Chapter 134 Special Request from the Merchant Guild Head
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Just as Ethelena and I finished getting ready, Ichika came in, looking apologetic. But I suspect she did this on purpose today. As an apology for monopolizing me, she probably made Ethelena and me stand in the kitchen together.
I couldn’t simply call Ichika too thoughtful. Between the two of us, Ethelena was the one who held stress more easily, so I chose to accept Ichika’s care. Maybe I had grown too close and become rough in how I treated Ethelena. I hated my own careless nature.
”The soup is still untouched. Ichi-san, can I ask you to make it?”
”Understood-degozaru, Ethelena-sama. Cornremu, come help-degozaru.”
”Ta!”
After that short exchange, Ethelena pulled me by the arm and led me out of the kitchen. Ichika and Cornremu went in and began cooking right away. It seemed Ethelena had not made onion soup on purpose, to leave this part to them.
We sat together on the sofa where we had slept until morning and watched Yohira and the others practice.
Yohira and my mother-in-law moved very differently. My mother-in-law’s steps were smooth with no pause at all. Yohira, on the other hand, still looked a bit stiff. It was like she could not focus all the way to her fingertips.
But Yohira’s dance held strong feeling. Like when she used her sword, she truly loved to dance, and it showed.
”Tatara, you really like the torakuma dance, don’t you?”
I had been watching the torakuma family’s dance, so Ethelena spoke up.
”You can tell?”
”I remember what you told Tora-chan’s mother before. I can see that part, but I still don’t know what you like about it.”
She must have felt my warm gaze on Yohira’s dance. It was a little embarrassing, and I hoped only Ethelena would notice.
”So, what part do you like?”
Her lips curved in a small smile, and I did not know how to answer. I could not name a single part.
”It’s just taste. It’s about how it feels. I can’t point to one thing.”
”Hmm, but you always find words for things like that when you flirt with people!”
”Hold on, what!?”
Was I getting a strange rumor stuck to me? I did not remember flirting with anyone.
”Ethelena-sama, your husband praises people without thinking, so when he tries to put it into words on purpose, he cannot do it well-degozaru.”
Ichika came over as she said that, and with a smooth, practiced move, she placed her head on my lap. It was so natural that it did not feel strange at all. She even let Ethelena stroke her head with me.
”Oh? So that’s how you see it, Ichi-san?”
”Yes. He speaks without dressing up his words, and that melts the heart-degozaru.”
Ichika rubbed her cheek against my knee with a happy smile, which made me feel shy.
”Hasn’t it happened to you too, Ethelena-sama?”
”…I hardly ever get praise from Tatara.”
”But you get words of love instead, do you not? I envy that more-degozaru.”
It felt like they both wanted what the other had. True, I almost never praised Ethelena… We had talked about this before, hadn’t we?
”I don’t praise people that often. Do I really give that impression?”
”You probably think you are only saying facts, Tatara.”
”And you do not notice when those facts are praise-degozaru. That is very ‘you’, my lord.”
How did they see me, really?
As we chatted, the torakuma family finished their practice and came into the living room. Yohira saw me and Ethelena close together and snorted with strong breath, the same old oshi-box energy. But when the Acting Head of Family saw Ichika curled up on my lap, his shock was extreme.
”Good morning.”
”Good morning, Tatara-san. This is quite a scene, isn’t it?” my mother-in-law replied.
”This happens most mornings. Though it’s rare that Ichika is awake.”
”Muu. My lord wishes for me to stay asleep-degozaru?”
”You wake up every day to cook breakfast for us. It helps me relax when you rest like this.”
”If it is care, then I accept-degozaru.”
Ichika pouted at first, but once I spoke honestly, she relaxed and let me stroke her head. At this rate, she might fall asleep.
”…Like a Shiba dog that found its owner.”
”I am a fox, not a dog-degozaru. Though I would not mind becoming my lord’s loyal female dog-degozaru.”
”Ichika, I thought I told you I don’t want you to throw away your dignity.”
Ichika answered the Acting Head of Family with something unbelievable. He froze with his mouth open, but when I scolded her, she pushed her head deeper into my stomach as if she did not hear me. It tickled.
