One week later—
Under the relentless, truly strong summer sun and were now off to the Royal Capital. Six children, including Pop and Nico, would first head to the Count Doorn Family estate to meet the Count and his household, and then proceed to the mansion reserved for their stay in the Royal Capital.
"Hey, Shin. I'm counting on you to look after things in town." Jan, the Guild Master, bellowed a farewell.
"I'll do my best," I responded, giving a slight bow.
Jan-san and Ribera-san, the orphanage director, were both going along to the Capital. Part of the plan was to use this opportunity for Jan-san to try and repair his relationship with the Count.
Newly promoted Silver-Class adventurers Gil and Luce were also traveling as escorts, as it was considered wise for them to introduce themselves at the Royal Capital's Guild. Meanwhile, the three childhood friends—Cart, Ban, and Lillie—were asked to remain behind for a while longer, sticking to their current job as the orphanage's dedicated security detail.
There had been talk of me, the one who started all this, going to the Royal Capital myself, but the recent Glantz assault changed things.
The general consensus was that 'something can always be handled as long as either the Guild Master or the Giant Boar Killer is still in town.' There was also the rather pragmatic concern that the supply of meat and fish would 'lag behind' if I left, so my trip was vetoed. Honestly, I wasn't eager to draw any more attention to myself, so I wasn't going to argue.
With a wave, I watched them leave, then immediately turned and headed for the Adventurer's Guild.
I was ushered into the Branch Master's office, only to find Raid frantically wrestling with a monstrous stack of documents, while Milia hovered over him, guiding and supporting the process.
"Come on, now, Raid-san. Look lively! We've got so many more documents to get through, don't we?" Milia's voice was sharp with instruction.
"Whoa, Milia-san! Are you trying to kill me on the first day, seriously?" Raid stammered, overwhelmed.
"What are you going to do, give up with just this much? You're the Guild Master 'Proxy', after all," she pointedly reminded him, a smirk touching her lips.
"Did the old man really do all this, every day?" Raid groaned, head in his hands.
They were so engrossed in their paper war that they hadn't even noticed me enter. I gave a small flutter of my hand to get their attention, and finally, their gaze turned toward me.
"Oh! Shin-san!" Raid exclaimed, jumping up.
"I apologize for the lapse in attention!" he yelped, a touch of panic in his voice.
I held up a hand, stopping their frantic welcome. "Ah, no, please.
Stay seated. I just finished seeing off the carriage to the Royal Capital, so I thought I'd check in."
That was my only real purpose: to check on them and let them know I was back. However, Raid-kun was sending me such a desperate, pleading look that I couldn't ignore it.
"Why don't we take a short break, then? I do need to confirm a few things with the two of you for the future, anyway," I suggested.
Raid-kun took that as the golden signal he'd been waiting for, practically bolting from his chair and collapsing onto the usual reception sofa.
"...Hmph. I suppose it can't be helped," Milia sighed, reaching for a nearby tea set and placing it on the table before settling down beside him.
"The life of the Guild Master 'Proxy' seems quite difficult," I observed, taking my seat.
"Milia-san is just too strict," Raid whined, slumping. "I wanted to see them off, too!"
Milia took a sip from her cup, lowering it from her mouth with a knowing look. "You would have seen them off, run back into the orphanage, and tried to hide there for the rest of the day, wouldn't you?
I've been looking after you since you were little, you know. I can read your movements like a book."
"Ugh..." Raid moaned, defeated.
That old power dynamic between people who grew up together rarely changes, does it? Especially a guy who was cared for by an older woman—he'll probably never be able to look her in the eye without feeling a little bit scolded.
They seem to be in love, but I'm betting he'll be henpecked for sure. Hang in there, Raid-kun.
"But who usually serves as the proxy? Jan-san has often left town before, right?" I inquired. I remembered him being away for things like the Lord's private army training, even after I arrived in this world.
