Chapter 73. No Money
"No money."
Those were Cecilia's words as we arrived at the small city of Turnil, rented a room at an inn, and unfolded a map to plan our future journey with Rita.
I stopped massaging Cecilia's breasts from behind, and Ricoris-who'd been grinding herbs at the desk-also paused her hands.
Only Camellia remained unfazed as she played with Rose.
"Really? Not a single penny left?"
"Not all of it, but... enough to cause some trouble for our journey?"
Cecilia pointed at the map with her finger as she spoke.
"We'll be fine until the next village and the one after that. But the distance to the city beyond is too far-we'd have to pass through an extra village, which would strain our travel funds..."
"So we're broke. Got it."
Rita chimed in with a grumble.
"There's a mountain pass that leads straight to the next city without detouring through villages... But we're traveling by carriage, and even if we weren't, I wouldn't make the children hike dangerous mountain paths."
"Eh? I'm healthy enough to follow Mom anywhere! I can just slip into shadows if needed!"
"Ricoris... doesn't have much stamina, but... if Mother wishes it..."
"I appreciate the sentiment."
I politely declined my daughters' enthusiastic offers. No matter how strong our children are, they'll always be little girls in their parents' eyes.
Despite her dramatic announcement, Cecilia didn't seem particularly worried.
Her relaxed attitude suggested that lacking money was just another problem to solve-we'd live frugally and earn more when needed. Seeing her calm demeanor made me realize this wasn't a true emergency.
Think about it: Rita and I are high-ranking adventurers, while Cecilia is a clergywoman who can wield divine power. Ours aren't professions likely to starve.
And though I'm embarrassed to say it myself-my beauty alone could earn a fortune if I worked as a barmaid. Hehe.
Joking aside, needing to earn money was an annoying inconvenience that would clearly impact our journey.
"Looks like we'll have to work along the way. We might stay in one place for a week... or even a month."
"Then I'll work hard. This shortage happened because I spent so much repaying those sisters' debts."
"Don't say such sad things. We all agreed to that expense. We'll help too."
Ah, this sweet girl. How does she always know the perfect comforting words?
Grateful, I kissed Cecilia's cheek. She giggled and leaned into me like a puppy, naturally embracing me.
Yes. I have a reliable family supporting me. To give them a happier, wealthier life-I need money.
Tomorrow at dawn, I'll visit the Adventurer's Guild. The world's always full of people needing help and dangers to overcome-there should be suitable requests.
But first-let's enjoy today's leisure to the fullest.
"Heave!"
"Kyaaa?!"
I scooped up my wives and children and tossed them onto the bed.
Cecilia and Rita screamed helplessly, but the children reacted differently.
Ricoris had already stopped grinding herbs, seemingly anticipating this move. Camellia displayed amazing reflexes-tossing baby Rose into a shadow-made cradle before I could grab her.
"Tickle attack!"
"Hey, Triae?! Ahahaha! St-stop tickling...!"
We all tumbled across the bed, playfully wrestling. Remember when I said Cecilia acted childishly? Turns out I'm the same.
Having grown up in similar environments, I'm just a big kid who loves silly things. So today, instead of anything lewd, we simply spent meaningless time cuddling and roughhousing.
Though my family seemed puzzled at first, they quickly adapted and joined the fun.
* * *
The early bird catches the worm-I arrived at the Adventurer's Guild right as it opened.
Perhaps this town lacked many adventurers, as few waited outside despite the early hour. Normally, long lines form to snatch good requests.
"Wow, fascinating. So this is where Triae works."
"More accurately, where I pick up jobs. See any good requests, Cecilia?"
"There's such variety! Restaurant prep work, wolf extermination near pastures... Huh? 'Wanted: Dragon Horn for magical ingredients'?"
Cecilia-who'd come to tour the guild with me-couldn't stop marveling at the request board.
Finding a dragon horn in this small town seemed impossible-likely a showcase request. Or perhaps some desperate wealthy sorcerer genuinely needed it.
Let's see... Any good requests?
Since I'm strong, difficulty doesn't matter-I just want high payouts with quick completion.
