Chapter 74

Well, due to logging in late today, it seems the usual group is already in the dungeon.

At the inn of Fast, I had a meal that was neither breakfast nor lunch, and considered today's plans. The inn I use is not the typical adventurer's inn but rather one that caters to merchants who have regular schedules and come for business. Normally, they wouldn't serve a meal at such an odd hour, but in exchange for providing ingredients, I can get a meal when the staff has free time.

This time, for dinner, I got a bagel sandwich, vegetable soup, fried potatoes, and a small steak about the size of my palm. It seems the innkeeper has improved his cooking skills. The meat was tender and had no gamey flavor, and the sauce mixed with the meat juices was delicious, which I enjoyed by wiping it with the potatoes.

"The meat you gave me is small, I'm sorry. Considering the portion for the guests who have reserved dinner, that's the size. Recently, more guests have been eating at the inn."

The innkeeper apologized while serving tea after the meal and clearing the plates.

"No, I appreciate the meal at such an odd hour. It was delicious."

I thanked him, but inside, a storm was brewing. It was delicious, yes. I had imagined it would be tougher and more gamey, requiring more preparation time, so I thought it would only be served for dinner. I also thought the innkeeper was just pleased because it was rare meat.

What I had given him was the meat of an orc pig.

*Chuckle* I was planning to let the usual group try it and decide whether to eat it or not. Well, it's fine since it was delicious. I'll just think of it as the meat of a pig raised by orcs. That's what I'll do.

Slightly mentally damaged, I left the inn. First, I needed to report on the assassination I had neglected.

The report was routine, and after receiving the gold as a reward, I was given the next assignment. A man of medium build and height introduced himself as John Doe, but it was clear the situation hadn't changed.

"You can also use John Smith," the man said, making me wonder if there are many Smiths, Johns, and Janes in this world. John Doe is "Kudan" in Japanese, while John Smith and Jane Smith are the most common names in English-speaking countries, clearly suggesting a pseudonym.

Should I call him Mr. Kudan?

I left the Assassin's Guild quickly to avoid being pulled into the dark atmosphere. If I stayed in this environment too long, I might develop a serious case of chuuni disease. I can enjoy chuuni play knowingly, but a serious case of chuuni disease would create a black history.

As the sun began to set, I walked through the alley, hailed a carriage, and headed to the square. I wanted to check the consignment sales and then go to the production facility, but first, I needed to take care of some troublesome matters. I informed the receptionist at the Merchant Guild that I had been summoned by the guild leader and waited for a while.

The guild leader had sent an apology email after reviewing the documents I submitted to the Merchant Guild after defeating three orcs, but I had ignored it. In my world, it felt like a day had passed, but here, it had been nearly a week. The guild leader had visited the construction site several times, and I had also received emails from Trin, the architect.

Reading the guild leader's emails that I had missed, I could see the gradual weakening of his resolve. The documents I submitted were for the termination of the contract to supply alcohol. When I submitted them, I thought the worst-case scenario would be cutting ties with the Merchant Guild, including consignment sales, but since the initial response was an apology, it seemed things were fine.

This irregular consignment sale of alcohol to the guild was a contract I had accepted on the condition that I wouldn't get involved in any troublesome matters, as I generally avoid them.

"If you don't want to show your face, once you have some savings, you can hire someone and open a shop. If you can distribute alcohol in this city, the Merchant Guild will provide assistance," the guild leader, Moss, had said.

The contract stipulated that I should try to keep my identity as the producer hidden, but since I had revealed it to Ekaterina, I had to terminate the contract.

Well, it was just a vent.

I had carelessly given Ekaterina the fried horse mackerel and the dish named after Rengard. Probably, the alcohol with my name on it was also delivered to the temple. I could easily imagine Ekaterina grilling Rengard about it, given her keen intuition and assertive nature. The fried horse mackerel was a regrettable mistake, and I had lost the battle with Ekaterina, so I had to accept the involvement with the two people I had picked up. The idea of having a shop and employees was tempting, but since I didn't want to show my face, the idea of a stall was appealing. However, it seemed like my intentions were seen through, which was frustrating. I would probably need to wear Asha's mask. I need to reflect on this.

But, I shouldn't break the contract terms, right?

It seemed the guild hadn't even noticed the breach. Is this guild okay? Anyway, I had made a bet in my mind that if the guild leader got angry about the contract termination and cut ties with me, including the new shop, it would be fine. If the alcohol supplier in this city disappeared, it would just revert to the previous state, and the guild wouldn't be too affected since it's not a necessity.

On one hand, I wanted a shop with employees, and on the other, I was frustrated at being seen through and set up. From the emails, it seemed the frustration was better to let go. Looking at it from another angle, it was a win-win situation for all parties involved.

While thinking about this, I was called to the guild leader's office, where Moss apologized profusely, saying he had been misled by someone he admired and had done something he shouldn't have.

