As the night deepened and few patrons left empty tables and dirty dishes, more of the same came from the door of the restaurant that was connected to many worlds. Unfortunately, no new customers appeared from the doors. No, to be exact, no patron came from a new world.
Ludwig's eyes fell into a group of people that sat near the very end of the dining area. They had come to this restaurant with Ryouma. However, the teasing of Rimuru had already ended by the time he walked into the restaurant.
For some reason, the four people Ryouma brought seemed to be family to each other. No, not all of them were family. More like the four people came from 2 different families. The reason why he thought so? Easy enough. All of them were obviously family.
The first two pairs had the same cherry pink blonde hair with a streak of white hair. Something which shouldn't be natural in his past world. But in a world where Mana was everywhere? Nothing was impossible.
The other two were also obvious. They were both wearing traditional Chinese attire. Absurd of course. But again, after seeing so many people from other worlds, Ludwig had learnt to never question things, as it would only make his head ache more.
The pink-head family was still looking around the restaurant with curiosity and fear. On the other hand, the pair with Chinese traditional clothes were different. Even though curiosity was present in their gaze, there was also something he came to see often in this restaurant—calculation.
From all the customers who swept the restaurant with a calculation through their eyes, not one was a normal person whose daily work was to tend the stalls. They were always people who knew the taste of blood and a kick to the stomach.
As he thought so, the conversation in front of him took a new turn. A turn that had given him as well as Rimuru and Claire a lot of headache yesterday.
"So you three go to another world without me?" Kushina looked at them. Her face took on an expression as if she just knew that Konoha had a hand in the destruction of Uzushiogakure.
But before Rimuru and Claire could answer, a soft yet firm tone slithered through them. At the same time, a slim, porcelain hand moved towards Kushina and patted her on the shoulder. "Kushina, they said it was urgent didn't they? You can't be angry at them."
Kushina instantly deflated. Her anger evaporated and her body went limp, trusting her back fully to the backrest of the chair. "B-but… They went to another world without me…"
Her childish tone, which showed just how humane she was despite her identity as the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails, gave Ludwig a chuckle.
Probably knowing it was a topic she couldn't say much, Mikoto didn't open her mouth more. But her hand was still at its previous place. Then, from beside Mikoto, Claire chimed in.
"Well, aren't we going to Rimuru's world this weekend? You'll also go to another world by the end of this week."
Rimuru and Ludwig decided to offer their support to Claire, albeit with a nod rather than with words.
Mikoto's eyes went wide. It's obvious she was surprised by it. But before long, her face returned to her ever-calm face.
Seeing the fluctuation of expression on her face, Ludwig didn't feel any need to tell her not to tell the Hokage. After all, they had scheduled the time of the gathering. And if someone didn't appear one hour after the promised time, they would come to their world to look for them.
Those last plans were created for Kushina alone. Of course she was just oblivious about it.
So, if Mikoto told the Hokage about it and Kushina was prevented from coming by any means, they could just walk to Konoha. Fighting the Hokage and the Ninjas there would surely be far easier than calming Kushina.
That plan was made on the premise that it was their first visit. But since it would be technically the other's second visit to another world, no amount of food would be able to appease Kushina if she missed that as well.
"Yes. I will not miss it for the world. If the Hokage sends me on a job, I'll decline." Kushina sighed.
Deciding it was the correct time to steer the conversation clear from that point, Ludwig opened his mouth. "How's Latina doing, Rimuru?"
The slime in his human form smiled. "She's doing well. In truth, most of my work today was bringing her all over Tempest."
His eyes were shining, it was as if he was really proud of taking her with him to Tempest. Then like a father bragging about their daughters, he spoke again. "She's such a smart little demon. Thanks to your restaurant power, she now has so many friends. Tomorrow will be her first day at Tempest Academy."
Ludwig let out a warm smile as he heard that. But he's not the only one he realized. Claire also had a smile on her face, a genuine one.
"Good. What about her accommodation? Who did she live with?"
Letting a hum and showing his chest more, Rimuru answered. "Of course with me and the others! How could we send her to any other place?"
"I see, I see. You haven't named her yet, have you?" This time, it was Claire's turn to ask.
Rimuru shook his head a little. "Not yet. I want her to get used to Tempest and her new life first before doing it."
Claire raised one of her eyebrows at that moment. "You thought that far? Or is it the Great Sage?"
"Hey! I am capable of critical thinking, you know?"
"Is that so?"
The party laughed as soon as Claire said so. Only Mikoto held back. Well, it was their first time meeting with each other, so of course, it was only natural to do that.
As the conversation drifted into what Tempest and Ravenhall had been doing lately, Ludwig's sense caught on to the noise created by multiple chairs being pushed back at once.
When he moved his head and swept through the dining area with his eyes, he saw a small group rise from their seats, a young man with brown hair and a kind, unassuming smile leading the way. Behind her, the 4 people who came with him for the first time today follow suit.
