The reception room of the Ragbalt branch of the Adventurers Guild – a simple but essential room for guild operations.
A man stood there, bowing deeply.
"I am Alphons Bailitz, the guild branch manager of this town. I am honored that someone like you would come to this remote place."
The person the branch manager was humbling himself before was a girl sitting across from him on the sofa, legs thrown up on the desk in an impudent manner – Sheena, the Witch of Absolute Zero.
"Remote? This town of Ragbalt is small, but the districts are neatly organized, which makes it easy to walk around. And I like that nobles don't strut around here like they do in the royal capital."
The branch manager was intimidated by Sheena's arrogant and insolent words.
But he couldn't possibly complain. She was an S-rank adventurer – no, even that title was an insult to her – after all, she held the title of "Witch," which only a few people in the world possessed.
Her authority was such that even the royal family couldn't easily oppose her.
"Will you be staying in this town for a while?"
To the branch manager's respectful question, Sheena shrugged languidly.
"Hmm, I'm even thinking of settling down here permanently. I haven't decided yet, though."
Hearing those words, the branch manager's eyes widened in surprise.
For such a great figure as the Witch of Absolute Zero to consider settling down in such a remote town… It would not only be a stimulus for the adventurers belonging to the guild, but could potentially cause a commotion that would turn the whole town upside down.
"Even so… why this town?"
When the branch manager asked hesitantly, Sheena blushed slightly and pouted her lips.
"...Because I found someone I could see myself spending my life with."
Even the branch manager couldn't hide his surprise at this. Sheena was fidgeting, as if she'd blurted something out. He never imagined she had this side to her.
"If it's someone acknowledged by Lady Sheena… they must be a great hero or a legendary figure."
"Hmm? Well, they're so unfathomable that I can't even compare. In the first place, they might be on a level that someone like me can't even measure."
The branch manager became even more confused by those casually spoken words. Could there be a person in this country with enough power to make the Witch say such a thing...?
As he was pondering, Alphons, the branch manager, looked up as if he had suddenly come up with a good idea.
"Since you're here… if it's not too much trouble, would you consider giving some simple guidance to the adventurers belonging to this Ragbalt branch?"
As he said it, he himself thought it was a reckless proposal.
He expected to be turned down. But if the townspeople could interact directly with the Witch of Absolute Zero, it would be a great stimulus for their future growth.
However, contrary to the branch manager's expectations, which were half-hopeful and half-resigned, Sheena immediately replied with a smile.
"Sure, why not? My skills have been getting rusty lately anyway. I was thinking of beating someone up to let off some steam after a long time."
"...H-ha... T-that is, a-a great honor...!"
The branch manager broke out in a cold sweat at the completely unexpected consent. Maybe he shouldn't have said anything.
He didn't know that the Witch of Absolute Zero was such an unconventional person. He just hoped that nothing would happen to the adventurers of Ragbalt...
◆
I woke up feeling refreshed, close to noon.
Because of my lazy personality, I've made a personal rule to "go to work once every three days," but today I just didn't feel like it.
"Well, I guess I can take a day off. The best part about being self-employed is that you only have to go when you want to. Being self-employed is the best!"
I muttered to myself as I lazily got out of bed.
Recently, it's become a daily routine to check if Sheena is trespassing in my house when I wake up. I looked up – it seemed like the traps I set up today didn't go off, and there was no sign of intrusion.
"Alright... finally alone."
Sheena would come to my house for days on end, perhaps because she was bored, or she would suddenly stop coming altogether.
I wondered what kind of job she had that made her so unpredictable. Well, I wasn't interested in what she usually did, so it didn't matter.
Well, I didn't have anything particular to do, so I thought I'd relax and read a book I recently got.
"First, I'll make some coffee... and then I'll have a reading session on the veranda."
I decided to take it easy today. I'll get back to work tomorrow – and started preparing the coffee equipment right away.
"I'll use these medium-roasted beans today. The water temperature should be a little higher... yeah, I'll let them steam like this..."
As I lightly poured hot water over the beans and let them steam, bubbles popped up, and a fragrant aroma rose.
Ah, this moment is the best. If I had a cup like this during the hellish labor of my previous life, I might have been a little more motivated... or so I thought.
I sat on a small chair on the veranda, with the afternoon sun faintly on my back, and sipped the freshly dripped coffee.
In my hand was a thick book.
It was a novel labeled as fantasy, but... for some reason, the civilization that appeared in it felt more familiar to me, from my previous life, than something from this world's imagination.
There were stories of a versatile energy called electricity, and vehicles that moved by the power of steam. The weapons were also strangely modern, which made me curious.
"Well, I guess there's no point in worrying about the details."
I muttered self-deprecatingly and turned the page.
Even though I was just following a string of letters, the scenes spread clearly in my mind. For me, who had been reincarnated into another world, it felt like a familiar world view rather than a fantasy... but the story was purely well-written, and I couldn't stop reading.
Before I knew it, I had forgotten the passage of time and was engrossed in reading. When I finally looked up, the orange sunset had already begun to dye the town.
"...Whoa, it's already this late. I'm getting hungry."
I stretched lightly and loosened my stiff shoulders and back.
Did I ever concentrate this much on reading in my previous life? No, back then I was working until the last train every day, so I didn't even have the time to pick up a book. Thinking about it, it's a luxury to be able to immerse myself in reading as much as I want now.
"Well, being able to spend time doing what I like is the best... Alright, I'll make a proper meal today."
I lightly dusted off the veranda and moved to the kitchen in the room. The cherry tomatoes and herbs that I had taken the time to grow a little while ago were growing nicely, so I would use them if possible.
First, I plucked the cherry tomatoes, washed them, and cut them in half. When I slowly stir-fried them with garlic in a pot heated with olive oil, the sweet and sour aroma of the tomatoes wafted up. If I tore off the freshly picked basil leaves from the garden and added them, the dish would be instantly adorned with a vibrant green color.
"Next... add the minced onion, lightly salt and pepper... yeah, it smells good."
I also added bite-sized pieces of chicken to add a little flavor. While it was simmering over low heat, I could combine it with pasta boiled in a separate pot, or maybe make it into a soup. I might as well make both and save some for tomorrow morning.
I don't hate spending time cooking like this. I used to be too busy in my previous life and was addicted to eating out and convenience store meals, but since coming here, I've learned that "eating properly made food is good for the body."
Because of my past where I worked too hard and died, I've become quite careful about my health.
"Well, it's almost done..."
I took a wooden spatula to taste it, scooped up the sauce, and cooled it down. When I put it in my mouth, the refreshing flavor of tomato and basil spread gently.
Not bad. It was a simple but solid flavor created by my efficiency-loving nature inherited from my previous life.
"I'll toss it with pasta... yeah, I think I'll make a little more. If there's any left over, I can save it for tomorrow morning."
Thanks to gardening, I had plenty of ingredients, so even if I made more than I thought, it wouldn't be a problem.
"Alright, let's finish it up..."
As I said that and turned off the heat under the pot, I suddenly heard a sniffling sound from behind me.
"Wow, that smells good. You have some for me too, right?"
When I turned around, Sheena was standing in the doorway of the kitchen before I knew it. I thought I had blocked all the places she could use as an entrance.
Comments
Post a Comment