episode_0004

“What.”

Then, he found a book. He knew it was there, but he had never paid attention to it. Glen reached out and pulled it out of the shelf. It had a worn leather cover. The book was much thinner than he had thought. It probably had less than 50 pages. The title was:

“Basics of Barehanded Fighting”

Glenn recalled what he had told Grimes. It was hard to teach others since he had learned the skills on his own. Glenn skimmed through the book. Oh, surprisingly, the contents contained the basics of bare-handed fighting that he had learned from his master. However, unlike the kind explanation(?) he had received through his body, the book described the basic contents in detail and kindly in long sentences.

Wait a minute, why are you in the mood to teach me already?

Glenn shook his head. Just yesterday, he had boasted to Grimes that he had ‘rejected the saint’s offer’, and now he was holding a textbook-like book in his hand. Even if he had no conscience, he should have some. He came to his senses and tried to put the book back on the shelf. At that moment, he heard a voice.

“Dad, do you have a guest?”

“Oh, Reina. Let me see who’s here.”

The back door of the store opened and someone came out. The young girl who came out, rubbing her eyes, was Rayna, the daughter of the store owner, Brazy. It seemed that she was sleeping because it was so early in the morning.

In fact, if it were another house, they would have woken her up and made her do things, but this carefree old man seemed to just let his daughter sleep soundly when she got sleepy. Well, Reina, who inherited her master’s brown hair and green eyes, inherited her mother’s beauty and was quite cute even at a young age, so it was understandable that she would worry.

“Oh, it’s Mr. Glen, the bookworm. Hello.”

“It’s been a while, Reina. It would be really nice if you left me out.”

“But.”

Rubbing her eyes, Reina, wearing pajamas that her mother had personally embroidered, spoke to Glenn with slightly hazy eyes.

“Glen is 15 years older than me. So he’s an old man.”

“I think I heard something similar today from older siblings than you.”

“Oh, if there are people who said similar things to me, then maybe Glenn is the uncle? I think so. If the uncle comes as a guest, I can treat him like an older brother.”

Glenn shrank back for a moment at the sight of young Rayna, who already exuded the aura of a merchant. Uncle Brazy smiled faintly at his daughter’s upright appearance. Ugh, I should stop talking. Glenn tried to return the book he was holding to the bookshelf.

“But sir. I heard that rumor yesterday.”

At those words, Glenn’s gestures stopped.

“Rumors?”

“Yeah, there’s a rumor that the old man had a secret affair with the saintly sister.”

“Secret meeting?”

How far has the truth been distorted? Those who spread false rumors like this should have their arms and legs cut off. Wait, Grimes.

“No, Reina! Who taught you such a shameful thing! It must be that guy next door, Fault. That annoying gnome!”

“Fault doesn’t know such difficult words. I heard the adventurers passing by talking about it.”

“What! You adventurers, how dare you say such things in front of my daughter. I can’t forgive you, absolutely not!”

How did that old man survive with such a personality? Glenn said, trying to ignore Brazy’s antics, though he couldn’t help but be astonished.

“It’s just that the saint gave me a request. I’m an adventurer.”

“What kind of request is this?”

“Well, it’s hard to say since Reina isn’t an adventurer.”

“Um…Actually, I already heard what the adventurers said. They said they’d teach me something. Did you choose the book you’re holding because of that?”

Oops, Glenn was so focused on Reina that he forgot to put the book back on the shelf. Reina is the daughter of the bookstore owner. She can read and write. That means she can read and understand the book that Glenn is holding in his hand, titled “Basics of Bare-Knuckle Combat.”

“No, Glenn! That’s why you came to our bookstore! And to help the saintess!”

“Oh, no. I didn’t really decide to help.”

“It’s okay, it’s okay! Don’t be shy! I’ll give you my special 2.5x discount!”

“It went up even more! Where did all that 2x premium stuff go!”

“Dad… Are you rip-off the customer again?”

