Chapter 82 : Change (3)
Change (3)
Through spending one night at the spirit stone quarry, I learned two things.
First, there were now no opponents left for me among the 3rd-rank.
From what I heard, Ricky was considered one of the best corporals in the special operations.
Yet, I had thoroughly overwhelmed such an opponent from start to finish, all without even using rice's strength buff.
'What a huge relief of stress. Haha.'
It really felt worthwhile to have diligently visited the training center, even while making makgeolli.
Second, war in the medieval era was far harsher than I had imagined.
While the soldiers pitched their tents, that stone bread Ralph had given me—who would have thought that would be dinner that night.
The fact that there was no cook assigned to the department and only a supply officer—now I finally understood what it meant.
'Who knew I'd miss seasoning packets and combat rations like this.'
Because of this, I thought about using the [shop window] to whip something up, but quickly gave up on that idea.
I hadn't yet revealed that food prepared outside the shop could grant buffs as well.
So, on this morning journey back to the village, I filled my empty stomach with candy and sugar.
Everyone looked in high spirits.
'It's because everyone was anxious about possibly having to move on to the frontline.'
Whether the battalion commander knew the hearts of these soldiers,
He simply walked along quietly.
'But really, just how much do I tell that old man?'
In truth, last night,
I had gone to see the battalion commander, partly to sound him out about Jeros.
― What brings you here, Ian?
I asked if Jeros hadn't played a significant role in our great victory.
But the battalion commander replied in the most unbothered tone.
― Jeros was the one who set the stage, but the achievements are basically yours.
He seemed to mean that he didn't trust Jeros one bit.
― Is that all you wanted to say?
At that question, I hesitated for a moment before opening my mouth.
― I'll tell you soon.
I hadn't yet decided how much to share,
And the battalion commander seemed to be hiding something from me as well, which made me more hesitant.
For example,
'There's also the matter of Schutmann's identity.'
I looked toward the very front of our marching formation.
There, Schutmann and Lantz were walking side by side.
Since yesterday, among the soldiers, Schutmann had come to be known as the 'masked swordsman'.
Word was simply that he was someone sent by the king in anticipation of another mage attack.
'But Ralph seemed to know something about Schutmann.'
For some reason, big-jaw big brother's attitude and words toward Schutmann had been distinctly polite.
Wouldn't he have at least revealed Schutmann's identity to the company commanders?
'Hmm.'
So many questions piling up.
In any case, I really need to make some decisions soon.
How much to disclose to the battalion commander,
And to what degree I can trust this snake-like old fox.
Step, step.
.
.
.
Shuffle, shuffle,
Trudge, trudge.
The road felt much shorter when heading into battle, but on the way back, that certainly wasn't the case.
It was a time of utter boredom.
'This is the perfect time to reorganize my system windows.'
After confirming that everyone was walking while zoning out, I opened up the [Inn] window first.
[Inn]
〈Rank: Inn that's starting to gain word-of-mouth〉
〈Reputation: small city-level (273/300)〉
---------(Employee List)---------
〈 [1] Nanabas Lokario 〉
└ Rank: ???
└ Buff Application Rate: 50% + 0%
〈 [2] Plerine ☞ Employee of the Month ☜ 〉
└ Rank: UR
└ Buff Application Rate: 50% + 25%
〈 [3] Harper 〉
└ Rank: SR
└ Buff Application Rate: 50% + 0%
〈 [4] 〉
└ Rank:
└ Buff Application Rate: 50% + 0%
I almost exclaimed in amazement, but managed to stifle it.
Somehow, the reputation bar was nearly full.
'Did it go up after acquiring the Wyvern Tail?'
Plus, Harper would soon be dispatched to Grey Fortress.
If I sell makgeolli there, the reputation is bound to rise even more!
'I wonder what kind of abilities I'll get at the next rank.'
That's not all.
The 'Employee of the Month' effect was even more shocking.
With an extra 25% buff application, for a total of 75%.
Now, Plerine's buff almost matched the one I personally received.
'And the rank has become UR.'
I'm surprised there's a rank above SSSR.
But what does UR mean, anyway?
Unique Rare? Ultimate Rare?
I decided to go with Unique Rare for UR, and opened up the [Regular Customer] window.
