The Man Picked up by the Gods – Volume 3 Chapter 218: On the Way Back From the Meeting

We left the merchants guild, but neither Carm-san nor I said anything even after walking for a while.

I should apologize first.

“Carm-san. I’m sorry for talking rudely to you earlier.” [Ryouma]

“I know you didn’t mean anything bad by it, but why did you act like that back there?” [Carm]

He was calm, but it was evident from his voice that he was holding back his emotions. I guess anyone would be angry after that, but…

“Because I didn’t want you to say anything there. I didn’t want you or the other employees to be ostracized. I don’t know what that guy called Wanz is going to tell the people there in that meeting he organized, but it wouldn’t be surprising if the uncooperative people end up getting labeled.”

It’s normal to refuse a deal when you don’t like the conditions or don’t agree with the reasons given, but ’emotion’ is a pesky thing. Once the idea called ‘cooperation’ has infected everyone, and it ceases to be a ‘conclusion’ and becomes a ‘premise’, then those that refuse will be treated as ‘villains’.

“Not wanting to give in to peer pressure might sound nice, but it’s no different from disrupting peace. The one who disrupted Wanz’s meeting was none other than me. That’s why I’m the bad guy. Of course, I played the villain because I believed there was a need for it, but either way, just one villain was enough.” [Ryouma]

“I figured that might’ve been the case.” [Carm]

Carm-san sighed and then confirmed one thing after another with me.

“I too realized over the course of the meeting that something was off. That Wanz was just too suspicious. Perhaps he has an agenda of his own behind his suggestions of working together and preventing crime.

Ostracism is a bit much, I think, but refusing would definitely give the other participants a bad impression. There wouldn’t be any gain to it. It would be slinging mud onto one’s reputation.

That’s why… You told me to keep quiet. And by keeping quiet, your actions became ‘yours alone’. That’s what you wanted to show them, right, Boss?

And to make sure of that, you acted the way you did. It’s said that people have an easier time seeing the bad in other people. Regardless of what you said, I’m sure a lot of the adults back there weren’t happy with you since you’re a child and yet you acted so arrogantly. It’s also their first time meeting you, so that makes it even worse.

When I first met you, I thought you were the son of some noble playing store for fun. I’m sure there were many people back there who thought the same. By taking on such an arrogant attitude and telling me to keep quiet, you made it look like I had no authority and couldn’t disobey your order, making it even more likely that they see you to be merely acting on your own… Am I right, Boss?” [Carm]

“I’m happy to have a subordinate who can understand things without needing me to explain everything.” [Ryouma]

“Don’t mock me!” [Carm]

Carm-san yelled in a rare display of anger. This might be a first. I know he’s worried about me, and it hurts to know that he’s making a face like that because of me, but…

“I’m not mocking you, Carm-san. I trust you. That’s why I want to be able to entrust everything to you if the worst were to happen. As long as you’re there and everyone else is also there, then I’m not needed. The Bamboo Forest Laundromat will be able to operate without problem.” [Ryouma]

“That’s why it’s okay to throw yourself away? Why do you keep trying to sacrifice yourself alone!?” [Carm]

“Because sometimes it’s necessary. A person responsible for something, someone, anything must take responsibility when the time calls for it. A boss is someone who protects his workers. At least, that’s what I believe. But of course, resignation is always a last resort.” [Ryouma]

“But still! …Huh? Last resort?” [Carm]

“Yes. What are you making such a weird face for? I said I’m preparing for the worst, but it’s not as if I’m about to abandon everything already.” [Ryouma]

That place was like a trap. Once you’re caught in it, you can’t free yourself without getting hurt. We managed to notice the trap and free ourselves, but in the end, we didn’t cooperate with the others and gave a bad impression to the people who agreed with Wanz.

There is a fear and a reluctance to disrupting peace, and I know all too well the risk that comes with it and the acts of vengeance that could result from it. That’s why I wanted to ensure that I would be able to protect my store and my employees even in the worst case scenario. That was his duty as their boss.

But…

“Being ostracized is just a what-if. We don’t actually know what’s going to happen, so if nothing happens, there’s no need for me to sacrifice myself. And even in the worst case scenario, as long as I haven’t committed a crime, I could make you the manager while I remain an investor who only deals with financial-related matters, and the situation would pretty much be the same as what we have now.” [Ryouma]

Also, even if I end up unable to do my business at Gimuru, I could just take it to a different city. For example, I could move to Gaunago, where the feudal lord’s manor is.

Reinhart-san did personally ask me to start a branch there as soon as I can, and most of the people working at the main store except Dolce-san are working away from home.

It’s been nearly one year since I started my store and have gotten used to it, but it’s not as if it has to be at this town. Gimuru and Gaunago are also both within the Jamil Duchy, and they’re close enough that Dolce-san can go home regularly if he wants to. Of course, I need to get everyone’s opinion first.

There should still be something we can do.

