Kaori-san recoiled, looking utterly thunderstruck by my Magic Box. A moment later, realization flickered across her face, and she leaned in to peer curiously at the item resting in my palm.
"Whoa... is that what I think it is? A Magic Crystal with a purity level over ninety percent?"
"Y-Yeah."
"You don't see black magic crystals in ordinary magic tool shops; they're way too expensive. I’ve only ever seen them featured in high-end catalogs in magazines... but that’s a Magic Box? Wait, wouldn't the price for something like that be enough to make your eyes pop out of your head?"
"Ah, well, it was a gift, so..."
"No way! Who on earth would just give away such a super-luxury item?"
The world’s wealthiest person, that’s who. In fact, between Kuro and Kuro's Family, I had received a total of three Magic Boxes for free.
There was the one crafted by Zex-san, which I’d received first and was currently being used by Anima. Then there was the Magic Box Ein-san had used as mere wrapping paper when she gave me a massive haul of sweets. Finally, there was the one Kuro had personally made, which was the one I used now.
Incidentally, I had entrusted Ein-san’s Magic Box to Illness-san, since she managed my food and household supplies. Every single one of them was made of black Magic Crystal.
"W-Well, it’s rude of me to pry too much... but can I ask just one thing? With a Magic Box of this caliber, how much space is in there?"
"Let's see... I'd say it's about the size of a fairly large house."
The one I personally used was apparently the size of a large island—big enough for Magnawell-san to fit inside comfortably—but that was only because Kuro had made it. The ones available commercially were a different story.
The capacity of the Magic Box I had bought for Nebula recently wasn't quite mansion-sized, but it was roughly the volume of a large house, so I decided to use that as a reference. Of course, since I was buying it for the cute Nebula, I had gone to the Seditch Magic Tool Headquarters and purchased their top-of-the-line model.
The price had been... well, enough to build a luxury mansion. While it didn't quite reach the price tag of a teleportation magic tool, it certainly lived up to its reputation as an elite, high-priced item.
"Whoa, that’s incredible. Having that much space would be so convenient. Though I’d definitely end up with more room than I knew what to do with... Ah, right. Sorry, I didn't mean to change the subject so suddenly, but... Kaito-kun, are you hungry?"
"Eh? Well, a little..."
It was still a bit early for lunch, but since I’d had an early breakfast, I was feeling a bit peckish. In fact, I’d been planning to grab a snack while I was out sightseeing anyway.
Kaori-san’s face instantly lit up.
"Really? Then big sister is treating you!"
"Huh? Uh, well..."
"Ehehe. To be honest, it’s always been a dream of mine to treat a fellow countryman to a meal. Oh, here’s the menu. You can order whatever you like! It’s on the house today, so don't hold back, even if you want the most expensive thing on the list! ...Mind you, the priciest set meal here is only fifteen R..."
Just as she’d said, she seemed to be genuinely looking forward to treating me. She handed me the menu with a visibly excited air.
Scanning the options, it felt like a classic Japanese teishoku joint. The selection focused heavily on rice-based meals, which was a rarity in this world. It felt both refreshing and deeply nostalgic.
The most expensive item was the Special Beef Cutlet Set. It looked mouthwatering. Then again, the Ginger Pork was tempting too. I was actually having a hard time deciding.
"This is a tough choice. There are so many dishes here that you just don't see in this world. Do you have a personal recommendation, Kaori-san?"
"It’s definitely the Special Beef Cutlet Set! It’s high-quality meat, so it’s very tender. You can enjoy it with four different flavors: Grated Daikon with Ponzu, a soy-sauce-based dipping sauce, Yuzu Kosho, and wasabi."
"That sounds amazing... Then, I’ll take you up on your kind offer and have the beef cutlet set."
"You got it! Leave it to me, I’ll make you something delicious!"
I was looking forward to it. The combination of a cutlet and Grated Daikon with Ponzu sounded particularly great. The dipping sauce and Yuzu Kosho options were a nice touch, too.
"Now that I think about it, I didn't realize yuzu existed in this world."
"I wonder... does it?"
"Eh? But you mentioned Yuzu Kosho, right?"
I’d asked because I didn't recall ever seeing yuzu in this world, but Kaori-san wore a puzzled expression of her own.
"I mean, it might exist somewhere, but I could never find it myself. I searched all over for things like yuzu and sudachi, but with only my level of connections, I came up empty-handed."
"Then where did that Yuzu Kosho come from?"
"Well, if you’ve lived here for a few years, Kaito-kun, you’ve probably heard of her. Do you know the God from our world called Eden-sama?"
"Yes... I know her very well."
Very well indeed. Well enough for it to be slightly traumatic.
"One day, Eden-sama came to the shop. She asked if I was having any trouble living here. I told her I didn't have any complaints and was enjoying myself, but then she asked if there was anything I wanted. When I mentioned I was looking for yuzu and sudachi... she gave me this Potted Tree that Grows Five Yuzu and Five Sudachi Every Day."
"I see... so that’s how it happened."
"Yeah. Thanks to her, I’ve been able to expand my menu, so I’m really grateful. When I offered her a set meal—worried that it might be rude—she praised it, saying the flavor was good. She really is such a gentle, kind deity, isn't she?"
"Y-Yeah... I suppose so."
Well, it was true that Eden-san was incredibly doting toward her "children," and as long as she wasn't on a rampage, she did seem relatively stable.
Actually, wait. Come to think of it, she doesn't really go out of control unless I'm involved, does she? In that case, she probably is just a normal, good God to everyone else.
I also recalled Eden-san mentioning something about a new contract with Shiro-san to bring over ingredients from our old world. That meant she had done it specifically for the sake of her "children" living here, like Kaori-san. She really was meticulous when it came to her favorites.
Machina: "Of course I am! Even if they move to another world, my children are still my children. It’s only natural for a mother to help if they’re in trouble! Beyond what they ask for directly, I also read their hearts. If I see them thinking, 'I wish I had this ingredient,' I make a contract with Shallow Vernal to allow it to grow in Trinia. Those ingredients are already starting to circulate!"
Serious-senpai: "Honestly, as long as she doesn't lose her mind, she really is a good god to them. To them, anyway..."