“Re, Reina…this, this is…”

“I really hate you, Dad, for not being honest with your customers.”

“Kaaah!”

Glenn couldn’t help but smile as he watched his father despair at being abandoned by his daughter in real time. You’re so handsome, mister.

“Ah, but I will still receive the money I promised to receive. Please, sir.”

“Huh? Where in the world is there such a law…”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Please, oppa.”

“…….”

I never thought I would inherit the merchant’s blood like this. Reina, a scary child! Glenn was shocked, but he ended up paying the money because of the inexplicable atmosphere. Reina smiled and gave the usual greeting, “Thank you, sir. Please come to the Brazy Bookstore, the Flower Garden of Knowledge, again next time.” Glenn just gave up.

Then suddenly Glenn remembered.

“Oh, right.”

“Huh? Dude… Oppa, you’re not home yet?”

“There’s no law that says you have to leave right away. Anyway…well…”

Glenn had a hard time talking. No, it was strange that such thoughts dominated his mind in the first place. He was never the type of person to listen to such advice. He was so self-reliant and had a strong sense of self-respect that he rarely had ‘such feelings’.

Why am I like this? Glenn asked with difficulty, shuddering at his own eccentricities.

“Uh, uh…Raina, Mr. Brazy…Where can I get a handkerchief that would suit a woman?”

“…Huh?”

.

.

.

.

.

.

As Glenn entered the guild, muttering to himself that either he was crazy or the world was crazy, someone greeted him. It was a familiar face.

“Ah, Glenn. You look shabby again today. Aren’t you tired of reading?”

“Ah, Guild Master. Good morning.”

No, it was a person who was difficult to describe with the expression of a familiar face. It was the Master of the Adventurer’s Guild, Rashford. Dolores Rashford. A 45-year-old man who had reigned as the Master of the Adventurer’s Guild for over 20 years. And he was also a cheerful man who had opened up a path for Glenn to live.

“Morning? Don’t you even look at your watch? It’s already way past lunchtime.”

“Master, the next schedule is tight.”

“Oh, I see. I didn’t look at my watch either. Hahaha.”

With his attendant by his side, the guildmaster spoke cheerfully. Was it that time? It seemed as if he had only chosen a book. No, Glenn pulled out a memory that had been buried deep in his heart. The handkerchief remark. Shock. Shock. Anxiety. Joy. Force. Compulsion. Ugh… his head… Glenn spoke cautiously, lightly touching the price of amnesia that was staying in his pocket.

“I’ve got you. I’ll go away.”

“Ah, let’s talk later. Before I have some time to myself, show your face at the window. Okay.”

Show your face at the window? The guild master left with his attendant without any further comment. Glenn bowed his head for a moment and quickly moved on. He turned away from the table where he usually sat and headed to the window where adventurers were helping with their requests. A familiar-looking receptionist was waiting for him.

“Hi, Kate.”

The receptionist, who had been wrestling with papers inside the window for a while, found him and answered him indifferently.

“Wow, hello. Mr. Clumsy Senior Adventurer. I see you’re doing well these days. The saintess came to visit. So I’d like to ask if you’re having fun.”

Kate was a 22-year-old receptionist who had been working at this reception desk for two years and was quite knowledgeable. In other words, she was someone who knew the inside story of Glenn standing before her to some extent. Of course, seeing his recent shabby appearance made her think, ‘He’s become so lazy,’ so she would often look at him with a pitiful look and watch him waste his time.

“You were there too, so what are you talking about? You know full well that I rejected you.”

“No, I’m just an employee who works within the guild, so I don’t know the details of any secret meetings you have outside of the guild. Well, I’m an excellent employee who respects adventurers’ personal circumstances more than anyone else. However, I really don’t want to know about Mr. Glen’s personal circumstances.”

“Wow, what a really kind receptionist. She’s so kind that I’m almost in tears.”

“This is just right for someone as lazy as you.”

As if he was a sharp receptionist, Glenn didn’t really argue. He knew that more than half of the cause of his ‘laziness’ was his own.

