Kays Translations

Chapter 21

"Did those idiots really come here?!"

Taran had come to report the incident to the guild leader.

Mizuki efficiently explained the situation.

"I manipulated things with that photograph you mentioned."

The guild leader laughs heartily.

"Well, that certainly would knock someone off their feet... We were the same way, so I'm impressed with how you used the smartphone."

"Now, changing the subject—" 

Taran begins.

"Tinameril, the vice guild leader."

"Yes."

"Why did she make an appearance?"

"I don't know, really..."

The guild leader scratched his head.

It was about the recent incident where the vice guild leader showed up at the storefront.

She rarely appears in public, to the point where one might think she dislikes people. Yet, she showed up. It's only natural to be curious about the reasons behind it.

However, the guild leader doesn't delve too deeply into thoughts about her—

To be precise, he "gave up thinking" about her.

It's because he doesn't understand her principles of action.

Even though Loki holds a higher position than Tinameril, he can't seem to surpass her. 

Her role as vice guild leader is due to her strict adherence to the unspoken rules established since the guild's inception.

And naturally, she's the only one who knows those unspoken rules. The people who knew are long gone.

No... it's uncertain whether there were people who knew.

"By the way... Mizuki's words... are they in Elvish?"

"I don't know."

Neither of them has ever heard Elvish.

However, they speculate that it might be Elvish because Mizuki spoke to Tinameril in a language he had never heard before.

"I don't know much about her either."

Loki rarely had the opportunity to interact with the guild leader until he became one. 

Even after becoming the guild leader, she neither talks about herself nor responds to questions.

The previous chief didn't know anything when I asked.

The only thing I know is—

"I've been in Tiara since before I was born, and I'll be in Tiara even after I die."

Elves only understand that they have a long lifespan.

"Tinameril isn't interested in humans. She might have already forgotten."

"Yeah... that's true."

In a way, I agree with the guild leader. However, Taran thought—probably, she came to see Mizuki.

　◆ ◆ ◆

Three weeks have passed since I started working at the Tiara Adventurer's Guild.

In the past few days, there has been an increase in the renewal of monthly requests from adventurers, making reception duties extremely busy.

When the three of them can't handle it, other staff members temporarily sit at the counter to assist. Thanks to that, I also learned reception duties.

In addition, idle adventurers are actively engaged in gathering resources, and about three people are handling the purchasing transactions.

There is a reason for this—

It's almost the end of the month.

The clients renewing their requests are individuals who were told by their employers to continue their contracts. They must have done well in their work, as their dispatches are ongoing.

The busyness in purchasing comes from freelance adventurers or those left out from subjugation or escort missions. They engage in activities like hunting beasts or gathering herbs to earn some extra money.

So, as the end of the month approaches, the guild becomes extremely busy.

And around early afternoon on this day, the Chief arrived with the staff, pushing a cart with some boxes.

As everyone saw it, their faces lit up all at once.

I sensed it too—it was our salaries.

Each of us was called to receive a statement and a wrapped bundle.

"Mizuki-san."

I was called by the supervisor and headed to the desk.

"Although you've been with us for three weeks this month, considering the nature of your work and various circumstances, you'll be paid for a full month."

"Really? That's amazing! Thank you so much!"

I was impressed that my first job in another world turned out to be with an incredibly fair company.

In my mind, I couldn't help but shout that Japanese companies should learn from this.

As I returned to my seat and opened the bundle to see its contents, I noticed some coins shining in a golden hue—

"Whoa, it's a gold coin!"

I rejoiced at holding a gold coin for the first time. The salary consisted of one small gold coin, one large silver coin, and so on.

"Hmm, a shining ochre-colored koban... I mean coin. It's enchanting."

As I rubbed the gold coin with my fingers, Galand looked at me with a curious expression.

"Is a gold coin rare?"

"We don't use gold coins in our country, you know."

"Oh, I see."

Lily and Carol, who were aware of the situation, explained.

"In Mizuki-san's country, they use paper currency. I believe it's called banknotes..."

"It's Yuki-san and Hideyo-san."

Come to think of it, I hadn't shown the accounting team the banknotes, so I took out some from my wallet.

I didn't have a ¥5,000 bill, so I sincerely apologized to Ichiyo-san.

The supervisor asked if I don't use coins, so I showed them my coins as well.

Everyone was surprised.

"Whoa! What's this? It's so small, and the pictures are beautiful!"

"Some of them have holes! This... isn't silver, is it?"

"The smallest one is incredibly light!"

The level of metallurgical technology in this world is vastly different. Everyone took my coins and expressed their thoughts.

By the way, the most popular one was the 1-yen coin, and they suspected magic because it's light despite being made of metal.

"Isn't gold valuable in Japan?"

"Well, no... Gold is valuable in Japan too. It's just not used as currency."

Explaining modern finance, which relies on credit creation and the idea that money is built on trust, didn't seem to resonate. So, I simply mentioned that it's because the coins are heavy, which isn't entirely wrong.

While everyone was fascinated by Japanese currency, I looked at my salary statement.

"Oh... 20% deduction for the temporary employment."

I had completely forgotten about that.

After receiving our salaries, everyone returned to work upon the supervisor's reminder that we were still on duty.

I was delighted with the gold coins and placed them neatly on my desk, admiring them.

Lily scolded me for my behavior.

"You won't know if you lose them."

Excited about my first paycheck, I replied with a jest.

"I won't lose them!"

She chuckled brightly at my response.

Receiving my first paycheck gave me a sense of assurance that I could finally make a living in this place.

With regular employment, the worries about money had diminished, and I could start practicing magic gradually.

While pondering over these thoughts, a female staff member from another building peeked in.

"Um, excuse me. Is Mizuki-san..."

Everyone turned to the sound of her voice.

"Yes?"

"By the order of Vice Guild Master Tinameril, she requests you to come to the Vice Guild Master's office after today's work is finished."

Upon hearing those words, my blood seemed to drain from my face.

"...Yes. I understand."

There was no mistaking that it was about the previous incident. I wonder... she's definitely going to ask about Elvish. 

Anxiety crept in, but in reality, I was secretly pleased to be able to meet her, the Elf.

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