Volume 2 Chapter 9 Battleground？
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
She smiled wryly and continued.
”It seems like everyone is starting to do it. At first, it was just a few shops on East Street.”
”Did something happen?”
When Kian asked, Esther began to speak, saying, “Actually…”
”Do you know Ms. Matilda? She went missing around the same time as Ms. Sophia at the reception.”
”Ah… But unlike Sophia, she was killed. Apparently, she was involved with both a guard and an adventurer’s brother, and she was murdered by the brother who was a guard.”
”That Ms. Matilda actually works at a tavern, but after she was killed, it started seeing fewer customers… So, the owner decided to resort to desperate measures and had the employees serve in revealing outfits to attract customers again.”
”The employees are about to explode with complaints.”
”But since that day, the number of customers has surged. It turns out that serving in sexy uniforms at the tavern guild is an effective way to make money. There are many opposing opinions, though, about how it’s the same as what brōtḥels do and that it disrupts public morals… But on some level, it feels like a win as long as they’re making money.”
”It seems like they might be cracked down on by the guards soon, so what do you think about that?”
”There was, of course, a discussion among the merchant Guild about the necessary boundaries to differentiate from the brōtḥel Guild and to maintain the overall decorum of the town and streets.”
As Serena placed the enormous plate of whipped cream cake on the table, she urged the others to continue.
”So, what does Mr. Robert think about it?”
”He is completely against having employees serve customers dressed in underwear. He insists it’s not supposed to be like that. However, there are indeed places that do it, and it’s a fact that they are attracting customers away from us. My father says that if the food is delicious, people will come back, but I can’t look at it so optimistically.”
”If the guard cracks down on them, it will all be for nothing, so isn’t it better to stick with what we’ve been doing? The food here is genuinely good, and I believe that eventually everyone will come back. Making money through such scandalous methods can only work initially.”
”That’s true… isn’t it?”
”In the discussions between the merchant Guild, or rather, the tavern Guild and the brōtḥel Guild, what was agreed upon regarding employee uniforms and services? There are supposed to be clear boundaries, right? Though I seriously doubt they are being followed.”
”When it comes to service, it’s common sense to think that anything lewd is generally a no-go. But… you see, since it’s a customer service industry, the seats are close together, just like I’m doing now, right? I heard from other girls at different shops that because tips are involved, sometimes the employees can’t help but say yes.”
”Ah…”
Esther looked down at the jug of water she was holding.
”About the uniforms, there are strict details. For example, the type with a separate top and bottom that some taverns are currently using, those uniforms that are more like strings than fabric, are likely to be banned within the merchant Guild soon. The brōtḥel Guild has lodged complaints, saying that if they don’t reduce exposure, they will threaten to stop the general opening of public baths.”
”Isn’t that reasonable?”
While bringing her mug of ale to her lips, Serena nodded.
”Yes, but right now we still don’t know what will happen. It might be acceptable to serve in swimsuits on a limited basis. We could make the designs more modest and specify certain days to switch the uniforms back to the traditional ones. It’s a perfect opportunity, and I’m currently in the process of designing a new uniform.”
”Ms. Esther is designing them? That’s amazing!”
Serena’s eyes widened.
Esther smiled, a little embarrassed, saying, “It’s not that big of a deal.”
”So the uniform you’re wearing now was designed by Esther?”
”Ah, yes. My father is great at cooking and making sweets, but when it comes to designing clothes, he completely neglects it… He has this tough mindset like, ‘If it’s a tavern, let it be about drinks and food!’
”I see.”
”So, um, if you don’t mind, I would like to request a few quests from you two. If I go through the Adventurers Guild, the price gets higher, so I would prefer to make this a personal request, if that’s alright?”
”Sure.”
Serena nodded.
”I owe Kian some money, so I have to work hard to save up. I can’t take on quests until my promotion process is finished, but if I can take them on personally, I’d like to. Of course, if the reward doesn’t match the effort, I’ll back out.”
”I don’t mind either. What kind of requests do you have?”
”There are 2. The first one is related to swimsuits; I want to know the designs of the swimsuits used at the academy in the royal capital.”
”Swimsuit designs from the academy in the royal capital?”
”Yes. I’ve heard that the academy’s swimsuits have a modest and elegant appearance. They seem not to violate any guild rules, and they look cute too, so I really want to use them as a reference.”
”Just hearing about it from bards won’t be enough, right?”
When Serena asked that, Esther nodded with an apologetic expression.
”If possible, I want to see the actual swimsuits. I want to touch them and feel the texture and design with my fingers.”
”You’re quite the perfectionist…”
”Alright. I understand. I’ll check out the stalls. It’s not easy for Ms. Esther to go there since the area isn’t very safe.”
”Please. How about the reward being everyday clothes for both of you? While I’m at it, I’ll also make clothes for Mr. Kian and Ms. Serena. You can get an idea of my skills by looking at the outfits worn by me and the other waitstaff.”
”Clothes as a reward, huh… Well, I’m just going to search for swimsuits, so that seems reasonable. For me, everyday clothes are mostly the same thing over and over, so it might actually be a pretty grateful reward.”
”Ah, I’ll make sure that Ms. Serena’s clothes allow her tail to come out from the back easily, designed specifically for Beastmen.”
