One morning, Ren made his way to the Adventurer Guild.
The moment he stepped inside, a receptionist who had become a familiar face addressed him.
"You received the letter, I take it?"
Ren nodded. "I was surprised when the messenger showed up at the manor, but I read it immediately. You mentioned a specific request for me? What are the details?"
"Regarding that, Kai has informed me that it is an escort mission for a merchant group."
"Kai?"
"Oh? He's someone you’ve spoken with several times, isn't he?"
Unfortunately, the name didn't ring a bell. In fact, Ren had no recollection of ever learning anyone’s name at this Adventurer Guild.
"That would be me, Great Hero," a voice called out from behind him.
Ren turned and found a young man standing right there. This was the same man who had first struck up a conversation with him when he started visiting the guild.
"So you're Kai," Ren said.
"The one and only. Well, it’s only natural you didn’t know. I never actually introduced myself. Anyway, thanks, miss! I'll take it from here and talk to him directly."
After the receptionist gave a nod, Ren was led to a table where food and drinks were served. Kai’s partner, the Werewolf, was already waiting for them.
"I heard you. My apologies, Great Hero. I completely forgot to introduce ourselves properly," the Werewolf said.
"No, please don't worry about it."
As Ren took his seat, Kai sat down as well and abruptly spread a map across the table.
"The job we want to ask you to help with is an escort mission, just like you heard. The client is a merchant guild favored by some noble or another—a company formed by what they call a 'purveyor.' They sent a representative out here."
"So, I’d be guarding this representative?"
"Exactly. Word is they're on very close terms with a noble from the Hero Faction."
Ren’s expression soured instantly. Noticing this, Kai gave a wide, knowing grin.
"I get the complicated feelings, but we really want to rely on you, Great Hero. We expect the trip to take about a month round-trip. What do you think?"
A month was a long time. Ren looked troubled.
"That’s... quite a while."
Given that he was living in the Old Wing of House Clausel and serving as its manager, a month was simply too long to be away. The pay didn't seem bad, but Ren didn't feel swayed in the slightest.
However, Kai wasn't ready to give up. Desperate to secure Ren’s help, he made a hurried concession.
"T-Then just the way there is fine! You don't have to do the return trip—if you could just join us for the one-way leg, it would be a massive help!"
Ren felt bad about the desperate plea, and a part of him was honored that his skills were being sought after, but he still couldn't agree. Even a one-way trip would take roughly two weeks and a few days. No matter how he looked at it, it wasn't a job for someone entrusted with the care of the Old Wing.
"He isn't going to sign on with an explanation that vague, Kai. You need to be more specific," the Werewolf interjected, supporting Kai with a more reasonable approach.
Beside the Werewolf, who chuckled and showed his white canines, Kai let out a short sigh. "Meidas is right."
When Ren tilted his head at the name, the Werewolf laughed.
"That’s my name. I didn't think we’d both end up introducing ourselves like this."
Meidas, the Werewolf, gave a self-deprecating smile, said "Nice to meet you," and shook hands with Ren. Then he poked Kai in the ribs with his elbow.
"This man always uses too few words, or rather, his explanations are always lacking. I'm constantly warning him about it."
"Hey! You didn't have to put it like that!"
Kai propped his chin on his hands, looking sulky. As he grumbled under his breath, Meidas gave a helpless laugh.
"Ignore this guy’s interruptions. Now, regarding the job, this is the route we’re planning to take."
Meidas slid his finger across the map. It was a route Ren knew well. He had recently taken that exact path when touring the border villages with Lithia, Weiss, and the other knights. However, Meidas’s finger didn't stop there; it continued north, cutting straight through the Baldur Mountains.
Ren’s eyebrows twitched for a moment.
"We don't need much protection until we reach the Baldur Mountains. But once we enter the range, the roads get dangerous and the monster count spikes. We want the Great Hero to be our main muscle through the mountains."
Ren felt a wave of relief that he hadn't jumped at the offer.
That makes it even more impossible, he thought.
