The Lazy Grand Strategy of Asora: Lord Mito and His Retainers' Guild Boom
Misumi Makoto just wanted a quiet life. Instead, he got summoned to another world, called ugly to his face, and thrown into a wasteland by a goddess who decided he wasn't hero material. Rude, honestly.
But Makoto isn't the type to grovel. Armed with five mysterious rings, a pocket dimension called Asora, and a crew of loyal (if eccentric) retainers who insist on calling him "Lord Mito," he's decided to do the one thing no one expects from a discarded hero candidate: open a shop.
Between sellin
The Lazy Grand Strategy of Asora: Lord Mito and His Retainers' Guild Boom - Bandages, a Huge Hit — Lord Mito's Resolve and Counterattack Against the Goddess
Morning light spilled into the Mirage Plaza.
Remnants of yesterday's rain still clung to the cobblestones. The air was clear, and the distant mountain range stood out sharp against the sky.
Misumi Makoto stopped in front of the shop.
A black cloth mask. Deep brown eyes. Short black hair swaying in the morning breeze. The five Drapnir rings on his fingers glowed quietly.
"…It's going to be busy today."
Makoto murmured the words.
He thought back to what had happened yesterday in the Mirage Plaza.
Men in white robes calling themselves apostles of the goddess had denounced Kuzunoha Trading Company's products as "cursed goods." The residents had stirred uneasily. Makoto had cut his own arm and demonstrated the effect of the improved bandage. The wound had closed in an instant. The apostles had attacked with light magic. Tamaki had appeared and erased that light. Tomoe and Mio had driven the apostles away.
And then, the residents' applause had echoed through the plaza.
"Hang in there, Kuzunoha Trading Company."
"This time, we believe in you."
"Let us use your bandages again."
Those voices still lingered in his ears.
Makoto slowly opened the shop door.
"Lord Mito! Good morning!"
A cheerful voice came flying from the back of the shop.
A woman with long silver hair tied back came running over with a smile. Her golden eyes shone in the morning sun. A Japanese sword at her hip. The first retainer, posing as the Mito Komon's loyal retainer Kaku-san.
"Tomoe. You're energetic this early."
"Of course! Today is the memorable day when Lord Mito's bandages are recognized by the people of this city! There's no way I wouldn't be fired up!"
Tomoe clenched both fists and made her case passionately.
"…It's not exactly a commemorative day, though."
"What are you saying! Yesterday's wise decision by Lord Mito, that demonstration, and Tamaki's performance! That was truly an event worthy of raising the inro! Today is the continuation of that!"
Makoto let out a small sigh.
"Fine. Help me get ready to open."
"As you wish!"
Tomoe ran happily toward the back of the shop.
Makoto stood in front of the product shelf.
White bandages were lined up neatly. A new formula developed by Shiki. The red Drapnir fragments had been completely removed. They would not absorb magical power. Shiki guaranteed their safety.
"Young master."
A quiet voice spoke.
A man with long silver-white hair flowing back stood beside Makoto. Eyes harboring a pale blue light. Skin white as if translucent. The third retainer, Misumi Shiki. A lich with vast knowledge, and Makoto's advisor.
"Shiki. What is it?"
"I have a proposal regarding today's sales."
Shiki wore a gentle smile.
"A proposal?"
"Yes. Yesterday's demonstration proved the product's effectiveness. However, some will surely suspect it was a trick. So today, I thought you might perform a demonstration combining your magical control with my knowledge."
"A demonstration?"
"Yes. …We completely remove the Drapnir fragments remaining in Toa-sama's magical circuits."
Makoto narrowed his eyes.
"…Can you do it?"
"Theoretically, it's possible. We reverse the Drapnir's magic-absorbing effect. We deliberately pour magical power into the fragments that try to absorb it. By doing so, we exceed the fragments' absorption limit and cause them to self-destruct. …However, if the amount of magical power is miscalibrated, there is a risk of damaging Toa-sama's magical circuits."
Shiki's voice was calm.
"With your precise magical control and my calculations, the success rate is high. Shall we do it?"
Makoto thought for a while.
"…We'll do it. As long as Toa's magic doesn't return, this problem won't end."
