As I hesitated for a moment, Cayton showed a disappointed expression.
“Especially for our guest this time, we’ll give a 20% discount.”
“Is that really true?”
“There’s a condition, though.”
“A condition?”
I gave a sly smile.
“Please become the promotional model for our shop.”
“…What?”
Cayton’s mouth dropped open in shock.
“Why are you so surprised? The shop next door used an adventurer as their promotional model too, didn’t they?”
“That guy is a top-tier adventurer famous in Alburton. Even a small shop wouldn’t pick someone like me, an aspiring adventurer with no reputation, as their model.”
“That’s exactly why I’m asking you, Cayton.”
“What do you mean?”
“Instead of someone already successful, I want people to see someone who’s visibly grown stronger by using our products.”
I realized this after treating Baski’s face.
Shouting a hundred times until my voice goes hoarse isn’t as effective as showing results with their own eyes.
The more drastic the before-and-after transformation, the faster word spreads, doesn’t it?
“During the contract period, I’ll give you a 20% discount on the vitality drink. My condition is that you act as our promotional model for a year after passing the test.”
For him, this must be an incredibly attractive offer.
Who would make such a deal with an aspiring adventurer?
I was betting on his desperation.
“Is that for real? I have no reason to refuse! I’m a bit stunned, but I’ll do my best.”
“I’m Fabir. I hope you pass the test, Cayton.”
Clap clap.
Bernard, who had been quietly watching, clapped his hands.
“There’s a lot to celebrate today, isn’t there? Since Cayton’s now on board, how about we all grab a beer together to bond?”
“I’m in.”
Cayton nodded.
Since there was still some time before sunset, it seemed fine.
“A beer or two should fit into my schedule.”
“Let’s go. I’ll lead the way.”
Bernard strode out of the shop.
Cayton followed behind us and struck up a conversation as we walked.
“By the way, where do you get the vitality drink? Do you know the maker well?”
“I’m the one who makes it.”
He suddenly stopped in his tracks.
“…What?!”
His eyes widened as he shouted in surprise.
***
A few days later.
Thud thud.
Bernard’s apothecary was in the middle of replacing its old signboard with a new one.
As I entered the shop, Bernard, who was sweeping with a broom, greeted me warmly.
“You’re here!”
“Are you cleaning?”
“I haven’t paid much attention to the shop lately. Even after sweeping and wiping down since morning, there’s still a lot to fix up.”
I placed the box I brought on the table.
“I brought some vitality drinks. Give half to Cayton. Tell him it’s a sponsorship, so he can drink them without worry and focus on his training.”
“Got it.”
“Should I help out a bit?”
“Would you mind helping me move that display case over there? It’s too heavy for me to budge alone.”
“That one?”
I strode over to the display case and lifted it with ease.
“…Wow.”
Bernard, who had been standing there dazed, let out a belated exclamation.
“Where should I put it?”
“Over, over there.”
While I effortlessly moved the display case, which was as tall as me, Bernard couldn’t take his eyes off me.
“Anything else to move?”
“I don’t think so. By the way, do you work out separately? It feels like you, Fabir, should be the adventurer instead of Cayton.”
“Farming, harvesting, processing, delivering, and running a business—where would I find time to work out? Besides, I’m not particularly skilled at fighting. I enjoy what I’m doing now.”
The shop was much cleaner than before.
The shelves were neatly lined with vitality drinks.
“Alright, let’s open up.”
The ‘CLOSED’ sign at the door flipped to ‘OPEN.’
It was the moment the new apothecary took its first step.
***
Early in the morning, I headed to the Ice Cave.
I prepared a simple breakfast with pumpkin salad I’d made in advance, along with raspberry jam and bread.
Naturally, I didn’t forget the icy watermelon juice.
“Eat up.”
“You eat a lot too.”
“Piiit!”
I slathered a generous amount of raspberry jam on the bread and took a bite.
When my throat felt dry, I gulped down the icy watermelon juice.
The cold, sweet raspberry juice felt like it cleared my throat with a refreshing burst.
“Nothing beats a cool juice in the summer!”
“It’s so cold it makes my teeth ache!”
“Piiit!”
Elenia spoke with her mouth full.
“Seeing you up at dawn, are you heading to the Elf Forest?”
“Yeah. I plan to finish trading in the morning. I need to stop by Bernard’s shop in the afternoon.”
There’s a mountain of things to do, so I need to move quickly.
If only I had more than one body.
After filling my stomach, I hurriedly grabbed the ingredients I’d frozen in the Ice Cave and prepared to head to the Elf Forest.
