You'll Crave Beer Like Crazy?
"Good work. Who could've guessed black magic would be cast right next to the empire's capital?"
The crown prince, sitting in the VIP room with the Madam, spoke up. His expression was soft, clearly pleased with the swift resolution.
It wrapped up quicker than expected. Should I have dragged it out a bit? Nah. Dawdling around and showing up late to the convenience store would've been a headache in its own way.
"The Magic Tower called it a natural phenomenon. Our investigators didn't find anything suspicious either. How did you track it down?"
"It was a magic circle deliberately hidden. Even mages couldn't approach it, and your average knight would just wander in circles until they popped out the other side. The design ensured that."
Unless the Magic Tower Lord herself got involved, no one would've found it. That old lady probably wouldn't have brute-forced it like I did, though. She'd click her tongue at my method for sure. That's not how you dismantle a magic circle.
"Impressive skills, then?"
"Yeah. No idea who, though."
The urge to say your knights can handle the rest, so let me go rose right to the tip of my tongue. Ah, I just want to rest. Flop out in the store, bask in the AC.
"Any chance the Magic Tower was involved?"
"Ten percent. Fifteen tops."
"Not high odds?"
I could see the why not? in the crown prince's eyes. He was itching to use this as leverage to pressure the Magic Tower.
"According to Luna, it wasn't tied to any specific school. The Tower values lineages and schools too much for something like this."
"The Tower is a collective of knowledge seekers. Couldn't they have fused techniques from various schools?"
"Slim chance. Those stick-up-their-ass mages? No way. Adventure mages, maybe."
That's why I pegged it at ten percent. Definitely someone else, not the Tower.
The crown prince smirked faintly.
"Could you look into it?"
I shook my head. Defying an imperial order? Whatever. I'm not on the palace payroll. I'm a small business owner. I have the right to open and close my store whenever I damn well please.
"I've got work to do."
"Aren't you working right now?"
"What's a convenience store manager's job? Managing the store. Leave it empty too long, and the staff complains."
"What if I order you?"
"Then I'll shut down for a week. Slap a sign on the door: Closed Due to Excessive Imperial Demands—On Strike. His Majesty won't get his favorite snacks anymore."
"Blackmail, is it?"
"Didn't you start it?"
Sure, we all gotta bow to the imperial family, but I'm rejecting any bullshit terms. I'm a Republic of Korea citizen first, right? Not that there's a Korean embassy or anything left to protect me. Still, I'm not defenseless. The crown prince isn't emperor yet—he can't throw absolute orders at me. If he pushes a mission, I just invoke the emperor shield. Perfect timing for it now. What if he becomes emperor? Eh, bolt outta the empire then. Set up a little cabin in the deep mountains with a convenience store, enjoy the scenery...
Anyway, I'm the manager. Manager. I've got duties and a position.
"The empire's got plenty of talent. You can track 'em down without me from here."
"Tch, can't argue with that. Can't afford another smack from His Majesty."
"You got hit?"
Now that he mentioned it, his cheek was red.
"Defended you and took one for the team."
"For real?"
"Of course. A promise is a promise. Heard you succeeded, went straight to Father. This is the result."
The crown prince rubbed his swollen cheek with a grin. Don't flash that nice-guy smile only when it suits you.
He slurped the Madam's tea. Not dew tea, but it carried a luxurious aroma.
"The Madam's tea is always top-notch."
"Made from flowers good for healing wounds."
"Want a cup?"
"I'm good."
One sip and I might get roped into hours of chit-chat. The prince gets lonely—once he starts talking, he doesn't let go. I got stuck for twelve hours after one tea last time. No thanks to hanging with the awkward boss in private that long.
"Care to enjoy the place a bit before you go?"
"Nah, gotta check on the store. Shift change is waiting."
"You strike me as a workaholic. Gotta enjoy life sometimes. Heard the latest society gossip? Rumors your manager's a eunuch."
Why the hell are there rumors about me? I'm no noble.
"Not noble by birth, but with your influence? Might as well be."
The crown prince chuckled.
"Was it obvious on my face?"
"Yeah. Your expression screamed why's my name in society chatter?"
"Will Your Highness be staying longer?"
"Naturally. Came to a brothel—gotta loosen the belt at least."
Then we're done here?
"I'll head out first, then."
Time to ditch this awkward spot.
"Manager."
"Yes, Your Highness."
I bowed politely, but inside I was antsy. Nothing good ever came from him calling me back.
Not another task, please?
"Do you really lack manpower that badly?"
"Yep. Always short-staffed."
"I could assign some people if you want."
"They'd come? Hourly wage is two gold fifty silver, night shift premium four gold an hour. Cool with that?"
High for a convenience store, but pocket change for nobles. No way prideful aristocrats man a counter. Lucky if they don't cause trouble.
"Plenty would jump at that."
You're taking this seriously?
"I don't want 'em."
"Mentioning pay sounded positive?"
"That was me turning you down politely."
"Hm. You're sneakily picky."
I bowed instead of answering.
"Anyway, if you need hands, say the word. I'll vouch personally. Good work this time. I'll send someone soon to commend you."
"Right."
I paid my respects to the prince, nodded to the Madam, and left the VIP room.
"I'll bring a girl right over."
With the Madam bowing to him, I finally exited the brothel.
"Then I'll be off~! Manager, you promised overtime and hazard pay! You better keep it~!"
"Got it."
Sylvia hummed cheerfully as she bowed. She'd filled in on short notice today, so the fat bonus was putting her in high spirits. No wonder—on her way out, she clutched a bag of frozen chicken in one hand, swinging it like a treat for her hard work.
She's such a weirdo. For a treat, you'd think a noble lady like her would grab dessert. Even on her budget, she could afford convenience store snacks, not fancy patisserie stuff.
Working part-time turned her tastes totally middle-aged uncle. Next she'll be chowing down on rice and chasing it with canned coffee. Noble lady mukbang: mix coffee edition. Rare sight.
I watched Sylvia head to her dorm, then turned to Elena tidying up.
"Any issues?"
"Nah, nothing big. Fewer asshole customers today. Probably 'cause of Sylvia sis."
"She does have that intimidating vibe."
Made sense—villain types who popped up got their asses handed to them by her and bounced. That's why Elena's solo shifts drew more jerks. Gotta fix that somehow.
"Glad it was quiet. I was worried leaving the store."
"But you came back quick."
Elena beamed.
"Sooner than I thought. No big deal, huh?"
"Yeah, turned out fine."
They'll handle it themselves now, even without me. Kinda curious who made it, but digging in would just mean more hassle. Better bow out. Convenience store manager's job is the store, period.
"Good to hear."
Right then, a customer walked in.
"Welcome! DG Convenience Store!"
Elena eyed them head to the snack aisle, then asked, "Manager, dinner's this tonight?"
"Whatcha got?"
"Bought a bunch yesterday to try... way too much left."
I pictured her hauling bags of store food home last night. Said she overbought, and yeah, leftovers.
She pulled out potato sticks, cheese, hot bar, and dumplings.
"That's a ton."
My offhand comment turned her face beet red.
"I-It was too much for one... and it's getting busy soon, no time to grab takeout, so this'll have to do..."
Potato sticks with cheese... solid but kinda meh plain.
"Alright. I'll whip something simple with this."
"C-Cook...?"
I've got killer convenience store hacks. Trust me. You know about convenience store cheese fries? One bite and you'll crave beer like hell.