The moment I open my eyes in the morning, I turn my head lazily to the side, and there she is.
Kimberly.
The morning light is glowing faintly, as are her eyes that are already open.
"Morning, Kimberly."
"Good morning… Motegi-sama…"
Yeah. I'm really lucky.
Somehow, I've ended up surrounded by these amazing women. And all of them are equally beautiful and sexy, but each one glows in her own light.
Yomogi, the warm and motherly wolf, always makes me feel content, like I belong, and being with her always feels comforting.
Then there's Chantal, the wild and spontaneous panther. She is unapologetically herself and always doing something unexpected, and I never know what she'll do next, but it also keeps me curious.
As for Kimberly, she's like something from a myth. Her presence is like stepping into an old forest, as you feel something older than yourself watching, calm yet impossibly alluring. Her charm doesn't scream for attention, but it pulls you in.
I gently brush a few loose strands of her blonde hair back behind her pointy ear, saying something that makes her blush.
"You're so beautiful, even in the morning..."
"You're being… a tease… again, hmm? You do know… I'm old… right?"
"Yeah. Old enough to make me say that."
And she is flustered again.
"Motegi-sama…"
"Hey, can you drop the '-sama'? I mean, you're not servicing me anymore, right?"
Kimberly shakes her head slowly, refusing my plea.
"I want to... keep calling you... that. You saved… this brothel… a place... I once… belonged to. And you protected… the girls here... my juniors. So let me... keep it… as a sign.. of gratitude... if you... allow it..."
Her voice is so tender, so sincere. So, how can I say no to that?
"If it means that much to you, then I guess it's fine."
"Thank you… Motegi-sama…"
Silence settles again as I recall her promise to be my woman.
"So, are you really going to leave Heiligeichen again and move in with me in Remantia?"
"Yes. You have already… met my condition."
"Are you sure about it? I mean, you're the Great Sage, right? Don't you still have responsibilities or something? People must need you."
Then, her answers draw my curiosity somehow.
"Not really… Acrusse... is at peace… There's no battlefield... to step onto… no disaster… to solve. I'm… glad for that. I only teach… young elf mages… once... every ten years…"
"I see..."
Come to think of it, I just realized that ever since I stepped foot in Acrusse, I haven't heard a single thing about a Demon Lord or some world-ending calamity thing. It's just peace, and I can find it everywhere: in Remantia, Misdaras, and Heiligeichen, and possibly in Nomah, Oserin, Qualtnok, and Turivel too.
"Kimberly, has there ever been a Demon Lord?"
Then, she looks thoughtful.
"I've only... read about it… in history books. But… there was one. About… four thousand years ago. All races… from all nations... and even demons… from Qualtnok themselves... united... to defeat it..."
"That long?!"
"Yes. Far before... I was born..."
So, it did happen, but only once, and it was so ancient too. This world did face threats, but then chose to be chill after that.
After that, I curiously ask her again.
"Hey, when we get back to Remantia, would you show me your magic sometime?"
"Of course… I will…"
"Thanks, Kimberly."
But suddenly, she giggles out of nowhere, which confuses me.
"Fufufu~... Kimberly, huh?"
"What's wrong?"
Then, she gives me a sly smile.
"Did you know… that 'Kimberly'... is not… my real name?"
"Wait, seriously?"
"Yes… Just like 'Berland'… is not... his real name... either…"
Ah, I remember.
In the fantasy stories I used to read, elves also often had real names they kept secret from people because of many things, so they used cover names instead.
"Do all elves do that?"
"Yes… All elves have… very long names… Names that are hard… for other races… to pronounce. But… I'll tell you mine… if you would like."
"You will?"
"Yes… I will let you... know…"
Then, she leans in, whispering into my ear.
"My real name is…"
And then, it began.
"W-Wait... Kimberly, wait, hold on... can you...?"
It's not because I'm flustered.
But because of what she says, which is a flurry of syllables flying at me faster than I can track. It's like she jams a hundred letters that sound unpronounceable anymore.
