Chapter 28: Baron Essel

Chapter 28: Baron Essel

The shop location was moved in earnest to the 2nd Underground Floor in front of the onsen.

I invited Sanaga-san, the blacksmith, and Mirai-san, the restorative tea shopowner, to open their stores in this area as well.

The more shops grouped together, the more synergistic the effect is.

I don’t know who named it that way, but before I knew it, the name “Yahagi Onsen” had somehow taken hold, and I felt a twinge of embarrassment every time I heard it.

First thing in the morning, a team of young adventurers came into the shop.

[Yuusuke-san, do you still have cherry mochis?]

[Yeah, we’ve restocked both cherries and green apple-flavored mochis.]

Recently, an epidemic called the dungeon flu has been raging.

It’s said that this disease causes high fever, breathing difficulties and even death.

Thanks to this, a certain product has been selling well.

Product name: Cherry Mochi

Description: Gummy mochis containing 12 pieces. Eating these has the effect of preventing the dungeon cold. Even if it develops, the risk of serious illness is reduced. Green apple and mikan flavors are also available.

Price: 30 rims

At first, they were only bought by young adventurers, but recently, veteran adventurers have been buying them as well.

They apparently buy them to feed their families.

In this world, illnesses are generally cured by those who can use Recovery Magic, but it’s said that dungeon colds are difficult to cure with magic.

In any case, I’m glad that the snacks I sell are useful.

Thinking that it had been my first time in a while eating them, I also poked a small piece of gummy mochi with a toothpick.

Hmmm, yep, this is it.

They stick to my teeth, but I used to like them because of their unique flavor.

In my previous life, there were cola and soda-flavored gummy mochi, but I wonder if they will appear in this world soon?

I also shared my gummy mochis with Minerva, Merle and Mira so as to prevent them from becoming sick.

It was late afternoon when an unfamiliar visitor arrived in the dungeon.

He was a small, fat, middle-aged man escorted by 8 soldiers, looking quite well-dressed.

He also wears a large gold ring on his finger. Diiscover new stories at novelhall.com

[Is this the shop called Dagashi Yahagi?]

[That’s right. I am the owner, Yahagi.]

[Ohh, that’s great. The path to reach this place is rather complicated, so I was worried.]

Stroking his chest and calming himself down, the man looked around the shop.

No matter how I look at him, he does not look like a dungeon-diving adventurer.

He must have found this onsen area curious.

[So this is the rumored Yahagi Onsen huh. It’s bigger than I thought it would be.]

[See, it’s properly possible to clear it, right?]

[Ohhh......]

The old man and his soldiers who looked impressed, suddenly looked at me sharply and bowed their heads.

[Yahagi-dono!]

[What’s going on?]

[Please give me that Elixir!]

Hmmm, so that’s how it turned out huh......

[That would be troubling. This is a prize after all.]

[I am Mou Essel, a noble of the Kingdom. I would be most grateful if you would grant me the Elixir for the sake of His Majesty, who has been ill for a long time.]

[Baron Essel is offering the Elixir to his Majesty, the King?]

[Indeed. If things continue as they are now, government affairs will remain stagnant and society will be in turmoil. Please, kindly allow me this request!]

This is troubling......

[Yuusuke-san, I feel sorry for him. Why don’t you concede just this once?]

Mira, who had come to the shop for a break, mediated.

[Just this one time. Next time, you’ll have to win it yourself.]

[Ohh, my gratitude! With this, his Majesty would probably be cured of his illness. Please accept this, as a token of my gratitude.]

Baron Essel shoved a small leather bag on me and he and his group hurriedly left the room.

I’m sure he will now head straight to the King.

[Hey, that King is under the curse of the witch Michelle, isn’t he? Can you get rid of that curse with an Elixir?]

I asked the nearby Minerva.

[Seems impossible. His physical condition should improve for about two weeks, but the curse itself will not improve. He should return to before after that.]

Minerva’s voice was cold.

[Heehhh...... In that case, that old man would probably come back huh.]

[I guess so. However, the effect of that curse should wear off soon......]

[How would Minerva even know that!?]

[T- That is..... I just heard about it.]

[Heard it? From whom?]

[......From the witch Michelle.]

The two of them knew each other huh.

I wanted to ask him about the details, but Minerva quickly went away.

<Afterword>

Gummy Mochi. They aren’t actual mochis, but flavored soft candies of some sort.