Chapter 43

"Anyway, I want to consult my brother-in-law about this."

"Me...!?"

I decided to consult with Arowana, Plati's brother, who happened to be visiting. It was about getting high-quality clothes that would make Plati happy.

He often visits, almost as frequently as the teacher.

"I am Plati's family. If you want something she used before her marriage, I can have the dresser moved in with everything in it?"

"Right...!"

That might be the easiest way.

Considering the future, we might need a different solution, but for now, this should be sufficient, right?

"However, there is a big problem with clothing for our mermaid race...!"

"What is it?"

"We don't produce any clothing for the lower body."

"Oh."

That's right.

We had discussed the issue of mermaid lower bodies at length before.

"Most of the clothing produced and sold in the mermaid kingdom is for the upper body. Very few mermaids actually want to transform and live on land. So, there are no tailors who would make clothing for the lower body for such a small group...!"

It's safe to say they don't exist at all.

"Then, what about the swimming trunks you're wearing now, Arowana Prince?"

"These? I got them from human fishermen a while back."

"......"

"When I boarded their ship. They said, 'Wear these when you transform into a human.' I understood it as a human custom and decided to always wear them."

...I can imagine the scene.

Those fishermen must have been quite flustered.

Anyway, even if we were to buy or barter for clothes from the mermaid kingdom, it would be almost impossible to get lower body clothing.

If we were to order them, it would be a completely custom-made, one-of-a-kind item.

The cost would be astronomical.

"To be honest, I don't even have money..."

All I have is physical goods, just that.

Given how stuck we are, maybe it's best to put the clothing issue on hold and observe for a while?

* * *

"Ah, speaking of money...! I have something I want to ask."

"?"

Arowana Prince suddenly said.

"Do you have any plans to sell the things you make here and convert them into money?"

The things made here.

For example, vegetables from the fields. Processed foods made from those vegetables. Various metal items made from Mana Metal that I received from the teacher. Clothes I sewed, despite my lack of fashion sense.

That's about it for now.

"To be honest, the things made here are beyond imagination. The food is delicious. Definitely delicious. It's delicious even when eaten raw, and when cooked, it's several times more delicious. It even surpasses the dishes served in the royal palace!"

"R-Really...!"

He might be exaggerating a bit, but it's nice to be praised. After all, I've been taking care of the vegetables every day...

"Then there are the metal items you use daily. What does it mean that they are all made of Mana Metal? It feels like my senses are off?"

"Is that so?"

"Yes! Even pure gold would be more realistic!!"

I had a vague sense that Mana Metal was quite valuable. Since it's a metal that doesn't exist in the previous world, it's hard to grasp its value, but from Arowana Prince's tone, it seems to be even more valuable than pure gold?

Teacher, did you really give me such valuable items as souvenirs...!

"Anyway, putting the metal items aside, it's the food! Saint, would you be willing to share some of the vegetables you grow here, if you have any surplus? Of course, I'll pay for them!!"

"Uh...?"

"With the vegetables from here, the supreme taste that can only be experienced here can be recreated in our royal palace!! My father and mother would be delighted! Please, I beg you!!"

I've been storing the harvested crops in the food storage, but do I even have a surplus?

Since I, the orcs, and Veil started living here, the consumption has skyrocketed, making it hard to gauge the storage safety line.

However, I had anticipated that there would come a time when I would sell the things made here and convert them into money. It could be considered a sign of the settlement's development.

Are we finally reaching that stage?

"...I'll check the storage and see if there's anything I can share. However, if we do sell, it will be a personal transaction with Arowana Prince, kept confidential."

"Hmm?"

"Given the recent incident, it's best to avoid drawing attention to this place again."

The recent incident refers to the attack by the demon Astares.

"Indeed, if the vegetables from here were to become widely known, they would surely gain a reputation. It wouldn't be wise to publicize this place right after the trouble with the demons."

Arowana Prince seemed to understand.

But, are you really that confident it will become famous?

"For now, I'll enjoy the vegetables you give me with my family. In fact, I'll try to keep it as secret as possible."

"Understood."

So, let's proceed with that in mind...

Do you have any food you want to prioritize in the transaction? I asked tentatively.

"Pickled radish!"

He answered immediately.

Pickled radish... It's delicious.

You can snack on it anytime.

"But that's a problem. The teacher loves pickled radish too."

It's a standard gift when visiting the dungeon cave.

I need to make sure to save enough for the teacher.

"Such...! To have the same taste as the No-Life King...!!"

Arowana Prince looked genuinely devastated.

To that extent?

"Hey, Saint. If I visit the teacher, will he serve pickled radish as a snack?"

"Don't be crazy! Don't be crazy, brother!!"

He's so friendly that it's easy to forget, but he's one of the two greatest calamities in the world!

The teacher might welcome me with a smile, but that could disrupt the world's order!

I'll try to grow more radishes from now on.