At first, I was surprised because Sylph said that she was an enemy, but looking at the interaction between the two so far, it doesn’t look like they’re really on bad terms.
As for the evidence, Maria didn’t touch one of the two puddings I offered, leaving it firmly in a place that was not visible from Sylph.
“By the way, Katou-sama. You said that you were collecting Kubel fruit, but what are you going to use it for? If you don’t want to, you don’t have to tell me, but……”
Then Maria asked me that.
Well, it’s not something I need to particularly hide.
I told Maria that I needed the fruit to season the potions.
“…… I see, so that’s why. Understood. …… Then, Katou-sama. Is it okay for me to say, that you’ll come here to pick some fruits regularly?”
“Ah, yes…… If it doesn’t bother you, but ……”
“No no, there are a lot of fruits in this forest, so I don’t mind …… However, isn’t it hard for you to visit this forest every time? If you like, I’ll carry it for you on a regular basis. Katou-sama, you live in a city near here, right?”
I nodded to Maria’s words, and told her that we were living in the town of Cassandra.
“If so, let me carry it. Since this forest is a sanctuary, no monsters will spring up, but still, it is not absolutely safe…… Well, from Katou-sama and the others’ perspective, most of the monsters, etc, may not be a considerable enemy, but ……”
In Maria’s words, I waved my hand and denied her last word.
“No, no! There’s no such thing! That really helps!”
I took Maria’s suggestion, and asked how much I should pay Maria, because as expected, I’m reluctant to let her work for free.
“––––Ah, then ……”
Then Mary said that with a contrite expression.
“Eh? Is that all right? In that case, it’s fine to do it every day, but……”
Maria’s request.
Simply put, she wanted us to have such meals as we did today.
She’s a servant of the Spirit king, so she’s likely to be strong in her own way, and I thought that she wouldn’t be in trouble with money, but apparently, there are some circumstances.
Speaking of which, the Spirit king said that she had a grudge against humans.
There isn’t much of that atmosphere now from her, but well, let’s not dig too deep at that.
“Then Maria-san, again, please take care of me.”
“Yes, Katou-sama. I too, please take care of me.”
I shook hands with Maria, and made a deal with her to get the fruits and carry it to me regularly.
◇
The next day, we made a flavored potion, and exhibited it in the black market within that day.
The price was considerably higher than the regular potion, but surprisingly, it seems that it sells well.
There are 3 types of flavors in all.
Strawberry flavor.
Banana flavor.
And melon flavor.
If we want to make it, we can make other flavors, but they said that if we add all kinds of it in one go entirely, we can’t sell what is available, so we decided to attach the flavor in small quantity.
As for its effectiveness, there is no demerit that the effect of the potion is lowered by adding these flavors, and according to the story of a man named Batts who manages the black market, it seems that everything has a special sensation, and it was sold out in just a few seconds after listing.
I can tell that Batts’ words are not lies, by checking my skill card.
The normal potions are also generally looking good.
My savings are also steadily increasing.
That’s the reason why I, became a regular in the black market when I noticed it.
◇
“…… You want a house?”
“Yes! I’m having trouble with the place to put the potion, so I want to rent a warehouse, but I think it’s better for it to stay at home!”
A skinhead man with scratches on his forehead –––– I’m getting used to Batts.
I’m scared that I’m getting used to him.
“…… There is nothing I can’t prepare.”
“Really!?”
“……Ah. Of course, I don’t take money.”
“No, no way. I wonder if that’s reasonable.”
Batts boldly laughs.
As I thought, he’s evidently scary.
After shipping today’s potions, I part with Batts.
Regarding the house, it seems that he will send out a messenger at a later date to me.
Or rather, he seemed to have a complete grasp of where I lived.
He’s scary after all.
Thinking about such a thing, I went back to the inn.
◇
The next day, a man who named himself to be Batts’ messenger visited the inn.
No way, I wonder if he already prepared today, the estate from yesterday.
As expected of Batts. He’s a mass of talent.
I took Yumina and the others, to the estate where Batts messenger was going guide me.
There are no other buildings in the area.
According to the man, this building used to be home for an aristocrat.
However, he felt a sense of crisis as the city becomes poorer day by day, and the aristocrat seems to have left this city to escape from it.
Batts bought this cheaply.
……Even so, my current possession isn’t enough, and if I buy this mansion, I have to pay it in the form of a debt.
…… Well, the flavored potions are also there, and the level of my alchemy is also increasing. There should be no problem.
I look at the mansion.
The exterior of the mansion was not particularly deteriorated, and even if it was said to be newly built, it was believable.
Apparently, due to magic, it’s not aging.
Next, we ask him to guide us inside.
“Uhh! Amazing!”
When we entered the mansion, we first came into a large space.
The ceiling is high, and was embellished with chandelier that seems to be really expensive.
Did the nobles who lived here leave that behind?
Vases and paintings, were decorated here and there.
It’s probably, quite expensive.
To be honest, I want to decorate this place as it is, but I cannot afford that much money for it.
Or perhaps, if I buy this mansion, will I be forced to, buy this painting or jar?
When I was worried about that.
“Rest assured. These paintings, vases, furniture, etc. were prepared by Batts-sama for Katou and his companions. We won’t do such unrefined thing like taking money for it. …… This is the first time I’ve seen Batts-sama have so much fun.”
I exhaled with relief at the man’s words.
Or more precisely, Batts was pleased at me that much huh.
If that’s the case, I wish he’d told me so.
“Hey, hey, Frey! I found an attic room in the back of there!?”
“An attic!? Leafa! We’ll make it our secret base!”
“…… I’m sorry for being noisy.”
“No no, they’re lively to the degree of being enviable.”
We were then guided through the mansion by the man.
And finally, we have to decide whether or not we would buy this mansion.
That said, the answer seems unanimous.
“Lord! This mansion also has a garden! You should definitely buy this mansion!”
“That’s right Katou! There’s a lot of room here, and you don’t have to worry about the potion storage! Let’s live here!”
“I have the same opinion as the both of them. I think this mansion is wonderful.”
“–––– Alright……! Then, I’ll buy it!”
Debt–––– In the form of a loan, I tell the man that I’m going to buy this mansion, and I complete the purchase procedure with my skill card.