Side Story: Chapter 12 (Main Story 10.12)「Exceedingly Overprotective Errand Mission or Market Optimization」
The morning sun was gently streaming in through the old wooden-framed window of the inn 『Adel』.
From the kitchen drifted the savory aroma of golden-brown baked bread and the sweet scent of melting honey. Through the wide-open window‚ the refreshing sea breeze blowing in from the ocean flowed pleasantly‚ gently stirring the steam rising from the hot soup.
When I turned my gaze outside the window‚ I could see small fishing boats that had set out before dawn slowly returning to the harbor illuminated by the morning sun. On the stone pavement in front of the inn‚ the townspeople heading to the market were casually exchanging greetings like “Good morning!” and “Nice weather again today‚ huh?”
The world was overflowing with vivid colors and liveliness to the point where my brain processing couldn’t keep up.
“Here you go‚ Louie dear. A refill for breakfast.”
With a soft clack‚ a warm wooden plate was placed in front of me.
“Thank you‚ Auntie.”
I accepted the perfectly browned bread and gave a small nod.
I took a bite. The outside made a crisp‚ pleasant sound‚ while the inside was astonishingly soft and fluffy.
……Yeah. Today’s bread is really delicious too.
The bread Auntie baked filled my heart with absolute peace of mind.
What gently warmed the depths of my chest wasn’t something based on logic. It was a ‘something’ that could never be derived from arithmetic formulas‚ and it was definitely raising my body temperature by one degree.
“Eat plenty and have a great day today too.”
“…Yes.”
Auntie was watching me stuff my cheeks with bread with a faint‚ gentle smile.
“Mmm~! Auntie’s bread is the best! Right‚ Louie? Here‚ aah~!”
Suddenly‚ a sweet vanilla scent violently cut in from right beside me.
When I turned my gaze‚ there was a silver-haired saintess who‚ as if it were perfectly natural‚ had completely illegally occupied my personal space (within a ten-centimeter radius) and was pushing a piece of torn bread toward my mouth. Selina was full throttle energetic today as well.
“Hey‚ Selina‚ you’re too close! I can eat by myself!”
As I turned bright red and leaned back‚ a loud “Zuzuzuzuzuu!” like a grand rumbling echoed from the seat across.
“Fuu…! A magnificent concentration of nutrients! With just this one bowl of soup‚ I can feel every single cell that makes up my muscles beautifully aligning!”
The large man wearing silver-white armor—Leon—had emptied a full bowl of soup at a speed unbecoming of a holy knight and slammed the empty wooden bowl onto the table with a thud.
“I request a refill! My energy charge rate for today’s firewood-splitting duty is still not fully sufficient!”
“You eat so well from the morning~. Auntie loves energetic kids like you‚ Leon dear. Here‚ take the whole pot.”
“Thank you!!”
“No no no! Auntie‚ if you give him the whole pot‚ the inn’s management budget will completely collapse!”
Ignoring my desperate retort‚ Leon happily hugged the large pot for a refill‚ while Selina closed the distance further with “Don’t dodge me‚ Louie~!” Auntie watched them and laughed merrily.
A noisy‚ chaotic‚ and suffocatingly overprotective dining table.
At the edge of my vision‚ my brain’s OS 『Ciel』 quietly streamed a modest log: 『[Report: Personality restoration efficiency‚ extremely favorable]』.
In a corner of the dining hall‚ Agreas‚ who had finished his breakfast‚ was elegantly—yet unnoticed by anyone—confirming today’s schedule book while holding a cup of post-meal black tea.
I took another bite of bread‚ narrowed my eyes at the spreading sweetness‚ and quietly murmured in my heart.
(……Today‚ the world is supremely peaceful again.)
The very moment I thought that and felt relieved—
“Ah‚ that’s right.”
Auntie clapped her hands and took out a small piece of paper from the pocket of her slightly flour-dusted apron.
“Louie dear‚ I’m sorry to ask‚ but could you do the shopping at the market for me today?”
“The market?”
“Yes. We’ve run out of vegetables and meat for lunch prep. And we’re almost out of honey for the customers too.”
What she handed me was a small shopping list written in simple handwriting.
・Potatoes
・Onions
・Carrots
・Dried fish
・Honey
・Wheat flour
“Okay‚ I understand. No problem‚ leave it to me.”
I carefully folded the paper and tucked it securely into my chest pocket.
“Then I’ll go alone.”
I stood up from the chair and started walking toward the familiar wooden door of the inn.
The old floorboards creaked pleasantly.
Three more steps.
Once I open this door‚ I’ll be out in the refreshing world scented with sea breeze.
——It was exactly that instant.
『――Warning』
A familiar electronic voice‚ beautifully purged of intonation‚ echoed deep into my eardrums.
[ Analyzing surrounding environment ―― ]
[ Social noise: High-density market area (crowds) detected ―― ]
[ Subject current state: Personality restoration rate 31.4% ―― ]
[ Judgment: Risk of mental strain from solo action is too high ]
[ Recommendation: Immediately activate powerful escort units ―― ]
“…Eh?”
The hand I had reached out toward the doorknob froze stiff.
(Hey Ciel‚ it’s just an errand!? Why is a warning log that sounds like I’m heading to a battlefield popping up!?)
『It is an extremely important matter.』
『If the current Louie-sama enters that dreadful crowd alone‚ brain processing capacity (resources) will drop sharply‚ risking a serious system shutdown.』
(Wait‚ no matter what‚ I don’t think my mind is that fragile…)
『With all due respect‚ referencing past logs.』
↓
『Previous day: Event of being surrounded by many villagers with smiles occurred』
↓
『Brain memory usage: Surged to 96.2%』
↓
『Mild freeze (complete thought cessation state) confirmed』
(……Ugh. It’s all perfectly logged…)
『Everything is recorded in the archive with zero leakage.』
I got the feeling that Ciel inside my brain was making a smug face‚ having already predicted my rebuttal.
