LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 18 - Chapter 18: Back to the City
Chapter 18: Back to the City
Arrival at Triangular Rock.
First, as planned.
We were able to meet with Menas and the others safely.
As usual, we conducted our buying and selling of goods.
Afterward, we discussed the move from the city to Triangular Rock.
“Menas, thanks as always. As I mentioned earlier, I might rely on you this time. I feel bad for adding to my debt without being able to repay much, but I apologize.”
“Oh no, you don’t have to worry about that at all. Feel free to rely on us anytime.”
“Hey, Bonus! …What’s that thing you’re bringing along? There’s a lot of fur sticking out of your robe, isn’t there?”
Edda interjected with a curious expression. Well, that’s to be expected.
“As Edda said, it’s grown. …Imp.”
“Grown… Seriously? You’re kidding, right?”
“I was curious too, but is that the same Imp I handed over before?”
“Gyau? Gyagyau~”
It seems Menas was also curious. …Even the other members of the caravan have gathered. Everyone was indeed curious.
“That’s right. Somehow, a few days ago, it turned out like this when I woke up in the morning.”
“Gyagyau gyau gugyaagyau! Gugya!”
“I’ve been traveling for a long time, but I’ve never seen such a Imp.”
“Jeda, have you seen it too?”
“Well, there are quite a few types of Imps, so it might just be individual differences… No, it does seem different.”
“Was there any trigger for this?” I debated how much to explain to Menas. Whether to mention being attacked outside the city the other day. Since three people died normally… Well, I’ll just blur out Pink’s part and tell everything.
“Actually…” I briefly explained about the attack the other day. Menas wasn’t particularly surprised that I was attacked and repelled. It seems that here, human life is lighter than one might imagine. However, she was genuinely surprised that Kuro repelled the attackers. It seems that’s something beyond Menas’ common sense. First of all, it seems impossible for an Imp to voluntarily repel attackers. And besides, actually repelling them is surprising.
“Generally, individual Imps are weak enough that even children can defeat them, and it seems entirely abnormal for them to kill two adults, even if they are thugs.”
“I don’t know if I should be happy about it or not… I’ve seen many Imps in my trade. However, this case is the first time. I don’t know what will happen, so please observe carefully for a while just in case.”
“I understand, Menas-san. But personally, I’m really grateful that you handed Kuro over to me. She’s more than just a hit; she’s a really good girl.”
“Gyagyagyau!”
“I’m glad you said that.”
“In fact, it’s like indirectly saving my life.”
If we’re going to reach the city by the end of today, we should leave here soon. It’s fine to stay here, but we’ve fulfilled the requirements we planned. Should we leave now?
“Well then, I’m going now. I want to get to Savoia by the end of the day.”
“Let’s meet again another day.”
“See you later!”
We said goodbye to the others and headed to the city. Menas and the others seem to be going to the Tamir Empire from tomorrow.
“Then let’s go to Savoia.”
“Gugya!”
Unexpectedly, there was a moment of tension at the checkpoint. It took some effort to make them understand that Kuro was an Imp. They doubted even when I showed them her horns through her bushy hair. In the end, they were convinced when I showed them her jagged teeth. Every time I enter the city, I think it’s a hassle. It might be easier to just pay taxes as a human than to risk causing trouble.
I’ll find an inn first. There are three conditions. Being able to leave my luggage safely. Having a cooking area where I can use fire. And being able to stay for less than 5000 reis per night. I have to work hard while I still have the strength… Let’s start looking around the vicinity of Misharl Market. This area has relatively good public order. There are good shops on Artisan Street where you can stay cheaply and safely… No good… I can’t find it. Moreover, cheap inns don’t even have proper signs, so they’re hard to find. Even normal inns don’t have a unified sign, so you can’t tell if it’s a tavern or an inn. I might as well ask a nearby artisan.
“Hey, mister over there! I need your help, is that okay?”
