Chapter 7: The Adventurer’s Guild

Author: Kurohitsuji
Raw: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2086fk/8/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

Clatter clatter, several hours of being shaken in a coach from morning.
At last we arrive in the royal capital, Eucria.

First impression. Huge.
The castle, the streets, the gate. Everything’s huge.
The gate guard is huge too, while we’re at it. I could hang off that arm.
…No, maybe I’m just short.

Anyway, everything I can see is big. How many times my town is this.
A place this amazing must have lots of delicious food too.
I’m looking forward to it already… no. The goal is the Adventurer’s Guild. That’s important.
…Well, a little detour might be all right.

This is where I part with the people from the same coach.
They were all good people. Nobody asked about my black hair. I’d like to travel with them again if I get the chance.

At goodbye, everyone thanks me for the food, pats my head, and the girl gives me baked sweets.
…Look. How old do people think I am.
I’ll have you know I’m fifteen.

As for the leftover orc meat, we talked it over and decided to give it to the merchants.
There’s no way we can eat that much, and better they sell it than it rot.
As thanks, they gave the girl and me candy, and copper coins to everyone else.
…I mean, I don’t mind.
I just feel like I’m not being treated as the same age.

I’m a bit put out, but I pull myself together and go to the gate guard.

“Excuse meee. Which way is the Adventurer’s Guild?”
“The Adventurer’s Guild? Straight down this road and you’ll get there.”
“Oh, I see. Thank you.”
“Ou, you’re a cute one, miss, so be careful.”

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Chapter 6: Orc Barbecue

Author: Kurohitsuji
Raw: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2086fk/7/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

When I get back to the coach, everyone is worried sick.
They fuss over whether I’m hurt; the old woman scolds me for being reckless.
The girl comes clinging, crying.

…I’m really sorry.
I’ll make food again today by way of apology.

“I was surprised, though. Miss, were you an adventurer?”
“No, I’m not. Just a town girl.”
“…Well, there are things one doesn’t want to talk about. I won’t pry.”

The father looks at me with very kind eyes.
That’s not it. It isn’t that I don’t want to talk. I can’t talk, because I don’t understand it myself.

“…Ah, right. Could we stop by the river? I want to butcher the orcs, so if someone could help, please.”

As for how to butcher, I had the butcher show me once.
I remember the steps, and I brought a knife, so that should do.
It’s good meat. If we don’t bleed it properly and break it down, it’ll go bad.

“Ah, then shall I produce water with magic?”
“Wow, that would help a lot. By the way, is there anyone else who can butcher?”
“Ou. I’m an adventurer, more or less. I’ve broken down orcs before.”

The adventurer raises his hand.
Oh, as expected of a veteran.

“Then let’s knock it out. Seven of them will take a fair bit of time, though.”
“We’ve secured food for the road. That’s nothing.
Oi, you lot, help carry as thanks. You didn’t have to dump your goods. That’s a light price, isn’t it?”

He tosses it to the merchants with a bright smile.
Both of them are looking this way with faces full of relief.

“Ah, if that’s all, I’ll help. Miss, thank you, truly.”
“Without this it would have been bad. Let me thank you as well.”
“Uh… you’re welcome.
Ah, driver, please wait a bit before we leave.”
“I heard. It helps us too; I’ll lend a hand.”
“Then shall we all go. I don’t like leaving the coach, either.
Is that all right with you, ma’am?”
“Of course I don’t mind. Thank you for thinking of us.”
“Nnh. Then let’s go.”

The driver leads the horses, and we all walk to where the orc pack was.
Looking again, it’s quite a scene.

“Ah… ma’am, could you wait in the coach with her?”
“Let’s do that. Come, this way.”
“Okay.”

It isn’t a sight I want a small child to see, so I have the two of them wait inside.

Now then. Let’s work.

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Chapter 5: A Pack of Monsters

Author: Kurohitsuji
Raw: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2086fk/6/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

Morning. I wake at dawn, same as always.
At this hour, it seems no one else is up yet.
Well, of course.
Careful not to wake the girl sleeping beside me, I slip off toward the kitchen.

I check the coach’s stores: still plenty of potatoes and beans.
Hmm. I’ll make morning and midday while I’m at it.
I crush the dried beans, mix them with mashed boiled potato, knead with water, and bake, and it stands in for bread.

The dried sweet potato is… yeah. I’ll chop it fine and mix it into the bean bread.
Better if it has some chew.

The rest of the beans I’ll stew with potato.
Ah, there’s dried meat left. In it goes.
Heh heh. That should give us a nice savor and salt.

Now then. No laundry to do. What now.
Nothing to do. Well, I’ll skim the scum while it stews.

Still, I left on a journey and I’m doing pretty much the same things I do at the church.
Well, I do feel like I’ve been swept along.
When there are hungry people, I can’t help thinking of soup kitchens.

When you have something to spare, be as kind to people as you can.
That’s what Sister Naria taught me.
Once you can take care of yourself, you help the people around you next.
The world turns by repeating that, she said.

It probably isn’t all that pretty in practice, but those words have stayed in the deepest part of me.
Pretty words are fine. If you live them, they become true.
That’s a secondhand line too, though.

Anyway, it should be about done; I should wake everyone… ah, they got up, drawn by the smell.

“Big Sis, good morning.”
“Morning. Food’s ready, so go wash your face. There’s a well over there.”
“Okaaay!”

Mm-hm. Energetic is best.

“Morning, miss. Ooh, looks good today too. Thanks.”

As the girl runs off, I see the adventurer casually pinch up a piece of bread, and I stop his hand.

“Hold on. We eat once everyone’s here. While you wait, would you get ready to leave, please.”
“That so. I’ll go pack the bags, then.”
“Please. Ah, you merchants too! Come over here when you’re done getting ready!”
“Ah, got it. We’ll be right there, wait for us.”
“Thanks!”

Once everyone is gathered, I put my hands together as usual, and they look puzzled.
I tell them about the church custom, and they say that’s nice and put their hands together with me.

All right. Itadakimasu. Continue reading →