”Well, Ichi-san is a bride too… but she acts like a pet as well.”
”…I cannot deny it-degozaru.”
Ethelena gave a small, tired laugh, and Ichika mumbled with a sulky voice.
After breakfast, I spoke to the Acting Head of Family.
”Excuse me, Acting Head of Family. I need you with me today.”
”Oh? Me?”
He looked confused. I planned to meet the merchant guild head and would be tied up all day. It was likely about Aarem, and I wanted a price set for Great Crimson.
When I explained, his eyes lit up like a child who had just been given a long-wanted toy.
”Tatara-san, may I join as well?” my mother-in-law asked.
”Well, you may get caught up in the events of the day. Is that alright?”
”With this chance, I think it would be good to show that a bond between our nations is forming—with my husband present too.”
Hmm, she had a point. In that case, I wanted another kind of help.
”Along with the Aarem introduction, let’s try to promote famous goods from Hinode. If people show interest in the katana wielded by the Acting Head of Family’s Great Crimson or the design of Hinode armor, we can hand out notes about them.”
”Yes, I can help with that.”
The real trade talks would need the torakuma couple and the merchant guild head, but this could open a big market. The guild head would not ignore such a chance.
Ethelena and the others left for exploration as usual, so I gave her 2,869 special ability bullets made by the small Tataras in Inventory. They had gone too far—every medium or smaller mana stone in the Inventory was gone.
With that done, I headed to the merchant guild with the torakuma couple. The kimono from Hizuru drew attention at once.
”I’m sorry. Your clothes are rare here, so people are staring.”
”Hmm. I do not mind at all. Even at home, people stare when I walk through my lands.”
”I feel the same desuwa. Besides, it is fun to walk and look at the sights of a foreign land.”
When I apologized for turning them into a show, the Acting Head of Family answered without a hint of care, and my mother-in-law spoke with gentle humor. It felt like they were telling the child not to fuss. I could never win against that.
We reached the merchant guild, and I greeted the guild head’s secretary at reception.
”Good morning. I have an appointment with the merchant guild head today.”
”Oh, Tatara Julon, the next Chief Crafter. We have been waiting. May I ask who the two behind you are?”
It helped that she clearly knew who I was, but the torakuma couple were not on the schedule, so she looked unsure.
”I brought two people who may be able to speak about the future market. I don’t think it will be a loss.”
”I see… Understood. The guild head asked to let you through once you arrived, so please go straight to the office.”
”Thank you, I’m grateful.”
I gave thanks, and she returned it with a professional smile.
We followed the direction to the office and knocked.
”Yes, it’s open!”
”Excuse us.”
I answered and opened the door. The merchant guild head sat at the desk, but today she wore work clothes instead of her usual suit.
”Morning, Tatara-han. Let’s have a good day together!”
”Good morning, guild head. Yes, I look forward to working with you.”
Her cheerful greeting gave me energy, and I answered with a real smile.
”So, who are the two behind you?”
”Ah, sorry. These are the lord and lady of the Torakuma lands in Hizuru, here to open relations with our country.”
The guild head’s eyes opened wide. Of course, meeting guests from a far land was a surprise.
”It is an honor to meet you. I am Torakuma Nobutsuna, acting lord of one region of the Imperial Capital’s guard in Hizuru. I hope we build a good bond.”
”And I am his wife, Torakuma Kasumi. It is a pleasure.”
They bowed as their greeting, making the guild head panic.
”H-Hey, don’t bow like that!?”
Right, bowing was normal where I came from, but the guild head was not used to it.
”Guild head, in Hizuru, bowing is the usual greeting. You don’t need to worry.”
”Maybe you’re used to it, Tatara-han, but I’m not!?”
She really struggled with this. As I calmed her down, the torakuma couple raised their heads.
”Hm. It seems we troubled you by using our own greeting. Our apologies.”
”Ah—no, please don’t mind a small-town person like me. Let me greet you again. I’m the head of this city’s merchant guild. Pleased to meet you.”
She managed to settle down and offered a handshake. The Acting Head of Family took her hand with care—he was strong enough to crush it if careless.
”So then, Tatara-han, why bring these two here?”
