Chapter 138: My Relationship with the Submaster
Just after noon, I went to the Adventurers’ Guild, and before I could call for him, the submaster showed up.
We went together to the disassembly area, where a sheet was laid over the workbench.
The chief lifted the sheet so it wasn’t visible from outside, revealing blood-stained chunks of meat: five pieces of Golden Goat and ten of Shams.
It seemed fewer than I expected, but after removing the organs and bones, the meat alone would naturally be smaller than it looked—something I’d already learned from experience with the Chikki-Chikki Birds. I understood.
I thanked him, tossed them into a Rank 8 Magic Bag, and provided new Golden Goats and Shams.
“These will go to auction. You’ll receive an advance and final settlement after the auction,” the submaster said.
“That’s fine.”
Once I had the meat, I had no further business at the guild and hurried back to my sister, who was waiting at home.
“What, you didn’t go to the guild?”
“Just a little. How’s everyone?”
“Evan’s here. Landis is on the late shift, and Roger’s off today.”
“Four people should be enough for this house, I think.”
“Even four might be overkill. It’s my first time guarding a house, so I don’t really know. Something wrong?”
“They all look different. I heard that the neighborhood guards might complain if they don’t look like a proper unit.”
“Ah, I see. The employer, Leon, dresses like that, right?”
“Eh, I’m an active adventurer. Ted’s retired, so that outfit isn’t necessary.”
“Old habits die hard. But yes, the neighborhood guards do wear matching uniforms.”
“Well then, shall we make matching clothes for everyone? I’ll also prepare swords and short spears not meant for adventurers.”
“That’ll cost a lot. Are you okay with that?”
“I earned a lot, so it’s fine. I’ll go out with my sister this afternoon. Leave the rest to you.”
I went with my sister to the Commerce Guild to request a carpenter for the shop.
We planned a layout similar to the pharmacist guild’s shop: the front is the store, the back is the staff room, and further back is the workshop and potion storage.
At the very back is my sister’s private room, where she’ll spend most of her days.
Showing the outline she drew, we requested a carpenter. I also asked for a tailor’s introduction to make clothes for Ted and the others, then left the guild.
“You seem familiar with this place.”
She said.
“Well, as my earnings increased, I’ve been coming to the Commerce Guild more often.”
“That’s not all—they treat you very politely.”
“Well, I deposit a lot, so polite treatment is natural. More importantly, do you have someone to run the shop?”
“No, I can’t rely on Ted’s family. I wonder if I can ask someone else instead.”
“Better than hiring strangers, but you can’t force it. How much can you pay?”
“Initially, about 150,000 Dara. Once the shop stabilizes, I can pay more.”
“How much did you earn as an apprentice?”
“Since it was live-in with meals, I earned 45,000 Dara per month.”
“So the guild saved on labor during your apprenticeship. There was no need for extra service.”
“Yes, back then I didn’t know better and thought that was normal.”
After buying the house, complications increased. I even had to insist that the salaries for Ted and the others be transferred from my father’s account, promising to reimburse them myself.
Later, the Commerce Guild likely checked the balance, and when I returned from work, they looked uneasy.
At dinner, they asked why such a large sum was deposited. I explained it came from bounty rewards and commissions from the Duke.
If they saw my full balance, it would have caused a scene. Since they already knew my earnings from previous assessment sheets, they didn’t press further—thankfully.
Three days later, the tailor arrived. Since some staff had their day off, they were present for measurements.
While the carpenter worked on the shop interior, we were busy measuring, ordering matching weapons, and buying magic pouches for Evan, Land, and Roger.
The swords were like the knights’ personal weapons, and the short spears were single-edged for easier blunt strikes.
The short spears stayed in the magic pouches except when on watch. The swords were slightly shorter for mobility and clearly indicated middle-class hired guards.
I had the short spear before, but had never used a sword; I only learned it then. Longswords are too cumbersome for a town guard anyway.
