CH 141

Guild Onee-san

***---***

I returned to Volzard, had breakfast at the boarding house, and headed to the guild.

Because I wanted to collect various information in order to purchase iron.

Fleur-san would get mad at me again if I showed my face during a busy time and caused a ruckus, so I watched the situation from the shadows.

The front of the bulletin board was crowded again today, and Ridner and the others were among them.

It looked like they've finished dismantling the Scavengers.

Dismantling that large amount of scavengers was a big deal, wasn't it.

There was no sign of my classmates, neither in front of the crowded bulletin board, nor by the far wall.

Today was the day they had class in the garrison's auditorium, and they're going to hold a meeting about Sekiguchi-san, so I was told to show up.

However, I still hadn't been able to organize my thoughts on how to deal with Sekiguchi-san's death, so I decided to skip it again. I'm sorry Katou-sensei.

Sekiguchi-san and I were in different classes despite being in the same grade, so I had almost no contact with her.

I was shocked when I saw the body, probably because I didn't have any impressions other than meeting at the training ground, and I couldn't empathize with her, but I think the shock was greater when Funayama died.

I feel sorry for being late because I didn't have enough strength, but I've done my best, so why ... That's what I thought.

With that kind of feeling, regardless of whether I were to be criticized or defended, I didn't think I would be able to accept it.

I waited for the crowd to end while mofuing Mart-tachi and Nero, then, as usual, I emerged from the bottom of the stairs.

Since the question was about minerals, I approached the counter to talk to Tebez-san who appraised the ore, but for some reason Fleur-san caught me.

"Good morning, Kent-san. Please don't cause a ruckus this morning."

"Good morning. With that in mind, I waited until the congestion was over."

"That's an auspicious idea. Please keep it that way. So, what do you want this morning?"

Hmm ... I wonder why her atmosphere was so strong against me.

I'd like you to respond to me with a slightly clearer tone and a little more of a smile.

"Umm ... I'd like to purchase some iron, so I thought I'd ask to be taught various things ..."

"Iron ... is it? How much do you need?"

"Yes, about 50 corads ..."

"Huh? Did you say 50 corads?"

Huh, did I say something weird.

Fleur-san asks me back with a wide-eyed look.

"Umm ... How much does 1 corad weigh?"

"Huh? Were you trying to purchase without knowing the unit of weight?"

"Yes ... I'm sorry ..."

While surprised, Fleur-san explained the unit of weight.

The standard of weight is the seed of a nut called roud, and it was said that the weight of the fruit that had ripened and fallen from the tree was almost the same.

The weight of that was 1 roud. 1 corad was 1,000 roud, which was about 16kg based on my weight.

In other words, 50 corads was about 800 kilograms.

"To find such a large amount of iron, you would have to collect it from all over Volzard."

"Will there be enough if I collect it?"

"Are you serious?"

Uwaa ... She's looking at me with such cold eyes.

"No, I was just asking ... Ah, by the way, is 200,000 Rubles a reasonable price for 50 corads of iron?"

"200,000 Rubles ... Are you planning to sell it to Barshania?"

"N, no, I'm not planning that ... However, it's not impossible ... How many Burgs is 1 Ruble?"

"Kent-san, you weren't trying to trade without knowing the unit of weight and the unit of money, were you?"

"N, no way ... Surely, that kind of thing ... That's impossible, isn't it ..."

Uwaa ... I was looked at with even colder eyes, but Fleur-san still explained about Rubles.

1 Ruble was converted to 1.3 times the Burg, so 200,000 Rubles was said to be 260,000 Burgs.

Fleur-san kindly checked the market price of iron.

Yeah, I wouldn't complain if she was nicer to me, but this time it's my fault ...

"The current market price for iron is 4,800 Burg for 1 corad, so 50 corads is 240,000 Burgs, roughly 185,000 Rubles, so it's not a bad transaction price, but you have to consider the transportation costs. It would be a big deficit."

"Ah, I'll use dark magic to move it, so it's okay."

"Even so! Transporting such a large amount of iron to another country without permission is unforgivable!"

"Uuh ... But, in the first place, Volzard doesn't have 50 corads of iron, right?"