Faced with irrefutable facts‚ even as an arithmetician I had no words to argue back.
It was exactly a fraction of a second later.
“In other words!”
BANG!!
The dining hall door I was supposed to open was flung open from the outside with tremendous force.
“Louie‚ it means you absolutely can’t go alone!”
“Eh.”
With her dazzling silver hair fluttering‚ Selina burst in with a full-faced smile.
The perfect timing and top speed made it seem like she had been eagerly waiting for her cue on the other side of the door the whole time.
And then.
Squeeze.
“Got you‚ complete capture♪”
“Wait‚ hey!?”
I wasn’t even given time to dodge.
Before I knew it‚ my right hand had been forcibly moved into a complete restraint state called 『Lover’s Link (Ten Finger Lock)』‚ with zero percent escape probability as every gap between fingers was filled.
“Close‚ close‚ too close! And Selina‚ where were you waiting this whole time!?”
“There are so many people at the market‚ Louie might get lost!”
“I’m eighteen‚ not an age to get lost!? We’re the same age‚ Selina!?”
“But Louie is bad with directions.”
“I’m not bad with directions‚ I’m just extremely bad with social noise called crowds!”
“To me‚ they’re the same thing?”
“They’re not the same! Arithmetically speaking‚ the vectors of cause and effect are completely――”
It was exactly when I was about to launch a full arithmetical protest.
Clang‚ clang.
A heavy metallic sound‚ completely out of place in the inn’s old wooden floors‚ echoed from the back of the hallway.
“I see.”
The one who appeared after hearing the commotion was Leon‚ clad in silver-white armor polished to a shine since morning. For some reason‚ a massive harvesting backpack from the inn’s backyard was securely fastened to his back.
“An expedition to the market‚ huh.”
He crossed his sturdy arms and gave a deep‚ powerful nod by himself.
“A new form of training following this morning’s firewood splitting.”
“No it’s not? It’s just an errand?”
“Leave the role of main shield to protect you two from the market crowds and heavy item transport to me.”
“No one has offered you the job yet?”
“I will protect the logistics of the inn 『Adel』 with my life!!”
“Don’t turn buying some potatoes and onions into a mission of holding a frontline base to the death!”
As I held my head‚ a quiet‚ cool voice rang out from a perfect blind spot.
“――Excuse me.”
Silently. Without a sound.
Rosetta‚ perfectly dressed in a jet-black maid outfit‚ appeared out of nowhere and stood behind Selina. In her hands‚ she held a thick black leather notebook and a small magic calculator firmly.
“Louie-sama. Please leave wallet management to me.”
“Eh?”
“The battlefield known as the market has price negotiation in millimeters as its lifeline.”
Snap.
With a completely expressionless face‚ she firmly closed the notebook.
“I will perfectly guarantee a 0.0% budget overrun rate for the living expenses entrusted by Madam.”
“You don’t have to guarantee such extreme budget management!”
“If necessary‚ I will also handle physical price reduction negotiations.”
“Physical!? Please spare me from going full force beyond moderation!”
“Understood.”
Rosetta gave a respectful bow‚ her eyes behind the glasses shining coldly.
“Additionally‚ if any malicious pricing is detected against our household’s assets――”
“You don’t need to detect it!”
“I shall mercilessly impose social sanctions on the entire clan――”
“That’s even worse! The kind old men at the market will be crying without a trace!”
My desperate barrage of retorts caused the entire inn to burst into warm laughter.
From the back of the kitchen‚ Auntie was laughing happily while covering her mouth with her apron.
“Fufufu. Louie dear‚ you were planning to go quietly by yourself‚ weren’t you?”
“…Yes‚ that was the plan.”
Once again‚ I looked around at the group perfectly surrounding me.
I looked right.
Selina with a full-faced smile‚ locking onto my right arm so she would never let go.
I looked left.
Leon‚ wearing unnecessarily full armor‚ carrying the backpack and overflowing with motivation.
I looked behind.
Rosetta‚ sharply holding her black leather notebook and already coldly scanning the market’s price indices.
(……This is clearly way over the appropriate resource value needed for an errand.)
『Report』
Suddenly‚ Ciel quietly—but somewhat satisfied—displayed a log on my brain’s retinal UI.
[ Errand party formation complete ―― ]
[ Subject: Center position (absolute protection target) ]
[ Selina-sama: Right-side close escort unit ]
[ Leon-sama: Vanguard shield & luggage transport unit ]
[ Rosetta-sama: Accounting & asset defense unit ]
[ Overall evaluation: Market safety improved by 97.8% ]
“…This isn’t so much an escort as――”
I let out a small‚ deep sigh and looked up at the inn’s ceiling.
“I’ve completely become a surveillance target on the level of a major criminal.”
“No‚ Louie?”
Selina turned toward me with a smile like flowers blooming in early summer.
“It’s not surveillance‚ it’s over・pro・tec・tion・tar・get♪”
“You just conveniently changed the wording‚ but the physical restraint force is exactly the same‚ right!?”
“Come on‚ Louie!”
Selina happily swung our tightly linked hands back and forth.
“Let’s all go on our first errand together and have fun!”
“…Yes‚ yes. I got it.”
In the end‚ there was no future where my right hand would be released until we reached the market—no‚ probably not even after finishing the shopping and returning.
The inn’s heavy wooden door opened with a creak.
The bright morning sunlight and the lively sea breeze unique to the port town gently welcomed the errand party.
A regular fisherman uncle who had been watching from his table seat laughed heartily while holding a steaming mug of ale.
“Gahaha! Young master‚ that’s quite the elaborate newlywed couple’s morning shopping today!”
“That’s not it!!”
“You two look great together‚ young master~!”
Lively laughter echoed across the white-brown stone pavement leading to the market from the morning.
Next to me‚ only Selina had a fully blooming smile and gave a small‚ blissful “Yeah♪” nod.
