It has been two months and a half since my successful first day of selling toiletries. And honestly, things have gone incredible since then. My income just keeps increasing, and I grind more money every single day.
"I brought it for my whole family this time!"
"Your soap made my skin so smooth!"
"My children are brushing their teeth every day now, can you believe it?"
Day after day, people never stop coming to my stall, and they're eager to get their hands on my toiletries. And every time I open my stall, someone will come up and throw testimonies like that at me.
People began to follow the hygiene routines I suggested, which were brushing teeth twice a day after waking up and before sleeping, washing their hands before eating, and using deodorants to control body odor. Before I knew it, the people in this city had changed in a way I didn't ever expect. Every time they met, the conversation always started with a comment on how shiny their hair was, how clean their teeth were, and how smooth their skin was.
Of course, commoners aren't the only customers I have.
A group of adventurers comes to my store. From what I know, this party is a B-rank. Their leader, Tusky, a tall man with a sword across his back, waves as he walks up to my stall with a grin.
"Oi, soap guy! You won't believe it. Since we started using that clear liquid of yours... what was it called again?"
"Sanitizer."
"Yeah, that one! Ever since we used it before meals, none of our teammates got sick! We used to have one person collapse every trip. But now? Not a single one. You saved our guts, man!"
Yup, they aren't lying or bragging about it. And they buy another sanitizer as proof.
Apparently, just like bacteria or viruses, there is no knowledge of food poisoning in this world, and that case rarely happens either. But once a person gets a stomach ache, they just think it's because of too much eating. There is no medicine or potion to cure the stomachache either, so they just leave it until it's fully healed by itself.
And adventurers aren't safe from that stomachache too. In fact, they're the most likely to get affected because of their way of living, fighting in the labyrinths, and eating anything they hunt.
So when Tusky and his party member first bought and tried using the sanitizer before eating during their expeditions, something changed, and they came back. And he wasn't the only one as more adventurers came, thanks to his recommendation. Most of them didn't know what hygiene was, but once they saw the benefits, they always returned.
After I finish selling all my toiletries, I go to the Merchant Guild to obtain a new stall's permit.
It only took me three days of sales before I decided to upgrade my permit from a daily to a weekly basis. It made things more convenient, and I didn't have to visit the merchant guild every single day anymore.
"Ah, Mr. Soap, welcome!"
When I enter the Merchant Guild, I see Tiffania welcomes me as usual, and yes, that's how she calls me now. Honestly, I don't mind it because my customers already call me with similar nicknames anyway.
"Huhh... I wish the demis and beastmen know how great your toiletries are..."
"Demis? Beastmen?"
Those two words make me remember something. The Kingdom of Remantia, the place I currently live now, is a country of humans. And so far, I haven't seen any elves, beastmen, dwarves, or any other fantasy races like it should be. So when Tiffania mentions them, I become curious about it.
"Can you tell me more about it, Tiffania?"
"Yes, demis and beastmen live in separate places across Acrusse. Dwarves, cyclopes, elves, and automata live in the country of Heiligeichen."
Automata?
Is that like a construct race?
"Wait, what are automata?"
"From what I know, they're a very intelligent race, and they're skeptical about magic. And their lifespan is shorter than humans, about 50 years. Strangely, they are a natural race because there is no evidence if they're constructed by humans."
"I see..."
Then, I see Tiffania grabs a piece of paper and draws something. After that, she shows her drawing to me, which is a silhouette of a human-like head.
"I don't know how to describe it, but this is what an automaton looks like. Their ears are shaped like this..."
When she points out the ears, I see they're forming disk-like bases with tall antenna-like structures extending upwards, which is similar to an android in sci-fi movies. And giving her explanation earlier about how automata doesn't believe in magic, it somehow makes sense for me because I can assume if they would rather believe in science instead.
"Ah, I see..."
Then, she continues her explanation.
"Heiligeichen is located at the highland and known for being the bread basket and crafting center. Dwarves do the metalworking and brewery, cyclopes with their traditional medicines, elves do the paintings and winery, and automata with their inventions like clocks and strange devices for observing the sky."
Ah, you mean telescope?
"Next, the country of Misdaras. This is a jungled place where wolfkin, pantherkin, birdfolk, and harekin live. The former three races are good at managing livestock, while birdfolk is the sole expert of poultry."
So, a meat basket country, huh?
