Page 42

(Walson)

Melon and Grace defeated the bandits who attacked the village, became the local heroes, and often had enthusiastic villagers invite them to dinner.

According to some sources, there was a masked figure saving people with cobwebs at the time (Yeah, that's me, thank goodness I wasn't recognized), and has become quite the topic of conversations for the villagers.

The village's atmosphere isn't really affected by this incident, because there was only a small loss in finance and only a few people were lightly injured.

It was said that the soldiers were maneuvering out of town that day, which gave the bandits a chance to attack... it's strange, shouldn't those things be done in the village? It had an opposite effect by making the town vulnerable.

But the residents accepted that reason... whatever, I'm not the only one with a loss.

The future Alfnis Lord (And Grace's supposed boyfriend) paid for the restoration himself, and gave the villagers compensation, which improved his prestige.

The case ended just like that, and time passed, it was a month before our coming of age, the day when Grace and I shall leave.

The horse wagon... no, the wolf wagon was parked in front of the town, Rifle had saddlery on him, and the villagers looked at Melon placing the goods on the carriage with worshipful eyes. They all thought Rifle was Melon's pet.

Melon didn't seem too comfortable with their attention, but that can't be helped. For a [Commoner] like myself, it can't be good to become the center of attention, so I'll just leave the glory to Grace and Melon.

I put the last [Chest] on the carriage, closed the backdoor, and everything was set.

Melon was assisting me pack up some things, and Grace was reading the Academy's manual - ooh boy, that manual is thick - next to us.

"Walson, I think you're too skilled!" "This is the first time I've seen such a comfortable carriage!" "Wonderful, Walson." "Woah, not easy."

Mirabelle suddenly hugged me, shook me, and two soft and warm things came in contact with my neck wowwwwwww.

Ahh... Grace's glare hurts so much, no wonder it's called the [Enderman's Stare of the Abyss], waitwaitwait! d0n't h1t m3 w1th th3 st4ff!

These people are heading towards the branch office of the {Eyes of the Night Cat}, located in the capital, a guild normally sets their main office in the Capital, and their branch in the countryside, but apparently {Eyes of the Night Cat} does the opposite.

Recently, there is a large-scale subjugation quest, and is recruiting a lot of B-level adventurer teams, which is also the reason that the group of four is going there.

...I think they're supposed to subjugate a dragon? Dragons, hmm. I thought they were mythical beings.

Melon regularly asks the adventurers questions regarding that, I think she's interested. Well, if she wants to go, she can just say it and I'll make the preparations for her.

And I also have to go to the branch office to greet the people there, get to know each other. With me being a new member and all, saying hi to the seniors is a must, plus I'll have to do business there in the future, I'll certainly need their help.

On a side note, I have already acquired the assets and funds for starting my business. It's covered by Grace's travel expenses and selling some rare animal skins, it was 500 gold coins in total, an amount of money that regular people could comfortably live off of for several years.

One gold coin is ten silver coins, one silver coin is ten copper coins, and there's a currency called the "broken coin", just treat it like shillings, the lowest of the low.

Erm, if I roughly translate the currency, I'm not able to be too precise, but a gold coin around the size of a thumb is about 30 USD, according to the amount of supplies it can buy.

And since this world's prices aren't that high, you can easily tell the value of these 500 gold coins. That's a considerable amount of financial power right there.

"Master Melon, all of the goods are loaded." I walked up to Melon saying this, which made her expression sour with more unease.

It can't be helped, currently, this is the front between Melon and me to the public. To them, I am the servant, she is the master.

Melon is an anonymous but powerful adventurer, and I'm her coachman... Whatever, I have no problem being her coach.

About Melon, I changed the collar she used to wear on her neck.

I bought a necklace from a traveling merchant. This necklace is a type of slave collar, but five times the price. It was five gold coins total.

I modified it a bit after purchase, using the [Millennium Fairy Wood], which grants the wearer a regeneration effect.

I didn't want Melon to keep wearing that collar, she is a girl, a necklace would better suit her.

I would release her if I could, but she is very resistant on this matter, so that's not going to happen, even when changing the collar, it took a lot of effort to prevent her from being upset.

I gently placed the necklace on her first, then after explaining the change, took out a pickaxe and stored the old collar directly into the [Inventory].

This is the only method I could use, as I didn't have the key.

"Umm...why did you take off the collar?"

"Well, the old one was getting too small for you, plus it was given to you by your old master, right? No no no, I won't accept that, your collar must be given by me.

Even though this is just an excuse, it works on Melon, and she agreed by nodding.

Although... Because there are almost no slaves in the Village of Saddin, I don't have much knowledge on them, which leads to some awkward situations.

"But... A necklace-shaped collar... Master made me a pleasure slave... About that, I'll do my best to make Master happy." Melon said in an embarrassed tone with her face red.

...Few nights ago, after finishing the final preparations, I decided to sleep on the carriage, but I found Melon in nothing but underwear waiting for me on the bed.

Melon's figure is way too beautiful - destructively beautiful even, a slightly ripped belly, perfectly shaped and bouncy oppai...

No, my body isn't of age yet, I'm still only 15... Nothing should happen before I'm 18, that's my belief.

Plus... Grace would definitely cast down her judgment on me, a fate similar to death.

If I ever accidentally do something perverse, Grace would attack me.

Are you aware that you're going to the Academy to enjoy a wonderful school life with a perfect guy? Why are you still restraining me...

Lamenting, I climbed into the driver's seat, and looked at the potted plant on the shotgun before lashing the leash.

Before leaving, I visited Lady Dryad and Arkon, and Lady Dryad gave me a seed as a departure gift, which is currently the little-potted plant next to me.

But it's strange, even though I'm [Vassal of Flora], I can't speed up its growth through magic, it sprouted after I sprinkled [Bonemeal] on it, but nothing happened when I sprinkled more.

Well, I'll just let it grow slowly.

Looking back at the villagers waving us goodbye, I took a lasting look at the town that raised me for 15 years, I chuckled. Pulling the leash, the heavy-looking wolf wagon started to advance forward.

Let's go, towards the Capital, towards tomorrow's path.