How To Suck Honey With Extras [EN]: Chapter 20

24. Buy Potions! (5)

Strike while the iron is hot. Since the topic came up, I headed straight to the Mercenary Guild.

Isn’t this what I got the mercenary badge for? No need to hesitate!

“……Mr. Aileon, I presume you’re not here for a request this time either.”

“No. I’ve come to make a request.”

A mercenary who’s here to give requests, not take them.

I’m living the good life.

The receptionist is right to be taken aback.

Come to think of it, I’m not doing mercenary work, but opening a shop. I wonder what the guild thinks about that?

A bit concerned, I asked, and she pondered for a moment before answering.

“Strictly speaking, we see Mr. Aileon’s shop as quite beneficial.”

“Oh? That’s quite unexpected.”

“Whether Mr. Aileon’s activities are mercenary-like or not is beside the point. Your potions greatly help other mercenaries in their activities.”

“So, it’s a benefit to the guild.”

Minor injuries heal quickly with potions, allowing for more active engagement in requests.

For minor injuries, there’s no need to wait for natural healing, so the interval between accepting the next request is shortened.

In the end, the turnover rate of requests increases.

“In that case, there’s no reason for the guild to criticize my work.”

“Hahaha. That’s about right. Still, it would be somewhat troublesome if you show too much of a non-mercenary side.”

“Well, I’ll show you that side gradually.”

Eventually, I’ll have to show you my prowess until you’re sick of it… Really. Tch.

Anyway, please take good care of me.

I explained the general situation to the receptionist.

I told her everything, from the break-in to the resulting sense of crisis.

“I see. So, you want to hire mercenaries to guard your shop?”

“I’ll probably hire them for a few months, so I’d like guys who can work steadily for that period.”

“We have a few suitable people. How about we propose it to them first and then put up a notice?”

“I’ll leave that decision to you.”

She’ll handle the selection of personnel better than I would.

It seems I’ll have to wait a few more days regarding hiring mercenaries.

‘Then, let’s ask for that separately as well.’

I brought up the next matter.

“And there’s a second favor I’d like to ask.”

“Another one?”

This time, she didn’t seem to expect it.

Perhaps even she would wear a somewhat bewildered expression upon hearing my request.

I smiled leisurely and said my second request.

“The mages of the inner city.”

“……Pardon?”

“I know. You have a means of contacting the mages of the inner city. And they take requests if you pay enough, right?”

“A request for the mages? From Mr. Aileon?”

“Yes. Of course.”

I continued, enjoying the receptionist’s slightly dazed and surprised face.

“I want to ask that mage for a job. Connect me.”

* * *

The next day.

I was in the middle of processing herbs that had arrived early in the morning.

I’m taking a break from the shop today.

I’d like to open it every day if possible, but I need some time off.

Recently, I’ve established a rough business schedule.

I do business for five days, then spend one day preparing materials, and then take another day off.

Today is the day to process the herbs I’ll be using.

“Today too, grind the herbs~ grind~ boil~ cool~ and it’s moderately done!”

Off-key, off-beat. The important thing is the excitement.

If I don’t entertain myself like this, I can’t stand the boredom.

I was processing herbs when someone came to the shop.

“Is anyone there!”

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Someone was visiting the shop.

‘Who could be looking for me at this hour?’

I wondered as I opened the door.

“Yes. Sorry for the wait. I’m Aileon, the owner of this shop…….”

I trailed off.

The appearance of the customer caught my eye first.

There were four people wearing large robes and holding staffs.

The one in the middle was a rather old man.

The moment I saw their appearance, my impression popped out.

“……Mages?”

They looked like mages no matter how you looked at them.

It was the typical mage look.

The old mage scanned me and asked.

“Are you Aileon? I received the message.”

The message.

I remembered the request I had made to the Mercenary Guild.

A request to have a message delivered to a mage staying in the inner city so I could speak with them.

‘I did make the request, and the receptionist did accept it, but… did they really come in person?’

I didn’t expect them to come in person without any notice.

I quickly checked his name.

I checked the remaining young mages as well, but they were all extras.

The old man named Runelt cleared his throat lightly and said.

“I hate having someone relay messages. As I get older, my patience dwindles.”

“If you had given me notice, I would have prepared to welcome you, Mage.”

However, he just snorted.

“It doesn’t matter. I’m busy, so I don’t care about that. The business is important, not the formalities.”

With that, Runelt gestured.

I guess he means he’s going in. He’s quite impatient.

I immediately let them in and guided them inside the shop.

“By the way, who are the people behind you, Mage?”

“They’re my disciples. Don’t mind them.”

Indeed, it’s common for old mages to bring their disciples.

It’s for the purpose of inheriting research, and it’s convenient to have disciples in many ways.

Runelt’s disciples just bowed slightly without a word and stood behind their master.

