016 準備期間
翌日、私を訪ねてきたエリンさんは、冒頭から深々と頭を下げた。
「まずはサラサさん、謝罪させてください。お手数をおかけしまして、申し訳ありません」
「えっと......あぁ、土起こしの事ですか? 私が自主的に行った事なので、気にしなくていいですよ」
一瞬、何のことか判らず考えてしまったけど、エリンさんの用事を思い出せばすぐに予想はついた。
「そう言って頂けるのはありがたいですが、薬草畑はサラサさんへの報酬。本来、きちんとした形にしておくべき物です。アンドレさんたちには、お約束通りにお支払いしているのですから」
「律儀ですねー。本当に気にしなくて良いんですが......でも、原因は気になりますね。エリンさんが差配したにしては......」
村長さんがやったなら、『ほっほっほ、ちょっと遅れちゃったわい』とか言いそうだけど、エリンさんはそのへん、きっちりしているわけで。
そう思って尋ねてみれば、エリンさんは困ったようにため息をつく。
「それが、思ったよりも暇な村人が少なくて......予定通りの人手が集められなかったんです。誤算でした」
例年よりも村に滞在する採集者が増えている現在。
ディラルさんの宿屋兼食堂で働き始めた村人を筆頭に、仕事が増えている鍛冶屋のジズドさん、大工のゲベルクさんの手伝いをする村人など、今この村は空前の人手不足であるらしい。
「なるほど、私も原因の一端を担っているわけですか」
「一端というか、全てサラサさんのおかげですね。感謝しています。......もっとも、その事でサラサさんにご迷惑をおかけする事になったのですが」
「マイケルさんの事情も聞きましたし、すぐ隣で苦労しているのを見ると......私なら簡単に終わる事ですから」
「そうみたいですね。ちなみに、報酬をお支払いすれば、またお願いする事はできますか? 畑を拡張する時に」
にっこりと笑って、そんな事を訊ねてきたエリンさんに、私は思わず苦笑を漏らす。
謝罪は謝罪として、使える物は使おうとするその姿勢、さすがは実質的な村長である。
「そうですね、本業の邪魔にならない程度なら、でしょうか」
「ありがとうございます。これで、村がより発展します。もっとも、それも薬草栽培が成功したら、ですが。――できそうでしょうか?」
「一応、指導はしますが、保証はできません。私がやっていたのは、個人的に小さな畑で、小規模に作るだけですから」
裏庭で作る程度なら、一つ一つをしっかりと見る事ができるし、手もかけられるけど、畑一つとなると、どうなんだろう?
後は、どんな薬草を育てるか。
ほとんど放置していても育つような物から、かなりの手間をかけなければ育たない物まで、薬草は多種多様。
当然、簡単に育てられる薬草は価値が低いし、森で見つける事も容易なので、あまり利益が出ない。
逆に、育てるのが難しい薬草は収穫さえできれば大きな利益が見込めるが、失敗すれば大損害。高い薬草は種も高いのだから。
ちなみに私が育てていたのは、採集後、すぐに処理が必要な薬草や価値の高い――つまり、なかなか見つける事ができず、持ち込まれる事が少ない薬草や、栽培に手間がかかる薬草など。
なので、ヘル・フレイム・グリズリーに滅茶苦茶にされた後は、本気で涙がこぼれた。
もしあれが、皮が素材にならない魔物なら、怒りにまかせて寸刻みにしたことだろう。
「上手くいかない場合は、価格の安い、作りやすい薬草だけになると思いますが、構いませんか? その場合、薬草畑を増やす、というわけにはいかなくなると思いますが」
ただでさえ価値が低い薬草が大量に作られたら、それこそ本当に買い取る価値も無くなってしまうから。
