Chapter 15: Quest 7: Stay at an Inn [Part 2]
“…So this is the inn.”
Makoto looked up at the building and muttered.
It was a three-story brick structure, its outer walls stained with the grime of age.
“Seā”
“It looks like something straight out of a Western.”
Yuka cut him off.
She was right.
The entrance had swinging saloon doors.
“Weāre really staying here?”
“If you donāt like it, find another place.”
“Itās not that I hate it.”
When Makoto brushed her off, Yuka pouted.
Her reluctance was obvious.
He could not blame her.
The inn was off the main street and rather deserted.
“We have money. Shouldnāt we stay somewhere nicer?”
“I want to save.”
He had not decided how to live in this world yet.
Until he learned how to sustain himself, saving was wise.
“…But.”
Without responding, Makoto stepped inside.
Tables and chairs were arranged across the room.
A counter stood at the back with a large shelf behind it.
In one corner was a staircase without a handrail.
The first floor seemed to be both dining hall and tavern.
There were no customers.
“ā¦Welcome to the Golden Sheep Inn.”
A soft voice echoed as a woman with her hair wrapped in cloth emerged from behind the counter.
She had a straight nose and plump lips.
Her eyes were narrowed as if her vision was poor.
If not for the tired air about her, she would pass easily as beautiful.
“Youāre customers, right?”
“Yeah. The Church sent us.”
Makoto approached the counter.
Each step made a sticky peeling sound.
Grease must have seeped into the floor.
“I heard itās 30 A per night. Is that right?”
“Yes, thatās correct. Butā¦ hm.”
She squinted and leaned closer.
“Youāre awfully young.”
“Iāve got money. Most of itās in the Church, though.”
“Hold on a moment.”
She ducked behind the counter and rummaged around.
After some noise, she stood holding a board.
“Whatās that?”
“Loaned from the Church. With this, I can transfer money from your account to mine.”
“Convenient.”
“Sure is. No need to carry large sums. Though I donāt really understand how it works.”
She laughed awkwardly.
Makoto did not understand how most modern technology worked either.
Despite appearances, this worldās tech rivaled modern standards.
“How many nights?”
“Three for now.”
“Thatās 90 A. For 10 A more, Iāll include breakfast and dinner.”
“Deal.”
She operated the board and handed it over.
It read: 100 A for three nights.
“What do I do?”
“Write your name and place your left hand on it.”
He did so.
A window appeared.
Balance: 74,900 A.
“Payment complete. And yourā¦ companion?”
“Sheās undecided.”
“Let me know when you decide.”
She returned the board under the counter.
“Does that board have a name?”
“I call it a tablet.”
She shrugged.
“Hey, uhā¦”
“Yes, young sir?”
“What should I call you?”
“Landlady, proprietor, masterā¦ or Sherry. Whatever you like.”
“Got it, Sherry. Can I pay extra for laundry? And maybe a change of clothes?”
“Youāre bold, calling me Sherry right away.”
“You said call you what I like. And Iām not a kid.”
She leaned closer again.
“Fine, fine.”
She straightened and sighed.
Probably felt like dealing with a stubborn child.
“So, can you do the laundry?”
“You do smell a bit.”
She sniffed.
“So?”
“I suppose I can.”
“How much?”
“Iāll do it for free. Young sir.”
She emphasized young.
“If youāll do laundry for free, Iāll stay too.”
“Same room?”
“Iām not his girlfriend!”
“Ah, my apologies.”
She did not sound apologetic.
She brought out the tablet.
“…Iāll pay.”
“No need.”
“Iād rather not owe you.”
He glanced around the empty inn.
“It doesnāt look busy.”
“Thatās rude. I earn enough to eat.”
“If that offended you, sorry. But Iāve got money.”
“…Fine. 10 A including clothes rental.”
She sighed.
“I donāt have to pay, right?”
“Have some shame.”
“Itās polite to accept kindness.”
“…You.”
Makoto sighed deeply.
“Here.”
Yuka wrote her name and placed her hand.
“Payment complete.”
Sherry crouched, then stood holding two keys.
“Pick whichever you like.”
Makoto took one.
“Iāll take 101.”
“…Iāll take 102.”
She stared at the keys.
Probably did not want to share a floor with him.
“The toilet and bath are in the room, right?”
“Yes.”
“Impressive.”
For the price, the facilities were excellent.
“Clothes will be brought up. Relax in your rooms.”
“Can I shower first?”
“Of course. I have a master key.”
Makoto climbed the stairs.
They creaked loudly.
Room 101 was right at the top.
Yuka examined the doors, judging room size.
“Looks tiny.”
“Itās fine. See you later.”
“Yeah.”
Inside, he locked the door.
A narrow hallway led to a small bathroom.
Sink, toilet, shower.
A shelf held scrub towel and bath towel.
“…I wanted a bath.”
No use complaining.
Beyond the hall was a small room about six tatami mats in size.
Bed, desk, chair.
“Not bad.”
