episode_0005

Today isn’t a dungeon like usual… not really.

Today is, rarely, the bustling downtown area, the heart of the village!

I am standing blankly in front of a shop window in the village.

The shop’s name is ‘Alraune’s Flower Garden’.

If you just hear the name, it sounds like a flower shop, but it’s actually a general store.

This place sells various goods for adventurers visiting the village, handling weapons, armor, tools, and even food.

But what I can’t take my eyes off of in the shop window right now is…

“I want a frying pan~”

Two new frying pans.

I’m completely fixated on them.

Huh? Isn’t it normal for a typical adventurer to be interested in items like swords, shields, or armor?

“Eh, I’m a cook and a porter, aren’t I?”

For a cook, a frying pan is a shield. A kitchen knife is a sword, you know?

I looked at the frying pans beyond the shop window with a serious expression again.

New frying pans from a luxury brand.

Those very products that famous chefs highly praise and professionals love to use.

I don’t want to give up either one. I covet them all.

The one on the left is a model with excellent thermal conductivity, allowing for fast cooking.

The one on the right has a special coating, its strength being that ingredients don’t stick.

“Ah… I want to try using them at least once…”

They’ll definitely be a huge help when cooking.

I might even be able to upgrade my cooking level by one step?

I had a feeling that if I had those frying pans, I could make even more delicious food for the party members.

No, I definitely will be able to make it for them.

“If I make stir-fried dishes with these, the smoky flavor will be incredible…”

But they’re expensive, you see. Incredibly expensive at that.

I muttered and looked at the shop window again.

So desperately that the number of times I blinked decreased noticeably.

The price tags attached to the two frying pans were full of zeros!

“With my current budget… it’s touch and go. If I negotiate inside like at ‘Pimang Market’, maybe I can make it work?”

Thermal conductivity vs. coating.

Fast cooking vs. the convenience of non-stick.

Both are too appealing, making the choice difficult.

If I choose the one on the left, I can finish cooking quickly.

If I choose the one on the right, it seems like washing dishes will be convenient…

“Hmmmm…!”

It’s not like I haven’t been saving money all this time, you know.

To begin with, even though my party members are crazy about food, they’re not that interested in money, you see.

To begin with, Lilien and Ellis seemed to have some wealth as a knight and a Demon Lord, respectively.

As for Arte… well, she’s an automaton. It seemed like she didn’t even feel the need for wealth particularly.

So, I also collected and sold the byproducts that came out after defeating monsters separately.

For instance, a dragon’s claw, or a minotaur’s horn.

“Ah, Lilien took one horn saying she’d try using it to make broth. Anyway.”

Surprisingly, the Adventurer’s Guild bought these byproducts for a decent price.

The money collected like that is in the form of me managing it ultimately.

And for spending it, it’s mostly used when we all eat together at the pub where Wilmarina is, or when purchasing supplies?

“It’s amazing how, excluding the 20% used for common funds, everyone is sharing and using it fairly, you see.”

It’s surprising that they give as much as 20% to me, who is merely a cook and porter.

Even though I leave the combat to them, is it okay for me to receive this much?

Anyway, if I were to use all the money I’ve saved like that, I could buy one frying pan right now.

“Hmm… I’m troubled. Which one should I choose so that word spreads to Emily who lives next door, saying I chose well?”

Just then, tap, tap.

Someone lightly tapped my shoulder.

“Oh, Yuan?”

A familiar voice. I turned around reflexively.

It’s Lilien?

The armor and greatsword she usually wore when going to dungeons were nowhere to be seen, and today she was dressed comfortably.

Rather than an adventurer, she looked more like an ordinary country girl A strolling through the village right now.

Is that why? The woman who always exuded a reliable and strong aura feels particularly soft and friendly today.

“What are you doing in a place like this?”

Lilien gave a playful smile and glanced down at me, who was staring blankly at the shop window.

“Anyone seeing you would think you’re kissing the shop window.”

“I was seriously contemplating which of the two new frying pans I should buy.”

“Heh heh, that’s a relief. I was worried you were mesmerized by some cunning woman beyond the shop window?”

“What is that supposed to mean, seriously….”

I’m bewildered, utterly bewildered. It feels like the handle of the millstone is gone, you know?

“No, but… were you concentrating that much?”

“Of course, Yuan. It was to the extent I wanted to show it to Ellis and Arte as well. Especially for Arte, it was to the extent I wanted to ask her to leave a record of it, you know?”

“Ugh.”

Cold sweat instantly ran down my spine.

Because if Arte left a record, it would become my dark history even years later, and it was something that could pop up unexpectedly anytime, anywhere.

—I must avoid it at all costs. That, at least, no matter what happens!

As if hastily changing the subject, I sighed and turned my gaze back to the shop window.

“Anyway, I was contemplating. Since both have different uses… if I buy just one, I feel like I’ll regret it later, you see.”

“That’s true. Both look like good products.”

Lilien also looked at the shop window together from beside me, carefully examining the two frying pans I was contemplating.

Then, suddenly, she leaned her body towards me slightly—

letting her arm brush against me.

“……?”

“So, Yuan?”

What “so”? Are you talking about your chest that’s touching me right now?

