Chapter 82

A morning in the forest.

I brought Lillia back to the mansion's garden.

In Lillia's hands was a white rabbit, Almirage, with a horn on its forehead.

By the time we brought it to the garden, it had stopped crying quite a bit.

Lillia spoke to it gently.

"Almirage, are you thirsty? If you're hungry, we have lots of things to offer."

"...I want to drink Mama's milk... sniffle."

"That's..."

Lillia was at a loss for words.

I looked at her trembling large chest.

"Hasn't it come out yet?"

"Well, a mother's milk only comes after she gives birth to a child."

As Lillia said this, blushing, her large chest jiggled even more.

"So that's how it works. I'm sorry for not knowing... But that's not good, is it? Wait, hold on?"

"What is it?"

"Didn't Mileine just give birth?"

"Oh, I wonder..."

Then Mileine, the Pegasus, tilted her head and approached. With her wings folded, she looked like an ordinary white horse.

"Alex, Lillia, did you call me?"

"Yeah, sort of. This kid wants to drink milk."

I pointed to Almirage, whom Lillia was holding.

Mileine narrowed her large eyes and smiled softly.

"Oh, what a cute little one. Did you get separated from your mother?"

"My Mama abandoned me... She said I wasn't her child and didn't like me... sniffle."

Tears welled up in Almirage's big eyes again.

Mileine smiled gently and nuzzled Almirage, who was in Lillia's hands.

"Do you have an older brother or sister?"

"No, I don't. We were the oldest."

"Then it's okay. You're not disliked."

"Why...?"

"Your mother was probably just confused about being a mother for the first time."

"Is that so!?"

"Women are said to become stronger when they become mothers, but not everyone can be a strong mother right away. Rabbits often have many siblings at once, right? It must have been overwhelming for her to have so many, especially a special one like you."

"But... When I tried to drink milk, it hurt. My horn hit her, and she got really angry."

"Would you like to practice with my milk? My name is Mileine. If you cheer up and show your face, I'm sure your mother will be happy."

Mileine approached with a warmth that enveloped everything.

"Mama! Mileine Mama!"

Almirage started crying again, but this time it was a cry of relief rather than despair.

I asked Mileine.

"You're a great mother. Can you take care of this child?"

"Of course, we help each other in times of need. I'll take care of her. What's her name?"

"I don't know. Can you ask her when she stops crying?"

"Sure, I will."

Mileine sat down and positioned herself sideways, exposing her belly.

Lillia placed the crying Almirage on her belly.

Mileine spread her white wings and gently enveloped the crying child.

Lillia nodded with a full smile.

"Thank you, Mileine."

"Sure, I'll take care of her."

Mileine and Lillia smiled at each other warmly.

---

Suddenly, my communicator vibrated.

"What's up, Kou?"

"There's a customer at the shop."

Someone had come to visit.

"Got it. I'll be right there."

I ended the call and headed to the shop through the mansion.

---

When I brought Lillia to the shop, the landlady was there.

She was buying 10 puchi elies from the shop assistant, Sophisia.

Without even greeting me, she leaned in and spoke seriously.

"Hey, have you heard?"

"Heard what?"

"There are people reselling these puchi elies in the city with the dungeon. They're selling them for 100,000 or 150,000 gold each."

"Figures... 100,000 is quite high."

Lillia nodded sadly, and I was genuinely surprised.

I thought 50,000 was already high, but it seemed the puchi elies were even more valuable.

The landlady leaned in even closer.

"Shouldn't you do something about it? Because of their effectiveness, a lot of people are in trouble. If you want, I can help set up branches."

The landlady looked genuinely concerned.

I nodded but was curious.

"That's very kind of you... Why are you doing this?"

"Well, you gave me one the other day, right? I don't use it, so I sent it to my son, who's an adventurer. He said it saved a party member who was on the brink of death. Now everyone wants it."

"I see... We have plenty of stock, so you can sell them. But hiring employees and all that is a hassle."

Using Kou, I could easily create a delivery route to all the cities with dungeons.

The landlady could help secure the branches.

The problem was finding people who could keep the secret of being a dungeon master.

--- That left only unconditional slaves.

"I think selling them through a window on the street is a good idea. Since it's only puchi elies... But if it's all the cities, I have my limits. I need a big merchant with distribution channels."

"Do you have anyone in mind?"

"I do, but... The more successful the merchant, the more cunning they are. Someone who's kind in small business might change in big business. Do you have a good eye for people?"

