Chapter 97

(Akira-sama?!)

Cherina called out to me, alarmed by my strange behavior.

"..."

I continued to step on the pink quest slip in silence. After a while, my emotions finally calmed down.

"Huh..."

I stomped on it with all my might.

"Aaaah... It's ended up like this..."

For some reason, Cherina, who was almost crying, picked up the slip that had been reduced to shreds.

"...What kind of writing is this?"

"Eh?"

Cherina tilted her head, looking at the relatively undamaged part of the writing.

"It's Japanese, as you can see... Can't you read it?"

"Not at all. Are these even letters?"

Her unexpected reaction shocked me. To me, all the writing in this world looks like Japanese, which makes it even more shocking.

"Well... don't worry about it. It was just something unpleasant. And it won't happen again..."

I was about to say that I wouldn't see it again when...

[Quest added]

...an impersonal voice interrupted. Damn it.

"What's wrong?"

Cherina asked, noticing my sudden silence.

"...It just turned out that my life is a shit game."

"Um, I don't understand what's been happening..."

"Don't worry, I don't either."

Cherina frowned.

"Akira, explain in more detail."

Hag, fiddling with his beard, urged me on.

"...Sigh"

I didn't really want to deal with it, but since it's a quest, there must be something I need to do... Maybe the Three Deity Tour is a quest too.

"Hey, do you understand what a quest is?"

Cherina, Hag, and Yarai all shook their heads.

"Originally, it meant exploration or investigation... but in gaming terms, it's like a request, you know? If you do this, I'll give you this kind of thing."

Cherina sipped her tea and replied.

"It's similar to the guild's requests."

She's quick on the uptake.

"Pretty much. And now, I can get a new quest."

I sighed heavily.

"Isn't that a divine message?"

Hag raised an eyebrow.

"No, it's not."

I wish it wasn't.

"Hmm... I see..."

Hag didn't seem convinced, but please, no divine messages. I'd die.

"What was the content of the divine message... I mean, the quest?"

Cherina, read the room.

"...It's trivial. If I have to say, it's like an announcement that I'll be issuing quests... I guess."

Please, don't ask for more.

"Then maybe the next quest will have important information. You said you can buy it, right? Is it very expensive?"

"Wait, let me check."

I closed my eyes and checked the list. Indeed, a new quest had been added. The previous quest was grayed out with "Clear" overlaid. What a hassle...

[Quest 1 = 10,000 yen]

It's suddenly expensive, but it's a price I can afford. In my old life, I might have ignored it...

"There is... Why aren't you enthusiastic, Akira-sama? Isn't this a letter from a god?"

"That's why."

Please don't look at me like I'm some kind of strange object.

"Well, fine... I feel like I'm dancing on my palm, but I'll go with it!"

I bought it half-heartedly.

Remaining balance: 4,741,161 yen.

...It was just a regular envelope. When I tried to open it without thinking, Yarai handed me a terrifyingly sharp knife.

"Use this."

Oh, okay. It's like a paper knife. I don't know why, but I used it. It was incredibly sharp. Maybe it's too sharp?

When I took out the slip and threw the envelope on the table, Cherina secretly put it in her pocket.

So that's what it is... Yarai, you're scary!

Joking aside, let's get to the content. I don't really want to read it.

[Hey hey, Akira-kun, it's Melhes-chan! ☆

I just wanted to say that! Hehe ☆

I l-l-love y-you~ ☆

Just kidding! Kyah ☆

Well, let's get to the first quest!

Are you ready?!

Are you trembling and praying in the corner of the room?

Hehe, just kidding!

I wouldn't do anything to make Akira-sama uncomfortable!

So, the quest is... to open a stall in the economic free city-state of Tessa!

Is it too easy?

That's right, so there's another condition!

Please give everyone who buys from you a symbol of Melhes-chan!

Wow!

Amazing!

I'm blushing ☆

But you don't have to emphasize that I'm the god of commerce or anything!

You don't have to!

I said it twice because it's important!

Don't push it! Hehe ☆

Is it difficult?

Then I'll prepare an incredible reward!

I worked really hard on it!

Praise me, praise me!

The reward is... that's right!

What Akira-sama has been applying for but was rejected due to insufficient divinity!

I'll approve it!

Isn't it too generous to fall in love?

It's okay to fall in love!

This quest might be difficult, but I believe Akira-sama can do it!

Please try your best!

P.S.

Issuing quests seems to use a lot of energy.

So, I might not be able to include my loving words in the next quests!

But I'll try when I can, so don't sulk and keep doing quests!

