kscans

Chapter 257 - The Black Rose's Worry

A week had passed since Hayato began his money-making efforts.

For the past few days, he and Ren had been listing unused items from the warehouse at auction, and they had sold quite well. Even the event reward items with no effects sold for a reasonably high price because they were unobtainable.

They sold via buyout without even waiting for the three-day auction period to end, so every time he confirmed a sale, he raised the price. Even so, they would sell via buyout in less than two days. The sales were so good it made him think he had set the initial prices wrong.

And in the shop, he listed a large number of charge-type accessories and accessories that slightly raised skills.

These also sold well.

The Ring of Teleportation in particular was a must-have for people with non-mage skill compositions, so some people bought them in bulk.

Considering the material cost and the selling price, there wasn't much profit in a single item. But if he mass-produced them and they sold in large quantities, the profit was considerable.

Rose, who was minding the shop, showed Hayato the sales figures with a delighted look on her face.

"They're selling quite well. Combined with the sales from the auction, I think it will amount to a considerable sum."

"You're right. I think we've made about 100 million G. With this much, we should have plenty to support the next expedition. Ash's equipment is one thing, but everyone else needs equipment maintenance, so this is a great help."

Ash's equipment didn't need maintenance because the Blood Weapon effect of his Dragon Eater restored its durability. However, the other members were different, so their durability would decrease. To prevent it from breaking, maintenance was necessary.

Of course, maintenance wasn't free. Durability had to be restored using the same materials as the equipment.

The equipment that Ivan and Gil used was made of Adamantite, so Adamantite was needed for maintenance. If he had time, he would go get the materials, but last time he didn't have that luxury, so he had to buy them at auction.

Gil in particular, as a tank, had his durability decrease almost every day, so maintaining it each time resulted in considerable spending. The reason he was financially sound despite that was probably because of the treasure from the Floating Island.

Gil had said he was sorry, but it was a matter of course for a skilled tank, and thanks to him, they were able to clear the Necropolis safely, so it wasn't a problem.

(If Ney and the others were here, I could have them gather materials, but they're busy with their own things... But they said they'd be able to return soon, so I'll be counting on them for a lot.)

Ney and the others had finally finished dealing with their real-world matters and had mentioned at the cafe that they would be logging in soon. Hayato was inwardly quite pleased that things would get lively again in a few days.

Just as Hayato was thinking of making more charge-type accessories for the day, he heard a knock on the base's door.

Assuming there was no particular danger, Hayato opened the door.

Standing outside was Rosalie.

She was the leader of the Gothic Lolita group known as the Ten Black Rose Saints and an executive of the Demon Lord's Army. She was an NPC who would normally attack players in the Demon Lord's Castle. That said, she was also a human who had lost her real-world memories.

It was rare for Rosalie to come alone.

She usually came with either Ney or the Demon Lord, Lunaria, but today she was alone. Hayato found it a little strange.

"Rosalie-san, it feels like it's been a while. Please, come in. I'll make you some coffee."

"It has been a while, hasn't it? In that case, I'll take you up on your offer."

Hayato gestured for Rosalie to sit in a chair at the dining table, then sat across from her. He then served the coffee.

"So, what brings you here today?"

"Lunaria-sama asked me to deliver a gift of thanks to you, Hayato. Please accept it."

"Ah, about Gil-san's matter. Thank you for coming all this way. Cookies and a signed card? Is this the gift?"

"Do you have a problem with it? ...I'm just kidding. But you should accept that as well. Lunaria-sama went to the trouble of preparing it. Of course, there's more. First, here is 10 million G. This includes the cost of the beds."

"That's a lot of money."

"It is Lunaria-sama's maidenly heart not wanting to be thought of as a stingy Demon Lord."

(Is it a maidenly heart... ?)

When they rescued Lunaria, she had temporarily stayed at this base, and at that time, he had prepared beds for Lunaria and all the members of the Ten Black Rose Saints.

Lunaria's bed was a highest-quality four-poster bed that had a very luxurious feel and was quite large. Apparently, she used it in the Demon Lord's Castle as well.

Next, she placed a large number of ingots on the table. They were Adamantite ingots, a small fortune in themselves.

"And this is from Gil. It's Adamantite. He said that this probably wouldn't be enough for all the daily weapon and armor maintenance you did for him, so please accept it without hesitation."

"From Gil-san? That's very kind of him. We were helped by the expedition too, so he didn't have to worry about it... but I'm grateful. Could you pass on my thanks?"

