The Minotaur has been an impenetrable guardian for hundreds of years without a single failure in subjugation.
In fact, there hasn’t even been a casualty for nearly 300 years.
That’s because it’s a monster whose tactics have been completely shared, and being only the guardian of the second floor, finding a mid-level adventurer to assist is relatively easy.
If one lacks the necessary specs to even participate in the subjugation, that’s one thing, but if you’re engaging in the effort, capturing it has become a given in this world.
“So, that means the banquet is already in preparation? We just need to show up?”
At my question, Rosemary nodded mechanically with a vacant expression.
“That’s right. I can just claim they’re my companions up to the entrance. But inside the banquet hall, such excuses won’t hold up. Especially with my mother…”
“Ah, enough! We just need to get inside.”
“Ugh!”
Rosemary’s face filled with frustration and guilt, as if she had accidentally awakened an ancient demon.
Seeing her act up every time she spoke, it seemed this was her true nature.
Then again, Rosemary, who is just over a hundred years old by elven standards, is basically a newly adult.
It’s not odd that she might be lost in her own little world, given there are humans who still struggle with adolescence well into their twenties.
By the way, those who haven’t outgrown their childishness often end up becoming writers. How do I know that…?
I shook my head to dispel those gloomy thoughts and asked Lydia.
“Lady Lydia, are you alright on your own?”
“How much fighting power is needed? Just in case, let me remind you…”
“Come on, would I ask Lady Lydia to do something dishonorable? I have no intention to strike first. Just a bit of protection from potential danger would suffice.”
“Then I can handle it alone. But just in case, it would be safer to take Benny with me.”
“Hmm. Should we? Since we’re attending on the invitation of Rosemary, we need to follow the dress code, right? We can take Benny along to borrow some clothes. As for Ellie…”
“Senpai Ellie is over the top. Besides, she tends to lose it when you’re involved.”
“Oh no. Unlike Lady Lydia, she can punch first, you know?”
“Right. And the ones who can fend off Senpai Ellie’s punches are few, even at Pangrave.”
“I guess there’s no choice then. We’ll just take Benny.”
The discussion proceeded smoothly. Even though we had already reached the surface, Rosemary seemed unbothered and silently asked her guard.
“Berry. If we tell my mother about this scheme now…”
“I lack the confidence to outwit Lady Lydia.”
“…What can you do?”
“I can act as a witness to today’s events.”
“That’s not a bodyguard’s job…!”
Dragging the despairing Rosemary, we headed to Benny’s workshop.
*
I kidnapped Benny, who was lazily lying around in his underwear, and took him straight to a classy suit shop in the commercial district.
During the process, there was a sad incident where Benny bit my hand, but thankfully, Shadow subdued his rebellion by biting Benny’s hand instead.
There was an unexpected moment where Rosemary fainted at the sight of Shadow’s mouth, but let’s skip over that since it’s not really important.
Anyhow, after my size-adjustment magic fitted me with a sharp suit, we emerged from the shop.
Sadly…no, disappointingly, Lydia couldn’t take off her armor for potential combat reasons and opted for a revealing bikini armor instead.
Benny wore a stunning purple dress adorned with decorations, unlike his usual attire. It still tightly clung to his form, though.
“Wow! That figure!”
“It’s frustrating enough being dragged out from home, and now you’re going to mock me?!”
“I’m being serious! What were you expecting wearing such revealing clothes?!”
“Revealing? Where? Oh, are you saying it’s because of the slightly low-cut back dress? Hehe? Is that it? You’re still quite naive, Jonah.”
Was it the memories from being trapped in a cube that flew away, or was it the charming smile and subtle reveal of her back from Benny that made her seem innocent?
I chuckled and slipped my hand into the back of her dress.
“Yow!”
Like a cat caught by its tail, Benny jumped. I had indeed pressed down near her tailbone.
Only after confirming that Shadow sneakily retreated into the shadows upon seeing Benny being effortlessly subdued, I turned around.
“Eek!”
I smiled at Rosemary, who now covered her rear in panic.
“Shall we go?”
“Oh, got it!”
Creaking, Rosemary led the way. The place we arrived at was the Cradle Association’s headquarters.
So, right next to Eden, the general store.
“Huh. What kind of banquet is held at an association? Isn’t it supposed to be at a mansion or something?”
