Ch.81Chapter 81 – Tired Faces and Tiresome Work (1)

A few days had passed since I’d gathered my equipment.

As usual, I woke up at dawn.

As I rose from the floor, I could hear Beatrice’s breathing as she slept on the bed.

I got up and went outside.

Then I knocked on Sera’s door, and she came out rubbing her sleepy eyes.

If we just headed to the guild now for today’s work…

-THUD!

“Ow! Damn it! Hey! Can’t you wake me up more politely?!”

…Due to the effect of our master-servant contract, Beatrice ended up rolling off the bed.

This was how our mornings had been flowing lately.

Of course, at first I tried to wake Beatrice politely, but she absolutely refused to get up early.

So I eventually gave up and resorted to forcibly dragging her out.

“Ugh, you could at least shake me awake…”

With Beatrice’s sleep-mixed complaints as background noise—something I’d grown accustomed to over the past few days—I finished a simple breakfast and preparations before getting ready to go out.

Meanwhile, I could see Beatrice, whose full stomach was making her even sleepier, continuously yawning.

“Huaaah… why do we have to get up so early…”

“The early bird catches the worm, you know. We need to secure profitable jobs.”

“The early worm gets eaten by that bird. Life is so short anyway, so getting enough sleep is… yaaawn…”

I prepared to forcibly drag out Beatrice, who clearly didn’t want to move.

When sleepy, she really resisted leaving in various ways—usually by clinging to table legs or doorframes, forcing me to pry her off each time.

Today, she was plastering herself flat against the inn floor.

“Outside the blanket is dangerous…”

“Oh, come on.”

Is this really a grown adult?

I was starting to wonder, in a different sense, if she might hang from the ceiling next time.

Of course, without reinforcing herself with magic, Beatrice’s strength was predictable, so I easily picked her up and took her outside.

There was no point in her resisting further anyway.

I had a powerful ally named Sera on my side.

After the now-familiar commotion passed, we finally walked out into the early morning streets.

We proceeded through the much less lively streets.

‘Come to think of it, Christina used to go out proselytizing at this hour too.’

I couldn’t hear her voice distributing flyers and preaching from a distance.

Someone else might have taken over, but they probably didn’t have enough people to spare since so many of their members had been injured.

Perhaps because of that, the streets were quiet and gloomy.

Many people had lost acquaintances or even loved ones in the terror attack caused by Somnus.

Since only a few days had passed since the incident, people were still suffering from its aftermath.

I unconsciously turned my head when I saw a shop that used to open early and energetically prepare for business before the Festival now displaying a “Closed Today” sign.

Some people had lost their lives that day.

Fortunately, among those around me, Christina was the only one injured.

And since she had reportedly overcome the crisis, the situation was truly better.

Though I hadn’t yet heard news of her waking up.

‘I should visit her in the hospital soon.’

I sincerely hoped she would wake up quickly.

After walking for a while, the lit-up guild came into view.

When I opened the guild door, I saw Nina waving at us from a distance.

And there was also the old man I hadn’t seen in a while.

“As expected, you came early.”

Rudger smiled and greeted me and Sera.

He greeted Beatrice too, but she had already half-fallen asleep again, so she barely acknowledged his greeting.

“What are you doing here?”

“Obviously, I have business with you.”

I thought about refusing for a moment but quickly abandoned the idea.

Rudger’s face was full of fatigue.

Probably due to the recent terrorist attack.

Moreover, unlike usual, he seemed less energetic.

I got the impression he was not only troubled but also struggling.

Besides, he was the one who had saved Eve and Sera that day.

There was no need to be too harsh.

“What kind of business?”

“Hmm, before that, are you free today?”

“I haven’t taken any jobs yet, so I have time, but if I don’t work today, even my inn fees might be in jeopardy.”

In truth, I had enough money to stay at the current inn for over a month.

Still, one should keep earning money.

I didn’t want to work without compensation.

Whether my intention was conveyed or not, Rudger nodded.

“Then, would you come with me to the Jeolei Order? There’s something urgent I need help with there. I’ll pay you for the request, of course.”

I nodded at Rudger’s words.

There was no reason to refuse if he was paying.

“But what’s the matter?”

Looking at his tired face, I felt I should hear what this was about.

Rudger sighed and began to speak.

“Lately, there are many people in the Order who are dissatisfied with me.”

“Maybe you should have treated them better.”

“No, I did treat them well! I did my job well too.”

Rudger hastily added, but I wasn’t unaware of what kind of person he was.

“I’m guessing you acted and made decisions as you pleased, and eventually people’s complaints boiled over.”

Given his personality, he probably did whatever he wanted, so this was self-inflicted.

