Read Novel Full Vol 23 Chapter 23
Vol 23 Chapter 23
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Chapter 23 – Selfishness in Full Swing
After finishing our business in Lucca, we moved on to Cagliari, where our work was going smoothly and we had some breathing room. However, we were divided on the issue of Saporabi consciousness liberation, so we decided to put it off for the time being. I suggested that Camille-san and the others customize their assigned Saporabi, but that would take more time. There were also some issues with Mauro-san’s Saporabi.
The Saporabi’s costume change failed, and, watching Mauro-san in shock, I secretly agreed with the outcome.
From the moment the character designs were submitted, I had a feeling this would happen. In fact, I would have been more surprised if things had gone smoothly.
The designs were so extreme that they went beyond gothic lolita and into sweet lolita, with an extra dose of sweetness added for good measure.
I couldn’t imagine a man of Mauro-san’s age liking such designs.
Well, to each their own, so maybe an old man with grandchildren could like sweet lolita fashion after all.
Hmm, I don’t know.
I didn’t know anything about Mauro-san’s personal Saporabi, but I expected the Saporabi with a businessperson’s personality to reject that costume. I can’t imagine a profit-oriented businessman and sweet Lolita fashion together.
“Mauro-san, why did you choose this design in the first place? It doesn’t seem like the kind of thing you would like.”
I asked Mauro-san, who was in a state of shock.
“I thought my great-grandchild would like it.”
What?
When I ask him about it, he tells me that, while I wasn’t there, his grandchild brought his great-grandchild to visit the Castle.
The great-grandchild is still very young and was scared of Mauro-san for some reason. They wouldn’t get close to him at all.
Mauro-san was quietly shocked by this and remembered that his great-grandchild was interested in Saporabi. He thought that if he showed them the cutest Saporabi, they would be impressed and respect him.
That’s selfish.
As long as he does his job properly, I have no problem with it. However, Mauro-san, who created a design that goes beyond sweet and cute for his great-grandchild, is quietly amazing.
He was rejected by the Saporabi, but he may be praised as godlike in some circles.
Still, great-grandchildren… In this world, people tend to marry young, so it’s normal for someone like Mauro-san to have great-grandchildren.
It’s a harsh world, so it makes sense that people would be eager to have children.
However, adventurers tend to marry late.
Given the dangerous nature of their profession, you’d think they’d want to have children. But the risk of dying and leaving an orphan behind, or the difficulty of moving or going on expeditions, seems to contribute to the trend of adventurers marrying later.
Adventurers are a low-tier profession, so it’s probably unavoidable.
Adventurers who aren’t just doing it as a hobby can earn a lot of money if they make it to the top. However, when they’re starting out, they risk their lives for low pay in extremely harsh conditions.
It’s difficult to start a family on a low salary. Once they make it to the top, they level up and live longer. This makes them less likely to rush into marriage, allowing them to enjoy their time.
Practical adventurers seem to find safe ways to earn a living in the middle ranks and start families. However, the dilemma is that practical types don’t tend to become adventurers in the first place.
Adventurers who are driven or do it for fun have a tough job. I think Alessia-san and the others are doing it 70% for fun. They probably became adventurers because they longed for travel and freedom. With their beauty, they could have had many other options for earning a living besides becoming adventurers.
I am convinced that my Ines is a 100% hobbies-driven adventurer.
“Wataru? You understand how this poor old man feels, don’t you?”
Before I knew it, I had drifted from thinking about the marriage customs of this world to thinking about the joys and sorrows of adventurers. However, Mauro-san’s pity-inducing question brought me back to reality.
“Mauro-san, even if you call yourself a pitiful old man, you’re quite wealthy. You’ve leveled up so much that you’re just a little old. I can’t feel sorry for you.”
He may have had his struggles, but Mauro-san is an overwhelmingly successful man. Thanks to his level-ups, he’s so energetic that I wonder if he’s really an old man. Honestly, if it weren’t for my cheat ability, I’d be jealous.
He says he’s a pitiful old man, but he really just wants to use Saporabi because he wants to be loved by his great-grandchildren.
“You’re so cold. Can’t you do something about it?”
Mauro-san tries to act sulky, but he’s not cute at all. I don’t want to get involved with him.
“It seems that you can negotiate to some extent with the Saporabi who have had their consciousness liberated. So, it depends on how hard Mauro-san tries, doesn’t it?”
