Viscount Nenus contacted the inn unexpectedly early in the evening of that day.

　It would be five days before he could spare the time. He told us to visit the mansion in the morning of that day.

　He also gave me an invitation, which would allow me to enter the gate of the mansion.

But that's a long way off.
Well, it's early, isn't it?　Considering the current situation.

　When Toya was a little frustrated, Yuki said the opposite.
　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do it.

...... Oh, there was that thing with Kerg. You seem to be busy cleaning up after yourself.

I'm glad to hear that you're doing a good job, as a resident here.

　It's true that I don't want to live under a lord who deals with disturbances in a perfunctory manner.

　I'm not sure if it's a good thing or a bad thing, but I think it's a good thing.

　However, since the disturbance itself had occurred, the fact that he didn't seem to be particularly competent was a little worrisome.

"Five days from now, that's four whole days of free time.
That's a long time to spend idly.

　If it were one or two days, I could choose to kill time by wandering around the city, but four whole days is a bit long.

I've had enough of bookstores, haven't I?

"I've already bought a lot of stuff in Kerg. We've already bought a lot of books in Kerg, so even if we go there, we'll probably read the ones we have first.

　Haruka nodded at Yuki's words.

　I haven't read a single book yet, so even if I went to the bookstore, I wouldn't be able to decide what books to buy.

"And then there's the ...... guild's archives?

I don't think it would be that much of a substitute, but even if we were to read ......, wouldn't a day be enough?

　Natsuki reluctantly agreed with Toya's suggestion.

　But even if Natsuki is right and we have a bigger archive than Kerug, I don't think it will make that much of a difference.

　We've already ordered materials on demons from Diora, and the only thing we have to do is to read materials on the geography of the area.

　In that case, there are few options left.

A request? Like an adventurer.

"Yes. But it's hot outside, and I don't want to take on too much.

I wish I could find a job that wasn't so hot.

That's impossible. Unless there's a convenient dungeon.

　As we were talking about this, I noticed Mitya looking at me strangely.

"Mitya, what's wrong?

　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm not sure what to say.

"Don't you work when it's hot, Haruka?

"What?

Did your father go to work every day, even in the middle of summer?

""........."

　In a way, it's a natural question, and we're all silent.

　'It's too hot to work'.

　It's as if it's a tropical island where it rains and you have the day off.

　This would not be possible in a normal occupation.

　When Mary saw us, she pulled Mitya's hand as if in a panic.

I'm sorry. Mitya, don't say anything funny. There's a difference between being an adventurer and a normal job.

　As if following Mary's lead, Haruka answered Mitya's genuine question.

You're right. ....... You know, Mitya. I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.

Yeah.

That's why it's important to recover after each job and take on the next job in perfect condition to be safe.

Is that so?　But there are people who work every day.

　But some people work every day." Mitya nodded her head, but Haruka nodded deeply and continued.

That's what happens to adventurers who can't earn enough money to rest. In other words, those adventurers are in danger because they can't afford it.

I see.　My sisters are high ranked, so they can work with ease.

　Haruka's explanation made me smile and nod. You're right.

　It's not wrong.
　It's not wrong, but why does it make me feel like I've rounded up a child?

　I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it's a good idea.

I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what you need to do.

I'm sure you're right. You can decide whether or not to accept the request after considering the efficiency and other factors.

　As you can imagine, no one in this situation would say, "I'm not going to the guild because it's too hot.

　Although it seemed to postpone the problem, we agreed to do so for the time being, and then headed to the inn's dining room for dinner.

　The dinner served there was not particularly delicious, but fortunately it was good enough to eat.

　At that price, if the food had been bad, I would have been tempted to change my lodging.

　However, the taste of the food itself was generally better than that of Kumatei, which is a subtle point.

　While the food tended to be gut-wrenching at the Bear Pavilion, the food at this inn was a little lighter, more to the liking of women, but even taking this into consideration, even Haruka and her friends said that the food at the Bear Pavilion was better than the food at the Bear Pavilion.

　The overall price is a bit high, but I guess we have to accept it as a city price.

　When I think of Sahlstat, I can forgive a few things with a big heart.

　The best experience I got there may be the guts to put up with a little food.

　　　　I'll be back.



　The next day. We visited the adventurer's guild as we had decided yesterday.

　The time of day was the same as usual, when there were fewer people around.

　Mary and the others stayed at the inn.

　They were planning to work, but they couldn't bring two non-adventurers with them.

　I thought about giving them a book to pass the time, but the truth was that Mary and the others could not read.

　Well, to be more precise, Mary could read numbers and a few words, but she was not able to read a book at all.

　Not surprisingly, considering the literacy rate and age of people in this country, the ability to read and write is quite important - or rather, an advantage.

　Even if they want to be independent from us, their ability to do so will make a big difference in the range of jobs they can do.

　So we gave Mary a simple book we had, and Mitya a list of letters that Natsuki had made quickly, and told her to practice.

