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nAfter coming back to the inn, I visited the room of the duke’s family.

nArone-san welcomed me and brought me to the 4 Jamil members’ table.

n“Welcome home, Ryouma-san.” Elialia

n“Welcome back.” Reinbach

n“Welcome home. Seems you had some trouble today.” Elize

n“Don’t push yourself too much.” Reinhart

nLooks like they’ve already caught word of what happened this morning.

n“Thank you, everyone… There’s actually something I want to talk about.” Ryouma

nWhen I said those words, their faces stiffened.

n“Well, go on. Don’t be shy.” Reinhart

n“What is it all of the sudden, Ryouma-san?” Elialia

nReinhart spoke with a serious expression, while the Ojousama wore a worried expression.

n“I’ve made up my mind. You’ve taken care of me all this time, but I think I should be independent from here on.” Ryouma

nAs soon as I said that, the ojousama stood up from her chair and ran up to me. The other three remained on their chairs.

n“Why!? Why all of the sudden!?” Elialia

n“Everyone’s spoiling me. At this rate, I think I’ll end up into a no good person. Everyone’s shown me so much kindness these past few weeks, but I think I should leave for a while and retrain myself.” Ryouma

n“If you just want to retrain yourself, can’t we do it together? There will be plenty of teachers too…” Elialia

n“If I’m with everyone, I’ll definitely end up spoiled. That’s why I want to leave for now.” Ryouma

nIt was here that the madam interjected.

n“‘For now’, you say. I take it you don’t actually intend on never showing your face to us again, right?” Elize

n“Yes. I’m not leaving because I’m mad or anything, I just want to train myself. Once I’m satisfied, if it’s alright with everyone, then I’d like to come back.” Ryouma

n“Of course it’s alright! In fact, there’s nothing wrong with being spoiled. You’re only 11, after all. That’s a perfectly normal age to be living with your parents. We’ll welcome you back whenever you want!” Elize

n“Mother!? Are you not stopping him?” Elialia

n“Elia, it’s not as if you’re going to be separated from Ryouma forever. In the same way that you’ll be going to school, Ryouma-kun will be studying as well. Although, frankly, I don’t really think it’s necessary for you to be do so, Ryouma-kun. If anything, I’d say what you really need is to be a bit more spoiled.” Elize

n“Wait a moment, Elize. Haven’t we already talked about this?” Elize

n“I know. That’s why I’m not refusing him. I’m just saying what I think.” Elize

nTalked about what?

n“Umm… What do you mean you’ve talked about this already?” Ryouma

nReinbach-sama and Sebasu-san were the ones to answer that question.

n“Actually, ever since arriving at this town, we’ve already predicted you would eventually bring that up. I’ve been living for a long time already, and I’ve met plenty of people in this long life of mine. Peers, subordinates, enemies… all sorts. And I’ve seen plenty of children like you.

nI won’t stop you, but you shouldn’t push yourself. Even if you put the work, it’s all meaningless if you don’t know how to rest.” Reinbach

n“Ryouma-sama, you might think you were being spoiled, but we don’t think so at all. It’s true we provided you lodging and food, but you registered to the guild in an unfamiliar town and have been working seriously all this time. It’s almost as if such things were a given to you. Which is why, we figured you’d eventually bring this topic up. It’s a bit earlier than expected, though.

nReinhart-san added.

n“When I look at you, I’m sometimes reminded of a close friend of mine. He’s the complete opposite of you. If you’re diligent, then he’s the opposite of diligent. He would always push all of his work onto his subordinates and onto other people.

nThat much is obviously bad, but I think you need to learn a little bit of that. Rest from time to time, rely on other people, just like what my dad and Sebasu always say. And of course, improve. My friend may be like that, but he’s currently doing pretty good for himself.” Reinbach

n………………………They’re really good people. I never realized they were this concerned about me.

nBefore I knew, I was tearing up.

n“Thank… you.” Ryouma

n“It’s fine. But in exchange, you need to promise us some things. One, you may leave, but you must come back. This world is dangerous. All the more so for adventurers. I’m sure you know this already, but make sure not to die and be sure to show yourself once in a while. The more frequently, the better.” Reinhart

n“Second, you have to send us letters regularly. Basically, a report of what’s happened. This way we can tell you when you’re pushing yourself needlessly.” Reinbach

n“We could also use my dimension magic to meet you in person.” Sebasu

n“And third, you must rely on us! This is absolute! You’re smart, you’re good at magic, and you’re strong. In fact, if we were to hire, you could get a good position already, so if anything happens, remember that you can always work for us.” Elize

nI don’t know what to say anymore. All I know is that I’m really grateful to these people. It’s a pity my vocabulary isn’t that great; otherwise, I might be able to express my gratitude better.

n“Ryouma-san.” Elialia

nWhen the ojousama called out to me, I turned to her. She looked me straight in the eye and said this.

