“I got a bit of a curse problem during my trip, but don’t worry, I’m fine. I’d just like to avoid showing myself in front of others, so bring us to the reception… No, bring everyone to the basement. There are a lot of people, so I think we’ll be able to talk best there.” [Ryouma]
“Understood.” [Yurdum]
I’m sure he had a lot of questions in mind, but he nonetheless led us to that special room in the basement. Moreover, he’d apparently contacted the receptionist before coming out to greet us, so Carm-san was able to join us along the way. As such, I was able to explain my situation to the both of them.
“…I understand. So as long as you take care today, there shouldn’t be any problems regarding your curse, right?” [Carm]
“Due to the nature of the magic I cast, yes.” [Remilie]
I told Carm-san and the others that Remilie-san was the one dealing with my curse. Though I do trust them, telling them straight up that it was the gods themselves dispelling my curse would require me to explain that I was a Child of the Gods.
Putting aside whether they’d believe me or not, it would be best for there to be as few people as possible that know that I’m a Child of the Gods. The adults agreed with me on that too, so that’s the excuse we came up with. I’m grateful to Remilie-san too for coordinating with me on this.
“I see that it’s not an easy curse to dispel, but regardless, I’m glad that it won’t interfere with your work or life. It’s a bit late, but I’m glad your safe. Welcome back, Boss.” [Carm]
Carm-san was quite worried about me and asked Remilie-san all sorts of question, but with that, he seemed to have finally become relieved, as his grim expression finally loosened.
“Yep. I’m back. I messed up a bit at the end, but I successfully became a C Rank adventurer. It was a fruitful journey no doubt. I’m considering going into it in more detail later. How about tomorrow?” [Ryouma]
“There are a few things I’d like to check too, so there’s no need to hurry. Please focus on taking care of yourself first, Boss. To be honest, I’d prefer that you delay your trip to the Great Forest, but… I’m sure you won’t.” [Carm]
As expected, he knows how I do things now.
“It’s been decided a long time ago, and I’ve already delayed it plenty of times. I don’t have to worry about the store since I know you and the rest of the team will be here to take care of it.” [Ryouma]
“I won’t stop you, but when are you planning to leave?” [Carm]
“Right… To make sure that I’m fully prepared, I’ll rest my body for a bit, then I’m going to prepare the food and equipment I need. I have to concoct an insect repellent out of the Everlasting Darkness too, and there are people that I have to meet, so… One week, at the latest, two weeks.” [Ryouma]
“Very well. I’ll prepare according to that schedule.” [Carm]
“Thanks. I’m counting on you.” [Ryouma]
With that, the report on my well-being concluded. I went back into my box, and we headed for the northern gate. Along the way, the conversation turned to my store again.
“I’d heard about it, but your store really is doing a lot better than before, huh.” [Reinbach]
“The last time you saw my store was when it just opened, after all. We have a lot more achievements now compared to back then.” [Ryouma]
It was already bustling back then even though the shop had just opened, but we didn’t have any regular customers, and a lot of the customers just dropped by out of curiosity. But now, some of those customers have already become regulars, spreading good word about our store.
“I’m really grateful to them.” [Ryouma]
“The atmosphere in the store is good too. The manager seemed young, but there’s no denying that he’s brilliant.” [Remilie]
“Indeed. Carm-san was personally introduced by the president of the Morgan Company. When it comes to business knowledge, experience, and management skills, there’s no doubt that he’s my superior, and I feel confident entrusting the shop to him. Of course, the other employees have also been a great help.” [Ryouma]
“Verdure’s son was also brilliant. He’s sure to prove useful once he’s accustomed himself.” [Schieber]
Come to think of it, Schieber-san seems to have known about Yurdum-san already. I never had the chance to ask him about it, but…
“Me and Verdure?” [Schieber]
“Did you know him because he was taking the knight’s course back at the academy?” [Ryouma]
“The students of the knight course are almost guaranteed to enter the training facilities of the knight’s order after graduation. So we conduct inspections and interviews in anticipation of future recruits. I’ve seen him a couple times during such occasions, though it’s actually rare for me to remember the faces of the candidate before they officially join the order, as many of them drop out during the selection process. And there’s really just too many. As for why I remember him, one reason is because I knew his father.” [Schieber]
Yurdum-san’s father. I’d heard he worked as the imperial court gardener, so they might have had a lot of opportunity to talk, but…
“I remember now. That kid is the son of the court gardener, right? The one that manged the gardens where His Majesty used to hide in when playing hooky?” [Remilie]
“Hooky?” [Ryouma]
“That’s right. That child has calmed down considerably now, but back in the day, he was quite mischievous and exceptionally skilled at hiding. He would escape from teachers and knights, hiding in the garden or sneaking into the town, and every time, the castle would be turned upside down from the commotion.”
“Ehh?” [Ryouma]
Is that really okay for someone that’s royalty? Or maybe the king is actually really amazing? I mean he’d apparently shaken knights off of his tail. Then again maybe the knights are just bad at hide and seek? I mean, he might just be really good at it, and the knights normal, no?
“…Now I hate to intrude while your reminiscing, but Remilie, the one at fault for that was you. Of course, I have my responsibility too. But had you not taught His Majesty Hide, it would have never gotten that bad.” [Schieber]
Ah, Remilie-san taught him. It’s all making sense now.
“I didn’t think he’d be that good at it either. All I did was fulfill my role as his teacher. Hide could prove useful in certain situations, and it was also one of the spells that wouldn’t have a negative influence on his mind and body, so really, I was just doing my job properly. Don’t complain.” [Remilie]
“I know, but I want to complain… Anyway, that was the impetus that led to Verdure and I meeting. Of course, there was also him not entering the knight’s order. As I’ve previously said, those that graduate from the knight’s course enter the knight’s order. While there are cases where people withdraw due to illness or injury, it’s rare for someone to decline the opportunity unless they have such circumstances.” [Schieber]
“After all, it guarantees their future, so I guess most people would balk at the thought of abandoning it, huh.” [Ryouma]
“Exactly. That boy can go wherever he wants, but I would’ve wanted him in the order…” [Schieber]
Oh? Looks like Schieber-san thinks highly of Yurdum-san.
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