SWNOVELXO Chapter 175 - Divine Cat Mii-chan it's time for the first Divine Cat Company store to open.
175 Divine Cat Mii-chan it’s time for the first Divine Cat Company store to open.
A few days later, the storefront of the first Divine Cat Trading Company in Wilhelm was completed, ready for business. Although the residential space wasn’t fully ready yet, it was livable enough for the two of them to move in from their inn.
For the opening, new curtains and banners were made by Lara and Yana. Preparations for the storefront sales were completed.
At the stall, customers were informed about the new shop, where sales would be conducted from now on.
And today is the grand opening day of the first Divine Cat Trading Company! In addition to the usual items they had been selling, miso soup has been added to the menu. They are also offering retail sales of sliced rice cakes, kinako (roasted soybean flour), miso, soy sauce, and garlic oil.
The location is great, close to the main street with heavy foot traffic, and near the shopping district and the Hunter’s Guild. We hope many people will visit.
“Mii-chan, it’s time for the grand opening of Divine Cat Trading Company, Store No. 1!”
Customers started placing orders as soon as the store opened. Mii-chan was at the counter, shaking hands with customers. After all, she’s both the owner and mascot of the store.
Since it’s the opening day, everything is on sale for half price—except for retail items. Still, the sliced rice cakes are flying off the shelves. Hunters are buying them because they’re filling. Although some are asking for sweet bean paste (anko), I had to decline since it’s too difficult to make. Instead, we posted a recipe for different ways to eat rice cakes at the store.
Ladies from various guilds are bulk-buying dumplings today, and, as usual, the shop is packed with customers looking for Alex and Claudia.
Miso soup, however, isn’t selling well. As a promotional effort, we’re giving out free samples in smaller portions, about a third of the usual serving. It’s the old strategy—lose a little, gain a lot.
Leaving the store in the hands of the two for a moment, I head to the Commercial Guild to terminate the contract for the stall location.
“Well, well, if it isn’t Divine Cat Trading Company. What brings you in today?”
When I tell the attendant I’m here to cancel the stall location contract, they express disappointment.
“Oh, I see… So you’re discontinuing the stall?”
“Yes, we’ve opened the store now.”
“I see, I see. It looks like business is booming. So the stall is closing… Divine Cat’s stall actually boosted the sales of other stalls in the central plaza too. Any chance you’d reconsider continuing the stall?”
“Hmmm, it’s a matter of manpower. Our techniques are unique, so I can’t trust just anyone to handle it. Right now, it’s difficult.”
“That’s a shame. What will happen to the stall itself?”
“We plan to use it in the capital, Berna, in the Kingdom of Lumiere. That’s where the headquarters of Divine Cat Trading Company will be.”
“Ah, even more of a shame.”
With the contract termination sorted out, I return to the shop. By noon, the customer flow had eased. Mii-chan was still busy with her handshake event, this time with the local children.
We take turns having lunch at the table in the back. Mii-chan can barely manage to get a bite.
“Mii…”
Hang in there, representative!
Even as the sun begins to set, customers keep coming in. Placing the shop near the Hunter’s Guild was the right decision. In the end, we stayed open until the ninth bell.
Closing the shop doesn’t mean the day’s over. Now, we have to prepare for tomorrow. Since today was such a success, our stock is running low. The three of us split up to get everything ready. By the time we finished, it was already past the eleventh bell.
After taking out dinner for Mii-chan from her bag and finishing our meal, we put the stall away in the warehouse and headed home.
What a tiring day. Time for a bath and bed.
“Mii~”
But when I opened the bathroom door after undressing, there was Letty… in her birthday suit. Yes, in her birthday suit. It’s important, so I said it twice.
“Ahhh, nothing beats a bath. Why are you just standing there, boy? Aren’t you coming in?”
“Wh-why are you in here, Letty?!”
“You said I could take a bath whenever I liked, didn’t you?”
“I did, but I also told you to hang the gender-specific ‘bath in use’ sign when entering!”
“Hm? Did I forget? Well, isn’t it fine? You got to see a beautiful woman naked, so it’s a treat for the eyes, isn’t it? Now, come sit down. I’ll wash your back.”
“I-I’m fine! I can wash myself!”
“Now, now, don’t be shy. Washing your back won’t get you pregnant.”
“That’s not the issue here!”
Yes, she scrubbed me clean. Even a bathhouse attendant has never washed me… Sniff. Mii-chan, let’s get you cleaned up too.
“Mii~”
“What? Staring at me like that, did you fall in love all over again?”
“Letty, you’re a demon, right?”
“A demon? That’s what they call me. Technically, I’m a half-breed of the Ice Tribe and the Crimson Spirit Tribe.”
“…”
“Come on, say what you want to say. Or are you going to tell me you want to share a bed tonight? It might be too early for you, but I wouldn’t mind snuggling.”
“Who would say that?!”
This woman is exhausting… Mii-chan is relaxing on the edge of the tub, pretending not to care. Should I put a towel on her head?
Sigh… “Just one thing, just one thing I want to ask. Depending on your answer, I might even bow my head and plead with Ayane-san.”
“…”
“Do you regret coming here?”
“…To be honest, I’m not sure yet.”
Letty became silent for a moment, lost in thought.
“Boy, what is freedom? What should I think about? Until now, I’ve lived following the orders of my benefactor, the Great Madam. I’ve always strived to meet her expectations. I thought I’d give my life and body to her. Then, she told me to become yours, and aside from that, I’m free. But what is freedom?”
Letty gazes into my eyes intensely, as if trying to peer into my soul. Her crimson and blue eyes are mesmerizing.
“I don’t mind becoming yours. It was the Great Madam’s final order. But what is freedom? I’ve always done what she said. What should I do now? Will you give me orders from now on?”
“I don’t think I’ll ever order you around, Letty. I might ask you for things, though.”
“Then, what should I do? You’re my master. Tell me, boy…”
I think I understand why Ayane-san asked me to show Letty the light of day. This woman has lived in darkness for so long. She probably couldn’t even imagine what freedom is. She’s used to being ordered around, executing commands without question, like a machine.
It might seem like an easy way to live. You just follow orders, not needing to judge right from wrong, just doing what you’re told. But is that really living?
“Let’s live in the sunlight. Start with that.”
“Mii~”