v2c16 (2/2)

“Are you alright? Then, when you get used to it please look around slowly.”

“I can see…..my eyes……my eyes are…..”

“Father!”

Geena-san hugs her father in excitement.

“Ooh, Priest-dono, Masaru-dono, how can I thank you enough.”

“Thank you very much, thank you very much.”

“I thought that I wouldn’t be able to see anymore for the rest of my life.”

“As expected of Masaru-dono. Wonderful skills.”

“No, it’s not that big of a deal.”

During my 23 years of life, it was rare that people would have feelings of grat.i.tude towards me.

And now here they are, bowing repeatedly with grat.i.tude.

I know I did something worthy of being thankful for, but this is a cheat.

I’m originally a simple NEET without any redeeming qualities.

I just received these abilities from a G.o.d by chance.

I’m not a person that people should be thankful to…..

While I was deep in thought, Geena-san returned from the back and put some clinking coins on the table.

A few silver coins. Also some copper ones.

“Uhm, although it’s not much, as a sign of our grat.i.tude. Also, this.”

Then she hands me a beautiful ring.

I accept the ring. It’s a beautiful ring with a small gem embedded in it. Would Sati be happy if I gave this to her?

“It’s a memento from my mother. This about the only thing we have that has some value…..”

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeh!? I can’t accept something as important as that!

“Nonono. I will give this back! Look, as we said before, it’s fine with just the normal treatment fee! Priest-sama, please accept only the normal fee’s worth.”

“How can that be! Then how can we express our grat.i.tude.”

“But….”

“There there, both of you. Masaru-dono is looking troubled. The reward is sufficient with only this much.”

Then Priest-sama takes a few coins and hands them over to me.

“Is that so…..I know! Geena. You should go to Masaru-sama’s place. Masaru-sama, this girl is a good natured girl who works well. It’s fine whether as maid or concubine. Please use her as you see fit. Right, Geena?”

“That sort of thing…… father. It would be an annoyance to Masaru-sama……”

They are saying maid and concubine, but Geena-san looks like she’s not wholly against the idea either, she is glancing at me while fidgeting.

“No, it’s really alright! If you really want to express your grat.i.tude then please do something for the orphanage. Well then, Priest-sama. There is treatment after this too, right? Let’s go!”

Saying that I leave the house while pulling Priest-sama with me.

“Hahhahha. You should have just accepted her.”

What kind of irresponsible things is he saying. I do think it’s a bit of a shame. Geena-san has her hair tied behind, and gives off a feeling of town-girl who would look good in an ap.r.o.n, a bit plain looking, but she was fairly cute.

“Is Priest-sama married?”

I ask casually.

“I have a wife. She is living in this town.”

This is the first time I’ve heard of that.

“She used to help out at the orphanage, but her health has deteriorated.”

“Oh, will she be alright?”

“Yes, it’s just her lower back that got worse. She is fine already, but she is looking after our grandchild at home now.”

Grandchild, huh. It’s true that Priest-sama is fairly old already.

“My wife was the one that taught Angela how to cook too, you see. That’s right, how about you come over for dinner sometimes? Although she is not a professional, but she can make some quite delicious foods.”

“Alright, when there is an opportunity.”

Priest-sama goes home every day to sleep, so the orphanage is mainly maintained by Angela, Sister Matilda and her partner apparently.

“Masaru-dono possesses a splendid ability. There is no need to force yourself to fight really. Don’t you think treating people and earning their grat.i.tude is also a splendid way of living?”

“That’s true.”

If there wasn’t a premise of the world falling into ruin, then that would’ve been fine too. Working in a medical clinic with Angela, living our life in peace every day. That kind of lifestyle.

“Welcome back, Priest-sama, Masaru.”

“Sorry for being away for so long. Was everything fine over here?”

“There was only one patient who came over.”

“Then Angela. Later then. Also, thank you very much for before, Priest-sama.”

“You really helped me out too. Also, please think about what I just mentioned. We will welcome you anytime.”

There was still time, so I went to the gra.s.slands after a long while.

While I was staying at home, the wild rabbit meat for sure, but even all the huge boar meat was used up too. There still some dragon meat remaining, but it’s kept in reserve. Buying vegetables and the like in the market is fine, but the meat is nearly double what the Guild pays, so I want to be self sufficient with it.

When I was going through the gate the usual guard-duty soldier called out to me.

“Masaru. I have something to talk to you about.”

Ooh. What happened? I’m always called Wild Rabbit Hunter or Dragon Slayer, this is the first time I’ve been called by my name.

I’ve been brought to the guard room for the gate.

“I’ve heard that you healed our soldier guys when the harpies attacked. We wanted to thank you, but you are not easy to get ahold of.”

“I was injured a bit too, so I’ve been lazing around at home.”

“I see. Then I’ll say thank you for now. Thank you. Our guys are all grateful to you too. If those treatments didn’t make it in time, then someone might’ve died.”

“No, the people of the Templar Knight Order also came to treat people, so I don’t think it would’ve…..”

“Before the Templar Knight Order came, you were also the one that kept those things in check with a huge fire magic, right? It was that magic you’ve been practicing, right. They said it really bought some time. Don’t be too modest. You’ve saved a number of lives for sure.”

I see. I guess that’s true.

I was always thinking about the four adventurers who lost their lives, but there were people that were saved too.

“Oi, why are you crying? Did I say something wrong?”

Huh? I’m crying?

“No, if I had…..if had done things better, then perhaps no one would’ve died, is what I was thinking all this time. But you said that there were people that were saved too, so……”

No good. Crying over something like this. I’m glad that there are only two people in the guardroom.

“Done things better, you say. There is no one that would say something like that to you. One person can only do so much. The soldiers are all grateful to you. I will say thank you once again. Masaru, thank you.”

“Not at all. It’s an adventurer’s job to fight monsters, right? I’ve just done what I could.”

“I guess so. But a debt is a debt. If there is something, then just say so. We will help you anytime.”

That day I only hunted five wild rabbits, then returned to town.

I wasn’t really in the mood either way.

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