5-004 Arrived in the city (1)

We walked for about an hour, asking Yuu about the common sense of the other world.

We had arrived at the gate of the wall surrounding the city.

It's less than three meters high.　It is made of blocks and the gaps are sealed with plaster or something.

Looking from the gate to the wall on either side, we could see that the wall curved and continued for a long distance, so it must be a very big city.

The gate is a double door made of sturdy wood, and it is now wide open.

The width of the gate is wide enough for two carriages to pass by, but there are not many people passing through the gate, and it seems that there is no need to wait.

In front of the gate stood several soldiers with swords at their waists and spears slightly longer than they were tall in their hands.

Come on, let's go. I'll deal with them, you guys stand back and keep your mouth shut, you have no common sense.

"...... got it.

No, well, it's true that we don't have [common sense in other worlds], but the way you say it, it sounds like we're insane, right?

I think it's better to leave it to them, so I won't talk about it.

"Hello~

A few soldiers are standing in front of the gate greeting people entering the city, and I talk to a young man a little older than us.

His perfect sales smile made the soldiers' mouths water.

The proportions have become more modest, but the beauty has increased!

If it weren't for my childhood friend, I'd be fooled too.

"Oh, hello. So, are you ...... adventurers?

The soldier looks around at the three of us and twists his head as if he can't make a decision.

No, we haven't registered yet, but we plan to.

"Oh, really?　You don't seem to have any weapons. ......

Yeah, I actually lost my wallet in the last town. ....... I lost my wallet in a previous town and had no choice but to sell it for some street money and come here. It's not dangerous to use our magic alone in this area.

"Hmm. With two elves, I suppose. So, are you sure about the taxes?　One large silver coin per person. The rules don't allow for a check or anything. ......

He nodded his head in agreement, and then looked at Yu with concern. We don't seem to be getting much attention.

I'm a bit annoyed, but I'm grateful in a way, so I'll hold back for now.

Yes, we can handle that.

Yu responds, handing over the tax money for the three of us at once.

After confirming this, the soldier nodded with a smile and moved a little to the side to make way for us.

"Yeah, sure. If you can use magic, I'm sure you'll be fine, but you have to be careful. Adventurers have a lot of dangerous jobs.

"Thank you, sir.

He smiled and bowed, and we bowed and went through the gate.

Oh, you guys!

A few steps later, a voice called out to us from behind, and we stopped dead in our tracks.

I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who has a problem with this.

"Um, what is it?

You haven't decided on a place to stay, have you?　I'd recommend the "Bear of Slumber" inn on the right side of the square up ahead!　Also, my name is Cass. And my name is Cass. I'll be happy to help you if you need anything!

The soldier said this to me with a smile.

Maybe it's just pure goodwill. I'm sure there is a little bit of ...... an ulterior motive for Yu's good looks.

I'm not sure what to say.

But to be honest, I don't have the presence of mind to deal with that.

Thank you very much. I'll look into it!

Tomoya and I are trying our best to keep our faces from turning red.

We were thrilled.

We started walking again, and proceeded in silence.

When we were far enough away from the gate, we looked at each other and let out a big breath.

I didn't say anything. I didn't say a word, but I'm nervous.

"Yeah!　If it weren't for you, I'd definitely be suspicious!

I looked at the people passing through the gate, but not a single one of them was wearing cloth clothes and no luggage like us.

Even the lightly-dressed people had sturdy leather clothes and small backpacks, and they had knives at their waists.

Considering that, being outside the city unarmed would be suspicious in itself.

"Well, we made it. It wasn't a very good excuse, but even if people thought I was suspicious, as long as I didn't cause any problems and took my job as an adventurer seriously, I'd probably be fine.

By the way, are there times when you can't enter the city?

Of course there are. Well, you can usually get in as long as you pay the taxes and aren't a clear criminal, but you'll have to go through a long interrogation and let them know where you're staying, which can be a hassle. You can praise me for getting through it so well, right?

Way to go, Yu!

You look great, Yu!

The three of us looked at each other and laughed.

After that, the three of us looked at each other and laughed. Now that we're in a safe place, we're a little less tense.

Goo～～～～

Oh. Haha, I'm starving!

It was Tomoya's stomach that rumbled.

He scratched his head with a wry smile, as if he was a little embarrassed.

"Well, it's about noon, so it's perfect. Let's buy some food and go to the inn that was recommended to us.

I realized that I was pretty hungry, too.

Well, before I died, I ate breakfast and got on the bus, and I don't remember eating lunch. ...... No, it may not matter because my body is different.

You're in the habit of eating lunch, aren't you?

That's okay. It's just that common people usually eat lightly at food stalls and the like.

But it's better that they don't eat two meals a day. As an ex-modernist, it's tough to suddenly cut back. I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not.

...... I don't think you should get your hopes up, though.

I'm not sure what to make of it.

