kscans

Chapter 283 - Sightseeing, Also Known as Shopping

With the day off, it was decided that they would visit various places.

However, Hayato, Esha, Ash, and Ren had work at the cafe, so they could only participate in the morning. That limited the places they could go.

So, for their morning sightseeing, they came to the giant shopping district in the capital city, Azuma. It was said that everything from the Eastern Country could be found here, so the purpose was to buy souvenirs.

There was a market nearby, and despite the early hour, it was bustling with many people. The streets overflowed with people, and lively voices echoed from the street stalls.

Simon, who was guiding them, led them to a giant cherry tree in the center of the shopping district and looked over everyone.

"Alright, from here on, you are free to do as you please. This place is quite large, so try not to get lost. If you do get lost, aim for this spot. You can see this giant cherry tree from anywhere."

In response to his words, everyone replied with a cheerful "Ooh." Their high spirits, despite the early hour, were likely because they had been looking forward to this.

Moreover, the fact that they could enter the open-air bath tonight was raising everyone's spirits.

Yesterday, Gil and his Ten Dark Knights had defeated the serpent at Sacred Peak Takamagahara. Thanks to that, the open-air bath was now usable.

However, they couldn't use it right away and had to wait a day. In other words, today.

Sightseeing in the morning and afternoon, then the open-air bath and a banquet at night. It was no wonder their spirits were high.

In that state of excitement, the members formed their own groups and began to move out.

"Esha-san! Let's go on a food tour! I hear the sweets in the Eastern Country are incredibly delicious! And there are lots of other tasty things too!"

"I am quite particular about flavor. And portion sizes. Are there any all you can eat or eating challenge restaurants?"

"Ash, sorry, but could you keep an eye on Esha and Ren-chan? To make sure they don't cause any trouble for the Eastern Country."

"M, me? Aren't you coming, Hayato?"

Ash's face twitched slightly at Hayato's request. He was probably unsure if he could control Esha, though Ren was another matter.

"Sorry, but I have to go separately. I need to look for some fabric to make a kimono, so I can't join you."

"Ah, you mentioned something like that yesterday. I understand. Then leave this to me... But don't expect too much. I don't think I can win against those two."

"Well, as long as you can be a deterrent."

"I hope I can be."

Esha, Ren, Ash, and some of the other members headed towards the area with many restaurants as the food tour team.

He was a little surprised to see members of the Ten Dark Knights, not just the Black Rose, but they probably couldn't pass up the chance for delicious and sweet things.

Meanwhile, Ney was talking to Rosalie.

"Let's go buy kimonos. In the afternoon, we'll wear them and head out somewhere else!"

"I am a little reluctant to buy ready-made clothes, but it cannot be helped. Is that acceptable to you as well, Lunaria-sama?"

"I, I'll leave it to you. Anywhere is fine, but if you leave me alone, you should know that the Eastern Country will be in danger."

"Lunaria-sama, this Gil and the others will protect you well, so please rest assured."

"I, I'm counting on you."

(Lunaria-san is acting like a VIP protected by security.)

Lunaria had a touch of social anxiety.

Once she got used to people, she became quite forward, but in places with many strangers, her performance dropped significantly. If she were left alone in an unfamiliar place, she might just run wild.

That Lunaria, protected by the Kokuryu, the remaining Black Rose members, and several of the Ten Dark Knights, headed towards the area with many shops to buy kimonos.

"Then we shall go look for some health goods."

"You say 'we,' but that's just you, Mist. I'm after sake. The sake in the Eastern Country is quite good. I plan to buy some as a souvenir for myself."

"What should I do? Maybe some medicinal herbs to raise my Alchemy Skill. For now, let's just look around."

(They're completely scattered. Don't we have to go through the whole shopping district?)

Mist, Damian, and Ruth bowed to Hayato and headed towards a place that seemed to sell suspicious-looking products.

"Diite-san and I will look for yokai nearby."

Maris said cheerfully. And Diite nodded as well.

"Eh? Really? Even though you came all the way to a shopping district?"

"Apparently, there's a yokai that appears in the shopping district. Or rather, a yokai that runs a business. I thought I might try to tame it if it's an animal-type yokai. Even if I can't, yokai seem like they'd sell interesting things, don't you think?"

"That's true. Are you going with her too, Diite-chan?"

"Well, it seemed interesting. And besides..."

Diite approached Hayato and whispered.

"I need to gather some information for the next event. So, I thought it wouldn't be a bad idea to go with Maris-kun."

"Could the next event be Tamer related?"

"That's a secret. But it might be advantageous for Tamers."

Diite said this with a smile, then moved away from Hayato.

"Now then, Maris-kun, shall we go? Let's search for some yet unseen yokai."

"You're quite motivated, Diite-san! Then let's depart!"

Maris placed Siegfried on her shoulder and walked with Diite in a different direction from where everyone else had gone.

The only ones left here were Hayato and Simon.

"Everyone is so energetic. Well then, shall we go too? You're giving the Princess another kimono, right? You're looking for fabric for that, I hear."

"That's right. I'm looking for fabric that's a similar color to Benitsuru-san's hair. I thought you might know a place, Simon."

"Hmm. Then there is a long-established kimono fabric shop. Shall we head there?"

Simon said this and started walking. Hayato followed him.

Hayato walked alongside Simon.

"However, Hayato, you are a bit too soft on the Princess. To give her another kimono. And this time, you'll be borrowing the power of Rosalie of the Black Rose, will you not?"

"Well, yeah. But it's a thank you for letting us borrow the mansion and for all her help."

He had decided to give her a kimono the day before she was deceived into attacking the mansion. A lot had happened since then, but in the end, it was all resolved peacefully.

He did think he was being too soft. From the circumstances up to now, Rosalie had shown reluctance at first, but because Lunaria said, "Benny-chan is a good girl," she had agreed. That was how it had happened.

(Lunaria-san and Benny-chan were getting along yesterday. A lot must have happened while I was logged out.)

Because of that, he had been worried about whether he could get Rosalie's cooperation, but thanks to Lunaria, it worked out. So he planned to make a highest quality kimono without any reservations.

"I am grateful. Thanks to you, the primary victim, behaving as you have, everyone is not being too hard on the Princess. You have truly helped us. I am sorry. We are the ones indebted to you, yet I can give nothing in return."

"Don't worry about it. You helped me on the other side, so it's plenty. We're even, so don't mind it."

"...I suppose I'll leave it at that. But the favor I've received has not been fully repaid. If anything happens over there, contact me immediately. I will come running, no matter what. Though, with the people by your side, Hayato, I imagine any problem would be solved quickly."

"I'll contact you if I need any help. Ah, could that be the shop?"

Simon looked in the direction Hayato was pointing.

"Oh, it is. Shall we ask if they have any good kimono fabrics?"

Simon said this and passed through the shop's noren curtain, and Hayato followed him.