Chapter 26: Skill 2

Harold became deeply dejected after hearing what I said.

“Honestly, I thought the building was at fault, but it was my fault…”

Realizing he was responsible, he said that and sighed.

“People make many mistakes, Harold. What determines whether someone grows or remains stuck where he is is how he overcomes those mistakes. It’s good to reflect on what happened, but what’s important is considering what to do from now on.”

“…Boy, are you truly a ten-year-old who only recently underwent the ceremony? You’re more reliable than I am.”

“That’s only because I’m not directly involved and can view it from the perspective of a third party. I also said it because I don’t think you’re the sort of person who’ll remain stuck.”

“Ha! If you think that highly of me, I don’t have time to stay depressed! First, I’ll need to prepare some lumber and repair the hole. It really would be beyond the scope of the request to leave this part to you.”

After that, Harold repaired the damaged section with his own hands.

Dwarves were skilled with their hands, and many of them were involved in construction work like this.

He was a blacksmith by trade, but his craftsmanship was indistinguishable from a carpenter’s.

Harold looked satisfied as he examined the beautifully repaired floor.

“Phew, this is an enormous job, so I’m starting to get tired…”

“Sorry about the size of the warehouse, boy.”

“Not at all. It gives me plenty to clean up, so I’m actually enjoying myself.”

Two hours had passed since we began.

Harold’s warehouse was quite large, but the end of the cleaning was finally in sight.

I stopped to look over the entire area once, steeled myself again, and resumed cleaning.

While I worked, Harold built new shelves.

He processed the lumber quickly, yet every piece was beautifully shaped.

He made each shelf carefully and replaced those too damaged to use.

“Boy, thank you for accepting the request! Thanks to you, the warehouse is even easier to use than it was before.”

“I only cleaned it. You made all the shelves and baskets yourself, Harold.”

“I did make them, but it’s also true that the place became easier to use because of your advice, isn’t it?”

I’d given Harold advice while he built the shelves and baskets.

His previous shelves had looked extremely inconvenient to use.

Even the sections of the warehouse that hadn’t collapsed felt cramped and were difficult to navigate.

The materials had been so disorganized that the same item sometimes emerged from several separate places.

That was why I’d offered advice on creating a more practical space.

Harold was a craftsman, but he’d listened to my opinions and incorporated them.

Once the warehouse was clean, I asked him to sign the report.

“Boy, just as I promised before the request, that entire set of equipment is yours. You truly saved me.”

“I’m happy to receive such wonderful equipment. I’ll save my money so that next time I can properly buy something from your shop!”

“Good! When that time comes, I’ll put even more spirit into making it!”

After Harold said that, I prepared to return to the Adventurers’ Guild and report.

“Ah, wait! There’s something else I want to give you.”

It seemed I was about to receive yet another additional reward, so I tried to refuse.

However, before I could speak, Harold had already gone into the back to retrieve it.

“Here. Take this, boy.”

What Harold brought out was a set of equipment-maintenance tools.

“It isn’t especially valuable as an additional reward, but I thought you’d need it.”

“You don’t need to give me any additional reward at all. I’m already receiving the entire equipment set and five silver coins as the request’s payment.”

“It’s fine! I’m giving it to you because I want to. Besides, you need it, so take it with you.”

Once he put it that way, I accepted the maintenance tools as an additional reward.

Until now, I’d maintained my equipment with clothes that had developed holes and could no longer be worn.

I’d already been thinking that I’d eventually need proper maintenance tools.

“Thank you! I’ll put these tools to good use, along with the equipment.”

After thanking Harold, I left the shop and returned to the Adventurers’ Guild.

I waited in line at Reina’s counter and handed her the report.

“Hee hee. You received another additional reward.”

“I felt I’d already received far too many things and tried to refuse, but refusing proved impossible.”

“I think it’s a good thing. It shows how highly your clients value you.”

Since I intended to leave the city today, I asked her to show me the outside requests.

Among them was a herb-gathering request that wasn’t a standing request and offered one silver coin.

“Why does this pay an entire silver coin when it’s only a gathering request?”

“This particular variety of herb is a little difficult to find. They need only five, though, so the number isn’t especially large. I thought even you might be able to manage it.”

The request asked for a single specific kind of herb.

Reina used an illustrated encyclopedia to explain what kind it was and what it looked like.

After listening to her explanation, I considered it for a moment.

I’d intended to accept a subjugation request today because I wanted to acquire [Swordsmanship].

However, this request appeared quite urgent.

Judging by Reina’s expression, she also seemed to want me to accept it.

“All right. I’ll take this request.”

“Thank you, Erik.”

She tried to hide it, but I didn’t miss the slight softening of her expression.

After she completed the paperwork, I left the building and headed outside the royal capital.