Kamisama Shop de Cheat no Kaori

Chapter 104. Japanese-Style Grated Radish Hamburger Steak In The Wilderness

“I’m exhausted…”

After Narnia left and that distinctive girl went away, the number of customers at my stall suddenly increased.

Apparently, the merchants who went to the Veliero Trading Company heard about my stall and came over. Moreover, it seemed they were provoked by the thought that it might sell out anytime at the company, so they started bulk buying after just a quick look at the samples. They were probably merchants beginning to hoard foodstuffs, but fortunately or unfortunately, the word “sold out” doesn’t exist at my stall.

When someone ordered an unmanageable amount like a wagon full, I had to decline.

Several times, I had Yaralai pretend to replenish the wooden crates from the item bag. It was a bit awkward, but the merchants focused on securing supplies, didn’t seem to notice.

The closing time for stalls seems to be customary, so we wrapped up when the surrounding stalls did. People who couldn’t buy anything were making a fuss, but when told it was sold out, they reluctantly dispersed.

“Sorry, Yaralai, is a bento okay for dinner?”

“I don’t mind.”

After returning to the inn, I collapsed on the bed. Thanks to the Wave Arts, I could still move, but fatigue was accumulating.

I decided to introduce a new bento when I had the chance. After a bit of thought, I approved this:

Japanese-Style Grated Radish Hamburger Steak Bento = 699 yen

I wanted meat but preferred a refreshing taste due to fatigue.

Bento and water cost 700 yen × 2.

Remaining balance: 4,273,292 yen.

“Delicious.”

Yaralai’s usual comment wasn’t flattery; he genuinely liked it.

As he left the room, I fell asleep.

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The next day.

I didn’t see Hagg today either. It’s not like I’m pining for Hagg, but not meeting that bundle of presence leaves me feeling somewhat unsatisfied. Well, he must be busy.

I hadn’t imagined a day when Hagg wouldn’t come to buy a cutlet sandwich, but he’ll probably start making a fuss once he’s done with Hagg’s business.

While having breakfast with Yaralai, Narnia was staring at us from behind a pillar with her finger in her mouth, so I had no choice but to treat her. I might be spoiling her, but her gaze was annoying.

Remaining balance: 4,272,313 yen.

During cooking, I ran out of gas, so I bought some cassette gas too.

With preparations complete, I headed to the stall, but it was a disaster.

――――

About fifty merchants were already waiting in front of the stall, and the kid from Veliero, who was on guard, was sweating as he dealt with them. I quickly replenished the wooden crates with potatoes, handed the kid two silver coins, and opened the stall immediately.

Remaining balance: 4,270,313 yen.

This is where it finally ties back to the beginning of Episode 92.

Right after opening, it was chaos, but most of the merchants seemed to leave early in the morning, and it calmed down once they were gone.

…Or so I thought.

Rumors seemed to have spread, as not only merchants but also obvious housewives and others visited in large numbers. It wasn’t just crowded; it was near panic.

Thanks to Yaralai’s efforts, we managed to handle the customers.

I couldn’t keep up the replenishing act anymore. There was no time for that. In that chaos, no one would notice anyway.

With the full power of the Wave Arts, I kept transporting potatoes from morning till night. I thought I might die. Even at closing time, there were still many people, but I was at my limit, so I told them we were sold out and sent them away. My arms were twitching. Without the Wave Arts, I would’ve been down in an hour.

Exhausted.

As I staggered back to the inn, Hagg was sitting in my room.

How did he get in…?

“Hey! You’re back!”

He was unnecessarily energetic and in a good mood. What now?

“It’s not like it’s been that long, but what were you doing until now?”

I lowered my heavy body onto the edge of the bed.

“I’ll tell you later! First, cutlets! Make me freshly fried cutlets!”

“No way.”

I answered immediately. Can’t he see the state I’m in?

“Why not?! I’ve been holding back for so long!”

“I don’t know that… Just give me a break today, I’m really tired…”

Finally noticing my exhaustion, he raised an eyebrow.

“What? Have you been training instead of running the stall?”

“No, the stall. For some reason, there were so many customers… It was so busy…”

“Hmm.”

Hagg grabbed my thigh.

“I see, it was just the right exercise. Well then, imitate my breathing and circulate the Wave through your body.”

Despite my fatigue, Hagg’s forceful insistence left me no choice but to comply.

