Chapter 547:
Early to Bed, Early to Rise?
“YOU’VE BEEN A WONDERFUL HOST.” I bowed graciously to the innkeeper of Asuro.
“And you’ve been even more wonderful guests. Thanks for dinner; it was delicious.”
The dinner we’d made the night before had been such a big hit that I taught the innkeeper how to make rice bowls first thing that morning. Still, I’d never dreamed that a portion for twenty would feed the innkeeper and his nine friends with no leftovers. When I heard their selfish cries last night of “Man, I feel sorry for the poor saps who didn’t make it back in time to eat any of this,” I decided to make twenty portions so we’d have extra, and I hoped that the people who didn’t get any dinner last night at least got some food this morning.
“And I’m very happy that you liked my cooking,” I said.
The innkeeper gently rubbed my head. “I doubt you guys had much time to rest here, but I promise it’ll be better next time you come to this village, so I hope I’ll see you again.”
According to Zinal, they had obtained enough evidence to arrest everyone involved in the crimes, and Zinal’s friend would arrive the day after tomorrow to arrest them.
“We’ll definitely be back,” I promised.
Will we have time for a leisurely chat next time?
“Next time you’re here, I’ll introduce you to my granddaughters.”
His granddaughters? They sure sound like accomplished adventurers. And they did pique my curiosity, so I’m actually kind of looking forward to that.
“Make sure they know not to fill Ivy’s head with strange ideas,” Zinal said, patting the innkeeper’s shoulder.
“They won’t fill her head with strange ideas. Only important ones.”
Zinal sighed. “Just how important is it to know how to wrap a man around your little finger?”
“Where’d you hear that?” The innkeeper gave Zinal a strange look.
“I caught Amakis telling another lady adventurer that it’s the most important thing to know.”
“That little scamp… She’s still at it?” The innkeeper sighed heavily.
“Has she always been like that?”
“Yeah. Apparently, she says it’s a necessary precaution to keep stupid men from fooling them.”
“I see. But just knowing they’re friends with your two granddaughters should keep them safe from bad men anyway. After all, they’re notoriously terrifying.”
They’re terrifying?
“‘If he hurts you, hurt him back until he cries for mercy,’ ‘If he’s gonna hurt you, crush him to oblivion,’ and ‘Kick all cheating scumbags straight to Hell’—those are their credos. And they’re not just talk!”
Wow… These women sound like they’d be a nightmare if you got on their bad side.
Zinal turned to me. “Ivy, just so you know, Tercules and Amakis are going to become the new adventurer guild master and captain of the village watch.”
“Whoa! Are they really?” I asked the innkeeper.
He smiled a bit sheepishly and nodded.
“Well, I’m glad to hear that,” I said.
They sounded like strong and wonderful people, so this village would be in good hands.
My father, who was doing one last check of our belongings before we hit the road, walked up beside me and tilted his head. “What’s up?”
“The innkeeper’s granddaughters are going to be the new adventurer guild master and the captain of the village watch.”
My father looked a little surprised by the news, but he quickly nodded approvingly. Did he know them?
“At least half the staff at the adventurer guild will tremble when they find out.”
My father’s prediction confused me. Why would they tremble?
“The watchmen, too, I’ll bet,” Zinal said. “Any of the guys who barely escaped getting arrested this time were probably already scheming up a way to do better next time.”
I sighed. Why couldn’t they just know when to throw in the towel?
“But the next captain of the watch will be either Tercules or Amakis. Either way, those guys will be shaking in their boots.”
There was a gleeful grin on Zinal’s face. It went to show just how deeply those women were feared. But would they be okay? I could imagine them being on the receiving end of all sorts of bribery and blackmail.
“Don’t worry, Ivy,” my father said. “Tercules and Amakis can never be bought off, and they’re good at sniffing out traps and turning them against their enemies, so they’ll be fine.”
Zinal and the innkeeper nodded, which went to show just how trusted the women were.
“I really can’t wait to meet them,” I said.
The innkeeper smiled and said he’d let them know.
“We should hit the road,” my father said.
I picked up my luggage and waved to the innkeeper. When we got to the village gate, Fische was there waiting for us.
“Are you done with your errand?” I asked.
Fische grinned devilishly in reply. I probably shouldn’t ask him what he did.
“Druid, Ivy, I’ll meet up with you in three days,” Zinal said.
“All right,” my father said, slipping through the gate.
“Take care, Mr. Zinal,” I said. “We’ll be waiting.”
That morning, Zinal had told us he couldn’t leave with us. Because of an unforeseen discovery, he needed to meet with his friend directly.
“Don’t worry, I won’t do anything too dangerous,” Zinal promised.
I waved goodbye and stepped through the gate. Fische followed right behind us.
“Guess we’ll take it slow until they catch up with us,” my father suggested.
I nodded in agreement as we set out to the next village: Okanny.
“I sure would love a nice leisurely trek all the way to Okanny,” Fische remarked. I smiled sheepishly.
“You’ve been rushed off your feet until just a few minutes ago, haven’t you, Mr. Fische?”
“Yeah, I really did run around until the very last minute. Okanke Village was supposed to be a nice rest on the journey…”
Fische looked behind him, so I followed his gaze. We were walking slowly, but Okanke’s gate was already out of view.
“I can take them out now, can’t I?” I searched for auras in the area, then unlatched the lid to the bag containing my creatures.
“I think it’s fine. I don’t sense anybody nearby,” Fische replied.
When I opened the lid, the creatures jumped out, led by Ciel.
“We’re moving on to the next village today, guys.”
Mrrrow.
“Pu! Pu, puuu.”
“Pefu!”
“Te! Ryu, ryuuu.”
“Gyah!”
At the sound of Toron’s voice, my father lowered the basket from his shoulder and looked inside. Today, Toron had actually woken up in the morning.
“You’re awake! Usually you’re still asleep right about now.”
Toron’s leaves jiggled in a yawn. It was awake but still sleepy. Flame used to sleep a lot, too, and now that was Toron’s job.
“Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” I casually said the words that popped into my head. What did that mean, exactly?
“You know that saying, too, Ivy?” Fische asked.
That confused me. Was it a saying?
“Did somebody say those words to you once, Mr. Fische?”
“Huh? Yeah, my real employer did.”
Would that be his highest superior in his secret work? I have the feeling “Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise,” is a saying from my past life. If Fische’s real employer knows the saying, does that mean he has a past life like me?
“He said he learned the saying from his grandmother, who’s no longer with us. She also said, He who runs away wins the fight.”
Huh…I’m not sure why, but I’m feeling nothing. Maybe that’s not a saying from my past life?
“There’s also Haste is bad taste.”
Haste is bad taste? That one does sound familiar, but this saying makes it sound like it’s rude to be hasty, so I think it’s not quite the same. Let me see… Haste makes waste. Yes, that one sounds more familiar…
“What does it mean?” my father asked.
“Uh, I think it’s something like ‘if you act in haste, you’ll lose out on something.’”
My father nodded. “Yeah, those are wise words.”
Maybe Fische’s employer’s grandmother is the same as me. Too bad she’s no longer with us. Was she guided by some invisible hand like I am?
“Ivy…something on your mind?”
I must have really been dazed, because my father’s voice made me jump.
“I’m okay.”
I chuckled and shook my head. My father really did worry too much about me.
“I just thought those sayings were a little interesting.”
“More like a little funny,” Fische smiled. “I think my favorite one is An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, if a guy punches you, kick him, forsooth.”
Huh?! I feel like these sayings have been mutating more and more…
“Yeah, I like that one, too.”
Ack, and my father actually likes it!