Chapter 33

I don't need that much money. As long as I have enough not to be a burden to others, that's fine.

And probably, I don't really need a job. I can still draw even if I don't make a living out of it.

...So, I don't really have the intention to become a "painter."

I don't mind drawing for Fei when she asks, and I'll draw as much as possible if she requests it. ...But, I don't think that would be a "job" for me.

Right. For me, "drawing" is not a "job."

That's why I don't think I can become a "painter."

...Am I overthinking this?

Is it just that I'm anxious about what lies ahead?

Eventually, I got off the Pegasus with Tenshi's help. Then I had a meal with Laocles (a sandwich with cheese, no ham because the black ghost ate it all. I was looking forward to it!).

"Hey, Laocles."

"What is it?"

"Fei asked me to become the Redgard family's resident painter."

Laocles had a look on his face like, "Why are you telling me this?" but I continued anyway.

"What do you think?"

...Laocles finally had a look on his face like, "What am I supposed to say to that?" but he still thought about it and gave me an answer.

"If you don't think badly of that noble, you should accept it."

I see.

"Why?"

I wanted to hear the reason, so I made Laocles talk a bit more. He's not very good at talking, but I pushed him.

"Because I thought you need protection."

...Huh?

"Financially... you don't need protection. You don't."

"Right."

"But you don't seem to be good at socializing."

"Right."

I nodded, agreeing with him. That's true. I'm not very good at socializing. I'm not good at talking. And I'm not very good at judging people's intentions, probably.

"If you keep drawing in the future, you'll run into trouble. Like how you got involved with me, you might get involved with someone else. And more than that, people might try to involve you."

"Hmm..."

Being involved by others.

...I don't like that. It feels unavoidable.

"In such situations, it's better to have a backing. On your own, you're just an inexperienced kid, but if the Redgard family is behind you, people won't mess with you so easily."

"Is that how it works?"

"At the very least, people won't underestimate you as just an inexperienced kid. If they know you have connections with a specific noble, they might think you have various protections in place, even if you don't do anything."

Right. Even if I don't do anything.

Indeed, Fei is from a noble family. No one wants to make an enemy of a lord... and even if I just keep drawing, the Redgard family might be cautious and not act against me.

"I see. Hmm..."

"Conversely, what are you hesitating about?"

When I was hesitating, Laocles looked puzzled.

Yeah, that's the normal reaction.

...I don't know why I'm hesitating so much.

The Redgard family are good people. I feel a bit guilty for being there.

So, it's not that I have any complaints about them... and becoming a painter, being able to draw, and having a protector, and financial support... I don't really need the financial support, but I can get support for my life in this unfamiliar world.

Right. There's nothing bad about it.

There's nothing bad, but... when I think about it, a piece of paper flutters in the back of my mind.

A hand reaches out to pull me back to "that side."

"...If you can't decide, it's fine to take more time."

"Right..."

Laocles said that. Right. The offer to become a resident painter isn't something that needs to be rushed. After all, I still can't control my magic completely.

I can't even draw without the strongest seal, so I can't really be a painter yet...

"Still, it seems like you need protection."

"Right."

But maybe I need protection right now.

I don't really care about myself, but I might cause trouble for Laocles, Fei, the horses, and the birds, and I need to avoid getting involved in crimes. At least, I don't want to be in a situation where I'm almost killed the moment I enter a store, and I don't want poachers to come around.

That's why I thought maybe I should accept the offer to become a resident painter right away.

"...Give me a shield."

"Huh?"

Suddenly, Laocles said that.

Surprised, I looked at his face... and Laocles said,

"With a sword and a shield, I can fight. I can handle minor troubles."

I was surprised by Laocles' offer.

Right, he did say he could fight.

"Does that mean... you'll protect me?"

"Yeah."

"You'll be my model and my protector?"

"...I was originally more of a protector than a model."

I didn't expect him to protect me. Right. He'll do it.

"However, it might be a hindrance for you to get along with the nobles. Solving things with force rather than power."

"No, it's fine. It's really good. Thank you very much."

I was so happy... I immediately got my drawing materials.

"Wait a moment. I'll get the shield right away."

"Wait."

And just as I was about to put the pencil on the drawing paper...

"Go to sleep now."

...That's what he said.

Right...

"Good night."

"Good night."

Since he said so, I'll go to sleep.

When morning came, I got up right away. Good morning.

As soon as I got up, I went to take a bath in the water.

"Good morning."

Today, the bird is with me. The bird is bathing as usual, acting like it owns the place. Come to think of it, I haven't seen this bird in a while. Recently, I've been visiting Fei's house a lot, and I've been sleeping a lot due to magic exhaustion.

...I took a bath and quickly got out of the lake.

Today is the day to draw Laocles' shield. I need to be motivated.

"Good morning!"

So, I immediately took all my drawing materials and headed to Laocles' house. Laocles was swinging his sword in front of the house. He looked very cool and impressive.

"...You're early today."

I'm early. Because I'm going to draw the shield. I went to bed early yesterday.

"I thought I'd draw the shield..."

"Got it."

Laocles sheathed his sword and came closer to me. ...And he tilted his head as he watched me unable to put the pencil on the drawing paper.

"...Aren't you going to draw?"

"Right. I want to draw. But..."

I'm... facing a difficult situation for the first time.

"What kind of shield should I draw? I don't think I've ever seen a shield."

Surprisingly, I didn't know the structure of a shield.

So, we went to town.

This is the first time I've gone to town without riding one of Fei's summoned creatures.

I know the way. Tenshi can fly me there. ...Yeah, I had a hard time choosing a Pegasus again. They all come to me...

"Pegasuses are fast..."

Laocles is also riding a horse. ...Unicorns still don't come near Laocles. But he seems to be getting used to the Pegasus. Laocles looks a bit bewildered, but the Pegasus that came near him, as if to say, "You can ride me too," is taking him to town.

Flying through the trees in the forest and over the plains, we reach the town in no time. It's very comfortable because we're not running on the ground, so there's almost no shaking.

"...Is it okay for me to ride?"

"Right. Yeah."

Laocles seemed hesitant about the Pegasus, which was a bit amusing. I asked the Pegasus, and it neighed, "Hin." Probably a yes.

...So, we arrived in town.

"Finally, you can come out of the forest on your own!"

First, I visited Fei. Just to let her know that I came on my own.

"Right, on a Pegasus. They're fast. Laocles came too?"

"Yeah."

"That's great. I haven't ridden one yet."

Fei poked the Pegasus's nose, and the Pegasus seemed to say, "Sure, you can ride me too." It seems to like Laocles more than Fei.

"So, what's up? Suddenly. Oh, don't tell me it's about the resident painter position."

"Sorry, can I put that on hold a bit longer?"

"That's fine. So, what's up?"

"I came to buy a shield."

When I said that, Fei said, "Oh," and looked at Laocles... then smiled.

"I see. So, Laocles is finally getting a sword and a shield, and he's being promoted from a housekeeper and model to a knight! That's great!"

Fei looked happy for him.

But...

"No, I'm buying the shield for reference."

"...Huh?"

I didn't get that wrong.

"I'll draw the shield while looking at the one I buy."

I want Laocles to have the best shield.

I won't compromise.

Starting tomorrow, I will update one story per day.

The update time will be around 9 PM to 10 PM.