kscans

Chapter 239 - The Samurai from the Eastern Country

Now that Hayato had reached the portal on the thirty-first floor, Ivan and the others resumed their exploration of the Necropolis.

Whether or not it was the intended legitimate procedure, it was what it was. If they had to resort to a back-door strategy to reach the lowest floor in the limited time they had, then that was the choice they had to make.

From the thirty-first floor, Ruth, a companion of Mist and Damian, had also joined, so naturally, the party's combat power had increased. The monsters would probably get stronger as they went to the lower floors, but it wouldn't be a problem.

However, it was uncertain whether they could win against the Duke-class demon that might be on the lowest floor with their current combat power. This was because their current party had no healer.

Hayato knew a few players and NPCs who played as healers, but they were all busy with other things. Their exploration times didn't match, so he couldn't expect anything from them.

Since preparations for opening the cafe were complete, Hayato tried consulting with Esha.

"So that's the situation, what should I do?"

"Well, my previous clan, Blackjack, had a companion who played a healer, but she's roleplaying as a high priest in the Royal Capital now, so that's probably a no-go."

"There's someone like that?"

"Of course there is. A party without a healer is too fragile. It's like curry without curry roux."

"That's not even curry, is it?"

He said that, but Hayato kind of understood. It meant it was that important.

(The party is made up of NPCs, so I can't ask a regular player, and Diite-chan and the NPCs who play healers are all busy. There's still time before we get to the lowest floor, but I'd like to find someone quickly if possible... What should I do?)

As Hayato crossed his arms and thought about various things, Esha opened her mouth.

"Is there a need to stick to a healer?"

"What do you mean?"

"I think making it an attack-focused party is also an option. Like giving up on curry and making nikujaga instead."

"That analogy isn't particularly good. It's the best, Esha-san. So please don't hold the knife."

"Jokes aside, hitting them before they hit you is also an option. In the first place, with Ivan and the Maid Chief, the party's firepower should be considerable, and for healing, I think Hayato's potions will do."

"I see. And now that I think about it, Esha's firepower is top class. Maybe I should ask Esha to help with the battle on the lowest floor."

"Well, I don't mind that much. I'll be taking my reward, though. In the real world."

"...Please be gentle with the reward in the real world. Whoops, it's almost time. Let's do our best today too."

Esha nodded at Hayato's words and retightened her apron.

Esha went outside and flipped the sign hanging on the entrance door so that "OPEN" was visible. Then she put out the stand sign with today's lunch menu written on it.

In this day and age, most signs were 3D holographic images, but at the Crown Cafe, they used only retro items that could hardly be seen elsewhere. It was probably the result of Hayato's attention to details.

Little by little, the taste of the coffee had also improved, so it had reached the point where people would drink it if it was free. Hayato psyched himself up to do his best with this too.

The next day, when Hayato logged in and left his room, he heard a noisy voice from the direction of the dining hall.

One was Rose, but the other he didn't recognize. Wondering if a troublesome customer had come, Hayato immediately moved to the dining hall.

There was Rose and another, very lightly dressed woman. To say lightly dressed was a bit of an understatement, a normal person might think she was an exhibitionist.

But with Hayato's knowledge, he understood. It was a slightly incorrect samurai outfit.

Her upper body was only a sarashi, her feet were bare with geta, she wore a red hakama, and held a sword. Her appearance was exactly that of a female samurai. Her jet-black hair, though a little messy, was tied back, which, combined with her appearance, enhanced the samurai feel.

It clicked for Hayato. He had heard from Rose before that one of the Ten Holy Demonic Swords had come here when he was on the floating island. That person must have come again.

Rose and the woman, who had been arguing, saw Hayato coming down the stairs.

"Oh, so you're Hayato?"

"Hayato-sama, please run upstairs!"

Rose hurriedly moved in front of Hayato. She took out a broom and took a fighting stance.

"As I've been saying, I'm just here to talk. Besides, Hayato doesn't look strong at all. There's no reason to attack him."

That was a little sad in its own way, but Hayato decided to listen to her story.

When he had heard from the Maid Chief before that he was being targeted, he had been told there was a possibility he would be kidnapped to make some kind of sword, but a lot of time had passed since then, and besides, there was the question of whether he could be kidnapped in the first place.

He had a Ring of Teleportation, so he could return to this base from anywhere.

"Rose-san, let's hear this person out first."

"But, Hayato-sama, I cannot protect you..."

"It's fine, it's fine. Besides, if I get kidnapped, come rescue me. I won't be able to pay Rose-san's salary, you know."

He thought it wouldn't actually come to that, but Hayato tried to lighten the mood by joking.

Rose's eyebrows furrowed at his words, but she let out a big sigh.

"Understood. And now that I think about it, there are quite strong people staying here. There should be no problem no matter what happens."

There was Ivan the Hero, Damian of the Ten Undead Heroes, and Gil of the Ten Dark Knights. Members of clans that had achieved good results in the previous Clan War were here. The female samurai in front of them was also a member of a high-ranking clan, but in terms of numbers, she had no chance of winning.

Rose gave her permission based on that.

"Have you come to a decision? Rest assured, I have no intention of taking him by force."

"Yes, I trust you. Also, please don't be violent here. The furniture here is a specialty of mine, and I'd be troubled if it were broken."

"Oh? You're worried about the furniture, not yourself. That's what it means to be a craftsman."

"I'm happy to hear you say that. Now, please have a seat. Something to drink. Green tea, perhaps? And maybe some pickled plums?"

"That would be delightful. I would love to have some."

"Then please wait a moment."

There were such things in this game's cooking. There were many players who roleplayed as samurai and ninjas, and many people who sought such dishes, so Hayato had various things prepared in his storage.

Hayato took the necessary ingredients for the dish from the storage on the second floor and made tea and pickled plums. Of course, five-star highest quality.

He brought them back to the dining hall. He then placed them in front of the female samurai.

"Please. I hope they are to your liking."

"My thanks. What, five stars. I can't even get this so easily in my homeland... I shall gratefully partake."

The female samurai put one of the pickled plums on the small plate into her mouth. She then made a sour face and drank the tea. After taking a breath, she grinned and looked at Hayato.

"This is the best. If there were some sake here, I would have no complaints."

"I don't serve sake in the morning."

"That's true. Now then, I'd like to get straight to the point."

"May I ask your name before that?"

"Oh, my apologies. You're right, that should come first. My name is Simon Mutsuka. Simon will do."

"Understood. As you seem to know, I'm Hayato. This is Rose."

Rose also bowed when Hayato introduced her.

"The maid I fought before. She was quite strong, but the fight was incomplete. I'd like to have another match with you sometime."

"If you wish."

Hayato didn't really understand, but it seemed Rose didn't have a very good feeling about Simon. He had heard that she was no match for her, so he arbitrarily concluded that she must be frustrated about that.

"Please do that later. Now, what is it you wanted to talk to me about?"

"It's a simple matter. I want you to destroy a certain cursed blade in the Eastern Country. With your high blacksmithing skill, it should be easy for you to return it to its materials, right?"

(It's true that it's easy to return it to its materials, but I've never returned a cursed item to its materials before...)

Hayato was a little disappointed that the request was different from what he had expected, but that aside, he was a little interested in this story.