THE NEXT DAY
"Are you ready?"
"Yes!"
With that, Yomogi, Chantal, Kimberly, Pinna, Salacia, and I step into the teleportation portal that leads back to our home in Remantia, with Manas joining us as our trip to Nomah has finished.
MOTEGI'S HOUSE, REMANTIA
As soon as we step through the portal, Manas murmurs as her eyes glide over the granite surface and the empty shelves. Her arms cross, not in disappointment, but in assessment, like a queen appraising unfamiliar territory.
"Truly… this is no palace, mine king..."
"I told you I don't live in a castle."
"And these vacant ledges… this is thy business, and mine future place of labor, is it not?"
"Yup, that's right."
Then, I ask Manas.
"What do you think? Do you like the house?"
"It is… interesting. 'Tis more than a mere humble dwelling, it would seem."
And Chantal chimes in.
"Well, this place is way better than a castle, you know?"
With that, I gesture toward the staircase.
"Wanna check upstairs?"
"Very well, mine king."
We guide Manas upstairs, and the moment we step onto the second floor, a round disk glides across the granite floor and bumps into her ankle. What I don't expect is her reaction as she gasps sharply with a flash of indignation.
"What abomination is this that dares crash into a queen?!"
"It's okay! It's okay! That's just the vacuum cleaner!"
"Vacuum…?"
"Yeah, it's for sucking up dust."
And I regret when I said that because she is enraged.
"So the creature thinketh me… dust?! I shall punish it forthwith!"
"No, no, it's not like that! It was just passing by!"
Luckily, Pinna helps me to explain calmly.
"The collision was unintentional. It simply aligned with your walking trajectory. There was no targeted behavior or offensive programming."
"Art thou certain, Pinna?"
"Affirmative, it was mere coincidence."
Manas lets out a low huff, relaxing only slightly.
"Very well… though I shalt not forgive the thing."
Phew...
Thank you for saving me, Pinna.
"Should we start the full tour now?"
"Very well, let us see what other strange things thou hast hidden inside thy lair."
"Please don't say it like that..."
With that, we guide Manas toward the kitchen and dining area, and her eyes instantly land on the massive dining table, and she approves it.
"This... is a table worthy of a king's feast."
"Thank you."
She starts walking toward the counter but pauses and points at the large unit sitting beside it.
"I have never beheld a metal artifact so grand in stature. Tell me… what is this?"
"That's a refrigerator, or you can just call it a fridge. And it's not an artifact, it only keeps food fresh and prevents spoiling."
She frowns, clearly skeptical. Without hesitation, she grabs the handle and swings the door open, and her eyes widen as she sees foods are neatly arranged inside the chilled interior.
"Thou speakest true..."
Then, Kimberly leans in to me.
"Motegi-sama… may I place… the goods inside…?"
"Oh! Yes, please, Kimberly."
With that, I take out the groceries we bought yesterday in Nomah and hand them to Kimberly.
"Thank you, Motegi-sama…"
Kimberly turns and begins storing everything inside the fridge with practiced ease. Then, she glances at Manas, who's still frozen in front of the open door.
"With this… we can eat… the meat… and the fruit... anytime we want…"
"What a strange artifact…"
Then, Manas points again, this time at a smaller box on the countertop.
"Another one…? And what is that for?"
"That's a microwave. It's for reheating food."
"Shall this be another strange artifact within thy house…?"
"Ahaha... probably."
As we lead her into the bedroom, her jaw drops again at the moment she steps inside and sees the enormous bed.
"By the heavens… this is a bed worthy of a king and his queens."
"Thank you."
We move to the wardrobe room, and I gesture her toward the sleek cabinets and racks lined with fabric.
"This room's just for undergarments and dresses."
Manas steps in, trailing her fingers over the lacy lingerie and elegant outfits. Her voice carries a scoff, but there's a faint smile tugging at her lips and a soft blush blooming across her cheeks.
