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84. The Aftermath Continues...
The recent incident hasn’t been resolved in a broader sense by just this response.
I had the guild issue a continent-wide bounty for the scammers who tricked the trio, as the acting lord of Kikunoi. The Imperial Guild had already flagged them as malicious adventurers when they carried eggs of a creature that could trigger a massive outbreak.
If the trio is to be punished, then those who scammed them must also be held accountable. The heavens don’t let such actions go unchecked.
As for the trio, I decided to hire them as security for the house and have them undergo three months of rigorous training with the teachers. They’ll learn combat skills with swords, spears, and bows, as well as basic magic and literacy.
It’s like a Kikunoi-Elfin Bootcamp, but the unexpected part was when Lara-san, with her firm voice, declared that I, along with Regrus and Kanata, had to participate too. Why me?
The training is different for adults and children, but it’s tough. On top of this, I’ve started working with Roland on creating a guidebook for beginner adventurers, which is exhausting.
The trio’s incident showed that they became adventurers without proper training or knowledge, and got scammed because of it. Ideally, no one would enter such a dangerous profession without preparation, but the economic situation doesn’t allow for that.
So, the plan is to offer training at the guild when adventurers register. Those who want to continue can purchase discounted gear after some basic training.
The gear—shirts, cloaks, gloves, boxer shorts, pants, chest guards, knee pads, and boots—will be from Effet Papillon, enchanted to prioritize life protection.
Before handing it over, they’ll have to complete some practical training. One of the conditions will also be to assist with maintaining Kikunoi’s security.
There’s a lot to do. The business is starting to make a profit, and Kanata is helping with calculations, but once it grows, I’ll need someone for accounting. If I assign the talented Rottenmeier to that, the estate management will fall apart.
Household management is just like running a business. Without Rottenmeier’s management skills, the Kikunoi estate could be in trouble.
There’s a shortage of hands, and it’s exhausting. My head feels like it’s smoking from all the thinking and action, but I’m struggling to keep up.
My daily routine is packed: wake up, get ready, have breakfast, then go for a walk singing, take care of the animals, join the Elfin Bootcamp, have lunch, then work on Effet Papillon with Roland. In between, I read with Regrus and help him with writing practice.
Recently, Regrus developed a hobby: playing strategy games with Kanata using the chick and long-tailed tit figurines I gave him.
Kanata helps with both studies and my work, being a big help. After that, we all have dinner together, sometimes with the staff of the estate, as part of a manners lesson.
Afterward, I take a bath, and Lara gives me a massage and beauty treatment. Before bed, I spend some time on my hobbies, discussing crafts and theater with Ice Ring-sama for an hour, then sleep.
Tara-chan spends the day in the sunroom, then comes to my room at night to make a canopy out of her threads, which I reuse as material the next day.
Despite such a busy routine, I make sure to take one day off a week for myself, and I encourage the staff to do the same. Rest is necessary to avoid burnout.
This is the second time since picking up the trio that I’ve had a day off. With Regrus and Kanata, I went to the city, led by Viktor, with the trio in tow.
After two weeks of good nutrition, Romeo, Tybalt, and Mercutio have gained some color in their skin. “The old men are turning into younger brothers!” Kanata laughs.
The first week, they were awkward, but by the second week, they seemed to be settling in.
We’re walking down the main street of the adventurer’s district in the city. It’s lively at night, but quieter during the day. Still, the restaurants are bustling.
Passing through, we notice a café with a sign and flowers in front, and Kanata suddenly exclaims, “This is the café where the choir girls are!”
“Choir girls?” I ask.
“Are there girls there?” Kanata continues.
I recall that they had created a theater where people could meet underground idols. Does this mean we’ll get to hear a concert today?
Excited, we enter the café. Inside, there’s a small stage with a piano, and someone is sitting at the piano.
Viktor-sensei motions for us to sit in the center seats, offering a good view of the stage. Five girls run up from the edge of the stage, all around the same age as Utsunomiya, about twelve or thirteen.
The first girl has chestnut bobbed hair and dimples, the second has long, wavy blonde hair and a gentle atmosphere, the third has silver hair and a cute beauty mark, the fourth has dark brown hair tied in a ponytail and big eyes, and the fifth has black hair tied in braids and wears glasses.
“The chestnut-haired girl is Rin-ka, the blonde is Schnee, the silver-haired girl is Ryunnu, the ponytail girl is Stella, and the black-haired girl is Miku.”
They all bow in unison and say, “Nice to meet you!”
Kanata, Regrus, and I also bow and greet them. Romeo, Tybalt, and Mercutio do the same.
“They want you to name their group and there’s something very important I need to tell you,” Viktor says with a smile. “I wanted you to hear it too.”
“What’s this important news?” I ask.
“In three months, I want them, along with Romeo and the others, to participate in a competition in the Imperial Capital to test their strength.”
What’s that about? Before I can ask further, a piano chord rings out in the quiet café.
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EUN: I got caught staying up late.
FAREWELL HOOMANS!!
THANKS FOR ALL THE COMMENTS AND DONOS!!
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