I had completely exhausted myself by the time I finally lost track of the timing to escape from Mio-san's self-deprecating remarks
I don't have confidence in myself either, and I'm not in a position to speak for others, but that was quite something.
At the very least, it wasn't enough to describe her as a devout believer--what happened to make a person so resentful?
"Well then, is it just Momoka-san left?"
The only one left is Momoka-san, whom I haven't been able to locate, but as I looked around to see where she might be, I caught sight of a small human figure peeking out from behind a building
If I recall correctly, it was Ronim-san's daughter, Zora. At the moment our gazes met, I glared at her and Zora retreated completely into the building's shadows.
Well, I guess she had a bad first impression of me, and it was a little sad, though it was inevitable.
I'd like to clear up the misunderstanding, but according to what Ronim-san said, she has a considerable grudge against nobles, so it would be difficult to even approach her
Leaving Zora aside for the moment, I walk around in the settlement to look for Momoka-san.
"......"
"......"
I feel like someone's staring at me from behind...When I turn back to look, Zora's peeking at me again from behind the building, just like before.
Is she watching me? I knew I wasn't trusted, but what is she trying to accomplish by monitoring me?
I decided that it was a child's game and there was no point in worrying about it, so I pretended that I had not seen Zora, and I walked on again.
With Zora following behind me, I gathered reports of Momoka-san sightings from the people I encountered, and finally arrived at the front of a recently-built inn.
According to the sightings, Momoka-san was seen entering the inn, but what in the world would Momoka-san, who lives on a horse-drawn cart, want with the inn?
As I pondered over that, the entrance to the inn opened, and Momoka-san emerged with Liana.
"Thank you very much for your help, Momoka-san."
"Yes, let me know if there is anything I can help you with."
"Yes! I'll be glad to!"
From the conversation, it seems that Momoka-san was helping Liana with her work.
It is nice to see that she has gotten along well with Liana and is getting used to the new settlement, but that is beside the point...
"Li-a-na?"
"Huh? Oh, Master Neil?"
"Funny, I thought Liana could handle this kind of workload on her own, and I thought I was paying her enough for it, but if the work is split between the two of you, do I have to split the salary as well?"
"Ahahahahahaha, I'm going to work alone from tomorrow...!"
Liana said and left the place as if she was running away, leaving only Momoka-san and me in front of the inn.
"...Did I do something wrong?"
"No, it's nothing like that. I appreciate the help you've given me in the work of the settlement."
"You were helping Liana's work. By the way, does Momoka-san get along well with Rianna?"
"You were helping Liana's work. Are you and Liana good friends, Momoka-san?
"......"
"Um, Momoka-san?"
She suddenly became silent and I wondered what was going on.
"Just call me Momoka, you don't need to use honorifics, I'm not in a position to be respected."
"No, I don't like to talk to someone older than me."
"Master Neil, are you younger than me?"
"What? Well, probably yes."
I haven't confirmed Momoka's age, but she looks at least older than 15 based on appearance alone.
Come to think of it, it's been five years since Momoka and the others came here. They look like they're in their late teens now, so I guess they came here when they were kids.
As I was thinking once again that they must have lived under severe conditions, Momoka-san, without warning, put her hand on my head and started patting my head as if she was nursing a small child.
"Okay, okay."
"Um, Momoka-san?"
"I heard from Moona that this is how you should comfort them."
"I'm not that young, you know?"
"You don't like it?"
"It's not that I don't like it, but at my age it's a little... embarrassing to be patted on the head."
"Well, then you don't need to use honorifics, Master Neil is more mature than me, I like to be petted."
I wondered if it was okay to determine who's an adult or a child based on such a standard. But I had to agree with her before I could proceed with the conversation, so I decided to speak informally like she had asked.
"Uh, Momoka, I have something to talk to you about."
"No need for -san, just Momoka is fine."
"...So, Momoka, can I talk to you for a bit?"
"Yes, okay."
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Edited Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Thanks for reading.