「はい、それはもちろん。ただし、マイケルの怠慢で失敗したとか、そういう場合は仰ってくださいね? 私がビシリッと言いますから」
「ははは......そうならないように頑張りますよ。――言葉だけじゃすみそうにないですし」
握りしめられたエリンさんのその拳、新婚家庭で活躍してもらうのは、ちょっと可哀想だから。
◇    ◇    ◇
畑の土起こしが終わったとはいえ、それが実際に“畑”として使えるようになるまでにはしばらくの時間が必要だった。
その間、私はヘル・フレイム・グリズリーの襲撃から何とか生き残っていた薬草を元に、株分けをしたり、挿し芽をしたり、師匠に頼んで種を取り寄せてもらったり。
更には、出かけていた間に溜まった仕事の処理も、当然行う。
そしてこれが、地味に大変。
実は今回、私が店を空けるにあたり、ウチの倉庫には大型の素材用冷蔵庫が増設されていた。
目的はもちろん、私がいない間に持ち込まれた素材の一時保管用。
一応、私が出かける事は出発の数日前から告知していたので、ロレアちゃんが判断できない素材に関しては、買い取りを拒否することも考えていた。
でも、せっかく採ってきた物が無駄になるのは、採集者としても、そして私としても、なんとも勿体ない。
なので、ある程度なら劣化が抑制できる冷蔵庫を作り、ノークレームを条件に、常連さん限定で素材を預かる事にしたんだよね。
幸い、素材となる氷牙コウモリの牙には余裕があったし?
の中には、本当の意味で劣化を止める事ができる保存庫も存在するんだけど、もちろん私に手が出るような代物ではなく、次善として用意したのが冷蔵庫。
それでも暑くなってきたこの時季に、常温で保存するよりはよっぽどマシで、帰ってきて確認した素材の状態は思ったよりも悪くなかった。
値付けして、それらを処理して、ロレアちゃんのメモを見ながら支払う相手と金額を計算。
取りに来た時にすぐに払えるよう、急ピッチで作業を進めたのだった。
「という事で、ロレアちゃん。これ、買い取り金額と支払先のリスト、それとお金ね。次回来店した時に支払っておいて」
「了解しましたが......結構な額ですね?」
私がドスンと置いた革袋を持ち上げて、ロレアちゃんがそれを慎重にカウンターの下に隠す。
ロレアちゃんもここで働き始めて結構経つので、大金を扱うのにもだいぶ慣れたはずだけど、こうして纏まった額になると、やはり緊張はするのだろう。
「およそ一週間分だからね。......手持ちのお金がだいぶ減っちゃったから、工面しないと」
「そうなんですか?」
「うん。最近は、あまり売れない物をメインに作ってたから」
レベルアップのために。
あと数個ほど作れば五巻に進めるんだけど、進んだところでいきなり大金が転がり込んでくるわけでも無し。
むしろ、五巻で必要になる素材を買うために、お金は出ていく方向。
それ故、レベルアップは後回しにして、今は売れそうな物を作るべきだろう。
「ちなみに、テントの方はどう? 何個か注文が入ってたよね?」
「はい、村のおばちゃんたちにも手伝ってもらって、作っていますが......思ったよりも時間が掛かってます。革を縫うのに慣れていないのもあると思いますが、忙しい人が多いみたいで......私も頑張っているんですけど」
「あー、エリンさんも言ってた。人手不足だって。気にしなくて良いよ」
申し訳なさそうなロレアちゃんに、私は手を振って応える。
待ってもらっている採集者には申し訳ないけど、専門の職人もいない村なんだからと諦めてもらおう。
師匠の所では、革を貼り付ける事ができる
まぁ、単純に“貼り付ける物”と言うよりも、革同士を融合させるような物で、一見すると一枚の革にしか見えなくなるので、その製作難度の高さも当然かも?
