To their surprise, the Raglann Company branch even featured a "Custom Processing Counter."
In other words, it was a dedicated section where staff would perform basic processing—starting with custom cuts—on raw materials purchased in the store.
(Yep, this is definitely a home improvement center...)
Jin figured it had almost certainly been his own suggestion from four hundred years ago.
After thoroughly enjoying their look around the faux home center of the Raglann Company branch, Jin and the party headed back outside.
"Well now, they certainly carried quite the variety of goods."
"Yes, though modern cooking utensils haven't really changed all that much, have they?"
"Well, the basic tasks of cooking aren't going to change that easily. Cutting, chopping, slicing, simmering, baking, boiling, frying, steaming... was there anything else?"
Reinhard and his wife exchanged their thoughts on kitchenware.
"Kufu, they had a decent selection of alchemy tools as well, which was fun to see. Maybe they've gotten just a little more refined?"
Saki, for her part, was thoroughly delighted after browsing the alchemical equipment—which was, in essence, chemistry lab apparatus.
"Well, they can't really hold a candle to the laboratories on Hourai Island, though."
"Saki-nee, you can't compare them to that."
Saki and Elsa chatted amiably alongside them.
Meanwhile, Jin was busy questioning Tsiq.
"...So about half of the merchandise is sold on consignment from local shops in town?"
"Yes, Master."
What seemed like a home improvement center was also functioning as a sort of local shopping mall.
If that was the case, individual shop owners wouldn't be driven out of business.
It appeared the present-day Raglann Company maintained a strict policy of avoiding hostile competition with local merchants.
Furthermore, integrating home-center features into the business had indeed been based on Jin's advice from four centuries ago. That concept had gradually materialized over the generations.
(So that's why it feels like a hybrid of a home center, a shopping mall, and a department store...)
It all made sense to Jin.
"Also, regarding shops not represented under that roof, that would be anything related to medicine."
"Oh?"
Tsiq explained that in this town, handling pharmaceuticals required official qualifications as a healer.
Currently, there were two establishments operating as combination apothecary-clinics.
"I suppose that makes sense in its own way."
With a local population under a thousand, two facilities were plenty to meet the town's needs.
"What is the... origin... of the medicine?"
Elsa chimed in, having overheard the word "healer."
"Most are derived from organic sources, some from minerals, and a very select few through alchemy, it seems."
That aspect remained largely unchanged from four hundred years ago.
Above all, because Healing magic could mend the vast majority of illnesses and wounds, demand for pharmaceuticals remained low. Consequently, progress in that field had been sluggish.
"Elsa-sama, in the modern era, thanks to improvements in food supplies, the spread of basic nutritional science, and public hygiene initiatives, the average life expectancy has risen, while newborn and infant mortality rates have dropped substantially."
"...I see. That's wonderful."
Living on the Moon, it was difficult to come by such grounded, everyday facts.
Elsa appeared deeply comforted by the news.
The group resumed their stroll through the town streets.
"Oh, look! That sign over there says 'Barbershop.'"
"Huh."
Come to think of it, you rarely ever see barbershops in this world, Jin mused.
When he brought it up with Reinhard, the former lord nodded thoughtfully.
"Hmm... That's true, I suppose. Nobles would always have their hair styled at home, after all."
"Kufu, exactly. But even commoners just have their family cut it at home, don't they?"
In short, ordinary folk saw no reason to spend good money on haircuts.
"Then what about the wealthy class?"
What do the people sitting comfortably between nobility and commoners do? Jin asked.
"Hmm, they probably hire a traveling hairdresser to come by, I imagine."
"Indeed. After all, there are plenty of skilled hairdressers and barbers serving in the imperial palace as well."
"I see."
Jin recalled that in the historical dramas he had watched with the Orphanage Director, there had also been a trade known as itinerant hairdressers.
"So instead of summoning someone to your home, you walk in yourself, is that the idea?"
Reinhard murmured as he studied the barbershop's hanging sign.
Though they only caught a brief glimpse from outside, the establishment appeared to be doing brisk business.
"In the world I came from, to exaggerate a little, barbershops also served as neighborhood social hubs."
Jin remarked, fondly remembering his old visits.
In modern Japan, beauty salons and hair studios seemed far more popular than traditional barbershops, but Jin had always been firmly in the barbershop camp.
Digressions aside.
Leaving the barbershop behind, the party pressed further into town.
"How are the educational institutions around here?"
As a former territorial lord, Reinhard was naturally curious.
"Yes. There are classrooms established that provide primary education."
"I see, I see."
Reinhard looked noticeably relieved by Tsiq's answer.
"From secondary education onward, students attend institutions in the territory of the head house, House Randol. Higher education is handled in the royal capital."
"That makes sense."
When Jin inquired about the primary education syllabus, Tsiq elaborated:
"Yes. Reading, writing, the four basic arithmetic operations, and rudimentary public hygiene."
"Good. That's very sound."
Instilling everyday habits like handwashing, gargling, and basic first aid during childhood was invaluable.
"Do you know what the curriculum covers for secondary education?"
"Yes. In addition to expanding on primary subjects, it introduces the basics of science, elementary geometry, health and physical education, etiquette, and similar fields."
"H-huh..."
At that point, Reinhard posed another question.
"Are there any educational facilities for magi-craft?"
"Three magi engineers currently run their own independent workshops and classes. One of them actually carries a trace of your bloodline, Reinhard-sama."
"Oh?"
Reinhard's eyes lit up with sudden, keen interest.
"Would you like to pay them a visit?"
"...Would that be all right with everyone?"
The response to Reinhard's inquiry was an immediate, unanimous yes.
"Right this way."
After a walk of about fifteen minutes, they arrived before a compact yet sturdy-looking stone structure.
"'Berlich Workshop,' is it...?"
"The proprietor is named Berlich Becker, whose family line branched off from House Randol five generations ago."
"So they live as commoners now."
Reinhard surmised that they no longer carried the Randol surname because a daughter had married into a commoner household down the line. That assumption appeared to hit the mark.
"Yes. The founder was apparently a renowned magi engineer in their day, and the family has maintained this workshop ever since."
Tsiq added that they were exceptionally devoted to educating the next generation of artisans.
"I see... Just knowing that is enough for me."
"Reinhard, aren't you going to take a look inside?"
"No, it's all right. That's the path they chose for themselves, and it's not as though there's anything I can do for them anyway."
"Are you sure about that?"
Jin let out a wry smile. I've been meddling quite a bit with my own descendants and relatives, though, he reflected.
With that in mind, Jin spoke up:
"Well, if Reinhard doesn't want to go in, that's fine. I'm going to take a look."
"Mm, me too."
Watching Jin and Elsa stride toward the workshop side by side, with Reiko following right behind them, Reinhard panicked.
"I-In that case, I'm coming too!"
And with that, he hurried after them.