𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟏: 𝐋𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐠𝐨 𝐨𝐧 𝐚 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞!

After finishing the investigation of the provisional seventeenth ruins, our pockets were a little warmer.

Not only because of the reward, but also because we were blessed with a decent amount of spoils.

We convert these into money, subtract the clan’s assets, and divide the rest equally among the four of us.

Currently, I’m the clan leader, but there’s no increase in my share. That was the condition for me to take on the role of leader, with no special treatment.

We’re all equal comrades, but I give advice to the three girls as an elder. That’s the ideal situation.

As a leader, if I order them around, they won’t develop their own autonomy.

Anyway, it’s a joy to have enough income to repair the roof and exterior walls of the clan house.

The next goal is the bed.

Or, to put walls and a roof on the bath.

Our clan house is a half-hour away from the city, so there probably aren’t any scoundrels who would go out of their way to peek, but it’s a problem that it’s too defenseless.

They don’t have much sense of shame.

They wander around in front of me, almost naked.

They call me “mom,” but I’m a young man.

If they underestimate me too much, I might attack all three of them.

. . .I can’t do that, though. Such a vulgar act.

“Nel-san! Let’s go quickly!”

Ignoring my anguish, Asuka pulls my arm forcefully.

She says we’re going on a date.

On the clan’s day off. With me, of all people.

Well, Meisha is at the church, and Miliaria is studying at the library, so I guess she’s just killing time.

“Alright, alright.”

I lock the house and start walking.

Well, there’s nothing to steal, but no one would be happy to have a thief break in.

“Let’s go eat meat.”

“Are you Meisha? I don’t want to eat meat on my day off.”

“Meat is justice!”

“That’s cheap justice.”

We head down a small hill towards the city, chatting about nonsense.

The clan house of [Hope], unfortunately, is not in the castle city of Gaillia.

In fact, only the relatively wealthy have houses within the city walls.

The vast majority live in apartment buildings or rented houses.

There might be some adventurers who have long-term contracts with inns.

Either way, the running costs are quite high. In that sense, Asuka’s decision to take over the abandoned watermill for free wasn’t a bad one.

There’s the advantage of not having to pay rent.

The disadvantages, on the other hand, include being far from the city, being outside the walls and therefore dangerous, being run-down, leaking when it rains, having mice, and so on. There are probably about twenty if you count them all.

“That’s it. Let’s get a cat.”

“What’s up? Out of the blue.”

Asuka looks puzzled.

It might have been abrupt.

I just thought of it because of the mice.

“You’re not going to increase the number of cats to eat them, are you?”

“What do you think I am?”

What other purpose could there be for keeping a cat, other than to keep mice away?

Basically, mice don’t appear in houses with cats. They get scared and run away.

They’re excellent hunters who prevent rodent damage just by being there.

“It’ll cost us for food, but it’s much better than having our feet chewed on by mice.”

“That might be true! If I hear a squeak in the middle of the night, I’ll jump out of bed.”

That’s true. They come when we’re sleeping.

“Then let’s stop by a cat shop.”

“Okay!”

We stroll around the city, enjoy a light meal (without meat), arrange for a promising cat at the cat shop, and as it’s getting to be a good time, we head to the adventurer’s guild.

Not to pick out requests, but to have dinner in the large dining hall.

After all, it’s the cheapest and tastiest place.

High-end restaurants for the upper class won’t let in ruffians like adventurers in the first place.

And middle-class restaurants have a lot of hit-or-miss, and the prices aren’t exactly cheap.

As for the stands for the poor, if you’re going to go to such a place, you might as well buy the ingredients and cook and eat in front of the clan house.

“We always end up coming here, don’t we!”

“It’s cheap.”

Only registered adventurers can use it, so there’s no trouble like being harassed by thugs, which is a big plus.

Both are hot-blooded, so it can quickly escalate into a brawl.

And if such a thing happens, there’s no doubt in a million that Asuka would jump in with glee.

It’s as clear as day.

“This spice is delicious. . . I’ll ask about the blend later.”

It’s the herb on the grilled white fish. It effectively removes the fishy smell and adds a rich aroma.

It’s a dish that makes me want to enjoy wine rather than ale.

“It’s delicious, but I prefer meat!”

“Yeah, yeah. You guys are carnivores.”

“Grrr! Nel-san, I’ll eat you too! Sexually!”

“Don’t talk like that during a meal.”

I quickly scold Asuka, who is about to start fooling around.

Girls should be a little more modest.

“Ah, there you are, Lionel-san. Asuka-chan.”

Jennifer comes running over in a hurry.

It’s rare for her to show her face in the dining hall.

“There’s an urgent request. Can you come to the reception tomorrow morning?”

Her tone is somewhat urgent.

And tomorrow morning is quite a sudden request.

Asuka and I involuntarily look at each other.

---