There was nothing left for me to do personally for the new brand's launch. All I could do now was leave the rest in Anima’s hands and wait for the results to come in.
How was it actually going to perform? I knew I was reasonably well-known among the nobility, and given the price point, this tea brand was positioned as a high-end luxury label aimed at the wealthy and aristocratic classes.
However, my "fame" in this world was less about who I was as a person and more about the powerholders from various circles who happened to be my lovers and friends. Being the one who received the Blessing of Shiro-san, the Creator God, and having deep ties with the Supreme Gods and the Six Kings was undoubtedly the primary reason I carried any weight.
That was why, honestly, I didn't know what to expect. While I had gifted them my original tea blend, I hadn't been directly involved in many aspects of the business side of the brand. I wasn't sure how Kuro and the others would react to it as a commercial product.
Following Nebula’s advice, I had asked that anyone wanting brand products—whether the teacups or the tea leaves—contact me or Anima directly rather than visiting a physical store or merchant. As a result, customers wouldn't be out shopping for it in person.
Since I had asked Ein-san and Jutia-san to help with promotion, I figured we could expect interest from genuine tea lovers. And as Lilia-san mentioned, the brand mark attached to my work—or rather, the collaborative work of Nebula, Illness-san, and me—had already become a trend among the nobles. I expected it to be somewhat popular. The quality was genuinely excellent, and even a connoisseur like Ein-san had raved about it, so it definitely had the potential to satisfy experts.
Still, I couldn't help but wonder how much my name value would influence things. If it didn't have much of an effect, that was fine, but I worried it might lead to strange misunderstandings—like the public seeing it as a brand that enjoyed unfair favoritism from the Six Kings or the Supreme Gods.
"…That’s the gist of it. What do you think?"
"I have plenty to criticize here, but first, explain why you’re consulting me of all people. You know I’m a die-hard coffee lover."
"…You’re drinking tea right now, though."
"Only because you brought it, Human-san!"
"Ahaha, fair enough. No, I just felt like you would give me an objective opinion, Elise-san. I figured I’d ask while I was dropping off the Original Blend tea leaves. Besides, you’re actually quite kind in your own way, so you’re easy to talk to… Wait, why that look of disgust?"
"If anything, I think I give you a pretty salty reception, so I’m actually repulsed that you’ve come to that conclusion. Are you an extreme masochist? Please don’t involve me in your fetishes."
"Could you please spare me the horrible misunderstandings?"
Despite her talk of "salty treatment," she always accommodated me when I visited. Even while claiming to be a coffee lover, she had immediately brewed and started drinking the Original Blend I brought. To me, she was a genuinely kind person.
However, if I actually said that to her face, she would likely look at me with pure loathing, so I decided to keep it to myself. In fact, while her words were sharp and she appeared cold on the surface, the reality was completely different.
She never turned me away without listening. Every time I visited, she brewed coffee and spent at least as much time as it took to finish the cup chatting with me. If I was troubled by something, she often listened to my concerns, saying things like, "It’s a nuisance having you sitting there with such a gloomy face, so just spit it out already."
If the timing was right, she might even treat me to a home-cooked meal or offer a fortune. If anything, she was the type who was quite good at taking care of others.
"…Haa, thinking about it is useless in the first place. This Anima person from your camp—she’s quite well-known in the economic world for her investments and advice, isn’t she? If so, there is no way she hasn't considered the impact of your fame. Naturally, she’ll have plans ready in case the popularity exceeds expectations. There is no room for an amateur like you to interfere."
"I see… That’s certainly true, now that you mention it."
"Besides, you’re the owner—or rather, you’re in an even higher position than that. In that case, you should just stay composed and leave the work to your subordinates. Well, I understand being restless on the day a brand is established. I remember being quite on edge the day I opened my own shop, too. But if you’re the one acting flustered, it’ll only make those under you worry. Keep that kind of anxiety for venting in places like this, and when you're at home, stay calm and let your subordinates do their jobs."
It sounded like she was telling me she was willing to keep listening to my grumbling, and she was currently giving me some very grounded advice.
"Since I’ve listened this far, I might as well hear the rest. If you have other worries or things on your mind, say them quickly. I’ll keep you company until I finish this cup."
"Thank you. In that case, I’ll take you up on that… Oh, before that, how do you like the tea?"
"It’s not bad. It feels like a flavor that would be popular with women… even if I personally prefer coffee."
Seeing Elise-san give a wry smile as she said that, I once again felt that she really was a kind person.
Serious-senpai: "Actually, isn’t Elise genuinely in the sane category among the Ten Demons…?"
???: "Isn't it just that the others are far too terrible-ssu?"
Serious-senpai: "Are you really the one to say that…?"