"Hmph! Thou art the most indecent mortal I have ever known, mine king…"
"Thank you. I'll take that as a compliment."
Next up, we bring Manas to the bathroom area. And as soon as we walk in, Manas immediately points at a box-shaped machine near the woven bamboo basket.
"Another strange artifact… and what is that for this time?"
"That's a washing machine. It's for cleaning clothes."
"What an unusual dwelling thou possess…"
And then, I guide her further in, opening the door to the full bathroom. The moment she sees the twin tubs, her posture lifts again with awe.
"Ah… now these are baths fit for a king and his queens!"
I gesture to the washing area with low stools and the narrower bathing basin.
"This one's only for washing first. You get clean here before soaking."
Then I motion toward the larger tub at the center of the room.
"And that one's for relaxing afterward."
She furrows her brows slightly, trying to visualize it.
"I'll show you later. And now, let's go to the coolest part of the house."
With that, I lead Manas through the hallway and open the door to the outdoor terrace garden. The moment we step outside, her mouth parts open in awe as she sees sleek sunloungers line the center of the terrace, and a lush garden spreads out with neat rows of blooms and fruiting plants on the other side.
"What… is this place? Even the grandest palace… hath not such wondrous splendor as this…"
"Do you like the place?"
She doesn't respond right away, taking several seconds before she manages to speak.
"I… I am without words… 'tis too beautiful to take in…"
Then, we walk to the garden area. Arriving there, I gesture toward Yomogi's flowers and herbs. Manas inhales, eyes half-lidded as she lets the floral sweetness and sharp, fresh greenery wash over her.
"Yomogi planted all of these."
And Manas turns toward Yomogi with admiration.
"Thou truly knowest how to coax such beauty from the soil, Yomogi. These blossoms and greens… they sing with life."
"Thank you, Manas. That means a lot."
After that, Manas turns to the other side of the garden.
"And these? Didst Yomogi tend these as well?"
"No, I planted those myself."
First, I point to the row of soft pink petals.
"These are dahlias."
Next, I point to the tall, golden blooms beside them.
"And those are sunflowers."
Manas crouches down beside the sunflowers, fingers hovering just above their wide faces.
"Indeed… they resemble miniature suns… how quaint…"
Finally, I point to a cluster of thorny green plants, and Manas leans in with awe.
"And they're cactus. They can survive with almost no water."
"Never have I seen such a thing… not even in all the dunes of Nomah…"
After that, Manas turns to the other side of the garden.
"And what are these curious growths, mine king?"
I don't answer her and call out Yomogi instead.
"Yomogi."
"Yes, Motegi-chan!"
Yomogi nods and turns without a word, heading back inside, as she already knows what to bring. I shift my eyes toward Kimberly and Salacia, and they also nod and understand what I mean. They walk over to a bush as Kimberly plucks a small red fruit with dots and Salacia picks a smooth, round fruit, and then they hand those over to Manas.
"Try them, Manas."
Manas takes the one on Kimberly's hand and bites into it, and her eyes widen as a bright, unexpected smile spreads across her face.
"Mmm! By the heavens… what sorcery is this? So sweet, so juicy… it singeth upon mine tongue!"
"That… is called... a strawberry..."
"Straw-berry…"
Manas repeats, almost reverently. Then, she tries the one on Salacia's hand next, and she pauses, then slowly nods with shining eyes.
"Ah! What strange flavor… 'tis unlike the first, and yet… still wondrous. So unique… what be this fruit?"
And Salacia approaches her, playfully delivers our inside joke.
"That's a tomato. Though… whether it's a fruit or a vegetable is still up for debate~..."
"Eh? What meanest thou by that? How can such a thing be both fruit and vegetable?"
Salacia just gives me a wink, and I try to stop myself from laughing. Once again, the tomato joke has claimed a new victim. Soon after, Yomogi returns from inside, carrying a small wrapped bundle, and places it in my hand.
