Chapter 45: 5

Volume 1: Chapter 005: Lord Elric: Tooru Catches a Huge Fish by the Bank

I am Elric Odille.

After throwing out my back and having my important documents snatched away right before my eyes, I am spared the worst scenario by a brave young boy.

He looks like a very well-mannered boy with striking black hair and dark eyes.

The few things I know for sure about this child are his name, his hair and eye colour and the fact that he was in this harbour city earlier.

“Do you know a young boy by the name of Tooru Sagaram?”

I direct this question at a young flower girl. The smile on her face widens and her eyes brighten.

“Of course, he’s that very cute chimney sweep. There are quite a few little boys in the business but he’s the best. He saved me from a nasty thug once,”

A greengrocer says:

“Yeah, I know him. Pretty sure he’s from the Eastern Continent. I heard his mother is sick, so he’s been working as a sweep to support her even though he’s just a mite himself.”

A wealthy madam says:

“Of course I do, in fact, I’m one of his customers. That child does a good job cleaning our chimneys and left no soot behind. He’s employed by aboss over at that house with the white triangular roof just next street over.”

The boss:

“Oh, that kid. Well, he’s achieved his quota for today so I let him off early. He lives in one of those seaside huts, No. 12, I think.”

 

Well, it sure looks like this young boy has quite an excellent reputation here.

People from the Southern Continent generally don’t think well of those who fled from their country of origin. Refugees and outsiders would often face a lot of discrimination from the locals. However, it looks like he manages to integrate well into this city. It is difficult even for adults to push aside adversity and establish a good position for themselves in a foreign land. This mature young boy is quite impressive.

Following the directions given by the boss, I soon found the boy. He is sitting by the embankment in front of hut No. 12 and is busily fishing.

 

I stand behind the child.

“Hello there, did you have a good catch today?”

“……..”

There is no doubt about it. The young boy is Tooru, I can easily recognise the face that turned around to look at me.

“I wonder~ If my plans go accordingly, I should be landing a big one soon.”

He giggles, then, after securing his fishing rod, gets up from the embankment.

“What’s up, old man? Did you get something stolen again?”

“…. No, I realised I haven’t thanked you properly yet. Well, thank you very much for what you did earlier. The documents in the bag were really important. As advised, I am hiding them on my person now.”

I crouch down until I am at eye level with Tooru.

My, what a courageous kid. Even when facing the stare of an adult, he does not feel the need to react.

“Tell me, is there something you need? I wish to be of help… consider it my way of thanking you.”

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“Uhm, if you put it that way… The things I need are too many to count. Not to mention the things I want to do. A lot of money would be needed to achieve them.”

I honestly think he would ask for money [1] after that little speech. However, he suddenly grins and laughs.

“Please introduce me to a good job where I can make plenty of money. Since uncle is a nobleman, surely you’d know best? Also, I’d like my mother to go to a good hospital too. … well?”

“… is that so.”

Looks like I have lost.

Am I really speaking to a child?

He has an incredibly mature way of thinking.

Just then, a thought struck me. A child who is mature beyond his years, speaks more like an adult. Isn’t he just perfect as Makia’s attendant and conversation partner?

I’m sure of it, the Gods must have sent me to meet this boy.

“I understand. Well then, how about becoming a servant of my house? As for your mother, we have a good hospital at Delia Fields. I shall take care of the arrangements. What do you say? All your food, lodging and clothing will be included, [1] you’ll even be paid a salary.”

“… I see. It sounds like a great plan, old man. But, I’m currently employed by my boss, you’ll have to go there and convince him to terminate my employment. Are you willing to go that far? Oh dear, what should I do?”

“Hohoh, are you testing my ability, young Tooru? Very well, I shall buy you off your current boss. You will be taking care of my daughter from now on. All you need to do is to be her conversational partner and escort. I shall make sure you receive the proper education too.”

“Really? That doesn’t sound bad at all. Alright, I’m up for it! Uhm, are you the Count Odille of Delia Fields?”

“That’s right, I see you are quite knowledgeable,”

“Well, I did hear that the Count of Delia Fields is a very good person.”

I am once again surprised.

The child does not know my name but is able to guess my identity based on that information.

How shameful.

To think I had negotiated for the boy to work for me without even properly introducing myself.

Others might label such eagerness as a foolishly nice person or a soft mark. However, I am more than convinced that he would be the perfect friend for my mature-minded daughter.

If I were to search the world for another child like him, I would never find a second one.

He has eyes similar to Makia’s.

Tomorrow is Makia’s birthday, I wonder if she’ll like this young man.

 

[Gumihou: Lol, sir, isn’t he the second child you found with too mature eyes like your daughter?]

 

[1] Filling in the ‘Unspoken’. Often, when it comes to Japanese novels, the translation might be a bit lacking since the author deliberately choose to use fewer words and let the reader fill in the blanks through a preset cultural understanding.

 

If the missing info looks too sparse, Gumi will fill in some of the blanks. This is not to imply that the writer’s craft is lacking, but we do have a cultural gap. Gumi will try to fill in these gaps unobtrusively.

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