Kamisama Shop de Cheat no Kaori

Chapter 90. Pinky Promise in the Wilderness

When we returned to the mansion, Melvin ran to Cherina, and Narnia jumped on me.

After a brief emotional reunion, Cherina and I slept like logs.

The next day, I woke up and realized I had fallen asleep at the trading company. Narnia had apparently stayed there too.

In contrast to Cherina and me collapsing in exhaustion, Hagg and Yaralai had a normal dinner before going to bed. They’re just too tough.

Moreover, they took turns keeping watch. Truly, they’re beasts. How should I repay them for this?

Currently, I’m having breakfast while explaining the situation with my groggy head.

The breakfast prepared by Hugo, the trading company’s head chef, was amazing: light, easy to eat, yet filling, without being heavy on the stomach. This guy’s a genius, isn’t he?

Cherina, still half-asleep with her hair sticking up from her bedhead, was slowly eating her breakfast. Her messy hair gradually smoothed out as she woke up.

The bandages around her neck looked painful.

I need to change those to new ones.

Remaining funds: 4,752,061 yen.

I handed the first aid kit to Melvin and showed him how to use it. I stressed the importance of disinfection. Sorry for not helping when you were injured, Melvin. I didn’t think of it… At least use the new bandages and gauze.

“So, any word from Bachal-sama?”

With glucose circulating in my brain, I was slowly regaining my usual demeanor.

“Nothing yet.”

Melvin also regained his usual composed attitude. They’re both incredibly resilient.

“What’s the situation outside?”

“The riotous crowd has calmed down. Likely due to Bachal-samar’s swift actions.”

“Impressive.”

“Currently, people are singing in celebration of the revolution’s success. Reports from Sea Dragon indicate extensive looting within the castle but minimal casualties.”

“I see…”

Cherina lowered her voice and frowned.

“Is there a problem?”

“A huge one. With the treasury empty, we have to rebuild the country from scratch. Such revolutions are driven by people who mistakenly believe they’ll become rich instantly. We need to rapidly implement policies that clearly improve their lives. But we have no money. It’s like challenging a manticore barehanded.”

I don’t know how strong a manticore is, but I get her point. But are there really manticores…?

“Hmm, how about establishing a bank and issuing government bonds?”

“Government bonds?”

“It’s essentially the country’s debt, but it’s a promissory note saying we’ll repay it with interest later.”

“…Not a bad idea.”

“But who would buy such bonds without trust?”

“True.”

“That’s why the bank would buy them.”

“But what exactly is a bank?”

“Well, it issues currency and holds the country’s money—ah, that’s a central bank. There are also regular, private banks where people deposit their money and earn interest.”

“…I don’t get it.”

“Yeah, sorry. I don’t fully understand it either.”

Maybe I should approve and give her some books on finance later. It might be somewhat helpful.

“Well, if we had a central bank, it would be convenient to create paper currency.”

I can freely take money in and out of the container, but carrying large amounts of metal coins is tough. Especially since there’s no currency equivalent to 100 yen, there are just too many small coins.

“Hey, why aren’t there coins worth around 100 yen?”

I asked directly.

“Well… Iron might be a good value, but it has many uses beyond its price. If we issued iron coins, they’d likely be melted down into nails or knives.”

“I see.”

Making iron coins would require a lot of firewood and coal, and then more fuel to melt them down. It might circulate the economy, but it’s probably not a good idea. Selling iron materials would be simpler.

“It’s complicated.”

“Indeed.”

She chuckled.

“Hey, onii-chan, what will happen to us now?”

Narnia, the Whale Inn’s poster girl, had been eating breakfast quietly until now.

“We’re probably going to discuss that now… Narnia, what do you think will happen without the king?”

Cherina’s earlier words had stuck in my mind, so I asked.

“Hmm… Maybe the carriage tax and lodging tax will disappear, bread will become cheaper, and lots of customers will come!”

When I looked at Cherina, she shook her head.

“Yeah… Most people probably think that way…”

I closed my eyes and chose my words carefully.

“Narnia, life likely won’t get better as much as you think.”

