Short Story 5: Longdagger Hunting Diary (Rock Needle Wolf)
“Are you kidding me!”
While leaping over undergrowth that reached a person’s waist as if kicking through it, Jenniferlin Pantile observed with keen interest the rare sight of Shin Longdagger looking flustered.
Her vision bobbed busily up and down with Shin’s running movements, and besides, she was being carried under his arm like luggage by the running Shin.
Interesting things were interesting.
Also, the experience of being carried like luggage was quite interesting.
“Hmm, so even someone like you can get flustered.”
“Stop pretending to be calm in this situation, Jen!”
Shin shouted as he leaped sideways, dodging a rock the size of a child’s head that flew towards his feet.
Hmm, hmm, as expected, my friend saw through my pretense of calmness.
She felt a secret satisfaction that her superficial act didn’t work on Shin.
“By the way, the reason my heart is pounding is due to the immoral feelings arising from the extraordinary situation of being treated like luggage by my friend, and definitely not because we’re being chased by a pack of Rock Needle Wolves, okay?”
Don’t get the wrong idea, okay? When she said this, filled with passionate feeling, she was swung around.
To be precise, it was because Shin spun his body around once to slash away two Rock Needle Wolves that had leaped at him, attempting to flank him from the left and right, but despite being fully under the effects of Physical Enhancement, Jenniferlin could barely see what had happened.
As expected of Shin Longdagger.
The second son of the astonishingly Impoverished Viscount Household, and an oddball who, despite being a noble, was also an adventurer.
Normally, even with Pantile’s Appraisal Skill, he looked like an exceedingly ordinary person, but once he used Physical Enhancement, the “Lid came off,” and the result was something that could be mistaken for a monster.
To Jenniferlin Pantile—a genius of commerce, investment, and spending, hailed as the once-in-a-century Pantile of the Pantile Barony—he was both a friend and an “investment target.”
And in this case, she was also Shin’s employer.
“Okay, I get it. I clearly understand that Jen isn’t calm.”
An unwavering confidence that didn’t betray the disadvantage of fighting one-handed while carrying someone under his arm. He was flustered, but not anxious.
Anyone else would likely feel a sense of incongruity at his attitude, filled with a confidence unbefitting his age-appropriate appearance.
But Pantile’s golden eyes did not misjudge.
His confidence stemmed simply from the fact that he truly felt no anxiety.
“If you’re scared, close your eyes.”
I’ll finish this quickly.
Hahaha, saying cool things, aren’t we? Jenniferlin closed her eyes without hesitation.
It wasn’t that she was scared; she simply felt like she’d get dizzy if she kept her eyes open any longer.
With her eyes closed, Jenniferlin thought, Ah, I’ve just been thrown into the air, while feeling slightly indignant, Seriously, being treated like luggage.
Oh well, I guess it’s fine.
Naturally, she fell, pulled by gravity.
At least she didn’t have to worry about being dropped on the ground.
In other words, she was being treated as valuable cargo.
Tucked under his arm again, Jenniferlin remained unaware of Shin tilting his head, puzzled by the sight of her puffing air proudly through her nose within his grasp.
Jenniferlin was satisfied with her situation (being treated like luggage).
＊
It all started about five days ago.
At the academy attended by the children of nobility in the Royal Capital, the only examination in the first year that determined Advancement.
Shin, having somehow safely cleared that first exam, was busy getting his fill of watching Erika Solntsalri before the upcoming long vacation.
It was then that Jenniferlin Pantile, one of his few friends at the academy, approached him.
Shin, who had been fuming about why there was such a thing as a long vacation, preventing him from seeing Erica, turned a suspicious gaze towards Jenniferlin standing there, blocking his view.
He decided he would ignore her if it was for some trivial matter; even if he owed his successful exam passage to her help, this was one thing he couldn’t compromise on.
“My friend, would you be interested in being employed by me?”
Since it was in a crowded classroom, Shin frowned for a moment, but seeing that no one was paying any attention to him, he decided it was fine and let it go.
Although there was a time when people wondered why that Pantile was approaching the second son of the Longdagger family—a household whose only notable features besides poverty were its long history—and what her purpose might be.
Once it became commonplace, the attention naturally faded.
In the classroom buzzing with talk of the imminent long vacation, no one bothered to eavesdrop on or pay attention to Shin and Jenniferlin’s conversation.
“I was trying to keep the adventurer thing a secret, you know.”
Therefore, Shin’s complaint wasn’t entirely serious.
“I doubt anyone in this classroom is listening in on others’ conversations right now. In fact, it’s questionable if they’re even listening to the person right in front of them.”
Receiving Shin’s complaint, Jenniferlin shrugged with a sarcastic smile.
Her dark brown hair, slightly longer than when they first met, brushed against her shoulders.
Her neatly trimmed hair, combined with its glossiness, looked like a helmet to Shin.
He had been punched the last time he said so, so he had no intention of ever mentioning it again.
Well, Jen’s probably right, though, Shin thought, glancing around lightly.
Most of the eyes and ears of those currently in the classroom were focused on Erika Solntsalri and her friend, the Maiden of Light.
Lower nobles and upper nobles alike, all the boys were engaged in seemingly relevant conversations about going hunting somewhere during the long vacation, or attending someone’s evening party, but it was doubtful if these even constituted proper conversations.
And the young ladies were watching them with hateful glares.
A few young ladies with Guts were making bold advances on promising prospects, but their results were poor.
The Maiden of Light alone is causing a catastrophe, Shin mused, amazed at the fire raging spectacularly on the opposite shore.
