Chapter 55 – The Heavy Smoker and the Wheat Reaper (13)
Early in the morning when the sun rises. We headed to the Inn Mutarat’s Children. It was to say hello to Mr. Bainya and to bring Franc’s luggage that he had left at the inn.
“Ah, Fran is here?”
When I arrived at the inn, Mr. Beinya was washing the inn bed sheets and hanging them out. I thought this was the most leisure time for the innkeeper, but he had been working since morning.
“Yeah. Hello, Mr. Bainya.”
Frank gulped down his saliva nervously. On the way back, I also asked if I could speak for her, but Fran refused, saying it was her job.
Frank, who took a deep breath and calmed down, spoke with a clear pronunciation.
“Miss Beyna. I came today because I have something to tell you.”
With those words, Fran started talking.
The fact that he was thinking of moving an inn to stay with me, and his gratitude for being indebted to him until now.
“—So. From now on, I don’t think I’ll be able to stay at the Beinha family’s inn. I’m really sorry.”
Swoop-.
Frank bowed deeply and apologized.
Truth be told, Mr. Bainha had never been of much help to Fran. He mediated between me and Fran, but other than that, he paid for what he was paid for.
However, it is also true that Mr. Bainya took care of Fran like a daughter without knowing it. So Fran came to say hello like this.
“Whoops. So? I’m sorry, but I can’t help it.”
Mr. Bainya laughed after hearing the story.
“We don’t have a storage room or a double room in our house. Because it is an inn that accepts people who work alone as guests. So, I was thinking that one day, Fran, you too would leave.”
“Mr. Bainya…”
Frank’s voice was a bit watery. Seeing that, Mr. Beinha patted Fran’s head.
“Fran, there is nothing to feel guilty about. Working at an inn is also parting with people. You and I will only get tired if we use our emotions one by one in these things.”
“Yes Yes…”
“Euggu. What if I even cried? Fran, do you know how awkward it is to meet again by chance on the street after breaking up like this?”
“Sorry…”
The tear gland was a difficult part for humans to control. Fran sniffed as she wiped away the tears that flowed like chicken droppings.
“I’ll come see Mr. Beinya and Mr. Uncle from time to time.”
“No, don’t do that. When parting, it is better to part cleanly, leaving only the wish to meet again.”
Mr. Bainya said firmly.
“If you, Fran, visited me so often and one day suddenly stopped showing your face without saying a word, how would I feel?”
“Ah…”
“You don’t know what the future holds for people. So, from the beginning, let’s just leave the thought, ‘He must be doing well somewhere’. Life is too long to live caring about the person you broke up with.”
“… Yes. I’ll keep that in mind.”
Mr. Beinha spoke to me while stroking the weeping Fran’s hair as if brushing it.
“I won’t tell you word by word. Do you remember what I said last time?”
“Yes.”
“Yes. That’s it. Even a child who seemed to be a child for the rest of his life leaves for another family someday. Just like our sons and daughters.”
Ms. Bainya grinned and pushed her Franc on the back.
“Come on, Fran. If you’ve found a place to stay, I’m satisfied. But, can I come to see you when something really worth bragging about happens?”
─Sigh.
Fran, who stole her nose, straightened her expression and nodded her head. She had a slightly messed up face, but a relieved smile.
“──Beinya-san, how are you!”
“Yes. Good luck both of you.”
So we left Mutarat’s children behind. Returning to Sam’s Shelter Inn, I looked back one last time.
This inn was where Frank and I had our first experiences. Perhaps I will never forget this place for the rest of my life.
Anyway, it is fortunate that this place remains as a good memory for Fran.
Mr. Bainya said that, but she will make sure to visit us from time to time.
***
Over the next three days, I completed the thesis.
It would have been completed faster if I had focused on producing the thesis at all, but it was delayed a little because I received requests every day and worked.
The quest he carried out was not a bronze promotion quest, but an iron class quest. These are the things I chose to eat and live on. Like collecting herbs or clearing the streets of rubbish.