The pair of pink-headed boy and girl were in quiet conversation about the dwarven ale, while the eyes of the two people with Chinese traditional attire roamed curiously over the runes etched along the walls.
As Ryouma arrived in front of the bar seat, Ludwig smiled at him through the separator. "Two Meat Nasi Goreng, one Korean Seafood soup, two Wyvern Steak, and four servings of Amberdraft Ale, correct?"
"Correct." Ryouma answered, with a smile on her face and tone ever so polite.
Ludwig opened the Money Converter window and entered the total amount of the dinner. All in all, they had to pay 4 gold, 5 silver, and 40 bronze if it's in his currency. However, ever since Ryouma visited the restaurant, he came to know that the price would be decreased quite a lot when it was converted to his world's currency, Sute they were called.
When the number in the window in front of him appeared, Ludwig looked back towards Ryouma. "It came out at 2270 Sute."
As he said that, he could hear the people behind Ryouma take the air around them sharply. However, the man responsible for paying just moved his hands to take out his pouch before giving him some coins of various sizes and materials.
Taking the money with both of his hands, Ludwig put it in his Storage Dimension. "Thank you for your patronage, please visit us again."
"We will." Ryouma answered.
However, rather than walking away after paying like he usually did, Ryouma opened his mouth once again.
"Ludwig-san, can I ask you something?"
Ludwig cocked his head to the side ever so slightly. Then, with his eyes and sense focused on him, he answered. "Sure, I'll be happy to answer your question."
Nodding his head, Ryouma began. "Please don't take it the wrong way. Your employees' clothes are quite stained, aren't they? Did they wash it themselves?"
Ludwig brows creased as he heard it. If he said he wasn't offended in the slightest would be a lie. But then again, yes, his employees' clothes were not really clean. Not to be exact, it was old clothes. It was a mystery too for him on why they didn't get new clothes when they were paid quite well.
Vilera who stood closest to the door seemed to have heard the words as well. She was touching her clothes as her eyes looked at it as if they owed her something.
"To be honest, their clothes are old rather than dirty. And yes, they did their laundry here. Why did you ask?" Ludwig answered.
Ryouma smiled faintly, bowing his head. "Ah, I see. Please don't take this the wrong way, Ludwig-san. I only asked because I couldn't help but notice them."
Ludwig smiled. The usual demeanour of the guy was nowhere to be seen. He was confident but still polite. Looking at the change at the boy, Ludwig couldn't help but feel a bubbling anticipation brewing in his heart. After all, what Ryouma did was the perfect example of the opening of a sales pitch. "None taken. What do you mean by you couldn't help but to notice them anyway?"
Ryouma chuckled softly. "I run a business, Ludwig-san. A laundromat back in my world. It's called Bamboo Forest Laundry. We handle bulk washing for adventurers, merchants, and workers.
"However, even though I dared to say my business is one of a kind in my world, what separates it from others was not the idea. But the workers."
"Workers?" Valerie tilted her head from the counter.
Ryouma lifted his hand, and a small translucent slime slid out from his sleeve, landing neatly on the counter with a wet plop.
"This little one, for example, is a Cleaner Slime. They feed on dirt, oil, sweat, and other waste. Once they're done, they excrete clean water. Completely harmless and odorless. No need for soap, no residue, and no risk of ruining the fabric."
From several seats from where Ryouma stood, Kushina said "That… actually sounds amazing."
Beside her, Mikoto and Claire were also watching the presentation with sharp eyes. Only Rimuru looked at it with horror.
"They're gentle, too." Ryouma looked at the red-haired girl and gave her a nod before continuing. Stroking the slime's surface affectionately. "They can clean anything from kitchen rags to tablecloths, even delicate garments. Back home, my clients include nobles and guilds, people who want their clothes spotless but don't have time to do it themselves."
Ludwig leaned forward slightly, intrigued despite himself. "And you'd be able to handle their clothes?"
"Easily." Ryouma replied. "If you'd allow it, I could take a few sets back tonight and return them tomorrow. Fair payment, of course. I don't do charity, but I guarantee you'll notice the difference. The slimes even remove old sweat and grease trapped deep in the fibers. Your staff will look and feel refreshed."
He smiled faintly and turned his head towards the audience. "Of course, I can do it for others as well."
A small chuckle escaped Ludwig. Just like he said, no matter who, when they were complimented they couldn't help but smile. "Fair enough. Bring me your rates and a sample next visit. If it works as you say, I'll consider a regular contract."
Ryouma bowed lightly. "Thank you. I'll bring them first thing tomorrow."
The Cleaner Slime gave a happy gloop as Ryouma lifted it back into his sleeve. Ludwig watched the gesture, a smile tugging at his mouth . And from across the room, he could feel Mikoto's thoughtful gaze lingered on the exchange, a silent observer of yet another world quietly connecting through craft and care.
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