Chapter 112: There Is One, But…
The time was a little past 3 PM.
Combat training had ended safely, and I was organizing things about the students in the instructor’s office.
Ever since finishing the real combat, the students’ movements had become even better.
Croana told me the results of the questionnaire she had taken; it seemed all the students had written that they wanted a rematch and wanted it to continue.
Because it was a class with danger, Croana was worried about only a questionnaire and called several students to the headmistress’s office.
Then she apparently asked them directly why they wanted the real combat training to continue.
The students then gave opinions such as that there were many useful things, that it tightened their focus, and that they wanted the fur.
At the final reason of wanting the fur, I also, though sorry, ended up laughing.
Croana apparently laughed as well, but because there are students who earn money to attend the academy, it is not entirely a laughing matter.
As a result of a meeting that included the teachers and instructors, I was asked to do it once every ten days with the year I am in charge of.
Because there is insufficient information about what kinds of dangers there would be if done with other years, they want to gather information with my year.
I cheerfully agreed to Croana’s proposal and only told her that it would be postponed depending on the weather or the students’ condition.
More than that, the students had requested something of me in words that they had not written in the questionnaire.
...I never thought I would be told they wanted the older-sister adventurers called.
Remembering the students’ words, I ended up laughing.
To think that even that Roy would say he wanted them called — I never expected it.
Certainly if one thinks carefully, everyone except Roy is female.
Having the older sisters present is probably better mentally as well...
...When the word "admiration" comes out, there is no way one can refuse.
From the female students’ perspective, the figures of the older sisters living through the harshness of real combat might be their own future figures.
Of course they would admire them.
In the Overworld, women’s power is still not that strong.
It is different if one has a rare skill like Felica, but in reality the treatment of women within the nobility has not changed from the past.
...Well, it is only a matter of time.
From the outside it only looks as if it has not changed; inside, reform should be progressing in the present progressive tense.
Because I know game knowledge I can foresee it, but if one did not know it is only natural to feel uneasy.
But that event is also troublesome, I recalled, and let out a big sigh.
About an hour after I began organizing the documents, when I was breathing a sigh of relief as the end was coming into sight, there was a knock on the door.
When I immediately answered, the one who opened the door and entered was Erika with a troubled expression.
At Erika’s expression I made a suspicious face wondering if something had happened.
Perhaps Erika sensed it from my expression; she shook her head while smiling wryly.
"Do you have time right now?"
"Yeah, I do, but... what’s wrong?"
At my words Erika turned back toward the door and said "Please come in."
Then Marieka and Dine entered the room with a bow.
While tilting my head I stood up and guided them to the guest table.
...I’m glad I changed to a large table as Felica suggested.
Erika sat next to me, and Marieka and Dine sat on the opposite side.
The two wore slightly apologetic expressions, and I asked suspiciously.
"What’s the matter?"
"Well, you see, we came to ask if there might be a good idea..."
"Me as well..."
"Hm...?"
When Marieka and then Dine spoke in that order, the two smiled troubledly.
The two possess business talent to the level of being able to run businesses in the royal capital.
What kind of idea would those two want from an amateur like me?
When I rubbed the back of my neck with one hand and directed my gaze at Erika sitting beside me, Erika also began explaining while smiling wryly.
"First, Marieka and Dine have agreed to enter the framework of Suzuya."
"...Thank you very much."
"No, no."
"The pleasure is ours."
When I turned my face from Erika to the two and bowed my head, the two smiled.
Assuming the two will enter Suzuya, what are they worrying about so much?
When I raised my face and directed it at Erika again, she began speaking as if she had been waiting for me to raise my head.
"Along with that, we were talking about doing something new. Thanks to a certain someone we are riding the wave, but this is the world of business. One never knows what may happen."
"Solidifying the foundation while riding the wave, is it?"
"Yes. But the three of us could not come up with a good idea. I also consulted Mother, but I could not get a good answer..."
"Hmm... There is one, but..."
"""Eh!?"""
Letting Erika’s half-lidded-eyed "a certain someone" remark slide, I crossed my arms, rubbed my chin with one hand, and answered.
