"I rented a tenpo."

"A tempo? Like... in music?"

"No, no. A tenpo. A storefront. A physical shop."

I reported the results to Etowa as soon as I got back from the Guild. I'd managed to snag a prime spot—a great little property right along the main thoroughfare near Central Square.

"What! Already? That was fast! How much is the rent?"

"Three gold coins."

That's roughly 450,000 yen. The space isn't massive, but considering it's a ground-floor unit in a top-tier location, it's actually a steal. Of course, compared to my current stall rent of one silver coin a month, it's a thirty-fold increase.

"I signed the contract on impulse, but we still need to do the interior work. We'll aim for an opening after the Knights' parade is over."

There wasn't much time left until the parade. Oyakata was working at a breakneck pace to finish the Knights' gear, but it was still a close call. My plan was to give the parade everything we'd got, and hopefully hand out business cards for the new shop to all the influential people I met there.

The shop itself shouldn't require too much preparation. I'd already toured the place with a Guild official; it's only about 8 tsubo (around 26 square meters). It's a bit old, but in a way that can be passed off as "vintage charm."

Still, since I'm positioning this as a high-end boutique, I need to manufacture some prestige. Maybe an appointment-only system, or a salon-style setup where we serve tea and sweets to guests.

I have Shamash-san the artist, Oyakata who can build anything, and I could probably commission some delicate work from Bill-shi the jeweler. I could even bring wallpaper over from Japan.

And paint—modern paint comes in so many varieties. I'll have to be careful not to make it too gaudy, but I have plenty of consultants like Ion, Rebecca-san, and Hetty-san to keep me in check.

"What will you name the shop?"

"The name? Ah, right."

At the Guild, you have to submit a registration form before you can open. Since I was just a street stall before, the registration had been fairly vague, but once you have a brick-and-mortar store, they get a lot more particular.

Erishe is a special commercial district with very lenient policies for merchants, but owning a shop means paying more taxes than before. In this world, having a physical storefront is proof that you've finally made it as a professional merchant.

"Well, there's no need to overcomplicate it. Something simple and classy would be best."

"True. If the name is too mysterious, we might lose new customers who don't know what we sell."

Etowa agreed.

It's a brand-new store. I need something with a clear identity and a strong pull.

"Especially since we're selling things you can't get anywhere else. Even if we end up going with a membership system after talking to everyone—"

I started brainstorming. The first few ideas that popped into my head were... questionable.

—Ayase High-End Textiles

—The World Tree Forest: Elf Village Boutique

—Made in Earth

—Otherworld General Store

—Meet-an-Elf: Full-Full-Full Moon

—The Melting Pot: Tsubo-hei

—Mitchan's Secret Shop

—Ayase's Hall of Rarities

—Atelier Isekai

—Another Sky: Imported Goods Specialty

—Duty Free: Nippon

"...I can't come up with anything good."

I was suddenly struck by my own complete lack of naming sense!

"Hmm... It's a tough one, but since it's for high-end clientele, maybe an ‘if you know, you know' kind of vibe is better?"

She had a point.

We aren't looking for mass-market appeal, so something slightly mysterious might actually work. Though "Meet-an-Elf" was definitely out of the question.

"Wouldn't the same name as the Knight Order be fine nodesu?"

Diana, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up.

"Hm? Artemis?"

"Yes. Artemis. It is a good name. It has a nostalgic ring to it nodesu."

Diana said it sentimentally.

Artemis, huh? It would certainly make the connection between the shop and the Knights clear.

"What do you think, Etowa?"

"I like it! I think Artemis is great. Though ‘Ayase High-End Textiles' also had a certain... rustic charm."

"You have very niche tastes, Etowa."

And so, we officially decided on the name: Artemis.

Time to go submit that registration.

* * *

The following morning.

It had been a while since the entire Knight Order held a joint training session. Usually, someone like Etowa, Elepipi, Ion, or Shamash-san is missing, but since the shop was closed today, it turned into a hellish training tournament with a picnic-like atmosphere.

I watched the training while practicing my horse riding.

"Wow... Incredible."

The words escaped my lips naturally. A short distance away, a battle was unfolding: Rebecca-san versus the duo of Marina and Ion.

We'd stopped using live blades for training recently. Before, there was such a gap in skill that live steel wasn't dangerous, but now there's a genuine "just in case" risk, so I banned them.

We mostly use wooden practice weapons now. It wouldn't be much of a joke if someone actually died during practice. Though I suppose training with real swords is more "concentrated."

