Chapter 384 The Hardworking Shopkeeper
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Project Harvest”¹ has finally come to a close. It’s safe to say the shortage of “research” partners-caused by the pregnancies of my four favorites: Tania my elf, Laika my hound, Aerith my wolf, and the noblewoman(?) Tina Badcage-has been resolved.
Through this latest plan, eight new partners have joined the fold: Muse, the maid to Her Majesty; Merluza, the Captain of Her Majesty’s Royal Guard; Sera from the Twilight Merchants’ Guild; Marm, the receptionist from the Adventurers’ Guild; Suu, the beautiful secretary from the Beast-person Association; and the triplet sisters, Tetra, Metra, and Netra.
If I ask each of them for their “cooperation” once a month, that averages out to about two “experiments” per week. Since the triplets work as a set, it’s effectively once every five days. Though, in reality, nobody seems to care about the schedule; someone or other shows up almost every single day.
Then there are the “irregulars”: Queen Canaria Her Majesty herself, and the handsome woman in men’s clothing, Viscount Ray Nixfen. I can’t exactly use Her Majesty for “experiments,” and since Ray has her own territory to manage, she isn’t always in the Royal Capital. They’re in a category of their own.
Since I obviously have to keep them satisfied too, I’m effectively maintaining relationships with ten different women. And of course, there’s the “business” with my dear slave Lily, and the daily affection for Tania and the others… What I’m trying to say is, the fatigue is starting to pile up.
”I can see the light, Patrasche²… I’m so tired…” I muttered.
”Who is this ‘Patrasche’?” Lily asked. “And isn’t it a bit contradictory to complain about being exhausted from your ‘nightly duties’ while you’re currently burying your face in my chest?”
”Don’t be silly. Breasts are a healing force regardless of time or place,” I replied. “They go in a ‘separate stomach.’ Besides, the night-life isn’t the problem here.”
I take a deep breath while nuzzling into Lily’s chest as she strokes my head. As I thought, breasts are the best. They fix everything. They’re a cure-all for any ailment and the key to world peace.
As I told her, the nightly activities aren’t the issue. They’re a responsibility and a job, sure, but they’re also a joy. Similarly, I don’t consider checking in on Aerith or Tina to be a burden-I do it because I want to. But man…
”So, it’s the actual work then?” Lily asked. “It certainly does seem like you’ve been juggling quite a lot lately.”
”Yeah, it’s the sheer volume of everything hitting at once,” I said. “I’m hoping the peak of the busy season is almost over, though…”
Exactly. The problem is that I have so much other work that I can’t dedicate enough stamina or time to the things I actually want to do. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the work, and it’s stuff that needs to get done, but…
First on my plate is running the shop. Unfortunately, I’ve only been able to help out when I have a spare moment, leaving almost everything to Lily. Lately, I’ve barely had time to play the “suspicious shopkeeper” or indulge in a little light harassment of the customers.
Instead, the bulk of my time is eaten up by coordinating support for the restoration of the east-west trade route to the Ferguson Kingdom. I’m constantly liaising with the Twilight Merchants’ Guild, the Adventurers’ Guild, the Beast-person Association, and the Grizzly Merchants’ Guild.
I’m the one sorting through what to send, how much of it, and who to deploy. I have to synthesize the proposals and data from every organization while staying in constant contact with the Royal Palace. The first wave has already set out, and we’re planning the second and third waves as we speak.
I’ve managed to catch my breath now that the general policy is set, but it’ll get hectic again once the first wave of carriages returns. I’ll have to interview the returning crew about the local needs and then adjust the next shipment of supplies and personnel accordingly.
On top of that, I’m supposed to be receiving monster materials from them, which I’ll have to process. I really want to get started on new product development, and even if I just shove the materials in the warehouse for now, managing monster parts is a delicate, high-maintenance task.
By the way, “information sharing” often happens during my nightly activities. Since there’s one woman from each organization involved, it’s actually quite efficient. Or rather, Her Majesty and Lily probably planned the roster with that in mind. I doubt even they expected it to work this perfectly, though.
”If you’re that exhausted, would you like a massage?” Lily asked.
”No, I’m okay,” I replied. “You’re on your feet in the shop all day too, Lily. You must be tired.”
