Chapter 87

"Ah, it's Tou-chan!"

After finishing various consultations about equipment, Tou returned home to be greeted by Muu, who had her freshly washed hair curled.

She was riding a floating transport sled with pride on the road in front of the house.

"I'm back, Muu."

"Welcome back!"

The child, still holding the sled, ran over and, halfway through, skillfully jumped on and slid over.

Just as she was about to bump into his shins, Tou stopped her with his outstretched hand.

Bending down, Muu seized the opportunity to cling to his neck.

The child rubbed her soft cheeks against Tou's sparse stubble and laughed happily.

"It's prickly! Prickly Tou-chan!"

"Did you take a bath? Have you eaten?"

"Food? Not yet!"

"Then let's eat together."

It was already close to noon, and a delicious smell was wafting from inside the house.

Tou, who had picked up Muu with her soap-scented fragrance, skillfully lifted the sled with his toes.

Holding the child in his right hand and the sled in his left, he approached the door, which opened automatically from the inside.

The face that peeked out was Sora, wearing an apron, with a black cat on her right shoulder and a striped cat in her left arm.

"Oh, as I thought. Welcome back, Tou-chan."

"You knew I was back?"

"Hehe. This child usually wants to go outside when Tou-chan comes back. Look, let's welcome you, Shima-chan."

Saying this, the girl put the striped cat down and pushed it out the door.

Tou, surprised by the unexpected affection, threw the sled and Muu aside and reached out his hand.

The cat slipped past his hand.

Then, the black cat, which had jumped off Sora's shoulder, also slipped past Tou's feet.

The cats, having crossed the street, turned around and meowed softly at the base of the outer wall.

"We're going to play!"

At Muu's innocent translation, Tou hung his head in defeat.

"Don't be down, Tou-chan. Muu is with you!"

"Ah, I'm with you too!"

Holding Sora and Muu in both arms, Tou reluctantly headed to the kitchen.

Lunch was a steak made from rock lizard thigh meat, which had been marinated in finely chopped onions and slowly grilled, and a soup made from egg and bone stock.

The chewy meat and rich soup were so delicious that the table fell silent for a while.

Before they knew it, the leg they had brought back had disappeared into their stomachs.

While taking a break with herbal tea after the meal, Yuril, who had taken off her apron, asked hesitantly.

"Do you have any plans this afternoon, Tou-san?"

"Well, I was thinking of giving some lizard meat to the Sisan group or the Roruf group. Is something the matter?"

Tou, who had no intention of forming a complicated faction, still maintained relationships with the people he had met.

The recent group of four young people had finally graduated from the green oak level and were challenging the goblin cave several times.

The Thunder Brothers were still recruiting female magic users, but with no applications, they were still hiding in the Blood Flow River.

Another group, Betty and Godan, the lady and butler duo, had apparently dragged the twins Tapa and Tari into their party.

All four were already D-rank and said they would soon show their faces in the wilderness.

"Yes, actually, it's a good time, so I was thinking of going to the temple. I have a favor to ask, too."

As Yuril said this, she looked at the blue bouquet in the vase.

The blue crown grass brought back from the wilderness needed to be mixed into a blood-stopping and healing potion, which required the help of a pharmacist.

And the person Yuril knew, whose pharmacy was conveniently located in the Temple of Ice God Strazin.

The silver-haired beauty, with a slightly bashful upward glance, continued, her fingertips touching.

"If possible, could you come with me... I don't have the confidence to explain it well..."

"Oh, I see. I understand. I'll come with you."

To ask a familiar acquaintance to make medicine in a rejuvenated form was impossible.

The plan was to receive the priest rank first and then return to an age-appropriate appearance before meeting.

"Tou-chan, can I come too?"

"Don't worry, Tou-chan. Muu will come with you!"

"Sure. It's a good opportunity, so let's get it over with."

After finishing the cleanup and preparations, Tou and the others crossed the city wall together.

The inner gate, which is actually a passable building, is located beyond the moat bridge.

Inside, there is a long counter with several clerks and guards.

Anyone can enter the outer city from the inner city without restriction.

However, when it comes to the reverse, especially for adventurers, they need to go through procedures such as being asked their purpose and undergoing a body check.

Adventurers, with their well-trained bodies and various abilities, are far removed from ordinary people.

