第５４８堀：次なる一手と野暮な話 (Part1)
Chapter 548: The Next Move and Mundane Matters
Side: Yuki
Well then, although we got a bit sidetracked with things like space development, I had successfully secured an audience with Seraria, the Queen of Weed. With that settled, I headed back to the group from the Findar Empire.
After sending a message to Ratz, it seemed they were at the restaurant we visited the other day, per Georgin’s request. It was the same place we went to when I first visited Weed with Georgin, Catherine, and Kagura—the place where Kagura had ended up completely passed out.
Shera, Aslin, Labyris, and Firia weren't with us this time, but with Ratz, Hiiro, Ria, and Samantha present instead, it shouldn't be a problem.
Actually, I suppose he really took a liking to the place. Georgin, that is. Well, a pub is important for a man constantly chased by work.
"Welcome!! Table for three? Wait—Yuki-san!? And Viria-chan and Dressa-chan too!?"
The woman, likely a part-timer at the restaurant, looked surprised. Do I know her? No, wait. Was she one of the immigrants who got dragged around by Riel a long time ago?
"Was it... Ryun, right?"
"Ah, yes!! That’s right. I’m honored you remember me!!"
"You seem to have gotten quite used to things here."
"Yes. Everyone is so kind, and it’s all thanks to you and the others who built Weed."
"Well, I’ll say it as many times as I need to: we provided the place, but it wouldn't have worked if you hadn't put in the effort yourself. The current results are thanks to your hard work, Ryun."
"Fufu, you’re the same as always, Yuki-san. So, is it just the three of you? Or will the other wives be joining you later?"
"Ah, no. I was just wondering if Ratz and her group hadn't arrived with a large party yet?"
"Ah, that group. Yes, they’re here. Right this way."
As I followed Ryun toward the back of the restaurant, I passed a male employee carrying dishes to other customers. He turned around as we passed.
"Oh, Yuki-san."
"Hm?"
Who is this? I’ve... seen him before. The restaurant uniform changed his impression enough that I didn't recognize him for a second.
"Cloche, you’re working here too?"
"Yes. Well, it’s temporary. You know, through the Adventurer Guild."
"Huh. Are you working as a regular adventurer? Didn't you say you weren't cut out for that?"
This young man named Cloche had immigrated to Weed around the same time as Ryun. I say "together," but it was just a coincidence that they arrived on the same day; they weren't childhood friends or anything. He wasn't the type to dream of becoming a legendary adventurer to strike it rich; he was just a sensible youth who came to the city to find honest work.
The reason I know so much about him is because Riel had dragged him around alongside Ryun. As a result, I ended up following up on them a bit and became an acquaintance. Personally, I’m also a regular at his ramen shop, so we get along well.
It was quite rare to see the sensible Cloche here on a job from the Adventurer Guild.
"Ah, no. I took this job at Ryun’s request. I could have taken it personally, but I was told that having a record with the Adventurer Guild makes it easier to find employment later..."
"Ah, I see."
The Adventurer Guild in Weed has been undergoing some strange developments lately. Well, it had that side to it from the beginning, but...
To put it simply, there’s the "serious" adventurer category—those who risk their lives on adventures. Then, because wars have drastically decreased and Weed’s gate distribution functions have caused various demands to skyrocket, there’s a massive labor shortage. This has led to the "general work" category, where people take on ordinary jobs from countries and companies that carry no risk of death.
Of course, from a Japanese perspective, the employee benefits are quite standard. Though, since the basic standard of living is low, I’m not sure if that’s necessarily "good." Basically, it’s a system where you get food, clothing, shelter, and a salary. There’s still no national pension, so I do wonder what happens when they get old.
Since Weed is the center of distribution, it’s common for people to come here looking for work, and then move on to other countries based on the openings available. A better employment system has essentially been formed.
Anyway, getting back to the point, when Cloche says it’s "advantageous for employment," he means that having a track record of successfully completing various jobs through the Adventurer Guild proves that one has sound judgment and experience. Employers prefer it because they can get information on a person's character from the Guild, rather than having to judge a complete stranger.
Because of this, the types of jobs that used to be dismissed as "pocket change" have seen their overall reputation rise, and the number of people looking down on them has decreased.
However, since there are still those who refuse to accept it—like the people who mocked Dressa—there’s talk of potentially splitting the Guild itself in the future: one for dangerous, adventurous work and one for general labor.
And Cloche is currently taking on those general jobs. Well, he does seem to be training in the children’s practice dungeon, at least.
Since many people, like Cloche, explore dungeons for leisure and some eventually aim to become serious adventurers, there’s also the argument that splitting the Guild might be more trouble than it’s worth. In the end, the management would be the same anyway.
Well, that’s something that will be seriously considered after Milly returns from her maternity leave. ...The world is a complicated place.
"Um, Brother. I apologize for interrupting your conversation, but shouldn't we be heading to where the Findar group is?"
"Ah, my bad. Cloche, see you at the food stall later."
"Yes. See you."
With that, Cloche went back to work. Talking to him made me realize it again: even just within Weed, there’s still so much work to be done, so why does it keep increasing? It’s like a curse.
"Right this way."
"Thanks."
As I stepped inside, I found that half of the Findar envoys were already clutching their stomachs, looking like they were about to pass out. No, they were just stuffed.
"Sorry. Ryun, I might be here for a while. Please tell the manager."