Chapter 196 Job Evaluation
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
(Hiroya’s POV)
”Th-this food… is really… d-delicious!”
Sister Karina takes a sip of the tea that Uu, with her black mesh, brought after finishing breakfast.
…Seriously, she’s practically living here now. It feels like she just goes home to sleep next door.
”Well, everyone should take it easy today. Kazumi will go to the Zett Merchant Guild, and Aluda will head home to check the value of the ‘dungeon loot.’ Once that’s done, Kazumi will evaluate and give everyone their rewards.”
Liz’s words bring smiles to everyone’s faces.
”Kazumi, and I will head to the Zett Merchant Guild. ──Kazumi, let’s go quickly.”
I stand up and grab Kazumi’s hand, running towards the stable.
* * *
”These are definitely precious metal accessories, but… they’re so damaged and old…”
Kazumi looks stunned. Of course, I am too.
”These ‘excavated items from the labyrinth’ are quite popular among noble collectors. Especially accessories are highly valued. Well, of course, our guild’s craftsmen will restore them.”
Mr. Waleerry Gähgabauère, the warehouse head of the Zett Merchant Guild, takes off his magnifying glass.
”I think 3 necklaces, 2 brooches, and one bracelet are worth about 4 gold coins. And then…”
He points to the 4 raw gemstones.
”This one isn’t bad either. If processed, it can become a proper gemstone. I’d like to take this for 2 gold coins.”
”W-well, normally there would be room for negotiation, but… to celebrate the founding of the ‘Zett Merchant Guild Raetia main branch’… I’ll accept your offer as is.”
Kazumi was probably super eager to negotiate, but when an unexpected buyout price was offered, it felt like her spirit was totally crushed.
”What are you saying, Lady Kazumi? Thanks to your efforts, the relocation and setup of the main store have gone smoothly. So, how about we offer you 6 gold coins and 5 silver coins in total? What do you think?”
”…Deal.”
Kazumi said that and extended her right hand to Valerie.
”Feel free to bring any loot from the dungeon to us anytime.”
Mr. Waleerry shook Kazumi’s hand back, and a female employee from the back brought out a tray for us.
”Here’s the buyout amount. Please accept it.”
* * *
”The two daggers that Principal Milia bought for us were 5 gold coins. The magic stones were worth 7 silver coins and 5 copper coins at the guild. And the old jewelry and raw gemstones were 6 gold coins and 5 copper coins. …I feel like this is quite a good income.”
While riding on Haya’s back, Kazumi said this as we headed back to the clan house (I guess it’s okay to call it that now, right? Our mansion).
”Now we just have the iron ore and copper ore left. We had about 10 kg in total, right?”
”I don’t really know the value of those, so I’ll leave it to Aluda and the others.”
”Well… if you think about it as a reward for 16 people risking their lives and working for 3 days, I guess it makes sense.”
”I see.”
Well, it’s definitely true that the income turned out better than I expected. I hope everyone will be happy about it.
* * *
(Kazumi’s POV)
When we got back to the clan house (Hiroya seems to have decided to call our mansion that), Aluda, Eluda, and Meluda were already there, so we talked in the open space on the second floor.
”We have 15.4 pounds (7 kg) of iron and 4.4 pounds (2 kg) of copper. I’ll buy the iron for 2 copper coins and 5 silver coins each, and the copper for one copper coin.”
”Isn’t that a loss for you guys? Aluda?”
I pressed Aluda.
”It’s fine, Kazumi.”
”Yeah, yeah. With 15.4 pounds (7 kg) of iron, we can make 4 long swords.”
”At the shop, one long sword costs 3 copper coins.”
I see. Even considering their labor, there’s still enough profit.
”Is copper worth more?”
Hiroya asked.
”Copper is really useful for dishes and cooking tools. Plus, it’s easy to work with, so Aluda and the others use it for decorations on weapons and armor.”
”Wowww──.”
”…So that means…”
The total income from this dungeon exploration is… 12 gold coins and 6 silver coins. After deducting the costs for ingredients and supplies (mainly ‘arrows’) used during the exploration…
(I’ll finish the assessment by noon)
I felt super motivated.
* * *
After finishing the assessment in my room, I gathered everyone who was relaxing in the mansion into the dining hall.
”Alright, I’m going to hand out the pay now.”
My words were met with applause from everyone. Ms. Hanna, watching them with a smile, was serving tea with the wolf maids.
”First up──Martina, Gièze, Sister-in-law Karina, Noriss, Lotta.”
The called members stood up and walked over to me.
”…Martina, of course, as the scout, and the rest of you… even though you said it was for learning, you all did a great job this time. Each of you will receive one gold coin as pay.”
