Isekai Nonbiri Sozai Saishu Seikatsu - Chapter 118

“Now, let’s take all my stuff out of storage.”

Just as Lumia said, Klaus returned to town three days later, and he had been fulfilling a nomination request at the guild.

After, he promptly took me out of the inn and marched me to the apothecary shop.

“Yeah, yeah, I got it,” I replied.

Klaus placed the trunk on the floor and crossed his arms.

It seems he won’t be at ease until I properly display the shop’s goods.

I hope he calms down once he’s settled in after returning, but it seems he can’t relax when something usual is missing from the shop.

With Klaus keeping a close watch, I carefully took out materials and herbs stored in bottles from the magic bag.

“Hmm, as expected of the magic bag. It hasn’t degraded,” Klaus said, checking each item and putting them back in their original places.

Since it’s boring to just silently take things out, I tried to start a conversation with Klaus.

“So, what happened after that?”

“Someone meddled unnecessarily, I was dragged to a party and forced to have tea with some noble’s daughter,” Klaus said with a bitter expression.

I thought he would just spend time leisurely at the mansion, but it turned out to be a more interesting turn of events than expected.

Surely, Nelge or Solange set it up, worrying about Klaus, who is still unmarried.

I thought they just wanted to spend more time with their big brother, but it seems there were other intentions.

“Oh! How was that?”

“It was boring, filled with meaningless chatter. Even when they brought up topics, I couldn’t give proper responses due to the lack of knowledge,” Klaus said with disappointment.

“Oh, I see…”

Klaus’s merciless words made me groan.

Setting up a tea party with Klaus implies they’re from a respectable family, after all. Klaus seems to have a strict judgment even towards such people who lack education.

“What did she look like?”

“Nothing special. She seemed a bit childish though.”

I wanted to ask more about her appearance or what impression she made, but expecting Klaus to engage in such conversation would be futile.

“But Klaus, aren’t you also a noble? Don’t you have any concerns about being the heir?”

“I’m not going to be the head of the family or anything.”

So Klaus has siblings other than himself, and they must be quite capable. But just because he’s not going to be the head doesn’t mean he can escape marriage.

He doesn’t seem eager to talk about his family in detail, so I’ll refrain from prying further.

“You seem quite interested in marriage, huh? You’re also a B-rank adventurer with a decent title. Shall I arrange a marriage proposal with a merchant’s daughter for you?”

As I pondered this, Klaus approached me with a genuinely pleasant smile.

Klaus seems like a noble from a good family, so it’s terrifyingly plausible.

“…No, I’ll pass.”

“Oh? Why is that?”

“I still want to roam freely and gather materials.”

While I’m not entirely uninterested in getting married, right now, I want to enjoy my newly started life. If I settle down, I might not be able to freely gather materials like I do now.

“I feel the same. There’s still a lot to research. Let’s not overthink it.”

Is this a threat against conspiring with Nelge and Solange? While we didn’t conspire this time, I could sympathize with Klaus’s reason for being alone, and there was an unfamiliar pressure, so I decided to nod in agreement.

♦ ♦ ♦

As soon as the confirmation of goods was done, I was kicked out of Klaus’ shop and had made my way to the Adventurer’s Guild.

I had kept today free for Klaus, so I was just casually looking over the requests for some information gathering.

Lately, I’ve had regular clients who provide named requests, which is quite appreciated, but they always seem to request the same materials.

I enjoy gathering materials, but I’d like to explore new places and materials as well.

“Oh, it’s Shuu!”

As I scanned the bulletin board, someone called out my name.

Turning around, I saw Leona the beastkin, Erik the elf, and Razzo the human.

“We heard you went on a trip, but you’re back now?”

“Yes, just a little while ago. Haven’t seen you three around lately, though. Did you have a request or something?”

Even when they came to deliver souvenirs or while doing named requests, I hadn’t seen these three.

“Oh yeah, this time there were monsters ravaging the fields in a village in the countryside, so we were busy dealing with them.”

“Which village was that?”

“It’s Ilze Village. Why, something wrong?”

I felt relieved upon hearing Razzo’s puzzled expression.

“Sorry, I thought it might be Fermi Village where I have connections, and I got worried.”

“Oh, I totally get that. When requests come from your hometown, it’s natural to worry.”

Leona sympathized with me, understanding my concerns.

Fermi Village holds fond memories for me, as it’s where I was treated kindly when I first arrived in this world. I owe them enough to rush over if something happened.

Well, it’s best if such situations never arise.

“For now, it seems like we’ve all wrapped up our tasks, so how about we grab a drink today?”

“That sounds great!”

Originally, I had just come today for some information gathering. It would be quicker to catch up with the three of them while having a fun conversation.

“Oh, Shuu-san! I found you here!”

As I was about to head towards the table at the tavern attached to the guild, I heard Rabis’s voice.

“It seems like she needs something from me, so I’ll go see what it is.”

“Uh, yeah.”

For the time being, I let Razzo and the others sit first and then walked over to Rabis.

“To think you’d be here after searching everywhere…”

Rabis spoke with sweat on her forehead, sounding fatigued.

It seems he had some business with me and had been searching around the town.

Whatever it was he was in such a hurry for seemed a bit concerning.

“So, what did you need me for?”

“It’s a letter from Lord Carlisle for you.”

“Oh, really? Again?”

It’s not like I dislike lords themselves; in fact, I tend to have a favorable impression of them. However, meeting important people tends to be somewhat mentally exhausting.

If possible, he’s not someone I particularly want to meet.

“He says he has something to discuss with you. I made sure to deliver it properly!”

Emphasizing that he had fulfilled his duty, Rabis handed over the letter.

He seemed relieved, as if freed from the obligation of receiving a letter from a noble.

He must have something he wants to discuss in person. Most likely, he wants some specific materials.

For now, I need to open the letter to confirm if it’s an urgent matter that requires immediate attention.

Glancing through it quickly, the typically formal language of nobility was there as usual.

In summary, it was a request to come to the mansion immediately as there’s something he wants to discuss. If I show this emblem, I can request a high-class carriage, and the lord will cover the expenses.

The fact that they’re skipping even the effort of sending a carriage to fetch me must mean they’re pressed for time.

Given all this, I have no choice but to head there promptly.

Unfortunately, I’ll have to cancel the drinking session with Razzo and the others.

“Shuu, finished with your business?”

As I headed towards the tavern, Razzo and the others were already eating and drinking.

“Sorry, I’ve been summoned by the lord, so I have to postpone our drinking session…”

“Whoa, being summoned by the lord, that’s impressive.”

“…Well, it’s only natural for someone of B-rank. After all, Shuu is strong enough to defeat a Red Dragon. Don’t worry about us and go.”

“What’s with you, Shu! You’re saying you can’t drink with me?!”

As if to shatter Erik’s kindness, Leona shouted in a voice that lacked any moderation.

Upon closer inspection, her face was flushed, and she seemed thoroughly drunk.

Despite enthusiastically responding, I had to cancel. Leona’s frustration was understandable.

“Ah, come on, even if you can’t hold your liquor, at least consider the pace.”

“I’m not drunk!”

“Everyone says that when they’re drunk.”

“…You don’t have to worry about Leona.”

“Thank you. As compensation, I’ll treat you next time.”

“Hey! I’m looking forward to it!”

With Razzo and Erik seeing me off as they comforted the drunken Leona, I left the Adventurer’s Guild behind.