The Cat's Paw Inn

The visit of an old friend is always a welcome occasion, no matter the era.

After a lively meal with Orleans, we headed to the inn I'd entrusted to Kazusa.

Adding more people to Azu and the others' room would make it too cramped, and more importantly, Orleans was an official guest from an Imperial duke.

It was only proper to provide appropriate hospitality.

As we walked, I asked about what had happened since.

There had been various troubles at first, but since the duke himself was serious about it, things had gradually but steadily changed.

Among them, Orleans had been the central figure, or rather the model case, and had received the most education.

"Our harvest time decreased, but we actually ended up with more free time. Everyone uses that time to study."

"Oh. That makes sense."

People who had previously just moved their hands as they were told had begun to learn various things little by little and started thinking for themselves.

Productivity must have increased considerably.

For simple labor, many ordinary but educated people were more important than a handful of geniuses.

They could continuously improve their daily routines.

"We've become able to manage the estate ourselves, and the Duke was pleased. He said it saves on labor costs."

"… That is important."

It was better to have no personnel needed just to make people work.

Complete laissez-faire was problematic, but it was most efficient to take responsibility while leaving field operations to others, as I did with Kaimol and Kazusa.

The distorted estate management seemed to have improved considerably.

Serfs had dignity. They should never be treated carelessly.

"I received praise for my good results and was allowed to help with various things. Sometimes I'm even entrusted with simple tasks."

"Good for you. The duke's household must be full of capable people."

Even as a servant, this was the duke's household.

The fact that she could be entrusted with any work among such capable people from top to bottom was impressive, considering Orleans's age and background.

"Were you bullied at all?"

"No, nothing like that…"

She hesitated slightly.

It seemed things hadn't gone entirely smoothly.

The others had their pride too, and the duke's subordinates included nobles.

"I'm from a serf background, after all. And this one protects me too."

"The Fire Elemental, huh? No fool would mess with a spirit's priestess. I wish I could say background doesn't matter, but in a noble household, it inevitably does."

Orleans now had a Fire Elemental with her.

The salamander accompanying Alexia was a fragment of that Fire Elemental, and Orleans's was the original, a powerful spirit that could be called the source itself.

Anyone who underestimated her as just a young woman would regret it.

"Now I understand. How much effort you went through for us, sir."

"It was hard, but it's a good memory now."

I thought I was going to die when I caught the Fire Dragon's roar up close.

That experience had effectively eliminated the option of adventuring alongside Azu and the others.

Azu and the others had the courage to face such monsters, but I did not.

Besides, when all was said and done, I had gained sufficient profit from that series of events.

Helping Orleans hadn't been in vain, and I had no regrets.

Though I was aware I had been reckless, and I did reflect on that.

As we talked, we arrived at our destination.

"Did you acquire this inn as well, sir?"

"Yes. I bought it with all its rights. It's being renovated, but we plan to open for business when the time is right."

The inn I brought Orleans to had changed considerably.

I had heard the interior work was finished and they were working on the exterior, but it was more polished than I expected.

The ground around the inn, which had been somewhat run-down, had been cleaned and re-laid with cobblestones, giving it a clean appearance.

The inn itself had given off a sense of age in a bad way, but looked transformed now, probably with a fresh coat of white paint.

A sign had also been prepared.

I peeled off the cloth covering it to find it read "The Cat's Paw Inn."

I hadn't paid much attention to the inn's name since it was under my trading company's umbrella and had left it to them, but this was what they'd decided on.

It wasn't unusual for inns to take their operator's name, so this might work just fine.

"I'll introduce you to the girl running this inn. If anything comes up, rely on her."

"Thank you. Just having shelter from rain and wind is more than enough."

"That won't do. Learn to accept being looked after."

"… I'll take that lesson to heart, sir."

Though removed from the city center, with the place looking like this, it should attract customers.

Kazusa had good sense.

I had assigned her this task because she was trustworthy, and that seemed to be paying off.

Opening the door with my key, I found Kazusa in the middle of sweeping the floor.

"Yohane-san, welcome. Who is that with you?"

"Sorry for the sudden visit. This is my guest. I was hoping you could put her up as practice. We'll handle meals on our end."

"I apologize for the intrusion. My name is Orleans."

Orleans said this as she held the edges of her robe with both hands and bowed.

Kazusa raised both hands in front of her chest and waved them.

"I'm Kazusa! Nice to meet you! It's no problem at all. I can have a room ready right away."

"Thank you. I'll be in your care."

"No need to be so formal…? Any guest of Yohane-san is welcome here. He's my employer, after all."

"You're doing well. Did you paint the inn's exterior walls too?"

"Yeah. We got the paint cheap, so my brother and I did it together. The budget's on track so far."

"Good. Let me know if you run into any trouble. Well then, till tomorrow. Do you remember the way?"

"Yes, I'll be fine."

"Good. Come to my place in the morning. I'll have breakfast ready. Azu is looking forward to it too."

"You know Azu too?"

"Yes. She took very good care of me."

"Huh, do you mind telling me about it?"

"Of course."

Kazusa seemed to hit it off with Orleans right away.

She might be suited for the hospitality business.

After all, she had worked alongside rough-and-tumble adventurers.

This might be nothing for her.