Kujonin Chapter 98

Kujonin
Author: Hanabokuro
—

I ran all the way to the lake in one go without any breaks.
Merumo, as well as Seth, have become able to follow along somehow.
I borrowed a small boat from Sera's mother, Seline, at the Newt Tribe village near Adel Lake and headed to the Seth's hometown, the Cat Tribe's village, on the opposite sh.o.r.e.
Remodeling the boat with a magic circle, we went forward with the current. It's the usual, so no one was surprised by it. We ate yesterday's leftover barbecue on the boat.
We reached the Cat Tribe village a little past noon. We'll stay the night at this village today.
It will take about a day to cross the mountains and desert to Floura no matter what, so we shouldn't push it.
Returning to Seth's hometown, we're staying the night at the inn.
We searched for a person who would return the boat to Seline in exchange for monsters from the wasteland.
Seline did say, "It's fine if you don't return it," but I think that it would be better if all the people who lived around the lake could get along a little better. Is there any person who would help this be a trigger for that? When I asked Seth's mother about it, "Try asking the Village Head," she said.
When I explained the circ.u.mstances to the Village Head, who owns the largest boat in the village,
"You can't reach the opposite sh.o.r.e with such a small boat, nyaa~. But, I understand. If there is a chance to meet, I will try mentioning it nya~."
He said in a cat-ish way.
Certainly, it doesn't take much time when using a magic circle, but it does seem like it would normally take several days to go to the opposite sh.o.r.e in a small boat when just using an oar.
"If there's a time where we're able to negotiate, we'll use it nya~," the Village Head said.
"Thank you very much nya~,"
When I said that,
"Recently, those from outside the village have been saying, 'nya~' a lot more than the villagers. It's very sad, nya~. I believe tourists will come more if we say, 'Nya~, nya~,' nya~."
The Village Head grumbled.
After that I made some preparations for crossing the desert, then returned to Seth's family's house.

We were treated to dinner at Seth's family's house.
"Ever since Onii-chan started working for the company, dinners have been great!"
Seth's little sister, Nike, said happily.
Seth made a troubled, wry smile and covered Nike's mouth.
"Ah, it really is true. I was worried whether he had become a thief or not, but I'm truly happy that he's found himself some good people. Thank you very much. Please work Seth hard for many long years to come."
Seth's mother bowed her head towards us.
Come to think of it, we had met Seth when he had broken into our s.h.i.+p. Mothers really can see through anything.
"Oh no; you have entrusted your precious son to us, so as I watch over my employees, I will think about his growth in the areas that he has potential."
"Oo-! He's actually acting like a president!"
Ayl and Velsa are surprised at my words.
I was just completely copying something I saw on TV in my previous world.
During dinner the Village Head and his relatives also joined in, and it became a banquet.

The next morning, we headed to the mountain pa.s.s as Seth's family saw us off.
There were many monsters, but Ayl and Seth took the initiative to defeat them.
"If you defeat too many, the … what was it again? President?"
Merumo attempted to protest, but she failed. Looks like she forgot the word 'ecosystem.'
"It's the ecosystem, right? Well, this mountain pa.s.s is a little over-run by monsters. It might be okay to over hunt a little."
When I searched the area with the Search Skill, it was all red. Just with this, there are too many monsters.
This is a pa.s.s that merchants often take.
"It might be more than the time when we came previously."
Ayl said. She's probably aware of the presences.
After dismantling the monsters, I put the corpses one after another into the item bag.
I'm not using the confusion bell this time. That's because the confused monsters won't be restricted from heading to the Cat Tribe village.
In exchange, I'll tell Riddle-san to put out a request to scatter monster repelling herbs when we return to Floura.
When we entered the desert after pa.s.sing through the mountain pa.s.s, we wrapped white linen robes about us and around our heads and ran through.
The soft sand saps our strength, but with the goal of reaching a place with a bath by running as fast as possible, we mustered up our strength.
I have plans to use the bath I had made in the gra.s.sland campsite during the locusthopper incident.
We have the energy and had a proper meal, so we exited the desert a little before noon.
My entire body is smeared with sand. Even though I was wearing a robe, the wind blew the sand, getting inside.
I didn't lose much physical strength, but I've become weary.
The bath at the gra.s.sland has properly remained, so by using Cleanup on the water and heat it up, we'll be able to use it immediately.
I made a part.i.tion with monster bones and robes so we could all get in at once.
There aren't any presences from monsters; if anything comes, let's just deal with it naked. That was how bad we wanted to wash off that sweat and sand.
Using the citrus scented soup I had made before, we became quite refreshed.
Rising from the bath, I had a light meal, then ran all the way to Floura in one go.
Due to the sweat, all the members of the company are in our uniforms, the blue coverall. I tried using Cleanup on them; because the smell didn't leave it very well, so we'll have to do the troublesome thing and wash themwith soap and dry them. I alone did that troublesome act and the others pressed on.
After all, I only need to draw a wind magic circle on a plank and the coveralls will dry. I didn't bring many changes of clothes.
Furthermore, if I run all out, I'll catch up to everyone right away.
We pa.s.sed many merchants and adventurers, but there weren't many people surprised by the group wearing blue coveralls. They're even waving. I wonder what kind of group they think we are.
We completely ignored all the monsters in the gra.s.slands and the forest.
We arrived at Floura in the evening.