"Here you go, Motegi-chan."
"Thanks, Yomogi."
And I unwrap the bundle, revealing a dark, glossy bar as I turn to Manas once more.
"Here. Try this too."
She takes it and bites into the bar, and her expression melts a third time.
"Ahh… this sweetness… but with a hint of bitterness beneath! 'Tis decadent! What dost thou call this divine creation?"
Then, I gesture toward a leafy tree bearing reddish pods.
"That's chocolate. It comes from that. It's called cacao."
Manas steps closer, staring at the pods with awe.
"From such a fruit… cometh this delight? Incredible… thy abode never ceaseth to astonish me, mine king."
After that, Manas points across the terrace to the far corner, where two wooden tubs sit nestled in the shade.
"And those vessels over yonder? What purpose dost they serve, mine king?"
"That's a secret."
She scoffs, clearly unimpressed.
"Thou art most stingy, mine king. Keeping secrets from thy loyal queen... shame upon thee."
"Ahaha... don't say that, please…"
What she pointed to are actually my soy sauce and sake. The soy sauce is only halfway done and still needs time. But I think the sake will be ready soon, and I can't wait to taste it.
"Should we go back inside, Manas?"
"Indeed… lead the way, mine king."
"Everyone?"
"Yes!"
"Alright, let's go in, everyone!"
After that, the seven of us head back in.
MOMENTS LATER
"You sure you don't need anything else, Manas?"
"'Tis enough already, mine king…"
Right now, Manas is currently stretched across a literal, glimmering mountain of her treasure, sprawling out like a dragoness basking in her hoard.
And let me explain how this thing can happen.
Out of nowhere, she suddenly declared that her king, which is me, must possess a treasure vault. Even though I told her I didn't have enough treasure to fill a vault, she just snorted and said "dragons breathe with gold."
So in the end, I turned one of the two spare rooms into her personal vault. She was absolutely thrilled and unloaded all her ornaments, jewelry, and gold-laced artifacts from her dimensional inventory and tossed everything inside. In response, I had to do a little quick remodeling for this room. With [Lapidary], I sealed off the large window and replaced it with a smaller one way up near the ceiling... just high enough for ventilation and light, but too small for anyone outside to see inside.
Yeah, I know we're on the second floor, but still, I don't want to risk anything.
Then, I pull out the platinum ore I bought from Nomah and silently activate [Blacksmithing], and in an instant, it transforms into a massive platinum pavise shield, etched with elegant dragon-scale patterns across its surface. I hold it out and look up at her.
"Do you like it, Manas?"
Manas's head lifts immediately, and she glides down the slope as her gaze is locked onto the shield.
"Mine king… 'tis incredible… the shape, the gleam… and these patterns... they mirror dragon scales most exquisitely."
She runs her hand over the design, fingers tracing the engraved ridges. Then, she lifts the heavy shield in one arm, angles it slightly, testing the weight.
"Light it may be, yet not hollow. I canst feel the strength pulsing within... 'tis not merely a thing that shines. It breatheth with power."
And suddenly, she lets out her usual prideful laugh.
"MWAHAHAHA!! With this, I shall become the most undefeated prey to ever walk this realm!"
"Yeah. You will."
Let me tell you what she means by "undefeated prey."
She also said she wanted to join our party. But instead of playing the attacker like she used to for centuries, she wanted to try something new because she said she was tired of being the invincible predator and wanted to be the prey instead. She claimed that she could cast barrier spells and wield a shield, so that's how she wanted me to craft that shield.
It's really unexpected, but I can't deny that I need it. Yomogi is a brawler and she's not a dedicated tank, Chantal's an assassin, Kimberly's a mage, Pinna handles support tech, Salacia handles healing and potion making, and I feel like a hybrid between roles with spells and swords. But nobody holds a shield and puts on a barrier spell, so if Manas wants to step in with that role even just to amuse herself... it's a welcome.
She exhales slowly, and she shoots me a look.
