Sword Saint’s Disciple Part 5. Lord Raza’s Mansion

2-5. Lord Raza’s Mansion

The branch Leader greeted us when we returned to the guild.
We separated from Dan-san and Mina-san in the reception desk.
I received encouragement from Dan-san, saying “Do well!”
They’re good-hearted people…
I am now in Branch Leader’s office together with Neil-san.
Doc.u.ments are piled up neatly on Branch Leader’s desk.

“Good work. Here, your compensation.”

Branch Leader handed 15000 rushi.
This world has a proper monetary system.
One rushi is about 10 yen, so converting it would be equivalent to 150000 yen.
When I heard it for the first time, I remember feeling relieved since it’s very easy to understand.
I already experienced shopping once.
Though it’s just to a peddler who visited the village.
Gold coins, silver coins and copper coins— well, put those kind of money out of your mind.

“Does the country’s military have monthly salary system?”

Travel expenses to the Royal Capital seem to fall under their expenses, it’s a benefit that I can receive a bit more payment.
Travel expenses are provided in cash so I’m not worried about my pocket at the moment.
By the way, a mercenary soldier’s salary rises and falls according to the kind of work.
Even soldiers who work like civil servants can have below-average way of living if they’re paid too poorly.

“This is a reward from the village for the kidnapping incident. It’s different from the country’s.”

From the pioneering village?
Thief subjugation falls under peace and order maintaintance, the reward is basically paid by the country and the territory.
It seems like people receiving the protection are free to pay reward as they please.
But I’m aware from my experience in Kaisa Village that there’s no surplus of money from pioneering a village.
It’s easy to imagine that the village people with strong sense of duty overworked themselves to raise this money.
As for the village damages, the kidnappers had an encounter with the males making up manpower, only few aren’t injured.
Almost everyone was able to return to the village because of this rescue.
However, even if human damage was little, the development plan for the village will surely be delayed.

“Can you please return it? This money.”

Her tail and ears comfortably moving suddenly stopped, Branch Leader looked dubious.
Is it stange after all?

“Return?”

“I’m aware of the hardships of a pioneering village. I think that they should have the money until the village is stable.”

It’s money that is difficult to accept personally.
I can imagine that a village that hasn’t even a name yet will be in distress.

“But, Cathia-san. I don’t think they’ll feel good if you reject the money they offered-ssu. Ah, why don’t you use it for your own share of travel expenses-ssu?”

Neil gave frank advice.
Ugh, that’s certainly the case.

“That’s right… But, I’m worried about the village.”

It’s true that I can support the village by buying the crops they started producing.
Even if I did that, I can’t deny that it’s only for self-satisfaction.

“Change your mentality. Repair your equipment using the money you received and eat proper meals. You should make an effort in peace maintenance. I think it’s important that you spend that money meaningfully and never let anyone suffer through the same harm again.”

Oh, it’s the mentality of Soldier Guild.
Since I don’t have that way of thinking, does it mean my sensibility is still insufficient?
Or is it beause of difference in experience?
Eons of years than a tortoise sh.e.l.l, older than a pinecone… eh, did I get it wrong?

It seems like she’ll be angry if she’s treated like an old person.
Anyway, it’s different if anego is the one saying it!

“Mmm, I understand. I will do as you say.”

Then, I’ll eat something delicious.
Can I be like Neil-san and help with the traveling expenses?

“Yes, do that. Then, I still have work. Go, you guys go home!”

We were kicked out of the office.
Still, she looks busy.
One of the relieving staff entered.
The door is half-open so their conversation can be heard.

“Anego! These are the doc.u.ments that’ll be sent to the higher ups tomorrow—”

“I told you not to call me anego, this fool! Call me Branch Leader!”

She’s really being called as anego.
It fits her just as I expected.

“What’s wrong, Cathia-san?”

It looks like my expression became loose.
Neil-san questioned me.

“No, it’s nothing.”

I left the place while enduring my laughter.

It’s already dark when we left the Soldier Guild.
The fire magic powering up the street lights gently illuminated the town’s main street.
There’s nothing similar to this feeling of a paved road in j.a.pan.
I prefer j.a.panese style but Western style town scape is not bad either.
If you breath deeply, your lungs will be filled with smells of cooking dinner from the different houses.
Yep, I’m hungry.

“By the way, Cathia-san. Just as promised, I’m inviting you to my house.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you for taking care of me.”

Neil-san and I walked at the night town together.
The shadows produced by the illuminated lamps stretched to and fro.
The bustling daytime disappeared as if it was a dream, and both our footsteps echoed steadily due to the silence.

“Can I hear about Neil-san’s family members?”

“Of course-ssu. There’s my father, one older brother, two older sisters and me, making a total of five-ssu. But right now, the only people at home is my father and my second sister-ssu.”

Neil-san answered my question generously.
Is it better if I don’t ask about his mother?
Though he answered like it’s normal, I am not that insensitive after all.
Do you hear it as far as you listen?

“Where are your brother and your first sister?”

“My brother is inspecting a pioneering village while my first sister became a bride and married into another family-ssu.”
The eldest son is the future town Lord so he had to study in the form of inspections.
While the eldest daughter married and left the house.
Which reminds me, which onee-san is he weak at?

