Chapter 13: Leda
Even after parting ways with Leda, I wandered around the town and discovered various shops and facilities.
Or rather, there didn't seem to be many impressive stores.
What caught my eye were stores that handled leather goods such as bags and horse saddles, shops displaying furniture and woodworking products, and shops with carpets and tapestries decorating cloth products. I enjoyed window shopping there.
The area surrounded by stone walls was at most a little over 1 kilometer in diameter.
Beyond the walls, there were farmlands, and it seemed that most farmers, loggers, and hunters lived outside. Even with them included, the population was said to be around 5,000 people.
When I bought a leather pouch for water and sake at the leather goods store, the shopkeeper told me various things.
According to them, leather goods made by hunters from outside the walls were cheap, while those made by craftsmen in town were of higher quality but a bit expensive. The most luxurious ones were said to be imported from Douglas.
The farmers outside the walls have been experiencing an increase in monster and bandit attacks recently. They say that the patrols of soldiers are insufficient, so quite a few people abandon their land and flee.
Well, it's understandable. Even if it's a bit further away, if groups of armed orcs appear during the day, it's impossible to live in peace.
As for other places, there were a blacksmith workshop, a stagecoach base, and the building that seemed to have the most history was like a temple. The building itself wasn't particularly large, but in the spacious front yard, there were stone statues of about ten male and female gods. It seemed to be a polytheistic religion like Greek or Roman.
Several clergy members were talking to worshippers and asking for alms, but they seemed to be at levels 1 to 3 when I used discernment. It might be quite impressive that Karina is at level 5 at her age, just like me.
The stone statues weren't very realistic, so I still couldn't tell if there was a god who resembled that goddess. However, I followed the flow of people and went up to the front of the building. I mimicked the people around me and performed something that seemed like worship, then threw in a coin.
May good things happen.
I won't ask for extravagance. I want to eat delicious food, be surrounded by beautiful people, and spend my time leisurely and comfortably... Oh, I guess that's asking for a lot.
When I returned to the inn, neatly folded and washed clothes were placed in front of the door.
I wouldn't mind a jacket-like haori with a Western style, but jeans would be more comfortable for the bottom. I don't need to mention underwear.
I prefer trunks over briefs.
And while looking at the picture book I bought, I tried to recall the pronunciation I heard from Grandpa, saying "Al Bara Sera..." It really sounds similar to European languages.
What's strange is that spoken language is automatically translated, so you don't need to be conscious of this pronunciation to be understood by others, but when you try to read the words, it takes effort.
I went downstairs to the still empty tavern and borrowed a menu from the cleaning girl.
Then, on one of the double-page spreads, strangely enough, the word "sake" floated and appeared.
"Huh!?"
It slipped out of my mouth unintentionally.
Why can I read this much? Oh, right, when I was walking in the town earlier, I saw the signs of the tavern many times, so I figured this must be the word for tavern.
There's one more thing, the word "bread" is floating in a different place.
That's the word written in the part with the picture of bread in the picture book. I learned it.
"What's wrong?"
The cleaning girl asked. I asked her while slightly excited.
"Hey, is this sake?"
"Yes, it is."
"...So, does that mean the top part on this side says 'meal'?"
"Oh, yes, it's 'meal.' Sorry, but meals are only available in the evening..."
At that moment, the word "meal" appeared on the heading of the other side of the menu.
I see.
It seems that the words are displayed in translation only after I understand their meanings. In other words, I still have to make an effort to learn. It's tough. But, for now, it's a step forward.
I thanked the puzzled cleaning girl and tried to go back to my room.
At that moment, I sensed something outside the inn. I could hear the voice of an older woman.
"Oh, long time no see... a young black-haired male guest? Oh, he's staying here."
The door opened, and Leda entered.
"Since we need to set the table, let's talk in the guest's room," the lady said for some reason, and she drove me upstairs, guiding Leda into my room.
Leda left the door open and took out a neatly coordinated bouquet from her cloth bag.
With pink as the base, small yellow, purple, and white flowers added to its charm. Even though I have no idea about flower types, I can tell it's tastefully arranged.
"Yeah, it's beautiful," I said, and she blushed slightly while showing a happy expression.
"Huh? That's so sudden!... Ah, I'm sorry."
She hurriedly corrected herself. She seems a bit different from when we met during the day.
"Yeah, you're right. Did it meet your expectations?"
"Yeah, I think it's really nice. I don't understand flowers and stuff, but this one feels good."
It's frustrating how lacking my expression is.
"Thank you. Did the money suffice?"
"Of course. I know someone who grows flowers, so I wonder if it was good to receive so many."
"It's fine. After all, you're taking them to the noble's mansion."
"I hope Lady Karina will like them..."
She speaks as if she knows about Karina, but well, we're just commoners in this small town, so it's natural to have acquaintances with everyone.
After chatting aimlessly for a while, I saw Leda off.
For some reason, she seemed a bit dissatisfied as she left, but it's probably just my imagination.
I wanted to know more about Leda, but as someone with poor communication skills, the conversation reached a record length for me.
After bidding farewell to her sweet scent as it wafted out of the tavern's door, I realized that she was dressed differently from when we met during the day.