Life in Another World as a Maid Mage

"I'll be out buying a little. I'll be back by dinner."

Tell your friends and the Countess that they are going out for a while, and leave the inn with three and one. We headed for the Enandel Chamber of Commerce, a short walk from where the snow was scattered. Sometimes Nadia shakes the subject and there is no conversational conversation but Theori answers, and Dennis always walks with a subtle color that makes her face unsatisfied and unable to give up.

When I arrived at the Chamber of Commerce, I washed my coat and hat with snow at the entrance, and Shiori applied the magic of a gentle warm breeze to dry the moisture remaining on the surface. Dennis nodded vigilantly when he got approval, but he saw the droplets evaporate, creating an expression of admiration for a moment.

You're a man with a really good expression.

I entered the store to endure the callout.

It's not as large as Tris, but it's still a good selection. Although there is no branch of the union (guild), there are many adventurers working in the neighborhood and there is considerable demand for them.

Dennis remained somewhat dissatisfied, but his curiosity could not be concealed by the brilliance of his eyes as he looked interestingly around the store. I would like to take a closer look around in this state, but I wanted to finish my errands first.

"Well, where do I look from?"

Looking at the groceries on the nearby shelf, Dennis raised his face and gazed at the sales floor in the back.

"I want to match my underwear with my jacket first"

Well then, that's my area of expertise. What about Theori?

"I'll take a look at something else. If it seems necessary, I'll buy it first."

As soon as I called her, Shiori said looking at the food and groceries.

"Copy that, Mr. Dennis. Let's go."

"Oh, thank you."

Though it has softened slightly compared to the time of first meeting with Shiori, she still shows dissatisfaction, but she is as exotic as herself. Nadia is also uncomfortable with the difference in attitude.

Certainly, unlike myself, the look of Shiori with dark black hair on light cream-colored skin can be seen at a glance as a distant ethnic group. Naturally, she had no national connections and had many unknown features of the people of the Oriental Nation, and was rarely discriminated against by her appearance at the outset when she was protected.

However, in a short period of only four years, her efforts to gain standing and trust enough to receive a nomination request were warm enough to spit blood. She said she didn't have any belongings other than what she was wearing, and she really fell into the woods like she was thrown away all by herself. I wonder how much body and mind she has shredded to create her present place.

As one of the "guardians" who has been watching Shiori's hard work and efforts very closely, I feel so angry that I want to sympathize with the highest fire magic to those who ignore them and judge their value by their appearance alone. But since the person will pass it on with a cool face, we have to drastically retreat. It is terrible and uncomfortable.

"What's the matter?"

Apparently there was an expression on his face. Dennis tends to call me back.

"... no, it's nothing. Let's choose."

Nadia turned to Dennis after glancing at Theoli, who was choosing Luli's favorite confectionery from the magic shelf.

"When it comes to cold protection, you tend to choose all thick things, but it's basically in the direction of layering thin and warm things."

"Overlay? Wouldn't wearing a thick coat reduce your luggage?

"If you want to hang out nearby, that's fine. If you walk a long time carrying your stuff in the snow, it gets pretty hot. A thick coat will sweat you up in no time. I can't take off my coat in the snowy cold."

"That kind of thing...."

"So put on thin things and take them off if it's hot, wear them if it's cold, so you can adjust your temperature like that. If you get used to it, you'll know how many sheets you'll need, so buy a lot this time."

"Okay. Let's do it."

It seemed convincing to me that small items such as underwear and socks could be touched directly to some extent to confirm the touch and quality, so I chose them without taking so much time. You said you were resistant to choosing your mistress's stuff, and you chose it instead.

"Stride Merino hair from Stridia is warm, touchy, durable, and hardly able to hold hair balls. Besides, even if you sweat, it is easy to dry and has the effect of erasing the smell, so it is a perfect material for when you can't really change your clothes like during an expedition. Recommended for exploring the cold season."

"I see... do you have clothes of the same material?

"Oh, of course. It's light and thin, so it's good for layering, and it doesn't have to be bulky to wear as a change."

If you tell him that, he'll write a note in his notebook and start choosing his clothes. Apparently I know the size and preferences of the mistress, including those of my companions. As expected, the maid will take care of her at home, but he will take care of most of her when she travels.

