Chapter 48

It turned into a bit of a serious talk, didn't it?

I'm laid-back, but I do think about things, you know?

"The work at the Appraiser's Guild is fun, isn't it?"

"That's something you say because you do it occasionally. If you did it every day, you'd get tired of it."

"Do you have experience working at the Appraiser's Guild, Alie?"

"Yeah. When I was injured, I worked there temporarily."

"Is that so?"

They had just come out of the Appraiser's Guild, where they had been asked to help out temporarily today, using their appraisal skills to do the job. The task they were asked to do today was to sort items. It sounds simple, but the items brought in were often faked, cursed, or had traps attached, making them dangerous. Alie took Yūri with her to teach him the proper use of appraisal skills.

In fact, Yūri did a good job. Alie used her experience and high skill level to do the work, but Yūri, who was next to her, performed just as well. The [Eye of God] is a cheat skill, so while everyone else was working hard to check for fakes and curses, Yūri could confirm everything with just a glance. He would then add a warning label to dangerous objects and move on to the next one.

It was probably a task that suited Yūri well.

Repeating the same task over and over can be a tedious chore for some. In fact, some of the appraisers, whether they were guild staff or temporary workers, went outside to "get some fresh air" halfway through. Yūri, on the other hand, worked quietly except when chatting with the staff who brought tea.

"By the way, I was recruited."

"Yeah, I figured they would. So?"

"I have work at the hideout, so I declined."

"You'd say that, wouldn't you?"

Alie laughed in exasperation.

Yūri was directly asked by the Appraiser's Guild to become a staff member. This can be thought of in the same way as being recruited as a civil servant. It offers a stable income and, since the Appraiser's Guild is basically a desk job, it's a safe workplace. It's completely different from being an adventurer appraiser. Yet, Yūri declined without hesitation.

For Yūri, there is no desire to earn cash. His basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter are guaranteed by the clan, and he receives regular payments from the production guild. He has no intention of working somewhere else. ...First of all, if he did, he would have to leave the hideout of the "Crimson Lynx." That would be more painful.

It's not a matter of money, but of personal relationships. To be honest, the people Yūri trusts the most are the members of the "Crimson Lynx," and he doesn't want to be separated from them. In a place far from his hometown, where he only knows strangers, he has comrades who care for him. Yūri doesn't need to seek a cash income by leaving them.

Moreover, while Yūri understands that his profession and skills are cheats, he doesn't find them appealing. He only thinks they can be useful for shopping. He's not the type to seek excitement from cheats, so it's understandable.

Knowing Yūri's character, Alie didn't mind. If he told the others at the hideout, they would probably react the same way. They know that Yūri is laid-back, loves peace and tranquility, and enjoys an environment where he can fully commit to housework.

But, this was a judgment that could only be made by those who could call themselves family.

"Excuse me, you there, wait a moment."

"...Huh?"

"...Damn. Here comes the trouble."

A clear, somewhat haughty, but beautiful voice echoed. When Yūri turned around in surprise, he saw a girl with a determined look on her face. She was dressed as a sister, and a golden ring with a cross in the center hung from her neck, jingling softly.

"Are you talking to me?"

"Yes, you. I have something to say to you."

"Something to say?"

Yūri, who seemed to have made up his mind, had a calm and composed attitude. However, this was his usual way of being, and he wasn't being malicious or not taking her words seriously. Glancing at Alie, she was tracing her chin, looking bothered. Her appearance was unexpected for Alie, or perhaps she had expected it but hoped it wouldn't happen.

The twin-tailed, light-haired sister had a face that would be described as adorable if she smiled, but her expression was stern and inflexible. Her arched eyebrows and strong-willed eyes seemed to pierce through Yūri, making her look even more so.

"Why don't you take on jobs?"

"...Huh?"

"To possess such excellent skills and not fulfill your duties is lazy!"

"...Alie, what is she trying to say?"

"Don't ask me."

Yūri, confused by the girl's apparently serious words, asked Alie. Alie, bothered, shrugged. In fact, he didn't understand what she was saying either. The talk about taking or not taking jobs was probably about Yūri declining the Appraiser's Guild's recruitment. He wondered how an outsider knew about it, but since the job request came from the church, it made sense that the news had spread.

While the two of them were silent, unsure of what to do, the girl continued.

"Those with excellent skills should take on jobs that match them."

