Kamisama Shop de Cheat no Kaori

Chapter 179. The Bumpy Family And The Secret Visit

“Akira-san, I’ve gotten a rough estimate for the sewing machines from the Blacksmith Guild. By the way, you already own a few sewing machines, right?”

While I was chatting with the slender Eutis, the other members quickly prepared chairs, a table, and some tea. Gratefully, we sat down together.

“Yeah, I’ve got some.”

“The Guild Master has asked if we could purchase a few in advance.”

“It’s possible, but what’s the budget?”

“A little over 30 million.”

“Hmm…”

If I buy them at the SHOP, they’re about 50,000 each, so I can provide as many as needed. But thinking about the future, I need to be careful.

“Let me think about it for a bit.”

“Understood. I’ll let him know.”

It’s good to have money, but I’m not looking to make a fortune. It’d be better to use this opportunity to aid the slums. Fortunately, I’m not short on funds right now.

“So, what’s the real reason you brought me here?”

“They said that if anything else is needed besides sewing machines, they’d include it, so they’re looking for advice.”

“I can only think of fabric and thread… Honestly, you’re the expert when it comes to clothing. Oh, actually, it’d help if they could provide samples of all the fabrics in circulation. I want to see the variety.”

“Understood. I’ll pass that along.”

“Anything else?”

“They’ve prepared a nap room on the upper floor for you to use anytime.”

The members noticeably flinched at Eutis’s explanation.

…Hey. Wait a second…

“I’m not using it.”

“Understood. But it’s available whenever you need it.”

It seemed like Eutis didn’t understand the implication, brushing it off casually. Thank goodness she wasn’t part of the honey trap crew.

Seriously, even if the business talk goes smoothly, they sneak in traps like these. If this were an overseas business trip in my old world, it’d be the norm for some beauty to show up in my hotel room. Not that it ever happened to me, just stories from my boss.

And that boss would enjoy himself and go home, ensuring countermeasures against hidden cameras. Honestly, my old environment was full of trash…

“Anyway, this place will do just fine. It looked cramped from the outside, but it’s got depth, and we can even use the second floor as a workspace. It’s more than enough for now. Oh, and I’m not going up to the third floor.”

Calling it a nap room, but I can already imagine an oversized bed sitting there. I don’t even want to see it.

“I’ll give you an answer about the sewing machines by tomorrow.”

“Understood.”

“Now then… I’ve got some time to kill.”

There were plenty of things I needed to do, but the timing was awkward.

“Hey, Eutis, do you know where the churches are? Specifically, the ones for the other two gods besides the Earth Mother Goddess?”

“Huh?”

Did I say something weird? Eutis stared at me with wide eyes.

“Uh, if you don’t know, it’s fine. I can ask around.”

“No, um, why are you looking for them?”

“It’s not a big deal, but I’ve got something I need to take care of.”

Ideally, I’d finish the offerings in this country. Though I doubt it’ll be that easy, it’s worth a try.

“Well, uh… The churches here are small, so, um, they say the blessings you get from praying might be limited…”

“???”

What kind of reasoning is that?

“No, it’s not like I’m a believer or anything. I just have an errand to run…”

“Even so… wouldn’t it be fine to delay it?”

“That’s not wrong, but it’s an unpleasant task I’d rather get over with quickly.”

“I-I see…”

“Anyway, if you don’t know, no problem. I’ll…”

“N-No! I’ll guide you! Let’s go together!”

“Huh? But aren’t you busy with preparations? Just tell me the location…”

“No! This has nothing to do with the sewing machines. The Guild Master ordered me to assist you, Akira-san!”

“Well, if you insist…”

“It’s my job!”

Pressured by her unusually strong insistence, I let her guide me. Could Eutis also be part of the honey trap crew?

Not that I have any intention of falling for it, but maybe she’s been ordered to stay close to me at all times. If that’s the case, outright refusing might lead to her being punished, so I decided to go along.

The world sure is a harsh place.

◆

The place she guided me to was a church of the Helios faith. Unlike the shabby Aigas church that looked like a slightly upgraded house, this was an impressive stone building. It hardly seemed like the kind of place lacking blessings, as Eutis claimed.

The structure appeared to be made by carving and stacking large boulders from the wilderness. Without wooden beams like a brick building, it resembled a temple. The whitewashed exterior radiated elegance and purity.

At the center of the temple was a massive sun carving. Japanese characters spelled out “Helios Church,” another mysterious translation artifact.

“It’s quite crowded.”

“Yes, it is.”

Eutis answered, looking somewhat awkward. Was something bothering her?

“I can handle the rest alone, so you can head back.”

“No, you’re also going to the Telamis church, right? I’ll guide you…”

Hmm. Eutis was acting a bit strange today.

“Alright. I’ll just take care of this quickly, so wait here.”

“Oh, I’ll go too.”

“Sure, if you want.”

It seemed better to let her do as she pleased.

Though the timing was awkward, the church was relatively busy. Most visitors were there to pray, but luckily, I quickly found a male priest who seemed approachable.

“How may I help you?”

A man in his fifties with a slightly square face greeted me. Despite his stern features, his narrow eyes gave off a kind vibe.

“Sorry to bother you. I have something to offer to this church. Can I handle it here?”

The word “handle” might not have been ideal, but the priest, dressed in a robe with a large sun embroidered on the back, didn’t seem bothered. He smiled warmly.

“Yes, we can receive offerings here. Please, this way.”

He led me to a room adjacent to the chapel, large enough for about ten people to hold a meeting.

“It’s available now. I’ll prepare some tea, so please wait a moment.”

“No need to trouble yourself. It’s nothing grand, so I wouldn’t want to impose.”

“Is that so? In that case, I can accept it here. Do you have it with you now, or will you bring it later?”

Was this church accustomed to receiving large offerings? Considering the size of the building, it wouldn’t be surprising. Perhaps this room was specifically for dealing with merchants or similar matters.

“No, I have it with me. I’d like to offer this.”

I pulled out a wooden carving of the Melhes faith’s symbol from my pocket. It was a leftover piece I’d bought in bulk back in Pilatus, the same as the ones I’d given to Giro and Clari.

It was a crude wood carving resembling the kanji for “画.” Normally, it wouldn’t be something you’d offer to a church.

The priest tilted his head, scrutinizing the carving closely. Eutis, too, was staring intently.

Ah, crap. Eutis didn’t know about any of this—the abilities, the gods, nothing. Why did I bring her along…?

If the priest accepts it without issue, it’ll be fine.

“Pardon me, but what kind of carving is this?”

Of course, he’d ask.

After a small cough, I answered. I’d have to ensure Eutis kept this to herself later.

“Well, it’s a symbol of Merhes, the goddess of commerce.”

The priest smiled but raised one eyebrow by about three millimeters.