Chapter 22

At the twilight harbor, the purple smoke clouds the air.

Standing alone, overlooking the bustling port, the cigarette I smoke is especially good. It’s even more special since it’s a celebratory puff after a successful big deal.

After a long negotiation, the agreed amount was 1.2 million and several prototypes.

At the very least, all five types I saw today will be handed over.

Of course, there’s a possibility they won’t be completed, so we have an agreement to receive regular aetheric tools in that case. We have a solid contract, so there’s no doubt about it.

Incidentally, this was all in regular Japanese.

I signed my name in Japanese, but the other party didn’t say anything.

When I mentioned that I have a last name, they were a bit surprised, but when I explained that in my country, even commoners have last names, they understood and accepted it.

Separately, I received a cleaning aetheric tool as a service. It’s very much appreciated.

According to Halogen, the more you use aetheric tools, the better you get at handling them. So, if I use this, the power of the wind aetheric tools I’ll receive later might increase. That’s probably why he gave it to me.

Incidentally, the 1.2 million and most of the long negotiation were dominated by Ms. Cherina and Halogen.

I only chimed in occasionally, mostly just stating prices.

But from their passionate conversation, I felt that I got a fair deal.

Remaining balance: 1,378,169 yen.

It increased dramatically.

Surprisingly so, even to me.

And my divinity level also went up.

Just by one, though.

For such a big deal... I don’t really understand the criteria. I hope it’s not that the next level requires a deal in the tens of millions. If that’s the case, I won’t be able to level up anymore.

Anyway, my divinity level is now 6, and my container capacity has increased to 35.

With more money to spare, I can probably summon a variety of items. I’m looking forward to trying them out.

I flicked the short cigarette into the sea with my finger. Something I couldn’t do in Japan.

---

When I returned to the inn, there was a short, grumpy old man... no, a dwarf named Hagg.

"Hey! You're late, Akira! What were you doing!"

Hagg, with hands like baseball mitts, slammed the floor, and the chair next to him floated in the air.

"You're disturbing the neighbors. Calm down. What happened?"

"One, you're late. I'm hungry!"

"Yeah, I get it. When you're hungry, you get irritable. Even androids have problems if they don’t eat."

"What else?"

"Hmm... well..."

"You don’t have to force it if it’s hard to say."

"No, I ran into someone I don’t like."

"Ah... there are always people you don’t get along with."

In my case, I didn’t get along with anyone—my colleagues, business partners, parents, or relatives.

"Right. For some reason, I often end up going the same way as that guy."

"Interesting."

I’m not really interested, so I’ll just have a normal meal.

"Hey, I had a good day today. My divinity level went up by one. I’ll treat you to a katsu sandwich."

"Great! That’s wonderful! Hurry up and give me two... no, three!"

"Sure, sure."

I took out three packs of katsu sandwiches and handed them to Hagg. I was already tired of bread and rice. With my divinity level up, I can probably summon a variety of items. I want a coffee.

"...Instant coffee, a tabletop gas stove, a gas canister, a kettle, and an insulated stainless steel cup."

I muttered, and it was easily [approved].

[Instant coffee = 1000 yen]

[Tabletop stove = 2890 yen]

[Gas canister = 170 yen]

[Kettle = 2800 yen]

[Insulated stainless steel cup = 1050 yen]

"Wow... I can have coffee... wait, hot water."

[Approved. SHOP items have been added.]

Oops. I didn’t need the gas stove or kettle. But I haven’t bought them yet, so it’s fine.

[Hot water (99°C, 1 liter) = 1 yen]

It’s much more expensive than tea. Still, it’s only 1 yen. Considering the fuel cost, it feels pretty cheap. I have no idea about the market prices.

I bought 3 katsu sandwiches, instant coffee, a stainless steel cup, and hot water (I discarded the excess). Total: 3188 yen.

Remaining balance: 1,374,981 yen.

It’s an unbelievable amount of money compared to this morning.

I sprinkled the coffee powder into the stainless steel cup filled with hot water. I realized I didn’t have a spoon, so I bought one immediately. It was [approved] without any issues.

[Teaspoon = 100 yen]

Remaining balance: 1,374,881 yen.

I should have put the powder in first.

"What’s that?"

"It’s a drink called coffee. They don’t have it here, but I had tea at noon."

"Give me a taste."

I handed him the cup, and he gulped it down. Isn’t it too hot?

"It’s quite bitter."

"That’s what it is. Some people add sugar or milk, but I like it black."

"Well, I’m fine with this."

He showed off the same ceramic bottle of alcohol as yesterday. It’s apparently quite good around here. I remember I promised to give him some good alcohol.

I tried to imagine the name of a very expensive but delicious whiskey, but I was cruelly [rejected] due to [insufficient divinity].

This divinity is a mystery...

Watching Hagg alternately savor the alcohol and katsu sandwiches, I suddenly wanted a katsu set meal.

It would be convenient if the set meal appeared directly. I asked the SHOP, or rather, the god, for a "katsu set meal."

I’m not sure.

[Under consideration... Rejected]

It seems it’s not allowed. If a set meal is not allowed, how about a "katsu bento"?

[Approved. SHOP items have been added]

Great, this is allowed. Let’s eat it right away.

[Katsu bento = 680 yen]

It’s a bit expensive for a bento, but it turned out to be a very delicious, crispy bento.

Remaining balance: 1,374,201 yen.

"Is this the same as what you have?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah. It’s the same pork cutlet."

"That looks delicious too. Give me one."

"It’s 680 yen."

"Ugh... You’re so stingy... Merchants are such... Well, next time then."

"Sure."

He’s a lifesaver, and I have money, so I could treat him, but it would be better to give him the alcohol. I plan to give it to him if it’s approved.

With that, dinner ended, and we dispersed.

But even at night, I’m not that sleepy. After all, it’s only been a while since the sun set.

It’s probably not even 8 o’clock yet. There’s no way I could fall asleep.

So, I thought I’d practice with aetheric tools and clean various things.

I took off all my clothes and even the underwear I had stored.

I cast aetheric techniques on each item, making them clean.

It’s interesting to see them become as clean as freshly washed clothes.

Moreover, if I imagine it clearly, the wrinkles also straighten out. No need for dry cleaning.

As a test, I tried it on my carry bag, the bags I bought, and even the floor of the corridor.

I confirmed that I can clean a wide area if I get the hang of it.

However, to clean multiple items at once, I need a lot of imagination, so it might be better to categorize them clearly.

I got so excited that I cleaned everything around, but since I’m not dirtying anything, it’s not a problem.

Satisfied, I returned to my room and took out the wooden symbol.

It now has a name, [Trade God Melhes], so it’s the symbol of Melhes.

"Well, Mr. Melhes, things went well today. I’m grateful."

I slipped into the futon, wearing only my pants and shirt. By the way, I added my own blanket because it’s cold at night.

Good night.

...

Well.

At that time, I didn’t realize it at all.

The fact that I could continuously clean a large number of items and a wide area without getting tired, i.e., use aetheric tools continuously without any fatigue, was an extraordinary situation. I would realize this a bit later.