"It would be the same even if that were true. What are you going to use that large amount of iron for? No way, Kent-san, you're not a Barshanian spy, are you."

"Eeehhh ... It's different, it's different, okay. Something like me being a spy ..."

When I was getting flustered by Fleur-san's words, someone called out from behind.

"What, Kent, did you switch sides to Barshania? Then it can't be helped, I won't let you get close to Beatrice from now on, should I kick out your classmates as well?"

"Eeehhh ..."

When I turned around, Klaus-san was standing with his arms folded.

Yes, you'll take me to the office, I understand.

Anyway, Fleur-san, haven't you tortured me enough yet, puffing out her cheeks in dissatisfaction, isn't she a bit too cute.

Sitting face to face on the sofa in the office, Klaus-san started a different topic.

"Kent, what happened with the stupid Princes of Resenburg?"

"Yes, the Second Prince Bernst, and the Third Prince Christoph, were killed along with their entourage."

Klaus-san nodded in approval when I told him about the carnage during the Orc outbreak and about Camilla's succession to the faction and the throne.

"I told you to get rid of the idiot Princes, but in the first place, it's a domestic problem in Resenburg. If it can be cleaned up without getting your hands dirty, that's the best."

"Yes, to be honest, I'm kind of relieved."

"So, what's the purpose of transporting 50 corads of iron to Barshania?"

"Yes, to stop the invasion of Resenburg."

Klaus-san nodded when told why Barshania had made a secret pact with Margrave Calvine, about Havre Calvine's coup plan, and about the deal with Constant.

"I see ... Kilia and Jogesen, are they really willing to go so far. Certainly, if the two countries are combined, a great power will be created, but for the time being, they will be busy with domestic affairs, and probably won't be able to afford to attack other countries."

"Yes, Emperor Constant of Barshania seems to have read that there will be no sudden change in the situation, but he said that there is no reason to neglect preparations."

"Well, it's only natural if you're in charge of a country. If you want to get iron, and if your longtime enemy Resenburg is weak, it's not strange to think of putting them under your country's control."

"However, many people would be hurt in a war, and it would be undesirable for Volzard's neighboring country to be under Barshania's control, wouldn't it?"

"Well, let's see ... Even if we give them some iron, if Resenburg is waiting for them, I don't think they will be willing to cross the desert to attack."

Klaus-san turned his gaze to the ceiling and began to gather his thoughts.

He was probably considering future policies based on the information he just heard and the past situation.

"Alright, I'll allow the export of iron to Barshania. However, Volzard alone can't collect 50 corads of iron."

"Yes, I'm thinking about bringing it from Japan."

"Hmm ... Kent, is it easy to get iron in your country?"

"If I ask for 50 corads, will you get it right away?"

"Yes, I'm indebted to Volzard, so I think I can have it prepared as a token of my gratitude."

"Okay, I'll ask you for 50 corads of iron for Volzard. Of course, I'll pay you at the market price."

"No, I think it'll be fine if I tell them that it's for my classmates' living expenses."

"Is that so ... But, isn't it Kent, who is paying for their living expenses, who will benefit from that?"

"Eh, ah ... That's right. But, wouldn't it be nice if Volzard's expenses were reduced."

"Well, that's true ..."

Klaus-san cut off his words with a grin, and when he turned his gaze to me again, his expression tightened.

"By the way, Kent, I heard that one of the girls committed suicide."

"Yes, I didn't report that, I'm sorry."

"What's going on. Isn't it possible to return?"

"That's right, but ..."

Klaus-san let out a sigh with an exasperated expression when I told him about the circumstances involving Sekiguchi-san's suicide.

"Haa ... That's a story that's hard for me to understand."

"I'm sorry, I'm not strong enough ..."

"Don't say that. Kent, you're not the only one to blame. You're doing well enough. But the other guys ... No, some of the other guys aren't desperate enough, are they?"

"Yes, that's right."

When they were in Lastock, I think everyone was just desperate to survive, with the exception of Takayama and some classmates with high magical powers.

However, when they came to Volzard and thought that they would not be able to return to Japan, but they thought that they would have no trouble living, I think the tenseness suddenly loosened.

The uproar that caused Marcel-san's shop to burn down was probably caused by such carelessness, and the fact that there were people who were still wandering around without going to work was probably a manifestation of that.