The reason I received the iron class request without taking the promotion test was because Fran, who knew my circumstances, waited for me.
“I’ll wait until Norr finishes his thesis.”
As Fran said, he helped me with my work every night by buying me snacks and tea. It feels like a mother cutting fruit for her son who is studying all night.
“Tahheuk.”
Thanks to my girlfriend’s meticulous care, I finished my thesis while sleeping 4 hours a day. It would be foolish to just fulfill the promotion standards and then continue to do low-level requests.
In fact, in the meantime, I tried to go to counseling about the happening that happened during sex with Fran.
-It’s okay if I go alone!
But for some reason, Fran was stubborn and refused to accompany me, saying that she would go alone.
I could guess why I was shy, so I didn’t force myself. If you went with me to the doctor, it would be no different than saying, “I had sex with this person.”
In the end, Frank went to the temple alone.
“What did they say at the temple?”
“Yes. I heard about it, but there is no problem.”
Frank was embarrassed by my question and recited the results of her treatment.
“There is a difference of opinion even among therapists, but that… It’s not impossible for the nursery to move. You could still get sick, so he said to take healing magic or be careful.”
Fran, fidgeting, had to be somewhere, triggering the excitement of her Juggiconda. She was patient though, so she persevered.
‘I’ll finish the thesis first.’
Since all the urgent fires were turned off, it was time to focus on my main job.
By the way, I went down to the first floor to write the thesis so as not to disturb Fran’s sleep. It was because it was common for inns in other worlds to not clear tables even after business hours were over.
“Boss. I don’t know what you’re working so hard on, but why don’t you come here too?”
When I tried to use only one candle, the peddlers who had not slept and played card games called me.
“Heh. In a few days, I’ll finish my work and then I’ll join you.”
“Eh. At that time, we are also busy, so we can’t play like this.”
“It’s a pity. There must be something else that will touch you.”
Anyway, rejecting the devil’s invitation—playing in another world was not much fun, so it was easy to refuse——for several days to write.
“It’s done!”
It was a thesis that started from the day the ruins were discovered and was completed over 12 days.
The finished thesis was pretty decent, except for the self-praise. It may not be as good as the masterpiece I wrote before, but it is enough for a regular report.
The main content was the return of the beast and the consideration of the relationship between Erinn, Ulster, and Britannia. It’s a pity that I couldn’t attach the evidence, but it was okay for something that was made hastily.
‘Fuck. It’s embarrassing to think that Dana might read it.’
It was my first field work thesis, so I became more attached to it without knowing it. After wrapping up my thesis, I went to the transport guild after completing the request I had booked that day.
In order to hide his identity, of course he wore Arthur Wayne’s costume.
“Please send this document here to the Department of Archaeology of Carmine University in Einhir.”
Vector – When asked to speak solemnly, the peddler answered with a gulp.
“Ah, going to Einhir would cost a little more…”
“It doesn’t matter. Please.”
I paid a pretty high amount, but I didn’t mind. If you pay for a short time like this, you can get 2 silver every month, but the person who doesn’t is an idiot.
“All right. There’s a carriage that’s leaving this evening, can I ask for it?”
“Good. It is better to go quickly if possible. Please with that.”
“Yes. Received.”
Drooling—.
I left the transport guild after confirming that the papers were well packaged and properly loaded onto the transport wagon.
“Write… Faaaaa…”
After finishing the work that had been pushed back, I let out a deep sigh with the feeling that I was finally freed.
‘Fuck it’s finally over. It’s been too long.’
It has been roughly two weeks since I came to Sargadis.
There were a lot of things like this, but it felt like I had finally taken the first step towards my goal.
‘The bronze promotion is just around the corner. I don’t have to worry about the thesis for the time being.’
If I pass this test and wear bronze, I should increase my mana and receive subjugation quests.
Like the last time, I changed my costume in a secluded place and returned to the inn after taking care of myself.
“Franc. I’m gone.”