「ですが、テントには追加注文も入ってますし......」
「......そうなの?」
「はい。既に販売した人からも噂が広がっているみたいで。特に最近、宿不足で野宿している人も増えていますから。ゲベルクお爺さんたちが頑張って、新しい借家を作ってるみたいですけど......」
「あぁ、この前の襲撃で壊れた家の補修とかで忙しかったもんねぇ......」
「ディラルさんの宿もですよ? サラサさんがお金を出した」
「だよね。急には増やせないか」
本職の大工がゲベルクさんだけという問題もあるけど、建材が足りないという事も要因の一つらしい。
もちろん、サウス・ストラグへ注文すれば入手はできるんだけど、この村では、普段ほとんど需要が無い物なわけで。
必要以上に買い込んでしまえば、長期間不良在庫を抱える事になりかねず、用途が確定する前に注文する事は難しいだろう。
家を建てることを決め、必要な材料を計算し、サウス・ストラグに注文し、届くのを待って建設。時間がかかるのも仕方がない。
「でも、そんなに人が増えているの? 私、そこまで実感が無いんだけど?」
「サラサさん、最近はあまり村の方に行ってないですよね? 目に見えて増えてますよ。お店に来る人も、新顔の人が増えてますし」
「あー、そうなんだ?」
食料の買い出しはロレアちゃん任せ。
料理も作ってくれるので、ディラルさんの所に食べに行く必要も無く。
店番も同様で、新人が持ち込むような物であれば、ロレアちゃんが判断できるため、私が鑑定に出るまでも無い。
このお店が村の中心にあれば、店の前の人通りなどで判断できたかもしれないけど、ここは村はずれ。人の増加を実感する機会が無かった、って事かも?
「......たまには、村の方にも行ってみようかな? あんまり用事は無いけど、挨拶がてら」
お隣のエルズさんとは挨拶を交わすけど、ディラルさんとは最近、ご無沙汰しちゃってる。
えっと......宿屋の拡張関連でやり取りして以来?
ディラルさんもその関係で忙しいだろうから、ウチには来ないしね。
「その方が良いですよ。籠もってばかりじゃ身体に良くないですし......って、一応、外には出ているんですよね、サラサさんは」
「うん。剣の訓練は続けてるからね。もう少ししたら、薬草栽培の指導も始まるし」
地味にやるべき事はたくさんあるため、必要性も無いのに村の中を散歩しよう、とかそんな気にはなかなかなれなかったり。
むしろ私みたいな若者が、昼間から仕事もせずに散歩してたら、そちらの方が視線が痛い。真面目に農作業に励んでいる村の人からの。
「サラサさん、忙しいですし、仕方ないですか。小型冷蔵庫の注文も入ってますしね」
「え? そうなの? 村の人から?」
まともに現金も持っていなかった村の人が、冷蔵庫を買えるほどの余裕ができたのなら嬉しいけど......。
「いえ、注文してきたのは採集者の方ですね。ディラルさんの所で冷たいお酒を飲んで、欲しくなったとか。最近、暑いですしね」
「そういえば、納入したね、ディラルさんの所には」
最近、ディラルさんの所では、追加料金を払えば冷たいお酒が出してもらえるらしい。
それを試した採集者が『自分用に』と注文してきたのだとか。
暑いときに冷たい飲み物。たまらないよね。
私はお酒を飲まないけど、気持ちはよくわかる。
ただの水でもおいしいんだから。
「と言うか、きちんと書いておきましたよ? まだ見てないんですか?」
「うっ。ちょっと忙しかったから......」
ロレアちゃんからの申し送り事項、ってほどじゃないけど、売買記録や注文を受けた物、その順番などはきちんと記帳されているわけで。
それを確認しておけば、知っているはずの事だけに、ロレアちゃんからの視線が少し呆れているように見えて、私は気まずさに視線を逸らす。
「こほん。うん、そのへんは順次対応するね」
「はい、お願いします。まぁ、緊急性がある場合は、口頭でもきちんと伝えますから、あまり気にしなくてもいいですけど」
「ありがとう。本当、頼りになるね。ロレアちゃんを雇ってよかったよ」
「そ、それほどでも......」
私の素直な賛辞に、ロレアちゃんが少し照れくさそうに、口をもにょもにょと動かす。
けど実際ロレアちゃんは、未だ成人していないとは思えないほどにしっかりしているし、数字にも強いから安心して店番を任せられる。
たまたま知り合って仲良くなれた相手が、計算もできたから雇った部分が大きいのに、正直その働きは期待以上。
これも縁という物かな?
