Chapter 465 The Tycoon
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Since then, I have poured myself into raising our six children. Even calling them “babies” feels like an understatement; they have already developed such distinct personalities. It’s a constant struggle, but these are truly days of blissful exhaustion.
At the same time, I have been working hard on growing our family with my partner Lily, as well as Satsuki-our Love-Mage(?)-and Amelia, the Love-Sister(?). I am fairly certain Lily is already pregnant, and it feels like only a matter of time for Satsuki and Amelia as well.
In other news, the mage Kushe headed to the lands of Viscount Nixfen for a monster-breeding experiment, accompanied by Ray and the Viscount himself. Kushe mentioned that she’d expect a reward if the mission succeeded, so I suppose next year might be her and Ray’s turn for a family.
I have been running Kushe ragged with these consecutive business trips, and I have saddled Ray with two heavy responsibilities at once. I am more than willing to oblige them. Besides, I cannot keep the women from the “Harvest Project”¹ waiting for years on end. Next year is going to be quite a handful.
As for the neighboring countries, our “honeymoon phase” with the Coalmine Kingdom to the north continues. To the west, in the Ferguson Kingdom, restoration of the East-West Trade Route is moving fast. We have cleared out the bulk of the monsters, but total extermination is a tall order. Now, they are asking for help with developing the southern territories.
To the southwest, our North-South Trade Route with the maritime nation of Sylvaol is seeing real progress. Preliminary exchanges have already begun, and we expect substantial trade by next year. The Merchant Guild Tasogare, the Beast-person Association, and the Adventurers’ Guild are all pulling their weight.
In fact, the merchant ship carrying our very first export of “D**do-Buddies” is scheduled to return from the Southern Continent any day now. Our future relationship with Sylvaol will likely hinge on those sales. I hope some high-ranking nobles, royalty, or a major guild has taken an interest. I would also love to hear how the local women are taking to the adult magic circuits. Regardless, if the feedback is good, the business deals should start rolling in. Thanks to the cooperation from the Nixfen territory, our production lines are ready. I am prepared for whatever comes our way.
The real wildcard is the Wielope Empire to the east. My disciple, Nina-Mailse, is spearheading the development of products specifically for that market. We have already done some trial runs with a few “Night Light Wands,” and the next step is developing new products based on that market research.
Still, the Empire’s true movements remain a mystery. The Holy City is just as opaque, and their Holy Figure is basically acting like a royal slacker in the palace. I have to wonder what they are actually planning.
”Is something the matter, Master?” Lily asked.
”Hmm? Oh, I was just wondering if it’s really okay for me to be this relaxed,” I replied.
”Relaxed?” Lily said, tilting her head. “You manage a factory with hundreds of employees and handle international trade across four nations. As far as merchants go, I’d say you’re incredibly busy.”
”Ah. I guess that’s true,” I said.
We were in the drawing room of the D**do-Buddy Mansion. I was lounging on the sofa, being used as a climbing gym by my darling daughter Momo, while I cradled my son Wakaba and my other daughter Mikan.
Hearing it put that way, it seems I have become quite the tycoon. In my old world, I’d be the CEO of a mid-sized firm doing international business. In my head, I still feel like I’m running a local workshop, so it hasn’t really sunk in. But looking at the reality, I have clearly moved past the “hands-on” stage and into “management.” I have really come up in the world. It’s almost a little lonely-or maybe just restless-to be leaving even the product development to my disciples.
”Even so, I can’t even remember the last time I actually worked the counter,” I muttered.
Being the “shady shopkeeper” was part of my life’s work, and I feel like I haven’t done it in ages. Lately, I have left the shop-tending to Flearis, Lily’s younger foster sister. I feel a bit guilty making her come all the way from the Coalmine just to run a suspicious shop, but until recently, my core staff consisted of a mother and two pregnant women. Since Wakaba and Mikan were born, things have only gotten more frantic.
Me? Well, I was absurdly busy right up until my paternity leave started, and now I have to look after the kids. No, who am I kidding. I just want to dote on them. And Flearis told me to do exactly that.
”Did you want to work the counter, then?” Lily asked.
”Well, yeah. Teasing the customers is half the fun,” I said with a grin.
”I won’t comment on your motives, but if that’s what you want, you should do it,” Lily replied. “The children and I can always spend our time over there with you.”
”Hmm? But the shop is cramped and I haven’t exactly kept it sparkling. Here is much better, right?”
”That’s not true. Or rather, I can make it work regardless,” Lily said, leaning in. “Please, do as you like. You already have people who can handle almost all of your usual duties. ‘Harvest’ is your shop, after all. You should run it however you please.”
”Ah… yeah. I suppose you’re right.”
It was as if the lightbulb had finally gone on. I blinked in surprise. So that was it-I had finally reached a high enough social standing to actually choose my own fun. Except for the big-picture decisions, I could delegate everything else and live a life of leisure. I could play the “shady shopkeeper” as much as I wanted, dote on my kids, and develop adult magic circuits…
Apparently, I have secured a position where I am allowed to live like a gentleman of leisure. Of course, that doesn’t apply if an emergency crops up, but still…
”Wait, am I actually amazing?” I asked.
”You are amazing,” Lily said. “Though I’ve thought that ever since I heard you started a shop after being a bottom-tier adventurer.”
