The Banished Black Swordsman Wants a Peaceful Life with the White Saint in the Frontier ~Huh? You Want Him to Come Back with the Saint? It’s Already Too Late~ - 37

Chapter 37: At the Barmasty Trading Company

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Around a little past noon, the two of them passed through a small village path and headed toward the town of Gluteridge. The wheels of the wagon rolled over gravel, making a dry rattling sound. The road ahead reflected the sunlight, and the leaves of the trees swayed, causing their shadows to dance. A pleasant midday breeze flowed across Lloyd’s back as he sat on the coachman’s seat.

The sun was high, and the shadows of translucent leaves wavered across the road. He had been moving nonstop, and fatigue had accumulated, but it wasn’t an unpleasant kind of tiredness. He wasn’t very used to controlling a horse from the coachman’s seat, but it was less physically taxing than riding on horseback. And since he wasn’t pressed close against Lusha on horseback like before, there was no strange tension either.

Lusha, seated in the cargo wagon, wore the same nun’s attire as yesterday. Although her appearance was modest and subdued, a sense of refinement seeped through nonetheless. When Lloyd looked back, she also lifted her face and smiled warmly at him. Long silver hair peeked softly from beneath the cape, and her light blue eyes shimmered with moisture.

To Lloyd’s eyes, it looked like a “light” that could not be hidden no matter how much she tried. Perhaps it was best described as the saintly aura she always carried. Considering she was known by the alias “White Saint,” it couldn’t be helped. But he was a little worried that someone might notice her true identity.

When they reached Gluteridge and passed through the stone-paved gate, the same calls from the street vendors and the sweet smell of baked treats greeted them just as they had yesterday. The foot traffic was sparse, and carts loaded with daily goods or farming tools creaked occasionally as they passed. They tied their wagon at the same hitching post as yesterday and immediately headed for the Barmasty Trading Company.

“Sorry to bother you while you’re working. Do you know where the Barmasty Trading Company is?”

Lloyd called out to a man working at the corner of the street and asked.

“Ah, that kid merchant’s place? If so, go straight here and turn right at the second corner. There’s a sign, so you’ll recognize it.”

“Thanks.”

When Lloyd expressed his gratitude, Lusha beside him bowed her head slightly. Since they couldn’t know who might be watching, he had told her to speak as little as possible while in town. Following the directions, they turned right at the second corner and arrived in front of a small house.

The walls were white plaster, the eaves low, and a small wooden sign hung next to the door. Carved by hand, it read: “Barmasty Trading Company.”

He had imagined a large estate when he heard the word “trading company,” but it was simply an ordinary residence.

The sign is impressive, but in short, it’s one of those “mobile offices,” huh.

He had heard it was run by one person, so perhaps convenience and mobility were a priority.

“Hey, you in there?”

Lloyd knocked lightly on the door.

“Comiiing. Who is it?”

A crisp voice answered from inside. It was Cron’s voice, the one they had heard yesterday.

“The two with a situation.”

“Ah, yesterday’s pair! Go ahead, come in.”

The sound of a latch turning clicked, and the lock came undone. When they opened the door as invited, a mix of fragrant tea leaves and the dry scent of paper drifted out. The room just inside seemed to function as both reception and office. Short bookcases lined the wall, crammed with ledgers and stacks of papers lying on their sides. On the desk by the window sat a quill and an hourglass. In the center of the faded carpet stood a small sofa and a round table.

The owner of the space was the same as yesterday. He was a man who looked no older than a young boy, yet his calm demeanor was far too composed for such a small frame. The way his deep violet eyes measured them made him look like anything but a ten-year-old child.

“Welcome. To the Barmasty Trading Company. Thanks again for yesterday.”

Cron gave an unpretentious smile and gestured toward the table. Lloyd raised a hand slightly and replied only, “Don’t mention it,” then stepped inside. Lusha, hood pulled low, bowed silently.

As with the townspeople, until they understood what kind of person Cron was, she would hide her face and speak as little as possible. That was the plan they had agreed upon before coming.

“Please, sit wherever you like.”

Following his prompt, Lloyd and Lusha sat side by side on the sofa. It was softer than expected, with a springiness that supported their backs without sinking too much.

“Come to think of it, I never asked your names.”

“I’m Lloyd. As for this girl… Let me keep that hidden for now.”