"That was usually my job," Milia explained. "Any document that absolutely needed the Guild Master's final approval, we just held onto until he got back."
"So why Raid-kun this time?" I tilted my head, genuinely curious.
"That would be Shin-san's fault... or rather, thanks," she replied, a strange look on her face.
I was confused by her answer. "??"
The man himself spoke up, rubbing the back of his neck. "Ah, well, it's the Wind Magic you taught me, Shin-san. My abilities—enhanced movement speed, area-search and stealth, and now, even homing attacks—have made me the guaranteed successor to the Western District Guild Master. So, they decided this was a good chance to force me into this living hell to study for the 'Proxy' job..."
Aha. So that boomerang effect I unintentionally created was quite significant.
"It's a perfect opportunity for you," Milia stated, with finality. "Now you'll understand just how amazing and indispensable the Guild Master truly is."
Looking at them, I had a feeling that Raid-kun as the Guild Master, with Milia-san supporting him, would be just fine. Milia is still young; even when Jan-san eventually retires due to age, she'll definitely still be at the Guild.
"Speaking of the Guild Master 'Proxy'... are there any Bronze-Class adventurers still here?" My next problem was a major one. My current fishing and hunting ventures are only possible with the help of those who have Body Enhancement, and their absence is a matter of life or death for my supply chain.
"Ah, you mean your baggage carriers. Gil and Luce went off as escorts, yeah. Cart and the others are stuck at the orphanage providing security, so—" He waved a hand dismissively. "—I'll just round up a few folks for you, no problem."
"Stop that!" Milia snapped.
Raid flinched, snapping to attention and sitting perfectly straight.
He looked more like a child than a younger brother. It was a rather comical sight, a man over 180cm tall being scolded into submission by a woman barely 160cm.
"Honestly..." Milia sighed, rolling her eyes. "But yes, if you want to put out a request for Bronze-Class adventurers, there shouldn't be any issue."
That was a relief.
I thought I was creating quite a bit of work for them through the Guild. Were there really still people who were struggling for work?
Sensing my unspoken question, she opened her mouth before I could ask.
"They just... don't leave."
"??" I couldn't quite grasp the meaning of that.
Her partner on the sofa elaborated, scratching his head. "Well, there are about sixty registered adventurers in this Guild right now, and naturally, some are people who flowed in from other places. They usually come and go, so the numbers fluctuate. But lately..."
"Lately—or rather, since Shin-san arrived—they hardly ever leave this town. I suppose it's comfortable here, and the number of adventurers who use this place as their base is steadily growing."
Hmm.
All I wanted was to raise the general standard of living here. If my actions were causing any negative side effects, I needed to figure out a countermeasure.
"For now, two porters should be enough, right? The fee will be the same as always—one gold coin per day. I'll arrange that for you," Raid confirmed.
"Yes, that's perfect. Also, regarding that thing, please make sure it's ready for use at any time," I added.
The young man and woman exchanged a look before turning back to me.
"Ah, yes. We have people who can use Water Magic on standby, along with the equipment," Milia confirmed.
"And the stuff the craftsmen made? We put those up in several spots around town, just like you told us, and we've given the instructions! Got it!" Raid declared.
I felt a sense of relief at their confirmation.
"I hope we never actually need to use it, but thank you. I'll excuse myself now."
I gave a quick bow, and they returned the gesture before I headed for the exit.
"Alright, Guild Master 'Proxy'? You're not even halfway through today's work yet, so hustle up, please!" Milia's voice, though melodic, was laced with command.
"Y-Yes..." Raid's voice was filled with a familiar despair. I felt sorry for him, but there was nothing I could do. I wished Raid-kun the best of luck as I left the Adventurer's Guild.
* * *
The next day.
My fishing and hunting trips had recently turned into long-distance expeditions, but today we were working close to the river, setting basket traps to teach the two new recruits the ropes.
One of them, Block, looked to be about my age, but his muscular physique told the story of a veteran adventurer's life.