Of course, training with the still-developing Elepipi is done with real swords. Actually, she was being put through that "non-stop attack" drill by Shello-san. That one looks like it could genuinely kill you, so I'm a little worried for her.

"Hyaaaaah!"

"Hup!"

Marina and Ion launched a simultaneous assault on Rebecca-san. Marina's polearm and Ion's rapier closed in on her at once.

"Not good enough!"

Rebecca-san parried their flawless coordinated attack with a wooden sword as if it were nothing. Even against two opponents, she was perfectly composed. I really wonder how the power scaling in this world works.

Still, both Marina and Ion were moving well. If Marina is "Strength," then Ion is "Grace." As expected of someone who studied under the leader of a legendary mercenary group, her swordsmanship is masterful.

However, Rebecca-san—tempered in actual life-or-death combat—is still a level above. No matter how much talent Ion has, her sword might still be that of a "Princess" for now.

That said, Ion can already fight quite well. Having three combat-oriented Vocations isn't just for show: [General] and [Holy Knight]. If I don't practice seriously, she might overtake me in no time.

After the mock battle ended, a "serious" match between Shello-san and Marina took place. Both used real weapons. This was less a standard drill and more of a combat test for Marina's Lightning Hammer, Mjolnir.

Since the gap between Shello-san and Marina is still massive, it shouldn't get dangerous... probably.

We've been doing risky training like this for so long that we might just be used to it. And if the worst happens, Diana can fix it with a Spirit Stone.

"Come at me!"

"Here I go, de-arimasu!"

Marina braced herself with the massive hammer, nearly as tall as she is. Mjolnir is a Magic Weapon dropped by the one-eyed giant Arges of Mount Lucraella.

Despite its appearance, Marina—the registered wielder—found it lighter than a halberd. She could swing it as easily as a wooden hammer. My magic sword is the same way, as is Rebecca-san's Holy Sword. It seems to be a common trait of high-tier magic weapons.

"Hyaaaaaaaaaah!"

Marina swung the hammer. Just seeing a mass that large being whipped around like a toy is terrifying.

"Naive! You're full of openings!"

But it didn't work on Shello-san. He easily deflected the blow with his sword, sending her stumbling.

"Faster! Hahaha! Hammer users tend to get predictable with their strikes!"

Shello-san was completely relaxed. Hmm, a hammer is powerful, but against a skilled human, it really is just "swing and hit."

"Gunuuu! Then try this, de-arimasu! Lightning Fa-something!"

Marina retreated after her strike was parried and shouted. The hammer began to crackle with electricity.

"Take this!"

She slammed Mjolnir into the ground. Just like when Arges used it, a shower of lightning sprayed outward.

"Oohhh, so this is what you were talking about!"

As Shello-san spoke, he threw his claymore directly into the path of the lightning.

The electricity was drawn to the sword and grounded into the earth. In that split second of distraction, Shello-san closed the distance instantly, stepped on the hammer Marina had slammed down, and thrust his fist right in front of her face.

His situational judgment is insane.

"I... I surrender, de-arimasu."

Marina gave up. Well, against Shello-san, that's about right. We'd already discussed how to counter that "shocking" move, anyway.

"Whew, that gave me a bit of a tingle, though. A few sparks grazed me."

"You were actually hit?"

"Just a bit. If it had been a direct strike, I wouldn't have been able to move."

Wait, wait, wait. If even one bolt hit you, isn't that a "direct hit"? Is "safe" just defined differently by monsters?

I've never been hit by it, so I don't know, but Shamash-san and Rebecca-san were totally paralyzed by it before... Maybe they took multiple bolts? I'm not in a hurry to test it myself.

Training continued.

At Sheiro-san's request, we watched a full-power battle between him and a magic beast summoned by Shamash-san.

Shello-san at 100% is terrifying. The raw dynamism of his movements is almost moving to watch. Seeing him decapitate a Golem with a horizontal slash left me speechless.

We also tested the Holy Sword Ascalon. According to Rebecca-san, using Ascalon makes her body feel lighter—likely a buff from the sword's enchantments. As a weapon, it's superb, slicing through iron bars like butter. It lives up to its name as a "Dragon Slayer."

Since we always train near Rebecca-san's house, people rarely come by. Areas near monster spots are avoided unless necessary. Because of this, Ion can join in without worry. She seems to genuinely enjoy the exercise, sweating with a smile on her face.

"You move really well, Ion. Did you train a lot back then?"