Makoto's voice was quiet.
"Understood. Then let us prepare."
Shiki bowed deeply.
"Um…"
A faint voice spoke.
Light blue, soft long hair. The tips dyed a pale pink. Heterochromatic eyes, different colors left and right. The fourth retainer, Tamaki.
Tamaki stood timidly before Makoto.
"Tamaki. What is it?"
"May I… help at the shop today too?"
Tamaki's voice was small and trembling.
"You're forbidden from leaving Asora."
"Yes. But yesterday, I did go outside. And I was able to protect you, Makoto-sama. …So today too, I want to be useful to you."
Tamaki's mismatched eyes gazed straight at Makoto.
Makoto looked intently at Tamaki's face.
Yesterday, Tamaki had flown out of Asora to protect Makoto. She had erased the apostle's light magic with her own body. It was a power Makoto didn't know about.
(Tamaki had that kind of power?)
(Or was that…)
Something stirred deep in Makoto's chest.
But Makoto did not voice that question.
"…Understood. I'll leave the register to you."
"Yes! Thank you!"
Tamaki smiled happily, just a little.
That smile was fleeting, somehow detached from reality.
"Makoto-sama, it's time to open."
A woman with long, straight jet-black hair stood behind Makoto. Her crimson eyes glowed quietly. The second retainer, Misumi Mio.
"Yeah. Let's open up."
Makoto put his hand on the shop door.
And then, slowly, he opened it.
"—Huh?"
Makoto couldn't help but let out a sound.
A long line had formed in front of the shop.
Ten people, twenty, no, more. Men and women, young and old. Some looked like adventurers, others like merchants. Everyone was waiting for Makoto's shop to open.
"Oh, it's open!"
"Hey, that's the Kuzunoha Trading Company owner!"
"Are there still bandages from yesterday!?"
The people raised their voices all at once.
"…This is incredible."
Makoto surveyed the line.
"Lord Mito! This is already a booming success!"
Tomoe shouted excitedly.
"Yeah. …Well then, let's begin."
Makoto walked toward the back of the shop.
"Tamaki, the register."
"Yes, Makoto-sama."
Tamaki stood at the register with a nervous expression.
"Now then, one at a time, please."
Makoto called out to the customer at the front of the line.
"U-um… is it really true that this bandage won't absorb magical power?"
The man at the front asked with an anxious face.
"Yes. It's an improved product. The red Drapnir fragments have been completely removed. I guarantee its safety."
Makoto answered in a businesslike tone.
"But yesterday's explosion…"
"That was due to my inadequate management. I apologize. But I will never let something like that happen again."
Makoto bowed deeply.
"…Understood. I'll believe you. Give me one."
The man held out three silver coins.
"Thank you."
Tamaki carefully wrapped the bandage and handed it to the man.
"Yes, here you are. Please take care."
Tamaki's voice was soft and warm.
"O-oh… thank you."
The man took the bandage, looking a little embarrassed.
Makoto watched the exchange out of the corner of his eye.
(Tamaki is good at dealing with customers.)
(Much better than me.)
Makoto's mouth relaxed, just slightly, beneath his mask.
The line moved along steadily.
"Hey, you! I'm sorry about yesterday!"
Suddenly, a loud voice called out.
Makoto looked up, and in the line was a man he recognized.
The adventurer who had slammed down the product yesterday.
"I called your bandages fake and threw them down. I was wrong. After seeing yesterday's demonstration, I realized my mistake."
The man bowed deeply.
"…No, I don't mind. I was the one who said to try it before you judge."
Makoto answered in a businesslike tone.
"I'm glad to hear that. …I really am sorry. Today, let me pay properly and buy one."
"Of course. …Tamaki, one."
"Yes, Makoto-sama."
Tamaki smiled brightly and handed the bandage to the man.
"Thank you. Good luck with your work."
"O-oh! Thank you!"
The man clutched the bandage happily.
Watching Tamaki serve the customer, Makoto's mouth relaxed a little again.
(Tamaki can interact with people naturally like that.)
(That's something I can't do.)
Thinking this, Makoto began attending to the next customer.
——
Past noon.
Makoto faced Shiki in the back of the shop.
