Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Bori-bori received water in a wooden cup and put three violets in, smiling as if proud and said.

"Like this, they stay fresh for about two days."

"After two days?"

"Um, they will wither."

At the word wither, Bolka's frowned sharply. Then abruptly picked up the cup and splashed the water and flowers inside out the window.

"Ah! Aah!"

Surprised Bori-bori didn't know what to do and was flustered.

"Stop doing such girlish things!"

Bolka shouted as if this was something to be so angry about. Rickart took off his bag and put it on the table next to the bed, sighing inwardly. They don't match, these guys.

Bori-bori started to tear up with a crumpled face. Already eyes looking sad, but tearing up looked really pitiful.

However, swallowing tears gulp gulp several times, mumbling mouth, said stuttering.

"Still, still if go out to field there are many, well. Next year too if swallow returns will bloom. Year after next too."

It was a timid resistance.

At that resistance, Bolka opened eyes round, then whether thinking he was a bit too much just turned head quickly.

"Let's go out quickly. Sun sets."

Bori-bori rolled scared eyes looking at notice, then as Bolka didn't get angry and spoke nonchalantly sighed relief inwardly.

Rickart shook head side to side and packed money bag and cloak, dagger and went out.

Bolka wore one sword on waist, and Bori-bori just wore old clothes worn by student died in Academy, had nothing.

Passing the hall, bartender Dunkel sipped alcohol and raised hand slightly as if telling to go well.

Outside was still broad daylight. Arrived a bit earlier than taking up to 6 hours, so still some time remained until sun sets.

Rickart said.

"If there is drapery in middle let's stop by briefly. To buy some clothes. And buy some shoes too."

"Then let's move quickly. I have much business."

"Yeah."

Bolka took two friends and headed to apiary a bit far from city first.

From around time arriving bees flew around buzzing, couldn't be more annoying.

Bolka grumbled saying it's fucking annoying every time coming here, and Rickart also stirred air with hand and dodged body here and there but unexpectedly Bori-bori walked around nonchalantly.

Even put bee on fingertip and smiled broadly as if fun.

Climbing hillside made between dense bushes, there were several beehives in vacant lot. And near there were Academy students wearing thick clothes covering whole body.

Whether they are used to it now or doing so because hot, they were taking off protective outer garment halfway even though bees were flying around.

"Bolka."

They discovered Bolka and pretended to know. Bolka chased bees with hand repeatedly and said.

"Nothing special right?"

"Yeah. This time didn't delay and gave well on time. Thanks to you."

Saying so looked at Rickart and Bori-bori came together, seemed a bit awkward as student witnessing Rickart's skill with two eyes.

"Hi."

So Rickart offered greeting first.

"Uh? Uh uh......"

"Anyway there are bastards who listen only when speaking fucking way. Trembled bullshit like having acquaintance in Headquarters or what but was all lie. Even if we have connection have, what he...... Ah! Sting! Fuck!"

Bolka poured rough words towards someone absent here currently then finally stung by bee once. Whether doing so or not Rickart asked student working in apiary.

"Is work doable?"

"Uh? Uh uh. Doable. Now spring so time bees make honey in earnest so must watch well. If hornet comes, or robbing occurs, such things. No particular big work to do."

"Hey, give money quickly. Hurt to death."

Bolka seemed somewhat exaggerating severity over being stung once by honeybee. While challenging stoutly even beaten by Rickart so much.

"Don't say useless sound and give money quickly."

Bolka urged.

"Yeah. Wait a moment."

Students in apiary seemed collected money in advance, handed three copper coins to Bolka. Probably seemed one copper coin per head. This was job introduction fee and kind of protection fee.

Didn't know exact inside story, but seemed there was problem related to overdue wages recently too.

Era when honey and beeswax are precious, beekeeping is mostly business Lord does exclusively, problem was that middle manager.

Since those guys intercept in middle, if work occurs had to exercise force. Bolka was the one handling such things.

But receiving all determined wage was actually impossible. Even if appealing strongly to that middle manager, actually beating is impossible and could negotiate a little at least. Whether taking half, or taking 10%. That was reality.

