We are having breakfast at the inn.
　I wasn't expecting much, but it's not bad.
　The nourishment is well thought out and it makes me feel fuller.

'Hmmmmmmm...'

Dia is in a good mood.
　I think it's because we made love last night.
　She rarely feels like that, but once the switch is turned on, she is spoiled to the hilt.
　Tart looked at such Dia with envy.
　It's not that I or Dia talked about what happened yesterday, but it's something that comes across.

''Um, you're going home now?''
Yeah, as soon as I send the letter.

I can't help but worry about the [Fruit of Life].
　In the worst case scenario, there is a risk that the 【Crane Leather Pouch】 will be destroyed from the inside, so this is not a time to be taking it easy.
There is no way to safely carry the 【Life Fruit】 without using the 【Crane Leather Bag】.
　In the meantime, I'm wrapping it in a special alloy, but it's just a consolation prize.

It's just a matter of time before you get to know them.　See, I think it's good to have that kind of filial piety once in a while.
In this town?　I wouldn't recommend it too much. ........Anyway, while I'm going to send out the letter, I'm going to look at the stall.
I do. If I don't see anything that looks good, I don't have to buy it.

We've talked it over, and I've finished eating.
　Let's get ready for our departure.

The first thing I want to do is to get my hands dirty.

We walked down the main street to the post office.
　This town is not safe, as evidenced by the fact that it was the best inn in the city.

I would say how bad it is, it is not recommended to walk alone unless you are very confident in your skills. If you think it's naive to think that you can just walk down the main street, you can't take it back.

I'm acquainted with the lord of this place, but he's quite uninhibited.
　The policies of the city are also very general. He's completely unapologetic, accepting everything, be it criminals or foreigners.
　And there are no fragile laws. Everything that happens here is at your own risk. If you get robbed, killed, or raped, you have no choice but to cry yourself to sleep.

No one in their right mind would ever find themselves here.
　Most of the people here are either people who have no place else to be, or they are doing a business that can only be done in a place like this.

There are even items that are illegal in other cities, and the stolen goods market is still the main industry of the city.

...It's that kind of city, and that's why vermin started coming in one after another to Dia and the tart one after another, even though I was there. This is in spite of my presence.
　They may have an ulterior motive, but they know that a beautiful girl of two or so is worth money, and there is no one to blame for their kidnapping.
　Even humans are a commodity here. Beautiful girls fetch a very good price.
　To the vermin, kidnapping two people and selling them off is like that, picking them up because the money is falling, that's how it feels.

''Um, since just now, Lug-sama, you're really relentless.
Wow, you blew it again. That's a nice parabola.
If you don't know the language, this is what you'll have to do.

Dealing with every single such pest gets tiring, so the guys who approached me with ulterior motives decided to shake their jaws with a wind uppercut and let me fall asleep before they could make a sound.
　Dia and Tart have enough power to get rid of these vermin easily, but they're afraid of having their animal desires directed at them by grown men, so they cling to me.

I'm guilty when I'm scaring them both, and I'm not going to condone it.
　Then, after a short walk, Dia stops.

'Wow, you have some nice necklaces for sale. The jewels they use are nice, the workmanship is very detailed and has good taste. And it's cheap, it could cost three times as much. How do you think you should buy this for your mother?

In a nondescript stall, there was a necklace that would make even Dia, who has a first-class aesthetic sense, swoon.
　It's not just that they would not be embarrassed to wear it to a nobleman's social gathering, they would be respected. It's that good.

''It's best not to do that.''
I'm pretty sure that was a bargain. If you suspect it's a fake, I assure you it's not.
It's not a good thing that all those items are sold for that kind of price. Probably a steal. I told you what kind of city this is.
'Oh, that's right.

There are few mass-produced items in this era, especially the first-class lapidary goods, which are mostly made by famous craftsmen.
　That's why if you tried to go out in society with stolen goods, you would be easily exposed and laughed at.

Normally, they would remove the jewelry, take it apart and sell it. However, although that necklace was made of fine jewelry, its value was created even more by the quality of its design and the superb workmanship, and its value would be drastically reduced if it was taken apart and sold.
　So they sell them as necklaces for a reasonable price.