Sure enough, Rudger fell silent for a moment, as if he had been caught.

After an awkward silence, Rudger spoke again.

“…Well, I may have told them that if they had complaints, they should prove themselves with skill.”

As he carefully watched my reaction, I understood what was going on.

“Don’t tell me.”

“So, since I said I would call my disciple, you see…”

As expected.

That old man had dragged me into this.

Since I had anticipated this, I wasn’t particularly angry.

“From what you’re saying, it seems you don’t have any allies at all.”

“…I do have some. My wife and daughter.”

This old man must have made a lot of enemies.

How selfishly had he been acting?

Since this was within my expectations, I just found it amusing.

“Though you’re wearing a helmet, I can tell you’re smiling.”

Busted.

Time to be shameless.

“Hahahahaha.”

Rudger glared at me slightly.

Eventually, he too laughed as if finding it ridiculous.

“But is it okay to bring me?”

“Truthfully, if we look deeper, you’re also involved in this matter.”

This was outside my expectations.

I had no idea what kind of issue would involve me.

“Anyway, all you need to do is filter out the challengers for one day.”

“Challengers?”

“Yes.”

So it was about beating people up with force.

I nodded to Rudger’s words for now.

It didn’t seem like a particularly difficult task.

That being the case, there was only one thing left to say.

“How much are you offering?”

Time to see how sincere Rudger was.

+

“…You’re offering more than I expected, Sir Rudger.”

“Indeed.”

I had planned to just go through the motions if he paid moderately.

But this was too much money.

After accepting Rudger’s proposal, we parted ways as he said he would go ahead to make separate preparations, and I decided to wait a while with Sera and Beatrice.

Of course, those two were coming along as well.

I couldn’t leave Sera alone since we never knew when the Emiris Order might target her, and Beatrice couldn’t be separated from me beyond a certain distance due to that strange magic.

“Let me warn you in advance—don’t cause trouble when we get there.”

“I only do that with the Emiris Order. I don’t act up elsewhere, Mr. Helmet.”

Beatrice answered while still yawning sleepily.

“Despite appearances, I’m a Tower Witch, you know. An intellectual.”

An intellectual, she says.

This… an intellectual.

“…Right.”

“Hey, what’s with that tone? Did I say something wrong?”

“No, nothing.”

Beatrice, who goes berserk whenever a certain order is involved, calling herself an intellectual.

“Tsk, you’re not thinking something weird inside, are you?”

“Not at all.”

Beatrice interrogated me a few more times after that, but I just ignored her.

Sometimes ignorance is bliss.

I hope she appreciates my kind intentions.

During that time, Beatrice seemed to have fully woken up, so there was no need to drag her around anymore.

We reached the church district.

“The atmosphere here has become quite gloomy.”

“It’s where the most casualties occurred.”

Since many clergy had gathered during the Festival, this place suffered the most damage.

Of course, everyone was still doing their jobs while suppressing their grief.

Still, seeing them moving and working, it must be because they’re the people most accustomed to death.

“This is the Jeolei Order’s church.”

Sera said, looking at the quite large church in front of us.

As we headed inside, a young nun with brown hair approached us.

Judging by her appearance, she seemed about the same age as Sera.

“Excuse me. What brings you here?”

The nun addressed us.

“I’m an adventurer hired by Paladin Rudger…”

At my words, the nun’s eyes widened slightly.

She looked me over once and then spoke.

“Are you perhaps Mr. Kay?”

“Yes, I am, but…?”

When I answered, the nun smiled and took my hand.

“Nice to meet you. We’ve been waiting for you.”

I was startled by her suddenly taking my hand and was wondering how to respond when I saw Sera approaching Jamie.

The woman looked at Sera, smiled once, and then released my hand.

“…Who are you?”

“I apologize for the late introduction. I’m Jamie Jestia.”

I pondered for a moment at Jamie’s self-introduction.

I remembered hearing the surname Jestia somewhere.

Fortunately, Sera seemed to remember first.

“Ah, are you Sir Rudger’s daughter?”

“Yes. I’ve heard a lot about you from my father.”

Jamie confirmed with a smile.

…So it was true that he had a daughter around Sera’s age.

While I was marveling at this, Jamie pointed toward the church.

“Now, please follow me.”

We followed her guidance toward the inner part of the church.

After walking for a while, Jamie spoke.

“Actually, my father was going to come out himself, but he asked me to welcome you because of today’s matter.”

“I see.”

“By the way, are those two behind you your party members? I was quite surprised by how pretty they are.”

“Ah, yes.”

