Brain bloom

In Mori's mind, there was a chance to create some new magical combinations with it, or to break the limitations of equipment manufacturing and make the Trillion Star Spectrum even more powerful. Mori immediately accepted it.

"Thank you."

“There’s no need to be polite with me, Mori…” Dandelion still looked strange as she stretched out her hand, “So I won’t be polite either, please give me the money.”

"Uh...how much do you want?"

"I've streamlined the winery's operating costs; just give me forty-nine gold coins from the Holy Coffin Kingdom. With the new grape varieties, I'll earn it back quickly. I won't hold you back, nor will I embarrass you..."

Her voice grew softer and softer.

"Thank you for choosing me, but... well... I need to think carefully about your request, after all, it's a serious matter... and we're both women... cough cough! It's nothing, just give me the money!"

Mori readily handed over the money, but couldn't understand what she meant. What did she need to ponder? The brewing method? But her skill level was clearly masterful; even Mori couldn't offer better advice.

Mori noticed that he didn't have many gold coins left in his bag. He had sold quite a few healing scrolls before, but the occasional expenses that followed had dwindled his money considerably.

But having obtained this magic, her leveling problem was nearly solved. Although destroying a ship and a bunch of high-level skeletons, it was very strange that she didn't immediately reach level 30. However, after going out to bask in the sun and relying on photosynthesis, she could quickly reach level 25.

Then, we can officially start making money in the business world and accumulate funds for Dandelion's restoration. There's also an extra source of income to look forward to.

"Princess, could you please go and retrieve some items from the seabed? The Love and Peace ship left quite a few things there, which are worth salvaging."

"Ugh, why me? Even if you... you did that to me, you still... don't make me do this kind of hard labor." She pouted, seemingly very dissatisfied with Mori.

"What? Labor? That's not what I meant. Nature magic can summon aquatic plants to help."

"Oh, that's no problem."

"After learning this magic, I plan to go to Silvermoon City again to buy some other materials."

Let's find out what's going on in the market, and while we're at it—see if we can capture that phantom dragon. Sen didn't elaborate, because it was a little surprise.

But just then—the dandelion awoke from that shy, unusual state, and put on a sharp face.

"Someone's coming. My perception magic, which I set up along the border, is activating," she whispered, her gaze sharp as she peered through the window into the distance.

"Is it your wish?"

"It wasn't her."

If that's the case, then perhaps they are the enemy—Mori immediately took out a cloak from his bag and put it on.

Dandelion was also on guard, after all, this was private land and generally not allowed to enter (except when a certain melon cutter delivered the melons, he was allowed to). She, however, hadn't been willing to change out of her new clothes, and instead, she held the staff in her hand.

Sensing something was amiss, Fufu also went out to check on the situation.

The first possibility that came to Sen Shi's mind was that the ghost ship incident yesterday had caused such a stir that the people of Silvermoon City wanted to come and investigate. She suggested this to Dandelion, but the other shook her head.

"No, if that were the case, we would have notified them beforehand, because this is my territory."

The situation was unknown, so Mori cautiously took out his debt-collecting bow and walked to the window—

He could vaguely make out a few figures swaggering towards them, dressed like merchants. They were too far away for Sen Shi to discern their ranks or personal information.

Fufu is back, leaning on Senshi's shoulder: "It's that annoying guy who wore my clothes, his housekeeper."

"...From Old Black Cat's family? Are you sure?"

"Ah."

Sen Shi breathed a sigh of relief, and Dandelion, hearing this, also lost her serious expression. Since it was someone from the old black cat's family who had come specifically, it meant the delivery had arrived. It seemed the Hand Clan slaves Dandelion had previously purchased had arrived.

……

(P.S. I've been thinking about it carefully. I currently owe a lovely reader in the group 10 chapters for the crossdressing scene, 5 chapters for the June monthly tickets, and this month's, uh, 19 chapters... Let's round it up and call it five chapters, okay? Okay? Okay?)

Okay, don't hit me, I'm just making a last-ditch effort.

Since that's the case, the June bounty will remain in effect until the end of July. Anyway, I'll add one chapter for every 50 monthly votes. I don't believe that after you've lost so many votes, I can still manage to add several more chapters.

I won't open new bounties until they're completed, but if I really can't finish them... maybe I should really consider solving this problem using the Happy Book Guest method.

Volume 1 #086 What is this thing...?

The old steward of the Black Cat family was a formidable strongman, leading the way. Even though he never looked back, the people following behind were all docile and obedient. Several slave attendants followed around them, and a rented luxury carriage was traveling along the dirt road amidst the grapevines.

The carriage appeared to be intended for an important person. A person of near-level ninety followed nearby, his hand resting on the hilt of a long sword, his entire body concealed by a long robe.

Only a blank, world-weary expression was visible—a stiff face so unnatural that it was impossible to tell if it was male or female. Clearly, this was a seasoned killer, his face numbed by carnage.

"Where are the Hand Clan?" Mori couldn't help but ask, as she had long been interested in these so-called creatures that only had hands.

"I don't know either. Did I forget to bring them? I bought two, each costing fifty silver coins..."

"It doesn't seem that expensive."

After Mori casually responded, he felt the atmosphere had returned to normal, but this remark drew a protest from Dandelion.

"That's because you're too good at making money. You won't understand unless you've experienced poverty. Every silver coin has its own value."

"Then you should save your silver coins. I'll give you gold coins anyway."

Remembering what happened yesterday, she hurriedly covered her face with her hat to hide the dandelion, her face flushed with shyness, her embarrassed eyes glancing at Senshi every few seconds before quickly looking away.

The group drew closer.

Mori quickly straightened her clothes and went out to greet him. She felt she should leave a good impression, after all, he was an employee she would see every day in the future, and it was important to show him some humanistic care.