“I understand you’re worried about me, but please don’t make a face like that. Instead, let’s look forward and do what we can to avoid the worst case scenario. It’s precisely during times when we’ve failed that we need to take a good look at the situation and try to fix the situation. So, can you lend me your mind and strength, Carm-san?” [Ryouma]

When I said that, Carm-san tried to say something but failed. He tried again, but again he failed. Each time he tried, his expression would change a little. Apparently, he himself didn’t know whether he should be angry or sad.

In the end, he just sighed deeply.

“Boss.” [Carm]

“Yes?” [Ryouma]

“It was me who asked why first, and you have been talking hypothetically for a while now.” [Carm]

“Right.” [Ryouma]

“I know I jumped to conclusions, but still! Your actions are just too confusing, Boss!” [Carm]

“I’m sorry.” [Ryouma]

That was all I could say in response, and Carm-san sighed again.

“I’m frustrated, Boss. Just a few days ago, I said that I’m here to support you.” [Carm]

“Yeah.” [Ryouma]

“But today that Wanz confused me and I even misunderstood and thought that you were making a scapegoat out of yourself. To make things worse, you even had to tell me to keep my head up and look toward the future. I know we don’t have time to waste on the past right now, but is this really alright? What am I doing?” [Carm]

Carm-san laughed weakly.

But…

“I know it’s strange coming from me, but Carm-san, you’re still young, and yet you know, you didn’t look any worse compared to the adults back there. Or could it be, that deep inside you already see yourself as Serge-san’s equal?” [Ryouma]

“Of course not! Serge-sama is a much more experienced merchant than me. There’s no way I would see myself as his equal.” [Carm]

“I’m sure, but I believe Serge-san too has gone through a lot of success and failures. Compared to him, we’re just a bunch of kids with barely any. But that just means to say that we need to accumulate experience from here on out. If there’s something we don’t know, then we just need to study it. We’ve been given the time and opportunity just for that.” [Ryouma]

“…Right. You’re absolutely right.” [Carm]

Carm-san nodded.

“You know, Boss. For some reason, sometimes when I talk to you, I feel like you’re the older one.” [Carm]

“Ha ha ha.” [Ryouma]

I just laughed his words away, but he didn’t seem to mind.

“I know I still have a lot to learn, but I wasn’t lying when I said that I’m here to support you, Boss. Let’s continue working together, and I’d love to hear more about that stuff you were talking about regarding the duties of a boss.” [Carm]

“Yes, let’s do our best.” [Ryouma]

We bowed our heads at roughly the same time, but…

“That being said, I do still have a thing or two I’d like to say, especially, about you acting on your own to prepare yourself as a scapegoat, so let’s have a nice long chat about that later, okay?” [Carm]

“Huh?” [Ryouma]

“Serge-sama and the duke’s family also asked me to contact them if anything were to happen, so I’ll be reporting today’s matter.” [Carm]

“Report!? But I’m your boss!?” [Ryouma]

“That’s true, but I also have my personal relationships… I’m just getting help from some people I know. That’s all. It’s not really strange to see people go to a bar and complain to a friend about one’s troublesome boss, right?” [Carm]

T-That’s true… And it’s not like any confidential information would be leaked, but… Wait a second. He really is mad after all, isn’t he? But he has his poker face back on, so I can’t tell whether he’s serious or not!

“Umm, I was just preparing for the worst, you know? Preparing for the worst. That’s not report-worthy, right?” [Ryouma]

“In that case, it shouldn’t trouble you if I made the report.” [Carm]

“Wait, hang on, let’s not rush, let’s talk.” [Ryouma]

“About what to do from here on? Well, at the very least, I don’t think we should be participating in any more of those meetings—” [Carm]

I know it’s my fault, but Carm-san was really mean to me the whole walk back to the store.

“Like I was saying… Huh? Were we meant to have guests today?” [Ryouma]

“Guests? That’s a rather abrupt topic change.” [Carm]

“I mean, look.” [Ryouma]

There were three carriages parked at the empty lot beside the store.

I’m not sensing anything strange from them, and the weed slimes I had hiding in the grasses just in case also hasn’t sensed anything amiss.

“That is strange. That’s a lot of carriages too to park illegally.” [Carm]

“For the meantime, let’s enter the store.” [Ryouma]

When we entered the store…

“Welcome back, Ryouma-sama.” [Rurunez]

“Sup, Ryouma! You’re looking a lot livelier than I thought you’d look!” [Hyuzu]

“…Why?” [Ryouma]

When we entered the store, Rurunez-san the maid of the duke’s family and Hyuzu the guard of the duke’s family was there along with several people I was acquainted with.


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22 responses to “The Man Picked up by the Gods – Volume 3 Chapter 218: On the Way Back From the Meeting”

  1. DKLA Avatar
    DKLA

    Carm is the angry wife in this relationship. laughs
    Sounds like the Duke’s family is in town. This is too much of a coincidence. I’m suspecting that the Duke had someone setup the meeting to weed out the “good” merchants versus the “mediocre” or “poor” merchants. How can Wanz string along so many “supporters” as seeds in the audience without money or some type of influence? Particularly when Wanz is not a local. Probably something to do with the pearl sales or establishing a trusted merchant network. I’m just guessing.

