After traveling for about a week, we've finally arrived in the city of Galderia. Inside the city are a myriad of establishments that come in different shapes and sizes. There were street stalls all over the place and multiple races coexisting together.
「Amazing, there's so many people.」Yuna
「There sure is. It's a city after all.」Grey
Just by a single glance, it was easy to tell that there's at least a thousand people in front of us. From what I know, cities like this one can house at least a population of 200,000. While smaller settlements like towns at least have a population of 35,000, villages have at least 300 , and hamlets have at least 50.
「The houses are also huge.」Yuna
「Hm? Isn't it your first time in a city? It's okay to act more excited, you know.」Grey
「Well, I'm already an adult so that's a little too childish for me. And Grey, isn't it also your first time in one?」Yuna
「Oh, right...」Grey
Ah, crap. I was so used to cities on earth that I forgot that it's supposed to be my first time in one. Better change the subject immediー
「Pfft... What do you mean by that? 」Yuna
Hm?
「And you even looked soーpfft... serious when you said itーpfft... Hahaha...」Yuna
... Nevermind, It should be fine, as long as she's happy.
「Anyway, why don't we get an inn first.」Grey
「Trying to change the topic, huh. You sure are shrewd.」Yuna
「Yeah, yeah」Grey
We followed Dale-san's suggestion and looked for an inn named "Rabbit's Den". After a few minutes of walking, we finally found it.
「Ah, welcome to the "Rabbit's Den". How may I help you?」Receptionist
When we entered the inn, a woman about the same age as us greeted us warmly.
I wonder why, but in every isekai I've read so far, whether it's an inn or the guild, the receptionist is always a woman. Fantasy worlds sure are mysterious.
「We heard from Dale-san that the food and service here is good so we're here to check in.」Grey
「From Dale-san was it? Are you two perhaps new here?」Receptionist
「Ah, yes. I'm Grey and this is Yuna. Umm...」Grey
「Ah, how rude of me. I'm Helen.」Helen
「Nice to meet you, Helen-san.」Grey
「Un, a pleasure.」Yuna
「Nice to meet you too, Grey-san, Yuna-san.」Helen
Hmm... I don't know why but it suddenly feels strange interacting with people after all this time. If I haven't met Yuna, I'm sure my speech would be broken by now, or worse, I might have forgotten how to act properly in a conversation!
Other than that, I'm happy to finally talk to other people other than Yuna, it's not like I hate talking only to Yuna, but it just feels so refreshing.
「So, you want to check in, right? Umm... Hello... Grey-san...」Helen
「Hey, Grey!」Yuna
Noticing me spacing out, Yuna delivered a blow into my stomach. But due to the gap in our ranks, it just felt very light.
Looks like I got too worked up about meeting new people, I should pay more attention to what's currently happening.
「Ah, sorry. What were we talking about again?」Grey
「Haa... You're hopeless... She's asking if we're checking in.」Yuna
「Ah, yes. How much will it be for a room?」Grey
「For a single room it's 50 a night, 95 for a double room, and 120 for a large room. It will an additional 20 for breakfast.」Helen
50 kiels a night for a single room, huh? If a kiel is equal to 50 yen, then that would be 2,500! So cheap! A hotel room in japan would cost at least 5,000 yen a night!
... But, too bad there won't be an air conditioner or a state of the art mattress foam on these rooms. I guess if we take those into account, it would make a lot sense why it's so cheap.
Anyway, I'm thankful that we can actually afford to stay here for some time with the money we currently have, excluding the void crystals.
「Then we'll have two single rooms with breakfast for two weeks.」Grey
「Two single rooms, breakfast included for two weeks, that should be... 1,960 kiels in total.」Helen
While Helen-san was tabulating our expenses, I noticed that she was using a magic tool that functioned like a calculator.
So calculators also exist in this world, huh. I wonder what other things could be made easily with the use of magic.
After receiving the total, I grabbed 2 silver coins from the storage and handed it over to Helen-san. Since Dale-san already knew that I have the 『Storage』ability, I didn't bother hiding it from Helen-san.
「『Storage』, huh. Now that's something you don't see everyday. Anyway, here's your change, 4 nickels.」Helen
「Ah, thanks.」Grey
「Now that that's over, I hope you enjoy your stay here in the Rabbit's Den!」Helen
「We will.」Grey
Having completed the payment and receiving the keys from Helen-san, the two of us headed to our rooms.