From your beloved Mel-chan ☆

Success reward: Add a new item to the SHOP

Completion condition: Open a stall in the economic free city-state of Tessa and distribute at least 100 symbols of Melhes to buyers]

Damn it!

I wanted to tear it up, but I can't because it would be treated as a quest abandonment. The approval of that thing could solve a lot of issues.

Damn it... I can't ignore it.

I lit a cigarette, and Cherina offered me an ashtray.

"So, Akira-sama, what was written in it?"

"Huh? Oh... In short, it says to open a stall in this town and do some business."

I don't need to mention the symbol part.

"A stall?"

Cherina's eyes widened. She probably thought it would be some strict mission or something noble. That ridiculous god wouldn't do that...

"Right. There's no specific item mentioned... Ah, Cherina, where do I get permission to open a stall?"

"That can be quickly approved."

Cherina answered with a smile. As expected of the Veriello Guild.

"Can I start the day after tomorrow? I can do it tomorrow if you prefer."

"No, the day after tomorrow is fine. Thanks."

"That's no problem. I'll prepare the best spot for you."

Very reliable.

"So, what do you plan to sell? Some things can't be approved, so let me know now."

"Ah, that's right. But I haven't thought about it at all..."

Lighters would be a hassle for Cherina, and I need to distribute at least 100 symbols. The symbols cost 100 yen each, so I need to make at least 100 yen in profit, which is a headache.

"Hey, Akira, I can't act with you for a while starting tomorrow. I'll let you know the departure date when it's decided."

Hag suddenly said.

"Is that so? If you have something to do, you don't have to come with me."

It would be reassuring to have him, but I don't want to force him.

"Stop being an idiot. I haven't gotten my good sake yet! It hasn't been approved yet?"

"Sorry. Not yet."

I checked, but it was rejected due to insufficient divinity. How much more do I need for single malt...

"I'll stay with you until I get it. ...And if I leave you alone, who knows what you'll do..."

He swallowed the last part with the sake, but I heard it, you muscle dwarf. I'm not a kid, dammit.

"Well... I don't agree with everything, but it's fine. Are you going back to the inn?"

"Yes."

"Then let me know when the date is decided."

Hag nodded and started drinking again. How much can he drink...

"I'll pay Yarai for her trouble and as a bodyguard. Can she help with the stall?"

"Sure."

She answered immediately. Yarai, you're a man!

So, what should I sell...

"Akira-sama, how about that secret medicine?"

"No."

I answered immediately.

"Why not? It's a great medicine and there's high demand in this country."

"I'll sell disinfectants and bandages to your Veriello Guild at cost. But I won't sell them to the general public."

Cherina was silent for a moment.

(I did it again...)

She muttered something, but I couldn't hear it.

"I see... You're thinking about what will happen after you're gone..."

"That's right."

Personally, I'd give as many first aid kits as I can for the cost. But what will happen after I'm gone? Those who can afford it will be fine, but what about those who can't?

The remaining medicine will likely be sold at high prices, leading to conflicts. I can't guarantee that everyone will use it correctly. Counterfeits will flood the market. The Veriello Guild is safe because Melvin and Cherina have learned the correct usage, but spreading it to the general public will cause problems later.

"I can supply it to you if it's for a doctor you know or for Veriello's direct use, but I can't allow stockpiling for resale. I'll allow a certain amount of stock for your help, though."

Cherina nodded.

"But then, what should I sell?"

"Hmm. I don't want to make a huge profit, but I need to earn enough for food."

I have no idea how much money I'll need once that thing becomes available.

"Something that doesn't bother the surrounding stalls and isn't mistaken for an artifact..."

It's harder than I thought...

"Hmm. How about food?"

Hag, fiddling with his beard, suggested.

"Food? Pizza or takoyaki?"

"That's interesting, but ingredients are fine too. Potatoes, for example?"

Cherina thought about it.

"Selling prepared food takes a lot of time to get approval. We'd need to consult the food guild. But ingredients like potatoes are fine."

Hmm. Potatoes. I can't help but think of the pig emperor. He was eating mashed potatoes until the end.

"Potatoes... They don't grow around here, do they?"

"No. The agricultural scholars recruited by the former kingdom tried, but they didn't grow well."

Hmm...?

"By the way, is that scholar still alive?"

"Yes. Lord Bahar managed to secure him."

"That's good."

It would be a waste to die in a coup in a country he was invited to.

"Potatoes are supposed to be easy to grow... potatoes?"

My thoughts got stuck. The answer was already there.

"Oh... I'm such an idiot. There's only one thing I can sell."

So, the item to sell is decided.

The Veriello Guild... Cherina is currently growing it.

Cassava.

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