[Regular Customer]
〈Normal Customer Buff Application: 15% + 20% = 35%〉
---------(Regular List)---------
〈 [1] Jeros Silver 〉
└ Favorability: 88%
└ Buff Application Rate: Favorability / 2 + 20% = 64%
〈 [2] Nagel Ralph 〉
└ Favorability: 99%
└ Buff Application Rate: Favorability / 2 + 20% = 69%
〈 [3] 〉
└ Favorability:
└ Buff Application Rate:
Maybe it was because he congratulated me without complaint yesterday.
Ralph's favorability shot up to 99%.
I'm happy, but also let out a little sigh at how close it is.
'Just one percent more and I'd have cleared the quest!'
I can't help but wonder what the 'VIP' ability will be.
For now, I'll have to treat Ralph even better.
But—
'Why does Jeros's favorability keep rising?'
I haven't even treated him that well, but the increase rate is no joke.
Compared to Ralph, it's even more conspicuous.
Wait.
"!?"
This, this guy.
Don't tell me—
'...... Could he be gay?'
Does he like me?
Come to think of it, Jeros has never mentioned going to the red-light district or talking about women.
Seriously. Not even once!
'Creepy.'
With that shocking revelation, I kept walking.
"Hoho. We've arrived."
Granfen Village started coming into view.
The corners of my mouth couldn't help but rise.
I'd be heading back out to the frontline in just two weeks,
But I'd make the most of the days I had left.
*
Once inside the fences, I found myself missing my employees even more.
So, my steps became much lighter,
Bang bang. Bang!
I knocked on the shop door with a lively rhythm.
"It's me! Open up!"
Thud thud. I heard Naba running, and the door opened.
"Boss!"
Naba jumped into my arms, hugging me tight.
"You're safe!"
"Of course. Like I'd die so easily?"
If he knew that my reputation was mostly for sticking around the battalion commander, instead of killing dozens as rumors suggested, Naba might be disappointed.
"How about the others? You all didn't slack off just because I was gone, did you?"
"Clara went to help out at the Wyvern Tail. And then..."
Naba's sentence trailed off, and as he did, the door opened and Harper appeared.
"You're back, boss."
But Harper didn't look so cheerful either.
A bigger problem was that Harper was coming out of the women's room.
"......?"
I went straight into Plerine's room.
There, I found Plerine lying peacefully in bed.
I quickly checked her condition.
Breathing, heartbeat, temperature, all normal.
"She hasn't woken up at all?"
"No. Naba and I took turns watching in case, but she still hasn't woken up."
This was unexpected.
I thought she'd wake up without trouble soon enough,
'Is this some kind of rebound effect from the employee rank up?'
I'm frustrated because I can't pinpoint the exact cause,
But one thing's for sure: this is not a good situation.
Plerine needs to be at full strength in case something unforeseen happens.
'What should I do?'
Struggling to remain calm, I asked Harper,
"Did you set the date to leave for Grey Fortress?"
"Yes. I recruited the adventurers as you asked, and we're scheduled to head out tomorrow morning."
Should I tell them to take Plerine as well?
There's a healer at Grey Fortress—they might know how to wake her.
'No, Plerine's fainting isn't due to a simple illness. Even the healers won't know.'
While I was pondering this,
A thoroughly unwelcoming voice rang out.
"Kukuk. You shouldn't leave the shop door open like this."
That crazy Jeros.
The second we got back to the village, he came straight to the shop.
I signaled to Naba and Harper to hide what was happening with Plerine,
Left Naba behind, and stepped out of the room with Harper.
"Well, Special Investigator, welcome."
"Bullshit. Do I look like I came here as a Special Investigator? Kukuk."
No need to even listen to the rest.
I signaled Harper to bring the cash and accounting.
Jeros, in an even more excited mood than usual, sat down and said,
"You must've earned a bundle after throwing a pre-night festival."
He didn't seem like a serial killer who cut down beastkin by the dozen,
But I took it as a good thing, and sat down across from him.
"I have something I'm curious about."
"What, swordsmanship?"
Of course, I am curious about swordsmanship too,
But there are more pressing things.
"Why did you accept the role of Special Investigator?"