    1. spare Avatar
      spare

      Now that you mention that wasn’t there something about the duke getting help from his “senpai” a while ago after Ryouma came back from his trip?

      1. Seiferos Avatar

        Wasn’t the senpai he was gonna talk to , Porco? he did meet with porco after his meeting with ryuma

    2. Drakensji Avatar
      Drakensji

      I doubt it’s a coincidence that the duke’s people are here now (though it could be), but i doubt the duke is behind Wanz. Im pretty sure it’s another noble or merchant or gang trying to create discord and worsen the situation

      1. DKLA Avatar
        DKLA

        @drakensji It could happen, but then you have a noble interfering in a DUKE’S (aka blood relatives to the royal family) territory. Ryoma or Carm can report about Wanz to them, and just backtrack who hired Wanz. Royal family then executes the guilty party for possible insurrection.

    3. Godric Kharg Avatar
      Godric Kharg

      No, it’s another territory sending in their “spare” unusable people to stir up unrest. There where a number of “shills” I think it’s called in the crowd that would do everything in their power to steer the rest of the crowd towards what Wanz was saying, to agree with it.

      Ryouma never had a real chance.

      To be honest I would have taken the speech a little further.

      And I mean, look around you. How many merchants here are from out of town? I’m not saying that’s bad. But it seems to me like a handful are trying to disrupt the community by changing the tone. Are you sure, when all is said and done, you’ll be happy in your place as traitors?

      Meh…

  2. jealyn Avatar
    jealyn

    Thanks for the new translated chapter! Sometimes I am confused which of the twins is the girl or the boy.. Or do they have the same gender? I better review the other chapters..also.. I have a feeling that the duke already expected these things to happen so it’s not a surprise… Looking forward the next chapter..

    1. KHIELIRA Avatar
      KHIELIRA

      There is one boy and one girl. Carm is the boy twin and his sister Carla is working at the branch store

  3. Belkar Avatar
    Belkar

    Thank you!

  4. St.George Avatar
    St.George

    Thanks for the chapter!

  5. LOZIR Avatar
    LOZIR

    Gracias por el cap

  6. Rai Avatar
    Rai

    Sometimes bickering really reads a lot like flirting, huh. This whole chapter could be used as a writing prompt for, uhhh, something like a “cornered boss x teasing employee” scenario. lol.

  7. Philip Avatar
    Philip

    Hm, clearly the duke family is not oblivious to this mess, nor are they ignoring it.
    Thanks for the chapter! Awesome translation! God bless you!

  8. Mio Avatar
    Mio

    Thanks for the chapter desu~

    1. Mio Avatar
      Mio

      [When we entered the store, Rurunez-san the maid of the duke’s family and Hyuzu the guard of the duke’s family was there along with several people I was acquainted with.]

      Ryouma: looks at Carm-san
      Ryouma: …what did you do
      Carm:

      [I’m not sensing anything strange from them, and the weed slimes I had hiding in the grasses just in case also hasn’t senses anything amiss.]
      * senses —> sensed

  9. SFcipher Avatar

    Error?
    Am I right, Boss?” [Ryouma] -> [Cram]

    Looking forward to the anime coming this October.

    Thanks for the treat.

  10. Zax Avatar
    Zax

    Maybe a breakthrough to the situation is arriving. Thanks for the chapter

  11. DaiCho Avatar
    DaiCho

    Haha, Carm, you’re the best “friend” for Ryouma to have. If Carm were as old as Ryouma, maybe they would have been labeled as such.

  12. Mio Avatar
    Mio

    [When we entered the store, Rurunez-san the maid of the duke’s family and Hyuzu the guard of the duke’s family was there along with several people I was acquainted with.]

    Ryouma: looks at Carm-san
    Ryouma: …what did you do
    Carm:

    [I’m not sensing anything strange from them, and the weed slimes I had hiding in the grasses just in case also hasn’t senses anything amiss.]
    * senses —> sensed

  13. darkloki2 Avatar

    Thanks for the chapter, they decide to visit Ryoma

  14. PhantomStranger123 Avatar
    PhantomStranger123

    Ryouma: makes everyone lose their sh***
    Carm: I’m gonna tell mom
    Ryouma: *nervous sweating

  15. John Fritz Avatar
    John Fritz

    So Ryouma talking with Serge after just getting back to Gimuru happened first and Reinhart talking to Porco happened after that? Ryouma did say that he needed funds to get his Slime District on go. And Reinhart probably sent his guards and maids as early as possible and Ryouma didn’t expect that the people helping him would be bigshots, since he probably thinks that they’ll only send a few capable hands and not the Duke’s guards and maids

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