第２８５堀：どこかで見たことがある日常 (Part1)
**Chapter 285: A Daily Routine Seen Somewhere Before**
**Side: Steve**
My day—Steve, the goblin—begins at 7:00 AM.
The alarm clock blares, and in response, I reach out from my bed and silence it.
For a short while—I can’t exactly put a time on this drowsy period, but for me, it’s a brief moment—I struggle between getting up or catching a few more minutes of sleep.
Unlike the Boss, I don’t have a family to support, so this time alone is basically my own.
The Boss has it rough, doesn't he?
Waking up at 6:00 AM every morning to make breakfast for his wives... hearing about it from Kirue-nee-san, who used to be a maid, it sounds like absolute madness.
The maids themselves start their work even earlier than that.
I don’t need a maid. If I’m trying to sleep while people are bustling about around me, I’d never get any rest.
Ah, I wonder if there’s anything for breakfast?
Hmm, did I buy an extra bento yesterday? Did John send over some vegetables?
Thinking about such trivial things, I finally crawl out of bed.
"...Sleepy."
For now, I head to the washroom to shake off the grogginess.
I turn the faucet, cup the water in my hands, and splash it onto my face. I repeat this a few times, shut off the water, and wipe my face with a towel I had ready.
"Yeah... well, that’s refreshing."
I toss the towel into the laundry basket and head back to the living room.
Then, I change into the work clothes hanging on the hanger.
I’m grateful to the Boss for these work clothes.
If we were following the standards of this world, it would be a nightmare—all the decorations, medals, and badges getting in the way.
The Boss’s work attire is a military uniform, but it’s designed with practicality in mind, based on his homeland.
It’s not over-decorated; it’s the bare minimum.
Even in that outfit, there’s no issue with transitioning immediately into combat gear.
The rank insignia is only on the collar and shoulders, and medals only need to be worn for ceremonies.
Because, honestly, medals are a nuisance.
Well, in my position, I am a General of the Monster Army and the Captain of the Monster Unit for the police security division.
Ah, of course, the human side is handled by Tori-nee-san, Riel-nee-san, and Kaya-nee-san. They are the top brass of the police, after all. Well, it’s a business partnership; the security division is just a temporary title for when they’re short-handed.
Because of that relationship, and since I am a General, I do need to wear a few medals and badges.
The bare minimum, though.
"...Ah, the medals aren't on. Right, I took them off when I washed the uniform."
The uniform I planned to wear today didn't have the medals a General should have.
Well, it’s just a spare uniform, different from the one I wore yesterday, so it didn't have them attached.
"Hah, what a pain."
Why didn't I do this yesterday?
Thinking that, I open the desk drawer, take out the medals, and busily pin them on.
Even though the number of medals and badges I *need* to wear is small, my medal drawer is filled with many others still in their cases.
"...The Boss really loves his jokes."
No, it’s not exactly a "joke," but based on his homeland, there are badges given for completing training courses.
And I’ve taken every single training course the Boss has come up with.
Which means I possess almost all of them.
Airborne badges, firearms badges, and even a "Magic Descent Badge" for completing a training course that can only be done in this world—a no-bungee-cord descent using magic.
The medals, of course, are proof of merit for successful operations.
After the Ground Zero and Holy Sword User battles—well, it didn't turn into a full-blown war, but we did our jobs well, so we’re scheduled to receive medals later.
I’ve received medals for various other small things, too.
But it’s not just us; the military division under Seraria-nee-san’s direct command has received plenty of medals, too. People like Qual-san.
It’s not like they were more active than us, but for a rising nation, you need that kind of prestige.
Well, in Qual-san’s case, her direct superior is Seraria-nee-san herself, and I think that alone is worth a medal.
Though I’d never say that out loud.
Ah, the production of these medals is, of course, handled by the Weed Blacksmith Guild.
Led by Narjia-san, the blacksmiths seem to design them based on the details the Boss gives them.
"Now then, let’s see what’s in the fridge."
With the medals attached, I leave the jacket aside and check for breakfast.
I ate all the bread yesterday morning, and I had a bento for dinner.
"Hmm. Nothing here."
I was busy yesterday, so I forgot to go shopping.
I glance at the wall clock.
It’s 7:17 AM.
Work starts at 9:00.
Well, as a General, I’m expected to be at the workplace by about 8:30.
"I’ve got time. Can't be helped. I’ll head to Super Ratz and grab some breakfast."
It’s not like I *have* to eat, but as a soldier, it’s basic practice to eat whenever you can, since you never know when you’ll be suddenly dragged into combat and won't know when you’ll eat next.
With that, I put on my jacket with the medals and badges and head to the entrance.
Every time I walk down this hallway to the door, I think, "A 3LDK is too big for just one person."
Since we monsters have been granted human rights—or something like that—in Weed, we can rent houses and cook for ourselves.
Ah, of course, that’s on the condition that we can communicate properly with humans.
The animal-type monsters who can’t speak are mostly living a relaxed, natural life in the forest where Princess Aslin likes to play.
The forest itself is located on the same level as the residential district, and they also serve as security for the general public there.
Especially as playmates for the school children.
Besides that, they’re useful for mock battles in the Adventurer District or patrolling the Dungeon District, even if they can’t speak.
So, for someone like me who can speak and live in human society, it’s only natural that I need a place to live. And in my case, because of my position, I’ve been provided with a proper residence, unlike the dorms for the rest of the army.
Of course, John and Mino-chan have them too.
Surakichi-san seems to like spending time in nature, so he doesn't have a house. His main habitat is the school.
Hah, honestly, because of the neighborhood relations, I would have preferred living in a dorm.
Thinking that, I leave the entrance, lock the door, and step out of the apartment building.
"Morning, Steve-san. Work hard today."
"Morning. You take care too, old man."
"Oh, Steve-chan. Morning."
"Morning."
"Ah, it’s General Steve!"
"Hey, add the honorific! ...I'm sorry."
"No, no. I don't mind. You study hard at school, kid."
"Okay!"
Exchanging morning greetings like that, I walk through Weed.
Now, Super Ratz should be coming into view soon.
Super Ratz, the only shop in Weed that opens at 6:00 AM.
Anticipating morning customers, Ratz-nee-san started this about three months ago, limited to the residential district.
I hear she’s aiming for 24-hour operation in the future.