It had been over two weeks since Katsumi and Mari had set out. They had been forced to travel on foot through the forest since they didn't have horses. By now, they had crossed through the entire region known as the Western Forest and entered into what was just known as wilderness.
Katsumi had taken the time to increase the speed of both his monsters even further, since they had underperformed in that aspect in the last fight. He didn't want to take any more risks like that.
By day, they had travelled, and by night, Purple protected them from attack using hardened slime domes. Out of consideration for Mari, Katsumi insisted on them having separate sleeping places.
That was a good thing, because baths for both of them were far and few between. Meanwhile, they only had one set of clothes each, and they were getting more and more tattered by the day.
It was just perfect that they were finally getting close to a small town, Elsor. It lay directly on the straight path from the capital to Navport.
"Kimoto-san, we should probably stop for clothes."
"A-agreed."
---
At dusk, a pair of figures approached the north gate of Elsor. The guard didn't even bother to glance at them when they were still at a distance. Probably another pair of adventurers or mercenaries. They were everywhere these days. Times were changing, and the world was getting more and more chaotic. Plenty of work for those who could fight. It wasn't for the old guard, though. When he was young, he had wanted to be an adventurer too, but then he took a magic-enhanced arrow to the knee.
The pair of figures drew close and stopped in front of the guard.
"State your business, travellers!"
"We're, uh, mercenaries. Just passing by. Looking for work, and making our way southwest. Heard there was work at, uh, Navsport."
"Another pair of you mercs, eh? Well let this old fart give you a bit of advice: Head south, kiddo. Plenty of work killing half-breeds. Or north if you like cooler weather. I hear they have a snow wyvern infestation going on. Anyway, you want in on this town, right? You got cash for the toll? If not, since we're such a small place, we'll take provisions and stuff too."
"Uh, right. Give me a moment."
The taller figure turned around and reached into the rucksack of his companion and pulled out a medium-sized package wrapped with leaves. The guard thought for a moment he saw something like black mist creeping along the tall figure's arm, but that must have been his imagination.
"This is, uh, Shock Hog meat. It's cooked already."
The guard took the package as it was handed to him. It was pretty sizable. Honestly, he would have asked for less, but he would take what he was given.
"Alright, welcome to Elsor. Enjoy your stay, and don't start any trouble or I'll come and teach you a lesson."
The figures nodded and walked past him into the town.
---
"T-that went well."
"Yeah, it sure did, Kimoto-san."
The two hooded figures were, of course, Katsumi and Mari.
"So, Kimoto-san, we should find a place to stay, so we can finally take a bath. It's been ages, and I suppose you, uh, want to take one too?"
"Y-yeah."
They walked off into the town together.
---
"This seems like a nice place, doesn't it?"
"Y-yeah! They have hot water b-baths! See? On the sign!"
Katsumi glanced over at Mari. She wasn't smiling too much, but her eyes were sparkling.
How cute.
"Let's stay here then, if the meat I have on me is enough to pay for it."
Katsumi pushed past the creaky wooden door into what seemed to be a tavern. It was the perfect representation of a fantasy tavern: men in armor gathering around beer and laughing boisterously, a barmaid walking around handing out mugs. It was enough to make an otaku cry, but Katsumi held back the urge. He walked up to the empty counter, Mari at his side.
"Howdy! Ya looking to stay the night?"
They were greeted from the side by a young girl with golden hair and blue eyes. Hirai was no lolicon, but he had to admit the girl looked cute in the barmaid outfit she was in.
"Uh, yeah. Can I pay with provisions? I don't have any money on me."
"Depends on what meat that is! We already got plenty of Needle Hare, so no to that!"
"Its, uh, Shock Hog."
"I-is that right, sir? You brought one of those beasts down?!"
"Uh, yeah."
"I'll give you a discount if you tell me how you did it later! How much meat ya got?"
Hirai reached into Mari's rucksack and pulled out three chunks of meat the same size as the one he had given the guard earlier.
"Uh, is this enough?"
"That much?"
Hirai grimaced. He'd probably overpaid the guard earlier, but what was done had been done.
"We'll be staying for two days."
The girl looked slightly less shocked now.
"Well, okay then!"
She turned around and yelled at the rest of the people chattering in the tavern.
"Boys! Shock Hog's on the menu tonight!"
The elicited a deafening cheer out of the rest of the customers.
"Great, I assume you lovebirds will want a two-person room, right! Don't worry, they're pretty soundproof!"
"Uh, what?! No!"
Katsumi was the one to yell. Mari turned to look at him. For some reason, Katsumi had a feeling she was slightly sad. She whispered to Katsumi.
"B-but didn't you say you would p-protect me Hirai-kun?"
"Yeah, but you'd like some privacy, right? I can just, uh, leave one of Purple's slimes with you!"
"Sorry to break ya lover's quarrel, but we only got a double room left. Look, I'll throw in a bottle of booze for free, to set the mood, eh?"
The young girl was grinning like a devil.
This was bad. This was very bad for Katsumi's heart.