"Feel free to use this place as you like. No need to hesitate, this place is already your base as well. Just go to my room if you want to discuss something, see you later," said Vol-san as he closed the door with a smile on his face.
Of course, he brought along the pouch of money that we had given him.
He must be happy that he could help us, while also giving himself hope that his personal wish could be fulfilled by working with us.
That means, the problem with the slave collars has been resolved, everything now depends on Vol-san.
But after seeing his experiment succeed earlier, I'm very sure that the potion he made could be highly valuable if sold—
... Maybe I'll ask him to do that, I also just realized something about how his potion works, I— ehem, the four of us might be able to get rich in a short time!
To help Vol-san, we had already given him two hundred gold coins... A very large amount, considering the materials used also have their own quality.
For example, there is a certain liquid that is extremely expensive, because its source is very limited.
I don't know how much money the four of us still have left in Hime's Alter box, even in my own pouch... Five silver coins, seven bronze coins... I didn't realize I was carrying so little money.
Maybe I should start being more frugal from now on, there's no way I can ask Hime to give me money right now, the situation is a bit messy after that money issue.
"Y-Yukito... Are you free after this?" asked Luke while looking at me with a slightly pale face.
Hehe... I think I know why he looks like that, it's only natural for him to feel disappointed after losing that much money in such a short time.
"Most likely, if we don't have anything else to discuss, I'll go with you," I replied.
"Thank you for understanding..." Even this time, his voice sounded more lifeless than before.
Hime was still checking inside her Alter box, could it be that she also feels that our financial situation is in danger?
She looked confused repeatedly, holding her chin as she thought of the best solution.
But then again, maybe Hime is looking for something necessary like a map of this city to plan things out, the four of us haven't done that since we arrived here.
Besides, it's been difficult for us to find the time, and we've only been waiting for Vol-san's answer for the past day.
"Hime, what should we do? Should we immediately do activities in front of the citizens to gain their sympathy?" I asked while giving her a suggestion.
Perhaps, my simple guess might actually be the foundation of the plan she has already made, I'm saying all of this based on what I've thought through.
Hime flinched slightly before still focusing on her Alter box, then looked at me.
"Yukito-san, actually, Yuu-chan and I still have something to take care of. There's something we need to handle, would you mind if the two of us go out again?"
Again? Today, the two of them had already gone out together from morning until noon while I was helping Vol-san in his room.
Could it be something important that only the two of them can do?
I wanted to ask what she was going to do, but it felt like I'd be intruding into her privacy.
Besides, in the end she would definitely tell me and Luke anyway.
"Of course, take your time. Are you going to discuss the plan with her?"
Hime immediately made a hand gesture to indicate that what I said was wrong while letting out a small laugh.
"No. The point is, this is something important for the two of us. So I'll leave the planning to the two of you, okay?"
I didn't realize what she meant at that moment, so I just nodded to her request before I realized—
"Yeah, we'll take care of it. Don't come back too late, okay? We still need to discuss it lat—"
I immediately turned toward the door, Hime and Yuu-chan were already there looking at me.
"W-wait, Hime!" I could only try to stop her before the door closed.
"A-ah..."
Luke let out a heavy sigh while continuing to look at me, who was standing there helpless after making that choice.
"Yukito... Are you seriously going to let the two of us handle it? I can't think right now, my head feels really heavy..." he said.
Honestly, if I had realized it earlier, I wouldn't have accepted Hime's request.
"What else can we do... Rather than being stuck in this room, it's better if we go outside. I need to cool your head a bit," I said as I walked toward the door.
If Luke refused, I might have to go with the second option—grab his hand and drag him along. Even though I don't want to do that because it's tiring...
Luke stood up from the sofa, his body looked stiff, he really is shaken, huh?
"... You're right... I also want to get some fresh air, maybe I'll even try begging on the streets—"
"Oi, you're way too messed up. Where did that smart and enthusiastic version of you go?" I replied.
——
Yosh, the two of us are already out on the city streets, now we just need to do something that can bring his spirits back...
People we passed by looked confused at why Luke was walking hunched over while carrying an aura of despair that could probably be seen from his posture.
"Luke, what do you want right now?"
"... I want my pouch to be full again..."
... If that's the case, I have to find something related to making money, that's the only option.
If we go take on quests from the Adventurer's Guild, Luke won't be able to help. He also won't feel motivated since the rewards are small.
Selling something like my idea is also not possible yet, this is still the first day since Vol-san managed to mass-produce the collar-breaking potion.
... A place to earn money and have fun at the same time... Is there such a place—
Ah, that was a stupid thing to say.
Before we realized it, we were already standing in front of a two-story shop with bright-colored paint that had a different atmosphere compared to the other shops along this street.
There were loud voices from inside, and from out here I could peek inside, the place in front of us looked like a sake-drinking place like the others.
But maybe, if Luke gets drunk after a few drinks, he might feel better than he does now.
Even though I won't drink with him because I don't feel like it, I myself can't even remember whether I've ever drunk before or not.
The effect of getting drunk might be able to change Luke, I have to try it. With the money I have right now, I might be able to buy him at least five drinks.
Luke also doesn't have a high resistance to sake, meaning he gets drunk very easily when drinking it.
"Luke, want to go in?"
"..."
"I'll pay for you—"
Luke immediately opened the door of the shop and went inside ahead of me. Just as I expected, he accepted it right away when I said I'd treat him.