When we returned to the guild, the branch manager greeted us.
I parted ways with Dan-san and Mina-san at the reception desk.
Dan-san gave me some encouragement, telling me to “do my best.”
They seemed like good people…
Right now, I’m in the branch manager’s office with Neil-san.
Although tidy, the branch manager’s desk is piled high with documents.
“Good work. Here’s your reward.”
The branch manager handed me 15,000 Lusi.
This world actually has a proper monetary economy.
One Lusi is about ten yen in my mind, so converting it to yen, it’s about fifteen thousand yen.
I remember being really relieved and finding it easy to understand when I first heard about it.
I was able to go shopping right away.
Although, the other party was a traveling merchant who came to the village.
The currency is a combination of gold, silver, and copper coins, but well, let’s put that aside for now.
“Aren’t national army soldiers paid a monthly salary?”
Apparently, the travel expenses to the royal capital will be covered, so I will receive my salary a little later.
The travel expenses are being provided in cash, so I’m not worried about money for now.
By the way, salaries fluctuate depending on performance, just like mercenaries.
Even national army soldiers, who are supposed to be like civil servants, live below average if their performance is too poor.
“This is the reward from the village that was attacked by kidnappers. It’s separate from the country.”
From the pioneer village, huh?
Subjugating bandits is part of maintaining public order, so rewards are usually given by the country or the territory.
Whether the protected party pays a reward is apparently up to them.
But I know from my experience in Kaisa Village that pioneer villages don’t have much to spare.
It’s not hard to imagine that the kind-hearted villagers squeezed this money out of themselves with difficulty.
Regarding the damage to the village, the kidnapping occurred while the men were away, so few men were harmed.
Almost everyone was able to return to the village thanks to this rescue.
However, even with such little human damage, the pioneer plan should be delayed.
“Could you please return this money? “
The branch manager stopped moving her ears and tail, which had been moving gently, and gave me a puzzled look.
Is it strange after all?
“You want to return it?”
“I think I know how hard it is for pioneer villages. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with having money until the village becomes stable.”
Personally, it’s hard for me to accept this money.
If it’s a pioneer village that doesn’t even have a name yet, I can easily guess their plight.
“But, Katia-san. I don’t think it feels good to have money thrown back at you after you’ve given it out? Ah, I’m going to use my share to supplement my travel expenses.”
Neil-san made a critical remark.
Ugh, he’s right.
“That’s true… but I’m worried about the pioneer village.”
If it were a village that had started growing crops, I could support them by buying them, but I can’t deny that it would only have a self-satisfying effect.
“Change your way of thinking. Use the money you received to improve your equipment, eat well, and do your best to maintain public order. I think it’s important to use that money meaningfully and prevent them from suffering the same damage again.”
Oh, that’s a way of thinking that’s unique to the soldier’s guild.
The fact that I don’t have that way of thinking means that my awareness is still not enough.
Or is it a difference in experience?
Experience is the best teacher… wait, is that something else?
I’ll probably get scolded if I treat her like an old person.
Anyway, the big sister says different things!
“Hmm, I’m convinced. Then I’ll do that.”
Then I’ll eat something delicious.
Maybe I should supplement my travel expenses like Neil-san.
“Ah, do that. Well, I have work to do. Now go, go.”
I was kicked out of the office.
She seems busy after all.
One of the staff members entered as I left.
I could hear the conversation through the half-open door.
“Big Sis! This is a document that I need to submit to the higher-ups by tomorrow–”
“I told you not to call me Big Sis, you idiot! Call me Branch Manager!”
She’s really called Big Sis.
It really fits her.
“What’s wrong? Katia-san.”
My expression must have softened.
Neil-san noticed.
“No, it’s nothing.”
Suppressing a laugh, I left the scene.
When I left the soldier’s guild, it was already dark outside.
Lamps powered by fire magic gently illuminated the town’s main streets as streetlights.
This cobblestone feel, things like this didn’t exist in Japan.
I used to like Japanese style, but I don’t mind the Western-style townscape either.
When I took a deep breath, my lungs were filled with the smell of cooking dinner from every house.
Yeah, I’m hungry.
“Well then, Katia-san. As promised, I’m inviting you to my house.”
“Ah, yes. Thank you for your hospitality.”
Neil-san and I walked through the town at night together.
The shadows cast by the lamps stretched and swayed.
The liveliness of the day was gone like a dream, and only the sound of our footsteps echoed through the quiet street.
“Neil-san, is it okay if I ask about your family?”
“Of course. There’s my father, older brother, two older sisters, and me, so there are five of us. Right now, only my father and younger sister are home.”
Neil-san answered my questions generously.
I wonder if I shouldn’t ask about his mother.
He would probably answer normally, but that would be too insensitive.
I’ll ask within a reasonable range.
