A Bizarre Business Plan (1)
On the second floor, in Kosa's room where she divined the future, a customer had just left. He stepped aside in the hallway, then immediately headed back in. The room was filled with the mystical scent of incense, and Kosa sat there calmly, as if she'd known I was coming.
"You've arrived, Master."
"How'd you know it was me?"
"I can tell by your footsteps. Everyone has their own unique gait."
She was right—people all walked differently. Even I, with my sharp hearing from my hero days, could map out a building's interior just from sounds alone, pinpointing where everyone was without looking.
"Got a favor to ask, Kosa."
"What is it? Anything within my power."
"Make me an epic poem."
"Of course. Tell me the subject."
I sat in the chair and explained my idea to her.
After finishing with Kosa, I went straight to find Atergar. She was on her knees by her bed, checking if the treasure chest hidden underneath was still there.
"Busy?"
"Busy."
"Busy?"
"Argh, what?!"
Atergar whipped her head around and yelled.
"Got something for you to do. Nothing big, just simple."
"Hmph. What weird crap now, you pathetic trash hero? Exploiting kids, evil boss."
"Should I grab the Holy Sword?"
"Spit it out! Tell me!"
Atergar jumped up, fuming. I told her what to do, and she tilted her head.
"Why the hell would I do something so pointless?"
"Just do it. It's not hard."
After getting her firm confirmation several times, I headed down to the first floor.
Alone on the first floor, I called Francois and Idi over.
"What is it... Bertrand...?"
"You said earlier—sell drinks to the gawkers."
"Yeah... I did..."
"We'll set up a few tables in the yard for now. Francois, got any hot drinks ready?"
Francois nodded.
"How about mulled wine? I was about to start prepping ingredients anyway."
"Perfect. Get it going now. Idi, once it's ready, go sell a cup to each of those folks."
"Yeah... got it..."
I hauled two tables into the yard and grabbed all the spare cups from the storeroom. Soon, the scent of cinnamon wafted from the kitchen as Francois started on the mulled wine.
Good... poem's set... temp stall's up... now for the next part...
Stepping into the yard, I spotted Marim returning from a delivery. I stopped her and gave her another task.
"Hey, what! I wanna get inside and warm up by the stove quick."
"Head to the lumber mill. Tell 'em to deliver the wood I specify to the inn."
"It's cold out..."
I told Marim what we needed. She blinked away toward the mill in an instant.
While Idi fumbled with the cups at the table, I had her summon a Hell Horse. Mounting it, I rode off to Ammugar's workshop in the directly ruled territory of Emard.
A few customers were browsing Ammugar's workshop in Emard. Dressed in his work apron, Ammugar rubbed his hands eagerly as he greeted them. Sure, he had demon horns, but as a middle-aged guy with glasses, he didn't look all that threatening. The customers seemed right at ease, examining the monster carvings.
As I opened the door, Ammugar spotted me and nearly rushed over in surprise. I gestured for him to keep serving the customers, and he bowed before turning back.
Meanwhile, I browsed the display shelves. The carvings were far more detailed than last time—small, but so lifelike they could pass for real monsters. Even the paint jobs were meticulous, capturing that mad, feral gleam unique to beasts. How many experts in the kingdom could replicate monsters this perfectly?
Through the back door was the workshop. A canopy shaded the rear, where Orkog hunched over a log, chiseling away. The red-skinned muscle mountain—way bigger than any orc—squatted on a stool, hammering diligently. The sight made me chuckle.
Orkog turned at the sound, startled, and dropped his hammer.
"Hero! What brings you here?!"
"Whatcha making?"
"Ah, this is an owl bear."
Orkog held up the roughly shaped block. An owl-headed bear body faintly emerged.
"But what brings you...?"
"Wanna talk business. Got a solid idea."
"Business idea?"
"With Ammugar too. Keep at it."
Orkog picked up his hammer, looking tense. Probably bracing for some ridiculous demand. But this time, it was a real moneymaker.
Soon, Ammugar finished with the customers and came out the back, bowing low.
"Aigoo... Hero..."
"Business going well?"
"Y-yes... Things improved since your last visit. Focusing on realistic replicas drew more customers, as you suggested. Y-yes..."
"Good to hear. Means you're eating well."
"Y-yes... That's right..."
Ammugar smiled nervously, unease in his eyes.
"So, what brings you all this way...?"
"Here to help you make some real money. Got a good plan."
I gestured for them to sit. We gathered around the workbench.
"Thinking of a few months on assignment?"
"P-pardon? Assignment? What do you mean? Things are just picking up here..."
"Leave this place empty and relocate. Got a spot."
"Where?"
"Our inn."
A loud clatter—Orkog's hammer hit the floor.
"Your... inn? What would we do there...?"
"Not the inn exactly—set up a temp workshop in our city. You two look too demonic for the inn itself."
"Ah... y-yes..."
Blunt, but true. Even pretty, curvy Pelle made folks flinch. Imagine these two—shouting "I'm a demon!" with their looks—lounging around. Customers would bolt.
So, I'd get them a spot near the inn or city outskirts.
"I'll handle the shop. No deposit, low rent you can manage."
"Grateful, but... is this about Pelle?"
"Pelle? Partly, but listen. It's a sure win for you."
I laid out my plan. They nodded politely at first, then their eyes lit up.
"What do you think? Better than scraping by here. Short-term big bucks—maybe settle permanently if it pops off."
"Sounds good. Rosens is a big city, flanked by two major ones. Should sell better than here."
"Settled then?"
I offered a handshake. Ammugar gripped my hand with his callused paw. We prepped for the "trip" right away. Not much to pack—tools fit in one bag, junk furniture left behind. New stuff as a city-welcome gift had Orkog beaming. Raw materials stayed; Marim was fetching premium ones. Display pieces went into a wooden crate to thwart thieves.
We were ready in a flash. But I eyed the Hell Horse doubtfully. Riders: me, bag-toting Ammugar, massive Orkog with the crate on his shoulder.
"Hmm... Ammugar. Think we can all fit?"
"Of course. Hell Horses ignore worldly laws—even a dragon could ride."
"Alright... hope so..."
We crammed on somehow—me in middle, Ammugar draped over the neck up front, Orkog teetering behind, me clutching his collar to keep him on.
"Fall off, you die. Hold tight. Going!"
The Hell Horse, unburdened by our weight, glided off smoothly.
At the three-way intersection by the inn, crowds still swarmed the front. Freezing cold, they clutched steaming mulled wine cups, sipping away. In the yard, Idi ladled drinks with a small scoop, sweating buckets despite the chill as she handled payments.
Pelei, helping by carrying cups, spotted me over the stone wall.
"Pelei!"
Orkog waved excitedly from behind me. Pelei's eyes widened in shock.
Then, amid folks debating Lurtjog's head fervently, one yelped.
"Wh-what! There! That!"
He dropped his cup, jabbing north wildly.