"I don't. I wouldn't have been fired as a hero if I did. --- What about Lillia?"

I turned to Lillia, who was behind the counter.

But Lillia shook her head, looking pained. Her silver hair swayed.

"I can probably see through people better than you, but it's tough against experienced big merchants."

"Lillia can't do it... What about Sophisia?"

"Me!? No way. I've only been able to get away with the church's backing."

"I see. ...Hmm, that's a problem."

I frowned, and the landlady spoke up.

"Can I set up a branch in the town where my son is staying? I'll handle the location, employees, and delivery services."

"Are you willing to do all that? If so, that's fine. How will we split the profits?"

"Let's take 30% of the revenue after expenses. I'll take 30%."

"Really? 50-50 sounds fair."

"Sure? The puchi elies are fragile, so shipping costs are high. We might even lose money."

"That's fine."

They're practically free, the puchi elies.

I nodded, and the landlady sighed in relief.

"50% is a good deal. Thanks. --- Also, I have requests from other towns where I have connections."

"Sure, I'll handle it. They'll be direct puchi elie stores."

"Got it. I'll bring the contract later. I'll also bring a list of big merchants. Many of them are eager to get involved."

"Alright... But you hate adventurers, yet your son is one?"

I was curious, so I asked.

The landlady shrugged.

"I tried to stop him... He said he wanted to find his father's memento!"

He's a good son, I thought, when something clicked in my mind.

Following the inspiration, I asked.

"Memento? Was it in the eastern dungeon?"

"I don't know where he died. That's why my son travels around."

"Hmm. What was your husband's name?"

"Angus, but you probably don't know him."

"When we cleared the eastern dungeon, we found a lot of things. Hold on."

I went behind the counter to the kitchen.

I opened the wardrobe and took out my communicator, speaking softly.

"Kou, do you have any of Angus' belongings?"

"Yeah, I do. Should I bring them out?"

"Please."

From the edge of the wardrobe, a set of clothes, a rusty knife, and a ring appeared.

I was curious how these were identified as mementos, but then Angus' guild card appeared.

--- That made sense.

I brought them back to the counter.

"Are these Angus' mementos?"

The landlady's eyes widened as I handed them over.

She picked up the clothes and ring with trembling hands and stared at them.

Then she hugged them tightly to her chest.

"Yes, it's definitely him. I can't be wrong! It's the last person I saw... Welcome back, dear..."

The landlady sniffled and hugged the mementos even tighter.

Watching her, I felt a stirring in my heart.

--- A feeling I hadn't experienced as a hero.

During my active years, I had always left such tasks to the support staff.

Perhaps, I realized, just defeating monsters wasn't enough to save people as a hero. I should have considered those left behind. That's what a true hero should do.

As I pondered, Lillia and Sophisia smiled warmly and said,

"That's great, landlady. Don't worry, I'm sure your husband will return and be happy."

"Thank you, Alex, Lillia, and Priestess."

The landlady, with red, tear-streaked eyes, thanked us repeatedly before leaving.

In the quiet shop, I proposed to the two of them.

"Since we have some free time, how about we deliver mementos from the dungeon?"

"Yes, that's a good idea. Edgar is investigating the evil god's statue, and the puchi elies are selling well. We've been busy lately, so it's a good time to take a break. It's also a wonderful idea."

"Right, right. Alex was indifferent to others when he was a hero, but this is a good thing to do."

"Alright, I'll do it... But how will we know whose mementos they are?"

I tilted my head and went to the kitchen to contact Kou.

"Kou, how many mementos do you have that you can identify?"

"There are quite a few. Those who were absorbed with their guild cards have their equipment and personal information linked."

"What about those without guild cards or with common equipment? Will they believe us?"

"In that case, I can show them the last moments of their loved ones. The security cameras recorded their final screams and deaths."

"No! Don't do that. It's cruel to the families. --- Only bring out the mementos that can be identified with personal information."

"Got it."

I gathered the mementos with their personal information and put them in a magic bag.

I slung the bag over my shoulder and said,

"Let's go deliver them."

"Yes, Master!"

Lillia nodded with a radiant smile.

Sophisia, with her short blue hair, smiled and waved.

"Have a good trip, Alex."

"Thanks, I'll leave the shop to you."

I left the shop with Lillia to deliver the mementos.

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The next chapter will be updated tomorrow.

→ Chapter 83: Unexpected Gratitude and Information