If Erica and the Maiden of Light were to mention going somewhere together during the break, everyone’s plans would probably change, Shin imagined the scene and laughed inwardly.
Incidentally, Shin also intended to change his plans.
“Watching others exchange chilly soliloquies to relieve boredom isn’t bad, but could you spare me a little time? I promise I’ll at least receive your words and respond in kind.”
Please don’t respond in kind.
Despite thinking this, Shin Longdagger nodded.
It wouldn’t hurt to hear her request; after all, he owed her. Besides, she was his friend.
Watching Erika Solntsalri was important, but well, friends were important too.
＊
And so, Shin Longdagger ended up being hired by Jenniferlin Pantile.
The job description was bodyguard duty.
Furthermore, the person to be guarded was Jenniferlin herself.
And Shin was to be the sole bodyguard.
Jen could surely hire any number of high-Rank adventurers, so why him?
When Shin asked Jenniferlin this, the answer he received was that it was a job requiring trust more than skill.
No, perhaps what’s needed is reliability? When Shin replied to Jenniferlin, who mused aloud, that he didn’t understand how Merchants thought, she laughed for some reason.
“If you understood that sort of thing, I’d hire you as a Merchant, you know.” Since Jenniferlin’s eyes looked serious when she said this, Shin dropped the topic right there.
“But well, next time, I’d want you to choose me for my skill rather than trust, Jen.”
Though I’m fully aware I’m lacking.
Shin said this while packing the necessary luggage for the bodyguard request.
Such words were an expression of Shin’s boyish Pride, and also a frustration vented to a friend.
Receiving this, Jenniferlin’s eyes widened considerably.
“Shin, that’s—that’s a bad joke. A really bad joke. At the very least, when I go peddling in hell, I won’t choose any bodyguard other than you. I promise.”
When I go peddling in hell—Jenniferlin negated Shin’s words using an expression Merchants only use for those whose abilities they trust the most.
Shin didn’t know this, but he took it as Jenniferlin Pantile’s clumsy attempt at consolation and gave a wry smile.
He often complained inwardly, but voicing it was unlike him, Shin reflected.
I let myself depend on Jen.
“When you take me to hell, make sure you prepare some delicious food.”
And a funny joke to go with it would be perfect.
Saying that, Shin Longdagger shouldered the rucksack packed with his belongings.
If I’ve been trusted, well, I can’t exactly betray that trust, can I?
Tightening his belt, Shin renewed his Guts.
It was the first day of the long vacation.
＊
From the Royal Capital of the Faltar Kingdom, if you continued east, you would hit the sea, and if you went west, you would reach its brother nation, the Orclaugh Kingdom.
“I don’t think you should work your employer too hard, you know? By the way, your employer here is somewhat confident in his magic. Is it necessary?”
Shin answered, flexing his now-free hands as if provoking the Rock Needle Wolf.
“Didn’t I tell you, Jen?”
Shin laughed.
“That I’d end it quickly.”
Indeed, I misspoke, my friend.
Before Jenniferlin could finish saying that, Shin’s figure vanished.
Jenniferlin just shrugged.
＊
The very first day had been quite troublesome.
That was Jenniferlin’s honest thought as she warmed herself by the Bonfire.
The reason a pack of Monsters appeared despite being along the highway turned out to be simple once they figured it out: the Monster Ward Magic Tool had simply run out of Magicka.
It was an occasional, yet common, stroke of misfortune.
“What a waste,” Shin had said.
But they proceeded, replenishing the Monster Ward with the large quantity of Rock Needle Wolf Magic Stones they’d unexpectedly acquired, because Jenniferlin figured not every Merchant in the world was like Shin Longdagger.
In short, it was just a whim.
Well, thanks to that, they were camping out on the very first day, though.
Jenniferlin watched Shin, who was supposed to be a noble like herself, yet skillfully built a simple stove from scavenged stones and boiled water.
She almost sighed involuntarily.
He remained an enigma. His current mundane competence was unimaginable compared to that state where it seemed his lid had come off.
To think I overlooked ‘this’… my own Appraisal Skill is unreliable.
Jenniferlin thanked the monster (Shin) who efficiently boiled water, made soup, and even brewed Tea.
Even when camping, her station usually meant being inside a tent or carriage, always served much tastier food.
But those situations didn’t include a monster who served watery soup and bad Tea.
She held the wooden mug with both hands and sipped the Tea.
“This is bad, Shin.”
“That’s a known fact, Jen.”
“Oh, my friend, I am saddened! To be served such knowingly bad Tea by a friend. Did I commit some atrocity today that warrants such sorrowful treatment?”
“Isn’t it the result of your atrocities culminating today that makes me feel like we’re camping out on the first day?” Shin said, adding a branch to the Bonfire.
“I can’t just abandon suffering grandpas and grandmas, you know. I’d appreciate it if you could laugh off atrocities that merely blow away a little profit.”
Jenniferlin felt happy seeing Shin staring at the Bonfire with a look that suggested he wanted to say something.
Oops, that’s the face of someone debating whether to praise me, isn’t it? My friend.
They often say growing up in noble society makes one’s spirit age quickly.
But finding joy in a Bonfire shared with a friend… isn’t that rather childish of me? Jenniferlin waited with a wry smile for Shin to reach his internal conclusion.
“Want a refill of the bad Tea?”
It seemed Shin had settled the internal debate of whether to praise her by asking if she wanted more bad Tea.
“I’ll have some.”
Jenniferlin held out her mug, accepting his conclusion.
Oh dear, this is troubling.
What am I going to do if I start craving this bad Tea in the future?
Jenniferlin Pantile thought such things while drinking her Tea.