Chapter 12

The next morning, Nina woke up early and headed to the agency that introduced maid jobs.

"Hmm... It's quite difficult to find short-term jobs that last only a day or a few days. Moreover, if it requires an adventurer's guild identification instead of a city worker's identification..."

The woman at the reception, wearing glasses, said with a troubled look.

Nina never thought that her adventurer's identification would be a hindrance.

She could get a city worker's identification here, but it would take both time and money.

"Um, are the files over there not job requests?"

"Yes, these are requests from inventors."

"From inventors alone, there are that many?"

The size of the files was about the same.

The fact that the number of general requests and requests from inventors was roughly the same could be said to be a testament to the country of invention.

"But... Introductions to inventors are limited to those who have a letter of recommendation."

"Ah..."

Nina realized she didn't have a letter of recommendation when she left the Markwood Manor.

"You don't have one, do you?"

"...No, I don't."

"Then, I'm sorry, but we can't introduce you to any jobs here—"

Just as the woman was about to say that,

"I'll recommend her."

A man entered the agency.

Nina recognized him as a passenger she had met on the stagecoach when she was heading to Fullmoon City—a merchant.

At that time, he had said, "I really want you to work for me," but Nina had declined, saying, "I want to sightsee." She had just been kicked out of the Markwood Manor and didn't feel like working immediately.

"Oh, thank you for that."

"You said your name was Nina, right? I didn't expect to meet you in the Kingdom of Freya; it must be fate."

As soon as the receptionist recognized the young man from the guild, she hurriedly stood up.

"T-this is Mr. Firs of the Vyk Guild!"

It seemed this young man was well-known.

When Nina looked at him again, she saw that he was tall and had short, neatly cut blue hair.

His intelligent face reminded her of a civil servant, but during their short journey, she had learned that he could smile warmly and make jokes with rough people.

He was surprisingly expressive and emotionally rich.

"I know how she works. If you need a letter of recommendation, I can write one."

"But..."

The receptionist looked at Nina with suspicion, wondering how this wandering maid knew Firs.

"Actually, I would like her to work for my guild..."

"...I'm sorry, but I'm still traveling."

"That's a shame. And we don't have any short-term jobs either."

Nina thought she saw the dog ears on top of Firs' head droop in disappointment, even though he didn't have any.

Firs then glared at the woman.

"So? You still can't introduce her to any jobs?"

"N-no! If it's a recommendation from the Vyk Guild, I can introduce her to jobs from inventors."

The woman hurriedly started sorting through another file.

"Then, Miss Nina—"

"Ah, thank you! Is there anything I can do to repay you?"

"No, no. This is rather a thank you from me. For the tea you made for me on the way from the capital to Fullmoon."

Firs smiled, but then added,

"But if you want to repay me, please visit the Vyk Guild if you ever hear about it."

"Of course."

"Then, goodbye."

Firs left with a light step.

(He's gone... I've heard that "excellent merchants connect through relationships, not profits," but I don't think he would think that way about a maid like me. It must just be a whim.)

Just as Nina was thinking this,

"...Hey, how do you know Mr. Firs? Can you introduce him to me?"

The receptionist had a dazed look in her eyes.

"Vyk Guild, which is growing rapidly through rare magical material trade! Its ace, Mr. Firs, the son of the guild leader and the next guild leader! There are countless women who want to catch Mr. Firs, but it's almost impossible to even meet him..."

Nina had no idea he was such a rare character.

"Um, but, didn't you know his face, Miss Receptionist?"

"Of course!"

Out from under the counter came a bromide of Firs' face.

The magical printing was as detailed as a photograph, but for some reason, Firs was wearing noble clothing and had a stern expression.

"His intellectual and cold appearance... The real Mr. Firs was even more exceptional!"

Nina thought, (He actually has a lot of different expressions...)

"Um... Can you introduce me to a job now?"

The receptionist, who had been amazed at how quickly Nina had completed three jobs, said,

"Um... Should we stop here for today?"

"No, no, I can still work!"

"R-really?"

"—What's this job about?"

"Oh... This is..."

Among the job requests on the counter, there was one that was particularly simple and sparse.

【Client】Astrid Mahogany (Inventor)

【Request】House cleaning

【Reward】3,000 gold

It was straightforward.

"Mahogany Guild is an inventor's guild, but it hasn't been doing well since the previous head passed away... Therefore, even though it's a request from an inventor, the reward is exceptionally low."

The three jobs Nina completed today amounted to about 500,000 gold in total.

Of course, finding lost items had a bit of luck involved, but even so, it was a substantial income for one day.

Inventors must be quite profitable, but there are some who can only offer 3,000 gold.

"I'll take it."

"You should, given the low reward... What? You'll take it!?"

"Yes, I'll take it. Please give me the details."

"Are you serious?"

"Yes, I'll take it."

"Can Mr. Firs introduce me to it?"

"That's impossible."

"..."

Nina wanted to say, (I don't even know Mr. Firs' contact information.)

The client, Mahogany Guild, was located in the center of the capital.

It was the same square, two-story building that Emily had called "tofu architecture," but the property was surrounded by walls and had a garden.

It must have been quite profitable in the past—now, it was completely overgrown.

Weeds grew wildly in the garden, and rusted, purposeless machinery was left lying around.

Moss covered the stone walls, creating dark green stains.

"This... seems like it will be a challenge."

Nina rolled up her sleeves and entered the property.

The guild leader, Astrid, was not there.

Apparently, this week was the Inventors' Association meeting week, where inventors gathered to present new inventions and network.

The inventors she had met earlier were often not at home, and their servants checked the work.

However, this house didn't even have servants—

"Let's start inside. A clean house makes for a bright mood."

Nina had the key from the agency and entered the house.

"...This, this..."

Nina was at a loss for words at the state of the house.

The hallway was filled with trash, with only a few spots clear.

Insects scurried around.

"I'm glad the client isn't here. I wouldn't want them to see this shocked expression... I still have a lot to learn..."

Nina regained her composure and started working.