Volume 2 - Chapter 14

The Man Picked up by the Gods - Volume 2 Chapter 14

TL Note: Might want to get some snacks before reading...

Volume 2 Chapter 14

The next day.

I also went to the store today, early in the morning. After preparing the store, I went out to buy some ingredients to welcome the new hires.

When I got back to the store, quite a number of people had already started coming.

“This many, already?’ [Ryouma]

I opened the store at 8 o’clock. After which I went out to buy some ingredients for about an hour. So right now the time is 9 o’clock... It’ll probably be a good idea to conduct a study on what the peak time is for the store.

While I was thinking about that, I entered the store through the employee entrance.

I also took a glance at the store’s state, but there didn’t seem to be any problems. Karla-san and Fei-san dealt with the reception, while Karma-san and Li Ling-san carried the laundries.

After I confirmed that everything was going fine, I went to the kitchen to prepare. The menu for today is pizza.

I knead the dough, form it into a disk, and then spread meat sauce over it.

By the way, this meat sauce I’m using right now is the leftover meat sauce from the celebration 2 days ago. I had a refrigerator with me, so I was able to preserve it for at least 2 days. But just to be safe, I also checked the sauce with ‘Identify’. If Serge-san catches wind of my refrigerator, he’ll probably make a fuss again. Or will Pioro-san make an even bigger commotion, I wonder. Well, he did say he dealt with food commodities…

I put cheese and onions on top of the meat sauce covered dough, sprinkle some herbs here and there, and then I put the dough with its toppings into the kiln to bake it.

While it was baking, I prepared some fruit juice and water, and a bunch of other stuff. When the pizza was done, I took it out from the kiln. I took my portion and ate it while I checked the taste. Yep, it’s done.

It’s almost noon. It’s probably better to have them eat early. So with that thought in mind, I leave the kitchen.

“Karma-san, Karla-san, lunch is ready. I’ll help out, so please alternately take your lunch.” [Ryouma]

“Thank you very much” [Karma & Karla]

After that, I substituted with Li Ling-san and Karla-san, and they took their lunch. When they came back, Fei-san and Karma-san went to have their meal. Like this, everyone was somehow able to have their lunch and get some rest.

We were able to get through the day, but if this keeps on, then I won’t be able to work as an adventurer.

Today’s workload is better compared to yesterday. But then again, yesterday’s workload was at the point where someone could faint from overwork. So even though I say it got better, it really only got to the point where the workers can work normally. And if I left these guys, they’ll probably find it difficult.

Moreover, these guys don’t have the luxury to cook their meal.

“Good job today!” [Ryouma]

“Thank you for today!” [Karma, Karla, Fei, Li Ling]

“A lot of customer came again today. I wonder how our profits went this time.” {Ryouma}

“From my calculations, our earnings for today total to 11,877 suits.” [Karma]

1.5 times yesterday’s, huh? Not bad.

“Today’s profit is quite good.” [Ryouma]

“Rather than ‘quite’, I’d say it’s a huge success.” [Fei]

“At the rate it’s going, the customers will probably still increase.” [Li Ling]

“Yeah… it would probably be a good idea to get more hands If someone were to catch a cold or get injured right now, then then burden placed on everyone else will increase several folds.” [Ryouma]

“True, it would definitely be better to get more hands.” [Karma]

“When the customers increase, and in the instance where one of us becomes unable to work, then there’s a possibility that the store won’t be able to maintain itself. So let’s get some more people quickly. We just got some new ones yesterday, but it would help out a lot if you could get more from the guild again.” [Karla]

“Alright. Also, I was thinking of getting a cook for you guys. Can I get that from the guild as well?” [Ryouma]

“A cook? You could definitely hire one from the guild, but why would you want to hire a cook?” [Karla]

“Well since everyone has their hands full with work, there’s no one who can go and make the meal. So I thought I’d hire a cook to leave the cooking duty to.” [Ryouma]

“That’s certainly true, but that kind of stuff is something a servant does, you know?” [Karla]

“That may be true. But since you’re eating anyway, wouldn’t it be better to eat good food? That’s what employee benefits are about, you know?” [Ryouma]

“I agree, however, what’s an employee benefit?” [Karla]

“Ah… it’s a kind of philosophy that pursues the idea of having employees work happily in one’s store.” [Ryouma]

“I see. Certainly, Ryouma-sama does think a lot about our welfare.” [Karla]

“Not only did you give us a place to stay, you even gave us a high salary. There’s no other store that treats their employees this well, you know?” [Fei]

“The salary’s good, the room is warm, and even the lunch was delicious. We already don’t have any intentions of going to another store.” [Li Ling]

“I’m happy to hear that. Well then, I’ll leave everything to you guys, ok? I’ll go to the guild to get some more hands now.” [Ryouma]

“Take care!” [Karma, Karla, Fei, Li Ling]

The four sent me off, as I left the store.

