Chapter 85

The strange occurrences began two days after the old man visited our village and then left.

"Hmm, it's starting to look good, isn't it?"

"Yeah."

Gradually, the facilities in the Berserker village were being completed.

Iksa and I were watching the progress.

There was a dining area for meals and simple accommodations for lodging.

We thought this level of simplicity was sufficient, as we didn't think it would be appropriate or feasible to build something as luxurious as an inn or a high-end restaurant.

"What about the hot springs deep in the forest?"

"The large bathhouse is complete, so we're now increasing the number of baths and starting to distribute the water."

I decided to use the "stainless steel pipes" I created with Alchemy to distribute the hot water.

In actual hot spring towns, it's popular to visit various hot spring inns, and in health spas, there are often several different types of baths, like "○○ Bath."

The scenery and atmosphere change with the location, and I thought this would be better.

Also, if a lot of people come, one large bathhouse won't be enough.

"The old man from the other day gave it a big thumbs up, so maybe it's time to start inviting people."

I muttered, looking up at the sky.

Then,

"But, how are we going to bring people here?"

Several Berserkers tilted their heads and started a discussion.

"Are we going to advertise?"

"This road is hardly used by anyone."

Beowulf's people also joined the discussion.

"Maybe we've made things more difficult by now... because of the beastmen bandits, humans have become wary and no longer come near this area."

"Hmm..."

The Berserkers looked apologetic.

I crossed my arms and grunted.

To bring people here, we need to advertise or attract customers.

But, if we go to the tourist city, will it even be effective?

The people in that city are generally wary of beastmen... and what we're trying to do is essentially poach their customers.

They might interfere, or even the lord might notice and send the knights to do something.

"Should we do it in the capital or other cities? Send people there?"

"Hmm... we could, but it would take a lot of time and effort..."

We were in a dilemma, unable to decide on a clear strategy.

Then,

"Excuse me."

At the entrance of the village, someone had arrived.

It was a pair of middle-aged men, dressed neatly and wearing hats.

They looked quite noble.

"We heard there's a new hot spring resort near the tourist city."

"Huh?"

I was momentarily taken aback but then noticed several carriages parked behind them.

"..."

They were probably the drivers or servants of those carriages.

"Yes, this is the place."

"Oh! This is it! May we come in, then? Our masters are waiting over there."

"Ah, yes, please come in."

As I said this, the carriages entered the village.

"From the looks of it, they seem to be nobles or merchants, quite wealthy."

"How did they even know about this place? The information hasn't spread yet..."

I was puzzled.

However, they weren't the only visitors to the village.

"Excuse me, is this the hot spring resort managed by someone named Mako?"

"Uh, yes."

"Forgive us, we are from the Castelbel family in the capital..."

More and more visitors kept coming, and the village quickly became bustling.

"Ah, excuse me!"

Not understanding the situation, I asked everyone to help with the guests and approached one of the visitors.

"Only a select few were supposed to know about this place... where did you hear about it?"

"Well, we just heard rumors... apparently, it's quite well-received."

What does that mean?

I was even more confused.

Then,

"Uncle!"

A familiar voice rang out.

I, and Garai, who was nearby organizing the commotion, looked in the direction of the voice.

"Oh, isn't that Maple!?"

There was the elf girl—no, the Blank Elf girl, Maple, whom we met in the capital.

Her adoptive parents, the noble couple from the Blue Dragon family, were also there.

"Sure enough, it's you, Uncle!"

Maple ran over and hugged Garai, who still looked confused.

"Maple, why are you here?"

"We heard the rumors and thought, 'What if it's true?'"

Maple's father explained.

"Rumors?"

"Rumors have been spreading in the capital and other places for the past few days. Someone named Mako has started a hot spring resort near the tourist city of Vayzel."

"Mako, who is now famous in the capital as the manager of the Abatokusu Village direct sales store. And apparently, those who visited have praised their experience. The rumors spread quickly, and everyone rushed here."

Maple's mother added with a smile.

