Since Chris had asked for a detailed explanation of our inventory, I figured it would be easier to show her the real thing. I pulled three different teacups from my Magic Box and set them on the table.
The designs and colors varied from piece to piece. Since Nebula and Illness were crafting them purely as a creative outlet, they saw little point in mass-producing identical items. However, since teacups were traditionally sold in sets of four, I planned to package and sell them that way.
"I’m not sure how well they'll sell at a festival, but don't you think they're exquisite?"
"…Indeed. They are so wonderful that I feel the urge to clutch both my head and my stomach. I see... so this is the brand mark."
As she inspected the cups, Chris noted the mark I had described earlier—the logo featuring three aligned mountains. It wasn't an overbearing design, but rather a subtle mark engraved on the bottom of each piece.
"…Miyama-sama, you weren't personally involved in the crafting process, were you?"
"That’s right. The craftsmanship is entirely the work of Nebula and Illness."
"…H-How do I even handle this? I just don't know… You didn't make them directly, and yet they bear your personal brand… I can't begin to predict who might do what. By the way, I’ve heard you occasionally sell accessories made from the Dragon King’s scales. Do you have similar plans to sell these branded goods on a regular basis?"
"No, I don't. For this event, we just decided to sell them because it seemed like a waste to throw away the surplus. Even if I were to sell them again, it would probably only be at a flea market like this one."
I didn't have enough stock to sell them consistently. My only goal was to clear out the items Nebula and Illness had made that were piling up at my house and Lilia’s mansion.
Because of that, I hadn't intended to set the price very high. After consulting with Nebula and the others, we had settled on selling a set of four for 100R—roughly ten thousand yen.
I worried that might be a bit steep for a festival stall, but I figured it wouldn't be a problem if they didn't sell.
When I shared this with Chris, she clutched her head in both hands. After a long, heavy silence, she looked at me with an expression of pure exasperation.
"…Please set the price at least ten times higher than that. At the absolute minimum. Even then, it is far too cheap. Furthermore, you must implement a purchase limit per person. There is no telling who might try to buy out your entire stock…"
"I see. I hadn't considered people buying them all up. It’s true that it would be better if they reached as many people as possible. I’ll talk to Nebula and Amel about the price again."
"Please do."
Even though the quality was high, I had kept the price low because Nebula was technically an amateur. However, her work truly was amazing; honestly, even a price a hundred times higher probably wouldn't be an issue considering the craftsmanship. I decided I would definitely reconsider the pricing as Chris suggested.
"Are there any other products you plan to carry? If possible, I’d like to know about all of them."
"Even with the Magic Box, the stall only has so much space, so we won't have a huge variety. Ah, wait—Amel mentioned she wanted to sell feather-shaped brooches."
"Ah, those are traditional accessories of the Winged Race. They are simple trinkets often found at their own exhibits. I see, so you'll be offering items characteristic of their culture as well."
"Just a few, it seems. Since they're easy to make, I promised her I'd help craft them next time."
"………………"
The moment the words left my mouth, Chris stared into the void and froze. Her face was a chaotic swirl of emotions—grief, despair, and sheer disbelief.
"…U-Um, Chris?"
"I’m fine. Yes, quite fine… I’m simply despairing over a future I would rather not imagine."
"You don't look fine at all!"
"…I-I see… So there will be accessories that you participated in making as well… My body has started to tremble, and my stomach is in knots. I feel as though I finally understand how Duchess Lilia feels."
"No, even if I’m involved, Amel is providing the materials. I’m just putting them together. It’s not like I’m actually processing the materials or anything."
"…I see… Yes, if that’s the case, then perhaps…"
Chris exhaled a long sigh of relief, her face looking as if she had found a tiny glimmer of hope… but I wasn't finished.
"We did talk about trying to come up with some original accessories if we have extra time, though…"
"…Miyama-sama, do you enjoy toying with my heart?"
"Why would you say that?! Amel is the only one who’s really excited about it. I think there’s almost no chance we’ll actually do it."
"Even if there is only a one percent chance… I have no choice but to prepare for the fallout. My apologies. Someone, please bring me some stomach medicine… make it the strong kind."
Once again, her face was a mask of total despair. The idea for original accessories was just Amel being enthusiastic; I really didn't know if it would happen. Given my lack of skill, I doubted I could make anything worth selling anyway. However, it seemed that wasn't the point.
Yeah. If we really do end up making them, I’ll have to think of some serious countermeasures for Shiro and the others who might do something reckless. If I don't, Chris is going to suffer a total breakdown.
Serious-senpai: "I’m back! Hmm? What’s this light—wait—gyaaaaaaaah!?"
Machina: "???, this is a disaster! My Beloved Child said he’s going to make accessories!!"
???: "Calm down. Stay, stay… Take a deep breath. There, now attack that person over there to vent your excitement."
Serious-senpai: "Wait, stop with the respawn kills—not the light again—!!??"