Published at 26th of December 2025 7:40 am

Chapter 480: If Its Said Like That, It Will Surely Be Believed.

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Hey, how long are you going to sleep! Get up already!

Gah!?

The next morning. A sudden impact jolted my head as I was sleeping peacefully, forcibly dragging my consciousness out of the swamp. When I reflexively turned my eyes in protest, I saw my mother standing there with an exasperated expression.

Mom? Whats this, so early

What do you mean so early! Tia-chan has been up for ages, helping with meal preparations! Wash your face and at least set the table!

Yes, maam. Im sorry.

It seems this wasnt just a losing battle, but one that was already lost. After watching my mothers back as she left the room, I hurriedly got ready and headed to the living room. After that, I quickly set the table while my mother and Tia chatted cheerfully, and soon the breakfast preparations were complete.

Well then, shall we eat?

Yay!

Oh, this is quite luxurious for breakfast.

The stew served in deep bowls was giving off an indescribably good aroma. Taking a spoonful, the gentle sweetness of milk and the fluffy texture of potatoes were irresistible.

Savoring that, I reached for the freshly baked bread, placed thinly sliced bacon on it, and took a bite. The crispy baguette absorbed the juicy fat, but the unexpectedly chewy bacon couldnt be bitten through cleanly, disappearing into my mouth in one go. So I dipped the remaining half of the bread into the stew Dangerous, I could eat this endlessly.

Ah What is this. I feel like I could live on this forever.

What are you saying, you surely are exaggerating, son

Fufu. But it really is delicious. And I realized that Eds cooking really does taste like yours, auntie.

Hm? Ed, you cook?

Ah, well, yeah. Its boring to eat only preserved food when Im out, so I cook quite often.

Oh? Then next time, maybe Ill have you cook instead of me.

Sure, Ill do it! Ill make something so delicious your cheeks will sag from eating too much.

Haha, Ill look forward to it.

As if yesterdays events never happened, our conversation flowed and time passed pleasantly. But when everyone had more or less finished eating, my mother slowly brought up a topic.

By the way, Ed, about this

Saying that, my mother placed a small cloth bag on the table. When she opened it, it was filled with gold coins.

Ah, that

What kind of fool leaves such a large sum of money lying around! I was so scared I couldnt sleep at night.

Oh Yeah. Sorry.

Come to think of it, the gold coins I had put on the table at that time were left as they were. Indeed, 30 gold coins was an amount that easily justifies kill to steal. If my past self had such a thing in my pocket, I would have been acting suspiciously beyond measure.

As long as you understand. Now, about this money Im returning it to you.

No, Mom. This is

As I tried to push back the outstretched cloth bag, my mother shook her head with a serious face.

Its okay. Youre still young, and you plan to continue working as a mercenary, right? Then its better to have something set aside for emergencies. Even if you try to force it on me, Ill just keep it without using it, you know?

Sigh Alright, I understand.

I could still give it to her, or even show her an even larger amount of gold coins and say Dont worry about that small amount. But imposing goodwill without considering the other persons feelings was nothing more than twisted self-satisfaction.

Thats why I accept the money. And after accepting it I grin.

But in exchange, Ill go all out on repairing the house! Ill make it as good as new!

Whats that about? Well, if thats what you want to do, suit yourself.

Fufufu, Ive got your word on that, right?

I reaffirmed with my mother, who looked exasperated.

Its true that my [Master Smith] cant fix houses. But the blacksmithing skills honed by Master Dalton wont be useless. Its still amateur work, but if thats the case, Ill aim for the ultimate amateur work with all my might!d

So, from that day on, I kept repairing the house repeatedly. I properly bought lumber from the woodcutters with the gold coins I received, and replaced everything I could think of with new items, from re-roofing to replacing pillars. While I couldnt build a house from scratch, it was entirely possible to rearrange what was already there in the same way. If I paid properly, I could even get advice from professionals.

Ah, of course, that doesnt mean I only did house repairs. If I became too absorbed in it without working, it would make them worry, so, I returned to town to complete a few requests, then come back home for two or three days of repairs, repeating this pattern.

And after spending days like this for about two months, Tia and I had just finished a job that day and came to the gathering place in the town of Lostal.

Old man, please check this.

Sure. Six Anger Wolf fangs Alright, its good. Heres your reward.

Thank you very much.

I submitted the specified extermination parts and received the reward from the old man. Then I heard an all-too-familiar voice from behind.

Hey, Ed! Tia-chan!

Oh, hello Taruho-san.

What is it, Taruho? Do you need something?

What do you mean need something! Youve finished work and your pockets are warm, right? Then Ill give you the right to treat your best friend to a drink! Of course, Ill also bestow upon Tia-chan the right to pour drinks next to me!

Ill kick that right into the gutter and throw it away, you idiot.

Ahaha

While dismissing Taruhos increasingly foolish jokes, we approached the table where everyone was. The round table for four was full today as well.

But Ed, you have really been in good form lately. I wonder if thats thanks to Tia-san?

Damn, if only I had a beautiful elf as a companion too

Thanks, Bran. Yeah, its true that who I am now is thanks to Tia.

Jigu-san um, I think if you were a bit more careful with your words and actions, you might find someone to be your companion

Brans praise and question were returned with a smile, and Tia answered with a wry smile to Jigu, who was shouting with a salty face.

Thats right. Jigu-san, you should learn from your seniors and be more composed. If you do that, girls will come to you!

And Luka chimed in on this conversation. Two years younger, with flaming red hair and slightly sharp upturned eyes, an androgynous-looking handsome boy probably Luka, who looked up to me as a senior, turned around brightly and looked at me again.

Right, senpai?

Thats right. Jigu-san, you are skilled and dont look bad, so I think if you just acted normally, youd be popular normally

I dont care about that! To hell with normal! I just want to be super popular, more than normal!

Sigh, Jigu-san is really disappointing At this rate, its hard to tell whos older between you and senpai.

Shut up, Luka! You cant even tell if youre a man or a woman!

Eh, you still cant tell? Then want to find out?

Luka, striking a perfect pose, gave Jigu a sidelong glance. Jigu shuddered and frowned.

Ugh but if I touch and find that thing is there, I feel like something inside me might change

Isnt that fine? You might open a new door, you know?

No! Stop it! I have no intention of going that way!

Too bad. I thought I could have a fun relationship with Jigu-san.

Ugh, uuu N-no. I absolutely wont lose

What are you even fighting against?

I couldnt help but retort to the groaning Jigu. Well, but this is our daily life as a group of four Hm?

Huh?

Whats wrong, E?

No, I thought we were a group of four?

Feeling a sudden sense of incongruity, I tilted my head involuntarily. Then, of all people, Taruho gave me a thoroughly puzzled look.

Thats right, isnt it? Its us four and Ed. Is something wrong with that?

Taruho, Tia-san is here too, you know?

What are you talking about now? Its been the same for two years already.

Thats right. Though a playful senior like that is charming too.

Ah, yeah. My bad.

In response to the words of my four companions, I scratched my head and apologized. But the sense of incongruity that arose in the depths of my chest remained in a corner of my mind, as if I had swallowed a small fish bone.

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