414 - - Forty-two times.

We did not sign a contract, but we have a new addition to our paradise. Mr. Black, a great spirit of darkness with unique sensibilities. Mr. Glacier, a senior spirit of ice. Mr. Heat, the senior spirit of fire. Mr. Blanche, a senior spirit of the forest.

I thought I would talk with them for a while to get to know them better, but as soon as I finished greeting them, they started moving toward the opening of the bar and drinking establishment. The spirits were very enthusiastic.

But, well, they are all very enthusiastic about it, and I guess we'll be able to decide on a general plan for the sake island after we invite Ruby and the others to discuss it at night.

***

"So, you're okay with opening the bar and drinking establishment on Sake Island the day before Yuta leaves for the labyrinth city?"

"I don't mind, but we only have about seven days.　Are you okay with that?"

In the evening, I called Ruby and the others who were available for a meeting. The meeting went smoothly, but I wondered if opening in seven days was too soon.

No, we can handle this. I'll have someone else take over the lead and return to the palace of the spirits, so take care of the rest.

"Well, it's already night, why don't you leave in the morning?"

No, I still have some things I need to finalize at the palace of spirits. Now, if you'll excuse me."

Mr. Alvard said nothing more than that and quickly flew away. This time, the purpose was not to lead the little ones, but to have a meeting at the bar.

"Sylphie. Mr. Alvard said he can handle it, but are you sure he can?"

Even if the store is somewhat complete, we haven't even finished setting up the merchandise and stuff, have we?

"Yuta. The genie doesn't have to sleep."

I don't know why Sylphy is looking so smug there, but, well, I guess it's convenient not to have to sleep, and I can use the extra time more than other people, so I guess it's okay.

"Hey, Yuta's brother. You know, you really only have to serve snacks at bars and taverns, don't you?　I can cook a lot of food, you know?"

Ruby is not satisfied with the fact that bars and taverns initially serve only snacks. I guess she wants to give other spirits more food to eat because for years she has only been able to enjoy cooking among her own people without being understood. I understand.

"Only at the beginning. Every restaurant has a different concept and I don't know how busy it will be. I'm not opposed to increasing the number of dishes if you plan ahead, so please talk it over with Mr. Black and Emme and the others and make a decision.

According to Mr. Alvard, Mr. Black and the others are not just running a bar, but they have a certain atmosphere they want to create. If that is the case, then they need to have dishes that match the atmosphere.

"Well, I know what I'm doing. I'm going to have a talk with him!"

"Wait a minute. We have a lot of work to do at the bar right now, so we'll wait until things are settled."

Ruby is about to go and talk to him, but I hold her back. Don't look so unhappy. There will be more bars on the island in the future, and there will be plenty of opportunities to cook.

Huh?　If the number of bars continues to increase, rubies alone will not be enough, right?　We will be in trouble if we don't get more spirits who can cook.

Huh?　Spirits can grow vegetables and grains, but what about meat?　There is a lot of rotting meat secured in the labyrinth, but will it be manageable when the sake island develops?　I'm in a lot of trouble.

**

"Sylphy. The spirit kings are arriving at noon, right?"

"Yes. The Spirit Kings are looking forward to it, so I'm sure they'll arrive on time."

"I see."

Yes, that's right. From what I've heard, it's the spirits' first bar and there's no way they'll be late for the opening of the bar. But seven days have passed so fast.

These seven days. Gina's attitude, which had been a little awkward, has calmed down, Belle and the others are flying around the paradise with Fukuchan and Sakura, and Gina and the others are practicing their spiritual arts and working hard to build up their strength.

It was as if the busyness of my early days back in paradise was a lie, and I spent my peaceful days leisurely looking around paradise, giving simple advice to bars and drinking establishments and delivering alcohol to them.

But while we were taking it easy, Mr. Alvard, Sylphy, Ruby and the others who got caught up in Mr. Alvard's daily routine seemed to be very busy. It was very refreshing to see Mr. Alvard, but Sylphy and Ruby were so busy.

"Phew, but finally the store is open. I will never help you again. Yuta, from now on, if Alvard asks you to do something, you have to refuse. Okay?"

Sylphy, who had been making a smug face like a genie doesn't need to sleep or something, came to me with a serious face and warned me about it.

When Mr. Alvard had asked me to help Sylphy and the others, I had been fine with it, but for a freedom-loving wind spirit, it seemed to be busier and harder than I had expected.

"Well, I feel bad to refuse all the help from Mr. Alvard, so why don't we negotiate on a day-by-day basis?"

Seeing Mr. Alvard struggling so much, it would be awkward not to cooperate at all.

"...... Well, I don't mind if it's on a day-to-day basis."

"Thank you."

After some serious consideration, he managed to convince me. I guess I can assume that he is working since he has a contract with me, but I was a little relieved since Sylphy seemed to be one step away from being a NEET.