"Admired?"

Silent, the guild leader shrank even more and continued to apologize.

"Admired Ekaterina?"

Indeed, she seems full of benevolence and has a playful side, making her likable, but her assertiveness cancels everything out. Admired? Admired by a gold digger?

"Perhaps you don't know the new one. Many people worship her."

The dapper middle-aged man blushed and looked embarrassed, making me shudder. I feel very uncomfortable, help me.

"I want to be stepped on with a smile by the one in the monk's robe..."

"......?!"

A very unpleasant image flashed in my mind. I need to erase it, erase it!

"Cough. I will not hesitate to cooperate for the sake of Lady Ekaterina, but this is a personal matter. It was entirely my mistake to break the public contract with Rengard."

Noticing my shock, he stopped writhing and returned to the topic.

Ah, he said he had kept it confidential from Ekaterina. Given her nature, she probably wouldn't tell anyone even if asked. She uses people's secrets effectively when she wants to manipulate them. She would also predict that I would run away if my secret was revealed, so I can be confident that it won't leak from her.

Actually, rather, fix the secret that prevents me from running away! Guild leader!

"As an apology, I will install a teleportation plate in your shop using my personal assets. Although the contract termination is unavoidable, I would like you to continue supplying alcohol to the residents."

He bowed, placing his hands on his knees while seated.

- A one-way teleportation plate from the temple to the shop, registered for specific users.

- Access to consignment sales from within the shop.

- Storage functionality.

- A trading system similar to the one in a stall, under the name of a sales permit.

These are the features of a shop, listed in order of cost. The top one requires a recommendation from the Merchant Guild and approval from the lord and the temple, and it's very expensive. There's also a usage fee when you use it.

Most residents have shops and residences combined, and few merchants go through the trouble and expense of installing it. However, high-end inns facing the square have a higher version of the teleportation plate, which can be overwritten, common in prestigious inns for VIPs.

Yes.

He said he would install the teleportation plate in my shop.

"The lord and the temple have been notified, and the temple's responsible person will accept Lady Ekaterina's words. The lord is pleased with the exclusive sale of alcohol, which was previously monopolized by Fina. There should be no problem with opening the shop on time."

"Individually? It seems like a considerable amount of money."

Is this the price for keeping my mouth shut about the slip earlier? Maybe?

"Money is not a problem; getting the approval for the teleportation plate is the difficult part."

I heard it costs 50 million silver, but he is indeed wealthy. Galahad and the others also easily paid 8 million silver, so the residents are rich.

"However, you don't have enough space to store the amount needed for wholesale."

"That's where the warehouse behind your shop comes in. We can provide it from the Merchant Guild. Normally, getting approval for a second shop is difficult, and the rent is higher, but as long as you supply alcohol to the residents, the guild will cover the costs. If you can secure the wholesale location, you can use the other rooms for production or a restaurant. The guild will cover the renovation costs for alcohol production and wholesale. Also, having two exits will make it harder for your identity to be revealed, won't it?"

Usually, a second shop means expanding by renting the adjacent land or moving to a better location on a main street, but this time, it's the back. It seems he had the idea when he saw the back door during the renovation.

Having two exits means that the use of the teleportation plate is not visible, and you can enter the shop but not leave, which seems to be the main concern. Thanks to the [Air Magic], I can return to the temple from anywhere, but the guild leader doesn't know this, and I have no intention of telling him. With the guild covering the renovation costs, I can scale up my distillation and production equipment, stockpile a large amount, and not spend too much time on production, hopefully.

"Hmm, but I don't have a particular reason to do it. I can produce elsewhere and have the alcohol delivered without needing to visit the shop. Besides, the alcohol shop will need more staff, which is troublesome."

《You have obtained the title [Feeder] for distributing food to 1000 residents without asking for anything in return.》

What?

Why now?

Ah, it's the orc pig meat? It's still evening, but some people start their dinner early. I didn't ask for anything, but did they offer it? Is the number the amount of fried horse mackerel and offal I pushed onto Ekaterina?

"I'll transfer the land of the shop to you, not just a lease. How about that?"

The conditions had escalated while I was listening to the guild leader!

"...Alright. But I'm an adventurer, so I can't guarantee a constant supply."

"That's fine. The important thing is having an alcohol shop in this city. The people from the capital, who knew about other routes for alcohol, are now lowering the rates, and the quality of the alcohol being distributed has improved. I didn't mention it before, but the lord has instructed us to assist the alcohol producer, and I'm relieved you accepted. Also, please keep the earlier matter confidential..."

I won't say anything!!! Don't bring it up again!!!

I will not let the secret of me being Rengard leak from the Merchant Guild and will fully cooperate with confidentiality. I will continue to supply alcohol equivalent to the value of the land. The guild will send a trusted person to manage the alcohol shop.