I don’t understand it very well yet, but it seems that they’re allowed a certain degree of freedom as long as they don’t deviate from their original duties.
However, the skills in this world are unfriendly. It would be nice if, like with the ship summoning staff, you could learn about a skill once you’ve acquired it. But there’s no such follow-up, so you have to learn by trial and error.
That’s why it’s common not to know how to utilize unique skills. There’s a huge difference between the good and bad ones.
Actually, I guess the correct answer is that you can’t judge whether a skill is good or bad because you can’t use it properly.
I’m curious about how the person from the Empire, who possesses the laser beam’s unique skill, learned to use it.
In this world, you wouldn’t understand what a laser is.
Huh? The merchant-like Saporabi heard me, took out a piece of paper, and started writing. Don’t ask me where he got the paper. It’s pointless. This ship delivers food and alcohol upon request, so it’s too late now.
Saporabi handed the paper to Mauro-san. Is it just my imagination, or does he look vaguely satisfied?
“What’s this? Compensation for work outside your main job? In other words, you’ll be paid to entertain my great-grandchildren? But isn’t entertaining the passengers who boarded the ship your main job?”
I don’t know what Saporabi’s original job was, but the merchant Saporabi will do whatever you ask in exchange for payment.
However, as Mauro-san said, helping customers is literally part of Saporabi’s job.
Saporabi tapped on the part that Mauro-san hadn’t read yet.
“Hmm, so basically, if I pay the fee written here, you’ll work to make my great-grandchild respect me? I see. In that case, it’s worth paying an extra fee. But isn’t the price a bit steep?”
Saporabi’s demand must have sparked Mauro-san’s merchant spirit because negotiations suddenly began.
“Let’s call this meeting adjourned and wrap things up…”
I said in a low voice, and I fled the room with Alessia-san. Camille-san and Donatella-san remained behind, admiring their respective Saporabi, while Mauro-san was engrossed in negotiations.
＊＊＊
Well, it’s about time to set sail for the southern continent.
We decided not to stop at Dark Elf Island this time, so we’re heading straight there.
I asked Felicia if we should stop at the island, since we had some time, but she said we should prioritize this job.
I suppose she thought she couldn’t prioritize personal matters because this job is related to a god. That’s typical of Felicia’s thoughtful nature.
Come to think of it, this will be my first long voyage with Donatella-san, won’t it?
The only other time I traveled by ship with her was when we were power leveling and moving to Cagliari. So, I think this will be our first pure voyage.
That is, if we can call this trip “pure.” I’ll plan events for us to enjoy on the ship. Swimsuit events are a must.
As for raising awareness of the Saporabi, it hasn’t been resolved, but it has been put on hold.
The Saporabi had their consciousness liberated more than I had imagined. They were capable, unique, and highly independent.
This inspired the entrepreneurial spirit of Camille-san, Donatella-san, and Mauro-san, who were in charge of verification. We were able to buy time until the preparations for departure to the southern continent were complete.
Verification will probably continue during the trip, and by the time we return, the plan will be perfected.
There are also things I’ve come to realize at this stage.
When talented people support each other, it’s like cheating.
Well, that was amazing.
Camille-san, Donatella-san, and Mauro-san are talented individuals who gave various instructions to the Saporabi for verification.
The Saporabi, unable to demonstrate their talents under me, responded perfectly to the instructions.
Then, Camille-san and the others gave more challenging instructions, and the Saporabi responded. This process repeated itself, and even from the sidelines, efficiency itself seemed to be embodied as preparations progressed.
Still, transporting cargo and dealing with issues outside the Castle were difficult, so it took time. Since the outside of the ship is outside the Saporabi’s support range, there was nothing that could be done about it.
Nevertheless, they made significant contributions by proposing transportation plans and devising solutions to problems.
They were supposed to be the souls of horned rabbits. Why are they so talented? I’ll ask the Creator God-sama when I get the chance.
It’s strange that the same horned rabbit that was ferocious and only wanted to attack me is now so competent.
Oh, everyone has come out onto the deck. Now is a good time to set sail.
“Everyone, we’re about to set sail. We’ll head out to the open sea on the Lutto, and then we’ll transfer to another ship to go straight to the southern continent. Does anyone have anything they’ve forgotten?”
Everyone responds that they’re ready. Let’s go!
“We’re setting sail!”
I wave goodbye to Camille-san and the others who came to see us off as the Lutto speeds away.
The southern continent… I hope we don’t get into any trouble.
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