Wataru's Invitation

"Wataru, what's this about?"

I asked as he suddenly burst into the parlor with an announcement.

"Kehma-san, I've decided! I'm going to go!"

"Huh?"

Wataru continued, clearly excited.

"Are you heading somewhere?"

"Yes! I've been wanting to go for a while now, and finally, I've gotten a job from Haku-sama that gives me the chance to go!"

"Ah, well… Okay, have a good trip?"

"Kehma-san, how about you join me! Oh, and Nerune-san and Rokuko-san too, if possible!"

Wataru leaned forward with enthusiasm, getting way too close. Back up, man. Seriously, back up.

"Hold on. Where exactly are you going? I can't give you an answer if I don't know that. Also, you're too close. Step back."

"My apologies. We were standing at a distance that might make Nerune-san suspicious of an affair."

Wataru stepped back.

And don't talk about affairs between two guys. What we have is friendship. Probably.

… Wait, could Nerune be into that sort of thing? I won't judge her preferences, but… real-life stuff like that isn't ideal.

"Seriously though, stop being vague. Is there a reason you haven't told me where we're going?"

"Ah, you caught on? I'd expect nothing less of you."

"There's nothing 'as expected' about it. You're being way too obvious. Now come on, answer me."

"You're so impatient, but okay."

Wataru said as he pulled out a piece of paper—Haku-sama's order.

"It's a request for an investigation and subjugation in Wakoku!"

"Wakoku, huh?"

Wakoku—an eastern country, or so the rumors go. Wataru's been wanting to go there for a while to search for information on Japan. It seems his wish has finally come true. No wonder he's wanting to brag about it.

"But why invite Nerune, Rokuko, and me for that? Isn't this the kind of thing you'd want to do with just your lover?"

"Hmm? Well, leaving Kehma-san aside, I think the other two would want to come as well."

"Wait, isn't this more like you just wanting to go on a trip with your lover?"

"Well, yes."

Wataru plainly admitted it as he took a seat on the sofa.

"I invited you as well because I thought you'd also be interested in Wakoku."

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't, but… going to Wakoku is a long trip. Even having just Nerune leave leaves a gap in our workforce. If both Rokuko and I were to go, there'd be no one to fill the void."

"Haku-sama has provided compensation for that! One hundred gold coins! Here, take them."

Wataru placed a bag of coins and a letter on the table.

The letter was sealed with the Imperial emblem of the royal family—Haku-sama's usual style.

"And what's in the letter?"

"It's from Haku-sama. It apparently explains the compensation."

Wataru averted his eyes uncomfortably.

… Let's see.

"Prepaid compensation of one hundred gold coins, and… Misha, Dolce, and Amelia will be sent to work at the inn as temporary staff?"

"Yes, three of the Four Heavenly Kings will work here. That should cover the gaps, right? If any financial losses occur, Haku-sama promised additional compensation. Also, travel expenses will be covered, and we'll even get some spending money."

I'm more worried about the holes left by the three Heavenly Kings coming here now, but I guess each organization can function with them missing?

…

"No, no, no. What is Haku-sama thinking… This is terrifying."

"Yeah, it feels a bit excessive… Assigning the guild master of the Imperial Adventurer's Guild and the head of the intelligence department to be part-time workers? It's strange…"

"Yeah, no kidding."

This is definitely more than just covering work. Something else is going on. They're investigating something… no doubt about it. The personnel sent here are far too serious for this to be just a simple replacement.

I'm also nervous about leaving the village… Though, thanks to the Soto Express, I can come back anytime and keep in touch…

"I'd really prefer to turn this down…"

"It seems the arrangements have already been made."

"So I don't have a choice in this? You should've told me that first, Wataru…"

"I just thought it would be nicer if you agreed on your own."

It seemed Wataru meant well.

"You've got a knack for unnecessary gestures. I guess I'll use one or two of those gold coins to hire some part-time adventurers from the guild."

"Huh? But aren't Misha-san, Dolce-san, and Amelia-san already coming as part-timers?"

"Wataru. Could you suddenly handle work in a completely different field, like doing paperwork as the village head? The villagers here are better suited for work at the inn than those three."

I mean, we already have part-timers working in Rokuko's Golene Village "Wataru the Hero's Confession Memorial Park," so in terms of actual inn-related work, the villagers are probably more reliable than the Heavenly Kings.

"Maybe I'll assign Roppu as a part-time leader."

Roppu and Gozoh are the village's representatives of the adventurers. With Roppu in charge, I'm sure the adventurers will cooperate.

"He's a B-rank, so it'll be expensive, but I trust him with the dining hall."

"As expected of Roppu-san."

"As long as Misha doesn't do anything unnecessary, we should be fine."

"That part is a little concerning."

Don't say it. I'm worried about that too.

And that's how it was decided that Rokuko, Wataru, Nerune, and I would head to Wakoku.