First of all, these people are hired to brew wine, and if they harbor resentment towards their employers and tamper with the wine, it would severely damage their reputation.

Another point is that, in Mori's view, slaves are not much different from certain exploited professions in modern society. Because of this, she doesn't have a sense of superiority or a condescending attitude—although deep down, there's a vague thought protesting this kindness.

At the door, she met the group from the Black Cat's family.

The old butler removed his top hat, bowed, and spoke first: "I'm sorry, the city is troubled by the devil's affairs, otherwise it should have been sent yesterday."

"It's alright, you must be tired from the journey."

"Where are the slaves?" asked Dandelion, who arrived a step later.

“On this matter, I apologize to our guests on behalf of the Black Wildcat Slave Trading Market,” the old butler continued, with a sincere yet dignified attitude. “Because the threat of the devil is too great, we have taken inspiration from Lord Mori’s recipe and made many things that can drive away the devil.”

"So? Is there a problem?" Mori became nervous. If something went wrong, he would be in trouble if he was blamed.

"Please rest assured, there haven't been any major problems. In order to make things to drive away demons, the Lord has conscripted a large number of the Hand Clan, who are skilled in craftsmanship. We only brought one... Of course, there is compensation."

"...Only one?"

I'm very sorry.

"The devil didn't show up, did it?" Mori asked casually, hoping it wasn't one of those evil devils.

"The head of the family has written down the specific details in this letter, and you two will understand after reading it—also, regarding the slaves. We have sent the most skilled Hand Clan members, who should be able to do the work of two people—but they have some minor requirements of their own."

After speaking, the butler took out several letters and two documents written on high-quality kraft paper from his bag. Mori glanced at them and recognized them as slave contracts.

One of them is "Supreme Slave Contract of the Hand Clan Su Dai".

The other one is "The Complete Slave Contract of Battle Slave Elsalia".

In addition, several letters sealed with sealing wax were handed to Dandelion.

"Combat slaves?" Dandelion was clearly unhappy after reading the contents. "I know you have your difficulties, one at a time. But combat slaves are just useless people anyway... I prefer the weaker kind, at least they are mentally sound."

"This is compensation that the patriarch insisted on giving you. He is the strongest and most reliable combat slave here. If you don't accept it, I will be in a difficult situation... I guarantee with my life that he is in excellent spirits this time. He is being given away for free as compensation."

"Okay, I'll think about it."

In the past, Dandelion would have firmly refused, or directly sold it to the Silvermoon City trading market.

But after experiencing the strange porcupine Fu Fu mentioned, and this pirate incident, she had to consider increasing her precautions.

This lush green grape vineyard is the result of her hard work—although a year's hard work doesn't earn her as much as a few casual drawings by Sen Shi, she doesn't want to see her cherished possessions destroyed.

Mori, however, asked with interest, "Where is the key Hand Clan?"

"If I confirm receipt, I'll let it out. Its name is Su Dai."

After the steward gestured, the expressionless man beside him reached out and pulled back the carriage curtain. The slaves who had been brought in were thus placed inside the carriage, treated even better than the steward. And this was the first time Mori had ever seen such a...strange race.

Inside the carriage, a pair of hands floated.

A mature woman's hand is beautiful and delicate, from the fingertips to the wrist; this is the complete picture of the hand tribe.

The hands floated quietly in the air; a woman's small mouth was on the palm of the left hand, and a beautiful brown eye was on the palm of the right hand.

Mori couldn't utter a single word; even swallowing hard, he couldn't calm down from the visual shock. This thing was truly bizarre, far more bizarre than the Four Seasons.

"This is my master this time?"

Suddenly, the mouth on its left hand opened, emitting a very mature voice, indistinguishable from a human's.

"I am Su Dai. So, can you agree to my conditions? I will complete all tasks on time, I only ask for three hours of free time every day and a quiet room with an oil lamp."

"Su Dai, right? Can you do farm work? Fertilize, water, and loosen the soil for the grapes, take care of them in all seasons, and promptly detect and deal with moldy leaves."

“It depends on the area.” Su Dai’s right hand flew out, looked around with his one eye, and then flew back. “As for this area, I can take care of it by myself, as long as you teach me how to do it specifically.”

"Alright, the living conditions are negotiable. How about I give you a warehouse? Also, this is Silvermoon City, so we don't need kerosene lamps. We can use pseudo-crafts to ensure we have enough light. Can you cook? If you can, I can add an extra silver coin to your weekly wage."

Dandelions, used to seeing this, actually started bargaining.

"Yes, my cooking skills are excellent, no less than those veteran chefs at the Silvermoon City Night Market, so I'll earn two coins a week. I'll also be responsible for washing dishes and helping with cleaning."

"make a deal."

"I'm so glad I met such a good owner."

Mori was still not used to these things called the Hand Clan, and turned to the old butler: "Battle slaves?"

"This is her, Aisalia." He pointed to the woman with a numb expression, who must have killed many people.

Volume 1 #087: Two Little Helpers

Aisalia? The name sounds like a woman's? But this woman called Aisalia always kept her indifferent face hidden under her hat, and even finding it troublesome to utter a single syllable in response.

Dandelion was bolder than Sen had been, and she walked over.

"She's beautiful and young. And she seems very strong, so how did she become a slave? Is it because of 'Rosestone Glow Powder'?"

“Yes,” the butler replied in a deep voice, then sighed. “Those who come to our Black Wildcat family as combat slaves are basically all like this. They silently wait for a wealthy master to buy them and use rose quartz powder to drive them to their deaths.”

Even when talked about like this, Aisalia remained unmoved, her eyes as deep as the sea, indifferent to everything.