I followed Karamus as she guided us to the entrance . Inside, there were wooden pillars and the floor and counter were also made of wood . It was quite different from Japan in taste, and yet there was something nostalgic about it . I felt almost as if I’d been here before .
In any case, as it seemed like there was a lot to clear up and settle, I decided to stay for two weeks, just to be sure . Our room was the sixth door on the first floor . Room 106 .
Karamus opened the door so I was able to step in while still carrying Daniela . As always, there was a magic security device near the entrance . It was wooden on the outside, making it harmonious with the overall atmosphere of the inn . These things really came in all sorts of designs…it made me curious to see what it had originally looked like .
The rest of the room was filled with a sense of calmness that poured off from the warmth of the wood . But it was different from the inn in Valdorf, with its forest room . If anything, this room made you feel like you were ‘inside’ of the tree .
The ceiling was, of course, wood . The beautiful grains could look like frightening faces to some children, but I always liked them . It was tasteful and enjoyable to see how the grains could vary .
The table and chairs were low and also made of wood . Red cushions came with both chairs and looked very comfortable . The table had a worn look to it but was shockingly smooth to the touch .
A window was set at the far back of the room . When you looked outside, there was a scene quite different from what I saw behind the inn, and yet you could also see the same river . It was a relaxing sight, in any case .
I turned around and looked at the rest of the room . There was a toilet but no bathing room . Perhaps there was a public bath . Two beds . We had one very large bed in Replant, which made me feel that this arrangement was not the most satisfying for making out . However, at least the blankets were nice and soft . I put Daniela down on one of the beds for now .
“Does it please you?”
Karamus inquired after I had finished my inspection .
“It’s a nice room . I really like the use of wood . ”
“Oh, that is a relief . We like to show all the beauty that wood has to offer . You should really take a look at the rest of the building . ”
“I’m sure that I will when I have the time . ”
Miss Karamus smiled happily . Yes, she was cute and all, but surprisingly sadistic as well . I would have to be careful…
“Hmm? Is there something you want to say, Mister Asagi?”
“Not at all!”
Daniela didn’t wake up until the sun had set . I was listening to the sounds of crickets outside when I heard her get up .
“You’re finally up . ”
“Hm…where are we?”
“An inn . ”
“I see…”
She scratched her head as she scanned the room . Judging by her dull movements, she wasn’t wholly awake yet…
“…Yes, it is a good room . ”
“Yeah, I agree . ”
I got up from my chair and sat on my bed .
“We crossed the river after you fell asleep . And so we are here now . This place is called Usk . And then this guard caught us and asked me about what happened in Nicora . ”
“Hmm… The guards here are well-trained then . They were very quick . ”
“Well, there was a dragon and all . They must have seen it . ”
“That is true… And what then?’
I lifted my legs onto the bed and continued .
“Ah, I said I’d tell him everything he wanted if he would introduce me to a good inn . ”
“Haha . You do like to turn everything to your advantage, Asagi . ”
“Well, yeah . ”
It might sound a little stingy, but he had caught us while I was going to search for an inn . It was only normal for him to help me after taking so much of our time .
“So… I told him all about Eve, while you were busy sleeping . ”
“Hmm…”
“He wanted to know if we had the head . ”
“We do not . She was a horrible woman, but still one of my kind . And I would never take the head of one my own kind . ”
“I see… Well, you can tell that to Bacon at the guardhouse when you have time . Just tell him that you came with me, they should let you in . ”
“Mmm…alright . But more importantly, Asagi…”
Daniela looked serious as she sat up straight . I don’t know why, but I uncrossed my legs and straightened my posture as well .
“I am hungry . ”
“Well, I can’t say that I’m surprised . ”
In fact, having predicted this very thing, I had gone out while she was sleeping and searched for the food district . It was a kind of unique culture that every town had . A way for people of different backgrounds to communicate . Okay, maybe not .
I opened my bag and took out a paper box that contained fried noodles . It was different from what I was used to but looked very delicious . And now that I think of it, noodles weren’t exactly common here . Or was it that we were always too distracted by the meat?
“Here . Mysterious fried noodles . ”
“Mysterious what?”
It was still piping hot, and Daniela accepted it with a chuckle before climbing off the bed and sitting by the low table . It wasn’t the best table for eating, but better than the bed at least . I took out a box for myself and sat on the opposite side of the table .
“Let’s eat . ”
“Yes . ”
We said before slurping our noodles . I once heard that there are people who are incapable of slurping… I wonder if they also had trouble sucking through straws?