“So please synchronize with my retort and deny it with full power…”
In a corner of the harmonious atmosphere‚ Agreas had also quietly finished perfectly preparing for going out.
Together with my modest retort that gently faded away on the sea breeze.
Today again‚ a slightly noisy‚ slightly suffocating—yet endlessly warm new day was beginning.
About fifteen minutes after leaving the inn 『Adel』.
When we descended the stone-paved slope‚ the scent of the sea suddenly grew stronger. In the harbor illuminated by the morning sun‚ fishing boats of various sizes were crowded together‚ and the fishermen’s lively calls echoed on the refreshing sea breeze.
“Heave-ho!”
“Today’s catch is perfect with no complaints!”
“Brother‚ pass that net over here!”
White seabirds leisurely circled in the sky‚ and the laughter of people heading to the market intersected.
The entire port market was vigorously alive like one giant living being.
“…It really is very lively.”
Overwhelmed by the wave of dazzling colors‚ I unconsciously murmured.
『Surrounding environment analysis complete』
Suddenly‚ Ciel’s log quietly unfolded on my brain’s retinal UI.
[ Surrounding population density: 482% compared to normal inn surroundings ―― ]
[ Audio input information volume: 913% increase ―― ]
[ Warning: Subject stress index slowly rising (approaching red zone) ―― ]
(So you really were measuring it thoroughly…)
『Of course‚ Louie-sama. Originally these would be serious error values that would recommend immediate evacuation from this coordinate.』
『However‚ the body temperature data from Selina-sama being directly transmitted to your right arm is greatly contributing to Louie-sama’s mental stability.』
(……Are you secretly measuring that via my vital data?)
[ Contact temperature: 36.6°C (optimal calm value) ]
[ Sense of security: Extremely high ]
[ Process: Recommend maintaining current hold state ―― ]
“Fufu♪”
Unaware of my secret conversation with Ciel in my brain‚ Selina next to me was happily swinging our tightly linked lover’s hands back and forth.
“It’s been a really long time since we’ve been to the market‚ huh‚ Louie!”
“I can’t even remember whether this is a long time for me or not.”
“Then today’s scenery is all fresh for you‚ Louie!”
“Isn’t that positive interpretation a bit too optimistic?”
“Being positive is the best spec♪”
Saying that‚ Selina even more cheerfully entwined her slender fingers with mine.
(Hold on. I’m accepting this lover’s link way too naturally‚ but when I calmly think about it‚ this is――)
『Louie-sama. With all due respect‚ in this domain this is the “normal” default setting.』
(No good. If I think deeply‚ my brain processing will overheat. Let’s stop right now…)
“…Hey‚ Selina. Isn’t the pressure of you gripping my hand getting a bit stronger?”
“Eh? It’s your imagination!”
“No‚ it’s definitely increased by about ten newtons of gripping pressure!?”
“What’s a newton?”
“Um‚ that’s…”
(It’s extremely troublesome to explain with the physics laws of this world.)
『Supplementing numerical values.』
[ Current hold pressure: Estimated 46.8 N ―― ]
[ Compared to previous: +9.4 N (gripping rate increase) ―― ]
(See‚ it really has physically increased!)
『There is not a single millimeter of falsehood in my calculations.』
“Louie‚ what’s wrong?”
“…No. It’s nothing at all.”
Explaining that I was seriously doing physics calculations with Ciel in my brain would be too much trouble‚ so I vaguely smiled and glossed it over.
Our household’s vanguard errand unit walking a little ahead.
Clang‚ clang. Leon‚ whose silver-white armor shone dazzlingly in the morning sun‚ had for some reason skillfully balanced a large pumpkin on his head‚ held leeks and daikon like mortal enemies under both arms‚ and even carried the empty giant basket on his back.
“…Hey‚ Leon.”
“What is it‚ Louie.”
“We haven’t bought anything yet at the market entrance‚ right?”
“Yeah‚ that is an irrefutable fact.”
“Then why are you already at maximum load?”
“Luggage should be prepared in advance so we can perfectly handle any increase at any time.”
“That’s not a holy knight’s tactic‚ that’s a logistics warehouse mindset…”
“A holy knight is one who always prepares for the worst-case scenario.”
“Can you stop saying just that part in an unnecessarily cool serious voice!?”
Leon proudly puffed out his sturdy chest. In that moment‚ one of the daikon he was holding under his right arm slipped and nearly fell.
But just a fraction of a second before it touched the market’s stone pavement‚ a jet-black hand silently extended from the shadow of the alley‚ caught the daikon in mid-air with godlike speed invisible to anyone‚ and drew an artistic parabola to neatly place it into the basket on his back.
――The poncho holy knight had no way of knowing that‚ far behind in a blind spot‚ the butler in a tailcoat (Agreas) was quickly and silently continuing to handle the dropped items causing loading errors.
Then‚ a passing old lady laughed heartily and called out.
“My my‚ young man‚ you’re quite the strong one. Are you moving house?”
“Of course‚ Granny.”
Leon looked prouder than ever.
“I will protect the logistics of the inn 『Adel』 with my life!!”
“Like I said! It’s just today’s dinner errand!?”
The market people who saw that overly grandiose exchange burst into cheerful laughter.
As we entered the deepest part of the market‚ the heat and liveliness increased all at once.
Freshly harvested juicy vegetables. Vibrantly colored fruits. Fresh fish fragrantly grilled on nets‚ and the scent of spices stimulating the stomach. Delicious aromas that violently tempted the sense of smell drifted from everywhere.
“Waa…!”
Selina’s blue eyes sparkled like stars in the night sky.
“Louie‚ look! I want to eat everything here!”
“Physically‚ your stomach capacity isn’t enough for everything‚ so that’s impossible.”
“Then half!”
“Half is still way over capacity‚ impossible.”
“Then one third!”
“It’s not a quantity issue!?”
While we were having such an exchange.
“Oh!”
A well-built vegetable shop uncle energetically waved his thick hand toward us.
