Chapter 68

Fredo has ended up taking on the job until we find someone to request it. Now that it's come to this, we need to get someone from the Adventurer's Guild as soon as possible.

As an adventurer, I haven't been active at all lately. It's been a really long time since I received a request by name from Jewelbird. So long, in fact, that my equipment needs maintenance.

Since I'm going to the guild to put out a request today... I feel like a little morning exercise for health isn't enough; I really want to make time to move my body properly. If I keep doing only desk work, my shoulders will get stiff, and I might even lose my edge.

Amber seemed very excited to take a request together after a long time, and I also want to do more than just alchemy, including adventurer activities and other things. When I think about it, every day was fresh when I was at home, learning various fields one after another like a school schedule.

No, I'm not saying I want to go back to that life. Once the orders calm down a bit, I want to go make the solution that is the core of the artificial magic stones every three days or so, and entrust the manufacturing itself to someone like Adolph as the supervisor.

Then I want to go teach at the orphanage again. Also, the restaurant owner, whom I accidentally gave advice to, has become very successful and has invited me to dinner as a thank you, but I haven't been able to go yet. I've also accepted an offer from the publisher of "Hollow and the Dragon's River" to write a second book, but I haven't been able to make progress on that either.

I think it's a luxurious problem to have so many things I want to do but not enough time. Before, I was busy every day with things I had to do, but now, even though I have more things I have to do than when I was at home, I feel more fulfilled.

If I could have a moderate rest day, it would be perfect, so I really want to figure that out.

"Fredo will be out on work at night for a while... It feels strange not to see him in his usual spot."

"Yeah, it's normal for him to be there."

Amber says this while looking at the empty seat at the table where Fredo usually sits, sounding a bit bored. Before dinner, Anna almost made tea for Fredo by mistake, and it seems Fredo has become a regular part of our daily life.

Fredo, who took a solid nap from noon, came in just as I was leaving the workshop and is on guard duty. I have already inquired about the guard duty at the Adventurer's Guild, but it will take two days to select candidates and for me to interview them.

Since Darria, a veteran staff member of the Adventurer's Guild, and Rastano, the deputy guild master, are thoroughly searching, I believe they will select reliable people. However, until then, Fredo will be on his own, which worries me. Normally, guard duty is done in pairs, at least two people, so when I offered to do it with him, he panicked and said no.

Darria said that with the high reward and temporary employment, skilled and trustworthy adventurers will gather quickly, and I hope that's true.

"Liana, what does Fredo do for 'night guard'?"

"Hmm... It's a job of being vigilant and making sure nothing happens."

"Ugh, sounds boring!"

"But if something does happen... like someone tries to enter the guarded area or a bad person comes, then there might be a fight... It's a tough job."

"What! I want to punish the bad guys too, Amber!"

"But most nights are peaceful, Amber. If nothing happens, you have to sit and wait all night, which is boring, but it's an important job to be vigilant just in case."

Amber pouts, feeling like it's too difficult for her. Fredo was right to keep the fact that the guard duty is at my workshop a secret. From the looks of it, she might have wanted to go too.

Amber has high combat skills and a sharp sense, but she's not suited for, or rather, can't do, long-term vigilance... No, I don't think she can. She excels when there's a clear goal to achieve in a short time.

Well, there's no need to take on a request that she's not good at.

"! Then I'll eat Fredo's dessert!"

"No, it's for Fredo, who will be hungry after his night shift. I'll put it in the fridge in the other room."

Anna smoothly deflects Amber's food-obsessed comment, and I can't help but laugh at their interaction.

I'm really grateful. Not just Fredo, who took on the request because I was worried, but Anna, who is making bentos and other easily reheated and delicious meals for the night shift.

Having people who help me like this around, how lucky am I. I want to thank Anna and Fredo as much as I can. Even though I'm the one taking care of Amber, I feel like I'm the one being saved, so she's really a precious presence.

"Alright, who's going to take the first bath today?"

When Anna suggests taking a bath, and I help guide the reluctant Amber, who says, "I don't want to yet" or "Not today," I suddenly look out the window.

The night guard duty is a long night.

Since I entrusted Fredo with the guard duty, I gave him various magical items in case of emergencies. Of course, they are not for attack but to detain someone or assist in escape.

But I didn't really believe that people with bad intentions would actually come at this time. Guarding is important because it's about being "on guard."

If they know there's a guard and the vigilance is strong, they usually avoid it.

So, the next day, no, a few hours later, when something like that happened, I had no idea at all.