I love time travel the most!

Judging from their enthusiastic expressions, they seem to think this bizarre magical artifact is quite impressive?

Kazuma Sato took a step back, saying incredulously, "It's unexpectedly well-received! We usually have serious gatherings, so is that unusual?!"

"Moreover, what you say will keep changing, give it a try."

Wiz pressed another switch.

[The only time to do it is now! Show them what you've got!!!!]

It's less of an encouragement and more of a kickstart.

Seeing the atmosphere gradually heating up, the lich girl was no longer afraid and took the opportunity to introduce, "Finally, there is a powerful mechanism that will surprise everyone!"

After saying that, he pressed the last switch.

[Let the beautiful fireworks light up the climax! Countdown begins! 5...4...3...]

"Wait, wait! Stop!" Kazuma Sato suddenly rushed to the front of the stage and shouted at Wiz, "I know this function is amazing, but it's troublesome to unleash it in a place like this!"

"The mansion will be a complete mess. Now that we know it's a good magical artifact, it's about time to end this," Aqua advised.

Even fireworks meant for display, when launched in a confined space, would destroy everything. There are many nobles here; if they exploded, it would surely cause chaos.

"that's right."

The Lich Girl agreed.

Then, she pressed a switch, seemingly intending to stop the countdown.

however--

"Huh? No, this is bad... It won't stop! Why?!"

[The support fireworks are a must! Cancellation is absolutely out of the question, no matter what happens! Launch! Launch!]

As if answering a question, such a voice came from the box-shaped magical artifact. And the tone became increasingly agitated, as if on the verge of exploding.

Then, with a loud bang, fireworks exploded in the room, and colorful light bullets shot out continuously from the box-shaped magic device, accompanied by a series of explosions and screams.

The panicked nobles fled in all directions, wailing and crying, and the entire exhibition was in chaos.

Seeing all this, Sato Kazuma also let out a heart-wrenching scream: "Eeea ...

With the charred, expensive floorboards, the rare magical artifacts damaged, and the various exquisite and expensive decorations, he could already foresee that he would have to pay a large sum of money in compensation.

After a while, with the help of the organizers, the panicked nobles were finally calmed down. The nobles who came to the exhibition were all tattered and their faces were covered in soot, with expressions of shame and anger.

Fortunately, no one was injured, or rather, if anyone was, Aqua healed them.

Kazuma Sato had never felt so glad that he had impulsively brought along the silly goddess.

Aqua spat out the ash in her mouth and complained, "Ptooey, ptooey, ptooey... What bad luck! Wiz's magical items are really trash."

She wasn't much better off.

Her bright dress was tattered and torn, and her beautiful face was covered in grime. She, who was once the jewel of the event, was now covered in dust.

"No, it shouldn't be like this..."

Wiz, who had caused the trouble, almost burst into tears.

She certainly didn't expect that what should have been a great opportunity to showcase the products would turn into this. Although she wasn't physically injured, the psychological trauma must have been significant.

Kazuma Sato scratched his head.

Seeing how disappointed the lich girl was, he didn't say anything more.

Aqua comforted her, saying, "Forget it, we've learned our lesson. Let's go collect some more decent magical items."

"Yes, yes... Waaaaaah..."

Wiz choked up as he admitted his mistake.

Seeing that she knew she was wrong, Aqua said, "I feel a bit tired, so I'll go back today..."

“…Miss Wiz, this is quite an interesting magical artifact, um, very interesting indeed.”

This compliment was somewhat insincere.

It sounds more like polite words than praise.

Just as they were about to leave, the middle-aged nobleman who was organizing the exhibition came before them; his clothes were tattered, but his face was no longer dark.

Nobles must always pay attention to their appearance; he must have just tidied himself up.

Upon hearing this recognition, Wiz became excited: "Th-thank you! Could it be... that you intend to purchase this magical item?!"

"This is a bit... It's fatal if we can't stop setting off fireworks... So, so..."

The middle-aged nobleman waved his hand dismissively.

Clearly, he was still unwilling to buy magical items with such serious problems.