The other, Dunder, was older—perhaps around the Guild Master's age, or a bit older, definitely under sixty. Since he'd lived an adventurer's life for so long, the numerous old scars covering his body gave him the air of a hardened veteran, a warrior of countless battles.
"Please remember to drink water frequently, alright? It's hot. Let me know immediately if you feel unwell," I called out as the two of them emerged from the river after setting the traps.
"No, no, Shin-san," Block insisted. "We're just hired hands, so you don't need to speak so politely to us."
"Aye, that's right," Dunder nodded. "We're just grateful to have the work, you see."
I scratched my head, embarrassed. "Well, it's just my personality, so please don't worry about it."
The three of us took a break by the riverbank. It was still a bit early for lunch, and the waiting period was filled with a relaxed atmosphere.
"Say, Shin-san," Block began, breaking the silence. "About that bird-rearing facility... why did you build it in that spot?"
"Ah... I could have put it outside of town, but I worried that monsters or wild animals would come after the birds, making it too risky," I explained.
Dunder, the elder man, tilted his head curiously.
"If it could be within the town, why not the farmlands on the south side? We usually work there, and there was plenty of open land left over, I recall, don't you think?"
Listening to his words, I temporarily sent my soul to outer space to process the data. Hmm.
Right. I had been eating grain and potatoes just fine. And yet, I hadn't seen any farmlands in the town's immediate vicinity.
The north side of town was the residential area, home to the Count's purveyor and other houses.
The east side was the Government/Industrial Zone, where the Adventurer's Guild and the artisans were. The west side was the Commercial Zone, where Ron-san and Mile-san were gatekeepers, and it was close to the 'Clan' Inn and its many eateries.
And the south side, which I had never visited, was the Agricultural Zone, apparently.
I felt a little annoyed that no one had ever mentioned it, but then again, the concept of farming birds for eggs was entirely new, and I had been overwhelmed with explaining the first facility, not to mention the kidnapping incident and everything else that happened...
No matter what excuses I could think of—I had lived in this other world for over half a year and still hadn't grasped the layout of the town. It was entirely my fault.
It was a depressing thought, realizing that I'd slipped back into the same pattern I had on Earth, just commuting between my workplace and home.
"H-Hey, are you alright, Shin-san?" Block asked, concerned.
"Are you feeling ill, old boy?" Dunder added, his eyes wide as he looked at my slumping shoulders.
"Ah, no. I'm fine," I reassured them. Well, at least now I know where to build the next bird house. That was the silver lining, I supposed. Wait—
"You said you usually work there... are you employed in agriculture?" I asked.
The two of them smiled wryly at my question. "We just help out, is all. Whether it's planting, harvesting, or transporting, it requires manpower. And as long as you can use Body Enhancement, you can do the work," Block explained.
"They're always looking for help outside of winter, mind you," Dunder added. "It might not be the most adventurous work, but it pays the bills, you see."
Hmm. They are only helping out temporarily, which means I should try to keep them on my roster for future projects.
"I know this isn't definite, but if I build a new rearing facility on that farmland, would you two be willing to work there?" I proposed. "You could still take on the farm help simultaneously, of course."
The two exchanged a look.
"Well, that'd be a dream come true for us, but... I can only use Body Enhancement and some weak Earth Magic, is that alright with you?" Block asked, clearly surprised.
"I, too, can only manage Body Enhancement and a little Water Magic, you know. If that is acceptable to you," Dunder finished.
Since I mostly just needed them to take care of the birds, that was perfectly fine.
"Then, when the time comes, I'll be sure to ask you formally. Now—let's go check on the traps."
I said check and not retrieve to drive home the point that the baskets would actually contain fish, and because if we pulled them up, we'd have to return to town immediately.
The plan was to fish in the morning, eat lunch by the river, deliver the fish to the inn, and then head across the river into the forest to hunt for birds. For now, we would confirm the catch and eat our lunch here.