We decided on other minor conditions and left the guild. The guild leader seemed to have kept my identity as the alcohol producer confidential from the lord, even when asked. I wondered if the lord was Ekaterina, but it would be too troublesome, so I thanked him for being a buffer.

I wanted to see the renovated shop, but Trin had probably already left, which was a shame.

Well, let's produce and look for a mount.

The effect of [Feeder] is straightforward; giving food increases favorability.

□ □ □ □ □

- Increase -

Title

[Feeder]

□ □ □ □ □

Homura Lv.34

Rank C

Clan: Zodiac

Occupation: Magic Swordsman, Alchemist (Assassin)

HP: 1162

MP: 1485

STR: 50

VIT: 29

INT: 101

MID: 34

DEX: 33

AGI: 60

LUK: 39

*Some stats have been boosted by the gods' [Favor].

NPCP: [Galahad][－]

Titles

- General

[Communicator][Circulating Power][Mystery Solver]

[Economic Pioneer][Lone Adventurer][Nine Lives]

[Sage][Elegant One][World Soarer]

[Pain Sensation Liberator][Overcoming Labyrinth Slayer]

[Defense Preparer][Feeder]

- Blessings of the Gods

[Asha's Blessing][Val's Favor]

[Dul's Favor][Rusha's Favor]

[Far's Blessing][Tasha's Favor]

[Verna's Blessing]

- Titles from the Gods

[Asha's Brief Guide]

[Dul's Earth][Dul's Fingertips]

[Rusha's Eyes][Rusha's Preparation]

[Far's Saint]

[Tasha's Disciple][Tasha's Magic]

[Gods' Time]

- Slayer Series

[Lizard Slayer][Bug Slayer]

[Beast Slayer][Gel Slayer]

[Bird Slayer]

[Dragon Slayer]

- Mastery

[Sword King][Wise King]

Skills (1SP)

- Magic

[Wood Magic Lv.28][Fire Magic Lv.30][Earth Magic Lv.28]

[Gold Magic Lv.27][Water Magic Lv.27][☆Wind Magic Lv.29]

[Light Magic Lv.27][☆Dark Magic Lv.28]

[☆Thunder Magic Lv.28][Scorching Magic Lv.9][☆Ice Magic Lv.22]

[☆Heavy Magic Lv.21][☆Air Magic Lv.23][☆Time Magic Lv.21]

[Druid Magic Lv.22][☆Alchemy Magic Lv.6]

- Healing and Holy Magic

[Holy Magic Lv.22]

[Illusion Lv.1]

- Other Magic

[Magic Shield][Stacking]

[☆Area Magic Lv.25]

[☆Magic Effect Lv.19]

[☆Action Chant][☆No Chant]

[☆Magic Charge Lv.12]

- Swordsmanship

[Swordsmanship Lv.29][Slash]

[Sword Lv.29][☆Flash Lv.24]

[☆Phantom Blade Lv.19]

- Throwing Weapons

[Thread Lv.29]

- Other Physical Skills

[Throwing Lv.6]

[☆Insight Lv.27]

[Physical Effect Lv.10]

- Defense

[☆Sturdy Shield of Earth]

- Other Combat Skills

[☆Magic Nullification][☆Weapon Hold Lv.25]

[☆Attack Recovery - Magic Lv.21]

- Summoning

[White Lv.14]

- Spirit Magic

Water Spirit [Rufa Lv.19]

Dark Spirit [Kurokagayaki Lv.23]

- Talent

[Body Techniques][Evasion][Swordsmanship]

[Code Deciphering]

- Movement and Actions

[☆Carry][Jump][☆Hover][☆Sky Soar]

- Production

[Alchemy Lv.22][Alchemy Synthesis Lv.27]

[Cooking Lv.25][Jewelry Lv.11]

- Other Production Skills

[☆Rusha's Fingertips][☆Plant Growth]

- Collection

[Gathering][Mining][Logging]

- Appraisal and Concealment

[Appraisal Lv.33][Insight]

[Aura Detection Lv.36][Aura Dilution Lv.36][Concealment Lv.33]

- Enhancement

[Strength Enhancement Lv.7][Intelligence Enhancement Lv.9][Spirit Enhancement Lv.7]

[Dexterity Enhancement Lv.8][Agility Enhancement Lv.7]

[Swordsmanship Enhancement Lv.7][Magic Enhancement Lv.9]

- Resistance

[Alcohol Resistance][Pain Resistance]

- Other

[HP Natural Recovery][MP Natural Recovery]

[Dark Vision][Map][Telepathy][☆Bedroom Techniques]

[Equipment Change]

[Life Magic][☆Attraction]

[Theft Prevention Lv.24][Trap Disarming]

[Lockpicking][Unlocking]

☆ indicates initial acquisition or enhancement through events or special bonuses.