Chapter 10
Chapter 10
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: In the Changing Room (1)
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The owner of the clothing store named Otto was terribly afraid upon seeing me.
“I’m sorry, Young Lord! But it’s impossible for me to make a perfect custom garment right here on the spot! Custom clothes require at least some time... There’s nothing to be done about it.”
It was just as I knew.
I took a moment to observe the reactions of my companions.
Eirin wore her usual calm expression. And the escort knight Uriel was even listening to the shopkeeper with sympathy, as if she pitied him.
‘Up to here, it’s exactly as I remember.’
I knew all about this store from Demon King’s Son Surviving in the Holy Empire.
Otto, the middle-aged owner of this clothing store, was the head of a venerable artisan family that had supplied clothes and tailors to the Border Count’s estate for generations.
Not only that, but he personally handled the ceremonial uniforms bestowed upon the knights of the White Night Knights, showcasing his exceptional skill.
Thus, Otto was a master tailor renowned not just in Reinhime, but across the entire Border County.
He was on such good terms with Border Count Wilhelm that the man had personally invited him to dine at his table.
‘But Julian wouldn’t care about any of that.’
A master craftsman like him couldn’t whip up custom clothes on the spot without going through his staff—it was only natural that it would take time. But the wastrel Julian had no patience for waiting even a little.
Julian showing up in person meant he wanted clothes right then and there. It was no wonder Otto was terrified.
Uriel’s sword slid smoothly from its sheath with a soft rasp.
“How insolent. Lord Julian is the heir to Border Count His Excellency. Even if it’s custom tailoring, you must produce it on the spot!”
But it was an empty threat, recited like a schoolchild reading from a textbook—devoid of any real spirit.
Demanding a finished custom garment immediately was absurd. But if Uriel hadn’t stepped in, the wastrel Julian wouldn’t have let this man Otto off the hook.
She had no way of knowing that the current Julian was actually me, possessed.
‘Just flattering the Young Lord to soothe his temper, huh? Makes sense—that’s the only way to calm a wastrel down.’
It was the classic act of stroking the young master’s ego.
Even as mere intimidation, a knight’s blade was still a blade. Otto’s face tensed sharply at the sight of the keenly sharpened sword gleaming coldly.
“I’m sorry! But Knight... even my son Philip isn’t here right now, so making clothes on the spot is even more impossi— ”
“I know. But that doesn’t excuse this rudeness before Lord Julian.”
I raised a hand to stop Uriel.
“Sheathe your sword, Lady Uriel.”
At my words, a flicker crossed Uriel’s beautiful yet icy face.
“This man dared to argue with Your Lordship. Surely you don’t intend to handle it personally...”
“No. Nothing like that. Sheathe your sword at once. Can’t you see poor Otto is frightened?”
“Even so...”
“Listen to me, Lady Uriel.”
Uriel obeyed and slid her sword back into its sheath. In that instant, a look of bewilderment flashed in Otto’s eyes.
I strode right up to him. Otto’s store was home to a rare item unavailable in the common routes of Demon King’s Son Surviving in the Holy Empire.
Truth be told, unlike the finicky Julian, I didn’t care whether it was custom or off-the-rack.
‘Even off-the-rack gear would give full item effects anyway.’
I recalled the backstory I knew from the game. Just as Otto had said, I knew why his son Philip wasn’t there.
Otto’s son, Philip. As the heir to this esteemed artisan family, Philip held a status akin to Julian’s, despite their difference in rank.
Philip had devoted his talents unstintingly to the Border Count’s estate.
But this winter, when Julian returned from Pantheon for vacation, he stirred up trouble. Burning with an unrecognized artistic soul, Julian started designing and making bizarre clothes all on his own.
Naturally, Philip—the true artisan—handled all the messy aftermath for Julian’s “creations.”
Yet true to his lineage as heir to an artisan house, Philip had a steadfast personality. He couldn’t bring himself to flatter Julian with sweet lies about his clownish outfits.
When Julian asked for an honest assessment of the clothes he’d made, Philip gave one.
‘Even I thought those designs were wildly off the mark. Sackcloth-level stuff.’
Irked by that attitude, Julian hurled vile insults at Philip’s skills—words unfit to repeat. And that wasn’t all.
In the dead of winter, he’d stripped Philip half-naked, tied him to a tree, and flogged him mercilessly. Border Count Wilhelm had since provided healers and medicines to restore him, but...
At this point in the story, the psychological trauma kept Philip bedridden in recovery.
‘No wonder they can’t rush the clothes.’
But with a build as pudgy as Julian’s, off-the-rack clothes never draped right. Apparently, every time the old Julian visited, he’d demanded custom tailoring done right there on the spot.
After crippling Philip himself, no less. The wastrel Julian’s mindset was uniquely twisted in many ways.
I spoke calmly to Otto, who seemed flustered by my unexpectedly even-tempered demeanor.
“I don’t need custom tailoring, Otto. I’ll just buy something off-the-rack from your ready stock.”
Not just Otto—everyone else looked stunned at my words.
It was quite the sight, seeing Eirin and Uriel’s expressions change in sync like that. Otto stammered,
“L-Lord Julian, what do you mean? You’ve often said our ready-made clothes can’t do justice to Your Lordship’s fine figure...”
“It’s fine. A master craftsman’s work is impressive either way.”
Otto looked embarrassed at the unexpected praise.
I surveyed Otto’s clothing store. It wasn’t small by any means—comparable in size to the high-end shops I’d seen in the imperial capital in the game.
