop. Those people have made a comeback. They were surprised at how the once-quiet Miana had become so lively.
Shop No. 7 was a huge success in a different sense. Unlike Shop No. 6, which emphasized its commoner appeal and child-friendly atmosphere, this one was filled with old men. It's not because Beatrix was wearing an Alraune stone. It's likely the nature of the shop.
After all, it's a magic shop purveyor to the royal family. Moreover, not only Sertoria but also the Regnentes royal family was involved.
When Beatrix returned from the Demon Realm in Engrio and went to her village, she called the village priest, Harrison-san, and Godwynn-sama to talk. After all, it's Teleport, which she was taught directly by Gnome. She is supposed to teach it to others, albeit with conditions. When she asked if she could teach it at the village magic school, Godwynn-sama, who uses Teleport himself, reacted immediately upon hearing the story. He said that the lord, and naturally the Regnentes Royal Palace, must be reported to quickly, or it would be troublesome.
Beatrix, who has already attained the status of being granted an audience in Regnentes, met with the lord along with Godwynn-sama with the cooperation of the scouts. Afterward, she went to the Royal Capital together and had an audience with the King of Regnentes, accompanied by the Military Minister, Godwynn-sama, to report. However, contact had already come from the Sertorian Royal Family and Price-sama. The King of Regnentes had apparently been waiting for her arrival.
Beatrix intended to target the students of the magic school in her village... more accurately, it's outside the village, but the village area was expanded so that it would become rental income for Beatrix due to the lord's consideration... but the King of Regnentes put a stop to it. He told her not to do it in the village, but in the Royal Capital.
Those who learn Teleport are registered with the royal family in every country because of the magic's effect. In the past, things might have been different, but now people learn magic after being seen by an oracle. At that time, the oracle notifies the nearest church or ruler. The user is registered and, in a sense, strictly managed. Using it in other countries is basically prohibited. Violators are judged in the country where it was used. It's the death penalty. Or, they are probably declared dead and turned into a secret weapon. That's how much it is feared.
Through her training with Gnome, Beatrix learned a version of Teleport that is more refined than what humans traditionally used. She is forbidden by Gnome from passing all of it on to others. Those who can be taught are also limited, but the conditions are age and talent, regardless of nationality or status. However, since it's limited to those who have learned Teleport themselves, it's bound to be restricted.
I don't know exactly how it was refined. Beatrix will convey it when she teaches. Eventually, it will become known to everyone, but for now, it's more profitable to keep it quiet as a single-succession style.
As a result of the discussion with the King of Regnentes, the handling was decided. There had been a plan to build a magic school in the Regnentes Royal Capital for some time, and it's almost complete. She became a temporary lecturer there. Limited to Teleport. It's a direct contract with the King, and the recommender is the Military Minister, Godwynn-sama. Of course, Price-sama is working behind the scenes. Since she can use a full range of high-level magic, she could have become a regular lecturer, but that's a country fussy about status. Even just attaining the status of being granted an audience despite being born a serf would draw attention. They must have moderated it. By the way, she wouldn't tell me how much her salary is. Apparently, she's been told to keep it secret. Since she smirked the moment she heard it, it must be a substantial amount.
Due to such circumstances, Shop No. 7, where Beatrix is the manager, became a purveyor to both the Sertorian and Regnentes royal families.
As guests for the opening, the Regnentes ambassador brought security soldiers and Regnentes merchants. Since everyone was talking familiarly to Mary, they must be regular customers.
Not to be outdone, Sertoria sent Victor-sama along with the Henry Party, bringing Evans-sama and the Magic Corps Commander. Naturally, merchants are also present. Henry-sama and Eleanor-sama are not in formal wear, but they aren't in field clothes either. They are in proper civilian clothes. They took up positions at the very back of the shop with the ambassador, silently smiling.
Except for where the manager and the two royals are, it's full of old men, so it's stifling. I went outside to breathe some fresh air. However, it's a mess outside too. Several carriages clearly belonging to the wealthy have gathered on the main street of the capital. Since the shop is small, old men in expensive clothes are overflowing outside. Before I knew it, the guard unit was handling security. It must have been prepared in advance.
Onlookers are gathering more and more. It draws attention even if left alone.
"What's this gathering all about?"
"Oh, apparently a new magic shop that's a purveyor to both the Sertorian and Regnentes royal families has opened."
"Purveyor to both royal families? I've never heard of such a thing."
"Yeah, apparently the owner is someone who participated as a deterrent during the last Demon Lord revival."
"Could it be an acquaintance of the famous Dragon Killer?"
"Yeah, a companion of the invincible Stray Priest, Bishop Jeanne."
