Chapter 108
"I can't invite you into the staff dormitory room, but I can join you for tea on a day off... Well then, shall we get going?"
After having lunch, they drank coffee at a café... and while they were deep in conversation, it had already beco late in the afternoon.
It was probably about ti to head back to the Grand Shrine.
"Ah, excuse . There's a shop I want to stop by before heading back, is that okay?"
"Of course, I don't mind. Where is it?"
"A toy store."
After paying the bill, Clael and Reina left the café.
Following the café, the two headed to a toy store on the main street.
"There was sothing I needed to buy here. It's a shop I frequent, you know?"
"Ah, Reina, you like plushies, don't you? So you buy them at this store."
Ever since she was given a bear plushie as a child, Reina had often wanted more plushies.
Reina's room at the shrine in Eggbell was full of plushies. So were gifts from Clael, others from the townspeople.
"Yes. Things are likely to get busy soon, so I thought I'd stock up in advance."
"Busy? Stock up?"
It sounded like she was replenishing consumable household goods.
Just what did she think plushies were?
"Hello, ma'am."
"Ah, welco. You ca again today, Reina-chan."
When the two entered the store, a middle-aged woman wearing an apron greeted them.
Apparently, Reina was a regular at this store. She greeted the owner in a familiar tone.
"Bringing a man with you is rare. Is he your boyfriend, Reina-chan?"
"Ah, this is my guardian, Clael."
"Nice to et you, I'm Clael."
"Ah, so you're the one from the rumors..."
The shopkeeper stared intently at Clael.
Just what kind of rumors had she heard?
She looked at him with probing... and unusually curious eyes.
"Um... is there sothing about ?"
"No, no, nothing at all. More importantly... Reina-chan. What are you here to buy today?"
"Plushies. Any kind is fine, just give a lot. At least fifty."
"Fifty!?"
Clael widened his eyes at the number Reina had said.
Had he misheard? What was she going to do with that many plushies?
"Let's see... I can quickly prepare ten each of bears, cats, and dogs. The rest will be a mix of types... but if I gather them, it should reach fifty. It'll be a bit pricey, but I guarantee the quality. If you need more, I can also outsource it..."
"Please do... And also, please make a new plushie as a custom order. Here are the materials."
"This is..."
Reina handed over a bag she had taken out from sowhere.
The shopkeeper checked the contents... and her eyes sparkled.
"Dragon hide, huh. You've got sothing rare there."
"Yes. I ca across it during a trip. Can you make one with it?"
"It'll take so ti to process... but I'll give it a try. Give so ti."
"Then please have the plushies delivered to the Grand Shrine... Ah, Clael. Sorry to keep you waiting."
"............"
What was that conversation just now?
Was that really a conversation between a toy store and a custor?
It felt more like a negotiation with a weapons dealer.
"I was buying plushies to give to the children at the shrine-run orphanage. Since I need a lot, I thought I'd place the order early."
"Ah, I see... That's a relief. I thought for sure..."
"Thought for sure?"
"Ah, no, no! It's nothing at all!"
Still, he couldn't help but feel uneasy about her handing over dragon hide.
Well, perhaps that's just how enthusiasts are—particular about materials.
When amateurs ddle in the world of aficionados, nothing good cos of it. It was best not to dig too deep.
"Is there anything you want to buy, Clael?"
"No, I don't really have any business at a toy store... Oh?"
Sothing suddenly caught his eye. A square board and black and white pieces. It was a chess set.
"Chess, huh."
"Oh, you know about this? You're quite knowledgeable, Clael."
"Well, sowhat. I co from a noble family, after all."
Chess existed in this world too, but it wasn't a very popular ga.
So nobles enjoyed it as a hobby, but most commoners didn't even know it existed.
(Just learning how the pieces move is a hassle... Maybe the rules are too complicated for the general public.)
"I tried stocking it in our store, but... it doesn't sell well. I wish it would catch on more, but it's expensive."
"Well, the pieces are intricately made, after all. It's only natural that it ends up being pricey."
The more detailed the piece design, the higher the production cost.
A simpler ga with easy-to-learn rules would be better.
"Ah."
He had an idea.
This was a staple in web novels about being reincarnated in another world.
In the other world, it was a classic among classics. A ga easier to learn and cheaper than chess.
"Then how about Reversi?"
Reversi. Also known as Othello.
In reincarnation stories, it was a ga the protagonist often sold to earn money.
Clael explained the rules and how to play Reversi to the toy store owner.
"Sounds fun. Maybe I'll ask a craftsman to make it."
"As expected of you, Clael!"
"It's really not sothing worthy of praise..."
It was just a rip-off.
Nothing to be praised for at all.
"If it sells, I'll have to give you a cut, Clael."
"I don't need it. Don't worry about it."
It wasn't a ga he ca up with himself, and Clael wasn't in need of money.
In fact, lately, his unused donation money had just been piling up.
"But it wouldn't feel right not giving you anything in return..."
"If you really feel that way, please donate it to the shrine or the orphanage. That's more than enough."
Leaving those words behind, Clael took Reina and left the toy store.
A few days later.
That toy store partnered with a trusted rchant company and began producing and selling Reversi.
Thanks to its simple rule of flipping pieces by sandwiching them, the ga beca a huge hit.
Other stores quickly copied it, but... it seed they had anticipated that and maintained steady sales with the brand of "developed by us."
The story that the ga was created by a young priest who had just been recognized as a saint gradually spread by word of mouth.
The fact that Clael insisted on donating all of his share beca an unexpected opportunity for his na to gain fa.
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