The Man Picked Up By the Gods (Reboot) - Chapter 267.2
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Chapter 267.2

Chapter 267: Events After II (2/2)

The madam made a gentle but serious expression as she asked.

If you have any concerns or if theres anything you want, just feel free to mention it. [Elize]

First of all, I have zero complaints whatsoever about how you treat me. Im the problem. Im sure youve already heard, but Im actually a really selfish person. Probably, much more than you think. If I were to be known as the dukes specialist and cause a problem, itll become a scandal for you, and Im scared of that. [Ryouma]

Now that I think about it, the reason I isolated myself in the forest and now live in an abandoned mine might be because of my unconscious worries toward the city and my relations.h.i.+p with people.

Even back in j.a.pan, where I was born and raised, Ive always felt that I was different. Yet now Im in a foreign country with different culture and customs that resides in a completely different world. Can I really blend in here perfectly?

Moreover, common sense, rules, perspectives, and values all change with the changing of times. Though this world doesnt have an information network as developed as my previous world, there should still be changes across generations. Will I be able to keep up with that?

If I were still young No, even when I was young, I was already out of sync with my surroundings. I hope never to say something as old-sounding as kids these days, but who can say for sure as I gradually grow older?

In the past, I would have just think optimistic stuff like Ill do my best. I would fail a lot, but even then, I would just say I would do better next time and keep pus.h.i.+ng myself. But despite my optimistic words, I never actually trusted myself.

I realize that now and can say with conviction that its impossible for me. Im carefree even when pessimistic. So Im sure my actions would invite disapproval from others. Its my fault, so I only have myself to blame, but if the dukes family were to suffer because of that, if I were to cause problem to those around me Well, Id hate that.

But in society, its not uncommon for an individuals scandal to hurt his affiliation.

A representative example would be those malicious pranks made by part time workers that regularly became talk of the internet in my past life.

I dont want to repay the Jamil familys grat.i.tude with evil.

Thats how I felt, so I chose my words carefully to tell them that. That was putting to waste their good will, but for some reason, the duke and the madam smiled.

I cant believe Im still saying this, but you really can stand on your own now even without us, cant you? So you were more adult than we ever thought. [Elize]

As the madam said that, her att.i.tude changed.

But this time, we wont give in. I told you that word of your deeds has already spread, right? If we cant even reward you properly for that, no one will ever want to become our retainer. The other n.o.bles will speak ill of us as well, and our reputation will take a hit. So we have no choice but to get you to accept our offer even if you dont like it. You understand, right? After all, you know that your conduct affects the people around you. [Elize]

To add to that, you might have forgotten, but there is a requirement to maintain the position of a specialist. You need to report a certain amount of contributions or research progress every year. And while we do intend to look at the matter from a long-term perspective, your position will be revoked if you produce too little results. Of course, you can be stripped of your rank and expelled if you cause a scandal as well, though that will be up to my discretion. If there are more downsides than benefits, then as a n.o.ble, I will have no choice but to quickly cut our ties. [Reinhart]

Unrelenting and despotic, that was how one-sided Reinhart-sans words were, but while Im sure not everything they said was a lie, I know that theyre saying all of that for my sake.

Theyre doing this purely for their own benefits, so theyll cut me down if I cause a problem Thats why, I dont need to worry about hurting them and should just accept their offer.

They must hate having to be so forceful, and yet theyre going so far just for me At this rate, Ill only be making things difficult. Its a favorable proposition for me anyway, so I might as well fold.

Alright. I accept your offer to be the Jamil familys specialist. [Ryouma]

When I said that, a soft expression appeared on the duke and the madam once again.

Thank goodness. Now, well need you to sign a few doc.u.ments. And what should we do about the field you specialize in? You seem to be doing a lot of things, so [Elize]

In that case, please make slime research my specialty. [Ryouma]

As the madam says, Ive dabbled in all sort of fields , but my focus is really in slime research. If Im to be named an expert in something, then it could only be in slimes.

I figured youd say that. [Elize]

Is it a bad idea? [Ryouma]

Theres never been a precedent, but it should be fine. Next is Oh, right, there was that topic regarding Baron Verdures son too. [Elize]

Who? But then a certain face suddenly came to mind.

Is this about Yurdum-san? [Ryouma]

Thats right. You didnt know his family name? [Reinhart]

Id heard he was a n.o.ble and that he came from a barons house, but he said he wasnt qualified to name his house, so I intentionally avoided asking about it. Sorry to interrupt. [Ryouma]

Its fine, just ask whenever theres something bothering you. Going back to the topic, I mentioned that a Rank 2 Specialist would be given status, financial support, and, if necessary, place and manpower to conduct experiments, right? What do you think about hiring Yurdum Verdure? [Elize]

Well, if youre going to hire someone, then someone I know like Yurdum-san would be best indeed, but doesnt he have another employer? [Ryouma]

About that Actually, well be taking care of him for awhile. His Majesty might trust him, but he was basically working as a spy, so as an apology for snooping around and keeping secrets, hes being lent to us. But of course, thats not the only reason. [Reinhart]

Reinhardt-san gently brought his cup of tea to his lips with a slightly tired expression. Apparently, theres been an exchange of some sort, but if they say its fine, then it must be fine, and the king himself approved, so there shouldnt be any problems.

In the first place, I was the one who chose to put Yurdum-san beside me despite knowing he was a spy.

Anyway, hell be working at our place for a while, but we cant just have someone we dont know besides us. Now, if were going to just push him off to some place, I figured we might as well just have him work for you. [Elize]

Besides, it seems like he really wants to work with you. You treated him well, and he really did leave to train his martial arts, so if he could stay at your laundromat, then hell be able to further hone his skills as well. Or so he says, anyway. [Reinhart]

I see, that makes sense. In that case, Ill be glad to take him in. He has a good reputation at the store, and itll be busy from here on, so hell be a huge help. [Ryouma]

Lets do that then. By the way, since hes being entrusted to us, hes not allowed to leak any information even if its the king himself, so you dont have to worry in that regard. [Elize]

Once you become a specialist, your store will be treated like a workshop or a laboratory, so be sure to use that to your advantage. [Reinhart]

Oh, thats something to be really grateful for. Ive always been under the protection of the dukes family, but by formally being employed as their specialist, my backing is now stronger than ever, and my trustworthiness is also much higher.

Thank you very much. [Ryouma]

Likewise, after all, well be getting your knowledge in exchange. In fact, you should be demanding more from us. [Reinhart]

So they say, but I really cant think of anything.

Well Theres currently a shortage of lumber, especially firewood [Ryouma]

Weve already requested for as much help as possible from the neighboring cities. Our families dimension mages are also helping with the communication and transport, so supplies should arrive soon. But thats not for yourself, is it? Thats for the city. [Reinhart]

But I cant think of anything other than that right now. [Ryouma]

It doesnt have to be now. Just say it when you need something. You said so much about being selfish, but youre always thinking about others. [Elize]

This time it was their turn to look at me with astonishment, but really, there wasnt any contradiction between my actions and my selfishness.

Its precisely because Im selfish that Im like this. In the same way that a real bad person wont look like a bad person from a glance, a selfish person wont appear selfish right away. After all, people would distance themselves from someone selfish, and that wont lead to any benefits in the long term. Its more efficient to act altruistic on the surface to get the most benefits. [Ryouma]

I get what youre trying to say, and youre not wrong, but [Reinhart]

In the end, youre just working for others sake. [Elize]

The duke and the madam looked at me like two people watching over a child, then a few seconds later, we burst out laughing.

That continued for awhile before we started ironing out more of the details, and before long, the night peacefully pa.s.sed