Chapter 146 (Self Edited) – Searching for an Inn
Well, anyhow, the talk didn’t last only in front of the receptionist. Speaking of which, they were in the middle of reporting the request. After shrugging his shoulders with a wry smile at the receptionist who was looking at him with interest, Soma reported the completion of the subjugation.
The receptionist seemed to try to ask something, but she understood that it was out of the scope of her job. Her correspondence was only for work, so after Steina’s report was over, Soma’s group left the guild for the time being.
“Now… what should we do?” (Soma)
“As for me, I’m going to take my leave. I don’t want to cause various troubles.” (Steina)
“Well, yes.” (Soma)
It might be on purpose to have emphasized the word ‘various’. Steina wasn’t so optimistic that these people wouldn’t be wary at her.
Still, she didn’t escape or hide probably because she knew that the suspicion on her wouldn’t go away easily… or maybe, she didn’t care at all. If it was due to her conscience, she understood that Soma was very helpful, but… Anyhow…
“For the time being, there is still room for Steina-san to consider traveling us, no matter what will you do at the end, you know?” (Felicia)
“…Well, that is if I don’t excuse myself.” (Steina)
“In that case, why don’t we go to a place where we can settle down? It will be easier to discuss there, and… incidentally, it might be good to decide the inn we are going to stay for today.” (Felicia)
“Aah, that might be good.” (Soma)
The time was still not yet around noon, but they had been camping outside around this town for two days. They decided beforehand to stay in the inn today as the fatigue built up.
Since they were able to receive a request with higher reward than expected, they were able to afford it. They shouldn’t relax too much, but when they considered what would happen later, they should take a good rest.
Besides, since it was before noon, it would be easy to find a place to stay. There was no problem in doing that, and at least, Soma didn’t disagree.
“…Well, you’re right. I’m going to take a rest anyway, so I’m fine…” (Steina)
“…Then, it is decided, right?
“Yes, it is. Then, let’s go and find an inn… Do you know any good places to stay, Steina?” (Soma)
“When I came here, I received the request immediately, so I don’t know… Aah, we probably should ask the guild.” (Steina)
“But, isn’t a bit awkward to go there again and ask for it?” (Felicia)
“Well, it would be nice to walk around while looking for it.” (Soma)
It seemed no one was objecting to that idea, so it had been decided for them to walk around.
As mentioned before, the guild faces the main street. They had been going to the guild for three times. They went from the east once and twice from the west side. However, since they went to the guild in the morning, they didn’t take a good look around the area.
However, after taking a closer look for a while, it sounded rude to say that the town was quite lively. A familiar looking face was at a shop front to prepare the things they needed to do.
As they could see from what they were wearing, that person was an adventurer. That was because they saw this adventurer in the guild, so they recognized him.
They didn’t see it clearly though. They could tell it that much.
“Hmm… are there shops for adventurers around the guild? It’s reasonable, but it’s also feels somewhat strange.” (Soma)
Regardless of some high-end stores, stores that usually used by adventurers were usually hidden behind alleys. This wasn’t a problem of the store itself, but it because it was visited by the adventurers. If there were a store on the main street where adventurers would often visit, what would the general public think of it?
That was why Soma felt strange when looking at these scenes, even though it was rare.
“Is that so? I’m not sure about small villages, but I think it is mainly like this if it’s a town of a certain size.” (Steina)
“Hmm?” (Soma)
“Yes?” (Steina)
Soma tilted her head at Steina, and she tilted her head back at him. When they looked at each other and asked more questions, they knew that they weren’t joking.
However, while doing that, Soma suddenly realized something. At the same time, he was convinced about that something.
“I see. That’s a normal thing here. The social status of adventurers is high… no, should I say that it’s not low?” (Soma)
It wasn’t because of the town, but it was about Demento itself. If power was a law, it wasn’t amusing even if the adventurers used their strength for their occupation. Therefore, it wasn’t strange that their status were equivalent to the general public. Basically, the adventurers were seen as people with lower social status because there were many ruffians among them. More importantly, they didn’t have to pay taxes and didn’t hold any citizenship.
However, that didn’t become a minus here since power was the basis in this place. Hence, the adventurers were probably having citizenship from the beginning.
It was also reasonable that the guild stood out in a conspicuous location. If they were utilized and recognized by people, there was no reason to hide and exist in a remote place.
“Aah… I see. Are the adventurers at your place having lower social status?” (Steina)
After watching the scene, Steina seemed to have noticed. Different places had different common sense. This was a matter of course.
That showed that Soma’s group weren’t from Demento, and… they were probably not Demons. That was probably the matter for the time being. At least, Steina had no reason to hide it, and it seemed that Sheila and Felicia noticed it. Both of them didn’t interrupt the conversation, and they even nodded as if they were convinced.
“Come to think of it, I may have heard such a story. However, I’m not interested, so I forgot about it.” (Steina)
“You aren’t interested… but you are also an adventurer, right?” (Felicia)
“Yes, I am, but if I don’t go there, it doesn’t matter to me at all. I had no plan to go there, and I’m not going to be there in the future.” (Steina)
“Hmmm…” (Soma)
Well, if she said it in that way, it couldn’t be helped then. If she thought that there was no relation or if she wasn’t interested in people, she wouldn’t remember anything about it.
“Well, I’m convinced of this scenery for the time being, but when this happens, there seems to be no accommodation near here.” (Soma)
There were shops that mainly handle miscellaneous goods, weapons and armor. A quick glance told them that there was no such a place.
