Chapter 64

The planting of barley is now in full swing.

In fact, the area planted with barley has been gradually increasing in recent years, but it seems to have expanded even further this year. I wonder what the influence of the ski industry is...

However, it's frustrating that whisky isn't readily available.

It seems to be sold to the general public, but because it's a luxury item, it's mostly available in the noble district. The rest goes to the capital or for export... It's about time it starts circulating in the lower town of Regal. This isn't just about selling goods.

Well, it's not like they can meet all the demand from the start, but once you taste it, you just want more.

"Hmm, malt water candy has become a little cheaper... but the whisky is as expensive as ever..."

The malt water candy made from barley has become a bit cheaper, probably due to the increased yield. It's still quite expensive, though.

The beautiful amber-colored malt water candy, which is said to be the origin of the word "caramel." ...Damn... It looks just like whisky...

"Mongrel-san."

"Oh, Ken-san. Hello, hello."

"Hello. It's been a while."

"It's been a while. ...I hadn't seen your shop open in a long time. I thought you had given up on the confectionery business."

"Hehe... I haven't given up yet. It's been tough recently, and I've been on the verge of quitting, but..."

While walking through the market, I came across a familiar confectioner who rarely shows his face.

A middle-aged man with silver-gray hair. His name is Ken-san. He used to be a confectioner at a confectionery shop in the capital but came to Regal because he couldn't stand the boss's arrogant attitude. He seems like someone who has had a tough life.

Well, I guess his tough life hasn't changed much...

"If your shop is open, I might come in for a visit."

"Really! Please, please, come in. Ah, I do charge, you know?"

"No, no, I'll pay. I'm a well-paid single guild member, after all."

"Hehe, being single is great. You don't have to spend money, and you can use it as you like."

Ken-san's shop is a renovated old tavern, so the layout inside is almost like a tavern.

There are no counter seats; instead, the kitchen is wider, where he makes various confections.

The main products are cookies and biscuits, which are popular items sold to many stores. However, he seems to be troubled because customers don't eat them in the shop.

The best-selling baked goods are mostly delivered. They are delivered and that's it.

Of course, they are valuable sales, so he can't stop them, but it must be a bit complicated for Ken-san, as the shop isn't bustling.

"Here's the new Abundance Cookie. Please, try it."

"Oh."

What was served were about three square pieces of confectionery, similar to Florentines, arranged on a plate.

On the cookie base... citrus and sunflower seeds were placed and solidified with malt sugar syrup. The surface of the candy was shiny and beautiful, and it looked delicious.

Mmm... Ah, this is good. The aroma of the sunflower seeds is rich and very delicious. The texture is soft and doesn't stick to your teeth...

"This is dandelion tea. The bitter flavor goes well with it."

"Oh, thank you. ...Hmm, this bitterness is good."

"Hehe."

In this shop, they serve a black drink made from dandelion roots, which is more like coffee.

In my previous life, a drink made from roasted dandelion roots was known as a substitute coffee and was somewhat popular. It doesn't contain caffeine, but it might be healthier. In terms of taste, it's close enough to suppress the desire for coffee. It's a drink that can be called tea, but it has a coffee-like quality.

"Hmm... Why don't more customers come to such a delicious place?"

"Thank you. ...Hmm, I've been wondering the same thing... I think the location isn't suitable for high-end confections."

That's right. This shop is on a street near the market, which is often used by commoners. It's not a place where the wealthy often visit.

"Recently, the prices of water candy and honey have dropped, making it possible to offer confections at more affordable prices... but the location is still a challenge, I suppose."

Ken-san is extremely serious about the taste of his confections and is not good at compromising.

The bulk cookies he is currently selling are probably not to his liking. He would prefer to go the high-end route, like the Florentine I just ate.

"Hmm... But the economy is improving, and with time, opportunities will arise, I think."

"Yes, I think so too... but whether this shop can survive until then is another matter."

"It's tough, huh?"

"It's tough... really tough."

Dandelion roots and sunflower seeds are crops native to Sangreal. This shop uses them, which are imported via the Federation, so the costs are ridiculously high.

However, Ken-san can't compromise. He's a very stubborn man.

...This dandelion coffee is hard to get individually. If this shop closes, I won't be able to drink it whenever I want. That would be a bit, no, quite a loss.

...I'll have to do something about it.

"...Ken-san, I have a good idea."

"Really, Mongrel-san?"

"You don't seem very hopeful... but it's a good idea. I'll make this shop successful... I'll be your consultant."

