Helping with Adventurer Party Management - Chapter 331

For a while, we, the outsiders, can do nothing but watch.

The mother comes rushing in from the back of the room, screaming as she slaps Elan. The father follows, punching him, and the sister joins in with a slap of her own. Then, amidst all the commotion, everyone hugs Elan as he apologizes for worrying them.

During this chaotic reunion, Kiriku and I simply step back a few paces, making sure not to get in the way, while Sara can only watch, tears in her eyes.

The noise echoes through the stairwell, and with the door wide open, neighbors peek out to see what’s going on. It’s a confusing and overwhelming situation.

Should we come back later? I wonder, but then I think that Elan might not have anywhere else to go if we don’t clear things up with his family.

As I hesitate, Elan’s family, now a bit calmer, invites us in. “Please, come in. We apologize for causing so much trouble.”

I hesitate a moment but respond, “It’s fine. We can come back later if you’d prefer.”

But they insist, saying, “We’d like to know the details about our runaway son,” so I decide it’s best to go in.

◇　◇　◇　◇　◇

Elan’s house is, in many ways, the home of an ordinary middle-class citizen.

It’s a stylish residence in a second-class block, with beautiful white plaster, well-polished wooden floors, and flowers arranged by the windows.

The shutters near the ceiling let in plenty of light, and the guest room, with its large table and chairs, is designed as a comfortable and elegant space suitable for welcoming visitors.

“It’s a nice house,” I say, almost absentmindedly, as if I’m visiting a friend’s new home.

“Yes, a home is the foundation of a family. A good home makes for a good family,” Elan’s father replies.

I then explain everything I know about the situation.

Elan had been scolded at the shop for drawing a picture and had run away. Afterward, he became a low-level adventurer, earning pocket money by hunting slime cores. I noticed him when the guild was looking for people with drawing skills. I persuaded Elan to return to the merchant family, as it seemed unlikely he would make it as an adventurer.

Elan’s parents are surprised by each detail of the story. Though they didn’t strike him, they give him stern looks, and Elan, shrinking as small as he can in his chair, looks regretful.

After I finish telling Elan’s story, it seems that his family is so shocked that they’re exhausted. They make tea and take a moment to rest.

Perhaps because they view me as their benefactor, they serve a particularly fragrant tea.

As I sit resting and looking around the room, a painting on the wall catches my eye. It depicts a drawing-room table with a family sitting around it. The painting isn’t particularly skilled, but there’s something oddly memorable about it.

“Is that by any chance…?”

“Yes, it’s Elan’s drawing. He’s been drawing since he was a child… I allowed it as a hobby, with the hope that he’d turn it into a successful business, but this time…”

Then the mother, who had been listening quietly up until then, bows deeply and says, “Thank you so much for helping my son!”

It seems that Elan has finally realized how much worry he’s caused others. Gone is the sullen attitude he showed when I first asked him his age. He is now completely humbled, shrinking into himself.