I didn't know... that it had come to this.

Wait, what?

If such detailed rumors have spread...

"Mako! It's you, isn't it!"

As expected, here they come!

The noble ladies who were regulars at our store in the capital!

"But, how did such rumors... oh."

At that moment, the image of the old man who visited this land the other day flashed in my mind.

He was the only outsider who visited this village.

He didn't seem like an ordinary person, so it's likely he was involved.

However,

"Isn't that a bit too much influence?"

Seeing the number of customers arriving one after another, I thought.

Honestly, it's as bustling as the streets of the tourist city of Vayzel.

It's practically a hot spring town.

"Mako! Are those kids not here!?"

The noble ladies excitedly asked me.

"Those kids?"

"Of course! The baby animals!"

"They've stopped showing up at the store in the capital, and we've been suffering from a lack of baby animals!"

"They were like idols we could meet!"

"INS48!"

What's INS48?

But, indeed, after we withdrew from the capital, the baby animals returned to Abatokusu Village.

"We've brought lots of clothes for the baby animals to wear!"

"Um, there is one here..."

'Here he comes!'

Just then, Chibi-chan arrived at the perfect timing.

And not just Chibi-chan.

'Ponpoko!'

'Kyun!'

'Puu!'

Ponkota, the bean weasel, Bambi, and the piglet, who had become friends here, were also with him.

"Kyaaaaa! They have friends now!"

"So cute!"

Everyone was immediately surrounded by the noble ladies.

They're incredibly popular.

They're like hot spring idols.

"If they're this popular, maybe we should bring the other baby animals here?"

Thus, a large number of customers flooded our village.

The truth is unknown, but the rumors spread positively—like a viral sensation.

Now that this has happened, there's only one thing we need to do.

Provide excellent service to the customers and further activate this place!

※ ※ ※ ※ ※

This is how the Berserker village transformed into a bustling tourist destination overnight.

People enjoyed the hot springs deep in the forest and savored fresh, local cuisine.

The quality of each aspect was impeccable.

The customers' evaluations were excellent—almost overwhelmingly positive.

"Ah... what a good bath."

"I feel like all my recent fatigue has vanished."

"I was surprised when wild animals joined us in the bath, but it was an interesting experience."

People who had visibly improved skin texture praised the hot springs.

Most importantly, the food received high praise.

Especially, the fish and seafood caught by the Berserkers were highly appreciated.

"Oh, this fat! It's like beef!"

"The shrimp and squid are so plump!"

"I didn't know there were such pleasures in seafood."

Initially, some people were hesitant because of the involvement of beastmen.

However, our activities in the capital had paid off.

For those who had been captivated by the direct sales store, the prejudice against beastmen had faded, and seeing them eat and say "delicious" made it hard not to try it themselves.

After enjoying the hot springs, food, and drinks, the next day,

"It was very enjoyable."

Everyone left satisfied, with big smiles, confirming that the rumors were true and the reputation was well-deserved.

The noble ladies also left, reluctantly parting with Chibi-chan and the others.

"We'll definitely come back soon!"

"Next time, we'll bring cheerleading fans!"

What are they planning to cheer for?

"Phew..."

While some people left, others kept arriving.

Even after a night, the flow of people didn't stop, and it seemed that people from the city had also heard the rumors and were coming.

"Mako."

Iksa called from behind.

"They want to talk to Mako."

Iksa led me to a few men who didn't look like customers.

"They are traveling merchants who were planning to set up shop in the other city but heard about our village."

"Really?"

"Yes, they think it would be more profitable to set up shop here. They want to open a store."

Wow!

This is a huge opportunity!

Traveling merchants who were going to the city are now setting up shop here.

This means we're not just poaching customers from the tourist city, but also merchants.

"We did it! We're not just getting customers who spend money in the city, but also merchants who pay rent in the city!"

"We're bringing them here!"

The Berserkers were also very excited after hearing this.

"Yes, that's right. But, I think the benefits go beyond that."

While everyone was puzzled, I was already focusing on the next goal.