"I heard you were catching fish with that... but I didn't believe it until I saw it with my own eyes," Block admitted, shaking his head.
"Truly, if you live long enough, you see everything, you do. To think such a 'magic' exists," Dunder marveled.
They had accepted the basket trap—a completely normal device on Earth—as some kind of 'unseen, rare magic' in this magic-centric world. They ascended the riverbank, satisfied, but a bit bewildered.
"Well, for lunch, here you go," I announced, handing them each a Tuna-Mayo-Substitute Sand and a Bird-Mayo Sand.
"W-Whoa!? Are you sure we should each have one?" Block's eyes went wide.
"Wait, didn't you hear the request included a meal allowance?" I asked.
"We heard that, aye. But we never expected anything quite so luxurious as this, you see," Dunder responded, clutching the sandwiches like treasure.
We sat down for lunch, and once again, I took the opportunity to gather information from them. One topic was agriculture.
From what they described, the farming methods were similar to those used on Earth a long time ago. Though the crops themselves were probably low-maintenance, the only real magical input seemed to be for watering.
"Um, is there no magic that can make crops grow instantly? You know, something that just poofs them into existence?" I asked.
Block's silent stare, the one that said, 'That's impossible, what are you even thinking?' and Dunder's gaze, which seemed to wonder, 'What is this person contemplating now, I wonder?', became a minor black mark on my memory. I quickly filed it away in the Box of Embarrassing Thoughts in my mind.
Regardless, the 'non-magical' aspects were clearly defined, meaning there was definite room for improvement. The same was true for housing—there were no buildings that just popped into existence with magic.
Small items like baskets and cups, as well as clothing, were all made by non-magical technicians and artisans. Magic might be used for cutting or processing materials slightly, but that was it. In that respect, the 3D printers we had on Earth were much closer to real magic.
I realized that I still had so much more to learn about this world. After a short rest following lunch, I had them transport the fish to the inn.
"Oh, Shin-san."
"Another huge haul, I see," Lieben-san and Mel-san greeted me at the inn, having been waiting for my arrival.
I handed over thirty fish to each of them—sixty in total—and handed the reins of command over to the Inn Master, Claire Age-san.
"May I ask you to handle the processing again?"
"Aye. I'll make the usual dried fish and prepare the meals for the orphanage, correct?" she replied, entirely accustomed to the routine.
Lately, I had been entrusting the processing to the Inn Master. It cost money, of course, but she had to cook the meals anyway, and considering the time lost, having her handle the dried fish was the most cost-effective solution.
"That should be all the fish for today."
"Oh? Is that so?" Mel-san returned with a breezy reply.
I quickly explained the situation.
"I have Block-san and Dunder-san, who are helping out temporarily, and I want them to learn the work. Since it's their first day, I want them to physically catch both the fish and the birds, and transport them."
Though their current employment was temporary, there was always a chance I might need their help again.
It wouldn't hurt for them to learn the whole process. I bid farewell to the three of them and headed off toward the forest across the river.
* * *
"So, now this basket... can we really catch birds with it?" Block asked, skepticism clouding his face. "Though, I guess you did say that's how we've been getting meat in town."
"The traps for the birds are set with another kind of 'magic'... I've never seen this one either. But Shin-san, are you not tired, good man?" Dunder wondered, concerned.
As with fishing, their questions about hunting were limited to their understanding of magic.
"N-No, it's not a continuously active type of magic. Once it's cast, it lasts for several hours on its own," I assured them.
Both of them accepted that explanation with simple nods—'Oh' and 'I see'—and moved on. Was it really that easy to convince them?
And just like at the river, we entered the 'waiting' period.
"We just wait here, and the birds will come?" Block asked.
"Yes. If we just stay away from the traps and keep quiet here—"
"To combine it with a tool... truly a fascinating magic, is it not?" Dunder murmured, clearly intrigued.
We had set traps all around and taken up a position in the center to wait. I thought about gathering more information when suddenly, the forest began to rustle violently.