“Slower, deeper. Move it slowly through your whole body, deeper than usual, but lightly.”

Following Hagg’s instructions for about ten minutes, I suddenly felt the resistance inside my body lighten.

“Good. That’s called the Wave of Rest… It’s not a form of Wave Arts. You’re the ‘Spiral’, after all. Though I forgot what it’s recommended to call it.”

“It’s fine. I understand.”

As expected from something named after rest, the leaden heaviness on my body started to ease. Not completely, but it felt like being in a hot spring.

“The Wave of Rest not only suppresses muscle pain but also helps efficiently build muscle. Keep using it for a while.”

“I will.”

Building muscle, huh? Maybe I could aspire to be a lean, muscular guy like Yaralai. Just a little bit.

“So, what’s with your good mood? I haven’t seen you lately.”

At my question, he burst into hearty laughter.

“Ha ha ha! Look at this!”

In Hagg’s rugged Dwarf hands was…

“A card-type Aerial Tool?!”

I leaned forward to take a closer look. Wait, why?

“Is it already on sale?”

It wouldn’t be surprising if the Aerial Tool shop’s Halogen planned to sell it, but I thought it would be a bit later, so I was caught off guard. The appearance was also quite different from what I expected. It’s not even made of paper.

“No! I made this!”

…..

“Huh?”

I didn’t quite understand.

“You used a cleaning aerial tool frequently, one shaped like this, didn’t you?”

It’s true that I wasn’t told to keep it a secret, so I used it openly in front of Hagg and Yaralai. I did use it, but… huh? What? Did you make this just by seeing it? This Dwarf…

“While you were cozying up with that girl, I got some Japanese paper and started by mimicking it.”

Can it really be made that easily?

“But just copying it would be boring, so as you can see, I made it out of metal. I layered extremely thin metal sheets and engraved the aerial array onto them, filling them with secret ink. It was a huge struggle at first.”

Isn’t this pretty amazing?

“How did you manage to make it out of metal?”

Hagg looked at me in disbelief.

“What are you talking about? Aerial tools are fundamentally based on metal spheres.”

He reminded me of the lollipop-shaped aerial tools.

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“Indeed. The method for making metal sphere types is well established. With the right knowledge, repair and manufacturing are possible, although it’s not common.”

Is it really something that can be done with just knowledge?

“Well, I can’t make aerial stones, though. I got one by buying a fire aerial tool and dismantling it.”

Looking closely, I saw an intricately engraved flame.

“Hagg, you’re amazing.”

“Ha ha ha! Praise me as much as you like!”

Seriously, it’s impressive.

“So, what are you planning to do with that aerial tool?”

“Hm? Nothing, really. I just made it because my inventiveness was itching.”

“Just because you felt like it, you made something like this… Actually, I sold the idea of the card-type to Cherina. At this rate, people might think I sold the idea to you.”

“Hmm.”

Hagg stroked his beard.

“Then, why not explain the situation and teach them how to make the metal version? That should satisfy them.”

“I think that would work, but is it okay to teach them how to make it?”

“Sooner or later, once the card-type aerial tools are on the market, someone will figure out this form anyway. For me, the joy is in creating it. I don’t mind if someone copies it.”

I see. If that’s the case, it’s fine.

“Alright, let’s go with that.”

“Indeed.”

The metallic card looks really cool; I might ask her to remake my cards later.

“So, I don’t have the energy to cook, but I can quickly get you a cutlet sandwich or a tonkatsu bento.”

Hagg stroked his beard, looking conflicted.

“Well… I’d prefer freshly fried, so maybe tomorrow.”

“Got it. Is dinner okay? I don’t want anything heavy in the morning, and I probably won’t have a proper lunch.”

“Very well. I’ll help you at the stall, so treat me to tonkatsu.”

“Deal.”

Honestly, we’re short on staff, so it’s a relief.

“Sorry, but I need to sleep now. Yaralai, get food somewhere else… I can’t go on.”

I threw off my jacket and dived into bed. I didn’t need dinner anymore.

“I guess I’ll go to a tavern then.”

“You… go somewhere else.”

“Why?! The wood elf should go somewhere else!”

“Rude dwarf, go to a sleazy tavern.”

“What did you say?!”

There was a heavy sound of a door opening.

“Want to fight?”

I heard the sound of something cutting through the air.

“You two, get out!!!”

Goddess, don’t give me trials and tribulations!!!