“Ah, it was hard.”
Fran, who was cleaning the harvesting tools, saw me and tried to get up, so I raised her hand to dry it.
“Just sit down. It’s hard getting up every time I go out.”
“No, what. I do it because I want to do it. Unless I hate Nord, I will do it every time.”
While saying that, Fran rubbed her cheek against my chest. Seriously, he’s like a puppy sometimes. Except for the no-bra breasts that touch Juji.
“Puuuuu…”
As I lay down on the bed, Fran jumped on top of me. Lying on top of my chest, Fran listened to my chest as if listening to my heartbeat. The softness of her thighs brushing against the stiffly standing Juji is mesmerizing.
─Suddenly.
He stroked Frank’s hair. Touching her breasts was because Fran’s switch went in. Fran’s hair has the taste of stroking it. It’s like touching a skein of silk, so my mind is calmed down.
“Franc. I’m thinking of buying equipment first when the research funds come out at the end of the year, do you need anything?”
I asked as I buried my head in the pillow.
At the end of each year, individual research funds are supported. Unlike the monthly salary of 2 silver, a lot of money comes in, but field workers can turn this into their personal equipment under the name of ‘exploration of ruins’.
“How much does it cost?”
“I’ll have to accept it, but… About 10 silver?”
“That’s a lot. Are you giving all that big money to people who are field scholars?”
Fran asked with a confused face. It may be that there is no sense of reality, or it may be that I have been carried away by being held in my arms.
Anyway, it is normal to be surprised because it is an amount of about 10 million won. That’s not a lot of money considering the money the archaeological community makes each year.
“Hehe. Archeology has a lot of money. Why? Fran, did you want to be a scholar too?”
“Can’t you make a scholar’s wife instead of a scholar?”
“It’s just like being cold in the winter and hot in the summer, of course.”
“Really? Thanks, Nor. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
─ Side.
Fran kissed me on the nape of the neck and lay down next to me. I also turned around and gave Fran an arm pillow. To me who had awakened mana, the weight of Fran’s head was an acceptable weight for me to rest on all day long.
Fran looked into my eyes and asked.
“What kind of equipment? Weapon?”
“Whatever. It’s okay to change the lantern, and since it’s winter, it’s good to buy good cold protection.”
“Why don’t we decide after seeing the promotion test request?”
“Since research funds come out at the end of the year, we should put off the promotion for a long time, right?”
“Then let Norr buy whatever he wants. If you go to the guild tomorrow and accept the request, you’ll come up with something you’ll need… It’s okay.”
My hand accidentally touched Fran’s chest. Fran looked at my expression and she laughed and pulled her top over her chest.
─Rumble.
Immaculate big breasts were exposed under the light of the lantern. As ever, it was a pink areola with no pigmentation to be found.
“Our Norr really likes breasts.”
Fran laughed and hugged me and buried me in her chest. Without resisting, I caught my breath, buried in my voluptuous chest.
***
After a good night’s sleep, I went to the guild.
“I want to take the Bronze Class Promotion Test.”
When I went to the reception desk and said that, the receptionist pulled out a folder and spread some papers on the reception table.
“Mr. Eitrinen, Mr. Nord. The promotion test quests that you two can choose now are as follows.”
There were only 3 requests. Among the bronze class quests, it was a quest that selected those with an appropriate level of difficulty.
1. Eliminate the goblins in Aralbin Village.
2. Wagon escort to Haysbent.
3. Eliminate and collect Todustool
After looking through the request form, I sighed inwardly at the high pay. All of them exceeded the basic 20 Cooper.
This was because all the quests were not finished in a day or two. The request to go to a rural village to find and defeat goblins cost 50 copper, but I knew it would take 3 days on foot.
‘As written in Professor Brahmaton’s book.’
The proper contents of the professor’s book began with the request of bronze or higher. The knowledge I already knew would not be defeated by quite a few bronze class adventurers.
According to the book, unlike the idiots whose basic one-day requests are, requests of bronze or higher often travel long distances.