And strangely, despite her usual slow, deliberate way of talking and pauses between every word, she says that waterfall of elven nonsense endlessly and doesn't stop despite my wanting her to.
When she finally stops, I only stare at her in confusion.
"That's... your real name?"
"Yes…"
I try to wrap my tongue around it and repeat what she says.
"Kim... braa… elun... era… uhh…"
Hearing my struggle, she giggles and places a finger to my lips.
"No need... to say it. Elves' names… must be pronounced… in one breath. That's how… we say… our real names..."
I sigh in defeat, giving up.
"Fine, 'Kimberly' it is then."
"Fufu..."
She just giggles again, and then she rises from the bed and reaches for her negligee. I follow, grabbing my clothes and putting them on piece by piece. And after we finish, I glance at her and ask.
"Should we head out now?"
"Yes. We should… go…"
Then, we step out of the room together.
And immediately, Mr. Berland already appears at the door with his folding fan already open in front of him, although his smile looks nervous this time.
"Mr. Motegi! Good morning!" I trust you enjoyed your reward, yes?"
"Yes. I did."
Berland chuckles sheepishly, rubbing his jaw.
"I still can't believe it. You two were louder than every girl in this entire brothel ever did, you know?"
I feel a little embarrassed as I force an awkward laugh.
"Ahaha... seriously?"
"Yes, Mr. Motegi."
Then, he turns his teasing to Kimberly.
"And you, Kimberly… Still haven't lost your touch with men, have you? Even after retiring and shutting yourself away for centuries."
Her cheeks flush a deep pink as she lowers her eyes slightly.
"I also… couldn't… believe it… myself…"
Once I calm myself, I quickly shift into something serious.
"Actually, Mr. Berland. I have a request."
Just like that, his attention sharpens immediately as he flicks his fan closed.
"Of course. Go ahead, Mr. Motegi."
"I want to take Kimberly with me. Back to Remantia."
And then, he freezes and his eyes widen.
"You're serious?"
"Yes."
Berland turns to Kimberly curiously and asks for confirmation, to which she responds with a nod.
"Is that true, Kimberly?"
"Yes… I was… the one… who asked for it…"
"You're really leaving Heiligeichen again?"
"Yes…"
For a moment, he says nothing. His smile fades and is replaced by something quiet and reflective.
"You know, Mr. Motegi... I've known Kimberly for a very long time. When I was just a boy, my father used to bring me here, to this brothel. And the first time I saw Kimberly, she was around the same age as me, but I didn't understand what she did when there was always always a man beside her every night. I couldn't stop watching her, and I was always curious about her, so I always followed my father when he wanted to return here just to find that answer.
Then, he continues speaking as he holds his fan in both hands.
"When the coup ended and she left, I realized I'd never really spoken to her. Except for that one moment and that one word. I said goodbye. But when she smiled and said it back, I was delighted, and I hoped she'd return someday."
After that, his eyes lift again.
"And she did. A hundred years later, when I inherited this place. She was powerful and became someone that the whole country respected, yet she still remembered me and even congratulated me. It felt like... we'd both reached the peak of our lives."
He lets out a breath.
"I always wanted to keep her peace, coexisting quietly with the wind like what she loved. And since then, I tried to protect her and keep her untouched by politics or whatever things she didn't want."
Then, he turns to me again.
"I was happy to be her patron all these years. But deep down, I always wondered… when she would open her heart again. When she would choose to live with people again, and not just the wind. So, Mr. Motegi... "
He pauses, and then suddenly, he bows deeply at me.
"Thank you… for desiring her. I mean that. And please, take care of her and make her happy."
Seeing him that sincere, I can't help but smile, and that's enough for him to straighten up again.
"I will, Mr. Berland."
"Thank you, Motegi."
Then, Kimberly steps forward and says something to Berland.
"Berland… I'll go… get changed now. You… put it… in the... usual room?"
