Published: January 17, 2026
On a sudden impulse, I decided to put up a signboard in front of the lord's manor. The sign read as follows:
The title was "Come forth, future candidates for lordship! Now is the perfect opportunity to rise up!"
The details said, "Recruiting assistants for territory management. Trainees receive five copper coins per day. Staff members receive eight copper coins per day. Supervisors earn at least one silver coin per day. Main duties include paperwork, various calculation tasks, and light work. This is a rewarding workplace where the harder you work, the more you are appreciated!"
Hmm, this definitely gives off a white company vibe. The concept of holidays isn’t very common in this world; most commoners work from morning until evening every day. Given that, five copper coins a day might seem a bit low, but as you get promoted to staff or supervisor, your life improves. Besides, in my territory, housing costs nothing, and daily necessities are sold at very low prices. I think the wages are more than sufficient, but I wonder what others think.
However, it seemed the villagers’ reactions were not very favorable.
I stuck close to the window of the lord's manor, watching quietly, and the sign did attract plenty of attention. Villagers stopped to talk about its contents with those nearby. Even members of the knight order and passing merchants looked at the sign with interest.
But all of them passed by with somewhat awkward expressions. Why? Maybe I should have written "a family-like workplace" after all.
I continued observing, hoping someone would come to visit the lord's manor. Then, Til called out from behind me.
"There aren’t many applicants, huh?"
"Yeah. Maybe the pay is too low after all..."
I murmured, and Til frowned in frustration, putting her hands on her hips.
"That’s not true! Serving Lord Van is worth even doing for free!"
"...That’s probably just you, Til."
I chuckled wryly at Til’s ridiculous logic when Arte suddenly let out a small "Ah".
"What is it?"
I turned around to ask, and Arte put down the documents she was holding on the desk and spoke.
"Well, it might be because the adventurers are making a lot more money than us... isn’t that why?"
"I-I see...!"
I was convinced by Arte’s words. After all, Ort and the others earn staggering amounts. One reason is the dungeon and the wolfsburg mountains, where they can stay for months.
Normally, adventurers only stay in a dungeon a few days, and after ten days they’d be too tired of camping and want to return to town. But near Seato village, the dungeon has a comfortable base where they can rest. It’s a wonderful lodging facility where they don't have to fear attacks from demonic beasts.
Moreover, even facing the powerful demonic beasts in the dungeon and mountains, adventurers wearing Van-kun’s specially made armor and weapons can defeat them with ease. As a result, the adventurers often return with rare demonic beast materials and ores, and some have even talked about buying villas in Seato village.
Thinking about that, many might feel that if they’re struggling, they should just become adventurers. However, there’s no way I can pay a salary that rivals that of the adventurers. Well, I could pay it, but maintaining that for many years would be difficult.
"…Ah, if that’s the case, isn’t it a problem if we don’t raise the knight order’s salaries too...?"
I suddenly realized something important. If even villagers envy the adventurers’ earnings, the knights probably feel the same.
"Training under Dee’s hellish program every day... it’s no wonder many would want to quit the knight order and become adventurers..."
I grew anxious all of a sudden, unable to stay still. Dee’s drills are brutal. The only reason no one complains is that the person organizing the training is doing even harsher training right beside them.
"…Alright! I’ll start interviewing the knights immediately!"
"Huh? Starting now?"
"Espada is out on business! We can quietly go and come back without any trouble!"