When I got to the guild, I was again brought to the reception room. There, I told the guild master that I wanted to hire more people again. Hearing that, the guild master whispered an “Oh?” as she began to observe me. Then she asked me about the profits for today and yesterday.

When I told her about the store’s profits, the guild master laughed grinningly. She called someone over and told him to gather some people. Naturally, the people today were different from yesterday’s group. When I was asked how many I wanted to hire. I replied with 2 or 3 for now, plus a cook. Hearing about wanting a cook, naturally, the guild master couldn’t help but be curious.

After I explained, she understood. In this world, employee benefits aren't something commonly practiced. Because of that, what I’m doing is a bit strange. Well, it’s not bad though, right? Or at least that’s what the guild master says.

I got 4 people today. The three young girls who came from a poor village to make money, Jeanne, Maria, and Fina. And Celma, who stopped being able to work as a cook after the owner of the inn closed the store Celma-san was working at, because of old age.

These girls were recommended to me by the guild master, and after I confirmed their intentions, I employed them. Because of that, I was able to finish everything in less than 10 minutes. They all wanted to work as live-ins as well, so we had a carriage prepared, and then we went back to the store.

Before leaving the guild, the guild master left me some words.

“Ryouma, at the rate you’re going, you should think of starting up a branch or two in a different town. It’s fine even if you do it immediately. But when you do, discuss it with me.” [Grisela]

I was taken aback when she said the same thing Karma-san and the others told me. At that, she lightly hit my back with her cane and yelled, “Pull yourself together!” to encourage me.

After that, when I got to the store with the new hires, Karma-san and the others were still at the store.

“Welcome home, boss! [Karma & Karla]

When they saw me, that’s what they said. I told them that the four I had brought with me, also wanted to work as live-ins, so I brought them with me. Afterwards, I introduced them.

Four days later.

Since I hired 4 new people, 4 days had passed. Nowadays, even if I don’t work, the shop won’t have any problems.

The three girls worked hard, and Celma-san’s cooking was good. The day after I hired them, I went to take a look, but everything seemed to be going well.

The day before yesterday, I took some time to clean the wall outside, and trim the lawn. And yesterday, I did my rounds around the abandoned mine.

The store’s only been open for around a week, but the days where the store’s income go over 10,000 suits continue. It’s 100 times a normal person’s daily expense. This is more than enough, right?

Everyone also continues to do their job without complaining. Looks like I’ve completely become unneeded. With this, I think I can back to working as an adventurer. But while I was thinking that, Serge-san told me to come over today.

“I’ve made you wait.” [Ryouma]

“Ryouma-sama, thank you for coming. Please, over here.” [Serge]

“Excuse me.” [Ryouma]

“I’m very sorry to have called you all of the sudden.” [Serge]

“No, please don’t worry about it. After all, the store’s been able to function with just my employees now. The people you sent over are also doing their best.” [Ryouma]

“I see. I’m relieved to know that they’re working well.” [Serge]

“It seems I’m always being taken care of by Serge-san.” [Ryouma]

“It’s the same for me. Thanks to you, buying a lot of bags and daily necessities, I’ve made quite a profit, myself.” [Serge]

“I’m also grateful. Thanks to you I’ve been able to continuously make over 15000 suits in these past 3 days. The store’s doing quite well now.” [Ryouma]

“I’m quite surprised to hear that you’re able to make that much of a profit. If that continues, the stores in that area won’t be able to match you. Or rather, I guess they already can’t match you.” [Serge]

And then Serge-san took a breath, and then said this.

“On top of all that, I actually still have something profitable I wish to speak with you. This is really surprising.” [Serge]

When I heard that, I tilted my head. Then Serge-san said this.