”””””!”””””
”Big Sis Kazumi, is it really okay for me to get this much?”
”…Lotta, if it were just us, we definitely couldn’t earn one gold coin in a week…”
”Noriss… that’s amazing.”
”Ms. Kazumi, is it really okay to receive this amount? ──You’re not pushing yourself too hard, right?”
”W-well, about the money… I-I leave that to Gièze, so… I don’t really understand, but… it means we’ve been recognized, right? I-I’m so happy!”
”Hehe. Great job, everyone.”
Everyone took one gold coin from the tray and bowed their heads.
”Next, Liz, Dorothy. You both did well as leader and sub-leader. You will receive 5 silver coins as pay.”
”Well, I didn’t really do much this time.”
”Yeah. Plus, living here… I don’t really need my own money that much.”
Liz and Dorothy stood up and came over.
”Still, this is like a ritual. You have to accept it properly.”
Liz and Dorothy bow their heads as they each take 5 small gold coins from the tray.
”Thanks for your hard work♡”
”Yeah, I’ll keep doing my best as the leader.”
”I’ll do my best to assist Ms. Liz, even if it’s just a little.”
* * *
”And the rest of you will each get 3 small gold coins. Really, thank you for your hard work.”
Hiroya, Rena, Aluda, Meluda, Eluda, Asuka, and Gorge each take 3 coins from the pile on the tray. I also take 3 coins.
”There’s still some left, you know?”
Hiroya tilts his head and looks at me.
”Ms. Hanna, Suu, Noo, Uu. These are for you, right?”
””””Eh?””””
The 4 at the table, who were drinking tea, look surprised.
”W-wait, I didn’t do anything!”
”Noo didn’t either.”
”Neither did Uu.”
”Suu came along, but…”
I bow my head to the flustered 4.
”Thank you for always taking care of the mansion. Plus, looking after it while I’m away is a big job, and Suu has worked hard not just as a porter during the exploration, but also with meal preparations and more.”
As I say this, I glance at Suu, who is scratching her head shyly. It’s cute how she’s wagging her tail happily.
”Suu’s efforts are recognized by all of us. This payment is, of course, separate from the maid’s salary.”
I hand 3 small gold coins to Ms. Hanna, Suu, Noo, and Uu.
”Ah, thank you… Suu, you did great too.”
Ms. Hanna bows to me and pats Suu on the head.
””Thank you!””
Noo and Uu also pat Suu on the head.
* * *
”Also, I’ll pay one gold coin as a maintenance fee for ‘Blacksmith Freeberry’s’ equipment.”
I handed one gold coin to Aluda.
”No way, I can’t take this much!”
”Normally, I wouldn’t mind, but since you’re taking care of my weapons and armor even during our adventures, I think this is still not enough. Aluda, Eluda, Meluda, thank you!”
Saying that, I made Aluda hold the gold coin tightly.
”…If your income was low, you don’t have to push yourself, okay?”
Aluda said that while looking up at me, accepting the gold coin.
”Everyone, thank you so much for your hard work. The total income from this dungeon exploration was 12 gold coins and 6 silver coins. The remaining 2 gold coins will be used for maintaining this mansion, ‘Clan House,’ and for clan operating costs, as well as expenses for food and supplies during our explorations. So──.”
I cleared my throat.
”──all clan members are free to use the facilities in this mansion, ‘Clan House.’ The bath, the bedrooms on the third floor, and the delicious meals made by Ms. Hanna and the Wolf team♡.”
At this, Gièze, Sister-in-law Karina, Noriss, and Lotta clapped their hands the happiest. Asuka was also nodding with a smile.
”Can both me and Noriss… stay here?”
”Yes. Do your best until you can call your family to the village.”
”Lotta, in the meantime, I’ll make sure to give Rena strict magic training.”
At my and Rena’s words, Lotta started to cry. Noriss hurriedly offered her a handkerchief.
”W-w-wait, if we… if we work hard to earn the operating costs… then, um, we can enjoy Ms. Hanna’s meals without holding back… and get along with my little brother (Hiroya)…”
The last part of the words I whispered felt a bit unsettling, but Sister-in-law Karina, gripping her hands tightly, was cute. Well, after all, Sister-in-law Karina is just using her position as ‘Hiroya’s sister (fake)’ to hang around, right?
”Oh, right. You absolutely can’t wander around the second floor. If you disturb us or Hiroya…”
I shot a glare at everyone who was happy.
”Yeah, yeah. If you do that, maybe we should kick you out of the clan.”
Liz smirked, but maybe feeling a hint of fear from that smile… the rookie group all trembled slightly.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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