The people who buy such things are either in a position where they don't mind being caught wearing stolen goods, or they think they only need to possess them.
　This stolen goods market is balanced between thieves who want to safely redeem their stolen goods and those who want to get good stuff at a discount.
　For example, country nobles who don't go out to the center of the country have a low risk of being discovered as stolen goods, and some of them go to the stolen goods market, claiming to be clever shoppers.

''Hmm, what a pity. I wish your mother had at least one of those things.
You're not interested in that kind of thing.

Although Touahade is a baron, he can make a lot more money than those barons with his medical skills and his behind-the-scenes assassination family business.
　If he wanted to be extravagant, he could do so, but Mother doesn't want that.

'That's why. ─ That's why, if someone doesn't force you to do it, you won't stay stylish. I saw it as a good opportunity. I'm sure Luke will be very happy with his present.

That may be true.
　Even though Mom doesn't care, it's also true that some people laugh at her for not wearing jewelry in social situations.
　I want to look them in the eye.

''Well okay, I'll ask Maha to send me some good jewelry from Murteau. If it's a necklace I just bought, my mom will be apologetic and say no, but I'm sure she'll be happy to wear it if I made it for her.

I decided to do so and quickly walked away from the place.

'Don't you buy it here?　You know, those dismembered gems are on sale for cheap. Over there, right?
Yeah, it's cheaper there. They won't know it was stolen. But I don't like the idea of my mother wearing one of those things. Besides, we're going to make our engagement ring together. And you don't want that kind of jewelry on your engagement ring.
You're right. I mean, that was just a crazy thing to say casually!　What's an engagement ring!　I'm not listening!
I remembered the engagement ring when I told you about the jewelry and when I saw other guys coming by one by one like this. I had planned to make it sooner, but I was so busy that I forgot about it.

Me and Diah are engaged.
　There's no need to hide it, as sibling engagements are not uncommon in this country.
　In fact, an engagement ring would be a good way to avoid vermin.

''...I'm glad. It's thrilling to see that kind of thing in a visible form.

Dia grabs my hem and falls on her face.

'Have fun with it. I'll make a good one.

It's an engagement ring for both of us.
　I'm not going to make anything half-baked. I'm going to start with the materials. I'll use Orna's network to get you the best quality.
　It's a good idea to make sure that we'll be able to use offensive magic when the time comes. The same is true of the foul stone, but some gems are compatible with magic and can store magic power and carve a magic formula.

''Congratulations. Dear-sama.

Tart congratulates me with a smile.
　But there's just a little bit of sadness and envy mixed into his expression that I wouldn't have noticed if it weren't for me.
　I chuckle and put my hand on the tart's head.

'What, are you saying that as if it's someone else's problem?　Of course they'll make enough for the tart.

Tart holds his mouth with both hands and looks up at me. His eyes were glazed and uncontrollable tears welled up.

''Well, I'm very, very, very happy to see you, but, well, you know, I'm a servant, a commoner, is that right?''
'Of course it's good. Or you don't want to get engaged?
I don't hate it!

It's a hell of a sword fight.
　It's like a child whose toy was almost taken away.

That part of the tart is so annoying and cute.
Yeah, I know.
Ugh, you guys are so mean.

The three of us laugh at each other.
　They're both cute and loving.
　I would do anything for the two of them.

◇

The report I made yesterday is being carried by a courier pigeon to the royal capital.
　After seeing it through, I return to the Touahade mansion.
　Then, using the territory's communicator, he told Maha the budget and what kind of jewels he wanted, and asked her to order them, and then he came to the back mountains.
　It was a place that was off-limits to even the residents of the territory, and he had told Tart and Dia to stay away from it no matter what.
　In other words, no matter what happens, I'm the only one who will be affected.

''Well, do we get an ogre or a snake?

I finally take out the [Fruit of Life] from the [Crane Leather Bag].
　Expectation and anxiety, both of which were raging in my chest.
　Now, the power to call the Demon King, let's test how much it is.
　We are having breakfast at the inn.
　I wasn't expecting much, but it's not bad.
　The nourishment is well thought out and it makes me feel fuller.

