Ads

The Paper User: Exiled for a ‘Trash Skill,’ Awakens True Power and Rises with Two Unique Skills - Chapter 14

on

Chapter 14 : Flora and Lilith

The next day, I handed over two large gold coins to Director Flora in one of the orphanage’s rooms.

“Huh…?”

Director Flora’s eyes went wide at the sight of the thick, heavy coins engraved with a dragon.

“This is so much money… Where did you get this?”
“I sold some monster materials from a job as an adventurer. They went for a high price.”
“A high price, sure, but…”
“Don’t worry. I’m not donating everything I earned.”
“Even so, I can’t accept something like this.”

Director Flora tried to hand the coins back to me.

“This is money you earned doing dangerous work, right?”
“Exactly. And because it’s important, I want you to use it for the orphanage.”

I looked around the room.
The window glass was cracked, and the faded sofa had a tear in one of the cushions.

“The orphanage is falling apart. You can use this to fix it up.”
“But still…”
“It’s fine. Buy some new clothes for the kids too.”
“…Thank you.”

Wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes with wrinkled hands, Director Flora gave me a warm smile.

“Yakumo-kun. I’m proud to have raised such a kind child like you.”

Hearing those words filled me with happiness.

I want to earn even more money.
Someday, I’ll buy the land this orphanage sits on so Flora-san won’t have to pay rent anymore.

As I stepped into the hallway, Lilith came running over to me.

She stared wide-eyed at my outfit, her gaze fixed on the pockets.

“Did you get new clothes?”
“Nah, they were a gift—from Almine.”
“Almine?”

Lilith’s golden eyebrows twitched slightly.

“Oh, she’s the leader of the new party I joined.”
“Huh? Weren’t you with the Holy Sword Order?”
“Yeah, well… about that—”

I explained how I’d been expelled from the Holy Sword Order and ended up joining Almine’s party.

“…So that’s what happened.”

Lilith looked at me with concern in her eyes.

“Are you okay? Isn’t your party taking on dangerous jobs?”
“It’s the same, even if I were in a big guild.”

I gave her a smile and gently placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Being an adventurer always comes with risk. But that danger is what makes the pay good too.”

“Still, your life is worth more than money.”
“Yeah, I don’t plan on dying anytime soon, so I won’t do anything reckless.”
“Really? Back when we were attacked by goblins in the forest, didn’t you try to fight them off with a tree branch? You got seriously hurt, remember?”
“That was when I was ten!”

I puffed out my cheeks in mock annoyance.

“Besides, I figured I could hold them off long enough for a nearby adult to show up.”
“Even so, it was a close call. You should’ve just run and left me behind.”
“No way I could do that.”

I gave her a light tap on the head.

“You’re a precious friend—more like family to me.”

“…Friend and family, huh.”

Lilith looked slightly downcast.

“A-Anyway, about this Almine girl—what’s she like?”
“Let’s see… She’s a year older than me, so seventeen. She’s a C-rank adventurer and also an alchemist. She has a magic circle engraved in her right eye, which lets her cast spells faster. So when she fights without holding back, she’s really strong.”
“No, not like that… I mean, what does she look like?”
“Her appearance? Hmm… She’s got pink hair, and she’s about five centimeters taller than you.”
“…Is she pretty? Or more of a cute type?”
“That kind of depends on who you ask, I guess.”
“What about her chest? Is it bigger than mine?”
“Chest? Uh… Yeah, I think it’s bigger than yours.”

The moment I said that, Lilith’s cheek twitched.

“I-I see… Is that so.”
“Wait, why are you so curious about her chest?”
“That’s…!”

Lilith pressed her hand against her own chest and glared at me.

“Whatever! You’re such an idiot, Yakumo!”

She puffed out her cheeks and stormed off.

…What was that all about?

She gets mad sometimes for no clear reason, and I honestly have no idea what sets her off.
If only she’d just tell me why she was angry…

I tilted my head and scratched it in confusion.

📝 Translator’s Notes:

  • 大金貨 (Large Gold Coin): Equivalent to a high-value currency, often used to show significant earnings.

  • Almine's engraved eye: A magical enhancement technique, typical of alchemists or advanced mages in fantasy settings.

  • Lilith’s reactions: Classic tsundere behavior—mixed feelings, jealousy, embarrassment, and denial are played up for humorous effect.


Comments

Post a Comment