Chapter 32

Summary of the previous chapter ------------------------------------------------------

Upon arriving in Saarstadt and heading to the inn, we found Yuki working as a server.

We made a promise to meet later and took a room for now.

"Hmm, it's a bit...?"

The room has four beds and is about the same size as the "Drowsy Bear."

The windows are small, and the room is somewhat dim.

Since there is no furniture, it looks a bit spacious, but that doesn't count as a positive point.

In other words, the "Drowsy Bear" room is better overall, even though it costs less than half the price.

"Do you think this inn is bad, or that the prices in this town are high?"

"Hmm, at least the inn is on the expensive side, right? Considering the town's functions."

If we think about it from the perspective of its establishment, this inn is not for long stays, but usually for one day.

Even if you wait for the weather to improve, you would leave after a few days unless you have really bad luck.

If we consider this, it might be inevitable that the prices are higher compared to inns in Raphan, where long-term contracts are more common.

"The prices... if river transport is used, they might not be that high?"

"Either way, this price is not suitable for making this place a base."

"Yeah, fixed costs are important."

I completely agree.

Even if it costs 500 rares more per day, the amount adds up over time.

"No, wait. Haruka, Nao. We haven't tried the food in this town yet. It might be delicious?"

Toya says this, but Haruka and I exchange glances and shake our heads.

"Even if, by some small chance, the food is good, this place is still no good."

"It's clear there's no work, given the size of the guild."

"Ugh, that's true. Even if we hunt boars, it's unlikely anyone will buy them in this town."

"Our earnings depend on the population of Raphan."

Whether it's herbs, meat, or Dindel, we get good prices because demand exceeds supply.

Considering this, it would be quite difficult to earn a living in this town.

"Oh, no, that's not the point! We should be talking about Yuki and the others!"

"It's because Nao said it was 'a bit...' when we got in."

"No, but the price is concerning, right? No, that's not it!"

The conversation was about to go off track again.

"Yeah, we found them surprisingly easily, didn't we? I thought it would be more difficult. Right, Haruka?"

"It's a good thing. I feel much lighter knowing they're safe."

Haruka's face, which seems to be the most peaceful I've seen since we came to this world, suggests that the disappearance of her two best friends was a significant source of stress.

"Of course, I'm happy too. But I feel a bit let down that my determination to 'search hard' was in vain."

"Well, I think it's partly luck, but in a way, it was inevitable that we found them here."

"Huh? Why?"

"First, I considered two scenarios. One is that they formed a party with other classmates and are living as adventurers."

Like us, but with childhood friends instead of classmates.

"However, I honestly thought this was less likely. It's dangerous for girls to form a party, and there don't seem to be any trustworthy boys besides you two."

It sounds like Natsuki and Yuki are loners, but in terms of male friends, it's probably true.

This isn't just about Natsuki and Yuki; for most girls, it's rare to have male friends they can live with comfortably all the time.

In a world without police, it's not surprising if someone goes wild.

No, it's more like they definitely exist.

"Got skills, I'm Tueeee, and I have a harem!" type of guys.

Especially since Natsuki and Yuki are cute, the risks are high.

Considering they might go on requests to isolated forests, they can't team up with just anyone.

"The other scenario is that they are working and living in the town. When I investigated this town, I thought if they were working, it would be as servers at an inn, which turned out to be the case."

"Hmm. There don't seem to be many other jobs, and with their looks, it's not a bad job."

"...Ah, could the popularity of this inn be because of that?"

The gatekeeper mentioned recently that the "River Wind" is popular. Could it be because Natsuki and Yuki started working there?

The fact that the clientele is predominantly male also makes sense in this context.

"Huh? So when the gatekeeper said it's 'not related to the girls,'—"

"Because Haruka is here?"

Haruka is as beautiful as they are.

There's no need to choose an inn just to see cute servers.

"No, rather, it's because everyone is a different race, isn't it? While it's not prohibited, interracial marriages are rare."

We are originally human, so we didn't think about it, but Natsuki and the others are different races.

I'm not sure how much this affects perception, but it might be like how we view foreigners, or even more so?

"Anyway, let's move on. What about lunch? The downstairs is full, so we can either order and eat here or go out. Of course, we could just have dried meat."

"Ordering dried meat at an inn doesn't sound right. I want to try the inn's food. If so many people are eating here, it can't be that bad, right?"

