Episode 74

It was dinnertime, and Lord Goral returned to the mansion.

And we were to discuss that particular property.

The topic would be brought up at the dinner table. Lord Goral glanced over at us.

“Faik… I’ve heard. Is that property acceptable?”

“…Yes. I plan to go with that place. Have you checked Refy’s report?”

“Yeah, I’ve looked at it…. However… there are ghosts.”

Lord Goral said that hesitantly.

He had his usual intimidating expression, but his face was pale, which halved that effect.

“We had them continue the investigation even after the report was filed… It seems there’s no particular problem.”

Alicia said that in my stead.

Compared to before, Alicia had become enthusiastic about that property.

The reason was likely thanks to the report.

Lord Goral put a hand to his chin as if thinking, then slowly nodded.

“Understood…. Indeed, if not for the rumors, I would have recommended that property too. Let’s go with that place.”

“Ah, thank you!”

“But… it would be troublesome if something happens. If any abnormalities appear, you must leave the place immediately.”

“Of course. Alicia will protect us without fail.”

“…That’s true. But you too, Faik. If something happens…”

Lord Goral said that while looking away.

…I was glad that Lord Goral worried about me as well, but,

“Father. You could worry about him more properly.”

“…Quiet, Alicia. Now then, Faik, I’ll proceed with the purchase paperwork on my end.”

“Understood, thank you very much.”

I bowed deeply.

Yes! This was all thanks to Refy and the soldiers who carried out the investigation.

I’ll have to thank everyone later.

After dinner, my head was full of thoughts about that blacksmith workshop.

I was going to run a business there.

There was no way I wouldn’t be excited.

“That’s great, Faik.”

Did it show on my face? Alicia, sitting beside me, smiled.

I felt a little embarrassed. It might have been a bit childish.

“Yeah. Lord Goral’s permission came through, so it looks like we can secure the shop safely.”

“That’s right. We’ll have to work even harder from here.”

“Indeed.”

We’d been given such a property.

I certainly couldn’t say I had failed.

From now on, I could only do my best so that both the shop and my studies as a noble would go well.

For that, I needed to put in a lot of effort.

“Ah, that’s right. Once the shop is decided, we need to go to the Blacksmith Guild to obtain a business license.”

“That’s right.”

The Blacksmith Guild is the organization that oversees blacksmiths in each town.

There are also merchant guilds and the like, and Rig has probably joined those as well.

By registering with the Blacksmith Guild, you can obtain a license to operate the shop.

For buying and selling at the market, an application to the Blacksmith Guild isn’t necessary.

We pay an entrance fee to the market each time, which serves as a substitute payment for that lack of permit.

In any case, if you’re going to have a shop, it’s better to have those matters in order.

Also, if I register with the Blacksmith Guild, they can promote my shop to adventurers’ and merchant guilds.

They can post on the Adventurers’ Guild’s job board that our shop has opened for a certain period.

“The sooner the better, right? Shall we try going as soon as tomorrow?”

“Then, spend the day tomorrow on that and… if we have spare time, maybe a date… How about it?”

“Yeah. Let’s take it easy and have some fun for once.”

When I answered that, Alicia smiled happily.

When running a shop, it’s better to belong to either the Blacksmith Guild or the Merchant Guild.

However, which one you choose depends on the person.

In my case, either the Blacksmith or Merchant Guild would be fine, but since I don’t intend to act as a merchant, registering only with the Blacksmith Guild should be sufficient.

The next day.

Alicia and I headed for the Blacksmith Guild, walking down Adventurer Street.

Of course, soldiers were near us so they could respond at any time if something happened.

Because of that, we attracted attention from the people around us, much like before.

The Blacksmith Guild is near Adventurer Street, so the heavy foot traffic including adventurers was another reason we drew attention.

Some people seemed to know that Alicia was a duke’s daughter, and I could see them whispering.

Rumors about Alicia and me had probably spread completely by now.

Perhaps because of that, the soldiers’ expressions were tenser than usual.

You never know when or where someone might attack… Well, I hadn’t heard of such violent incidents, but it’s not that the possibility of that happening is zero.

“I’m sorry. We’re causing you extra trouble.”

When I spoke to the nearby soldier out of consideration, he looked at me with surprise.

“Huh? Oh, n-no, don’t worry! This is our job, and we’ll do anything for Lord Faik and Lady Alicia!”

The young man said that with a smile.

What, that much? Not only that soldier, but the others were smiling similarly.

“We’ve been guarding Lady Alicia closely, so we’ve been watching over her for a long time.”

“That’s right. So we’re glad to see Lady Alicia looking happy now!”

“So, please continue to look after her from now on too!”

“D-don’t say weird things!”

Alicia yelled, her face bright red, and the soldiers chuckled and moved a little farther away.

“You’re well-liked, Alicia.”

“…It’s not like that…. Anyway, Faik, study at being a noble.”

“…Ah, right.”

I remembered my earlier attitude toward the soldier and scratched my head.

That earlier attitude was incorrect for a noble.

That’s probably why the soldiers reacted with a bit of surprise.

It was then, as I reaffirmed that I had to be careful from now on,

some familiar-faced men were walking toward us from across the way.

It was Ivas and Weather.

They seemed to notice us too and approached with smiles.