It’s good to have more people inside you home, especially when both enjoy each other’s company. However, I like being alone because I can solo the TV all day.

***

-Umwoo!

It called out again.

I followed the voice of a puppy in distress in the forest.

I should’ve gone to Sora first, but the puppy’s voice sounded like it’s in danger. As a Dog-lover, I could not ignore it.

After walking for several minutes, I arrived where the sound came from. There, a silver colored wolf with a size similar to the Hound I killed earlier is being pushed by a little puppy. The large wolf is already dead, but the small puppy with a size the same as a regular puppy is trying to wake it up.

“This is too much.”

I looked around to see if there are any wolves around. Since there’s none, I stepped out of the shadows carefully. Carefully—

*Snap!*

-and I immediately stepped onto a twig. Too cliché…

The puppy got startled and turned towards me. Then it suddenly started barking like a squeaky toy.

--So cute.

This is not actually a good time to admire this adorable scene.

“Come ‘lil guy. I won’t hurt you.”

As I slowly walk towards the little puppy, I also opened my arms invitingly.

The puppy kept on barking at me as it backs off slowly each step I make.

--this is hard.

“Come, come.”

I actually feel a little stupid for doing this after a hard fight. Crazy…

The puppy stopped barking at me, so I walked slowly towards it and then—

-ABABABABABABABABABA

--the puppy’s fur electrocuted me and took out the living day lights.

***

My head hurts.

I slowly open my eyes and look around. It seems like I’m inside someone’s house.

“Oh you’re already awake sir?”

An unfamiliar voice suddenly spoke beside me. It seems that I’m lying on someone’s bed.

I slowly raise my back and tried to sit straight. However, my joints ached and I dropped back into the bed.

“Sir, be careful. You got electrocuted by an Ashen Wolf. Thankfully it was just a pup or it would’ve been bad.”

“I think I slightly remember that. It felt like Taser.”

“…Taser?”

-oh that’s right. There’s no such technology in this world.

But thinking back, it really felt like getting stung by a Taser. The first time I got hit one was when my friend brought one at school at hit me with it.

“By the way, who are you? Where am I?”

The girl supported me and I managed to lean on the wall with her help.

“My name is Jane.This house is one of the houses that remained in our village. Thank you for saving our village sir magician.”

“Is that so? Then, you’re welcome. May I ask? Did you see a guy wearing a black uniform?”

The girl opened the window beside us and showed me what is happening outside. This house is unexpectedly small.

There, Sora was sitting on a chair while talking with old man Trevor. Wasn’t his arm broken a while ago?

Also, the night’s almost here. The villagers are making a large bonfire and are lining up some meat and rolled them beside the fire.

“Did you mean the sir Knight? He’s now talking with our village chief.”

“Hm…”

I tried to stand up—tried to stand up. It’s because I almost stepped on a sleeping silver puppy. This must be the little guy that stunned me a while back.

“Why is this here?”

The girl looked confused by my question.

“I don’t know myself sir. It just came with us while we brought you here. I thought that this was your pet.”

“So it followed me huh. It must’ve felt lonely by itself now that its parent is dead.”

Then the puppy suddenly woke up when I stepped beside it.

-woof!

A friendly bark, this little guy must’ve felt guilty from what he did to me. Quite a smart one…

“Are you sure that it’s not yours?”

Jane looked at me while tilting her head. That’s one cute reaction.

I crouched on the floor and slowly reach out my hand to the puppy.

“Will you let me touch you?”

-woof!

When I touched the little guy’s head, I caressed its fur to the back and felt its warmth. Honestly, I felt a little nervous there. I was expecting to get electrocuted again but I didn’t.

“Then, will you come with me?”

-woof!

Looks like this little guy wants to be with me… this is one quick progress.

When I looked up to Jane, she was looking warmly at me who was getting my hands licked by the puppy.

“You’re such a kind-hearted noble sir.”

“Nah, it’s just.. I like dogs. That’s all.”

I go out of the small house. Sora immediately saw me and stood up while holding a small vial with some blue colored liquid inside.

“Key, you’re already awake?”

“I guess so. What day is it?”

“It’s the same day. I thought that you’re only going to wake up until tomorrow. Good thing you woke up early. If not, I would have to do a lot explaining to my superiors.”

Then he hands me over the vial he was holding.

“What’s that?”

“It’s a healing potion. I drank half of it since I thought you’ll need it.”

“Healing potion? But it’s blue.”

“Yeah… sorry to burst your bubble but, a real potion is colored blue here. Well there is red, but those are expensive stuff. This one is only a medium healing potion. I have it as insurance.”

-so it’s not like the games huh.

Now that I had a good look at Sora, some parts of his body are covered in bandages. It’s pretty obvious to see that he hasn’t fully recovered yet.

“You drink it. I think you need it more than I do.”

“Why? Are you not feeling any pain?”

“Other than a slight headache, there’s none.”

After checking my figure, Sora seems to believe me.

***

After having a small feast, Sora and I sat and watched the villagers dismantling the parts of the dead hounds and wolves. Sora seems to be thinking deeply of something while looking at the villagers.

“What’re you thinking?”

Sora turned his gaze to me while looking a bit sad.

