CH 94

[Hey, old man. I’d like to have a little talk with Sophie after closing. Is that okay?]

[Hmm? Oh, Lars? If it’s you, sure.]

His response was sluggish, as if he was in a daze.

He was usually more energetic, so I was curious if something had happened at the inn.

[What’s wrong? Are you worried about something?]

If there was trouble, Gandalf would have reported it. I can’t imagine what’s going on.

He crossed his arms and growled, which I didn’t like, but I stared at his face and waited for him to speak. After a torturous time, he finally opened his heavy mouth.

[You’re annoying! Well you know, I have my moments. Maybe I’m feeling lonely because the Yang I knew is gone. The Village Chief is gone, and some people took the money and left. Maybe I’m finally realizing what you meant about change.]

I realized now that it wasn’t just me and Sophie who were confused by Yang’s change, but also our Pops. No, they’ve lived here for a long time, so the shock must be even greater than ours.

Especially since the village chief is no longer there and the nobles now rule directly. Living under the watchful eye of an authority figure who holds life and death in his hands is unimaginably tense from what we’ve been used to.

And it was me, no one else, who made that change.

I may have been resented by someone, but I don’t regret it. Because if I hadn’t acted, it would have been worse. Still, as one of the people involved in changing Yang, I felt responsible.

[Oh, come on, don’t give me that look! Thanks to Lars’ arrival, the dungeon was discovered and more and more people came to visit Yang. A village that was just a place for travelers to take a break is now growing. I don’t hold it against anyone, not even anyone.]

[But it has changed.]

[You’re an idiot. Nothing stays the same in this world. Besides, this is a chance to make some money. For some reason, the aristocracy is cooperating, so we have no choice but to take advantage of this wave.]

The fact that he said it jokingly was probably because he was trying to impress me. I can understand that much.

Usually, you’re rude and your room is dirty. It’s not fair that Helmine is angry with you for not being deliberate, but you only show kindness in these situations. But I was saved.

[When you laugh, it looks like you’re threatening me.]

[Shut up. I see you’re back in form.]

We laughed aloud and lightly bumped our fists.

[We’re all staying here, except for a few. Let’s see what happens to Yang together.]

We can’t stop the change anymore, so it’s best to enjoy it and profit from it.