The Great Sage Who Did not Remain in Legend - 18.2

“Yeah. I think I’ll do better in a downtown magic tool store than I did at a magic book store.”

“He’s doing that because he’s bothering you. It’s not a business, it’s annoying that fewer children have come to the store, and he’s making money.”

The clever old woman said that. But fewer children had to come to the store.

After the report to the old woman, Sicily happily took the expensive clothes she had secretly bought from Mergin’s room.

Mergin decided to stop listening further as it seemed the conversation would become heavier. With that, he walked silently.

“Where are we heading now?”

“Rikka’s diner. It’s a place run by an acquaintance of mine. I’ll ask if they can hire you.”

“Huh?”

“If you’re underage, there aren’t many places you can work. It’s rare to get hired on the spot. Even if you find a place, you probably won’t get much of a salary. Rikka’s diner may not pay well either, but it’s better than being exploited at an unfamiliar place. If you don’t like it, find something yourself.”

“P-Please.”

– At Rikka’s diner –

“Welcome… Who’s this girl?”

Rikka, who had been smiling, suddenly frowned upon seeing Mergin with the girl.

“She’s lost.”

“Huh?”

Mergin, finding it troublesome to explain, said to Rikka and called over the head of the place. It was just about time to close for the night.

“Is this the girl Mergin and the others mentioned chased away the wolves?”

“Yeah. Looks like her luggage got stolen, and she doesn’t have anywhere else to go. Can you hire her with room and board?”

“We are short-staffed, but we don’t have any empty rooms…”

“Um… I’ll manage where to stay.”

“How are you going to manage?”

“I have a tent.”

“It was probably stolen too.”

“Oh… right.”

Remembering her stolen tent, Iris felt down.

“Rikka, would it be okay for her to stay in your room?”

The landlady, understanding the circumstances, suggested that Rikka share her room with Iris.

“No, I refuse.”

“Well, then it can’t be helped. Sorry, but live-in work will be difficult.”

“I see…”

Mergin understood why Rikka didn’t want to share a room. Anyone would dislike suddenly sharing a room with a stranger.

“Um… Just being hired is already a great help. I’ll figure out where to stay.”

“Hey, you can’t just figure something out. Besides, it’s going to be winter soon. Well, can’t be helped. Until she finds a place to stay, I’ll let her stay at my place.”

“Wait a minute, Mergin! What do you mean by letting a girl stay at your house?”

Rikka got angry at Mergin for suggesting to let the unknown girl stay at his house.

“But there’s no other way. Should I tell her to sleep outside in this cold weather?”

“W-Well, that’s true, but… You can’t just…”

“It’s none of your business what I do at my house, Rikka.”

“Hey, Mergin, are you really planning to live with this girl?”

“Only for a day or two, I can pay for her accommodation, but she seems to intend to live in the royal city to save money and find a place to live.”

“But… Living together… That might prevent her from getting married. Can you take responsibility?”

“Why wouldn’t she be able to get married?”

“Mergin, even if you don’t think so, others might think differently. Living with a man might give the wrong impression.”

“Is that so, Iris? Do you have any intention of marrying me?”

“Huh? Um, um… Even if you ask me suddenly…”

“It’s obviously a joke, you fool!”

“Ow!”

“Why are you hitting me? There’s no reason to ask a child if she wants to marry you.”

“Ouch!”

“Mergin, even though she’s a child, she’s still a girl. Don’t you understand there are good and bad jokes?”

After being hit by the landlady, Mergin grumbled that a child is a child.