Chapter 15: "I got lost"

Went into a cafe.

Guided to an open terrace seat.

"You can order whatever you like."

"Really?"

"Yeah, with one silver coin, you should be fine."

Opened the menu.

Although I knew from dining at the palace, there were sweets with cream and chocolate, priced from three to five copper coins. For a silver coin, it should be enough.

"Do you mind if I order something that costs three copper coins?"

"As much as you want."

Showed the menu.

"Oh, it's true. It costs this much?"

"Didn't you know?"

"Actually, it's my first time coming here."

Oh. She laughed it off.

"Tea costs two copper coins for a cup. It's quite expensive too."

"That's okay. We're fine with one silver coin, right?"

"Exactly."

Ordered tea and shortcake for both of us, totaling one silver coin.

"Just enough."

She seemed to have plenty to spare.

"I worried a bit because Ku mentioned strange money things, and I couldn't enjoy it at all! Ku!"

"Huh. Did you want me to mention it sooner?"

"I said I'd treat you, right?"

"Sorry for saying unnecessary things. But the cake and tea were delicious. Thank you. Itadakimasu."

She pouted her lips and turned away. I thanked her with a smile.

"Next time, I'll guide you around the town. Is there anywhere you want to go?"

"Hmm. Well, where can I find magic books?"

"At the Magic Guild or the Magical Tool Shop."

"Do they exist in this town too?"

"Yes, but a magic book costs two gold coins."

"That much?"

Sorry, Emily-chan. It seems I won't be able to give you the magic book anytime soon.

"Do you want one?"

"I've given up for now."

"If you change your mind, you can always consider the academy in the imperial capital. Even though there's tuition."

"But academies have fees too, right?"

"Oh, right. I didn't think about that."

It's a harsh reality. Without money, one can't spread their wings of potential.

"Anyway, let's pass on the magic book for now. How about, uh..."

By the way, there's a place I want to find.

"Teleportation circles. Do they exist around here?"

"What's that?"

"Well, it's like a magic house in an inconspicuous place, like an alley. Maybe called a Transfer Manor."

I used to call it a Teleportation Manor in the game.

"A magic house sounds interesting! Let's look for it!"

"But isn't it dangerous in alleys?"

"I'm here! The Great Mage of the Future! If some weirdos show up, I'll drive them away with magic!"

I can only see a bleak future!

Ange took my hand and ran.

"Wait!"

"Come on! Let's go!"

I was dragged along, and in a hurry, I changed my Soul Slots to White Magic and Enemy Detection.

The last one was a dilemma.

Small sword techniques... No, it's not suitable. Using Astral Ruler in the middle of the town would attract too much attention. I returned the wooden sword I borrowed. Hmm, what should I choose?

Black magic is also not suitable. It's dangerous in the town, and I don't want to show off "Look at me" in front of Ange.

Ancient magic is out of the question.

Changing during dangerous situations or battles is not allowed, so preparation in advance is crucial.

I decided on Green Magic.

Even if an enemy appears, I can just "Paralyze" them and run away.

"All right! This way!"

"Do we really have to go?"

"Of course! It's interesting! Besides, it's my first time in such a narrow alley!"

Wait. It's not your hometown, right? You said you came here for the first time!

Ah.

Finally, there was an expected development.

I hesitated.

I have a map function, so I could go back to the main street while checking the map. But Ange wouldn't allow that.

"Leave it to me! This is my hometown!"

No, it's not your hometown! You said it was your first time here!

Ah.

Finally, there was a reaction in enemy detection.

Yes.

It's just a wild duck, right?

However, it doesn't seem to accurately locate our position, and it's not coming straight toward us.

"Ange, I have a bad feeling. Let's stop for now."

"What's wrong? There's nothing."

"Just stop!"

Oh.

There was an encounter with a man who appeared from the back of the alley. Although the distance was still far, the enemy detection reacted.

"Body Enhancement."

I increased my abilities with Green Magic. Without asking, I picked up Ange like a princess and ran.

"Wait! Hey! What's happening?"

"We've been found by something strange."

Escape!

"I found them! Over here!"

A man called out to his companions.

Navigating this while looking at the map is impossible! I'll definitely trip!

I have no choice but to run recklessly.

"Kuu, you're strong. Indeed, you can perform such acrobatics."

"Haha."

Ange seems impressed by my strength, showing no signs of fear.

And so, I reached a dead end.

Escape failed.

We were cornered.

"No need to run. Right?"

"Hehe. Just surrender peacefully."

"Big brother kidnapper, huh?"

"Oh, you're a cute one. Looks like you'll fetch a good price."

Four rough-looking men with knives approached us.

Ange took out her wand, ready to use magic.

Let's give it a try.

My proficiency in hand-to-hand combat is zero. I've never done it, but I feel like I can overwhelm them with level difference.

I'm scared of blood, but I love to fight.

It may be contradictory, but I can't help feeling excited in the face of combat. After all, I was a top-ranked player in PvP battles in the game.

Of course, if this were Tono Sora, I'd probably be trembling. But now, I am Kuu.

Next to me, Ange was preparing to use magic with her wand.

Let's try it.

But the battle didn't start.

A disapproving voice came from behind the men.

"Hey, what's with this shameful commotion?"

I recognized that voice.

"Rock-san."

"Oh, it's you, Kuu."

"Hey there."

"It's not 'hey there.' Why are you in Ale all of a sudden?"

Rock-san was accompanied by five armed adventurers. They all looked strong.

"Rock-san, are you the A-rank adventurer Rock?"

"Yeah, that's me."

"And those people behind you, are they all members of the 'Crimson Wings'?"

"Yeah, that's right."

"Amazing! Nice to meet you for the first time!"

Ange excitedly greeted them.