”To talk about Aarem and the market.”
”Hmm.”
Her air sharpened, and the room grew tense.
”First, I want a price for the Aarem I made the other day.”
”Normally, if it doesn’t carry your brand, we would only price it by materials, you know.”
”That’s the thing… Acting Head of Family, please.”
He nodded once and placed Aarem, Great Crimson, on the desk. The guild head’s eyes widened at the armor’s shape, never seen here before.
”It is an Aarem based on Hizuru’s famous armor, Great Crimson.”
”Great Crimson…”
She checked every detail with care, then nodded.
”Yes. This design is not seen here. The price will go up.”
”I see. How much?”
”You used Demonsteel, so the base crafting fee is 350,000. With the new design… 1,000,000.”
”You’re kidding.”
It had jumped to nearly triple. And the Acting Head of Family, stop pushing the one million at me with that proud “See, I told you” face. It was annoying.
After a short battle, I gave up and accepted the one million.
”So, what do you plan to do with this Hizuru Aarem?”
Her voice pressed down, stronger than before.
”I want it to help boost the Aarem debut event.”
”Oh? So we aren’t enough on our own?”
She seemed unhappy that I thought the three—her, the Head of Judiciary, and Narikin—were not enough. I understood. No one liked having their skill in promotion doubted.
But I wanted the launch to stir the most excitement possible.
”You may be enough. But I want Aarem to spread.”
”Why?”
”Because I want to offer fun that adults and children can enjoy together.”
This world had little entertainment. Soon many street performers would visit for the city festival, but inside the city, there was no place for shows. The “library” was closer to an archives, and only students or those with the right status could enter.
People worked every day and ended up tired. I wanted to give them a little joy. Maybe it was bold for someone like me, who lived well, to try to offer that, but I still hoped people could find new fun. Would it be so wrong if, besides school or work talk, people also spoke about Aarem matches?
”I want Aarem to become a way for parents and children to talk and share fun. To grab both hearts strongly from the start.”
”Then why use Hizuru armor?”
”Because it is unknown in this Whirlwind.”
One of her eyebrows twitched. I had caught her interest.
”To be honest, the designs of the first three models I made—the Fortress, Lawful, and Genbu—are common in Whirlwind.”
”First, drop that idea, okay?”
”And with those three already on show, suddenly an unknown, strange armor appears!”
”Don’t continue—wait, you didn’t hear me, did you?”
”The three fight together, but the enemy is strong and goes wild!”
”Huh… now I’m excited.”
”Great Crimson shows an amazing battle, and then we proudly say that our nation has formed bonds with such a strong land!”
”A mighty foe with powerful allies… fiery and thrilling.”
”And after that, we set up a small exhibit of foreign goods in a special corner of the arena!”
”I see—business opportunity!”
”That is why I brought these two.”
”Alright then, approved.”
”That was fast!?”
The guild head jumped right into the idea with great enthusiasm, and the torakuma couple instinctively reacted.
”A puppet show using Aarem… Tatara-han, you’re showing ways to use Aarem outside of combat.”
”Otherwise, it won’t grab hearts deeply enough.”
If Aarem was only for fighting, it would not attract lasting interest. It had potential to handle explosive work, and with stronger models, it could replace miners. If that risked stealing jobs, then miners could simply be given Aarem units instead. The ones with the skill to control them well would earn higher pay.
”Well then, we’ll discuss the details on our side. Tatara-han, come with me—I need something made.”
”The arena… the Aarem battlefield, right?”
”Exactly. The place has a bit of a history. No one wanted to buy it, so the roof was to be demolished for a new facility. We, the merchant guild, bought the land to make a stadium.”
Another cursed plot… This city really had a frightening number of problematic locations. The West Side alone was full of horror stories.
”Ah, about the building design…”
”Already done.”
”May I take a look?”
”Sure, here.”
She took out the floor plan from her Inventory, and I spread it open. I checked room placement and wiring, then offered revisions. I also requested ten kilograms of copper and ten small mana stones. I would provide the materials for four large monitors myself, since they required what the guild could not supply.
”I would like to ask for a few selfish changes, if that’s alright.”
