Vol. 13 - Ch. 741 - An Eventful Day: My Heart Only Belongs to Sachineko-sama!

"C-Come now, Rika. There's no need to be so down."

"I, I am not depressed or anything......"

"I mean, look, alright. I am really sorry for that."

Right now, I was exhausting my means to cheer up Rika.

Reason? Her favourite «Master's Cat Teaser» vanished into particles of light. And, my words, the scream she let out was the loudest ever noise I have heard from her. Like a broken puppet, she slumped into the spot with a depressing aura hovering around her, hugging her knees to her chest as she stared at the cats in the forest.

What could I say? Well, it was a necessary item to tame the cat monsters. It served its intended purpose, allowing Fraumina to tame «Chamisen» who will be a mighty addition to our firepower.

From the game's perspective, it was an incredible outcome. ...And, that's what the problem was. 

It was reality. Things had memories attached to them, and losing them would undoubtedly cause sadness. And more than that, I really didn't expect Rika to be in such a slump.

Reminds me of the time I used «Plushie of Devil and Angel». I still vividly recall the pandemonium that rose up with Lulu at its centre. 

I had to rush to the Dean and—it was under the strict condition that they mustn't be used for anything but for cuddle and decoration—borrow the plushies to finally appease Lulu.

Since then, the adjacent spot to «Sachineko-sama»'s shrine has a new guest—«Plushie of Devil and Angel».

Why did I even kick the hornet's nest again then? In my defense, it was just a cat toy. I just, like truly, didn't expect such a huge reaction over its disappearance from Rika. On the side note, Lana had borrowed the other normal cat toys. Right now, the newly tamed «Chamisen» was surrounded by the girl's group.

Honestly, it's unbelievable to see how the loss of a mere cat teaser could affect someone. It was an eye-opener. As that thought crossed me, Karua nearby suddenly remarked.

"Hn, in fact, that cat teaser had a kind of mysterious sway that made me lose sense of myself."

"Huh, the cat teaser was such a magical item?!"

What in the world?! To think it was even capable of enchanting Karua!

I wonder what would happen if that item was used to tame Karua? ...Somehow, I had a hunch it might actually succeed.

"Mhm, the reaction from Karua whenever I used that cat teaser was one of a kind. I even tried other cat toys, but neither hooked Karua like it did, even affecting her to the point of making her lose sense of who she is."  ※ «Dungeon Activity» was an all age rating game for 12 year old and above. Please tame your expectations (T/N - Just in case, this was meta commentary in the novel, not from me.)

"Ah, just thinking how I might never see Karua in that state again depressed me."

"You're not sad because of losing the cat teaser, but because of Karua's confused expression?!"

"Hn?"

"I-It's nothing like that! What I am saddened by is how I would never see that awfully adorable Karua ever again! I bet even you would've been spellbound by her cuteness had you seen the state of Karua in tha—wait, no. Rethinking about it, it's really not a good idea at all! You must never look at a girl in that state, Zephyr!"

"You thoroughly confused me."

Perhaps due to shock, Rika was now murmuring some incomprehensible thoughts.

That said, as a matter of fact, I had a chance to see Karua in that state once. Thinking about it, Rika was just as confused as she is now. 

But, If you ask me, while Karua was certainly an adoreball, Rika's flustered appearance was what stole my attention the most. Ah well, it's really unbearable to see her so down. I guess we are going to try for «Master's Cat Teaser» later.

The «Master's Cat Teaser» was a drop obtainable from any of the field bosses of this cat dungeon. 

I could just have Nico go on a grind in «Cat Dungeon» to try for «Advanced Job Ascension Ticket», and while at it, also try for «Master's Cat Teaser».

As I was thinking this, Nico—she was watching the other girls rub Chamisen's fur with such intensity I thought they might actually pluck the poor thing bald—crossed her arms and shivered.

"Ugh?!?!... what was that? I just got a sudden chill down my spine."

"Are you cold, Nico-chan?"

"Come over here and pet him with us!"

"It's truly a mystery how cat bellies are always so warm and soft?"

