Late summer winds blow through the woods.
The sound that rides on it. It is the clash of swords and fangs. It was the sound of a battle. With both sides risking their lives.
Gawd!"
You have to stop the 'dog' from biting your arm off. And eat its mandibles with your sword.
With the returning swor. He slashed down the head of the Dark Demon Dog (Black Dog).
But a demon dog is not a lone creature. The beast is a creature that acts in packs.
Even though it is daytime. Ferocious demons appear one after another from the depths of the dark forest.
He tried to thrust his sharp fangs and claws into the black-haired swordsman Tet – and tried.
Windcutter!
A high. The clear voice on a fresh breeze kneads the magic.
The gusts of wind that were created became countless blades and tore through the bodies of the Demon Dog. Through trees and grass and flowers.
The five dismembered demons sink into the earth as a lump of flesh without even raising a cry of despair.
All the demon dogs left behind were also cut down by Tet with a single sword.
And so the dimly lit forest returns to its original silence.
"Phew..."
The wizard Machina let out a taut breath and smiled at Te. Their gazes entwining.
A very comfortable victory.
The closer you get to the royal city. The more powerful the demons become. But the two of them kicked the crap out of the demons without any trouble.
'You're looking all right. Mr Tett!
"It is all thanks to the efforts of the Princess.... The Princess saved my life. And I will surely repay her with the work of my sword...!"
I'm not sure what you mean by that. I understand. So please keep 'Squire Mode' to a moderate level (・・・・. Okay?"
"O...! Sorr. It's not... It's just… "O. Sorr. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry.
He still hasn't lost his knightly behaviour – if anything. Tet's loyalty to him has increased since he was brought back alive by the dex ore that Machina dug up.
I mined the antidote ore in the Wells Volcano and was able to learn about the lewd magic of "Gerweth" From Coltr. Who was a worker there?
Te. Who wandered the borderline between life and death after being poisoned by Poison Fro. Has recovered to the point where he can safely wield a sword.
Makina also has more (・・・・) magical power thanks to Kortra (・・・・. And she's no match for them. It's no longer lagging behind goblins or poison frogs.
"At this rat. We'll make it to King's Landing in one piece...!"
This is smooth sailing. Our destination is the Great Magic Library in King's Landing.
My heart swells with anticipation at the prospect of finding clues to the ancient magic (Gerwes. And by extension. The mages of the avenging enemy.
It's....
However.
The problem is always and realistically posed.
"I don't have... Any money in my possession....."
We both let out a loud sigh at the same time.
And they got along. And their stomachs rumbled too.
That's right. The problem at hand for Makina and the others was to find money.
When he first arrived in Well. He had some savings from the quests he had earned up to that point.
However. The doctor who spent a week with Tette a week had to pay for her treatment.
Furthermor. There was a payment to the hot spring inn. Moreover. Tac. The pick-up artist. Had left a "Bill" For the landlord. And since he had escaped from Melissa and left tow. Makina and her friend. Who was partying with hi? Had to pay for Tact's accommodation as well. Even if it was only temporarily.
They didn't even sell the rare Dex. Turning it all into antidotes.
And the bad luck just piled up.
The other ores that Makina had dug up during the seven days were all given to the guild. The guild's receptionist was impatient (・・・・・) with him. Sayin. "I don't need anything except the Dex or. So please let me go to the volcano as soon as possible."
In the end. Most of the money I had saved was gone.
They were a princess and a knight of a country. And for the first time in their lives. They were faced with poverty.
"If only I had filled out the checklist at the time so that at least some of the gems would be on hand. Other than the Dex ore..."
There's no use mourning the pas. Makina.
Having said that. Tet is also poking at the demon dog's carcass with the tip of his sword.
It's not like the demons you defeat are going to conveniently drop (drop) money on you.
If it's goblins or other such creatures that take human equipment and possession. There are still many bird and beast-type demons around here. There is no way that they possess human currency.
"...After al. It seems we have no choice but to continue on our way to the 'tavern'."
'Well.... We've got a lot of work ahead of us. And we don't have time for leisurely quests."
The adventurers were not in such a situation. This situation was not so much of a problem for adventurers.
The reason for this is that there are Adventurers' Guilds all over the world that accept quests. The real thrill of being an adventurer is that you can earn money any way you want. Depending on your skills.
But Makina and the others couldn't stay in the spa town forever. Now that they have a clear destination. The Royal Library. They have a reason to head to the Royal Capital as soon as possible. Even if it's just for a day or a second.
I wonder what kind of place it i. Then? Is that 'Vanillanda's Tavern'..."
'Come o.... They say it's an easier place to make money than doing quests..."
The 'they' who had given us the name Vaniranda's Tavern were the veteran adventurers Tet had rescued.
They had been turned into crystals by the Poison Frog that inhabited the 'crest'.
He was treated as missing for a long time. But was saved by Tet's desperate efforts that somehow did not crystallize.