'Hmmmmmmm...'

Dia is in a good mood.
　I think it's because we made love last night.
　She rarely feels like that, but once the switch is turned on, she is spoiled to the hilt.
　Tart looked at such Dia with envy.
　It's not that I or Dia talked about what happened yesterday, but it's something that comes across.

''Um, you're going home now?''
Yeah, as soon as I send the letter.

I can't help but worry about the [Fruit of Life].
　In the worst case scenario, there is a risk that the 【Crane Leather Pouch】 will be destroyed from the inside, so this is not a time to be taking it easy.
There is no way to safely carry the 【Life Fruit】 without using the 【Crane Leather Bag】.
　In the meantime, I'm wrapping it in a special alloy, but it's just a consolation prize.

It's just a matter of time before you get to know them.　See, I think it's good to have that kind of filial piety once in a while.
In this town?　I wouldn't recommend it too much. ........Anyway, while I'm going to send out the letter, I'm going to look at the stall.
I do. If I don't see anything that looks good, I don't have to buy it.

We've talked it over, and I've finished eating.
　Let's get ready for our departure.

The first thing I want to do is to get my hands dirty.

We walked down the main street to the post office.
　This town is not safe, as evidenced by the fact that it was the best inn in the city.

I would say how bad it is, it is not recommended to walk alone unless you are very confident in your skills. If you think it's naive to think that you can just walk down the main street, you can't take it back.

I'm acquainted with the lord of this place, but he's quite uninhibited.
　The policies of the city are also very general. He's completely unapologetic, accepting everything, be it criminals or foreigners.
　And there are no fragile laws. Everything that happens here is at your own risk. If you get robbed, killed, or raped, you have no choice but to cry yourself to sleep.

No one in their right mind would ever find themselves here.
　Most of the people here are either people who have no place else to be, or they are doing a business that can only be done in a place like this.

There are even items that are illegal in other cities, and the stolen goods market is still the main industry of the city.

...It's that kind of city, and that's why vermin started coming in one after another to Dia and the tart one after another, even though I was there. This is in spite of my presence.
　They may have an ulterior motive, but they know that a beautiful girl of two or so is worth money, and there is no one to blame for their kidnapping.
　Even humans are a commodity here. Beautiful girls fetch a very good price.
　To the vermin, kidnapping two people and selling them off is like that, picking them up because the money is falling, that's how it feels.

''Um, since just now, Lug-sama, you're really relentless.
Wow, you blew it again. That's a nice parabola.
If you don't know the language, this is what you'll have to do.

Dealing with every single such pest gets tiring, so the guys who approached me with ulterior motives decided to shake their jaws with a wind uppercut and let me fall asleep before they could make a sound.
　Dia and Tart have enough power to get rid of these vermin easily, but they're afraid of having their animal desires directed at them by grown men, so they cling to me.

I'm guilty when I'm scaring them both, and I'm not going to condone it.
　Then, after a short walk, Dia stops.

'Wow, you have some nice necklaces for sale. The jewels they use are nice, the workmanship is very detailed and has good taste. And it's cheap, it could cost three times as much. How do you think you should buy this for your mother?

In a nondescript stall, there was a necklace that would make even Dia, who has a first-class aesthetic sense, swoon.
　It's not just that they would not be embarrassed to wear it to a nobleman's social gathering, they would be respected. It's that good.

''It's best not to do that.''
I'm pretty sure that was a bargain. If you suspect it's a fake, I assure you it's not.
It's not a good thing that all those items are sold for that kind of price. Probably a steal. I told you what kind of city this is.
'Oh, that's right.

There are few mass-produced items in this era, especially the first-class lapidary goods, which are mostly made by famous craftsmen.
　That's why if you tried to go out in society with stolen goods, you would be easily exposed and laughed at.

Normally, they would remove the jewelry, take it apart and sell it. However, although that necklace was made of fine jewelry, its value was created even more by the quality of its design and the superb workmanship, and its value would be drastically reduced if it was taken apart and sold.
　So they sell them as necklaces for a reasonable price.