”As long as it’s not too difficult. Go on.”
”I want to use ten kilograms of reinforced copper to strengthen the mana lines inside, and I’d like more shops.”
She touched her chin and frowned. Was it that difficult?
”The budget’s tight, you know.”
Right. Reinforced copper cost eight times more than normal copper. Ten kilograms would strain the budget. But—this was something I could solve instantly.
”If you provide copper and mana stones, I’ll reinforce them myself on the spot. No need to raise the budget.”
”Tatara-han… that’s cheating.”
”I run my own shop, after all.”
She sighed with a half-smile before continuing.
”And the other request?”
”I want more shops that sell Aarem parts. After the debut, I want to observe what people buy.”
”I see. Selling Aarem goods in the arena and guild shops is a smart idea.”
She nodded, satisfied. She had probably planned this already, but wanted me to voice it so I could earn recognition.
After that, the guild head guided us to the site. It was far from the merchant guild, in the district known as the nobles’ quarter, in front of a mansion. It looked luxurious, but the gate was rusted and ivy covered parts of the walls.
”A few years ago, the noble here had their title revoked.”
That caught my attention. I looked around and spotted a crest—crossed swords and scales, the holy mark of the war god—but it had a large X carved across it. That was the symbol of excommunication: a permanent expulsion from the war god’s faith for the entire family. Next to it was a griffin crossed with spears, likely their family crest.
”At that time, the City Mayor ordered all assets seized. Even a saint moved to deal with it personally. The noble and their private army… wiped out.”
Taking on Calmys-san, a saint of the church, was idiotic. She held a rank just below the pontiff and could perform inquisitions alone. The main god guaranteed her authority; opposing her meant losing everything. She was overwhelmingly strong.
”And so, what remains is the land and this mansion.”
”No wonder no one wants it.”
Even if the noble was at fault, who would want to buy a house labeled as an enemy of the church?
Still, leaving such a large plot unused was a waste.
”So we thought—we’ll build an Aarem stadium here and offer the excitement of battle to the war god. If the people feel joy, perhaps the war god will feel this land has been redeemed.”
”Yes. If children gather and play here, it will surely bring joy.”
The war god loved children. Seeing kids enjoying Aarem battles would please him greatly.
”And Tatara-han, the reason we need you all day—is for the construction.”
”Understood. I’ll clear it, reinforce the ground, and build a great stadium.”
”So it truly is possible, Tatara-dono…”
The Acting Head of Family finally spoke, amazed. It would be difficult alone—but I had my Golems. I summoned them all.
”Let’s go, Golems—together with the sorrowful memories!”
”Ta!”
”…What sorrowful memories?”
Sorry. I just wanted to say that line from the red guy.
We began by demolishing the mansion. All belongings had been removed, so the guild head allowed us to destroy it freely. We surrounded it and linked our Crafting skills to disassemble it cleanly. We sorted the debris by material and stored it, then worked on the foundation.
Eighty small Tataras dug out the soil, while the others and I made concrete mixed with crushed mana stones. Since we would also build underground, we leveled it deeply. Where the ground was weak, we dug evenly spaced holes and poured concrete pillars. After checking durability with Appraisal, the foundation would not crack or liquefy even under a magnitude seven quake.
Plumbing was simple—once drainage was made, the guild would provide water spirit cores for the water supply.
Next was the base foundation. We poured and shaped the concrete with Crafting, drying it as we worked. Some small Tataras ran low on mana and held hands with medium-sized ones to recharge. That slowed things a bit. I switched my equipment to the Alchemist’s Egg and restored mana while working. It took about an hour due to the size, but the base was done.
”…That took some time.”
”No—that was incredibly fast.”
The Acting Head of Family cut into my muttering. Even with Golems helping, I still felt one hour was too long.
”T-Tatara-han… are you seriously finishing this in one day?”
”That was the plan… Wait, did you intend multiple days?”
It seemed we had misunderstood each other. In my previous life, a facility like this took months or years, but with Skills and Inventory, one day sounded normal.
”T-Tatara-han, even with a hundred Crafters, this wouldn’t finish in one day.”
”That’s true, but…”
”But?”
”It’s me and the Golems doing it.”
