377 - - Episode 375 Unexpected

I was a day late entering the labyrinth city due to an unscheduled camping trip, but I was able to fulfill my nonsensical obsession and had a surprisingly good time. The next morning, when I entered the labyrinth city with my new equipment, I was immediately followed by ....... I thought it might be due to the conspicuous armor of the light dragon, but it seems to be different. What will happen to the tail ......?

"Yuta, the tails have parted and one of them is going somewhere to report."

The tails have parted. We're up to the next level, but we don't know if there are any signs of people around. I want to have the skill to detect the presence of people.

(You're keeping an eye on the one who went to report too, right?)

"Yeah, I've got the wind in my sails, so I won't lose them wherever they go."

Hmmm...then we don't need to follow the one who is following us now. If Sylphy is watching the one who went to the report, we can get some information there. If he's looking for me, he'll know that I'm staying at Mr. Toruku's place, but there's no need to take him there.

Besides, if I can get off his tail, I can send Mel there first. They may be looking into Mel, but we don't know how much information they have on him. We don't need to give them information as well as the inn.

（Sylphy, can you knock out the tail that's following us now without causing a scene?)

"Well, it's a little more public than you'd think, so it might be a bit of a hassle on the main street."

Ah, even though it's easy to make lights with life magic, there's not much entertainment, so everyone has to go to bed early and get up early. Even though it is still early in the morning, there are quite a few people moving around. And my flashy armor is attracting a lot of attention. I feel a little disappointed, thinking that I could have enjoyed their eyes a little more if I wasn't being followed.

（Okay. I'm going into the alley for now, and when I run out of people's eyes, knock him out and roll him over.)

"Okay, but don't you want me to get information from the tail?"

(Yeah, I can't interrogate him.)

"That's true."

It's sad when they are easily convinced. But it's true, so there's no point in sulking. I lead everyone into the alley.

"Why?

As we entered the alley, Bell approached us curiously. I guess he wonders because it's not often that I go into an alley in the Maze City. Even in my memory, I only enter them when I'm visiting a liquor store or when I have something to do.

Gina and the others look a little strange, but they seem to be aware of what's going on, as they hear me whispering, regardless of the content.

"Mite kuru", "cue", "keikai", "kuku", "moayasu ka?" ......"

When Sylphy explained to Bell and the others why they had entered the alley, their curiosity was aroused and they went to have a look. Fuchu and her friends are staying with Gina and her friends. ...... Maybe Belle and her friends are more childish?　And Flare, don't burn it.

We continue down the alley, and as we turn the corner, I check behind us and see Bell and the others floating to a stop at a distance.

I can't see them from my side, but I guess that the tail is probably in the shadows where the bells are floating. If the tailor has the gift of the necromancer, we're in for a rough ride. If you're following a genie, the genies are gathering above your head. Obviously, he would think he's been detected.

Well, he doesn't seem to be in a hurry, so I guess he doesn't have the gift of the genie. Even if he does, he can't escape from Sylphy, so it doesn't make any difference anyway.

"Then I'll just stun him..."

Sylphy lightly waved her right hand, and there was a thud from where Belle and the others were floating. ......It's not so much something, but definitely the sound of a tail falling.

"Yuta, it was oohing and aahing, cu-cu-cu-cu-cu-cu-cu-cu-cu-cu-cu-cu-cu, it's not long enough! ......"

Bell and the others came to tell us that their tails were down, should we check out what kind of people they are?　...... if you know who it is, Sylphy will tell you, and there's no point in me looking.

Let's just praise Bell and the others and get the hell out of here. First, let's send Mel back to the workshop and then we'll stop at the inn. I can't wait to find out who's following us.

"Meru!"

When they arrived at Mel's workshop, Eunice swooped in. Gwash! He hugged Mel with such force that the words seemed to appear in the background.

"Yoo, Yunice, I'm home."

"Mel!　I was worried when you didn't come home yesterday!　Mel, are you okay?　Are you hurt?　Did they do anything strange to you?"

Ah ...... I had no idea that missing out on entering the labyrinth city yesterday would have such an effect on me ....... But still, I can't believe how little trust Eunice has in me.

"I'm fine. I'm not hurt and they won't do anything strange to me. It was very informative, don't worry. Besides, I have some souvenirs for you to look forward to."

Mel, annoyed by Eunice's vigor, tries to divert the conversation with a souvenir. I'd like to believe it's not my influence.

"Souvenirs?　Mel for me?"

"Uh, yeah. It's not much, but the master gave me some good stuff, so you can count on it."

Eunice was moved by Mel's words and began to rub her cheeks against him furiously. I guess she didn't hear him say he was giving it to me.

I had a hard time choosing a souvenir for Eunice. There are almost no souvenirs in the land of the dead, and I thought about taking some alcohol made by spirits as a souvenir, but I decided to put it on hold this time because the spirit kings' visit had made me consume alcohol rapidly.

