593 - - 18-13 Returning to one's hometown
After explaining the purpose of his visit to the village, Jin and Erza head for the village chief's house. Reiko and Edgar followed with their luggage.
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Barrow and Behrle also went to the chief's house to explain the situation.
"Well, Barrow, you're looking good!
"I thought you were working in the Kingdom of Celluloa, but you're working for the Magecraft Meister, the Magical Engineer? That's amazing!"
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You've grown a little taller, haven't you?
"Hey, where's your souvenir?"
Barrow's family members follow him, calling out.
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"Yes, I'll see you later."
Barrow's face was also a little smiling.
But Behle had no one to call out to.
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(I remember he said his family was gone...).
Jin recalls the story he told me when I hired him. Still, it's a place that makes you want to go back home.
"This way, please."
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Jin's thoughts were dashed by the voice of the village headman. He found himself in front of the mayor's house.
Jin was ushered into the reception room to face Frix Becker, the tax collector in charge of the Etlandt region.
A tax collector is usually a trustworthy person (there may be some exceptions), and Frix, who looked serious, bowed to Jin first.
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The serious-looking Frix bowed to Jin first. "I apologize for my rude attitude the other day," he said.
"No, that's okay. No, that's all right. I came to you out of the blue.
I appreciate you saying so. By the way, may I inform His Majesty of your visit?
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Yes, of course.
After this, Jin will go to Reinhardt's. He would then have to cross Lake Tosmo, since he would not be able to avoid the capital, Leuthart.
"Then I will do so. Do you plan to stay in this village for a long time?
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Jin explained that he would stay for two days at the most and then visit his friends.
Frix Becker nodded, and after confirming that Jin had no request, he left the mayor's house.
Now, the village headman said
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"Mr. Jin, my name is Robaldo, and I am the mayor of this village of Magirutu.
He greeted Jin and again welcomed him to the village.
"You are welcome to stay with us for the duration of your stay.
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With these words, he led the guests to the villager's house.
The chief's house has three outbuildings on his property, where visitors can stay without hesitation, and Frix was staying in one of the outbuildings.
After carrying in his luggage, Jin told Barrow and Behle, "This is fine for today,
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"You are free to spend the rest of the day as you please.
He gave them a leave of absence.
"Thank you!"
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Barrow was about to run out, but stopped when he noticed Behle.
"What about Behré?"
"...... I'm going home too."
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Behré said to Barrow and started walking slowly toward the outskirts of the village.
Jin asked Barrow, who was still standing.
"I thought Bele told you that he no longer has any family, does he still have a house?"
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"Yes. Yes. It must be on the outskirts of the village. Her parents and sister died two years ago in an epidemic. Then we went to work in the Kingdom of Selroa.
"I see."
Jin thought it would be best not to pry too much into the past, so until today, he had not asked Behré about her in depth. However, he could not just pretend to be ignorant at this point in his life.
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"Ah, um, Jin-sama, may I introduce you to my family?
Barrow asked Jin who was thinking about it in a calm tone of voice. Jin smiled and nodded.
So Jin and Reiko decided to follow Barrow to his house. Erza told Jin that she would stay behind to clean up her belongings and then stay at home.
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So Jin and Barrow went to his parents' house.
"I'm home."
At the house on the outskirts of the village, Barrow was greeted by his parents and siblings.
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"Niichan!"
Barrow, welcome home!
His parents, a younger brother and a younger sister. They are quite a lively family.
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Because of the large number of family members, there was a spacious dining room, where Jin met Barrow's family again.
"Are you the one who is taking care of me?
"Yes, Jin Nido. He is an honorary knight and magecraft master.
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A baron?
Are you sure you want to be so easygoing?
His parents are surprised to learn that Jin is a nobleman. Or rather, it is the
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It seems that
"That's all right. It's only an honorary knighthood."
Jin also addressed Barrow's parents in the tone he would use with an older person.
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"My name is Conti, Barrow's father.
This is my mother's mates. Barrow has been a great help to us.
No, he works for us very hard.
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For them, even though he was a baronet, he was still a member of the nobility, so the conversation was light and respectful on both sides.
"Nee-chan, souvenir!"
Barrow's younger brother looked not yet ten years old. It started to cling to Barrow and beg him for a souvenir.
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"I know, I know, I know," he said.
He lowers the bag on his back to the floor and pulls out a small package.
"This is for you, Kono. And this is for you, Lucca.
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Lucca is my sister. She is shy and does not come out from behind her mother's mates.
"Wow, thanks, Niichan!"
Kono opened the gift he received on the spot.
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"Wow!
A pair of children's gloves and shoes. They are from Eric's store. They are made of wood bear skin.
Wood bears are rare because there are no wood bears around here.
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"Hey, Lucca, come here."
I called several times, and finally Lucca came out from behind her mother's back to receive her gift.
This is a collar made of wild rabbit fur. It is white and fluffy.
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"...... thank you."
Finally, with that, Lucca returned behind her mother's back, still wearing the scarf.
"Oh my goodness, I'm so happy for Kono and Lucca!"
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Mates sees this and laughs.
"And this is for you, Mom and Dad. You can use it to help pay the bills."
He puts the leather bag on the table. There is a metallic clank.
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The surprised father, Conti, opens the bag and finds 20 silver coins and a gold coin.
He had been paid 10 silver coins a month as an apprentice, but since August he was officially hired as a butler, so he was paid one gold coin a month, or 10,000 crowns.
This was a bargain at Barrow's age of 15 years old.
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"Oh, you, this is ......."
He knew that this was a fair compensation since his employer Jin was there, but he still couldn't help but be surprised.
"Yes, and an apology for being gone for so long. Take it."
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Scratching his head, Barrow explains to his parents what has happened so far.
He told them briefly that he had started working in the Kingdom of Cerroa, that he had lost his way when the nobles were purged, and that Jin had saved him and allowed him to work there.
"...... you had a hard time, too, didn't you?"
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I am glad that you were hired by a good master. ......Master Jin, please take good care of my son from now on."
Both parents bow their heads. Jin also bowed lightly.
"Yes, sir. Barrow, please take good care of him.
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"Yes!"
Conti and Mates looked at Jin and Barrow with smiles on their faces.