CH 16

C16: Threats

At night, I met up with three clear-faced people at a restaurant.

“Oh, man, that was awesome!”

“Seriously!”

“I had to go longer than I thought I would!”

My squire is the one who drinks and talks with no class. Please don’t do this, as it is embarrassing and makes me feel like a ruffian. On top of that, there was a boy in the midst of all these ruffians. It was inevitable that he would stand out.

“You guys! That’s enough! Don’t you have any sense of shame or honor in your dictionary?”

I scolded him in a strong tone.

“What is it, young master? Are you jealous because I left you here?”

“That’s why you’re a virgin.”

“Don’t be like that, Chris. Drink, drink!”

Oh, my God! I mean, don’t be so quick to offer me a drink. These people are out of control…

“To begin with, you know. Our training is too strict”

“That’s right! That’s right!”

“On top of that, we’ll be mobilized immediately if any bandits appear, even on holidays.”

“I’ll sue you!”

The three of them pointed at me.

“I see. Well, I’ll tell Yulis that the three of you complained about it.”

When I said that, the three of them started to panic, wringing their hands.

“No, you can’t say that!”

“No, no, no! There’s no time to train!”

“Can’t we get some more bandits?”

“All right. I’ll tell her that.”

“Sorry about that!”

The three of them decided to get down on their knees in a spectacular fashion.

“It’s time to go back to the inn! Tomorrow, we have to collect the gifts for the princess.”

We stayed at the inn I had booked during the day. Of course, Macbeth and the others had not taken lodgings.

******

In the morning, I woke up to the sound of something hard hitting the ground. It’s really loud. It’s no wonder there’s no one in the inn if you can hear this kind of noise.

I tried to fall asleep again, but I couldn’t, so I gave up and walked towards the sound. There was an old stone house with a very sturdy looking door that was left open. I peeked inside the house. There was another door open at the back, and I could see a light behind it.

“Hey! You there!”

I turned around when someone called out to me from behind. A tall woman with a large frame scowled at me. It’s huge. A lot of things are big.

“Answer me!”

“What do you mean?”

“You’ve come to destroy our workshop, haven’t you?”

“What?”

What are you talking about? I think there’s been a misunderstanding.

“Then why are you here? Well, come on in.”

I was taken inside with my shoulders squared. It’s good that she squared my shoulders, but because of the height difference, her boobs were in my face. Seriously, this is heaven.

“Customer. We’ve got a customer. Also, how many times do I have to tell you to close the door before you start hammering!”

The large woman shouted towards the back and a short cut girl came out from there.

“I haven’t introduced myself yet. I’m Hazuki, the head of this Bezu workshop, and this is Nami, the deputy head. This guy may look like this, but he’s a man.”

Seriously? I can’t believe such a cute girl is a guy. No, but lately there have been many cases where I thought she was a guy but she turned out to be a girl, so I don’t trust her. Rather, I hope she’s a woman!

“I’m Nami. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Yeah, my name’s Chris.”

“So, what are you doing here?”

“Well, I was awakened by the noise, and I followed the sound to this place.”

I answered smoothly, but Hazuki and Nami bowed their heads apologetically.

“I’m sorry about that.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No, no, no, it’s fine. I was rather lucky that you woke me up. More importantly, who did you mistake me for?”

“That’s good to know. It’s going to be a long story, okay?”

“It’ s okay.”

Then I asked Hazuki what happened.

The young, skilled craftsmen disliked the seniority-based blacksmithing system and the old-fashioned, hard-headed craftsmen. So Hazuki and his friends quit the workshop and started their own business with like-minded craftsmen.

The old craftsmen in the workshop were not in a good mood because they had quit in a quarrelsome manner. As a result, they have been pressured by these people, unable to find a business partner, and are now in debt.

“I see what you mean.”

“Yeah, that’s why we’ve got to find out who we’re dealing with, no matter what.”

I have a bad feeling about this. Let’s go home quickly.

“I see. I know it’s hard work, do your best.”

Then I put my hand on the doorknob. It didn’t budge.

“Excuse me? Why won’t it open?”

Nami grabbed me from behind.

“You’re a nobleman, aren’t you? Aren’t you the head of the family?”

“How do you know that?”

“Oh, really?”

He and Hazuki were so surprised that they almost fell.

“I have a friend who works in a brothel. He said that there is some kind of child viscount coming to the inn.”

“Oh, who am I kidding? I’m just a merchant kid, okay?”

“No merchant’s kid can wander around this early in the morning.”

Oh, shit, all is not well. No, but I don’t need to make a deal. I’ll wield the authority of nobility!

“Ladies and gentlemen! Who do you think you’re talking to? Don’t think you can get away with challenging a nobleman?”

“If I don’t find someone to do business with, I’m dead. Besides, I can’t pay my debts anymore by just having customers. Will you hire me?”

Damn it, there’s no way out! The door’s too solid to break through! If I don’t get out of here as soon as possible, I wouldn’t be able to pick up the package in time.

I let out a sigh.

“All right. I’ll hire you. Just open the door.”

“Really?”

“You did it!”

Hazuki and Nami are happy and hold hands. You idiot! As soon as I’m outside I’ll break my promise.

“Then, yes.”

Nami hands me some paper.

“What’s this?”

“Oh, it’s an employment contract which uses the royal family as an intermediary. This was given to me when I presented the princess with a sword. You wouldn’t want the person you hired to steal your skills and run away, would you?　In such a case, the royal family will bring the person who broke the employment contract and ran away to justice instead.”

“If the employer breaks the contract, of course there will be justice. Well, that’s all right, isn’t it?”

“……Yes.”

I nodded reluctantly.