考えてみれば私の周りにいる人、師匠を筆頭にアイリスさんやケイトさん、村の人たちも含め、良い人が多いんだよね。
私の日頃の行いが良いから、なんてうぬぼれるつもりは無いけど、良縁は今後も大事にしていきたいところだね。
68 016 Preparation Period
The next day, Erin, who had visited me, bowed her head deeply from the beginning.
"First, Mr. Sarasa, let me apologize. Sorry for the inconvenience."
"Uh... Oh, you mean the earthquake? You don't have to worry because I did it on my own."
For a moment, I didn't know what I was talking about, but as soon as I remembered Mr. Erin's errands, I had my predictions.
"I appreciate you saying that, but the herbal field is a reward for Mr. Sarasa. It is something that should be properly shaped. I'm paying Andre and the others exactly as I promised."
"It's discipline. I really don't have to worry about it...... but you care about the cause. Erin gave it to me..."
If the village chief did it, he's going to say 'ho ho ho, I'm a little late for it' or something, but Erin is, you know, neat.
If you think so and ask, Mr. Erin sighs like he's in trouble.
"That's less free villagers than I thought... and I couldn't muster the manpower I planned. It was a miscalculation."
Currently more gatherers are staying in the village than usual.
It seems that this village is now unprecedented understaffed, including a blacksmith jizzed with more jobs and a villager who helps carpenter Geberg, headed by a villager who started working in Mr. Dillall's lodging and dining room.
"I see, am I also responsible for one end of the cause"
"One end, or it's all thanks to Mr. Sarasa. I appreciate it.... but that's why I bothered Sarasa."
"I heard about Michael, and I saw him struggling right next door... because it would be easy for me to finish."
"Sounds like it. By the way, if I pay you, can I ask you again? When expanding the field."
I laugh and unwittingly leak a bitter smile to Erin, who has asked me that.
Apology is as an apology, and what you can use is that attitude you try to use, that is, a substantial village chief.
"Well, to the extent that it doesn't interfere with the main business, is it?"
"Thank you. Now the village will develop more. But if herbal cultivation is successful, - Is it possible?
"For once, I'll give you guidance, but I can't guarantee it. I was doing it because it's a small field for me personally and I just make it on a small scale"
To the extent that we make it in the backyard, we can see each and every one, and we can put our hands on it, but when it comes to the fields, what do you think?
After that, what kind of herbs do you grow?
There is a wide variety of medicinal herbs, from things that grow, even if left largely unattended, to things that don't grow without considerable effort.
Naturally, the medicinal herbs that can be easily grown are less valuable and are easy to find in the woods, so they don't make much profit.
Conversely, medicinal herbs that are difficult to grow are expected to be of great benefit as long as they can be harvested, but if they fail, they will be greatly damaged. Because high herbs are also high in seeds.
By the way, what I was growing were herbs and high value that needed to be processed immediately after collection - i.e. herbs that were hard to find and rarely brought in, herbs that took a lot of work to cultivate, etc.
So after Hell Flame Grizzly tormented me, my tears really spilled.
If that was a demon whose skin would not be material, it would have been made into inch pieces by anger.
"If it doesn't work, I think it will just be a cheap, easy to make medicinal herb, okay? In that case, I don't think we can increase the number of herbal fields."
Because if a lot of medicinal herbs are made that are just not worth it, then that's really what makes them worthless to buy out.
