That Time I Got Reincarnated as an Underground Labyrinth Manager

Wiz blinked. "Hype? What does that mean?"

Chishiya gave a faint smile.

"You'll find out soon enough."

Vanir sipped his tea with a flourish, the corners of his mouth curling upward.

Looks like something amusing is about to happen.

—

At the same time, a long line had already formed in the square outside the shop.

The buzz from Chishiya's earlier promotions still hadn't died down.

Countless adventurers had been waiting for this day.

"I wonder what kind of event it's going to be!"

"Open up already! I can't wait!"

"I see adventurers from other cities here too."

"Boss! Open the store! Stop teasing us! What kind of mysterious event is this?!"

And it wasn't just adventurers.

There were plenty of newspaper reporters in the crowd too.

They'd heard the rumors about Chishiya.

Clearly a powerhouse, yet he chose to open a shop in a Novice Village.

This kind of curiosity bait? No way they'd miss it.

Everyone wanted the scoop.

Soon, amid the rising voices, six wooden platforms were wheeled out.

Each one was about half a meter tall with steps on both sides.

On top sat a small wooden table and two stools.

Looked more like a setup for tea than a battle stage...

"Nani? What's going on?"

"Is this the mysterious activity Chishiya mentioned?"

"I came all the way from another city just to shop here, please don't let me down..."

"You're clearly not local. Just wait, our hero won't disappoint you."

—

Among the crowd,

Mitsurugi Kyouya lowered his eyes slightly as he watched Chishiya come out alongside the platforms.

"That's the Hero Candidate?"

"He's so young... Could he really have defeated a Demon Lord general in one strike?"

"Tch..."

Fio, the rogue girl beside him, pouted.

"Such a scam."

"If you're a hero but don't want to fight the Demon Lord's army, and instead set up a shop in a newbie village just to rake in profits... what kind of ability is that?"

Another teammate, the spear-user Cremea, chimed in.

"Not everyone has the sense of duty Mitsurugi-sama does. Some people only care about money."

"As expected, Mitsurugi-sama is the real hero."

Mitsurugi Kyouya turned and said calmly,

"Don't say that. Let's wait and see."

"If he's known as a Hero Candidate and has that kind of strength, I believe he won't be like what you're saying."

"He probably does want to fight the Demon Lord's army. He just hasn't had the chance yet."

The two girls blushed and gazed at him dreamily.

"Okay… okay."

"Mitsurugi-sama is so kind…"

But when it came to Chishiya, the "fake hero" who stole their sword prince's spotlight?

No love lost there.

—

Elsewhere in the crowd,

Claire and Princess Iris blended in.

Iris had a sunshade cloak over her golden hair, hiding her identity.

Claire wore simple traveling clothes and followed close behind.

It was summer.

Their clothes weren't flashy, but their beauty still turned heads.

Claire glanced toward the square, just in time to see Chishiya pushing out one of the platforms.

"Iris-dono, I believe that's the Hero Candidate everyone's been talking about."

Iris rose on tiptoe, peering through the crowd for a glimpse of Chishiya's profile.

"He's not what I imagined. He's so young."

"...Can I talk to him afterward?"

She asked in a whisper.

Claire whispered back,

"My Lady, according to the traditions of the Belzerg Royal Family, it's against protocol for an unmarried princess to meet a man in private."

Though frankly, just sneaking out like this was already against the rules.

"Your birthday banquet is coming up. I'm sure Lady Dustiness will bring him to meet you then."

Iris thought for a moment, then nodded obediently.

"Okay. I'll wait then."

She leaned forward again to sneak another look.

Claire's eyes followed Chishiya too.

So that was the rumored Hero Candidate...

Good-looking, and at a glance you could tell he was a serious person.

And the one who saved Lady Dustiness.

If the opportunity came up, she'd need to properly thank him.

But...

Where was Lalatina, anyway?

No one had heard from her lately...

Troubling.

Still, with her strength, she'd be fine.

She was probably off adventuring again.

—

"Sorry to keep you waiting!"

Chishiya's voice rang out as the crowd buzzed.

Everyone turned toward the stage.

"Chishiya-san! What's the event this month? Quit teasing us already!"

"Yeah! Got any new gear?!"

"That potion from before was amazing! Shame it's impossible to get now! Got any in stock? I'll pay triple!"

"Same here! Triple the price, no questions asked!"

—

Chishiya raised a hand to quiet the crowd.

"Everyone, our potions are now available at all major commerce guilds."

"If you want to buy them, check there."

This event wasn't about potions, and Chishiya didn't plan to waste time on that topic.

"This time's event is actually about two announcements."

He scanned the square.

His gaze passed over several eager reporters scribbling furiously.

"First—"

"We're launching new products at our shop."

Right as he spoke, the store doors swung open, and Wiz stepped out holding a white gauze dress.

The material was airy, and the design was strikingly modern—half-shoulder, gently layered.

As she held it up, many female adventurers were stunned.

So pretty!!!

After spending all year in practical battle gear and spell robes, this was the first time they'd seen something this eye-catching.

Even Mitsurugi's two female teammates—at the sight of the dress in Wiz's hands—twitched involuntarily.

But...

As pretty as it was, it felt a bit too extravagant for adventurers.

Sure enough, the male adventurers in line began to stir restlessly.

Especially those who had traveled from far-off cities.

"I've been in line for this long, and you're showing me a skirt?"

"We're a bunch of burly dudes! What are we gonna do with a skirt?!"

"You messing with us or what?!"

"This is a joke, right? I spent my savings to get here!"

"Boss, are you seriously promoting just one dress after teasing us for a whole month?!"

The grumbling escalated.

Fio grinned maliciously.

"Heh. Serves them right. Suckers got played."

"Skirts for men, seriously. What was he even thinking?"

Cremea scoffed.

"Told you, he's no match for Edgeworth."

—

On the other side of the square,

Claire's eyes shimmered with doubt.

'With how innovative this guy is... was all this build-up really just for a dress?'

It didn't quite add up.

Iris's eyes sparkled as she turned to Claire.

"Why's everyone reacting so strongly? I think that dress is really pretty."

Claire leaned in and smiled.

"Yeah. It's very elegant."

"As long as you like it, Miss Iris."

(To be continued.)

***

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