Reinhime had boomed recently with newfound wealth, so he’d likely expanded to match. Meaning Otto was a master tailor and a savvy businessman.
Another good idea struck me.
“And you’ve served our house faithfully all these years. As thanks, I’ll buy your most expensive piece here. And from now on, whether in the capital or at Pantheon, I’ll wear only clothes from your store.”
“W-What... what do you mean?”
A look of utter confusion. But my offer would surely tempt him.
No matter how abruptly my attitude had shifted, a merchant’s ears were always open to a proposition like that.
I lightly touched the most extravagantly displayed garment at the store’s center and said,
“Pantheon gathers scions from noble houses across the realm. As cadets from the capital, they’re hypersensitive to fashion. But with this level of quality and design, I believe it could thrive even there.”
Otto’s eyes lit up at my words. But he wasn’t fully convinced yet.
“However... haven’t you harshly criticized Philip’s skills? He may be my son, but he’s already surpassed me in talent. Most of this store’s pieces are his designs. For Your Lordship—who called Philip’s work trash—to say...”
“That wasn’t my true feeling.”
“Pardon?”
“Philip is an outstanding artisan. Far beyond a mere heir, as you say. To be honest... I was jealous of him. I’m an heir too, but I’ve never lived up to the role like Philip has. It’s time I acknowledged him.”
Otto kept a deferential posture before me, a count. But the body I now inhabited—Julian—had done horrible things to his son. Touching on it lightly like this wouldn’t hurt.
‘The more his heart eases, the sharper a master craftsman’s skills will get.’
Surprise flooded Otto’s face at my words. He fell silent for a moment, then gathered his thoughts and continued.
“I see. I too once bore the weight of being an heir before taking up this trade. It’s nothing compared to the burden of the Border Count’s house... but I know it a little.”
“Then you’ll believe my sincerity now? That I accept you and your son.”
Otto nodded.
“How could I ask for more? Knowing Your Lordship’s true heart like this... I’m sure Philip’s spirits will lift too.”
“Good. Then will you let me buy some clothes? The best ready-made ones, of course.”
“Of course. I’ll prepare the pieces that suit Your Lordship best right away.”
Phew. My best acting seemed to have worked. Even with ready-made, having Otto tweak the fit personally would boost the Charm stat more.
‘For the magic portrait to show the princess, I need to wear this store’s clothes. Higher Charm means she’ll look at me differently.’
And that wasn’t all.
Winning Otto’s favor like this would not only raise Border Count Wilhelm’s goodwill but also secure ongoing special items from him that boosted stats—items unavailable even in the capital.
Very useful ones, at that.
And sure enough, my judgment triggered a system alert.
With rewards like that, it was even more profitable.
Leaving Eirin and Uriel behind with their baffled expressions, I enjoyed a brief shopping spree.
I went to a magic portrait atelier and commissioned one from the artist there.
As Eirin had said, it only took light attribute magic on me, so it didn’t take long.
“You truly cut a striking figure, my lord. I haven’t applied all the dyes yet, but it’s sure to be a fine magic portrait. I guarantee it—I’ve made more in Reinhime than anyone.”
“You’re quite adept at flattery.”
“No, no—which safe tongue would dare lie to you?”
I stood before the mirror once more. There was a tall, handsome blond Westerner standing there, just as the artist described.
‘Damn, he’s good-looking.’
Otto’s store even stocked forward-thinking ready-made clothes. My current belly fat limited my choices, but...
The ones I picked still draped like high fashion.
And not just that—afterward, I stopped by a barber to tidy my hair and beard. No offense to his artistic soul, but Julian’s face had been a mess.
‘Mop of tangled hair and a bandit’s scruffy beard. What a waste of a handsome face.’
Once cleaned up, it was chiseled perfection. The facial puffiness kept me from looking like a fresh young lord in his early twenties, but it gave me the seasoned gravitas of a high noble instead—which wasn’t bad.
With Otto’s clothes added to the mix, if this artist wasn’t lying, the result would surely satisfy Third Imperial Princess Lillia.
‘Perfect. A bit more dieting, and I’ll have no issues standing at the Military Parade.’
My looks were decent now, but shedding a little more would amplify the effect.
“Then, Eirin. Why don’t you step out and kill some time?”
“Understood, Young Lord. Reinhime has many attractions. Is there somewhere in particular you’d like?”
“Hmm...”
Truth be told, I already had a spot in mind. I glanced at Eirin. Her usual maid outfit. Though I’d seen her in that tantalizing cosplay maid getup on our first night together...
I was curious about her in casual clothes too.
‘And Eirin’s suffered plenty because of Julian.’
So, buying her a gift as a bonus wouldn’t hurt. In Demon King’s Son, gifts raised female characters’ affection levels.
Not just that—part of it was my baser self stirring. Earlier, at Otto’s, I’d gone into the changing room to try on clothes.
The word “changing room” had sparked a subtle thrill in me, all on its own.
‘Is it this body—fresh from Julian’s debauched exploits? Or just the demon king’s son instincts kicking in... Calm down.’
I shook my head firmly. Better to focus on building rapport with Eirin first.
“Take me to a clothing store, Eirin.”
“A clothing store? Do you mean Mr. Otto’s?”
“No. That’s fine too, but it’s men’s wear focused. Let’s go to one that handles women’s clothes, Eirin.”
A flicker of puzzlement crossed Eirin’s impassive face.