kscans

Chapter 206 - The Crystal Garden's Eatery and a New Dog-Eared Girl

We somehow managed to collect our third Mana Seed and returned from our Area Guardian farming run in the Crystal Palace. We had planned on six, but we'd only managed to get half that. It turned out that a single takedown took a long time because the Phoenix would resurrect and attack again unless Mizuki defeated it with her special skill, Super Kill. To prevent its revival, we had to completely incinerate its body with fire. Petra told us this fact, but it was a total newbie trap. It would be a nightmare to face an enemy with an immortal trait like that in an Area Guardian's room without any prior knowledge.

Information gathering is essential, but while you can buy maps for the lower floors, the amount of available information dwindles as you ascend, and there's virtually nothing for the fortieth floor and above. It was already dark outside. The stalls catering to dungeon explorers had vanished, replaced by the glowing lights of brothels beckoning to the men of the city. The streets had taken on a festive, almost giddy atmosphere, and we walked through the warm glow of the city lights.

"Should we ask him? I bet my senpai has cleared even higher floors,"

Mizuki said. I'm sure it was a thoughtless comment, but I couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy.

"Yeah, maybe…"

"What's with that half-hearted reply?"

she asked, nudging me lightly with her elbow.

"No, I'm just tired from exploring. You all… seem pretty energetic,"

I said, trying to change the subject. It was somehow irritating that everyone except Marmi looked completely fine. Was this what they called youth?

"…I'm tired too. I don't want to walk anymore."

Marmi trudged along at the very back of our group, her steps heavy. Her basic stamina was low, and she had overused her mana. Come to think of it, Petra was older than me. I snuck a glance at her, but she didn't seem tired at all.

"Sorry, but I don't have the energy to cook dinner. I want to eat somewhere before we go home."

"Master, that's not what we promised."

"Yeah. You're usually the most energetic one at night,"

Famu and Mizuki chided.

"Famu, we'll do it tomorrow. I'll buy meat and we can grill it together. Mizuki, you're on for tonight!"

The two of them continued to stare at me, still dissatisfied. Just then, I spotted the glint off Beers's bald head. He'd noticed us too and waved.

"Yo, you guys been in the dungeon this late?"

"I'm starving. I want to get some food somewhere."

"Then how about this place?"

He pointed to the shop he was about to enter. The tavern's sign read "Ruritei Tavern."

"Isn't that a brothel?"

I checked the storefront, but it looked no different from the other establishments lining the street. There were no women out front trying to solicit customers, though.

"It is, but it's more of a place for food. The members of Nekono Konekoneko are inside too."

"Komachi and Doris too?"

Beers nodded. I couldn't let my guard down around Komachi and her swapping hobby, but if Doris was there, it should be safe enough for Famu and the others. I glanced at them for confirmation, and Petra took a step back.

"I'm going to head home."

"No, stay and eat. My treat."

"I don't want to take this off."

She pointed to her mask. She never took it off during battle, of course, but even when she needed a drink of water or a quick bite to eat, she would turn her back and hide. It might be a racial custom, but did she really need to adhere to it so strictly? I found myself staring at her face. She was over fifty, but her voice and the feel of her hand when we'd shaken were youthful. What kind of face was hidden beneath those glasses and that mask?

"…What is it? Do you want to see my face? I knew my grandfather was trying to set us up, but do you wish for that as well?"

I frantically shook my head. Then, realizing that might have been rude, I shook my head again to deny that denial.

"No, that's not what I meant by shaking my head."

She would have just seen me shaking my head, so I hurried to correct myself.

"Next time, as an apology, Mizuki will treat you to some ale made by Aidan."

"Why me?!"

Mizuki immediately protested.

"Heh heh, maybe you're a good guy after all, Mash. I'll be sure to hold you to that promise,"

Petra said, then waved and walked off.

"Welcome, nyaa,"

a cat-eared girl who looked about Mizuki's age called out. We stepped inside. The place was no different from any other inn with a tavern-slash-eatery on the first floor. The only difference was that here, you didn't get your own food; waitstaff came to your table to take your order and serve you. The place was bustling, and numerous employees were rushing about. All of them were young and attractive, and just looking at them seemed to melt away the day's fatigue.