"—!?"
Birds appeared, but not the kind we were waiting for. A flock of dozens suddenly scattered, flying off in all directions like startled spiders.
"S-Shin-san! Is this your magic!?" Block stammered, horrified.
No, of course not. This was an anomaly, an emergency.
Could a Giant Boar have appeared again? I quickly scanned my surroundings to grasp the situation. Just then, an even darker shadow fell over the already dense forest.
"Both of you, get away from here!" I shouted.
Block reacted instantly, scrambling backward.
But Dunder, taken by surprise, couldn't even manage to stand. I immediately tackled him, picking him up in a fireman's carry, and we fell forward like a baseball player sliding headfirst.
Behind us, the sound of tree branches CRACKING and a heavy impact echoed through the air.
"What in the—what was that?"
I turned around to see a six-meter-long shape lying prone in a cloud of dust.
"D-Dragon...!?" Block whispered, fearfully approaching.
Yes, a Dragon. Its body was reptilian, with bat-like wings.
Sharp claws, fangs, and a body covered in scales all suggested formidable defense. It lay on its back, defeated.
"Chirp, chirp..."
"Huh?"
I looked closer and saw the Dragon was tenderly clutching something with its foreleg. A small Dragon... no bigger than a medium-sized dog, about thirty or forty centimeters long. They must be parent and child.
"S-Shin-san! Look up!" Dunder's voice, coming from where he was still lying on the ground, pulled my attention upward. About thirty meters above us, several long, two-meter shapes were circling.
"A-Are you serious!? Those are Wyverns!" Block gasped.
Oh.
So that's what a Wyvern looks like. They were smaller than I expected.
"B-Block! Shin-san! You have to run! A Breath Attack will incinerate you in an instant!" Dunder yelled from below.
I looked down at the Dragon's body.
Sure enough, there were several burn marks that looked like they had been inflicted by those very creatures above. So, they must be the ones who shot this Dragon down.
Dunder's plea to run was the same as telling us to leave him behind, which meant the danger was extreme. True, they might come down to finish off the Dragon.
But a Breath Attack is a long-range weapon. There was no guarantee that we could outrun these flying beasts simply by fleeing.
"Damn it! Shin-san, what do we do!?" Block asked, though he hadn't actually run.
I issued a quick instruction.
"Ah, Block-san, please take care of Dunder-san. I think I can handle this."
I left the two of them with their mouths agape and looked up. Several Wyverns, clearly confident in their victory, were already turning their snouts toward us.
Would they spit out a flamethrower-like burst of fire, or balls of fire?
...But either scenario was physically impossible. For a flamethrower, they'd need to first eject a flammable liquid and then ignite it.
For fireballs, they'd need the necessary material, heat, and a mechanism for ignition. Furthermore, a creature that ejects fire from its own body must have a structure that can withstand the combustion internally.
"Screeech!?"
"Keeeaaah!?"
Up above, the Wyverns were crying out in confusion, baffled that the expected result hadn't occurred.
I took a moment to observe their bodies more closely.
The obvious difference from the Dragon was that their wings and forelegs were a single, bat-like structure. Otherwise, they possessed the same formidable muscles and skeleton, vicious-looking claws on their rear legs, and reptilian scales, all similar to the Dragon on the ground.
Their body length was indeed about two meters, or three including the tail. Although their weight was slightly less than that of land creatures, they still weighed at least thirty kilograms.
...But for a creature to fly, that weight was impossible. Birds fly because of their radical weight-reduction measures, like hollow bones.
A Wyvern with that much muscle and skeleton simply couldn't achieve that. Even the ancient Pteranodon on Earth, with a wingspan of eight meters and only the weight of a medium-sized dog, was thought to have been capable only of gliding.
Which meant that their ability to fly at all was—
"Scree-Yeah-Ehh!?"
"Kee-Ahh!! Kee-Eeh-Eehh!!"