Rock-san seems to be famous.

Is being A-rank more impressive than I imagined?

"You guys are surprisingly calm for someone about to be kidnapped."

"Well, because we're the strongest. Right, Kuu?"

"Yeah, who knows."

Ange is way too carefree. If she keeps coming alone, she might really get kidnapped.

"You didn't seem in much danger, huh? If Rock-san and the others hadn't come, you might have been kidnapped by now."

"That's unthinkable. My magic would have exploded, you know."

"Couldn't you cast it properly before those guys attacked? And Kuu, you were supposed to step forward during that time."

"I would have been taken down easily, you know?"

Let's just go with that.

"There were four of them. Even if I defeated one, it wouldn't have made much of a difference."

"Yeah."

"Being kidnapped is scary, you know?"

"...Yeah, you're right. Thanks for saving us. Rock-san."

"I'm glad we could help. Thanks, Rock-san."

"Now, why are you guys here? This isn't the kind of place for a lady like you. It's only natural you'd be targeted."

"We were looking for the house of a magician. Right, Kuu?"

"Yeah. Wonder if there's any... You know a place like that?"

"There's no way there is. Why would the house of a magician, or rather, a mage, be in the slums? It must be in a better location."

Well, there was one in the game!

The teleportation guild, though!

"Anyway, follow me. We're heading to the blacksmith first, and then I'll send you off."

"Really? Yay! Hey, hey, is Fire Mage Nora there? I've always admired you!"

Ange rushed towards the female mage.

We decided to follow them.

During the journey, Rock introduced his party.

Dazz, a muscular man wielding a hammer.

Gridley, a giant serving as a shield.

Lulu, an expert in bow and hand-to-hand combat, a female tiger-person.

Nora, a fire mage.

Bridget, a water mage.

Rock seems to be a standard swordsman.

"We also retired from being adventurers along with Rock, quietly living our lives. But..."

Nora, with a gentle smile, continued the conversation, and Lulu took over.

"We had quite a few injuries too. Just the right timing. But that blessing! Seriously, it saved us from returning to our hometown! Once our bodies are back in shape, we're itching to fight again! Can't wait to burn things up!"

"Indeed. It's been a while since I swung my arms. Hehe. Burn it all again."

Nora's warm smile and Lulu's eyes were scary.

Seems like they're an intense bunch.

Well, they are adventurers.

Behind us, Bridget mutters to herself.

"...... What matters is not how we kill them, but how we look after them."

"Do you see it - do you see it?"

"I'm not watching."

"You're not looking at it. ...... Pfft!　Kukku ......."

"Hey, do you think that person is okay?"

"...Even if you ask me."

Ange whispered to me, but I had no answer.

Gridley is silent and doesn't say a word. Dazz is in the front discussing tomorrow's journey with Rock.

"To Zanidea, we could either rent horses and go on our own, or ride along with a merchant caravan, serving as guards. What do you think, Rock?"

"Do they have a suitable caravan?"

"The caravan leaving the day after tomorrow is willing to take us on board. They even offered to pay some guard fees. We'd be traveling with meals provided."

"Hmm. It's more relaxing just the four of us, but a caravan is probably lower risk. Beyond this point, monsters are likely to appear more frequently."

"If the rented horses are attacked by monsters, it could get expensive."

"Yeah, true."

Rock mumbled, and Bridget muttered again.

"...Mountain.

...Want to go by carriage.

...Invited, with the caravan.

...It's comfortable.

...And surely, something nice will happen.

...That is, rain.

...Kyaah!

...Yes, the blessing of heaven. On the fields...

...Hehe. Hahaha..."

Please, Bridget, stop.

It should be "maa" not "kyaah"!

Combining that with "maa unten," it becomes "mountain," right?

Well, whatever.

I'm a considerate girl, so I won't make unnecessary comments.

"Then, let's go with the caravan."

Because Rock accepted Bridget's words without treating them as a joke.

"That sounds good."

Dazz agreed, and it seemed the decision was settled.

"Do your best!"

I cheered them on.

"Yeah, leave it to us."

Rock nodded confidently.

Our eyes met.

And... unexpectedly, he averted his gaze.

Rock started trembling all over his body.

"What's wrong?"

I worriedly peeked at Rock, who had turned away so suddenly.

Is he suddenly feeling unwell? That would be troublesome.

"Hahahaha! Hahahaha! Hahahaha!"

"What's going on!?"

"Hey, Rock. Didn't I tell you I'd pretend I didn't see it?"

Dazz reprimanded him.

Uh.

That's enough to understand.

"Hey, girl in panties! Girl in panties! Keep saying 'girl in panties'!"

"Haven't you had enough? I think it was a splendid performance, you know?"

"No, no way!"

"Don't laugh!"

Damn him!

"Hahahaha!"

"I'll kill this damn bastard!"

I'll send him flying to the ends of the earth with a strengthened uppercut!

Or so I thought, but he was hit hard on the head by Gridley, and the damn bastard crouched down, holding his head.

"Rock, if you laugh again, I'll seriously burn you, okay?"

"Tch, you're the worst, damn it."

Warned by Nora and kicked by Lulu, he crouched down even more.

"Sorry, sorry...! It was a slip of the tongue...! I'll buy you something as an apology, so please forgive me! Right? I'm sorry!"

"Short sword."

"You mean a sword?"

"I'll forgive you if you buy a short sword."

"How much do you think it'll cost?"

"Fine. Then I don't know Rock anymore."

"Got it, got it! I'll buy it, so forgive me! Okay? I'm sorry!"

I gave it a try!

It worked!

I have no idea how much it costs, but with the money I have, it's definitely impossible.

"All right, let's go to the blacksmith!"

Hehe.

I hope there's something easy to use.

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