"You can buy a night with any of the waitresses here for ten silver coins,"

Beers whispered in my ear, earning a glare from Famu. That was the same price as a night's stay at an inn. It seemed quite cheap. If Famu and the others weren't here, I'd want to come every day. As I thought this, I could see Famu's eyebrows arching. I hastily told myself to become a void and stopped thinking.

At the back of the tavern were the members of Nekono Konekoneko. I saw Takamura, Komachi, Fang, and Doris. I raised a hand, and they raised their ales in response. We sat down at the table next to them. A waitress immediately approached. It was the same cat-eared girl who had greeted us at the door. She wasn't dressed particularly revealingly, but just the thought that I could buy a night with this cat-eared girl was exciting.

"What can I get for you, nya?"

"Do you always talk like that, nya?"

"Of course not, nya. Only when I'm working, nya."

The waitress smiled sweetly.

"Is it okay if we just eat, nya?"

"Of course, nya. We don't try to solicit customers who come in with women, nya."

"Out of curiosity, how much are you, nya?"

She narrowed her eyes and smiled, leaning close to my ear.

"I'm cute and my service is good, so I'm expensive, nya. Twenty silver coins for one night, nya."

Her hot breath tickled my ear, and she licked my earlobe. The rough sensation sent a shiver down my spine.

"""Hmph!"""

Famu, Mizuki, and Myra grunted in unison. Only Marmi shot me a bored look.

"W-what do you recommend, nya?"

I hurriedly changed the subject, turning back to the cat-eared girl. She pointed to a menu hanging on the wall.

"Our goulash is full of meat and super delicious, nya!"

"Then I'll have the goulash. And some bread and ale, nya."

"Right away, nya!"

"I'll have the same as my Master. And a dish with eggs, please,"

said Famu.

"Same as Mash for me, and a cheese dish we can all share,"

said Mizuki.

"I'll have the same as Mash, too,"

said Myra.

"…Same is fine, but with milk instead of ale. And a yogurt and fruit dessert."

"I-I'll have the same dessert, too, please."

Hearing Marmi, Myra hastily added a dessert to her order. Figuring we might stop by here again on our way back from the Crystal Palace, I gave the girl a generous tip.

"I'll be right back, nya."

The cat-eared girl disappeared into the kitchen.

"Um… there's something I'd like to ask?"

Doris murmured after the food had been served and we'd started eating.

"Me?"

She nodded. I scooped up some goulash with my spoon and brought it to my mouth. It was well-stewed, and the meat and vegetables melted in my mouth with a light chew. The texture of the paprika was pleasant. They had mixed smoked paprika with regular paprika. The flavor was slightly more garlic-heavy than what Mizuki had made last night.

"So, what did you want to ask?"

"Yes, um, how long do I have to wait?"

"For what?"

She blushed at my question.

"F-For sex…"

At her words, I sprayed the mouthful of goulash I was eating all over Marmi, who was sitting across from me. She frowned in annoyance. Mizuki, sitting next to her, frantically wiped her face. They looked just like sisters.

"You were waiting?"

"Yes. I thought offering my body was a condition of my freedom. That's why I even let you watch me pee."

The glares from Famu and the others were piercing. I'd even filmed that. Famu, in particular, must have seen it since she's thoroughly checked my phone's photo album. It was a bit late for her to be giving me the cold shoulder now.

"Doris, are you in love with me?"

"I wouldn't mind having sex with you at all, Mash. But honestly, I don't really have those kinds of romantic feelings."

"So you have some?"

"Eh? Ah, I suppose so. I'm extremely grateful. You gave me work until we reached this city, and now it looks like I can make a living here as an adventurer. I like you a little bit, Mash."

She seemed to have noticed the silent anger from Famu and the others. Her expression shifted to one of slight apprehension.

"In that case, we don't have to force it right now. Let me know when you truly fall in love with me."

If she had asked me when we were alone, my answer might have been different, but this couldn't be helped.

"Am I not very attractive?"

"N-no, not at all. I think you're great. It's just that I never… ugh… I never thought about taking your body as payment for your freedom, so you can consider yourself free. Fang is living freely, isn't he?"