”Not at all. I’ve been trained for this,” she said. “Spending a month in the forest without equipment, hiding from enemies… that was hard. This is nothing.”
”I see. Well, in that case… if you wouldn’t mind?”
Talk about a culture gap. I reminded myself that Lily was originally brought into her foster home specifically to be a combatant. She kept me pillowed against her as she started kneading my head and shoulders. Turns out, paradise was right here all along.
As for my other responsibilities, there’s my gig as a tutor for Prince Roland. To teach him the common sense and hardships of the common folk, I’ve been taking him on field trips about once a week. Lately, it’s turned into straight-up manual labor.
Even after Lady Unia Greter left for her own country, the Prince has been working with incredible fervor, saying things like, “I want to buy her a gift with money I earned myself!” or “I want to have more things to tell her in my letters!”
Well, a high work ethic is a good thing. Working himself to the bone for a woman… he’s certainly become a student after my own heart. Though I’m starting to wonder if a future King becoming an expert at butchering monsters is really the “right” answer. I should probably have him try a different job soon.
Then there’s the rather intense training for the Nixfens. I’m putting them through a crash course on our manufacturing processes so they can get the new factory up and running.
Unlike when I taught the Duke’s retainers, this time they need to know how to make almost all of our flagship products. There’s a massive amount to learn, and because Mr. Tail has such an incredible eye for detail, I often have to step in and explain things personally.
It’s a learning experience for me too, but because he’s so sharp, I have to be completely “on” the whole time. It’s just as draining as any of my other jobs.
In conclusion: the trade route restoration, the Prince’s education, and the Nixfen training. These irregular jobs have piled up to the point where my daily shop duties are falling by the wayside.
All of them are essential, so it can’t be helped, but I wish I could find a better way… Hm? Come to think of it, I feel like I’m forgetting one more thing that needs a quick resolution…
”Ai-ah! Ma-ma!”
”Oh! My darling daughter, Lady Momo! What’s the matter?” I cried.
Just as I was about to remember, my beloved daughter Momo called out from behind me. I assume she’s seen enough of her parents flirting and has reached her limit. Well, she probably doesn’t understand that much, but still.
”There, there. You’re just as much of a healing force for me as Mama’s breasts are, Momo!”
”Dah-ee!” she replied.
Whether she understood or not, Lady Momo gave a slightly grumpy reply. She didn’t seem grumpy or in need of a diaper change. I picked her up and patted her head.
She’s gotten so heavy… I hold her every day, but I’ve realized I haven’t been able to spend much quality time with her lately. This is a serious problem. Seriously, is there no such thing as “Cloning Magic”? No, even if there was, the clone would just want to be the one playing with Momo or the one “working hard” at night, so that wouldn’t solve anything.
Just as I was lost in that escapism, I heard the ring-ring of the shop bell, signaling a customer had arrived.
”We have a customer,” Lily said. “Master, please stay here and look after Momo.”
”No, I’ll go,” I replied. “At this rate, I’m going to forget I’m actually the owner of a magic circuit shop.”
”Is that so?”
Chatting as I went, I handed Momo over and headed for the storefront. The customer waiting there was…
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Summary:
The protagonist reflects on the successful conclusion of his harem recruitment project, which has added eight new partners to replace those currently pregnant. Despite the success, he is overwhelmed by administrative duties including trade route restoration, royal tutoring, and factory training. A quiet moment with Lily and his daughter Momo is interrupted by a mysterious customer at his shop.
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Trivia:
- The ‘Project Harvest’ was a deliberate plan to find new s*xual partners because the main four are pregnant.
- The protagonist is balancing three major ‘irregular’ jobs alongside his shop management.
- Information sharing with major guilds is actually happening during his s*xual encounters.
- Prince Roland is motivated to work hard purely to buy gifts for his love interest, Lady Unia.
- Lily has extreme survivalist combat training that makes her current workload feel like nothing
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Character Insight:
The protagonist shows a growing sense of guilt or ‘grave concern’ over his lack of quality time with his daughter Momo, indicating his fatherly instincts are clashing with his logistical ambitions.
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Behind the Scenes:
The author uses the ‘separate stomach’ joke as a recurring trope to justify the protagonist’s high libido despite physical exhaustion.
