The next morning, I discussed the reward Riddle-san was going to give us and things regarding heroes together with my employees while we ate breakfast in the inn’s dining hall.
“Magic tools are made by Naoki, so we probably don’t need any.”
Ayl said, and everyone agreed with her.
“Then it’s magic books, right?”
The reward Riddle-san is going to give us became gems and magic books. Let’s head to the government office during the morning.
“Did Margaret-san say anything about heroes during the time when we were banqueting with the dragons?”
I don’t remember anything, so I asked the newbies.
“No, there wasn’t anything.”
“If that’s the case, then I’ll have to go ask, huh?”
Although I had it from Alfred-san to head east from the port, I want a little more detail. I’ll trust Alfred-san’s words of, “My sister should probably know,” and try asking her. I’ve had the chance to ask Margaret-san since we arrived at Floura, but I missed my chance.
“Well, it’s all good if I do it before we set sail.”
Ayl and Merumo are to go and buy food, and Velsa and Seth are to go by the daily necessities and things necessary for sailing. As for me, I’m going to receive the reward and go around making courtesy calls. It’s probably better for me to inform the Merchant’s Guild that we’ll be sailing off.
“You’re leaving tomorrow!?”
I’m meeting with Riddle-san at the government office, having tea.
With his usual loud voice, Riddle-san was surprised that I was departing tomorrow.
“In that case, clear out your evening today. I’ll reserve a restaurant for us. We’ll throw a grand farewell party.”
“No, my situation has become one where I don’t remember anything from when I drink, so although I’m grateful for the farewell, if you throw anything to grand, it’s a little… like discipline will break down among my employees, or something…”
When I rambled on like that, while scratching the back of my head,
“I understand, I understand. Be at ease. I’ll reserve a good place, so it will be fine. And so, have you decided on the reward?”
“Yes, gemstones and magic books, please.”
“Umu, noted. I’ll make the preparations before the evening. I see, so you’re journeying off tomorrow?”
Riddle-san sad solemnly.
It feels like the conversation will go for a long time if we begin talking like this, so I said, “Well then, I’m going around giving courtesy calls, so later,” and left the government office.”
“Is that so? Tomorrow.”
At Margaret-san’s mansion, while drinking tea and sitting on the terrace, I notified Margaret-san of our departure.
“I was just thinking that Red Dragon and Black Dragon have gone, and now Naoki-kun and the others are also leaving on a journey.”
Margaret-san said sadly.
It seems like the dragons have returned to Dragon Island.
“Um, Margaret-san, do you know anything about the heroes?”
“Heroes? Yes, I sure that I heard there was one in the eastern country. Granny, where did that adventurer’s book get to?”
“Now then, I wonder where it’s gotten off to? I will go look for a bit.”
Granny, who was next to Margaret-san, went to look.
“Naoki-kun, are you all heading off to the east?”
“Yes, that’s our intention…”
Is there something bad out east?
“I see. If that’s so, you’ll need that as well, ne. What about the farewell party?”
Margaret-san asked while thinking of something.
“It looks like that Riddle-san is preparing it.”
“Wait a bit, okay?”
So saying, Margaret-san stood up and went off somewhere.
When I waited for a while, I heard the many sounds of footsteps, and both Granny and Margaret-san haven’t returned.
“Excuse me~…!”
When I tried calling with a loud voice,
“We’ll find it by the farewell party!”
Margaret-san responded, unseen.
“Then, I’ll see you later!”
“Ye-s! See you later!”
I left Margaret-san’s mansion.
For my last courtesy call, I headed to the Merchant’s Guild. I’d gone to the Adventurer’s Guild yesterday, so it’s probably fine.
The Merchant’s Guild was packed with people. There were also people who seemed like merchants, but there were people completely decked out like adventurers, scholarly elder, and the like; there were people of all sorts of different races and occupations gathered.
Did something happen?
“Did something happen?”
When I tried asking the nearest youth who looked the most like a merchant, he gave me a look like I was being a bother and,
“Aah, I don’t really know much about it, but some sort of extermination company is leaving Floura, it seems. “
He said.
Extermination company? It’s about us? Then why are people gathering?
“So, is there something about that?”
“Something, of course there is; everyone here are guys gathering to hunt for a job with that company.”
“Why?”
I asked, unconsciously furrowing my brows.
“Why? Isn’t it obvious it’s because you can earn a ton!? I heard that the reward from the Blacks House is enormous. Furthermore, there’s rumors that they even know THAT Floura-sama. Their backing is amazing! There isn’t a merchant who wouldn’t want to be involved with a company that has money! And see, would you believe it; if you look closely, ain’t that a new employee recruitment notice posted on the board!?”