If she was thinking of it as a thank you for her freedom, I would have gladly accepted, but I had a feeling Famu would get angry, so I tearfully changed my answer to what they wanted to hear. I'd even consider adding her to our party. If she, a priestess, joined Levante, our stability would increase. But she was a member of Nekono Konekoneko now. They needed a healer too. I felt bad about poaching her.

"There's also the matter of compatibility. If you're even a little bit interested, I think we should try it at least once."

Enduring the glares from Famu and the others, I stared intently at Doris's face. She met my gaze for a moment before quickly looking away. She had become a slave in a lottery to earn money for travel and to cure her companion's illness. Then, Izaak had bought her. When I asked if they'd had a physical relationship, she didn't deny it. I wondered what her feelings toward Izaak were now.

"A trial run is a no-go. If we do it once, I'll never let you go to anyone else."

"So, what floor are you guys tackling now?"

"The thirtieth floor. We could probably go higher, but we're waiting until our party coordination improves,"

Takamura answered. I had cut off his right arm during the fight on the pirate ship, but it had regenerated now. Noticing my gaze, he rubbed his arm with his left hand.

"Yeah, it was probably eaten by a fish or something and disappeared. It grew back with my special skill."

Right, his special skill was vampirism. It granted immortality and powerful regenerative abilities.

"What's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Ah, I just heard about a man who's researching immortality, and we just fought a monster with an immortal trait, so…"

I wondered what kind of face I was making. I took a sip of ale and tried to force a smile, but I couldn't tell if it was working.

"Speaking of immortality, I heard a rumor. Apparently, there's a party of explorers, thought to be Otherworld Heroes, who are near the deepest part of the dungeon. That party is said to have a dog-eared swordsman and an elven mage."

Could it be Yuki? I glanced at Mizuki.

"I don't know. It might be my senpai's party…"

I briefly explained Yuki's situation to Takamura and the others. They had been in this world for six years. With a special skill and that much experience, it was entirely possible they had reached that level.

"What does that have to do with immortality?"

"The elven mage is rumored to be immortal."

This time, I looked at Marmi.

"…I can't be sure. I don't think it's Zeno Leafkraut. But it's highly likely it's someone from the Leafkraut family."

Marmi brought her post-dinner yogurt dessert to her lips. I waited for her to continue, to explain what she meant, but it seemed she had no intention of saying anything more.

"Anyway, the guild says there are four groups of Otherworld Heroes in this city."

"There are that many?"

"Yeah, two groups are exploring the Crystal Palace. One of them is apparently fighting with the guys I just mentioned."

"Could they be the ones summoned by the five goddesses?"

Takamura shook his head. "I don't know."

"And what about the last group?"

"The ones who destroyed the Great Temple."

"I see…"

That was us. Takamura and Komachi, who had come with us, had only just arrived in this city, so their identities weren't known to the locals. Transferees undergo an adaptation process through divine power when they arrive, so they have no physical characteristics that differ from the human races of this world. Unless someone peeked at their status or they used multiple special skills, their true identities would remain unknown. The ones who had already become a city-wide rumor must have been pretty careless. I wondered if Shizuka's boyfriend, Ko-kun, and Mizuki's senpai, Yuki, were in the careless group.

Just then, a dog-eared girl appeared at the tavern's entrance. She was about the same age and height as Famu. Her long, fluffy hair framed droopy, pure white, rounded dog ears. She didn't come inside but peered into the tavern as if looking for someone.

Seeing the dog-eared girl, Famu shot to her feet. The chair toppled over with a crash, and everyone's gaze fell on her. Of course, the girl who had been looking in also saw Famu, and her eyes widened in surprise.

"Sameim!"

Famu cried out. The girl flinched as if to escape the word and disappeared from the entrance. Famu bolted after her.

"Wait! Where are you going?"

"Master, that's Sameim! It's Sameim Okita!"

I started to chase after her, then stopped.

"Myra, I'm going after Famu. Take care of things here. If I don't come back, just head home without me."

"O-okay!"

Hearing her words, I sprinted out after Famu.