episode_0014

Early in the morning, I made my way alone to the office of the carpentry workshop in the Labyrinth City.

Usually, carpentry workshops are located close to forests for easy access to wood.

However, due to the high population and demand for construction in the Labyrinth City, a small office was set up right in the heart of the city.

Of course, I was the only one who thought of it as an office, as administrative concepts like that were still unfamiliar to the people in this world.

“Welcome.”

The receptionist at the office greeted me.

“Hmm, is Borgert not here?”

I looked around, but there was only one receptionist girl and two guards who seemed less than impressive.

“What? Looking for Grandpa?”

“Grandpa? Are you Borgert’s granddaughter by any chance?”

“Yes… But who are you to call Grandpa like that?”

The girl frowned.

“I am Rashwood.”

“So what… Oh? Rashwood?”

“Yes. I am Rashwood.”

I opened the slit of my helmet to reveal my black eyes.

“Wow… Your eyes are really pitch black…”

“If you’re not paying admission, then stop staring.”

I covered my eyes again.

“Tsk, it’s not like they wear out from looking.”

Quite young indeed.

To think that girl, even his granddaughter, was being used as a receptionist at the office, what is Borgert thinking?

“Anyway, Grandpa has retired recently because he’s not feeling well.”

“He’s sick?”

“Yes…”

The girl’s voice lowered slightly.

“Where is he now?”

“He’s in the house towards the forest… Wait, are you going there?”

“Yes.”

“If it’s business, now Grandpa isn’t involved; it’s me, my brothers, Dad, and Uncle handling things. Grandpa is too unwell…”

“Got it. I’m here to see Borgert. The kids can step aside.”

I glanced at the two unimpressive guards.

Though they held clubs, they tried to look tough, but their faces betrayed their youth.

Probably this little girl’s brothers.

“Take care.”

I turned around and left the office.

Then, I went to the carpentry workshop located a bit away from the city.

While there are several other carpentry workshops in the Labyrinth City, I only visit the one operated by Borgert.

Leaving the bustling city behind and entering the forest, a cool breeze and the sounds of insects greeted me.

In between, well-maintained paths and scattered signposts were visible.

At the entrance of the carpentry workshop, several well-crafted wooden sculptures were lined up.

There used to be around 3 or 4 when I last visited, but now there were easily over 20.

“Who goes there?”

A middle-aged man who was carving sculptures at the entrance happened to notice me.

“You… Branko?”

“Who… Oh? Could it be Mr. Rashwood?”

“Long time no see. You’ve grown quite old now.”

I took off my helmet and revealed my face.

No need to be formal in such a secluded place.

Besides, these are almost all familiar faces.

“Oh, Mr. Rashwood! It’s been a long time indeed!”

He was always good-looking, but now he had become quite plump.

Not just with a protruding belly, but also with muscles developed over years of carpentry work.

The plump man approached me and extended his hand.

“How many years has it been? Almost 20, I guess, but you look just the same as back then.”

“You’re still the same, too.”

I shook hands with him.

I used to think my hands were large, but now his were even bigger than mine.

“Haha, really? Come on in. I’ll tell my wife to prepare some tea.”

“Why call her if you didn’t have a wedding ceremony?”

“Sorry about that. We never had a formal wedding.”

Branko scratched his head.

“Why not?”

“My father was against it. Well, now he can’t say anything about having a daughter-in-law.”

“That stubborn old man?”

“Hahaha! That’s right!”

We entered the carpentry workshop.

It didn’t look extravagant, but it was spacious and well-kept, making it hard to believe it was just a commoner’s house, likely due to being a home of a skilled carpenter’s large family.

“Hello! A distinguished guest has arrived! Quickly bring the finest snacks and tea!”

As Branko shouted, a woman with a figure as graceful as Branko’s descended the stairs.

She certainly had a bold appearance.

“Oh my, very handsome… Oh, oh? Evony… You’re Mr. Lashwood! Welcome! Please wait a moment. I’ll prepare the tea soon.”

She came down with a bright smile and went to the kitchen.

“Branko, who is it?”

An elderly man emerged from another room.

“Ah…”

“It’s Ollie.”

Ollie was slightly older than Branko.

“Lashwood…”

“It’s been a while.”

“…Please come in.”

After saying only that, Ollie went back into the room.

“Haha… I apologize, Mr. Lashwood. My brother has been a bit off lately.”

“It’s okay. Don’t worry about it.”

We went to the living room and sat down to wait.

A little later, Branko’s wife brought a tray with steaming tea and snacks.

Even in a city like the Labyrinth City, snacks were definitely considered luxury items.

Nevertheless, being able to offer them to guests meant Branko’s carpentry shop was doing very well.

In the past, they would have just served boiled potatoes.

“You’re lucky. We just received some fragrant tea.”

Branko’s wife said.

“Would you like some tea too?”

“I got it from a nobleman who bought a sculpture from me last time. Thanks to that, when we drink this tea, we feel like nobles too, right? Hoho.”

“Well, please enjoy it without hesitation. Mr. Lashwood, you can even eat the tea leaves if you like.”

“That’s not my taste. Anyway, I’ll enjoy it.”

I took a sip of the tea.

It was Ondugacha tea.

Onduga was a vast mountainous region to the east.

The nomads from that area had been cultivating Ondugacha tea for a long time.

The snack was a simple sugar cookie, but even this much was considered a luxury item.

It was a bit too sweet for my taste, though.

