Chapter 83

It was late morning in the capital city.

The slanted sunlight warmed the streets.

I took Lillia with me and delivered the belongings of the adventurers who had died in the dungeon. I had a set script.

"When I cleared the Eastern Dungeon, I found these belongings and came to deliver them."

Some people knew I had cleared the Eastern Dungeon, while others didn't. But everyone who received the belongings was moved to tears and expressed their gratitude.

"Thank you, Lord Alex!" "I thought I'd never see them again!" "Thank you, brave hero, for bringing back proof of their hard-fought lives!"

Old and young, everyone received the items with tears in their eyes, and they were grateful. I felt happy, but inside, I was conflicted.

— I thought telling people they had died would only bring sadness. I thought it would be a hassle for me to tell them.

But there were people who cried and were grateful. ... Maybe I shouldn't have left it to others.

It seemed that delivering the items as 'Alex, the former hero who cleared the Eastern Dungeon' had meaning. I somehow felt that way. Perhaps it wouldn't have been the same if a government official had delivered them in a formal manner.

... I've done something wrong until now.

When I told Lillia this, she beamed with a smile like the sun.

"Just realizing that makes you a great hero, my lord!"

"I don't know about that. You're flattering me too much."

"No, that's not true!"

Lillia jumped onto my arm, pressing her large chest against it, and started walking. The gentle softness felt like it was supporting my heart, and it was reassuring.

After that, I delivered the belongings to nearly fifty people. At a clothing store, the owner tried to detain me, saying he wanted to thank me.

"I just brought them. Don't worry about it."

"No, no! This embroidered clothing is special. My father passed away before he could teach me the technique... Now I can study it! Thank you so much!"

The man, with red eyes, repeatedly thanked me, gripping my hands with both of his. He wouldn't let go.

In the end, Lillia chose a dress with the young wife.

During that time, I heard from the father. It seemed that dungeon diving had become a hobby among the shop owners in the capital, and one party hadn't returned.

... The real estate agent, Angus, was also among them.

Their disappearance was a shock, but most people's reaction was, "Ah, I knew it." Amateur adventurers are as dangerous as playing with fire.

As the conversation ended, Lillia returned with a bag of clothes.

"Can I take these?"

"Is that enough? You should get something that will make your husband happy..."

"It's fine, really."

For some reason, the wife gave a thumbs-up and a bright smile. The father also gave a thumbs-up, saying, "Good job!" I didn't understand, but they seemed to be a good couple.

At a restaurant during lunchtime, I delivered the items. To avoid causing a disturbance inside, I talked to the working girl at the back door. She had short, spirited hair.

"Ah... So Uncle didn't make it... He was a kind man who often brought us great boar meat."

The girl, who usually had a spirited demeanor, now looked frail and sad.

"I'm sorry I couldn't save him."

"No! Uncle disappeared a long time ago, and just knowing his fate helps me come to terms with it! Thank you so much!"

The girl, with her short hair, bowed repeatedly. Then, a loud customer called out from inside the restaurant. The girl looked up, startled.

"Um, are you Alex, who runs the potion shop, Puchi Ely?"

"Huh? Yes, I am."

"I have something to talk about, so I'll come to your shop in the evening."

"Huh? Oh, I see. I don't quite understand, but okay."

"Thank you very much!"

The girl bowed repeatedly and returned to the restaurant, shouting at the loud customer, "If you're a regular, you should be a bit more patient!" It was quite a change.

I looked at Lillia.

"Shall we go to the next person?"

"Yes, my lord!"

Encouraged by her cute voice, I held Lillia's hand and resumed delivering the belongings.

◇ ◇ ◇

It was dusk in the capital city.

Having finished delivering the belongings, I was manning the shop. There wasn't much to do today.

Tety was out in the forest with Lillia and the pegasus foal, Sier. Sophisia was on a break.

I was sitting at the counter, feeling a bit dazed. I was mentally exhausted from meeting so many people to deliver the belongings, but it was a pleasant kind of tiredness.

I thought someone might complain, but everyone was more grateful than I imagined. — It was worth it. Even though I was bored, my heart felt strangely uplifted.

I did serve one customer. Someone bought 12 bottles of Puchi Ely.

— I should deal with the resellers better. But I can't move without a budget. I want to rejuvenate first. Well, it's only 5 million more, so I can do it after I rejuvenate.

As I was thinking about this, someone entered the shop. It was the girl from the restaurant. She entered with her short hair swaying.

She smiled when she saw me.

"Hello, Alex! Thank you for earlier!"

"No, it's fine. I was just passing by. I'm glad you're grateful."

"Yes! Thank you for helping us move forward!"

The girl bowed energetically. Her short hair swayed.

— I didn't do anything that big. It was just a favor. But for the bereaved families, it was that important. What have I done as a hero...?

Feeling a bit uncomfortable, I said,

"No, you don't have to worry so much. I understand your gratitude. ... So, did you have something to say?"

"Oh, right!"

The girl's face lit up. She leaned in close to me at the counter and spoke in a suspiciously low voice, as if sharing a secret.

"One of our customers was talking about your Puchi Ely."

"Really?"

"I overheard them whispering about diluting the Puchi Ely with water and selling it!"

"What, really!?"

"Yes, really! Alex, have you registered the formula or have any way to distinguish the real from the fake? If this continues, it could become a big problem..."

The girl looked worried. I couldn't answer.

"I'm sorry. I haven't done anything... I thought I could overlook reselling, but diluting it is dangerous."

"Yes! That's already a counterfeit! If an adventurer who is risking their life gets a fake Puchi Ely, they could really die!"

The girl spoke with a serious tone, her voice rising.

— Maybe because she lost an adventurer uncle, her sincerity was palpable.

I could only nod.

"Understood. Thank you for telling me. I'll deal with it tomorrow."

"Great... I'll be going now. Thank you!"

The girl bowed and left the shop.

I rested my cheek on my hand, thinking.

— That was some important information.

If this continues, my reputation could be ruined. Puchi Ely is used in critical situations. If it's a fake, it will definitely lead to deaths.

People will look at me with suspicion, and even if I claim, "This Puchi Ely is real," it might stop selling altogether.

... What should I do?

To get a patent, I would have to reveal that I am a Dungeon Master. I use the dungeon's abilities to make it.

That's impossible. Kou might become a target.

"Ah! Maybe 'living by my own will' is really troublesome!?"

I held my head and groaned. In the past, as a hero, I just followed orders. It was easy because I didn't have to think. Others took care of the troublesome things.

Now, it's different.

When I try to get what I want, one problem after another arises. I could just give up. The profit, Kou, and the long-lasting life with Lillia...

— But I don't want to give up. I want to be with Lillia forever.

But how can I do it?

— Just then, someone entered the shop. It was Edgar, a tall, thin man with messy hair.

I was surprised to see him. He's investigating too quickly, isn't he?

Thank you for reporting the typo! I also appreciate the bookmarks and ★ ratings!

The next chapter will be updated tomorrow.

→ 84. Edgar's Report and Naming