"Yes, of course it is. But tell me if Michael's laziness made him fail, or something like that? Because I say Bicilli."
"Ha... I'll try not to. - I don't think it's just words."
That fist of Mr. Gripped Erin, getting him active in his newlywed family, is a bit pathetic.
* * *
Though the soiling of the field was over, it took some time before it could actually be used as a "field".
In the meantime, based on the herbs I had managed to survive the Hell Flame Grizzly raid, I would share stocks, insert sprouts, and ask my master to pick up seeds.
Furthermore, it is natural to handle the work accumulated while going out.
And this is, plain hard.
In fact, as I vacated the store this time, our warehouse had an additional large refrigerator for materials.
The purpose, of course, is for the temporary storage of the material brought in while I was away.
For once, I had informed you that I was going out a few days before I left, so I was also thinking about refusing to buy any material that Lorea could not judge.
But what wastes what I've picked, as a gatherer, and as me, is nothing.
Therefore, we decided to create a refrigerator that can suppress deterioration to some extent, and store the materials exclusively for regular customers, subject to no claims.
Fortunately, there was plenty of room for ice tooth bat fangs to be made of?
There is also a reservoir in the smelter Artifact that can stop degradation in the true sense, but of course the refrigerator was not a substitute for me, but was prepared as a secondary good.
Still getting hot this time of year, it was better than saving at room temperature and the condition of the material I came back and checked wasn't worse than I thought.
Value them, process them, and calculate the person and amount to pay while looking at Lorea's notes.
We proceeded to work on a rapid pitch so that we could pay immediately when we came to get it.
"So, Lorea. This, the list of buyouts and payees, and the money. Pay the next time you come to the store."
"Got it... pretty good forehead, huh?
Lift the leather bag I put down with Dosun and Lorea carefully hides it under the counter.
It's been quite a while since Lorea started working here, too, so I should be a lot more used to dealing with a lot of money, but when it comes to the amount of money that's wrapped up like this, I guess I'm still nervous.
"It's about a week's worth.... I've lost a lot of money on hand, so I need to work on it."
"Really?
"Yeah, 'cause lately, I've been making mostly unsold stuff"
To level up.
If I make a few more, I can move on to five volumes, but there's no way that all of a sudden a lot of money will roll in where I went.
Instead, money is the way out to buy the materials you will need in five volumes.
So we should level up later and build something that's going to sell now.
"By the way, how's the tent? There were some orders in there, weren't there?
"Yes, the village aunts are helping me out, too, and I'm making it... it's taking longer than I thought. I know some people aren't used to sewing leather, but it seems like a lot of people are busy... and I'm trying."
"Uh, Mr. Erin said it, too. He said he was understaffed. Don't worry about it."
I wave and respond to Lorea, who seems sorry.
I'm sorry for the gatherer waiting for me, but let's give it up because it's a village that doesn't even have a professional craftsman.
At the master's place, I've also seen Potion, an alchemy that can be applied leather, so I could make it sooner with that one... but it wasn't listed by at least four volumes, so it seemed to be a plain and high-level substitute.
Well, it's more like merging leather into each other than simply saying "paste," which at first glance only makes it look like a single piece of leather, so maybe its production difficulty is also natural?
"But the tent also contains additional orders..."
"... Really?
"Yes, it looks like rumors are spreading from people who have already sold it. Especially since more and more people have been in the wild lately due to lack of accommodation. Looks like Grandpa Geberg is working hard and building a new rental..."
"Oh, I've been busy repairing a broken house or something from the last raid..."
"Mr. Dillall's inn, too, right? Mr. Sarasa offered you money."
"Right. Can't you suddenly increase it?"
There is also the problem that Mr. Geberg is the only carpenter on the job, but the lack of building materials seems to be one of the factors.
Of course, if you order from South Strag, you can get it, but in this village, there's usually very little demand.