To prevent any trouble, the authorities manage them strictly.

One of the measures is the restriction on carrying weapons, but at higher ranks, adventurers can punch through stone walls with their bare hands, so it's more about not giving off a threatening presence.

With this in mind, the group was prepared to wait a bit, but thanks to the white and black adventurer cards, they were only asked a few cursory questions and easily passed through the checkpoint.

The girl, who had stepped into the inner city, tilted her head cutely and turned back to Tou.

"It feels a bit uneasy, doesn't it?"

"Is it? It's always like this at home, right?"

"Well, when you put it that way, it is..."

"What's wrong?"

"Being outside in this outfit, it feels fresh... Yeah, Tou-chan is really cool."

Sora's outfit today was a light sky-blue dress with a matching hair clip, which brought out her youthful charm.

The girl, unaware of the intense gazes from around, nodded while staring at Tou, who was wearing a neat half-sleeved linen shirt.

Tou, in his casual clothes, looked like just another middle-aged man, but Sora saw a completely different picture.

"Tou-chan, does Muu feel the same? Do you get lost in admiration?"

"Yeah, it suits you well."

Today, the purple-eyed child was dressed in an unfamiliar outfit.

She wore a small straw hat, a white shirt with thin shoulder straps, a red plaid skirt, and long stockings that covered her thighs.

Muu, pleased with the rare skirt, twirled around, holding the hem.

"Sometimes, a flowy skirt is nice! Tou-chan!"

"Don't ask for agreement on that."

"Oh, how about me, Tou-san?"

Yuril, smiling, was wearing a sleeveless, tight-fitting gray top and a black, tight knee-length skirt.

The color scheme was muted, but the outfit was eye-catching due to the body lines and exposed skin.

"It's my old school uniform. I got nostalgic... Is it strange?"

"No, it suits you wonderfully."

Upon reflection, the collar was neatly covered.

Tou, who didn't think it was a very teacher-like outfit, gave a safe response.

Walking straight through the inner gate, they arrived at a large square.

In the center was a prominent fountain, and large buildings lined the square.

Tou quickly picked up the child who was about to run towards the sparkling water.

"Let's play with the fountain another time."

"Muuuu!"

"Oh, Tou-chan. There's a statue! "

Seeing the statue of a man in front of a particularly prominent building in the square, Sora exclaimed excitedly.

The man was brandishing a long double-handed axe, poised to attack something.

"Oh, it's the chief's statue. He came to our house once before."

"Really? That old man?"

"Yep. He's probably working inside now."

The building near the statue was the town hall, which managed the administration of the entire border town.

As they crossed the square, Sora's eyes moved around happily.

"Is that so? Then, what about that big stone building?"

"That's the Temple of Service. The Earth God's temple."

"There are so many temples!"

"Sora doesn't seem to know much. Would you like me to explain a bit?"

"Please, I'd love to!"

It seemed like a familiar exchange.

The temples of the six major gods are built in many towns not only as a sign of strong faith but also because they play significant roles in people's lives.

The Temple of Liberation of Fire God Raphalit operates public brothels and gambling houses to liberate desires.

The Temple of Justice of Thunder God Gigiro has the authority to conduct trials and divine judgments.

The Temple of Healing of Water God Aluria provides medical care and accepts many injured and sick people.

The Temple of Trade of Wind God Rohe handles business mediation, personnel arrangements, and even postal and transportation services.

The Temple of Service of Earth God Gaidaros is responsible for construction and repairs, as well as fire prevention and firefighting.

And the Temple of Inquiry of Ice God Strazin, which Yuril worships, serves as a school and research facility for learning wisdom.

"Is that so? That's amazing!"

Sora, impressed, but lost for words as they stood in front of their destination.

Perhaps because of the long explanation, Tou and the others had somehow made their way to the south wall of the inner city.

In a place with poor sunlight and cheap rent, a building slightly larger than the surrounding houses stood.

The girl, who had imagined a grand structure from the solemn name of the Temple of Inquiry, was surprised.

But what actually stood there was a dilapidated two-story wooden building.

Muu, holding hands with Tou, looked up at the old building and exclaimed happily.

"Umm, it looks a bit shabby, Tou-chan!"

"Please, don't ask for agreement when it makes me hard to respond."