But, there's been something bothering me all this time.
「Yuna, why were you so quiet back then?」Grey
For the whole time, it was practically me doing all the talking. It was also the same when we were in the barracks. Is she perhaps shy in front of strangers?
It would become a bother in the future if Yuna stays like this. It's better to fix her as soon as possible.
「Well, I haven't participated in any negotiations, so I thought I might become a bother if I say something unnecessary, that's why I decided to keep quiet until you're done.」Yuna
So that's how it was. It must have been hard on her. I should pay more attention to her next time.
「Rather, Grey, I'm surprised you were able to pull it off on your first time. Are you sure this is your first time in a city?」Yuna
「Ah, that's... natural talent or something... I guess... haha... ha...」Grey
「I guess you're right, You're the most talented person I know after all.」Yuna
That was close! I should really pay more attention when I'm with Yuna. Worst case scenario, she might start to suspect my identity.
Wait... is it just me or isn't Yuna too observant of my actions? It's like she notices every single thing I do.
「Hmm? What is it?」Yuna
「No, nothing.」Grey
「???」Yuna
No, it might just be my imagination.
「Yuna, since it's already late in the afternoon. Why don't we call it day, and we'll explore the city tomorrow. We've been travelling for a week after all.」Grey
「Now that you mention it... Haiii～ also feel a bit sleepy～.」Yuna
Pfft... yeah, no doubt about that.
She looked so cute when she yawned
「Are you mo～king me～?」Yuna
「That's just your imagination. Anyway, sweet dreams.」Grey
「Yeah～ Swet drems～.」Yuna
As I approached my room, Yuna already entered her room in a half-asleep state. I guess no matter how mature you act, you still won't be able to beat sleepiness.
I guess the moment she lies on her bed, she'll head to dreamland immediately.
The moment I entered my room, what lay before me was a single bed with sheets as white as snow, a smooth floor made of an unkown type of wood, a small cabinet, a bed lamp, and other bedroom necessities.
Woah～ It actually looks like a decent room. Since this world's setting was set like the middle ages on Earth, I didn't set high expectations on how the room looks, but this room is really neat.
I wonder what the bed feels like.
Without wasting another moment, I immediately tried out the bed but...
Knock Knock Knock
Hmm? What's that noise?
Knock Knock Knock
「Gr... wa.. u..」???
Hmm? Who's that? So noisy.
「Grey, wake up already!」Yuna
Oh, it's just Yuna.... Hm? Yuna?
「Ah! Yuna, what are you doing here?」Grey
「What do you mean what I'm doing here? Didn't you say we'll explore the city first thing in the morning. So I'm here to wake you up.」Yuna
Morning? Huh? Did I fall asleep? But I don't remember doiー oh, right. I fell asleep the moment I laid down on bed.
I gotta say, this bed sure is comfy, no wonder I fell asleep immediately yesterday. It might have something to do with the fatigue piling up after all this travel but this bed's comfort is too terrifying.
After praising the comfort of the bed, I quickly prepared myself by washing my body and changing into another set of clothes.
I sure do miss taking baths, back in the forest, I created a bath immediately after learning water magic. As a former japanese person, baths are a necessity. I wonder if there are baths here, but I've read from isekai mangas and novels that baths are a luxury for nobles and rich merchants.
Well, if I can't buy it, then I'll make it!
Having washed and changed myself, I walked out of my room and greeted Yuna.
「Geez, what took you so long.」Yuna
「Sorry, the bed was just too comfortable that I had a hard time waking up. Anyway, why don't we have breakfast then we'll go exploring the city.」Grey
We ate breakfast at the inn's diner. Gotta say, for a meal worth 20 kiels (1,000 yen) that meal sure was luxurious. There were grilled meat, soup, loaves of bread, some drinks, and even desserts. They were all delicious but I wish I had some rice.
With our stomachs filled, we started to explore the city. First, we went to watch a theater play.
Inside the theater, there were many rows and columns of seats, divided into different sections. There were also seats located at the second floor, I guess they're seats for special guests.
「Grey, the play is starting!」Yuna
When we went inside the theater, Yuna was so excited, her ears can't stop twitching. I guess this is a first for her, though I can do the same about me. I have been to movies before but never to a play, so this is a worthwhile experience for me.