"Kukuk. When a commander gives the order, you follow. What choice do I have?"
His shameless answer left me speechless.
Looks like he won't be giving a straight answer about the battalion commander, the duel, or yielding either.
Instead, I asked something else.
"So, do you know the person who fought with us at the spirit stone quarry entrance?"
The company commanders seemed to know Schutmann was a squire,
I wanted to confirm if Jeros knew as well.
I wondered if the battalion commander had kept that secret too.
"That's the masked swordsman."
"No, I mean, do you know who that masked swordsman really is?"
The moment I finished speaking,
A chill ran down my spine.
Jeros's smile disappeared in an instant.
"Why do you want to know?"
It had been such a long time since I'd seen that expression—I was starting to lose my nerve.
"Here you go."
Harper appeared with the ledger and money pouch, placing them on the table.
But even then, Jeros stared at me intently.
"I asked why you want to know the masked swordsman's identity. Answer me."
Even with money and the ledger right in front of him, he was acting even more suspicious.
I tried to sound as calm as possible and carefully replied,
"It's just—you and him kinda give off the same vibe."
I couldn't bring myself to say, 'Because the company commanders all seem to know already.'
If Jeros didn't know Schutmann's identity, I'd only be letting him know the battalion commander suspects him.
So I simply said honestly that they felt similar.
'What's with this guy?'
It's like someone hit the pause button.
He just stared right at me, making the whole thing feel seriously off.
Could it be that he...
'...might actually like me? Is he gay?'
Could it be that Jeros likes me, and he's jealous because I said someone else reminded me of him?
—I almost let my imagination run wild.
"Be careful of that person."
Jeros's time started moving again.
Come on, was that all he wanted to say after all that suspense?
But wait,
'Telling me to be careful means he does know Schutmann's identity.'
As I tried to follow up with another question,
"Kukuk. You made less than I thought. Figured there'd be way more."
He reverted right back to his usual flippant self, and my jaw dropped.
It's the largest amount we've ever tallied, so what the hell is he talking about?
"What, is business so bad you can't even manage? Kukuk. Anyway, the thing is, Ian."
"What."
I couldn't help but answer curtly.
"I'm a little short on cash—what do you say to some swordsmanship lessons for old time's sake?"
My lips twitched at the totally unexpected suggestion.
Is this another benefit of [Regular Customer] favorability going up?
No wonder he mentioned swordsmanship earlier.
"You said you were too busy last time. Now it's fine?"
"I'm busy. Still just as busy as ever. But you really want this, right? Don't you?"
Damn. I want to say no, but I just can't.
"It's 10 shillings for an hour, right?"
"Kukukuk. Of course not! It was 10 shillings when you were 2nd-rank, but you're 3rd-rank now, aren't you? Kukuk."
Hmm. It was 1 shilling at first-rank,
10 shillings at 2nd-rank, so...
'Son of a...'
Please don't say it.
Don't say it, Jeros.
"I have to charge 1 golden. Kukuk. Kukukuk."
One of these days I'll punch that smug face right in the nose.
With so many places to spend already, now I'm broke—damn it!
"Why not just say you don't want to teach me?"
"Kukukuk. Alright, alright. Then I'll be extra generous with you."
Generous? Let's hear it.
"I'll teach you 'on credit'. How's that?"
Hmm. On credit, huh.
That's not a bad deal, is it?
—just as I was thinking,
Shake, shake, shake.
Harper quickly shook his head.
His starry eyes were utterly filled with despair.
He seemed so desperate that I almost heard a Brain Voice in my head.
'You know how poor we are, right? Boss, you're not someone to fall for such a cheap scam. Wait, why are you avoiding my gaze? No way...! Seriously, you can't! Don't do it, you bastard!!'
...... But of course, I pretended not to see Harper, and spoke calmly as if nothing was wrong.
"Let's go right now. Swordsmanship lesson."
I've got so much to think about, my head hurts—this is just what I need.
Exercise is the best at times like this.
"Kukukuk. You really are nuts. Kukukukuk."
I followed Jeros and his grating laughter out of the shop.
After only a few steps,
I could hear the pitiful scream of my poor accounting slave from behind.
"Aaaaaaah!!"
Sorry, Harper. Hang in there from now on.