“Isn’t that big bro Louie! You doing well?”
“Ah‚ hello‚ Uncle.”
“What’s this‚ shopping date with your cute girlfriend today! Lucky you!”
“No‚ she’s not my――”
“Yes‚ that’s right!”
Before I could deny it‚ Selina returned the maximum-output affirmation with a full smile.
“She’s not‚ Uncle!”
“Hahaha! You two are in perfect sync‚ young master!”
Loud laughter rose from the surrounding merchants.
My face turned bright red in an instant.
“U-Uncle‚ please stop teasing…”
“Oh‚ he’s blushing‚ blushing!”
“I said she’s not!”
“No no‚ you’re so young. Lucky you.”
The uncle laughed heartily and tossed one of the small glass bottles lined up at the front of the store into Leon’s backpack with a plop.
“Here‚ new honey. Today’s first pressing.”
“Eh?”
“A reward for the errand.”
“No‚ that’s too much. I’ll properly pay――”
“It’s fine. It’s a fresh memory of walking around with such a cute girlfriend.”
“I said she’s not!”
“Waa‚ thank you very much♪”
Right beside me‚ Selina was casually bowing deeply.
“Hey‚ you can’t just accept it‚ Selina!”
“Ehehe‚ thank you‚ Uncle!”
It was a complete defeat. No matter how many times I assembled arithmetic formulas‚ it was impossible to debug this “warm misunderstanding noise.”
On the other hand‚ in a stall area a little away from us.
Click. Click. Click‚ click.
The assassin maid Rosetta‚ holding her magic calculator‚ was silently and coldly surveying the entire market.
“Surrounding vegetable prices”
Click.
“Unchanged from yesterday.”
Click.
“Fresh fish and seafood”
Click.
“2.1% increase from the day before.”
Click.
“Honey market price”
Click.
“Within appropriate range. No anomalies.”
“…Hey‚ Rosetta. What exactly have you been doing since earlier?”
“Grasping the overall price index of the market‚ Louie-sama.”
“Do you really need to check every single item for dinner shopping?”
“Of course.”
Rosetta nodded with an unwavering expressionless face and respectfully raised her black leather notebook.
“These are the sacred living expenses entrusted by Madam. Not a single cent can be wasted.”
“I don’t think Auntie entrusted you with the wallet as such a critically important task?”
“No‚ it is extremely critical.”
The economic assassin maid declared firmly.
Then‚ a seemingly cheerful fruit merchant who hadn’t noticed her bottomless aura approached.
“Hey there‚ beautiful young lady‚ how about these bright red apples? Picked fresh this morning‚ they’re the best!”
“…Priced at 1.2 times the normal distribution price.”
“E-eh? …W-well‚ that’s a special price for tourists!”
Rosetta’s refined beautiful face froze into absolute zero with not a single millimeter of mercy.
Snap.
The black leather notebook was coldly closed.
“I have recalculated current supply and demand‚ as well as the predicted transition of the apples’ sugar content.”
A quiet absolute-zero voice that sent chills down the spine.
“The current price is 3.4% higher than the market’s average.”
“Eh? W-what are you――”
“Therefore‚ I request a 2.8% discount.”
“N-no‚ young lady‚ that’s unreasonable for business――”
“If the request is refused‚”
She took one step forward‚ releasing undeniable pressure.
“I will officially propose improvements to the market association treating this store as malicious malware‚ along with physical sanctions――”
“Rosetta‚ stop! Stop!!”
I desperately jumped in between the two‚ where blood seemed about to rain down.
“Let’s shop normally and peacefully!? You’re turning into something like a national-level supreme financial audit bureau just for shopping!”
“…Tch. ——Understood‚ Louie-sama.”
Rosetta let out a faint tongue click with no intention of hiding it‚ smoothly concealed the unsettling metallic sound that had rung from under her skirt‚ and put away the notebook.
The fruit merchant broke into a cold sweat like a waterfall and gave a cramped‚ bitter smile.
“Bro… your lady companions are quite something…”
“…Really. My stomach capacity isn’t enough.”
I unconsciously looked into the far distance.
“Sorry‚ Uncle. Could I have five of these apples at that price?”
“Eh. Wait‚ like I said earlier‚ that’s a tourist rip-off price? Are you sure?”
“――Please rest assured. Even at the offered price‚ the sugar content and quality of these apples sufficiently match the market’s appropriate value.”
Gently‚ like a pleasant breeze.
A gentleman in a jet-black tailcoat appeared. With perfectly natural movements‚ he bowed deeply and quickly placed a coin (no change needed) into the dazed merchant’s palm.
“S-so kind of you to say… Wait‚ huh? Where did that eye-candy gentleman go?”
By the time the merchant blinked repeatedly‚ Agreas’s figure had already melted like an illusion into the shadow of the alley and completely disappeared.
The commotion scattered by the overprotective party was‚ as always‚ being perfectly handled in the background by the shadow’s super-capable butler.
――It was right after that.
From the deepest part of the market‚ a voice sounding extremely troubled rode the wind.
“This is troubling… really troubling…”
“Looks like we’ll have a lot of leftover fish again this morning. At this rate‚ we’ll be in the red again today…”
Naturally‚ my gaze turned toward the direction of that earnest voice.
(……What is it?)
Something quietly caught in the depths of my chest.
It wasn’t an order from Ciel. It wasn’t an obligation from Selina.
Just the fact that “there is a troubled person in front of me” was slowly‚ like rusted gears of fate meshing together‚ quietly beginning to spin a new calculation inside my brain.
Deep in the market.
In the fishmonger street where the sea breeze blew a little stronger‚ contrary to the usual lively calls‚ one fish shop owner was holding his sturdy arms and clutching his head.
“Sigh… It’s tough again today…”
Wooden boxes full of fresh fish that had just been landed.
They sold like hotcakes in the early morning. But once past noon‚ customer traffic completely stopped‚ and the unsold fresh fish lost freshness moment by moment.
