Kujonin Chapter 23

Kujonin
Author: Hanakuroko
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We reached the port town two days later. We reported to the village that the red dragon had revived and then immediately continued down the road that circ.u.mvents the mountain.
Ayl becomes the monsters' opponents, so I pretty much just walk.
We stayed over one night in the forest, and around noon the next day we could see the sea's horizon in the direction of the cliff.

Going down the gently sloping path, we proceed down the road while looking at the sea on the left-hand side.
The coming and going of wagons and people is also becoming more intense.
As the sun just began to sink, we finally reached the port town.

The port town, Marina Port, is larger than Kubenia, and the population is also larger.
At the harbor there is a large number of s.h.i.+ps docked.

Anyway, for now we'll arrange to stay at the Adventurer Guild's inn.
The Guild is the same everywhere, so there's an inn and eatery adjacent to it.
I sold all the wyvern's monster material, changed it to money, and then when I tried to book a room at the inn, I was told there was no vacancy.
It seems there's a sports festival soon, so the adventurers increased.
It can't be helped, so we went to find an inn elsewhere.
"Sports festival, huh? Naoki, you're not going to enter?"
Ayl asked.
"No way I'll enter, right? I'm not a swordsman after all."
"But I feel like you can win anyway, you know?"

"I have no interest. Ayl, what if you try entering?"
I said as I searched for inn-like buildings.
"If you make it to the top, it looks like the prize is riding a s.h.i.+p. Naoki probably also wants to ride a s.h.i.+p, right?"
"Un, maa, if I can."
Teyl, who went ahead, stopped; she found a building.
"Naoki-sama, how about this place?"
She was in front of a high-cla.s.s looking, brick inn.
The wyvern hide was bought at a high price, so it might be fine to stay here today.
"Ask if there are any rooms."
I asked Teyl, handing over the coinpurse.
"Understood."
Teyl entered the inn.
Teyl booked a single 3-person room and returned.
Ayle muttered, "This will be the first time I'm staying in such an expensive inn," in a small voice.
Anyway, I'm tired so I'd have been glad anywhere I could relax in, but having a luxury every now and then isn't too bad.
The innkeeper guided us to our room.
Inside there's even a bathroom, and we were told if we paid for it, hot water would be sent up.
We'd manage the hot water with Magic Circles somehow, so I refused.
When I handed over 1 silver coin as tip, the innkeeper was surprised and looked at me, said, "If there's anything you need, anything at all, please let me know," and left.
"One silver coin is too much."
Teyl told me.
I don't have much money sense, so it would be better to leave this sort of thing to Teyl as well.
Immediately, I set out the luggage, draw a Magic Circle on the large bucket bathtub in the bathroom, and acc.u.mulate hot water.
Using soup and perfume, the ladies entered the bath first.

Ayl exited first.
"Fuu- I'm refreshed. Naoki should go too. Teyl is skilled, you know."
Looks like Teyl washed her.
I guess it's normal for a slave to wash your back.
"O-i, Teyl-. I'll enter alone, so wash your own body and come out."
"… Understood."
Teyl, freshly washed, exited, and I swapped places with her and entered.
The hot water has become considerably dirty, so I changed it for fresh hot water.
"Ui~…"
Soaking in the bathtub, the exhaustion from the journey leaves me.
Slowly my body unwinds, and I wash my entire body with soap and apply perfume.
It's a citrus perfume, so even though it's very sweet, it's not stifling.
I use a wind magic circle for my hair, put on new clothes, and return to the room.
A laidback atmosphere drifted about.

Teyl made black tea, and I drank it at the table.
Outside the window is part of Marina Port's townscape, and when you face it you can see the sea.
"Ah, a map, I forgot to buy one. Tomorrow I'll buy one at the Guild. After that, take me to where the Monster Scholar is."
I requested of Ayl.
"Got it. If you guys meet up, I was thinking I'd go over to the sports festival. I think my level's gone up decently after defeating the wyverns, so I want to test my arm."
"I see."
"If I win and get to ride the boat, I'll try asking if Naoki-sama can also ride."
"N-, maa, if it's impossible it's okay too, though…"
Gu-!
Teyl's stomach sounded.
Her face completely red, Teyl suppressed her stomach.
"Then, let's go eat. We're at a port town, so there's probably some really delicious stuff!"
We left the inn and went out to town once again.

Even though it's night at the city of Marina Port, it's still full of energy.
All the restaurants are overflowing with people.
Brawls also arise here and there, and there are also people getting thrown through the air.
When Ayl dealt out punishment to the brawling adventurers with the back of her sword, cheers erupted and the shopkeeper gave his thanks.
That shopkeeper treated us to a fish dish, and we returned to the inn in a somewhat tipsy manner.
"It was delicious, naa."
"Was it really alright to get it for free?"
I spoke my impressions, and Teyl worriedly spoke to Ayl.
"Aa, it was thanks for stopping the brawl. Accepting is also a form of manners."
Ayle said, and clambered into her own bed.
Just like that, in a matter of a few minutes, Ayl was snoring.
At such speed, Teyl and I looked at each other and laughed.
"Teyl, it's fine for you to sleep first. I have a little work to do before bed."
"Is that truly alright?"
"Aa, I was thinking about making Ayl a protection charm, so it won't take long."
"Then, I will sleep first. Good night."
Teyl said, and went to her bed.
Staying in the same room as her master, Teyl was resistant to sleeping in the same style bed, but I showed I don't care so recently she's been using the bed at her own initiative1.
I think it would be good if her awareness as a slave gradually goes away.

I began making a misanga from magic thread (thread dipped in magic stone powder dissolved in water).
On the misanga wrapped in powerful magic power, I drew on a restoration magic circle.
With this, if you take damage enough to cause death, you can withstand it just once and be completely restored.
Just in case, I also made Teyl and myself ones.
Stretching, I look out the window and the round moon is suspended high up in the sky.
Listening to the sounds of the ocean, I crawl into bed, close my eyes, and quickly fall asleep.

I awoke at the time Ayl was leaving the room.
"Morning. Leaving already?"
Rubbing my eyes, I call out to her while yawning.
"Aa, the festival's reception is open early. I'm off already."
"A, hang on a sec."
I got out of bed and tied the misanga I made last night around Ayl's wrist.
"With this, even if you die, it'll be fine."
"Don't go killing me off, na."
Ayl glared at me.
"It's a protection charm."
"Thanks for the trouble. I told Teyl where the Monster Scholar's house is. See ya."
"Aa, safe travels."
Ayl left the room, seeming to be in high spirits.

"Would you like some black tea?"
Teyl asked me with a teapot in one hand.
"Yeah, I'll have some."
Hearing where the Monster Scholar's house is from Teyl, Teyl doesn't seem confident about it so we'll drop by the Guild first and then go.

Thank you patrons for continuing to support me in 2018! Also, thanks Allan for the donation!
… y'know, I just realized why these isekai stories always use 'gold' as a money denomination. Because the kanji for 'gold' and 'money' are the same. (only just NOW realized this, after many instances of having to double check whether 金is gold or money.)>