Chapter 229 Return of the Envoy
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Aerith and I, having subjected Viscount Ray Nixfen¹ to such a radical “experiment,” found ourselves on the receiving end of a scathing lecture from her guardians, who were appalled that the spectacle had rendered her physically ill.
Well, considering I hadn’t so much as laid a finger on her, combined with the abundance of insight gleaned from the “experiment” and Ray’s own intercession on my behalf, I managed to evade any lasting consequences. Still, I should probably reflect on the fact that I went a bit overboard.
Ultimately, the sales strategy I proposed in my capacity as an external consultant was as follows:
1. Production of a handbook detailing proper usage:
- Conducting “Customer Voice” surveys.
- Seminars on how to tie the “Assistance Cord.”
- Customization workshops for the “Help Stick².”
2. Retail of high-end commodities:
- Sale of “Help Sticks” customized by Ray herself.
- Distribution via the Garou Merchant Guild³.
3. Development of collaborative merchandise with our shop:
- Shredded “Assistance Cords” designed to be wrapped around the n**ples or cli**ris.
- The “Ddo-Buddy⁴: Assistance Cord Edition.”
Executing all this should certainly constitute a job well done. My senior apprentice, Barbara, looked on with a mix of awe and exasperation, muttering, “How do you even come up with these things…” Conversely, the prostitutes were surprisingly eager, offering to undertake the manufacturing themselves. They claimed it would be a pleasant way to occupy their hands during the long hours of waiting.
Whether a “Stampede” will truly erupt in the West remains to be seen, but if that is the case, urgency is paramount. Even Ray, having recovered from her bout of ill health, is currently scurrying about with frantic energy.
* * *
In the days following the resolution of that knockoff scandal, our shop—once again a hive of activity for childcare and baby-making—was being frequented by the members of the Coalmine Kingdom⁵ embassy, who had returned slightly behind schedule.
”Momo-chan is just so precious, isn’t sheee…! Her cheeks are so squishy-soft! Was her name Mochi-chan and not Momo-chan!?” Count Martin asked.
Heaping such absurdly effusive praise upon my daughter while his face practically melted with affection was not me, but the stepbrother of my love slave Lily—the head of the Pink Clan⁶, Count Martin Popol. Witnessing this, I naturally…
”Momo-chan, Momo-chan… Ah, she is the hope and salvation for every living soul across the vast world… Perfect. From the elegance of her name to the divinity of her presence, everything is simply perfect…!” I replied.
”Heh heh heh, precisely, precisely. My daughter is the strongest at zero years old. She is the one who reigns at the apex of all creation,” I declared.
Together, we fell head-over-heels for Momo. While the women looked on with cold, exasperated stares, Martin and I spent the entire day repeating our ritual of extolling the virtues of the Great Momo-sama. Hey, I’m still getting my work done, you know?
”Lord Harvest, Brother! Father of Momo-sama! I completely misunderstood you…! Thank you, thank you…!” Count Martin cried out.
”Think nothing of it. Raise your head. I shall grant you the distinguished honor of letting Momo-sama grasp your finger…!” I replied to him.
”Thank you so much! Thank you truly…!” Count Martin stammered, overwhelmed.
As I brought the cradled Momo closer to Martin, the infant—whose vision was finally beginning to clear—gripped the outstretched finger with her tiny hand. Martin trembled with such profound emotion that his knees nearly buckled. Yes, I can certainly sympathize with that feeling.
”Look, I get that she’s cute and all… but aren’t you guys neglecting us just a bit much?” Kushe asked.
”It cannot be helped, Kushe-sama. After all, Momo-sama is the hope and salvation for every living soul across the vast world,” Flearis said.
”Ah, so you’re one of them too, Flearis…” Kushe muttered.
Kushe, the Chief Court Mage of the Coalmine Kingdom, and Flearis, Lily’s stepsister, were conversing over tea. Hmm, Flearis shows remarkable promise. I’ll grant you the honor of having your hair pulled by Momo-sama as well. Or would you prefer the privilege of nuzzle her squishy little tummy? You’ll get your hair yanked either way, though.
”My apologies, my apologies. Now, what were we discussing?” I asked.
”No, you were the one who asked us, Lord Harvest,” Kushe pointed out.
”We were talking about why the formal talks haven’t commenced yet, Brother,” Flearis added.
”Ah, right, right,” I said.
Our conversation had been derailed because Momo-sama had started to fuss. Indeed, it has already been several days since the Coalmine embassy returned from their diplomatic mission with the maritime nation of Silvaall.
Under normal circumstances, we were supposed to convene all relevant parties to discuss the distribution of “Ddo-Buddy” (or the “Ddo-Buddy Trade Sphere,” as I’ve taken to calling it) as soon as they returned, yet the summons never arrived.
Considering we’ve specifically invited Duke Roost Badcage⁷, a pivotal figure in the commerce between Coalmine and Canaria, along with my father-in-law, who is currently swamped with the post-war cleanup, we really can’t afford this much lethargy…
”Actually, the delay isn’t on the Coalmine side. Apparently, the West is in such a state of upheaval that they’ve asked us to wait until the situation stabilizes,” Kushe explained.
”Ah, so that’s how it is… I’ve heard rumors of that as well. I see. I just hope it doesn’t escalate into a catastrophic issue…” I remarked.
Evidently, the specter of a “Stampede” potentially occurring in the Ferguson Kingdom⁸ to the west is casting a shadow here. Now that I think about it, Ray did mention something about the state releasing emergency subsidies.