"...So, you're saying it's natural to choose jobs based on skills?"

"Of course. Those with given skills should fulfill roles that match them..."

"I don't like that."

"What?!"

Interrupting the girl, Yūri smiled and said. Though he was smiling, his eyes were filled with a strong will, looking at the girl. Alie, surprised for a moment, then laughed, finding it interesting. He decided to let Yūri handle it.

Perhaps not expecting a counterargument, the girl was speechless. In response, Yūri spoke in a gentle tone. ...His tone and voice were the same as usual, but the absolute strength of his will was different. He wasn't angry, but his voice showed no sign of giving in.

"If what you say is true, it sounds like a person's value is determined by their skills. Those without excellent skills are left behind, and those who don't do jobs that match their skills are lazy. It seems like a person's evaluation depends on their skills, not their character."

"I am not saying that! I am saying that those who have skills should use them correctly!"

"Who decides what is correct? You? The church? I don't think it's good to decide jobs based on skills alone, and I don't want to be forced into a job for such a reason."

"Are you saying you won't use your power for the benefit of the world and people! That's lazy!"

"So, why is it lazy?"

In contrast to the girl, who shouted as if attacking, Yūri answered calmly. ...Yūri, though his expression remained smiling, spoke in a voice that seemed to seal his emotions, causing Alie to look away. It was an unusual sight, but Alie thought it was another side of Yūri. A child who is just innocent and young wouldn't have the mental strength to consistently take such actions.

No, the resolve to continue on this path, knowing that these actions are unusual, is not something a mere child could have. Yūri understands that he is unusual. He has some common sense... some.

"I am now doing something like a cook at the 'Crimson Lynx.' Is this job not useful to people? Is it a job without value? At least, the people around me say my food is delicious. They are happy when I clean. The same goes for laundry. Does my work seem lazy to you?"

"That's not the point! I am saying that it is lazy to not use your rare appraisal skills for the benefit of the world and people!"

"So, please don't decide my way of life for me and call me lazy. I don't need a job I don't want."

Yūri said firmly. The girl, trying to argue, bit her lip in frustration. She realized that no matter what she said, she couldn't defeat this boy in front of her. She believed in her own righteousness, thinking it was correct. But Yūri didn't accept it. It couldn't be accepted.

Yūri knows that there are many correct things in this world, depending on the perspective. Therefore, he didn't accept her righteousness. ...He was secretly annoyed. Yūri indeed has a cheat skill, but it's not something he sought out, and it felt like he was being told that this was his only value, which made him very uncomfortable.

"Maybe I went a bit too far, but that's my honest opinion. ...When I'm judged by my skills alone, it feels like I'm being denied, and it hurts."

"...Why?"

"I think you have your own beliefs. But please, don't impose them on me."

Bowing slightly, Yūri turned and left. When Alie quietly asked if it was okay, Yūri nodded. Seeing Yūri back to his usual self, Alie smiled wryly and looked down at the girl.

"Sorry, miss. This guy is one of our important comrades. We have no intention of letting him go."

"...Appraiser Alie, you know his power, and you still say that?"

"Power? Yeah, I know. His cooking is delicious. The rooms he cleans are spotless. His laundry is wrinkle-free, and he even repairs things. He's one of our important, important comrades."

"...You too..."

"Engrave this in your thick skull. We are beings with wills. Skills and jobs are just one aspect of who we are. ...Thinking you can measure people by such things and arrange them like game pieces is your arrogance."

Smiling with the corners of his mouth, Alie told the girl in a low voice. His voice, amidst the surrounding noise, somehow resonated clearly. Ignoring the girl's silence, Alie started walking. Yūri was already leisurely on his way back, as usual.

"Alie, let's have tea when we get back. The baked goods I made last time are just right to eat."

"Sure, that's great. I'm fine with just tea."

"No way. Since Brook is there today, we have to serve sweets or she'll pout."

"Ah... Don't pout. Indeed."

As usual, they walked back to the "Crimson Lynx" hideout, chatting. Yūri, who had just put the girl in her place, was back to his usual self. Alie ruffled Yūri's head with his large hand, feeling like he had grasped a little bit of this boy's essence.

Regardless of profession or skills, what Yūri wants is to do the job of a cook.

Sometimes it turns into a serious talk.

Sometimes!

...Yeah, sometimes, that's it.

Looking forward to your comments and feedback.