"I'll Catch Up Later, So Go On Ahead!" I Said, and Stayed Behind in the Dungeon for Five Years. When I Returned to the Royal Capital, for Some Reason, I Had Become a Great Criminal, So I Decided to Retire. But Outstanding People Keep Gathering Around Me Though... - Episode 4: Reunion
Episode 4: Reunion
It has been a week since I started working here at Boulanger Rothen.
I’ve learned the daily routine and I’m getting used to things. Lately, the boss hasn’t been scolding me as much.
I’m also getting better at baking. While I’m still not as skilled as the boss, I’ve gotten to the point where I can at least shape the bread decently on my own.
“Haru-san, you’re amazing! It’s rare for my father not to get mad like this!”
After we finished our morning prep, Lisel came over and said that.
“Really?”
“Yes! It’s the first time this has happened. From what I can see too, Haru-san, you’re very efficient. It used to be really tough with not enough staff. But with you here, we might be able to get your bread on the shelves soon.”
“Hey… Don’t spoil him too much. Haru’s got good skills. But he still has a lot of inefficiencies. It’s too soon to let him sell bread in this shop. He’ll need at least another six months.”
“So… he just needs six more months then?”
“…Well, I’ll consider it. Of course, the final decision is mine.”
The boss is strict. But that just shows how passionate he is.
Lisel always teaches me kindly and patiently.
Lately, I’ve even been getting along with the regular customers.
“Welcome!”
I greeted a customer cheerfully.
It was an elderly woman who visits frequently.
“Haru-san, I’d like these today.”
“Sure! Let’s see—”
I counted the bread on her tray, rang it up, and carefully packed it into a bag.
I’ve always been good at math. And I don’t mind doing packaging work.
I quickly handled the transaction and handed her the bag.
“Here you go.”
“Thank you. You’re so fast, Haru-san. It’s hard to believe you’re new here.”
“Thank you. But I’m still just a rookie. I’ll keep working hard to improve.”
“Yes, yes. That kind of ambition is a good thing. Well, I’ll be back again!”
“Thank you for coming!”
I walked her to the door, bowed deeply, and saw her off.
When I returned inside, Lisel was smiling brightly.
“Haru-san, your customer service has really improved.”
“Yeah. After a week, I’m finally getting used to it.”
“To be honest… When I first saw you, I thought you were kind of intimidating.”
“Well, I can’t blame you.”
She hesitated to say it outright. But I’m sure she was scared.
Over these past five years, my appearance has changed drastically.
I have scars on my face. My body’s much bigger now.
I’ve got sharp eyes, and my long hair is pure white.
Even I think I look kind of intimidating.
“But Haru-san, you’re a serious and kind person. Thank you again for joining us.”
“I should be thanking you for hiring me. Honestly, I had nowhere else to go.”
“Really?”
“Yeah… a lot happened.”
“I see.”
She didn’t press any further.
But the truth is… I’m hiding the fact that I’m Haruto the Hero, the one labeled a great sinner.
I never committed any crimes. It was all false accusations.
But if the boss or Lisel ever found out I was Hero Haruto… what would happen?
Would I be left alone again?
While that faint anxiety lingered in my heart, I continued doing my job today as usual.
—
“Haru-san, do you have a moment?”
“Hm? Yeah, I was just about to head home.”
“Would you like to go out for a meal together?”
“Is that okay with the boss?”
“He’s focused on developing a new kind of bread today, so it’s fine.”
“I see.”
Of course. That’s just like him—completely absorbed in baking, with unwavering passion.
“I thought it’d be nice for you to learn more about the town, even just a little.”
“I’d appreciate that. Please, lead the way.”
“Okay! Let’s go then!”
Lisel led the way as we walked through town.
We turned off the main street in Rothen and went up a cobblestone slope.
Tucked away on the hill, almost hidden unless you were looking for it, stood a modest building.
A wooden sign on the sliding door read: “Milda’s Place”, handwritten and nailed on.
—
“Milda-saaan! Good evening!”
“Oh! Lisel! Welcome!”
The moment the door opened, the aroma of cooking hit my nose—herbs and meat broth, browned butter, and spices dancing in the steam.
The place was small and cozy: four wooden tables, five counter seats along the wall.
On the walls were handwritten menu signs—Root vegetable and venison stew, Vegetable soup, Black bread cheese toast—all of them sounded delicious.
“Oh? Who’s this? Wait, is this your boyfriend?”
“N-No! It’s not like that!”
Lisel cleared her throat dramatically.
“Ahem. This is Haru-san. He’s the new guy at our shop.”
“I’m Haru. Nice to meet you.”
I shook hands with Milda, a cheerful, plump woman.
“Nice to meet you too, Haru! You’re pretty built, huh? Were you an adventurer before?”
“Yes. I was.”
“I see. Well, adventurers come in all kinds. We get a lot here. But sometimes they just stop coming out of nowhere… Still, I respect your choice.”
“Thank you.”
It’s not uncommon for adventurers to retire and start new jobs.
She probably knew that.
I sat next to Lisel at the counter.
Starting with the appetizer—too delicious for words.
“This is amazing…! Seriously, this is insanely good!”
“Hehe. Milda’s cooking is always great. She even uses bread from our shop.”
“I see.”
Rothen isn’t a big town.
That’s probably why everyone’s so connected.
“You’re eating well! Here, this one’s on the house!”
*Thud!* She placed a dish of neatly cut meat chunks in front of me.
Covered in spices, it smelled incredible.
“Thank you! This looks delicious too!”
I took a bite immediately—unbelievably good. Too good.
Compared to the disgusting bitter monster meat I ate back in that hell, this felt like heaven.
“So good… seriously.”
I muttered to myself, moved.
I was glad Lisel brought me here today.
On the walk back after dinner, I thanked her again.
“Thanks for inviting me today.”
“Not at all! It’s part of building connections between shops too—so it’s still work!”
Then, she brought up another topic.
“Oh right! I’ve been working on a new type of bread. It’s my original recipe!”
“Wow, a new one from you?”
“Yes! My dad hasn’t approved it yet, but I’m confident this time! I added a lot more legs!”
Wait… Why would you add legs to bread…?
I thought, confused—but I figured she was just experimenting in her own way.
She always puts great care into her work.
I’m sure she’ll create something amazing.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“We’re going to have a tasting event soon. So I hope you’ll give me your opinion!”
“Of course.”
…Though at that tasting event, I’d end up witnessing something unbelievable—
—but that’s a story for another time.
—
I’ve gotten used to the job. And now I even look forward to going to work.
I have no lingering attachment to being an adventurer or hero anymore.
I’ve stopped thinking about the past.
I believed I was finally starting a new life.
Yes—so I thought.
“Welcome!”
I raised my voice like usual to greet a customer.
But… I felt like I’d seen this woman somewhere before.
Long silver hair flowed down her back. It was shining in the sunlight as she moved.
Her eyes were a soft pale blue. And she had a delicate, fleeting beauty.
If she had grown up over the past five years…
She would look exactly like this.
“Good morning. Oh, are you the new staff member?”
That dignified yet clear and beautiful voice reached my ears.
It was unmistakable. I knew that voice.
She was once a member of my party.
The one called Felina,
The Flash Sword.
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