Aqua understood, "That's true. It's really inconvenient not being able to use it indoors."

As the goddess of banquets, she is qualified to offer her opinions.

Since she said it wouldn't work, it seems this magical item really isn't up to par.

Then, the middle-aged nobleman said, "Well, the mansion has become a bit messy. Could you all cover the cleaning costs?"

That was his real purpose in coming here.

Kazuma Sato was taken aback and said, "Huh? We're here too...?"

"Yes, because the rule is that [the participant shall bear the loss caused by negligence], after all, there are many strange magical items." The middle-aged nobleman answered matter-of-factly.

Instead of gaining new customers and making money by coming here, I have to pay compensation.

Kazuma Sato couldn't hold back any longer.

"What the hell?! Wiz, you need to double-check this!!!"

"Waaah... I didn't know there was such a rule. Everyone, I'm so sorry." Wiz apologized repeatedly.

Aqua retorted angrily, "I was such an idiot to trust the owner of that junk shop! To prevent this from happening again, I'm going to purify you! Divine Purification!"

"Hoohoo! Stop! Lady Aqua, please stop!"

Under the powerful magic of the foolish goddess, the lich girl's figure grew increasingly faint.

Thus, not only did Kazuma and his companions fail to establish a good cooperative relationship with the nobles, but they also lost a large sum of money because of this incident, and the nobles of the collectors' association never wanted to invite them again.

It was truly a case of losing both wife and army.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"So, this idiot store manager got nothing done again?"

"……Yes."

Kazuma Sato, questioned by Banir, lowered his head in shame.

He underestimated the exhibition and the destructive power of the Lich Girl herself. If he had paid more attention to testing the magical artifacts before the exhibition, this would definitely not have happened.

Barnier looked at Wiz, who was lying limply on the ground, his whole body almost transparent, and had a million things he wanted to say, but in the end, he condensed them into a long sigh.

I should have known it would turn out like this. I shouldn't have agreed to Wiz's request in the first place. I was too soft-hearted and let him go to that magical item exhibition.

"Never mind, it's not a big problem."

"...Barnier, aren't you angry?"

"Although we are angry, it is not as serious as you think. Anyway, sending that idiot shop owner is just to build a relationship in advance. Even if new business is launched, the current magic item shop can't manage it."

Barnier was telling the truth.

The new prank toy store is thriving, doing very well in Axel and even in Alcanredia, almost unbelievably well.

He knew that all of this was thanks to Kobayashi's advance arrangements.

"So, although it's a pity to lose new customers, the magic item shop needs to take a steady and solid approach for now, so there's no rush."

"That……"

"However, the compensation will be deducted from the profits! Do you understand?"

"how come……!"

Before he could even feel relieved, Sato Kazuma was devastated upon hearing Banir's words.

Chapter 443 New Version of Virtual Game

"worn out--!"

Back in his mansion, Kazuma Sato collapsed onto the sofa and, as if making a promise to someone, loudly declared, "I've made up my mind! No matter who it is, I'm absolutely not getting involved anymore! I'm going to enjoy a leisurely life!"

He finally understood why wealthy people would rather their sons eat and drink their fill than let them start their own businesses.

After all, food and drink don't cost much, but if you want to start a business, you can easily end up with a lot of debt if you're not careful.

Just like this time.

"But Sato-kun, you always say you won't get involved anymore, but as soon as someone tempts you a little, you're all over them again. It's hard to trust you."

"That's why I said I'm serious this time!"

Sato Kazuma said angrily, as if no one could persuade him otherwise.

He quickly noticed something was wrong.

Turning his head to look at the person sitting upright on the sofa by the window, he blinked and said:

"Senior Kobayashi?!"

Only then did he realize that the person he was talking to was the team leader who hadn't left the virtual game for several days.

But it's so strange.

That appearance was just like...

"I emptied the magazine at the succubus shop last night, and today I'm in saint mode... Oh no, I blurted it out unconsciously."

Kazuma Sato quickly covered his ears, knowing that offending a certain maid would truly result in him being verbally attacked to death.

however--