“Nothing much. I was just thinking about the villagers. Most of their homes were burned down to the ground and only a few were left and barely standing. Since they live outside the capital, they won’t receive any help from the viceroy. I couldn’t help but feel pity on them.”

This is quite unexpected. I didn’t think that Sora was the type of guy who looks out for others. No, I think I already know that. I just didn’t notice it a little earlier.

“So you want to help them?”

“If I can, I will.”

While looking at the Villagers, one girl came and approached us. She is holding something on her palm.

“Sir, the Chief wanted me to give you this. This is the only thing we can offer to you for now.”

When she showed me what she was holding, a rock-like material with the color of ruby is shining from her palm. Moreover, there’s two of it.

“It’s a magic core, Key.”

“So this is a [Magic Core]. It has a simple look.”

Since it’s an offering, I can’t really say no. Although I really didn’t mind since the turf war was a hindrance to my business.

--business…

“Hey, Sora, an idea just crossed my head.”

After for a few minutes, Sora looked at me with a face that’s full of surprise.

“Are you serious?”

“Well, do you have a better suggestion?”

Sora looked perplexed with my explanation. After that, he stood up and went to Trevor then returned to me together with him.

It looks like he explained it well to Trevor. He’s making a surprised face similar to Sora a while ago.

“Sir Noble, is it really fine for you to buy all of the coats and skin of the beasts you killed?”

“Of course. These beasts weren’t mine in the first place. The ones who are supposed to claim the loot are the ones who own this area. Therefore, since the hounds and wolves died in this area, you’re the ones who own in. I also have interest in the Skin of the Abysmal Hounds and the Ashen Wolves.”

The last part was a lie. I just had to say it since it would make my explanation sound convincing. Come to think of it, the Hound’s skin was as hard as steel.

“Is that so? Then what about the think about hiring people into your household?”

About that, it just came to me a while ago while talking to Sora. Because my villa is too large, the maintenance is slightly slow. Moreover, I feel bad for Petal doing all the work. Even though she’s a fantasy android, I can’t help but feel pity on her since she works non-stop each day.

“I’m going to let them work at my place as maid and butlers. Since I’m going to start a business, I prefer ones who knows how to read and write.”

Right, since this world’s literacy rate is low, having intelligent people working for you will make your standing in society higher.

After calling and asking a few villagers, only eight came looking like they’re willing. Also, Jane is one of the girls.

“My name is Key Godfre Chardelier. I’m here to offer you a lifetime work. It will be working as maids and butlers in my villa. I offer free meals and lodging if you accept now. However, you won’t get any salary for the first 5 months since it will cover your living expenses for those months. During the time you’re working for me, you will be taught how to be proper maids and butlers.”

Half of them looked willing while the others hesitated. It’s not because of my offer, but the condition in living at my place.

Suddenly, Jane walked forward from the group and bowed.

“I’ll introduce myself again. My name is Jane, 15 years old. I live by myself. I’m willing to accept such wonderful opportunity.”

With her forwarding first, the rest we’re surprised when she introduced herself to me. Then, one after another, they forwarded and introduced themselves.

The second one to introduce was Ellie. She’s the same age as Jane, but her reason is for family purposes. Even though my condition says only after 5 months before she could receive it. Then she told me “It’s worth the wait.”

The third one is Al. He’s a year older than me. He has a good build fit for an athlete. His reason is that he needs money to build his own house and for his future family, he already has a girlfriend.

Immediately following, Ann. Her only reason is that Jane is going so she’s also going. Is it something I’m thinking?

The fifth one is Helen. When she stepped forward, she tripped. Good thing I was standing in front of her and I caught her before she fell on the ground. Her face turned red from embarrassment.

The last ones are a male duo or twins. Their names are Zed and Red. Their reason is slightly similar to Ellie’s, but it’s more like they’re interested in the idea on working for a Rich noble or so they say.

“Do you have any questions regarding my terms and conditions?”

Al raised his hand the moment I dropped the question.

“If we manage to exceed the 5 month condition, how much our salary will be?”

--good question, I haven’t thought everything through yet.

“I can just base it on your performance. I have someone with me with good eyes to observe how you work.”

After receiving his answer, everyone nodded, but Sora is looking at me with surprised face. Why is he looking at me like that?

[Why are you looking at me like that?]

[Nothing. It’s just… I’m surprised to see you being too business-only type of person. Although I saw it when you were talking with Trevor earlier, to see you doing this twice on the same day without me intervening is very… unusual.]

--So that’s how it is?

After finishing my business in the village, I headed home since the day is about to end.

I told my new employees to grab a little of their things and go to my villa before the day ends. I only let them carry less since they’ll be having new clothes and uniforms when they arrive. Although everything is too sudden, no one complained.

During the time that I was about to leave, a villager came to me while holding a two small crates. One of contains brown seed-like things inside while the other has brown powder. I was told that it his way of thanking me. When I asked what is was, he told me it was something his friend merchant gave him that came from the south-east part of the territory. When I heard its name, I didn’t think twice and shamelessly received his gift. After all, who would reject [Cocoa] that’s an ingredient? As a patisserie myself, this is gold in my eyes.

-End of Chapter 7-