Crap! So I forgot to take down the poster.
“What’s wrong, bro? Want something to drink? Although it’s not for free.”
When I suddenly clutched my head, the merchant-like youth kindly tried to sell me some fruit wine.
“No, sorry, but not now.”
I refused and somehow pushed my way up to the the reception desk.
Was it thanks to the numerous amounts of people? No one realized who I was.
In the first place, the merchants probably don’t know me by face.
“Excuse me.”
I said to the Guild employee at the reception.
“Ah, Komuro Company’s Preseident! Ah…!”
The employee tried to point at me, so I grabbed her finger and bent it away.
“Speak softer!”
“Ow, it hurts.”
When I released her finger, the employee held it.
“It’s serious, President-san! The Guild is filled to the brim with people who want an interview.”
She said.
“I can tell by looking. For now, please take down the new employee recruitment poster.”
“Even if we take it down, the people here right now probably won’t leave.”
Certainly, it’s my fault for forgetting to take down the poster.
But hiring new people at this point because of it is…
I wonder if we need deckhands.
“What just a second, okay?”
Taking out the communication bag, I contacted Seth in a whisper.
“Seth. Do you want a crew for the ship?”
[“President, hang on, we’re carrying luggage onto the ship right now, so can we do this later?”
It looks like Seth has already bought things and is carrying them onto the ship.
“Luggage? For that, you just put them in Ayl’s item bag and it’s fine, right?”
[“Ah, that’s right! … Please wait a bit. Ayl-sa-n! … President said to put the luggage in that bag … yes, that’s right…”]
“Is it all in?”
[“Right now we’re going into a back alley to put them in … I wish you’d mentioned this earlier, Ayl-san…”]
“So anyway, do you want a crew to move the ship?”
[“Eh? What’s wrong, President? Did you take in a sailor?”]
He says it like picking up a cat or something.
“No, that’s not it, I forgot to take down the poster for new employee recruitment, and there’s an amazing amount of people gathered at the Merchant’s Guild.”]
[“Aah … no, we have 5 people, so we don’t really have a need for it. Would you like me to ask Ayl-san?”]
“Yeah, please.”
For a while, I hear Seth’s voice explaining things to Ayl.
[“I kind of don’t really get it, but Ayl-san sounds fed up, and said to hire people if we have a need to. Ah, and also to ask Velsa.”]
“Okay, so Seth doesn’t have any particular need for them, right?”
[“Yes.”]
Ending the call with Seth, when I asked Velsa, she said, “If there’s anyone interesting, try hiring them?”
[“Aside from that, we’re carrying heavy luggage onto the ship over here!”]
When Velsa complained, I replied, “It will be fine if you call Ayl over and put them in the item bag, right?”
Just who are our employees taking after, every once in awhile forgetting important things. Good grief, I’d like to see their superior’s face.
“I’ll do the interviews, so can you lend me a room?”
I asked the Guild employee.
“A room? Nn, got it.”
The result of that was totally a luggage storage room. Furthermore it was all pretty much unused, so the luggage was covered in dust.
Using Cleanup to make it clean, I quickly made an interview room.
Returning to the entrance hall, I notified the gathered people that I was doing interviews.
“Hello-! I’m Komuro Company’s President, Naoki Komuro! I’m doing interviews now, so please line up~!”
At my words, the noisy merchants quieted, and scrambling to be first, they began to make a line.
After that I called them one by one into the room and asked about their special abilities and skills.
Calling them in one by one is the least amount of courtesy I can give to the gathered people.
I informed them that they didn’t have to tell me if they didn’t want to talk about their Skills, but everyone responded with their Arithmetic Skill Level.
Most of them had Level 2 or 3. There were some people with Level 5, but they were few and far between.
When I asked about their special abilities, the response was mostly negotiations and sales.
To test them, I said, “Show me how you’d sell this pen,” and handed them a quill pen that was among the dust-covered luggage. The topic itself is a common question that’s asking whether you can make and sell to common needs. All of the interviewees told me “This quill pen is wonderful,” and the like while making large gestures. Like the angle of the feather and the assembly looks wonderful and the like.
In the end I interviewed over 50 people, and the only two I paused over were the dancing mother-daughter pair and the youth who was saying he wanted to quite being a blacksmith’s apprentice. The dancing mother-daughter pair were both beautiful and showed me a belly-dance-like dance. Unfortunately the daughter has a boyfriend so they said they can’t go on a journey, so they refused.
