"The Empo — Morning at the Emporium (Aeron in Command)
The Emporium of Six Floors woke before the sun.
Lights rose in each level.
Doors clicked open.
Shelves gleamed.
The scent of herbs, polished silver, enchanted steel, and fresh cloth filled the air.
Aeron stepped onto the first floor, calm and composed, his presence immediately straightening the posture of every employee.
"Good morning, everyone."
All the women bowed slightly.
"Good morning, Master Aeron," the staff echoed.
Haruhime, wearing her white dress with gold trim, hurried over with a clipboard.
"M-Morning! I prepared the sales report like you asked."
Aeron smiled gently. "Thank you, Haruhime. Let's see."
The fox girl nearly wagged her tail from pride.
Aeron flipped through the papers.
"First floor potions are selling out faster than expected," he noted. "Health Potions, Swiftness Potions, and Iron Armor sets. Good."
He looked toward one of the attendants.
"Lyra, restock the entire rear wall. Use the chests I prepared in storage. They refill automatically."
Lyra bowed. "Yes, sir!"
Aeron turned to another.
"Celeste, your customer service has been exceptional. I'm raising your daily pay."
The girl gasped. "A-Aeron! I—thank you!"
Haruhime scribbled frantically in her notes. "Updating wages—yes!"
Aeron paced the aisle like a king strolling through his garden.
He checked displays.
Adjusted lighting.
Rearranged armor stands.
Refilled enchanted weapons.
Touched a piece of iron armor — and instantly upgraded its durability with a flick of Minecraft creative mode.
To the employees, it looked like magic.
To Aeron… it was simply a tap.
— Customer Crowds & Nobles
The morning rush hit fast.
Dozens of adventurers streamed inside.
"THIS PLACE IS AMAZING!"
"Everything's top quality!"
"The potions work better than Hephaestus equipment half the time!"
"There's even a freaking SALE!"
A group of nobles entered next, escorted by guards.
Aeron greeted them with a perfectly calm smile.
"Welcome to the Emporium. Looking for upgrades before your Dungeon escort?"
They looked startled.
Noble girl: "You… remember us?"
Aeron nodded. "You bought a high-grade leather set last week."
The nobles melted on the spot.
"Astonishing memory…"
"So handsome…"
"Let's keep buying from him."
One nobleman approached Aeron privately.
"Sir Aeron, would you consider opening a branch in the Upper District…? We will fund it."
Aeron smiled politely.
"No. This shop belongs here, close to everyone."
The noble blinked at the gentle refusal, confused but impressed.
Aeron added:
"But I appreciate your interest."
He handed the noble a small token — an enchantment that strengthened charisma slightly.
The noble bowed deeply.
"You honor me."
Aeron returned to the counter like nothing happened.
Haruhime whispered behind him:
"You handled them perfectly…"
"Part of managing a business," Aeron said calmly.
---
— Aiz Comes to Visit… and See Him Work
Aiz entered quietly, wearing her training clothes.
She paused in the doorway.
Aeron stood at the center of the shop, issuing instructions with calm authority, customers hanging on his every word, employees moving like a coordinated unit around him.
Aiz watched him work for several minutes without speaking.
He looked… peaceful.
Strong without trying.
Confident in a way that wasn't loud — but steady.
Aiz's chest warmed unexpectedly.
Haruhime spotted her and ran over.
"Aiz! You're here!"
Aiz nodded. "Mm. I… came to train."
She watched Aeron again.
"…But he looks busy."
Haruhime smiled softly.
"He always makes time for people."
Aiz bit her lip.
"…For me?"
Haruhime blinked — then slowly smiled.
"Yes."
Aeron finally looked up, meeting her eyes instantly.
"Aiz. Roof in ten minutes?"
Aiz brightened noticeably.
"Yes."
Her voice was softer than usual.
---
— Riveria Arrives and Sees the Crowds
Riveria entered next, stepping through the bustling shop with her calm, composed demeanor. But her eyes widened slightly when she saw:
– Aeron surrounded by customers
– Aiz waiting by the staircase
– Haruhime at his side
– Nobles talking about him
– Women openly admiring him
Riveria exhaled slowly.
"…Of course it's like this."
She approached the counter.
Aeron turned, instantly attentive.
"Riveria. Did you come to see me?"
Her expression cracked for half a second.
"Not… specifically."
Haruhime and Aiz both stared at her.
Lies.
The woman was lying.
Beautifully.
Elegantly.
Aeron smirked.
"Then I'm glad you still found me."
Riveria looked away, ears slightly red.
---
— Demeter Enters the Shop (Chaos Begins)
The bell chimed.
The shop fell silent.
Demeter entered with a soft smile, carrying a small basket of fruit.
"Aeron~ I brought figs for your employees."
The entire staff sparkled.
Haruhime whispered: "Riveria… that's Demeter, isn't it?"
Riveria whispered back: "Yes. And she's bringing him food. Again."
Aiz stared blankly:
"…She's very nice."
Demeter spotted Aeron and waved warmly.
"Aeron! You really do look handsome even when managing a business."
Aiz froze.
Haruhime froze.
Riveria froze.
Aeron sighed playfully.
"Demeter, don't tease me in front of customers."
Demeter giggled.
"But I love teasing you."
Aiz clenched her sword sheath slightly.
Haruhime's tail stiffened.
Riveria exhaled deeply.
The tension in the room became visible.
A customer whispered to his friend:
"Bro… I think the women around him are about to kill each other."
---
— Aeron's Staff Meeting
After the rush ended, Aeron gathered all the women employees on the 2nd floor office.
"All right, everyone. Today's sales were enormous. Great work."
They all straightened proudly.
Haruhime beamed.
Aeron continued:
"Tomorrow, I want to rotate shifts so no one gets overwhelmed. And I'm increasing all your wages by 15% due to the crowds."
The staff gasped.
One girl nearly fainted.
Aeron smiled.
"Your work keeps this shop alive. I value that."
Somewhere, half the staff fell in love with him immediately.
Haruhime tugged his sleeve.
"Aeron… you're too kind…"
Aeron looked down at her.
"I just treat people fairly."
Haruhime blushed.
Riveria watched from the stairs.
Her heart squeezed.
He is going to be the end of me…
---
— Freya Watches From Afar
On a rooftop across the street, Freya observed him with silver, predatory eyes.
She watched:
– how he led
– how he inspired
– how women gravitated toward him
– how calm he remained despite it all
A smile slowly curved across her lips.
"…Yes," she whispered.
"You truly are dangerous."
She touched the railing.
"And I adore dangerous things."