With our checks finished for the time being, I decided to take on a quest in the city for the rest of the day.
My destination was the Starsia Company warehouse, a place I hadn't visited in a while.
It was another cleaning job, but this time it wasn't because of one of Marina-san's blunders; they were looking for extra hands to help organize the warehouse.
"Fufu, when I posted the request, I wondered if you might take it, Erik-kun. I'm so glad you actually came."
"Hearing you say that makes me happy too."
Hannah-san was there on-site, delighted to see me.
The staff member who had been around the last time I cleaned the warehouse was also present, greeting me with a warm welcome.
After that, we went over the details of the day's work.
Because it was warehouse organization, moving merchandise around was part of the job, though my primary responsibility remained cleaning.
"You really are skilled at cleaning, Erik-kun. You're so fast, and yet so thorough... Did the villagers teach you that as well?"
Once the cleaning reached a good stopping point, it was time for a break.
As I sat on a chair resting, Hannah-san came over to check on things and asked me that.
"Yes. I learned the basics from them, and through trial and error—wondering how I could do things better—I reached where I am today. Since I'm being paid for the work, rushing through it might leave dirt behind. On the other hand, taking too long wastes the client's time, so I honed my technique to be as quick and thorough as possible."
"I see. You polished your skills with the mindset that it's all for the sake of the person who hired you."
"That's right. Well, those skills are still serving me well today, so I'm glad that none of that time went to waste."
With our break over, I got back to cleaning.
Since it was a request to clean an entire spacious warehouse, it took a fair amount of time, finally wrapping up right around noon.
Though it had kept me tied down for a while, the reward was five silver coins—quite high for a city quest.
On top of that, they offered me clearance goods as an additional bonus.
"Are you sure? You really don't need to give me an extra reward..."
"Nonsense, it's fine. It's stuff we'd either divide among the staff or toss out anyway. Besides, these folks have already received more than enough, so getting more wouldn't make them any happier."
"She's right. You worked really hard, Erik-kun. Please, take it."
"Yeah, don't be shy. Just take it."
With Hannah-san and the staff insisting, I ultimately couldn't refuse.
Among the items were undergarments, which I honestly needed.
With that in mind, I gratefully accepted.
"...I really am weak when it comes to the words 'extra reward.'"
If something was free, I used to take it even if I had no immediate use for it.
Thinking it might come in handy someday, I had long held the habit of setting things aside.
I would mend torn clothes myself to wear them.
I would polish salvaged pots and pans and occasionally cook my own meals.
There had been countless times when my life was made better thanks to hand-me-downs.
That mindset stayed with me even now; whenever something was offered, I inevitably ended up taking it.
I'll grow into a fine adventurer and repay them all.
With that resolve in mind, I returned to the Adventurer's Guild.
"Good work, Erik-kun. Looks like you received top marks again."
"Cleaning is my specialty, after all."
"Even so, getting high praise this consistently is quite rare, you know? It's all thanks to your wonderful character."
Praised by Reina-san, I completed the paperwork and collected my reward.
"Come to think of it, Erik-kun, what do you usually do for lunch?"
"Usually? I skip it more often than not. I eat a big breakfast, so that keeps me going throughout the day."
"...Are you skipping it just because you don't feel like eating?"
"It's not that I don't want to eat, but I often end up skipping it because I hate feeling like I'm wasting time and money."
My breakfast at the inn was larger than an ordinary person's portion.
Thanks to that, I had plenty of energy to stay active even without lunch.
Besides, going without a midday meal didn't really hinder my activities, so I skipped it to save money as well.
Occasionally my stomach would rumble, but whenever that happened, I simply washed some edible wild plants with water and ate those.
"...Well then, I'm treating you today, so let's go eat together."
"Huh? Together?"
"Yes, my lunch break starts right now."
Saying so, Reina-san headed into the back of the reception area, let her coworkers know she was taking her break, and promptly returned.
While I was still hesitating over what to do, she took me by the hand and led me right out of the Adventurer's Guild.
"U-Um, I have money on me, so I can pay for my own meal, you know?"
"Don't worry about it. I brought you along because I wanted to treat you, Erik-kun, so let me pay. I'm taking you to my favorite spot."
With that, Reina-san guided me to a diner about a ten-minute walk from the Adventurer's Guild.
The atmosphere was quiet and calm, with each table partitioned into semi-private booths.
Once we sat down, a waitress came over to our table.
"Well now, Reina-chan? This is unusual. I didn't expect to see you with a boy."
"He's an adventurer I've been looking after recently. He told me he usually skips lunch, so I dragged him along."
"My, is that so? Reina-chan certainly doesn't mess around when it comes to food. Would you like the usual set meal?"
When the waitress asked, Reina-san nodded.
"Erik-kun, is there anything you can't eat?"
"No, I'm not picky, but..."
"Then two orders of the usual, please."
"Two set meals, coming right up."
With a nod, the waitress turned and headed back toward the kitchen.