”Convincing,” all three—guild head, Acting Head of Family, and mother-in-law—said at once. Meanwhile, the Golems continued building.
We took breaks to refill their mana, but the arena progressed smoothly. It would seat around 1,500. I half expected to be forced into building a 10,000-seat stadium, but such size wouldn’t fit in Whirlwind anyway. If royalty liked it enough, a 30,000-seat version might appear in the Imperial Capital someday.
Five hours later, the exterior was done. That felt slow to me—maybe I really needed 100 Golems for large-scale builds.
”To finish something this big in five hours is abnormal, Tatara-san.”
”…Did you just read my mind?”
Mother-in-law’s comment made me react. Only the exterior was done, and I already thought it slow.
But compared to my old world, where concrete needed days to cure, this was lightning quick. And with a unified team of 100 “workers,” it still felt slow to me.
Next, the interior. The main battlefield was a 4m square, with a circular 6m radius including operator space. We built rising seating around it. Chairs would be brought in later by the guild. I hung lighting and monitors above the field, linked to a magic camera that sent thoughts to a receiver and displayed the vision. Without this, it would be hard to track Aarem movements. I also considered an outside viewing area for those without seats.
We built an entry gate and waiting room with workbenches for final Aarem checks, plus space for team meetings. A staff room went in next, then restrooms. When I installed a washlet, the guild head questioned it. Had the City Mayor filed a patent yet?
After explaining usage and benefits, the guild head said they’d test a few units at the guild first before deciding. The arena would open in two weeks at the city festival, so they had time to try it and consult the City Mayor.
Some Golems rebuilt the front gate and fence using Demonsteel, raising it to five meters. The message was clear: no trespassers. It could also act as an emergency shelter if needed.
After about ten hours, near sunset, we wrapped up.
”…It really did finish in one day,” the Acting Head said, staring at the arena—somewhere between awe and fear.
”There are still small details to handle, but we can refine those later.”
”Yes, I know. But Tatara-han… maybe don’t request spec changes midway next time?”
”You still approved them though, guild head.”
”If you suggest things that make money—like food stalls—I’ll approve them, Tatara-san.”
During construction, I suggested typical arena additions: popcorn and drink stands, plus spaces for a café and restaurant. The guild head had only planned for Aarem matches and basic merchandise, so this broadened the business. Adding multiple kitchens required some sewer adjustments, but it increased convenience. The café used the old mansion garden as a terrace. I might need a gardener or a Golem caretaker. I’d discuss maintenance fees later with the guild head and City Mayor.
”Next is the Hizuru exhibit area.”
”We will finalize that with the guild head.”
”Tatara-san, you should go home and show your face to Yohira and the others.”
The torakuma couple gently urged me to leave. The guild head nodded in agreement.
”Tatara-han, I also need to speak with the Torakuma couple privately. You’re free to go now.”
In other words, they didn’t need me for the business talks. Fair enough.
”Ah, before I forget—mother-in-law, do you know someone who can teach soroban?”
”We can teach it—me and Yohira. Ichika as well, she’s capable of many things.”
That made sense. Yohira had noble schooling; Ichika likely learned it through her work. The guild head, sensing my real intent, smiled—she could probably arrange soroban classes easily.
”So, that completes the request that needed me for a full day?”
”Yes. We will handle the rest. Thank you, Tatara-han.”
”No need for thanks. Aarem is my creation. If anything comes up, let me know. I’ll make time.”
”We’ll be counting on you.”
She shook my hand energetically again. I left the rest to them and headed out.
I should ask Cipher later to guide the torakuma couple around—them getting lost was almost guaranteed.
Notes:
• Ichika – The fox girl. Kunoichi. Virgincest⚠️, becomes pregnant immediately.
• Cornremu – TataraGolem; wears red scarf (*”Ta-!” greetings*).
• Yohira – Torakuma’s first name. Oni warrior.
• Calmys – War God’s knight, Mayor’s guard chief, whip-master hiding as a swordswoman; sharp tongue, big-sister vibe to Tatara, grants him and Ethelena church protection.
• Cipher – Tatara’s familiar, sent to guard Tatia.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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