I'm not sure.　It's cheap there!　I'm not sure what to do. Let's try that place!

Tomoya, oblivious to Yuu, happily pointed to a stall.

In front of the stall, soup was simmering in a huge pot, and bread was piled up beside it.

The bread, a little larger than the palm of your hand, is a little black. Is that the famous black bread of fantasy?

I've eaten ordinary rye bread before, but this is the first time I've eaten completely black bread.

It might be fun.

"Well, what can we do? I don't have any money, you know.

Yuu was reluctant, but we happily paid and received the soup and bread.

We were about to eat when Yu raised his hand to restrain us and took us to a place a little further away from the stall.

The bread is softened in the soup.　The bread is softened in the soup and eaten. Leave some bread in the bowl and wipe the bowl with the bread before eating. The bowl must be returned. Okay?

"Yes. It's true that this bread looks hard.

We nodded our heads to Yu's explanation.

Kuro bread is rumored to be a hard bread.

Let's dip it in the soup. ......

It's hard!　What?　It's even harder than I expected!　And ...... isn't it bad?

It's a bit sour, and the broth is a bit sour, but it doesn't taste good, does it?

I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea.

I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea.

"Well, Yu, is there anything that doesn't taste good?

Thinking that maybe our taste buds were wrong, I asked him, but he shook his head in astonishment.

It can't be good. I knew that, so I was prepared for it.

By the way, you told me not to get my hopes up, didn't you?

You said that I shouldn't get my hopes up. I was kind of longing for something like black bread because it's a staple, but this is at least not for the average Japanese palate, right?

Seriously? I thought it would taste better while reading a romance. ......

It seems that Tomoya was the same as me, looking at the black bread with a pitying look and sighing heavily.

It's also a benefit.　It's a great way to preserve food for a long time. ...... There are no other options.

I think rice is the best food storage. I think rice is the best food for preserving, it lasts a long time, and if you have a rice cooker, you can eat good rice over a fire.

In that case, isn't the dried rice the best?

Oh, yeah.　It's from the classics.

Yes, yes. You can eat it as it is, or you can just pour water on it.

Well, it's still available today.

That's dried rice?　You can eat it just by pouring water on it, it's almost the same as normal rice.

I've eaten food that was sold as disaster food, and it was delicious.

Of course, it was not the same as freshly cooked rice, but it was so good that it could be eaten regularly.

I'm sure that modern technology has made it very good. But unfortunately, rice is not part of my 'common sense'!

"So you're saying that if I'm going to be an adventurer, I need to get used to this bread?

When asked, Yuu nodded gravely.

There are other preserved foods, but they don't taste as good, do they?

Hmm, I'll think of something when I can afford it.

"Yeah. I'm not a fan of the taste either, so I'll help you out with that. ......

After that, the two of us, struck by the reality of the situation, fell silent and finished our meal in silence.

Yu collected the empty bowls from us, stacked three on top of each other, and presented them to the stall owner.

Uncle, I'm looking for a place to stay, do you know any good places?　I'm looking for a place to stay.

"Well, that depends on your budget. ......

That's what my dad said as he stared at our outfits.

We don't look rich, to say the least.

I've been recommended a place called The Bear Who Sleeps.

"The Bear of Sleep" ...... Oh, there it is. Oh, yeah, that's right. They have an inn there. It's not bad. The old man is not very friendly. It's in an alleyway that's a little hard to find, so when you get to the plaza, go down the main street on the right and ask for directions.

The father takes the bowl and points to the end of the street.

He pointed to a place a few hundred meters ahead that was a little wider.

Thank you!　I'll be back!

He smiles and waves to his father, then urges us to walk away.

"...... Are you going back?

He smiled and shook his head.

I'm probably not going. Unless I run out of ...... money.

I'm glad. I'm glad to hear that. The bread is good, but what about the soup ......?

I'm not sure. Even consommé soup, which can be made in 10 seconds by pouring hot water, seems to be very difficult to make from scratch by yourself. I don't know if I could make a good soup if all I had was salt.

Is that so?　You're a pretty good cook, aren't you?

Not often, but as a childhood friend, I had occasional opportunities to eat Yu's cooking.

I don't know about the cooking skills of other high school girls, but at least Yu's cooking was pretty good.

Thank you. But that's only if you have the right seasonings. It's just a matter of how well stocked the dry goods are.

dried foods...... dried bonito flakes, kelp, wakame seaweed.

Dried shiitake mushrooms and roasted baby mushrooms are also dried foods.

I'm sure you'll be able to find something that works for you.

When I cook, I throw in powdered dashi to cut corners, but when I watch cooking shows, they throw in a lot of dried bonito flakes.

If they use dried fish at that level, then dashi is probably a luxury item.

I'm losing confidence in my ability to live in this world.

I hope that Yu, who is a good cook, will somehow do his best to make good food at a low cost.