“Huh?”
I seem to be like a suspicious tout… No one is willing to talk to me. The city is tough.
“I’m really sorry to bother you when you’re busy! Is there no decent cheap inn around here? I’ve been looking for a place to stay since earlier…”
“Huh? An inn… um… yeah, there’s a cheap one.”
I approached a man who seemed easy to talk to, about six times, and finally got a decent answer. He looks scary, but he seems like a good person.
“That’s a relief!”
“It’s over there, that building with the red door. That’s the inn.”
“Thank you! My name is Bonus, and starting from tomorrow, I’ll be running a shop at the market. Feel free to drop by! I’ll provide some service!”
“Oh, really? What are you selling?”
“Just some unique drinks and sweets.”
“I see. If you’re offering a service, I might drop by.”
“Thank you! I appreciate it!”
“Yeah. Well then.”
With those parting words, the burly artisan quickly walked away. He might seem gruff, but somehow, he’s the type everyone likes.
For now, I’ll head to the red door and peek inside to see what’s going on. Since there are hardly any windows, I can’t see inside at all. Well, might as well go in.
I push open the red door and step inside.
“Welcome.”
“Welcome.”
Two old ladies with similar faces greet me in unison. They’re wearing red and green clothes respectively, but apart from that, they seem identical.
“Hello, is this an inn?”
“Yeah, it is. Are you staying?”
“It’s 3500 rei per night.”
“We don’t serve meals. Firewood is extra, but there’s a kitchen in the back.”
“It’s 100 rei per bundle.”
“Our rooms are clean.”
The red and green ladies take turns giving out bits of information. It feels like I’m being subjected to some kind of psychological experiment.
“That sounds good. Can you also hold onto luggage?”
“Yeah, of course we can hold luggage.”
“Only if you’re staying.”
“We can hold it even if you’re not staying, but it’ll be extra.”
“In that case, I’ll stay.”
The red lady retrieves a notebook from under the counter. Its cover is pitch black. It seems like something bad might happen if I write my name in it.
“Alright, could you tell us your names, both of you?”
“Oh, um, I’m Bonus. And… actually, this little one here is an imp.”
“Huh? That thing’s an imp?”
“I’ve never seen an imp like that before.”
“Are you sure it’s really an imp?”
“Well, it’s a bit odd, but see, it has horns on its head. Also… Kuro, open your mouth.”
“Gyaaah!”
As Kuro opens her mouth wide, her eyeballs strangely roll upwards. It’s creepy, so I wish she wouldn’t do that.
“Oh my. Well, that certainly confirms it.”
“Yeah, that’s quite the strange imp.”
“Well, if you’re sharing a room, one person’s payment will suffice.”
“That helps. Alright then… Here’s 3500 rei.”
“Thank you! You’ll be using the room with the same picture as the wooden sign.”
I’m handed a wooden sign with a silhouette of male genitalia carved into it. Is this inn okay…? Suddenly, I’m feeling quite uneasy. Maybe there’s some sacred meaning to this shape in this world. Let’s try not to think too deeply about it.
“Please make yourselves at home! Your room is upstairs, straight ahead.”
“Make yourselves at home! It’s the room on the right.”
“Thank you very much!”
“Gyaaah! Gyaagyaagyaagyaa!”
I’m not sure if this inn is good or bad, but at least I found a room that meets my criteria. First, I’ll check out the room and the kitchen. The room is about four and a half tatami mats in size, with a modest bed, desk, and chair. Once I’ve put my luggage down, there won’t be much room to move around, but it should be sufficient. The kitchen is in the courtyard. There are several hearths lined up under a shelter facing the courtyard. There’s also a well, so it seems like there’s water available. This is even better than I expected. It might be easier to cook here than at the hideout. With the inn checked, I quickly leave my luggage and head out. If I’m going to open the shop tomorrow, I need to visit the carpenter’s workshop and the mercenary agency today.