Item Synthesis 2-8 part 2

 

Chapter 2-8 : Invitation (part 2)

 

「Kako, my wife really wants you to become our daughter, but it’s yours to decide, so you don’t need to think too hard about it.」(Elvent)

「Lord Kushaq…」(Kako)

「Forgive me for asking this, but… I heard from Maitena that you no longer have a family.」(Elvent)

They’re living in a different world, so technically, it’s not wrong, I guess…

「Umm… Yes. For now, I only have Nyat as my guardian.」(Kako)

「I see. Kako, as adults, it’s only natural for us to protect children who live alone, especially those who have talents. Talented children are valuable assets for this country, and because they are often targeted by bad people, it’s our duty as nobles to protect them.」(Elvent)

「I didn’t know that…」(Kako)

「In aristocratic society, it’s common for nobles to adopt orphan commoners, so it’s not weird if we want to adopt you.」(Elvent)

「But, nobles only adopt talented children, right? I don’t think I have any outstanding talents.」(Kako)

「I don’t think so. You were able to heal that man’s arm. Even the most skillful alchemists in the royal capital won’t be able to do the same, you know?」(Elvent)

「But it’s because of the power of the potion, not mine.」(Kako)

「Whether it’s your own power or the power of items you have, it doesn’t matter. I don’t know if you made the Lost Potion yourself or obtained it from someone, but acquiring one of the rarest items in the world alone is an amazing accomplishment.」(Elvent)

He seems to think that I’m an amazing person, but it was all thanks to my Synthesis Skill…

「Umm… I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t pleased with your compliment, but, Sir, I really don’t have any special talents.」(Kako)

「Kako, you seem to underestimate yourself too much. You might not realize it but I think you have outstanding business talents. You are a merchant, so you might want to run your own shop someday, don’t you? If you join our family, I will support you financially and build you a huge shop in my territory.」(Elvent)

「Eh!?」(Kako)

A shop!? In this big city!? That would be fantastic!

My goal in this world is to live a peaceful life while running a shop like Elise, Merry, and the other protagonists in the Workshop Series games!

But…

「Of course, I do want my own shop, but… is that really okay? I feel like I’m asking too much. 」(Kako)

「Haha! You don’t have to feel that way. In the end, I will benefit from you running a shop in my territory. I’m sure your valuable goods will attract merchants and nobles from other regions. They will spend their money here, which will make this city even more prosperous.」(Elvent)

He’s talking from the perspective of a business owner.

Certainly, he might benefit from it, but the one who will benefit the most is without a doubt me.

It’s not a bad offer at all, but…

「You might be thinking that you would cause us trouble, but no. Not at all. Rather than being worried about that, I want you to ask us for help anytime you want. If you want to become a successful merchant, you will need our help. Feel free to use my family name.」(Elvent)

Is he serious…?

Having the backing of a noble family makes a big difference in business, that’s for sure.

「Lord Kushaq, why are you willing to do that much for me?」(Kako)

「Like I said, it’s my duty as a noble. However, this world doesn’t run on goodwill alone. I’m not saying that you should approve of the existence of evil, but what I’m trying to say is that I benefit from adopting you, and you benefit from becoming a part of my family. We need each other to live in this world, but of course, you should be able to see through other people whether they have evil intentions toward you or not for your own protection.」(Elvent)

True. I totally agree.

I don’t know what Marquis Kushaq’s true intentions are, but I think I can trust him. I think I can trust his family. After all, it’s not something a person with bad intentions would say. I can tell that he purely just wants to help and protect me.

Well, I trust Maitena-san from the beginning, so I think I can trust her family too.

Joining the Kushaq Family and becoming their second daughter is not a bad idea at all.

However, I still have one reason not to join them which is… Nyat.

I don’t want to be separated from him.

I would be safe once I joined the Kushaq Family. That means Nyat’s role as my guardian would end and he would leave since he no longer has any reasons to protect me.

He has been nice to me ever since I came to this world. I wouldn’t have been able to live in this world if it wasn’t for him.

