Balu left the imperial capital because he was asked to run an errand, in principle.
　The landlady at the cook's house, who was taking care of her, asked her to go check on her family in her home village.
　Had this been farther away, she would have asked someone else to do it, but since it was a safe area not that far from the Imperial Capital, she chose Baru.
　He had accepted the request on the condition that she would cover the cost of his food for the round trip, and he had come to the village.
　It was just a coincidence that he joined Tanya and the others in the carriage they rode in, and they didn't care for him at all.
　In two or three days they would forget they were even in the same carriage.
　That was just fine with Val.

'Heh, errand boy. You're not very good at your job, being asked to do such a thing at your age.

　Kyle hits the nail on the head.

'It's embarrassing, but you're right. You're well aware.

　Val gave an affectionate smile as he scratched his still-fading head.

'It's the role of a guy who can't be trusted with much of anything, you know, to do things like being a maid. It's the same in the imperial capital and in the village, I suppose.''

　Kyle says admiringly.

'Well, we're peoples living in the same country. Maybe we'll think alike.'

　Val said and the boy nodded his head in agreement.
　He didn't act like he was mocking Val.
　It is quite unusual for a young man to not mock the down-to-earth old man, so Val is somewhat surprised.

The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that you're not going to be able to get away with it.　Are you staying here?

'I intend to, but I'll have to do what you ask of me first. Where does Mr. Inver, the beast skinner, live?

　He rolled his eyes as Val nudged him towards the boy.

'If it's Uncle Inver's house, it's diagonally in front of my house. I'll show you.

　Kyle said and walked faster, and Baru chuckled and followed him.
　Invar's house was made of wood, and the quality itself was probably much worse than the second class area of the Imperial City.
　However, perhaps because it was a village, or perhaps because it was a craftsman's house, the building was much larger here.

''Uncle Inver, we have a guest.''

　Kyle calls out loudly, and a small, tanned but well-framed man of about fifty, a small but well-built man with fair-eyed white hair, comes out of the room wetly.

'A guest?'

　Stare, blue eyes turned to Val.

'Are you Invar? My sister Rita, who is married to a cook in the Imperial City, has asked me to come to you.'

Oh, is that him?

　A glint of understanding tinted Inver's eyes, which looked dour at Val's words.

'You wanted to know what's going on with your family?

'Not sending a letter means no one is anything. Tell your sister that.

　Imbar says bluntly and shuts the door with a snap.

'...... I can't blame you, Mr. Inver is like that,'

　Kyle, who had been watching silently beside him, said soothingly.

'You're a made man for being so young. 'Thank you,'

How do you want to stay tonight?

Do you have any idea what a stable would be like, or a house you might rent?

　Kyle answers Val's question immediately.

The village chief's place is safe. I'll tell him what's going on. Then they won't say no.

Thank you again. I should probably thank you for something.

　The boy gives him a sly smile as Val begins to search his pockets.

"It's fine. I wouldn't accept a thank you from a lazy old man like Val.

That one looks like it's been taken.

　Val chuckled.

'Tell me about the Imperial City instead.

Yeah, that's fine.

　He does Kyle's boyish request.