Volume 3 - CH 90

After the festival, on a day off.

Alme immediately went to a real estate agent in the south district based on the information she received from Ena and Aiden.

The cheapest area was close to the real estate agency, and after a short conversation, they decided to go straight to the site to see it.

Alme is not alone, Falk is also with her.

When she told him that she was going to visit a real estate agent to start the second ice cream shop project, he was thrilled to follow her.

After that, when she talked about the disaster area, his face turned serious as soon as she mentioned it.

She thought about exchanging opinions with him after the tour.

Guided by the real estate agent, they soon arrived at the accident area.

It’s a prime location on the main street. Horse-drawn carriages come and go, and there are many passers-by. The sidewalks are wide and dotted with flower beds made of bricks.

The scenery was much more peaceful than she expected.

“Oh my, it’s a wonderful place ……! I thought it might be a bit more ruined, with all the scorch marks and smells and such.”

The real estate agent began to explain to Alme, who was looking around.

“In the central area where the fire went up, the ground and buildings are still blackened. But this area, which is a little bit out of the way, is beautiful, isn’t it? But the atmosphere around the fire hasn’t calmed down yet. It seems that the lingering scent of fire is attracting the spirits of fire.”

Hearing the explanation, Alme nodded her head in understanding.

There are numerous invisible spirits in this world.

After a big fire, the spirits of the fire attribute will come closer, lured by the energy of the fire.

Similarly, it is said that water spirits gather after a flood, and earth spirits come to the area after a landslide.

When spirits of the same attribute gather together, troublesome things happen. Harm is caused by the magical power of the spirits. Magical fires are started, water overflows…

In short, accidents in the same element are more likely to occur.

In a land where a water-related calamity has occurred, the spirits of water that have gathered will cause another water calamity. In a place where a landslide has occurred, the spirits of the soil who have gathered there will frolic and cause another landslide.

In this case, there is a risk that another fire accident could easily occur in the area where the fire went up.

“I see… that’s why it’s cheaper.”

“Normally, even a cheap rental around here would cost over 300,000 G a month, and the market price would be around 500,000 G, but after the fire, it dropped to around 150,000 G.”

“A property in a prime location is rented at less than half the monthly price…”

Alme cleared her throat. With that much rent, it’s not out of reach. But it’s an accident area… she’s worried.

Falk also made a difficult face and asked the real estate agent.

“Have you finished exorcizing the spirits of fire?”

“Of course. I’ve summoned a water mage to exorcize spirits around here three times.”

‘Spirit exorcism’, as the name implies, is a procedure to drive away and scatter spirits with magic. Fire-attribute spirits dislike water-attribute magic, so water mages are called after fires.

This accident area is also said to have been dispelled of the spirits of fire by channeling the magic of water.

“If you’ve done it three times, I don’t think you have anything to worry about… But it’s difficult because you can’t see it.”

“Considering the unlikely event, it would be difficult to introduce it to someone who has a talent for fire magic.”

“Then, on the contrary, it seems to be good for me as an ice mage. Fire spirits will hate my magic.”

“Oh, did you have a talent for ice magic? That’s wonderful. I recommend it to those who can use water and ice magic.”

Although fire is also used to make ice cream, it is more dependent on ice magic. If the shop is filled with ice magic, the fire spirits are likely to flee.

Falk’s expression softened a bit, perhaps thinking the same thing.

The two walk down the street while listening to an explanation. The buildings lined up along the street seem to be empty, probably due to the effects of the fire.

After a quick look at two places, they moved on to the third property.

At the next place she was guided to, there were two empty shops lined up next to each other.

In front of the building stood a man. He had black hair, blue eyes, and a handsome, fearless profile. He looked as if he was contemplating something when he saw the building.

Seeing the man’s appearance, Falk suddenly raised his voice.

“Oh! Sir Sergio”

“Huh? Mr. Raltoze!?”

The man turned and looked surprised. Alme also was surprised when she saw him from the front.

(Mr. Sergio ……! He is the captain of Aiden’s and Charikot’s squad, right?)

Alme had seen him from a distance during the military march, but this is the first time she has seen him up close like this.

Sergio is a popular soldier in town. According to Ena, he has many female fans due to his refreshing appearance and serious personality.

She met a famous person unexpectedly. Although she’s not counting, there is another famous person next to her.

Falk is now changing his appearance with the magic of metamorphosis, but Sergio seems to be familiar with this appearance as well. He greeted him softly.

“Hello. It’s the first time I’ve met you on a holiday. And in this part of the city too.”

“What a coincidence.”

The real estate agent then turned to Sergio and greeted him. Apparently, they know each other, too.

“Well, well, well, Mr. Sergio, if you would like a tour, I can assist you.”

“Thank you. I am just going to walk around today and look around, so don’t worry about me. I will be back to ask for assistance another time.”

