Chapter 12: Chloe Goes Shopping in Town
"It's good that you managed to register safely. By the way, Kakaru-sama, do you know about the Horned Rabbit?"
"No, I have no idea. What kind of magical beast is it?"
"It's a giant rabbit with horns. As long as you're cautious about the horns, it's not dangerous. However, they have a huge appetite and reproduce rapidly, so it is recommended to exterminate them if you come across any."
"I see. It's like a goblin version of a rabbit."
"It would be pitiful to compare them to goblins. Horned rabbits are actually very delicious."
"You can eat horned rabbits? Alright, let's hunt a lot of them later, Chloe."
"Yes! Let's hunt many of them, Kakaru-sama."
Chloe wagging her tail cutely made me feel conflicted. I felt determined to let Chloe taste the delicious rabbit no matter what. Maybe I should learn some cooking skills while we're shopping.
"Chloe, is there a restaurant around here with skilled cooks? I'd prefer to see them cooking if possible."
"Are you interested in watching rather than eating? Yes, there is a good restaurant. It's over there."
The main street where the guild is located has a lot of foot traffic, and many shops line the street. I followed Chloe's finger and noticed a crowd gathering. It seems to be a shop that emphasizes its cooking performance.
As I approached, I saw a blond handsome chef swiftly preparing ingredients on a teppanyaki grill.
"[Learned Cooking Skill.]"
Alright, I've obtained the cooking skill. Despite the flashy appearance, his skills seem reliable. I'll come here to eat next time.
"Thank you, Chloe. Next, let's buy seasonings and cooking utensils."
"Kakaru-sama, you're planning to do a lot of shopping today, right? Do you have a budget?"
Ah... I got too excited and forgot to mention the budget. I should also check the market prices while I'm at it.
"Um... Well, for now, is this amount enough?"
From my backpack, I take out ten gold coins and show them.
"...This is more than enough. Well then, let me explain about the currency in this country..."
Based on what Chloe told me, the values of the currency in this country are approximately as follows:
Holy Gold Coin: 100 million yen
Platinum Coin: 10 million yen
Great Gold Coin: 1 million yen
Gold Coin: 100,000 yen
Great Silver Coin: 10,000 yen
Silver Coin: 1,000 yen
Great Bronze Coin: 500 yen
Bronze Coin: 100 yen
Iron Coin: 10 yen
In daily life, the currency used goes up to gold coins, but in dealings among nobles, great gold coins and platinum coins may also be used. Holy gold coins are issued as rewards from the royal family and others, and they have a strong aspect of being honorary medals. Of course, they can be used as currency, but it is considered extremely dishonorable for nobles to part with holy gold coins, so their circulation is very rare—Chloe explained to me.
I see, so one gold coin is worth 100,000 yen... I have over a thousand gold coins, so I suddenly became rich. Well, it's not something I would mind having.
They say, "You get what you pay for," so I'll buy good things without being stingy.
"Chloe, since the budget is ample, I want to buy something good. Please guide me."
"Understood. Then let's start with high-end stores."
The first place I was guided to was a grocery store. Various seasonings and preserved foods were displayed in a cramped space.
"Welcome! Oh, if it isn't Chloe-chan. What's the matter? Why are you wearing such a cute maid outfit?"
"And... Are you two perhaps lovers, shopping together? Could it be?"
The middle-aged female shopkeeper poked fun at us, and Chloe blushed and denied it.
"N-No, that's not it. This person is my master. Today, I came shopping as a maid."
...It's true, but it's a bit disheartening to be denied.
"Your... Master? Well, whatever. If you're here to shop, you're more than welcome... I'm Camilla. Nice to meet you."
Camilla smiled mischievously and winked. For some reason, my heart started pounding as I met her purple-blue eyes. I took off my hood and greeted her.
"I'm Kakeru. I'll be basing myself in this town from now on, so I hope we can get along. Nice to meet you."
"I have memorized the Enthrall Skill."
Huh? I learned a cool skill or something, but is Camilla a succubus?
For now, let's appraise her.
[Name] Camilla (Female)
[Race] Half-Demon (Human/Demonkin)
[Age] 37
[Status] Citizen of Primera
[Occupation] Grocery Store Owner
[Condition] Good
...She's really a half-succubus. This is an amazing otherworld. A man's fantasy becoming a reality!
"Oh, dark eyes and black hair... Could it be someone from another world?"
"Yes, I arrived just the day before yesterday."
"How wonderful! I'm honored to meet you. Besides... you're incredibly cute and my type."
Camilla's gaze intensifies. Her charm is irresistible if I hadn't obtained the skill of resistance.
"N-No, please! Camilla-san! Please don't tempt him like that."
Chloe interrupts.
"Oh, it's fine, isn't it? It's not like you are Chloe-chan's lover, right?"
As Camilla teases Chloe, Chloe bristles and glares at her. She's like a cat even though she's a wolf.
"Hehehe... understood. I won't do anything more today. It would be troublesome if Chloe-chan started to dislike me."
While saying that, Camilla secretly whispers.
("I'll be waiting anytime. Next time, please come alone...")
...If I have the chance, I definitely want to go. Mainly for the spices.
Thanks to my cooking skill, I quickly understand the necessary spices and cooking methods. For now, I'll buy all the spices and ingredients that seem necessary.
In the end, I ended up buying enough to amount to three gold coins. It's not Camilla's fault. It's necessary.
Camilla looks delighted at the unexpected sales. She promises to give me a discount next time. I'm looking forward to it.
"Kakeru-sama... Why did you buy so much? If it's necessary, I can have it delivered to the mansion later."
After leaving the shop, Chloe asks me with an exasperated expression.
"It's fine. Just watch, Chloe. You'll be surprised."
As I toss the purchased items into my backpack, Chloe watches in astonishment.
"T-They all fit... Indeed, it's Kakeru-sama. I'm impressed, Chloe."
"It's amazing, right? By the way, I don't feel any weight from it."
"...I understand that it's amazing, but won't these spoil before you can use them all with this amount?"
"That's not a problem either. Time inside this backpack stops, so the freshness won't deteriorate."
"...As expected of Kakeru-sama. With this, we can enjoy fresh rabbit meat anytime!"
Chloe decides to stop questioning and accepts the situation positively. Wonderful.
"Well then, since we don't have to worry about the luggage, let's finish shopping quickly and go rabbit hunting."
"Yes, Kakeru-sama. Next, we'll need cooking utensils, right?"
We finish shopping in about an hour and head to the south gate for rabbit hunting.