"Sure. I'm fine with that. We're in a different town, after all."

"Okay, let's go order then."

"Sure, Haruka and I will go. Toya, just recommend something, okay?"

"Sure. I don't know what they have, though."

The first-floor dining room was as crowded as before, filled with noise.

Yuki was busy serving, and there were a couple of other server girls, but the men seemed to be calling out to Yuki more, probably because she's cute.

"Excuse me, can we have three random lunch orders? We'll eat upstairs."

"Sure! Just wait a moment!"

There was no need to call out to the server girls, so we ordered from the cook behind the counter, who responded with a cheerful voice.

Like at the "Drowsy Bear," the recommended dishes are pre-prepared, so they come out relatively quickly.

Haruka and I waited, watching Yuki.

"...Yuki seems to be doing well."

"Yeah. She looks a bit thinner, but she doesn't seem to have had a hard time."

She's smiling, but considering the busy work and unfamiliar life, it must be tough.

However, she doesn't seem to be injured or in terrible condition, so she must be managing somehow.

"Yeah... that's good."

While Haruka sighed in relief and patted her back, the cook brought out large plates and quickly filled them.

The food didn't look very appetizing... I'm a bit worried.

Soon, three plates were placed in front of us.

"Three servings for 210 rares!"

"...Okay."

It's a bit expensive, but Haruka paid and carried two plates upstairs.

I took the remaining one and returned to the room, where Haruka was handing a plate to Toya.

This room doesn't even have a table, so eating is a bit inconvenient.

We sat on the beds.

"So, what is this...?"

Toya's face looked a bit uncertain.

"The inn's recommendation?"

Since they said it was random, they wouldn't intentionally serve something bad.

Many customers were eating this, too.

Looking at the plate again, there were two pieces of what looked like fried fish, a pile of what seemed to be pickled green vegetables, two plain black breads, and a brown paste.

The paste was literally "dripping." Honestly, it doesn't look good.

"No, no, we can't judge without tasting it, right?"

Toya asked for agreement, but Haruka shook her head with a wry smile.

"Like always, I think it will disappoint..."

"No! We don't know yet! Let's try it! But let's start with the safe option."

Toya, who was talking confidently, quickly chose the fried fish.

It looked like it was "randomly fried in a large pot," and from the appearance, it didn't seem too bad.

I followed Toya's lead and tried it.

"Ugh!"

"......"

"Is this what 'muddy' means!"

It's probably a fish caught from the river here.

The river fish I've eaten before include ayu, mountain trout, and even tayra sashimi.

If we classify them, are loaches and eels also river fish?

Either way, they were all very delicious, and I've never felt any mudiness.

In contrast, this fish is quite "severe."

It's hard not to feel like "ugh."

"...The cooking is also bad. Salt-grilled or fried, maybe just salt-grilled? Or breaded?"

As Haruka said, the fish, fried in oil, had a sticky skin and gelatinous texture that clung to it, leaving a persistent fishy and muddy taste in the mouth.

There was a slight herbal smell, but the saltiness only accentuated the odor.

The only good point, if any, is that "it doesn't take much effort to cook." That's about it.

"Still, it's not over yet. Next is this!"

Despite the damage, Toya bravely chose the pickled vegetables, the safer option.

Yeah, even if it's bad, it can't be that bad.

I took a bite too.

"...Sour and bitter!"

Is this some kind of stem?

It had a texture like poor-quality asparagus and a bitterness like radish leaves, with a strong vinegar taste.

It's not impossible to eat if you can tolerate the texture, but I wouldn't buy it.

Toya... is just chewing and chewing.

The texture sticks, you know.

"Ugh, gulp. -- It might look like a landmine, but it could be...! I won't give up!"

"No, you should give up. This 'dripping' thing looks like a landmine."

"I won't leave any! I'll eat it!"

"Where are you from, man!"

While I teased him, I also joined in.

I put a little on my fork and tasted it.

"......What is this? Nasty? Bitter? A bit salty?"

A difficult flavor to describe.

It's honestly bad, but with effort, it's edible.

"This is a bit like Marmite. Since they have ale, it wouldn't be strange to have it here?"

"Marmite? What's that?"

"A paste made from beer yeast. It's eaten in places like the UK, but it's not very common. It's not tasty."

"Really? People in the UK eat this? Why?"

Toya, with a very sour face, said this