I’m a Rookie, but I’m an Experienced Professional - Chapter 53

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 53

“This is the morning newspaper published today.”

Noah Roheim placed the morning paper on Callix’s desk.

[Following the rainy season, even the icy roads. The hero who protected the city time and again, Eileen.]

The headline immediately caught his eye.

Callix leaned back in his chair and slowly read through the article.

[The innovative icy road accident prevention measures using ash, charcoal, and straw proved effective, significantly reducing carriage accidents….]

The article detailed Eileen’s achievements.

“I knew Miss Eileen was capable, but to this extent. I’m truly surprised.”

“She is capable.”

Callix acknowledged that part as well, but the problem was that she was excessively capable.

As anxiety rose about what would happen if other people tried to steal her away, Callix frowned deeply and put the newspaper down on his desk.

“If you’re worried that Miss Eileen might receive a good offer from elsewhere and leave, how about giving her a reward?”

“A reward?”

“Yes. When I spoke with her last time, she seemed quite displeased that you had her doing menial tasks and even made her wear some strange bracelet.”

“Strange bracelet? Ah.”

Callix let out a short exclamation as he belatedly remembered the magical tool he had put on her.

Since it was on her arm rather than her neck, calling it a bracelet would be correct.

“So if you praise her for doing well along with an appropriate reward this time, I think she’d be pleased.”

Callix pondered for a moment, then nodded.

“Not bad. Think about what would be good to give that woman as a reward.”

* * *

The completion rate of the surprise quest gradually increased day by day.

It wasn’t that the system had arbitrarily calculated the numbers—freezing accidents were actually decreasing noticeably.

Previously, a dozen or so cases were reported daily, but now they occurred maybe once every three days.

When the deadline arrived, the completion rate hit 90 percent.

[We’ll give you 90,000 points as a reward!]

The point calculation is accurate.

“I finally exceeded 100,000 points.”

I had used up many points in Nuviar and still hadn’t cleared the main quest, so my points had hit rock bottom.

Even diligently doing sub-quests didn’t accumulate much, which had me worried, but this gave me some breathing room.

“Should I buy some new equipment?”

There was something I had my eye on before, where was it….

“What are you doing talking to thin air?”

At the voice from behind me, I startled and stood up from my seat.

When I turned around, Callix Crowbell was leaning crookedly against the office entrance.

“What brings you here, my lord….”

“Is this somewhere I can’t come?”

“Of course not. Absolutely not. Hahaha.”

I quickly denied it since touching his nerves would only make things tiresome for me.

While doing so, I glanced around and noticed I was the only one in the office.

It was lunch time, so everyone had gone to eat.

‘If I had known this man would come, I would have gone too.’

I regretted answering that I’d have a sandwich when they suggested going out to eat because I found it bothersome.

“Are you wearing the bracelet properly?”

Bracelet? What bracelet is he talking about… Oh, he means the metal ring.

“Ah, yes. I’m wearing it properly.”

Even if I wanted to take it off, it wouldn’t come off, so I unintentionally kept wearing it.

When I showed him the metal ring on my wrist, he nodded as if satisfied.

“Here.”

Then he held out a crude wooden box. I received it reflexively, and it was quite heavy.

“What is this?”

“A reward for doing good work.”

Hm? A reward all of a sudden?

“I heard that thanks to you, icy road accidents decreased noticeably.”

Ah, he’s talking about that.

“I hope you’ll continue just as you have been. Here in Belheim, that is.”

“Haha….”

His words seemed to drive home the point not to think about going elsewhere, making me laugh awkwardly.

Then Callix Crowbell narrowed his eyes and stared at me.

“Answer.”

“Of course. Where would I go, leaving my hometown behind?”

I answered promptly. Of course it was a blatant lie, but I felt no pangs of conscience.

Survival took priority over conscience. I could tell such lies dozens of times without even wetting my lips.

Satisfied with my answer, he patted my shoulder and left.

“Phew.”

Deeply relieved that I had gotten through it safely without incident, I looked down at the box he had given me.

“I didn’t expect to receive a reward.”

But what’s inside to make it this heavy?

I put the box down on the desk and opened the lid.

“…What is this.”

Inside the box was a nameplate carved from marble.

[In recognition of the achievements of Eileen, Hero of Belheim. – Callix Crowbell -]

The inscription on the nameplate was embarrassing. I hastily closed the lid again lest someone see it.

“What kind of reward is this?”

He should give money, gold, jewels, or something practical, but a nameplate?

I was so dumbfounded I couldn’t even let out a hollow laugh.

* * *

As it turned out, receiving a nameplate from the lord was such an honorable and glorious occasion that it should be treasured as a family heirloom.

But to me, it was nothing more than trash I didn’t want to look at.

So I put the nameplate, box and all, deep in my wardrobe.

I would have liked to shove it in the storage room, but if Tabin spotted it there, it would obviously become more troublesome, so I had no choice.

Peaceful days continued after that, and the weather that had been cold enough to see one’s breath gradually warmed up.

As the frozen ground thawed, construction on the drainage system began in earnest.

“The slope is important in this section, so bring the level.”

“Over there we need to level the ground flat and block it with stones.”

Perhaps thanks to having done it during the autumn rainy season, the City Planning Department employees and workers moved skillfully.

“What? You’re still working at the City Planning Department?”

Bram Gus still liked picking fights.

“Isn’t it hard working at the City Planning Department with a woman’s body?”

“Not at all. How long will you keep working at construction sites, Mr. Bram Gus? Isn’t it about time to retire?”

“That’s ridiculous!”

Bram Gus said with bulging eyes.

“I’m only forty-four, what do you mean quit!”

“Forty-four is old enough to see grandchildren. You’re too old for this kind of rough work.”

Perhaps stung by being called old, Bram Gus’s face turned red and blue with anger.

‘That’s what you get for picking a fight.’

I snorted and headed toward the construction site.

“…But spreading ash and charcoal on the frozen roads, was that really your idea, miss?”

Bram Gus chased after me and asked.

“The drainage system too, how did you figure out methods like that? Did you receive some divine revelation or something?”

I didn’t answer, but perhaps taking it as confirmation, Bram Gus asked various questions.

“I’ve never received any divine revelation. I came up with it because I’m a genius.”

Since he seemed like he’d keep bothering me if I left him alone, I deliberately spoke arrogantly.

“Wow, aren’t you embarrassed to say something like that with your own mouth?”

But Bram Gus was more persistent than I thought.

“Not at all. More importantly, what are you doing here instead of working? Do you not have anything to do?”

When I asked with the intention of giving him more work if he really had nothing to do, Bram Gus fled in horror.

* * *

Nuviar supplied Nereia timber as promised, and thanks to installing magical lighting to work night shifts as well, construction progressed much faster than expected.

If things continued like this, we could definitely finish before the summer rainy season.

‘Should I try negotiating with Callix Crowbell before then?’

To ask for money as a reward if we successfully prevent this summer’s rainy season too.

What I wanted most was to leave Belheim, but seeing how the nobleman acted, it didn’t seem like he’d let me go easily even if I bought migration rights.

Still, just in case, I should prepare migration rights and save money to settle in another territory.

‘Let’s ask for money.’

If I stayed quiet, he might give me another useless nameplate like last time, so it was right to make a direct request.

‘Would about 10 gold be enough?’

Since I still didn’t know the monetary value of this world well, I couldn’t judge how much I should request as a reward.

I went to find Callix Crowbell with the thought of at least discussing the reward money.

“You’re saying there’s a problem with the reservoir construction?”

I ended up hearing an unexpected story.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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