Chapter 54

Since I was a child, I've never experienced motion sickness, so doing odd jobs in a carriage was a perfect way to pass the time.

Iron ores were gradually turning into iron balls, and with that, the level of my apprentice alchemist was also rising.

I'm now at level 14.

When I reached level 10 as an apprentice alchemist, I learned the skill of metal appraisal.

It seems that metal appraisal can also be applied to processed equipment like weapons and armor.

[Steel: An alloy of iron and carbon. Produced by intermediate alchemists.]

This was displayed when I saw a steel sword. Additionally, five new recipes were added.

I was shown a fire dragon fang sword, but since it wasn't metal, I couldn't appraise it. When I was shown a short sword, I found out it was made of iron.

By the way, a goblin sword is apparently made of a special metal called goblin iron.

"Magic metal, you see. Metal that has been bathed in the blood of many monsters can sometimes mutate. However, such occurrences are rare, and most of the magic metals circulating in the world are dropped by monsters in dungeons. As an alchemist's level increases, it's said that they can combine magic metals to create new magic metals, known as magic alloys."

"Wow, Caro, you know a lot... So, is goblin iron a valuable type of iron?"

"No, since all the goblin iron bars dropped by hobgoblins are goblin iron, it's not valuable. It's said to be slightly weaker than regular iron, so pure iron is more valuable."

"...Oh, I see."

That's disappointing.

My MP had fallen below half, so I decided to take a break.

I can't practice sword swings in the carriage, and I need MP to increase my magic proficiency.

"If only there were a potion to easily recover MP."

"Mana potions are very rare because they are hoarded by the nobility and the wealthy."

The nobility and the rich hoard mana potions.

They use mana potions to cast spells and level up.

Therefore, many top-tier mages, sorcerers, and alchemists are the children of the wealthy.

"Hoarding... Hoarding is not good, is it?"

When I muttered this, Haru, who was sitting in the driver's seat, joined the conversation.

"Yes, that's right. The reason the Adventurer's Guild doesn't buy materials from non-adventurers is due to the hoarding by merchants in the past."

In the past, before the Adventurer's Guild existed, merchants would individually hire adventurers and gatherers to collect herbs and monster materials.

However, adventurers who didn't know the market prices were often underpaid.

To protect the status of adventurers, the Adventurer's Guild was established.

However, merchants didn't like this and began to hoard potions and other items necessary for adventurers.

Merchants tried to sell these items at several times their normal price, but adventurers boycotted the purchases.

During this time, a large number of monsters appeared, and many adventurers who fought them died.

Many of them could have been saved if they had potions.

After that, the Adventurer's Guild began to exclude merchants and potion makers, and eventually stopped buying materials from non-adventurers.

"However, it's been over 300 years, and now the Alchemist's Guild and the Adventurer's Guild have a much friendlier relationship, so the restrictions have been relaxed. The Adventurer's Guild even tacitly allows loopholes, such as having a master sell materials through an agent."

Until now, I've only been leveling up combat-related jobs, but considering a non-combat life, it would be convenient to level up production-related jobs.

At least, there's no risk to my life.

Ah, but Haru seems to prefer a combat lifestyle.

The carriage road continues, but the slope has become a bit steeper.

It seems we've entered a mountain road.

In Japan, mountains are usually covered with trees, but here, it's a rocky mountain with grass, flowers, and low trees, but no tall trees.

It must be like Mount Fuji.

Once, my family talked about climbing Mount Fuji to the fifth station, but Mili strongly refused to climb it, so the trip to Mount Fuji was canceled, and we ended up going to Hamamatsu to eat eel.

Thinking about it now, I can understand Mili's view that Mount Fuji is something to see, not to climb, but that was the first and last time I saw Mili being so stubborn.

"There's an inn village ahead. We'll stay there tonight and go to the dungeon tomorrow."

"Ah, so this is Mount Gomaki. Haru, can you see the village?"

"No, I can't see the village yet. However, I can smell the scent of life, so it should be visible soon."

"Scent of life?"

Is it different from the smell of humans?

"The smell of burning firewood, baking bread, and other scents of people living."

I see.

Haru really has a good nose.

As she said, the village soon came into view.

Unlike Floren and Velasra, it's a very small village called Gomaki Village with a population of about twenty people.

It's named after the mountain.

It takes two days by carriage to reach the border town of Dakyat to the southeast or the border town of Korat to the southwest, so travelers and merchants aiming for both countries stay here.

That means, if we go to the dungeon tomorrow and return, we'll have to camp out the night after tomorrow.

At the entrance to the village, a line of carriages was parked. Apparently, it's a caravan heading to Floren.

Since they have their luggage on the carriages, they park them there instead of in the stables.

There was a stable, and we decided to leave our horse there.

I haven't thought of a name for the horse yet.

I asked Haru to remind the horse not to misbehave, and the three of us got off the carriage.

By the way, the fee for leaving the carriage is 10 cents until the morning after tomorrow, and the fee for leaving the horse depends on the horse's species. I just found out that a white horse, or an Arc Horse, costs 50 cents (including feed). The total is 60 cents, so I handed over six bundles of 10 copper coins and received a receipt.

"Still, what a fine horse. It's a far cry from that slow donkey this morning."

The stable's brown-haired uncle commented on the white horse.

"Slow donkey?"

"Yeah, this morning, a strange couple came and left a small but very hungry slow donkey here. They left the village in the afternoon, but the donkey ate half the hay in the stable. I'm in the red."

No doubt, it was Jofre and Elise.

They must have left on their journey without staying at an inn last night.

They're really tough.

But, I'm sure they continue their difficult journey with smiles.

"Did they say where they were going?"

"They said they were heading south."

"I see."

I had a feeling we'd meet again, but it seems we'll meet soon.

