Chapter 76: Norte and Lina
The guild's lodging included meals and cost only one silver coin per person, an exceptionally low price in the capital. It was a relief because I had spent quite a bit in just one day.
Then, an unexpected present, or rather, a happening occurred. There was only a double room available.
Well, personally, my steel resolve was telling me it was too early to do such things with Norte, honestly. But, there were no other rooms available, and searching for another inn at dusk would be troublesome. In this world, anyone above 15 was considered an adult, and 16 was a normal age for marriage. They even said that nighttime duties were fine from the beginning...
(Not very manly, huh? I wonder who I'm making excuses to?)
Well... I couldn't help it.
Honestly, I didn't intend to rush things from the very first day. I thought I was a different person from the one a month ago during my DT days, thinking like a mature man and all that.
But when we entered the room and started undressing to wipe our bodies with the hot water in the wooden tub and the old cloth, Norte wasn't a child at all.
I'm sorry; I underestimated her destructive power.
Furthermore, I knew it was just an excuse, but when I met her in Doulas, she not only had a face covered in soot and scars, but her eyes also lacked any will to live. However, in these past few days, her expression had become increasingly lively, and she even started smiling. She wasn't exactly a beauty, but her round eyes and funny face had completely changed her aura.
At first, Norte said, "Master, I'll help you dry off," and I said, "Then, next time, I'll do it for you," and as we kept doing that, it gradually turned into a strange atmosphere, and before we knew it... Norte's stomach didn't stop making cute sounds like "kyuu" until her face turned bright red.
(...)
You don't have to say anything. Don't say anything.
Lina, whether she was being considerate or just acting like a "doll," was my salvation.
When we returned to our room after a late dinner at the guild's second-floor dining hall and tavern, we both ended up in one of the two available beds.
"Norte, do you have any dreams you want to fulfill?"
I asked while using my arm as a pillow, and she pondered for a while.
"I've always wanted to escape from that life, but I never really thought about what would happen afterward. I didn't know."
That's right, she probably didn't know much about the outside world, having become a slave at the age of 3, enduring terrible treatment from the age of 5. "But I faintly remember my father. My mother used to tell me a lot before she died; he was the best blacksmith in the dwarf kingdom. When the human kingdom invaded, we got separated from my father, and we were captured and made into slaves."
That's a terrible story. Hearing this, humans might be the worst creatures after all. Even though Norte had half-human blood, she was pitiable.
"...I'd like to meet my father someday, if possible. I don't remember where he was, but I want to go to the dwarf kingdom."
She made up her mind.
"Let's go; I promise. I want to travel all over this world, so I'll definitely go to the dwarf kingdom with you. We'll search for your father together."
Her body, small but firm, warm, and soft, pressed tightly against mine. We fell asleep feeling each other's warmth.
*****
I was able to wake up before dawn, perhaps because I felt like I had seen a different level-up in my dream.
"Is that you, Lina?"
(You're awake? The one who leveled up is me.)
Norte still seemed to be asleep.
I checked my status.
"Shiro Tsuzuki, male, 19 years old, adventurer (Level 15)
Skills: Doll Play (Level 10)
..."
Basically, it hadn't changed much.
(Let's try changing Lina into a magician, the one we used yesterday.)
As instructed, I imagined changing Lina into a magician in my mind. Suddenly, a different sub-screen appeared.
"Lina - Magician (Level 5)
Spells: Fire, Water, Earth, Wind, Shield"
What's this? Lina is growing, like a human magician... "Growth" in level 10 Doll Play means this?
(Yes, when you fight as a job you "role-play," you earn experience points. They accumulate separately for each job, so choose wisely.)
Certainly, during yesterday's mock battle with Illyanu, Lina used magic to "defeat" the summoned wolves and giant eagles. Well, considering our party formation, Lina and I were always like a party. So, the experience points for the clay golem I defeated could also be counted. If the growth rate of 2x applies to me, maybe a sudden 4-level increase is possible.
What about the priest? Let's try changing her job next.
"Lina - Priest (Level 1)
Spells: Purification"
Huh? This one is still level 1... Right, I've only defeated one skeleton since I changed Lina into a priest. Undead creatures gave very little experience points, so it hasn't increased yet.
"Does this mean that when you change into other jobs, the experience points don't reset, and they accumulate separately for each job?"
"...Master? Good morning."
Oops, I woke up Norte.
"Sorry, was I being too loud?"
"No, I have to wake up soon... Talking to yourself?"
Ah, she might have thought I was strange. Well, it's a good opportunity to explain. Since we're fighting together as a party, it's better to know each other's abilities.
"Actually, Lina and I can communicate without speaking out loud. I did accidentally speak out loud, but in yesterday's mock battle..."
Norte had heard a fair amount about Lina from Raluc and Beth during their camping times and such, but naturally, there were many things she didn't know. She looked quite shocked as I explained various abilities, and at some point, she seemed to find it unbelievable.
Now, Lina, who had turned into a small-sized priestess like Carenna, said, "Nice to meet you again," and Norte replied with a formal greeting, "Nice to meet you too."
"It's so formal. I'm just about Carenna's age, so you can speak casually, okay?"
"C-Carenna's age?"
"Yeah, or maybe I should say I'm Shiro's lover. Let's get along well."
That's not right; there's absolutely no such relationship with a doll. But Norte declared it seriously, saying, "...I won't lose!" What is she competing in?
Anyway, this would be my first party as an adventurer.
*****
We arrived in Ozac Village about three hours after dawn.
No, it wasn't because we pushed ourselves too hard for two nights in a row.
In terms of straight-line distance, it might indeed be about 5-6 kilometers. However, it wasn't a flat terrain.
I realized this when I was already feeling quite tired.
To think that a capital city could turn into farmland at this distance meant we were climbing hills. It was good that it was near the capital. They had developed the slopes well, creating fields and a village that didn't fall far behind Scutari in terms of population.
In the brief rest between their farming work, I saw only elderly people in the fields, but the old man drinking from a leather bag under the shade of a tree caught my eye. He must be the village elder. So, I asked him for directions to the village chief's house. He said it wasn't his home but the village office, and he kindly guided us there. It seemed there was a proper office here.
It took a while to walk on the country road where wagons could pass each other comfortably, but despite my training as a soldier over the past month and the fact that I had almost everything in my item box, Norte seemed to be in better shape.
However, when we finally reached Ozac Village, it turned out to be quite a large village, with a population that might not be far from Scutari's. As expected, it was near the capital. They had developed the slopes well, creating fields and a village that didn't fall far behind Scutari in terms of population.
I went to the village elder's house, as directed by the elderly man, and we parted ways after thanking him. Upon entering the village elder's house, we were led to the village chief, who greeted us.
"Is this about the monster extermination request from the guild? Are you the adventurers who were dispatched?"
The one who greeted us and introduced themselves was the young woman.
"Welcome to Ozac Village. I am Hamet, the village chief."