Chapter 108 Social Gathering ①
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Master, when you attend the social gathering, please make sure you decide on a partner beforehand noja. Truthfully, I would like to guide you myself, but I must accompany my father to do the rounds of greetings…” Aerith said.
These were the words spoken to me by Aerith of the Garou Merchant Guild¹ back when I decided to attend the gathering. Apparently, social gatherings are basically expected to be attended in one-on-one male-female pairs.
If one is married, they go as a couple; if engaged, as a pair; and if those aren’t settled, attending with parents, relatives, or friends is also permitted. If there is still no suitable person, some attend alone, though they must be prepared to be looked upon with pitying eyes that say, ‘Ah, they’re a loner…”
It is a relatively loose rule, but naturally, those who attend together are recognized as being fairly close. Of course, they aren’t necessarily seen as being in a romantic relationship, but neither the one inviting nor the one being invited would choose someone they don’t want to be thought close to. That’s where the reason for the birth of ‘loners” lies.
Well, apparently some people dissolve their pair once they arrive at the venue and move around individually, so it seems you can’t generalize. Aerith’s proposal was likely a strategy to increase the number of people supporting me.
Now, following her words, the one I requested to accompany me was the court mage, Satsuki. Originally, I had thought of taking Lily—my test-subject slave who has social skills and is familiar with the products—but it was her own suggestion to do otherwise.
”I don’t understand the behavior of the upper class, and wouldn’t it look bad to bring a slave? By bringing someone with a socially recognized profession, you can also demonstrate your connection to Her Majesty,” Lily said.
In that sense, it would be possible to bring Sister Amelia to show that I am recognized by the Church of Demon-Subjugation³, but according to Aerith, that wouldn’t necessarily work in my favor.
The dog-beastman adventurer Laika likewise doesn’t know upper-class etiquette, and the elf adventurer Tania declined, saying, ‘I don’t like those kinds of places.’ Thus, through various alignments, Satsuki was the one.
”O flower of the beautiful social gathering, may I take your hand?” I asked.
And so, as I stepped down from the carriage arranged by the Garou Merchant Guild, I reached out my hand to escort her. However, the response I received was cold.
”…It’s creepy, so can we not do that?” Satsuki replied.
Satsuki spoke with an expression like she had just chewed a bitter bug. Today, her long black hair was elegantly tied up, and she was clad in a chic dark blue dress. She looked truly beautiful, and the pick-up line had come straight from my heart, but its reputation seemed poor.
Ah, me? I’m wearing the mage-like clothes I bought during the trial. For a magic-user, this is formal wear. Satsuki is also a magic-user, but she’s a woman, so she’s in a different category. By the way, her dress was a present from me. She had said, ‘It’s really fine without it…” but well, it’s just manners for the one who did the inviting.
”Don’t be like that. I’m not asking you to cling to my arm, but at least rest your hand on it. Otherwise, people will think I’m neglecting the court mage sent by Her Majesty,” I said.
”That’s not the part I’m talking about, it’s the way you’re speaking!” Satsuki replied.
I see, so taking my hand itself isn’t something she’s entirely against? Interpreting things conveniently for myself, I entered the venue with Satsuki. The venue was an aristocratic mansion owned by Duke Badcage. As expected of a Duke’s residence, it’s in a prime location on the east side of the royal capital, very close to the royal palace. On top of that, the grounds are vast.
”The interior had a lot of money poured into it…” I muttered.
”Hey, don’t look around so much, it’s embarrassing… It’s certainly a magnificent mansion, but this is natural for a great noble second only to the royal family, right?” Satsuki asked quietly.
She’s like a meddling wife. Or perhaps a nosy childhood friend. Thinking of things that would probably make her angry if she knew, I followed her advice and walked along while looking at the interior and furnishings only as much as I could without looking around restlessly.
Beautiful landscapes, paintings I didn’t quite understand, expensive-looking jars, weapons, armor, and even staves were on display. The floor was polished to a mirror shine, and gorgeous decorations could be seen on the pillars. If I were an art history expert, I’d probably be able to find similarities and differences with Rococo or Baroque styles.
It was quite fun, but at the same time, I started breaking into a cold sweat. I knew this already, but I sold a Virginity Membrane Piercing Set⁷ to the daughter of a rich man like this… No, I’ve messed up in plenty of other ways, so it’s just one more crime on the list.
”This is the grand hall,” the butler said.
”Ah, thank you for the guidance,” I replied.
I thanked the butler who had led us this far and entered the grand hall. It was indeed a luxurious room, with chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and ‘light spheres’—likely produced by magic-users—floating everywhere.
Looking around, it seemed quite a few people had already arrived, chatting with wine glasses and food in hand. Every single one of them was dressed in expensive-looking dresses and formal wear, giving off a true upper-class vibe. Even though it’s the same royal capital, it feels like a completely different world from the back-alley streets.
”The daughter of Duke Badcage isn’t here, I see?” I asked.
”At these kinds of gatherings, the host is the last to appear. For now, let’s look for Aerith-san,” Satsuki said.
While I was looking for the silver-haired, red-eyed ‘noja” lady, Satsuki pulled my arm and spoke. She probably didn’t mean anything by it, but being treated like a couple made my heart pound a little.
I thought I had become completely immune to that sort of thing, but I guess I can thank the location and the clothes. As I followed Satsuki around the venue, we soon found Aerith. Grey hair, wolf ears, and a swaying tail. Her bright red, flashy dress was dazzling to the eyes.
Just as we were about to approach, Aerith’s ears perked up and her tail began to wag vigorously. It seems she had caught us with her excellent hearing and sense of smell. She soon spotted me and came jogging over at a speed that wouldn’t be considered a breach of etiquette.
