I’m Back in the Other World? Chapter 49

Chapter 49 – A Scene at the Guild

On the morning of the following day, I was at the Adventurers’ Guild.

What am I doing here you ask?

I was ‘looking up’ at the commissions you see.

Right, the wooden tags are lined up on the surface of a wall representing guild commissions.

The lower ones have a height of one meter and the upper ones have a height of almost over two meters, the wooden tags are arranged with regular intervals.

When I initially registered, while being buried by adventurers that came to search for commissions, I somehow found a gap so I could search but…1

I wonder when ‘that’ started?

When I came searching for commissions, I realized the adventurers cleared out an opening and I could look at the commissions from the very front.

Thanks to that, I was also able to slowly search for commissions just like that.

The upper ones?

Since I have a good eyesight, I wasn’t worried about seeing them.

When I tried take the commissions by the upper area, an unknown adventurer would pick up that wooden tag and pa.s.s it to me.

Since I had to ask someone at the reception each and every time at first, I was saved a considerable amount of trouble.

To treat a stranger like me kindly, I thought ‘adventurers sure have a strong feeling of fellows.h.i.+p’.

I had thought adventurers were mostly rude people, but it looks like it’s necessary for me to correct that viewpoint ne.

So because of that, I’m currently searching for commissions at the front row.

 

 

―――――A certain (female) adventurer’s perspective―――――

Ah, that kid, also came today na.

Before my eyes, is a small girl that shouldn’t even reach 140cm.2

A girl with very long, black hair, which is unusual around this area.

The first time I saw that kid, was a month ago I think?

I remember being terribly surprised at that time.

 

 

On that day, I came to the guild as usual, I met up with my comrades and was going to receive a commission.

My comrades, a female archer who I’d been together with since becoming an adventurer, and a male warrior and tiger beastman that we’ve somehow mobilized together with after occasionally joining up for commission, a gathering of four people.

When we found a reasonable commission and brought it to the reception, that girl turned up.

At the most crowded period in the morning, a girl that appeared around 7 years old appeared in the guild.

My eyes were first charmed by that black hair.

Tied up by a ribbon, its length could reach her knees, her straight black hair freely swayed.

The hair gave off a glossy radiance as it was struck by the morning light, just like the stars decorating the night sky, was what I thought.

I wonder what it feels like to touch it. I’d like to try touch it, was what I thought.

Next, my eyes looked towards her facial features.

A slender outline, though its slender, the eyebrows can be clearly seen. Those perfectly round eyes, with a blackness that could suck you up by looking at it. A straight bridged, small nose3. Small lips with a pink complexion.

Those well balanced arrangements, it’s makes her look slightly mature, but those cute features are suitable for that small body.4

Bishoujo.

If there were ten people, everyone, well I wouldn’t go with that, surely eight people would think, bishoujo.

The remaining two people? I think it’s their preferences.

That girl, her cheeks are slightly flushed with excitement.

Cute…!

I was captivated.

Then a question immediately came to mind, why did this girl come to this kind of place.

This place is the Adventurers’ Guild. A place where many ruffians gather, they’re by no means outlaws, but it can’t be said they have good manners.

The young girl that appeared in this sort of place, ignored the surrounding gazes and directly approached the reception.

A commission huh…?

I thought it would’ve been nice if we could accept it, but we’re already in the middle of applying for this current commission at the reception. I awfully regretted it.

But still, my curiosity surged as I wondered what sort of commission it’ll be, so I listened in on the conversation between the young girl and the receptionist.

「Good morning. I came for the registration exam.」

Like a rolling bell, it was a cute voice.

No, that’s not it!

The conversation I’m listening to right now, I don’t believe my ears.

This, small girl, is taking the registration exam?

Ahh, that’s right. Thinking back, there was a time I was also like that.

I yearned for the thing called an adventurer, when I saw an adventurer for the first time, I immediately thought to myself, ‘I want to become an adventurer’.

I guess perhaps she couldn’t contain it anymore, and unconsciously rushed into the guild.

However, as I was thinking of such things, I couldn’t believe the receptionist’s next words.

