Episode 5: A Friend and a Woman
A free hostess club.
The cast is full of beautiful women.
A媚び媚び (Kobi kobi – excessively flirtatious) busty catgirl, a boyish tomboy Amazon, and a beautiful long-haired white-haired elf.
It’s the best.
I enjoy the not-so-delicious wine and the conversation with the beauties.
“You were attacking a Demon Lair again, right? How was it?”
I brought up the topic to Shio.
“Oh, it was terrible~! Of all places, it was a Demon Lair that had attracted Army Ants… It would be one thing if it was just Soldier Ants, but there were even Killer Ants!”
Shio widened her sleepy half-closed eyes and exaggerated.
Army Ants, huh?
If I remember correctly, they’re insect-type monsters, huge ants about the size of a boar.
Their chitinous shells are so hard that they can’t be pierced by mediocre blades, and their mandibles are as strong as pliers, easily biting off a person’s finger.
What’s most troublesome is that there are so many of them, and they don’t flinch like the undead. I guess their self-preservation instinct is weak. Even if you scatter their comrades, they attack mechanically without thinking.
“The Killer Ants were manageable with Margot’s magic, but… the problem is the Queen Ant!”
“Oh, so it had become a nest?”
“That’s right~! Do you know? Queen Ants are super-fat, huge ants, and they’re so gross?! Her acid melted my Greatsword!”
Queen Ant, huh?
A huge, plump ant about the size of an elephant, a menace that spawns and increases the number of ant monsters. It’s not just specialized in production, it’s quite strong, as it can spit acid and charge or crush with its massive body.
“Look here! It’s gouged out!”
Shio showed me the huge sword she was carrying on her back.
Indeed, the Greatsword had a gouge about the size of a fist in the spine of the blade.
“Ah, this is no good. You should buy a new one.”
“Right? It’s no good anymore, is it? Ugh… Greatswords are so expensive…”
Shio’s shoulders slumped in disappointment.
Well, indeed, Greatswords, being lumps of steel, are expensive.
However, as a Second-Class Strider, she should be able to afford it, right?
“Did you spend your reward money again? That might be fine in the jungle…”
“Yes, yes, I know~! …But, doesn’t it disappear quickly when you eat delicious food or buy equipment? Money is weird, isn’t it?”
“Then, shouldn’t you be more resourceful?”
“Ehh~? But, since everyone in our Clan is a girl, I have to go out in front and protect them. Girls in the city have to keep their faces pretty, or they won’t be able to get married, right?”
“You’re a girl too, you know.”
“I’m from the Gira Tribe in the jungle, so strength is all that matters! Besides, I’m going to marry Dru!”
Oh, really?
That’s the first I’ve heard of it.
“Is that so? That’s the first time I’ve heard that.”
“Eh~? Didn’t I say it? Well, I’m telling you now, I’m taking Dru back to the jungle!”
“Haha, that’s a problem. I have a shop, you know.”
“Then come with the shop!”
Glancing over.
…Wow, Mirei has a serious look on her face.
“N-No! Don’t take Dru-san away!”
“Eh? Why?”
“W-Well, everyone will be in trouble if Dru-san isn’t here…”
“Can’t you do business anywhere? The Gira Tribe doesn’t live in caves like goblins, you know?”
“J-Just no! Dru-san is here!”
Oh, a catfight with cat-like fighting.
Interesting.
…Hmm?
Margot tugged at the hem of my clothes.
What is it…?
“Hmm, if you go far away, I’ll go with you too.”
Ah, okay.
“I’ll take you with me when that happens. Well, I’m not going, though.”
“No! Absolutely not!”
Oops, are they still at it?
“Mirei, are you coming too?”
“…No, I can’t! The jungle is no good, unless we move to a city like the Royal Capital!”
Did she think for a moment just now?
“Hmm, but I have to introduce you to Grandma soon, and it would be good to take you once, right? It’s been almost five years, and I want to report.”
Ah, just to be clear.
I’m twenty-five, Shio is eighteen, Mirei is sixteen. Margot is forty-nine.
Well, Margot is an elf, so it’s okay, but in this world, it’s hard to age due to the influence of Magical Power.
Shio only looks about fifteen, and Margot looks about twenty at best.
I’m not exactly old-looking, but my facial features are different, so I probably look my age…
Still, I’m a ‘Changeling’, so I’ll probably stay like this for about a thousand years.
Besides, if you absorb high concentrations of Magical Power, you’ll rejuvenate, and there seems to be a rejuvenation drug that utilizes that? It’s said to be incredibly valuable…
That’s why age isn’t really a point of concern.
“O-Oh, introducing you to my parents…?! U-Um, I have my father’s permission!”
“It’s normal for the Gira Tribe to have many concubines for strong men, so Mirei and Margot can come along too~”
“Nya~!”
Hehehe, this is interesting.
This rom-com space, I can enjoy it with just the cost of wine and some snacks, is that really okay?
Don’t you need to charge a seat fee? I’ll pay about 50,000, but me? Is it okay?
Ah… Seriously, life is fun!