Comparable to a business hotel single room.
He dropped his coat and sat on the bed.
“…Finally at an inn.”
It had been a long road since waking in the dungeon.
If this were a game, the pacing would not be so awful.
“…What now?”
When survival was the priority, there was no time to think.
Now that there was time, he had no idea.
“What the hell should I do?”
A knock interrupted him.
Sherry stood outside with a basket of clothes.
“Here you go.”
“Thanks.”
“You paid, no need for thanks.”
She looked faintly embarrassed.
After showering, Makoto went downstairs.
Sherry was cooking behind the counter.
“Much cleaner now.”
“Feels good to shower again.”
“How are the clothes?”
“Too big and stiff.”
The jacket slipped off his shoulders.
The pants would fall without a belt.
“Youāre supposed to say theyāre perfect.”
“Theyāre perfect.”
“Too late.”
She pouted.
He sat at the counter.
“Food?”
“Still cooking.”
“Then give me alcohol.”
“Not for someone so young.”
Yet she placed a glass before him.
He took a sip.
“…Lemon water.”
“I wonāt serve alcohol to someone your age.”
“Fine.”
He downed it.
Cool liquid soothed him.
Yuka came down wearing a dress-like outfit.
“Ahh, Iām alive again.”
She sat beside him.
“Drinking?”
“Lemon water.”
“Then me too.”
She drained hers in one go.
“Ahh! Iām alive.”
“Old man.”
“Thatās you.”
She smacked his arm.
Sherry smiled at them.
Makoto recalled Yukaās classmates.
“So, anything about the Velis Kingdom knights?”
“Sudden question.”
“Well?”
“They came, apparently. But the dungeon vanished, so theyāre preparing to leave.”
“Vague.”
“We commoners arenāt close to knights.”
“Youāre not worried?”
“This area has many dungeons. The lord does her best, but she canāt handle everything.”
Sherry sighed.
“If coexistence works, fine.”
“We donāt even get scraps.”
Just then, the door creaked.
Three entered.
A handsome man in silver armor.
A large man with heavy armor and a huge shield.
A girl in a white sailor uniform under a cloak.
Yukaās classmates.
“Sorry, weāre not ready yet.”
“Weāll pay. Can we rest?”
Yuka stiffened but stayed seated.
A smile played on her lips.
Likely Kouki.
“…Our first expedition failed.”
“We let a friend die.”
“One dead, one missing.”
“So.”
“Dammit. If Takaya had stayedā”
“No use saying that.”
“Takaya left with five others.”
“Iām glad he did.”
“He lacked cooperation.”
“…We need to find Sato.”
“Satoās probably dead.”
“Thatās not true.”
“Honestly, maybe we shouldnāt search too hard.”
“Takashi!”
“Be honest, Kouki. You didnāt like Sato either.”
“…A little.”
“Me too.”
Yuka went pale.
“I accepted it when Sato went missing.”
“Takashi!”
She had not been lost.
She had been abandoned.
“…We donāt have time for Sato. If we fail again, weāll be cast aside.”
“…Alright.”
Yuka trembled.
Sherry spoke gently.
“Customers, itās closing time.”
They left apologetically.
“Sherry, give her alcohol.”
“Strong?”
She poured amber liquid.
“Drink.”
Yuka slammed it back.
“What do they mean ādecided togetherā! They decided without me!”
“Calm down. Another.”
She downed it.
“I tried my best!”
“I know. You did.”
He patted her back.
Tears fell.
“Kouki and Hoshino are awful.”
“Yeah.”
Another drink.
“…Takagi leaving wasā”
“Takagi?”
“Takagi Takaya.”
“Right.”
“Drink. Forget it.”
She ranted, then slammed her forehead on the counter.
“…Iāll kill them.”
“Thatās scary.”
She said it flatly, coldly.
Makoto felt a bad omen.
Christine sat heavily in her office chair.
She thought of the two guests.
How to recruit them.
It felt heartless.
Her subordinate died protecting her.
She should mourn and comfort the family.
But she was a lord.
She had duties.
“There is only one way.”
“…Lady Christine?”
“Laura, Laura Cerberus.”
“Yes!”
“You are my knight?”
“My sword and life are yours.”
“If I ordered you to die?”
“If it benefits the county.”
Christine gasped.
Such loyalty.
“…I have a special mission.”
“A special mission?”
“…I cannot say.”
“Lady Christine, I have accepted death since becoming a knight.”
“…Very well.”
Christine inhaled deeply.
“Go seduce that man tonight.”
“No!”
Laura refused instantly.
“You just swore loyalty!”
“Such matters require mutual understanding!”
Her face flushed bright red.
“To think a lord would suggest suchā”
“Go and break your maidenhead.”
“Thatās worse!”
“Decorating words changes nothing. Seduce him and conceive his child.”
“Then you should go!”
“I am a child!”
If she could bear children, she would do it herself.
But ten years was too long.
“So?”
“…Let me think.”
Laura replied faintly.