One after another, the Wyverns plunged to the ground, flapping their wings as they fell, crashing across a radius of about five meters. The whole event took perhaps three seconds.
A thirty-kilogram object falling from thirty meters... especially if it's a living creature, the probability of survival is virtually nil.
Once the creatures that harbored hostility toward us fell silent, the quiet returned to the forest.
"S-Shin-san...!"
"How did you... defeat the Wyverns...?"
Block and the finally-upright Dunder approached me. Just as they did, the massive body between us stirred and rose, blocking our reunion.
It was the Dragon that had fallen first. Its scales were painfully singed in spots from the burns.
In its hand, it tenderly held its child. Had the baby been injured? There were no external wounds on it.
"Wyvern-DOGS tried to defeat me, but an INSIGNIFICANT Human will not!" the Dragon growled.
It was clearly acting purely out of a desire to protect its child. But since it could speak, communication was possible.
"Calm down. The Wyverns are gone. We have no intention of harming you. We bear no hostility. If you attack us, you will die. If you have a child to protect, you must act cautiously," I warned.
"..."
We faced each other for a long moment. Then, as if exhausted, the massive body slowly lowered itself to the ground.
"...You defeated them? Those Wyvern-DOGS?"
"More importantly, your child seems to be suffering. Is it injured somewhere?" I asked.
The Dragon lowered its body further, still clutching the child, but positioning it so I could see it better.
"...I do not know. It became suddenly limp."
"May I touch it?"
Without resistance, as if resigned, it offered the child. I reached out and touched its body.
"...Hot?"
I then touched the parent Dragon's hand that was holding it.
The difference in body temperature was stark. Could this be—
"Block-san! You can use Earth Magic, right!? Can you make a depression in the ground about this big?" I held out my hands to indicate the size, urging him to cast the magic.
"A-Aye. I can do that," he replied, bewildered.
"Do it right now! Dunder-san, when the depression is ready, fill it with your Water Magic!"
The Dragon, confused by the exchange, spoke anxiously.
"What are you talking about? Do you know what has happened to my Child?"
"I will explain later! Just let me have your child! If you are worried, stay close and watch!"
I took the child and placed it in the small pool of water they had created.
"Dunder-san, please give this child water to drink. Block-san, prepare the next pool."
This was almost certainly heatstroke. I had heard from Pack-san that people often collapsed in the summer, especially children.
His description of the symptoms immediately made me think of it. That was why the town and the Guild had decided to prepare for heatstroke by having bathtub-like containers and Water Magic users on standby in various locations. I never thought my first heatstroke patient would be a Dragon.
Their bodies are likely similar to reptiles, and even reptiles can suffer heatstroke.
Species that live in the desert can become dangerously ill if left on a balcony in the mid-day sun in a summer climate for even ten minutes. As cold-blooded animals, they don't sweat and have no internal cooling system, so the heat spreads through them quickly.
"Good! Now, gently turn him on his back..." I lowered the child Dragon, keeping its face up to ensure breathing, and submerged its entire body in the water. The treatment for heatstroke is simply to cool the body down. Cooling the neck, armpits, and groin is effective, but submerging the entire body in bath-like water is the fastest way.
After a few minutes in the water, the child Dragon's consciousness began to return.
"...Pewy? Scree..."
"! I, I AM HERE! It is alright, there is no need to worry!" the Mother Dragon rumbled, relieved.
It seemed calmed by its parent's presence. The Mother Dragon also seemed to relax, having confirmed her child's safety.
"Block-san, please dig the next pool a little wider. Wide enough for the Mother Dragon to stretch its wings comfortably."
"O-Okay. I understand," Block replied.
I turned to the Mother Dragon, offering something I had pulled out of my supplies.
"Please let your child lick this."
"This is what?"
"It's rock salt. Salt. The child has lost not only water but other things from its body."
The giant creature stared at the rock salt, slowly turning its head from side to side.
