Chapter : 15
The Bachelor Aristocrat Takes a Detour
Oops, I missed one episode. This is the previous story.
As I furiously jotted down the inspiration I had gotten from the opera house, the sunset began to filter into the workshop.
By this time, Rouge, whose parents were taking care of the children, was starting to fidget.
I’d already kept her working late the other day, so maybe it’s time to wrap things up.
“Let’s call it a day for now.”
“All right, I’ll be leaving first. Thanks for your hard work!”
She probably wanted to go home quickly. Rouge quickly tidied her desk, slung her bag over her shoulder, and left.
“Jilk, do you want to grab a meal?”
As I was about to clear my desk and leave, Tristan came over and said that.
“You told me the other day it’s pointless for two guys to go out, didn’t you?”
I remembered it clearly.
When we had talked about going to a yakiniku restaurant, Tristan had said exactly that as soon as it would be just the two of us.
“D-did I really say that?”
“…I’m going home.”
“W-wait, please! I’m broke right now. Jilk, treat me!”
As I stood up to leave, Tristan followed me without a second thought, whining.
“Why are you out of money? I pay you properly as an apprentice magic tool craftsman, don’t I?”
I made sure Tristan was paid a proper apprentice’s wage.
Of course, it’s not high since he’s just an apprentice, but he shouldn’t be broke even if he indulged a little.
When I pressed him, Tristan looked embarrassed and said,
“Uh, well, I… gave a present to my favorite girl at a hostess club…”
“…I’m going home.”
Spending money on a store girl rather than using it to make magic tools or practice material processing is pure foolishness.
“Ahhh, I’m sorry! But, sometimes you could treat me, can’t you? Think of it as helping a cute employee! I’ve never gone out to eat with you, Jilk!”
“Hmm…”
Now that I think about it, that’s true. Even though I’ve known Tristan for three years, we’ve never gone out to eat together. And in fact, he’s the one who ruined that opportunity—but I’d better not bring that up.
I don’t want his sulking to interfere with work. I suppose I can cover dinner.
Tristan may have a questionable attitude, but he does his work properly.
It’s also the boss’s duty to reward his subordinates.
“…Fine. I’ll take you.”
“Really!?”
“Yeah.”
“No way! I can’t believe Jilk’s really treating me! Yay, I’ll get ready right away!”
How cold and ruthless must I appear in Tristan’s mind?
Sigh… human relationships are such a hassle.
Once I’ve created comfortable magic tools and earned a proper income, I’d like to live elegantly all by myself.
Tristan and I went to have dinner, walking through the central district of the royal capital.
“I want to eat Nikubishi’s yakiniku!”
“Rejected. I went there the other day.”
“Eh!? Who did you go with? Was it your… special someone, Jilk?”
Just because I went to a yakiniku restaurant, why does he assume I went with someone? And why does it have to be a woman? I can’t understand Tristan’s logic. Maybe his brain circuits are crossed.
“Why would it be like that? I went alone.”
“Eh? You went to a yakiniku restaurant alone?”
“Is that a problem?”
“No, not a problem… but I heard yakiniku is a place to enjoy with others.”
“Well, I can enjoy it alone if I want.”
“W-well, that’s true, but…”
It’s been only three months since I started the solo yakiniku habit, yet that negative image seems to be forming already.
It might be a bit early, but perhaps I should recommend solo yakiniku to the restaurant manager.
Or better yet, should I have them open a solo yakiniku specialty restaurant?
For the sake of bachelors in the royal capital, I need to make a yakiniku place that’s comfortable for them.
“If Nikubishi is out, where should we go? Oh, take me to your recommended restaurant, Jilk.”
“Fine.”
It’s better to go to a place I like than be dragged to some weird restaurant Tristan chooses.
Now, which restaurant should we go to? The newly opened place with great white wine and shellfish? Or the spice cuisine specialty from a desert country?
As I walked down the street pondering, my favorite treasure shop came into view.
“Sorry, let’s stop by the treasure shop for a bit.”
“Ugh, really? Jilk, you always spend forever in treasure shops.”
We had stopped by for supplies before, but it was never that long.
Ignoring Tristan’s sulking, I entered the treasure shop, Ardeus.
Opening the quaint door, a light, chiming bell rang.
The first thing to appear in our sight was a large man.
He wore black full-body armor with a menacing horned helmet. No skin was exposed; his entire body was covered by armor.
A tomahawk hung from his waist, and a greatsword was strapped to his back.
Standing nearly two meters tall, he was intimidating just by standing there.
He was the guard protecting Ardeus.
“Whoa, that guy’s scary as always. Just looking at him gives me chills.”
“He’s a cursed treasure enthusiast.”
Masks that can never be removed once worn, axes filled with vengeful spirits that corrupt the mind…
A cursed treasure is a magic tool that gives the wielder serious debuffs.
Though extremely dangerous, cursed treasures also grant huge advantages, which is why some enthusiasts are attracted to them. He’s one of those enthusiasts.
“No wonder I’m feeling chills. How can he be fine wearing a cursed treasure?”
“…”
“Hello? Can you hear me?”
Tristan spoke to the guard, but there was no reaction.
“It’s useless to talk to him. The cursed treasure prevents him from speaking.”
When I explained, Tristan looked at the guard as if he were insane.
“…I knew people who like treasures are a little nuts.”
“Are you saying that about me too? Don’t lump me together with some cursed treasure fanatic.”
I like magic tools, but not to the point of enjoying cursed ones.
Some of these treasures supposedly move on their own at night.
I certainly can’t manage that.
