A Little Counselee
Since the incident in Gracela, there hadn’t been any major upheavals, and peaceful days had returned once more.
—No, that’s not quite right.
It was peaceful, yes, but ever since then, I’d been getting a lot more visitors than usual.
Even today, after finishing early-morning work in the fields and returning to the station, some merchant from another country was waiting for me and tried to negotiate a weapons deal.
Well, to be fair, the weapons were quite well-made.
But as a Holy Knight, I’d been officially granted a holy sword by the kingdom.
Carrying anything else around just causes unnecessary complications.
When I explained that, the young merchant quietly left.
He looked to be just in his teens, yet he knew when to back off.
Apparently, he was still a student, but his composure made him seem like he was living his second life. I was a bit impressed.
Also, he had a whole bunch of cute girls with him, and I have to admit, that ticked me off just a little.
“Garrard Company, huh… Maybe I’ll at least remember the name.”
“It’s rare for you to say that, Senior.”
“Is it?”
“Didn’t you say before, ‘I’m not picky about stuff, so it doesn’t matter where I buy things’?”
“There was a time I thought that way… but that maid—wait, no, that blacksmith girl—did good work. You bought something, didn’t you?”
“Yes! I fell in love with it at first sight!”
Elina had really hit it off with the girls that boy had brought with him.
“They were cute girls.”
“Hm? Do you want to be surrounded by that many women too, Senior?”
“Nah, not really. One girlfriend or wife is more than enough for me.”
“Right?!”
I don’t have the ability—or the energy—to deal with that many women at once.
But judging by Elina’s face, that must’ve been the perfect answer. She looked absolutely delighted.
Just as I let out a sigh, thinking “good grief,” another visitor arrived at the station.
This time, it was a familiar kid.
“Huh? Parker?”
Parker was a village boy whose goal was to join the Knights Order in the future.
I also trained other hopefuls like him in swordsmanship, though today’s session wasn’t until the afternoon.
I thought maybe he just got the time wrong, but the look of deep contemplation on his face told me otherwise.
He didn’t look like his usual cheerful self at all.
“Do you want to talk about something? I’ll listen.”
As I spoke, I signaled Elina with a glance.
It was my way of saying, “This might take a while. Could you get him some fruit juice?”
Parker sat down across from me, then immediately blurted out something outrageous.
“Master Justin… I’ve fallen in love.”
“Huh? L-Love?”
Well, that’s a good thing, I suppose… but don’t tell me the person you fell for is—
“I… I like Amira!”
Parker declared boldly.
… Kid.
That’s going to be one hell of a thorny path, you know?
What do you think about this chapter?
