Published: August 2, 2025
Today, five chapters were updated simultaneously.
This story is the fifth chapter.
The next day.
“Barley tea? Three of those and two waters, please. Is this enough for the payment?”
“Certainly!”
I was on shop duty from the morning. Since I can use ice magic, I was in charge of the drinks.
“Thank you for waiting! Three barley teas and two waters, right?”
“They’re super chilled. This is great, thanks.”
“Please enjoy~. Next customer, please!”
“Two barley teas, please.”
After several hours of nonstop customers, a familiar face appeared before me.
“Next customer… Ah, Mr. Jeff!”
“Still working, huh?”
“Thanks to you.”
“For now, I’ll order barley tea for seven people.”
“Understood.”
I quickly prepared the tray and the barley teas.
“Did you come with some friends?”
“More like buddies… well, you know those guys. Over there.”
“?”
I looked where he pointed, and sure enough, I saw some familiar faces…
“Hey, is that Beck and the others?”
A group of six rookie adventurers was dividing up and buying food from our stall.
“You gave them advice the other day, right? To listen to other adventurers.”
“Yeah... I definitely said that. So, maybe...?”
“Yep. Old man Wogan introduced them to me, so I’m going to be looking after them for a while.”
“I see. That’s reassuring, then. Here you go.”
“Alright, take care.”
After paying, Mr. Jeff joined Beck and the others.
I didn’t expect Jeff to be looking after them, but he’s skilled and from the same slum. He might understand them better. Even though they’re not my concern, I felt a little relieved.
They enjoyed the food and went on their way, apparently planning to watch the festival together. Jeff left with a smile, looking after Beck and the others who couldn’t contain their excitement.
About ten minutes later, another familiar face appeared.
“Hey.”
“Welcome!”
It was the Adventurers' Guild guild master, Mr. Wogan, who came along with Mr. Tigger from the weapons shop.
“I’ll have barley tea, and you?”
“The same, please.”
“Understood! That’s an unusual combination.”
“Is it? We used to be in the same party back in the day.”
“Oh? Really?”
That was news to me.
“Before retirement.”
“Tigger’s always been the best at picking equipment among us. He’s meticulous with money and managed our party’s funds. Working here suits him perfectly after retiring.”
“Regardless of the appraisal, the reason back then was you guys being careless. If left alone, it would turn into drinking and women, lasting till the next day.”
“We were young, after all. Besides, it was very adventurer-like, wasn’t it?”
“Well, even if you say so…”
I didn’t know how to respond to that agreement.
“Don’t worry about it. Better not to imitate that behavior.”
“What did you say?”
“You two seem close. Here’s your ‘freeze’ — sorry, your barley tea.”
“So this is the barley tea.”
“Will this cover the cost?”
“Yes, thank you!”
They took their tea and started to leave, but Mr. Tigger remembered something and turned back.
“You haven’t been to the shop recently. How’s your equipment?”
“Good. The knife and armor I bought before are working well.”
“Good to hear... How about the sword matter? No news since then.”
“Oh... Let me explain briefly.”
I whispered the situation, and he closed his eyes.
“You really solved it that way?”
“Sorry about that.”
“As long as it works, I don’t care. How you handle your familiar’s ability isn’t my business. Just don’t overdo it.”
“Thank you.”
He then rejoined Mr. Wogan, took a breather, and went back to the city.
“Hello.”
“Welcome!”
This time, Sister Betta from the church arrived, leading the church’s children. It was almost noon.
“Thank you for your help yesterday. Your assistance with Bell was invaluable.”
“Oh no, if it was something like that, I’m always happy to help. I’ve been indebted to you as well. I’ve heard about everything.”
The church takes care of children without families. Their life is not luxurious, but to let them enjoy the festival like other kids, two sisters save money to give allowances and make arrangements.