Episode 10: "I won't quit being an adventurer with my strong mentality"

When I visited the Adventurer's Guild in the afternoon, I decided to go and tell Wes about my important decision.

"Wes, please don't be surprised. The truth is... I'm thinking about retiring from being an adventurer."

"Oh, finally?"

　For some reason, Wes accepted the decision, which was spoken with a great deal of resolve, calmly.

　Not only that, he even had a look of relief on his face, as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

"Well, you really did well for six months. To be honest, I thought you would want to quit sooner..."

　I see, that's what it means.

　Since he had already seen through my lack of aptitude for being an adventurer six months ago, it was only a matter of time before I retired.

"You're my best friend, Wes. You know everything about me."

"Eh? Well, to be honest there are a lot of things I don't understand about you..."

"Again, I'm embarrassed."

　I smile back at his jokes. At times like these, we feel a strong bond between our souls.

　However, it is also true that I feel a slight sense of uncertainty in my heart.

"It makes me a little sad to think that today will be the last time we talk at the reception counter like this… But even if I quit being an adventurer, please still hang out with me from time to time. Well then…"

"W-w-w-w! Where are you planning to go?"

"Eh? Now that I've quit being an adventurer, I think I should go find another job."

"No, you can't just disappear with the words "quit"... I mean, do you have plans for your next job? Where will you be staying from now on? I should tell you, you won't be able to use the inns arranged by the guild anymore. Are you planning on becoming a homeless person?"

"Eh, what's that? That's troubling."

　What should I do? Autumn is approaching and it's getting colder, so I wonder if it would be okay to spend the night under the eaves somewhere. I have [Disease Resistance] so I shouldn't catch a cold though.

　As I was thinking about this, Wes sighed.

"I thought you probably hadn't thought of anything in mind… Anyway, listen, I've prepared a little present for you."

　Saying that, Wes took out a card from under the counter.

　It was a palm-sized card with an extremely detailed portrait of me pasted on it. Cameras hadn't been invented in this world yet, but it looked like a photograph. There were various words written next to it, but the words in this world were unreadable to me.

"this is?"

"This is a temporary citizen registration card. When you showed up this morning, your magical power was at 1, right? So I went to the town hall this morning and had it made in a hurry."

"Um, so what?"

"Yuji-san's citizenship has been provisionally registered. This means that Yuuji-san has become a citizen of this city."

　Even when you say that, I don't really get it.

"Sorry, but what happens when you become a citizen?"

　Wes looked confused for a moment, then he brought his face close to my ear and whispered.

"To put it bluntly, you have been recognized as a 'human' by the city's government. Until now, Yuuji has been what they call a 'human'. So, to put it bluntly, even if a citizen suddenly assaulted you, you had no right to sue, and the guards did not investigate. The city government's pretense is that there are no refugees or slums in this city, and they turn a blind eye to whatever happens to those people. The reason you have not been a victim of such things up until now is because the guild has protected you and made sure they don't lay hands on you."exileOutsider

　Seriously? So I didn't have any human rights.

　I see, if that's the case, I can't say goodbye to the guild. I'm starting to wonder if I should forgive them for making me sleep in the peeping room.

　Wes pulled his face away from my ear, cleared his throat, and continued speaking.

"But from now on you will be treated as a citizen, with the right of appeal to court. Criminal law will be applied to anyone who harms you, and your person and property will be protected. In return, you will have to pay a poll tax."

"What, I have to pay taxes...?"

"That's true. Well, it's probably tough for you right now, Yuuji, so the guild will be flexible on this matter."

"Is that okay? But I'm retiring from being an adventurer now..."

"There it is."

　Wes held up three fingers and flashed his glasses.

"There are three requirements to be recognized as a citizen of this city. First, you must live at a fixed address. Second, you must have a permanent job or be willing to work. Third, you must be a human with magical powers."

　Wes counts off his fingers one by one and says something complicated.

"Until now, Yuuji-san was thought to have no magical powers, so no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't register as a citizen. However, today it was proven that he has magical powers, so the path to becoming a citizen has finally been opened."

"Hmm... Are there other people who don't have magical powers?"

"No."

　Wes chuckled and shook his head slightly.

"They say they existed a long time ago, but there isn't a single person in the Naroppa region who doesn't have magical powers anymore. I said this morning that magical powers are inherited through blood, right? Everyone wanted useful powers, so they passed that power onto their descendants, and so there are no more people without magical powers. So, to be honest, I was surprised when Yuuji showed up. I've heard that there are still people without magical powers in the New World and the East, so I assumed you must have come from the East."

"I see."

　Well, anyone would want to incorporate that blood if it meant their descendants could use magic.

　If I could use magic, I'd want to use it too.

"Well, this regulation was established a long time ago. In reality, it was a dead letter with no effect, and now it's caught up to you, Yuji. However, that was overturned today, so you've now met the requirements to become a citizen."

　I see, that's what Wes meant this morning when he said there's a big difference between magic power 0 and 1.

"But I'm living at an inn, so can you really call that a permanent resident? And I'm quitting being an adventurer, so I'm unemployed."

