Ria's Episode

You're late, Ethan. Was delivering the straw bundles really that difficult?

I came almost on time...

No. You were 6 minutes and 30 seconds late. How do you plan to atone for this?

Come on, cut me some slack... The wagon wheel got stuck in the mud.

You've already taken 10 more seconds to make excuses. It seems you don't understand the problem.

That's too much! After running all this way... Well, I guess I was in the wrong...

...Another 10 seconds. It seems like I need to send you to a late-night bar for noblewomen...

Oh no! Time is as precious as gold! I'll make sure to stick to the schedule next time, Ria!

I'm glad to see you reflecting on yourself. There's no pay for this punishment.

No! I'm here because I ran out of travel money, please cut me some slack.

I'm not a bank, you know? It seems you need some rehabilitation.

As for your punishment...

I'll organize the storage. Can we call it even?

...Just this once.

As a sign of repentance, I'll clean all the rooms the guests stayed in. That works, right?

It's a bit lacking, but... I'll accept it.

By the way, did you clean your shoes before entering? The floor is getting dirty. Hurry up and clean it.

You're such a stickler...

I've already prepared everything for the next errand in the courtyard. Once the punishment and cleaning are done, check it out.

The empire is ruled by Vortigern, but the ruler of this inn is Ria...

What did you say?

...Nothing.

Oh right, the imperial soldiers came by this morning.

What? Really? Nothing happened? They didn't ask anything?

They asked about your whereabouts. Honestly, I considered telling them, but... when they started making noise after drinking at night, I kicked them out.

That's impressive...

It's not that impressive. If anyone, even a general, becomes a nuisance, I'll cut their neck off in a second.

I can't tolerate any kind of misbehavior at this inn.

I see...

So, how long are you going to stand there? My patience is running thin.

I was just about to leave.

Gahhh!

Don't ever come back. This is your warning.

This is already the third time...

What is?

Kicking out the troublemakers.

I know you're strong, but even so, they're customers. Aren't you a bit intimidated or anything?

You're mistaken, Ethan. Trouble-makers are not customers. They're scoundrels wearing the mask of a customer... They're no different from pests.

Ah...

Well, pests have their own lives, I suppose. But trouble-makers are trash! Incorrigible, irredeemable trash!

I see...

How could I stand to see single-celled trash, who waste even the air they breathe, causing chaos in the inn?

Pests digging through the rice sacks! Those bleep should be bleep and then bleep...! No, they should be castrated!

Ria... I think I'm bleeding from my ears...

...Hmph! Hmph! Anyway...

If we don't drive out the troublemakers, they'll disturb other guests. I'm just trying to ensure everyone's peaceful rest.

Hey! If there's any black market dealings in my inn, I won't stand for it!

O-Of course!

This makes it the fourth time.

It's a crazy world, so all sorts of people show up. But Ethan... what are you doing?

Huh? As you can see, I'm eating...

I know that. What I mean is, why are you eating skewers, which aren't even on the inn's menu?

There was leftover chicken in the kitchen...

Don't tell me you made it yourself?

I did...

Well, I guess with your situation, you're not in a position to leisurely enjoy a meal. You might be used to that kind of food...

There's some leftover soup in the pot by the hearth. Bring it over so you don't choke.

Oh, thanks, Ria.

Of course, washing dishes is your responsibility, Ethan.

O-Of course...!

Hmm... did you make the seasoning for the skewers yourself?

Oh, this? Yeah. Back in the other world, I used to work at a place like this.

I made the sauce with ingredients we can get here, and it turned out pretty close, so I'm happy with it.

It looks really delicious... Can I try one?

Yeah, here.

Thank you.

Chewing...

...!

Is it good?

...Ethan. Could you make more of this sauce? I'll prepare the chicken and the ingredients for the sauce.

Thank you. The skewers were really tasty.

By the way, you'll need to make a lot, so finish other tasks beforehand.

You'll find out soon enough. If you refuse, then for misusing the kitchen, you'll have to...

Of course, I'll let you know! It's your request!

Thanks for the consideration.

This is all the delivery for today.

That's a lot... I wonder if it'll fit in the cart.

The skewers' sauce is in a huge container... who are you giving all this to?

