Chapter 81: The Guard's Promotion (7)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 81: The Guard's Promotion (7)
Time passed, and before I knew it, the first day of Dungeon Freezing week had arrived. Since it was a rare holiday, I had planned to call my women over for some heavy, decadent sex, but today, that wasn't meant to be.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Sma! Get out here right now!!"
The pounding on the door was audible even from the bedroom. Making this much noise at the crack of dawn is a total nuisance to the neighbors. If anyone comes to complain, I’ll just use my status as a guard to shut them down.
"Ugh... what time is it...?"
Iruna, who had been sleeping beside me, rubbed her eyes. Her naked body was still covered in the lingering traces of our intense lovemaking.
"I know, right... It’s still dark out, so the sun hasn't even fully risen. I wonder what’s going on..."
I gently moved Yuna, who was sleeping soundly draped over my stomach. I’m pretty sure she was lying next to me when we fell asleep; how did she end up here? For someone who looks so delicate, she has some pretty rough sleeping habits.
Still wandering in dreamland, Yuna asked half-asleep, "Is it already time to open the shop?"
"Didn't you say you were staying closed today?"
"Oh, right. I did. Yaaaawn..."
Yuna let out a massive yawn and began to slink toward my lower half. A sound interrupted her blatant movement.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Sma! Are you still asleep?!"
"Hieek?!"
Startled, Yuna recoiled. She glanced nervously at the firmly shut bedroom door.
"C-Could it be? Is someone here to arrest you, Lord Sma?"
"No. What could I have possibly done wrong?"
"True. You're not the type to do anything wrong. Then what is that? It sounds like the door is going to break."
"It’s the Captain of the guard unit I belong to. She said she’d come to harvest the crops we’re growing in the flowerbed, but I didn't expect her to show up this early. I guess I should start getting breakfast ready."
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
"For now, you two stay in bed. The Captain won't come as far as the bedroom."
"Okay..."
"I’d better get out there before she actually breaks the door down."
I threw on some clothes and went out to greet Serika.
"Oh! You're finally out!"
Serika greeted me brightly, but her expression turned to one of great embarrassment when she saw my disheveled appearance.
"Ah... your appearance today is quite... free-spirited. It seems I’ve arrived a bit too early."
"You're only realizing that now? The moon is still out. What time is it, anyway?"
"...6:30."
I don't even start work until after 9:00, yet she showed up a full three hours early. Realizing her mistake, Serika began to scan my face tentatively.
"I-I'm sorry. I was just so excited at the thought of finally harvesting the Mint Choco Pineapple Herb and the others that I came way too early. But, I brought a gift so I wouldn't be a total burden today."
Serika hurriedly pulled something out of a basket. It was a stack of five large, square objects.
"Huh? Is this... a lunchbox?"
I asked, though I wasn't entirely sure. We weren't going on an outing, so why would she prepare a lunchbox? I could just eat whatever Iruna cooked.
"You recognize it! That's right! I asked the maids at our dormitory to make it. Oh, don't worry, I paid them a special allowance, so don't think of it as exploitation. There were so many volunteers who wanted to do it that I actually had to limit the number of people."
"Ah. And here I thought it was a lunchbox you made yourself, Captain."
"Do you... like handmade things?"
"Well..."
If I had to choose, I preferred things that tasted good. It’s not like I’m some hot-blooded youth who’d be moved to tears just by receiving a handmade lunchbox.
However, I felt like teasing the dejected Serika.
"Handmade things have that much more sincerity put into them, after all. I was curious about your cooking, Captain."
"Hmm... I see. Understood. I'll keep that in mind for next time."
She’s planning on doing this again? I don't need a lunchbox; I just wish she’d show up at a normal hour.
"I'll look forward to it. So, what was the purpose of coming this early?"
"You're asking the obvious."
Serika pulled a trowel and other tools from her basket. Then, with a soft chuckle, she adjusted her straw hat.
"Haven't we come to harvest the children we raised so dearly? I’ve given plenty of praise to these little ones since they were just sprouts, so I'm sure they'll be top-quality. My heart is pounding with anticipation."
Your heart should be pounding because you're looking at my face. You're wasting that excitement on something useless. Well, she looks cute when she's excited, so whatever.
As I crouched down in front of the flowerbed with her, Iruna came out.
"You're here."
"Oh. Iruna, you've already washed up. Your hair is still damp."
Since they had been meeting every morning lately, the two of them had already settled on how to address each other. When Iruna tried to tie up her wet hair, Serika helped her.
As she pulled it into a ponytail, Iruna’s nape was exposed. Serika tilted her head, looking at the hickey left on her neck.
Wait, is she going to get caught? No, come to think of it, it doesn't matter if she does. We're a couple living together; it’s more natural for there to be traces of sex.
"What is this? Did a bug bite you?"
"Ah! Yes. The weather is warming up, so there are more bugs lately. Have you not been bitten, Captain Serika?"
"There are insect repellents at the dormitory. Shall I ask the maids where they bought them?"
"I would appreciate that!"
"I didn't expect you to be so happy about it. I'll let you know tomorrow."