Reason why such thing happens is because those middle managers are mostly status of Lord's retainer or servant, so had to work for Lord without pay.

Still if Lord is a bit considerate gives wage considering emitting in middle, but there was nothing concretely decided about how much to share with actual working laborer there.

If there is worse here, it was case where there are many middle managers. If Lord entrusts work to retainer, and retainer entrusts work to another retainer or servant again in way, share falling to actual working person remains almost none.

Still Beringen didn't have such case well so situation was better at least.

"Hey! I go! Say if anything happens!"

Bolka turned back as soon as receiving money and went down hill as if running away. Stirred arms repeatedly even running.

Rickart and Bori-bori also hurried to follow him in bewilderment. Doing so turned back and waved hand.

"Glad to meet. See you next time!"

Kid sharing talk, and two kids sitting guarding beehive raised hand awkwardly.

Bolka ran hard until escaping bee's domain then took breath and said.

"Huff, huff, originally law is handling fucking work early."

"Where is next?"

"Blacksmith. There is close to North District so be careful. No need to be scared to that extent though. Nordics handle iron fucking well. Next time if money occurs Rickart you also buy sword there."

Bolka tapped his sword on waist and said. Even without special decoration workmanship or finish looked good. Real thing would know if drawing though.

Rickart and Bori-bori followed Bolka went to riverside. Was place wind blows much, and blacksmith was in place where waterwheel turns vigorously.

Clang! Clang clang! Clang! Clang clang......!

Sound of beating iron with constant rhythm was heard. And familiar smell brushed tip of nose on wind. Smell of fire and iron.

However in that smell, sweat and birth were mixed instead of blood and death.

Bolka didn't enter confidently like in apiary, hovered around blacksmith. Then one person working moving and pouring molten iron discovered this side and approached.

Student called Molti, was student looking oldest in Academy. Height was far bigger than Bolka too, and physique wasn't lacking even comparing with Nordic. No, isn't he Nordic bloodline in the first place?

Looking only at appearance really couldn't believe 10s at all. Whether hair loss progressing already forehead peeled openly so looked 40s.

His face was flushed red working, and full of pitch-black soot grime. He wiped sweat of face with dirty cloth.

And approached Bolka handed money without word. For some reason was three coins not one copper coin.

"Sorry. I am not sufficient either."

"No. Will go. Good work."

"Yeah."

Like that tried to go exchanging money simply, Rickart asked. Bori-bori hid behind Rickart only putting out eyes.

"Is work doable?"

Molti looked down at Rickart blankly, said with thick voice.

"Earning as much as sweating. Honest work. Satisfied with that."

"By the way curious thing how old are you?"

"16 years old."

"Lie."

Molti just laughed Hmph, and turned back went to work again.

"Hey, Ricky. Don't say useless words let's go quickly."

Said no need to be scared himself, Bolka wanted to leave seat hurriedly whether Nordics cared mind.

Nordics had bubbly bushy beard due to heat. They seemed not to care about this side at all.

Water flowed to sword tip taken out from quenching. Masterpiece blooming from flame only by pure strength and sweat.

"Let's go. Ricky. Scary, me too."

Bolka already left seat, Bori-bori pulled Rickart's cloak hem said.

Rickart wanted to watch a bit more but left seat unavoidably.

Bolka took Rickart and Bori-bori roamed here and there. Tanning workshop, slaughterhouse, place simply carrying luggage etc. Among them there was even brothel.

Received introduction fee or protection fee from those places. But somehow, Bolka's face counting money was dark.

Sun inclined and glow was setting before knowing. Working people also started to return to shelter from workplace.

Fortunately could stop by drapery before door closed. Rickart bought clothes and shoes there and gifted to Bori-bori.

Bori-bori thought Rickart buying own clothes but giving that to himself, surprised blinking eyes round couldn't even say thank you and stuttered.

Rickart said as if knowing that heart.

"It's okay. Decided not to say thank you between us right."

"Th, then what to do. Should say sorry?"

"Haha, isn't that a bit no? Well, just use well. Then seem I will be proud."

"Ricky......"

Bori-bori tore up. Such favor. Bori-bori was touched and couldn't control crying.

