Published: August 2, 2025
Today, ten chapters were updated simultaneously.
This story is chapter 9.
It has been exactly one month since returning from Renaf.
When I woke up and stepped outside, the refreshing blue morning sky greeted me. The morning was still cool, but recently, the daytime sun had been so strong it felt almost hot. The temperature would rise soon today as well. At the Adventurers' Guild, I often saw adventurers who could use ice magic enthusiastically saying it's their peak earning time... Summer has arrived.
In the past few days, I had been busy making and stockpiling waterproof cloth for deliveries in preparation for a long journey, so the fresh air felt even more refreshing. It felt like such a waste to spend a beautiful day like this cooped up in the mine.
...Well, my work is done for now; I think I'll take the day off!
...Although I made that decision on a whim, I had no particular plans. So, just on a whim, I went to my shop, only to find the door closed.
Oh, right, I introduced a regular holiday starting this month...
Even though it's my own shop, I had completely forgotten. With no other ideas, I thought I’d just wander around the town.
“Hey, Ryoma-kun. What are you up to?”
A voice called out from next door.
“Good morning, Ms. Pauline. Since my shop is closed today, I’m just wandering around the town. The weather’s so nice today, it feels like a waste to stay indoors.”
As I spoke and approached, Ms. Pauline smiled.
“Indeed. It’s too nice a day to be staying inside. Hey, since you’re here, why don’t you stop by my husband’s shop? We’ve saved some of the usual slime feed for you.”
“Thank you as always.”
Following Ms. Pauline, I visited Mr. Sieg’s shop and received discarded blood, meat, and bones. Maybe because summer was approaching and the meat was spoiling more easily, there seemed to be a bit more meat than usual.
They’ve taken care of me, so maybe I should give them a refrigerator… No, that would just keep me busy. The refrigerator at the shop just becomes a box when I’m not around, so giving a refrigerator isn’t a good idea after all.
While thinking about this, suddenly a loud voice echoed inside the shop.
“Mom!”
“You don’t have to shout so loud for me to hear you!”
The voice belonged to Pauline’s son, the mischievous Rick.
“Oh, Ryoma’s here too.”
“Good morning, Rick.”
“Make sure you greet properly!”
Ms. Pauline lightly nudged him, and Rick rubbed the spot where he was nudged.
“So, what is it?”
“Oh right! Thor came by, so I’m going out!”
“Oh? Is it already that time?”
“Rick, are you going somewhere?”
“What, Ryoma-kun, don’t you know? Today is the church cleaning day, right?”
“Once every two months, the children of the town clean the church and do various chores.”
“We’re thankful to the gods, so we keep the church clean!”
Sounds like a community cleanup...
As I was a bit impressed by Rick’s words, Ms. Pauline chuckled and said,
“Don’t be fooled, there’s no way my child says something so noble. He’s just repeating what he heard somewhere. Rick’s real aim is the sweets they hand out after cleaning.”
Ah, Rick turned away. Bullseye.
“Anyway, aren’t you going to the cleaning, Ryoma?”
“This is the first I’ve heard of this cleaning day.”
Hmm... If it’s a community activity, maybe I should join. I have no plans today anyway.
“Can I come along too?”
“Well, it’s fine with me.”
“Then I think I’ll go too.”
“Alright! Then follow me!”
Rick raised his right hand energetically and started walking. I greeted Ms. Pauline and followed behind him.
“Ryoma! You’re slow!”
“I’m coming!”
Though Rick’s words were cheeky, he waited properly until I arrived. He might surprisingly grow into a responsible big brother figure in the future.
While thinking this, Leni and Thor, who were waiting for Rick outside, joined us. When we reached the church, a girl in a habit I had seen before instructed us to follow the signs to the chapel. As she said, there were arrow-shaped signs all over the church. Even if you weren’t used to it, you wouldn’t get lost.