12-12 Princesss Wishes (1/2)

あれから俺は少し鍛錬をしてから、浴場に寄って宿で休み、朝目覚めるといつものように「ドブさらい」の現場に向かった.

今日はステラおばさんの家の周辺ではなく、少し離れた場所で、依頼者も別だ.

俺がステラおばさんの家の周りの側溝を綺麗にしていたところ、その仕事を見た別の人が冒険者ギルドに依頼をくれたのだ. そういう人が、だんだんと増えてきている. ありがたいことだ.

そう言うわけで、毎日、色んな所を回って掃除をしている.

もう日課のようなものだ.

今日は、昨日リーンのお父さんから貰ったあの重たい黒い剣があったので「ドブさらい」の仕事の時に持っていった.

なかなか落ちない側溝の底にこびりついた頑固な汚れを削り落すのに使ったのだが、この黒い剣は驚くほど便利だった.

いつもは、工事現場でもらってきた木片を使ってこそぎ落とすのだが、もうその必要はないだろう. この剣を使えば、びっくりするほど綺麗に汚れが落ちるのだから.

角度や力加減を間違うと、石で作られた側溝自体が削れてしまうので注意が必要だが、この剣はリーンのお父さんが言ったようにとても頑丈だ.

いくら使っても、傷つく気配がない.

まあ、もともとボロボロだから気にならないだけなのかもしれないが…….

とにかく、とてもいいものを貰った.

と、そこまでは順調だったのだが、「土運び」の工事現場の近くで事件が起きた為、調査をするという事で衛兵がたくさん集まっていた.

とても工事を続けられる状況ではない、ということで「土運び」は中止になった.

そういうわけで、ほとんど丸一日、する事がなくなってしまった.

「さて……今日はこれからどうするか」

俺は郊外の森に来て、何をしようか考えていた.

別に冒険者ランクが「Fランク」だからといって、街の外に出られないわけではない.

依頼が受けられないだけなのだ.

ここは俺が王都に来てから日頃鍛錬に使っている森だ.

なんとなく、空気が俺の住んでいた山と似ているし、適度に王都から離れていて人目につかない. 動きまわるのに都合のいいひらけた場所も、木剣を吊るせるような大きな木もある.

何よりここは、少し切り立った崖の上にあるので、周囲が見渡せて風景がいい.

だから、気に入って使っている.

山を降りてきた最初はここで寝泊まりもしていたのだが、やはり屋根や壁がないと色々不便で、今は王都の端の方の宿屋に泊まっている. 部屋はそれほど大きくないが、外に出ているうちにベッドのシーツを替えてくれるし、衣類を預けておけば洗濯もしてくれる.

何より、安い.

冒険者ギルドのおじさんには良い宿を紹介してもらったと思う.

「こなすべき依頼もないし、いつものメニューをたくさんこなすか」

そう思って、早速もらった重たい剣を振ろうと思って構えたのだが──

近くの茂みから、ふと、何かの気配がした.

動物だろうか.

いや、ここは鳥や小動物が多少はいるが、こんな物音を立てるほどの動物となると、珍しい.

……足音からすると、人だな.

誰だろうと思って物音のする方向を見ていると、木々の間から、見覚えのある人物が顔を見せた.

「リーンか……？　どうしてここに」

「ノール様、おはようございます……突然、すみません. ギルドのマスターに今日はここにいるだろうと伺って……ご迷惑でしたか？」

”No, it's not really a nuisance, but how did you get here ......?

It's on a steep cliff.

I grew up in the mountains, so climbing is not a problem for me, but it's not an easy place to come.

I told the guild uncle about this place, but I didn't tell him the exact location. .......

By the way, she has a skill that allows her to know where other people are.

I don't think it's very commendable to follow people, no matter how many skills you can use. .......

Why are you following me again?　I thought you were done with your business yesterday.

”Yes, thank you very much for yesterday. I'm here today to ask you for something else.

A favor?

The matter my father was talking about the other day, ......, I'd like to ask you for a favor.

What's that?

The ...... you were talking about yesterday?

What was it?

I want you to make me your squire.

”...... What do you mean, 'squire'?

I don't think that came up yesterday.

”A squire is a person who takes care of your personal affairs and asks you to teach him your skills and knowledge.

In other words, it is similar to being an assistant in a magic research institute, or an apprentice in a craftsman's apprenticeship.

It's enough for me to have you by my side.

I'll try not to cause you any trouble, so if you'll allow me...

With that, Lean put his hand on his chest and bowed his head quietly.

I feel like I've seen this action many times yesterday.

I guess this is the way people in this town act when they sincerely want to convey something.

It's quite pleasing.

But...

”No.

”What?

I guess she didn't expect me to say no.

She looked at me with an impatient expression.

...... Or rather, why did she think I wouldn't say no?

I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one.　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm sure you'll understand.　I'm sure I showed my embarrassment yesterday, but if you keep me by your side, I'm sure I can be useful in some way. Even with this, I still managed to achieve the best ever results in all six of the royal capital's training camps...

”No, that's not it.

I'm not talking about her or anything like that.

I'm just trying to do my job and make myself stronger.

I can't see myself making someone my disciple.

I don't have anything to teach you in the first place.　And I don't want you to be useful. I can take care of myself.

Since I have lived alone for a long time, I can do most of the things in life by myself.

I only ask the lady of the inn to do my laundry.

That's enough for now, and I don't need more.

So, we will give you a generous reward for your guidance.

No, thank you.

Then you may use me as you see fit. I can assist you with the Adventurer's Guild's requests, do miscellaneous tasks...

I don't want that either.

Well, then...

No thanks.

......!

Her face is getting redder and redder, and tears are welling up in her eyes.

I guess she really didn't expect me to say no.

But no matter what I say, I don't want what I don't want, and I can't do what I can't do.

I'll be of use to you, I promise!　Can you believe that I can be of any use to you?　Now, if you'll excuse me...