"Waaaaang!"

"Hey! Crazy!?"

As crying in middle of road Rickart surprised flustered. But useless calming down, later cried sorrowfully loudly.

"Uheeeeeong!"

"Can't do. Let's go to dorm quickly."

Rickart dragged Bori-bori forcibly headed to Guild Headquarters again. Meanwhile Bori-bori held new clothes and new shoes tight in chest like best treasure. Will wrinkle all.

Fortunately around time arriving at Guild Headquarters, Bori-bori's crying also subsided.

But Bolka who stiffened expression without any word all the time hesitated said to Rickart.

"Th, that look. Ricky."

"Uh? Why."

"Saw you in drapery earlier, seem have somewhat much money......"

"Well, earned a little luckily while coming to Academy."

"No so speaking of which, wondering if can lend only a little."

"How much?"

"Five...... in silver......"

Five silver coins were never small money. Of course money much and little is relative, but averagely was so. Five silver coins to ordinary person was big money. Especially to young boys.

"Can you tell what matter?"

Bolka embarrassed couldn't even meet Rickart's eyes properly, scratching bridge of nose said with voice only mosquito size.

"Tribute money is insufficient......"

Tribute money? What sound?

"Need right now?"

"Yeah. Today is due date. Tomorrow have to do my work too."

Rickart took out money bag took out five silver coins. And giving that said.

"Can go together?"

"Uh? Uh......"

"Must go now?"

"Uh......"

"Let's go."

Rickart moved steps first without knowing where. Bori-bori blinked teary eyes then wiped tears and just followed.

Glow became thicker, and as sun hid appearance dusk started to fall.

Around that time Rickart party arrived somewhere in secluded field where farmhouses dropped sparsely.

Bonfire was burning, and around there people gathered among themselves were eating Jokes or something.

All were three groups, combining all about 20 people little more, none other than Academy students. Gender ratio was similar, and there were male female students sticking whether dating each other.

Ice Gang called 1st to 5th place stayed still just without saying any word to each other in slightly distant place. Group unable to know at all what thinking on earth.

Other students giggled or shared conversation with serious expression.

Then Bolka walked crunching grass, and conversation sound stopped abruptly. Bolka approached each group gave money. There was no particular conversation exchanging money.

After giving money all, turned steps again. Rickart and Bori-bori stood blankly from far away watching, followed Bolka.

"Why have to give money?"

Rickart asked.

"Just. Originally world is all like that right? Here is same too."

Just as farmer farming paying tax to Lord, Academy was structure where low rank students gather money and pay money to high rank student.

As Bolka defeated Rank 15 in class today head count to pay money decreased, but didn't mean paying less money as much as head count decreased.

"In past just beat and took. Even though couldn't find work in city beating saying bring money only became more severe, so there were many kids jumping off from cliff. But, thought should have job at least, and wondered wouldn't it be better if collecting money respectively......"

Bolka didn't introduce jobs to students and protect them purely for self-interest.

Rather couldn't take care of himself by doing such work, and was situation paying tribute money spending private money even.

"Sorry. Will pay back money definitely."

Bolka bowed head said as if having no face. Due to his independent personality, seemed really ashamed opening hand to Rickart.

But suddenly Rickart's step stopped abruptly. And turned back returned to place where bonfire is with long strides. Bolka and Bori-bori didn't know reason followed Rickart.

Arriving at bonfire side, still three groups of students were there. They all looked at Rickart appeared unexpectedly.

Rickart stood there said.

"Hey. You guys. Pay back money again."

Silence flowed, and only sound of bonfire burning was heard for a while. Sparks rose from tip of flame burning vigorously disappeared into air.

Then heard sound spitting out empty wind as if absurd from somewhere.

"Is it you? Newbie said beat Bolka?"

"Said give back money."

"But look, we don't do things like Pankration childishly right?"

One student pulled sword of waist smoothly said. Rickart didn't care glared at him as if piercing.

Wavering flame reflected in boy's hazel color pupils. However wasn't hotter than anger burning quietly beyond that.

Rickart said softly, but clearly to be heard.

"You die......"