Shall we buy some picture books on the way home?

"Yeah, sure. If we're going to take in a child, it's our responsibility to educate him.

And maybe some books on how to read and write?　I hope they sell them. ......

You might want to ask Ishka what kind of education she provides.

　If you ask her what the orphanage is doing before they become independent, you can get an idea of the kind of education they need to provide.

Well, that's our job for now.
"Right. I'm going to check the archives for now.
Then I'll go there.
Then we'll see what we can find.

　After seeing off Natsuki, who was heading for the archives with Toya, we went to the bulletin board where the requests were posted.
　There are a lot more requests posted on the big board compared to Kerg's. .......

It's a lot of work.
And the rewards are pretty subtle. ......
I'm sure they can take on anything that looks good.

　I'm sure you'll be able to take on anything that looks good.

　From my point of view, it doesn't seem like adventurer work, but considering that the adventurer's guild also provides day laborers, it's probably not so strange.

　However, the rewards are quite low for what's left at this time.

"It's better to train than to do these things.
We're not so poor that we need to make a small fortune, you know.
Besides, I don't think we're going to be taking orders on the street.
Yeah, that's right.

　Haruka nodded her head in agreement with my words, but Yuki twisted her head.

"Hmm?　Why?　It's true that I don't have any work to take on.

"Before we left LaFang, Diora-san flagged us down. "There's a missing person case in Pining. Don't you think there's a good chance you'll get caught wandering around town?

I want to say that's ridiculous, but I can't deny that ......

I'm sure you'll find a lot of people who'd like to know more. Most of the time it's just my imagination.

　Yeah. I'm sure you'll be able to find something that will work for you.

　If it were so easy to divide, there would be no way to sell charms.

　By the way, I asked people in this town, but at least there was no gossip about the missing person case among the general public.

　Even though I didn't hear about it directly, I can't think of anything immediately, so it must be a very limited case.

　That being the case, I was wondering how Diora knew about it, but as expected of the vice president of an adventurer's guild.

If we all work together, I don't think we'll have any problems, but for now, we'll prioritize requests outside of town.

Okay. But the ...... rewards are low, and there are almost no ...... requests with rank restrictions.

Yeah. Even though it's a territorial city.

　It's a good idea to take a look at the website and see if you can find anything you like.

　Considering the time constraints, it is indeed impossible to accept these requests.

　In the first place, this is also not very profitable.

　If you want to work without worrying about the heat, hunting orcs is the best and most stable way.

　In the case of escorts, there is no guarantee that there will be a battle, so it is probably safer than going hunting. .......

...... Yeah, there's no need to push it, right?

No, but when ...... Mitya talks to me like that, it makes me feel like I need to work.

I agree with you, but what are you going to do?　Collecting herbs now?

There is no such thing as a proper demon hunt ....... It's near the capital.

　Even in Rafan, which is in the countryside of this territory, it was necessary to go deep into the forest to hunt for demons that could earn money.

　For safety's sake, the demons in the area should have been defeated.

Let's just go to Natsuki's place.
Yeah. You might be able to kill some time there.

　So we headed for the archives, but the room we entered was not very spacious, and the materials were not very extensive.

　It was larger than the Kerg and had more books, but the expression on Natsuki's face as she flipped through the books was not very bright.

What do you think?

Most of them don't make sense to read. Most of them aren't worth reading. Books on demons would be worth reading, but I'll be able to buy those when I get back to Rafaan. However, a book on the geography of the area might be a good read.

　Natsuki smiled and returned the book to the bookshelf.

　The bookshelf was lined with dozens of books, but judging from the spines, many of them were the same, and the variations were not much different from the ones in Kerg.

By the way, this is the geography book I'm reading right now. There are about three more books. What about you?



"Not much to go on. At least, I don't expect to make any money with the requests that are posted now.

　Natsuki took out three books from the bookshelf and presented them to us.
　I answered Toya as I took them.

　Haruka and Yuki also took the books from Natsuki.
　I asked if Natsuki was okay with it, but she said she had already finished it.

　I don't think she had more than a few tens of minutes to read the book, but it made sense when I opened it.

　There are relatively many illustrations and not many sentences to read.

"This means I'll be free this afternoon.
"Right. So, what shall we do?
"Well, why don't you talk to the lady at the reception desk?　She might have something for us.
How about that?　Unless you're as close as Diora. ......
We're not even allowed to say we're new here.

　I'm not sure what to make of that.

　But this is the second time I've come to this guild, and I've never taken a commission.

　Even if our rank is a little high, it will be difficult to get special requests from them.

If not, let's just take a break and do some sightseeing.　There's nothing wrong with taking a break. You've worked hard all winter to earn your money.

"...... Well, that's true. I'm going to go to work when I get back to Laffan anyway.

　I'm not sure if you need to force yourself to think about 'showing Mitya the back of a working adult' at this stage.

　I'm still in the middle of a request, if you will.

　It's not that I'm usually lazy.