「Yes, here is the commission for your exam. Please ask if you have any questions.」

Wait wait wait wait! No matter how you look at it, she doesn’t even look 10 years old right!?

The registration for the guild, there’s a rule where you if you’re not of age, you won’t be able to do it right?

Doesn’t this young girl not meet the requirements to take the exams!?5

However, as if the young girl and the receptionist didn’t notice my surprise, they continued their conversation.

「Well then, I’m off!」

That girl, said her farewell with an energetic voice, and left.

As I was dumbfounded, I met the gazes of the other adventurers who were in the same state that saw that…

For a short time after that, we didn’t move. No, or should I say, we couldn’t move.

The adventurers that happened to come accept commissions that didn’t know the situation, looked at us with odd eyes as we stayed like that for awhile. Coming back to my senses, I unintentionally shouted at the receptionist the girl talked to.

「Oi, what’s the meaning of testing that girl from just now!? No matter how I see it, she doesn’t meet the registration criteria! To allow that child to take the exam, what do you plan to do if something happens!」

The surrounding adventurers nod at my comment while looking at the receptionist.

However, the woman at the reception had a troubled expression, then made a surprising comment.

「Please calm down. I understand your feels but…, it’s been confirmed by the guild as well as my superiors. She fulfils the registration criteria. Even I didn’t believe it but…」

What, was that… So that means she’s 15 years or older? Being that small!?

I can’t believe it, however, the guild has said they’ve confirmed it.

The guild has no reason to lie. So that means it should be true.

Because an unfamiliar adventurer near me shouted「a legal little girl!」while I was still in shock, I unintentionally sent him flying but, well, there shouldn’t be a problem.

 

 

In the following days, I began seeing her in the guild.

It seems she completed the exam without any problems and officially became an adventurer.

It was then I happened to notice it by chance.

When I was looking at the commissions hanging on the wall as usual, I had a feeling I heard things like「au」and「can’t see」from behind me.

When I inadvertently looked back, pyonpyon, a small head jumping up and down came into view.

When I checked, it was that girl.

I’m guessing she wanted to see the commissions, she was franticly jumping up and down behind the lined up adventurers.

Without thinking, I s.h.i.+fted my body to make s.p.a.ce, pulled the girl’s hand and dragged her forwards.

The girl had a ‘I don’t understand what just happened’ sort of facial expression, but when she understood the situation, she looked up at me and,

「Thank you very much.」

said those words while smiling.

「N-No, it’s not a big deal.」

That was the best I could answer.

What is this, this throbbing? What’s happened to me!?

When I somehow calmed down after repeating deep breaths over and over, once again, I noticed that girl jumping up and down.

It appears she wants to pick a commission on the upper area.

Even when that small girl stretched out her arm, she couldn’t reach the commissions lined up at the very top.

She stretched out her arms and jumped up and down, but she’s unable to grab it even though her hand could reach it.

When I grabbed the wooden tag the girl was reaching out to and pa.s.sed it to her, she seemed slightly surprised, but immediately, she said,

「Again, thank you very much. How kind ne.」

with a limp smile.

She carried the wooden tag and ran over towards the reception with a patapata sound, but I, who remained, was unable to move from that spot.

Perhaps, no, it’s certain my face is completely red.

I unintentionally raised my head towards the ceiling, and prayed to the G.o.d I didn’t believe in.

「Aah, G.o.d… My thanks…」

Afterwards, my comrades got angry and said ‘how long are you going to look at the commissions for’, but you could say it wasn’t worth worrying about for the current me.6

 

 

From then on, whenever I happened to see her by the commission board, I would casually lend a hand.

When the other adventurers saw this, before I realized, they would also help her out.

I couldn’t tolerate others seeing that smile of hers, but since it’s to help her, I had no choice but to endure.

And today as well, there’s a figure of a single adventurer in front of the commission board looking up towards the ceiling.

In front of the commission board, I stared at one of the commissions.

On that wooden tag,「Escort: Round trip to Fluud　5 People　Reward: 40 silvers　Time frame: Departure on the 30th　Rank: D」was written.