Sachi, Emi, and Yuuka—the Three Musketeers of Friendship—pulled a reluctant Nico into the "cat-petting circle." That Chamisen was certainly popular.

"Meo———!!"

For a moment, I felt like I heard «Chamisen»'s cry for help. ...It must be my imagination. May there be happiness for tamed «Chamisen». I offered my prayer when I, too, felt the chill striking me.

"Mhm?!?! What's this presenc—«Sachineko-sama»!? No, it's a misunderstanding, «Sachineko-sama»! I only ever have you in my mind and no one else!"

Only when I uttered that did the chill withdraw. Holy crap, that was close. 

Yeah, I am definitely going to put in a lot of offering when we return! And, just for once, I will allow Lana to cuddle with «Sachineko-sama» too. It pains me, but I must do that to make sure «Sachineko-sama» doesn't feel lonely!! But only this once!!

With that little event concluded, and with a new comrade and a carriage added to our ranks, we left the Cat Dungeon and headed back to the guild in a large group.

Aegis offered to stay behind with Rosetta’s party to help train her in "Carriage Handling," so they stayed in the dungeon. Rika stayed behind too. I’m expecting great results from them.

As soon as I got back to the guild house, I presented my offerings to the «Sachineko-sama» and expressed firmly that no one had, and no one will be above «Sachineko-sama» in my heart! I could have sworn «Sachineko-sama» smiled in content.

Afterward, in the passing, I showed Mirius-senpai the intermediate cooking recipe we'd obtained from «Intermediate Spirit of Light». Much to my surprise, it kickstarted yet another event. She immediately started trying every trick in the book to negotiate for it.

"Pleeease, my dear Hannah's Brave! I don’t have the money right now, but if I make a profit with this recipe, I’ll give you thirty percent of everything!"

"Wait a second, Mia-senpai! W-what do you mean by my Brave?! Just calling him Zephyr-kun is fine!"

In front of me was Mirius-senpai, hands clasped in a desperate prayer, and Hannah, who was wide-eyed and tugging at the senpai’s sleeve. Hannah’s slightly flushed cheeks were pretty cute, I had to admit. 

But my thoughts aside, it was definitely a deliberate move by Mirius-senpai. I must give it to her, she’s quite the high-level negotiator (?).

"I can’t really take that deal, Senpai. Your cooking guild only operates on weekends, right? The profit margins are too low, and 'I'll pay you later' is a tough sell."

"Wait, wait! Then an installment plan! I’ll get the money together, I swear! Just give me the recipe! Please, Zephyr-kun!"

"But Mia-senpai, you still haven't finished paying off your equipment installments!" 

Hannah pointed out.

She was right. This wasn't my first time negotiating with Mirius-senpai. I’d previously sold her some Gold Chest equipment—specifically the «Chef’s Hat» and «Pure White Apron.» Since she couldn't afford them upfront, I’d agreed to a payment plan, and she was still in the red.

Adding more debt to her tab wasn't feasible. So, I decided to change the terms of payment.

"Tell you what, Mirius-senpai. From now on, I want you to sell high-quality food items to «Eden» in bulk. And don't just work on weekends—increase your activity days. If you can provide the quality and quantity of food items we need whenever we ask, I’ll give you this recipe for free as a sign of our friendship."

We’re about to start tackling Advanced Dungeons. Food buffs were incredibly effective there. However, cooking guilds were surprisingly rare, and since cooking takes a lot of time, it’s hard for just one or two people to support the entire Eden guild.

That’s why it’s better to outsource to a dedicated cooking guild rather than trying to recruit them in the guild. 

That said, Mirius-senpai was a busy person as she was one of the «Student Council» members. My plan was to rope her entire guild into our logistics chain. Of course, "weekends only" wasn't going to cut it; they’d need to step up their game.

"If I get my hands on any new recipes in the future, I’ll bring them to you first. In exchange, I want Eden to be your top priority for food supplies."

Let's see how she negotiates with these terms. As I wondered that—

"Wait, really?! For free?! I’ll talk to my guild members right now! I'll make them do it!"

She took the bait even faster than I expected.