”Master, I have been waiting for you noja!” Aerith said.
”Yeah, thanks for preparing everything,” I replied.
Aerith was so eager she was practically leaning forward, and it was a wonder she didn’t jump on me. When I stroked her head with the hand that wasn’t being held by Satsuki, her tail rotated so fast it looked like she might fly away (an illusion).
The eyes of those around us gathered on her and me. I could hear small whispers like, ‘Is that the one from Harvest²…?” so it seemed they weren’t rebuking me for a breach of manners, but rather that some had noticed my identity. Eventually, three figures approached.
”Ho ho ho, Ouka-dono, could he be the one?” Gerald asked.
”Yes. This is Kento-dono, the owner of the magic tool shop ‘Harvest’. Kento-dono, this is Master Gerald of the Akatsuki Merchant Guild⁴,” Ouka said.
The one who spoke was Aerith’s father, Ouka, who had walked slowly unlike his daughter, along with a man who was roundly fat and wore a likable smile. And a woman who appeared to be his wife. The round man seemed to be the manager of the Akatsuki Merchant Guild, Gerald-shi.
Yes, it sounds like a joke, but in this royal capital, there exists both the Tasogare Merchant Guild⁵ and the Akatsuki Merchant Guild. That said, there is no connection between the roots of the two guilds; apparently, the names just happen to be a pair.
In terms of the products they handle, while the Tasogare Merchant Guild acts like a general trading company and sources everything, the Akatsuki Merchant Guild is a wholesaler for food-related goods. They are a large store of which it is said the capital’s kitchen could not function without them. Unintentionally, my posture straightened.
”I am Kento. It’s an honor to meet the famous Gerald-shi,” I said.
”No, no, the honor is mine. After all, my wife and I are both fans of Harvest-san,” Gerald replied.
”I am his wife, Imelda. We have always been purchasing your products through the Tasogare Merchant Guild,” Imelda said.
Oh, so that’s how it is. While we exchanged handshakes, the lady beside him also greeted me. She was an elegant lady fitting for the wife of a large store owner. I couldn’t help but imagine various things from the décolletage exposed by her white dress, but I suppressed it firmly.
The fact that the name of the Tasogare Merchant Guild came up here instead of the Garou Merchant Guild meant they were loyal customers who had been buying our products since before the Ddo-Buddy Trial⁶. This is a connection that must be cherished.
”Thank you. This is Satsuki, a court mage. Through Her Majesty’s kindness, she has been assisting us with product manufacturing and other tasks,” I said.
”Oh my, to have such favor with Her Majesty, as expected of Harvest-san!” Gerald said.
Gerald spoke in a deliberately loud voice while looking at Satsuki as she paid her respects. He was likely spreading the word about the connection between our shop and Her Majesty so those around could hear. He glanced our way and closed his thin eyes in a wink.
”Ahem, and so. I definitely wanted to introduce Kento-dono. By the way, Master Badatt of the Tasogare Merchant Guild is also in attendance, so why don’t you go and greet him? Aerith, please guide him,” Ouka said.
”Yes, Father,” Aerith replied.
It seemed the preliminary meeting was over with Ouka’s words. Aerith, as ordered, took my arm with a full smile. Unlike Satsuki on the other side, she pressed her chest firmly against me.
Ouka and the Gerald couple departed. However, on the way, it seemed Madam Imelda whispered something to her husband, then turned back and stood before me. While I wondered what was happening, she made a gesture to whisper, beckoning me over.
Sensing this, Aerith released my arm, and I offered my ear. Then, Madam Imelda whispered in an incredibly lingering voice.
”Since we’re here, I’d like to hear your stories in detail later…♡ I’ve already gotten my husband’s permission…♡” Imelda whispered.
She probably really just wants to talk, but it was a whisper that sent a shiver down my spine. Man, the sex appeal of a married woman is something else.
Afterward, as I watched Madam Imelda walk away while swaying her wonderfully proportioned hips, my cheek was pinched by Aerith, who had clung to me again. For some reason, Satsuki on the other side did the same. I don’t get it…
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Summary:
Kento attends a high-society gathering at Duke Badcage’s mansion with the court mage Satsuki as his partner. He encounters Aerith and her father, who introduce him to Gerald, the influential manager of the Akatsuki Merchant Guild. Kento learns that Gerald and his wife, Imelda, are loyal fans of his shop’s products. The chapter ends with a seductive whisper from Imelda and Kento being pinched by his two jealous companions.
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Character Insight:
Kento’s growth is shown through his ability to navigate high-society politics, realizing that his ‘scandalous” products have actually secured him powerful allies. Satsuki demonstrates a protective, almost ‘childhood friend” dynamic, while Aerith’s loyalty is manifested in her physical clinginess and beastman instincts. The interactions highlight the shifting social standing of Kento from a mere shopkeeper to a man with significant political and commercial connections.
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Behind the Scene:
The naming of the ‘Akatsuki” (Dawn) and ‘Tasogare” (Twilight/Dusk) guilds is a classic fantasy trope used to show the breadth of the capital’s commerce. The author uses these names to ground the setting’s economic scale.
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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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Amelia – The Sister of the Church of Demon-Subjugating, who usually buys from Kento, has light blue hair.
• 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.
• Gerald – Manager of the Akatsuki Merchant Guild. Described as round and fat with a friendly smile.
• 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.
• 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.
• Imelda – Gerald’s wife. An elegant lady with a great figure. Wears a white dress.
• Badatt – The 7th-generation manager of the long-running Tasogare Merchant Guild. Despite his fat, oily, ugly bastard, have multiple rings appearance, he is a competent and respected manager who listens to his employees. He is a man of ‘good sense’ but is overwhelmed by the explicit nature of Kento’s products and the ensuing chaos.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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