Since the general stores basically buy only goods from the labyrinth city, there is little point in buying them in the land of the dead. The materials related to the spirit tree are dangerous, and there are no specialties that can be easily sold. Shall we develop affordable products?

"Hey, Yunis. Your hoppe is hot."

...... Apparently, Mel's hoppe has gotten hot from Yunice's passionate cheek kisses. I wonder if it will catch on fire sooner or later.　I would have liked to have heard from Eunice, but from the looks of things, she wouldn't have stopped even if I'd called out to her.　

（Uh, Meral. We're going to the inn, you take care of Mel. I told her I was being followed so I'm sure she'll be fine, but you should be more cautious than usual.)

I beckon Meraru, who is looking at Yunis with dismay, and give him another warning. Well, let's go to the inn.

**

"Good morning, Martha. I'd like to stay the night, is that okay?"

"Oh, Yuta. I didn't recognize you for a moment because of your fancy equipment."

Well, you'd be surprised to see a guy with a plain suit of armor change into a flashy suit of lightly shining armor the next time you see him, wouldn't you?

"Ha-ha, I've updated my equipment a bit."

"I see. I think it looks good on you. So, sorry about the room ....... We don't have any rooms available."

Martha says with an apologetic look on her face. What?　No room?　......I know it's an innkeeper's house and such things can happen, but it's a bit of a shock. I've always been able to get a room, so I thought it would be no problem this time either.

"I'd like to do something about it because Yuta has been taking care of me a lot, but I can't afford it at all. ......, I'm really sorry."

"No, I'm an innkeeper, so it happens. Don't worry about it. You look tired. Are you all right?"

Martha, who always seems to be in good spirits and a mother with a big heart, looks strangely sober.

"Yeah, I'd like to say I'm fine, but honestly, it's tough. I've put out a job application to the commercial guild, but there are cooks from other cities who want to steal the inn's flavor, and it's a mess, so I can't get anyone to come.

"Huh?　Didn't you say that recipes are shared only in the labyrinth cities?　Even if this restaurant is the original source of the recipe, do you get that many customers and cooks?"

I know that Torque's food is delicious, and that's why people come, but is it that good?

"The commercial guilds in the labyrinthine city are making a lot of fancy moves and attracting a lot of attention, but milk is concentrated in sweetness, so this inn is the only one that can make dishes using milk. People come from other cities, the inn is always full, and the dining hall is always crowded when it's available. ......They make a lot of money, though. ......"

Come to think of it, I think I promised the commercial guild that I would make a special wholesale deal with Mr. Toruku for milk. Did that result in a big crowd? I know it's not a bad thing, but I'm causing a lot of trouble at this inn. Oh, Mr. Kark is staggering around with eyes like a dead fish.

"Hey, hey Gina, Sara. The inn looks pretty busy. Do you need any help?"

Please follow me as an apprentice to clean up your master's mess. If Gina and Sara help not only cooking but also serving, it will be much easier for Martha and the others. At the very least, please bring Kark's eyes back to life.

"You look busy. I'll do my best to help you.

I'll do my best.

Both of them were not scared of Martha's condition and were very motivated to help.

"Mr. Martha! I'll send Gina and Sarah to help you.

"That would be great. I'm sorry you couldn't stay at the inn.

No, you've always been a great help to us. Of course.

But I'm going to miss staying at this inn. Should we at least sign an annual contract when a room becomes available?　But it is not good to monopolize a room that is not used when it is already full. It would be wise to wait for the milk to spread or for Mr. Toruku to build more inns, as he said before. The problem is that they don't seem to have time to build more rooms.

Now ...... where should we stay this time? We could ask Marie to let us stay at her villa. It would be fun to have a maid take care of me this time.

Oh, I was being followed. Sylphy got rid of them, but I don't want to ask them to let us stay at Marie's place, since it might cause trouble to her. Considering that, I can't cause any more trouble to Mr. Toruku and the others, and it's not so bad that I can't stay at this inn.

"Martha, do you know where the most expensive inn in the labyrinth city is?"

"Hmm?　You mean expensive?

"Yes. If I can't stay here, I'm going to splurge a little.

With the tailing thing and all, the more expensive places are probably more secure. I don't think it would matter with Sylphy around.

"Well, I don't know if we can stay there or not, but is it okay if it's an inn where nobles and such stay?"

...... If it's an upscale inn, does that mean it's for aristocrats?　I don't think I and Gina and the other commoners would feel comfortable staying in such a place.

"Well, how should I put it? It should be an upscale kind of place where relatively wealthy people stay, without aristocrats or anything like that.

"That's a very difficult thing to say. ...... Then, how about an inn for high-level merchants who come to the labyrinth city to buy?　Nobles rarely stay there, and sometimes lower class nobles stay there."

"There, please."

That sounds about right for us. Well, for Gina and Sara, staying at a fancy inn and helping out at an inn for adventurers would be a subtly strange move. It's kind of strange.