With my sister’s shop completed and Ted’s team equipped, we celebrated. I asked my parents to invite my brothers.
On the promised day, my eldest, Morris, and second eldest, Ralph, were present. We served Golden Goat meat, lined up bottles of alcohol, and filled glasses with ice.
While my mother and sister grilled the meat, we poured drinks and toasted.
“I heard about you from father—looks like you’re successful as an adventurer.”
“When I got wind magic, I wasn’t sure what would happen.”
“But still, better than me. I didn’t even have magic before.”
“Oh, but you became a hotel head waiter. That’s a decent life if you continue.”
“Yes, yes, at the mercy of Lady Felicienne.”
The aroma of the meat made me swallow reflexively.
“This smells amazing. What meat is this?”
“Golden Goat. Rare, but we got a few, and the remaining was given to the Duke. Let’s try it—it’s delicious.”
Indeed, the Golden Goat meat was delicious.
I nibbled, sipping wine to wash down the fat. It was a quiet dinner.
At lunch, in the dome Gale made, I used a small frying pan to grill Golden Goat meat after a long time.
Steve and the others had two large pans, and I had a small one.
The smaller pieces disappeared quickly, leading to a meat scramble.
“I can’t… I ate too much.”
“Ah, so tasty. Leon, what meat is this?”
“I’ve never had meat like this.”
“Better than the armor buffalo we ate last time.”
“Yes, armor buffalo is tasty too, but this is different. What meat is it?”
“Golden Goat.”
“Golden Goat!? That’s rarer than armor buffalo.”
“I’ll give some to Mintz and Scott for their families.”
“Wait, that’s not the point.”
“You always surprise me.”
“Um, Leon-san?”
“I’ll give Steve and the others armor buffalo meat.”
He visibly frowned, clearly disappointed. He was impressed the first time, but now he’s spoiled.
“Well, if you don’t like it, buy your own.”
“But even when armor buffalo meat dropped in price, it was still expensive for us.”
“Thanks, Leon-san.”
“Should I massage your shoulders, Lord Leon?”
“Gross! If Rings massages my shoulders, I’ll probably have to drink a precious potion.”
After finishing work, I returned to the Adventurers’ Guild. The submaster had called me.
I was surprised when he came out, put his arm around me, and whispered in my ear:
“You’re getting flooded with commissioned requests.”
“Commissioned requests… for me?”
“Yes. After sending those items to the capital and putting them up for auction, the royal family requested two Shams and one Golden Goat to be processed. Plus, Duke Barland of Kreis also sent processing requests.”
“Why does that become my commissioned request?”
“Are you stupid? The royal family and Duke asked for processing, then our guild put them up for auction. When Shams and Golden Goats appear together, it’s obvious who brought them. You get it now, right?”
He whispered in my ear while holding my shoulder, and returning adventurers passed by, grinning. They’re definitely thinking something else.
Sure, the items came from separate places, but nobody thinks the royal family and dukes hunted them themselves.
If Lynas Guild auctioned them… oh no. If the Duke and Count Arklight contributed, my name may have leaked.
“Also, Leon the Gentle Breeze, your dragon-slaying fame has made it known you’re skilled with magic. You spun Golden Bears and Armor Buffaloes with Whirlwind and threw dragons around. Getting Golden Goats is hard, and Shams are especially rare. Don’t underestimate the nobles’ and merchants’ information networks.”
“Too late for that, huh?”
“So, I’ll give this to you.”
He tapped my head with a stack of papers and handed me a pile of requests.
“The request boards are flooded with Shams and Golden Goat requests, including ones from other guilds.”
“Other guilds?”
“Yes. Even if they don’t request here directly, local guild requests are notified here. This is Linus’ pride—earn well.”
He said it casually, but I remembered the Chikki-Chikki Bird incident.
Holding my ale, I went to Mintz and the others.
“What’s going on?”
“You and the submaster were chatting so closely, they’re all very curious.”
Scott gestured toward those watching me, sipping ale without taking their eyes off me.