Somehow, Sergio seemed to be looking around the property as well. Falk was curious, too, and asked him about it.

“Are you looking for real estate too, Sir Sergio?”

“Yeah, I’m going to help my family member a bit….Even though it’s my day off, my sister used me.”

Sergio loosened his serious, crisp expression and chuckled.

“Since my sister was relocating the shop, I was sent out to look for a property. I know nothing but swords, and she gave me a crazy order to find a suitable place for a cake shop. Oh, I should have greeted your companion first. My name is Sig Sergio.”

“Oh, um, sorry for the delay. My name is Alme Titty. I’m a friend of Aiden and Charikot. I’ve heard from them about Mr. Sergio. Can you use ice magic?”

“Ah, you are a friend of theirs. Yes, I can use magic, though only a little.”

Saying that, Sergio used magic to create a large block of ice in the palm of his hand. Far from being slight, this is quite strong magic.

Looking at the ice that appeared, Alme blinked her eyes.

She also put out both hands and used ice magic in the same way. Small ice crystals glittered on her palm.

“Mr. Sergio, that’s amazing! I can use ice magic, but I can only create tiny crystals like this from the air. I can freeze things fairly well.”

“To be able to meet another ice mage! Today is a really good day. Unlike my magic, Miss Titty’s magic is delicate and beautiful.”

Ice magic is rather rare magic. The two of them were in high spirits when they met.

The magic talents humans in this world are born with are randomly given to them by the Gods. It is not inherited from one’s parents, nor is it something one can choose for oneself.

So it’s a little more exciting to meet someone with the same elemental magic. Intuitively, it’s like finding out someone has the same birthday as you.

Although, Alme got the magic she wanted by praying to the Goddess, so it was a little irregular.

While the two were showing magic to each other, Falk put his hand on her shoulder. He gently pulled her close and Alme was separated from Sergio’s side.

Alme looked up at Falk in confusion, but he looked indifferent.

Falk replaced Alme and stood in front of Sergio.

“Sir Sergio’s older sister runs a cake shop.”

“Yes. My sister is not gifted with magic, but since I can use ice magic like this, I’m wondering if this area in the south district would be okay. If I exorcize the spirits of fire, I was wondering if it wouldn’t be a problem. What type of property are you searching for, Mr. Raltoze and Miss Titty?”

“We are also looking for a property to be used as a shop for similar reasons to Sir Sergio’s sister.”

“I run an ice cream shop, and I wish I could open another shop along the main street.”

Listening to their conversation, the realtor asked them a question.

“Mr. Raltoze and Miss Titty, are you both running the shop?”

“Huh? No, um.”

Looking at the realtor, it doesn’t seem that he knows of Falk’s true identity as Shirotaka. So perhaps he has been mistaken as a co-owner or investor.

Alme tried to correct the misunderstanding, but before she could do so, Sergio got into the conversation.

“The two of you run a shop together? How harmonious. Ah, could it be that you’re in a committed relationship? Have you taken vows!?”

“…huh, well.”

After a moment, Falk vaguely affirmed. Immediately, Alme denied it.

“It’s, well–no! I have not sworn any vow. He’s a friend, a friend. He’s been coming to my ice cream shop for a long time, and I was wondering if he could give me his opinion. I invited him to come along for a preview.”

“Oh, I see. I am sorry for my mistake. Hmm, I see that Mr. Raltoze also makes jokes.”

Sergio shook his shoulders and laughed.

Falk looked somewhat sulky. Miffed, he blurted out in a low voice.

“…did that sound like a funny joke?”

“Excuse me, I didn’t get the impression that you were playful. The soldiers in the squad said things like ‘If you make a joke in front of Mr. Raltoze, you will receive the wrath like a demon God’.”

“I’m not that strict with jokes. Where the hell did that come from…”

“I think it must have been Aiden or Charikot that said it.”

“Those two… Shall I sew their mouths shut?”

Falk let out a sigh with a reluctant face and pressed his brow.

At the end of the story, Alme said with a whisper.

“But, Mr. Falk, it’s true that you’re scary when you get angry.”

“Eh… I’m sorry… I’ll be careful…”

He hunched over and remained silent.

With a break in the conversation, Alme faced the real estate agent again.

“Well, then, may I take a look inside this building as well?”

“Yes, of course, Miss. Uh, which key was it…”

The real estate agent took out a bunch of keys from his bag and began checking.

Alme patted Falk’s back, who had become stiff, and pulled his hand.

“Look, please calm down and think clearly. We’re going to view the third property now.”

“Uh, yes.”

Falk straightened his spine as he was told.

Looking at the situation, Sergio muttered.

“Miss Titty, you’re quite easygoing, and have a good command over Mr. Raltoze…Should I call you a falconer?”

Sergio was baffled at Shirotaka’s odd behavior, which he had never seen while at work.