SWNOVELXO Chapter 140 - The divine cat, Mii-chan, scurried into Nero's clothes.
140 The divine cat, Mii-chan, scurried into Nero’s clothes.
Tea and sweets were served, and Nero enjoyed them without hesitation. Mii-chan, in “work mode,” sat obediently on his lap.
“Hmm, so this is it?”
“It’s not very tasty.”
The dragon, having sampled the tea and sweets, spoke bluntly, causing the attendant to nervously wipe away sweat with a forced smile.
“So, I’ve heard that the Divine Cat Trading Company is planning to open a branch in Wilhelm?”
“Yes, we’ve received a request from the Grand Duke, and having a branch there would be convenient for many reasons.”
“And what purpose will this branch serve?”
“It will function as both an office and a food production and sales center, as well as include living quarters.”
“I see, so it will be a store with living accommodations.”
“Do you have any good locations?”
“I will have it checked immediately.”
A woman entered the room and handed a piece of paper to the attendant, who then gave her further instructions.
“Here is the amount for your taxes.”
Mii-chan was presented with the written amount.
“Mii~”
The attendant rang a bell, and two staff members arrived to start counting the money.
During the business guild’s training session, Nero had learned that money must always be counted in front of the client. That’s the rule!
“Indeed, the full amount has been received. Here is your tax payment certificate.”
“Mii~”
Yes, yes, this is an important document. I’ll file it away soon. I need to start creating the branch’s ledger too.
“So, what kind of food does the Divine Cat Trading Company plan to sell?”
“At this time of year, frozen desserts will be our main product. In addition, we plan to sell preserved foods.”
“Preserved foods…?”
The attendant looked skeptical, as if wondering if Nero was serious. He likely imagined something like those hard-as-a-rock biscuits. Time for a demonstration. Nero pulled out a cup, filled it with water, and used his water skill to heat it. Everyone, except Mii-chan, was surprised, including the two dragons.
Nero then added a quarter of a miso ball to the cup and stirred it with a spoon. Although the soup had no broth or ingredients, it was enough to astonish people in this world. After all, the only common seasoning here is salt.
Nero handed the cup to the attendant and made a gesture to try it. The attendant cautiously brought the cup to his lips.
“!? What is this…?”
Heh heh heh… Behold the power of miso!
“This is a concentrated soup base that lasts a long time. You can drink it as is, or add ingredients to enhance the flavor. It pairs well with most foods, so its uses are versatile.”
“This isn’t just preserved food; it could also serve as a seasoning.”
“In that case, it’s better to use non-dried versions.”
“Do you have that as well?”
“I’ve already supplied some to the kitchen of the ‘Grand Wilhelm Nord.'”
By the way, “Grand Wilhelm Nord” is the inn Nero was currently staying at.
“What? That high-end inn?”
Nero showed the attendant the sales contract that had been returned along with the tax certificate.
“It’s true… Well, this is something.”
“Though our product isn’t well known yet and production is still small, I believe it will sell once people experience the flavor.”
“Indeed… This will sell.”
“Mii~!”
Mii-chan wore a smug expression, as if to say, “Of course it will.”
At that moment, the woman who had entered earlier returned with a thick file.
“Do you have any preferred locations?”
“Somewhere on the main street or along a busy road near the Hunter Guild.”
“Those will be expensive. Are you looking to rent or purchase?”
“If possible, I’d like to buy. Renting limits what we can do with the interior layout.”
“Hmm, in that case, there are three properties on the main street and two near the Hunter Guild.”
The documents were shown to Nero, but he couldn’t make much sense of them.
“Since they’re close by, shall we go see them now?”
“Please do.”
The first property was a large building on the east side of a street running east-west. It was too big, so Nero passed on it. The second was a two-story building with a warehouse and a garden in the back, located slightly away from the central area of the western side of the main street. The third was a former inn located slightly south of the center along the main street.
The properties near the Hunter Guild were both on a street behind the guild in a commercial area with rows of large and small buildings. One was too big, the other too small, so both were rejected. If Nero could split them and combine them, he would’ve chosen that spot.
That left either the property with the garden or the former inn. Nero told the attendant he needed time to think, so they returned to the inn for the day.
At the inn, Nero found Perro and the other children still playing. Even Lar-kun was running around with them, seamlessly fitting in. Nero figured they could pass him off as a dog. Perfect.
“Mii…”
Huh? No? I think it’ll work as long as nobody says anything.
Nero made popsicles using fruit juice water for the hardworking kids.
“Ooh! Cold and refreshing, nya!”
Nero froze the popsicles with sticks for Perro and the children to hold, while for the others, he served them on plates.
Returning to his room, Nero petted Mii-chan, who curled up on his lap. As he drank the tea made by the maid, Alex asked him a question.
“Was that earlier some kind of special power?”
Since Claudia would be handling that part, Nero decided to explain.
“No, it’s just a water skill.”
“Huh? Not an ice skill?”
“Nope, a water skill.”
“Mii~”
Nero filled a cup with water and heated it until steam rose, then immediately froze it solid.
Both Alex and Claudia stared, mouths agape.
“What kind of things can Claudia’s ice skill do?”
Snapping back to reality, Claudia froze the water in a different cup.
“What else?”
With a serious look, Claudia began lowering the temperature in the room, which soon passed from pleasantly cool to uncomfortably cold. The maids started rubbing their shoulders to stay warm. Mii-chan, feeling the chill, crawled inside Nero’s clothes.
Mii-chan, you hate the cold because you’re a cat, huh? She peeked her head out from Nero’s clothes, giving him a look as if to say, “I had no choice.”
“Mii…”