"Yuta. What do you think?　Does it look good on you, sis?"

As I finished my conversation with Sylphy, Dine, who was in a good mood, spun around and started talking to me.

"...... Why are you wearing a maid's uniform?"

"Hmmm. Black-chan said if I want to help you, I'll wear a maid's uniform!　Sis, I did my best to observe the maids in the castle!"

...... I'm not sure, but it seems that Mr. Black is the one who made Deanne wear a maid's uniform. Mr. Black is surely mistaken about a lot of things. There is no relation between a butler and a maid in a bar or a tavern.

But ...... Dine's maids' uniforms are wonderful. She was observed in a castle, and her maids' clothes are classic style as we say on earth. Combined with the symbol of her motherhood, which she can't hide, she exudes the chastity and s*xiness of a servant. That's deep.

"Yuta......, why are you watching so closely?　And I thought I didn't see Dine ...... busy and you were going to the castle to observe the maids' uniforms?"

Oh, I can see Shura behind Sylphy. Huh?　Isn't it getting kind of windy?

"Yes. You did great, sis!"

No, it's not. Deanne, you're wrong to be so confident. Don't you see how angry Sylphy is?

"Huh?　Sylphy, you haven't changed your clothes yet?　It's almost time. Hurry up."

While I was scared by Sylphy's power, I heard If's voice behind me. If!　Nice timing. Turn around for help. ...... Is this paradise?

Oh, this is paradise. Yes, a paradise could have brown maids with rich maternal symbols. Though less exposed than usual, it's a rare sight to see an active if in a neat maid's outfit. Behind her is Dolly in a maid's uniform with even more neatness. ......Another world could be wonderful.

"What?　Why are you guys dressed as maids too?"

Oh, Sylphy, who had been angry, was calmed down by the group of maids. The effect of the maid uniforms is amazing.

"Oh?　The black guy told me to change into a maid's uniform because the King of Spirits is coming. A maid for a king, that's the basic rule."

I've never heard of a maid for a king, but in my opinion, Mr. Black is not wrong.

"Oh, yeah. ......"

Ah, Sylphy's expression has lost its emotion. Her facial expression usually doesn't change much, but this is the first time I've seen it completely disappear.

"Oh well. Sylphy, hurry up and change your clothes.

"What?　I don't want to."

"Well, let's change your clothes too, Sylphy..."

"That's why I don't want to."

Sylphy denies the words of If and Dine in no time. She really doesn't like it. But I'd like to see all the ladies in maids anyway. I'll join in the persuasion.

First, let's start with the basic sake keg: ...... Huh?　So far we've managed by providing sake barrels, but if a bar opens, Sylphy and the others will go there to drink too.

Wow, I feel like I've strangled myself ...... with the value of the sake barrels. How am I going to get Sylphy and his friends in a good mood other than by drinking?

No, don't rush. I thought we agreed in our last meeting that Sylphy and the others would refrain from going to Sake Island until there are more stores there.

The value of the sake barrels will not drop until a system is established where people can drink freely. We'll find a trump card against Sylphy and the others before the value of the sake barrels drop...and right now it's the maid's outfit in front of us...

Sylphy. I think it would look better if we had the same outfits and it would be easier to see that I'm helping you, don't you think?"

"But I don't see the point of wearing a maid's outfit to a bar."

It's hard to get a straight answer out of someone so straightforward.

"Yes, well, Sylphy is right, but it's okay if it doesn't make sense, as long as it's interesting, right?"

Sylphy reacted with a jerk. That's right. Sylphy is a sucker for the word "funny". This time she was negative because she was told to wear a maid's uniform when she was in a bad mood, but I don't think she would be so reluctant to wear a maid's uniform if she were in a normal mood.

"............"

Sylphy pondered. One more push and I think she'll wear a maid's outfit.

"It's Spirit's first time at a bar, let's enjoy the festive atmosphere. Where I'm from, there are many festivals where people dress up in costumes.

Maid dresses are more of a cosplay event than a festival, though.

"...... that's true. It's a big day and it might be fun to do something silly together. Well, if Yuta is going to dress differently, I'll change my costume to a maid outfit.

"To ......?"

I don't understand what you are talking about.

"That's why Yuta dresses differently from usual. There must have been a costume festival in your world too. Let's have fun together."

Would they be offended if I told them that there were festivals where people dressed up in costumes, but I rarely participated in them?　Before that, when I'm equipped with armor and stuff, it's like cosplay for me. .......

"That sounds interesting. I'd like to see Yuta-chan's costume, too.

"Sounds like fun. I can't wait to see what Yuta-san will be wearing.

"Ha-ha-ha. A festival. This is getting fun. Yuta, we don't have much time. Humans can't change their clothes at will unlike spirits.

Even Dine, Dolly, and If, who had been listening to the conversation, got on board with Sylphy's story. I just wanted to see everyone's maid's uniforms. Who would benefit from my fancy dress?