"Yes, so let's move. An acquaintance of mine is running an apartment, so please move there. And don't leave the adventurer's guild, but continue as a member. You can call yourself an adventurer even if you don't exterminate monsters."

"What, so that means I only have to clean sewers and find cats? That's a bit much..."

　I am certainly grateful for the introduction to the apartment.

　It's tough being watched by a masturbating monkey every night from next door. Thanks to my [Mental Resistance], I don't feel stressed even if my private life is spied on and I can sleep soundly until the morning, but hearing the moaning sounds through the thin wall makes me horny too. I just want to jerk off without worrying about the person next door and feel refreshed. When I masturbate, I think it's no good if I'm not disturbed by anyone, I need to feel free, and somehow relieved.

　But the lowest level jobs the guild introduces you to are really low paying. If it's just a side job to rabbit hunting it's fine, but if you make it your main job you'll dry up.

　Seeing my expression, Wes gave a wry smile.

"No, no, you don't have to do jobs like digging gutters or finding cats anymore."

"So maybe the guild reception? I can't read the letters, is that okay?"

"That would be impossible for someone who can't read. Rather than that, I'm thinking that you should use our guild's name for your future business."

"business...?"

　I tilted my head. Am I in business?

　I've never worked part-time at a convenience store.

　Looking at my face, Wes continues.

"Anything would be fine. Like buying potions from an alchemist's workshop and selling them at an open-air stall, or transporting the fruits of hunting that our guild has purchased. You seem to be good at mental arithmetic, so a business where you make a profit from the difference in price seems like it would be suited to you. I will allow you to use our guild's sign for any business you undertake from now on. In exchange, you will have to pay me 20% of your sales as tribute... This is my proposal. Would you like to enter into such a contract?"

　A 20% tax payment?

　What do you think about this? If I think about the fact that the guild took 20% of my money without doing anything for me, it feels like I'm losing out quite a bit.

　As I tilted my head, unable to make a decision, Wes gave me a wry smile.

"Honestly, I think it's a good deal. Normally, street vendors have to join a commercial guild, but their tribute is only 25%. Plus, our guild master is the lord's third daughter. It's a whole lot more stable, since she's a relative of the head of the city government. No matter what kind of business you do, it's sure to have an effect. The poll tax you pay to the government will also be paid from the tribute to the guild."

　I see, so in modern Japan it would be like being directly under the control of the Hinomaru boss.

　The Adventurer's Guild is a monster extermination company, but at the same time, it's also a peacekeeping organization. To be honest, it feels like these guys are the ones who should be cracked down on, but in the Middle Ages, things went a lot smoother when disputes were mediated through violence. And the person who backs that violence is ruling this city . To be precise, it's the third daughter of the head of the family, Miss Deabolica. I thought she was a career woman with an intellectual yakuza vibe, but she's really about half yakuza.Gentrylandowner

　This certainly sounds like a good idea.

　This is not a store run by police officers, it is a store directly managed by the National Police Agency. It will give the impression of being a store that you can trust.

"Is it okay? I feel like I'm getting some incredible privileges. Is this allowed for all adventurers?"

"No way."

　Wes put his index finger up to his mouth and winked.

"It's just you. Don't go around talking too much."

"...Why are you treating me so well?"

　I'm just a useless, low-level adventurer who came from another world.

　No matter how you look at it, there seems to be no reason for such special treatment.

　Wes then gave a small smile and scratched his cheek.

"Wouldn't it be a bad idea to abandon a good friend in trouble?"

"Wes...!"

　I savored the emotion welling up in my chest.

　Not only did they take time off work to register me as a citizen, but they also gave me these privileges... Friends are truly important to have.

"Thank you...! Thank you...!"

　I grabbed Wes' hand and shook it up and down to show my gratitude.

　Damn, it's such a shame that I lost my empathy due to [Mental Resistance].

　Wes, who cares for his friends so much, looks troubled somehow. Someday I need to get rid of this disadvantage and learn to recognize Wes's feelings correctly.

　Wes cleared his throat and added something as if he was making an excuse.

"Well, I will intervene if they start doing some really shady business, but please don't do anything to tarnish the guild's reputation."

"Of course! I will definitely live up to the trust placed in me by the guild and yours! It's a promise between men!"

　When I said that, Wes burst out laughing.

"...Wh, what is that word? Man and man... that's the first time I've heard such a strange expression."

"It's a nice phrase that exudes male friendship, isn't it? It's in the language of my home country."

"Hmm... Yes, you're right. I think that's a good word."

　With that said, Wes finally showed us his carefree smile.

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"I see! So he's finally willing to quit being an adventurer!"

　When Deabolica heard the report in the Guild Master's office at the very back of the Adventurer's Guild, he was more excited than he had been in years.

　The guild members secretly called her brazen and cold-hearted, but now she has lost her poker face and is jumping up and down with joy, arms raised.

　He was probably letting his guard down because the only other person there was his cousin.

　Her cousin, Wes, who had given the report, lightly wiped his glasses with a cloth and continued.

