The Man Picked Up By the Gods (Reboot)

Chapter 149: Crime and Punishment… After (4/4)

…The actions of the bandits are no different. They have to be judged, and then atone for their crimes.

I don’t like the behavior of the men yesterday and I don’t feel like employing them.

But what about after they atone for their crimes?　What if they have a change of heart?

If they’ve really had a change of heart, then wouldn’t it be fine to give them a second chance.

At least that’s what I think.

“And that’s why you’re going to hire them.” [Willieris]

“No. I haven’t decided that yet… First of all, unlike the slum people, they have actually committed a crime. Although they’re former convicts, deciding to hire them on my own won’t do. Not only is there the issue of risk management, I would also be ignoring my current employees. That’s why if I’m going to be hiring them, I will have to interview them first, explain to the employees, bow my head, and then get them to agree.

I could also have the former convicts tend to a new store instead, but before anything else, I first need to confirm: 1. What crimes they’ve committed. 2. Why they committed them. 3. And if they’re planning to turn over a new leaf. There are all sorts of crimes too…” [Ryouma]

For example, although those bandits were cowards, they knew enough to avoid killing someone. I spoke quite a bit with one of them, and I think there might be room for rehabilitation. But there are people who don’t think anything of committing crimes… An extreme example would be someone who enjoys killing people. Those type of people are definitely out of the question. I’ll limit my former convict employees to those who I feel have reflected over their actions and have turned over a new leaf. Maybe I’ll limit the acceptable crimes to just misdemeanors too.

“I should probably get someone else to handle the interviews too… I’m too biased toward the former convicts.” [Ryouma]

“…I get what you want to say, but… Seriously. You’re such a busybody. Just when I thought you’d made a clean decision to hand the bandits over to the guards, you’re suddenly thinking of what to do after they’re let out.” [Kirillel]

That might be true.

I gave them up to the guards and now I’m thinking of helping them.

If someone wants to say that my actions are contradictory, I have no words to refute with.

But that’s what it means to be human.

Humans have always been doing things as they please, just doing whatever is convenient for them.

And I too am one of those humans.

“This is this and that is that.” [Ryouma]

“Isn’t it fine? You’re in the position to do so anyway. Moreover, no matter what the reason is, looking back on your actions and reflecting, and then thinking about other people isn’t a bad thing. But you shouldn’t saddle yourself with so much.” [Willieris]

“Thank you very much, Willieris-sama… For the mean time, I think I’ll talk about this incident with my assistant-manager.” [Ryouma]

Whether I go through with it or not, everything starts from there.

Now that I think about it… It has already been over half a year since I spent three years in that forest after coming to this world and left for town. I now have an objective. To go to the Great Shurus Forest and retrieve the inheritance of my grandmother. But to that end, I need to be a C Ranker first. Although I’m taking it one step at a time, I am progressing with my preparations. If I manage to prepare everything early, I should be able to go next year.

But after that, then what?　What reason am I living for?　What will I use my money and power for?

I don’t want to keep working without a goal just so I can keep on making a living.

Although my environment and work are different, what I’m doing won’t be different from my previous life.

It won’t be long before I spend my fifth year in this world, and yet I still don’t have a long-term goal.

But as vague as it may be, if possible, I’d like to use my abilities for something that would be useful to others.

“…In Japan, there’s a saying ‘if there is a god who will abandon you, then there will also be a god who will pick you up [1].’ If there’s someone who will abandon others in this world, then there will also be someone who will save others…” [Ryouma]

Rurutia and the others picked me. That’s why I’m here today.

I’m able to spend my days happily now. That was an unthinkable thing back in my previous life.

“That’s why I want to thank you.” [Ryouma]

“Ryouma-kun…” [Rurutia]

“I don’t know what will happen to me in the future, but I too would like to be on the side of taking others in…” [Ryouma]

As I said those words from the bottom of my hears, that usual gentle light began to cover me.

“Out of time, huh. Alright. I’ll be off then.” [Ryouma]

“Yes. Do your best.” [Rurutia]

“I pray that fortune will grace you. Next time, I’ll introduce my husband to you.” [Willieris]

“I’ll watch over you from time to time too. Someday let’s have a match.” [Kirillel]

“Thank you very mu—” [Ryouma]

“Da!” [Kirillel]

When I was about to thank the two goddesses, Kirillel-sama suddenly yelled.

“You’re too stiff!” [Kirillel]

“Ryouma-kun, haven’t you had enough time to get used to us yet?” [Willieris]

…I understand.

“Thank you. Willieris. Kirillel.” [Ryouma]

“Now that’s more like it!” [Killieris]

“Fu fu fu. Do take care until the next time we meet.” [Willieris]

“Wait a moment!　How come you didn’t call my name—” [Rurutia]

My consciousness went back to my body…

[1] – This is the same ‘pick up’ as in the title. I wrote it this way to give the title nod, but another way to put is ‘take in’. So the sentence will read as: In Japan, there’s a saying ‘if there is a god who will abandon you, then there will also be a god who will take you in[1].’

Tl Note: Looking at it now, perhaps ‘The Man the Gods Took in’ or ‘The Man Adopted by the Gods’ or ‘The Man Saved by the Gods’ might actually be better titles.