I pondered this question while eating . Hmm… Now that I think of it, I once read a novel where a Japanese person was sent to another world and started making soy sauce and miso… It was basically a cliche in those stories… But I had no idea how to make those, so it was no use trying . In any case, the sauce was delicious, and so I didn’t miss the old stuff . But if Matsumoto ever made some, I wouldn’t mind accepting a sample .
“Asagi, is there any more?”
“Hm? Ah, yeah . That was fast…wait a second . ”
I put my noodles on the table and went over to the bag which sat on my bed . There was some salted grilled fish that I had also bought at a food stall .
“Here . You don’t mind the bones, do you?”
“Aye, never bothered me . ”
Well, she probably didn’t mind anything as long as it was edible . She was a gluttonous beauty . But it was one of the things I liked about her . Now, to finish my own dinner . I stretched out a hand toward the table and froze .
“Uh, Daniela . ”
“Mmm…gg . . g…what?”
“Where’s my food?”
“Hm? You know where it is . ”
“Huh? Where?”
“Here, in my stomach . ”
“…”
Okay, I take it back . As far as being a gluttonous beauty, there was a lot of room for improvement .
After that, I ate the fish I had bought for myself and then we decided to go to the baths together . I had asked the person at the counter while Daniela was still sleeping, and was told that there was a public bath a short walk from the inn . It also wasn’t a mixed bath, so my safety was insured .
“Alright, see you later . ”
“Aye . ”
We separated at the doors and I went into the men’s bath . Because of the time, there were many customers here… Some looked like merchants and others Adventurers . There was a wide range of races as well . A mens festival, if you will… And so I took off my clothes to join them . It seemed a little risky to just toss my stuff into a basket, but then I saw that there was a guard standing watch . Still, I wasn’t quite comfortable with it… But no one else seemed to care . I guess I’d just have to get used to it .
I grabbed a towel and opened the door to an area full of heat, steam and older men . As those were not of particular interest to me, I quickly went about washing the wind dragon blood from my skin . If only I could use magic like Lauria . I thought wistfully, when an old man sat down next to me . I glanced at him while moving away in annoyance, but was then hit by a shocking realization . It was the strong-looking guard!
“It-it’s you!”
“Hm? Ah, you!”
He looked down at me with a happy expression .
“So you’ve come back then . ”
“Aye . My job is done now . I’m very grateful to you . It’s because you defeated the boss in Nicora that I was able to come back . ”
He said as he offered his hand .
“I’m Tames . Tell me your name . ”
“It’s Asagi . Welcome back . ”
“Asagi! Thank you!”
We shook hands in celebration . After that, we finished washing up and soaked in the baths and talked about the fight .
“I see…the dragon…you must be very strong…”
“It was just by chance . ”
“But you took its head in one…oh, never mind . ”
“By the way, what happened to the others?”
There were three of them . The fast one and the smart one .
“Ah, Sevan…the one who was blocking your path when we first met . He’s returned to the imperial capital to make a report . ”
“The capital?”
“Hm? Ah, did I not tell you? We work for the army . Well, in intelligence, any way . ”
Intelligence? Doesn’t that mean you work in secret? Should you be telling me this?
“I am sure that it is fine . But as you and Daniela defeated Eve, you may be monitored for a while . It’ll make things a lot simpler if you already knew what was happening, should you catch any of them . Don’t you think?”
“I see… I guess they’ll be wondering whether or not we’ll be a threat to the empire?”
“Something like that . ”
The empire wasn’t stupid . You killed Eve and freed Nicora . Hurrah! We can have peace now . That wouldn’t do, and it would only be a matter of time before someone took Eve’s place . They would have to find someone capable of governing the town . It would be a race against time, I think .
“Wasn’t there also another one? What happened to him?”
“Ahh…him . Weland was taken by a bandit’s arrow when we were fleeing . ”
“…I’m sorry . ”
I wanted to talk with him, but this was the kind of cruel thing that could not be avoided on a battlefield .
We finished our bath without talking much after that .
“Asagi, I’ll be returning to the capital as well . But if you ever find yourself there, let me know . I will do what I can to help . ”
“Thank you, Mister Tames . ”
“It’s nothing! Goodbye!”
He put on his clothes and casually raised his hand before leaving . We would be going to the capital eventually, and so I made a mental note about visiting him before leaving the changing room .
Daniela was already waiting for me . And like that, we took a midnight walk through Usk and returned to the inn for a long night of sleep .