Chapter 23

"Hey, customer!"

Just as I was startled awake by someone pouncing on me, Narnia was sitting on top of me. She’s only twelve, so she’s not that heavy, but what’s going on here?

"Ah, it’s you, Narnia... What’s going on...?"

"Just now, someone from the Aygas Church came and paid for all your lodging! And they even prepaid for a whole month! Who are you, anyway?"

I sat up and pushed Narnia aside.

"It’s nothing... They just wanted to ask me something, but it’s taking a while to investigate, so they decided to cover the lodging costs."

My explanation was casual. It was too much trouble to go into detail.

"Hmm... Just for that...? The church is so stingy."

Is that so?

"I don’t know the details either. I didn’t plan to stay in this town for a month, you know."

"Come on, there’s definitely something going on."

"There’s nothing. Well, I think I’ll go wash my face."

"You’re dodging it!"

I put on the pants and shirt I had hung up and fled outside. I mean, I really fled.

Now, where should I go... Yeah, let’s go to the port.

Just looking at it cheers me up. It’s close, too.

I was sitting on a high platform overlooking the port, eating a ham sandwich and a tomato sandwich, and casually watching the people.

Remaining balance: 1,374,301 yen.

I like being alone, but I also enjoy watching lively places like this.

I don’t want to be part of it, though. Maybe I’m a little envious.

I was smoking a cigarette, which was running low, and gazing at the white waves.

"A month, huh..."

What should I really do? Have I become so dependent on being given work that I can’t do anything without it?

I don’t really want to think about it, though...

"Good morning, Akira-sama."

I was suddenly addressed from behind. I turned around to see Chelina Veriello.

"Ah, Chelina-san, good morning."

She was still in her red outfit.

I’ve always wondered if the chains she wears crossed over her body are heavy. Even if they’re thin, they’re still metal.

And the way they emphasize her chest makes it hard to know where to look.

"What are you doing, Akira-sama?"

"Well, I have some circumstances, and I ended up having to stay in this town for a long time... I’m just smoking and thinking about what to do."

"How long is ‘long’?"

"About a month."

"Why don’t you just settle down here?"

She laughed. It’s not a joke I can laugh at.

If I had a job, I might consider settling down, but given that I’m on a mission from God and don’t know much about this world, it’s not a decision I can make quickly.

"I have something I need to do, so I’ll probably be leaving for another town."

"That’s really a shame."

What’s so disappointing about it?

"Would you like to work for our guild in the meantime?"

"..."

What do you mean by that?

"Well... How about if you accompany me for a while and give your opinions on things that catch your attention, like an air logic device?"

"..."

What’s that supposed to mean?

What kind of job is that? It’s like being a secretary without being one, just tagging along with a woman and butting into work that’s already functioning. Yeah, that’s the worst.

"That sounds like a job that would make people resent you."

"Oh, merchants thrive on resentment. The more they resent us, the more we can charge."

Scary! This woman is scary!

The idea of selling back the resentment you buy is just... no!

"Thank you for the offer, but..."

I was about to gently decline when—

"Miss! It’s an emergency! King Cobal Pilatus is here for an inspection!"

"What?!"

She screamed and immediately ran to the guild.

That’s fine.

But please, let go of my hand that you’re gripping so tightly.

I was dragged along by her.

...Please, have mercy.