Chapter 7

"Ahhh, I slept so well."

She stretched, and a voice unbecoming of a lady came out. It's a good morning, isn't it?

"Good morning, Shina-sama. But that voice is not appropriate."

Kiru, of course, had already woken up. From the morning, she got a lecture.

Yesterday, Jin didn't restart, so I entrusted the rest to Barry and went to sleep. I felt guilty for lashing out at the person who warned me, but I slept so well. Maybe it was thanks to the monster-repelling incense (for sleep). It's awkward. I was so rude that I could have been kicked out of the carriage. Maybe I'll say goodbye today.

While thinking about such things, breakfast was a quick meal. Thin slices of smoked meat, bread, fruits from the old man, and a soup made by boiling dried meat and vegetable scraps. When I arranged it on one plate, it was surprisingly like a trendy café breakfast plate.

After preparing this for everyone, I handed it to the adventurer who was on the second half of the night watch, and he was very grateful. It's a quick meal, you know?

"Ah, it's nice to have something warm in the morning. And this soup, does it have yesterday's rock in it?"

Dried meat is not a rock. It's salty, and when you cut it finely and remove the smell, it becomes a nice soup.

"Smells delicious! Ah, Shina-chan, what's for breakfast?"

The other adventurer also woke up. Please don't say 'food, food' when you see my face. I'm not your mother.

The loud voices woke everyone up. Jin, who had restarted, and Barry were also there. It's awkward. As I was thinking that, Jin approached me with a determined look. Kiru, who was next to me, immediately went into combat stance. Calm down, Kiru.

Oh, this is the pattern where I get yelled at and kicked out. Don't worry, I've already packed everything with storage magic, so I can leave immediately.

Jin stopped in front of me, who was bracing myself. Upon closer inspection, he was still big. Muscular. A muscular lion.

"I'm sorry."

Jin said this loudly and then bowed deeply to me and Kiru. Huh? Why are you apologizing?

"Yesterday, I was rude to Shina-chan and Kiru. I treated Shina-chan like a child and unjustly blamed Kiru. I'm really sorry!"

"…! No, no, I was careless and caused you worry, so I'm the one who should apologize."

"No, I was the one who meddled unnecessarily…"

"No, no, I argued even though you were worried about me."

"Ah, okay. You two, stop it. Here, breakfast, breakfast."

Barry stopped us, who had started apologizing to each other. He was already eating breakfast.

"Shina-san, please forgive Jin-sama. He was grumbling all night about whether you would forgive him."

Thanks to that, I didn't get enough sleep, Barry's face said, but it looked well-rested. You're lying, Barry.

Jin's eyes were bloodshot. He said he could stay up all night, but I'm sorry for making him worry about apologizing to me. I didn't worry. I slept soundly, thinking I could run if necessary.

Looking at Jin, who was frowning, I felt guilty. I thought I could easily cut off the connection, but Jin considered maintaining our relationship. Jin seems to be a good person who easily trusts others.

"I don't know why, but I'm concerned about Shina-chan. I usually don't care about others so much."

It seems adventurers have a rule of non-interference. Life and death are one's own responsibility. It's harsh. So, worrying and giving advice like this time is a rule violation for Jin. Since Kiru and I are not adventurers, it's probably okay.

Jin patted my head and sighed.

"I'm sorry, I'm being annoying. But I can't stop worrying. What is this?"

Well? If Jin himself doesn't understand, I don't know either. Did he awaken paternal love? No, I'm not a child.

Barry and Kiru looked at me with warm eyes. No, those eyes are for Jin. I'm not involved.

◇◇◇

Traveling while burning the monster-repelling incense was extremely comfortable.

After doing the first half of the night watch, Jin, who couldn't sleep, was surprised at how quiet the night was. He asked about the incense's duration and effective range.

When asked if it could be purchased regularly, I suggested selling the recipe instead. I don't want to keep making incense.

Barry had a difficult expression and said it would be best if a merchant with the backing of the royal family or a powerful noble could handle it. I don't have those connections.

Then Barry smiled and pointed to the old man driving the carriage. Huh? The old man?

It turns out the old man is the former president of the largest trading company in the Marita Kingdom. He has retired and handed over the business to his son, now traveling as a peddler.

When I consulted the old man about the monster-repelling incense, he introduced me to his son. Since the old man has retired, the decision to handle it is up to his son. He said he couldn't help much and gave me some candy. It's delicious! I haven't had sweets since my parents were alive. He gave me a lot when I was happy. Yay.

I shared some with Kiru. She was hesitant to eat, but I forced it on her. She finally accepted it, smiled shyly, and seemed to revert to a child. The headmistress of the orphanage where Kiru grew up was a wonderful old lady who gave candy to the children when they did something good or worked hard. Maybe I'll give Kiru candy when she's good.

Anyway, if children can eat candy, it means there's sugar. The range of dishes will expand! Yay.

◇◇◇

~Old Man, now former president of Zain Trading Company's perspective~

"Zain, how was it?"

When Barry-sama called out, I couldn't help but smile.

"Interesting. Shina-chan. She's cute, and I want her to be my son's wife."

"Oh, for you to say that, she must be quite something?"

Barry-sama's voice was intriguing, and I frowned. What is he getting at?

"Barry-sama must have noticed too. Those bracelets and anklets. They have complex magical circuits. And the earrings too. I don't know their functions yet, but they must have been made by a famous mage. I wonder how powerful they are."

"Ah, I noticed. What do you think, Zain?"

"I've tried analyzing them several times, but I could only tell that they have more than two magical circuits."

"Probably the bracelet and anklet enhance physical strength and amplify magic power, and there's something else. The earrings have a magical circuit I've never seen before. Shina-chan, despite her shabby clothes, wears first-class, no, national treasure-level accessories. The way the magic power fits suggests they weren't stolen. They were definitely made for Shina and Kiru, but I wonder what the circumstances are. But Shina seems like she would easily tell anyone about the source of the accessories."

"No, no, that's dangerous! You must warn Shina! What if someone with bad intentions targets her!"

I panicked. That girl is so carefree. Kiru, her attendant, is a good and observant child, but she seems to lack experience in such matters.

"My son alone can't handle it, Barry-sama."

My son, who just took over, is busy. Even if Shina is a joke, he needs a solid wife somewhere.

"I understand. Zain Trading Company will be the front, and we'll take care of her."

"Barry-sama?"

"No, Jin-sama will."

"Ah!?"

I was surprised. If Jin-sama takes her in, it's the best possible backing. The burden on my son won't be too great.

"That's why I asked Zain Trading Company."

Barry-sama smiled kindly. I sighed.

"Does Jin-sama know?"

"Rather, Jin-sama suggested it, so it's fine."

I was surprised again. That indifferent person suggesting something is rare.

"So, Zain, don't hide behind retirement. Please help."

Hmm. Well, Shina is a good girl, and the unpredictability is interesting, so it might be fun.

"Alright. Let's start with the distribution of the monster-repelling incense."

I smiled, and Barry-sama made a displeased face.

"You don't need to work on that. You're retired, so why not leave the negotiations to your son?"

"I can't let you down, Barry-sama."

For the first time in a while, I decided to use my mental abacus. This could be a big deal.