"Yes. He said he felt he had reached his limits and no longer intended to exterminate monsters. However, if he continued like this he would have difficulty making a living, and if he moved to another guild he would no longer be under our control, so I have used my discretion to grant him the privilege of lending the guild's name to do business. Is that okay?"

"Yes, that's certainly true. There's no problem, you did a good job."

　Deabolica nodded with a smile as he listened to Wes's report.

　It was getting to the limit of what the guild members could do to contain their outbursts. The days of placating the lecherous widows who flocked to her almost every day demanding that she hurry up and send her husband, how long were they going to keep her waiting, and just let them have a taste of it were wearing her down. Deabolica thought that if she was that horny, she should just go to a brothel and let it all out, but the widows said that having fun with a businessman was a completely different life to having a cute husband at home. It was completely inefficient and hard to understand.

　For this reason, Deabolica's mind was worn down by the fruitless daily routine of placating lustful women, and he didn't have the time to think about what to do with Yuushi after he retired from adventuring, so he was very grateful for Wes's arrangement to take care of that for him.

　This cousin, who was three years older than Deabolica, would always fill in the gaps in Deabolica's schemes. He was a very reliable and talented secretary, so his occasional sarcastic comments were easily overlooked.

"The pair currently ranked number one are Moira and Aster. I'll give him the role of joint husband to that party. It might be a good idea to hold a lavish wedding to show my gratitude. If I establish a new family with Yuuji as the center, it will be harder for the party to disband even if there is a dispute within the family, which will help things go smoothly. There is also the option of promoting him as a long-time vassal of our family."

"What about the parties that came in second or lower? Will they be satisfied with just being disappointed that they weren't strong enough?"

　Wes's point was valid.

　After half a year of being manipulated by Deabolica in a fierce battle, if they were told that they lost and there would be no prize, they might lose heart and move to a guild in another city. Even if they were told that it couldn't be helped because they lost, humans are not simple-minded enough to be convinced like that.

　Deabolika placed his hand on his thin chin and gazed off into space.

"Well, that is certainly true. I did consider making him a shared husband for the party leaders from 1st to 5th place, but then the other members would probably be dissatisfied. Ah, that's right. I could hand out rental tickets for a husband for one night to the parties from 2nd to 5th place. That way the losers wouldn't be dissatisfied either. Mmhmm, that's a good idea if I say so myself."

　As he makes these calculations, Deabolica smiles with pleasure.

　He's so full of himself.

　In the first place, Yuji decided to retire from being an adventurer, but he did not agree to become Deabolica's son-in-law at Deabolica's request. However, he had to somehow convince Yuji to accept the marriage.

"Thanks to Wes for granting me the privilege, I now have a hand in getting the groom to drink in return. You did really well, hehe."

"Yes."

　Wes lowered his face with a look of genuine displeasure on his face, but after a moment he nodded expressionlessly.

　This woman's cunning and eloquence are particularly noteworthy. Her personality is true to her name. What kind of naming sense does the head of this family have?DeabolicaDevilish Woman

"Oh, and I also tested you again today and found that you have a small amount of magical power, so I have provisionally registered your citizenship."

　Hearing what Wes had casually said, Deabolica frowned and looked at him.

"...Isn't he someone with no magical powers? The test six months ago showed that he had zero magical powers. I actually checked it with the test machine."

"Perhaps I misunderstood. This morning's test definitely showed that he possessed magical powers. If the test results from the past and present are inconsistent, then the newer one is probably correct."

"..."

　Deabolica stares intently at Wes's face, his expression unreadable.

　After a moment of silence, she shook her head slightly.

"Well, I suppose that's true. Of course it's better for someone to have even a small amount of magical power than someone with no magical power, and since his market value has increased, it can be said to be good news. It would have been better if he didn't have citizenship so we could do with him as we pleased... But anyway, as long as he's in this city, he's the property of our family. It's not a big deal. Oh, just to be safe, please send the inspection machine in for repairs."

"I've got it"

　Wes nodded respectfully.

　Turning her back on him, Deabolica continued her calculations with amusement.

　Well, I gave him a chance, however small.

　Will Yuji be able to find a way out? Even Wes, who has given him the opportunity, has no idea what the path to freedom will be.

　Caught between being a foreign friend and secretary to his evil cousin, Wes silently prayed for his friend's success.

　Even though he was born into an unranked branch of a local noble family, being born a nobleman meant that he could never see the world outside the castle walls, no matter how much he wished.

　For Wez, the few joys were the stories his strange friend, who claimed to be from another world, would share with him whenever he returned from the outside world. He would struggle with something as trivial as a giant horned rabbit, or be amazed at the river with brown water filtered through peat, something that all Brishavians take for granted. He seemed to enjoy telling such humble tales of adventure, and listening to them, Wez felt as if he was adventuring with Yuji through the eyes of the outside world.

　There's nothing he can do about himself. Having been born a nobleman, he has come to accept that he never had wings to fly in the open.

　But I hope that no one will ever snatch away the wings of this strange, elusive, kind-hearted man who called me his best friend.