Chapter 113
Chapter 113
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 113
Chapter Title: Information Trade
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"We're truly sorry. Our Sietra here is just so cautious around men..."
"S-Sorry..."
Fortunately, just before my entire body could get drenched in holy water, the head priest Proban—who had stepped out to the market—returned and cleared up the misunderstanding.
Not that it was much of a misunderstanding.
"Hahaha, and a handsome young man like you is rare even in the village, so she must have been quite startled."
Proban, who was built like a bear, let out a hearty laugh as he gently patted Sietra's head.
She, who had just been calling me a demon and splashing holy water everywhere, now hid behind him, her face flushed with shame or guilt over her actions.
Even so, she stole cautious glances at me.
"Ha, ha, it's fine. It's just getting a little wet..."
I responded with the friendliest smile I could muster.
Our eyes met, and Sietra's face turned beet red as she shouted from behind Proban.
"U-Ugh...! D-Don't tempt me, apostle of the devil!"
I wasn't even trying.
"This isn't the best place to talk anyway, so shall we head inside? I heard you had some questions."
Proban scooped up the hissing Sietra—like a cat—and led me to the church's reception room deeper within.
It was a cozy space where sunlight streamed through the windows, filled with the pleasant aroma of herbs placed by the sill.
As I sat at the wooden table, Proban took the seat across from me, and Sietra headed to the kitchen to prepare tea.
"So, are you an adventurer, Ken? I haven't seen you around the village before."
Once seated, Proban asked what seemed like small talk to ease into things.
"Yes, due to some circumstances... I'm traveling with my wives."
"Wives... plural?"
To avoid any awkwardness after the Sietra incident, I quickly mentioned the three of them.
Of course, they weren't wives yet—just fiancées.
But to me, it was the same thing.
For a passing village like this, explaining it that way would make things smoother all around.
"I suppose with looks like yours, it's not hard to imagine why."
"I-It's a peaceful, happy relationship, all things considered."
Even in a society where polygamy wasn't taboo, having three wives might raise eyebrows for some.
Proban's "imagination" might lean toward the negative.
So, for their honor, I corrected him in the most positive light possible.
"Wow... Do 'peace' and 'happiness' really go with two-timing?"
Clink.
Sietra returned with the tea, setting a cup in front of me with a slightly less guarded expression.
"Sietra, building a family is a blessing from the Goddess. Of course it's peaceful and happy."
It was a perfectly reasonable point.
Proban had said exactly what I'd wanted to, so I just smiled quietly and sipped my tea.
Nice herbal scent.
"So, what is it you'd like to ask us...?"
As we savored our tea, each tilting our cups, Proban finally got to the point.
I smiled and promptly asked about the Goddess's Tear.
"Hmm... The Goddess's Tear, you say."
"Do you know anything about it? Even a clue would help..."
"Haha, no need to worry. Of course we know about it. I was just curious how an adventurer like you would know of it."
Coming to the church had been the right call.
Proban gave the warm, trustworthy smile typical of a priest as he confirmed they knew of the Goddess's Tear.
Getting this information so easily was a huge relief.
I might have wasted time and energy otherwise.
"Hmm... but one thing. Before I tell you about the Goddess's Tear, may I make a proposal?"
"A proposal?"
I tilted my head, eager to hear the details but caught off guard by his pivot.
A proposal?
Was he planning to trade the info on the Goddess's Tear?
Proban smiled—not like a priest, but like a merchant—as he clasped his hands and looked at me.
I eyed him suspiciously while sipping my tea, waiting for his words.
"Soon, there's going to be a grand party at the orphanage in the neighboring village."
"Hmm, sounds like something worth celebrating."
"Yes, as you know, orphanages are full of children who don't know their birthdays. So we pick one day a year to celebrate all their birthdays at once with a party."
That made sense.
Whether abandoned by parents or orphaned, kids without parents had no way of knowing their own birthdays.
But why bring it up out of nowhere?
"Tomorrow, Sietra is scheduled to deliver the donations there. Since it's our neighboring village—like family—we villagers pooled our money."
"That's wonderful."
"So, I'd like to ask Adventurer Ken to escort her."
"...Pardon?"
His final words made me nearly drop the teacup I'd brought to my lips.
Sietra, hearing it for the first time too, reacted much the same.
"H-Head Priest...! I-I can go alone just fine! I don't need an escort...!"
She protested, but blushed and glanced at me.
She clearly wasn't thrilled at the idea of traveling with me.
"Sietra, this isn't just attending a service. Carrying a large sum makes it dangerous."