"Nomah is a desert country, and this is where ogres and dragons live. This is the center of gold mining, exotic desert crops, and the place where the dark liquid called "black gold" is found. People say that it's used for asphalt and lamp oil."
Hmm... based on what I know, "black gold" is how people in the past called petroleum, so this world also has its Middle Eastern flair?
"If you want to enjoy the sea, then Oserin will be a good place for you. This is a country where merfolk and krakens live. The exports from there are marine harvests and coconuts."
Well, now that's interesting. The sun, the white sand, the blue ocean, the breeze, who doesn't want those, huh?
Also, I think I can get some kombu and crabs there.
"And lastly, there are the countries of Qualtnok and Turivel. Qualtnok is located at the subterranean, a place where demons and arachnes live, and known for its beauty products and textiles. As for Turivel, it's located above the sky, and only selected people are allowed to enter because this is the place where angels and unicorns live, and it's also known for magic scrolls and artifacts."
Whoa! Angels and demons, sky and subterranean, virtues and sins, huh?
Yup, I think I should have a tour around the world someday.
"Thank you for your explanation, Tiffania."
"You're welcome, Mr. So...oh, I'm sorry! I haven't asked your purpose of visit here, how clumsy I am..."
Right after she explains about the countries in this world, she remembers that she hasn't asked me anything about my presence here.
"Haha... it's okay, Tiffania. I'm here for my next permit."
"For another week, yes?"
"Yes, please."
"Okay, please wait for a moment..."
And after that, she smiles and hands me the freshly written permit.
"Here you go, your new weekly sales permit."
"Thanks as always."
But just as I'm about to turn away, she looks like she has something more to say. She adjusts her glasses and leans slightly forward.
"Umm... Mr. Soap, may I offer a suggestion?"
"Hm? What is it?"
She looks thoughtful for a moment before continuing.
"I've been watching your progress, and it's honestly impressive. Your stall is always surrounded by people, and your products are clearly in high demand. Don't you think...maybe it's time to consider renting a proper store instead of staying in that small stall?"
"A store, huh?"
I don't answer right away and just cross my arms, thinking hard.
Yes, she has a point. For this month only, I've been making about 1,200,000 yen in total, which is around 1 large gold and 2 gold coins. And with so many customers and products, space is getting tight, and my current stall can't afford it.
Not to mention the inn. It had been a month since I first stayed there. At 1,500 yen per night with meals, it wasn't expensive. But if I kept this up, the cost would stack. I already paid about 90,000 yen just for lodging. That's a lot.
If I have a proper store and maybe even a second floor to live in, a place where I can both sell and sleep, now that sounds efficient.
"I think you're right, Tiffania. Do you know if there's a place I can rent that's like a two-story property? Something simple. I don't need anything fancy, just a decent space to display my products on the ground floor and a place to live upstairs."
When I ask that, I see her eyes light up, like she is clearly glad when I take her suggestion seriously.
"In that case, I recommend visiting one of the real estate agents in the western part of the city. They handle commercial properties too, and I'm sure you'll find something that suits your needs."
"Got it. Thanks a lot, Tiffania. I really appreciate your help."
"You're welcome, Mr. Soap. Best of luck with the search!"
With that, I wave her goodbye, turn around, and walk out of the guild and head towards my next destination.
After I walk about 10 minutes, I arrive at the place that Tiffania mentioned earlier, and the moment I enter, a man around his early 30s greets me.
"Welcome to Riroa Real Estate. What can I help you, sir?"
"Do you have a property where a residence and a store are combined?"
"Yes, please wait a moment."
After that, he returns with a piece of floor plan paper in his hand, and he begins explaining it to me.
"Well, unfortunately, this is the only property that you are looking for, sir. It is located in a back alley away from the main street, so the location is not good for doing business. But the rent only costs 2 gold coins per month. We seem to run out of the property that faces large streets, so we can only offer you this."
"Umm... how much does it cost? The property in front of the street that you're talking about?"
"The rent is 5 gold coins per month. It's a little expensive, but smaller than the first one."
Yup, just like the street stalls. If you face a large street, you would get a lot of people and can attract customers easily, but the price is expensive. Meanwhile, if you're off the main street and into a narrow back alley, you would see fewer people come, but the price is cheaper. And honestly, I feel glad because the first option doesn't exist.
But still, explanations wouldn't prove anything, so I have to see it myself.
"Hmm... I would like to take a look at it. Can I?"
"Of course, sir. Would you like to go now?"
