This was my first time meeting Kujou Sara.
This impressive woman, whom I liked immediately, was sternly recording my information—while directing subordinates to untie Yamada Taichi.
Before crossing over, Kujou Sara had been one of my favorite female characters. Her background resonated with me—raised like a boy from childhood. Kujou Sara was the perfect subordinate, utterly loyal, like a sharply aimed arrow, keen and unstoppable.
［Stop glorifying her］ the System coldly interrupted.
［Kujou Sara Favorability: 0］
Ugh, how could this happen?
I thought miserably, meeting her scrutinizing gaze. Even so, she was truly striking.
"Finished registering, Miss Ryuguu?" Kujou Sara's voice was pleasant too.
"Yes, all done."
"This population record indicates you've been missing for nine years. Any explanation?" She took the registry and picked up another document.
"I arrived here last month," I half-truthfully explained, my tone sincere as if every word were true. "I woke up on the beach, injured. I only vaguely remember my boat capsizing in a thunderstorm—I had no idea nine years had passed. My mind was a blank."
The scrutinizing gaze returned.
This answer didn't satisfy Kujou Sara, but I feigned difficulty, and she didn't press further.
"Ma'am!" A soldier rushed in. "The roaming bandits and disruptive Treasure Hoarders have been detained. Mr. Thoma of the Yashiro Commission is waiting outside."
"Understood."
Kujou Sara stood, indicating I could leave.
Her sharp gaze followed me, utterly unconcealed, until I stepped outside—while Kujou Sara deemed me a threat, gaining even a sliver of favorability was impossible.
I glanced around.
I spotted Thoma immediately. He was speaking with a group of people and soldiers, clearly busy.
Kettle was temporarily held by Tenryou Commission personnel at the entrance.
I hadn't expected to encounter Kujou Sara here, but today was full of surprises. I'd run into her leading a briefing just after entering Inazuma City. "Abusing prisoners" was definitely not a positive first impression.
And Uncle Yamada was nearly done for by my hands.
I retrieved Kettle and held her while standing on the street.
Inazuma City had many dogs—Shibas or Akitas often seen trotting briskly through the streets, tails held high. Some caught Kettle's scent and approached to sniff my clothes.
Kettle bared her teeth at them unhappily.
"Good girl, don't be upset," I soothed Kettle like a child, petting her until she retracted her threatening fangs. I looked up and met Thoma's gaze from a distance.
He blinked.
What was that supposed to mean?
Puzzled, I tilted my head and mouthed, I'll wait here for you. He gently waved his hand, indicating—probably don't wait?
Should I go first? I mouthed.
Thoma gave a thumbs-up and nodded, already turning back to his conversation.
"Alright then."
I turned with Kettle in my arms, stepping out of the pack of dogs. Unnoticed, they'd gathered around me—eight or nine of them, following me in a somewhat impressive procession.
Kettle's feminine charm, huh.
I felt a tiny, tiny bit disappointed. Unconsciously, I'd become half a Thoma enthusiast. Weird.
"He has his work. I should find something else to do," I told the dog.
［The mercenary work you inquired about earlier is now available］
My eyes lit up. This was something you couldn't experience in the game. "Can I start anytime?"
［This is Teyvat Simulation's custom mercenary system. You can switch to full-time mercenary work or remain an adventurer while taking occasional mercenary jobs］
"That means leaving the Adventurers' Guild first, right?"
［Yes］
With a goal in mind, I quickened my pace, heading straight for Katheryne's counter at the Adventurers' Guild.
"Miya! Miss Miya, you're back?"
A familiar boy's voice called from ahead. It was Gong, whom I hadn't seen for two days. He'd tanned a bit and hurried over. "Here for another commission, Miya?"
"Not this time—" This would dampen his enthusiasm.
"I'm quitting being an adventurer."
"Eh? Why?" Sure enough, his face fell instantly, like a dog slapped with a slipper during mealtime—shocked, wronged, and confused.
"...Did something happen, Miya? Why quit suddenly?"
"What, little Gong going to miss me?"
Amused by his expression, I teased him.
"W-well, of course," he stammered. Just as I thought he might say something touching, Gong shyly mumbled—
"Miya completes commissions the fastest. If you leave, who will I turn to...?"
Well, wasted emotion.
［Technically, only a useful farm animal deserves that description］
"Ah, damn it!" I flicked Gong's forehead lightning-fast. Too bad I couldn't hit the System. Gong clutched his head, howling.
——
"Miss Miya Ryuguu, confirming again—you wish to leave the Adventurers' Guild?"
It was the ever-polite Katheryne. She seemed to have numerous thick ledgers, always finding everyone's names accurately, her smile impeccable.
