Chapter 290: Rishu and Others
“I reported the general roles and outcomes to the Guild. This time, no one will receive less than a certain amount, but there’s a chance for increases. Make sure to wrap up individual negotiations and appeals by the payment day in two days. — As for Jean’s actions, he only mentioned the light magic, one person’s restraint, and support actions, nothing too specific.”
I’m hearing about the Guild from Dinoss. It’s a hassle, so I plan to just accept the amount that was given.
After listening to the explanation, I head back outside. First, I visit the blacksmiths and craftsmen to drop off my damaged gear from the Labyrinth for repairs. While I can’t leave my Spirit Sword with just anyone, they’ll take good care of the rest.
I wait on the spot for my shoes to be repaired instead of leaving them. I pretend not to notice the Spirit clinging to Dean’s feet as he takes off his shoes.
For lunch, I enter a restaurant famous for its meat. A massive platter of spare ribs arrives, enough for a single person to struggle with. Underneath, there are grilled onions, and a knife for cutting meat is stabbed into the top, making for quite a spectacle.
Alongside it comes a hard bread, shiny and crusty like a pretzel. I also order a beer, which is a deep brown color.
“This place serves the largest breed of Demon Beast cows. Everything you order is huge and delicious,” Dean says, his face lighting up with excitement.
Looking closely, I notice that even the rib bones are quite thick. It’s delicious, but the feeling of eating meat is overwhelming!
Ash and Chris seem to use knives and forks, but I mimic Dean, who boldly bites into the bone. If you’re eating here, Dean’s way is definitely the right choice. The chewy tendons stretching as I bite into them add to the charm.
Karn’s eating style is also quite impressive. He mainly drinks, so it looks like he’s eating a lot, even if he isn’t.
“It’s almost winter, but in the Fortress City, you can always get fresh meat. Still, my recommendation for this season is wild boar; they eat plenty of acorns,” Chris skillfully cuts the meat off the bone with his knife.
In regular towns and villages, food for livestock becomes scarce, so during winter, any excess livestock is slaughtered and salted.
In the Fortress City, they intentionally let pigs, cows, and chickens roam in the Forest to turn them into Demon Beasts for hunting. Of course, some livestock end up being eaten by the Demon Beasts. It seems they’re managing quite a tricky balance while observing the turmoil in Nakahara.
Humans who utilize Black Spirits are quite resilient, or perhaps reckless. It’s said that many humans are killed by the Demon Beast livestock each year. Still, most people choose the stable supply of food over the risks.
Lands close to the Demon Beasts are rich. They sustain many lives but take many in return.
In the afternoon, I go sightseeing in the Fortress City. Dean and Chris guide me to recommended spots, and I retrieve my gear before heading back to the Inn. Since it’s an old city, the whole place feels like a tourist attraction to me.
It’s a secret that I was stopped several times when trying to enter narrow alleys.
“Hey, welcome back!”
“I’m home!”
Retze is back at the Inn, brushing his bag as he greets me. It looks like he’s tidying up the sleeping bags and other things around him. Such a diligent guy…!
Dinner is a gathering of everyone in the room. Vegetables, eat your vegetables!
So…
“Just one day apart, and it’s Mishto and Haralfa, huh…”
In the bedroom, Retze brings up the topic from dinner, burying his head in his hands.
“So, as far as I know, you have five God-class Spirits under your command.”
In the bedroom before bed, it’s just me, Dinoss, and Retze. Dinoss sits at the edge of the bed, arms crossed.
We’re supposed to sleep soon, as we plan to head to the Island tomorrow, but I can sense the conversation that couldn’t be said in front of everyone.
Huh? Five? The ones I’ve seen are Mishto, Haralfa, Kadal—who else? Van appeared on the Island, and Pal, Ish, and Rudil haven’t shown up, right? Ex-Staff and Karn?
“Wait. Stop me before I count them out!”
I’m halted by Dinoss as I reach the seventh.
“Who?”
“That’s where we start!?”
“Why does trying to clarify this double Dinoss’s stress? — This time, it’s Mishto and Haralfa. Kadal, Rishu, Baylis.”
Retze casually lists the names.
“King’s Branch doesn’t count, huh? Hmm?? Karn’s Baylis is small, right?”
Retze shouldn’t have seen him. But wait, did he just hide his form on purpose? Did he show himself while staying in the same rented house? Hmm?
“When you made the contract, he must have been big. I heard it from Karn. I also heard you might not be aware of it!”
Now that I think about it, Baylis was in human form and quite large.
If we go to the desert, he’ll probably turn back into a voluptuous beauty. I had a stronger impression of Karn being a lolicon, so it felt like a different person!
“They say she’s a goddess of the desert. While it’s fine for protection, I’ve never heard of someone contracting and dominating with consent. It’s dangerous, so at least be aware of it.”
Ah. Thanks to Retze, the issue of my cheeks’ rights has arisen again!