"Yes."
"Yes, let's go."
And with that, the man brings me to the property's location. We only need to walk for about three minutes to arrive there.
"Well, this is the one I tell you about, sir. Let me show you inside."
I follow him into the building and look around. The first floor is indeed for the sales space of the store with shelves and a counter, and there are stairs connected to the second floor with a toilet in front of them.
When we climb to the second floor, I see spaces for bedroom, living room, dining room, and kitchen. I also spotted a small lantern, which I assume is for the lighting.
And as expected, there is no bathroom here, which is acceptable because if people here consider soap luxurious, then it's the same case for private bathing space. Although, it kinda feels ironic because I make money with selling toiletries, yet I haven't had a proper bath ever since I arrived in Acrusse. So far, I only use water in the buckets and towel that the inn lady prepares for me to wash my body, and I really miss the feeling of sinking my body in a warm bath, but I guess I should be patient about it.
"So, what do you think, sir?"
"Yup, this is good, I'll take this house."
"Are you sure about it? I mean, I don't recommend it for business, sir."
"Yes, I'm sure. I don't mind with it."
Yeah, he seems to worry about me and tries to give his personal opinion. But don't worry, I'm very confident about the growing popularity of my products, and even if I move into a bad location, the sales will follow.
"Well, I'll make a contract right away, so let's go back first, shall we?"
"Okay."
Then, we return to the real estate agency, and arriving there, the man prepares a contract for the property in a flash.
"This is the contract. Please sign up here and make a payment, sir."
"Okay."
After I sign the contract, I proceed to the transaction by handing him 5 gold coins, and he accepts the payment. And with that, I finally get the house and new store that I want.
"Well, the contract is now completed. So from today, that property belongs to you, sir."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome, sir. And thank you very much for doing business with us."
After I leave that place, I suddenly decide to return to the Merchant Guild because I've just thought that if I need a permit to sell at a street stall, then maybe I also need it for selling at the store. So that's why I want to ask Tiffania about it.
"Welcome back, Mr. Soap!"
"Tiffania."
"Do you get the property?"
"Yes, thanks to your advice."
"Congratulations!"
As usual, Tiffania greets me, and she also congratulates me because I've obtained a new property.
"Hey, Tiffania. Do I need a permit too if I rent a store?"
"Of course. Although, in the context of a store, it's called a license."
As I thought, my prediction is correct. Yeah, just the name is different.
"Do you want me to process your license?"
"Yes, please."
Then, Tiffania takes a piece of paper and asks me a question.
"Can you tell me where your store is located?"
"Yes."
With that, I explain my store's location to her, and she writes it off on that paper. And then, she seems to be doing a mental calculation for a moment before she speaks again.
"Yes, judging by your location, the cost for a month is 1 gold coin, and it's 11 gold coins for a year. Which one would you like?"
Honestly, maybe because my store is located outside the center, and on top of that it's in a back alley, the license is cheap too. However, I don't know why, but I feel like I want to apply for that monthly license instead.
"I'll take the first option, then."
"Understood. Now, let's proceed to the payment."
Then, I hand out a gold coin from my pocket to Tiffania, and in return, she gives me that sales license.
"Well, this is your sales license, Mr. Soap. Good luck for your store!"
"Thank you, Tiffania!"
After that, I walk off from the guild with a smile on my face.
MEANWHILE, IN REMANTIA'S LABYRINTH
**********
The damp corridors of the labyrinth echo with the footsteps of a group of adventurers, their laughter bouncing off the mossy walls as they march forward, relaxed but alert.
"I swear, I've never felt this clean after a dive. My armpits aren't trying to kill me anymore."
"Forget that, have you seen how shiny my hair is? It's like I dipped it in starlight."
"Hey, and my teeth? Look at this, sparkling! If monsters don't drop loot, maybe I'll blind them with my smile!"
The group burst into laughter.
As they pass a corner, a figure in a hooded cloak pauses mid-step. The stranger turns toward them, voice soft and feminine.
"Excuse me, what are you talking about?"
The adventurers turn to the person, answering the question.
"Magical cleaning things! They're super popular now."
"I see. Where can I find them?"
"Easy. Just look for the soap guy, you can't miss him."
With a wave, they disappear deeper into the maze.
The cloaked woman reaches into her pocket and pulls out a small tendril. She stares at it, then smiles.
"I can't believe this city has changed in just a year. I must have that too..."