”Whoa… You know, you’re allowed to pamper me even more.”
”I have been pampering you this whole time,” Lily said with a sigh. “If you want more than this… should I gather all the women you’ve collected and throw a total orgy?”
”That’s a bit vulgar, so let’s pass on that,” I said, waving a hand.
”I thought you’d say that.”
Lily gave me a look of pure exasperation. And yeah, looking at it objectively, she’s right. I knew I had worked hard, but with everything going on, the reality of my success had completely slipped my mind.
”Papa, ‘mazing?” Momo asked.
”Yes, your father is a very amazing person,” Lily told her.
”Papa ‘maziiiing!”
Momo, who was currently perched on top of my head, chimed in. She let go of my hair to give me a little round of applause. I have been praising her lately for being able to stand on her own; she was probably just mimicking me.
”Lily, our daughter really is a genius!” I exclaimed. “To be speaking this well at only one year old!”
”I mean, it’s a little early, but for a one-year-old, this is fairly standard,” Lily said.
”Whoaaa! Momo is the one who’s truly amazing!!”
”Aha!”
I swayed gently, making sure not to drop her, and she giggled with delight. Her tiny hands have a surprisingly strong grip. I am sacrificing a few more strands of hair here, but even if I go bald, it’s worth it.
”If you make too much of a scene, you’ll startle Wakaba and Mikan,” Lily warned.
”Oops, right. There, there, Wakaba and Mikan are amazing too, okay?”
”No, that’s not what I meant…”
In my arms, Wakaba and Mikan looked up at me with wide eyes. I got the distinct feeling that Wakaba was looking at me with a slightly cold expression, while Mikan looked like she was thinking, I don’t get it, but yay! I am filled with excitement thinking that in another year, these two will be standing, walking, and talking just like Momo. But for now, I want to savor that sweet newborn scent and their incredible softness just a little longer.
”So, what will it be?” Lily asked.
”The shop. I want to work the counter,” I decided.
After mulling it over, I made my choice: I would step back behind the counter as the simple owner of a magic circuit shop for the first time in a long while.
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Summary:
The protagonist reflects on his massive success as his business empire expands across four nations. Despite his wealth and growing family, he realizes he misses the simple thrill of running his shop personally. He decides to return to the shop counter as a ‘shady shopkeeper’ while his team handles the macro-management.
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Trivia:
- The protagonist has six children in total now.
- The ‘D**do-Buddy’ brand is actually an international export to the Southern Continent.
- Lily is likely already pregnant again.
- Nina-Mailse, his disciple, is now in charge of R&D for the Wielope Empire market.
- Flearis (Lily’s sister) has been the one actually running the shop while he was on leave
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Character Insight:
The protagonist experiences a moment of ‘imposter syndrome’ mixed with the realization of his high social standing. His desire to return to the shop counter shows he values personal interaction and his ‘shady’ hobby over the cold prestige of being a CEO.
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Behind the Scenes:
The author uses this chapter to ground the scale of the world-building (trade routes and politics) back into the domestic and ‘lecherous’ roots of the series.
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TL Notes:
Notes:
• Satsuki – Miranda’s granddaughter—a talented court mage with long black hair, staff, and palace robes. Prickly tsundere companion of Kento who fought in the dragon subjugation. Now humiliated yet fulfilled as Harvest’s new worker, her research thrives under his guidance while she whispers romantic tips to Amelia.
• Amelia – A light blue-haired Sister of the Church of Demon-Subjugating and Kento’s shy harem member. A newly awakened “Saint” from Holy Sleep, modest and easily embarrassed with red ears and neck. Wears her habit and treasures Kento’s ring on a necklace.
• 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.
• 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.
• Kushe – Chief Mage of the Coalmine Kingdom—a blunt, mischievous court mage and Kento’s companion. Dark green hair worn haphazardly under a loose robe, she’s assertive, knee-complaining, and leaks secrets to push things forward.
• 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.
• Nina-Mailse – Sacred Artificer from the Holy City with short violet hair and those thick, bottle‑bottom glasses that somehow still look good. A Ward from a big Purist family in the Wielope Empire, but she ditched the whole fundamentalist thing. Sticks close to the Saint and might end up as Kento’s apprentice in the Church of Demon‑Subjugation. Smart, loyal, and quietly rebellious.
• Wakaba – Newborn son of Kento and Tania. A half-elf magic user with large Mana Circuits. Has squishy cheeks, tiny fingers, and soft floppy ears. Emits magical discharges when throwing tantrums. The newborn son of Kento and Tania. Has green hair and elf ears.
• Mikan – Kento’s daughter. Orange-themed. The protagonist’s newborn daughter. Described as having a cheerful, oblivious expression. The shopkeeper’s newborn daughter.
• Momo – The newborn daughter of Kento and Lily. She has pink hair and her father’s ear and eyebrow shapes. Very energetic and vocal for an infant. Approximately one year old. Capable of standing on her own and mimicking simple words. Energetic and affectionate. The shopkeeper’s eldest daughter who has recently started speaking.
• Flearis – A member of the diplomatic envoy and guard. Has pink hair. Lily’s sister or Martin’s younger foster sister. Has pink hair. Member of the covert unit. Displays a cold, almost vengeful pragmatism when reporting her sister’s words to Martin.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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