There was also a selection of delicate and beautiful designs that women would like, but they barely noticed it, and they chose only simple ones. Perhaps something gorgeous isn't Annelier's taste.

"What about the accessories? That was enough for what I had."

Turning to the gloves, hat, and gator, Dennis looked worried for a while and decided to buy more.

"I'd like to turn my stuff around and try something special. If it feels good to use, I will buy some more on my way home. Functionality, too, but this thinness and lightness is fascinating. Do not interfere with movement."

When I checked that I had put one item in a shopping basket, I pointed my eyes at the coat.

Next is your jacket.

"Oh, please."

"If you're looking for a jacket, we suggest using river goat (elve fall) material. It is a material that is difficult to breathe through the wind and is resistant to snow and rain because it plays water. If you're going to use painting materials on the go, isn't it just right?"

"That's good. What about thermal insulation?

"That's because this is just a bit unforgivable. Personally, I suggest you stick tris rabbit hair thinly on the lining. They're also used for winter camping blankets, and they have excellent touch and thermal insulation. If you're worried, take a quilted fabric vest filled with Stried Duck's feathers as a backup to temperature-control. Look, it's all a design from Lausendar, which is popular with aristocrats."

If you do, I'll start to carefully define it. He wants to be a little bit obsessed with his coat. After much thought, I tried on a few pieces and chose two men. After further comparing the women, I selected one young leaf coat. I was very worried about the olive coat, but it seems that it is difficult to design the sleeve, and it seems that I gave up quite a lot of work.

"This is good clothing. Next, I'd like food and groceries."

"You're in Ciori's field."

"Uh-oh... Shiori."

Dennis's expression distorted as soon as he named Theoli. It's still good to call that woman and say it again, but I can't get it out of her face.

"You... don't like her that much? I'm an exotic person, too. What difference does it make?"

It is a country a little far from here, but its appearance is no different from that of its neighbors. If there is a difference, is she a little tall for a woman? Therefore, I have never experienced discrimination that seems to be discriminatory. It seems that most immigrant dislikes show disgust in a clearly different appearance from ourselves, but is this man also in such a relationship?

"Ah, no... thanks for that strange style at first glance. Especially that black hair....."

It seems that there is a reason, but it has nothing to do with her. Staring at him, he made an awkward look.

"I know it's not good for me. There's nothing wrong with her. But I can't... remind you of my bad memories."

"--Don 't ask what happened. Theoli is a trustworthy child. Residents like me, and I've never had a complaint. That's the only reason why Orientals are so unusual here."

Dennis pointed his grassy eyes at Shiori, who was lying down.

"I was drawing the blood of the Empire. The blood was mixed with it over a hundred years ago, and it seems that there is almost no blood there anymore, but I still feel a lot disgusted. So I know the pain of being oppressed for reasons I can't help but be an immigrant or an expatriate."

Even so, I murmured that the situation that I, who should know the bitterness, was causing irrational anger and disgust to the immigrant counterpart was unbearable.

"... it's been more than ten years. I have to change it by splitting it up. This kind of thing."

Dennis exhaled a deep sigh and waved his hand to Nadia, then approached Theoli.

"... I don't know what it is, but I really want you to change it."

I don't want to see Theoli get hurt unreasonably again.

"--Siori."

After searching the shop and paying for the extra food and Louis' confectionery, Theori turned around. Dennis stands there with an uncomfortable look on her face. I was surprised not to be able to speak directly from him, but I tried to avoid expressing myself as much as possible.

"Are the clothes finished?

"... ahh. And I want to pick groceries and groceries, so I need your advice."

"I see. Then come here."

Let's start with choosing food. The bags that store it will be fine once the amount of contents has been determined. Behind the two people heading to the sales floor, Louis, packed with the confectionery she had just bought, followed by Louis.

Speaking of which, does Dennis cook?

"It's enough to warm up fine cans and bottles. I wish I could take the cook with me, but it certainly seems impossible at camp. I'm in charge."

"I see...."

Dennis exclaimed as he guided him to the grocery shelf.

"There's more to it than I thought."

In addition to dried meat and bread, mobile foods, cans, and bottles line the narrow area.