“Where are your older brother and older sister?”
“My brother is on a tour of the pioneer village, and my older sister is married and has moved out.”
If he’s the eldest son, he’ll probably be the lord in the future, so I guess he’s on a tour to study.
The eldest daughter is married and left home, huh?
Come to think of it, which one is the older sister he doesn’t like?
He said their facial features are similar.
“Which one is the strong-willed older sister you mentioned before?”
“Ah, that’s my older sister. I feel a little lonely, but honestly I’m relieved… Hah! Forget what I just said!”
“Neil-san, you’re honest, aren’t you?”
You could also say careless.
It’s good that he’s opened up to me, but isn’t he being a little too lenient…?
“Ahaha… My father is relatively calm, and my younger sister is a strange person.”
“Strange?”
“Well, my father is also strange, though.”
“Eh, tell me more.”
“You’ll understand when you meet them. We’re here.”
The lord’s mansion, which could be seen a little far from the iron-grilled gate, was about the size of four ordinary houses.
It’s still made of stone, and you can see it in the back of a well-maintained garden.
The walls are made of brick and are a little more stylish and out of place than the surrounding scenery.
We greeted the guard and had the gate opened.
We walked through the slightly distanced garden, and when we arrived at the entrance, Neil-san opened the door for me.
Well then, excuse me…
Hmm? I feel someone nearby.
“Teyah!”
An elven man came at me with something green and white and stick-like, trying to slash me?
I caught it easily, like catching a sword with my bare hands.
What is it?
“You’re not bad, Katia Myers! But this isn’t the end!”
He called my name, so he must be a member of this house.
He’s acting strangely theatrically, so is it some kind of joke?
Besides, this man is very enthusiastic.
Should I play along…?
“W-who are you? Why do you know my name?”
Please forgive my poor acting.
What is this farce?
“Fufu, that’s because… I’m the lord of this town!”
“W-what did you say!”
This person is the lord!?
Neil-san looks completely human, so I wasn’t expecting an elf at all.
Unexpected.
“Father, that’s not how you treat a guest! It’s embarrassing!”
I was convinced by Neil-san’s words.
The man in front of me must be the lord.
Neil-san, you have elven blood in you.
I didn’t know because you don’t have the appearance.
“Well, the villain in the book I read the other day was cool, so I just did it. Neil, it seems that you get along well with Katia considering that your tone of voice is different to how it usually is with guests.”
I’ve gotten involved in a parent-child conversation.
It’s hard to talk to them.
“Ugh! No, I’m talking about Father right now! Why did you suddenly attack her, even if it was just a joke!”
“Wouldn’t Tim-san’s disciple be able to dodge it easily?”
“Your point is wrong! … That’s enough. I’m sorry, Katia-san. This person is my father, Gale Raza. Please forgive his rudeness.”
“Hello, Katia-san. I’m Gale Raza, the lord of Raza Town. Thank you for putting up with my bad behavior.”
He’s definitely a strange person.
Neil-san may be similar to him in that he doesn’t build a wall between people and has an easy-going atmosphere.
He has the appearance of a beautiful blonde elf, and you can see a few wrinkles on his face.
He’s not young, but he’s handsome.
However, he doesn’t seem to be proud of it, so he’s not annoying.
No, but you’re unfair, handsome man! Perish! My previous self shouts.
His clothes are noble clothes, but he wears them in a way that doesn’t look bad.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Katia Myers.”
For the time being, I’ll return what I received when I caught the attack earlier.
The green and white thing is leek, a type of vegetable related to onions.
A middle-aged man attacking a teenage girl with an onion… yeah, that’s not normal.
Don’t play with food!
“How is Tim doing?”
Gale-san asked while twirling the leek I returned.
Does he know Gramps?
“Do you know Gramps?”
Gale-san nodded twice.
“Yes, I know him. I owe him a lot from the past, so I helped him out when he retired and blocked information about his location.”
“That’s… thank you. I was able to live peacefully until today. Gramps is also doing well, although his back hurts.”
No unwelcome guests came to that mountain hut, and I’m really grateful.
Although monsters came.
“No, I owe Tim-san a debt I can’t repay. You don’t have to worry about it.”
Gale-san said while scratching his cheek.
Neil-san also did that gesture.
They don’t look very similar, but they’re still father and son.
Did Gramps come to this place because he had a connection with this person?
“It’s not good to stand around in the entrance forever, let’s go to the dining room. Come on, Father.”
Neil-san urged him, and Gale-san nodded.
“That’s right. Welcome to our home, Katia-dono. Please relax and enjoy your time here.”
“Yes, thank you. Thank you for your hospitality.”
I left the entrance and followed the two.
Oh, the carpet is soft.
It’s fluffy.
I enjoyed the feeling on the soles of my feet as I walked to the dining room.