“Speaking of pretty, I heard that recently the Lavencha Trading Company has been selling some kind of skin-improving ointment that’s becoming popular…”

Jamie was quite talkative.

Her conversation partner kept changing freely from me to Sera and even to Beatrice.

Moreover, she seemed quite skilled, as she continued chatting with Beatrice, who was grumbling and trying to end the conversation quickly, without being discouraged.

“…So my friend said her skin improved a lot after using that ointment. They’re advertising that it was made by some genius alchemist…”

“I-Is that so.”

Sera was feeling embarrassed.

Judging from the mention of Lavencha Trading Company and Sera’s reaction, I could guess who the maker of that ointment might be.

“…The price is a bit expensive, but still within a delicately reachable range… Oh, we’ve arrived.”

Jamie’s chatter finally ended as we arrived at a rather luxurious-looking wooden door.

It was strange how it felt like so much time had passed even though we hadn’t walked that far from the entrance.

“He should be inside.”

Jamie knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

Rudger’s voice could be heard.

The door muffled his voice somewhat.

Soon Jamie opened the door and went inside.

“Father, I’ve brought them.”

“Oh, you’re here.”

Rudger looked at me with delight.

And as I entered, I could tell the situation was not ordinary.

“…What is this?”

“What else? People who are dissatisfied with me.”

Right next to Rudger was an elderly man wearing quite elaborate priestly robes.

And around them stood about four men in armor.

They appeared to be holy knights of the Jeolei Order.

“So, where were we in our conversation?”

“…We were saying that we cannot accept your decision.”

The old man sighed as he spoke.

Rudger raised an eyebrow slightly and replied.

“Even so, a weapon should be used by someone who can use it properly.”

“But it’s a sacred relic of the Jeolei Order. It’s only right that a successor comes from among the Order’s holy knights.”

“Hmph. I’m sorry to say this, but considering what position a Paladin is, these fellows are unfortunately quite lacking.”

“Even so…”

“No. Honestly, if any of these people became a Paladin, the Saint of the Harti Order would laugh.”

Why is Aria being mentioned here?

“Do you find them that inadequate?”

“I do.”

At Rudger’s words, three of the holy knights visibly flinched.

Indeed, Rudger’s words must be extremely unpleasant from their perspective.

Rudger’s expression wasn’t particularly pleasant either.

I wondered if this was the reason he looked so tired this morning.

“…Let’s stop here for now. It seems Sir Rudger’s guests have arrived.”

The only man in this room who wasn’t angry at Rudger—though his expression suggested he still had some complaints—began to mediate.

Fortunately, everyone accepted the mediation, pretending to give in.

“This matter will be proven shortly anyway. Let’s leave it at that for now.”

“That’s right. I pray you’ll be proven wrong.”

Rudger began to dismiss them.

The old man sighed as he stood up.

“…This is why I told your predecessor that outside personnel shouldn’t be allowed.”

“Hahaha.”

As if trying to provoke him, Rudger started laughing, and the old man just shook his head and stood up.

Soon he came in front of me and spoke with his hands clasped.

“Excuse me. May I pass through for a moment?”

“Ah, I’m sorry.”

Due to the somewhat tense atmosphere inside, I had been standing blocking the door.

As we moved aside, the old man smiled and expressed his gratitude.

Soon after they withdrew, the remaining holy knight looked at Rudger and said:

“Then, I’ll also…”

“No, Karl, you stay for a moment. I need to introduce you to this friend.”

At those words, the holy knight named Karl looked at me.

“…As I thought from his attire, is this man…?”

“Yes.”

At Rudger’s confirmation, Karl’s expression became somewhat complicated.

Still, maintaining an outward appearance of calm, he approached me.

“Pleased to meet you. I am Karl, a holy knight of the Jeolei Order.”

While greeting me politely, he quietly added:

“So you’re the famous Kay.”

“…Famous?”

Given how he emphasized the word “famous,” this man seemed to have some issue with me.

Of course, since this was our first meeting, I wasn’t sure why.

As I was wondering what to say, someone else stepped forward first.

It was Jamie.

“Oh my, Karl. Don’t be rude to our guest.”

“…I apologize. I’ll see you shortly.”

After he left as well, Rudger sighed.

“Sigh. Even Karl is acting like that.”

“I’ll go talk some sense into him.”

Jamie hurriedly followed Karl.

I wonder what kind of relationship those two have?

“…Well, it’s clear you don’t have many allies.”

“Ahem. I usually do, just not in this particular matter.”

Rudger said, seemingly embarrassed.

“Now then.”

Looking at Rudger, I said:

“Could you please explain what’s going on?”

Rudger nodded at my words.

He looked extremely tired.