"It's convenient because you can eat everything as-is, but there are many things that are too greasy and too intense to taste, so you can eat more delicious if you cook it."

"Cooking? Not warming?

"Yes, this can of beef, for example, is delicious just to warm up and put on bread, but fry with potatoes and onions and light salt and pepper make a fine side dish. Stir-fried eggplant and tomato is also delicious."

They were interested in the fact that preserved foods were delicious. Everyone wants to eat delicious food outdoors as much as possible.

"It seems easy just to ask....."

"If it's difficult... do you have a freezer in the Earl's house?

"Oh, it's in the kitchen. It's not as big as you can see in the store."

"Enough. Ask the cook to take the potato mashed potato and the onion cut into fine dust and frozen items so you can cook easily even on your trip. If you put it in an antifreeze processed leather bag, you can carry it frozen for about two days even in summer."

"Really!?"

"Yeah."

It was originally a leather bag that was sold as a measure to prevent the freezing of food and chemicals, but when I heard about the function of shutting off the outside temperature and keeping the internal temperature constant, I thought if I tried it, it turned out that it could also be used as a cold bag. It's impossible for a long time, but it's enough to magically refresh it when it starts thawing. Since then, the range of cooking at the destination has also expanded considerably.

I talked to Nadia about whether I could make a portable freezer with magic equipment, but now it seems that it is difficult to make it small enough to carry, so I am replacing it with this leather bag. In the current season, it freezes even if you carry it in silence, so I use it as my original anti-freeze bag in winter.

"Eggplant and tomato can also be used to lighten your luggage with dried vegetables, which is convenient not only for frying, but also as a soup utensil."

I wish I could introduce freeze-dried foods, but it's hard to mass produce them.

(Let's find a vendor for that.)

Demand for homemade portable foods is increasing, but supplies are not keeping up. But I would also like to respond to your request as much as possible. I'll talk to Zach next time.

"I see. The only thing I could think of was a lunch when I had the cook cook cook a meal for the trip... yeah, I guess I could save the cooked stuff and take it with me."

"Yes, it's a good stock if you chop dried meat and put it in the soup, and the dried bread is also a delicious and fluffy soup. If you simmer it with the dried vegetables and make a lot of soup, it will be a satisfactory menu for bread and soup alone."

Dennis started looking for groceries when he wrote a note in his notebook that was impressive.

"In the meantime, let's buy a lot of active food this time. I or Dennis will take the luggage that needs to be cooked, and others will take what they can eat as it is. Of course they need our share."

"What is that action food?

"It is a nutritious snack that can be eaten while standing or walking without cooking or dishes. It's one of the foods used by the Knights, but it's improved for adventurers and depends to some extent on the taste."

"Okay, standing or walking?

Dennis slightly peeled his eyes. I know what you mean. I wouldn't even think about the nobility standing or eating while walking.

"Anyway, in summer, it can be difficult to secure a place to sit on a break in the snow, and when you sit poorly, your body cools down and gets in the way of your next behavior. So you must also assume that you will eat standing. Besides, as I mentioned earlier, in cold weather, you consume a lot more energy than in summer, so in order to nourish your body in a short amount of time without cooling down, sometimes you need to eat while walking."

He was completely silent with no words.

"... I thought it was dangerous, but it's more harsh than I expected. Until now, there was no mistake in stopping Annelier."

"That's right... I think Dennis was right."

It was a casual dialogue, but in Siori's words he opened his eyes a little and then smiled slightly.

(laughs)

Perhaps she was worried about being called Stone Head by her mistress.

"... we all take care not to be a burden on our bodies on the road, and I will be here this time, so I will make a place to sit and stay as warm as possible during the break. Rest assured. But just in case you really miss it, please let Annelier and Bart have a lot of food to eat."

"Oh, okay."

When he answers, Dennis pulls in a smile and makes a slightly dissatisfied look as usual. I decided to think that this facial expression might be normal.

"But there are a lot of different kinds of foods in this action...."

"It seems that the number of types has increased while responding to customers' requests."

I was worried about which one to choose, and I thought about a shortbread diet that looked like everything else.

(It seems like I can afford to buy all kinds of adults.)