"Are you ready?"
"Yes. I have already explained the situation to Toa-sama and obtained her consent. Rinon-sama will also be present."
"I see. …The location?"
"I have prepared a simple treatment space behind the shop. It's a quiet place, out of sight."
"Understood. Let's go."
Makoto stood up.
Behind the shop, a small tent had been set up.
Inside, a woman with short dark brown hair and strong-willed, upward-slanting eyes lay on a simple bed. The adventurer, Toa.
"Raido-san… will my magic really come back?"
Toa looked up at Makoto with an anxious face.
"Yeah. I'll definitely bring it back."
Makoto answered quietly.
"Big sister… it'll be okay. Raido-san will surely heal you."
Toa's younger sister, Rinon, was holding Toa's hand. A girl of about ten, with dark brown hair tied in two tails.
"Rinon…"
Toa squeezed her sister's hand back.
"Then let us begin. Young master, please."
Shiki stood beside Makoto.
"Yeah. …Toa, it might hurt a little, but bear with it."
"Yes… please."
Makoto held both hands over Toa's chest.
"—Shiki."
"Yes. I will guide the flow of magical power. Young master, please pour your magic in time with that flow. I will direct the amount."
"Got it."
Makoto closed his eyes.
He slowly gathered the magical power within his body into his palms.
"First, a small amount. …Now."
Makoto released his magical power.
Toa's body glowed faintly.
"…Nn!"
Toa gasped softly.
"It's all right. Keep breathing. …Next, I'll increase the amount a little more. …Now."
Makoto poured in magical power.
The red Drapnir fragments remaining inside Toa's body tried to absorb Makoto's magic.
"The fragments are reacting. …Keep the flow going. We'll exceed the fragments' absorption limit."
Makoto increased the amount of magical power, little by little.
Toa's face twisted in pain.
"Big sister!"
Rinon cried out, almost a scream.
"It's all right. …Just a little more."
Makoto kept the flow going without losing focus.
Thump.
Something pulsed inside Toa's body.
"—Now! All at once!"
Makoto released his magical power in one burst.
BAAANG!
Red light burst from Toa's body.
"—!"
Toa's body jerked violently.
And then, it went still.
"…It's done."
Makoto slowly lowered his hands.
"Toa-sama, how do you feel?"
Shiki called out to Toa.
Toa slowly opened her eyes.
"…Huh? My body feels light."
Toa stared at her own hands.
"Magic is… flowing. My magic is coming back!"
Toa sat up vigorously.
"Big sister!"
Rinon clung to Toa.
"Rinon! I'm okay now! My magic has properly returned!"
Toa hugged Rinon back.
"Yeah! Big sister is better! Thank goodness! Really, thank goodness!"
Large tears spilled from Rinon's eyes.
"Raido-san… thank you! I can be an adventurer again!"
Toa bowed deeply to Makoto.
"…Yeah. I'm glad."
Makoto answered quietly.
His voice was just a little gentle.
"Raido-san! Thank you too! For saving my big sister!"
Rinon bowed to Makoto as well.
"…Thank Shiki for the thanks. Shiki was the one who came up with the treatment."
Makoto looked toward Shiki.
"No—without your magical control, young master, it would not have succeeded. This is the result of both of us."
Shiki smiled gently.
"…I see."
Makoto let out a small breath.
(Even someone like me, who can't use healing magic, can help people like this.)
(If it's Shiki and me together.)
Something warmed slowly deep in Makoto's chest.
It was a small but certain confidence.
——
Evening.
The shop's business was finished.
"Lord Mito! Today's sales are the highest ever!"
Tomoe happily showed him the account book.
"I see. …Everyone did well."
Makoto looked over his retainers.
"Makoto-sama! A celebration!"
Mio appeared from the back of the shop carrying a large pot.
"A celebration?"
"Yes! To celebrate your success, Makoto-sama, I have made a home-cooked meal with all my skill!"
Mio opened the pot's lid.
Steam rose, and a savory aroma spread through the shop.
"This is… Asora ingredients?"
"Yes! Highland orc meat simmered in a special sauce. And there's also a salad of vegetables harvested in Asora, and mushroom soup."
Mio set t
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