Ch.5The Red-Haired Girl from the Slums (4)

A few days later, a reviewer from headquarters visited.

“I’m from the Potion Association. I’m here to evaluate your shop for this month’s excellence award.”

“Welcome. You must be tired from your long journey. Would you like something cool to drink?”

“Thank you. I was so afraid of encountering bandits that I rode my horse without stopping and couldn’t even take a proper sip of water.”

“Thank you for your hard work. You didn’t need to come all the way to this remote place just to select a shop of the month.”

“How could I not? We received hundreds of recommendation letters, so I had to come.”

At those words, Mirella suddenly ran outside.

The reviewer, who had been staring blankly at her, smiled and said, “I’ll begin the evaluation now.”

He then rummaged through his bag and pulled out some documents.

Glancing at them, I could see they were itemized checklists.

I assumed they would be checking things like hygiene standards and inventory management in detail.

There was nothing to worry about regarding internal cleanliness.

I had been cleaning whenever I had free time.

As the first shop on an adventure, cleanliness is the top priority to make a good impression.

The reviewer looked around, checked the shelf displays, and examined the most important part—the preparation counter.

Judging by his expression, there didn’t seem to be anything to criticize.

“Next, I’ll check the exterior.”

The reviewer went outside, adjusted his glasses, and looked up at the shop building.

Our shop is a small two-story building with a gabled roof.

I heard that a very long time ago it was a family home, which Jack had purchased before I possessed him and renovated the first floor.

Looking at the surface of the main wooden pillars, it’s clearly a very old building, but it’s been maintained with exterior paint and such.

We also installed an awning that wasn’t originally there and placed an outdoor stand underneath where adventurers and residents could take shelter from the rain.

“It’s in remarkably good condition. According to the building registry, it’s over thirty years old.”

The reviewer muttered while scribbling on his checklist with a pen.

“The surrounding cleanliness is excellent too. This is the cleanest street I’ve seen in all my evaluations.”

Of course it is—our village’s Potion Knights sweep and clean every day.

The reviewer, after thoroughly checking the building’s exterior, noticed the near-expiry potions next to the door.

“Are these those potions?”

“Pardon?”

“According to the recommendation letter, you’ve been giving away near-expiry Healing Potions to people in need for free.”

“Ah, yes…”

So Mirella wrote all sorts of things in that letter.

The reviewer picked up each potion and examined them carefully from different angles.

The glass bottles containing the potions have manufacturing dates written on them, which indicate their expiration dates.

After opening a cap and taking a small taste, the reviewer nodded.

“There shouldn’t be any problems consuming these.”

The reviewer scribbled something else on his checklist.

“The taste is good. Nice color. Sturdy glass bottles. Caps seal properly.”

He then asked me about potion manufacturing methods, management practices, and whether I was maintaining appropriate pricing.

Since I had practically memorized the Potion Management Act, the answers came easily.

“This is truly excellent. I can’t find any flaws.”

“Thank you.”

The reviewer completed his checklist with a very satisfied expression and a smile.

“I’ve visited many locations, but I’ve never seen a place as clean and well-managed as this one. Especially the idea of giving near-expiry potions to those in need—it’s both ingenious and admirable.”

“Thank you, reviewer.”

“The village is clean, the surroundings are beautiful, and the shop is well-maintained. I’ll strongly recommend you when I return to headquarters.”

And with that, the shop of the month evaluation was successfully completed.

Although I didn’t apply for it myself, it seems the result will be favorable.

I hadn’t intended to do good deeds for this purpose, but it seems they do come back around.

After the reviewer left, I spotted a red-haired figure peeking from the alley.

“Mirella.”

“Did the evaluation go well?”

Mirella, who had been spying on us, emerged from the alley and ran toward me.

“The reviewer said our shop will likely become the shop of the month.”

“Hyaaang, reeeeally?”

Seeing Mirella’s expression turn mischievous, I felt uneasy.

I wonder what scheme she’s plotting now.

* * * * *

Some time later, our shop was named the shop of the month.

It meant we were the most excellent among thousands of shops across the empire.

We received an ornate certification sign and a substantial cash prize.

We hung the certification sign on the most visible part of the entrance wall, and decided to keep the prize money in the safe for now.

