NOVEL NEXT Chapter 47 - Chapter 47: The Day Before the Expedition
Chapter 47: The Day Before the Expedition
The day after the expedition was decided. In the morning, we opened the stalls as usual, and in the afternoon, we started preparing for the expedition. By the way, I have no memory of the latter half of yesterday’s drinking party. Before I knew it, I was at Gisella’s house, sleeping messily with everyone.
Now, what do we need for the expedition? Since we’re going from the hideout, there’s nothing special to prepare. Maybe just maintaining our weapons… By the way, I really like the staff Gisella made for me. First of all, this staff is quite stylish. The dull shining metal part and the easy-to-grip small handle create a light impression. Moreover, it fits well in my hand, giving a sense of reassurance as a sophisticated tool. Holding it feels unexpectedly good, and I can somewhat understand the feelings of an old English gentleman. Plus, the balance is just right, making it easy to swing. It’s undoubtedly sturdy enough. As a weapon, I think it suits my physical strength and temperament well.
“Gisella might truly be a top-notch blacksmith. Even modestly speaking, this staff is just too good.”
“You’re exaggerating too much. Stop it, it’s embarrassing.”
“I think your sense of style is also amazing. Gisella, you’re fashionable.”
“Jeez! Okay, I get it! Ahhh~”
Gisella seems surprisingly unaccustomed to being praised and quickly turns red, making strange noises as she runs away. Actually, the reputation among the people around her is also good. Marie, Azir, and other acquaintances, even mercenaries, were all impressed. They probably thought it was lame that I was carrying a stick… It seems that Gisella has updated Kuro’s large knife somehow. The blade shines even more ominously, and the grip is cleaner. Gisella has a really good sense of these little decorations. She also prepared a simple gauntlet. It seems to be becoming more and more assassin-like. Shiro still sticks to the barbarian style with just a metal rod and a sword-axe. It seems that being unarmored is more durable than wearing bad armor. Shiro always has a gentle impression with her constant smile and refined appearance. But when she wields her metal rod, she really gives off a demonic vibe, with a terrifying power that sets her apart from others. Gisella carries a small mace and a hand axe. The mace has six beautiful flanges like butterfly wings, and it looks painful to be hit by it. The hand axe seems to be usable for throwing. Gisella seems to be good at throwing axes, and she showed me by smashing the firewood target with one blow. It would be an instant death for an average monster. She’s quite petite compared to Shiro, but she’s still an oni.
In the end, it seems that there’s nothing to do except for simple maintenance of our belongings. If that’s the case, there should be no problem with spending a day at the stall. All that’s left is organizing our luggage just before leaving. But that seems to be quickly done too. Shiro and Gisella are dividing the luggage, and they will carry almost everything. It’s incredibly easy…
“Gyaaa! Gya!”
“All right, all right, let’s go to the market soon.”
“Yeah.”
“Got it. Today’s evening is the day to go to Melanie’s house, right?”
“That’s right. That was close; I almost forgot to bring meat as a souvenir. Thank you, Gisella.”
“This meat is delicious, so I think Melanie will be pleased with it.”
When we arrived at the market, the boss was waiting there as usual.
“Good morning, Kuro! Give me some coffee!”
At this point, the boss seems to think of this shop as Kuro’s shop. Indeed, I sometimes feel that way too.
“With Kuro around, the business can thrive even without Bonus! Hahaha!”
“That’s right! Kuro makes Bonus’ coffee bitter!”
“Gyaa? Gyagyagya~”
Kuro stretches up to look at me, and with a face that says, “Can’t help it,” she strokes my head.
“Hmm… I’m being healed.”
“Bonus… Kuro, Shiro, Gisella, good morning.”
Melanie, who appeared out of nowhere, also started preparing the stall beside us
“You’re late.”
“Zamza… You’re going to be here all day again today?”
“Hmm.”
“Oh yeah… Melanie, take care today. Here’s some meat as a souvenir.”
“I was looking forward to it. Today, I’ll come home once in the morning and pick you up in the evening. And thanks for the meat. I’ll make good use of it.”
“Sorry for barging in like this.”
“No, if Gisella is the one joining, then I’m definitely happy.”
“Hehe~”
Melanie’s attitude toward Shiro and Gisella is different. But she’s oddly close with Kuro too. My treatment just keeps getting rougher.
“Good morning, Bonus. Take care tomorrow!”
“Good morning.”
“Morning! Azir and Marie. Yesterday was fun, even though I don’t remember the end.”
“Oh, that’s good to hear.”
Hold on a sec, what happened? And why is Azir looking at me with such warm eyes? It’s too scary to ask.
“Gyaaa!”
“Good morning, Marie, Azir.”
“Morning~”
“Morning. You three are cute as always.”
“Good morning.”
Azir is still ogling Gisella’s chest like a monkey. I understand the feeling, but could you hide it a bit more? It’s embarrassing for me too.
“You’re staring at women’s breasts too much, aren’t you? Are you a kid?”
“Zamza… Come on, man―――”
It seems like Azir and Zamza are about to start an endless and pointless conversation. Gisella and Marie are looking at them with disdain. Feeling uncomfortable but wanting to forget my own guilt of sneaking glances, I casually talk to the boss, who is enjoying his coffee innocently.
“By the way, boss, how’s the box making going?”
“Oh, I’ve made something nice!”
Saying so, he finishes the last sip of his coffee, and slowly puts down the cup. With a grin, he takes out a beautiful wooden box with a glossy finish from his tool bag.
“This is the sample.”
“Wow, this is beautiful! Nice~ I like this. Despite its appearance, you always make incredibly beautiful things.”
“Oh, what’s that box?”
“Huh? This seems to be a box for chocolates! I made it!”
“How wonderful.”
“Right! Thanks!”
The boss started boasting to Marie about the box he made. Marie, who is usually indifferent to men, is unusually listening attentively.
“This one… was more difficult than I thought. I initially asked a box maker, but the quality wasn’t great… So in the end, I made them all myself!”
“Really? But you really did a good job.”
“You’re certainly skilled.”
“I also made this coffee cup! Easy to drink, right?”
“Oh, I see. Can you sell me some too?”
Marie seems to like it too. Indeed, this cup has been well received by other customers.
“Boss, I wanted to order some additional ones. Can you make the same amount as before? I’ll give some to Marie later.”
“Got it!”
“Oh, Bonus, is that okay?”
“I’ve been making a profit with Marie’s help. She’ll probably buy more chocolate anyway, so I can recoup the cost quickly.”
“Then I’ll gladly accept it.”
“Boss, when you collect the boxes next time, I’ll pay you for them. Please make about 30 sets.”
“Okay! I can do it quickly since I’ve had fewer jobs lately.”
Customers are coming in steadily since the opening. And surprisingly, Melanie and the boss seem to get along well, chatting happily. She’s unexpectedly the type who respects craftsmen.