Komprichikos has been defeated, but the request is still not over. Negotiations with the Dwarf Republic remain. While various embellishments have been exchanged, the core issue is whether to treat Komprichikos as a low-level demon or as a Blood Demon.
This is quite an important matter because the reward for the request could differ drastically based on the type of demon. In the game, for instance, the reward could vary by three to four times.
However, the difference from the game is that in the game, you receive rewards immediately upon handling a task. Here, due to various reasons for negotiation, the reward payment is delayed.
This is where the peculiar problem of the Dwarf Republic comes into play.
Sure, no matter how formidable the demons may be, if the state is swayed by a low-level demon instead of a Blood Demon, it would invite ridicule. Unfortunately, the opponent is the Dwarf Republic.
As long as it’s not related to their reputation concerning their skills, they are an utterly insensible and indifferent race. That’s the Dwarf Republic for you. Mistreated by low-levels?
So what? They can’t pay their bills right now.
In short, they’re telling us to shove it. Their shamelessness sent shivers down my spine. It’s no wonder they collapsed so early on in the original work. Damn it.
But sadly, at this moment, we couldn’t do anything to the Dwarf Republic because of our weak power. The name of the Royal Knights had sunk to the ends of the earth.
To make matters worse, the only place currently backing us is the Human Kingdom. The Elves and Beastmen, who don’t have a good relationship with the Dwarf Republic, are simply watching from afar.
The best method would be for both sides to consider each other and come up with the most reasonable solution, but the opponent is being stubborn. Reluctantly, we have to take a step back here.
“So, we’ll classify it as a Blood Demon, but accept the low-level rewards, right?”
“Indeed. I think it’s a mutually beneficial transaction.”
“Hmmm, well, we don’t mind if we can save some money.”
“Then it’s a deal.”
Right now, money is money, but regaining lost trust is of utmost importance. In such a situation, if we can declare success in subduing a Blood Demon rather than a low-level one, we could redeem at least a little bit of the Royal Knights’ reputation. And that could lead to more requests in the future. Sure, we’re struggling for now, but we’ll have to tough it out.
Thank goodness the Dwarf Republic doesn’t care one bit about any reputation other than their skills. If they weren’t Dwarves, such a bargain negotiation wouldn’t be possible.
After all negotiations concluded and I finally received the reward from the Dwarf Republic, I could finally rest. As I tried to relax my stiff shoulders, someone appeared behind me.
“Looks like your shoulders are really stiff?”
“I’ve been busy lately.”
“Let me help you with that.”
“……You might not want to.”
“Don’t worry about my age.”
The one who appeared behind me was Cluna. She smiled faintly and began to knead my shoulders. Honestly, it felt a bit weird, like receiving a massage from my grandma…
But that guilt was short-lived. Soon, an unbelievable coolness spread down my spine. No joke, it felt way better than a massage machine. It made my voice tremble.
“Ugh, that feels amazing. Did you learn some skills?”
“Once you reach my age, you can do anything!”
“Impressive. You’ve been a big help.”
“Commander, are you really okay?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, haven’t you lost the most?”
“…….”
Cluna’s gaze fixed on me. Yet, what was reflected in her eyes wasn’t doubt but concern. I felt glad that I had gained some trust. I racked my brain.
It’s true that I lost an eye and my internals were severely injured. Thanks to Cluna’s healing, my internals have healed considerably, but I still need to take it easy for a while. My eye is still very uncomfortable.
But it’s okay.
“If I can solve this with this body, it’s a bargain.”
After all, this isn’t my body. My ultimate goal is to return to my original world and regain my body. Plus, this body is nothing but a piece of trash that can’t even act as fertilizer.
Isn’t it better to be at least a little helpful in this way for everyone’s sake? Of course, it’s incredibly uncomfortable from my perspective using this body.
“……There’s something I’ve been curious about…”
“Hmm?”
“Never mind, it’s not the right time.”
“What are you suddenly talking about?”