Then, it was necessary to move around…
“Hmm… everyone, where do you want to go, east, west, south or north?” (Soma)
“I can go everywhere, so you guys can decide first.” (Steina)
“I also don’t have any particular preference…” (Felicia)
“…Yes, I leave it to Soma.” (Sheila)
“Everyone isn’t taking any initiatives, is it…” (Soma)
“Why don’t you tell us where you want to go? If we are going to look around, it’s probably going to be the same, anyway.” (Steina)
“No. I mean if we find a good inn, there’s no need to look around too much, right?” (Soma)
“Well, isn’t the same as what you have been doing? It still doesn’t change the fact that we have no ideas about this place.” (Steina)
“Well, you are right.” (Soma)
Perhaps, it should be said that was the reason why everyone was asking Soma.
By the way, the main streets divided the town into four parts. The central part was divided by the streets from east to west, and from north to south. Since the guild was built at the intersection of the two streets, it was really in the center of the town.
For this reason, the present Soma’s group had no trouble trying to go anywhere in the city, but on the contrary, they needed a clear plan of action. However, they had no plan. Since it couldn’t be helped, this was the time they were considering to choose at random.
“Aah, basically, it’s fine anywhere, but there’s a direction that we shouldn’t go.” (Steina)
“Hmm…?” (Soma)
“I think it’s better not to go to the south.” (Steina)
“Ooh… may I know your intention?” (Soma)
Soma knew that Steina would imply that for no reason, so he was concerned. There must be a reason for this since she mentioned a vague direction, rather than a specific location.
“I don’t think that there’s a particular reason, but the south side has traditionally become a place where people, who don’t have good manners, gather. Why those people gather at south side? Well, I think there is an inn for adventurers.” (Steina)
“If there is an inn, shouldn’t we go there?” (Felicia)
“…Adventurers basically choose an inn that matches their rank. There are various reasons, but those who don’t do well in general can’t stay in a good place.” (Steina)
“Aah, I see. If think normally, a good quality inn wouldn’t be like that.” (Felicia)
“Understood…” (Soma)
Even though the citizenship was given, there was no significance difference in the treatment of adventurers. It seemed to be that way. Well, it might be a normal thing to say.
That also meant that if the place changed, the common sense would change, but there might be no changes at all. That was also normal.
Anyhow…
“So, the other three directions… you can say that the situation hasn’t changed much. I suppose I can handle it with a stick, right?” (Soma)
“Aah, Soma-san, how about this? Since there are three directions, let’s divide into three parts.” (Felicia)
“Hmmm…” (Soma)
Indeed, it wasn’t necessary to worry about where to go and it was also efficient. The only problem they had now was whether there was a need to find the accommodation efficiently.
“In that case, I will look toward the north side. How about Steina go to the east, while Felicia and Sheila go to the west?” (Soma)
“Sure, no problem, but… why am I teaming up with Sheila? Is it a matter of course?” (Felicia)
“Do you know how to explore the town by yourself?” (Soma)
“…Certainly, you are right, but… I am somehow unsatisfied.” (Felicia)
While shrugging the shoulders at Felicia who was staring at him, Soma slightly loosed his mouth because he thought that was a positive change. Even though she knew that it was impossible to explore by himself, she tried to rebut his decision. That was what the previous suggestion meant.
However, even if Felicia could do it alone, Soma wouldn’t let her do that. That was why he entrusted her to Sheila. Even so, he still preferred that way.
For some reason, Felicia only displayed her intentions thinly. It was especially noticeable when she was dealing with something completely unknown to her, and when she first set out on the journey, she was mostly follow what others said.
That was the suggestion Soma made on his own initiative, and this time, she tried to challenge the unknown voluntarily. It seemed to be a change because of bringing Felicia out of that forest, so there was no reason why he wouldn’t feel happy.
However, when Soma was thinking about it, he suddenly felt another stare. It was Steina.
“Is there anything?” (Soma)
“…I don’t have any particular things to do. Will that be alright?” (Steina)
“Why is that?” (Soma)
“Speaking of exploring alone, I may get lost, you know?” (Steina)
People who really wanted to do it will do it without saying anything… or maybe Steina hadn’t read his intention yet. She probably had a doubt whether she was going to travel with them.
Soma didn’t intend to mention about it, so he merely shrugged.
“Well, that time is that time. If necessary, we will have no choice but to give up. I mean, if you want to do that, I won’t stop you. It depends on what you do.” (Soma)
“…Hmm. I’m going to do that then.” (Steina)
Soma smiled as she turned away from him. Well, for the time being, she wasn’t going to disappear anytime soon.
“…By the way, what time are we going to meet up again?” (Sheila)
“Well…” (Soma)
While muttering that, Soma looked up at the top of the guild. It seemed to be the highest place in this town. It was more than ten meters away from the ground. There were a splendid bell and a clock to symbolize it. it looked like the bell would ring every hour.
Soma had a pocket watch, but it wasn’t likely that everyone else wouldn’t know the time.
“Then, how about we meet here at twelve o’clock?” (Soma)
“…Understood. You can leave Nee-san to me.” (Sheila)
“Please do.” (Soma)
“I can’t be satisfied to be entrusted when I’m the older sister, but… well, it can’t be helped. Sheila, please take care of me.” (Felicia)
“…Yeah.” (Sheila)
“Then, I will take my time exploring around. Do you have anything you want to find other than the inn?” (Steina)
“No, I don’t think so. It’s different if it’s a personal matter… but that can be done on your own.” (Soma)
“I’m going to find a good inn for the time being. Got it.” (Steina)
“Well then, see you guys later.” (Soma)
Then, Soma turned toward the north. While the adventurers and shopkeepers were still making noises, Soma started walking to look for an inn, and… a certain thing.