[Hostess of Fertility]
Emiya placed a stack of contract papers in front of Boss Mia. The edges of the documents still had traces of fresh ink, exuding a strong scent of paper.
Boss Mia's face was full of confusion. She casually flipped through a few pages and asked in a subtle tone, "What's this?"
"Land deeds for the shops around the tavern," Emiya said.
"I can see that...", Mia paused, "I meant, why are you giving them to me?"
Emiya: "Didn't you say you planned to expand the tavern?"
"Expanding the tavern is true… but even if I do, it'd be at most a branch building," Mia's mouth twitched. She slapped the contract papers onto the table, "Why'd you bring me the deeds to the whole street?"
"Because, the land prices around here are cheap right now…"
This area had previously been ravaged by the [Man-Killer] and the spirit clone. Houses and facilities were heavily damaged, making this the lowest price point.
Emiya remembered that Boss Mia had once mentioned wanting to expand the tavern, so he had his financial manager, Liliruca, keep an eye on the situation.
("The land prices have bottomed out. They'll surely rise again once reconstruction is finished,") That was Liliruca's analysis. So, she applied to purchase the deeds for the entire area.
Emiya thought the plan was feasible, and since this block of land could be used by Boss Mia, he approved the purchase.
After all, the price was indeed cheap, and he had nowhere else to spend his money.
Seeing Emiya's clear eyes, Mia sighed and flipped through the thick stack of deeds, pulling one from the pile.
It was a residence right next to the [Hostess of Fertility] Tavern. Mia examined it carefully and nodded, "This one's enough. I can use it to build a dormitory for the waitresses."
It just so happened that Mia was planning to add a branch and hire more staff.
"I'll convert it into shares of the tavern for you, based on the price," Mia said.
Emiya looked down at the contracts in his hand, then back up at Mia, "Then what about the rest…"
"I don't plan to expand the tavern that big," Mia thought for a moment and said, "By the way, while you're at it, how about building yourself a house? Right next to the tavern."
Mia's suggestion reminded Emiya. He nodded lightly, "You're right."
With his relationship with Ryuu and Riveria having deepened, it was time for him to have a house of his own.
So that afternoon, Emiya assigned the matter to Liliruca. The Pallum girl immediately contacted the Goibniu Familia, who specialized in architecture and construction, and commissioned them to handle the mansion's design and planning.
Motivated by a generous bonus, the Goibniu Familia quickly presented a plan, and the very next day, construction of the Emiya residence began.
———
A few days later, Emiya stood at his window, watching the busy craftsmen.
The residence under construction was not far from the [Hostess of Fertility], only a few steps away.
Haruhime approached with tea in hand. She looked up at him with curiosity and asked, "Master, is that house going to be where you live from now on?"
Emiya turned to her, "Yes, I plan to move there. But, Haruhime…"
He paused, speaking in a gentle tone, "Afterward, come live with me."
Haruhime's eyes widened. Her ears and tail twitched slightly, and her face quickly flushed with red, "This servant… this servant will obey Master…"
Emiya smiled softly and reached out to rub Haruhime's soft hair. His fingers ran through her silky golden strands, warm and comforting to the touch.
He had already grown used to Haruhime's service. More importantly, he had grown used to her presence. If they didn't live together, he would actually feel strange.
Haruhime slightly tilted her head upward, her cheeks pink, closing her eyes like a little fox basking in warm sunlight, enjoying Emiya's touch. Her ears trembled gently, and her tail wagged cheerfully behind her.
"Ma-Master…", Haruhime called softly.
"What is it?", Emiya asked.
"No, it's nothing…", Haruhime lowered her head, eyes avoiding his, her hands nervously twisting the hem of her skirt. She opened her mouth, but the words at her lips were swallowed by embarrassment.
In truth, she wanted to ask about Ryuu, and about Riveria, but every time the thought surfaced, her cheeks burned with heat.
Haruhime felt no jealousy toward the elven women. In her eyes, being able to stay by her master's side, with her status, was already fortunate enough.
'Only someone as noble as Miss Ryuu or Lady Riveria truly suits Master,' The little fox always thought so.
Therefore, when she noticed that Ryuu and Emiya's relationship had advanced, not only did she feel no envy, but genuinely felt happy for them, even… a little excited.
'Maybe… in the future, when Miss Ryuu and the others aren't looking, I can flirt a little with Master… kyahh~', At such a thought, Haruhime's face turned beet red and she almost fainted.
———
Haruhime never imagined that one day, she would be earnestly asked by Lady Riveria for a favor.
She lowered her head, her tail swaying nervously, hands unsure of where to go.
"Haruhime, I have something I'd like to ask of you."
"Lady Riveria, y-you flatter this servant too much!", Haruhime waved her hands, flustered, "Please speak your wish, this servant will do her utmost!"
Riveria smiled, "It's nothing major. Tonight, I'll come to find you. I hope you can use your [Uchide no Kozuchi] on me."
Haruhime was stunned. Though she didn't understand the reason, she dared not ask further, much less refuse. She nodded repeatedly, dazed, and agreed.
As a result, just after dinner, before Haruhime could recall the eight o'clock appointment, Ryuu came looking for her, "Haruhime, I'll come to find you tonight. I hope you can use your [Uchide no Kozuchi] on me."
"Eh? Miss Ryuu?", Haruhime blinked, then quickly nodded, "Y-yes, of course."
Shortly after Ryuu left, Alicia sneaked into the inn, "Miss Haruhime, I have a favor to ask of you."
Haruhime: "..."
———
That night, with the power of [Uchide no Kozuchi] temporarily boosting them to Lv.6, Lv.7, and Lv.8, Alicia, Ryuu, and Riveria launched a challenge against Emiya.
However, even at Lv.8, Riveria was ultimately a magic caster.
As for Ryuu, true to her title of "Useless Elf", she was still no match for Emiya in a single round.
The lowest-leveled Alicia met an even more tragic end.
Riveria: "I'm sorry, Shirou. I couldn't make you go all out."
Ryuu: "I admit defeat, Lord Emiya. I'm sorry for provoking you."
Alicia: "..." (Has lost consciousness)
The door slowly opened. Emiya looked at Haruhime kneeling outside, her gaze low and soft.
"M-Master… would you like some fox today?"
"Come in."
Next→[Volume 2: The Great Struggle · Hero Trial]
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