That's none of your concern, Ethan. I'll be going with you today. Just drive the cart to the alley.

Got it.

Hmm... who exactly is she giving all this to...

Ria, who are these people...?

Ethan?

Hah, couldn't resist coming to check, huh? These people... they're all victims of the war.

War victims?

...Have you been waiting long?

Oh, no. I just zoned out for a bit.

But do you have a business here? This looks like a slum...

...

Actually, all those things... I brought them for the people here. This is a village where war victims live.

I'm just running the inn, and I don't really know much about causes or ideals.

But I do know the suffering of those who survived the war because of what was fought over.

I just couldn't leave them like that.

So that's why you asked about the skewer sauce recipe...

Yeah. It's easy to get chicken, so I thought at least they could enjoy something tasty.

I was surprised. I knew you were thoughtful, but I didn't realize you were helping people like this from behind the scenes.

It's not that people are bad, it's the crimes that are. In that sense, I don't even really dislike the troublesome customers.

I see... You just wanted to take care of the inn and look after the guests.

I've got a new respect for you, Ria. You're doing something amazing!

...But I'm not sure how long this will last.

Why? Are people treating you badly?

Of course not!

Phew, I don't know what you think, but this is a very realistic issue. We're running low on funds.

Ah...

Well... if you helped this much every time, it's no surprise the inn's income would be in the red.

Exactly. That's why I'm still trying to figure out what to do next.

So, you didn't have a lot of money to begin with to offer us jobs. Now I understand why you were so strict.

You were trying to save as much as you could. The reason you insisted on the bunny girl idea was for the sales.

If I had known, I should've tried to understand more.

...Well, to add on, being a bunny girl is also a hobby of mine... Ahem!

Anyway, I appreciate you thinking that way, and it looks like a solution is in sight.

Oh? Really? You have a place to get money?

Yes.

Ethan, I'll double the workload from now on.

I was the solution?

Huff... Huff... Oh, my back... I'm scared I might not be able to be a man at this rate...

Don't worry, Ethan. Just think of the times you've been with your comrades. At least for the next decade or so, you'll be fine.

...What, you think I'm some kind of eternal horn-dog?

I meant you've always been full of energy.

Ugh, anyway, we're done, right? I heard the people who recovered are going back to work on the fields or orchards.

Yes. After this, I think we just need to take care of the kids.

Helping others like this is no easy task. My whole body aches. How long have you been doing this kind of work?

I haven't calculated that, so I'm not sure.

You're an angel... A true angel is right here.

I'm sorry, Ria. I only thought of you as a nagging, troublemaking devil.

Ethan. Would you mind testing my combat skills to see if they've rusted?

...I'm sorry.

Heh, just kidding. I couldn't possibly hit a comrade who's been through hardships with me.

A scary but thankful thing to hear...

And... Ethan. Although I can't offer a huge reward for helping this time, I've prepared a special gift for you.

A gift? What is it?

I'll give you the large room at the very end of the upstairs hallway. I've already moved your things in.

Oh, really? It's the room I've always wanted but it was too expensive... Thank you, Ria!

It's usually treated as the finest guest room, but this time, I've specially decorated it for you.

You'll be pleased.

Wow! This is amazing!

Wow! This is incredible! The bed is so soft! There's a rocking chair! And there's even a maid outfit!

...Huh? Why is there a maid outfit?

Do you like the gift?

I've finished the calculations for the work, and you no longer need to move supplies, so from now on, please wear that maid outfit when you come out.

There are quite a few young male guests who prefer that sort of thing.

Sigh... Guess there's no choice... If I refuse, who knows what kind of trouble I'll be in...

What did you say?

It's nothing.

Nonsense! I'm not going to be treated like a plaything while looking like that!

In that case, I guess I'll have to assign you to organizing the storeroom and cleaning the restroom.

The weather will soon turn cold... So, you prefer dark, cold places over the warm hall, huh?

Th-That's... Ugh...!

As a gift, I'll give you a bottle of wine. Anyways, I'm counting on you.

Fine...

Oh, by the way! There's one more thing I need to tell you.

Is it not over yet?

I've decorated the room quite a bit to give it to you as a gift, but since it's a gift, I'll only charge you the usual fee.

You miser! Scrooge!