Chapter 61

Cassava 10,000 plants (3,000,000 yen)

Corn seeds 850,000 (1,972,000 yen)

The amount of money Chelina arranged after receiving it was quite impressive. The seeds were transferred to large burlap bags, so they didn't take up much space, but 10,000 cuttings were a considerable amount. Still, compared to potatoes, it was a much smaller quantity.

This plant, cassava, is actually an incredible cheat plant. First, it can grow in dry, acidic, and nutrient-poor soil. Not only that, but it's easy to cultivate; just stick the cuttings in the ground, and they will grow on their own. If this isn't a cheat, then what is?

Sometimes, in stories about internal political cheats, potatoes often appear, but cassava is the true cheat tuber.

Originally, cassava had a drawback in that it contained toxins in the skin and core, but the Shop's ability eliminated even this drawback.

Furthermore, when I asked Yarai, she told me that in this region's climate, the cassava would grow to full size in three months and could be harvested in six months. This is probably due to the Shop's genetic modification, as it usually takes nearly a year to grow.

Thus, cassava, which was already a cheat tuber, had become a super cheat plant.

...And Yarai, who understood just by looking at and touching it, is also incredible. ...Apparently, she heard it from a spirit. Spirits are quite convenient.

"Yarai, could you teach the guild how to grow it tomorrow? I'll feel more at ease if you do."

"Understood."

Yarai nodded lightly.

"Thank you, Yarai-sama. We should think of a way to thank both Hagg-sama and Yarai-sama."

"Then I'd like some rare metal or good alcohol."

"I'm fine with the wilderness development, thank you."

"In that case, I'll get some alcohol for Hagg-sama and search the warehouse for metal. I'll also prepare a gift for Yarai-sama."

"Very well."

"But if everything withers, the guild might disappear."

She chuckled. I don't think this is a time to laugh.

"Hey, is it really a good idea to do this? I mean, besides securing manure, securing land and water will also cost a lot of money. This could become a business worth hundreds of millions of yen in Japanese currency."

"Of course. We... might have been too conservative. If we can produce a large amount of food here, even if the country remains as it is, it might flourish again. This would ultimately lead to the guild's development. Now is the time to take a risk."

Chelina's red eyes were burning.

"Shouldn't you consult your father?"

"My father is expected to return soon, but he has a long journey planned, so there will definitely be a delay. If we wait for him, there's a possibility that Akira-sama will leave. Besides, I have been entrusted with all operations while my father is away."

I saw Chelina's determination and took out a cigarette without saying anything more.

"Oh, right, what about the lighters?"

"Good point. The experiment is over, so can we take them out here?"

"Yes, but are you really going to buy 10,000 of them? That's 10 million yen."

"No problem. We'll make a 100% profit on the lighters."

"Are you sure...? What if they don't sell and you go bankrupt?"

"I'll recoup the cost in two months."

Chelina smiled. Yeah, she seems confident.

A young boy, following Chelina's instructions, brought in a large amount of gold coins and was surprised when he saw the contents of the warehouse. When Chelina put a finger to her lips, the boy blushed and shook his head vigorously.

Remaining balance: 9,909,949 yen.

【Your divinity level has increased to 8】

【Your container capacity has increased to 45】

Wow, it increased.

The amount of money didn't increase by much, but... recently, my container capacity has been compressed by pots and other items, so it's nice to have more space.

However, I've suddenly become rich. And the way Chelina of the Veriello Guild can casually hand over such a large sum is terrifying. I finally understand what Narnia meant.

"Got it. I'll take them out."

I took out the 10,000 100-yen lighters and stacked them in a corner of the warehouse.

It's only 10,000 lighters, but since they're lighters, it's just a few large boxes.

"No smoking here."

We went outside the warehouse and lit our cigarettes. Hagg and Yarai also started smoking. Did Chelina's gaze seem envious?

"In my hometown, they say it's bad for your health, so it's better not to smoke."

I reminded Chelina. Not smoking is always better.

"Is that so? For us, it's more like a medicine."

"Really?"

"Yes."

It's different in different places. I remember hearing that tobacco was treated as medicine in the past on Earth. Coffee was also treated as medicine, so it's similar.

"Does Akira-sama know it's toxic and still smoke?"

"Well, to be honest, I don't really think of it as toxic. I get restless if I don't smoke. I think the biggest problem is the smell. Non-smokers are very sensitive to the smell of tobacco. In my area... we tried to be considerate about that."

I'm more casual about it here!

"I don't mind. Many traveling merchants smoke."

"Is that so? I thought it was quite expensive."

"Yes. It might be a good thing, as it adds prestige as a merchant."

"Ah, I see."

Being able to afford expensive cigarettes is a way to show that you're a skilled merchant.

"Only humans think that way."

Hagg puffed on his pipe and exhaled smoke.

"Yeah. They have a lot of vanity."

Yarai also exhaled a long stream of smoke. It's a scene that would make the WHO furious.

"That's harsh."

"People put too much effort into meaningless things."

"We can't really argue with that. It's probably time for dinner. Let's go to the dining hall."

"Hey! Akira! Hurry up!"

"...Wait until I finish."

It's expensive, you know.

After finishing, I was urged by Hagg to go to the dining hall.

---

Dinner featured dishes inspired by the previous day's meal. All of them were masterpieces by the head chef, Hugo.

The menu was diverse, but it was clear that he put extra effort into the tai shabu and fried dishes. The flavor was different, but it was a delicious meal. I savored it and returned to the inn.

Then, Narnia started complaining, grumbling.

"You guys went and had a delicious meal... those fried chicken, sashimi, and takoyaki... Ah, I'm just a useless inn's signboard beauty... mmm! mmm!"

She was annoying, so I threw two different-flavored candy balls into her mouth. Two different flavors at once! Mwahaha! What a cruel act! ...But, didn't she start to call herself a beauty? Young girl Narnia...

Remaining balance: 9,909,933 yen.

I kicked the young girl out of the room and took off all my clothes. Of course, it wasn't for any perverted reason; I was going to do laundry using a cleaning tool.

The cleaning tool uses a magical technique called "cleansing." By sending an image of clean clothes to the "cleaning" tool, the clothes emit a faint glow, lifting the sweat and dirt of the day as sand.

Finally, by lightly brushing off the sand, the laundry is complete. Strangely, the sand falls to the ground without leaving any residue when brushed off.

The small amount of sand on the floor will be swept up by Narnia, an inn employee, tomorrow, so there's no need to worry.

The cleansing technique can also be used on the body, but it doesn't feel refreshing at all. So, I mixed water and hot water to get a comfortable temperature and filled a bucket.

Remaining balance: 9,909,930 yen.

I used a towel wrung out in the water to wipe my body.

"I want to take a bath..."

Wait, tomorrow, the heat-resistant bricks and charcoal will be ready. And although the water is brown, there's plenty of it in that place.

"...Should I build one?"

It might be a good idea.

Thinking about taking a bath, I whistled and wiped my body with a towel. Then, when I was about to wipe my groin,

"Big brother! I got my allowance, so I'm selling candy... Ahhhhh!"

...

Again.

Narnia burst into the room without knocking and saw my spread buttocks, screaming and running out.

I locked the door and silently apologized to Narnia in my heart.

▲▽▲▽▲▽▲▽▲▽▲▽▲▽▲▽▲▽▲▽▲▽▲▽▲▽▲▽▲▽▲▽▲

I look forward to your reviews, bookmarks, and comments (comments are accepted in activity reports).

▲▽▲▽▲▽▲▽▲▽▲▽▲▽▲▽▲▽▲▽▲▽▲▽▲▽▲▽▲▽▲▽▲