With that playful expression too, it’s embarrassing, you see. Though it feels good.

“Seeing our cook contemplating this much, it seems like a pretty important choice, doesn’t it?”

“Well… I guess so.”

“Hmm…”

She rested her chin on her hand and seemed lost in thought for a moment, then suddenly smiled and looked at me, the knight.

“Let’s go into the shop, Yuan. If you just keep window shopping like that, you’ll get hit by the vine whips from the twins inside, you know?”

“Huh? I was still contemplating what to buy.”

“Stop talking and follow your big sister~”

Ah, ah… it hurts, it hurts. Knight. You should consider your strength!

In the end, I was led, or rather dragged, by Lilien and entered the shop.

“Welcome~! Welcome, we love our customers!”

As soon as we entered the shop, a bright and cheerful voice welcomed us.

This voice tone… looks like it’s Ruri, the younger sister, today.

Since I use this place quite often, I was acquainted with the twin sisters who work at the counter, Lily and Ruri.

Lilien approached the counter familiarly and immediately started speaking.

“Could you give me those two frying pans in the shop window? Ah, I’ll pay the full amount in a lump sum.”

“Wait a minute, wait a minute.”

I hurriedly grabbed her arm. Why are you in such a hurry, Lilien?

“Lilien? There’s no need for that. And I only have enough money to buy one!”

However, Lilien laughed playfully and lightly dismissed my words.

“They say the answer when you’re troubled is to go for the ‘flower in both hands’ ending.”

“…What?”

“Whether it’s items~ or a harem~ you see.”

“……”

“Ah, since Yuan also has Arte, is it a Cerberus ending, including the head?”

“Isn’t that, isn’t that too impulsive?”

“Knights are originally folks who live only for today, you know? So when spending, you should spend grandly~”

“I think it’s the best way, customer~♡”

“Could you please not subtly solicit, Ruri?”

I sighed and looked at Lilien. However, Lilien seemed to have already decided.

“Even the clerk is recommending it like that, you see?”

And then, without a moment’s hesitation, she turned towards the counter.

“Here, Yuan. Don’t refuse. Yes, Ruri-ssi. Both items, wrapped up in a lump sum payment.”

Clink, clink, clink, clink—!

A pouch full of gold coins fell onto the counter with a clatter.

“Yes~ customer! Your precious frying pans, we will wrap them carefully for you~”

Ruri said as if singing happily, and quickly processed the calculation.

As if to finish the transaction quickly before I could stop her.

Lilien lightly lifted the shopping bag containing the two frying pans and handed it to me.

A heavy weight was conveyed through my fingertips. A rather solid feeling, befitting a high-quality frying pan.

I looked down at the shopping bag for a moment, then spoke quietly with sincerity.

“Um… thank you, Lilien. I mean it. I didn’t expect to receive a gift like this.”

“Heh heh, it’s good for both of us. Yuan gets wonderful cooking tools, and our party gets to eat delicious food made with them, right?”

“Well, that’s true.”

Well, I don’t really have anything to say either.

Because if I make more delicious food with these frying pans, that will go back to all the party members, including Lilien.

“Well, and… there are personal benefits too, you see.”

“Huh? Personal benefits? Lilien, is there something that benefits you specifically?”

“Yuan, you still don’t know?”

Suddenly she took a step closer, then gently leaned her body towards me, Lilien.

And—

as if slightly embracing me, she instantly closed the distance between us.

“?!?!?!”

Warm body temperature. And a sweet yet playful whisper reaching my ear.

“Getting personal favorability points from Yuan? Heheut.”

“……”

For a moment, I felt like my heart plummeted.

Close. Too close, you see.

Warmth and fragrance brushed past, and her breath tickling my ear lingered pleasantly.

“……”.

Lilien gave a playful smile and slyly looked up at my face.

“Hoho, I knew you’d react like this. You’ve exceeded my expectations♡”

Suppressing the slight trembling in my voice, I avoided her eyes.

That’s too unfair.

Just as such a strange atmosphere was flowing—

“Customer~”

A cheerful voice echoed, as if tearing through the air between the two of us.

“Please don’t rub it in inside the shop~”

“…Ah.”

“Are you going to send vine whips? I’m serious too?”

At the counter, Ruri had her arms crossed and was looking at us with a slight smile.

“That’s a shame, Yuan. Was it impossible in a public place after all?”

Lilien chuckled and slightly moved away from me.

“That’s why it wasn’t the time to say such things in the first place, Knight.”

Wiping away cold sweat, I gripped the shopping bag containing the frying pans tightly.

Even so, my heart was still beating fast.

Is this the composure of someone older? Was it just me who got flustered, you see!

[Eyecatch!]

Alraune’s Flower Garden – An All-Purpose General Store for Adventurers!

If you just look at the name, it’s a flower shop, but actually it’s an adventurers’ paradise!

A total collection of essential items for adventurers!

From combat gear to dungeon exploration essentials, and even cooking tools, full of various items!

The sisters Lily & Ruri, who greet customers with bright and cheerful voices every day, will attend to you~

“Alraune’s Flower Garden, an essential hub for adventure and life!”

“Today, we will lighten your wallet again~”

-This manuscript was written with a small sponsorship provided by a pair of twin sisters.