“You told me before you had a strong-willed onee-san, which of them is it?”

Neil-san said she has the same type of face as mine.

“Ah, that’s my first sister-ssu. I feel lonely but I’m honestly also relieved—waaaah! You didn’t hear anything just now!”

“Neil-san is honest, huh?”

This is what they also call stupid.
Throwing off reservations is good, but isn’t that a little too excessive…?

“Ahaha…my father os relatively calm, but my second sister is an eccentric person-ssu.”

“Eccentric?”

“Though I guess my father is also eccentric.”

“Eh, say it in detail.”

“You’ll understand when you meet them-ssu. We’re here.”

A little farther away from the gates with lattice, the Lord’s mansion which is as big as four normal houses combined can be seen.
It’s made of stone just as usual and a well-kept garden can also be seen inside.
The walls are made of bricks, it’s a little more stylish than the surrounding scenery.
The guard greeted us and opened the gates.
We walked a slight distance in the garden, then Neil opened the door when we arrived at the entryway.
Then, please excuse me…

Nn? There’s a hint of a person very close to us.

“Teyaaa!”

An elf man with a white and green rod-shaped thing slashed(?) at me.
I have plenty of leeway so I intercepted the attack by catching the weapon with my bare hands.
Whaat?

“You may have done it, Cathia Myers! But it’s not over yet!”

He called my name, so maybe he’s an authorized person in this house.
It has a terribly theatrical impression so maybe it’s some kind of joke.
Should I just play along…?

“Wh-who the h.e.l.l are you?! Why do you know my name–”

Please excuse my stiff acting.
What’s the heck is this farce…

“Fufu, that is because…I am the Lord of this town!”

“Wha-what did you say!?”

This person is the feudal lord!?
Neil-san’s appearance is totally human so I never a.s.sumed he will be an elf.
It’s unexpected.

“Father, please don’t act that way in front of a guest! It’s embarra.s.sing!”

I got the confirmation from Neil-san’s brief comment.
There’s no mistake that the man before me is the Lord.
So Neil-san has elf blood.
I never realized since I can’t feel it from his appearance.

“Well, the villain from the book I read recently is so cool. I did it unintentionally. But for Neil to use that kind of informal speech, it looks like you’ve become very close.”

A parent and child’s conversation has started.

“Guuh! No, we’re talking about Father right now-ssu! Even if it’s a joke, why are you attacking with a sword all of a sudden-ssu?!”

“If it’s Tim-san’s disciple, it would be easily dodged, right?”

“Your point is strange! …Never mind-ssu. Sorry, Cathia-san. This person is my Father, Gale Raza-ssu. Please excuse his rudeness-ssu.”

“h.e.l.lo, Cathia-san. I am Raza Town’s feudal lord, Gale Raza. I got carried away, but thank you for going along with me.”

He’s surely an eccentric person.
He doesn’t have that wall caused by social disposition, he’s similar to Neil-san in terms of their relaxed atmosphere.
As for appearance, he’s an with pretty blonde hair and some wrinkles can be seen in his face.
He’s not young but’s he’s a good-looking man.
It’s not sarcasm since I don’t get that arrogant feeling from him.
‘No way, so unfair ikemen! Go explode!’ my previous self shouted.
For his attire, he’s wearing n.o.ble clothes loosely but not to the extent that it would be unsightly.

“Nice to meet you, I am Cathia Myers.”

For the time being, I’ll return the thing I received when I used the bare-hand stopping technique just now.
The true ident.i.ty of that white and green thing is actually leek, a vegetable of the same category as green onions.
A middle-aged man a.s.saulting a teenage girl with a green onion…yep, he’s not normal.
Don’t play around with food!

“Is Tim-san fine?”

Gale-san asked while spinning around the leek that I returned back to him.
Is he acquainted with Grandfather?

“You know Grandfather?”

Neil-san nodded twice while saying, “Yes, yes.”

“Yes we’re acquainted. I was in his debt a long time ago so when he retired, I more or less took advantage of it. I blocked all information on his whereabouts.”

“That is…thank you very much. You made it possible for him to spend his days peacefully until now. Grandfather is healthy even if his waist hurts.”

I’m really thankful that no unwelcome guest came to the mountain hut.
But monsters came though.

“Well, Tim-san did me a favor that I can’t ever repay. Don’t worry about it.”

Gale-san spoke while scratching his cheek.
It’s a gesture that Neil-san does, too.
They don’t resemble each other very much, but they’re parent and child after all.
Did Grandfather came to this land because he had a relation with his person?

“How long are you going to stand talking at the entrance? Let’s go to the dining hall-ssu. Come on, Father.”

Neil-san suggested and Gale-san nodded, too.

“That’s right. Cathia-dono, welcome to our home. Please be at ease.”

“Yes, thank you very much. I’m grateful for you favor.”

I pa.s.s through the entryway and followed after the two of them.
Woah, the carpet is so soft.
It’s fluffy.
I walked to the dining room while enjoying the feeling transmitted to the sole of my feet.