The town of Fluud located two days north from the Royal Capital, it’s a large city to some degree. A round trip would be 4 days. We shouldn’t be staying over there for long either. And the reward isn’t too bad…

Also, more than anything else, it means I can go to the other towns.

I may have forgotten about it, but my objective is to find a method to return to j.a.pan.

I’m currently earning funds in the Royal Capital for my journey, but I think eventually, I’d like to leave for my journey.

Right, isn’t this perfect for a rehearsal?

I decided to take this commission, I took the wooden tag and went towards the reception.

 

 

「I’d like to accept this commission.」

I handed over the wooden tag to Airi-san (the usual receptionist onee-san, I asked for her name) who was at the counter, and learned the details of the commission.

「An escort ne. Since the departure is in on the 30th, you won’t be able to accept other commissions if you accept this one now, will that be okay?」

Today is the 28th, in other words, there’s a period of two days.

「Yes, it’s alright.」

It’s my first outing. I want to properly prepare.

「I understand. Well then, the commission has been accepted. The departure is on the 30th at 4 koku. Please go to depot number three in front of the eastern gate before then. The journey is four days and you’ll stay there for one day. Since the meals during the journey must be prepared by each individual, please take care ne. This is the certification of acceptance. The client is a merchant named Afgar Vesta」

I accepted the wooden tag containing the guild’s emblem, then immediately left for town in order to purchase the necessary items.

 

 

After making rounds through town, I returned home after purchasing various things.

Eh? What did I buy, you ask?

First I bought wheat flour for the sake of making cookies and bread to subst.i.tute as snacks. The reserves have also decreased considerably ne. I also bought raisins and walnuts in order to make variations.

The other purchases are b.u.t.ter and milk, and also a large quant.i.ty of cheese.

Having cream cheese between cookies is also delicious, isn’t it?

I also plan to make honeyed lemons for when I’m worn out.

Lemon peel cookies and bread would be good as well ne. They also go well with tea.

In addition, I also purchased things like spices and herbs that have considerably diminished.

As well as various jams and marmalades too.

Eh? What about magic tools for the journey, it’s nothing but food, you say? I didn’t want to nee, magic tools were ready for me when I became an adventurer you know7? There’s no need to specially buy new ones anyway.

Besides, I wouldn’t be able to endure having dull meals during the journey you know? It’s four days as well.

Meals are the foundation for everything you know?

I sorted out the things I bought, then immediately began the preparations.

First is the bread ne. Since there are the breads I baked yesterday, today I’ll make walnut bread.

Breaking the walnut sh.e.l.ls and taking out the contents from within, I then heated them up in the oven.

I made the bread dough during that time.

I took out the heated walnuts from the oven and let it cool.

The walnuts were thoroughly mixed into the dough by kneading, then kneaded again, I struck it occasionally in order to let the air out, then kneaded it again.

knead knead knead knead, bash bash, knead knead knead…

After I finished kneading, the later steps are the same as ordinary bread.

I left it alone in order for it to ferment, then started making cookies.

mix mix mix, knead knead knead.

I put in the raisins, then kneaded again.

I laid it in the refrigerator after the batter was ready.

Next is to make cream cheese.

I picked up the milk and heated it with fresh cream and cheese.8

I squeezed a cooled lemon… Oh, I’ll have this squeezed skin made into lemon peels.

I lightly mixed it, then filtered it with a cloth to separate it…

It was then placed in the fridge to cool down.

I prepared the skin that was set on the side for making lemon peels… was what I planned, but there’s not enough lemon skin. A further two, three lemons were squeezed, then it was mixed with honey and placed in the refrigerator.

I start making the skins into lemon peels.

I repeatedly washed them several times, then I cut them into strips and sprinkled sugar over it.

Next will be to leave it until tomorrow, and it’ll be completed.

It’s about time the first fermentation has completed, so I continued the work on the walnut bread.

I de-ga.s.sed it and teared them up into small pieces, then arranged them into shapes.

I let them ferment for a little after I arranged them into shapes, de-ga.s.sed it again, then I shaped them and allowed it to ferment for a second time.

I retrieved the cookie batter, that was left to ferment, and teared them into suitable sizes then started to evenly spread them out.