“Looks like we’ll have a lot of leftovers again this morning…”
“Boss.”
The young clerk next to him called out apologetically.
“Are we doing clearance sales at the end again?”
“No…”
The fish shop boss shook his head heavily.
“Even if we discount‚ we won’t make it in time… In the end‚ some fish will have to be thrown away.”
Overhearing that earnest murmur‚ I naturally stopped walking.
“Louie‚ what’s wrong?”
At the end of our linked right hands‚ Selina turned around curiously.
I quietly‚ yet coldly‚ gazed at the lined-up wooden boxes and the fish scales shining brilliantly inside them.
(……Morning customer traffic waveform)
(Direct sunlight incidence angle)
(Sea breeze flow velocity and humidity)
(Average walking speed of townspeople returning from evening work)
While simply walking through the market‚ the environmental data unconsciously accumulated in my brain server was beautifully clicking together like puzzle pieces in my head.
『Louie-sama. Beginning optimization analysis assistance.』
Ciel’s extremely clear electronic voice resounded from my brain’s highest privilege directory.
[ Situation: Market human flow data acquisition complete ―― ]
[ Cross-referencing fishing boat arrival time data ―― ]
[ Purchasing behavior patterns and dwell time analysis ―― ]
[ Processing: Beginning market distribution optimization ―― ]
“……”
I gave a small but confident deep nod.
“Uncle… At exactly 2 PM‚ or 140 minutes from now‚”
“Eh?”
The fish shop boss looked up in surprise at being suddenly addressed. I pointed at the foremost wooden box.
“Please lower the price of only the fish in this row by 20%.”
“20%? But if we discount all of them‚ our profit will…”
“Not all of them. At 2 PM‚ only this type of fish‚ whose freshness decline rate will start accelerating the most‚ will be pinpoint-processed.”
I crouched down and slightly rearranged the placement of the fish inside the wooden box.
I moved the large fish to a prominent central position‚ the smaller ones to the edges. I also subtly changed the tilt angle of the wooden box by a few degrees.
“After that‚ calculating the sunlight incidence angle in reverse‚ please install a shade sheet in this position from the afternoon onward. Also… for individuals whose freshness has started to drop‚ grill them fragrantly on the spot. Instead of just discarding them‚ distribute them as bite-sized ‘samples.’ That will be the best advertisement.”
“Eh…? Will such minor adjustments really be enough?”
“Yes. After 3 PM‚ the influx of housewives and shoppers returning from work will increase. Those people are looking for ‘cheap and fresh main dishes for tonight’s dinner.’ …If all price ranges are high‚ they’ll just pass by‚ but if there’s even one eye-catching cheap item‚ the purchasing psychology of ‘might as well buy the others too’ will activate. The fragrant smell of grilled fish will also powerfully attract customers.”
The fish shop boss was frozen with wide eyes at the overwhelming logic.
“…Is business something like that?”
“Arithmetically‚ the probability of zeroing out unsold inventory and raising total net profit by 12% is extremely high.”
It was exactly when I smiled shyly.
“――To add further supplementation‚ if you remove the bones from the sample fish in advance‚ the dwell time of mothers with young children will increase even more.”
“Eh?”
Gently. A somewhat refined cold wind blew from behind.
A fraction of a second after the tailcoated gentleman (Agreas) who appeared out of nowhere whispered perfect marketing advice into the fish shop owner’s ear—he had already melted into the shadow of the alley without leaving a trace.
“W-what was that eye-candy gentleman just now…!? …Well‚ whatever‚ bro! I’ll try it out‚ thanks!”
“Yes. I’m glad if it helps.”
Seeing me lightly bow my head‚ Selina next to me narrowed her blue eyes lovingly.
“Louie. You couldn’t leave troubled people alone again. You really are kind.”
“…Am I? When I see a troubled situation‚ the optimization formulas just start running in my brain on their own.”
“Alright! I don’t get the reason at all‚ but I’ll trust bro’s arithmetic!”
The vanguard heavy soldier Leon pointed powerfully.
“Hmm… The customer flow isn’t coming this way at all today…”
A little further away in a corner of the square‚ the mobile stall uncle was standing with arms crossed‚ letting out a deep sigh.
“The bread smells so delicious‚ it’s strange.”
Selina tilted her head cutely. I began intently observing the environmental data around the mobile stall.
The geometric shape of the square. The wind’s path. The flow of people through the market.
“……”
I crouched down‚ picked up a small twig rolling on the stone pavement‚ and began drawing a simple geometric pattern.
“Here is the square’s center coordinate.”
One line with the twig.
“Here is the sea breeze flow path.”
Another line.
“And the maximum human flow enters from here at this angle.”
Another sharp line was carved into the stone pavement.
Leon peered at the lines on the pavement from inside his silver-white helmet with a deadly serious gaze.
“…I see. A high-level military operation map for gaining terrain advantage.”
“No‚ it’s just a side trip during the errand.”
“It’s the enemy army’s invasion route and our heavy formation deployment map‚ right?”
“It’s about adjusting the stall’s position!?”
With a wry smile‚ I pointed the tip of the twig toward the mobile stall.
“Uncle. Please turn the stall’s orientation five degrees more to the west.”
“Five degrees? Will just that change anything?”
“Yes‚ it will change dramatically. The sea breeze flow changes in the afternoon. By tilting it five degrees‚ the fragrant smell of freshly baked bread will efficiently spread throughout the entire square. Combined with the sample smell from the fish shop‚ it will directly strike the appetite of people in the square.”
“Ahaha!”
Selina‚ who had been listening to the passionate explanation right beside me‚ couldn’t hold back and burst out laughing.
“W-what‚ Selina.”
“No‚ it’s just that you explaining the ‘delicious smell patch operation’ with such a serious face is so funny and cute. …Yeah‚ I really love that arithmetic-idiot side of you.”
“…!”
