Ch 61: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World

Taking advantage of the moment when Mumu was filing Edward’s nails, Lu Yao handed over the tablet, allowing the loving father to choose a nail art design.

Edward was still amazed at Mumu’s skill; the claws of their kind could retract freely, and to make it easier for Mumu to file, he even extended his claw tips.

His hands were paler than usual, with long fingers, smooth cuticles, and sharp fingertips.

Even without nail art, they already looked quite pleasing to the eye.

Edward pushed the tablet aside, lifted his chin slightly, and proudly said, “I won’t pick one for now. Xiao Ming will definitely make Dad’s nails look beautiful.”

Mumu was also quite enthusiastic, swiftly finishing filing Edward’s nails before taking out a row of dark nail polishes from the drawer.

Lu Yao watched from the side. Mumu probably knew Edward’s preferences well, as he polished the nails, applied a protective coat, and after curing them under the lamp, he began working almost without thinking.

Ambrose and Clarissa, two new apprentices, also stood by, observing.

Mumu first applied two thin layers of black polish, then used a brush to create a subtle gradient, layering translucent colors for a rich, textured base.

Next, he switched to a fine brush, drawing cross patterns on the nails, then applied silver chrome powder. After brushing off the excess, the nails had a vintage dark aesthetic.

But that wasn’t enough. Mumu also brushed silver cat-eye polish on Edward’s fingertips, using a magnet to create a crescent-shaped silver moon.

After finishing four nails, Mumu pulled out bottles of green and light blue polish and pushed them toward Lu Yao.

“Squeak!”

As soon as Lu Yao finished the painting, Mumu excitedly squealed.

Edward slowly raised his hand, a glimmer flashing in his eyes.

Even though he could withstand the sun for short periods, Edward still deeply disliked being exposed to it, and he rarely ventured outside during the day.

On many nights, he would hold Xiao Ming and lean against the bedroom window, watching the moon.

He had always thought that the little slime understood nothing, but it turned out that Xiao Ming remembered everything.

Lu Yao gently reminded him, “Set it under the lamp first.”

After curing the design, Lu Yao drew both light and dark magic circles on the painted nails to set them in place.

Edward was a bit surprised. It was rare to see such a capable human who showed no airs of superiority.

Ambrose’s red eyes flickered slightly. Even without considering abyssal magic, this human’s use of magic intrigued him greatly.

She applied both the strongest offensive and restorative spells to the nail design, combining them with impressive finesse.

Lu Yao completed the task Mumu had requested, then stepped aside, propping her chin in her hand as she watched Mumu work on Edward’s other hand.

Since this design mainly depicted the night, black dominated the nail’s surface. Mumu changed the base color of the other four nails to white, drew grid patterns with black polish, and applied black cat-eye polish to the tips, using a magnet to form a small crescent moon.

Once all ten nails were done, the black and white contrast created a delicate and unique yin-yang nail design.

Mumu tilted his head, examining the result for a while, then slowly climbed down from the stool.

A moment later, he returned carrying two small boxes of decorations. His little paws opened the boxes as he carefully selected several silver accessories.

Mumu pushed the decorations toward Lu Yao, asking her to help shrink them.

Lu Yao couldn’t help glancing at Edward’s reaction. Mumu had chosen silver crosses and chains for the vampire.

Edward showed no reaction to the cross, even reaching out to touch Mumu, but Mumu leaned back, dodging him.

“…”

This vampire might be beyond saving.

Lu Yao raised her hand, drawing a magic circle. Black light enveloped the small accessories, gradually shrinking them to Mumu’s desired size.

Mumu lifted Edward’s finger, carefully applied glue, and used tweezers to place the silver cross onto the nail.

Edward suddenly glanced at Lu Yao, realizing what that earlier look from her had meant.

Mumu had always lived with Edward deep in the forest castle, where no one could trespass into the progenitor vampire’s abode.

He didn’t know that vampires had a taboo against silver and crosses.

But the decorations used in the shop weren’t real silver, so there was no danger.

