Chapter 4

July 12, 2015 - Typo corrections

"I'll be in this town for about a week. If you have any troubles, please come and visit me."

Dorn took both my hands with his usual kind smile, looking worried.

"Yes, I'll ask for your help then. I'll rely on you. I really appreciate your help this time. Thank you very much."

I bowed deeply to Dorn.

I bowed and waved to the caravan members, saying goodbye. Then, I thanked the guards, including Einos, again and bid them farewell.

I arrived in Tole Town as scheduled. The town was surrounded by walls, and guards were stationed at the gate, checking people entering the town and the goods being brought in.

I was nervous as I passed through the gate, but I wasn't asked to show any identification and was able to pass through smoothly. The procedure was just to get a temporary identity card, valid only for the duration of my stay, and pay the entry tax.

Of course, the identity card issued at the gate was temporary, so I would have to go to the gate or the guard's post every month to renew it. If I needed an official identity card, I would have to get it from the town's magistrate or a guild.

There were several guilds, and an identity card issued by any of them would function as such. If I got an identity card from a guild, I would be considered a member of that guild. However, I could change my affiliated guild as needed, so there was no need to be overly concerned.

After parting ways with everyone, I strolled through the town, which was filled with a foreign atmosphere, and headed to the inn Einos had recommended. Well, not exactly alone. One person and one fairy? Mariel, the fairy, was stretching on top of my head.

"Hey, Mariel, what is the fairy's blessing?"

I asked Mariel, who was dancing strangely about twenty centimeters above my head.

The fairy's blessing was confirmed through the appraisal given by the goddess, but I couldn't know its contents. It was a mysterious skill, or maybe not a skill at all, but a blessing.

"Do you want to know?"

She leaned in, looking at my face with her hands behind her back.

"Yes, I do."

"Secret, hehehehe."

She seemed satisfied with my answer and giggled, then swayed in front of my eyes, looking very pleased. Watching her, I couldn't bring myself to force her to tell me and gave up.

"Then, tell me when you feel like it."

"Okay, when I feel like it."

She landed on my right shoulder and sat down.

Is it rare to own a fairy personally? Sometimes, passersby would look back.

"Hey, is it rare to own a fairy personally?"

"I don't know. I'm not very knowledgeable about the world."

"I see."

I gave up trying to get a layman's perspective or common knowledge about fairies from Mariel.

Well, it's fine. There are many things I need to gather, including common knowledge. I'll take it easy. More importantly, I need to find an inn and a bath.

The White Wolf's Fang, here it is. This is the inn Einos recommended. I don't know what the average inn in this world is like, but according to Einos, this one is above average in the town, with the only drawback being the bad food.

Honestly, the bad food was a concern, but I decided to look for good places to eat outside. The exterior looked similar to other inns and restaurants on the same street.

"Is there a room available for a stay?"

I entered and told the middle-aged man at the counter my business.

"There are rooms available. It's forty copper coins for one night, or fifty copper coins with breakfast and dinner. Payment is in advance. If you're staying long-term, we can discuss a discount."

The response was more polite than I expected.

The money the goddess gave me as initial equipment was one gold coin and a hundred silver coins. Well, I could live in the inn for a year if I stayed in, but it wouldn't last a year if I lived normally. It seems the goddess had a very low standard of living in mind. Considering my current funds, I realized I couldn't be too relaxed.

"I'll stay for a week. Also, I have a fairy with me. Is there an extra charge? And I want to use the bath. Can you tell me the cost and how to use it?"

I mentioned the fairy to avoid any issues later and confirmed the bath usage.

"There's an extra charge if you eat, but not for just staying. The bath costs ten copper coins per use. It's only available from 5 PM to 8 PM, so be careful."

He explained kindly while taking out a ledger.

"I'll stay for a week without meals. And I want to use the bath tonight, so I'll pay for that too."

I handed over three silver coins.

The man, slightly surprised, gave me ten copper coins and handed me the ledger. I already knew I could read and write, so I signed it without hesitation.

"Please, this way."

He came out from behind the counter, which was like a face-to-face kitchen in modern Japan, and led me to the guest floor. He was holding a key and an A4-sized wooden board.

The counter didn't have a hinged section or a door. It was a very simple design.

Was it to save money, or was it just not thought of? I'd ask later.

From the conversation in the carriage, I learned that the people here didn't know the knowledge and systems commonly used in modern Japan. It made sense, but I was surprised and thought the knowledge could be turned into money.

There are a hundred reincarnated people.

If I don't do it, someone else will. It's a race. No, it's a race to spread the knowledge and turn it into money. In any case, hoarding knowledge wouldn't benefit me.

Thinking about this, I observed my surroundings greedily while following the man up the stairs. The second floor, the bath was on the first floor, so it was a bit inconvenient.

"Here you go, room 207. This is the key. If you go out, please leave the key with any staff member at the front desk. Also, please read the rules written here later."

The man held up the key in his right hand, placed it on the wooden board, and handed it to me.

I thanked him, took the wooden board and the key, and looked around the room. The room was about eight tatami mats in size, with a bed, a chair, and a closet. The window was wooden, not glass, and the room was quite dark. Was this the standard room in this world? It wasn't very comfortable.

"Thank you. I'll go out in a bit, so please take care of me."

I entered the room with a smile, hiding my disappointment.

◇

"Phew, I'm tired. What are you going out for?"

Mariel, stretching on top of my head, asked.

"Um? I thought I'd look around the town and find a place to eat."

I answered while reading the wooden board with the rules.

"Me too? Hey, can I come? Can I?"

"Of course. I won't leave you behind, so don't worry."

Seeing Mariel pleading with a teary face, I felt pity and reassured her gently.

"Thank you. Hehehehe."

She danced happily in the air.

