Published: January 17, 2026
The population was growing, and there were even more adventurers in Seato Village. Because of this environment, many inns and eateries had sprung up. While the Bell Rango Trading Company mainly focused on shops, the mary trading company also managed dining establishments. They seemed to have some leeway in staffing, as new personnel were added to mary trading company every week.
By the way, Bell Rango Trading Company had no such luxury. While dealing with the adventurers' guild and mary trading company, they bought and sold materials and resources from demonic beasts that adventurers brought in daily. They also conducted regular peddling trips to the fortress city murcia and the Fortress City Cayenne. They appeared to be hiring a considerable number of new employees, but training them seemed to be lagging behind.
However, in this world, just having a stable job was attractive enough that no one quit the ultra-exploitative Bell Rango Trading Company. Everyone, when overwhelmed with work, would run around with wild, bloodshot eyes but still smiling. Ah, the lively Bell Rango Trading Company. When these merchant apprentices become proficient, Bell Rango Trading Company is sure to grow even bigger.
Well, by then, the busyness might have only accelerated further.
Looking around Seato Village without thinking about work, people divided into the busy group and the not-so-busy group. Essentially, those who could work at their own pace were the adventurers and the adventurers' guild. After all, there was Van-kun’s special equipment and skilled dwarfs providing armor and weapons. If you could buy those, you could probably adventure quite safely. Farming and livestock were also reportedly relatively relaxed.
On the other hand, the extremely busy were the trading companies, inns, eateries... and those managing the territories like Van-kun, Espada, murcia, and their subordinates. These people were worn out by unbearably harsh working hours.
As for the school and hospital for which I am responsible, things were moderate. It was probably because experienced personnel could be hired. Though the hospital was newly established, adventurers were so numerous that they gathered more than enough medicinal herbs, so there seemed to be no problem.
Ah, I just remembered the most peaceful people: the apcalurus. Their numbers hadn’t increased much, but they had few jobs to do. They took care of sewage management, cleaned garbage and removed rocks from the river to the moat, maintained the lake, hunted small aquatic demonic beasts, and fished. However, there were more apcalurus than needed, so they had plenty of free time.
Someday, I hope everyone can live and work as peacefully and relaxed as the apcalurus. Of course, that includes this Van-kun too!
“...Lord Van, is something the matter?”
As I held a glass of drink and was lost in thought, Arte called out to me.
“Ah, ah, sorry. I was just thinking about work again.”
I said that and immediately took a sip of the drink. The tart fruit flavor spread in my mouth, and the refreshing sweetness eased the accumulated fatigue.
“This is delicious,” I remarked with a smile.
At that, Arte and Til made serious faces.
“...As expected, Lord Van, I think you’re working too hard.”
“Indeed. Even though you are a lord, Van-kun, you’re only ten years old. You’ve been working nonstop and haven’t rested, so your height is...”
“Height isn’t related, is it!?”
I strongly objected to Til’s lament. I was sensitive about my stunted growth and didn’t want anyone to bring it up too much.
Puffing my cheeks in anger, Kamushin then smiled gently and spoke.
“It’s okay, Lord Van. You’ll grow soon.”
“Kamushin’s already tall, so it’s fine for him. Actually, haven’t you grown again? Are you aiming to be over two meters? I’d like you to tear off a bit and share.”
It was the classic scenario of those who have versus those who don’t. I couldn’t help but envy Kamushin’s relaxed attitude. Kamushin just shook his head with a wry smile.