After concluding my meeting with Calm, I took a peek into the breakroom and saw the backs of three women: Maria, Fina, and Li Ling.
"Good work, everyone."
"Ah, Manager! No, wait—hello, Owner!"
"Welcome back. We heard the news from Manager Calm."
"We heard you were safe, but it’s a relief to see you looking so well."
"I’m sorry for making you all worry. As you can see, I’m perfectly fine."
I was doing well enough, but I wondered how they had been holding up. I’d been told there were no major issues at the shop, but I was still concerned about that document I’d left behind. Even putting that aside, I’d been away for nearly a month, and I wanted to hear how things were going.
"None of us have had any illnesses or injuries. We did read those papers you left, though..."
"It only made us feel a bit down for a moment. I think everyone else felt the same—just a brief bout of gloom after finishing them."
"My father and I didn't have any particular problems with them."
"Ah, well, that’s a relief."
I had been worried that I’d accidentally produced something hazardous by venting my past-life trauma, so hearing that was a weight off my shoulders. It was then that I noticed the writing materials spread out before them.
"Were you all studying? I’m sorry if I’m interrupting."
"Oh, it’s no trouble at all."
"It’s not so much studying as it is a quick review. That reminds me, Owner—the books you requested from Master Steuer are finished. He said he’d like you to come by and pick them up whenever you had the chance."
"And Master Sanchez mentioned that the Adventurer Edition is complete. He said the Daily Life Edition will still take a bit longer, though."
"Thank you for the message. I thought it would be quite a while yet, but they finished surprisingly fast."
"Apparently, it’s been quite a trial for their grandchildren. Their grandfathers are very strict instructors."
"They were complaining that if the old men were still this energetic, they didn't need to retire in the first place!"
Those two were certainly spirited for their age. Müller Steuer, the former tax collector, and Garcia Sanchez, the former legal officer, were experts in law and taxation introduced to me by the Ducal House. They currently served as my advisors for various administrative procedures related to my shops.
However, since they had their own goals, I had also asked them to use their expertise for another project. This involved the studies Fina and Maria had mentioned, as well as writing the books. The idea was to create volumes that summarized essential or helpful knowledge in plain language—something quite common back in Japan but rare here.
While books on law and taxes did exist in this world, they were almost exclusively written for experts or scholars. They required a high level of literacy and significant prerequisite knowledge to even parse, effectively slamming the door in the face of the general public.
At first, I wondered if it might be too much for them to act as consultants while also writing, but both men had brought their families along. Their grandchildren were slated to inherit their professions, so the grandfathers were using the tasks I provided as training materials, letting the younger generation do the legwork under their supervision.
In practice, it felt like I’d hired an entire firm, but since I only paid for the two heads of the families, it was an incredibly cost-effective arrangement for me.
I felt a little bad for the grandchildren, but instruction was outside my field of expertise. Besides, I’d heard that work within the Ducal House was even more grueling, so I figured this was good practice for them.
"The grandchildren have been a huge help to us too."
"Truly. It’s like we knew nothing at all before this... I never dreamed I’d have an opportunity to study like this before I came here for work."
"Among specialized fields, law and taxes are notoriously difficult. But knowledge is power; knowing these things will give you security when it counts."
"It’s not just for the future—it’s helping me right now!"
Fina reached for one of the papers on the table. It was rare to see her so animated, as she was usually the most composed of the group. I knew the situation in her home village had improved since they started trading with the Saionji Company, but until recently, they had been struggling because they couldn't sell their crops. Her enthusiasm was evident in the sheer density of the notes before her; the paper was covered from edge to edge in tiny, meticulous script.
"Yesterday, they were teaching us about taxes in agricultural villages. I learned that in the Jamil Duchy, if a village is endangered by monsters or bandits, the Ducal House—as the lords—will reimburse part or all of the expenses incurred to protect lives and property."
"Is that so? I hadn't heard of such a system."
It sounded like a form of disaster subsidy. As I processed the information, she spoke with a voice thick with regret.
"I’m the daughter of a village chief, yet I knew nothing about it. Years ago, when monsters appeared near our village and we had to hire adventurers, everyone in the village had to scrape their savings together to pay the fees."
"It doesn't sound like they purposely avoided the system. Did your father and the other elders not know about it either?"
"Since you have to pay the costs upfront, I’d like to believe I just didn't notice the refund later, or that they kept the financial talk away from the children... but they most likely didn't know."
According to what Master Steuer told her, even among those who managed villages, very few had specialized knowledge of taxes or law. It was a common story.
I initially wondered if that was acceptable for a village chief, but the absolute minimum requirement for the role was simply knowing what constituted a crime. In extreme terms, as long as they didn't break the law, they could get by.
On the other hand, systems like this—which were optional and didn't result in a penalty if ignored—were often overlooked by tax collectors and residents alike.
"Master Steuer said that even if people know the system exists, they often don't understand the procedures. If there’s a single mistake in the application, the screening fails, and they just give up, thinking it’s impossible for commoners to use."
"That’s a shame. Knowing that could have made life so much easier for them."
"Li Ling is right. Master Sanchez said that laws change, yet many people either don't know or don't care to learn, and thus commit crimes. Many others refuse to adapt and miss out on benefits they rightfully deserve."
"It’s a problem if you can't keep up with the changes. Taxes and laws are far too complex for an amateur, but you have to keep learning as much as you can... though I know how hard that is."
"It really is! That’s why we’re going to study even harder. Then I can write letters to my father and the others and teach them."
"And of course, I’ll do my best to be useful here in the shop! Everyone has been so supportive, adjusting my hours so I have time to study, so I have to repay that kindness."