Right after casually dropping a love confession‚ Selina hugged my right arm even more strongly.
“Hey‚ Selina‚ too close! Physically too close!”
“Fufu‚ when I get happy‚ the initial spec forcibly closes the distance♪”
“Can’t that dangerously heart-risking bug spec be urgently fixed with an update!?”
『Rejected.』
From my brain’s highest privilege directory‚ Ciel instantly replied with not even a single hair’s breadth of delay.
[ Judgment: High-frequency physical contact with Selina-sama gives an enormous positive effect on the subject’s personality restoration ―― ]
[ Conclusion: Strongly recommend maintaining current close contact state ―― ]
(Hey system! Even Ciel has completely become Selina’s accomplice…!?)
“Alright! I don’t get the reason at all‚ but I’ll trust bro’s arithmetic!”
The stall uncle energetically rolled up his sleeves‚ and with the help of nearby men‚ slowly rotated the large mobile stall.
Creee… the hard wheels creaked. Just a little. A perfect millimeter-level angle adjustment.
“Yes‚ perfect!”
“Thanks‚ Louie dear! If it works‚ we’ll make a fortune!”
――And then‚ several hours later.
It was exactly around the time when the afternoon sunlight slanted and the direction changed toward the refreshing sea breeze.
The fragrant‚ sweet smell of freshly baked bread rising from the angle-adjusted mobile stall beautifully spread throughout the entire square as if drawing guiding lines.
“Waa‚ it smells so good! I’m getting hungry!”
“Hey‚ let’s make that bread our snack today‚ let’s stop by!”
People stopped one after another‚ drawn by the smell.
Before long‚ a long line snaking multiple times across the square had formed in front of the stall.
And in the fishmonger street where the sea breeze blew through‚ exactly the same miracle was happening.
“Oh‚ lucky! This fish is 20% off pinpoint from 2 PM!”
“Perfect for the main dish tonight! Look‚ the grilled sample fish has the bones cleanly removed so even kids can eat it!”
“Let’s secure today’s share now!”
Before dusk. The large number of wooden boxes lined up at the fish shop‚ which had been full of unsold fish that the owner had been troubled over‚ were completely empty—not a single fish left.
“…Sold out…”
The fish shop boss was just staring dazedly at the empty wooden boxes.
“Really… not a single one left‚ all of them…”
The boss’s gaze‚ as if seeing something unbelievable‚ was directed toward a boy in the distant crowd who was being happily pulled by the arm by a beautiful silver-haired girl‚ blushing and smiling troubledly while saying “Hey! The sample honey isn’t on the shopping list!”
“…Just who is that kid…?”
The people of the market still didn’t know.
That the existence of this “boy who gently fixes the world’s fraying with just slight adjustments to equations” would eventually change the entire port town gently and warmly.
The errand at the market was almost finished.
In the square where dusk was quietly approaching‚ even more people than during the day had gathered‚ and small children were running around energetically.
Cheerful accordion music played by street performers.
The fragrant aroma of sweet baked sweets drifting from the stalls.
Colorful international flags swaying in the refreshing sea breeze.
The gentle laughter unique to the port town softly enveloped the entire market.
“…It really is lively.”
When I casually murmured that‚ Selina‚ who had her arm firmly linked with my right‚ nodded happily many times.
“Yeah! Everyone in this town looks so happy!”
――It was exactly that moment painted with peace.
“Uuu… sniff…”
From a lively corner of the square‚ a small but heartrending cry leaked out.
When I looked‚ a small boy about five years old was sitting alone on the stone pavement‚ his eyes swollen red‚ tightly gripping something with both hands.
“What’s wrong? Did you get lost?”
Selina gently crouched down and spoke softly.
The boy wiped his tears with his small hands and timidly held out his palm.
There was a simple small windmill toy made of wood.
However‚ its blades were limply drooping and not catching the sea breeze at all.
“…It broke.”
“Daddy just bought it for me today…”
“Even when a lot of wind blows‚ it doesn’t spin at all…”
Selina looked at the wooden windmill with a troubled expression.
“Hmm… Maybe the base of the blades broke?”
“No. Structurally‚ there is no damage.”
Silently. Without a sound.
Rosetta‚ who had been standing in a perfect blind spot‚ stepped forward with an unwavering expressionless face. Her eyes behind the glasses scanned the toy’s structure with a sharp searchlight-like precision for just an instant.
“The central wooden shaft‚ which serves as the main axis of the windmill’s rotation‚ is curved about ‘1.2 millimeters’ to the right due to sea moisture and age-related stress. That is causing severe friction in the rotation path.”
“You identified a 1.2 mm bend with a glance in a fraction of a second!?”
As I was involuntarily astonished‚ Rosetta pulled out a 『brand new shiny windmill』 from behind her black leather notebook as if by magic.
“Young master. Please don’t cry. Instead‚ here is the latest model――”
It was a logical and shortest solution.
But the boy firmly shook his head.
“No… I want this one that Daddy chose and bought for me…”
“……”
Rosetta stopped her outstretched hand perfectly still‚ narrowed her slightly long eyes just a little‚ and then silently returned it behind the notebook as if nothing had happened and quietly stepped back into her original blind spot.
(……Yeah. Of course. There is no replacement in this world for something Daddy gave you.)
I crouched down next to the boy to match his eye level.
“Hey‚ can I take a look at that windmill for just a moment?”
The boy nodded while still crying.
I took the wooden windmill and slowly spun the blades with my fingertips. Just as Rosetta’s ultra-precise analysis indicated‚ the central shaft was warped by just 1.2 mm‚ causing physical friction.
“Fuh‚ then it’s my turn! Leave it to me!”
Leon towering behind us rattled his armor and confidently took out a small wooden mallet from his tool pouch at his waist.
“…Hey Leon. Why does a holy knight’s equipment include a wooden mallet?”
“It’s for emergency repairs of the inn 『Adel』‚ Louie.”
