Chapter 102 Morning After Secrets꞉ A Merchant
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The golden rays of morning filtered through the window, illuminating a scene of quiet, post-intimate stillness. “Ah… good morning, Master…?” Aerith, the young lady of the Garou Merchant Guild¹, whispered. She had been peering down at my sleeping face, her naked form pressed close to mine as she spoke with a mixture of awe and lingering shyness.
I blinked the sleep from my eyes and offered a tired smile. “Ah, good morning, Aerith.”
At my words, she let out a soft, wordless cry of affection, rubbing her forehead against my shoulder with an intensity that spoke volumes. I reached out, pulling her closer, my hands tracing the curve of her back and the softness of her skin as I held her.
”I meant for us to get back sooner, but it seems I’ve kept you out all night,” I muttered, the weight of the morning settling in.
”Yes. I’m sorry, it seems I fell asleep halfway through…” Aerith replied softly.
I shook my head, feeling a pang of guilt. “No, I was the one who went too far. My apologies. If we’re much later, your father will start to worry. I’ll take you back, but first, let’s get you to a bath. I’ll have to ask the landlady to buy some fresh undergarments as well…”
My mind began to race with the logistics of our situation. We were both quite a mess from our night together, and Aerith’s original undergarments were certainly in no state to be worn again. Not to mention, I was starving. However, Aerith didn’t seem bothered at all; instead, she let out a soft, musical giggle.
”Hehe, it’s quite alright. I told my father I would be back by noon, and Lily and the others have already given their consent. As for the undergarments… didn’t you notice when you took the comb yesterday? I brought a spare set with me,” she said with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
I blinked, taken aback. “O-oh… is that so…?”
I hadn’t expected her to have cleared things with Lily and the rest of the girls, let alone her father, Ouka-shi. Perhaps they had reached some sort of unspoken agreement beforehand in case a night like this occurred.
”So, please, stay by my side just a little longer. Or perhaps…” She leaned in, her gaze turning heavy with invitation as she pressed herself against me. “Would you like to show me some affection this morning too?”
I felt her touch against my chest, her fingers tracing idle patterns that sent a familiar spark through me. It felt as though I was being danced around on the palm of her hand, but I couldn’t find it in myself to complain. As I felt myself being drawn back into her allure, I suddenly remembered something rather important.
”Ah… I, uh… this is a bit difficult to bring up right now, but… about the, you know…?”
Aerith cut me off with a knowing smile. “Fret not, I have already taken the contraceptive medicine. It is a matter of turn-taking, after all.”
I could only stare at her in confusion. “Eh? Wait, what…?”
”After Lily-san, Tania-san, and Laika-san, I am currently the fourth. It feels a bit far off, but the harder we work, the sooner my turn comes around again. We are all quite motivated. Though, if I were to be selfish, increasing the number of ‘experimental’ partners by four or five might help the cycle move faster…” Aerith explained smoothly.
I didn’t even have the energy to wonder when this system had been established. I was completely and utterly at the mercy of the women in my life. It was a feeling both terrifying and strangely wonderful. I wasn’t quite sure what face to make in such a situation.
”Hehe, we women are far more attentive than you think, Master. But enough of that. Your little bird feels as though she might freeze in this morning chill. It would make her very happy if someone were to warm her from the inside…”
There was no need for further words. As her partner, that duty fell solely to me. I emptied my mind of business and logistics, focusing entirely on Aerith’s soft skin as I leaned over her once more.
* * *
After another two rounds of intimacy in the room and two more in the bathhouse, we finally emerged from the inn. Walking arm-in-arm just as we had the day before, we made our way into the high-class residential district. Aerith’s home was a grand estate, a place that truly earned the title of a mansion.
It was located not far from the home of my alchemy mentor, Kogima, who had married into nobility. In fact, I recognized the building from a distance. I remembered comparing it to the Pigole estate, noting the vast difference in style despite them being neighbors.
Aerith insisted I come inside, and unable to refuse her invitation, I was led into the house. Waiting for us were Ouka-shi and his wife. Despite their presence, Aerith refused to let go of my arm.
”Father, Mother, I apologize for being late. No matter how much I pleaded, Master simply wouldn’t get off of me…” Aerith said, looking entirely unrepentant.
Ouka-shi’s eyebrow twitched violently at her words. His wife, however, who looked exactly like Aerith aside from her light brown hair and age, was beaming with a wide, welcoming smile. As for me? I was pale, clutching my stomach as the stress-induced pain began to settle in.
”Hmph. I see. Well then, Kento-dono must be quite exhausted, but I expect you to lend an ear to my business as well,” Ouka-shi said.
”O-of course, Father-in-law…” I stammered.
Thankfully, he didn’t snap at me for the title or try to throw a punch. Instead, we sat down to discuss the partnership between the Garou Merchant Guild and Harvest².
I worked harder than I ever had before. I desperately pitched the ideas for high-end products I had discussed with Aerith, throwing in every spontaneous thought I could muster to keep the momentum going.
Honestly, I was more frantic now than I had been during the Ddo-Buddy³ trial when Professor Soi was grilling me. The negotiation ended up being incredibly productive, though it meant that development would now have to proceed at a breakneck pace.
