Chapter 90

This is a work of fiction.

The characters, organizations, and names are all fictitious and have no relation to any real entities.

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085＿Let's Give Jobs to the Children!

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The street stalls are still bustling even in the evening.

I buy skewers and sandwiches and toss them into the item box.

As the day gradually turns to night, I was about to head back when a boy around ten years old ran up and almost bumped into me. I nimbly dodged him.

The boy, who had passed between Rosalina and me, looked at me with a "huh?" expression. I placed my hand on his head.

"Good thing it was me."

"Damn."

The boy, who had clicked his tongue, ran off.

"Is something wrong with that boy?"

"That's a pickpocket, Annelise."

"Pickpocket...?"

The word is old, so you didn't understand it, right? Or is it a term only used in the previous world?

"It means a thief."

"Oh, a thief."

"Thieves are not good."

"To target the pocket of the head of the household is quite bold, isn't it?"

My current main job is Heroic Sword King Level 35. My sub-job is Assassin Level 41.

Even if a low-level thief tries to pickpocket, I can tell they are targeting my pocket from their presence.

"That boy's job was Thief."

For children living in poverty, stealing might be necessary to survive.

The country can't protect all such children. I understand that.

But if the money that the former finance minister and the Earl of Elbasil had in their pockets were used, those children wouldn't have to commit crimes. I have high hopes for the princess's future leadership...

"For a child so young to be a thief..."

Annelise, with her kind heart, must be pained.

"A samurai can go without food but not without a toothpick."

"Why does Rosalina know such a phrase?"

"Lord Yamato taught me."

That guy. Well, it's not a strange thing, so it's fine. And that boy isn't a samurai.

"Should we catch him now?"

"There's no harm to me, so it's not necessary."

Others might be harmed, but catching pickpockets isn't my job.

"But you are a noble. Just targeting your pocket could result in having your arm cut off without complaint."

Bartz is strict.

"Lord Toi, look at that..."

Following Annelise's words, I looked into the depths of the street stalls. Three children, all under ten, were huddled together, trying to keep warm.

"It hurts to think of children like that going hungry."

It hurts me too, but I can't do anything... I think. But the desire to help them hurts me even more.

"Even if we help those children, we can't help everyone. You understand that, right?"

I'm saying this to Annelise, but it feels like I'm trying to convince myself...

"Yes..."

"But if we help those children now, those three can have a full meal."

"Then!?"

"Yes, if there are lives we can save, let's help them."

"Yes!"

It might be cheap justice, but if it makes my heart feel better, that's fine.

I bought up all the meat skewers and sandwiches from the stalls.

It was closing time, so they were happy to sell everything.

"You guys must be hungry. Come over here."

"What, what is it? We haven't done anything."

The oldest-looking boy stood protectively in front of the other two. The two behind him were so thin I couldn't tell if they were boys or girls.

"Here, eat this."

Annelise offered the meat skewers. She had bought them from the stall.

"Can we really eat it?"

"Yes, of course. There's plenty, so eat up."

The three of them eagerly grabbed the skewers and started gnawing on them. I was disappointed they didn't say thank you, but they must have been very hungry.

The meat skewers were quickly finished, so I gave them three sandwiches.

"Don't eat too fast, or you might choke."

"Cough, cough, cough."

"See, I told you so."

The smallest one choked, so I gently patted his back. He was quite thin.

"Do you want more?"

"Are you giving us more!?"

They seemed to have gained energy from eating the meat. Their voices were strong.

"If you work, I'll give you a full meal."

"What do we have to do?"

"It's not difficult. Something you can do."

I might sound preachy, but you can't eat if you don't work.

"Bring your friends. I'll give them jobs too."

"Really?"

"The condition is that you work seriously. Then I'll give you a full meal."

"We'll bring everyone right away!"

"We'll wait here. It's getting dark, so hurry."

"Okay!"

The three of them ran off into the town.

It's a bit concerning that they trust strangers so easily, but maybe that's just my cynical nature. I don't intend to do anything bad, though.

"Bartz, go buy as much food as you can from the surrounding stalls."

"Understood."

I handed him a leather bag full of money and sent him to buy supplies.

I don't know how many children will come, so I need to prepare as much as possible.

With Bartz carrying an item box, he can buy a lot.

"Rosalina, go buy burlap bags from a nearby general store."

"Yes, sir!"

The burlap bags are necessary for the jobs I'll give the children.

"Wow, you gathered so many..."

In front of us are about thirty boys and girls.

They all look hungry and desperate to survive.

"First, eat this."

Annelise, Rosalina, and Bartz distribute the food to everyone.

"Take your time, no one will take your food."

Even saying that, the food disappears into their stomachs in an instant. They must be so hungry.

"My name is Toi. I'm going to give you jobs, so line up and come forward one by one."

The first child is the oldest of the three we gave food to earlier.

"I don't like pain."

"Don't worry. What's your name?"

"Pus."

"Pus, huh. Pus, fill this bag with trash."

"Huh?"

"Didn't you hear? I said to pick up trash. Bring it back here tomorrow morning, and I'll give you food."

"Trash picking is fine. Got it! You better give us food!"

"I keep my promises. Make sure to pick up the trash properly. Understand? Only the trash on the ground, not from trash cans. Only the trash on the ground."

"Got it. Only the trash on the ground!"

Pus ran off with the bag.

I'm not trying to clean the capital.

This is just an excuse to give them food. If they do the job of picking up trash, they get food in return. The children get a reward, and I feel better.

I can dispose of the trash in the dungeon next time, so it's not a problem. It will take anything, whether it's a corpse or trash.

Next is a girl... I think. Honestly, it's hard to tell. I give her a bag.

"What's your name?"

"Chami."

"Chami, you also need to pick up trash from the ground."

"Okay."

I keep giving bags to the children one by one.

I give each child a bag to examine them in detail.

If they are injured or sick, I can heal them with the skills of my sub-job, Holy Pardon.

Fortunately, none of them have serious illnesses so far. The injuries are just minor scrapes. They all have nutritional deficiencies, but that's something my skills can't fix.

"Last one. What's your name?"

A thin boy, like the others.

"Lilis."

Wait, a girl? My apologies.

I examine Lilis in detail.

"......"

What? What is this kid?

She looks nine, but she's actually twelve. Her development is poor. But that's not the main issue...

"Um... I want to pick up trash too."

While I was surprised by the examination results, Lilis had tears in her eyes.

"Sure. Lilis, pick up trash from the ground and come back here tomorrow morning."

"Okay. Thank you."

Lilis ran off with the bag.

Even though she looks like a girl, she's definitely a boy.

"Is something wrong with the last child, Lilis?"

As expected of Annelise. She noticed I was examining her in detail.

After confirming no one else was around, I answered Annelise's question.

"That child has a job that can be changed."

"Children can change to jobs like farmer or merchant if they help with household chores from a young age, so it's not surprising. But you were surprised, so it must be a rare job, right?"

"Annelise, you're amazing. You're right."

And it's a job that could be dangerous if known by the wrong people.

"Should we protect her?"

"Hmm... It depends on Lilis. Even if we want to protect her, she might find it bothersome."

"But you won't leave her, right?"

"Right. I want to do what I can."

Let's see how it goes tomorrow morning.

Thank you for reading.

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The next update is on March 29th.