That smile. She's cute, no doubt.

While entertaining Mariel, who was flying around me, I put my luggage in the closet.

◇

I left the inn and observed the buildings along the street, casually glancing at the passersby. It was around six in the evening.

It was still bright outside, probably due to the season. There were many people, and the area felt lively. Some young women were walking alone, probably buying ingredients for dinner. At least the security on this street seemed good.

"Shall we take a walk?"

"Sure."

I decided to take a walk with Mariel and look for a place to eat dinner while exploring the town. The street was wide, about four carriages could run side by side. According to the fish shop owner I talked to earlier, it was considered a major street.

The shops on both sides of the street varied. There were food, sundries, and clothing stores, as well as shops selling weapons, armor, and mysterious items. Many places served food, mostly taverns.

That's it. It's a pretty big building. There are several carriages parked in the adjacent square. I confirmed the location of the adventurer's guild, one of my goals for exploring the town.

According to the innkeeper, the adventurer's guild was surrounded by a large square on one side and the main street on the other three sides. The squares on either side were as large as soccer fields. There was a training ground in the back, though I couldn't see it from here.

"Mitchinaga, I'm hungry."

Mariel was holding her stomach, showing her hunger in front of me. Well, I might as well eat now.

"Is there anything you want to eat?"

"I want vegetables, fresh vegetables."

Mariel answered my question with great enthusiasm.

"Got it, got it. Vegetables it is."

I gently patted Mariel's head, who was leaning in. During the journey, I learned that fairies, or rather Mariel, were omnivores but preferred vegetables and fruits. She said vegetables, but she ate fruits too.

◇

I entered a restaurant that seemed quite lively, which was the second shop next to the inn. I ended up coming back here, but if it's good, it's convenient.

When I entered, I noticed several light magic devices installed. It was definitely different from the inn.

"Can I have dinner now? And is it okay to bring a fairy?"

I asked the waitress immediately upon entering, just to confirm.

"Yes, you can have dinner, and it's fine to bring a fairy."

The young female waitress, who initially stiffened when she saw Mariel, quickly smiled and assured me there was no problem.

"Thank you. Do you have any recommendations? And can I have some vegetables for this one?"

I wasn't particularly interested in the recommendations, but I wanted to check if there was such a culture or custom.

"Yes, today's special is grilled fish with rice. It's five copper coins per serving. The fish is Dadan, freshly caught this morning from the river."

"Then, I'll have that and some raw vegetables. And if you have ale, I'll have that too."

I didn't know what Dadan was, but since it was sold normally and I hadn't seen any strange fish during the journey, I decided to order the grilled fish with rice.

While teasing Mariel with a hemp rope, the food arrived. The raw vegetables were cut into appropriate sizes and served on a plate. I thought it was a bit too much, but I pushed the plate towards Mariel. She immediately started munching on the vegetables, which were just raw and unseasoned.

As for the Dadan, it looked like a cross between a sea bass and a black bass. It came with some vegetables, mashed potatoes, and a thin, flat bread. I hesitated but took a bite of the grilled fish and bread.

Delicious!

The Dadan was really good.

I decided to eat here whenever I was too lazy to cook.

"Mariel, I'm thinking of buying clothes tomorrow. If there are clothes for you, I'll buy them too. What do you think?"

I asked Mariel, who was enthusiastically munching on vegetables.

"Huh? You'll buy me clothes? Yay, I'm so happy."

She flew around, holding a leafy vegetable. She was quite skilled.

"If I find something that fits you. And we'll register at the guild first."

Watching Mariel's excitement, I felt a bit happy.

◇

After finishing the meal, I returned to the inn. I was so tired from the journey that I fell asleep as soon as I hit the bed. I realized I had forgotten to take a bath, but I couldn't resist the sleepiness and fell asleep.

◇

"Wha—!"

I woke up with a short cry, sitting up in bed. What was that? My heart was racing. I could tell I was quite excited. I tried to recall the dream I just had. Strangely, I could remember it vividly.

It was about Higurashi. The sensation was still fresh in my mind.

I looked at my right hand, remembering how I reached out and touched her smooth, attractive chest.

I also remembered what followed. Various things... various things...

In the end, I thoroughly tasted and enjoyed it.

The sensations and sounds were vividly recalled.

What was that dream?

I looked at the window, wondering what time it was. Sunlight was shining through the gap in the window. It was already morning.

I decided to get up. As soon as I moved to get out of bed, I stopped.

What is it?

Oh no, did I...? My underwear is dirty. Was it because of that dream?

Oh dear, I can't use water magic.

"Good morning. How was it?"

While feeling a bit down but still immersed in the happiness of the dream, I was changing my underwear when Mariel spoke from above my head.

"Ah! What are you doing? I'm changing, so don't peek."

I quickly covered myself with a towel and scolded Mariel, but she circled around my waist and flew towards the discarded underwear. This is bad, if she finds out, my delicate nerves will be shattered.

"Hey, that's not good."

I moved quickly, even impressing myself, to protect the underwear from Mariel.

"Hehehehe."

She showed that innocent smile again and circled around me at eye level.

"I'm busy this morning. I don't have time to play. Can you be quiet until I'm done?"

Do you know? You don't know, right? No, you might know. How much do fairies understand about humans? Questions swirled in my mind, but I maintained a calm demeanor and spoke in a cool tone.

"Success! I'm so happy."

"What did you succeed at? You look really happy."

I asked Mariel, who was jumping and dancing in the air.

"The fairy's blessing. You had a pleasant dream, didn't you?"

She smiled innocently and pointed at the dirty underwear I was holding tightly.

The fairy's blessing? A pleasant dream? Dirty underwear... that smile... I understood.

"Was it you—!"

In the next moment, I yelled at Mariel, fully understanding everything.