After placing the cross, Mumu stuck a trendy thin silver chain on another of Edward’s nails, and the elegant vintage nail art gradually shifted toward a cyberpunk style.

Once Mumu finished the entire design, Lu Yao spent some time painting light and dark magic circles on each nail. Mumu then sealed the design with a protective magic layer.

Edward picked Mumu up, his tone full of joy, as if the little slime had just saved the world. “Xiao Ming even learned magic! As expected of my son!”

The shop assistants: “…”

Mumu was so happy that he shyly squeaked while looking at his fingers.

Edward spun Mumu around a few times before putting him down and raising his hands to inspect the nails.

The black and white nails, adorned with miniaturized crosses and silver chains, had hand-painted grid lines that were simple yet elegant. With a touch of contrasting color and the bright cat-eye effect, the design perfectly suited vampire aesthetics.

Edward’s eyes half-closed as he gazed at the painted designs on his ring and index fingers. A subtle warmth flowed through his eyes.

He loved these two designs the most—the composition, colors, and style were all to his liking. They seamlessly integrated Xiao Ming’s design, unexpectedly becoming the soul of the entire nail art.

However, since it was drawn by a human, he decided to secretly admire it in his heart without saying it aloud.

The best part was that, thanks to the magic circles, even when he retracted his claws, the painted designs only compressed slightly without damage. He didn’t need to worry about the art getting scratched in a fight.

Edward silently admired his nails for a while, feeling more satisfied the longer he looked.

Mumu leaned over, tugging cautiously at his cloak. “Squeak squeak.”

Edward lowered his head and picked Mumu up. “What’s the matter?”

Mumu began recounting his experiences outside during this time, including the loneliness of living alone in the wild, being rescued by the shop owner after facing danger, becoming a store employee, learning how to greet customers and do nail art…

Mumu: “Squeak squeak!”

He now wanted to continue learning and eventually become a nail artist.

After listening, Edward remained silent for a long time. The emotion of recovering something lost hadn’t yet faded, and now he was gripped by the sorrow of his child growing up and wanting to leave home.

He was the world’s first vampire and would be the last.

As the progenitor vampire, he had been proud and revered in his earlier years, his kin spread across the entire continent of Alexander.

But humans were strange. Without power, they were diligent, kind, and struggled to survive. Once they gained power, they transformed into merciless monsters, slaughtering humans on a large scale, often not for sustenance.

When vampires could no longer gain superiority from humans, they began killing their own kind.

In human stories, the progenitor vampire was always depicted as evil and terrifying.

No one knew that it was due to the infighting among human-turned vampires that the progenitor had slumbered for two thousand years.

When Edward awoke again, almost all of his kin had been eradicated by the Templar Knights.

He hadn’t sought out the few remaining survivors but instead found a quiet place to recuperate, spending his days with a group of low-level creatures.

His current journey with Ambrose was an accident.

He had simply been curious about his quiet neighbor of two hundred years moving away. Recklessly, he had ventured out, even walking under the sun, and to his surprise, he had found Xiao Ming.

Xiao Ming was his favorite little creature.

But now this little creature said he wanted to stay in this small town, in this little shop.

Edward’s heart began to ache, just like it had over two thousand years ago.

Whether it was kin or creatures, they always found reasons to leave.

Edward raised his hand to cover his chest and looked at Lu Yao. A sly glint flashed in his emerald green eyes as he spoke in a magnetic voice, lightly laced with temptation, “I could embrace you. Would you like to become my kin?”

For the first time in over two thousand years, the progenitor vampire had decided to embrace a human again.

Regardless of the outcome, he would take full responsibility for this decision.

Sitting nearby, Eugenia couldn’t conceal the shock in her eyes upon hearing these words.

She hadn’t yet realized that she was the only truly ordinary human in the entire shop.

Harold stood up in anger, stepping between Edward and Lu Yao, shielding her behind him, his eyes dark. “What nonsense are you talking? Lu Yao would never become a vampire. Stay away from her.”