As for the blacksmith guy, he seems to have come while running an errand for the forge, and complained about the lessons being painful. It turns out he wants to quite, but he doesn’t really want to quit. “Keep at it!” were the only words I returned back to him.
When I finished interviewing everyone, it was already past noon.
When I went to tell the Guild employee that I finished the interviews,
“Was there no eligible person?”
She asked.
“Yeah, there wasn’t. I wonder if the question I tested them with was too difficult?”
“What did you ask them?”
“All I said was to try selling me this pen.”
The employee said, “Pen?” and showed me her own pen that she used for work.
“Yeah. If it’s you, how would you sell it?”
“Eh? That’s… ah, I know. The new employee poster was taken down over here. Could I have you sign it?”
The employee said and pointed at a blank spot on the poster.
“That’s the correct answer, right…”
As always, someone who would know will understand immediately.
As a matter of course, I told the employee, “I’d like you to sell me that pen,” and took out the 1 silver coin for my lunch money, placing it on the counter. The employee handed over the pen, and I signed the poster.
After I finished signing, I asked, “How much is this pen?”
“Eh? 1 silver coin is…”
“I don’t need such an expensive pen.”
Saying so, I returned the pen and retrieved the silver coin.
“Then, we will be setting off tomorrow; thank you for your care.”
I left the Merchant’s Guild.
Buying lunch at a street stall, I ate while I walked.
When I went towards the port, our ship had already left the shipyard and was moored at the dock.
When I went up the gangway, Seth was on board looking at the ship’s wheel.
“Seth, where is everyone?”
“Ah, President! They’re inside, deciding on their rooms. Although I’m the captain, it seems everyone’s going to use the captain’s quarters.”
“I see.”
“You didn’t take in any new employees, ne.”
“Yeah, I rejected them.”
Looking at it again, the ship doesn’t have just 1 but 3 masts; it’s quite big.
I don’t know what all you have to do to move it, but is it going to be okay with just 5 people?
“It’s just unfurling the sails. Also, the people in our company have crazy strength.”
Seth said those types of things.
I’m uneasy.
“It’s fine! Since we can move ahead with President drawing magic circles.”
“I see. That’s right … is it?”
I came to an understanding for a moment, but in the end I’m uneasy.
I’ll try asking Riddle-san tonight.
The next morning, I discussed the reward Riddle-san was going to give us and things regarding heroes together with my employees while we ate breakfast in the inn’s dining hall.
“Magic tools are made by Naoki, so we probably don’t need any.”
Ayl said, and everyone agreed with her.
“Then it’s magic books, right?”
The reward Riddle-san is going to give us became gems and magic books. Let’s head to the government office during the morning.
“Did Margaret-san say anything about heroes during the time when we were banqueting with the dragons?”
I don’t remember anything, so I asked the newbies.
“No, there wasn’t anything.”
“If that’s the case, then I’ll have to go ask, huh?”
Although I had it from Alfred-san to head east from the port, I want a little more detail. I’ll trust Alfred-san’s words of, “My sister should probably know,” and try asking her. I’ve had the chance to ask Margaret-san since we arrived at Floura, but I missed my chance.
“Well, it’s all good if I do it before we set sail.”
Ayl and Merumo are to go and buy food, and Velsa and Seth are to go by the daily necessities and things necessary for sailing. As for me, I’m going to receive the reward and go around making courtesy calls. It’s probably better for me to inform the Merchant’s Guild that we’ll be sailing off.
“You’re leaving tomorrow!?”
I’m meeting with Riddle-san at the government office, having tea.
With his usual loud voice, Riddle-san was surprised that I was departing tomorrow.
“In that case, clear out your evening today. I’ll reserve a restaurant for us. We’ll throw a grand farewell party.”
“No, my situation has become one where I don’t remember anything from when I drink, so although I’m grateful for the farewell, if you throw anything to grand, it’s a little… like discipline will break down among my employees, or something…”
When I rambled on like that, while scratching the back of my head,
“I understand, I understand. Be at ease. I’ll reserve a good place, so it will be fine. And so, have you decided on the reward?”
“Yes, gemstones and magic books, please.”
“Umu, noted. I’ll make the preparations before the evening. I see, so you’re journeying off tomorrow?”
Riddle-san sad solemnly.
It feels like the conversation will go for a long time if we begin talking like this, so I said, “Well then, I’m going around giving courtesy calls, so later,” and left the government office.”
“Is that so? Tomorrow.”
At Margaret-san’s mansion, while drinking tea and sitting on the terrace, I notified Margaret-san of our departure.
