Side: Filia
Right now, I am learning the art of blacksmithing alongside the Fairy Elder, Narjia-san.
I am so moved!!
Fairies, much like Dwarves, are a race gifted at craftsmanship. They use a special method to imbue equipment with magic, allowing them to create enchanted weaponry.
Unfortunately, I don't remember my parents at all. Because of that, I don't inherently know how to perform Dwarven smithing. Nii-sama has high expectations for me, and I feel so apologetic because I haven't been able to do anything yet.
That's why I'm going to learn blacksmithing from Narjia-san and become useful to Nii-sama!!
"Are you okay, Filia-chan?"
I realized Narjia-san was peering into my face.
"Ah, sorry. I'm fine!!"
Oh no, focus. I'm supposed to be learning blacksmithing right now. Following Nii-sama's schedule, we moved from the job explanation to a light practical session, so I'm following the group interested in blacksmithing.
"Is that so? Don't push yourself. Yuki-san told me, 'I know I'm being overprotective, but please look after her.'"
"Ah, Nii-sama!!"
"Fufufu... looking at you now, I see you're fine. But just as Yuki-san said, you seem to have talent. To think you've never done this before, yet you strike the hot iron without hesitation... I suppose that's Dwarven blood for you. Usually, a first-timer is very timid."
Narjia-san praised me as I struck the iron.
To me, it feels normal, so I don't really get it. I want to hurry up and try making the "Katana" that Nii-sama showed us!!
"...Blacksmithing, you see, is about putting your heart into what you create. You might not understand yet, but I can tell. Perhaps it's because emotions flow into mana? Filia-chan, calm down. I understand your desire to become great quickly for Yuki-san's sake. But when you make something, you must not be negligent with a single step. The hammer you are swinging down right now doesn't have your heart in it."
"...I'm sorry."
"It's alright. Let's learn properly. That is what will truly be for Yuki-san's sake."
"Yes!!"
"Come to think of it, I haven't seen Yuki-san today. Filia-chan, do you know where he is?"
"Yes, Nii-sama has been away since this morning helping Rurua-sama."
On the way back, our conversation turned to the absent Nii-sama.
"Ah, I see. That must be difficult. I wonder, should I talk to him tomorrow?"
"Did something happen? If it's important, you can just call out to him, you know?"
"Well... Filia-chan, shall we stop by the store for a bit?"
* * *
I went with Narjia-san to "Super Ratz", where Ratz-san was acting as the shopkeeper today.
Super Ratz is a convenient store that carries various groceries and general goods. Actually, it's the only store open besides the training center's commissary. We simply don't have enough staff.
Super Ratz is bigger than any store I've ever seen. Usually, a store is just a converted house, right? But as Nii-sama said, this "Supermarket" is incredibly large. It takes up the space of four or five houses and is packed with products.
I was worried about thieves, but at the "Register," they scan a "Barcode," and if you try to go outside without paying, you get hit with a Forced Paralyze. So there's no need to worry about stealing!!
As I was thinking this, the automatic doors opened, and we stepped inside...
"Wow, amazing!! This looks delicious!!"
"Hey, look, 'Frozen Food'. I wonder what it is?"
"We were told yesterday, weren't we? You 'ping' it in the microwave in your room."
"It's incredible, this paper is pure white!!"
"Look over here, the pen color isn't black!?"
Whoa, the Fairies who finished their work hours had come to shop, and the store was overflowing. It was crowded enough that it seemed almost every Fairy was there.
Oh, right—about the money for shopping. We distributed the remaining savings stored in the dungeon to let everyone experience how to use money, giving each person five silver coins. So, they can shop without issue.
"Yes, please line up here for checkout!!"
"Milly, we're out of stock! Where was it again!?"
"Chocolate is on the left side of the warehouse...!!"
"Yes, your total is 13 Fol. That's one silver and three copper coins."
"Awawa!"
Everyone looked so busy.
Everyone knew I was interested in smithing, so they had sent me off without any issues, but... the ones running the store today are Ratz-san, Eris-san, Milly-san, Labyris-chan, and Aslin-chan.
Tori-san and the others are busy with cleaning the training center, preparing dinner, and manning the commissary.
"Oh dear, it turned out exactly like this."
"You knew this would happen?"
"Well, I had a hunch. This place is completely different from the outside world, isn't it?"
"Yes."
"And so, for their first time shopping... people from the outside get very excited the more they learn about how amazing this dungeon is. But in a way, this was good."
"Eh? Why?"