Serika is so innocent she didn't even recognize it. I was planning to tease her if she noticed, so that’s a bit disappointing.
With nothing left to say, we began the harvest. First, I let the System guide my body, and then I overlapped my hand with Serika's before using the System again.
"How is it? Are you getting the hang of it?"
"It's certainly much more difficult than Sun Herbs or Dawn Herbs since these are high-difficulty crops. I was confident, but now that confidence is gone."
"Then shall we do it a few more times?"
Iruna watched us with a warm, satisfied gaze. Noticing the look, Serika hurriedly pulled her hand away.
"Ah. My apologies. Even so, it's strange to keep holding your boyfriend's hand."
"I don't mind. You are Lord Sma's Captain, after all."
"Iruna..."
Serika's affinity for Iruna has increased! After harvesting a few more crops, Serika stepped forward, saying she’d try it herself.
"By the way, why did you choose the Mint Choco Pineapple Herb?"
"Even if you make a mistake during harvest, isn't it a crop you can just turn into tea? It's surprisingly delicious. Good for your health, too. It satisfies the craving for sweets, so it's good for dieting."
"Do you go on diets, Captain? That's surprising. You don't look like you have anything to lose."
"Ugh."
Serika’s face turned red. Her arm, which had been moving carefully, stopped.
"I-Is that so?"
"Yes. Your figure is truly beautiful, Captain."
"You say that as if you've actually seen it."
"I've only seen it through your clothes, but I can tell. We're talking about you and me, Captain."
"Uuugh..."
With her face red all the way to the tips of her ears, Serika silently harvested the crops. Soon, a plant mottled with mint and yellow was pulled out by the roots.
Hanging from the roots were dark brown clusters, dangling like sweet potatoes.
"Wonderful! The leaf color is bright, the patterns are clear, the fruit size is uniform, and there are no blemishes. It even has a nice sheen. This is the best of the best. They really grew well!"
Serika rejoiced like a child. It was nice to see her so happy. By the time we finished harvesting the rest of the crops, the morning moon had vanished.
"I'm getting hungry. Let's go inside and eat..."
I looked toward the house and locked eyes with Yuna, who was hanging by the window. Startled, Yuna scurried away.
"What are you looking at?"
"The kitchen. I was saying let's go in and eat that lunchbox."
"Ah, about that. Could we eat outside? Since we've harvested the crops, I'd like to enjoy the atmosphere."
"Then let's do that. I'll go inside and bring out the table, so could you wait here for a moment?"
"Are you sure you don't need my help?"
"I can't let the person who brought the food do all the work. Please, sit in the chair and rest."
After seating Serika in the rocking chair, I went inside, where Yuna was grumbling.
"It looked like fun..."
"It can't be helped today. I'll introduce you once my relationship with the Captain progresses further."
"Ah, is she going to be like me or Mehya?"
"For now."
"I see."
Yuna glanced at Iruna and then said nothing more. It felt a bit pitiful to leave her alone while we all ate together. I’ll have to give her an extra dose of cum when we have sex later.
The lunchbox was elaborate and delicious. True to its five-tier nature, it was packed with a bounty of vegetables, meat, and seafood, making for a very filling meal.
"Was it to your taste?"
"It was the best."
"Then I should just mimic this exactly."
What is she talking about all of a sudden? Anyway, it’s time, so let’s go get that commendation.
* * *
The commendation ceremony was tedious. I had hoped something might be different in a fantasy world, but it was exactly the same as reality.
The only difference was that most of the attendees were wearing guard uniforms. Ah, I guess it’s similar to a police ceremony.
"...and therefore... having done... and thus..."
Was the person giving the speech on the podium called the Chief? High-ranking people having too much to say is the same everywhere. As I struggled to keep my heavy eyelids open to pass the time, Mehya, who was next to me, nudged my arm.
"Boring, isn't it?"
"Yes."
"Me too."
I wondered what she was going to say, but that was it. She really is an unhelpful senior. As the Chief’s exhortation drew to a close, a few people approached and led us behind the podium.
"Senior Gorubau, you're here too."
"They said they're giving me a commendation for 300 days without an incident. As Mehya knows, the prison is a place where incidents never stop happening."
"I see. I'm here because they're giving me an award for wiping out a criminal organization in the back alleys."
"You've always had a strong sense of justice."
Gorubau definitely likes Mehya. Too bad she’s my cum dumpster; he should just give up.
"Guard Sma, from his very first day on duty, arrested a party that was habitually attacking novice female hunters. Furthermore, he protected the citizens from the threat of a Mandrake... and having served as an exemplar to others, he is hereby awarded this commendation and ordered a one-rank special promotion."
Clap clap clap clap.
I received the commendation amidst the applause of numerous guards. I could see Serika in the front row dabbing her eyes with her sleeve. Is she crying? Anyone watching would think she’s my mother.
"Sma. Keep up the good work."
"Thank you!"
"You will be assigned to the Mid-Rank Dungeon... oh, wait, hear the rest from Serika later. I can't take away a Captain's pleasure."
Are the Chief and Serika close? Well, I'll find out eventually.