As such, I can't recommend such an irresponsible way, so I decided to give you good advice. From what I've seen, they all seem to have the same nutritional value, so you can choose them as you like, but you'll still be worried about them for this amount.

"If you're worried, you should choose half sweet and half salty. It is said to be sweet when I am tired, but I also want something that is unexpected. Is the amount of dried fruit and nuts one bag at a time around eight per person per day? I will also provide this for five days as an extra day in case of an emergency."

"Not so much!... well, they say it's not like they only have three meals of preserved food a day."

There are no convenient facilities like mountain huts that sell food, just like when you were in the other world, so you need to be prepared carefully. It is difficult to hunt and gather on expeditions at this time of year, like in summer. Enough snow to make drinking water.

"I have a breakfast and evening meal for the number of people, so I think it's better to buy something that doesn't get heavy other than a mobility meal."

"Oh, okay."

Once advised, it seemed to have been decided sooner than expected. As advised, choose from shortbread type items, sweet items baked with fruit and tree nuts, and salty items chopped with cheese and dried meat. In addition, a bag of dried fruit and sautéed nuts, and some canned nuts were thrown into the cage. The bottle seems to be dropped off this time.

When the groceries are finished, the groceries are finished.

Next we have storage bags and pouches.

Guide them to the shelves where the objects and bags are placed. There aren't so many other sizes here, so it should be over soon.

"This shelf is made entirely of antifreeze material, so choose from these. Storage bags for food should be kept separate every day for active foods, so there's no trouble. If you put it in my pouch and put it on your hips for the day, it's convenient because you can take it out and eat it right away while walking. Chemicals are often put in this pouch, right? I'll put the rest of the food in a big bag."

"Hmm... what is this antifreeze material made of? It looks like animal skin."

"Ah, it seems to be made of the skin of a beast that operates in winter. Even in winter, it seems to have come to mind that my body is able to move without any problems."

"I see... can this be used in addition to food?

Dennis, who had been looking at the leather bag for a while, asked in a thoughtful manner.

"Yes... yes, there are people who put cosmetics in women. It seems that a male puts in a vial of alcohol. Can I get you anything?

"Oh, Annelier's paintings. In winter, we can do it by sketching, but with this, we may be able to create a little more outdoors. I took the paint with me once, but I froze it and it didn't work."

Looks like I only brought a few simple sketching tools this time. They are going to buy it for the next time. Once you've finished choosing with your pouch, this is the end of your shopping.

Speaking of safety, I bought enough for three people. I thought some of the gold coins would fly for this amount, but the total amount of the plan is quite large.

(If I were you, my hands would tremble even if I gave you a gold coin...)

Still, I thought the aristocrats were different when I made the payment with a cool face.

"Are you done? You didn't forget to buy it, did you?

Nadia, who was having a chat with the store owner over the counter, pressed her attention. I checked my own checklist, but I haven't forgotten to buy it.

But Dennis showed a slight hesitation.

"What's the matter?

"Ah, no...."

He glanced at the sales floor behind him. It's a garment shop.

"We still have plenty of time, so if you have anything to worry about, you can come and see it."

As Nadia checked the clock, he turned to the garment shop, saying he would be back soon. After a while, she came back with an olive coat.

"Oh, that's..."

Nadia narrowed her eyes happily.

"What?"

"Oh, I was worried about that color and the young leaf color I bought earlier because of the Countess' coat choice. I decided to buy that after all."

"Hee... ah. Speaking of which, the wallet I just gave you is different from the wallet I gave you earlier."

It's probably a personal purse, not an expense of the Earl's. If so, that is.

"You're going to do it. Would you buy it at your own expense and give it to the Count?"

"Wow...."

I became ashamed of other HR personnel.

(... but)

I remember watching Dennis come to me with a coat wrap that I bought at my own expense.

He makes annoying remarks to Annelier. I wouldn't hesitate to go to a dangerous place for the painting. He cares about her. He takes food and clothing seriously for her. And he holds a new jacket that he bought with pleasure.

At first glance, it looks like a man who is overprotective of the person he wants. But it's more like...

She's kind of like a mother worried about her daughter.

I remembered one of my family who had left me in a distant world, and I murmured about it.