"You're going to bring 300 people from the Kingdom of Roshure soon, right? If things stayed like this, Ratz-san and the others would collapse. We planned to give people freedom in choosing their jobs, but until things stabilize, we need to secure a mandatory number of staff."
"I see."
Narjia-san is right. Most of the Fairies will want to go into blacksmithing or crafting. But if they do, we won't have nearly enough people to run the stores or the baths. If 300 more people arrive, things will stop functioning.
This is serious!! It's no good if everyone collapses! I have to talk to Nii-sama!!
"Shall we help out then? Filia-chan, can you use that... 'Register'?"
"I can use it, but I'm not good at calculating the money... it does it automatically, but Nii-sama said it's safer if you can do it yourself..."
"It's fine. I'll do the calculations."
"Understood!! Ratz-san!! Narjia-san is going to help, so I'm opening another register!!"
When I called out, Ratz-san finally seemed to notice me.
"Oh, Filia-chan. Welcome back. And thank you so much!! Okay, please open Register Number 2! Eris, direct the flow!"
"Yes! Everyone, this register is opening... please move over at your own discretion!"
As I opened the register, many Fairies came over with baskets full of snacks.
"Alright, let's do our best."
"Yes!!"
* * *
Eventually, we managed to close the store, had dinner, and reported the situation to Nii-sama.
"Ah... so it was too much after all."
"Yeah~ it was beyond expectations. The 'Supermarket' Onii-san talked about has an incredible customer draw, but we're completely short-staffed. It was a blessing to realize this thanks to the Fairies. If we were in this state when the 300 people arrived, I'd be hiding under my covers. Absolutely."
Ratz-san looks very tired. That's no surprise; even after the store closed, she was restocking shelves and checking sales.
"By the way, how did the thing you mentioned go?"
"About that. Thanks to the security features, there were no thieves, but there were about three people who were victims of us forgetting to scan an item at the register. I'm really sorry about that."
"That's my bad too. I'll apologize to them later myself."
"No, that's not necessary. I've already spoken to them on my end."
"I appreciate that, Elder."
"As for the accounts, there are no discrepancies so far. The automatic calculation doesn't make mistakes, after all. If there are any, they might happen if the change gets too complicated..."
"We'll have to keep an eye on that. People usually make mistakes in counting when they're busy or distracted."
"Yes, there's not much to be done about that. We just have to keep everyone's awareness high."
Phew, it seems there were no mistakes with the money. I'm glad Narjia-san helped.
"So the immediate problem is personnel. There are two solutions I can think of. One: limit the number of people allowed to go shopping. Two: unfortunately, we may have to temporarily force some fairies to work as store staff. What do you think, Elder? Since we currently have personnel available among the fairies, I'd like to ask for your cooperation..."
"Yes, I believe this is a good chance to repay our debt to you, so I have no objections. However, I would like to set a small condition."
"What is it?"
"This is embarrassing, but... quite a few fools have already spent all the silver coins they received, plus their personal savings... I'd like to request that workers be paid a daily wage. I understand your current financial situation. This happened because I was too lenient. I'm sorry."
"Ah—Ratz. What were the sales today?"
"Yes. Sales were 8,561 Fol. That calculates to 8 Platinum, 5 Gold, 6 Silver, and 1 Copper coin."
"And the amount we distributed was..."
"That was 5 silver per person. For 57 people, that's 2,850 Fol. 2 Platinum, 8 Gold, and 5 Silver. Even subtracting the amount we gave them, it means the Fairies spent 5,711 Fol out of their own pockets. That's about 100 Fol per person. They blew through roughly one gold coin each today."
"Whoa, that's insane."
"Yeah~ Even though I set the prices high specifically to discourage overbuying, they didn't hesitate at all. Fairies must be rich~"
"Hah... it's embarrassing. While it's their own fault that those fools now have to wait for a salary that they don't know when they'll receive..."
"That would lead to dissatisfaction."
"Exactly. Pointing out the fact that wages aren't being paid could have a negative impact later."
Nii-sama and the others are having a difficult conversation.
But I'm quite happy today. Why? Because among us three, there's a certain rule: we take turns sitting on Onii-sama's lap!!
Today is my day!! Nii-sama strokes my head while he talks!! It feels so good. That's why I'm going to give him a proper "thank you" tonight!!
"For now, we need to decide on the wages starting tomorrow..."
"But Onii-san, weren't you aiming for a monthly salary system? We already explained it that way..."
"In that case, we can say the payroll calculations are already underway, and the fools who splurged will just have to wait until next month..."
"Then... and that..."
Yawn... I'm getting sleepy.
Nii-sama's voice is drifting away.
I'm not supposed to sleep yet...