“Ryouma-sama, it’s about the waterproof cloths.” [Serge]

“Oh…” [Ryouma]

I’ve completely forgotten about that…

“Are you aware that it’s almost time for the Grell Frog Outbreak?’ [Serge]

“Yes, I’ve heard of it.” [Ryouma]

“The mud that causes that outbreak, releases a horrible smell. But because the Grell Frog’s leather can be turned into armor, and its guts are good ingredients for medicines. There are plenty of adventurers who would go there to hunt them and sell the spoils for a high price. And so, I thought it would be a good opportunity to start selling the so called ‘waders’ you came up with along with the other water proof products… In line with that, I wanted to inquire regarding the production rate of the waterproof cloth.” [Serge]

Umm… right now, I have 907 sticky slimes… but it also depends on the cloth.

“How long is one sheet of cloth before treating it?”

“The one we have prepared here, is 70m long per sheet.” If I take a contract for an amount I can’t produce, we’ll both end up troubled afterwords… If I give myself some margin for error, 10 slimes should be able to get a sheet finished in a day. Even if it is 20 slimes per sheet, 45 sheets should be possible..

“Then in that case, after having prepared the production, it should be possible to get 45~90 sheets finished in a day. But because it takes time to dry, it might be less.” [Ryouma]

When I said that, Serge-san’s countenance brightened.

“Actually, it would already have been enough to make 10 in a day. To be able to do more than that, I’m very grateful. If that cloth is turned into rain gear, then it should sell quickly. When we run out of cloths at that time, the price will skyrocket.

As long as the increase in price isn’t too big, then it’s all good. But if the price becomes too high, problems can also occur. So, let’s store up on waterproof cloths and store them in my storage and in your ‘Dimension Home’.”

“I understand. Should I start making it now?” [Ryouma]

“Yes, please” [Serge]

“Then in that case, I’d like to buy some cloth materials.” [Ryouma]

“I’ll prepare it for free. When you come with the waterproof cloth, I’ll hand over the payment for the treatment. How much will the treatment be?” [Serge]

“I’ll leave it to you. Please put a fair price for the waterproof treatment.” [Ryouma]

When I said that, Serge-san chuckled.

“As a merchant you’d normally try to get price that’s beneficial for you. This way is very good for me, but now the discussion’s turned an unexpected corner. Where will you be treating the cloths? If it’s found out that you’re the producer, things might get complicated. Do you know of a safe place to treat the cloths? Otherwise, I can prepare one.” [Serge]

“I plan to do it in the abandoned mine.” [Ryouma]

“Certainly, people won’t go there. But is it alright?” [Serge]

“Yes. I can make a workshop there with my earth magic, people also won’t come, and because I can loiter there under the pretext of being the person responsible for it, I won’t appear suspicious either.” [Ryouma]

Like this, the discussion ended. And I received all of the cloths, 50 sheets all in all, that Serge-san has prepared in his store room. Afterwards, I leave the town and by using ‘Warp’ repetitively I headed towards the abandoned mine. After that, except for the cleaner slimes in the store, I had all my slimes do the rounds for the mine.

After that, I entered the highest tunnel of the mine. In the deepest part of the tunnel, I used ‘Create Block’ and “’Pavement’ to create a sturdy and wide room, as well as a hole for ventilation. Moreover, I use the bricks the ‘Create Block’ produced and made several workbenches.

The structure of the workbench is simple. I piled up bricks to support one end of the cloth and another for the other end. And on the highest brick, I used ‘Break Rock’ to dig a gutter.

On that gutter, I fit a rod made out of stone with ‘Rock’ and ‘Earth Needle’. And then, after spreading the sticky slime’s sticky liquid on the end of that rod, I finished my preparations.

Next, I ordered the sticky slimes to cover the affixed cloth with sticky liquid. And just in case a bug or a cave bat were to come, I put up a barrier and told the slimes to be on guard.

Today, I made 30 of those workbenches.

Come to think of it, the slimes managed to learn staff techniques and spear techniques. When I remembered that, I cut a tree and dried it with alchemy. Using ‘Circle Saw’ and ‘Polish’, I created several rods that have been treated and padded spears. With this, I can begin the training for staff and spear techniques.

After that, I practiced with the slimes.

When practice ended, I had nothing left to do and was quite bored.

Being bored with nothing to do, I decided to take a look at my status board.