n“I haven’t had many opportunities to spend time with someone, so I’m a little disappointed, but if you’ve made up your mind, then I’ll respect your decision. However!” Elialia

nThe ojousama pointed her finger at me and declared.

n“I will also add a condition!” Elialia

n“…Condition?” Ryouma

n“Father, grandfather, and mother have already given three, but I will add one more. We will meet again 3 years later and again 6 years later.” Elialia

n“3 years and 6 years?” Ryouma

n“I’m sure I’ve told you this before, but I will be going to the academy this year. It will take me 6 years to graduate, but there will be a long break halfway through, so at that time, let’s meet again. Until then I’ll do my best in my studies and in my magic.” Elialia

nI see… So that’s what she meant.

n“I understand.” Ryouma

n“Good, I won’t forgive you if you forget, ok?” Elialia

nThe ojousama said as she glared at me.

nNow that she mentions it, I do tend to forget stuff when I’m caught up with something.

n“I’ll do my best not to forget.” Ryouma

n“At times like this, you’re supposed to say you won’t! Good grief…” Elialia

nThe ojousama made a fed up expression as she said that.

nReinhart-san interjected while chuckling.

n“Ha ha ha, well, it should be fine. By the way, Ryouma, have you decided what you’ll be doing from here on?” Reinhart

n“I have my slimes, so I was thinking of living somewhere near this town. That way I could work as an adventurer here, continue developing my connections, and train myself.” Ryouma

n“I see, then in that case, there’s a job I would like to entrust to you.” Reinbach

n“What is it? If it’s something I could do, then by all means.” Ryouma

n“I want to leave the management of the mine you’re hunting monsters at right now. A lot of monsters have taken root in it despite having been abandoned for only a year…

nIt’s not good for there to be a monster nest so close to town, so I would like for you to check the mine from time to time and hunt down the monsters. If you need help, you can get some from the guild.

nI considered just sealing the entrance, but cave mantises could dig their way in, so it’s pointless.” Reinhart

n“If that’s all, then sure. I’ll do it.” Ryouma

n“Thank you. As thanks you can do whatever you want with the mine. If it’s there, you should be able to train or practice your magic without trouble.” Reinhart

n“That’s…” Ryouma

nThat would be the perfect place for me! There’s enough room to build a house, it’s far enough from other people, and it’s unpopulated so I can train myself and let the slimes roam free. It’s even more valuable than money.

n“This is a contract. There are many dangerous monsters, and having them create a nest and multiply so close to the town is dangerous. You understand, right?

nNormally, the public office would send someone to check the mines once in a while, but it seems the public office of this town failed to do even that. So, all I’m doing is hiring someone I believe I can trust. That’s all.

nIf not for you, we would have had to pay someone else, but with this we’re able to get by just by handing the place to you. Not only do we cut down on labor, we also cut down on expenses.” Reinhart

n…That’s true, but even I can tell he’s just making excuses. After all, the old officials of the public office have already been fired, so the current administration should be a fresh and healthy batch.

nWhile I was thinking that, Reinhart-san made a wry smile and said this.

n“Good grief, you really are too honest… You care too much about petty things. Let’s do this then. You’ll make ingots there, and we’ll profit off of that. You don’t have to work too hard, though, just make them when you’re available.” Reinhart

n“…I understand, I’ll work as hard as I can!” Ryouma

nI’ll set a monthly quota and sell them wholesale to Serge-san. I have to do at least this much.

n“No, like I said, you don’t have to work that hard…” Reinhart

n“Oh, one more thing. You should stay at the inn while we’re here.” Elize

n“Umm, that’s…” Ryouma

n“I’m not hearing it. You know I thought we could travel together a little longer, but then you suddenly go and decide on your own. This is final! You’re staying here!” Elize

n“It’s just about another month or two. It won’t be too late to start your training then. And this will do you good too since you work too hard.” Reinbach

n…If I don’t reject them here, I’ll end up spoiled.

n“You’re not being spoiled, Ryouma-sama.” Sebasu

nHe read my mind!?

n“Ryouma-kun, it’s been showing on your face all this time, you know?” Elize

n“A very easy to read face.” Elialia

nReally?

n“Anyway! You have to stay here at the inn while we’re here! Alright?” Elize

n“B-But…” Ryouma

n“Alright!?” Elize

n“But…” Ryouma

n“It’s alright, so it’s alright!” Elize

nThe madam isn’t go to take no for an answer is she? …Well, fine. Whatever…

nI wonder if I’ve always been this weak willed… Anyhow, I can’t thank them enough…

n“I understand. I’ll let myself be spoiled while everyone’s in town.” Ryouma

n“Glad to hear it~” Elize

nIn the end, I couldn’t reject them, but having people like this who care about me so much makes me happy too.

nAfter that I thanked everyone one more time, and then I went back to my room.

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