Between the treasures hidden on the game maps and the fact that a Steel-Eating Gargoyle was a guaranteed encounter there, it wasn't as if he had zero interest, but he simply couldn't justify the trip.
"I’ve heard the cold is going to be terrible this year. Are you sure you'll be okay? Why would anyone choose to pass through the Baldur Mountains at a time like this?"
"I think it’s insane too," Kai admitted. "But the merchants insisted."
"Apparently, they won't make their delivery deadline if they don't push through," Meidas explained. "They're having monster materials they obtained processed by a famous blacksmith. Since the smith’s schedule is booked solid, the merchants have to deliver the goods by the specified time or lose their slot."
The materials hadn't been gathered in Clausel; they had been brought from another territory, with Clausel serving only as a waypoint.
"What happens if they miss the deadline?" Ren asked.
"Famous smiths often have their schedules filled years in advance. If they miss this, the next chance might be years away. The nobles who commissioned the work would be furious, and the merchant’s standing as a purveyor would be in jeopardy."
"I see... They're in a tighter spot than I realized."
"The pay is more than double the standard rate, so it’s not a bad deal. There’s even a bonus if we finish the delivery safely."
The merchants were clearly desperate to maintain their noble connections.
"Even so... is it still a no?" Kai asked.
"I’m sorry. I'm currently in the service of House Clausel, so I’ll have to decline this time."
Kai hung his head, finally defeated. "Yeah... I figured."
"It can't be helped," Meidas said. "We knew it was a long shot, right?"
"I guess. Since Meidas here can't join because of another job, I really wanted to bring someone I could trust. I’ll try asking some other acquaintances."
Apparently, it wasn't uncommon for the two of them to take different requests and act separately.
"I’m really sorry, especially since you went out of your way to ask me," Ren said.
"Don't sweat it! We’ve still got nearly two weeks until the job starts. I'm sure I'll find someone soon."
"Oh, so there’s actually a fair bit of time."
"Well, it depends on when the merchants are ready."
This year especially, the cold was expected to be brutal, with snowstorms likely to reach historic levels. The winter in the Baldur Mountains looked like it would be harsher than ever before. But Kai must have known that. Over the summer, Meidas had toured the villages delivering Magic Tools and supplies in preparation for exactly this scenario. They must have heard about the coming winter until they were sick of it.
"Since you came all the way to the Guild, let me buy you a drink!" Kai offered.
"I’m still a kid, so juice for me, please."
Ren remembered that the age of adulthood in Leomel was fourteen. While sipping his juice, he whispered to himself, "I really have grown up, haven't I?"
Several days passed after he turned down the request.
Ren had considered going hunting during the winter, but he didn't have the luxury of leaving the Old Wing for long. As its manager, he was kept busy with winter maintenance. There were days he left town for the forest to scout the monster situation, but he hadn't been able to actually hunt.
Then, one morning, disaster struck.
The roof of the Old Wing had succumbed to the weight of the snow, and a section of it had collapsed.
"Now that you've moved in, the heat from the rooms must have reached the roof," Weiss said, having arrived shortly after hearing the news. "The melted snow likely refroze, and the weight increased further as more snow piled on top."
Looking up from the entrance of the Old Wing, Ren could see a hole so large the sky was visible through the ceiling.
"I tried to clear the snow regularly, but..."
"Hahaha! Last night was particularly bitter, so it couldn't be helped! Still, that is one hell of a hole!"
"It's not exactly a laughing matter," Ren sighed.
"True. Regardless, it must be repaired."
"Are you going to call a craftsman?"
"I will, but the carpenter who handles our house’s repairs doesn't live in the city. We’ll have to fetch him from a distant village."
Knowing the hole would remain open until then made Ren’s face twitch. However, Weiss had no intention of leaving the roof exposed.
"We shall have to perform emergency repairs ourselves."
"Oh, right. We can just do that."
And so, it was time for some carpentry. Weiss left to explain the situation to Lezard and fetch the necessary materials from the storehouse.
In his place, Lithia arrived, her breath visible as white mist in the cold air.
