Chapter 34

I was given a name.

Although I didn't like it much that it was Hiro who came up with it, it was Gustav who suggested using it as a name.

I should think of Gustav as my name-giver.

I don't like it much, but if I think of it that way, it's probably fine.

I don't like it much, though.

“Ah, sorry for interrupting. Please continue.”

By the way, Hiro and Riko were in the middle of a job consultation. I reminded them to continue before I forgot.

“Is there really a waist in a story…?”

“It means stopping the story in the middle.”

Hiro's whisper to Riko was endearing. Gustav snorted when he saw them.

“So, that guy… wants a job because he was saved by a crow?”

My name being used right away, it's still hard to get used to. It feels unreal.

“Ah, yeah. We also want the power to help ourselves. We can't use magic like a crow, but if we can earn money, we can manage somehow. We want to do something.”

“We think we can do something. We want to be able to think about tomorrow with a smile without causing trouble to others.”

“Do what you can… huh…”

Gustav turned around.

Perhaps he didn't want Hiro and Riko to see his expression. However, the side of his face visible from the side seemed to be smiling.

“Well, it's common for people to change their minds when they're about to die, but you guys are too extreme.”

When he turned back to Hiro and Riko, his expression was back to neutral.

He must not want his smile to be seen. I quietly chuckled, and a protesting glance was sent my way. Hiro and Riko probably didn't notice.

“Can you pay the fee?”

When Gustav said this, Hiro and Riko froze. They hadn't thought about it at all, apparently.

“How much do we need?”

“It depends on the job I introduce, but… let's say two copper coins.”

“Huh? That much?”

Riko exclaimed in surprise.

“Well, that's about it. It can be higher or lower depending on the job. The issue is what you can do. What can you do?”

Gustav said this and silently stared at Hiro and Riko.

The scene felt like an interview, and I couldn't help but feel a bit amused.

“I can run fast.”

Hiro said this almost shouting.

“I can run as fast as a thief, not losing to adults, and I can run through a crowd without bumping into anyone.”

He said this with a heavy breath, puffed out his chest, and then fell silent.

Surely, that was the end of his pitch.

“I can… what?”

It was supposed to be Riko's turn, but it didn't seem to be.

“…I don't have any special skills. I'm not as strong as Hiro, and I can't use magic like Crow. But…”

He paused, thinking hard.

He must be trying to think of something he has, something he might be better at than others.

“…Well, deciding the distribution and storage of food with Hiro was my job. …I think I can plan things.”

Gustav, who had been listening to the two of them silently, closed one eye and spoke.

“You two, that's all you can do?”

He folded his arms and thought. What should I interpret this as?

Is he considering rejecting them? Or is he thinking about what jobs to introduce?

I can't tell.

“Anyway, come back tomorrow. I'll think of something by then.”

The answer was positive.

“Is that okay?”

“Have I ever refused a deal for reasons other than payment?”

He said this to Riko, as if to advise her. Indeed, this shopkeeper will do anything for money.

“But the payment…”

Hiro was interrupted, and Gustav continued.

“I'll take a part of the reward you receive. That should be fine.”

“But that…”

“It's better for me too, so I don't miss out.”

Then, he smiled at them, probably for the first time.

“See you, Crow… san”

“See you, Crow-kun”

The consultation was settled.

Apparently, they will be introduced to some workplace tomorrow. It's a job.

To prepare for tomorrow, they left early to rest.

“Is it unusual to allow payment later?”

“Huh? Ah…”

If payment later was possible, the previous situation would have been quite different.

Specifically, Riko's medicine could have been handled on the spot. If they had been allowed to pay in installments, they could have managed to pay three silver coins.

“It's no big deal.”

“Again, you're being kind.”

I praised him, but Gustav's expression didn't change.

“I can get more money by taking a part of the reward over a longer period than by getting a few copper coins. That's all.”

“…I see.”

Probably the truth.

“By the way, those two will be employed now, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Does that mean they will be apprentices at some store?”

“Broadly speaking, yes.”

Gustav nodded as if it was obvious.

But if that's the case, there's a question.

When I asked about employment before, apprenticeships at stores other than family businesses were only for adults.

However, they are clearly not adults.

“Since they're not adults, they shouldn't be able to get jobs, right?”

“Ah, that’s it.”

He opened a bottle and answered while bringing it to his mouth.

“It's simple. They're not actually employed by the store.”

“…What do you mean?”

I asked Gustav, who took a sip of water, for more details. Is it something easy to understand?

“They're helpers sent from my pebble shop.”

“Are they employed by the pebble shop, and as part of their job, they go to the store to help and bring back their wages?”

“That's right. You catch on quick.”

I see. They are employed as dispatched workers.

Then, what about me?

“Just so you know, you're not useful.”

“…Why not?”

My words were preempted and crushed. Why can't I do it?

“Because you're too small.”

Again, it's an age issue. I sighed.

“But if that's the case, Hiro and Riko…”

“Hiro and Riko… Ah, that's right, we were in the middle of that conversation.”

What conversation?

“Last time, I said you could become an explorer in five years.”

“Oh, that conversation.”

It was a conversation that had been left hanging after Riko's three-day fever and the incident with the guards. I had been worried about it, but I had forgotten about it.

“How old do you think Hiro and Riko are?”

“…Seven or eight years old…?”

They were a bit older than me. I had always thought so.

But thinking about it, I realize that I, as a child of this age, speak and act more maturely than most.

Could it be?

“They're about eleven years old.”

“Really?”

They look young, no, they look like children…?

“Kids who live in poverty like that are usually small.”

“Well, that's true…”

I remembered Riko's thin, small body when I touched her stomach. Indeed, her ribs were prominent.

“So they look younger than their actual age. Rather, it's abnormal for you to be growing normally.”

“…Is it a food issue…?”

I don't think I've ever gone hungry.

“It might be. Well, you could probably pass for eight or nine years old without anyone noticing.”

“So, when I get a bit older…”

“Yes, it should be possible to join the Explorer's Guild.”

Good news.

I thought I had to wait five years, but it can be shortened.

Soon, I can look down on ordinary citizens.

It's a small goal when said out loud, but it's close to my life goal for now.

The time to reach that goal has been shortened. I should be happy.

Seeing my beaming face, Gustav's expression softened.

Hiro and Riko should smile more openly too.

Coughing once, Gustav returned to his neutral expression.

“Getting back to the topic, go to the hideout as soon as possible, preferably today or tomorrow.”

Is the smile over? Maybe it's only for long-term acquaintances, but he's a person with a changeable expression.

“I understand. Just to be safe, I'll go now.”

I have a vague memory of the map to the hideout. I'm not sure, but I should be able to find it when I get there.

“Yeah, do that.”

He said this as if giving an order and then picked up a bundle of documents to put them away in the warehouse.

But I still have one more thing to ask. I called out to his profile.

“Ah, and there's one thing I need you to get for me.”

“What is it?”

Gustav turned around while holding the documents.

I have two weeks of free time.

I should use this opportunity to study various things.

Gustav promised to bring the item to the hideout once he got it.

It looks like I'll have a good time to kill.