I was surprised and disappointed when I returned to the inn.
“A dress isn’t a dress unless it’s a dress!? You know, a dress with ruffles on the skirt and a revealing neckline!”
“A dress is a dress. I haven’t mistaken the Captain’s memories. What, did you want me to wear it?”
“Of course! I was looking forward to it!”
“Well, uh… n-next time…”
Don’t blush. It’s embarrassing for me too. And don’t keep grinning like that, Rufina.
“So, did everyone else not buy one either?”
“Christine and I went shopping, but we couldn’t decide…”
“I went to see my master.”
“Rufina, you have a master!?”
“You too, are you surprised?”
“Ori-chan was busy with Puri-chan and Alana since morning~”
“It seems everyone was busy. It’s sudden, but I have work with the Hasuhanto starting tomorrow morning. I don’t think I can make it…”
“Cancel it.”
Cancel it, you idiot! I’m a small, medium, and micro-enterprise. I already told Manon Guiyu that I’d take it. I thought I’d just decide on a dress, get measured, or pick it up today, but my plans are ruined.
Priscilla’s clothes and armor seem to take time, and I’m too scared to tell Christine and Sophia to give up on the dresses. Rufina is going to see her master for something important, and Orietta is sticking with Priscilla…
Alana might have time for weapon crafting, but I want to make her a dress too. I can’t possibly guard alone, so what should I do? Should I refuse?
“I’ll go if you’d like.”
Alana, I’m sorry. I’ll definitely repay you for this. Not in bed, of course.
“Is that okay? The work is just simple guarding and subjugation. I’ll also make time to craft your dress when we get back.”
“I don’t need a dress. If you have a weapon…”
“That’s not allowed. Because I want to see it.”
Don’t blush. So many people are blushing today. Still, it’s a lifesaver. Refusing the Hasuhanto’s first job would leave a bad impression. Alana is truly a good girl. Unlike Priscilla…
“Alana and I will handle the work for the Hasuhanto Trading Company starting tomorrow. I expect we’ll be back in about a week, so please make progress on your tasks until then. You can buy dresses too, you know. Orietta, specifically, make sure you finish Alana’s weapon before we return. And please, don’t injure or kill anyone.”
“There’s no one here who’s going to die.”
“No killing, enemies, allies, men, women, or goblins, no killing in general.”
“Tch!”
You clicked your tongue, you bastard. I’m the captain, you know. I’ll have you stripped of your dress later. I’m already looking forward to it.
“Alana, you have her all to yourself for a week. Have fun.”
She clenched her fist and stuck her thumb between her index and middle fingers. That’s vulgar, Priscilla. Alana blushed at such a classic gesture.
“Alana, don’t go overboard just because you have a week.”
Sophia made a stabbing gesture. Scary. Alana’s face turned pale.
“Well then, everyone else, don’t go overboard and enjoy yourselves. You can all return to your rooms now.”
“Everyone, change into your clothes when you get back to your rooms and gather in the Captain’s room. We’re having a farewell party.”
What are you saying, Priscilla? You said we had work first thing in the morning. And we’re not saying farewell, we’re parting.
We quickly changed and returned. It was fun, like a pajama party. Although, with pajamas, I mean clothes that are closer to sweatpants. Only Orietta was in her nightgown, but I really need Christine’s to be made.
It would be too much to party all night long for work first thing in the morning.
“Good morning, Captain.”
Manon Guiyu’s refreshing voice on a refreshing morning. Why is she here?
While everyone else was asleep, Alana and I slipped out and prepared the carriage, only to find Manon Guiyu waiting for us.
“Good morning, Guiyu-san. Are you here to inspect the cargo?”
“Please call me Manon. The inspection is complete. I’m coming with you.”
A slight shock. It feels like a department manager from a large corporation overseeing the work of a dispatched employee. We have plenty of combat experience, and while subjugation might be a stretch, guarding is a piece of cake. Besides, there are no bandits near the Imperial Capital.
“Are it just the two of you? I heard the White Lily Corps has seven members.”
“I apologize. I’ve assigned the other members to important tasks.”
I can’t possibly say they went shopping for my favorite dresses. With Manon, a dress that hides the chest and exposes the back…
“That can’t be helped then. In that case, do you have any space in the White Lily Corps’ carriage? I’d like to load some of our cargo.”
Please, let me finish my fantasies.
“That’s fine. We have space.”
I followed her to where the cargo was. Food and daily necessities were expected, but there was also a large quantity of weapons. Swords, spears, bows, quivers, things for practical use rather than expensive items. Military supplies would be the correct term.
“Are you going to war?”
“No, it’s inventory disposal. It’s all stuff that was gathering dust in the warehouse.”
“Could you spare a short sword and a shield for me later, at a low price?”
“It depends on the job. Fufufu.”
Why do you smile so mischievously? I’m left speechless. Maybe I took on a good job.
“No fantasizing.”
Don’t poke me with your fingernails. You’ll put a hole in my coat. It’s okay. Alana is the cutest, after all.
We loaded the cargo, and with our carriage leading the way, the caravan departed from the Imperial Capital. After passing through the east gate and crossing the plains, it will take two days to reach our destination, Maugana. It looks like it’s going to be a fun trip with just Alana and me.
“Why are you sitting next to me?”
“Oh, I wonder why. Fufufu.”
She’s been occupying the seat next to me since departure. I didn’t think anything of it, assuming Alana would sit there. Originally, I planned to let Alana drive after a while and take a nap with the weapons in the cargo compartment, but I’ve only had an hour of sleep. She should consider my circumstances too.
“Why don’t you go to the back? There’s space to lie down there.”
“It’s fine. Please don’t worry about it.”
I’m worried! You should be considerate, you’re the employer. I might have taken a job that’s a hit or miss.
I eventually had Alana take over the driving, but due to lack of sleep and excessive worrying, I slept all the way to the campsite. Will this result in a negative evaluation?
The camp meal was truly delicious. As expected of a Hasuhanto caravan, even the ingredients they used were different. It was comparable to the food at an inn, and eating something warm was comforting.
I pushed Alana into the tent and took the night watch myself. Manon also slept in the Hasuhanto tent. The stars were beautiful.
As the night grew deeper, no bandits came, but monsters did. The guard at the rear of the caravan raised an alarm, and before Manon could wake up, I dealt with them all myself.
I took out my stress from the morning. I didn’t even bother to check if they were goblins or orcs, but I used too much force from the start and broke my short sword. I’ll have to ask for one tomorrow.
When everyone was asleep, I indulged in a momentary fantasy under the starry sky. *Gufufu.*
