I'm bored, so I'm heading to the guild.
ーーーLiving Room.
After lunch, I brought out kusamochi in front of everyone.
“Ohh, so this is kusamochi. This refreshing mugwort aroma is really nice.”
“Yes, truly. And the bean paste isn’t overly sweet, which is good.”
Grandfather and Grandmother were pleased.
“Mmm~ If I alternate this with isobe-yaki, I might not be able to stop. This sweetness is just what you want when you're tired.”
“Really, who would've thought that the mochi from earlier could turn into such a treat? It's delicious, Joan.”
““Big Sister, it’s yummy—so stretchy—””
Father, Mother, and the twins were all happy with it. The twins seemed to enjoy how stretchy the kusa mochi was.
“Yum! Yum!”
“Yeah. I might like this level of sweetness more than cake.”
Brother Gene’s food review… yeah, no good. Brother Noel, who isn’t really into sweets, actually likes this level of sweetness.
Grandfather and Grandmother departed on their trip to Phantasmo, taking Blau with them...
—
I was reading in my room when Sarah came to tell her that Father was calling for me in the study.
“Father, you called for me?”
“Ah, yes. About the visit to the royal castle, how about next week?”
“Sure. I’m available anytime. But… do you know why I’m being summoned?”
“No idea. I’m not sure either.”
“I saw Her Majesty the Queen the other day in the royal capital, but she didn’t mention anything?”
“Then maybe the one who wants to see you is that guy?”
“His Majesty? All the more reason I have no idea why I'm being called…”
““Hmm~””
Father and Gray started puzzling over it.
“Um… if there’s nothing else, may I be excused?”
“Oh? You have plans?”
“Not really, I’m just bored, so I thought I’d drop by the guild for a bit.”
“Young lady… ordinary noble daughters don’t just go to the Adventurers’ Guild because they’re bored, you know.”
“Eh? Really? Then what do they do?”
“They practice embroidery, read books, that sort of thing?”
“Huh… Well, I’m tired of embroidery, and I can read at night… Yep, I’m going to the guild after all. Excuse me.”
Clack.
““……””
“Gray… where did I go wrong raising my daughter?”
“… I don’t know. But she is your daughter.”
“Sighhh…”
＊＊＊＊＊
On the weekend, the Adventurers’ Guild was bustling with children who usually attend school during the week.
“Hmm, which one should I pick today~?”
I looked over the request board, thinking.
Last time was a gathering quest, so I want a subjugation quest this time. Hmm, this one’s rank C, so it’s a no-go. This one’s rank D. Rank E… found one. Let’s see, subjugation of goblins damaging farmland. Alright, I’ll go with this one.
I lightly jumped up to grab the request slip posted on the board and brought it to the reception desk.
The location happened to be at the farm of Mac, the candied sweet potato farmer. Even by carriage, it’s a 20-minute trip from the Adventurer’s Guild.
“Pearl, to Mr. Mac’s house, please.”
(OK~... Alright, hop on.)
I left the guild, and I climbed onto Pearl, who had grown to the size of a lion. At this size, we really stand out, so everyone around us does a double take. Then they glance back and forth between me and Pearl, so I always put on my best business smile to smooth things over.
Once we were out of town, Pearl picked up speed fast. It would take 20 minutes by carriage, but with Pearl, it’s only 5. Though, if you don’t have strong core muscles, you might fall off.
(Somewhere around here?)
“Probably. Hmm… Ah, there’s the first farmhouse!... Excuse me~! Can you tell me where Mr. Mac’s house is?”
“Mac’s place? Over there, with the red roof.”
“Thank you very much~”
We arrived at the red-roofed house. When I called out at the front door, his wife, Samantha, came out.
“W-What brings you here, Young lady Joan?”
“Um, I came today as an adventurer. There was a request about goblins damaging your fields.”
“Young lady Joan? But… there's no one else with you?”
“Yes, just me and Pearl here.”
“Eh!? Are you sure that's safe?”
“Yes. This is actually my first subjugation quest, though.”
“Ehh… W-Well, anyway, I’ll call my husband.”
“Is Mr. Mac in the fields? Then I’ll go to him.”
“Is that so? Then I’ll leave it to you. Oh, Young lady Joan.”
“Yes?”
“Thanks to you, we candied sweet potato farmers around here have really been saved. We’re finally starting to get orders from the royal capital too. Truly, thank you.”
“Oh no, I just taught everyone a way to eat candied sweet potatoes.”
“Even so… if we hadn’t learned it from you, we definitely wouldn’t be living the way we are now. We’re truly grateful.”
“You’re welcome. Alright, I’ll head to the fields now.”
The fields were behind Mac’s house.
“Hello~”
“Hmm? Huh? Young lady Joan? What brings you here?”
“I accepted the quest today as an adventurer. I heard your fields were being ravaged by goblins?”
“Young lady Joan, you did!?”
“Yes. I’m an adventurer, you know. Still a rookie, though.”
“Huh… But the number of goblins has been increasing these past few days. Are you sure you’ll be alright on your own…?”
“Oh, I’ve got Pearl here too, so I’ll be fine. She may look like this, but she’s strong.”
“That dog? … Wait, they’re coming. Over there. That big one seems to be the boss.”
Mac pointed, and I saw several goblins. And the large one was a hobgoblin, the evolved form of a goblin.
“Ahh, so even a hobgoblin showed up… Oh, Mr. Mac, it’s dangerous, so please stay inside the house.”
[Goblin]Small, hideous humanoid monsters ranked around E. Their skin is green, with pointy noses and ears, bald heads, and nasty eyes. Their intelligence is about the level of a grade schooler.
[Hobgoblin]Rank D, larger and more hideous humanoid monsters than goblins. They have greater intelligence—about the level of a middle schooler—and lead goblins in groups. Occasionally abduct human children.
“One, two, three, four… six goblins, one hob. Well, I can manage this. Alright, let’s do it. Pearl, let’s go!”
(Okaaay~)
What do you think about this chapter?