I need to think about how to use that money.

There’s nothing more to invest in the shop, so I’m thinking of using it for village improvements.

“Ahem!”

Mirella went out in front of the shop, looked at the certification mark on the exterior wall, and acted proud as if it were her own achievement.

“I wonder whose merit this is?”

“It’s thanks to you. Thank you.”

“Just words?”

“Then what would you like me to do?”

“Let me use the shop as the knights’ headquarters.”

I was speechless at this absurd request.

“The shop…?”

“Yes. This is practically the knights’ supply warehouse already. It’s spacious and clean, so I’ll use it as our headquarters.”

Setting up knights’ headquarters? She’s really going all in.

I thought about it for a moment.

The first floor of our shop is quite spacious.

As is typical with shops in Starting Village, the furniture is sparse.

That’s why I was able to gather the village children and teach them reading.

There’s empty space next to the counter where a desk would fit perfectly.

It’s not like they’re real knights anyway—Mirella just needs a space to sit and act important.

“Alright. Let’s do that.”

“Really! I’m so excited!”

“But you have to make me a promise too.”

“What is it?”

“Since you’ll be in the shop, you need to help with customers. Clean the shop occasionally and organize merchandise.”

“Huh? That’s just being an employee. But it’s not that difficult.”

Mirella smiled confidently.

“Of course I can do that, plus dishwashing, cleaning, cooking, and laundry! Don’t go back on your word later, okay?”

“I won’t go back on my word. That’s what I should be saying to you.”

“Then I’ll go get what I need!”

A little while later.

Mirella was looking up at me with a smile, carrying an enormous bag on her back.

I wonder what’s in there?

“What are you doing? What’s with that bag?”

“Excuse me~”

Mirella pushed past me and entered the shop.

I followed her up the stairs as she scurried up, and she went into one of the rooms on the second floor.

Looking in, I saw Mirella humming a tune, putting her bag down on the bed, and taking out her clothes and other belongings.

No way, is she…?

“What are you doing?”

“What does it look like? I’m unpacking.”

“Unpacking…?”

“You promised to let me set up headquarters in the shop.”

Mirella said as she leaned her rare item club, Vint’s Opener, which she always carries, against the head of the bed.

“As the vice-captain, I need to stay at headquarters, eating and sleeping here, ready 24 hours a day.”

“Are you saying you’re going to live here from now on?”

“Is that a problem?”

“It’s a big problem.”

“It’s not a problem.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at Mirella’s incredibly brazen attitude.

Before I could stop her, she had already unpacked everything and suddenly started changing clothes, forcing me to flee the room.

“A promise is a promise! Lying is bad.”

Mirella shouted at the door in an inexplicably excited voice.

I guess it can’t be helped.

Mirella has no family in this village and no proper home to rest comfortably.

She appears cheerful on the outside, but no one knows what she’s really feeling inside.

Maybe it’s better for her to stay here and occupy a room like this.

And so Mirella completely settled into our shop.

Mirella used not only the second floor but also part of the first floor as her space.

The area next to the counter.

She brought a desk and chair to the coziest window spot inside the shop and called it her office.

She would lounge there, and whenever a customer entered the shop, Mirella would dash out to greet them.

“Welcome to Jack and Mirella’s Potion Shop!”

I don’t know when it became both of our shop, but it wasn’t serious enough to point out, so I let it slide.

By moving into the shop like this, Mirella became inseparable from me.

In other words, I ended up getting a shop assistant by accident.

Tsk tsk, silly Mirella.

If you move into our shop like this, you’ll inevitably become a half-unpaid employee, you know?

I chuckled as I watched Mirella’s back while she excitedly organized her belongings.

* * * * *

Silly big brother.

If I move into the shop like this, you’ll inevitably become half my husband, you know?

Did you think I had no ulterior motives when I agreed to help with chores to move in here?

How naive.

Once someone settles in, it’s hard to drive them out, and sharing the same space naturally leads to attachment.

It’s also easier to monitor if other people are flirting with you.

This deal benefits me entirely, but right now you probably think you’ve tricked me and are feeling pleased with yourself?

Yes, keep misunderstanding like that.

That’s how people go along with things until they become lovers, and then go along with things until they become spouses.

Heheheh.