"I have no reason to suspect foul play now. I shall trust you..."
Upon hearing this, Dunder gave the child Dragon a generous amount of water to drink, then put the rock salt in its mouth like candy, before submerging it in the freshly-dug pool.
After about ten minutes and two more changes of the water in the pools, the child Dragon was revived and energetic enough to flutter about.
Taking a breath, the Mother Dragon requested an explanation, and I gave a full account of heatstroke.
"So that was it... But if so, why am I safe? Why only the Child?"
"It could be that your Body Enhancement is still immature, but more importantly, a child's body is much smaller than yours. It heats up and cools down much faster than you do," I explained.
Furthermore, it had been subjected to the Wyverns' fire attacks. That, combined with the intense sun high in the sky, must have been a brutal ordeal.
The Dragon slowly lowered its massive body to the ground, bowing its head. The child Dragon climbed onto its back—a perfect image of a little Dragon riding its parent.
"I thank you for saving my Child. And for defeating those Wyvern-DOGS... My kindred will be worried, so I must return at once, but I wish to offer you a reward. Ask for anything that is within my power."
"Oh, can I have the Wyverns, then?" I asked.
The Dragon cocked its head, unable to comprehend.
"Did you not defeat them yourself? In any case, I cannot offer you something that was not my own kill as a reward."
"Hmm... Well, then, can you tell your kin not to attack the humans in the surrounding towns and villages?"
The Dragon tilted its head again, turning it to the opposite side this time.
"...Is that all you wish? Then, for now, that will suffice. I shall reward you formally at a later date. Farewell...!"
It raised its head and spread its wings, ready to take flight, but I stopped it.
"Ah, wait. Give this to the child."
"Mū?"
I offered the remaining rock salt, along with the Tuna-Mayo-Substitute, Bird-Mayo, and Potato-Mayo-Substitute sandwiches I had brought as snacks.
"I understand the rock salt, but what are these things that smell so delicious?"
"They are fish, bird, and potato prepared with my spices. They're very popular with children, so they should be good for yours. Also, you must keep the child in a cool place, quietly, for today and tomorrow," I advised.
"I am grateful for all you have done," the Dragon murmured, giving a final bow before carrying the child and flying off into the sky.
However, there was no way we could continue the bird hunt now. I looked back at the two men, who were staring off into the distance, still dazed.
I realized I needed to explain the whole affair to them. So, we decided to return to town at once.
Summary:
Shin manages to avoid an inconvenient trip to the Royal Capital but finds himself instantly caught up in the town's administrative chaos as the temporary Guild Master, Raid, struggles to keep up with his new role. Shin's 'common sense' inventions continue to dramatically reshape the town's economy, leading to a strange problem: no one wants to leave.
The story culminates in a surreal, high-fantasy action sequence where Shin uses applied physics to defeat a pack of Wyverns and then treats a massive, grounded Dragon and its child for a simple case of heatstroke using salt and cold water. He trades a Wyvern corpse and a sandwich for a temporary, non-aggression pact with the Dragon's clan.
Character Insight:
Shin's relentless, pragmatic nature constantly pulls him into extraordinary situations. His internal annoyance at being an accidental hero is a key driver, as he constantly tries to downplay world-changing events like defeating Wyverns or healing a Dragon with 'common knowledge'.
Raid's comic struggle under Milia's strict tutelage highlights the internal, relatable bureaucracy that exists even in a fantasy world. The mother dragon's immediate shift from hostile protector to grateful parent underscores the universal theme of maternal love and the power of simple, effective aid over violence.
Behind the Scene:
The setting detail about the town's four districts (North, East, West, South) is a crucial piece of world-building that Shin, despite his intelligence, completely missed due to his Earth-life habit of only commuting between work and home.
This is a subtle commentary on the mundanity of modern life being carried into a fantasy setting. The Wyverns' physics-defying flight is not a flaw in the world but a weakness that Shin exploits using his knowledge of Earth's physics, making the 'magic system' entirely predictable to him.