“I was just thinking that Red Dragon and Black Dragon have gone, and now Naoki-kun and the others are also leaving on a journey.”
Margaret-san said sadly.
It seems like the dragons have returned to Dragon Island.
“Um, Margaret-san, do you know anything about the heroes?”
“Heroes? Yes, I sure that I heard there was one in the eastern country. Granny, where did that adventurer’s book get to?”
“Now then, I wonder where it’s gotten off to? I will go look for a bit.”
Granny, who was next to Margaret-san, went to look.
“Naoki-kun, are you all heading off to the east?”
“Yes, that’s our intention…”
Is there something bad out east?
“I see. If that’s so, you’ll need that as well, ne. What about the farewell party?”
Margaret-san asked while thinking of something.
“It looks like that Riddle-san is preparing it.”
“Wait a bit, okay?”
So saying, Margaret-san stood up and went off somewhere.
When I waited for a while, I heard the many sounds of footsteps, and both Granny and Margaret-san haven’t returned.
“Excuse me~…!”
When I tried calling with a loud voice,
“We’ll find it by the farewell party!”
Margaret-san responded, unseen.
“Then, I’ll see you later!”
“Ye-s! See you later!”
I left Margaret-san’s mansion.
For my last courtesy call, I headed to the Merchant’s Guild. I’d gone to the Adventurer’s Guild yesterday, so it’s probably fine.
The Merchant’s Guild was packed with people. There were also people who seemed like merchants, but there were people completely decked out like adventurers, scholarly elder, and the like; there were people of all sorts of different races and occupations gathered.
Did something happen?
“Did something happen?”
When I tried asking the nearest youth who looked the most like a merchant, he gave me a look like I was being a bother and,
“Aah, I don’t really know much about it, but some sort of extermination company is leaving Floura, it seems. “
He said.
Extermination company? It’s about us? Then why are people gathering?
“So, is there something about that?”
“Something, of course there is; everyone here are guys gathering to hunt for a job with that company.”
“Why?”
I asked, unconsciously furrowing my brows.
“Why? Isn’t it obvious it’s because you can earn a ton!? I heard that the reward from the Blacks House is enormous. Furthermore, there’s rumors that they even know THAT Floura-sama. Their backing is amazing! There isn’t a merchant who wouldn’t want to be involved with a company that has money! And see, would you believe it; if you look closely, ain’t that a new employee recruitment notice posted on the board!?”
Crap! So I forgot to take down the poster.
“What’s wrong, bro? Want something to drink? Although it’s not for free.”
When I suddenly clutched my head, the merchant-like youth kindly tried to sell me some fruit wine.
“No, sorry, but not now.”
I refused and somehow pushed my way up to the the reception desk.
Was it thanks to the numerous amounts of people? No one realized who I was.
In the first place, the merchants probably don’t know me by face.
“Excuse me.”
I said to the Guild employee at the reception.
“Ah, Komuro Company’s Preseident! Ah…!”
The employee tried to point at me, so I grabbed her finger and bent it away.
“Speak softer!”
“Ow, it hurts.”
When I released her finger, the employee held it.
“It’s serious, President-san! The Guild is filled to the brim with people who want an interview.”
She said.
“I can tell by looking. For now, please take down the new employee recruitment poster.”
“Even if we take it down, the people here right now probably won’t leave.”
Certainly, it’s my fault for forgetting to take down the poster.
But hiring new people at this point because of it is…
I wonder if we need deckhands.
“What just a second, okay?”
Taking out the communication bag, I contacted Seth in a whisper.
“Seth. Do you want a crew for the ship?”
[“President, hang on, we’re carrying luggage onto the ship right now, so can we do this later?”
It looks like Seth has already bought things and is carrying them onto the ship.
“Luggage? For that, you just put them in Ayl’s item bag and it’s fine, right?”
[“Ah, that’s right! … Please wait a bit. Ayl-sa-n! … President said to put the luggage in that bag … yes, that’s right…”]
“Is it all in?”
[“Right now we’re going into a back alley to put them in … I wish you’d mentioned this earlier, Ayl-san…”]
“So anyway, do you want a crew to move the ship?”
[“Eh? What’s wrong, President? Did you take in a sailor?”]
He says it like picking up a cat or something.
“No, that’s not it, I forgot to take down the poster for new employee recruitment, and there’s an amazing amount of people gathered at the Merchant’s Guild.”]
[“Aah … no, we have 5 people, so we don’t really have a need for it. Would you like me to ask Ayl-san?”]
“Yeah, please.”
For a while, I hear Seth’s voice explaining things to Ayl.
