𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟑: 𝐈’𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐝! 𝐁𝐲 𝐚 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥!
“Eh?! No way! I’m sorry Oji. . . Nii-san. . .”
“You were about to call me Ojii-san, weren’t you?”
“I wasn’t going to say that! I wasn’t thinking that!”
I glare at Asuka.
I might be a bit older from the perspective of a sixteen-year-old, but I’m only twenty-three.
I’m definitely not old enough to be called Ojii-san.
Just to be clear, I explained this just in case.
To prevent any misunderstandings.
Because it’s important.
“Twenty-three. . . You’re quite ol(d). . . mature, Lionel-san!”
“Miliaria, you were about to say I look old, weren’t you?”
“N-n-n-no, not at all!”
Miliaria’s gaze darted around with incredible speed.
She’s too flustered.
It’s funny to think that she’s the brains of the party, the wizard.
“. . .”
“Why is Meisha so quiet? Is it because she thinks she can deceive us if she doesn’t speak?”
“Why do you see through everything?!”
Meisha is flustered.
Don’t fall for the bait, cleric.
“I-I-I’m sorry, Lionel-san.”
“Don’t abandon us, please don’t abandon us.”
“We’ll do anything.”
The three of them cling to me. This time, not to Jennifer, but to me.
What’s with you guys?
Is this your style?
And Meisha, you’re a cleric, so don’t press your overly abundant chest against me.
It’s indecent.
“Stop clinging to me, it’s annoying.”
I brush off the three of them and head to the reception counter with Jennifer.
To pay their sponsorship money.
It’s a strange situation, but as a guild, it shouldn’t matter who pays.
“Are you sure about this, Lionel-san?”
“It’s fine. I was planning to quit being an adventurer today. Paying for the newcomers is my last duty.”
I pay the amount presented with a bitter smile.
Now my wallet is completely light.
If I add up the money I have deposited with the Gold-lined Butterflies and the salary I haven’t received yet, it’s quite a sum, but my pride won’t let me claim it.
Now that I’m almost broke, I need to find a new job quickly.
“Lionel-san. . .”
Jennifer was about to say something, but she swallowed her words.
It’s an unwritten rule among adventurers not to pry into other people’s wallets.
Ah, this doesn’t mean literally peeking into someone’s wallet, but not prying into other people’s affairs.
Everyone has one or two things they don’t want others to know.
Like having a major falling out with a best friend you’ve been with for ten years.
First it was money. The second time, it was a woman.
There’s a saying that human troubles boil down to money and love problems, but it seems to have come true in the worst way.
It’s pathetic.
I shrug my shoulders with a bitter smile.
In the end, I’m not a person of much value. Even though I was told that I was the only one, I lost easily when weighed against a woman.
“Hey, hey, Lionel-san.”
Someone pokes me in the back.
It’s Asuka.
“What’s up? I’ve paid your sponsorship money. Don’t forget the next payment.”
I say, lightly tapping her red hair.
I don’t intend to make a big deal out of it.
As I told Jennifer, it’s my last duty.
There’s not much a worthless senior can do for a junior, except give money.
“Are you a strategist, Lionel-san?”
“Yeah.”
“So you’re a super rare gifted strategist?”
“I’ve never heard of any other strategists.”
I smile wryly at Asuka’s roundabout way of speaking.
I wonder what she wants to confirm.
“I heard you’re quitting being an adventurer. If it’s okay with you. . .”
She’s hesitating.
If she’s asking for money, I’m sorry, but I can’t give any more.
“Do you want to join our clan?”
“That’s quite a sudden invitation.”
I’m a bit taken aback, but it’s not an unusual conversation.
Reaching out to free agents is the first step to growing a clan.
It can cause trouble if you poach from other clans, but you want to actively recruit those who are unaffiliated.
That’s how the Gold-lined Butterflies built up their strength.
“May I ask why you’re scouting me?”
“Because you’re someone who can help us in our time of need.”
“Isn’t that a rather weak reason?”
“We became adventurers to help people in need. So, we want people like that to join us.”
Asuka, with her hands clasped together, is aimlessly moving her fingers.
She’s probably nervous because it’s her first time scouting.
Regardless, wanting to help people in need, huh?
That’s a grand reason. Almost laughable.
Truly heroic.
I remember a fool who started a clan with that same sentiment. About a decade ago.
He led me into becoming an adventurer.
And now, I’m being reached out to by another budding hero.
It seems I was born under a strange star.
Or perhaps strategists often have ties with heroes.
“I was kicked out of my previous clan for being too outspoken.”
“That’s exactly what we need.”
“We can’t be assertive with each other.”
Miliaria and Meisha also approached.
I wonder if that’s how it is.
Luke and I had quite a few heated exchanges. We even came to blows.
Perhaps female friendships are more delicate than male ones.
“Well, if you say so. I was planning to look for a job anyway.”
I said, somewhat embarrassed, and extended my right hand.
I would have refused if they had invited me just because I’m a strategist.
Asuka, Miliaria, and Meisha place their hands on top of mine.
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Translator’s Blog
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