I assured them I could handle it. I was used to working like a cart horse in my previous world. They shouldn’t underestimate the speed of a corporate slave from a high-speed information society.
Whether Ouka-shi felt the sheer desperation in my resolve or not, I wasn’t sure, but we ended the meeting with a firm handshake.
My hand wasn’t crushed, which was a relief. Before I left the mansion, I gave Aerith’s head a gentle pat as she looked on sadly, which caused her father’s eyebrow to start twitching all over again.
Finally, I began my trek home. It was already nearing noon by the time I entered the shop’s living quarters through the back door. Everyone was in the middle of their daily tasks.
Satsuki, the court mage, was mass-producing Ddo-Buddies using a mold shaped like a taiyaki machine. “Must be nice to have such a leisurely life,” she remarked with a sarcastic edge. Laika, the dog-beastman adventurer who was busy cracking Metag Stone⁴ with her bare hands, simply sniffed the air and muttered, “Smells like a female…”
Tania, the elven adventurer, remained as aloof as ever, stating that as long as I was back safely, it was fine. Sister Amelia, however, gave me a look like she was lecturing a troublesome child. “Please try to maintain some moderation,” she said.
After offering my apologies to everyone, I headed over to Lily. She was busy dusting the product shelves, her experimental slave collar glinting in the light.
”Oh, welcome back, Master,” Lily said, noticing my arrival.
”Yeah, I’m back,” I replied.
”Hehe, you look incredibly tired. Did something go wrong on your date?” Lily asked. She approached me, teasingly poking my stomach with the handle of her duster. It was clear she wasn’t angry or worried; if anything, she seemed to find my exhaustion highly amusing.
”No, it went a bit too well. I ended up meeting her father and mother…” I sighed.
”That sounds like quite the ordeal. You don’t look like you were beaten to a pulp, though. That’s a relief, isn’t it?” she said with a cheeky grin. I didn’t bother scolding her for her lack of respect; I wasn’t in any position to do so.
”So, was everything alright at the shop?” I asked, changing the subject.
”Yes, sales are as steady as ever. People are starting to gossip about when the new products will be released, and some have been trying to pry information out of us,” Lily reported.
”I see. In that case, we need to hurry with the release of the ‘anal-type’ goods,” I said.
”Right. We’ve built up plenty of stock, so now all that’s left is to sell, sell, sell! However…” Lily’s cheerful expression suddenly turned grave.
I tilted my head, wondering what was wrong. She looked at me with a serious weight in her eyes before finally speaking.
”It seems that the supply of Samon Mushrooms⁵ has been delayed. For more details, you should speak with Lady Sera from the Tasogare Merchant Guild⁶ later.”
—
Summary:
After spending an intimate night with Aerith, Kento wakes up to find she has meticulously planned their morning and even consulted with his other partners. He is taken to her family mansion, where he survives a high-pressure business meeting with her parents to secure a guild partnership. Upon returning to his shop, he is teased by his staff for his ‘morning-after’ appearance. However, the mood shifts when Lily informs him of a supply chain issue regarding Samon Mushrooms.
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Character Insight:
This chapter highlights Aerith’s calculated nature; she isn’t just a merchant’s daughter by birth, but by temperament, having coordinated with Kento’s other partners to manage the ‘rotation.’ Kento’s interaction with Ouka-shi shows his growth as a businessman, utilizing his ‘corporate slave’ background to navigate social and professional minefields. Meanwhile, the household’s reaction to Kento’s ‘scent’ emphasizes the established, albeit chaotic, family-like dynamic they’ve formed.
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Behind the Scene:
The ‘Ddo-Buddy’ trial mentioned refers to a previous arc where Kento had to defend his unique products in a more formal setting. The mention of ‘Metag Stone’ suggests a magical or high-durability material used in the world’s construction or crafting.
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T/L:
Notes:
• 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.
• 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.
• Ouka – The middle-aged head of the Garou Merchant Guild, known for leather goods and accessories. He is a prominent figure using his own family’s experience to advocate for the ‘Tremble Ddo-Buddy’. Have gray wolf ears and wear merchant attire.
• 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.
• Soi – An old professor from Ajire seminary, the first to raise a question. Looks like wizardly.
• Kento – The owner of the magic tool shop ‘Harvest,’ which discretely sells adult goods. He’s a former overworked, ordinary salaryman from modern Japan who was suddenly transported (isekai’d) to this fantasy world. He has dark hair and an unremarkable appearance, typically wearing a plain, slightly suspicious-looking shop owner’s clothes looks like Kazuma Satou from certain series. He has a minimal amount of magic power, enough to craft his specialty items.
• Satsuki – A talented Court Mage who was forced to analyze the shop’s adult magic tools. Miranda’s granddaughter. Now she’s the new worker at Harvest, a development she finds both humiliating and surprisingly fulfilling due to the rapid progress in her research under Kento’s guidance. Has long black hair, palace mage robe, and staff.
• Amelia – The Sister of the Church of Demon-Subjugating, who usually buys from Kento, has light blue hair.
• 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.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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