I had to leave work this evening because Mr. Krua contacted me about something he wanted to talk to me about.
　What is it that you want to talk about?　
　What happened to the story of selling medicinal herbs to the adventurers?　

　I hope it's going well.
　He had visited the Adventurer's Guild, but he hadn't received any detailed information.
　It's possible that Krua-san has failed to sell it.
　If that were the case, the herbs I created would be wasted.

　Well, it's fine, since it's something I made with magic power.
　........What if it's something else?
　For example, I'll be terminated from the contract........ Since the contents weren't deliberately written down, I was worried.

　When I went to the store that Krua-san called me to, she was getting a little dressed up.
　
　She's dressed in a way that would be acceptable even if she were called a lower class nobleman. However, what she's wearing is similar to a swallow-tailed suit.

　It's the kind of clothing that merchants often wear.
　When a female merchant wore it, she looked like a woman who could do her job.

''Ah, Lelius-san. It's been a while.''
Yes, it's been a while.
'I've spoken to the shop and we'll be inside in a minute. Are you okay?
Yes, sir.

　Ms. Krua walks inside with a smile on her face.
　I walk into the restaurant with her, watching her back.
　There were a number of tables lined up. Unlike the tavern and our diner, the atmosphere of the restaurant was a bit more relaxed.

　Once we were seated, we ordered our food.
　However, it seems that they have a course meal.
　As I recall, the dishes come out in order, right?

　That makes me a little nervous when I hear of a course meal.

'Do you usually come to places like this, Krua-san?
'No, I have very little. I've been taken by my master a few times as a matter of experience.
It was my first time, so I'm really nervous right now.
I did the same the first time.

　Krua-san smiled with a smile.
　.........Krua-san's expression didn't seem to have changed from the usual.
　I hope it's not a bad story, but I wonder how it is.
　The salad is brought in first, and Krua-san serves it to me on my plate.

''Oh, speaking of which, do you drink alcohol?''
I don't like it. I don't drink.


　That's right.
　I looked at Krua-san when I finished sharing the salad.

'Mr. Krua. So what is the story today?　Sorry, are you talking?

　I would have to listen to her already.
　At my words, her eyes widened.
　.........I knew it, right?

No, no!　It's rather a good story!
...Oh, is that right?
Yes!　I don't even know where to begin anymore.......first of all, I was approached by my mentor's shop to put up some products, and now I don't need to pay for a place!
...Is that so?
''Yes. Even though he's a master, he's still a business partner. All of Lelius-san's products are very highly rated. That's why we were able to negotiate forcefully. ........Well, he's a master, after all. I did tolerate him somewhat, though.
That's good to hear.

　It's a relief.
　It's always nice to hear that something you've made is appreciated in this way.

As for the furniture, I hope you continue to deliver.
I understand.
And now for the herbs...

　I'll break up the conversation there once.
　I would be happy if it was a good story too, but it wouldn't be so convenient.
　When I was prepared to a certain extent, Krua-san's eyes lit up with a flash of light.

''We've been able to successfully channel the herbs into the market!
'....Oh, really?　But I've been an adventurer myself, but there's not much in circulation, is there?
It's just the beginning.
Now?
''Yes. I've negotiated with the guild to ask the adventurers I know to collect the medicinal herbs on a priority basis. So I've made it possible for me to deliver the medicinal herbs a little at a time, more than normal.
''...I see. You mean you've given the adventurers some flexibility?
'Yes. I've decided to use my connections to do that.

　Surely that would allow it to flow well.

'Only, wouldn't that mean that the adventurers could just deliver it directly or something?
'I've decided that I originally asked an adventurer operating in another city to help me. ........I strongly emphasized the part about using my connections.
I see...
However, this adventurer is only a fictional existence. If you poke him too hard, it could lead to trouble.
Are you okay?
'I'm not lying to you, you know. I can deal with it as much as I want later.

　So that's how it is.

''For now, we've processed quite a few medicinal plants as our first delivery. I hope you can make another delivery.

　Basically, I get paid for all my products when I deliver them.
　It's a good deal for me because I get paid for what I deliver, whether it sells or not, but I was wondering what it would be like for her.

　However, if I was able to handle a lot of them, my worries were a little lessened.

'Anyway, thanks to Lelius-san, I was able to sell my name. Thank you so much. I'll pay for today's meal, so please feel free to eat!
No, that's okay. Let's just be equal in that regard.

　It's not that I'm not worthy of being treated to a treat.
　I mean, I'm probably making more money than you are right now.
　However, Krua-san looked pale at my words.

''What's wrong?''
''Well Mr. Relius, you're somehow different from the other craftsmen.
Another craftsman?
'Yes. .........Well, can you pretend that you didn't hear what I said here?
Yes, I don't mind.

　When I said that, Krua sighed a small sigh and then said.

''After all, craftsmen sell skills, don't they?''
Yes, sir.
So, well, you know, there are a lot of people who are quite uptight or arrogant about it.
'....Oh, I see.

　Well, in my case, I don't feel like I'm making things.
　Other people are making them from scratch, and I'm sure they have a lot of love for them and so on.

That's why it's quite difficult for me to do. Sometimes I have the opportunity to have dinner with craftsmen, but it's not easy to get along with them.
...I see.
'To begin with, they're all older people, and they usually make s*xually harassing remarks, and if you want to, sometimes they try to touch you... if you want to do that, you can go to those places!

　She said with a bushy face.
　If you look closely, your face is a little red.
　She sips at the glass that was at hand.

　.........Is that, perhaps, alcohol?
　She and I have already reached adulthood, so I can drink alcohol with no problem.
　But I never really tasted much of it, so I rarely sipped it.

　In case you're wondering, I had a drink with my parents on the day I came of age. I didn't get drunk at all, so I guess I'm a strong drinker.
　I called out to the waiter who brought us our next meal.

Excuse me, sir. Did you bring me some alcohol?
"...no?　This seat is--Wait, wait a minute!

　She looked at Mr. Krua's glass and dropped back to the back, looking flustered.
　Then the clerk and possibly the manager came over.

'I'm sorry. This one, I think I carried it by mistake...''
...Huh, I see.
''We didn't have all you can drink today, but due to our ineptitude, you are free to drink as you wish...''
...Okay. Mr. Krua, what do we do now?
Okey-dokey.

　Honestly, I'm not happy just because I can drink all I want.
　If anything, I would have been happier if they'd cut the price in half, but well, it looks like Krua-san is having fun, so what's the point?

''Leliusu!　Listen to me!

　She pulls on my arm as if to spoil it.
　.........Krua-san, you seem to be quite weak on alcohol.