After briefly spreading them out, I threw them into the oven.

Until the time they’re baked, I drank some honeyed lemon, and waited.

I took out the baked cookies then placed them on a plate.

Now then, until the walnut bread’s secondary fermentation has completed, I should go take a look at Garam-san’s place.

 

 

Conclusion…… as expected of Garam-san.

Although it’s a little crooked, there was an ice tray to make small ice cubes, and an ice tray to make large ice cubes.

I gave my grat.i.tude to the grumbling Garam-san, as I was about to return, because he said ‘the craftsman in me wants to see the results of my work’, it was decided he would come over to my house in the evening.

I’ll go home and set the ice immediately.

 

 

When returned home, I set the ice tray in the freezer, then began finis.h.i.+ng up the walnut bread.

I painted the surface with egg wash then threw it into the oven.

With the time it takes to bake, I cleaned up…9

 

 

I stored away the completed walnut bread and cookies and finished up cleaning, when I was about to begin dinner preparations, Garam-san turned up.

I lead him to the dining room, placed a plate in front of him, then I took out a knife and shaved the ice.

Garam-san didn’t do anything and was completely expressionless, when I finished shaving two portions worth of ice, I transferred it into a cup (there was nothing handy) then poured jam on it.10

「Oi jou-chan, what the h.e.l.l is this? You eat ice?」

Garam-san was bewildered from his first time seeing shaved ice.

「It’s called shaved ice. It’s cold and matches well with jam you know.」

I take a mouthful of it with a spoon and eat it.

Un, it’s shaved ice.

If I had to say, I’d ideally want syrup in place of this but…

Aah, perhaps pouring honeyed lemon might also be good.

Watching me deliciously eating, it seems Garam-san decided to eat as well.

「n…? This is…」

Garam-san immediately ate his next mouthful.

「Ah, Garam-san. If you rush like that…」

It seems I was too late.

「UAA, my head…!」

He groaned while holding onto his temple.

「That will happen if you eat something cold in one go you know. Please eat slowly, to the extent it where it won’t melt.」

He nodded at my words and timidly put it in his mouth.

Garam-san easily ate it all.

「At the beginning I thought ‘who the h.e.l.l would eat ice’, but… This fella would be nice on a hot day na.」

It seems he liked it.

「I think other things like jam and marmalade would also go well with it. You can have fun by adding your favourites to it.」

「I see… However, I was surprised at the time you suddenly came to request this weird object… Jou-chan sure comes up with unusual things na.」

How impolite ne.

「Isn’t there that suspicious magic tool dealer-san? Hey, it’s at a place two streets away from the main street. This freezer was found there you know? And so I wanted to eat it…」

「Aah, that hobby place huh…. So another unusual thing was found…」

Huh? That magic tool dealer-san, could he be quite famous?

「By the way Garam-san, honestly, if there was a tool like this, it would be even easier to make shaved ice but…」

Saying that, I drew a picture of an ice shaving machine while explaining it to Garam-san.

I showed a simple picture of a ice shaving machine with a handle on the top turning while pressing down, and an edged tool attached to the bottom.

「Hou, this structure might be interesting. So, you want me to make this?」

「That’s not it nee, I didn’t say such a thing. I only said it would be easier to make shaved ice if I had this.」

「Hmph, well let’s just pretend it was like that. Aight then, I can’t say I’ll be able to immediately make it but, I’ll have a try and make it as an experiment.」

Oh? Did Garam-san actually really like the shaved ice?

「Ah, I’ll also be leaving for a commission after the 30th for four days.」

「If that’s the case, I’ll create a prototype before you come back.」

Ooh, I’ll have something to look forward to when I come back.

Garam-san returned with high spirits.

 

 

When I continued with the dinner preparations after Garam-san left, the Prince turned up as usual.

Finished with dinner, while drinking some after meal tea, I reported to the Prince about the commission on the 30th~ lasting for four days and I’d be absent.

The Prince grumbled about losing something to look forward to for five days but, to begin with, the Prince only decided on his own to come and eat.

Well, when I said I should return by evening on the fourth day, he became a little better.