However, since we'll be staying here for a day, I don't think we'll catch up to them immediately.

"By the way, does this place have any specialty dishes?"

"Yeah, the stew made with goat's milk and flour is excellent. If you go to the inn, they'll make you eat it whether you like it or not."

"I see, thank you."

Goat's milk stew.

Yeah, when you're traveling, you should definitely try the local specialties.

Although it's called an inn village, it's a small village.

There's only one inn.

There were other horses in the stable, so there must be other guests.

"Welcome, three of you? If you have slaves, I can prepare a shed for them. What do you want to do?"

The aunt smiled and greeted us.

Haru was hiding her slave collar with a scarf, but Caro's collar was visible.

I could tell the aunt meant no harm. Asking such questions might be normal in this world.

"No, we'd like a regular room. We want the same meal for everyone."

"Sure. What kind of room do you want? A double room? Or a large room with futons? Unfortunately, the single rooms are all booked."

A double room costs 30 cents, and a large room costs 5 cents per person, but it's quite crowded with 7 people using it.

The meal costs 7 cents for dinner and 3 cents for breakfast.

"Can we have two double rooms?"

"Sorry, we only have one double room left. A group from the caravan has booked the others."

The caravan at the village entrance.

They have lookouts, but they can't all sleep in the carriages.

Sometimes, they must want to sleep in a bed.

We had no choice but to rent a double room and head to our room.

Although the item bag can't be used by others, I don't want it to be stolen, so I'll keep it with me... What should I do?

"Then, Caro will sleep next to the bed, and Haru and Ichino-sama can use the bed. Haru must be tired from driving the carriage all day."

"No, Caro is smaller, so Caro and Ichino-sama should use the bed. It would be more comfortable for Ichino-sama."

"Then, I'll sleep next to the bed, and the two of you can use the bed—"

"「That's not acceptable.」"

Yeah, I knew they'd say that.

But, isn't it weird for girls to sleep on the floor while a guy sleeps in the bed?

"Well, let's think about it after dinner. Maybe a good idea will come up."

I said this, and the three of us went to the dining room for dinner.

The stew was already prepared in a large pot. The ingredients were just some vegetables, no meat.

They usually make more than they need, and the leftovers are eaten by themselves or the villagers.

However, with the group of guests today, there won't be any leftovers.

The stew was very rich and tasted better than a milk-based stew, but the bread served with it was very hard and couldn't be eaten without soaking it in the stew.

Hmm, but it would be better with some meat.

I thought this while finishing my meal and returning to the room.

Then, I realized that nothing had been resolved.

Who will sleep on the floor?

The two of them are trying to come to the worst conclusion, where I sleep in the bed and they sleep on the floor.

I can't let the two girls sleep on the floor while I sleep in the bed. That would be a violation of my gentlemanly principles.

But, I can't think of a way to suggest that I sleep on the floor.

Actually, I have a fear of beds—no, I've been sleeping in beds while traveling with Haru.

Ordering them to sleep in the bed as their master... I don't want to use my authority like that.

Actually, the problem is the master and slave relationship itself.

"Both of you, how about you stop being my slaves?"

I suggested this to the two of them.

Then—immediately, their faces turned pale.

Caro was even in tears.

"...Master, I intend to follow you for life. Please let me stay by your side."

"Caro too! Caro wants to live with Ichino-sama. I don't want to be separated from Ichino-sama."

Eh, eh!?

I messed up the way I said it.

"Wait, wait. When I said, 'How about you stop being my slaves?' I meant, 'How about you take off the slave collars, end the master-slave relationship, and become equal companions?' I didn't mean for you to leave me."

I quickly corrected myself.

Really—my words were too lacking.

I asked them to stop being slaves because of the innkeeper's comment.

I still can't get used to the custom of looking down on slaves in this world. I was even irritated by the innkeeper's comment. So, I thought it might be better to free them from slavery.

My correction eased their expressions, but in the end, my proposal was rejected.

"I am proud to be your slave. This collar is a symbol of loyalty. Please let me remain as I am."

"Caro too. Caro has received so much happiness from Ichino-sama. I can't take off this collar without repaying that kindness."

What good kids. Damn.

It's wrong for such good kids to be slaves.

I want to free them from slavery!

But, the dilemma of being rejected when trying to free them from slavery, what should I do?

And the problem is still unresolved.

Who will sleep in the bed, and who will sleep on the floor?

I can't let the two of them, who showed me so much trust, sleep on the floor.

"Maybe we can all sleep in the bed...?"

When I said this—

"Indeed... The bed is slightly wider than a regular double bed."

"Caro is small, so a little space will be enough to sleep."

...Eh? Really?

All three of us in the bed?

"「If Master is okay with it—」"

"…All three of us in the bed."

My suggestion was adopted.

That night—Haru on the left, Caro on the right, the dream of a three-person bed was realized—but of course, I couldn't sleep easily.

Caro was hugging my arm like a pillow, and Haru's occasional sexy breaths and the unique scent of girls were stimulating my ears and nose, making me excited.

However, with Caro next to me, I couldn't do anything with Haru, and I spent the night in a state of frustration.

The sun had not yet risen.

I noticed that my bookmarks had surpassed 20,000, and the evaluations were about to reach 1,000, which made me very happy.

I don't know how many of the 20,000 have reached this point, but there will be occasional romantic scenes in the future.

What I want to say is, in the first chapter, the protagonist Ichino received many prayer emails and felt like a god. Today, he has received many more prayer emails.

Here's an example:

"Die"

"Explode"

What a refreshing message.

It's a message that could make you feel like a god or a star.

(These are actual messages. Thank you for your comments.)

Until next time.

Look forward to the straw doll and the five-inch nail!