Because of this debt of gratitude. She visited Tette frequently at the hot spring resort during her treatment. And when Tette woke u. She was delighted and expressed her gratitude in her own words.
When they found out about Makina and the others' pockets. They told them about a "Certain place".
Lending and borrowing money between adventurers only leads to trouble. But instead. They gave the two new adventurers "Information".
That was it – the name of the restaurant was "Vanillanda's Tavern".
＊＊＊＊＊
Just after the sunset completely fell. We left the forest road.
The bar was located on the open flatland beyond.
Torches to ward off demons were lit all around. And dazzling lights leaked from each of the windows of the huge three-story wooden house.
The absence of man-made objects in the area makes the warm light stretching from the dozens of windows eye-catching.
The nighttime castle that floats in the pitch-black darkness has the appearance of a small "Fortress" Rather than an inn.
"Welcome. One man and one woman.
When I entered the restaurant. The air was filled with the smell of alcohol and the hustle and bustle of many people. As it was only a bar.
And at that reception counter. A woman was waiting for hi. Who for a moment made him think she was a demon.
She's covered in fat that looks like it's about to be ripped off. But she's dressed up in gorgeous dresses and jewellery (accessories).
Her hair was dyed purple and she wore thick makeup on her face. Reminding me of a typical "Witch" From a story.
I'm Vanilland. The owner. Welcome to my castle (bar).
But of course. She is not a demon. Vanillanda is bigger than most big me. But she is a human being.
S. I guess we're staying in today. Right? As you can see. The first floor is for drinks and food. The second floor is for regular overnight rooms. The third floor is a luxury service room...
'Ye. N. We're.... U. We are...!"
I heard you could make some money here."
The two are suspicious of the cost of lodging and food for the night. Let alone a luxury roo. And they try to ask each other if they can make any money.
But neither – or their bellies made a loud grumbling (…) Soun. Making Vanillanda giggle.
"Hi there. You're a visitor from 'over there'. Sit down and wait a bit. If you're hungry. You won't be able to get anything out of me. Will you?"
She was built as if she could swallow a small child whole in one bit. But her voice and tone exuded the receptiveness of a mother of a large family.
Makina and Tet did as they were told and took their seats at a table on the first floor.
Looking around. Many customers were filling the chairs as it was dinner time.
And the aspect of it was different in a thousand different ways.
Hey! Bring the booze! More booze. More booze! I've got plenty of money!
A young adventure. Red-face. Is chomping down on meaty steaks and seafood. Lavishly filling his stomach with expensive brands of sake.
In one corner of the table was a Dex or. Not for detoxification. But as a precious metal instead of a 'chip. Which he handed to the waitress who brought him his drink.
"... O. U.... Water... Additionally."
In contrast. Some of them were refilling the free water in small voices.
He is a middle-aged adventurer with the appearance of a bi. Experienced veteran. But he looks exhausted and counts the few remaining possessions in his wallet as he licks them.
I had already finished my meal and another frugal thing. Of course.
"... This is..."
'That's a hell of a disparity...'
Vaniranda's Tavern is located halfway between the spa town of Wells and the Royal Capital.
This is the place where those who succeed in mining in the mountain stream quests and volcanoes and get rich (money) play hard.
But for those who didn't. It was also a place where they would run for shelter from the wind and rain in their "Sukappin" To grab their last chance at the royal capital.
And Makina and the other. Who couldn't look at it as something els? Were adventurers who belonged more. Or rather. Complete. To the latter side of the "One-hit-wonder" Crowd.
To Makina and Te. Who were on the downward slope of their live? Vaniranda put soup with vegetables and beans and black barley bread on the table.
"After you eat them. Come into my office from behind the counter. I'll tell you a little bit about the money we're going to make. You'll just have to help me out a bit with the business of the inn. You'll live in and work for a few days. And when you've saved up enough money for your trip. You can go to King's Landing or whatever you want. That's what we all do here."
Vaniranda's smiling face looks more like a large predator before predation than a benevolent goddess.
But still. It was a much-needed helping hand for both of them.
O. Thank you...!
I will do my very best!"
I haven't even asked him for details ye. But he's already ready to work. I was in a situation where I had no other choice.
Makina and Tet were pouring hot soup into their empty bellies and admiring Vanillanda's personality with a look of satisfaction on their faces.
You've got a great place here!"
"Yeah...! It sure looks a lot easier than risking your life on a quest...!"
Regardless of his appearance. He is a "Good man" Who welcomes needy adventurers as his guests and even gives them work opportunities.
The fact that he's running such a large inn and ba. He must be a very skilled manager.
Is it dishwashing or customer service? Or is it cooking or cleaning?
Makina and Tetteh are discussing their future work…
"...Wel. Here come Zhuibun and a couple of weak-minded youngsters..... Wel. They both have good faces and look promising....!
–The two of them are still a bit naive. Having grown up in a greenhouse. Even though they're budding adventurers.
He was tucking into his meal with relish. Not imagining the harshness and horror of society.