"Needless to say, Volzard is a harsh environment facing the Devil's Forest. It's safe inside the ramparts, but it wouldn't be surprising if you were take a step outside and be attacked by monsters. Therefore, if all the residents don't work together, daily life will not be possible. Well, you understand, and I don't want to say anything like whipping a dead man, but they're fed, they have a place to live, and on top of that, they're assured to be able to go home, so why should they die? Shuuji-tachi, what are you doing?"

Klaus-san, as a parent with a daughter of the same age, was probably thinking about Sekiguchi-san's parents.

"Was the body returned to the family?"

"Yes, it seems that it was handed over to the family according to the procedure of the government office."

"Were you blamed?"

"No, because they haven't seen me ... directly ..."

Klaus-san seemed to have guessed the situation in Japan from my murky tone.

"I'm not obligated to say anything about other people, but blaming you would be no good."

"Well, I guess so, but ..."

"Kent ..."

"Yes, what is it?"

"No, there's something I should tell you ... Once you've settled the Barshania incident, you should just watch over Resenburg and focus on sending back those who want to go home."

"But, we have to proceed with the reparations and so on ... And the worry of the maximum outbreak hasn't gone away ..."

"You know, Kent. There's a limit to what one person can do. If you try to do everything and you collapse in that state, it will cause trouble for the people around you."

"But, if I don't do it, other people won't be able to move ..."

I kind of understand what Klaus-san was trying to say, but moving to Japan and moving to Lastock is a situation where other people can't help with it.

"Kent ... If I die right now, do you think the city of Volzard would collapse?"

"Ehh ... I think it would be a big fuss, but I don't think the city would collapse ..."

"Well, that's natural. Even if I die, most of the things about the city will be left in the paperwork, so it will be confusing, but another person will take over the job and normal life will return with time. But, Kent, what happens if you die?"

"Ehh, what if I die ...?"

I never thought about what would happen if I died, so I was at a loss for an answer.

"If you die, the other people will probably not be able to return to their original world. If you leave it to your genus, they may be able to exchange letters, but it will be impossible for people to come and go. Will your friends be able to live properly when that happens? Will they be able to negotiate with Resenburg? Will they be able to get in touch with officials from the original world? Are they prepared to be okay without you?"

"N, no ... it's not possible."

"Even if it's not you, you can use your genus to communicate with your original world. Isn't that the same as with Lastock?"

It's true that Klaus-san was right, if I asked one of my genus to do the role of being a messenger in my place, they could fully fulfill the role.

It may take a lot more time than if I personally visited, but to put it the other way around, I don't need to go directly to them for matters that aren't urgent.

"As for Barshania, if it weren't for you, we wouldn't be able to talk about it. The same goes for returning. However, for other miscellaneous tasks, create a system where someone can take over for you, and think about getting help."

"Yes, I understand."

Klaus-san gave me homework and left the office.

Isn't it better to hire someone like a secretary to manage my work.

Since I was at the guild, I decided to ask about it.

When I went down the stairs and headed towards the counter, Fleur-san locked me in her line of sight.

Is she equipped with something like an anti-Kent radar.

"Kent-san, did you get permission from Klaus-sama to export iron?"

"Yes, I got permission to do that."

"But, how are you going to prepare 50 corads of iron."

"Umm ... That, well, somehow ... It's okay."

"It's okay, is that really true? If the deal fails, it could become a big problem between Volzard and Barshania. Do you really not need help from the guild?"

"Yes, if I ask for it from a different place, it's probably fine, so don't worry."

If I ask the Japanese government, I will probably be able to prepare about 1 to 2 tons of iron.

I don't know how much the price will be, but if you say 240,000 Burg, you can buy about 20 Orc magic stones, which the Japanese government could sell it to for about 50 million Yen, so the amount should be fine.

Anyway, even though I answered that it would be fine without her help, why did Fleur-san look so dissatisfied.

"You really, really, don't need help, do you?"

"Yes, I'm fine with iron, but I'd like to talk to you about something else ..."

"Is there something else ... It can't be helped. What is it?"

Huh? Was it just my imagination that Fleur-san looked a little happy while saying it couldn't be helped.

