Character Refresher
Prada – An ancient she-devil. Also known as the devil who collects art, Gold Coin.
Kati – An ancient she-devil. Also known as the devil who locks up dreams, Box.
Rudio – An ancient devil. Also known as the devil who plays death, Sound.
Sharune – An ancient she-devil. Also known as the devil who severs bonds, Letter.
Obje* – Ancestor of the ancient devils. Also known as Despair.
Klim – Daughter of Despair?
TN: I guess “welcoming object” became an official name now but shortened.
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At the foot of Village Five stands the Prada Museum.Inside the bulding, magic tools play calm and soothing music.
…
One of the staff, Rudio, has made it something of a trademark to stand near the magic tools as if keeping watch.
He does love anything that produces sound.
That much is fine, but is he actually working if he just stands there all the time?
Well, if he were slacking off, Prada would probably scold him.
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One of the corners in the museum is dedicated to boxes.
There, boxes from every era and every land are on display.
At first, I thought, what’s so special about boxes? But with such variety, it actually makes for an enjoyable exhibit.
This section is apparently managed by one of the staff, Kati.
She loves boxes after all.
A perfect fit.
Eh?
Most of the items on display here are Kati’s personal belongings?
Heh.
Ah, but she’s not just using this place as her own storage, right?
Well, that is part of it, but it also adds liveliness to the place?
I see.
In any case, since people keep gathering here, it must be popular.
Kati often chats away with visitors who want to buy one of the boxes.
So she doesn’t want to hoard them all for herself.
…A true enthusiast seeks out others who share their passion.
I see.
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Sharune was in the museum’s exhibit preparation room, giving instructions to the staff.
She liked anything that had writing on it.
She did not read it, though.
I once thought her tastes were strange, yet she looks like the one working the hardest.
However, according to Prada, she has her own issues.
She apparently makes the staff submit their reports written on some kind of paper.
…
Isn’t that an abuse of authority?
It’s fine?
Prada overlooks it because having records is a good thing.
I see.
If Prada is fine with it, I will say nothing.
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Still, the staff have increased quite a bit.
With only a few people, managing art would be hard, but even at a glance there are fifty here.
Counting those off duty and those elsewhere, it is easy to guess there are over a hundred.
Around one hundred fifty?
Well gathered.
They scooped up people who had been languishing around noble households.
…
That is not kidnapping, right?
You recruited and invited them properly, right?
Good.
Eh?
When they recruited staff, a thieves’ guild tried to slip in some insiders?
Is that safe?
Their behavior was obviously strange, so they were caught, and after listening to a bit of Rudio’s piano they confessed everything.
They even gave up their accomplices, so the thieves were mostly arrested.
If I remember right, Rudio loves things that make sound, but he is not good at playing himself.
Is it really that fearsome.
I am curious, but I am a little scared to listen.
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By the way, judging from the staff, there are people who look like guards as well. Are they necessary?
Prada and the others could handle anything on their own, right?
Just having visible guards works as crime prevention?
I see.
That is true.
It is harder to act up when guards are present.
Those who come with bad intentions turn back when they see the Obje placed at the entrance.
As the maker, I have mixed feelings.
I want them to look at it properly.
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Well then.
The reason I came to the Prada Museum today was because a request had arrived from Prada herself.
The request was for the construction of dormitories and a dining hall for the newly increased staff.
I had already told her she was free to build whatever she needed within the museum grounds, but she wrote back that the space inside would be used for storage, so she wanted them built outside the grounds instead.
That meant I couldn’t just approve it without seeing the site for myself.
And so, I came in person.
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As for the management of the Prada Museum… it’s running at a considerable deficit.
The purchase and upkeep of art pieces is costly enough, but the growing staff payroll adds another burden.
I know, I know.
You can’t measure art in terms of profit.
It’s for the entertainment of the residents and the preservation of culture.
With that in mind, Village Five will continue to provide proper funding.
Even Youko supports this policy.
And with the museum’s role in arresting the thieves, the village council haven’t even thought about slashing the budget.
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Now, about the dormitories and dining hall for the staff.
The land around the Prada Museum is…
Still open for use.
But since Youko and the village council might already have plans for it, if we’re going to build there, I’ll need to secure it quickly.
Prada had already prepared an estimate for the construction costs.
She even had backup options ready…Plan B and Plan C…just in case the surrounding land couldn’t be used.
I had to admire her thoroughness.
All right.
I’ll speak to Youko myself.
It should be fine, but if it isn’t, I’ll let her know immediately.
Still, without dormitories in place yet…
Where are the staff sleeping?
Officially, those with homes commute from there, and those without use local inns.
And unofficially?
Curling up in corners of the prep room or warehouse?
…
I’ll make sure the dormitory project moves forward quickly.
Yes, I know.
The dining hall too.
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Having checked on the museum, it’s about time for me to head home.
Ah, but before that, I need to make an offering to Obje.
I’d come in through the staff entrance this time, so I hadn’t passed by it and nearly forgot.
Klim asked me, you see.
She said it’s been getting nothing but bitter offerings lately, and it’s been sighing in disappointment.
That alone wouldn’t be a problem, but apparently if it ever gets angry, it can trigger natural disasters. So it’s best to give it something sweet.
I figured the “natural disaster” part was probably a joke, but still…I left some fruit harvested from Big Tree Village as an offering.
Somehow, it felt like the statue was pleased.
Next time, I’ll bring one of Fairy Fairy’s cakes.
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Prada: 「When it was only bitter offerings, he wouldn’t touch them, but now that there’s something sweet…」
Katy: 「Sweet, bitter, bitter, sweet, bitter… it makes him reach for the bitter ones too, doesn’t it?」
Rudio: 「Truly despair itself.」
Sharune: 「Even being able to enjoy such things… that’s just like him.」
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Youko: 「That area… Versa-dono submitted a proposal to build a large exhibition hall. Since I haven’t approved it yet, I’ll just shift it aside a bit and give approval over there instead.」