#754 Batemy’s Road to Becoming a Part-Time Homemaker

Ah, it’s me again.

Today, I have some gossip from Batemy, freshly returned from a ball.

She’s engaged to a member of a prominent noble family, so she needs to acclimate to that society.

She must attend various social gatherings to make a name for herself, right?

Even during this engagement period, Batemy’s been attending balls, banquets, tea parties, and potato stew parties in the Demon Capital nearly daily.

She attended yet another one last night, but...

“But they uncovered your secret there?” 

“Yes, indeed.”

Batemy murmurs with a resigned expression on her face.

Her job as a clothesmaker is kept under wraps.

After all, she is the only tailor of the popular Noujou brand.

It would be a big deal if it became public knowledge.

And it really did.

Apparently.

“The entire party last night revolved around that. I was surrounded, and it was quite a commotion...!”

According to Batemy, she was showered with praise and admiration from the noble ladies.

“Goodness, it was quite something! I received compliments from those who bought my clothes and admiration from those who hadn’t... It was the first time I’d ever received direct customer feedback, so it was enlightening!!!”

“Huh? But we also give you feedback on the clothes you make for us, don’t we?”

“It was the first time outside of the farm.”

Well, for a creator, receiving feedback about their work is the greatest joy.

It’s those reactions that keep the creative spirit alive.

And if money accompanies those words, all the better.

By the way, here’s a sample of the customer feedback Batemy received at the venue:

— “The man I’d been eyeing proposd to me when I wore a Noujou dress!”

— “I used to be quite introverted, but wearing a Noujou dress made me more assertive!”

— “Wearing a Noujou dress helped me accept my large bust, which I was self-conscious about!”

— “My backache was cured by a Noujou dress!!”

—  “The end of the world was averted thanks to a Noujou dress!!!”

And from those yet to purchase, there was a deluge of on-the-spot orders.

“Give me a dress!” “I’ll win a gentleman’s heart with a Noujou dress too!” “I’ll cure my backache with a Noujou dress too!”

...and so forth.

But she turned them all down.

“The agreement is to route all orders through Pandemonium. It would be a breach of trust if I were to break that. I only accept direct orders from those associated with the farm.”

Essentially, Batemy works exclusively for the farm, prioritizing the clothing of those who live here, and works on the orders brought by Mr. Shax in her spare time.

That’s why there are years-long waits due to a backlog of orders.

She simply doesn’t have much time to spare for that side of her work.

“But if you get married for real, you’ll have even less time, right? As a noble lady, you’ll have to attend more parties like last night.”

“Yeah, that seems likely.”

After all, the man Batemy is marrying is a bonafide noble.

We’ve yet to meet him in person, though.

If she becomes a noble lady, she must manage the household and establish herself in society.

It seems like it would be quite demanding—at least according to my light novel knowledge.

Perhaps some philanthropic work sprinkled in?

There’s no way she could handle a side job on top of all that.

Yet, it seems Batemy has no intention of settling down as a housewife and is determined to continue her journey as a genius designer even after marriage.

“Oh, I have the Demon King’s permission, after all. It’s an era where women are empowered to work too.”

I’ve heard that before as well.

The war with the human race ended, and the energy devoted primarily to the military is now being redirected into various fields.

Part of that involved downsizing the military, and many soldiers retired, leaving only those necessary.

Most of these were nobles who felt a sense of noblesse oblige, so once the obligation to fight was gone, the only job left was to manage their territory.

Up until now, the wives had been managing in the absence of their husbands who were out at war, but with the husbands returning, there would be double the manpower and leisure time for each.

Wouldn’t this be a golden opportunity to advance the civilization and culture that had stagnated for a long time due to the war?

“That’s why the Demon King is encouraging it.”

“Hmm.”

By the way, what will happen to Batemy after she gets married?

She’ll move out of the farm and into her husband’s house (mansion?), right? There’s no way a nobleman like her husband would move here instead.

Does that mean Batemy won’t be able to come here anymore?

Even if she continues as a designer, who will make the farm’s clothes if that happens?

Junior is growing up and needs new clothes every month!

“Don’t worry about that, Lord Saint. I’ll commute every day using teleportation magic.”

“Right. There’s also that option...!”

No matter how physically distant the Demon Capital and the farm are, one can bridge the distance instantly with teleportation magic.

Zoth Syra even plans to work as the Mermaid Kingdom’s Prime Minister during the day and return home to the farm at night using teleportation magic to sleep beside Orkubo.

The wonders of teleportation magic are indeed endless...

“So Batemy, you’ll continue to make our clothes on the farm, right?! Hooray!”

“Of course. I owe a great deal to you, Lord Saint. I wouldn’t stop repaying my debt simply because I got married.”

“Hooray!”

“However, the time I can dedicate is likely to drastically reduce due to married life and accompanying my husband in social activities.”

“No way!!!”

Batemy the maiden.

She possesses a heart to repay her debts, but in the end, she chooses love.

In a way, that’s only natural.

“I’m sure the current pace of clothesmaking will be disrupted. The farm is also becoming more populated. I’ve thought for a while now that there’s no way I can handle this situation alone.”

“T-True...!”

“Even with the sewing machine’s efficiency, there are limits. I think I’ve already surpassed mine, but I loathe my resilience to somehow still manage. Maybe I’ve been trained too rigorously by Miss Astres, instilling a relentless work ethic in me.”

“Yeah...!”

“Strangely, everyone else, the elves, the orcs, the goblins, and Lord Bacchus are all working in teams, but I’m still on my own. Why? Because I can still manage? If I leave the current situation as it is because there’s no problem, the distortion will only grow.”

“I’m sorry...!”

It appears that the change in circumstances brought about by marriage will also likely highlight issues that have been simmering beneath the surface until now.

“So, I think it’s about time to increase our staff. Including my department.”

“Your department...?!”

Somehow, Batemy seems to have established herself as a department head.

“Actually, I’ve already started taking action, Lord Saint. On the way back from last night’s ball, I stopped by my sister’s.”

“Ah, I see.”

Batemy’s sister is also in the clothing industry in the Demon Capital, isn’t she?

Separated at a young age, they ended up in the same profession and found each other through it.

It’s clear that the entire family has a passion for clothing.

Batemy’s sister and their parents run a major fashion brand in the capital, employing numerous craftsmen.

They must hold a significant influence in the industry.

“And so, I told her to hand over two or three of their promising young talents.”

“That’s quite assertive!”

“So, I’ve managed to get some staff arranged. I’m planning to station them at the farm to learn the ropes. Is that okay, Lord Saint?”

You managed to arrange that...with such a straightforward approach?!

I have no idea what transpired between the beginning and end of this conversation, but that negotiation was remarkable!

Is this the power of family, allowing for such candid discussions?

I recall Platy often making demands of her brother Arowana similarly, and it seems to work...!

But if I grow up and Junior talks to me like that in the future, I’m certain I’d burst into tears!

“So, do you mind, Lord Saint?”

“I don’t mind at all!”

After all, isn’t this pretty much a done deal, having progressed this far?

“Also, with the increase in manpower, I’d like to request an increase in sewing machine production.”

“Sure...!”

“Great! Now that I have laid the groundwork for expanding my team, I can concentrate on growing the business. I’ll mass produce Noujou dresses and suits, sell them to the nobles, and enhance my husband’s social standing while making money!!!”

... 

She seems to be planning quite a shrewd strategy.

Batemy, I thought you were just a creator chasing dreams, but it appears that marriage is starting to turn you into a more pragmatic, efficient wife.

Is this the terrifying power of women...?!