CH 51

As my thoughts drift to what effects this article might have for the future, I’m jolted back to reality by a knock at my door.

(Is it already time?)

I check and see that it’s around eight thirty.

Opening the door, Selma’s standing in front of the door like I anticipated. 

“Morning, Orn. Are you done?”

“Morning, Selma. Yeah, I’m good. Ready to go anytime.”

“I see, then let’s head there immediately.”

“Got it. Give me a bit.”

I put the newspaper I’m holding in my storage magic tool and put on my Clan long coat before leaving the room. 

◇

“Do you subscribe to newspapers?”

Selma asks me on the way to the Exploration Management Department.

“Well, yeah. Information’s important after all.”

“I agree with that. I suppose the newspaper you read is from the Adriano Publishing Company?”

Adriano is the name of the publisher that has the effective monopoly on information regarding the Hero Party.

“Nah, I read all three of them. Besides, Adriano is basically mainly about the Hero Party. When I was in the Hero Party, I was the one providing the materials, so as one of the party members involved, there was not much point in me reading it.” 

Even when I was Hero Party, I did read it just in case, but I didn’t pay much attention to it. 

“Now that you mention it, that’s true. You were the one in the position of giving information. Hey, how much truth is there to Adriano’s articles?”

“Surely I can’t tell you that, right?”

“I see, well I just asked to give it a shot. Don’t mind me. Also, do you go outside to get your newspapers? We can arrange for newspapers from specific publishers to be delivered directly to the room of interested applicants every morning, you know?” 

“Oh, really? That would be much appreciated.”

“There are previous issues which are shared, but some people like to make their own personal scrapbooks. The cost will be deducted from your monthly salary, so should I arrange it for you?”

“Please, could you do that? The three publishers I want are Adriano, Blanca, and Cartelli.”

“Understood. Then the newspapers will be sent to the mailbox next to the door of your room. It might take a few days to settle the delivery, so until then you’ll have to buy them yourself like you’ve been doing.”

“That’s no problem at all. Thank you.”

◇

Following that, we arrive at our destination, the Exploration Management Department.

There’s various documents strewm about, and you can’t say that it’s very tidy.

Well, it should be a place where a large amount of information is compiled every day.

Is it inevitable for there to be a lot of clutter?

I glance at the papers I find and see that their contents weren’t that important. 

Maybe important documents are stored properly.

I follow Selma as she strode toward the back of the building.

Along the way, I greet the members I pass.

Finally, we reach Estella’s place.

“Estella, morning.”

“Mhmya? Ah, Selmachi, morning~ Morning to you too, newcomer~”

“Good morning.”

“As usual, everything’s already a mess. You’re such a mess, you know?”

Selma gives some harsh words.

Does “already” mean that even with regular cleaning it’s this messy?

“My ears hurt~”

Estella gives a dubious response, I don’t think she’s getting the message.

“Seriously…….”

Selma sighs in exasperation.

This sounds like a usual exchange for them.

“Nyahaha~. Well, newcomer, thanks for coming so quickly♪ I know it’s sudden, but can I request you to start teaching them from today?”

”I’m fine with that, but do you have anything like an education policy?”

“Hmm? Not at all?

“Eh…….”

“Newcomer– hmm~, even though I put you in-charge of education, I can’t keep calling you newcomer. Mm then, I’ll be calling you Orcchi.”

“Haa, sure. Then, you really don’t have an education policy?”

“Leave it all to Orcchi! Raise them into full-fledged explorers. If you can train them so that in half a year later they can clear the middle layers with just those party members, then I have no complaints. Let those kids be dyed in Orcchi’s colours!”

(The hurdle is too high…… Well, if it is the kids I’m expecting, maybe we’ll manage?)

While I make optimistic calculations in my head, Estalla’s mood changes to a serious one. 

“Ahem, I’ll stop fooling around now…… I know Orcchi, you weren’t just an explorer but also did party admin when you were a member of the Hero Party. I would also like you to teach that. I want those kids to be the core of the next generation. I’m aware I’m asking a lot, but I’ll leave it to you, multitalented prospect!”

Well, let’s try to do the best I can.

First, we’ll have to be willing to be open with each other, but I wonder if that will go well……

But if this is what they want, then maybe, it’ll be alright?