“I misspoke.”
With that, Cluna didn’t open her mouth again. What was she going to say? I was slightly curious but didn’t dig any further. I slowly stood up.
“Today’s work ends here.”
“But there’s still a lot left?”
“We also need to take a break. It’s only been three days since we defeated Komprichikos.”
“True.”
“Besides, Cluna, didn’t you tire yourself out healing Yuren and me?”
Cluna quietly smiled. I clicked my tongue as I observed that smile. The way she hides her troubles or struggles like a grandma is amusing.
Anyway, overworking the team is very undesirable. That’s not a mindset of a small business; it’s just garbage thinking. So we must be sure to take breaks when needed.
To be more honest, I want to rest. Pendants and nonsense aside, I’ve worked too much today.
But that doesn’t mean I’m giving up on the small business mindset. Rather, this is just the beginning. I made a kind of unspoken rule that Royal Knights members must follow.
One of them is that meals must always be eaten together. In other words, regardless of what we’re doing, everyone must gather at mealtimes to eat. Skipping meals? No way!
In the military, skipping meals is a discipline issue!
“It’s almost mealtime.”
“Meals are already prepared.”
“When did you prepare them…?”
“I prepared them whenever I had the chance.”
Unlike the basic odd jobs, cooking couldn’t rely on fairies. It’s because fairies have very different tastes than us, and food made by fairies often tastes like mere grass.
Of course, that’s enough for Elves. But every race has their own tastes and diets. Understanding all of that, Cluna steps up to prepare three meals a day for us.
As I helped Cluna in the kitchen, soon the Royal Knights who had just finished training came into the dining hall. They looked extremely exhausted today compared to usual.
I soon understood the reason for that. I noticed Yuren proudly walking in at the center of that exhausted group. Come to think of it, didn’t she say she would start rehabilitation training today?
“Yuren, how’s your body?”
“Of course, it’s great. I feel like I could fly right now.”
“Just don’t actually try to fly. You might really die.”
“Don’t worry. Dragons are tougher than you think.”
Though she says that, according to Cluna’s diagnosis, it seems she’s considerably weaker than during her prime. After all, she was severely injured to her heart. It’s understandable, to say the least.
It’s probably precisely because she’s a dragon that she narrowly avoided instant death. For now, let’s just be thankful she’s alive. Is it about half a year left? I’ll keep leading until then.
After that, I’ll pass the torch to Yuren. You know what they say, those who have tasted meat know it well. It’d be better for Yuren to lead the Royal Knights than for me to lead them. At least that’s how I see it.
A moment later, Cluna came out of the kitchen with the fairies, bringing food. They were meals suited to each race’s palate. It was quite a heartwarming sight to see everyone gathered together for dinner.
“Gathering like this for a meal isn’t a bad sight.”
“I thought it’d feel awkward to force everyone together.”
“Didn’t the commander say we’re all family? What’s wrong with family eating together?”
“……Is that so?”
I glanced around. Ruby and Clara were still bickering, and even Helia and Bayard were now able to hold semi-normal conversations…
Things were unfolding differently than I had imagined. Isn’t it typically uncomfortable to eat with superiors? I was the one to lead that idea. Or was it just me?
But I couldn’t very well declare, “Hey, you all should feel uncomfortable around me!” So I begrudgingly started eating. Just then, Yuren looked at me and asked.
“By the way, it seems there’s no blacksmith in the stronghold.”
“Oh, we’re looking for one. Finding a good blacksmith is trickier than I thought.”
“That makes sense. With everyone locking their doors, it’s a world focused more on stability than cooperation.”
“A blacksmith…”
“Hmm? What’s wrong?”
“Oh, it’s nothing!”
When I questioned Ruby, who was mumbling absentmindedly, she jumped and quickly shook her head. Although she said it was nothing, there’s no such thing as “nothing” in these cases.
Now that I think of it, Ruby was very reluctant to mention her past during counseling.
Could it be… related to that?
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