I nodded.
It hadn't been long since I became an adventurer before leaving.
Unconsciously, a month had already passed.
"I'm probably the shortest-serving adventurer," I remarked, chuckling to myself.
"If I may be so bold—Miss Miya Ryuguu, you aren't really suited to be an adventurer." Katheryne registered my departure unhurriedly. "You don't adventure for passion but for money. With your skills, becoming a mercenary suits you better."
As Katheryne spoke, the System's static buzzed—
［Mercenary System Activated］
［Personnel Level Met. Information Registered］
［Initial Mission—Establish Base］
A map of Inazuma flashed through my mind—a red dot landed on Ritou. The view zoomed in rapidly; a small tavern appeared there abruptly, passersby seemingly oblivious to the odd sight.
Behind the empty bar inside stood a slowly generating data silhouette—quite eerie.
［Please Enter Base Name］
"Uh, I have to start a mercenary group from scratch?" I asked, puzzled. "Be my own boss?"
［Yes. The system is pre-designed upon implantation and activation, but you must handle basic informational setup. Once configured, work can begin］
I thought for a moment.
"For the name—Lavender. Lavender Tavern."
Teyvat couldn't have lavender plants, but I'd prepared an explanation—it related to my mother, not Miya Ryuguu's.
My mother was allergic to lavender.
——
I left a note on my cottage door: "Away on business. No visitors."
Before leaving, I had the System scan the area.
No Shuumatsuban, no watchers, no guests.
I packed Kettle's dog supplies and other essentials and brought them to Ritou.
With the Sakoku Decree lifted, this once-desolate external island had become much livelier. Entry no longer involved annoying inspections—just registration of purpose and identity.
The base the System prepared was next to Ritou's souvenir shop. The storefront wasn't large, with a metal sign on the side in cursive script and a familiar lavender pattern—vintage, like the sign of the Prancing Pony from Lord of the Rings.
"Your design? Quite nice."
［Just calculated data results］
I pushed the door open. A short hallway led directly to the bar and the data silhouette.
Like a ghostly shadow.
Kettle, startled, bristled and leaped in front of me.
"What is that?"
［Virtual NPC awaiting configuration］
Indeed small. I picked up the dog and walked past the bar. The place had only four tables and a dozen stools. Faint currents were visible on the walls.
Touching them gave a tingling sensation.
"Your system needs upgrades. What about these currents?"
［If you check behind the bar］
［I think you'll like it］
"You upgraded? How can you say things like that?"
A system speaking so oddly felt strange, but I walked behind the bar anyway. The data silhouette quietly made way. I saw a plank like a door.
Oh no, my heart raced.
"Don't tell me what's below. Don't—wait, maybe tell me! No, no, don't!"
［Tell or not?］
"Don't. Thanks."
I pressed the plank, then opened it. A staircase led downward. I ducked through the small door and found a large basement.
Walls, floor, ceiling—all paneled with smooth wood.
"This could fit a herd of elephants. My own tavern, my own basement." I happily patted the polished wood walls. "This is the best surprise you've given me so far. I take back calling you useless—until the next time you make me lose it."
——
"Let's see. Name: Buck. Means 'shepherd,' male—are you sure he's just data?"
［Yes］
"Alright, then a bartender outfit works. I prefer androgynous looks—average face is fine. Too handsome isn't good. Keep it gentle."
"Good. Confirm."
［Image Generating—］
I excitedly bounced around my little tavern, feet springy.
Setup complete, I watched the shadow behind the counter take form—brown long curls, a slender build in a fitted bartender outfit. I chose a taller height so he wouldn't be underestimated like me, a shortie—
The newly formed bartender Buck bowed in greeting, docile as a brown-furred lamb with a white belly and face.
"If I hadn't configured you myself, I'd never believe you could punch through a beast's gut. My treasure is so handsome."
Buck tilted his head.
"Shall I call you Mother?"
His voice was smooth too, like silk.
"Though I'd love 'Mommy,' people might think I'm a creep. 'Boss' is fine."
I spun on a barstool.
"If the tavern needs to operate normally to activate the system, what counts as 'operating'?"
［Like running your own shop］
"I've been a translator, a teacher, driven military vehicles—but never run a bar. If you could provide some business knowledge, I'd like you more."
［Ritou is full of opportunities. And didn't Thoma mention alcohol sources—］
"Thoma is Kamisato Ayato's man."
I interrupted.
"He's not one of us."
——
［$%&#! Favorability: 6］
***
N: in case you guys forgot the Favorability by $%&#! cant be seen by the mc. Yet. Maybe.
also this will be last chapter for this week, next week another 5 chapter, maybe... anyway see you next week.