The people who buy such things are either in a position where they don't mind being caught wearing stolen goods, or they think they only need to possess them.
　This stolen goods market is balanced between thieves who want to safely redeem their stolen goods and those who want to get good stuff at a discount.
　For example, country nobles who don't go out to the center of the country have a low risk of being discovered as stolen goods, and some of them go to the stolen goods market, claiming to be clever shoppers.

''Hmm, what a pity. I wish your mother had at least one of those things.
You're not interested in that kind of thing.

Although Touahade is a baron, he can make a lot more money than those barons with his medical skills and his behind-the-scenes assassination family business.
　If he wanted to be extravagant, he could do so, but Mother doesn't want that.

'That's why. ─ That's why, if someone doesn't force you to do it, you won't stay stylish. I saw it as a good opportunity. I'm sure Luke will be very happy with his present.

That may be true.
　Even though Mom doesn't care, it's also true that some people laugh at her for not wearing jewelry in social situations.
　I want to look them in the eye.

''Well okay, I'll ask Maha to send me some good jewelry from Murteau. If it's a necklace I just bought, my mom will be apologetic and say no, but I'm sure she'll be happy to wear it if I made it for her.

I decided to do so and quickly walked away from the place.

'Don't you buy it here?　You know, those dismembered gems are on sale for cheap. Over there, right?
Yeah, it's cheaper there. They won't know it was stolen. But I don't like the idea of my mother wearing one of those things. Besides, we're going to make our engagement ring together. And you don't want that kind of jewelry on your engagement ring.
You're right. I mean, that was just a crazy thing to say casually!　What's an engagement ring!　I'm not listening!
I remembered the engagement ring when I told you about the jewelry and when I saw other guys coming by one by one like this. I had planned to make it sooner, but I was so busy that I forgot about it.

Me and Diah are engaged.
　There's no need to hide it, as sibling engagements are not uncommon in this country.
　In fact, an engagement ring would be a good way to avoid vermin.

''...I'm glad. It's thrilling to see that kind of thing in a visible form.

Dia grabs my hem and falls on her face.

'Have fun with it. I'll make a good one.

It's an engagement ring for both of us.
　I'm not going to make anything half-baked. I'm going to start with the materials. I'll use Orna's network to get you the best quality.
　It's a good idea to make sure that we'll be able to use offensive magic when the time comes. The same is true of the foul stone, but some gems are compatible with magic and can store magic power and carve a magic formula.

''Congratulations. Dear-sama.

Tart congratulates me with a smile.
　But there's just a little bit of sadness and envy mixed into his expression that I wouldn't have noticed if it weren't for me.
　I chuckle and put my hand on the tart's head.

'What, are you saying that as if it's someone else's problem?　Of course they'll make enough for the tart.

Tart holds his mouth with both hands and looks up at me. His eyes were glazed and uncontrollable tears welled up.

''Well, I'm very, very, very happy to see you, but, well, you know, I'm a servant, a commoner, is that right?''
'Of course it's good. Or you don't want to get engaged?
I don't hate it!

It's a hell of a sword fight.
　It's like a child whose toy was almost taken away.

That part of the tart is so annoying and cute.
Yeah, I know.
Ugh, you guys are so mean.

The three of us laugh at each other.
　They're both cute and loving.
　I would do anything for the two of them.

◇

The report I made yesterday is being carried by a courier pigeon to the royal capital.
　After seeing it through, I return to the Touahade mansion.
　Then, using the territory's communicator, he told Maha the budget and what kind of jewels he wanted, and asked her to order them, and then he came to the back mountains.
　It was a place that was off-limits to even the residents of the territory, and he had told Tart and Dia to stay away from it no matter what.
　In other words, no matter what happens, I'm the only one who will be affected.

''Well, do we get an ogre or a snake?

I finally take out the [Fruit of Life] from the [Crane Leather Bag].
　Expectation and anxiety, both of which were raging in my chest.
　Now, the power to call the Demon King, let's test how much it is.