Clarissa quietly summoned her red scythe, and while Eugenia was still oblivious to the situation, the other employees subtly entered a state of high alert.

Edward looked confused. “I am the progenitor vampire. After I embrace her, not only will she gain power, but she will also achieve immortality. Why are you all trying to stop me?”

Before anyone else could respond, Lu Yao poked her head out from behind Harold, her tone both curious and puzzled. “Why do you want to embrace me?”

The identity of the progenitor vampire was certainly surprising, but Lu Yao could clearly sense Edward’s dislike for humans. His sudden offer to embrace her seemed odd.

Edward’s emerald eyes shifted as if he didn’t quite understand why Lu Yao would ask such a question. He replied perfunctorily, “Because you are the chosen one, and I want to grant you supreme power.”

Lu Yao took a step back. “No, no, that won’t be necessary.”

This clearly sounded like empty promises. Lu Yao’s teenage fantasies had long been drained by the Dream Fulfillment System, and she no longer craved any kind of power.

Edward became even more puzzled. Why wasn’t she tempted?

Over two thousand years ago, when humans heard they could become his kin, they would flock to him in droves.

Mumu tugged at Edward’s cloak, squeaking excitedly.

Edward frowned, his already pale face seeming even more bloodless. He lightly nudged Mumu with his foot. “You ungrateful little thing. I was only testing her, and you’re already worried.”

Lu Yao let out a sigh of relief—so it was just a test.

Edward left, stepping out into the blazing midday sun, but he didn’t take Mumu with him.

Mumu stood at the door, squeaking mournfully a few times, watching Edward’s figure disappear before silently returning to the shop.

…

In the city of Braibis, at the royal palace.

The High Priest had been urgently summoned back to the palace by three imperial edicts.

Standing below the throne, Carlos, dressed in silver robes, his silver hair flowing, eyes closed, bowed slightly to Baise III.

By now, according to time, Baise III should have reached his twilight years.

Yet, the emperor sitting on the throne was strong and robust, looking no older than someone in their fifties. His lean yet sharp gaze still hid an ambitious glint.

“High Priest, there’s no need for such formalities. I summoned you back to the palace for a task that requires your help,” Baise III said, his tone respectful, though his deep brown eyes, hidden from the blind priest, revealed subtle resentment and frustration.

Carlos, unaware of this, responded gently, “What does Your Majesty require? Please give your command.”

Baise spoke in a deep voice, “In the northern border, there’s a small town. It is rumored that a dragon resides in a shop there. I need you to deploy the Light Knights from the temple to accompany Lord Kinkley to Emerald Town and investigate this matter. And, as a precaution, I ask that you prepare a contract.”

The temple was under the High Priest’s domain.

All knights of the temple obeyed the High Priest, guarding both the capital and the emperor.

However, about ten years ago, while refining a secret potion for the emperor, the High Priest had injured his eyes, and most of the temple’s power had been taken away.

Now, only the most elite squad of Light Knights remained firmly under the High Priest’s control, and without his direct orders, no one could command them.

Not even the emperor could summon them.

Carlos bowed his head slightly, pondering for a moment, seemingly confused. “All the Light Knights of the temple obey Your Majesty. Why would you need me to issue the order? As for the contract, Your Majesty knows that the incident many years ago took away most of my power. I can no longer create a strong contract, so I ask that you find someone else.”

Baise gripped the armrest of the throne tightly, restraining his anger from showing.

He understood that the High Priest had long since become estranged from him.

If it weren’t for Carlos still holding control over the elite Light Knights, Baise would have long since wanted to replace this disobedient priest.

The tense, silent atmosphere stretched between them, until finally, it was Carlos who gave in.

He sighed, appearing helpless, and compromised, “The only Saint-level Light Knights currently available are the twin fairies in the temple. If Your Majesty doesn’t mind their humble origins, I can order them to accompany Lord Kinkley to the northern border.”

🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️

Thingyan: Stupid cannon fodder emperor, seeking humiliation hmmph