Chapter 50

Morning in the capital city.

I and Lillisia were walking down the refreshing streets.

People were bustling about, and carriages were rolling by.

We crossed a bridge over a waterway and headed for the bookstore on the outskirts of Second Street.

We had already visited the Adventurers' Guild.

As usual, there were no good quests, so we only took on a collection quest in the forest.

Then we came to the bookstore.

To find the legendary treasure that would reduce the cost of rejuvenation and the soul of the princess as Edgar's wish.

For that, we needed a map.

Looking around the spacious store, countless bookshelves lined with paperback books, which are thin paper books, were visible.

A poster was prominently displayed just inside the entrance.

It read, "Demon Race Reincarnation, Over 100 Million Copies Sold Worldwide! (According to our store)."

Lillisia, standing next to me, said,

"This bookstore is known for its low prices on new books and a wide selection."

"Is there a world map?"

"Yes... probably over there."

Guided by Lillisia, we walked through a narrow aisle to the back of the store.

In the map and geography section, we found the largest world map, which was about two meters wide and long.

It was labeled, "Special Edition World Map by Bookstore Chain Maomao."

"This one looks good."

"...It's surprisingly detailed."

The positions of mountains, rivers, cities, and fortresses in various countries were written on it.

--Shouldn't this kind of information be military secrets?

Also, the note "First aerial photography from a dragon's perspective!" caught my attention.

Was it really made just for the purpose of creating a map...?

While I was thinking, Lillisia asked,

"Master, are you going to buy anything?"

"I don't really need to... Lillisia, is there anything you want?"

"Hmm... Oh, if possible, a cookbook."

"You really like cooking, don't you?"

"Yes, I'm happy when people enjoy it... I used to be in an orphanage, and I tried hard to make the poor meals more enjoyable, and I ended up enjoying cooking."

"Cooking well was for the children... Lillisia, you're really wonderful."

"Hmm... Thank you."

Lillisia blushed and looked embarrassed.

She then chose a cookbook.

Glancing at the title, it read, "Cookbook for Adults to Enjoy."

It seems she is good at cooking for children but wants to learn to cook for adults.

--Is it for me? If so, I'd be happy.

But if not, it would be embarrassing, so I suggested something else.

"Let's also buy some novels for Tety to read while she's working. She seems to like them."

"Okay, but which ones?"

"Well? How about the best-selling ones? If they're popular, they can't be bad. There should be a few in the mansion in the forest, too."

All the books from the original cottage were in the study.

Lillisia nodded, shaking her silver hair.

"Let's get 'Demon Race Reincarnation.' I think the volumes were incomplete."

"Let's get the complete set to save trouble."

"Okay, I understand."

Thus, we bought the map and books and returned to my shop.

◇ ◇ ◇

I returned to my shop, 'Puchi Eri.'

As I entered, Tety, sitting at the counter by the glass case, said,

"Welcome back, Alek-sama, Lillisia-san."

"Back. Did you sell anything?"

"Yes! Some children adventurers bought five bottles for their party. And they said thank you for healing Edgar-san."

"Ah, Edgar's team. Edgar must have been happy to be healed."

That means 20,000 goats for five bottles, making 100,000 goats in sales.

Since the cost was almost nothing, this is a huge profit.

While heading to the back of the shop, I took out the books from the bag I was holding.

"And this. Read these to pass the time while working."

I placed the novels I bought on the counter.

There were more than ten volumes, so they were unexpectedly heavy.

Tety's emerald eyes widened as she smiled.

"Wow! This is the popular one, right! And even the latest volume! --I've never read it because it's for men!"

"That's good. So, take care of the shop."

"Yes! Thanks for the books!"

Lillisia and I opened the wardrobe and entered the dungeon.

We walked down the bluish-white corridor and emerged into a large room.

"Is this place okay?"

"Yes, Master."

Lillisia spread the map on the floor, placed her hands in front of her chest, and suddenly sprouted wings from her back.

Then she held the flail and extended her arm.

The weighted chain fell onto the map.

"---Dark magic detection, Princess Novara."

The flail began to glow gold.

Lillisia slowly moved her slender arm, sliding the weight across the map.

She closed her eyes and furrowed her brow, trying to sense even the slightest difference.

--But.

Even after searching from one end to the other, the weight did not form a circle.

She sighed and frowned, looking troubled.

"What should we do, Master? I can't find it."

"Has she already ascended...?"

"If she had, the magic wouldn't have activated... Where could she have gone?"

"Can this detection magic reach deep inside the dungeon or the bottom of the sea?"

"It should... but..."

Lillisia frowned.

I changed the question.

"Conversely, where can it not detect?"

"Places outside this world. The Heavenly Realm, the Demon Realm, the Fantasy Realm, the Star Dragon Realm, and the Hell Realm cannot be detected by this map."

"If so, there shouldn't be many, and it should be possible to find a map. Past heroes might have made simple maps after visiting those places."

"Indeed, Master... I was at a loss, but your words give me hope."

"I don't know if it will work, but let's try. ...So, how about the three items we're looking for?"

"Ah, yes. Let me check."

Then Lillisia searched for the 'Philosopher's Stone,' the 'Orb of Light,' and the 'Idol of the Evil God.'

The Philosopher's Stone was a miss.

While searching for the Orb of Light, the weight hanging from the flail formed a circle.

Lillisia's eyes widened as she exclaimed,

"Ah, I found it!"