If becoming an adopted daughter of the Kushaq Family would cost me Nyat, then I would definitely refuse them.

But first, I think I should ask Nyat’s opinion.

I turned to Nyat who had been sitting in his chair without moving an inch like a big stuffed animal.

「Say, Nyat, what do you think?」(Kako)

「I think it’s a great idea-nya. You should stay and become their daughter-nya.」(Nyat)

「But… Will you stay too? Will you continue to stay by my side as my bodyguard even if I’m adopted into this family?」(Kako)

「…I’d love to-nya. But…」(Nyat)

Nyat glanced at Lord Kushaq as if asking him permission to let him stay.

Lord Kushaq seemed to notice it and smiled at Nyat.

「Mr. Catto. You are a irreplaceable person for Kako. I won’t dare to separate you from her. Of course, you may live here if Kako becomes our daughter. I promise you I will treat you as a part of my family as well.」(Elvent)

「There you have it-nya. I think I will stay with you for at least a few years-nya.」(Nyat)

「Re, really!?」(Kako)

So, Nyat will stay! He’s not going anywhere! That’s great!

「Well, it would be a huge loss for me if I can no longer taste your delicious cooking-nya.」(Nyat)

「Oh? Kako, I didn’t know you were good at cooking.」(Maitena)

「Ara~ Not only cute, but you can cook too! What an excellent girl~」(Folia)

Maitena-san and her mother who had been arguing with each other suddenly reacted to what Nyat said.

「Kako is the best chef in the world-nya. She can even make a catto like me who doesn’t like vegetables to eat vegetables-nya.」(Nyat)

「Nyat!?」(Kako)

「Ara, is that so? Now I’m curious how delicious her cooking is~」(Folia)

「Yeah. Kako, I’d love to try your dishes!」(Maitena)

「Interesting. I hired a professional chef to work for us, but judging from what Mr. Catto said, it seems that Kako is much better than him. I see, I see.」(Elvent)

「Eh!? No, no! My cooking skills are decent! There’s no way I’m better than a professional chef!」(Kako)

「Hahaha! You don’t need to be so humble. I knew you were much more talented than I thought.」(Elvent)

「N, No, I really… Ugh…」(Kako)

Oh, no… This is bad…

There’s no way nobles who normally eat high-class food made by skilled gourmet chefs would like my cooking!

Now they’re expecting too much from me. It’s all Nyat’s fault!

「Anyway, we can talk about your cooking later. So, Kako, have you made up your mind yet? I can give you time to think if you want.」(Elvent)

As Nyat said, it’s best if I join the Kushaq Family.

I have their protection and I can use their name in my business.

However, will I still have my freedom?

I did say that I wanted to run a shop, but this is a fantasy world. The world of sword and magic.

I want a peaceful life, but at the same time, I want to go on an adventure someday.

The question is if I became their daughter, would they let me go or would they put a chain on me so that I couldn’t leave this territory?

「Umm… Lord Kushaq, there’s one more thing I want to ask.」(Kako)

「What is it? You can ask me anything.」(Elvent)

「I do want to run a shop, but can I continue working as a traveling merchant at the same time?」(Kako)

「Well, of course. You can do whatever you want.」(Elvent)

What an unexpected answer.

「Can I? So, I don’t have to stay here all the time?」(Kako)

「Of course. You know that Maitena is an adventurer, right? She’s rarely at home, you know?」(Elvent)

Aa… Now that he mentions it.

Maitena was a knight, but she became an adventurer because she wanted to travel around the world, and her parents didn’t seem to be against it.

「If you have my protection, you will have a safer journey when you travel to other places as a merchant.」(Elvent)

Let alone putting a chain on me, he even encouraged me to travel to various places.

I will still have my freedom even if I join their family.

It’s decided then. There’s no reason for me to refuse.

I stood up from my chair and bowed politely to Lord Kushaq and his wife.

「Marquis Elvent Kushaq, I, Kako Mayama, am willing to become a part of your family.」(Kako)

 

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