CH 96.8

「Fuumu, that isn’t under my jurisdiction. Foolish younger brother, give them something.」

「Understood. What do the two of you like? I’m personally grateful to both of you.」

When Sawadi Slayra turned and smiled, which neither looked forced or fake, toward them and asked them what they wanted, the two ladies moved awkwardly as if they were casted with a hardening curse.

They exchanged glances with each other for a few seconds but it was the sheepkin Mamu who opened her mouth first.

「A-ano! I want to be a great adventurer like Pickles-san desu! That’s why, I was wondering if I can have a special weapon like Pickles-san……」

「A special weapon like Pickles’ hard bow? No problem. I’ll tell Chicken about it and we can talk about it later.」

Yes, yes, as a warrior, it is natural to seek superior weapons.

Both his excellency Alex and former Major Slayra have a “well, that’s about right” look on their faces.

「Thank you very much!」

「Tashiba?」

「Yeah, I want……」

Tashiba couldn’t think of anything. It was normal since she had been asked for a reward out of nowhere. She looked up in the sky and started to get lost…..

I remembered what she said she wanted before.

「Oi, don’t you want a second name?」

When I whispered that to her, she looked aghast.

「Ah, right…..that, master, I want a second name if I could……」

「Second name? Is that all you want?」

「Yes!」

It’s not uncommon and I hear it from time to time that commoners give their children names that were given to them by stingy nobles in exchange for rewards……

Not many people would go out of their way to give themselves a nickname.

Hearing that, both his excellency Alex and former Major Slayra looked at her curiously, as if they were looking at something strange.

However, Sawadi Slayra didn’t seem to think any different.

He has a serious expression and he’s clearly thinking about it.

「Even if you don’t ask me, I think everyone will address you as such. I know just the right word to describe someone like Tashiba and Mamu.」

「Really? What?」

「It’s mentor(coach), someone who teaches others. Thus, you are Coach Tashiba.」

「Coach, coach, is it……! Thank you very much!」

I guess I’ve been completely poisoned by the air of the Slayra family……or rather the Schenker family.

These days, I no longer care much if Sawadi Slayra suddenly says something that doesn’t make sense.

What’s with that coach thing? Is there really a word like that? I’m honestly wondering.

I’ve come to feel that it’s only natural for someone who commits crazy crimes or creates crazy big monsters to say crazy things.

I’m an ordinary person so trying to understand a genius is just exhausting.

Also, I’m not under any order to understand Sawadi Slayra.

「So, Mamu is going back to being an adventurer, right? What about Tashiba?」

「I’m going to continue being a coach! I think there are a lot of people who want to play baseball in Torquiva! I want to teach the joy of baseball to all kinds of people! 」

「Hmm, do that kind of work for me then. At least you have a good track record.」

「Yes!」

The smile on Tashiba’s face was so good that I wanted to paint it down and put it on my wall. Also, I was very satisfied with the result.

And so, my long, long year in the sh*thole(Torquiva) was finally coming to an end.

Many things happened but all’s well that ends well.

Me and my partner, East, had accomplished our mission without fail and one of us had been promoted.

Looking at the results alone, it was a great success.

Now, I’m a little nervous about next year.

-0-

Sawadi Slayra gave me a case of alcohol, which is said to be popular among the women in the capital, as a reward for giving away my prize to his subordinates. I also brought souvenirs for my mother and little sister.

I think I’ll take the time to talk to my dad……since I brought baseball as a souvenir.

On the train leaving Torquiva, I stared at the high, high sky of the countryside where I had spent…..one year while eating the lunch Sawadi Slayra handed me.

Outside the window, white snow was beginning to flicker, just as when I first arrived in this city.