“Would you like more tea and snacks?”

“No, thank you. I’d like to see Bogette.”

“Is it because of his health?”

“Yes… It seems like this year, or even this month…”

“Is that so?”

I looked up at the ceiling.

The image of that boy, promising to become a successful rich man someday, still lingered in my mind…

“I see… That’s how it turned out.”

I stood up from my chair.

“I can’t wait any longer. Please arrange for me to meet him now.”

“Excuse me, but why did you come here?”

“Why would someone come to a carpentry shop? My house needs some major repairs, so I came to buy wood and other things.”

“I see…”

Branko visibly relaxed.

“…Anyway, where is he now?”

“Mr. Lashwood… If it’s alright, I personally…”

“I didn’t come here to give orders to Bogette. Since I’ve come this far, I should at least see his face.”

“But…”

“Honey…”

Branko’s wife took her husband’s hand.

“…That’s right. Mr. Lashwood is entitled to that… Let me guide you to where my father is. Please follow me.”

She got up and led the way.

…”

We left the living room, passed Ollie’s room, and entered the innermost room.

Branko knocked on the door.

“Father, the guest… Mr. Lashwood is here.”

“Come in.”

A voice of an old man came from inside.

Branko opened the door and stepped aside, revealing Bogette’s face, whom I hadn’t seen in almost 20 years.

“Welcome.”

Deep wrinkles and small scars.

He used to be robust, but now his body showed signs of muscle loss.

Only a few gray hairs remained on his head.

Yet, his eyes still held strength.

“…Long time no see, Bogette.”

I sat on the chair next to the bed where he lay.

“It’s been a while indeed.”

“You’ve truly become an old man.”

“…Haha. Yes, I’ve become this dying old man. But you… you remain the same.”

“It’s Evony.”

“Alright. I suppose so… I’m sorry.”

“Sorry?”

“About the promise…”

“The promise? …Oh, you didn’t come because of that.”

“Not really…? Then why did you come then?”

“I never intended to get the money back from the beginning. I just came to buy some wood and materials for home repairs. You guys are the most trustworthy in this neighborhood.”

“Is that really all?”

“Yes, really. You know where I live, right? That ignorant huge mansion. Some wizard accidentally drilled a massive hole from the first floor to the roof.”

“The house… that mansion. I was there when it was being built too.”

“You were such a greenhorn back then. Just a greenhorn with a loud voice and ego.”

“That’s how it was back then. It really was…”

“It wouldn’t be bad to slowly reminisce with you, but I’m a bit busy now. Seeing your face is enough. Branko and I will handle the work.”

“Just wait.”

“Yes?”

“The house…”

“Wait a moment! Sir! Sir!”

At that moment, with Branko’s urgent voice from outside, the door swung open roughly.

Olli entered boldly, his face full of anger.

“Get out of here immediately! I won’t give you a penny!”

“Hah, sir! My father…!”

“Let go of this!”

Branko grabbed Olli’s shoulder, but he shrugged him off.

“Father! You’re not trying to destroy the entire household over that old promise, are you?!”

“Olli.”

Bogert called out his eldest son’s name.

“You didn’t even write a contract?! Isn’t that completely baseless without evidence?!”

“Olli.”

“And coming after decades, isn’t it exactly like the old story of lending money to an elf without any proof?!”

“Olli!!”

When Bogert shouted, everyone around froze in place.

“Get out! This is not a matter you should meddle in!”

“Ugh… hah… However, Father! If you give that money, we’ll be ruined! Our grandchildren will end up on the streets…!”

“I said get out… cough, ugh…!”

Bogert coughed up blood.

The blood splattered on the blanket, leaving bright red stains.

“Argh! Father!!”

Branko’s worried wife rushed over from behind and supported him.

“I… I’m fine! Get out quickly, cough… cough… Get out!”

“Father, please calm down first…”

“Jenny, you should leave too. This is between Mr. Rashwood and me.”

Branko’s wife’s name was Jenny.

“…Well, you heard what Father said, right? Your health will only deteriorate like this. Everyone, please go out and wait for a while. We can talk about this later.”

Jenny took Olli and her husband’s hands and went outside.

Olli’s trembling pupils met Bogert’s gaze, then he tightly shut his eyes and turned his back.

After they all left, the room fell silent again.

“…I’m sorry.”

“No, not really. It’s somewhat similar to the elf story.”

The tale of a wealthy man who went bankrupt paying exorbitant interest due to his ancestor lending money to an elf.

Now almost a fairy tale, but for the protagonists of that story, bankrupted men, it could still be a reality.

“By the way, you’ve got yourself a stubborn daughter-in-law.”

“Haha… That’s the only thing worth boasting about in this house…”

“Has Olli not remarried?”

“Olli’s wife passed away. Three years ago.”

“I see…”

“She had the same illness as me. The child was a bit weak, couldn’t hold on for long… Now it’s my turn… Olli has been quite sensitive since then. It would be nice if you understood.”

“It’s okay. Don’t worry about it.”

“Is that so… I suppose so. You must have seen a lot of things like that…”

“Anyway, I need wood, stone, and iron columns to repair my house. Just get the materials and deliver them. I can do the repairs myself.”

Bogert didn’t reply immediately.

He grabbed my hand.

For someone he had described as a dying old man, his grip was surprisingly firm and strong.

“…You wouldn’t, would you.”

“That house… I’ll make sure I can fix it myself.”