”Really? I’m so happy. It’s hard to find clothes designed for Beastmen in this town.”
”I’m also glad to get more clothes. When I’m not wearing armor, it’s usually just a white shirt and pants.”
Esther clapped her hands.
”It’s settled then! If you have any specific requests for the design of the reward outfits, please let me know! I think I can manage most things.”
”Got it. Before you start making the clothes, I’d like to know what kind of fabric you’ll be using. I’ll share my preferences for the outfit’s vibe at that time.”
”Yes!”
”So, what about the other request?”
When Serena asked, Esther lowered her voice.
”…the other one might be a bit difficult. The truth is, I want to try going back to the ‘Labyrinth of Roses’ once more.”
”‘Labyrinth of Roses’? That’s currently being temporarily held by the Adventurers’ Guild and Margrave Izerland for investigation.”
”I guess it’s still a difficult task, huh?”
Esther furrowed her brows.
She continued.
”In the end, I couldn’t even have a proper conversation with my mom. She wished for my happiness at the very end, but to me, she still feels like a stranger. Even if I were to make a grave for my mom and pray for her every year on her death anniversary, it wouldn’t hold any real meaning to me. I want to properly understand my mom’s circumstances and how she spent her time in that labyrinth before I can truly remember and honor her.”
Esther directed her brown eyes toward the kitchen.
”I don’t think Dad would ever say it out loud, but I believe he still cares about Mom. After all, the way things ended…”
”‘Leanan sídhe’ ended up becoming a vampire and disappearing, didn’t she…? Yeah, at this rate, you can’t even pray properly. You at least want to obtain some kind of keepsake.”
”Yes. …I don’t mind how long it takes, but if the time ever comes that I can go to the ‘Labyrinth of Roses’, could you escort me there? I will pay you a reward equivalent to a typical Rank 7 Quest. Since it will come out of my own pocket, it might end up being a low payment, but… I’d really like for you to accept it if you’re willing.”
”I don’t mind. I had been thinking I would like to visit that place again someday. In the end, I couldn’t go inside the mansion, so if the Guild and Margrave allow it, I want to explore every nook and cranny.”
”If I can get a reward equivalent to Rank 7 Quest just for being a bodyguard, I’d be more than happy to join. As soon as I get permission from the Guild, I’ll take Ms. Esther there.”
”Thank you very much. If I had gone through the Guild every time, it would have cost double, so I’m really grateful to have the two of you as friends.”
”You need to work hard so that you don’t end up thinking you should have asked the Guild.”
”That’s right.”
Kian exchanged glances with Serena and nodded.
It seemed that the requests from Esther consisted of these two tasks.
For now, 2 more things had been added to their to-do list.
One was to investigate the swimsuits at the academy in the royal capital.
The other was to revisit and explore the ‘Labyrinth of Roses’ Dungeon.
Both could be considered relatively peaceful missions.
As the first Quest as lower-rank adventurers, they seemed just right for warming up.
Having successfully accepted the Quest for minimal rewards, Esther smiled and alternated her gaze between Kian and Serena.
”Would you like a refill on your drinks? I’ll bring a new mug!”
”────Oh, just in time. If that’s the case, I’ll have a strong distillate, if you don’t mind.”
When Esther stood up from her seat, a soft and refreshing voice called out from the side.
Kian and Serena, already feeling the effects of the alcohol, turn towards the source of the voice
Kian stiffens for a moment upon seeing the figure standing at the entrance of the store, and then feels a cold sweat break out all over his body.
”Ehehehehe… Good evening, Kian. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”
Standing there with a smile was the beautiful golden-haired high elf, Aliona.
Instead of her usual sister’s attire, she was wearing a beautiful, fluttering dress with a white image.
The men at the other tables, who had been drinking, now directed their gazes towards Aliona’s voluptuous chest and the curves of her hips, which were accentuated by the fabric of her skirt.
Seemingly accustomed to such attention, she swayed her hips as she approached the table where Kian and the others were seated, seemingly unbothered by the stares.
”Ah… Well…”
Esther smiled ambiguously, as if overwhelmed by Aliona’s beauty, and then glanced at Kian with a hint of reproach.
On the other hand, Aliona’s smile was terrifyingly bright.
”It’s been a while, Kian.”
”Uh, ah…”
”It’s been a while! Right? How many days has it been?”
”Ah, well… About a week, I think?”
”──────”
Aliona continued to smile.
The men who had been sending lustful glances at the high elf sister quickly averted their gazes, sensing the tense atmosphere.
”It’s been ten days, Kian. No contact during that time. I heard about your exam today from Ms. Serena.”
”I’m sorry, I’m not trying to blame anyone, but I heard Serena was working part-time, so I felt like it was somehow difficult to visit.”
Also, he was really focused on developing new equipment and researching techniques.
Since absorbing the vampire, his physical abilities had increased more than ever, and he was having a lot of fun.
So, in the end, he was also replenishing his magic power every night while training Serena in his sleep.
”Oh, is that so? By the way, Kian, are you the type who doesn’t give bait to the fish you catch? It’s nice to have pretty girls around you.”
”────────”
”Next door, is it okay? Oh, if it’s not okay, just say so clearly. I’ll be leaving.”
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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