Oh? Looks like my Magic Power Recovery Rate UP levelled up from 1 to 3. Is it because I used a lot of magic power when I made the store? Moreover my Slave Magic, Alchemy, Wind Magic, and Electric Magic, all levelled up by 1 as well. It’s probably because I used it quite a lot. Speaking of which, Elia did say she wanted to see a doll I made. Should I make it now? But what should I make?

I then killed time by making an inoffensive doll out of quicklime, and then coloring it with the art materials I got from Sebasu-san.

But halfway through, I ended up a bit too caught up into it. And I almost kept going till it became dark. I immediately put a stop to what I’m doing before I lose track of time. Even under normal situations, I’m the type that easily forgets the time. All the more now that I’m here in a place where I can’t tell the time of day.

I quickly take the 30 sheets of water cloth and the doll. Then with ‘Warp’ I go back to the town.

Before going back to the lodging, I stop by Serge-san’s store, and drop off the 30 sheets of waterproof cloth I just finished.

When I got back to the lodging, I immediately went over to Elia’s room. Araune-san went out from inside and let me in.

“Welcome, Ryouma-san.” [Elia]

“It’s unusual for Ryouma-kun to come by himself to our room. Did something happen?” [Rheinhart]

“Nothing particularly big, but first there is something I want to talk regarding business. Today, I succeeded in making 30 sheets of water proof cloth, and have already delivered them to Serge’s store. I still have some more allowance, so the production rate will gradually increase from tomorrow onwards. As for how far I can go, I’ll have to test it.” [Ryouma]

“I see. That’s good. There doesn’t seem to be any problems with the production rate of the waterproof cloths. And the other thing you wanted to talk about?” [Rheinhart]

“That doll that Elia wanted to see. I finished making it while waiting for the cloths to dry.” [Ryouma]

“Really? Please show me!” [Elia]

As she said that, I took out several dolls from my ‘Item Box’.

“It’s this.” [Ryouma]

The thing I brought out had the difference between rock and wood, but it’s definitely the world famous woodcraft bear. I added my own touch to it though, and replaced the bear with the black bear from the Forest of Gana in order to pass it off as something of this world.

“Oh? It’s a black bear ornament. There’s this feeling that feels like it’s catching fish.” [Rheinbach]

Next, I brought out a few things I made on top of a pedestal I made while imaging the figure of a bottle cap. They were colored figurines of monsters like the cave bat, the cave mantis, and the small rat.

“Amazing… They’re small, but it’s as if they’re the real thing!” [Elia]

“Last is this. The best dolls I made.” [Ryouma]

What I brought out next were several normal human figurines. Only, the model of these figurines are the four members of the duke’s household, Sebasu-san, and the two maids.

“This is me, right?” [Rheinhart]

“And this is me.” [Madam]

“I also have one!” [Elia]

“There’s also one for me, Sebasu, Araune and Lilian.” [Rheinbach]

“These are some truly elaborate dolls… I knew about Ryouma-sama’s skill from seeing the god’s statues, but as expected, Ryouma-sama’s skill is truly amazing.” [Sebasu]

“I made them without having any models, so if you find them to your liking, then it’s my honor.” [Ryouma]

“Ryouma-san, can I take this?” [Elia]

“Of course. If you’re pleased with them, then please.” [Ryouma]

“Thank you!” [Elia]

If she’s this happy, then I guess it was worth it to make them. I wonder what I should make next…

“If there’s another opportunity, I’ll make you another one.” [Ryouma]

“Thank you, Ryouma-san.” [Elia]

After that, I chatted a bit with Rheinhart-san, then I went back to my room. When I got back, Sebasu-san said he’d pay me 10 medium gold coins as compensation for the dolls, but because it was too much, I refused him once.

To begin with, I used them to pass the time. Plus the materials were cheap. And more than anything, I can’t accept 10 medium gold coins for something like this! In the end, it was decided that I’ll take 2 medium gold coins, but is that really ok?

As I was thinking that, Sebasu-san said this.

“There are plenty of nobles who want to have their own statue made and placed in the town or in their residence. Compared to when those people give out a request to make a statue, this amount of money can be considered loose change. If it’s someone with Ryouma-sama’s skill, then the client would naturally have no complaints.” [Sebasu]

Seriously!?

After that, I went back to my room and wondered what kind of statute I will make next while making the waterproof cloths tomorrow. While I was thinking that, I fell asleep.