MTLNOVEL Volume 1 Chapter 78 - Consult with Satsuki-san
After parting ways with Yoshino-san and Rin-san, I returned to the guild.
When I got back to the reception desk, I went straight to Kaede-chan.
“Ah? You’re back early, Senpai.”
It was still 4 o’clock, a bit early, which is why Kaede-chan looked surprised.
“I need to talk to Satsuki-san. Is she around?”
“She is, just wait a moment.”
Kaede-chan stood up and walked toward the back. After a short wait, she returned.
“Senpai, the Guild Master says she’ll see you. I’ll settle your account in the meantime.”
Kaede-chan said, reaching out her hand. I handed her my sword, bag, and status card.
“Can I go on my own?”
“Go ahead.”
With Kaede-chan’s permission, I went to the far end of the reception desk and entered. I headed straight to the branch manager’s office and knocked on the door.
“Come in.”
It was Satsuki-san’s voice.
I entered the room, having received Satsuki-san’s permission.
“Hey, you look tired. Sit down.”
Satsuki-san was lying on a sofa, fiddling with her smartphone.
“What are you doing?”
I asked as I sat on the sofa opposite her.
“Mobile gaming. Haven’t seen you in a while, usually it’s Elenoa.”
“It’s been a while since I came here; not since I first met Nanapon.”
“That time, huh. So what brings you here? I’m not interested in hearing you brag about how well you’re getting along with Kaede.”
She’s really petty, isn’t she?
“How’d you know?”
“No adventurers are here this early and eager to go on quests. You were the talk of the staff this morning.”
That’s sad.
“I wanted to reach D-rank quickly.”
“Hmm, 100 skeletons, was it? Well, good luck. Ah, I wanted to ask you something.”
Satsuki-san sat up and put her smartphone on the table.
“What?”
“How is the enhancement potion?”
Ah, that.
“I got some Fluffy Grass today, so I made a potion that increases defense. But I’m not sure about its effects yet, so I’m going to run some tests. Also, I’m thinking of not selling it, is that okay?”
“Yeah, I heard from Kaede. I also think it’s better not to sell it. Especially since Nanapon is a rear-guard, a potion that increases defense could be useful in an emergency.”
“Alright, I’ll do that. I’ll report back if I find out anything else.”
I’ll experiment some more, like a true alchemist. This is surprisingly fun.
“Understood. So, what did you want?”
“Today, I met Yoshino-san at the Kuuna Ruins.”
I decided to get to the point.
“Yoshino? She’s still at the Kuuna Ruins?”
“It wasn’t to find Elenoa-san, she was training some newbies. Actually, there were three newbies who looked like girls.”
“Ah, I see. She likes that sort of thing. Was it just Yoshino?”
Is it because she’s a dojo kid that she’s so caring?
“No, Rin-san was there too.”
“Rin? Hmm, you’re on a first-name basis with both of them? Must be pretty close.”
“Well, sort of… but Rin-san doesn’t even know my last name.”
“Jeez, at least introduce yourself properly. Rin’s last name is Shimizu.”
Shimizu Rin-san, got it.
“Anyway, Yoshino-san invited me to her party.”
“A party? You? Not Elenoa?”
Well, it would be surprising.
“Yeah, me.”
“Hmm, what will you do? Are you joining?”
“I came to consult you about what I should do.”
“It’s not like you’re transferring guilds, right?”
“I won’t because Kaede-chan is here. Besides, we talked about not being able to transfer because of my status card.”
If Yoshino-san sees my status card and finds out about my Alchemy skill, it could be bad. She probably has the authority to see other adventurers’ status cards.
“Then do as you like. I won’t oppose it. But there’s also Nanapon to consider.”
“I initially refused because of that, but then she said it doesn’t have to be a formal party, and that it’s fine if we occasionally go on adventures together.”
“Is she aiming for Elenoa?”
Well, anyone would think so.
“I think so. She said she wants a connection. The Branch Manager seems to regret the recent healing potion deal.”
“Hmm.”
“I think she wants to get information from me since I live with a guild staff member.”
“Probably. But you’re going to sell to the Branch Manager once the deal with Claire is over, right?”
“That’s the plan.”
I’m in a waiting period now since Claire has returned to America.
“Hmm, what do you want to do? Want to team up with Yoshino?”
“Today, I was hunting skeletons alone and it was really boring. They’re weak and it’s just like assembly line work. I missed Nanapon.”
“I get it. It’s just bones after all. You’re doing it for a living, but for you, it’s just pocket change.”
Although I don’t want to call 5000 yen pocket change, it’s true. It’s better to just sell potions.
“So I’m thinking it might be good to team up. Either way, adventuring with Nanapon as Elenoa is the main thing, but she has college, you know.”
“Yeah, I can’t tell her to quit college. Even if there’s no educational value in cheating, playing around in college is important too.”
I get it, I get it. It’s because of that I have my current life and Kaede-chan.
“So what should I do? Yoshino-san said she can teach me a lot, so I’m considering teaming up. But on the flip side, they’re trying to dig into Elenoa, so maybe it’s better not to get involved.”
“Hmm, do as you like. I can’t recommend going solo as a Guild Master. No matter how strong you are, there are limits when you’re alone. If you get sick or have an accident, you’re done.”
I’d be killed by skeletons without anyone to help.
“Is Yoshino-san okay? What if she finds out?”
“If she does, it’ll be fine. She’s my cousin, after all, and someone who can be bought with money. Just flash a wad of cash and she’ll keep quiet. Otherwise, she wouldn’t betray me and transfer guilds.”
Seems like she’s still holding a grudge.
“Hmm, I’ll consult with Kaede-chan. By the way, do you really hate Yoshino-san that much?”
Might as well ask. Yoshino-san said she wanted to reconcile.
“Hate her? I don’t really hate her.”
“Really? Didn’t your entire party transfer?”
“Ah, you heard from Yoshino. Sure, our sales dropped because of that. But that’s trivial. We’re moving billions of yen now. The profits they make can be flipped with just one item bag.”
So even this money-grubber has found a greater gold mine in Elenoa. Seems like money’s all she thinks about.
“So you don’t care?”
“Yoshino has always been like that. She told her father to keep working even after injuring his back, just to make money for her. I’m just wary because she’s the Branch Manager’s underling.”
“Hmm.”
I thought it was serious because Yoshino-san made it sound so, but it doesn’t seem that bad. And Yoshino-san is terrible. She seems nice, but she’s really a gold digger.
“Then you could use me as a spy to find out about Yoshino. People who try to find out about others often reveal their own weaknesses.”
“Hmm…”
It might be effective. I even found out about the price range for the item bag today. I might find out the price range for Level 2 healing potions.
“Not a bad idea.”
“Do as you like. But I do think it’s good to consult with Kaede.”
“You think?”
Kaede-chan is smart, after all.
“Yes, she’ll keep you from being seduced by Yoshino’s large breasts.”
I can’t help that. They’re definitely enchanted. I almost got sucked in multiple times today.
I need to have the bad witch’s spell broken by Kaede-chan soon!
…No, wait, I’m the witch.