"Great, Lillisia! --Where is it?"

"This island... is in Yamata Country."

"Hmm? ...Isn't that Edgar's homeland?"

"Yes, he might be able to help us."

"But if he returns to his country, he'll be executed, right? I'd prefer to bring the princess back to life first."

"I agree."

Lillisia placed her hand on her chest and nodded with a sad smile.

The atmosphere became heavy. Thinking about Edgar's future makes me a bit anxious.

Especially because he's a good person...

To change the mood, I asked,

"...So, Lillisia. What about the Idol of the Evil God?"

"I'll check! "

In the end, the location of the Idol of the Evil God was unknown.

It wasn't that there was no reaction, but that there were too many.

Lillisia frowned.

"Hmm. There were several Idols of the Evil God, which govern curses, but the reactions varied in strength..."

"There might be fakes and the real one... or it could be the size."

"We can't determine that now."

"We'll have to search one by one..."

Indeed, these legendary items.

They don't seem easy to obtain.

Lillisia put away the flail and rolled up the map.

"What will we do now?"

"Hmm, let's see. I'll take over the shop, so take Tety to gather herbs."

"Understood."

Lillisia retracted her white wings and leaned the rolled-up map against the corner of the room.

Then Lillisia took Tety to search for herbs.

I sat at the counter and took over the shop.

It was a bit boring to work the shop.

However, two adventurers came looking for Puchi Eri, as recommended by Rubele.

They bought them without even trying to haggle, even though they were expensive.

...If we can make 140,000 goats on the first day, it might be better than fighting monsters.

Even collection quests around the mansion can earn 30,000 to 50,000 goats.

If we can make 100,000 to 200,000 goats a day, we can save the 9 million goats needed for the rejuvenation potion in 1 to 3 months.

In that case, the problem is the legendary items.

Especially the Philosopher's Stone, whose location is unknown.

Where could it be?

And Edgar's request.

Where is the soul of the princess?

While I was thinking, Lillisia returned.

"I'm back, Master."

"Hmm? Already? Where's Tety?"

"I've completed the collection quests. Tety is taking a bath because she got dirty."

"I see. As expected, Lillisia, you're quick."

"Thank you."

Lillisia smiled with her violet eyes.

--And.

A familiar face entered the shop, shaking her pointed hat.

It was a female mage who had been in the same hero party before.

"Alek, long time no see. You look good."

"Hey. I'm doing okay. What's up?"

The female mage looked around the small shop and glanced at Lillisia.

But when she saw the Puchi Eri in the glass case, she stared at it intently.

She approached and asked,

"I heard it's very effective... But does this Puchi Eri work on curses like an elixir?"

"Well? It restores half of life and magic and cures status abnormalities. I haven't tested it on curses, though... Is someone cursed?"

"Yeah, a friend of mine."

"If it's a serious curse, it might be better to take them to the church."

"True, but... I'll buy two bottles just in case."

"If it doesn't work, I'll give you a refund for one bottle."

"Really? You're so nice... Thanks!"

The female mage placed two gold coins on the counter.

I took three bottles from the case and handed them to her.

"The third one is a free sample. Test if it works for mages."

"Thanks! If it works well, I'll come back to buy more."

The female mage, with a mischievous smile, put the Puchi Eri bottles into her small pouch on her waist.

Then Lillisia, who had been standing behind, spoke with a worried voice.

"Um... Is the cursed friend a priest?"

"Wha!? How did you know! ...Actually, it is. He's staying at my house now, but... some kind of curse appeared on his body, and he was kicked out of the priests' dormitory. He might be forced to quit."

"Really!? ...Master, I have a request."

Lillisia turned to me and said seriously.

I tilted my head and asked,

"What is it? Lillisia. Tell me anything."

"Please let the priest use the bath you used yesterday."

"That... could be a problem, right?"

Lillisia's suggestion would mean revealing everything about Ko's dungeon and other secrets.

Even though she's not an unconditional slave.

But Lillisia's violet eyes shone with a strong light.

"It will be fine. She can be trusted."

--It seems she has noticed something but can't say it in front of the female mage.

Her monocle's performance has improved. I can trust her.

I nodded and replied,

"Okay, I understand. Bring the priest here tomorrow. I think I can heal him."

"Really!? Yes, I'll bring him! He's a good guy, so please help him! ...See you later!"

The female mage brightened up, lifting the brim of her pointed hat.

She turned and left the shop, spreading her cloak.

The shop became quiet.

I asked Lillisia,

"You know something, don't you?"

"Yes, I think so. No, I'm sure of it."

"Alright. I trust you, Lillisia."

"Thank you, Master."

Lillisia bowed deeply, letting her silver hair fall.

Then Tety returned, emitting a warm steam from her slender body.

"I took a bath~. Next, please~... What's going on?"

"Nothing. I'm going to the Adventurers' Guild to report the quest. Thanks for helping with the collection."

"No problem, I enjoyed learning about herbs! See you later!"

With Tety's cute, smiling voice behind us, I and Lillisia left the shop.

We walked for five minutes to the Adventurers' Guild, completed the quest, and received the reward.

The detailed world map might be the first step to world domination!

As expected of the Demon King!

The princess's name might change in the future.

I couldn't find a name that felt right... I'm sorry.

(※Note: The princess's name was changed to Princess Novara)

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The next chapter will be updated tomorrow.

→51. Lillisia's Mistake, Marius's Mistake