"I’m counting on you."
Honestly, when I first hired them, I hadn't envisioned things turning out quite like this. But if they were growing for their own sake and not just earning a paycheck, it was a wonderful development. As their employer, it gave me both peace of mind and a sense of pride.
"Speaking of growth, Li Ling, your speech has become quite fluent."
"I think so, too. I’m getting used to the language here. Everyone in the shop talks to me a lot—especially Jane—and I have to deal with customers every day. My father is still having a bit of a hard time, though."
That was likely just a matter of age. While I believe that anyone can learn anything if they have the will, it’s a simple fact that memorization becomes harder as the years pass. I knew that all too well from my own life experiences.
"Oh, and if we’re talking about growth, Dolce has been incredible. We spar during security training, and he’s gotten much stronger. My father and Mr. Ox were both surprised. Lately, he’s been talking with Yudum quite a bit; having someone his own age around has probably been good for him."
"Dolce is very diligent. He sometimes asks me questions about his writing practice, and lately, he’s been composing some rather complex sentences. I often see him reading during his breaks."
"He said he buys books because he has nothing else to spend his money on!"
"Is he really doing that well?"
He was from the slums and had been almost entirely illiterate when he first arrived. I knew he practiced in his spare time, but I hadn't realized he’d progressed that far. If his combat skills were also improving enough to surprise veteran warriors, he was becoming a truly well-rounded man of the pen and the sword.
As we were speaking, the man himself appeared.
"...Did you call for me?"
"Ah, Dolce. We were just talking about you."
I explained what we’d been discussing and mentioned how impressed everyone was with his progress. He looked a bit embarrassed, turning slightly red as he shook his head.
"I still... have a long way to go. I can't compete with those two in studying, and I’m still the weakest among the guards. If Mr. Fei or Mr. Ox weren't holding back, I wouldn't even be a challenge for them."
"I think your point of comparison is a bit skewed. You shouldn't group my father and Mr. Ox with ordinary security guards. To be honest, the guards at this shop are far too strong."
"I’ve noticed that too," Maria added. "I only know my village and this city, so I thought this was normal at first, but other shops aren't like this at all."
"Shops that keep permanent security are either in terrible neighborhoods or they’re high-end boutiques. Most places just have the staff or the manager handle unruly customers. If you have a decent build and can handle yourself in a scrap, you’re qualified to be a guard. In a normal shop, Dolce... you could probably lead the whole security detail. At least in terms of raw skill, you’re more than ready."
"Is that... true? I don't know much about other shops, so I wasn't sure. But if it is, I’m glad."
Dolce had been hired on Jeff’s recommendation when the shop was facing harassment during its grand opening. He’d had plenty of talent even then, so I thought he should have more confidence in how much further he’d come.
Thinking about it, I wondered if he had any desire for a promotion or a raise. Working hard without seeing any change in status can be a drain on motivation. His salary and benefits were decided in consultation with Calm, so I knew they were fair, but I was curious.
When I asked, he told me that his wages were more than enough—so much so that he wouldn't know what to do with more. I could empathize with that. My income was on a different scale, but my lack of expensive hobbies made our situations similar. In a way, I was finally understanding how the Duke and his family felt.
"Aside from pay, is there anything else you’re hoping for? Any specific benefits?"
"If I had to say... maybe time off? I’ve become interested in the idea of traveling."
"That’s a great idea! Is there anywhere in particular you want to go?"
"It’s not so much a specific place. I’ve never left this city once in my life. Most people born in the slums are the same. Unless you’re an adventurer or a transporter, you never have the opportunity or the choice... I thought that was just how life worked. But listening to everyone’s stories and reading books made me curious. It’s just an interest, though; I have no plan. I don't know where to go or what to do, so even if I had the time off right now, I’d be at a loss."
"I understand. Let’s put that on hold for the moment. But if you’re interested, Dolce, would you like to come with me somewhere next time?"
It would have to be after I returned from the Great Forest and once we’d secured enough staff to expand, but my plan was to continue opening more branches. I would need to scout locations in nearby towns, and if we synchronized his time off, I could take him there using Space Magic.
It would likely be a day trip or an overnight stay, so he might not get to sightsee as much as he’d like, and he wouldn’t experience the charm of a long carriage journey, but... wait, I could even send him to a new branch as a permanent security lead.
If he felt that work was the only way to get an opportunity to travel, then I could simply make traveling part of his work.
"Is that really possible? I mean, would it be alright for me to do that?"
"I’ll need to work out the details with Calm, but I think so. You’d have to work your shifts, of course, but we have to send staff to new branches anyway. Including you in that rotation wouldn't be difficult at all. Besides, you’ve been with us since the beginning; you know how I do things and the atmosphere I want to keep in my shops. I trust you both as a guard and as a person, so I’d feel much better having someone like you at a new location. I think the other staff would appreciate it too. Even with training, people always have questions when they’re in a new environment. Having a veteran around to consult makes a huge difference."
"That would be a big help," Maria agreed.
"We were certainly overwhelmed at first," Li Ling added.
Everything had been a learning experience for all of us, and his perspective as an original member of the team would be invaluable.
"I think we could handle it as a 'temporary dispatch' for a set period, like a month or six months. It all depends on what you want, of course. Why don't you think about it? For what it's worth, the next candidate for a branch is Gaunago, where the Lord's Mansion is. The Ducal House has requested a shop there, so that will likely be our priority."
"I understand. I'll give it some thought."
I made a mental note to bring the subject up with Calm later. Talking with them like this made me realize how much we had moved forward together, and it warmed my heart. Even if the nature of our work changed, I wanted to make sure we kept having these moments of connection.