If you buy more than you need, you may have poor inventory for a long period of time, and it will be difficult to order it before the use is confirmed.
Decide to build a house, calculate the materials you need, order from South Strag and wait for it to arrive to build. I can't help but take some time.
"But there are so many more people? I don't really feel that much, do I?
"Mr. Sarasa, you haven't been to many villages lately, have you? There's more in sight. More people are coming to the store, more new people are coming."
"Uh, really?
I'll take care of the food buyout, Lorea.
They also cook, so you don't have to go to Mr. Dilal's to eat.
The store number is the same, and if it's something that a newbie brings in, Lorea can judge it, so I don't have to go to the appraisal.
If this shop was in the heart of the village, I might have been able to judge it by the public street in front of the store, etc., but this place is off the village. Maybe you didn't get a chance to experience an increase in people?
"... once in a while, let's go to the village too? I don't have much work to do, but I have to say hi."
I'll exchange greetings with my neighbor Elles, but Mr. Dillall and I have been out of business lately.
Uh... since we exchanged in connection with the expansion of the accommodation?
Mr. Dilal will be busy in that relationship, so he's not coming to us.
"That's better. It's not good for you just because you're in a cage... for once, you're out there, aren't you, Sarasa?"
"Yeah. Because you keep training your sword. In a few moments, we'll be teaching herb cultivation."
There are so many things to do in plain sight that I don't have to go for a walk in the village or anything like that.
Instead, if a young man like me walks without even working from day to day, his gaze hurts more there. from people in villages who are seriously encouraging farming.
"Mr. Sarasa, I'm busy, and I can't help it. It also contains an order for a small refrigerator."
"Huh? Really? From the villagers?
I'd be glad if a village guy who didn't even have decent cash could afford a fridge...
"No, you're the gatherer who's been ordering it. You said you had a cold drink at Mr. Dilal's and you wanted it. It's been hot lately."
Speaking of which, you delivered it to Mr. Dillall.
Recently, at Mr. Dilal's place, he said he could get cold alcohol served if he paid an extra fee.
You think the collectors who tried it have ordered 'for themselves'?
A cold drink when it's hot. I can't wait, can I?
I don't drink, but I know exactly how it feels.
Because even just water is delicious.
"I mean, I wrote it right down, didn't I? Haven't you seen it yet?
"Ugh. I've been a little busy..."
Not so much about Lorea's petitions, but the purchase and sale records, the items ordered, their order, etc. are well booked.
If you make sure that, just what you're supposed to know, your gaze from Lorea looks a little dazed, and I look away from awkwardness.
"Kohon. Yeah, I'll take care of that one in turn."
"Yes, please. Well, if it's urgent, I'll tell it right verbally, so you don't have to worry too much."
"Thank you. Really, you can count on me. I'm glad I hired you, Lorea."
"Well, not so much..."
To my honest praise, Lorea moves her mouth slightly, seemingly illuminating.
But in fact, Lorea is so solid that I don't think she's even grown up yet, and she's strong in numbers, I can safely leave the store number to her.
The work honestly exceeds expectations, even though a large part of the people I happen to know and get along with hired because I could also calculate.
Is this something called an edge, too?
Think about it. There are a lot of good people, including those around me, Mr. Iris and Kate and the villagers, headed by their masters.
I don't mean to be flattered because my daily behavior is good, but good luck is something I want to take care of in the future.
The Novice Alchemist’s Store
[Web版] 新米錬金術師の店舗経営
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/the-novice-alchemists-store/
Adventure Comedy Fantasy Shoujo Ai Slice of Life Supernatural
Adapted to Anime Adapted to Manga Alchemy Artifact Crafting Artifacts Business Management Carefree Protagonist Crafting Cute Story Fantasy World Heartwarming Herbalist Jack of All Trades Marriage of Convenience Orphans Protagonist Strong from the Start R-15 Store Owner Sword And Magic
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n3174fc/
いつきみずほ