第２８５堀：どこかで見たことがある日常 (Part3)
I’ll just give that cucumber-flavored drink Ratz-ane gave me to that vegetarian, and oh, they’ve started selling tomato and—wait, plain lemon water too? I’ll take that one.
I grab a liter of tea, settle the tab, and head toward the office. It’s 8:20 AM. The executives will be gathering soon, so I’d better get these into the fridge. I’ll have my breakfast while talking with them.
Just as I’m stuffing things into the fridge, the executives file into the office.
"Yo."
That greeting comes from Surakichi-san. I’m used to it by now, but it’s still something to see him use his gelatinous body to open the door so skillfully. Plus, I still have no idea where that voice of his actually comes from.
"Man, a shower after working the fields in the morning feels great."
Next is the vegetarian, a towel draped around his neck. I don’t really care about this guy. He’s a disgrace to the Orc name—"Vegetarian" is all you need to know about him.
"Let's give it our all today, too."
Finally, Mino-chan, the Blood Minotaur. Like Kuro-chan and the others, he’s using body manipulation to shrink down to human size. He’s normally three to five meters tall, so he wouldn't fit in the office otherwise. He does stay at his full size when negotiating with Enaria, though. That’s what you call strategy.
"Everyone’s here. Shall we start the morning meeting?"
The morning meeting is for sharing yesterday’s reports and today’s schedule. Since we’re all executives, it’s important for various reasons that we know what everyone is up to.
"I’m on kid-wrangling duty at the school, same as yesterday."
"I’m assisting Mino-chan."
"I’ll be working on building friendly relations in Enaria."
"Business as usual, then. Mino-chan, make sure all communication with John goes through his subordinates. If we talk about anything sensitive, there’s a risk our capabilities and connections might be exposed."
"Understood."
After that response, all eyes turn to me.
"So, what about you, Steve? Back to digging through books with Zargis?"
"Nope, unfortunately, I’ve got a different assignment starting today."
"A different assignment?"
John tilts his head, looking puzzled.
"Ah, he’s looking after that Holy Sword User, Alfin, isn't he?"
"…That’s the one," I say, nodding at Mino-chan’s answer while munching on a sandwich.
"Come to think of it, that Holy Sword User has taken a liking to Steve, hasn't she? Princess Aslin and Princess Firia are with her too, so it should be fine, right?"
"That’s the only saving grace. Spare me from having to look after women."
"You... is that really something a guy who’s always whining about wanting a girlfriend should be saying?"
"Then you take my place. Looking after a woman who could snap at any moment if she takes one wrong step."
"Sorry. I’ll pass."
"She is a beauty, though."
"Which is exactly why it’s so much trouble," Surakichi-san says, and everyone nods in agreement.
Given her appearance and the fact that she’s an albino, she was likely cast out by society.
"If it wasn't Aslin and the others, but Steve instead, then it must be pretty serious. I can see why the Boss made that call. Well, I’ll have your back, so let me know if anything happens."
"Same here. I won't even tease you this time. Good luck, Steve."
"These things just take patience. By the way, how are the others moving?"
"Ah, it’s a day late, but it looks like they’re heading to the August Kingdom today as planned. The main thing is to keep the Holy Sword User situation under control for now."
"Makes sense. Well, aside from the first two we caught and the last one, the rest of them are radiating hostility."
"I heard how you caught the first two, and I thought it was harsh, but looking at it now, maybe the Boss's way was better."
"Four hundred years of resentment runs deep. Let’s just say it’s amazing that the Boss managed to dissipate it."
As Mino-chan says, we have to consider the Boss in a league of his own.
It’s just past 9:10 AM now. Each department should be starting their work.
"Alright, time for us to disperse and get to work. ...Oh, almost forgot."
I walk over to the fridge and place the healthy drinks Ratz-ane recommended in front of the three of them.
"What’s this?"
John picks up a plastic bottle, staring at it curiously. It’s cucumber-flavored, of course.
"Oh, isn't this that healthy drink that’s been rumored around Weed? I heard Ratz-ane developed it herself and set up a production line."
"I’ve heard of it too. Actually, why don't you know about it, John? I heard the vegetables come from you."
"Come to think of it, I think I was told that. Well, as long as the produce is being put to good use, I’m happy. But, it looks like everyone has a different flavor. Steve, do you know which is which?"
"John’s is cucumber, Surakichi-san’s is tomato, and Mino-chan’s is carrot."
"No way!! Cucumber drink!! I’m going to drink this all up!! Sorry for the taste test, but I’m keeping this one."
"We don't want it anyway."
Yep. Our hearts are truly as one.
Well, time to get to work for the day.
"Oh, it's Steve. Morning."
"Steve. Good morning."
"It's not nice to keep a lady waiting. Good morning, Steve."
"Good morning, Steve-san."
Waiting in front of the school are the four little ones. Well, they’re about the same height as me, give or take. ...Being a goblin, I can't help being short.
"Morning. So, where’s Alfin-san?"
That’s right—the person I’m looking for is nowhere to be seen. Alfin-san is currently under designated protection, and she’s been given a room in the school dormitory so she can learn the common sense of Weed.
Incidentally, she’s receiving the best treatment of all the Holy Sword Users. Even Swia and Kishua, whom the Boss originally made dance around in the nude, aren't under designated protection; they’re currently being mentored by Seraria-ane and Peace.
Though, the biggest reason for Alfin's treatment is that she doesn't seem like the type to hurt the people of Weed.