“It’s really convenient‚ but normally you don’t keep that in a combat pouch‚ right?”
“Of course. You never know when our inn’s defensive wall might physically collapse.”
“The definition of a holy knight as the nation’s highest combat force is collapsing inside my brain…”
With a deep wry smile‚ I received the well-used wooden mallet from Leon.
I gently placed the windmill on the stone pavement‚ instantly calculated the millimeter-level striking angle in my brain‚ and——.
Tap.
I precisely struck only the one spot that was the starting point of the misalignment‚ just lightly.
Then‚ I carefully adjusted the wind-receiving angle of the blades by a few degrees with my fingertips.
“Okay. With this…”
As if on cue‚ a pleasant sea breeze blew gently from the ocean.
Spin.
Spin spin spin…!
The windmill that had been stopped began spinning vigorously with a light clattering sound‚ as if it had come back to life and was rejoicing.
“Ah!”
The boy’s round eyes widened even further in astonishment.
“It’s spinning! My windmill is spinning!”
“Amazing! Louie fixed it in an instant!”
The windmill perfectly caught the dusk sea breeze and continued spinning happily with a cheerful sound.
“Thank you‚ big brother! I love you!”
The boy hugged the newly fixed windmill tightly like a treasure with a full-faced smile.
Watching that sunny smile‚ I naturally found the corners of my mouth softening a little too.
“Yeah. …I’m really glad.”
The words that slipped from my mouth were surprisingly natural and honest.
It wasn’t that I forced a smile according to the system’s error log. It wasn’t calculated to make Selina happy.
I just fixed a small everyday thing that was broken and troubling right in front of me. As a result‚ the child in front of me smiled the happiest in the world.
That was all.
『――Report』
Ciel’s somewhat gentle electronic voice quietly resounded into my brain’s privilege directory.
[ Personality restoration log ―― ]
[ Detected item: Connection (connection with the region) ―― ]
[ Confirmed interaction with inn external directory (townspeople) ]
[ Detected construction of trust relationship with market residents ―― ]
[ Judgment: Clear improvement in subject’s emotional response confirmed. Detected natural occurrence of smile ]
[ Personality restoration rate: 31.4% → 31.8% (system update complete) ]
(……It went up?)
I unconsciously stopped on the dusk stone pavement.
(Just a 0.4% slight increase. …But surely. My heart is coming back.)
『Yes.』
Ciel’s reply‚ contrary to its usual inorganic synthesized voice‚ sounded somewhat gentle.
『Louie-sama’s “home” is not only that inn 『Adel』. Kindly interacting with someone in this town. Solving someone’s small troubles. Every single one of those steps is surely connected to Louie-sama’s personality restoration.』
『Louis-Adel.cfg (Louie-sama’s soul) is currently being reconstructed by connections with unspecified “people.”』
Quietly‚ I looked over the market that had begun to be dyed in madder red.
The fish shop boss was smiling in front of empty wooden boxes. The stall uncle whose position I adjusted was waving energetically. The boy who got his windmill fixed was running around chasing it as it spun.
The refreshing sea breeze gently stroked my chilled cheeks.
(……I see.)
I use arithmetic to make this town a little more livable.
Then‚ as a result‚ everyone in the town smiles.
And then‚ that warm smile in turn returns my heart a little closer to the original shape of a ‘human.’
The depths of my chest grew warm as if a candle flame had been lit.
Selina‚ who had been quietly watching‚ said nothing unnecessary and gently held my right hand.
This time‚ it wasn’t a vise-like grip that would creak bones.
Just gently. As if wrapping my cold hand with her own warmth.
I didn’t try to shake off that kindness.
Rather‚ the warmth flowing directly through my skin felt incredibly pleasant.
――It was exactly that instant when our hearts quietly connected.
A soft rustling of clothes sounded right behind me.
“…Young master.”
Rosetta walked up in front of the boy.
She crouched down and‚ still expressionless‚ gently touched the blades of the windmill in the boy’s hand with her fingertips.
“Eh?”
A faint magical light burst.
It was the ‘durability enhancement’ granting magic that only top-tier maids could handle.
“With this‚ it will never break again. …Please treasure it.”
“Yeah! Thank you‚ big sister!”
Rosetta gave a small bow‚ stood up‚ and quietly returned behind me.
Her profile still looked cold as ever‚ but only the eyes behind her glasses had softened somewhat with satisfaction.
(……I see. Rosetta is actually really kind too.)
『Record』
Ciel murmured quietly‚ and a log ran in my brain.
[ Additional log ―― ]
[ Contact with Selina-sama. Security: Increased ]
[ Detected Rosetta-sama’s hidden parameter (kindness) ]
[ Recommendation: Maintain current state ]
(……Ciel.)
『Yes?』
(Sometimes I wonder. Are you really an AI?)
For a brief moment‚ a strange silence flowed in my brain.
And then.
『…………』
『No comment.』
At that all-too-human reply‚ I couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
“Fufu.”
My small laugh quietly melted and disappeared into the dusk market.
Dusk.
The western sky slowly dyed madder red‚ and the sun sinking beyond the sea wrapped the entire port town in sepia light.
The market’s bustle was also gradually calming‚ and people were heading home carrying today’s shopping.
“Alright.”
Leon lightly adjusted the position of the large basket on his back.
Inside were potatoes‚ onions‚ carrots‚ dried fish‚ wheat flour. And the bonus small bottle of honey we received.
The ingredients Auntie had asked for were all perfectly gathered.
“Mission complete.”
“Yeah‚ with this we can prepare dinner tonight just fine.”
“Everyone at the inn will surely be happy!”
Selina bounced happily beside me.
By the way‚ my right hand was still completely restrained by her 『lover’s link』.
“…Selina‚ can you let go of my hand soon?”
“No.”
“Instant answer.”
“The specification is until we return to the inn♪”
“So it’s a spec…”
『Confirmation』
Ciel calmly displayed a log in my brain.