"B-But..."
"Couldn't you go with her yourself, Priest Proban?"
I suggested an alternative, since traveling with her didn't appeal to me either.
But Proban shook his head.
"Unfortunately, I have a monastic gathering in the city that day, so I'll be away. I was supposed to handle the delivery myself, but due to circumstances, Sietra's going instead."
Proban apparently couldn't make the trip.
With his height—easily over two meters—he looked like he could handle any bandits single-handedly.
What a shame.
'The church probably doesn't have spare funds either.'
He must have been in a bind, and that's where I came in.
Hiring an adventurer outright would cost too much, so he was offering the info in exchange.
"Where is this neighboring village, exactly?"
"It's called Clozel Village. About two days' walk to the west."
Two days meant one night of camping.
"Um, Priest... As I mentioned earlier... I have wives."
"That's exactly why you're perfect for this. With wives, you won't try anything untoward with Sietra. I can trust you."
Not all married men turn saintly.
But he seemed to like my first impression quite a bit.
'Hmm... I really need to know about the Goddess's Tear.'
I pondered for a moment.
Two days.
That was far cheaper than spending more time heading to the city, worrying about the wanted Rapne, just to gather info.
"Alright... I'll take the job."
"Ho ho, thank you so much. We were in a real pinch."
"H-Head Priest!"
Sietra called out in dissatisfaction as he decided without consulting her.
But Proban buried her protests with his kindly priestly chuckle.
Unable to get through, she just blushed and fidgeted, glancing at me.
'It'll be fine... right?'
Of course, I'd keep this from the three of them.
They might think it sounded like a playboy excuse, and with how sensitive they were, no need to stir up trouble.
Just go quietly, get the info quietly, and leave the village.
I wasn't doing anything wrong.
"So... I'll be away for about two days."
Back at the inn, I carefully explained the situation to the three waiting for me.
Of course, leaving out any mention of Sietra.
I just said Proban had asked me to deliver donations in exchange for information.
"Then shall we all go together? Better than going alone."
"Yeah, yeah."
Emily and Rapne smiled after hearing me out, offering to come along.
I waved them off, shaking my head.
"No! It involves camping one night. You three just rest comfortably. I'll handle it alone."
"But then we'd feel so bad. You camping outside while we stay comfy..."
Mary looked at me with pitying eyes as she refused my refusal.
I scratched my head with a smile.
"No, no—better me camping alone than my fiancées roughing it."
"K-Ken..."
The three gazed at me with moved expressions at my deflection.
"Ken really is husband material."
"Hehe, already volunteering for the chores. Makes me look forward to married life."
"Though in a real pinch, I'd step up. And once we have kids, it'll really be a big family..."
"B-Babies?!"
"Th-Then I'd have to work too..."
"No need. The Haidia inheritance covers money worries."
"Then Mary's work would be pointless!"
"Th-That's..."
The touched trio huddled by the lantern, chatting animatedly.
Mostly about life after marriage.
'...Feels like I'm doing something shady.'
I wasn't doing anything wrong, of course.
But hiding a two-day trip alone with another woman stirred a bit of guilt.
...Explained that way, doesn't it just sound like cheating?
'No, Sietra's a priestess!'
I shook my head to clear the stray thoughts.
And the next day.
Chirp, chirp chirp.
As the sun began to rise, in the chill of early dawn.
"You packed the lunches? Gold coins? Handkerchief and academy emblem?"
"Always in the subspatial pouch—no way I'd forget."
"Hehe, always wanted to do this."
I received send-offs from Emily, Mary, and the half-asleep Rapne at the inn.
Fixing my collar and fussing like Emily, it felt just like a married man heading to work.
'...Not entirely refreshing because of the white lie.'
With a nagging heart, I forced a smile and waved to them.
"They say Clozel's famous for castella cake—bring some back!"
"Got it. Don't worry."
This job oddly painted pictures of post-marriage life in my head, leaving me quite pleased.
'...Marriage won't bring more women flocking, will it?'
I thought briefly while walking to the village entrance.
Nah, probably not. It all depends on my choices anyway.
Living a normal life naturally leads to interactions with women.
Can't feel guilty every time.
Life isn't a game or novel that ends midway—it's ongoing.
"...Ah."
At the village entrance, I spotted Sietra leaning against a tree, waiting for me.
She held a large bag, and upon seeing me, she startled slightly and fiddled with her hair.
"...Let's go."
"Y-Yes..."
Her cheeks were a bit rosy.
Must be the morning chill.
Definitely.