"I don't have the money to hire a consultant..."

"No, no, it's fine. I don't need money. Just... when the shop becomes successful, I want you to give me a 50% discount on the dandelion tea."

"...If the shop becomes successful, that's too cheap. But will customers really come?"

"It's easy. Ken-san's confections are perfect, so all we need to do is bring in the customers. I'll think of ways to do that."

I bought a few Florentines as souvenirs, paid the bill, and stood up.

"I'll come back tomorrow, so please keep the shop open. I'll show you something good then."

"...Is it okay to be hopeful, even at my age?"

I nodded firmly at Ken-san, who smiled a bit anxiously.

Well, I don't really know if it will work. I'm not very good at business.

But if I can get a 50% discount on dandelion coffee... I'll have to be more serious about this than my usual work!

"Hey, Elena. Good work."

"Ah, Mongrel-san, good evening. This isn't work, is it, at this hour?"

I came to the guild after finishing a bit of work in the bright afternoon.

The tavern is bustling with people who have completed their missions, but the reception desk is empty. I was waiting for this time.

"I wanted to ask if I could post this near the bulletin board. There's nothing else posted right now, so it shouldn't be a problem, right?"

"What is it... Ken's confectionery factory... an advertisement for a confectionery shop?"

I showed her a poster I had drawn on parchment, advertising Ken-san's shop.

It clearly shows the shop's location and information about the new confections. Since there's no printing technology, I can't distribute a lot, but posting it in a visible place should be enough.

"Oh, I didn't know there was a confectionery shop on that street."

"Can I post it?"

"Um... I'll need to check with the deputy guild leader... but for a few days, it might be okay."

"If you let me post it now, I'll let you have this Florentine."

"..."

Elena looked around and then, with a stern expression, took the Florentine and ate it.

"..."

"Elena, your face, your face. It's relaxing. You'll be caught."

It seems she liked it. That's good, that's good.

"...Well, for a few days, I'll allow it."

"Thanks, you're a reasonable person."

"Mongrel-san, do you have another one?"

"No."

"Ugh..."

You miser. Since it's an expensive confection, I won't give you too many.

Besides, this Florentine is important for a crucial mission.

"Hey, Artemis gang."

"...What is it, Mongrel?"

"What, what?"

I approached the table where Artemis was sitting with a mug of ale.

Shina, who knows I don't usually approach Artemis, looked at me with a puzzled expression.

"Don't be so cold. I'm just here to advertise a confectionery shop today."

"Advertise? Confections?"

"Oh, what, what, were you talking about that with Elena just now?"

"Here. What do you think of my hand-drawn poster?"

I spread the parchment poster on the table, and the members of Artemis looked at it with interest.

"...The big letters are fine, but the small ones are terrible."

"Shut up, I'm not good at writing small letters."

Actually, I write them a bit sloppily on purpose to make them different from Lord Chaos's handwriting.

"Wow... I've never been there."

"Me neither. I didn't know it existed..."

"Abundance Cookies. Hmm... what kind of taste do they have?"

"Here, have a sample."

"You have the real thing!"

"Wow, it's beautiful! Mongrel-san, can I have this!?"

"Sure, share it with everyone. If Artemis gets interested, it might bring more customers to Ken-san's shop."

There are many women in the guild, especially those who work inside, who earn good salaries. Posting the poster in a busy guild is a good idea.

Artemis is almost entirely made up of women, and many of them have families and are connected to housewives' networks.

Women love sweets. If we target this network, it should have a good effect.

"Mmm! Delicious...! It's crunchy!"

"Oh, really. These nuts are good. ...I want some tea now."

"Mongrel-senpai, can I have some more confections?"

"Help yourself."

"Yay... Mmm! Sweet! Delicious!"

Good, good, it seems to be going well. All that's left is to post the poster near the bulletin board.

Then, tomorrow morning, I'll put up a triangular sign in front of the shop to advertise its location.

"...Still, this isn't a mission. What's the reason for advertising a confectionery shop?"

"It's not like I have any ulterior motives... When the shop becomes successful, the dandelion tea I order will be half price."

"Figures."

"Hehe."

"That's a weird laugh..."

"This is how Ken-san laughs."

"Really?"

Well, even I won't move for free.

Basically, I only do things that enrich my life.

In that sense, helping a small business prosper is a bit unusual.

Well, well. I'm a little excited to see how busy Ken-san's shop will be tomorrow.