[ Contact protocol ―― ]
[ Subject’s current mental stability rate: Favorable ]
[ Recommendation: Maintain close contact state with Selina-sama ]
(Lately‚ Ciel has no intention of stopping her either.)
『I am processing the subject’s personality restoration as the highest priority matter.』
(What a convenient phrase.)
It was exactly when a wry smile leaked out involuntarily.
“Hey! Bro!”
A cheerful voice flew from behind.
When I turned around‚ the fish shop uncle we visited during the day was running over waving his hand energetically‚ still in his apron. In his hand was a large paper package tied with string.
“Thanks for today! Here‚ take this!”
“Eh?”
“When I did exactly what you told me‚ bro‚ all the fish that should have been leftovers sold out by evening! Thanks to you‚ today was a complete sell-out for the first time in a while! This is my gratitude!”
The uncle‚ breathing heavily but with a full smile‚ pushed the paper-wrapped high-quality dried fish toward my chest.
“Ehh‚ but… I can’t accept this. I only talked a little.”
As I hurriedly shook my head‚ Selina smiled softly beside me.
“Why don’t you accept it? It’s the uncle’s feeling of gratitude.”
“…Thank you very much.”
I accepted the warm paper package with slightly flushed cheeks‚ and the fish shop uncle smiled satisfiedly and returned to the depths of the market.
As we started walking the way back‚ this time the stall bread auntie came running over.
“Bro! Here‚ take this!”
The paper bag she handed me was packed full of freshly baked cookies.
“We had a huge success today! Your smell advice really hit the mark! My husband is still making a fuss going ‘Five degrees‚ five degrees!’”
At those words‚ laughter erupted all at once from the merchants cleaning up around us.
“Hahaha! The wind direction doctor!”
“Five-degrees bro‚ teach us again tomorrow!”
“N-no‚ it’s not that big a deal… It was just a coincidence.”
As I shook my head with ears turning red‚ the merchants piled on words.
“As if a coincidence could cause such a huge line!”
“Looking forward to it again‚ Louie dear!”
“Check out my store next time too!”
One by one. The number of smiling faces looking at me increased.
Before I knew it‚ until we left the market exit‚ many people were waving at us.
“Come again~!”
That warm voice slowly melted into the madder red dusk sky on the sea breeze.
I stopped for a moment on the stone-paved slope.
The depths of my chest felt warmly fuzzy.
What is this feeling?
Something nostalgic yet new——an emotion that didn’t even have a name registered in the current me yet.
But——it was definitely not unpleasant. Rather‚ it felt very pleasant.
『Analysis』
Ciel quietly unfolded a log in my brain.
[ Emotion analysis ―― ]
[ Detected concept: Sense of security / Sense of belonging ]
[ Confirmed safe connection with local community ]
[ State: Extremely favorable ]
(……I see.)
I slowly looked back at the dusk market.
Fish shop‚ vegetable shop‚ bread stall. The harbor‚ the sea breeze‚ the sunset. And everyone’s smiles.
(I still have so many things I can’t remember. Countless lost memories and unknown pasts‚ but)
I gently placed my hand on my chest. My heartbeat was beating in a very calm rhythm.
(The inn room isn’t the only one. This market‚ the harbor‚ everyone in this town… little by little‚ really little by little‚ they are accepting me into this world. If so——this is also my “place to return to.”)
At that moment‚ a new warmth gently transmitted to my restrained right hand.
Different from the previous vise-like hold. A grip that carefully and gently enveloped my fingertips.
“Louie. Did you have fun today?”
I looked at Selina’s face standing next to me. Then I recalled the people who laughed at the market and the boy who was happy about the windmill.
“…Yeah.”
Just one word. That was all.
But Selina bloomed with a bouncy smile as if it were her own happiness.
“I see. I’m glad!”
Looking at that pure smile‚ my own mouth corners naturally softened too.
“But the hold pressure on my hand has definitely increased over the course of today.”
“Ehehe. You noticed?”
『Measurement result』
Ciel immediately output an additional log.
[ Target: Selina-sama ―― ]
[ Hold pressure: +11.3 N compared to initial value ]
[ Cause estimation: Rise in ‘jealousy’ and ‘possessiveness’ due to subject interacting with others ]
(You don’t have to measure the fine numbers…)
『It is necessary data as a system.』
(Ciel‚ you’re definitely enjoying this situation‚ aren’t you?)
『…………No comment.』
At that one-beat-delayed reply‚ I couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
“Fufu.”
“Ah‚ you laughed again! You seem to be laughing especially well today♪”
“Really? I don’t know why.”
“Then let’s go home! When we get back‚ let’s take a bath together today!”
“Again with that!?”
『[ Warning: No! Strongly not recommended! ]』
Even Ciel was desperately rejecting with a red alert in my brain.
“More importantly Selina‚ why don’t you move to another available room instead of mine?”
“I won’t move!”
“Louie‚ give up on that. I did my best too‚ but it was useless.”
“Rosetta‚ please say something too!”
“…Even if you look at me like that. As a maid‚ I cannot go against my lady’s decision.”
Chatting noisily‚ we started walking side by side.
The stone-paved slope dyed in dusk. At the end of it waited the inn 『Adel』 with its warm lights on.
The gentle light leaking from the windows and the aroma of freshly baked bread.
“Welcome back.”
I hadn’t even opened the door yet‚ and no one had said that to me.
The moment I saw those lights‚ for some reason I felt like I heard such a voice in my heart.
When we reached the front of the old door‚ the wind blew and the brass bell rang with a clang.
From the gap in the opened door‚ the shadow in a jet-black tailcoat——Agreas slipped into the inn ahead of us on the dusk wind without anyone noticing.
And today again‚ a slightly noisy‚ slightly suffocating——yet a warm day that filled the depths of my chest just a little‚ quietly drew to a close.
Extra Chapter 12 “Exceedingly Overprotective Errand Mission‚ or Market Optimization” End
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