Chapter 15:


    Ascal reclined leisurely in hisfortable chair, caressing Fer. It had


    gradually gained some weight, and its fur had grown lush, making it feel


    pleasant to touch.


    Soon, this little one will outgrow his size. I might need to get a stable for


    him.


    Usually, people pay to keep their horses inmunal stables. But if anyone


    were to discover that this little one was a Pegasus, it would be


    troublesome.


    Of course, setting up a personal stable would be costly, but Ascal had saved


    up a considerable amount of money.


    It tickles, you little rascal.


    It was still very much the time for it to yearn for its mother.


    Pushing away Fer, who was trying to snuggle into Ascal''s arms, and yfully


    teasing him, a sound emanated from the magic radio powered by mana stones.


    <Todays story is from Retirement Hopeful.>


    Retirement Hopeful.


    It was Ascal own pseudonym. He tuned in with interest.


    <Hello. I am an employee working at an abusive workce. I want to get


    fired, but even when I intentionally mess up, things strangely work out and I


    end up seeding. At this rate, I might end up spending my life here. What


    should I do?>


    They say the kings ears were donkeys ears*.


    Ascal needed to vent this


    suffocating feeling somewhere.


    In that regard, the empires magicalmunication device, or rather, the


    radio, was an ideal medium for stress relief.


    The host read Ascals dilemma in a neutral tone and then responded slowly.


    <Thats an unusual problem. Cant you just quit? If circumstances dont


    allow, hmm... maybe if you decide to seed from the outset, you might end up


    failing.>


    It felt as if a light bulb lit up in his mind.


    Ascal had always tried to fail, but things always turned out the opposite. What


    if he set his mind on seeding from the beginning? Would he then fail?


    Getting up from his spot, Ascal decided to test this theory.


    <Todays lucky zodiac is Leo, and the fortunate direction is the West!


    Wishing everyone a wonderful day!>


    After turning off the receiver, Ascal prepared to head out.


    Perhaps today, he might finally break free from this unwee spiral of


    sess.


    ***


    Guilds...


    Even in the capital of the Barba Empire, guilds existed.


    When one thought of a guild, the image that often came to mind was a beautiful


    receptionist, and quests ranging from F-rank to A-rank.


    The image Ascal had of guilds wasnt much different from this.


    However,


    The moment he stepped into the guild, the image Ascal held shattered to


    pieces.


    These days, the port union pays pretty well.


    But once you go there, arent you stuck for a month? I heard many even die on


    those ships.


    Where can you find a job thats both safe and pays well? One has to take


    everything into ount...


    It was not what he had expected.


    The people, who clearly looked like theyd been doing physicalbor for


    more than a decade, were deeply inhaling from their pipes.


    To put it in perspective, this ce felt more like an employment agency for


    seasoned professionals.


    Ascal turned around, intending to leave the guild immediately.


    Ah, a face I havent seen before. Are you a newbie?


    A newbie?


    Newbie?


    But it was already toote.


    Their eyes had met.


    The person who approached Ascals table casually draped his arm over it. His


    muscr arm, full of scars, was a testament to the life hed led.


    You dont look like you belong here. Came looking for quick cash to buy a


    gift for your lover?


    If youre a beginner, Id rmend starting with cleaning services. The pay


    might be meager, but its perfect for sharpening ones wits.


    Nah, he should jump right into fishing boats. Men should start big if they


    want to seed big.


    Their philosophies shed sharply.


    In an instant, the guild became a chaotic marketce.


    Amidst this, Ascal discreetly made his exit. He hade to the guild on a day


    off, hoping to find work, but it seemed unlikely hed achieve his goal.


    Are you looking for work?


    The person who addressed him was a girl, who appeared to be in herte teens.


    Contrary to her youthful face, the dirt-streaked work clothes she wore hinted


    at considerable experience.


    Indeed. Its my first time in a guild, so Im not sure what kind of job to


    start with.


    The girl approached and suddenly squeezed Ascals arm.


    ?


    You seem to have more muscle than you appear. With this, you could do farming


    or mining. Want to see some requests?


    Sure.


    The girls name was Jenny, she was the guild leaders daughter.


    There was a certain stereotype, regardless of the era, that older men with a


    little wealth and influence often roamed outside. Jennys father was a prime


    example of this.


    The guild leaders daughter, huh?


    Jenny went to a corner of the guild and returned with a few wrinkled request


    papers.


    They looked like jobs that no one had taken, about to be discarded.


