NOVEL NEXT Chapter 211 - the divine cat Mii-chan wondered, "what does it mean to be edible?"
211 the divine cat Mii-chan wondered, “what does it mean to be edible?”
On the way back, we returned to the Hildenburg branch of the Divine Cat Trading Company after thanking the Grand Duke for letting us board his ship. There, we found two unfamiliar people, a man and a woman, helping out at the shop. Who are they?
“Mii?”
Turns out, they were new dragonfolk. That was fast! It was just mentioned earlier, and now they’ve already arrived…
“I’m Albert. Just call me Al.”
“I’m Christina. Please call me Chris.”
We moved to the back room for business discussions. Both of them possess water skills, specifically sent because of those abilities. Apparently, Claudia had spread knowledge among water-skill dragons about how to control water temperature, and these two had already mastered that ability.
By the way, Al is a large, dashing man, more of a ruggedly handsome type. Chris has long black hair and a refined beauty. She’s also Ral-kun’s older sister and possesses a rare darkness skill.
“My father and brother are always in your care.”
“No, it’s the other way around—we owe them so much.”
“Mii.”
“My father has been in a great mood recently, thanks to having someone to talk to. Please visit us again.”
“Mii.”
Chris is the daughter of the Fierce King, isn’t she? It’s probably not good if she stays in the room upstairs…
“My father instructed me to treat you the same as the others. Though I am the daughter of the Fierce King, I am still young within my family, so there’s no need for special treatment.”
Al placed two large bags on the table with a thud.
“My father sent me with these. It’s payment for the alcohol and our education and living expenses. Please accept them.”
I was too afraid to look inside. I’m sure even one bag would be too heavy for me to carry alone. Without looking, I had Mii-chan store them in her divine bag.
For now, the two will be helping out at the shop. Once they get used to it, I’ll consider taking one of them to Beruna. I’ve already got a candidate in mind. Mii-chan looks so content being petted by Chris.
“My father held your familiar in high regard, so I imagined you to be a terrifying person, but you are so kind and adorable.”
“Mii.”
The two of them will be helping out starting today. When we returned to the shop, I noticed the same slightly tired-looking man from before pacing back and forth in front of the store, not ordering anything.
“What’s that about?”
“Mii?”
“He was here around this time yesterday too.”
“Should we chase him off?”
I think I understand what’s going on. If he’s looking forward to something, let’s give him what he wants. I can take the proposal to the guild tomorrow.
I pulled out some low-quality paper and started folding it into a triangular cone. Mii-chan, Al, and Chris watched me curiously. I asked Al and Chris to skewer three pieces of fried chicken each, which I had Mii-chan pull from her bag.
I filled the folded paper cones with fries and lined them up next to the fried chicken. Once everything was ready, I hung up the same sign as last time, and the man came over excitedly to order.
“Ah, it was worth the wait. I’ll have one drink and one skewer.”
He drank it with such gusto that it made me thirsty just watching him.
“Ahhh, this drink makes life worth living! Another one, please!”
As if on cue, more customers gathered and placed orders. Al and Chris helped out, but the cooling temperatures were inconsistent. I made a sample drink and asked them to standardize it at around five or six degrees. I made the frozen ones myself since they couldn’t manage that yet.
Mii-chan was all smiles, happily interacting with the customers, who kindly drank their orders without causing any trouble in the shop.
As usual, the rush of customers became overwhelming, and soon the ale, fried chicken, and fries were selling out quickly. Exhausted, I declared, “We’re sold out!” And just like last time, the collective groans of disappointment echoed throughout the darkened streets.
We returned to the business discussion room, where I sank deeply into the sofa and stretched. Al and Chris, mentally worn out, also collapsed into the sofa. Mii-chan claimed the special spot on my lap.
“Is it really that good?”
“My father loves it.”
“Why don’t you give it a try?”
“Mii.”
That innocent suggestion turned out to be a mistake… I had assumed that since the Fierce King could handle alcohol, so could dragons. Al cooled his ale by himself and started drinking, while I poured some wine for Chris.
“Oh, this is delicious.”
“Yeah, this is… really good.”
The two of them quickly emptied their cups. I thought, “Wow, dragons really can handle their alcohol,” but then Al suddenly shouted, “I’m so hot!” He ripped off his clothes and ran outside, yelling. Meanwhile, Chris, with her eyes half-closed, grabbed my face with both hands and kissed me on the lips.
“Nero-kun, you’re sooo cute~♪”
S-someone help me, I’m going to be eaten!
“Mii?”
Hearing the commotion, Claudia burst into the room and delivered a perfect heel drop to the back of Chris’s head, knocking her out cold. Is she going to be okay?
“She’ll be fine. She’ll be back to her old self by tomorrow.”
Claudia then carried Chris out. What about Al? When I went to the shop, I found him lying on the floor…
“He came out yelling at the top of his lungs.”
Did you… kill him?
“Don’t worry. He’ll be fine by tomorrow.”
This all feels strangely familiar…
“Mii.”