CH 81

Chapter 81: Visitor’s Request

It was a surprising person that visited me.

“Kon… hello” (in raw only have have Ko_n, I think she plan to say Konbawa ‘good evening’ but change to Haro ‘Hello’ )

It is the person we just met yesterday, she lower her head to greet us. 

Daughter of the Rencia village chief, she was called Renge-san, right?

“You are Renge-san, aren’t you, did you need something?” (Renge)

“Oh, no, I just want to talk a bit …”  (Arge)

“Oh my, girls talk? Well then, Satsuki-chan will withdraw to prepare tea, so I will not get in the way, and please put the tea on a suitable table”  (Satsuki)

“Sorry, Satsuki-san” (Renge)

“Nooo, because you always sell us good quality honey, this is just a small return favor. Well then ♪” (Satsuki)

Just like she said, Satsuki-san returned to the kitchen of the shop and prepared tea before arranging it on the table, and then she returned to the residential area.

I was left with Renge-san and Kizuha-chan, who always follow me.

Renge-san has a subtle look, staring at herself reflected in tea. She seems like worry about something.

Because I am not particularly in a hurry, drink tea slowly, wait for her to talk. Satsuki ‘s hands are amazing, this tea was so delicious.

And then, she start to talk.

“Attually … I want you to visit Rencia once more, so I came to ask.” (Renge)

“Once more? But we’re already there yesterday.” (Kuzuha)

“Yes …” (Renge)

When Kuzuha-chan asking, Renge-san nods with a low voice as if to be sorry.

She keeps talking while looking at me.

“… Um, after Akisame and Arge-san resolve Honey devourers problem and return, we have new problem occurred” (Renge)

“Ha, is that so?” (Arge)

There was nothing to be surprised with the word she told.

Kuzuha-chan already said and I also saw how strange the behavior of the honey devourers.

It can be convinced if the abnormal behavior of the honey devourers was caused by some kind of magic and skill that can manipulate living things like my blood contract.

“There are thieves who aim for honey … They magically manipulated the Honey Devourers and make them rampage. And honey devourers is just a distraction for them to steal honey …. I only notice yesterday … after you return” (Renge)

“Thieves …?” (Arge)

When I hear “thieves”, a bandit trio appear in my head, but it is probably different.

If that was Terrier Bandit Trio, they will not use trick like this to steal honey.

Or rather, those performers will proudly show up before us and pose their favourite pose while demand the honey.

But then that was a different thieves’s work.

“Please, return to Rencia one more time … Please help us” (Renge)

“Yes, I refuse” (Arge)

“…Eh?” (Renge)

“I said I refuse” (Arge)

I am sorry, but I am don’t want to do troublesome thing.

In the first place why am I supposed to do such a thing? I’m not a saint or a hero of juctice to help out everyone in trouble in this world.

I just came back just a while ago and I have not taken a nap yet. It is natural to refuse.

“Wa… wait a minute, Arge-san !?” (Kuzuha)

“I think that she should ask Akisame-san about something like that, because he can move soldiers, beside the capital also have mercenary guild, right?” (Arge)

“… It is certainly true just like you said.” (Kuzuha)

Kuzuha-chan who just stood up in a panic, is calming down with my words.

In other word. If problems arise, they should ask professionals or report them to the administration of their own country, there is a proper way.

Asking us such a thing even we met just yesterday. It is a pain.

“Well, about that … If I ask Akisame-sama, it will become a bigger problem. And since we are only a small village, we can’t afford to hire Lantz Knecht.” (ランツ・クネヒト: Rantsu kunehito) (Renge)

“Well, but I have nothing to do with it.” (Arge)

“Well, … we’re asking you, of course we will thank you properly …!” (Renge)

“Even if you tell me that you are thankful, I don’t have anything I want especially.” (Renge)

… She look just like she become depressed, this girl.

Something is strange about her.

The thing itself doesn’t seems to be a lie. If she rely on Akisame-san, it will become a bigger problem so she doesn’t want to bother him even he will happy to help. The product value of honey may be reduced, so I can also understand that there is not much money in a small village.

But something is wrong.

And if she want to, it is possible to rely on Satsuki-san.

Perhaps, I should ask Akisame-sama or someone to help her. 

“…about that, Arge-san” (Kuzuha)

“what is it?” (Arge)

“Somehow … she is asking you this far, I think I can help her in your place. If I solve it soon and return, I think that I can meet with the person Arge-san waiting for” (Kuzuha)

Apparently, Kuzuha-chan seems to misunderstand that I refuse to help Renge-san because I want to meet up with Zeno-kun here. Actually it is just troublesome and suspicious, but it is also troublesome to explain everything to Kuzuha-chan, so I will leave it alone.

However, it seems that Kuzuha-chan will go to Rencia even if I remain here.

I know about her high fighting power, so I do not think there is any problem if I let her go. But Renge-san’s appearance and behave is really strange. No matter what troubles may be awaiting, I can’t let a child go alone. I admit that Kuzha ‘s fighting power is high, but Kuzuha-chan is naive, she will easy to be tricked. I might be overthinking things but I’m worried about her.

“… Well … you said you will thank me, but what exactly is that?” (Arge)

“Uhm… I will repay with whatever I can do” (Renge)

“Well then … uhm … can you sell honey cheaper and give priority to this shop?” (Arge)

“… OK, I understand, my father would agree with that, we do not want to disgrace the village.” (Renge)

Satsuki-san so far has taken care of my lodging, meals, town guidance and much more.

The owner and the employees also said to me “you don’t have to worry about it”. But for me it has become something that I can call as a gratitude.

She is a trading partner of Satsuki-san. Help her here also mean in-direct help Satsuki-san shop, and I can use that to return my gratitude.

Although it is troublesome and there are something strange, and I also feel uneasy to let Kuzuha-chan go alone. Kuzuha-chan is strong and I also have my cheat skills to help her out, I don’t think we will have problem with just some thieves. Let’s do it quickly and return.”

“Okay, I agree. Let’s go to Rencia again” (Arge)

“Arge-san …!” (Kuzuha)

“Oh, thank you very much!!” (Renge)

“Renge-san, did you come here by a horse?” (Arge)

“Yes, I ride the fastest one in the village … because Kuro-san is with you, I think that I can find you here.” (Renge)

“That was nice, we will also use the horse, so please lead the way.” (Arge)

It was a day traveling by the carriage, but at that time it was a rather relaxing journey. Perhaps it is a concern for Akisame-san.

If we ride on Neguseo, we can move much faster than the other day. If we go now, we may arrive before night falls.

“One thing, I need to ask Satsuki-san leave my message for commercial guild before going, is that okay, Kuzuha-chan?” (Arge)

“I understand!” (Kuzuha)

I do not think it will take long, but there is a possibility that Zeno-kun will return early.

Satsuki-san said that she need to go to commercial guild and I let her where we are going and leave message to Zeno-kun if he return.

“Fu fu fu, after all, Arge-san is kind!” (Kuzuha)

“…  I don’t think that I’m kind …” (Arge)

I am not acting on behalf of Renge-san, so I feel it different from kindness.

My purpose is to say thank and repay Satsuki-san. Beside I worry about let a child like Kuzuha-chan go alone.

Because I help Renge-san for my own reasons, I think that is more like my selfishness than kindness, but Kuzuha-chan is somewhat happy.

Even if I explain, it will only ruin Kuzuha-chan’s mood, so I decided not to say anything.