“Eh?”

She looked shocked, her expression frozen.

“For a while, life might be tougher than before.”

Her face crumpled, about to cry. I don’t enjoy making little girls cry.

“But if you endure for a bit, life will surely get better. Slowly, but better than now.”

“Really?”

“I promise.”

Of course, it’s just a verbal promise. But the future of this country will be overseen by Cherina and Bahar, who care for it. It can’t turn out badly.

“Here, let’s do a pinky promise like we do in my country.”

Narnia tilted her head.

“Hold out your pinky, like this.”

I linked my pinky with her small one.

“Pinky promise, if I lie, I’ll swallow a thousand needles. Cut off the pinky.”

As I moved our linked pinkies up and down to the rhythm, she started smiling more and more.

“Big brother, what does it mean?”

“It means if you break a promise, you’ll have to swallow a thousand needles… It’s a vow to allow such a cruel thing.”

“Hmm? That’s interesting!”

I hope this promise gives her the strength to live positively.

“Akira-sama… Narnia, life will get better. I guarantee it.”

Cherina suddenly declared.

“Hey…”

If you say that, it’s not just a joke. Cherina knows that. She must have seen my expression because she nodded firmly.

“I will change this country. I’ll make it a proud nation. So I promise you, Narnia.”

“Cherina-oneechan…”

Narnia looked at Cherina with tears in her eyes.

“My lady, a messenger from Bachal-sama has arrived. You’re requested at the royal castle immediately.”

“I understand. Let’s prepare right away.”

Cherina stood up resolutely. She seemed to shine in the sunlight streaming through the window. What a woman. Not my usual thought.

I shook my head and decided to think about something else.

I forgot to investigate the “quest” that appeared yesterday…

While changing into my suit, I kept thinking about irrelevant things.

――――

There were still patches of smoke here and there in the city, but most buildings were made of stone, so the fires had died down overnight. Wooden structures had burned to the ground, though…

There are plenty of rivers and seawater, even if it’s not drinkable, so they probably managed with a human wave tactic.

Today, a mixed force led by the orange-mohawked Master Max is acting as our escort.

“It seems to have calmed down quite a bit.”

Max looked around the city, his mohawk swaying from side to side.

“I’m glad the whole city didn’t turn into ruins.”

“Yeah, we anticipated that quite a while ago with Bachal-dono. We took on the role of dealing with such scoundrels.”

He showed off his arm muscles. Too hot!

“Was it okay not to go yesterday?”

“You idiot! The lady’s safety is a top priority! Are you stupid?”

“Ugh… Somehow, it hurts more when you call me stupid…”

“Hmph. Our brains aren’t so different, right?”

“Can’t deny that…”

I have to admit I’m not very educated myself.

“Well, you did a good job saving the lady.”

“Thanks to Hagg and Yaralai.”

The two walking ahead of us glanced back. Hagg’s expression was like stone, while Yaralai answered with a light wave.

“Still, an elf and a dwarf… quite the combination.”

“Is it?”

“There are many elves in the east, but they’re rare around here. Even when seen, they usually don’t get along with dwarves.”

“Hmm? I wonder why.”

“How should I know?”

Max shook his head exaggeratedly.

――――

In the city, groups of people were noisily celebrating. They were clinking cups repeatedly, holding onto wine.

They were shouting words like “freedom” and “hurray.” Some were holding expensive-looking vases or silver candlesticks. There’s no freedom in looting to your heart’s content.

Anti-government movements in the Middle East became active, but they didn’t seem to be successful. The governments had many problems, but the root cause was unemployment. Changing leaders didn’t solve that.

Blaming others for everything won’t solve anything.

Only when you’ve done everything you can, and the upper echelons still don’t change, will a revolution succeed.

In that sense, what about Cherina and Bachal?

From my perspective, she seemed to live earnestly. Doing her best within her limits.

I looked at her profile. Her face was determined.

“…What is it?”

“Nothing.”

She noticed me staring at her and I felt a bit embarrassed.

“You’ll be fine.”

Cherina was silent for a while, then smiled and nodded.

Alright, let’s go change the world.