LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 258.1
Chapter 258.1. The Line
Since the Hakata City Adventurers’ Guild branch was hastily established, it opened using a relatively proper building within the outer town. The neighboring building served as a warehouse for dismantling, with a vehicle maintenance workshop adjacent as well.
Although it was an area in the Hakata outer town frequented only by the wealthy, now it sees many visitors regardless of their income. Walking past the crowded Adventurers’ Guild, Hana reflects that more of them are probably people in distress.
This was clear from their clothing, as some wore worn-out coats, patched and dirty, shivering from the cold. Among them, Hana quickly identified those from the abandoned town—people so impoverished that they couldn’t even afford coats, wearing threadbare clothes that could not be patched up.
Unlike those simply cold, they shivered with hunger, their faces pale and drawn. It reminded Hana of her past self. For the people of the abandoned town, their lives were always in the worst possible state.
Hana sighed deeply. Though she believed that all the people from the abandoned town had been killed by monsters, she was surprised to hear some had survived. She walked on, curious at how the outer town residents had accepted them, when she heard a familiar boy’s voice coming from the maintenance workshop and turned her gaze.
“It’s done. This tiller should work now.”
The boy, who had finished repairing the engine, closed the rusted lid with a bang and spoke brightly, despite the oil smudges on his face. He was explaining things to a middle-aged man, who smiled with relief and patted the boy’s shoulder.
“Thanks a lot. All the mechanics were taken to the inner district, you know. Even so, they still ordered us to cultivate the fields in this freezing winter. Well, at least we’ll have more to eat, so no complaints, but without farming machinery? It’s tough, man! Hahaha.”
“Make sure you remove the rust, or it’ll break down quickly.”
“We didn’t even have time for that. I’ll be taking this now. Gotta finish my quota. As long as those ghostly guys keep working, it’ll be fine. Thanks again!”
The man started the tiller’s engine and drove off. Though I was irked by his parting words, since the boy stayed silent, I bit my lip, took a deep breath, and approached.
“Jun-chan, good work! Busy as always, huh?”
I asked, hinting at whether everyone was like that man. The boy, Jun-chan, replied with a bright smile.
“Not really. Well… maybe a few.”
“I ended up asking you to handle everyone’s vehicles… even though you came as my guard.”
Jun-chan, possessing Level 4 ‘Metalworking’ and a mechanic’s skills, was invaluable here. He had come to protect me, but since the battle was over and numerous vehicles, including tillers, needed repair, I had asked him to help. Guard duty had been reassigned to Karina-san, who seemed to have more free time.
“Don’t worry about it, Hana. You did the right thing. There were so many broken vehicles. I’m glad to help.”
Although I worried that he might have felt troubled, he reassured me with a gentle shrug and a calm voice.
“There are plenty of people like that. Without the tiller, those from the abandoned town would suffer even more. It’s no big deal.”
“You’re kind, Jun-chan. Hehe.”
I smiled, noticing how mature Jun-chan had become, likely influenced by Sakimori-san.
“A fine young man, indeed. If I recall correctly, you’re Jun, a former executive of the Amatsugahara Corporation? I’ve heard you’re skilled. With people like those, technicians often face unpleasant experiences. If you need, I can introduce you to a civil official to handle negotiations. Someone I trust. I am Oda Yoko, the Sword Saint.”
The Sword Saint, who had been accompanying us, placed a hand on Jun-chan’s shoulder and offered with a sincere smile. Indeed, a civil official could be helpful.
“Can’t trust anyone recommended by you. And what are you here for, business, not guarding?”
Karina-san interjected sharply, narrowing her eyes at Yoko-san’s proposal.
“It’s a win-win arrangement. Fifty percent guarding, fifty percent business.”
Yoko-san’s “serious face” made her statement sound even more absurd.
“That’s a hundred percent for you, Yoko! Starting tomorrow, you’re assigned to guard Sakimori!”
“Understood. It seems I was being uncharacteristically hasty. Come, Hana, let’s head to the Adventurers’ Guild. This is not my usual behavior, believe me.”
Without missing a beat, Yoko-san strode toward the Adventurers’ Guild, leaving me perplexed, wondering if it had been a joke. I glanced at Karina-san.
“Yeah, she really is tense. Normally, she’d never act this obvious. What a straight-laced Sword Saint.”
“I see… so it’s like that, nya~?”
“Stop copying me.”
Karin-san tapped my forehead playfully, and I laughed, thinking that maybe Yoko-san was desperate for money, while heading toward the Adventurers’ Guild.
“See you later, Jun-chan!”
“Yeah, take care! I’ll be there soon after this.”
Sharing a smile with Jun-chan, I entered the Adventurers’ Guild.