    It felt as if she was giving Ascal leftovers because he was a clueless


    neer.


    After all, newbies were the easiest to exploit.


    Thats fine by me.


    Knowing this, Ascal decided to y along. He hade today to seed in


    something challenging after all.


    The first one here is for mining, and the second is for farm work You seem


    capable of handling both, given your muscles. Theyre no joke, huh?


    Her ttery was transparent.


    Which of the two is more challenging and rewarding?


    Hmm, farm work. The soil is barren so crops dont grow well. Plus, were


    always short on manpower and its quite exhausting So, the pay is a bit I


    mean, gaining experience is what matters, right?


    Ascal epted the farming job.


    Determined to achieve sess in farming on the barrennd.


    I cant believe there is someone who epts that request.


    He seemed smart, tsk. Just looks good on the outside, huh?


    Hes going to work hard and probably wont earn a penny.


    ''Lets ignore the naysayers.''


    Fortunately, he didnt have to walk to the farm. Since no one had taken up the


    task for a long time and the guild seemed desperate, they provided him with a


    carriage.


    Itll take about 5 hours to get there. Once you arrive, show them this


    request, and theyll understand.


    As soon as Ascal boarded the carriage, it swiftly set off. There was an


    underlying feeling that they wanted to send him off quickly, in case he realized he


    had been fooled and wanted to escape.


    As the carriage pierces through the darkness and crosses the hilly path-


    youll arrive in the vige of Erindale to the west- Thatnd is cursed so


    no crops grow there- The livestock are starving to death- The vigers hold


    onto a thin thread of hope and barely survive-


    The coachman hummed.


    Is he singing or cursing?


    Quite some time had passed since they set off. After having some preserved


    food and water he brought, the carriage stopped at a vige.


    <b>-Erindale Vige-</b>


    The sign looked so old and fragile; it seemed like it would fly away with the


    slightest gust of wind.


    I dont see any people.


    Hmm, its because its nighttime. Weve arrived, so Ill be on my way.


    The coachman dropped Ascal at the vige entrance, snapped the reins, and


    disappeared beyond the horizon.


    It was night.


    Unlike his previous life, night was a time to be extremely cautious in this


    era.


    Without any light, one couldnt see even an inch ahead. If they


    encountered wild animals, they could easily go missing.


    Ascal held a somewhat expensive flint torch that hed bought and began


    searching for vigers.


    As he ventured deeper into the vige, he saw a ce lit up. There was a


    campfire, with smoke rising.


    Unsure if it might be dangerous, Ascal approached the campfire stealthily,


    muffling his presence.


    Voices of people discussing could be heard.


    Weve run out of food today.


    All the chickens, pigs, and cows have starved to death.


    What about the children? Even if we endure, how will they?


    Vige chief. We need to make a decision.


    They looked like a Native American tribe with their face painted.


    The one referred to as the vige chief suddenly stood up and dered,


    I will sacrifice myself. Eat me. It should tide us over for a few days.


    ...Chief!


    Ancestors, watch over me!


    The chief held up a long knife and closed his eyes.


    Wait! Just wait a moment!


    Startled, Ascal rushed into the space between them and the campfire.


    Who are you?


    In an instant, all eyes were fixed on Ascal.


    -Licked.


    It sounded like someone had just licked their lips in anticipation, but he


    must have been mistaken.


    Im here on a request from the guild.


    Is that true?!


    The chief dropped his knife, his face lighting up.


    But youre alone?


    The chiefs tone dropped again. It looked like he might pick up the knife hed


    just discarded.


    ...Ive brought some food with me.


    Our savior has arrived! Bring forth the savior of our vige!


    Whooooo!


    Sweat dripped from Ascals forehead.


    He came to ensure sess, but at first nce, this mission seemed far from


    easy.


    For the first time in his life, he might experience the failure.


    I can feel the acid churning in my stomach. Hehe.


    Ascal felt a thrill.


    [TN: The kings ears were donkeys ears: It''s an idiom used by Koreans when they have something to gossip about, they sometimes start the conversation by saying, ''       ?'' which trantes to, ''Hey, can I tell you a kings ear, the donkeys ear?'' This is akin to asking, ''Can I share a piece of gossip with you?''


    ***


    Also, just wanted to thank everyone who rated this novel after my request yesterday; you guys are the best. And, oh - I also created a Patreon: if you want to support me and read 3 chapters ahead of the release, don''t forget to check it out. Here''s the link: /OracleTls ]