“Stop talking nonsense. With how much land is worth in Pangrave, how could they build such enormous mansions? Besides, the banquet is just an extension of business. If they create a banquet hall within the association building, all installation, maintenance, and hosting costs can be categorized as business expenses for tax advantages. No need for such foolish aristocratic extravagance from the old days…”
“Waaah! I’m baby Jonah! I don’t understand these tough stories. Isn’t money supposed to come like this?”
As I flashed the wallet I had stealthily stolen from Rosemary, her face went pale.
Though her surprise seemed to stem from a different point.
“When did you?! And more, don’t you know you should earn money legally? Stealing is wrong! This is why your character is lacking…ahem. Never mind.”
She began blabbering about sincerity or arrogance before catching a glance at Lydia and quickly shut her mouth.
Chuckling, I took 1 silver piece from her wallet and handed it back.
“Why just 1 silver…?”
“Well, as a reward for finding your wallet.”
“Finding it? A reward?”
Rosemary looked incredulous, but perhaps too tired to argue, she sighed and tucked the wallet deeper into her pocket.
Then she tidied her outfit and instantly returned to the imposing image of a second-generation chaebol we first encountered.
“I’ll take care of most things, so just go along with what I say. …But make sure to keep your promises.”
“Haha! Don’t worry. I’ll never harm the other elves first. In fact, I don’t think Lady Lydia would allow me to do that!”
“Even Lady Lydia is being… no, never mind. Just please, keep your promises.”
After several reminders, Rosemary took a deep breath and confidently opened the door to the Cradle Association.
Following her inside, I was met with a wide and clean space reminiscent of a modern department store.
The difference is that it was filled to the brim with consumables for adventurers and decent-quality equipment.
As expected from the Cradle Association. With the Mage Tower and the Artisan Union, it’s an organization that dominates Pangrave’s economy.
Its scale distinctively stood out from other shops. From what I could see, none of the products seemed under par in quality, and the prices were surprisingly low.
The overall vibe was that of pursuing value for money. Well, the first floor usually works like that. I bet the more you go up, the pricier the goods get.
Nodding internally while examining the store, I noticed a bustling crowd of customers and employees assisting them.
To my surprise, all the employees were elven men.
While it looked like a nauseating male spa to me, others might not feel that way at all.
How many women would say no when a handsome man smiles gently and strikes up a conversation?
Probably just Lydia, who’s far more engrossed in observing the equipment than the people.
Benny was distracted, so I stepped on his foot.
“Ouch!”
“Benny, focus on me or close your eyes.”
“Why again?!”
“Do you really want to see me in a crazy state?!”
“Ugh, fine! Fine! Just chill a bit! Is this good?”
Maybe they heard Benny’s shout. Suddenly, all eyes turned towards us. The staff naturally discovered Rosemary and bowed in a straight line.
“““Welcome, Miss!!”””
“Uh. I’ll go upstairs, so take care of things.”
Rosemary waved her hand dismissively as the elves returned to their duties as if nothing happened.
While the scene looked cool, it felt oddly unsettling, so I whispered, “Rosemary, I’m curious about something.”
“What is it?”
“You mentioned a banquet today, right? But why are customers being accepted?”
“Isn’t it obvious? If they take a day off, think of the revenue loss. As long as they manage to keep people from going upstairs to the banquet hall, it’s fine.”
“…So when the heir like Rosemary arrives, they bow steeply for greetings and then immediately return to work?”
“Just because greeting leaves a good impression doesn’t mean it brings in cash. They don’t even recognize me as a client, so it’s just common sense.”
“Common sense…? Is that really…?”
“…Ah! You may not have known. Our employees receive a proportional incentive based on the revenue they generate. Focusing on money-making tasks is just common sense, right?”
“……”
I knew I had portrayed elves as money-loving characters.
I was well aware of it, and I may admit using several stores run by elven owners.
But seeing such a blatant money-grubbing move left me in awe.
If the Cradle Association earns this much, they’d surely want to maintain their status, but operating because of money. Unbelievable.
Even the elves working under them all seemed to share the same mindset.
“I’ll admit it. You guys really are obsessed with money!”
“? Thank you for the compliment?”
Rosemary tilted her head in confusion.