"Yes. But I've certainly grown quite rusty."

No kidding. You were holed up in a mine for two years.

"Once you get back into shape and things calm down, you should join the Knight Order. Of course, only if you want to."

When I said that casually, Ion looked genuinely shocked.

"Eh...? You would let me join the Knights...?"

"I mean, why not? Oh, right—the identity thing. If you wear a disguise, it shouldn't be a problem."

Identifying a specific person isn't that easy. She's a princess who disappeared two years ago; the world thinks she's dead. If we're careful, we can pull it off. Even if she runs into an old acquaintance, we can play it off as a lookalike. We can change her hair color, and I have colored contacts for her eyes.

"Actually, I was thinking of having you participate in the Knights' parade."

"E-Eh!? I-Is that really okay? But... Aurica-san won't be participating, right?"

"Aurica doesn't really give off ‘knight' vibes..."

Ion seemed worried about "cutting in line" ahead of her current boss, Aurica.

I get it, but Ion is used to ceremonies and parades; she's the perfect talent for it. We'll just give her an Iron Mask and full armor for "protection."

"Don't overthink it. The chance of someone recognizing you is one in ten thousand. But just in case, we should practice an alibi."

"An alibi?"

"Yeah. Like: 'Huh? Me, a princess? Hahaha! Boy, you pick-up artists have some smooth lines~!' That kind of thing."

"I... I don't know if I have the confidence for that..."

"Don't worry. I have the perfect teacher for you."

And so, Ion began intense acting lessons under Elepipi to play the role of a "beauty who looks a bit like the princess." Since Elepipi is an aspiring actress, she's great at character building.

Ion's New Backstory:

The third daughter of a tavern owner.

Was once scouted by an Imperial noble to be a mistress because she "looked like the princess."

Fled the capital and ended up in Erishe.

Was penniless and starving until the "pick-up artist" Jirou scouted her for the Knights.

Hey, who are you calling a pick-up artist?

Anyway, I'll have to head to the Master Smith's place and order an Iron Mask for her. Actually, I'd already put in the order for her other gear.

* * *

"Let's try the Teleport!"

Training was over, and as everyone was about to dig into the fried udon Rebecca-san made, I made my announcement.

Lately, seasoning fried udon with the soba-tsuyu (noodle soup base) I brought from Japan has been a quiet hit. Bonito flakes were dancing on top of the piping hot noodles.

"That's pretty sudden, Jirou."

"Oh, we can eat first, of course. But listen—the perk for the Clan rank-up allows us to teleport instantly back to the mansion. I really want to try it out."

"You can really do that?"

"Apparently. I won't know for sure until I try. Anyway, let's eat before it gets cold. Itadakimasu! This is great."

As I slurped my noodles, I thought about the teleportation.

There could be risks. If the coordinates are off by a bit, I could end up inside a wall, or high in the sky, or under the sea. But that's what the "Home Registration" is for, so it should be fine. I figured I should test it alone first.

"Thanks for the meal! I'm going to step outside for a bit."

I walked out and summoned the Clan spirit through my ring.

"Hello, Master! How can I help?"

"Teach me how to use the Teleport."

"Certainly! The default command is to say ‘Teleport to Clan Home' to the ring. You decide who travels at that moment."

"Got it."

Simpler than I thought. I went back to the group and told them I was heading to the mansion for a second. I stepped back out and spoke to the ring.

"Here goes nothing. ‘Teleport to Clan Home!'"

A geometric magic circle appeared on the ground beneath me, glowing white. The Divine Job Board popped up with a message: 『Clan Teleport: Preparing...』 followed by a countdown. It also asked me to select members to teleport. Everyone present was checked by default, so I unchecked them.

Thirty seconds left... It actually took a while.

"Ah! I thought I felt a spirit's presence—what are you doing, nodesu!?"

"Uwaa!? Oh... it's you, Diana."

"Oh! Ayase-kun, is that Spirit Magic? How can a mere human manipulate the spirits!?"

"Whoa, Shamash-san too!?"

"Oh... Ohhh! It worked! I mean, I didn't know if failing was an option, but..."

Excitement rushed through me. I actually just teleported!

I'll carve my name in history as the first human to teleport... probably.

I walked out of the mansion and headed toward Rebecca-san's house. I had to laugh when I saw Diana and Shamash-san still pacing around the spot where I'd vanished, looking totally confused.

Teleportation is only once a day, so I'll have to let them experience it next time.