At my words the three made surprised expressions, so I smiled troubledly.
I then told the three the precautionary note that it was something that would be nice if it existed, and spoke with that preface.
"I think it would be good if various things could be gathered in one place."
"In one place?"
"Yeah. Right now if you want underwear you have to go to Flower Mist, cosmetics to Flower Garden, and shoes to Bouwers, right?"
"Yes, that’s true... Ah, I see!"
Yes — couldn’t they be sold together in a single building?
Of course a large facility like a department store from my previous life is impossible.
But a building that can hold about three or four shops should exist in the royal capital.
We would have no choice but to borrow the power of Thomas or real estate, but once the building is secured we can move.
It is not a matter of putting the current shops into it as they are.
Above all, having a shop in the royal capital is status; there is no way Marieka and Dine would let go of their shops.
Then what to do.
Omitting the previous-life part I explained, and while looking at the three’s blank faces I continued grinning.
"Just make agency shops."
"Agency shops..."
"Yes... this will be a truly simple explanation. First, suppose there are three rooms inside the building — the Flower Mist room, the Flower Garden room, and the Bouwers room. Place products in each, and sell and settle accounts inside the rooms. The people who sell and settle accounts can be hired by the respective shops, or Erika can prepare them."
However, if Erika hires and prepares the people, Erika will have to pay the wages.
In terms of roles, Erika prepares the building and receives rent in exchange for lending the rooms.
Marieka and Dine, who are lent the rooms, hire people, place products, and sell them.
Hearing my explanation, Erika looked at Marieka and Dine and began talking.
"...I can probably purchase a certain level of building in the royal capital."
"Education of the hired people will be necessary... but it seems possible."
"For my place I only need to bring the shoes, but for repairs they will have to bring them to Bouwers..."
"Then a notice will be necessary. Sales only; repairs at the main store..."
"After that is the location..."
"A place with many people, perhaps?"
The three began taking notes from their pouch-type magic bags and started consulting with serious expressions.
I smiled wryly, stood from my seat, and sat at the work desk to finish organizing the remaining documents.
Suddenly remembering, I called out to the three and spoke.
"A request from me — it would be nice if it is a place the academy students can use. ...They might even recommend it to their parents, you know?"
Letting Erika’s distant gaze slide, I dropped my eyes to the documents and held back a laugh.
It is no exaggeration to say that the future hangs on Erika searching for the property, so of course she would get a distant look when I said that.
...Come to think of it, have the matters of Polte’s hand cream and the hair gloss Nimi uses been conveyed?
Well, I’ll ask Erika later, I thought, and first decided to finish clearing the documents.
Incidentally, when I asked Erika on the way back, she muttered with a distant look "My work has increased~~," so it ended up with me hugging and pampering her.
Character Profiles
＊Erika
Former Deus Count family
Height: 163 cm
Age: 16
Golden hair — hair a little longer than shoulder length styled into vertical curls.
Expression gives a sharp impression. A glossy beauty that does not look 16.
Slender body type. Holds two firm melons for breasts.
Approached Instructor Raide in order to receive preferential treatment.
But instead she is shown various considerations by Raide and has ended up in a situation of receiving too much preferential treatment.
Regarding affection, it is still smoldering.
However, she thinks of him as an existence she must not let go of.
Currently Raide’s lover.
＊Croana Bawen
Height: 140 cm
Age: 122
Black hair — long hair that seems about to reach the floor.
Face is childlike, but her gestures, movements, way of speaking, and atmosphere are those of an adult woman.
Slender body type; breasts bear slightly large melons.
Loli big breasts.
Despite this appearance, she is the headmistress of the academy where Raide works.
A top-tier mage whose knowledge and techniques are at a level the country will not let go of.
Her long hair is also made by magic so that it does not touch the floor or get dirty.
Her lifespan is also one by magic.
Perhaps because of her childlike body and breasts she has no good memories, and she thinks of herself as ugly.
But now, with Raide’s words, she has become like a young woman.
Currently Raide’s lover.
Shoe shop Bouwers
Owner: Dine
Flower Mist which sells underwear
Flower Garden which sells clothing and cosmetics
Owner: Marieka