Chapter 342: Finding the Cause

The next day, when I fearfully peeked into the office, the mountain of documents had quietly grown. Did Dee and the others seriously prepare that much paperwork in a single day?

Trembling with terror, I headed over to check the documents when someone appeared behind me.

“Fumu…… Good morning. You have come to work quite early today.”

The one who appeared was the Great Demon King of Terror…… no, the Head Butler.

“Esparda. I wonder why? Even though I processed such a massive amount of documents, it looks like a massive amount is piled up again…… Is this perhaps a dream?”

“It is reality.”

“Ah, yes.”

Brought back to reality by Esparda’s comment, which lacked even a hint of playfulness, I took another look at the documents. There, I saw a list of various requests in bullet points…… wait, what is this?

“Eh? These are the requests and opinions of the people living in Seatoh Village that we talked about yesterday? Why do we have them already? We haven’t even collected opinions yet, right?”

When I asked in confusion, Esparda spoke as if it were nothing.

“Hearing yesterday’s conversation, I compiled past opinions and such. For those already addressed, I have listed how they were handled in accordance with the requests. Until now, we dealt with opinions and requests as they arose, but I believe compiling them may allow us to address some issues in advance. First, regarding opinions and requests concerning daily life……”

Before I knew it, Esparda had smoothly transitioned into work. This is strange. I only stopped by to see how things were, yet for some reason, I’m now working.

“Esparda. My morning routine of a break with Till’s tea and snacks is……”

“Also, regarding our response to these opinions, we are seeing the adverse effects of our personnel shortage here as well. Our response is delayed due to a lack of manpower…… Hm? What is it?”

“It is nothing.”

Seeing Esparda fully in work mode, I gave up. As a wise and genius boy, I, Van, assessed the situation, made a flexible judgment, and decided to finish the work as quickly as possible so I could go play.

“Labor shortages are a real problem. But looking at this, I think I understand why people aren’t coming for the job. After all, it seems no one has come for the recruitment sign since yesterday.”

“Fumu, regarding that, I have found one probable cause. It is still just a hypothesis, however……”

“Eh!? What is the cause!?”

I am grateful that the cause is known. However, I hadn’t seen Esparda since yesterday, yet he was doing various things besides dealing with this mountain of documents? Just how much does this Head Butler work?

Harboring such complex emotions, I immediately asked for the answer. Esparda cleared his throat lightly before responding.

“This is based on information gathered under Lord Murcia, but I believe it is a plausible cause, so I shall report it.”

“From Brother Murcia? Well, they are short-handed all year round over there, too. Poor things.”

I’m a bad person for sympathizing despite being the one who sent people there. No, it should get easier soon. Not in the sense of death from overwork, but because personnel will be replenished, making the work easier. Sorry, brother.

As I was thinking that and making my comment, Esparda tucked his chin in slightly and continued his report.

“The civil officials we sent there have each been assigned one or two subordinates, and it seems opinions have surfaced from them. The content was, as expected, that having to perform various duties all by oneself is painful. It cannot be helped since we are increasing staff in a situation where we lack personnel, but there are many unfamiliar tasks, and they seem to be struggling to master them.”

“I see. So, hearing those rumors, no one wants to become a civil official……”

“It would seem so. In Seatoh Village and the adventurer town, people always see those who support the territory working. That figure likely appears to be one of grueling, heavy labor.”

Esparda stated his hypothesis matter-of-factly. At that, I involuntarily retorted fiercely in my mind.

In other words, doesn’t it look like I am having a terrible time? I have shown myself being hauled away by Esparda in front of everyone many times. Wait? If I think about it that way, doesn’t that mean the cause is that Esparda looks scary?

Thinking that in an instant, I cautiously spoke to Esparda.

“……Does that mean they feel sorry for me being forced to work by Esparda……?”

“No, that is likely not the case.”

It’s not?!

I retorted instantly in my heart. Esparda’s mysterious assertion made me want to say, “Don’t look away from the truth.” After all, no matter how you think about it, the issue of “Van working too much” must be whispered about in Seatoh Village.

“For the time being, until we find another cause, I believe it would be better to slightly change the content of the signboard. It would be best to convey that we will clarify the job details and have them focus on those specific duties for a while.”

“I see! So we are recruiting for specific roles. In that case, they certainly wouldn’t need to be anxious!”

When I voiced my agreement with his reasoning, Esparda nodded quietly.