"Well, I suppose I can. He's become more tolerable recently, now that he's stopped talking about muscles and such. He even asked me to teach him how to write neatly. What on earth did you do to him?"

"...A number of things, I guess? By the way, is Gil-san taking off his helmet? He had it off the whole time here."

Gil had an intimidating face. It was unpopular with the members of the Black Rose, and he had been told to keep his helmet on, which he had been doing. But since it wasn't a problem for the members at this base, he had kept it off the whole time, so Hayato was curious about what he was doing at the Demon Lord's Castle.

"Come to think of it, he's had it off ever since he came back. Some of our members are a bit timid, so I wish he'd keep it on, though."

"From the way you say that, it sounds like you're fine with it, Rosalie-san?"

"It's fine in a bright place. But the Demon Lord's Castle has a lot of dark areas because of Lunaria-sama's staging, so when I see his face unexpectedly, I scream. Why are you looking at me with such a blank face? Don't tell me you thought I wouldn't scream?"

"No, no, that's not it. Please don't take out your scythe."

Rosalie usually spoke like a lady, but sometimes her true nature came out and she became foul-mouthed. Knowing that, Hayato had thought it was highly likely that she would slice him to bits with her scythe before screaming.

And for some reason, Rosalie seemed very quiet today. It was highly likely that it was because the people who usually pushed her around, Lunaria and Ney, weren't there, but even taking that into account, she felt quiet today.

"Um, is that all?"

"Is it not enough?"

"That's not what I meant, you've finished your coffee, and you usually leave as soon as your business is done, so I was wondering if there was something else."

"Not particularly. But could I have another cup of coffee?"

"Huh? Of course, I don't mind."

Hayato poured another cup of coffee in front of Rosalie. Rosalie took a sip, then put the cup down and exhaled. But Rosalie didn't say anything in particular, and silence fell.

Hayato couldn't stand the silence. They didn't have any common topics to begin with. Their relationship was basically business-like, so they weren't on terms to make small talk.

Hayato thought that Rosalie felt the same way, but for some reason, she was slowly drinking her coffee today instead of returning to the Demon Lord's Castle.

"Um, do you perhaps need something from me?"

"No, not really. By the way, this is just small talk, but."

"Huh? Small talk?"

"Yes, well, how should I put it, I think you would know, Hayato, but is Ney doing well?"

Hayato finally understood. Ney hadn't logged in recently. She was busy in the real world, but of course, he hadn't told Rosalie that.

From Rosalie's perspective, she hadn't had any contact with Ney for several days. In other words, she was lonely or something along those lines.

"Oh, Ney is on an expedition to a faraway place right now. She said she'd be back soon. You know, you were busy fighting the Ten Dark Knights and being made to do fashion model-like things by Lunaria-san, Rosalie-san. Ney probably thought it would be rude to bother you and didn't contact you."

It was a fabrication, but he said something plausible. Rosalie wouldn't understand what he was talking about even if he told her that things were busy in the real world.

"She doesn't seem like the type to be that considerate. Well, it was just weighing on my mind a little, just a little, so I'm relieved to hear she's doing well."

A faint smile appeared on Rosalie's face as she said that. No matter how you looked at it, it was more than just a little.

"I'll tell Ney. That Rosalie-san seemed lonely."

"I didn't seem lonely, did I? Ney was feeling unwell for a few days on the Floating Island, so I was just a little worried. I don't mind if she's well. It was peaceful without the noisy one around."

When they had gone to the Floating Island, Ney had logged out for a few days to attend a council meeting. The reason given at the time was that she was feeling unwell, and Rosalie was referring to that.

(She's too much of a tsundere. Ney would be so happy if I told her. She'd probably ditch the real world and log in right away.)

"In any case, Ney will be back soon, so could you wait a little longer? I think she'll send you a voice chat herself when she gets back."

"It's not that I'm waiting. But my body is getting a little rusty, so I suppose I could go on an adventure with her."

"I'll take your word for it."

"I find your choice of words a bit concerning, but since I'm here to thank you, I'll refrain from going on a rampage. Well then, thank you for the coffee. I've delivered my thanks, so I'll be leaving now."

"Thank you for coming all this way. Please say hello to Lunaria-san and the others for me."

"Telling me to say hello to the Demon Lord, Lunaria-sama, is a bit much, but well, I'll pass it on. You don't need to see me out. Farewell, then."

Rosalie said that, then stood up from her chair and left the base.

(Ney would be so happy if I told her about this. But then, Rosalie-san would probably come after me for telling her.)

Hayato wondered what to do, but for now, he decided to head to his room to create some items to sell in the shop.