He must be a strict master.

“I heard you have a request you want to entrust to me.”

“I want to buy magic to guard the shop and useful magical tools.”

“Magic… What do you hope I’ll do for you? Tell me specifically.”

It seems I won’t be easily rejected.

It’s good if the other party is motivated.

“First of all, I want the ability to guard the shop, so I’d like some kind of barrier, but is that possible?”

“It’s not impossible.”

He pondered for a moment before saying.

“The problem of guarding workshops is something we always worry about. So, we tend to accumulate some wisdom.”

“Oh! That’s welcome news.”

“But a barrier isn’t just about setting it up. It’s no problem if it operates for a short period, but that’s not what you want, is it?”

“Yes. I’d like it to last for a few months.”

“Then that’s difficult.”

The reason is that maintaining the barrier is cumbersome.

In particular, even a slight deviation can cause harm.

“If you manage it yourself, we can use the procedure of transferring the barrier to you.”

“That would be difficult. I can’t use magic.”

I can’t use magic at this point.

And there’s no suitable way to learn it.

Moreover, if there’s a risk of accidents, I’m even less inclined.

“Then, is it okay if you cast some simple magic?”

“Simple magic?”

“For example, making a loud noise when the door is opened, or increasing the strength of the shop’s outer walls.”

“Reinforcement is more than enough. Once cast, it will easily last for a few months.”

“Then, I’ll ask you to do that.”

I specified the types of magic I wanted, referring to the security systems of modern Earth.

Means to alert me of intrusion, confuse the enemy, and sometimes restrain them.

Magic should be enough.

“And regarding magical tools, I also need traps that I, who don’t know magic, can use.”

“We have several types used for hunting.”

“Hunting? Do mages do things like hunting?”

“Some nobles enjoy hunting. There are magical tools that such people often seek.”

“Ah, I see. Then I’d like to choose what I can buy.”

Afterward, Runelt told me a list of magical tools used for traps, and I selected the useful ones and expressed my intention to buy them.

“The price won’t be cheap.”

“It’s okay. I can afford it.”

I’m investing most of the money I’ve earned, but I don’t regret it.

If I can buy even the minimum amount of safety with money, there’s nothing better than this.

Let’s just buy as much as I can.

Soon, all the consultations were over, and we nodded at each other with satisfaction.

I will get the security system I want, and he will get enough money.

That’s mutual aid.

* * *

After the consultation, Runelt sent his disciples to bring the necessary items.

He said he would finish the work today.

“Can you do it right away?”

“It doesn’t matter. It’s not that difficult. And I’m busy. It’s troublesome to go back and forth twice. Are you dissatisfied?”

“No. That’s what I wanted to ask for.”

I didn’t expect the installation to be done on the same day.

I watched the mages work.

‘It’s like buying and installing home appliances.’

Above all, it’s an opportunity to peek at magic-related work here.

I can’t not watch.

Besides, I paid for it!

There’s no reason to listen to complaints.

But as I watched, I had to tilt my head and stare blankly.

‘……Yeah. I don’t understand what they’re doing at all.’

They’re drawing magic circles here and there, but I can’t understand the principle of how they’re drawing them.

‘I guess I can’t learn magic on my own.’

I want to learn magic too.

No, I have to learn it.

Can’t I even get a hint by just watching?

Afterward, their work ended around the time the sky turned red.

“Hmm! I’ve certainly finished the work as you wished.”

Runelt tapped the floor lightly with the end of his staff, and the magic circles drawn all over the wall were hidden.

Indeed, that’s how you disguise it.

“Is that all?”

“That’s right. If you do this as you requested.”

He seemed to be tampering with the settings to show a demonstration, as it would normally activate if someone pushed the door open at night.

At that moment.

An absurd noise was heard.

“Ugh?!”

A bizarre sound that seemed to mix all sorts of unpleasant noises in the world, such as scratching a chalkboard incessantly from all directions and the screams of hundreds of beasts.

I covered my ears without realizing it.

“Th-that’s quite a sound.”

“This is also as you requested. It’s too late to say this now, but you have quite an eccentric taste.”

“It’s not exactly my taste.”

Well, it’s perfect because it seems like it would cause panic if the enemy heard it when they were off guard.

In addition, I listened to the explanation of how to use the purchased magical tools and finished other confirmations.

Lastly, Runelt asks as if expecting something.

I wonder if he’s worried about my impressions.

What a troublesome old man.

“Hmm, so how is it? Is this enough for your wishes?”

“This is enough. You are indeed the mage of the rumors.”

Anyway, the price of satisfaction must be shown in kind.

As I slipped him the bag containing the payment, Runelt’s beard trembled slightly as if satisfied.

Is he smiling?

Mages smile when they receive money too.

I like such honest desires.

People who are greedy for money can communicate.