Loop Mob – A Mob’s Interdimensional Travel Caught in a Loop

Chapter 35: Charlois Territory

Although I received an invitation from Professor Kabaneru to visit the Charlois territory, I decided to refrain from it during the winter break, at least for now. Instead, I needed to obtain the Appraisal Skill. Last time, the message popped up saying, “Acquire by thoroughly appraising and identifying 1,000 types of items,” but I wondered how much this “thoroughly appraising” entailed. For the time being, I smoothly tackled the task by telling my parents that I wanted to “help with organizing the warehouse.”

“Barten weave rugs, unit: ㎡, price: 25,000 gold/㎡, quantity: 32.”

I organized the inventory, documented details on pieces of wood from the ledger, and hung them in front of the inventory. The format was unified to match the feeling of the Appraisal Skill. Although there might be some discrepancies between the ledger and what I saw with the appraisal, I wanted to believe that I wouldn’t be compelled to redo everything like last time.

While the previous work was trial and error, this time, I simply followed what I did three years ago, so it was finished in a matter of days. And successfully, I obtained the Appraisal Skill. It’s much more relaxed than last time, but I’ve learned. It’s okay to be casual. No matter how neatly organized, multiple people will be moving inventory regularly. Perfection should not be sought. Unlike the past life, this world is quite laid-back.

As I improved my grades and helped the trading company, my parents were appreciative, but my brother was resentful. However, it’s about time for my brother to realize. He’s not good at diligent work and seeks freedom. After all, he has the Wind attribute, and attributes and personalities are somewhat linked. On the contrary, I don’t find repeated tasks like leveling up or organizing the warehouse painful, so it’s better to leave those tasks to someone who excels in them. Business owners are like that.

But he’s still only 20, a second-year employee. He must have his own struggles. In the first place, his troubles began when he associated with troublesome friends during his student days. Originally, we weren’t such bad brothers, but he started hanging out with unruly friends, lowering his evaluation from those around him. I hear he’s now making a fuss with the bar’s older sister. It might be meddling in his friendships, but one should be careful around women. I keenly felt this watching Professor Kabaneru in the previous loop.

My thoughts wandered.

I told my parents that I joined the agricultural research club to make use of the Earth attribute and am researching emergency crops. And during the summer break, I want to go to the Charlois territory to help the professor. Father, being conservative, had a lukewarm reaction to things that didn’t seem to benefit the trading company, but he seemed to be in a good mood after the warehouse organization. It was approved with the condition of not going too wild while still a student.

Time passed, and it was summer break. I, accompanied by Professor Kabaneru, visited the Charlois Viscount’s mansion.

“Well, welcome from a distant place! Welcome back, Clement-kun.”

For a noble mansion, it seemed modest. A plump woman welcomed us from inside. She was Corinne, the head maid. She seemed to be a second mother to Professor Kabaneru.

On that day, dinner was held in the main mansion, and we were welcomed by the current head of the Kabaneru Viscount, Professor Kabaneru’s uncle, and his family. I felt apologetic, but originally, I was the son of a wealthy merchant, and in the previous loop, I worked in a “tower” full of nobles. I’m well-versed in how to handle nobles. I had gathered information about their family composition in advance and prepared thoughtful gifts. Although Professor Kabaneru said, “We’re not such a formal family, so don’t worry about it,” people still notice. The Viscount was friendly throughout, but he occasionally inserted sharp inquiries. I managed to handle them successfully, and it seemed I gained a certain level of trust.

I was tired. I never get used to this, no matter how many times I do it. I deeply feel that I’m not cut out for nobility. It’s good to be a commoner.

The next day, I was promptly taken by the professor to visit the viscount’s farm. An endless expanse of harvested wheat fields spread out in the summer sun. In the distant hilly area, I could see a vineyard. And in a corner of the vast estate, near the farming shack, a section with different crops planted in rows. There, a small figure in overalls and a straw hat stood.

“Welcome back, Lord Clement!”

Noticing us, the person stood up, and I was surprised. It was a woman.

“I’m home, Carol. Let me introduce you. This is Alexei-kun, my student. Alexei-kun, this is Carol. She’s my cousin.”

“Pleased to meet you. I’ve been in your care, Professor.”

“A wonderful guest. I’m Carol, don’t be so reserved. Now, let’s have tea over there.”

The professor referred to it as a farming shack, but it was like any normal farmhouse, and it was even a proper log house. Carol-san, with her practiced hands, prepared mint tea for us. The summer in this country is dry and crisp, with a pleasant breeze flowing through the open windows.

“As I wrote in the letter, he proposed the cooking and distribution of crops.”

“Well, that’s lovely. Alexi-san, you’re truly excellent.”

“Uh, well…”

She took off her straw hat, and she was very charming. She neatly tied her abundant blond hair, and without any makeup, her natural features were well-defined, exuding a refreshing allure. Moreover, she continuously complimented everyone with phrases like “lovely,” “wonderful,” and “amazing” throughout, all very naturally. This kind of person, you might just fall for. I’ve been taken to an entertainment cabaret in my past life, but Carol-san is much more captivating than the dazzling night butterflies.

After that, information exchange between Professor Kabaneru and Carol-san began. It seems they regularly exchanged letters, and while the professor was at the academy, Carol-san worked on the farm here, collaborating to advance their research. I felt left out of their intimacy. Huh? What’s that about?

Later, we were allowed to visit the experimental farm, and it concluded. Regarding the quality of the crops, there seemed to be no problems as far as I could appraise. Occasionally, I casually pointed out things like watering too much or insufficient thinning, and we returned to the main mansion together.

Carol-san was also present for dinner. Properly dressed, she changed from work clothes to a dress. Carol-san looked like a lady who wouldn’t be embarrassed anywhere.

“Um, you know, Carol, who always used to follow after Clement.”

“Oh, uncle. When are you talking about?”

“Even though she’s turning twenty this year, she’s still immersed in gardening and shows no sign of getting married.”

“Father!”

Carol-san was sulking between Viscount Clement and his brother, in other words, her father, Viscount Clement’s baron. This is déjà vu, isn’t it? It’s that kind of situation.

“Carol is like my sister. I wanted to introduce her to Alexi-kun.”

“Huh.”

A sister, huh? I returned a dry smile. No wonder the engagement didn’t work out in the previous loop. It makes sense; Professor Kabaneru mentioned the ideal conditions for a woman he was looking for: someone who enjoys gardening together. And she should be beautiful, have a good disposition, and have admired the professor since childhood. Just get together already!

I admired her, and next thing you know, unrequited love. That’s just how the world works.