"Yes. It's there, Kimberly."
After that, she turns to me.
"I will be back… soon… Motegi-sama..."
"Alright."
A few minutes later, she returns, dressed in something simpler, yet it suits her so well, and I find myself staring again. Though at this point, I'm not even surprised.
"Shall we… go… Motegi-sama?"
"Yeah, let's go, Kimberly."
With that, I approach her and take her hand as we walk toward the exit, side by side. Just as we reach the door, Berland's voice calls out again.
"Kimberly!"
We both stop and turn our backs, seeing Berland already bowing again.
"Safe travels. And please visit Heiligeichen again sometime."
Kimberly and I both smile at each other.
"I will… Berland..."
"Don't worry, Mr. Berland. I'll make sure she does."
And with that, the two of us step outside and leave the brothel behind as we make our way back toward Kimberly's villa.
Arriving there, Yomogi and Chantal greet us.
"Ah, you two are back already, huh?"
"How was your night, Motegi-chan, Kimberly?"
Yomogi's question instantly make me and Kimberly flustered again.
"Y-Yeah, it was nice. We had fun... Right, Kimberly?"
"Y-Yes… it… was a good… night... Motegi-sama..."
Then, Chantal teases us.
"Oho? So, Motegi-kun… how does it feel to sleep with Kimberly, hmm?"
Yomogi giggles and covers her own mouth with her hand.
"Fufufu... Chantal, stop teasing Motegi-chan…"
"Ehehe... sorry, sorry! I can't help it!"
Chantal innocently rubs the back of her head, and then, Yomogi turns to Kimberly, gently taking her hands.
"Thank you for everything, Kimberly. For letting us stay here, for showing us your magic, and for spending time with us in Heiligeichen. I hope we can meet again someday."
I blink playfully.
"Huh? What are you talking about, Yomogi? Kimberly's coming with us."
And both girls freeze in place.
"Eh? Really?"
"You're serious, Motegi-kun?"
Kimberly nods calmly.
"Yes… it seems the wind… is leading me… to Motegi-sama..."
Yomogi gasps, clasping her hands.
"That's wonderful!"
And Chantal adds, half-laughing in disbelief, confusing Kimberly.
"So wait… does that mean Kimberly's gonna work at the store too?"
"Work… at the… store?"
I let an awkward laugh as I have to clarify it.
"Ah, sorry. Yomogi and Chantal help me run the shop actually. Yomogi handles kitchenware, Chantal's in charge of the board games. But don't worry, I'm not asking you to work, you can do whatever you like in my house."
Kimberly pauses, then shakes her head softly.
"No. If Yomogi… and Chantal… help you… then I shall... too. Is that… not the rule… in your house… Motegi-sama?"
"Umm... not really, actually, but… if that's what you want, then it's fine."
Yomogi tilts her head at me.
"Then, will Kimberly get her own section?"
"Umm... I'll think about it."
After that, I raise my hand and prepare to cast a teleportation spell.
"Anyway, shall we head home?"
"Yes!"
Once the spell is casted, a glowing portal opened in front of us and Kimberly's eyes widening in surprise.
"Is this... a teleportation spell…?"
"Yeah."
"I've only… read about it… in books. Never… seen it... with my own eyes…"
Then, Chantal and Yomogi turn to Kimberly, saying something that surprises her even more.
"Hehe... surprised? Motegi-kun's always full of surprises."
"Motegi-chan can wield all eight elements, you know?"
"All… eight...?"
I confirm it...
"It's true."
And glance at both Yomogi and Chantal, three of us look at each other and speak in unison:
"Keep it a secret, okay?"
In response, Kimberly is still processing what she sees.
Together, we step through the portal, and emerge in the store at the first floor of my house.
Kimberly is fascinated as she looks around at the empty shelves.
"This is... your store… Motegi-sama...?"
"Yup. It's not huge, but it's always busy."
Yomogi adds happily.
"Motegi-chan makes lots of money every day and everyone loves his products."