"Why canst thou not sell such weapons, mine king? Thy craft is divine. 'Tis far beyond any dwarf."
"Ahaha... is that so?"
But to be fair, selling weapons is not on my list. Despite my [Blacksmithing] skill not discriminating between sword and skillet, I always hesitate. My store's known for toiletries, kitchenware, woodworks, ceramics, and masonry. So... I'm not sure adventurers would line up to buy weapons from someone who makes a living with soap like me.
"Hey, Manas, do you really think if I sold weapons… they'd actually sell?"
"Absolutely. If a dragon praiseth thy craft, then 'tis no mere bauble... 'tis treasure of worth."
"That's just your claim, right? You're just being a dragon."
But her genuine answers surprise me.
"Nay, 'tis truth. Dragons assess weapons thus: One... if the weapon can kill us, then it deserveth fear and honor. Two... if it cannot kill us, yet endureth our breath and strength, then it earneth respect. And three... if, when held in our grasp, it stirreth our soul… then it be a weapon of greatness."
"You're really sure about this?"
"Aye. I spake before... I desire to aid thy store. Let us sell thy weapons, and allow me to place them into hands myself. I shall prove unto thee... thou art an incredible smith."
She means every word, and it makes me think. Salacia's butt mark on furniture is a pure gimmick, but Manas's dragon's worldview of weapons is raw and instinctual.
So why do I still feel like it's a big gamble?
Maybe it's fear of branching out too far, but still, I'm curious to take it.
"Alright. We'll sell weapons, and you'll be the clerk."
And her face lights up with joy.
"Mine king… thou hast my deepest gratitude. I swear it, I shall work hard and prove thee right."
"Thanks, Manas. Appreciate it."
MOMENTS LATER
"Done. Pinna, Yomogi, Salacia, Kimberly, Chantal... can you?"
"Understood, Master."
"Of course, Motegi-chan!"
"Mmhmm~... darling~..."
"Yes... Motegi-sama..."
"Leave it to me, Motegi-kun!"
After that exchange with Manas, I decided to call out to Yomogi, Chantal, Kimberly, Pinna, and Salacia and declared that I would open a new weapon section, with Manas taking charge of it. And surprisingly, the girls approved my ideas, which made my confidence slowly take place.
And right now, I've already done the usual restocking time with [Hygienics], [Blacksmithing], [Carpentry], [Pottery], and [Lapidary]. Once all the materials are transformed into goods, the girls scatter to their sections like usual. Pinna sets the toiletries on the shelves perfectly, Yomogi lines up the kitchenware and utensils with soft humming, Kimberly gently places the ceramics, Salacia arranges the board games, and Chantal lifts the slabs and mortar sacks like feathers.
Then, I turn to Manas.
"Ready?"
"Indeed, mine king. Bid me proceed."
With that, I silently activate [Blacksmithing] to the remaining ores and charcoal. In an instant, they transform into a short sword, a spear, a claymore, a mace, a targe shield, a broad shield, knives, and a basic armor set with greaves and gauntlets. Once it's done, I turn to her again.
"Let me know your opinion, Manas."
Manas touches each piece, weighing balance and measuring edge.
"Even in humble shapes, these arms gleam as though wrought for champions. Truly, they bear magnificence beyond their station…"
Because I still don't know how these will sell, I already told her that for now, we would only sell ordinary arms and armor, and she agreed with me.
When she finishes, she faces me fully.
"Mine king, these wares art ready for trade. Set them forth, and let coin be drawn as moth to flame."
"Are you sure?"
"Verily. I utter no false tongue."
"Got it."
With that, I duplicate everything with [Copier] into many, and once it's done, I gesture to her again.
"Alright, they're yours to set up."
"Aye. I swear, by fire and scale, I shall render them sold swift."
"Let's hope so."
As Manas gathers the weapons and carries them to her section, I know I've rolled the dice, and now all that's left is to trust her.