The play started and the crowd became quiet. The play presented in front was a tale of a hero who battled against a dragon in order to save his kingdom. The story was good but what captured me the most was the way the actors and actresses acted their roles. Each of their movements and facial expressions were flawless as if they've experienced the story itself. The way they speak, the pacing of their movements, their synchronization, everything was perfect. Now I understand why people watch these plays over and over again.
「That was fun!」Yuna
「Glad you enjoyed it. Now, let's head to our next destination.」Grey
Our next destination was the horse stables. From what I heard from Helen-san, the stable charges 10 kiels per person per hour for those who wanted to learn how to ride horses.
Since both Yuna and I know nothing about horse riding, we took up this opportunity to learn it but...
「Aaaah! Grey, help! Help meeee～!!!」Yuna
... for the whole time, the two of us were lying on the ground, nauseous . By the time we finished, we didn't learn a single thing at all.
After having a rowdy experience, the two of us went to the city garden to calm down from the terror of horse riding.
There were a myriad of flowers in the garden, there were roses, tulips, orchids, lilies, daisies, yarrows, heliotropes, daffodils, and a lot of plants I don't recognize. Heck, there's even a rainbow-colored rose.
The time we spent on the garden was much more pleasant than the time we spent horse riding. Ughh... I really wanna forget that horrible experience.
Moreover, the flowers here are very fragrant. And just by a single glance, you can tell that they're full of vitality. Someone must have taken good care of them. I wonder how they smell to beastkin.
Other than that, Yuna looked like she was enjoying herself. From the mangas and novels I've read, Elves are often associated with nature. And just by watching Yuna, one will believe it without a doubt.
It was already noon by the time we finished touring the garden, so we headed to the central plaza to have lunch.
Inside the plaza, there were many stalls lined up. There were stalls selling food, fruits, vegetables, condiments, fabric, jewelry, and many more.
「There's so many stalls～ Grey, where should we eat?」Yuna
「Hmmm... How about we take turns picking a stall, and we'll try out whatever they have until we're full,」Grey
「Wouldn't that be a waste of money?」Yuna
「Don't worry, since it's our first time in the city, it's fine to splurge for a day.」Grey
「Well, if you say so.」Yuna
Well, even if the money we got from selling the goblin king's sword is all spent, I still have ten void crystals in my storage, each worth a billion kiels.
Having the money to do so, we tried out many things from pork kebabs, grilled fishes, roasted chicken, salads, soups, and many more. We even tried some weird drink that I immediately regretted drinking. Over all, we spent about 100 kiels.
「Fuah～ those meals sure are delicious.」Yuna
「I know right.」Grey
「But they're still no match for your curry.」Yuna
「Why don't we have curry for tomorrow.」Grey
「Why not tonight?」Yuna
「I still wanna try the dishes here in Galderia.」Grey
「Then it's a promise, okay.」Yuna
Yuna said with a bright smile on her face.
That's cheating. What kind of man would refuse if they're greeted with a cute smile like that, on top of that the person who made that smile was also cute.
After lunch, we went sightseeing around town. We walked so much distance that by the time we were back at the inn, it was already evening.
「Oh, you're back. Would you like to have dinner?」Helen
「Sorry, we already ate outside.」Grey
「Yeah, the food in Galderia are amazing, though there's some weird ones too.」Yuna
「Haha... I know what you mean. Anyway, I'm glad that your date went well.」Helen
「Yeahー」Grey
Hm? Did I just hear something about a date?
When I looked at Helen-san, she was smiling brightly waiting for my response. Better clear up the understanding before it gets worse.
「No, it wasn't a date. We just watched a play, went horse riding, flower viewing... had lunch... wentー」Grey
It totally was!
I haven't thought of it as a date since Yuna and I were almost always together for more than a year, but it was totally a date!
I wonder how Yuna's feeling abou... she's blushing!
「Ara ara, seems like we have an innocent couple here.」Helen
Helen-san, you're not helping!
Anyway, I should try to change the conversation before it takes a turn for the worse.
「Umm.. I'm tired... so... I'll head to bed now... good night.」Grey
「Ummm... I'll also be heading... to bed... good night, Helen-san.」Yuna
Victory! I've successfully escaped from the dangerous situation.
After arriving at my room, I quickly jumped to the bed and tried to forget what happened. Needless to say, it became a sleepless night.
CHAPTER 7 END