People who are not desperate use the iron class, but for serious requests or important matters, it is better to hire an adventurer of the lowest bronze class.
That seems to be the basic common sense of the people of this world.
─Glance.
I looked at Fran and asked for his opinion without speaking. Frank, who is fluent in Britannia, asked while reading the request.
“Here, this ‘Wagon Escort to Haysbent’ departs tomorrow, so I can get it, right?”
“Yes. It was not closed because there were no applicants.”
“Ugh. It doesn’t look bad, but why… ?”
Fran was puzzled while reading the request. I got nervous too and went back to the back of the franc.
“Look where you are.”
“Ruler.”
Fran, showing the request document over his shoulder.
The commission fee… Is it 20 Cooper? It’s a two-day round trip, and the way back after staying in the city for a day is also an escort.
The daily rate is about 6 coopers. As the saying goes, it’s a pretty decent reward for a bronze request.
The risk is also low. In the field, it is rare to fight monsters. At least they are kobolds, and kobolds are just advanced rats that don’t carry disease.
But the request that came up three days ago still remains today? What kind of bad rumors is this peddler?
At that time, the receptionist, who had been quiet, gave an explanation.
“Recently, gangs of bandits attacking peddlers have been rampant, so escort requests are often rejected.”
“The thieves… What?”
Frank frowned at the receptionist’s words.
According to the classification of the adventurer’s guild, francs belong to thieves, but thieves and bandits have very different nuances.
‘Sif’, which Fran belongs to, is like a job in a fantasy game, so it is treated as a dexterous person in many ways, while ‘Bandit’, which has a different meaning, is treated as a humanoid monster. This is how people from other worlds perceive thieves.
If you dig historically, there are many reasons, but it was a long and boring story, so I roughly accepted it as a kind of another world culture and threw it out.
‘Anyway, I didn’t expect you to tell us why.’
Doesn’t the guild want you to accept the request? Why are you helping the tigers not get caught? To my questioning gaze, the receptionist spoke as if he was familiar.
“This is an order from the guild leader. I am conveying this because you asked the adventurers to be properly notified of this situation.”
Aha. It looks like it’s being peeled from above.
The receptionist continued talking to me in silence.
“It is believed that the thieves who were active near Haysbent flowed to Sargadis. A peddler on the first day, an adventurer on the second day, and a wagon yesterday. A lot of damage is being done.”
“If you include the unreported, there will be more.”
At my words, the receptionist nodded expressionlessly. It’s not a casual expression. It was not to express personal feelings about the death written on the request.
That might be the secret to a long run as a receptionist. Frank probably would have suffered a lot if he had become a receptionist. I sighed and put down the request.
“Because of the thieves, adventurers are avoiding this request. Encountering thieves in the field is as dangerous as they are outnumbered… Sun… ?”
As I spoke, I shivered from the chill rising from my back.
Wait a minute. What the fuck did you just say?
Don’t say what I said That’s what the receptionist said. Wasn’t there something, something that could never be overlooked?
“… Wait. Can you repeat the list of victims you mentioned earlier?”
“Yeah? Oh, yes.”
The receptionist pushed up his glasses and read the paper.
“The first day is a peddler, the second day an adventurer, and yesterday a wagon. Excluding unreported incidents and victims in Haysbent, it strikes passers-by once a day.”
Transport wagon.
= Transport Guild.
Yesterday, as Arthur Wayne, I entrusted my thesis to Carmine University. Didn’t the peddler say that then? I asked if you would leave it in the carriage that departs tonight.
Quite a few peddlers set off at night and try to arrive at their destination in the morning. Even more so if it’s close by. He must have gone to Haysbent, a day’s drive away, and tried to hand over the shipment to the next delivery man.
So I asked for it to be done.
My thesis departed yesterday and went to Haysbent.
More precisely——it was ‘going’.
“… Det?”
I realized with a clear head that there was not a single question left.
The thieves had stolen the wagon containing my thesis.