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TL Notes:
Notes:
• Tina Badcage – Silver-haired, red-eyed woman with a very formal, old-fashioned way of speaking, often ending sentences with ‘no ja’. She is the only daughter of the Duke Badcage, tasked with guarding the North for the Canaria Royal Family. She is described as a beauty. Her inexperience suggests a slender build, and her dress is likely formal and aristocratic, though not explicitly stated.
• Aerith – A wolf beast-person and Ouka’s daughter. She is intensely attracted to Kento’s creative genius and is not shy about showing her interest. Have gray fur hair and tail, wearing elegant dress.
• Laika – The beastwoman dog.
• Tania – An Elf adventurer who, despite her race’s reputation for low sex drive, is secretly quite passionate. She initially seemed ‘wasted’ (emotionally dry) to her friend Raika, but was easily introduced to the pleasure-items sold at ‘Harvest.’ She is easily embarrassed and attempts to maintain a dignified facade, despite her recent, frequent purchases. She wears practical but light armor over a simple cloth tunic and short pants, highlighting her grace and agility. Her primary relationship is one of friendly senior-junior with Raika.
• Merluza – The Captain of the Royal Guard, a veteran soldier and Lion Beast-person. She testifies to the military necessity and effectiveness of the ‘Tremble Ddo-Buddy’ (which she calls ‘Bob’) for female beast-person soldiers, ensuring job performance isn’t compromised by ‘heat’. Have dull yellow hair, large feline ears, wearing armor, and large scar over the right eye.
• Metra – One of the triplets. Thick navy hair covering her eyes. Beautiful facial features.
• Netra – One of the triplets. Thick navy hair covering her eyes. Beautiful facial features. Shows interest in Kento.
• Tetra – One of the triplets. Thick navy hair covering her eyes. Beautiful facial features.
• Marm – The attractive, red-haired, tanned receptionist at the Adventurer’s Guild. She wears a uniform that emphasizes her ‘nice body.’ She is kind and acts like a supportive ‘big sister’ figure to Kento. Looks like Mirajane Strauss from certain series.
• Muse – Cecile’s trusted attendant and chief maid, Muse handles sensitive, discreet tasks like espionage and product acquisition. Have sharp, black eyes, wearing maid uniform, and have expressionless face.
• Sera – A young, earnest salesperson from the Tasogare Merchant Guild, Kento’s supplier. She is characterized by her braided brown hair, large round glasses, and freckles. She’s serious about her job and easily flustered, especially by Kento’s adult goods business. Looks like Onodera from certain series.
• Suu – Secretary for the Royal Capital Beast-person Mutual Aid Association and a cat beast-person. Sample No. 19 in Kento’s report. She steps up as the first witness for the defense. Wears glasses and a tight suit.
• Nixfen – A viscount aristocrat who has started manufacturing and selling adult goods similar to Kento’s products in the Royal Capital’s pleasure district. He is described as a ‘pretty boy’ or ‘gentle-looking man’ (yasao) but is a territory-holding noble likely trained in combat.
• Ray – A Viscount with flaxen-gold hair in a men’s wolf cut. Possesses a sweet mask and a prince-like aura. It is revealed at the end that Ray is actually a woman. She has started manufacturing and selling adult goods similar to Kento’s products in the Royal Capital’s pleasure district.
• Lily – the sl*ve and primary experiment subject for the magic shop, ‘Harvest.’ She has striking pink hair, Blue eyes, medium breasts, which the Protagonist associates with being ‘wanton’. She has a working knowledge of magic, which she kept hidden from the slave trader.
• Roland – he younger brother of Queen Cecile and the heir apparent to the Canaria throne. Clean, golden-blonde hair, same color as the Queen, innocent, beautiful face that could be mistaken for a girl but dressed in a boy’s formal wear.
• Unia – The third daughter of the house of Duke Greiter. Has blonde hair tied in an intricate style, dol-like beauty, and expressionless face.
• Tail – Former Viscount Nixfen and Ray’s father. A master craftsman with rugged, calloused, and scarred hands. Stern expression, socially awkward, and proud of his family’s ‘specialized’ trade.
• Momo – The newborn daughter of Kento and Lily. She has pink hair and her father’s ear and eyebrow shapes.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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