Volume 3 - CH 24

Chapter 3-24 : Raising Money Ⅱ

「But… Even though both of you are far stronger than Iris-san and Kate-san, I still want these two to go with me and support me while I’m fighting Salamanders.」(Sarasa)

Adelbert-san looked disappointed that I didn’t change my mind while Iris-san sighed in relief.

「Father, you know how strong the relationship of trust between people who have fought together, right? Store Owner-dono and I trust each other, so that’s why she chose me instead of you. I’m sorry.」(Iris)

「I see… You’re right. I just met Sarasa-dono today, so it’s only natural that she chose you.」(Adelbert)

Iris-san smiled at her father who seemed to be convinced by her words.

Ugh… This is awkward… but I need to tell them the real reason why I chose Iris-san and Kate-san.

「Umm, Iris-san…? That’s not actually the case…」(Sarasa)

When I said that, Iris-san looked at me in confusion.

「Eh….? What do you mean? I thought you trusted me…」(Iris)

「O-Of course, I trust you! But that’s not the reason why I chose you instead of your father.」(Sarasa)

I waved my hands in panic and explained why Adelbert-san can’t be the one to support me in battle.

「We need heat-resistant armor to fight Salamanders because their Fire Breath is extremely hot. One of the main materials to make the armor is Lava Lizard skins but as you guys know, we didn’t hunt many Lava Lizards during the investigation on the volcano a while ago.」(Sarasa)

「Aahh… Now that you mention it. So, we have limited materials, huh?」(Iris)

「Exactly. A set of heat-resistant armor consists of a coat, gloves, and boots. I think I can barely make three sets for you, Kate-san, and myself. However, I don’t think I have enough Lava Lizard skins to make one for an adult, so that’s why I didn’t choose Adelbert-san. Besides, we don’t have time to hunt Lava Lizards just to make more heat-resistant armor, right?」(Sarasa)

「I see… I understand now.」(Adelbert)

Adelbert-san nodded at me. He seemed to be completely convinced.

「That said, Adelbert-san, there’s something you can do to help.」(Sarasa)

「Really? Then, please tell me. I’ll do anything within my capabilities.」(Adelbert)

「Salamanders have large bodies. I don’t think Iris-san, Kate-san and me alone will be able to carry them home, so…」(Sarasa)

「You want me to help carry their bodies? No problem. I may look old but I have confidence in my strength.」(Adelbert)

「Thank you. We have the option to hire a Collector to do that but we will need to pay them and I don’t think it’s a good idea if we want to make as much money as possible. Honest, I feel bad to ask an honorable aristocratic man like you to do such a job, but…」(Sarasa)

「Don’t worry. I don’t mind at all. Besides, if you see me as an honorable man, why don’t you see Iris that way too? She may look like this but she is a lady of an aristocratic family.」(Adelbert)

「You’re right.」(Sarasa)

「Hey, Father! What do you mean by, “She may look like this”?」(Iris)

「You’re an aristocratic lady but all you do is practice swordsmanship instead of learning etiquette as a lady.」(Adelbert)

When Adelbert-san said that, Katerina-san, who had been listening to the conversation, sighed and shook her head for some reason.

「Adelbert-sama, did you forget that you were the reason why Iris started practicing swordsmanship? When she was little, she said to you, “I will be a strong swordsman like Father!”. You were so happy that you started teaching her swordsmanship.」(Katerina)

「I… Is that really what happened…? I don’t remember…」(Adelbert)

While saying that, Adelbert-sama looked away from Katerina-san. It was obvious that he was playing dumb.

「I know you remember. At that time, you couldn’t stop smiling while you were teaching her how to swing a wooden sword.」(Katerina)

「Aa, I think I remember that too! When I was little I often saw Iris swinging a wooden sword with Adelbert-sama in the backyard, and that is what motivated me to ask Mama to teach me how to use a bow.」(Kate)

「Is that so? I don’t remember though…」(Iris)

「Eehh…」(Kate)

Kate-san is a bit older than Iris-san, so that’s probably why she remembers it while Iris-san doesn’t.

「Kate-chan, I taught you how to use a bow because you would protect Iris in the future. If at that time Iris learned etiquette properly, I planned to teach you that too, but unfortunately, Iris didn’t have interest in learning etiquette at all.」(Katerina)

While saying that, Katerina-san looked at Iris-san and sighed.

「I, Is that true…? Well, Kate… I’m sorry.」(Iris)

「Haha! Why are you apologizing? It’s not that I wanted to learn etiquette, you know? I would rather use my time to practice archery than learn to behave like a noble lady.」(Kate)

Kate replied to Iris-san, who looked apologetic, with a cheerful laugh.

Meanwhile, Adelbert-san looked awkward somehow. Perhaps he thought that it would be bad for him if this conversation kept going.

「Ahem! Let’s get back to the topic. Sarasa-dono, when will we go hunt Salamanders?」(Adelbert)

「Let’s see… I need to make the armor and prepare other equipment, so… I think we will go next month.」(Sarasa)

「Alright. I will return to my home for now to inform my wife and Walter, and then I will ask Baronet Kirk to give me more time. After that, I will come here again.」(Adelbert)

「Adelbert-sama, if you tell my husband, I bet he will want to come along for sure.」(Katerina)

「Yeah, you may be right. But I can’t let Walter go with me. He needs to stand by in my office.」(Adelbert)

Katerina-san’s husband, Walter-san, is currently taking care of the territory so that

Adelbert-sama can come here to take Iris-san back home.

However, now that it’s been decided that he won’t marry Iris-san to Hou Baal, there’s no reason for him to come here again for a second time, right?

He can stay at his home after reporting to his wife and Walter-san.

「Adelbert-san, why don’t you ask Walter-san to go on your behalf? He can help me carry Salamanders’ bodies in your stead. I think it’ll be better if you stay in your home and leave the tough job to your subordinate.」(Sarasa)

Carrying heavy alchemy materials is not a job for a lord after all.

When I thought he would agree with my idea, he awkwardly looked away from me for some reason.

「Well… That’s…」(Adelbert)

「Hm?」(Sarasa)

When I tilted my head in confusion, Iris-san looked at me with an awkward smile.

「S, Store Owner-dono, the thing is… My father doesn’t like paperwork, so he always leaves his office work to Walter.」(Iris)

「Eh…?」(Sarasa)

Adelbert-san glared at Iris-san as if saying, “You talk too much!”

When I glanced at him, he closed his eyes, frowned, and folded his arms. Looks like he’s embarrassed.

Well, Iris-san doesn’t look like the type of person who likes paperwork either. Like father, like daughter.

「A-Ahem! A, alright. Let’s make a plan, shall we?」(Sarasa)

I forcibly changed the topic so as not to make the atmosphere even more awkward.