There are people using my name in loud voices. They must be the shills from the bandits. They are glancing at me. I feel like they started talking right when I came out.
Dammit, the people around are listening with interest!
I almost thought about illuminating them with an eight-volley, but it's not good to involve civilians. I have no choice but to endure.
"Um, excuse me?"
A man who looked like a typical townsperson spoke to the two. Judging by his sagging cheeks and belly, he's likely a commoner.
"What is it?"
"Does the story just now mean that the rumored Bishop Jeanne is involved with that shop?"
Oh no. My name is known even to commoners.
"Yeah! I think so."
Don't puff out your chest. What are you going to do about this?
"Then, does that shop sell medicine for athlete's foot?"
"Eh? I, well, I wonder?"
See, because you said unnecessary things, Shop No. 7 has become a royal purveyor of athlete's foot treatment.
It's too late to be flustered now.
The evaluation of the commoners aside, the evaluation of the wealthy was established. The Magic Corps Commander ordered dozens of scrolls of high-level attribute magic for each attribute on a single-year contract, and seeing that, the merchants ordered many scrolls of mid-level magic that fall outside of royal management, as well as scrolls of athlete's foot... I mean, basic Anti-Sepsis. Many wooden boxes and barrels for rot prevention were also ordered. It probably doesn't matter where they buy them, but it's likely for trial, to curry favor, and to have something to brag about. Thanks to that, Shop No. 7 had an excellent start, and my projected share became a significant amount.
At this rate, I worry about being envied by other shops, but we have business alliances in place. In other words, we handle a certain number of products from other shops without taking a commission or brokerage fee. Of course, we state this publicly, so it's clear where they were made. By the way, the First King series involves the Marcelo Company. Originally, whether it's scrolls or magic tools, with very few exceptions, no premium is attached based on the creator. In Sertoria, it's only the Headmistress or Phillips-sama. Eleanor-sama and Evans-sama would also have them, but those people don't make and sell scrolls in the first place. This is because they know that if made properly, it's the same regardless of who makes it. If anything, they are gifts.
That night, Eleanor-sama and Magdalena-sama rented out a brothel and treated us to celebrate the opening of both Shop No. 6 and No. 7, so those involved, including the staff, gathered and made a grand fuss. However, men like Henry-sama were barred. They must be drinking somewhere else.
The next day, when I went to the Royal Palace to offer my thanks, the King told me to go to Morandine in December.
In the audience chamber, Harris-sama and the Henry Party are also present.
"So, will it be Morandine for the rest of the year?"
"That's how it will be. And a resolution within the year cannot be guaranteed."
The request was reportedly made to the Henry Party from the Medioland Royal Capital Grand Cathedral through the Sertoria Royal Capital Grand Cathedral. Therefore, it will be handled as a private matter. The reward is basically a performance-based reward.
However, conquering that place will be very complicated. After all, when we went to Morandine last time, we made a group of Orcs flee in the night. Having made them flee once, wouldn't it be a breach of faith to subjugate them now?
Looking at Eleanor-sama, she has a solemn face. She must be sharing the same concern.
Since the talk came from the Medioland Royal Capital Grand Cathedral, Price-sama must also know. I wonder what he intends to do.
"This time, it's apparently an investigation in preparation for a full-scale conquest next summer."
"Next summer... you say?"
"Yes, to conduct a full-scale conquest, mobilization of the army is necessary. However, the Morandine national army is being rebuilt, and they lack manpower. The support system will be decided at the Council of Lords next year, and the implementation will follow."
According to the King, the Sertorian Kingdom Army will also participate. It will likely be the Eastern Plains Corps led by Roberts-sama.
In other words, there is some time. I need to contact Violet and talk to Gigant.
"Also, it will be busy, but I want you to stop by Finis before going to Morandine. The Henry Party will provide transportation."
"Finis?"
Finis, like Primordia, allows for direct entry into the Royal Palace by bowl. It's convenient in that it saves unnecessary trouble.
"I'm sorry, Jeanne. Even though you're busy."
It's Magdalena-sama. That means.
"Um, is the trip to Finis for a meeting?"
"Yes, that's right. Since it's after the Great Unity Conference, there have been requests from various countries to see if Jeanne can participate somehow."
Movement within Morandine will ostensibly be by carriage. Once inside, night movement by bowl should be possible, but that might not be the case on the first day. In that case, it would be faster to go through Northern Gram from Finis and enter Morandine from there. Looking at Eleanor-sama, she seems to understand and gave a light nod.
"I haven't gone even once this year. Understood, let's go."
"That helps. I, Miana, and Mary will also be with you. We'll come to pick you up the day after tomorrow, so please be ready."