“Mmm… I wonder when will Bucket return…” I muttered.
While sewing a new piece in the Magical Sewing Machine, I started thinking about the central figure of our clan, Works.
A player Pioneer who was at the top of the crafters and used her trademark Bucket Helm. She worked harder at production than anybody else.
That was Bucket.
At first treated me as a suspicious person and didn’t listen to me much, but either because she understood my enthusiasm or because she couldn’t resist the cuteness of the clothes I make, she ended up joining Works and became a central figure within our clan.
Her login time is longer than anybody else’s, and the amount of time she can keep on concentrating on her crafting is also bigger than everybody else’s.
While being at the top of the craft-focused player Pioneers, her noble producer spirit let her keep on making originals stoically!
I am not only a companion of Bucket, but am also someone who respects her a lot.
Everyone gets tired of doing the same thing all the time.
However, Bucket can keep on doing it forever.
That very simple fact is incredibly amazing in itself.
If you keep on doing the same thing over and over again, you’ll naturally start cutting some corners as you get used to it.
That’s not really a bad thing, but Bucket doesn’t do it.
I know it because I’m also a craft-focused Pioneer. Bucket never cuts corners.
And even though she is this kind of person, suddenly, she announced her retirement shortly after the news about the major update were released.
It came out of nowhere. A message to all members of Works that said, ‘I want to know when everyone is free, because I want to talk about something important.’
It was something she wanted to tell us all together instead of individually, so I replied with everyone’s schedule to her.
I’m her Clan Master, after all, so it’s natural for me to do that much.
But when we gathered at her workshop, we found out that the people of Works weren’t the only ones there. Mikan, Hime, Armilate, as well as some people from Gospel, Mist Knights and Kikoridottokoru were all gathered together in her living room.
It was impossible for everyone to sit down, so most people were standing. It couldn’t be helped, since Bucket’s workshop isn’t that large.
“Thank you all for coming even though you must have been busy.
“I know it’s a bit sudden, but I’ll be retiring before the major update hits.” Bucket told us.
While I was packed inside that small living room, I couldn’t swallow the words that Bucket told me… That Bucket, retiring?
That same Bucket who always puts her all into crafting?
That Bucket that gives me a peace of mind because I know she’ll always be there when I log-in?
Impossible!
“Sorry if I surprised you with this sudden announcement, but I can’t help it because it is related to real matters.” Bucket continued to speak.
We were all so surprised, so none of us could mutter a word in response.
I’m sure I left my mouth open and looked really goofy while I listened to her.
A colleague of mine at the company I work at repeatedly warned me to not leave my mouth open just because I was surprised, but I’m sure it happened again this time.
“But if everything goes according to schedule, then I should be back before the big update.
“So don’t worry, I’m not quitting Frontiers.” Bucket told us.
She’ll come back.
Her words made my thoughts, that had stopped functioning because of the surprise, start running again.
But in the end, I couldn’t say anything even after Bucket finished explaining it.
Many questions were asked by other people, and she answered the best she could.
But well, it involved real life matters, so she couldn’t go too deep into it.
We may be friends, but we’re not close enough to talk about this kind of thing.
I was keenly aware of that, and that alone, was enough to make me feel like crying.
******
“Then, please manage the store for me in the meanwhile, Works.” Bucket asked us.
“Alright. The salaries for your employees are paid through the Guild, right?” I asked her.
“You don’t need to worry about that. I already paid them an advance to cover two months of Real Time salary.” Bucket replied.
“… Should we keep the business hours the same as before?” Lulu asked her.
“Yes, please leave them as is.” She replied.
“It’ll be easier if we restock the store at fixed times, so we should schedule ourselves for that.” Mukaida commented.
“I agree.” Mii said.
“Indeed.” Muu said.
“Leave it to us!” They exclaimed.
After Bucket finished telling us what she needed to, the meeting was mostly dissolved.
The only people remaining in her workshop now were the members of Works, as she wanted to discuss what to do with her shop.
The main store in Capital Sabrina will continue operating and be borrowed by Works for the time being, while the purchase-only store at Dotril will be temporarily closed.
Sure, everyone in Works does own their own store, but Bucket’s shop is by far the most popular one.
Therefore, we’re very grateful to her for allowing us to use her store to sell our items.
Bucket’s shop is probably the most popular store in the Zabrina Kingdom right now.
Also, it’s not really possible to identify the creator of any given item, so it’s not like the buyers will know who made what item.