Chapter 106.1
As the year drew to a close, I filled the basin with [Pure Water] and gazed at the falling leaves dancing in the backyard.
The cold wind flowed in from the open door, chilling every corner of the house.
This winter seems particularly cold.
Alright, this should be the last of it.
Blocking my view, Ted and Jema swept the dust they had gathered out into the backyard.
They were as lively as ever despite the cold.
Over the past year, their appearance and demeanor have changed considerably.
From worn-out rags, they now wore clothes that could easily pass for those of town residents. Their meals had improved, and the gauntness typical of refugees had disappeared. No one would think they lived outside the walls just by looking at them.
Next is mopping.
Yeah.
Jema grabbed the mop while Ted and I wrung out the rags and started mopping.
Once again, we were going to celebrate New Years at my place.
With the addition of Nils and Joss, and with Ted and the others helping with the cleaning like last year.
Lambert offered to help too, but with so many people it would be more of a hindrance, and besides, we didnt have enough cleaning supplies.
Nails arent you back yet?
Holding a ceramic jar, Dana peeked her head out from the kitchen.
Is it water by any chance?
Yes, were running low on water jars
Ill do it.
As I stood up, Dana waved her hands enthusiastically.
Ill do it! Ill fetch water from the well.
Thats right. Cant have the cook doing such things.
As I took the water jar from her, Dana flashed a smile, tinged with embarrassment or confusion, and bowed deeply.
She had changed a lot compared to a year ago too.
Life had become much easier since Nails started earning income, her once thin cheeks now plump. There was a sense of ease in her words and actions.
As a mother, it might be complicated for her that her son chose to be a dangerous adventurer, but she seemed genuinely pleased that he had become more cheerful than before.
Also, since I started asking her to exchange alchemical solutions and look after the house in my absence, she has started to pay attention to her appearance and grooming.
Perhaps it was my misunderstanding about nobility, but it seemed she simply enjoyed dressing up.
Since she wasnt squandering money, I stopped interfering unnecessarily.
As I filled the water jar with [Pure Water], I peeked into the kitchen.
Do we have enough firewood?
Yes, were good.
While dividing up the boar meat, Lily responded.
Whether its water or firewood, if were running low, just let us know without hesitation.
Understood.
After putting the water jar back in its place, I took a knife from the cupboard.
Use this one. Its sharp.
Oh, okay.
With a puzzled look, Lily accepted it.
And as she put the knife in, she was surprised.
Its really sharp. This knife.
Thats right. Its specially made.
From butchering prey to replacing a kitchen knife, the blade-enhanced knife was very handy.
Even with Rank 1 enhancement, it was sufficient for everyday use, and being a magical tool, it was also durable.
I returned to the living room and resumed mopping.
Soon that was done too, and as I was setting up the table and chairs, Nails and the others returned.
Were back.
They were carrying baskets full in both hands.
Quince and Kyle were even hiding their faces.
Ted and Jema noticed and hurriedly went to take the luggage.
It must have been difficult to walk.
Knowing that Ted and the others were helping with the cleaning, Quince and the others offered to help too.
But we had enough manpower for cleaning, and they couldnt be trusted with cooking.
So, what we asked for was to receive lighter dishes, like bread, among the ordered dishes.
Nails was in charge of that.
I, with [Ice Resistance], didnt feel it much, but it must have been cold outside.
I poured milk into a cup, warmed by the fireplace.
This was prepared especially for the three, especially Quince and Kyle.
I handed it to Nails, intending to give it to the two as well, but for some reason, they stood at the entrance and didnt move.
Were they still feeling hesitant?
As I tried to invite them closer to the fireplace, I suddenly realized.
Hmm which way?
Come on. You have to say it yourselves.
Encouraged by Nails, Quince and Kyle nodded at each other as if determined, and beckoned outside.
Peeking in hesitantly were two girls.
Altair-sama, theyre our friends!
Quince introduced, and Kyle also nodded vigorously.
Though they lacked words, their intentions were clear.
Are these two also going to be adventurers?
Yes, we promised to form a party together!
Would it be alright to celebrate together?
With hopeful eyes, the boys looked up at me.
Glancing at Ted and the others, except Nails, they were surprised.
Unknown childrendefinitely not from the same hometown.
I didnt expect them to find companions so quickly.
And two girls, no less. Quite hasty, arent they?
Seems my perplexity was conveyed to the girls.
One teared up, the other hung her head.
I quickly waved my hands, apologizing to the girls.
Oh, its just a surprise. Dont worry. If youre friends with these two, youre like my friends too. Feel free to join as much as you like. Come on, dont cry, want some sweets?
I took some sweets from the table and handed them to the girls.
They stared at the sweets in surprise, but when I urged them, they hesitantly put them in their mouths.
And then, their eyes widened as they began devouring them.
I seated them at the table and also offered sweets and hot milk to Quince and the others.
Watching the children devour the food desperately, I whispered to Ted and the others.
Did you know about this?
No, first Ive heard. Heard he made friends, but not comrades.
Me neither. Met them on the way back and found out then.
But, seriously, do they intend to become adventurers? They dont seem like it at all.
Only Jema furrowed her brows, sending a skeptical look.
When I first met Jema, she was taller than me and had as much vigor as Ted.
But these two were different.
They were just ordinary girls, not the type to yearn to be adventurers.
Especially the teary-eyed one seemed closer to Lora. Definitely not cut out for adventurers.
I am Alter Les Redward. Call me Alter. Could you tell me your names?
I waited for them to finish drinking milk and asked.
The teary-eyed one was Emery, and the one who had been hanging her head was Ginny.
Furthermore, both of them lived in the same residential complex behind us, I found out, just like Nails neighbors.
Now that I think about it, I vaguely remember seeing Ginny.
Emery lived with her grandmother, and Ginny lived with her parents, so they werent orphans, of course.
They had escaped the orphanage but it seemed to have turned into something like a nursery.
Anyway, perhaps it was because of financial difficulties.
It seemed better to tell them there were other paths besides this one. Especially for these two.
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