In all likelihood, Her Majesty the Queen is currently preoccupied with intelligence gathering from Ferguson and auditing noble houses to ensure no one is caught with their armaments down.
Alternatively, she might be petitioning the Church of Demon-Subjugation⁹ for assistance, as they would have spearheaded such crises in antiquity. Though, I have no idea how much military clout the modern Church actually wields…
”On the bright side, I’m grateful for the extra time with Momo-sama, but we can’t be complacent… If things take a turn for the worse, we might not even have the luxury of worrying about ‘Ddo-Buddy,’” Flearis noted.
”That would be quite the headache for our nation as well. I expect Her Highness the Crown Princess of Ierse will be making a move of some kind. Since lending troops would be a political minefield for both parties, perhaps technical aid?” Kushe mused.
”You’re talking like it’s a spectator sport, but wouldn’t you be the first one they’d call? You are the Chief Court Mage, after all,” I interjected.
”True enough. But frankly, there’s a limit to what I can do alone. If I could deploy the Convergence Magic Weapon ‘Matomeru-kun¹⁰,’ it would be a game-changer, but that’s sensitive tech we can’t just hand over to the Canaria Kingdom. That leaves me with little to offer beyond my own personal combat prowess,” Kushe countered.
It appears this world is no different when it comes to the inability to maintain a united front even during a crisis. Given they were literally at war until quite recently, it’s hardly surprising. It will likely take years of cooperation and a profound foundation of trust before Coalmine and Canaria can tackle these problems in tandem.
It would require the kind of rapport they share with the Ferguson Kingdom. And yet, even there, the only information trickling down to the nobility is a vague suggestion that they “ought to sharpen their blades,” proving that international relations are an utter nuisance.
”By the way, did that subject come up in Silvaall? They border Ferguson too, so they’re hardly bystanders in this,” I asked.
”Mmm, now we’re drifting into ‘restricted information’ territory. You know how it is—confidentiality agreements. Actually, pretty much the entirety of this mission is under lock and key,” Kushe said.
For all her eccentricities, Kushe is remarkably disciplined about such matters. It’s likely a social survival skill she honed so she can do exactly as she pleases. She has a keen eye for the exact line where she can run amok without actually getting fired—the most dangerous kind of person to have in your inner circle.
”What? So you can’t even tell me if the mission was a success?” I asked.
”That is the most confidential part of all. But, if I were to let slip just a tiny bit… Flearis and I fulfilled our duties to the letter,” Kushe said with a smirk.
”K-Kushe-sama!” Flearis exclaimed.
Flearis, who appeared to be completely at Kushe’s mercy, flushed a deep crimson. Hmm? Why is she looking up at me with an expression that’s practically begging for a pat on the head?
”Duties…?” I prompted.
”In short, we did a stellar job of marketing the ‘appeal’ of your products. During the journey, Flearis and I engaged in plenty of ‘self-study’ together,” Kushe added, her grin widening.
”…Is that so? Then I’ll certainly need a full report on the nature of your ‘studies,’” I replied.
Visualizing the two of them huddling together night after night in various inns, finding solace in our shop’s inventory, the corners of my mouth couldn’t help but tug upward. I met their damp, heavy gazes and stood up, taking both of their hands in mine.
I’ll spare you the gritty details, but I will say this: Kushe and Flearis were exceptionally diligent and talented students.
—
Summary:
Harvest outlines a comprehensive marketing plan for adult goods after his ‘experiment’ with Viscount Ray Nixfen. The Coalmine Kingdom’s diplomatic envoy returns, but official trade talks are stalled by a looming monster ‘Stampede’ in the neighboring Ferguson Kingdom. Harvest and Count Martin bond over their shared obsession with baby Momo. Kushe and Flearis tease Harvest with stories of their ‘private research’ using his products during their travels.
—
Character Insight:
This chapter highlights Harvest’s shift from a detached merchant to a doting, if slightly unhinged, father figure, mirroring the transformation in Count Martin Popol. Kushe is revealed as a highly competent yet manipulative figure who uses her ‘Chief Court Mage’ status and professional secrecy to maintain control over social situations. Flearis, while seemingly subservient to Kushe, shows an increasing desire for Harvest’s personal validation, specifically regarding her ‘self-study’ with his products.
—
Behind the Scene:
The mention of ‘Matomeru-kun’ hints at high-level magical technology that serves as a deterrent between nations, even when allied. The ‘Stampede’ plotline serves to ground the adult-oriented shop management in a broader, more dangerous political reality.
—
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.
• 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.
• Martin – Lily’s non-blood-related younger brother. Considered the strongest candidate to succeed the Popol family due to his lineage and manifested ‘power. He has pink hair.
• Momo – The newborn daughter of Kento and Lily. She has pink hair and her father’s ear and eyebrow shapes.
• 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.
• Kushe – The Chief Mage of the Coalmine Kingdom. She has dark green hair grown out haphazardly and wears a mage robe loosely over her shoulders. She has a blunt, informal, and somewhat insensitive personality, focused on her ‘thinking experiments.’
• Flearis – A member of the diplomatic envoy and guard. Has pink hair.
• Roost – Duke of Badcage and father of Tina Badcage. He has long silver hair mixed with some white, a cool-headed expression, and red eyes. Despite a relatively slender build, he possesses a strong fighting spirit.
• Ierse – The Crown Princess and wife of Gilliam, originally from a foreign land. She is described as lively and healthy with a unique charm. She wants to cheer up her husband. Has long haired hair.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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