Vol 1 Chapter 45 (2/2)

Sherry shook her head.

“Mother never left Torc village. And since my father was an elf, I guess I would have some relatives on that side of the family, but…”

Sherry brought her hand to her ears, which were covered by a hood. She made a troubled smile.

“I see… It’s because you’re a half elf…”

Reeno nodded in understanding.

Elves loathed anybody who had both elven and another race’s blood in their veins.

They possessed longevity, so they tended to look down on other races, seeing their short lives as a defect.

They would never accept Sherry, who would be considered to have tainted blood.

Wynn and Locke understood exactly how they had treated her in the elven village.

“That’s why, I want to find work somewhere in the capital.”

“You do know that the Capital isn’t the best place to be, right? Due to the tensions between the Empire and Petersia, the people have been uneasy. Refugees like them are flooding into cities like the Capital and Clennad, which is causing some disturbances.”

As a merchant’s son, Locke knew the situation well.

Scores of refugees crowded around the city walls.

The slums grew, as the refugees constructed crude huts.

The public order deteriorated, despite the efforts of the empire’s guards and knights.

Not all those trying to enter the city were refugees. Some had properly paid the entry tax and were trying to start a new life in the city.

Those people needed work, but due to the rapid influx of new residents, there was a labor surplus.

The young and able-bodied could enlist in the army as a soldier, but a young woman like her only had so many options.

As a half-elf, those options were even more limited.

As they were cleaning up Torc Village, Sherry had sold the belongings she had with her to pay the entry tax and enter the Capital.

The little money she had left would have to support her until she found work.

“I know, if you are fine with it, I know a good place.”

Wynn wanted to refer her to the place that had supported him: The Wandering Bird’s Roost.

“Eh? A good place?”

Locke tilted his head.

He had seen Wynn work, and didn’t think that the hard work and low wages made it good work.

“The wages are low, but if you consider that meals are included, it’s not bad.”

“But, Wynn. What will you do? If Sherry works there, then won’t you lose your job?”

“It seems like that a war is brewing, so I don’t think I’ll be able to work at the inn for a while. So instead of having to look for a replacement, if I refer Sherry, isn’t it a win-win situation?”

“I am fine with any work I can get.”

With that, it was decided, and they all headed towards the Wandering Bird’s Roost.

The peak lunchtime hours had pa.s.sed, but that didn’t mean that there were no more customers. Mark was able to take all the orders himself, as Randell and Hanna listened to Wynn and Locke explain Sherry’s circ.u.mstances.

They explained how she was the sole survivor of a village razed by enemy soldiers.

Without any relatives, and as a half-elf, she had no other alternatives other than to come to the Capital looking for work and a place to live.

Wynn told them that due to the increased tensions with Petersia, Wynn would have to take part in military activities and would have little time to work at the inn.

“I see. What can you do?”

After listening to their explanation, Randell asked Sherry a question.

“I can cook, do the laundry, or clean the inn pretty well. I can also read, write, count, and use some magic…”

“Magic is not needed. But it’s good that you can read and write.”

“Since Wynn won’t be here, we would have to hire another person anyways. If you can read and do calculations, then that is enough. I don’t have a problem with it.”

The inn’s main guests were travellers like merchants and adventurers.

Randell and Hanna wouldn’t have any prejudice towards her being a half-elf.

The discussion ended smoothly, and Sherry would begin working the next day.

“It’s a bit cramped, and there are various things in here, but you’ll grow to like it.”

Wynn was showing Sherry the shed behind the inn.

After losing his parents, Wynn had lived there for many years. It was filled with memories.

Since Wynn now stayed at the Knight Academy’s lodgings, Sherry would be able to live here.

Sherry timidly followed Wynn into the shed and looked around.

“It’s a bit run down, so you’ll have to do some repairs, though. Sorry about how cramped it is.”

“It’s fine. I’m good at fixing things.”

Sherry smiled at the apologetic-looking Wynn.

She didn’t really mind it.

She had heard that servants rarely even get a room like this.

They would either stay in an attic, or share a room with another person.

The room would barely be able to fit four adults, but it was relatively s.p.a.cious for a personal room.

The shed smelled slightly musty from disuse, but it would go away once she cleaned it up.

As for preventing burglary, it would need a bit of work.

Wynn was gathering the few belongings that still remained in the shed, when he heard a chant.

“I command the power of the world, return to your origin!”

After the chant was completed, the small shed became bathed in light.

“W-What?”

Surprised, Wynn ran outside.

He saw his friends standing stiffly outside.

He followed their gazes and saw a woman casting a spell. Her eyes were closed in concentration.

Waves of light emanated from her right hand, and the sc.r.a.ps of wood that made up the walls and the roof underwent a change. Soon, the shed looked as if it had been built just the day before.

The light gradually faded away.

The run-down shed looked as if it were brand-new.

The holes that Wynn had worked arduously to cover for years were no more.

The woman took a deep breath, then wordlessly turned towards her dumbfounded spectators.

She had deep blue eyes, immaculate white skin, and green hair.

But her most distinct characteristic was her long ears.

“Great Sage Tiara…”

“I need to talk with you. Please come with me to the Knight Order Headquarters.”

The Great Sage, Princess of the Elves, Tiara Sciurus Belfa stared straight into Wynn’s eyes.

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