Chapter 13

"…Kira, …Akira!"

My consciousness slowly awakens.

"Finally woke up, huh? Really, not even locking the door, how careless."

Hag, sitting cross-legged on the floor, sighs.

"It's already night. Were you that tired?"

I force my heavy head to rise.

"I guess I let my guard down. In my previous world, I only slept four hours a day."

"What's that, some kind of priest training?"

I take out a PET bottle and take a sip of water.

"No. The company I worked for was a piece of crap. Low salary, overtime was the norm, and if you complained even a little, you'd be sent to the complaint handling department. Once on a business trip, you'd have to do an insane amount of greetings, and then be assigned to sales, which wasn't even my specialty. On top of that, the business hotels were the worst, and the last one was so bad it felt like it was on fire."

As I say this bitterly, Hag also responds bitterly.

"Seems like the world you came from wasn't a good one."

"Just my surroundings."

"Hmm... Well, forget about your old world. Now, just act as a follower of the god."

"I don't really get it, though."

"I can't take care of everything. I'll help you with advice while you're in this town... by the way."

Hag's smile becomes more intense.

Did I do something?

"Give me those meat buns and cutlet sandwiches! Three of each!"

"Ah, right... Okay, that's 1137 yen."

"Keep the change."

He gives me one silver coin and 15 copper coins. That's a profit of 13 yen. Remaining balance: 10027 yen. I take out three cutlet sandwiches and hand them to Hag.

【Your Divine Rank has increased to 3】

【Your Container capacity has increased to 20】

Wow.

"...Hag, my Divine Rank has increased again."

"Huh?"

The dwarf, who was pouring wine from a small barrel into a wooden cup, looks up.

"What's this Divine Rank?"

"I want to know too..."

But I kind of understand.

As this Divine Rank increases, I'll be able to buy more valuable things.

The Container is straightforward.

I haven't tested it, but the capacity must have increased.

If I'm going to do business, this is reassuring.

"Well, I'll check it out later. I'm hungry... How about some noriben?"

【Request approved. SHOP items have increased】

Oh.

I check the list immediately and see that [Noriben = 478 yen] has been added, so I buy it.

Remaining balance: 9549 yen.

"Hey, what's that?"

"This is noriben. It's the most popular bento in my old country."

It contains salmon, tempura of chicken and shiitake mushrooms, kinpira gobo (braised burdock root), and pickled cucumber. The rice is topped with nori (seaweed) and you can see some konbu (kelp) tsukudani (candied kelp).

"Is that rice? It's rare."

"Do you know it?"

"It's said to be popular in an island nation beyond the farthest sea to the east. I've never been there, though."

An island nation to the east... It reminds me of Japan.

"Is that a country called Japan or Japan or Japone?"

"No, it's the Sword Saint Kingdom Vajra. Do you have any idea about it?"

"...No, it's not related."

He looks disappointed and relieved at the same time.

How would I feel if he had answered that it was Japan?

Let's not think about such meaningless things. It's a waste of time.

"Anyway, that looks delicious. Can I have a bite?"

"What, you're a daredevil to take wine from a dwarf."

"Just a taste."

"Hmph. One bite only."

He reluctantly hands me the cup, but it's almost empty.

He must have drunk it all in an instant.

I roll the remaining liquid around my tongue. The strong alcohol hits my nose.

"Um... It's okay."

"What?! This is the best wine around! You call it okay?!"

"I didn't mean it that way, um, can I try something?"

I think of the name of a famous whiskey.

【Considering... Divine Rank insufficient】

"Divine Rank is insufficient..."

"Is there a good wine?"

Hag's eyes gleam.

They seemed to glow for a moment... Maybe it was a reflection?

"That wine isn't bad, but I know a better one, with a deeper flavor... I know some good wines."

Actually, Japanese whiskey has become a bit of a trend worldwide, winning top spots in competitions. Some of them are expensive but very delicious.

"Meat buns are good, but I can't stay silent when I hear about good wine. Try to get it."

"I think if I raise my Divine Rank, I'll be able to get it eventually."

"Alright, I'll travel with you until we can get it."

That's a quick decision.

"I haven't decided my plans yet..."

"Then decide quickly. Ah, I'm going to help the blacksmith here for now. At first, he said one silver coin a day, but after seeing my skills, he raised it to five! I can earn money here for now. The meat buns... cutlet sandwiches are delicious too."

"That's good, but I want to try the food in this world too."

"At least, you won't find anything better than cutlet sandwiches."

"I want to know the prices and quantities. Market research, you know."

"I see. That's the merchant's nature. Well, I'll order cutlet sandwiches for dinner, so make sure you're at the inn."

"Got it."

After Hag leaves the room, I complain to the symbol, "This is too much drama," and decide to sleep again.

The long-awaited bed warmly welcomes my second sleep.