１８
[Be careful.]
When I looked up without shifting my body’s direction, Saine was standing there.
[Ah, sorry.]
I apologize reflexively. But the words don’t seem to be directed at me. They are meant for the man with the huge, thick arms.
[Oh, my bad. So the small one was there.]
As the bearded uncle with a friendly face said that, he was rubbing my head with turning movements.
[What are you doing?]
[I just thought of buying a broom…]
[A broom?]
After speaking, I was sweating thinking I messed up. I shouldn’t buy something that’s not necessary to have like a broom.
[Ah, no, that’s not it! I won’t buy something that expensive! Uh, I was thinking of making a broom and I’m on my way to look for materials.]
Saine made a dubious expression at my panicking self.
[It doesn’t really matter, just buy what you want to buy. How much is it?]
[It’s really fine. The broom was 700 ale, too. I’m really thinking of just making it.]
Saine may be indifferent towards gold. Ha always drinks 1 bottle of sake worth 1 ale and he also eats out in the morning and noon.
Speaking of which, when I came out at the ceremony, too, Saine tossed a bag of gold to me and left. In that was 1000 ale. I’m still using that gold for shopping, though. There’s a little less than 500 ale left. It’s because I only kept buying food without cooking for myself.
Saine probably doesn’t know where the broom is being sold, he grabbed my arm and starts walking. I stopped Saine in a hurry.
[It’s alright. As long as I have the long silver grass-like weed and a rope and stick, I can make it. Even if it’s somewhat gawky, it’s definitely going to be useful.]
When I said that, Saine stopped his feet.
It appears that we are in the way, standing in the middle of the hustle and bustle. Reproaching voices were raised by the surrounding people and Saine clicked his tongue and moved to the side of the road. Even though I struggled that hard, Saine sure can walk easily through this crowd of people.
I was also lead to stand beside the road. We stand on the small gap created between the stores, pausing. Thanks to Saine on the road side, a space was made around me.
[That weed, where do you plan to obtain it?]
[In the vacant lad. Isn’t there one when you leave the town? I’m going there.]
[Have you left the town before?]
[I have.]
When I said so, Saine’s face came closer.
[Don’t go out of the town. Understood? Don’t leave the town on your own without permission.]
Being glared at so closely. I gulp. Did I step on a landmine?
[No, um, I only went to the ranch to buy some cotton…]
[The ranch? You went to the rancher?]
Ah, it looks like I stepped on more. What could it be that I did wrong? I only went to the place the market uncle told me, and I only bought some normally and returned.
Could it be, it was the cotton?
That’s right, it’s the cotton! (TN: Pretty sure it’s not.)
[Sorry! You’re right, I did spend wastefully. I can still sleep even without the cotton, even though it’s not a necessary item… I am truly sorry. It was 70 ale, too. There was something wrong with me……]
I made it into a cotton futon, but should I go and return it? It probably won’t be worth 70 ale, but perhaps I could get back at least 10 ale or 5 ale?
[Because I can only probably get around 5 ale, I’m going to return it! Ah… That’s right, I also received some meat….]
As a service, I was given lamb meat. The market price for one serving of lamb meat is 3 ale so 5 ale. It’s no good. Even if I return the cotton, it’s just going to be a counterbalance.
Would it be possible to get 1 ale for the meat? Then he’d be able to buy a bag of insects.
At the seriously worrying me, Saine sighed tiredly.
[I’m not talking about the gold. The townsfolk think lightly of it, but monster are not only in the forest and mountain, you know. The center of this town is the safest, and farther it is, the more dangerous it gets. Even so it’s still fine as long as there are a lot of people. It will not be strange for there to be some trouble.]
[…A, are you, worrying about… me?]
When I timidly asked, he snorted as a reply.
Ah, I was wrong after all. I guess, that’s obvious. I’m also a man. There’s no use being worried for a man.
[Sorry, I misunderstood. If I get eaten by a monster or cause trouble, Saine will be blamed by the townspeople, right? I will be careful from now on.]
I put my hands together and lowered my head.
[Then, I will quickly go and come back.]
It should be fine as long as I return while there’s still light. Saine tightly held my shoulder and stopped me as I pumped myself up and was about to jump into the crowd.
[Wait. Were you not listening to what I said?]
[Don’t monsters come out at night?]
[There are a lot at night but that’s not what I… I understand. I will also go with you.]
[Why?]
I ended up asking seriously. Saine slightly furrows his brows.
I panic and said as a follow up.
[Sorry! I don’t think that you’re a bother or things like that! Uh, uhm, what was it…? Ah, that’s right. Saine, don’t you have something to do?]
[No. Because the Guards Guild is in this marketplace, I’m only here to inquire if there’s an available work.]
Guards Guild, is it the same gathering as the Reincarnators Association and Men’s Club? So Saine going out everyday is for that.
Grabbing the arm of the convinced me, Saine starts to walk. But soon, he stopped his feet. That’s because I’m being crushed.
[Uguguguguu……]
My right arm is grabbed by Saine and the rest of my body is being pushed by the crowd.
Saine, please let go. I feel like my arm is gonna get torn off.
With a tap, my shoulder is back in its original place. I rub my right shoulder.
[I thought it will get torn…]
At my dazed whisper, Saine’s fed up voice fell.
[What are you doing?]
[That’s because, you can’t normally walk like that in a crowd.]
[Look at the people’s movements.]
[I can’t do something that skillful either.]
In the first place, there are too many people. Saine sighed and hugged my shoulders.
[Don’t get lost.]
After saying one sentence, we go inside the crowd again. With ‘Uwah!’, I put myself on guard, but we’re moving forward smoothly this time. Strongly holding my shoulders, my body is nestling closely to Saine.
It was a strange feeling. The number of people didn’t decrease and it feels as if it even increased at noon.But I am able to walk easily without bumping into anybody.
When I look up at Saine, he’s looking straight ahead. Only those black eyes shift left to right. He’s watching the people’s movements. No, that’s wrong. He’s reading in advance how people are going to move next.
I was once again made to realize the reality that Saine was a guard.
Anne Heath On Four Ikemen Chapter 43