Episode 4

However, after briefly observing the people around her, she shook her head.

“No, we’ll talk next time.”

I greeted her and returned to the inn with the people.

Just then, Mollo had arrived in front of the inn and was unloading his cargo.

Due to the large amount of orders, there were five carriages and several other merchants besides Mollo.

Each carriage was full of large loads, and even livestock such as cows, chickens, and donkeys followed in tow.

“Mr. Bertrand, hello.”

“Hello, Mr. Mollo. You’ve arrived not a moment too late.”

“For us brokers, credit is life. By the way, I hear the city’s been in a frenzy. Have the Golruks left?”

“That’s what they say.”

Mollo was astonished.

“Mr. Bertrand, you are truly fortunate. If the northern road opens, this place will flourish again like before, and you’ve already secured your spot.”

“That’s right indeed.”

A tremendous amount of cargo was successively brought into the inn.

Experienced merchants, without specific instructions from me, knew where to place the items.

Large items were placed in their proper places, and miscellaneous tools were sorted by function into boxes.

Large oak barrels containing liquor and beverages were rolled down to the basement.

The livestock was all herded into the stables attached to the main building of the inn.

It was a large stable and barn, perfect for housing the travelers’ horses and livestock.

Seeing these facilities, it was clear that the ‘Crossroads Troll Inn’ was once very prosperous.

Now that the conditions are the same as back then, it will soon become a bustling and lively inn again.

We unloaded all the cargo from the five large wagons and began the settlement process.

When I took out an Abyss gold coin from my pocket, Mollo was amazed.

“Carrying Abyss gold coins? Did you perhaps work as a public trader?”

Mollo took out all the money bags he had and calculated the change.

“Here you go. Count it.”

Mollo stacked the money in order of gold, silver, and copper on the flat driver’s seat.

After counting and confirming the amount was correct, I swept it into my bag.

“It’s been a while since I’ve had such a big transaction. Come back if you get the chance.”

“It’ll be quiet for a while. Even if the road opens now, traffic won’t increase sharply until it’s officially declared completely safe.”

“That makes sense. But it will surely prosper.”

“When that time comes, I’ll ask for your help again, Mr. Mollo.”

“Thank you.”

Mollo kindly offered to take away the broken furniture and trash that the cleaning workers had put out, filling his wagon with them.

Cleaning and organizing the items only finished late in the evening.

I paid the workers a little more than the agreed daily wage and sent them off.

Left alone, I looked around the hall.

The candelabras hanging from the walls and pillars dimly lit the hall, and the fireplace crackled with burning wood.

This quiet hall will be filled in a few weeks.

Tomorrow, I should ask Administrator Hildeba to find some employees in advance.

I’ll need a chef too, but I can handle it for now…

Looking at the framed paintings on the wall, the bare wall behind the bar bothered me.

After a moment of contemplation, I got a hammer and drove two nails into the wall at shoulder width.

Then, I carefully placed the Holy Sword, drawn from its scabbard, horizontally on the nails.

The Holy Sword was so ornate and beautiful that it served as a splendid decoration on its own without any embellishment.

Since no one but me could wield the Holy Sword, no one would be able to steal it even if left like this.

Very good.

When I went outside, a hunting dog that had been sniffing its food bowl in the kennel came out and wagged its tail.

The hunting dog, a Pointer breed, had white fur with various brown spots, long legs, and droopy ears.

This dog would guard the inn and occasionally accompany me on hunts.

To do that, it needs a name…

After a brief thought, a good name came to mind.

“From now on, you are Kali.”

Kali, the Goddess who protects hunters, was an appropriate name for a hunting dog.

“Kali.”

When I called the name, the dog tilted its head.

It was quite cute.

I went around the building and visited the stable.

The horses and donkeys were chewing hay together amicably, and the other livestock were lying down comfortably, barely acknowledging each other.

For now, with this scale, we can be self-sufficient with milk and eggs, but soon demand will increase, and we’ll have to buy more from outside.

Until then, I’ll count on you, fellas.

I checked the livestock’s feed troughs once more and returned to the inn.

The next day, I woke up early and went outside.

Kali, awakened by my footsteps, approached, wagging its tail.

When I went to the stable, the already awake livestock were staring at me blankly.

As I filled the feed troughs, Kali rambled around me energetically.

I rummaged through the straw on the floor and found a few eggs.

I carefully placed them in a basket and went to the cows.

I placed a tin bucket and sat on a low stool, milking each cow in turn.

The tin bucket soon filled to the brim with milk.

This milk can be drunk as is or used to make cheese.

If left alone, the yellow cream on top solidifies, and it’s a savory delicacy.

Kali lingered nearby.

“Do you want to drink milk too?”

I aimed the teat at Kali and squeezed, sending a stream of milk that hit Kali’s face.

Kali flinched at the milk shower, then opened its mouth wide and started licking up the milk.

I laughed out loud at the sight.

Too lazy for anything elaborate, I just cut some cheese, put it on bread, and headed to the Hall.

Entering the Hall, I saw Hildeba diligently writing something at her desk that morning.

“Administrator, good morning.”

“Mr. Bertrand? Welcome. I was about to visit you. Did everything go well?”

“Yes, thanks to you for finding people for me.”

“When they heard there was money, they all lined themselves up. I didn’t do much.”

Hildeba adjusted her glasses.

“But is there anything I can help you with?”

“Yes, I need an employee.”

“Hmm. I see… Is it urgent?”

“Why? Is there a problem?”

“The Golruks have stolen our provisions so often that we’re short on food for the spring. Everyone’s out in the fields. It’s a busy time, so I’m not sure who’ll volunteer to work.”

I see… It’s planting season.

Especially in impoverished Rosens, this time is crucial.

They need to survive until the city revives.

This is a bit troublesome…

Should I go to the big cities like Vue or Furibur?

But even if the northern road is open, who would want to work at an inn in Rosens at this point?

They’d only come once safety is assured and traffic increases.

“For now, please put up a notice. If no one responds, I’ll look in another city.”

“Got it. Oh, by the way, Mr. Bertrand.”

Hildeba asked,

“You weren’t at the inn the other day. Where did you go?”

The other day, I had thrown the Golruk leader’s head at the intersection and was holed up in my room sleeping…

I don’t intend to tell her the truth.

I came here to live my dream after retirement, not to be treated as a hero.

“I went fishing by the Buern River.”

“Oh…”

Hildeba sighed. Whether in relief or disappointment, I couldn’t tell.

“Why?”

“It’s nothing. I just thought…”

Hildeba trailed off.

“I’ll see if I can find anyone willing to work as you said.”

“Thank you, Administrator.”

As I was about to leave the Hall, Hildeba called out to me.

“Oh! And for your information, the guards from Vue will be here this afternoon. They’re coming to search if the Golruks have really left.”

The guards… So they’re coming to search…

“Do you know how many are coming?”

“About ten, I hear.”

That would be a squad.

The squad leader is probably a non-commissioned officer.

Their report after the search will be quite important.

A thought crossed my mind.

“Are their accommodations prepared?”