"Umm ... Can I recruit someone like a secretary through the guild?"

"Secretary ... is it?"

"Yes, I'm a little busy with work, and I'd like to ask them to do something like managing schedules, sorting work, and communicating with others. It would be helpful to have someone who knows the situation of the country and the city, but ... How much do I have to pay to hire someone like that?"

"I see ... I understand. I will accept."

Flaur-san quickly answered my question.

"Huh? No, no, Fleur-san is a guild employee ..."

"It's okay, I will retire."

"Eeehhh ... I mean, I haven't even decided on the salary yet ..."

"Since the salary is fine ... Umm ... Permanent employment, please."

"Huh? Umm ... haa?"

While I couldn't fully understand the meaning of Fleur-san's words with blushing cheeks, a voice rose up from another place.

"Hey, Fleur! What are you talking about. It's forbidden to steal a march on us."

"Right, right. Kent-san, I will take care of that secretary story."

"No, no, I'd be better. My grandfather was from Barshania."

"Wait, I was the first to offer."

"That's why, didn't you promise not to steal a march on us!"

"Fleur, it was your aim to appeal to Kent-san by talking in a harsh tone!"

"Of course, if I don't appeal, I'll end up just being one of the crowd."

Including Fleur-san, the four female staff behind the counter started arguing with such momentum that it seemed like they could even start a fight.

"Umm ... Everyone, calm down ..."

"Kent-san, it's me, isn't it? I've taken care of you this whole time, haven't I."

"Hey, Fleur, don't jump to conclusions."

"Yes, Kent-san, if you choose me, I will serve you well."

"That poor chest is no good. If it's me, I'll satisfy you."

"No ... Managing my schedule ... I, I'll be back!"

Everyone lined up behind the counter looked like a herd of carnivorous beasts, and I involuntarily put out a shield of darkness and ran away.

"Aaahhh ... Wait!"

"Hey, you just ran away!"

"It's because Fleur was stealing a march."

"That's right, you were tempting him last time, weren't you."

"No, that was the button on my uniform ..."

"Fleur, aren't you getting fat again?"

"I told you, this cliff woman ...

"A cliff, you're so bloated!"

"Stop it, you guys ..."

"Shut up, old woman!"

"Alright ... it looks like you don't need your life ..."

The battle between the women that broke out at the counter seemed likely to continue for some time yet.

It was a promise of a different world to have a mufufu relationship with a guild's receptionist, but being attacked by a herd of carnivorous beasts was a bit different.

"Uwaa ... Scary, what's going on?"

[ Buhahaha, they're probably aiming for Kent-sama's riches. ]

"My riches? Ah, I wonder if the guild staff know how much money has been transferred to my account."

[ Well, I don't know if they know the amount, but they do know about the Salamanders, Gigawolves, and the possession of a large amount of magic stones. ]

"Eeehhh ... So, that Fleur-san's cold attitude was calculated too?"

[ Buhahaha, in any case, why don't you hire them all together and let them serve you? ]

"If I do that, the chairman will be disgusted with me."

I thought that I would be able to recruit someone like a secretary at the guild, but I was troubled.

For the time being, I decided to shelve the secretary story and go to the Investigation Headquarters to ask for the iron.

But, I was worried about what happened to the bashing there.

When I timidly peeked into the Investigation Headquarters, the desks were cleaned up, and it looked as if the Investigation Headquarters had been dismantled.

Under Sudou-san's instructions, more and more luggage was carried out.

I stepped out of the way and called out to Sudou-san.

"Umm, Sudou-san, this is ..."

"Ah, Kokubu-kun, you're here. As you can see, we're moving."

"Are you moving?"

"Yes, we're moving. By the way, Kokubu-kun, can you go to the place marked on a map with the movement method of lurking in the shadows?"

"Umm ... I can move to places I've been to in the past, as long as I can see it, so if it's not that far away, I can do it while looking at a map."

"Then, you can move without being detected by the media?"

"Yes, that's fine."

"Then, I'm sorry, but could you move here? Kajikawa-kun and the others should already be gone."

"Eh, here ..."

The location shown on the map was about 500 meters south of Toubu Nerima Station on the Toubu Toujou line.

It was the Ground Self-Defense Force's Nerima garrison.