Chapter 122: Lots of Souvenirs
Chapter 122: Lots of Souvenirs
Luganda has developed a bit again.
There are more cows, goats, and chickens, and there were three additional settlers this month.
The residential areas, which used to be full of shacks, are now beginning to have decent houses.
The problem at the moment is the lack of women.
The gender ratio in the population is about 7 to 3, with men always being in surplus.
Perhaps because of this, there’s a constant dispute for women.
On the other hand, women are very popular.
That is, well, with the exception of Michelle……
[How should I say this…… Only Yahagi-san can keep Elder Sis at bay. If it were anyone else, they would be crushed in seconds. She’s scarier than the legendary Gravity Magic.]
That’s what Garm told me.
No, it’s good for me since I don’t have to worry about her cheating on me……
Merle said “It’s troubling that I’m constantly being hit on”, but she doesn’t seem to feel bad about it.
I could catch glimpses of how proud she is about being popular.
Seemingly irritated by that, Regal looked a bit unhappy about it.
He does adore Merle, so he may be feeling mildly jealous.
Mira is even more popular than Merle, but she’s the same as always.
She’s a natural airhead without a care about what’s going on around her, often spending her time with Mani-san, not accepting the advances of men.
Mani-san himself seems to favor Mira and cares about her in every way.
Adventurers from other places also come to the dungeon.
We charge an entry fee of 1000 rim for the dungeon, so we’re earning a good income.
However, many of the adventurers are ruffians, making the public order slightly worse, so I asked Michelle to crack down on them.
Thanks to that, the criminal activities stopped.
It seems that the nasty ones were punished so severely that they all ran away with pale faces.
I heard that Titti also participated in the punishment, but I wasn’t told about the details.
What on earth did they do……?
Incidentally, the dungeon tours are very popular.
I heard that Luganda has become the hottest playground for the wealthy people in the neighborhood.
Both my shop and Zonder’s shop are thriving.
It’s hard to believe, but there are even some people who actually take the time to drive two hours by horse-drawn carriage just to eat monjayaki and tamasen.
Today, however, I had an unusual visitor.
When I saw the carriage stop in front of my stall, a slender gentleman came down from the inside.
A tall guy giving the impression of a candy stick, he was looking around the shop’s merchandise with a gleeful look on his face.
[Welcome, are you looking for something?]
[I am Viscount Peppo, the ruler of Ballast Town. You are Yahagi-dono, Lord of Luganda, right?]
Ballast is a large town on the opposite side of Betzel.
It must have taken him two and a half hours by carriage to get here.
[Well, well, to have come all the way to this forest, I bid you welcome.]
I wanted to invite him to the Lord’s manor right away, but Viscount Peppo was looking happily at my wares.
Deciding that he might be more interested in that, I offered him a chair right in this place.
[The road is still not as well maintained as I would like. Wasn’t it hard to get here?]
[No, no, it’s for the rumored dagashi shop. Going through the hardship of that level isn’t that much.]
As I thought, Viscount Peppo had come here for the dagashi shop.
[Today was sunny and hot, wasn’t it? Here, have some ramune.]
[Ohh, so this is a ramune huh!]
[You heard about it?]
[Betzel-san wrote to me and boasted about it. I heard it’s the most popular drink in the region.]
Things are starting to feel like the dawn of the cola era back in my previous life……
[So, when I was in Betzel on a business trip the other day, I visited Dagashi Yahagi’s Betzel branch. Unfortunately, they were sold out, so I was only able to see the real thing today.]
[Thank you for going all the way from the Betzel branch.]
[There’s no need for thanks. Thanks to you setting up a stall in Betzel, I was able to buy a Gungalf and a GGRKS. I also got my hands on a Mani 4WD.]
He’s a toy lover too huh……
[I’m already hooked enough that I ordered artisans to create arenas and race courses. How about we have a match later?]
[Hahaha…… Let’s take it easy……]
Viscount Peppo’s eyes blazed as he drew closer.
I don’t think I’m going to be able to say no to this.
Well, it’s good that the number of competitors is increasing. 𝐛𝗲𝗱𝐧𝗼𝐯𝗲𝗹.𝐧𝐞𝘁
awread.com .
While we were having this conversation, a procession of livestock came from the forest.
There were 3 cows, 10 goats, and many caged chickens.
There was even a horse along with them.
[W- What’s going on?]
Noticing my surprise, Viscount Peppo happily explained.
[I have brought you souvenirs today. They’re essential for a new territory, aren’t they? Just graciously accept them.]
[I’m extremely grateful. No, I’m certainly very thankful but……]
I want the livestock so badly that I can’t wait to turn my attention to those immediately, but can I really just accept these souvenirs without hesitation?
It would be troubling if he asked me any strange favors in exchange……
[In return, I have one favor I’d like to ask you……]
I knew that was the case!
I reflexively raised my guard.
[I have just become a lord and am still facing various hardships…… so I’m not sure if I’d be able to meet your expectations. However, what is it that you’d like to ask?]
Weaving in some light constraints, I asked him about his true motives.
[What do you think about opening a branch of Dagashi Yahagi in Ballast?]
[Huh?]
[I also want to play Mobile Force and Mani 4WD with the others…… I want to take in this culture!]
Hmmm, his true feelings are overflowing.
They’re spilling out more than when he just opened a bottle of ramune.
However, for me who wants to increase my level, opening up a branch in Ballast is very appealing.
[I appreciate the offer, but what about the taxes and other such……]
[The rent can just be waived. The location…… It would be great if it’s conveniently near my mansion…… Alright, I’ll have a suitable house built.]
He’s so generous!
It seems that rich people are willing to spend their wealth for their own satisfaction.
While the two of us were discussing the branch, a wagon full of pigs arrived.
As I was gazing in wonder at what was going on, a large-built gentleman descended from the following carriage and approached us.
[Ya, ya, Viscount Peppo. And this must be Luganda’s lord, Yahagi-dono, yes?]
[That’s right, you are?]
[I’m Toskea’s lord, Gogorik.]
The three main towns in the region are Betzel, Ballast, and Toskea.
Gogorik-san, his big belly shaking about, heartily laughed.
[Wahaha, we have brought you our local specialty, 20 Toskea pigs. We are proud of the sweetness of their fat!]
[T- Thank you very much. However, suddenly receiving such kindness would……]
[Don’t worry yourself too much about it, us neighboring lords must help each other out. By the way, I have a favor to ask you, Yahagi-dono.]
Eh, don’t tell me……
As I had thought, he really was requesting for me to set up a branch in his town.
Moreover, the conditions really ended up being very preferential.
Of course, I was grateful for that and decided to open a branch.
This will make it easier for me to raise my level.
I’m glad that I could make friends with the neighboring lords.
I gave Lords Peppo and Gogorik all kinds of Mobile Force and Mani 4WDs, parts, and a lot of dagashis as souvenirs.