"Is it true you're fixing the roof?"
"Yes. If we don't, the inside of the building is going to be ruined by the snow."
Lithia chuckled, the hem of her white coat swaying as she stepped lightly toward him. The hair ornament she had worn every day since her birthday party swayed as well. It was a striking presence in her hair as she gradually began to look more like a young lady.
"You're going up on the roof, right?"
"I have to, or I can't fix it."
"Then—"
"No."
"I haven't even said anything yet!"
"I don't need to hear it. I already know."
Knowing Lithia, he could see it coming the moment she showed interest.
"Climbing on the roof is a no-go. You can watch, but even then, things might fall, so you need to get permission from your father or Weiss first."
"Stingy..."
A short while later, Weiss returned with Lezard in tow.
"Oho," Lezard said airily, looking at the damage.
"Father, can I try climbing the roof with Ren?"
"The answer is no, obviously."
"Honestly! You’re just as bad as Ren!"
"I wasn't worried, but it seems Ren has been making the right calls," Lezard said with a wry smile.
Once the repairs were finished in the early afternoon, Ren washed away the sweat in a hot bath and headed to the dining hall of the Main Manor. Lezard had invited him to join them for lunch.
"My apologies for the trouble, Ren," Lezard said.
"It’s no trouble. It’s my job, and Weiss helped me through it anyway."
It had been a long time since he’d done that kind of manual labor. The last time had been just before Jelkku attacked his village, and before that, it went back to when he was a small child helping his father, Roy.
Lezard and Lithia listened with great interest as Ren shared stories of his village.
"Do you... ever want to go back?" Lithia asked. She couldn't help it; Ren looked so genuinely happy while talking about his home.
"I’d be lying if I said I didn't. But if I don't grow as a person first, I might just end up being a burden to them again."
"But—"
"Besides, I think this was for the best. With the money I earn at the guild here, I can buy Magic Tools for the village."
If the village became more prosperous because of his efforts, then this path wasn't wrong. As the son of a knight who would eventually lead them, he was already doing his part.
"I receive frequent reports from your village as well, Ren," Lezard added.
According to the reports, this winter wasn't nearly as harsh as previous years, thanks to Ren. He had used almost all the rewards from the Steel-Eating Gargoyle to improve the village's facilities. The Magic Tools were a godsend, and the villagers were constantly singing his praises.
"The roads are well-maintained, and the houses have been completely transformed. I even hear there are prospects for building a defensive wall around the perimeter."
"Father! But Ren is...!" Lithia started to protest, wanting her father to be more sensitive to the fact that Ren was missing out on life in his own home.
"Please, don't worry about it," Ren interrupted. "I decided this for myself, and I was the one who consulted with Lezard-sama."
He had no regrets. If his parents and the villagers could live in comfort and safety, that was all the reward he needed.
"Lithia, you're misunderstanding," Lezard said. "I didn't bring up the village without a reason."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean that I agree it’s about time Ren paid his home a visit."
The sudden suggestion surprised both Ren and Lithia.
"I know why Ren is living away from home and I respect his conviction. But I mentioned the wall construction, didn't I? Work on that begins in the spring, and since they'll be short on manpower, I plan to dispatch a squad of knights for about two weeks."
Lezard proposed that Ren be included in that dispatch.
"Going as an official knight, if only for show, might be for the best. If it’s just for a short period, then your concerns about your duties here won't be an issue."
Having finished his meal, Lezard stood up. "Give it some thought," he said before leaving the room.
If I'm going back to Clausel after the visit, that means I'll be away from the Old Wing for about a month, Ren calculated. I'll have to get a lot of work done ahead of time.
As his thoughts drifted toward his village, Ren felt a slight sense of realization at his own mental phrasing.
Going back to Clausel, huh?
Ren smiled without even realizing it. Seeing the expression, Lithia asked, "You're really looking forward to seeing your home, aren't you?"
"That too, but something else occurred to me."
"What’s that?"
Feeling a bit embarrassed, Ren just brushed her off with a laugh.