Kays Translations

Chapter 11: Living Conditions Change Little by Little

After the first survey, Ren remained in town for several days because Licia was staying at the mansion. Fortunately, she was scheduled to spend a night away from Clausel soon, so he planned to make full use of that time.

His work continued smoothly. The reports satisfied Lord Lessard, the hunting income remained excellent, and Ren accumulated enough money to purchase the magic tools he wanted for the Ashton village. He bought several streetlight tools in town and entrusted them to a Clausel knight traveling to the frontier.

He also remembered to buy a wallet before making any further gifts.

About a month after his first investigation, a servant delivered the reply he had been waiting for.

“Ren-dono, a letter has arrived from the Ashton village.”

It was from Roy and Mireille, carried back by a knight who had just returned from the settlement.

“Thank you.”

Alone at his guest-room desk, Ren cut the seal with the tip of the Iron Magic Sword and unfolded the letter.

His parents wrote that the entire village was grateful. The streetlights had brightened roads that became dangerously dark at night and had been especially helpful to the elderly. Roy could supply the required magic stones through his hunting, so operating them would not burden the settlement.

The letter ended with concern for Ren and repeated warnings not to work himself too hard.

(Thank goodness.)

For the first time, he clearly understood that living in Clausel did not prevent him from helping his home. He could earn money, purchase useful tools, and send support even from far away.

A darker thought followed. Until the danger surrounding him was better understood, the village might actually be safer while he was elsewhere. He did not want his presence to become the spark for another attack.

Ren found the returning knight and asked about the settlement directly.

“Everyone was delighted,” the man told him. “It was almost a festival. Sir Roy and Lady Mireille were moved to tears when they heard how well you were doing.”

“I am glad. Thank you for carrying everything.”

Ren then went straight to Lessard’s office.

“I see from your expression that the report was good,” the baron said. “Tell me about it.”

“My parents and the villagers were pleased with the magic tools. They are already helping people at night.”

“That is excellent news.”

The income Ren earned in Clausel was benefiting the village, while the survey and hunting strengthened him and broadened his experience. Weiss was also preparing to teach him Imperial Swordsmanship in earnest.

“Have some of your worries eased?” Lessard asked.

“Yes. I have learned that distance does not make me useless to the village. I can support them from here, train under Weiss, and encounter things that would never appear near my home.”

Ren’s resolve had become firmer.

He would hunt to support himself, continue Lessard’s surveys, learn swordsmanship, and spar with Licia as promised. At the very least, he intended to remain in Clausel until reconstruction of the village was complete.

“So I would like to rent a house.”

“You still wish to live independently?”

“Yes. Now that I can earn my own living, I should not remain a guest forever.”

Lessard chuckled.

“You have overlooked a practical difficulty. How old are you, Ren?”

“Eleven.”

“And do your parents live nearby?”

“No.”

“Then most landlords will hesitate. You are unusually capable, but you are still an eleven-year-old without a local guardian or guarantor.”

Ren had not considered that. Children in this world assumed responsibility earlier than in his previous life, but an eleven-year-old renting alone was still highly unusual. His close connection to House Clausel would make matters even more awkward. A landlord might fear offending the baron rather than welcome the association.

(I cannot ask Lord Lessard to guarantee the lease. That would defeat the purpose.)

While Ren struggled for an answer, Lessard offered one.

“There is an old manor behind the main residence. It housed servants until a new building was constructed several years ago. Why not live there?”

Ren hesitated. Moving into another Clausel property sounded little different from remaining a guest.

“The place is dusty,” Lessard continued, “but it will be comfortable once cleaned. Several older magic tools remain, and most still function.”

“I would be grateful, but I want to pay proper rent. I would also prefer to perform work beyond the monster survey.”

“Then live there as its caretaker.”

“Caretaker?”

“Clean the building, remove weeds, inspect it regularly, and handle simple maintenance. The work is modest, but it must be done.”

The old manor connected to the main residence by an enclosed corridor. Because of that access, Lessard could not employ a stranger without considering security. The household servants and knights already had their own duties, so assigning the work to someone trustworthy would genuinely help.

“This is not charity,” Lessard said. “You will be paid separately for the caretaker’s work. Rent will then be deducted from your wages under an ordinary agreement.”

The proposed rent was not cheap, but it was reasonable for the location and the size of the building. Even an old manor with working magic tools was far more than Ren could normally obtain.

“Under those terms, I accept.”

“Good. You may inspect the place whenever you like.”

“I will prepare and move gradually.”

As Ren left the office, he still wondered whether this truly counted as independence. Yet he would be working, paying real rent, and maintaining the property. Given the impossibility of renting elsewhere at his age, it was a legitimate step forward.

He returned to the guest room and began packing.

There was almost nothing to move. His most important possession was the wooden box Roy had brought from the village. The rest could be carried in a single trip, although Ren wanted to clean the old manor and obtain daily necessities before sleeping there.

He stepped into the corridor with the box in his arms and happened to meet Licia on her way to visit him.

“Ren? What are you doing with that?”

“I am preparing to move.”

“Move? Who is moving?”

“I am.”

Licia froze as though the air around her had suddenly turned to ice.

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