Chapter 36: The Past 4

Reina and I talked while waiting for the food.

“How are you finding the royal capital, Erik? Are you enjoying yourself?”

“I am. I’ve met many people, and everyone has been kind. I’m glad I came here. I also enjoy adventuring work, and I’m happy that I’m earning so much.”

“Adventuring is dangerous, but if you judge requests properly, it can pay well. Unfortunately, many adventurers misjudge them and lose their lives.”

Reina said that sadly.

“Did you lose someone you knew?”

“Some adventurers assigned to me have died after accepting difficult requests. One of them evaluated requests safely at first, but after a while, he grew overconfident and began challenging difficult ones.”

Eventually, the adventurer found a request with an excellent reward and accepted it.

Reina had judged it dangerous and deliberately hadn’t told him about it.

However, he decided he could manage it.

He traveled from the royal capital to the neighboring town and accepted the request.

In the end, monsters killed him and even devoured his body.

“I was responsible for only a few adventurers to begin with and selected requests suited to each one. But after that, I became even more selective about the adventurers themselves. I never want to hear a report like that again.”

“I’m sorry I made you remember something so unpleasant…”

“It’s all right. I chose to tell you.”

The atmosphere became subdued, and I wondered how to change the subject.

While I was considering it, Reina introduced another subject herself.

“Erik, why did you decide to become an adventurer?”

When she asked, I told her about my life in the village.

I explained that my family had treated me as though I didn’t exist and that I’d come to the capital to become an adventurer because I needed to survive.

“…I’m sorry. You always smile, so I never imagined you carried such a painful past. I asked only out of idle curiosity.”

“You don’t need to apologize. I’ve given up on my family and already moved beyond what happened.”

“Even so… But hearing your story explains many things. You’re able to think and live so responsibly at your age because you spent years living that way.”

“I had to think in order to survive.”

While we discussed our pasts, the food arrived.

I recognized the grilled fish and soup immediately.

However, I didn’t understand the final dish filled with many white grains.

“Reina, what is this food?”

“It’s called rice. It’s made by cooking a grain that is also called rice. It goes wonderfully with grilled fish and meat.”

After Reina explained, I tried a mouthful.

It had a faint sweetness and a pleasant texture, and I’d swallowed before I realized it.

“It’s delicious. Do you like rice, Reina?”

“Yes. I could eat rice at every meal without becoming tired of it. I like bread too, but ever since discovering rice, I’ve always preferred it.”

Reina began eating with obvious enjoyment.

I followed her and began my own meal.

Just as she’d told me, it paired extremely well with the grilled fish.

The refreshing soup also contained plenty of vegetables.

As I ate, I felt grateful to Reina for introducing me to such delicious food.

“Thank you for the meal.”

I ate slowly as usual, so Reina finished first.

A little later, I finished as well and drank water from my cup.

“That was delicious. I understand why you became so fond of it.”

“Hee hee. I’m happy you appreciate rice too. I brought the Master here once, but he told me he preferred bread to rice, and I decided I’d never bring him again. If you’ve become a fan, let’s come together again sometime.”

“I’d be delighted. But next time, please let me pay.”

Although I declared my intention to treat her, Reina merely smiled and gave no verbal response.

Once we’d finished eating, we returned to the Adventurers’ Guild.

I accepted a request outside the city for the first time in a while.

I felt slightly excited about leaving the city again.

“…No. If I let excitement carry me away, I’ll end up like the adventurer we discussed at lunch.”

I suppressed my excitement and warned myself.

After regaining my focus, I left the royal capital.

My destination was the usual forest.

I traveled without holding my weapon until I approached it, then drew it before entering.

“All right. I’ll work hard again today.”

With that, I entered the forest.