Allen the Reincarnated Merchant: A Plan to Get Rich in Another World

The place I returned to after passing through the Moon Gate back to the world of Asphial was a room in the team house located in the royal capital, where I had just arrived today.

It was a small six-tatami mat room—somewhat cramped for one man—but considering the high cost of living and rent in the royal capital, it was a pretty good deal, especially since I didn’t have to pay rent as long as I was part of the team.

The room had the bare essentials: a bed, a simple desk, and a chair. But since I didn’t bring much with me in the first place, the room felt rather empty.

In the midst of this stark six-tatami room, the large white mist-covered door stood out as something completely out of place.

“…I don’t think anyone will just walk in here, but I better be careful when I use it.”

—

After speaking with Chairman Ryugen and securing his promise, I returned to the world of Asphial. It was already evening, and many of the team members had gathered in the first-floor lobby of the team house.

“Do you know where the captain is?”

“Oh, Allen! I think the captain is in the office.”

The first person I noticed in the lobby was Camille, who was reading a complex-looking book. Dressed in a black robe typical of a mage, with striking light blue hair, Camille stood out the most in the first-floor lobby.

Thinking about the office, Camille pointed to its location without missing a beat.

“Thanks, I appreciate it.”

“No problem! If you want to thank me, bring me the next volume of *Yume Koi*!”

Exchanging a few light words, I headed to the room Camille had pointed to.

—

“So, you were able to meet with my father. I never expected you to go all the way to the countryside in Gifu.”

As she spoke, Saioji took a sip from the drink on her desk, having just finished processing the mountain of paperwork at a tremendous speed.

From the way she talked, it seemed she had anticipated that I would make contact with the Saioji Group members.

“Men in black suits were searching the village where I’m staying. That’s going too far.”

“Well, it can’t be helped. I have siblings, but as things stand, I’m the only heir.”

…I guess being the daughter of someone who runs a major corporation that controls Japan would lead to such large-scale searches.

Even though it was happening in Japan, it felt like something from another world. Maybe it was because I’d spent so much time in Asfial.

“…Anyway, Chairman Ryugen gave me this thing called a ‘smartphone’ and told me to take proof, like photos, of you and the team members.”

Akira-san had already taught me the basics of how to use the smartphone.

Since there’s no electricity in this world, I also got something called a mobile battery, which is like a backup battery. By connecting this to the smartphone with a charging cable, I could charge it even in the electricity-free world of Asphial.

“That sounds like a good idea. Could you lend it to me for a moment?”

“Sure.”

The smartphone I received was a long, black model.

Apparently, it was the latest model produced by the Saioji Group, capable of shooting in 4K at 60FPS? I didn’t really get it, but in short, it could take very high-quality photos and videos.

‘Shizuku, if you’re watching this video, then it means you’re really alive…’

In Saioji’s time, the kind of cell phone I used was called a feature phone, and it had mostly been replaced by smartphones.

Now it seems that even elementary and middle school students have smartphones, and Saioji, too, handled the one I gave her with practiced ease.

“Hehe, that’s so like Father.”

“A message?”

After Saioji fiddled with the smartphone for a bit, I suddenly heard Chairman Ryugen’s voice, and realized he had recorded a video message for his daughter on the phone.

As she watched the video, Saioji’s expression softened into a look I’d never seen before. Her eyes seemed to be slightly teary, but pointing that out would have been impolite.

After watching the few minutes of the message, Saioji let out a small breath and handed the smartphone back to me.

“Are you sure?”

“It was yours to begin with. Now that you’ve made contact with my father, I can arrange for a personal phone for myself later.”

“I see.”

“Yes, but could you take some pictures of the team members first? I’ll finish the work I have now before we take a group photo.”

With that, Saioji picked up the documents that were piled on the side of her desk and started going through them again, just like before.