“The guild master said he had business with me.”

“Oh, yes. Go to the first room on the left on the third floor. It seems like there won’t be any more deaths at the table from now on?”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

“You’ll know when you go. There’s someone waiting, so go quickly. Phew, phew.”

Wow, you are so kind, I can’t stand it.

Glenn grumbled inwardly as he left the window. He was the only one Kate had ever been so rude and rude to. Well, it’s not like he was particularly snobby toward other adventurers. Despite his appearance, he was the most competent employee in the guild who handled things in a businesslike manner.

Glenn took the stairs leading upstairs. The guild headquarters was a five-story building. The first floor was a tavern and quest window. The second floor was an inn, the third floor was a guest room, and the fourth and fifth floors were the guild headquarters. The fourth and fifth floors were places where entry was restricted to anyone except guild staff, high-level adventurers, or adventurers who were about to be promoted.

I walked up the stairs past the second floor and then up to the third floor. As soon as I went up as Kate had instructed, I arrived at the first room on the left among the rooms lined up.

Ah, now that I think about it, what about my clothes? What about my appearance? I hesitated for a moment, but soon gave up. There was no point in fixing it up any more. After all, I had already met her once in a disheveled state. Even if I fix it up now, it would be the same. So, Glenn just takes a deep breath, gathers his thoughts, and knocks on the door.

Knock knock.

“Yes. Who are you?”

Oh, it was a voice I had never heard before. And it was not a woman’s characteristic, thin tone, but a low tone. Yes, no matter how much I listened, it was a man. Did I knock on the wrong door? But I clearly heard that Glenn’s guest was waiting in the first room on the left on the third floor.

“Adventurer Glenn. I came because you said you were waiting for me.”

“Yes, please come in, Glen.”

That’s right. Glenn sighed in relief and opened the door.

The reception room on the third floor of the guild was simple but clean. There were carpets, tables, and two leather sofas that emphasized efficiency rather than flashiness. Other than that, there were only simple refreshments and drinks prepared for the reception. As Glenn entered the room, someone caught his eye.

He was a man with impressive white hair. Anyone who saw him would think he was at least in his fifties. His black suit, monocle, and polite posture suggested that he was not a man with an ordinary job. Normally, he would always feel nervous when meeting new people, but because of this person, Glenn felt his whole body’s nerves tense up. It was a different feeling from the goosebumps he felt on the battlefield, a tension caused by the difference in class.

“I heard you came to see me.”

“Yes. My name is Douglas, who assists the saint in his old age. It is an honor to meet you, Glenn.”

“Nice to meet you. May I ask what’s going on with you?”

“I will do so since you say so.”

A polite greeting, tone of voice, and firmness.

Judging from the word “assistant,” this person seemed to be the exclusive butler of Saint Militia. He also seemed to have considerable experience. Well, since she is a saint, she must have considerable personal assets, so she could hire someone like this. As I nodded in agreement, the butler in front of Glenn seemed to smile slightly.

“I am just a deacon who does my best to support the saintess’s future path. It has nothing to do with compensation.”

Huh? You read my mind? Glenn was momentarily flustered, but decided to apologize honestly.

“Oh, oh. I guess I said something rude. Sorry.”

“No, Glenn. I just guessed based on your expression and my experience. I feel more sorry.”

Oh, it was too loose.

Glenn felt embarrassed that he had been instantly figured out by his opponent. If his master had known, he would have scolded him for not practicing enough. While he only repeated physical training and basic training, his master had emphasized mental training more than anyone else. Glenn calmed his nervous mind again.

“Then, what brings you here? If it’s something related to a request…”

The end of his words trailed off slightly. The butler seemed to be thinking about it for a moment and did not answer right away.

But soon, he slowly conveyed his master’s intentions to Glenn.

“The Lady has invited Glenn to her mansion. We would appreciate it if you could come visit us now.”

“…Huh?”