NOVEL NEXT Chapter 42 - Chapter 42: Artisans
Chapter 42: Artisans
“I’ll come along today too.”
The next day, while everyone was having breakfast, Gisella said such a thing.
“Why again?”
“Because I’m lonely, obviously! I thought we could all work together as companions, but being left alone all the time is rough, you know~.”
Well, I figured it would be something like that…
But I wonder if her business will be okay.
“I’ll also sell weapons next to Bonus. The quality is comparable to Misharl, you know.”
“Indeed, Gisella has been in business much longer than me. I’ll rely on you, senior?”
“Hahaha. Leave it to me.”
“Gisella is coming too. I’m happy about that.”
“Gyah-gyah~!”
“Well, she’s actually quite reassuring in various ways.”
“Hehe~”
After that, Gisella energetically sorted through the weapons she was bringing.
Sometimes she would give Kuro a piggyback ride, seeming quite excited.
Shiro watched Gisella with a happy expression, smiling.
For me, I wanted to go shopping today anyway, so it worked out well.
“It’s rare to see an oni blacksmith. And with an oni woman… Well, if it’s you guys, it’s fine to do business in the same place.”
When I consulted with Clara, I was surprised at how easily she gave permission for the stall.
And for some reason, it seems the stall fee is only required for one person.
It was a bit too kind, so when I tried to give her a chocolate gift, she refused.
“Is this chocolate? Hmm. But I can’t accept that.”
“Is that so? Well, it’s just a prototype for tasting, so you don’t have to worry…”
“I’m the one in charge of this market. I can’t allow things that might cause misunderstandings.”
“I see… Sorry about that.”
“Well, I’ll come buy some eventually.”
With that, Clara smoothly disappeared as usual.
Truly, there’s no room to curry favor with her.
She’s indeed entrusted with managing the market.
After that, we started preparing the stall as usual.
Gisella also seemed adept at it, swiftly getting everything ready.
It looks like she’ll be using the space between Melanie’s stall and ours, a mere two meters wide.
“Is it okay if I put it around here? Melanie, is it okay?”
“It’s fine~”
“Gisella-san will be doing it too. I’ve been tired of seeing Bonus’ face all the time. I’m happy about it. Nice to meet you.”
“Hahaha. Nice to meet you too~”
“Am I already boring after just three days?”
The stall preparations were familiar and were finished in no time.
Shiro, with some free time, was helping Gisella.
Kuro was already preparing coffee for the arriving customers.
“Gyah-gyah-gyah~!”
“Kuro! Your coffee is much better than Bonus’!”
“I know! Just leave me alone!”
Yeah, for some reason, Kuro’s coffee is the best.
Not many customers seem to notice, but the discerning coffee lover among them quickly caught on.
We should be using the same method, but…
“Hey, Bonus, do you want any decorations on the boxes? If it’s simple, I can do it.”
“Hmm, as long as you clean up the edges nicely, that should be fine. I’d like to put a branding iron on them, but I haven’t decided on a design, and it seems expensive…”
“If it’s a branding iron, can I make it?”
“Gisella, can you do something like that?”
Wow, that opens up possibilities.
I need to think of a design carefully.
We don’t even have a name for the store yet.
Maybe I should think about branding properly.
“Well, if it’s not too complicated, I think I can do it.”
“Oh! Another companion? A blacksmith, huh? Nice!”
“Are you a woodworker? I make knives or sharpen them, but well, nice to meet you.”
Is there some connection between artisans that makes them surprisingly easy to talk to?
“Anyway, we don’t really need decorations, so as long as you use beautiful wood with a nice grain and finish it carefully and precisely, that’s all we need.”
“Got it! Well, that’s actually the hardest part.”
If it’s a branding iron, we can do it after the boxes are made.
Come to think of it, I need to buy a millstone too.
Maybe I’ll go shopping after the morning rush.
“Today, I’m thinking of going shopping for a bit. Anyone want to come along?”
“I have some things I want to buy too, so is it okay if I come with you?”
“Then, Gisella, please.”
“Shiro, Kuro, if anything happens, I’m counting on you.”
“Gyah-gyah!”
“Hmm… Leave it to Gisella.”
I’m not sure about Gisella’s abilities, but well, she’s an oni too, so it should be fine.
I should be careful not to waste money. Maybe I should save up a bit more before buying clothes…
It seems Gisella wants to buy a whetstone. Since I also wanted to buy a millstone, we decided to go to the stonemason’s. Gisella, who has been in Savoia for a long time, meticulously tells me about the locations of various shops.
“I’m glad I came with Gisella.”
“Hahaha, you’re glad you came with me, right?”
“Yeah, it’s really helpful.”
As we walked leisurely and chatted, an oni man approached us from ahead.