For a moment he almost introduced Lusha as well, but there was always the possibility of danger. Her name wasn’t especially rare, but it was still safer to keep it concealed for now. Cron only murmured, “I see,” and did not pry further.

“Unfortunately, I don’t have a maid, so it’ll be tea brewed by me… Is black tea fine?”

“No need. First, tell me a few things.”

He couldn’t risk being drugged. Lloyd wasn’t ready to trust this man completely yet.

“Ah, sure. You mean about the ‘odd-jobs service’?”

Cron answered without a hint of offense, and continued.

“No, that can wait. First, I want to know how you figured out we were a pair with a situation.”

“Ah, that. It wasn’t anything impressive, really.”

He sat in the chair across from them and leaned one elbow lightly on the table. A smirk curled one side of his mouth.

“You two were blatantly conscious of the crowd’s eyes yesterday. And I caught a glimpse under the hood. Your young lady there is extremely beautiful. On top of that, her gestures show refined upbringing. And despite that, she’s dressed plainly and hiding her face. So of course, I assumed there must be some sort of situation involved.”

“…I see.”

The logic was simple, but that proved he had sharp observation skills. 

So it’s not that he knew, but that he noticed from what he saw.

At the very least, he didn’t seem to have any idea of Lusha’s true identity. If so, Lloyd could consider this the first hurdle cleared.

“Well, it’s not like I can tell exactly what kind of situation you’re in. Did you maybe elope with a noble young lady?”

Cron asked with a mischievous smile. Lloyd gave a wry smile and nodded.

“…Well, something like that. She’s someone whose face is known in certain places. So I’m having her keep it hidden.”

At those words, he felt Lusha beside him twitch slightly. She was probably startled by the word “elope.” He could have corrected the misunderstanding, but there were times when being misunderstood was more convenient. …He should explain that to her later. He noticed her cheeks faintly coloring under the hood but pretended not to see it.

“So then, Lloyd. About the ‘odd-jobs service’—will you take it?”

“I came planning to, at least. But it depends on the kind of request. I don’t want to do killings or criminal assistance.”

“Hey now, what do you take me for? The Barmasty Trading Company is on the side of honest citizens, you know? I’d never request that kind of job. I mean, what kind of villain would ask a childlike guy like me for something like that? These are only small troubles. Just liiittle inconveniences the lord doesn’t have time to handle that get brought to me.”

His tone was light, but there was pride behind the words. However, words alone could mean anything. Lloyd couldn’t trust him just yet. It was better to be overly cautious. Perhaps noticing Lloyd’s suspicious gaze, Cron shrugged and opened his desk drawer.

“Good grief. I guess you won’t believe me unless you see for yourself. In that case, take a look at the first request.”

He handed them a sheet of paper. Simple text was written on the coarse fibers. Lloyd read over it, and Lusha leaned in to look as well. He felt her eyelashes stir faintly under the hood.

The request was as follows:

『We are troubled because the water quality of a nearby old well has worsened. Please inspect the interior and clean it. Location: the well at the edge of town. Residents use it, and neglect may lead to the spread of illness.』

The wording was plain, but the matter carried weight. The payment wasn’t bad either. It certainly was a troublesome issue for residents, but not important enough for the lord to personally address. A matter easily postponed. He understood now what Cron meant by a liiittle inconvenience.

“I can also use purification magic. I might be able to help.”

Lusha murmured softly from beneath her hood as she read the request. Lloyd admired her silently. The Saint was truly reliable.

“We’ll take it.”

Lloyd placed the request back on the table and looked at Cron. Beside him, he could sense Lusha giving a small nod.

“Then could you head there right away? The location is just as written in the request.”

“Got it. We’ll go take a look.”

When the two of them stood, Cron escorted them to the door.

“Once word of your reputation spreads, jobs will come on their own. This is just a warm-up. Do your best.”

Holding the door open, he said these words. Lloyd lifted the request sheet slightly in place of a farewell and left the Barmasty Trading Company. The afternoon hue deepened over the street, and the shadow of the rooftops stretched diagonally across the stone pavement.

Purifying a well, huh… I wonder how this will go.

When he met Lusha’s eyes beside him, she gave a soft smile and tilted her head gently. Thus began the first “odd-jobs service” for the Cursed Black Swordsman and the White Saint.

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