[“I kind of don’t really get it, but Ayl-san sounds fed up, and said to hire people if we have a need to. Ah, and also to ask Velsa.”]
“Okay, so Seth doesn’t have any particular need for them, right?”
[“Yes.”]
Ending the call with Seth, when I asked Velsa, she said, “If there’s anyone interesting, try hiring them?”
[“Aside from that, we’re carrying heavy luggage onto the ship over here!”]
When Velsa complained, I replied, “It will be fine if you call Ayl over and put them in the item bag, right?”
Just who are our employees taking after, every once in awhile forgetting important things. Good grief, I’d like to see their superior’s face.
“I’ll do the interviews, so can you lend me a room?”
I asked the Guild employee.
“A room? Nn, got it.”
The result of that was totally a luggage storage room. Furthermore it was all pretty much unused, so the luggage was covered in dust.
Using Cleanup to make it clean, I quickly made an interview room.
Returning to the entrance hall, I notified the gathered people that I was doing interviews.
“Hello-! I’m Komuro Company’s President, Naoki Komuro! I’m doing interviews now, so please line up~!”
At my words, the noisy merchants quieted, and scrambling to be first, they began to make a line.
After that I called them one by one into the room and asked about their special abilities and skills.
Calling them in one by one is the least amount of courtesy I can give to the gathered people.
I informed them that they didn’t have to tell me if they didn’t want to talk about their Skills, but everyone responded with their Arithmetic Skill Level.
Most of them had Level 2 or 3. There were some people with Level 5, but they were few and far between.
When I asked about their special abilities, the response was mostly negotiations and sales.
To test them, I said, “Show me how you’d sell this pen,” and handed them a quill pen that was among the dust-covered luggage. The topic itself is a common question that’s asking whether you can make and sell to common needs. All of the interviewees told me “This quill pen is wonderful,” and the like while making large gestures. Like the angle of the feather and the assembly looks wonderful and the like.
In the end I interviewed over 50 people, and the only two I paused over were the dancing mother-daughter pair and the youth who was saying he wanted to quite being a blacksmith’s apprentice. The dancing mother-daughter pair were both beautiful and showed me a belly-dance-like dance. Unfortunately the daughter has a boyfriend so they said they can’t go on a journey, so they refused.
As for the blacksmith guy, he seems to have come while running an errand for the forge, and complained about the lessons being painful. It turns out he wants to quite, but he doesn’t really want to quit. “Keep at it!” were the only words I returned back to him.
When I finished interviewing everyone, it was already past noon.
When I went to tell the Guild employee that I finished the interviews,
“Was there no eligible person?”
She asked.
“Yeah, there wasn’t. I wonder if the question I tested them with was too difficult?”
“What did you ask them?”
“All I said was to try selling me this pen.”
The employee said, “Pen?” and showed me her own pen that she used for work.
“Yeah. If it’s you, how would you sell it?”
“Eh? That’s… ah, I know. The new employee poster was taken down over here. Could I have you sign it?”
The employee said and pointed at a blank spot on the poster.
“That’s the correct answer, right…”
As always, someone who would know will understand immediately.
As a matter of course, I told the employee, “I’d like you to sell me that pen,” and took out the 1 silver coin for my lunch money, placing it on the counter. The employee handed over the pen, and I signed the poster.
After I finished signing, I asked, “How much is this pen?”
“Eh? 1 silver coin is…”
“I don’t need such an expensive pen.”
Saying so, I returned the pen and retrieved the silver coin.
“Then, we will be setting off tomorrow; thank you for your care.”
I left the Merchant’s Guild.
Buying lunch at a street stall, I ate while I walked.
When I went towards the port, our ship had already left the shipyard and was moored at the dock.
When I went up the gangway, Seth was on board looking at the ship’s wheel.
“Seth, where is everyone?”
“Ah, President! They’re inside, deciding on their rooms. Although I’m the captain, it seems everyone’s going to use the captain’s quarters.”
“I see.”
“You didn’t take in any new employees, ne.”
“Yeah, I rejected them.”
Looking at it again, the ship doesn’t have just 1 but 3 masts; it’s quite big.
I don’t know what all you have to do to move it, but is it going to be okay with just 5 people?
“It’s just unfurling the sails. Also, the people in our company have crazy strength.”
Seth said those types of things.
I’m uneasy.
“It’s fine! Since we can move ahead with President drawing magic circles.”
“I see. That’s right … is it?”
I came to an understanding for a moment, but in the end I’m uneasy.
I’ll try asking Riddle-san tonight.