We returned to the inn we hadn't stayed at for quite a while, but it seems they left our rooms as they were.
"That was what the people of the Blacks Family said to do, after all."
When we went to pay, the innkeeper refused.
As we went to eat dinner in the cafeteria, the innkeeper stopped us.
"Naoki-sama, Riddle Blacks-sama has requested that, 'If he should return, have him come to the government office.' Margaret Floursama has also requested, 'If he should return, have him show his face at the mansion,' as well."
With Riddle=san, it should be about the locust hopper remunerations with Riddle-san, I guess? With Margaret-san, it's probably something like the tollway price or remuneration?
"Furthermore, the Merchant's Guild has a message for the Komura Company; 'If any of the employees returns, have them come to the Guild.'"
The Merchant's Guild? What for?
"Furthermore, Naoki-sama, Ayl-sama, Velssama, Seth-sama, and Merumo-sama have each been called to the Adventurer's Guild."
Ain't that basically everyone? Why were they so particular about it?
"Alright! That's a pain, so let's eat dinner and go to sleep for today! We'll go around and do the errands tomorrow!"
And so, we didn't go.

While we were in the middle of eating dinner, a dark elf entered the inn.
I'm pretty sure that's Riddle-san's younger brother of a different money, a person named Jerry.
"Ooh-! You've returned?! We've been waiting for all of you for many days! Come, let us go to the government office for now!"
He's an overbearing guy.
Ayl took a knife and split the bread on my plate in half and stuffed all of the vegetable stirfry and stewed dish into it.
"Here you go, a special sandwich. See you later!"
"Ah! No fair! Don't make me the only person who has to work! Ayl and Velsa go to Margaret-san's house, and Seth goes to the Merchant's Guild, and Merumo goes to the Adventurer's Guild! After that, report through the communication bag!"
Once I said that, I was taken away by Jerry-san with the special sandwich in hand.
While eating my sandwich, I walked through the sunset-lit Floura with Jerry-san and his attendants. I've been running everywhere recently, so I walked as leisurely as possible, memorizing the town streets of Floura. The Blacks Family members matched my pace.
When I had gone a way I could see the ocean by, there was a report from the communication bag.
["Dammit! We've been had! Drunk Red Dragon has come visiting!"]
["I get it, I get it! We're going to Margaret-san's mansion, so don't use magic here!"]
Ayl and Velsa's near screams could be heard.
A few minutes later. Another report came from the communication bag.
["President. The Merchant's Guild sent a carriage to meet me, but I wonder if it's fine to get on. I've never seen such a splendid carriage before."]
I heard Seth's trembling voice.
A few minutes later. Another report came from the communication bag.
["President. The Guild Master of the Adventurer's Guild as appeared!"]
I heard Merumo's stressed voice.
I just replied to all of them with, "I see. I wish you good luck."
"You seem quite busy."
Jerry-san said to me as I held the communication bag.
"No, it's always like this."
So saying, I entered the government office.