Hmm... Only daily life requests here. Monster hunts pay best and are simplest-monsters rarely migrate unless starving. Just search sighting areas and hunt.
Extermination pays well due to danger, plus selling monster materials adds income. Yet... none available.
"What's wrong, Triae? Trouble?"
"Nothing catches my eye."
"...Oh? Triae, what about this? Seems your style."
Cecilia pulled a request from the neglected daily board-its reward oddly high yet untouched, the paper faded with age.
Its contents indeed intrigued me.
~ ~ ~
We wish to conceive a child.
Despite numerous attempts, we've had no success. Thus, we seek help through this request.
If any doctors or clergy knowledgeable in relevant treatments exist, please visit the address below...
~ ~ ~
"...An interesting idea just came to me. Good find, Cecilia."
"Hehe♥ Right?"
We exchanged wicked grins-already sharing the same thought upon reading.
Taking the request form, Cecilia and I left the guild to meet the client.
* * *
Meanwhile, at a Turnil pharmacy.
Ricoris presented her handmade potions to an elderly pharmacist for evaluation.
"You made these? Self-taught?"
"I followed textbook instructions. Are there errors?"
The pharmacist felt an urge to purchase her potions despite this not being a general store-their perfection overwhelmed him.
"No-they're flawless. Pure extracts containing only necessary components. Though simple healing potions, achieving this purity requires professional expertise, experience, and intense concentration..."
Was this girl heaven-sent genius?
When the girl first unpacked her potions, he'd assumed they were noble playthings. Yet she politely requested criticism and humbly sought guidance.
"I see. May I ask some pharmacological questions? There are gaps in textbook knowledge."
The old pharmacist-running this shop his whole life-felt his stagnant passion reignite.
His grown children had families elsewhere; grandchildren ignored their herb-smelling grandfather. Waiting lonely for death, Ricoris shattered his boredom.
Having never harbored grand ambitions, the frugal pharmacist now desperately wanted this girl as his disciple.
With her genius, she'd master anything taught-fully learning pharmacology before medicine. Or perhaps alchemy, given their connection. Regardless, she held talent to become a world-class doctor or alchemist.
"Ask away. I'll teach all I know."
"Thank you. Since we won't stay long, I won't overburden you."
"What burden? Just an old man sharing trivial knowledge with a brilliant student."
Her imminent departure saddened him, but he rejoiced at laying her foundational knowledge.
"Well? What did you wish to ask?"
"I want to make medicines not covered in textbooks."
Being called "expert" moved him-Ricoris now felt like a beloved granddaughter.
The old man retrieved a notebook from his desk drawer.
"Go on."
"Aphrodisiacs, stamina boosters, sleep inducers, sensory paralyzers, anesthetics, hallucinogens, ovulation stimulants, contraceptives..."
"Wait! What?"
He doubted his ears-such criminal-sounding terms from this demure girl!
"Can you not make them?"
"That's not the issue! Why would a child need these? If you seek knowledge for nefarious purposes, I can't help!"
"It's..."
Assuming her naive misunderstanding, he thought her bowed head showed shame-but he was wrong.
Ricoris wasn't naive nor misinformed.
"...I... have someone I like. But too many rivals surround them. Without these methods... Ricoris can't win their love."
Though a genius, Ricoris remained a young succubus-still shy about love. Even with Mother's permission, how could a mid-tier half-blood demon demand affection from the Queen?
Thus, she'd decided to act covertly.
Directly asking Mother for love felt impossible-but a drugged Mother could shower Ricoris with affection. Since Mother promised to accept any form of love, hesitation vanished.
Using drugs on Mother-even planning to knock out the family and monopolize her-felt implicitly permitted.
"Oh dear..."
The pharmacist frowned, misunderstanding Ricoris's situation. He imagined her suffering unrequited first love, fearing she'd take dark paths or be heartbroken.
Already fond of her, he prioritized protecting her fragile heart.
"Very well. I'll teach you. But promise-handle dangerous drugs carefully and never misuse them."
"Yes. Thank you."
Watching Ricoris bow politely, the old man smiled warmly.
'How could such a bright girl have ill intentions?'
He envied the man who'd earn her affection-while secretly wishing him luck against her obsession.