125: Labor is, above all, noble.

After lunch, everyone headed home.

As Maina stepped out of the school building with Persia, Kendall’s four older siblings waved frantically.

“See you tomorrow, Maina-san!”

“Bye-bye, Maina-chan!”

“Be careful getting home, Maina!”

“Maina-tan—see you later!”

She waved back at Saika, Kai, Ed, and Wamika with a big smile.

It might’ve looked like she was putting on a show, like the curse was still affecting her, making her act so cheerful.

If this was her true self, then Bela, Zaid’s mother, was beyond forgiveness.

Should I storm the empire?

“Craft, why the long face?”

“Oh, nothing at all.”

Wasting time thinking about what can’t be done is pointless.

Right now, my job is to give Kyle and Maina all I’ve got.

I clench my fist, still thinking about it. The Kendall siblings are still lingering in the courtyard.

The courtyard, the library, some facilities—open to students and residents alike. Maybe they’re just hanging around, playing.

"Ed. You not heading back?"

"Ah, Craft brother. Nah, I’m waiting for the little ones."

Classes are over. No need to call the teacher. Just listen.

"Lower grades... just got here. Hey! Over here!"

Ed calls out. About ten kids come running over.

Don’t remember names. Probably six to eight, and nine to eleven.

"These kids, new orphans. Azu sister asked me to look after them."

"Ah, I see."

"Let’s head back together. Work to do. But—"

"What’s up? Something wrong?"

Ed grunted, and Sika jumped in.

"Actually, there’s not much work to go around for everyone."

Right. The orphanage was getting solid support from the territory, so money wasn’t an issue.

So saying just let them play around was the kind of thing someone who didn’t know orphans would say.

If they didn’t learn a skill while they were here, they’d be stuck when they turned adult and left the orphanage.

Best thing would be to apprentice somewhere. Could even get hired right there.

"What should we do today?"

"Winemaking’s… already done, right?"

"The farmland’s too far."

"Nursing the injured?"

"Still too much to ask."

The four of them scratched their heads. Then Javir, tapping his chin, hummed.

Yeah. Not gonna work.

"Then why not have 'em help out with the Production Guild?"

"Huh?"

"Since they're always sipping stamina potions, they oughta be able to handle hauling or running messages, no?"

"Right! That’s it!"

I smacked my palm hard.

"Hey, everyone. How about helping out at the Production Guild? They’re short-staffed right now—would love the help."

"Really? Seriously, big bro?"

"Of course."

The kids lit up.

They knew that this could mean apprenticeships down the line.

The Guild benefits too—better to train 'em now while they’re young.

"But can the little ones even handle real work? They don’t even know the city well yet."

"Hmm. Then let each of you four take charge—form four separate groups."

"Whoa! Tiny ones as leaders? That’s impressive!"

"Hey!"

The orphans giggled, watching Ed get scolded by Saika.

Yeah. Perfectly two birds with one stone.

I headed straight for the Production Guild, and spoke with Leifan, the guildmaster.

"Wait—letting orphans work?"

He looked surprised at first, but when I explained the reality of the orphanage, it seemed like news to him.

"Huh. I thought it was the other way around."

"Yeah. If they don’t learn a trade while they’re here, they’ll have nowhere to go when they grow up."

"Got it! Then I’ll be happy to help out!"

"Yay!"

The kids cheered.

"Leifan. When these kids come of age, they’ll be welcome in the Production Guild, right?"

"Of course. But…"

Leifan looked at the orphans.

"Only if they work hard, you know?"

"Yesss!"

With the orphans now helping out in the Production Guild, the workload finally eased up a little.

◆

I got straight to work in the Guild.

Finally catching up, thanks to working alongside Master Jabil.

Not just that—Master Jabil taught me better methods, and it’s been incredibly rewarding.

Still listening to the master’s valuable lecture while alchemizing, when Guildsman Plum Furtia arrived.

"Craft. Raidock’s here—he says he needs to talk."

"Raidock? Got it, I’m going right now."

"Then I’ll finish up the remaining alchemy."

"Thank you."

When I walked into the reception room, I immediately got it—Raidock was there, along with Solal, my party member and lover, and Eva, Camille, and Marilyn from the Cassper sisters.

Hey, Raidock. You decided to add the three sisters to your party, huh?

"Yeah. I hesitated a bit, but I asked him to join the party."

Evah, the leader of the three sisters, replies.

I wrestled with it a bit, but I decided to go ahead and let it in.

Yeah. I'm relieved too.

I know Raidock was down for a while after the three of them—Bep, Bardack, and Mōda—left.

But he finally seems to have pulled himself together.

Thanks. But I didn’t come just to report that.

Said there’s something to discuss, huh?

Raidock’s crew are the top adventurers in this town. Helping them out benefits not just the guild, but also Goldendown.

"Yeah. I know they’re out in the marshlands, right?"

"Of course. The Production Guild’s sending people too."

Shurl and Jurara are the siblings once thought to be extinct—reptilian folk.

The lizardfolk aren’t just recognized by the Elixir Exploitation Marquis, but officially granted citizen status by King Van himself. Now they’re working with humans to reclaim the vast marshlands once ruled by the eight-headed, eight-tailed hydra.

"Something wrong?"

"Not exactly a problem, but there are places in the marshes—deep pits of water, like sinkholes. Several adventurers have gotten stuck there, nearly drowned. A ranger as sharp as Solal could avoid them, but they’re rare."

"Ah, I see. Can the lizardfolk handle those things without issue?"

"They sense them with their instincts. Even if they fall in, they don’t drown."

"Huh."

Natural for a species that lives near water.

"So, I’d like you to make something—some item or gear—that can deal with them."

"Is this a formal request from the Adventurer’s Guild?"

"Of course."

"Got it....How about a Waterbreathing Elixir?"

"I considered that... but those are pretty expensive, right?"

"Yeah. It’s the ingredients. You need Silver-Scale Piranha scales—hard to come by."

I gave Raidock a sly look.

"Hey. Those are easy to get in swampy areas."

Raidock smirked right back.

"Bring your own materials, and I’ll give it to you at a price adventurers can afford. Any leftover? Sell it through the Production Guild."

"Smooth talker."

"Even if I am a guild member, you know."

"Then I’ll apprentice under you and get a job from the Adventurer’s Guild—Piranha hunt, maybe?"

"Try not to wipe them all out."

"Depends on my mood."

Of course we couldn’t wipe out the entire silver-scaled piranhas across that vast wetland. Just a joke.

Me and Raidock exchanged wicked grins.

"Looks like you two get along real well."

"Gods no, Raidock-sama’s not—"

"Neither are you!"

We snapped back at Solal and Eva’s whispers, voices rising in surprise.

Hey, wait—Plum, you there, standing off to the side!?

Why’re you looking at us like that? So happy. So hopeful!

No way!?

Absolutely not!?