Next morning, at the dining hall.
Charles and Lita had finished their breakfast and they were about to head out but Mrs. Pumpury stopped them.
"Are you really ok? You should take a day off if you're not feeling well," Mrs Pumpury said to Charles. She was worried about Charles as he was unconscious for two days and headed towards his work the next day.
Charles knew Mrs. Pumpury was concerned and wanted him to stay and relax for a day but he was sure of himself.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine," Charles said as he assured her.
"If you say so, dear," Mrs Pumpury said with a smile. "Take care of yourself now. Have a nice day at work."
"Thanks, Aunty, I will," Charles said with a smile.
_._
As they were heading the down the streets, Charles spotted the cute sisters and their mother.
'Thinking about it now, I didn't even know their name,' he thought to himself as he approached them.
Charles approached the cute sisters and their mother with a friendly smile. "Good morning!" he greeted them warmly. "I hope you're all doing well today."
The sisters looked up at Charles, their eyes wide with curiosity. Their mother smiled back at him. "Good morning, Mister," she replied. "We're doing fine, thank you for your help. We really appreciate it."
Charles nodded, his expression earnest. "I'm doing better, thank you. Listen, I've been thinking about your situation, and I wanted to offer you an opportunity. I own a shop nearby, and I could really use some extra help. Would you be interested in working with me?"
The sisters exchanged excited glances, and their mother looked pleasantly surprised. "Oh, Mister, that's very kind of you to offer," she said. "But we wouldn't want to impose or take advantage of your generosity. Besides you have helped us very much."
Charles shook his head. "Please, it's not about generosity. I genuinely believe you all have something valuable to bring to my shop. Besides, it would be a mutually beneficial arrangement. You'd earn some extra income, and I'd have the pleasure of working with such wonderful people."
The mother's eyes shimmered with gratitude. "That's thoughtful of you," she said. "We'd be happy to accept your offer. It would be a great opportunity for us."
Charles grinned. "Fantastic! I think you'll all be a wonderful addition to the team. Let's head over to the shop, and I can show you around and discuss the details."
_._
As they arrived at the shop, Charles and the other noticed the long line of adventurers waiting outside. "Wow, there are so many of them," Lita commented, realizing the unexpected popularity of their shop.
"More than expected," Charles just muttered, he didn't seem surprised at all. He turned to Lara and her daughter, the corner of his lips curled up, seeing their reaction.
Lara and her daughter looked at each other, clearly taken aback by the sight. "We didn't expect this," Lara admitted, her voice tinged with a mix of surprise and excitement.
Charles turned to Lita and smiled. "Looks like we have a busy day ahead, Lita. It seems we'll have to manage this rush on our own," he said, acknowledging that they didn't have any other employees to assist them.
Lita nodded eagerly. "No problem, Charles! We can handle it," she said confidently.
Together, Charles, Lita, Lara, and her daughter stepped into the bustling shop.
Lara and her daughter greeted each adventurer with warm smiles, creating a welcoming atmosphere.
Meanwhile, Charles and Lita took charge of assisting customers, guiding them in finding the weapons they needed and providing recommendations.
As the day progressed, the line of adventurers gradually diminished, with each customer leaving the shop satisfied with their purchases. Charles and Lita tirelessly attended to the needs of the customers, ensuring a smooth and efficient operation.
Lara and her daughter observed the teamwork between Charles and Lita, impressed by their dedication and expertise. They offered their assistance wherever they could, helping with minor tasks and ensuring the shop remained organized.
By noon, most of cuthe customers went on their quest and no more customers came.
"I want to thank all of you," Charles said sincerely. "Lara, Ai and Nu thank you for your warm greetings and making the customers feel welcome.
And Lita, your hard work and efficiency were instrumental in managing this rush. I couldn't have done it without you all."
Lara and her daughters exchanged appreciative smiles, their hearts warmed by Charles' gratitude. They hadn't expected such recognition for their efforts.
"It was quite an experience," Lara replied. "We're grateful to have been a part of it, even in a small way."
Charles reached into his pocket and pulled out a small pouch. Opening it, he revealed gleaming gold coins. He counted out 20 gold coins for each person and handed them to Lara, Ai, and Nu.
The mother-daughter pair were taken aback, their eyes widening in astonishment.
They had hardly seen a single gold coin in their entire lives, and now they were being given 20 for just a day's work.
Lara's eyes welled up with tears of gratitude as she held the coins in her hands.
"I... I don't know what to say," Lara whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "Thank you, Charles. This means so much to us."
Ai and Nu looked at their mother, their own eyes shimmering with a mix of joy and disbelief.
"Thank you, brother Charles," Ai said, her voice filled with genuine gratitude. "We've never had an opportunity like this before."
Nu nodded, her shy smile radiant. "Th-thank you," she stammered softly, clutching the coins tightly in her hand.
Charles smiled warmly, touched by their appreciation. "You've all worked hard, and this is just a small token of my gratitude. I hope it helps you on your journey towards a brighter future."
Charles also helped them with renting the place next to the shop as they didn't have anywhere else to stay.
The mother-daughter pair left shortly after they finished cleaning the shop.
Charles and Lita also headed towards the mountain after closing the shop.
After arriving there, Charles lay on Lita's lap under the shade of the tree. He didn't know why but he was feeling a little more tired than usual.
It could have been the side effect of Lucius entering his body or could be because his realm has dropped. Either way, he was feeling tired.
"Brat, you should practise your sword a little," Lucius said to Charles making him startled.
No matter how many times the cold voice ranges in his mind, he just could not get used to it.
"Just a little more," Charles replied and blocked him.
On the Other hand, Lita looked at Charles with affection as she cherished his hair.
The lovey-dovey couple were enjoying a moment of peace and tranquillity in the serene surroundings of the mountain. The gentle breeze rustled the leaves, and the distant sound of birdsong filled the air.
As Charles rested his head on Lita's lap, he closed his eyes, feeling the warmth and comfort of her presence. Lita's fingers ran through his hair, her touch soothing and gentle.
Meanwhile, Victoria had also come to the mountain hoping she would could meet Charles. She really regretted not asking for Charles's address.
"I wonder if he is here?" She muttered to herself, hoping he would be here. She had also come yesterday and the day before yesterday but she couldn't find Charles.
"Huh?" her eyes suddenly fell on Charles and Lita. She instantly hid herself, peeking at them from afar.
"Who is that girl? Is she his girlfriend? No, no she could be his sister but he is not from here."
As Victoria observed Charles and Lita from a distance, a mix of emotions flooded her heart.