“Dorori, let’s go!”
***
As usual, the elf guard, Gail, was at the village entrance.
“Good morning!”
Spotting me, he broke into a bright smile.
“I was wondering when you’d show up, and here you are!”
It was a smile similar to the one the innkeeper lady gave me, like a child waiting for Santa Claus’s gifts.
“I’m happy you’re so welcoming. Did you wait long?”
“You have no idea. In this sweltering heat, I couldn’t stop thinking about a cool sherbet.”
His eager voice alone told me how desperately he wanted it.
Guarding the village entrance in the scorching summer heat must have made him crave a cold sherbet even more.
“Did you bring sherbet?”
“I did, but today I’m mixing milk and watermelon. Want me to make one for you?”
“Mixing them? I don’t know what that is, but of course I want to try it.”
Now, just the sight of my basket seemed to make his mouth water.
Inside the icebox was a block of frozen milk.
I stabbed the milk block with a fork, breaking and crushing it into pieces.
I put the finely crushed milk into a bowl, topped it with chunks of frozen watermelon, and drizzled sweet condensed milk over it.
“Here’s your watermelon bingsu!”
I handed him the bowl with a spoon.
“Bingsu?”
“They say it’s popular in the eastern regions.”
Lately, I’d been observing nearby shops closely.
In a small city like Alburton, there were more opportunities to encounter diverse cultures and foods, which sometimes sparked new ideas.
“It looks pretty tasty. Let’s give it a try.”
With an excited expression, he scooped up a bite of the condensed milk-drizzled watermelon bingsu and put it in his mouth.
A soft smile spread across his chewing lips.
“Crushing frozen milk like this makes it melt in your mouth as soon as you eat it.”
“It’s a good combination, right?”
“The sweetness of the condensed milk and the freshness of the watermelon create a unique flavor. It’s definitely different from the raspberry milk sherbet.”
“They say you can top it with various fruits besides watermelon.”
“Thanks to you, I’m seeing human society in a new light. I’m realizing there’s a variety of cuisines and cultures out there. I bet the other elves feel the same.”
“Just leave it to me. I’ll introduce you to all sorts of foods and products. There are still so many dishes out there I haven’t tried myself.”
“You’re helping us, who’ve been cut off from the outside world, feel connected to it. Thank you, and please keep it up.”
The elves, who once had no interest in the outside world, were gradually becoming curious.
Through me, they were communicating with the world.
I, too, was learning about their culture bit by bit.
It started as a way to make money, but trading was bringing me more than just profit.
I feel a heavy sense of responsibility and pride, like I’m some kind of cultural ambassador.
Still, business is business.
“That’ll be five saffron coins.”
I headed straight to the plaza, laid out a cloth on a table, and set up my stall as usual.
“Oh? The merchant’s here!”
An elf woman shouted from a window. She rushed to the stall with her child in tow.
“Are you selling sherbet today? My kid’s been dying to try it.”
“Today, I’m selling watermelon bingsu. It’s crushed milk ice with watermelon and condensed milk. It’s even tastier than last time.”
“That sounds delicious! I’ll take two—one for me and one for my kid.”
“Just a moment, I’ll make them right now.”
I immediately crushed the milk ice with a fork.
The child watched with sparkling eyes, fascinated by the process.
“Here you go.”
“It looks so good! I can’t wait to eat it!”
The child, holding the finished bingsu, smiled brightly.
Carefully carrying it, the child sat at the table.
With every bite, the child let out exclamations.
“It’s so cool! So sweet! It’s amazing!”
“Seeing you enjoy it makes me happy too,” the mother said, watching fondly.
Seeing customers happy always fills me with pride.
“Look over there! The stall’s open!”
“What did they bring today?”
“Whatever it is, I’m definitely eating this time!”
Perhaps hearing the child’s excited exclamations, elves began rushing to the stall one by one, as if competing.
“Please line up in order! Only 100 servings today! To be fair to everyone, I’m limiting it to one per person.”
I quickly prepared the bingsu.
Even with the one-per-person limit, more than half were ordered within ten minutes.
“Is it the condensed milk? It’s similar to before but tastes different.”
“It was delicious last time, but this is amazing too!”
“This is what it’s like? It’s heavenly.”
Twitch.
The elves’ ears perked up.
I learned something here: when elves are in a good mood, the tips of their pointed ears twitch, like a dog wagging its tail.
I’d bet I’m one of the few humans who knows this. How many others could make elves so excited that their ears twitch?