Chapter 4: Camping

Out of the three nights, we stayed at an inn during the second one, but on the first and third nights we camped outdoors.

Following the village chief’s son’s instructions, we fetched water and gathered firewood, but several kids stopped helping once it came time to cook.

The ones aiming to become adventurers, and Lilina, the girl who’d been popular in the village.

You guys plan on becoming adventurers without even cooking during campouts?

This is practice too, isn’t it?

I wonder why Lilina is even going to the city.

The other girls all had clear goals, like apprenticing under relatives and things like that.

By the third day, everyone had become more efficient than on the first day, both at starting fires and washing vegetables.

“Thomas-kun, you’re really good at cooking!”

One of the boys who planned to apprentice under a craftsman said that admiringly.

The potatoes he peeled barely had any flesh left on them.

“Well, I’m good at ‘Preparation,’ after all.”

I answered jokingly, but inside I felt a little proud.

This was exactly the kind of situation where my skill was useful.

“If you’re going to live where you work, you might have to handle housework too.”

“It’s not like every workplace has a landlady who’ll do everything for you.”

“You might even end up living alone and commuting to work instead, right?”

Once that topic came up, the group split into those who seemed confident and those who looked uneasy.

In the end, we settled on the conclusion that we’d just have to learn things one step at a time.

Since I’d already worked at an inn, I wasn’t worried about that part.

I was grateful for it.

Talking about our hopes and anxieties, we ladled soup into each person’s bowl.

We even called over the ones who hadn’t helped cook, and dinner began.

“Finally done, huh? I’m starving.”

Gald didn’t even thank or praise the people who cooked, and it irritated me.

Maybe that’s how he talked to his mother at home too, but was that really appropriate here?

Those of us who cooked naturally started feeling annoyed toward the ones who’d just been fooling around.

The village chief’s son stepped in and ordered the ones who hadn’t helped cook to clean up afterward instead.

Then he looked toward us and nodded as if to say, “I know.”

This probably happens every year.

The tension faded, and we were able to enjoy the meal together.

Meanwhile, Lilina stayed in a bad mood even after dinner and didn’t help clean up.

Apparently her blisters still hurt.

At this point, is she really still acting like a princess?

Ahh… Gald’s taking care of her.

“If something happens, just tell me,” he said… but if she does, can you actually solve it?

You were the first one to run out of drinking water and had to get some from the chief’s son.

Both Gald, who had seemed dependable back in the village, and Lilina, whom I’d once thought was cute, started looking completely different after we left the village.

Seriously, I don’t think you can survive out here while staying a child forever.

At some point, you have to change and decide to handle things yourself.

Well, they stopped listening to me after learning what my skill was, so I didn’t say anything.

The next day.

When the city walls finally came into view, everyone cheered.

I felt something heat up deep in my chest too.

This is where the real challenge begins.

Right before the city walls, the village chief’s son handed each of us a certificate proving where we came from.

“Once you arrive in the city, either head to your workplace or follow me to the shared room I reserved at the inn.

For the three days I’ll be staying here, I’ll help with consultations.

During that time, find work and decide where you’re going to live.

Once you get a job, you’ll need to register with the appropriate guild, and when you do, submit your certificate of origin.”

Tension spread through the group.

I steeled myself and adjusted my luggage on my back.

I put the letter of introduction written by the village inn and my certificate of origin into my pocket, then took a deep breath.

“What happens if you lose your certificate of origin?”

One of the children asked.

“Your guild registration fee doubles.

My old man put his heart into writing those, so don’t lose them.”

The chief’s son, who’d worn a stern expression the whole journey, finally smiled now that we’d safely reached the city.

With the village chief’s son leading the way, we showed our certificates to the gate guards and were allowed through.

“So you’re becoming residents of this city now, huh? Welcome.”

One of the intimidating guards slapped Gald on the shoulder.

That looked a little… no, really painful.

“I’m heading this way. Let’s both do our best.”

“I think I go… over there. See you later.”

The ones with clear destinations started leaving one after another.

Since this was my first time in the city, I had no idea which direction to go.

After getting directions from the village chief’s son, I thanked him for helping us along the way and parted from him.

For a moment, I felt like Lilina glanced toward me, but it was probably my imagination.

From here on, my new life begins.