And Chantal proudly motions to the shelves with her finger.
"See over there? That's Yomogi's section, the kitchenware. The middle part in front of the counter is the toiletries section where Motegi-kun handles it and the payment, and over there's my game section."
Kimberly follows each direction with her eyes.
"I… understand..."
Yeah, Kimberly's not as surprised as Yomogi or Chantal.
When we walked to her villa earlier, she had mentioned she'd already knew about my toiletries and games from the prostitutes at Berland's brothel.
Then, I turn to Kimberly.
"Want to see upstairs?"
"Yes… I would… like that..."
And I look at Yomogi and Chantal.
"Mind giving her the tour?"
"Of course!"
"Come on, Kimberly."
And with that, they guide her by the hand and climb the stairs, leaving me alone.
As I glance at the empty shelves, I think about Chantal's breakdown of the store and Yomogi's idea of a new section for Kimberly. It has only been about two weeks since the board games were introduced, but they've become such a hit that Chantal's section is already stretching across more space, so there are no room for a brand-new section anymore.
Also, my [Pottery] and [Lapidary] don't feel like a good fit. I know that I can make ceramics and gemstones with them, but of course, they will be expensive and not ideal for a shop known for its affordable goods like mine.
But then, I recall that Kimberly's villa is filled with elegant ceramics.
Maybe she likes them?
I don't know, but I want to find out.
I sit down cross-legged on the floor and pull out everything to restock the store from my dimensional inventory, even the Terracotta's clay and glass sand. I pull all of them on the floor, but I set the last two aside.
First, I use [Hygienics] to create soap, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, and sanitizer. Then, I activate [Blacksmithing] to create kitchenware and utensils. Next, I used the [Carpentry] skill again to create chessboards, go boards, and full sets of mahjong tiles.
Lastly, I multiply all the products with my [Copier] skill. But as the skill is just working its magic, I hear footsteps pad down from the stairs.
"Motegi-sama… what… are you doing…?"
Kimberly asks, and when I look up at her, she looks surprised at the sight of the duplicated products.
"Ah, you're back already, girls?"
"That's how Motegi-chan makes his products, Kimberly."
"Cool, right? Motegi-kun doesn't even need to brew or forge or sculpt anything. He just uses magic, and poof! It's done!"
Kimberly's eyes widen, and going silent in amazement.
"Alright, Yomogi, Chantal. Can you start stocking the shelves?"
"Got it!"
Yomogi picks up the cookware while Chantal graba the games and head to their sections as I turn to Kimberly.
"Come here, Kimberly."
"Y-Yes... Motegi-sama..."
She walks over, and I slide the clay and glass sand, and I add the rest of the blue mineral on the floor. I place my hands above them and activate [Pottery], turning them all into a delicate white Chinese ceramic flask with smooth blue patterns swirling along its sides. And Kimberly's eyes immediately full of wonder, her hands tracing the patterns.
"It's… beautiful... I have never… seen this kind… of pattern…"
"You like it?"
"Yes... Motegi-sama..."
"Well, I don't have a space to sell stuff like this now. But I'm thinking, I'll place this at the front corner of the store as decoration. And if anyone's interested, they can place an order."
"So… I would explain it… to them?"
"Exactly. You'll help with orders, and greet customers near the door."
"I understand… Motegi-sama..."
"Good."
Yeah, this might actually be the best way. I don't have to open another section every single time. So, it will be a "made-to-order" only when I'll make more if someone asks.
Besides, I just realized that I didn't have anyone to smile and welcome people in by the front door before. And I think with Kimberly's presence and reputation as a great sage, she will be the best choice.
Then, I activate [Pottery] again and create more ceramics from a small flask to a tall vase, and then, I use [Carpentry] to build a sturdy table.
"Kimberly, can you help me?"
"Yes… I would love to... Motegi-sama..."
And just like that, I lift the table up, placing it in the corner near the entrance while Kimberly brings the ceramics one by one.