Notes:
• Nico - Young, small orphan girl, initially tear-stained, wearing simple clothes, later a Shinto-style priest outfit. Abducted with Pop, her fear manifests as exhaustion and silence, eventually clinging to her caretaker.
• Fam - Short, golden-blonde hair, energetic and bright-eyed, initially in fine clothing, later wearing a 'maiden' costume. The young, spoiled daughter of the Count, she immediately demands Shin’s presented clothes and food, her reaction central to Shin’s plan.
• Pop - Young, small orphan boy, initially tear-stained, wearing simple clothes, later a Shinto-style priest outfit. Abducted with Nico, emotionally regressed, seeks constant comfort from Ribera-sensei.
• Shin - An average, middle-aged Japanese salaryman who prides himself on his common sense and average abilities. He was forcibly sent to a fantasy world by a God and granted the 'ability' to prevent anything 'outside his common sense' from occurring in his presence.
• Jan - The sturdy branch manager of the local Adventurer's Guild. He is short, has muscular build, and gray hair.
• Ribera - The director of the local orphanage, deeply invested in the children's well-being. She is a middle aged woman.
• Cart - One of the three new adventurers housed by Shin, he’s a gang leader type with a grateful demeanor for Shin’s kindness. Short-haired and sporting a typical delinquent/leader look.
• Luce - A Bronze-class adventurer, also an orphanage graduate and very close friend of Gil. She specializes in Fire Magic, but can only 'manifest' flames without projection. She has flaxen hair tied in a braid at the back, short stature.
• Ban - One of the three new adventurers housed by Shin, he is gentler and more reserved than Cart, with an androgynous appearance, shoulder-length hair, and a gentle-looking demeanor.
• Gil - A Bronze-class adventurer and recent graduate of the local orphanage. He specializes in Earth Magic (Stone Bullet), but its initial power is weak. He and Luce are close, almost like siblings. He has short hair, slender build, and looks unhealthy.
• Glantz - A notorious bandit known as 'Glantz the Bloody Axe Ogre' for his massive weapon and brute-force approach. He has muscular build, bushy beard and unkempt hair. He carries a massive, 3-meter axe, and Wears bandit gear.
• Milia - The young receptionist at the Adventurer's Guild. She has short hair, tanuki-face like (cute), wears round glasses, and business attire.
• Raid - A young, 'normie' adventurer who gets saddled with the job of escorting Shin. He is carefree and friendly but is instantly put on edge by Jandou's ominous warning. He has short black hair, sun-tanned skin, and wears casual adventure gear.
• Block - A newly hired laborer with a solid, working-class build, he assists Shin with hunting and odd jobs. Straightforward and excited about earning high-value meat.
• Dunder - An elderly yet spry man, recently hired, with a weathered appearance and seasoned, reflective approach to work. He’s pleasantly surprised by his second wind in life, especially after eating wyvern meat.
• Mile - One of the two gate guards. He's relatively open and friendly towards Shin after their initial encounter. Wears rough leather armor, has weather-beaten face, and strong build.
• Ron - The second gate guard, usually supporting Mile. He is observant of Shin's methods, though he misinterprets them. Wears same as Mile.
• Lieben - A tall man Shin hires for his Wind Magic to help create his dried fish product. He has thin, tall frame and slightly tired eyes.
• Mel - A young girl Shin hires for her Water Magic to clean his catch. She has semi-long hair, and slightly foxy, sharp eyes.
• Claire - The sharp-witted owner of the inn 'Clan,' which was previously famous for its private bath. She is a powerful water-magic user.
• Pack - The town's sole medical practitioner, he possesses extensive knowledge of traditional remedies and immediately recognized the superior nutritional value of Shin's egg-based 'patient food.' With long hair often mistaken for a woman from a distance, he has a slender build and favors practical, no-nonsense clothing suited for foraging and medicine preparation.