Book 2: Chapter 12

Book 2: Chapter 12

Chapter 12 We Arrived In Surier

Soon the carriage arrived at the Surier gate and stopped slowly. The sky had changed from blue to a pale red, and the sun was now slanting to the west.

Is it already dusk?

Time seems to have flown by faster since we started our trip. Despite the troubles we have encountered, I think it is because we are enjoying every day and are very content.

When we got off the carriage, we all stretched out.

Its really amazing how fast we made it to Surier in just one day.

Iris muttered in admiration. Beside her, Lily was nodding her head.

Generally speaking, it is said that the distance from Toue to Surier is four days. Considering that, the travel speed of the Grand Cabin must be quite fast.

The reason we were able to get to Surier so quickly was thanks to Dest.

I walk over to Dest and touch his steel body.

Thank you again today. Have a good rest.

Hahaha, Im honored. Thank you for your kindness!

Dest replied in a theatrical tone and dropped to one knee on the ground with his head drooped.

The gesture was so human that I couldnt help but laugh.

TheAdvanced Calculation Function A+granted to Dest seems to be working very well today.

Im starting to feel a little sad to say goodbye, but I remind myself to put him in the [Item Box]. A magic circle appears on the ground, and Dest and the Grand Cabin are absorbed into it.

Soon, they were completely out of sight.

At the sight, the young guard who had led us here said, Oh! He was amazed.

It is as if I am seeing an illusion. The [Item Box] really can hold anything, cant it?

There are limits, though.

Storage capacity is unlimited, but there is a limit to the size of objects that can be taken in and out at one time.

For example, city walls cannot be stored in the [Item Box].

I dont know the exact upper limit, but since I can take the Grand Cabin in and out, I can probably carry a two-story house or so Ill do an experiment next time.

While I was thinking about this, the young guard said,

Please come to the guard station for the time being. Please come along with your companions.

The guard station was located just to the left through the gate.

The building was reasonably new, and the interior was clean and tidy. It was clean and looked very comfortable.

Please come in here.

The young guard escorted us into a common room at the back of the building.

Soon after, a female clerk came in and offered us a cup of fragrant tea.

You must be the Dragon Slayer, Kou Kousaka-san, right? Welcome to Surier. Please make yourself at home.

Thank you.

Very well. Ill excuse myself then.

The female clerk bowed and left the common room.

Like the young guard, everyone was very pleasant. The tea was delicious. I have no complaints.

Then, Kou-dono, please tell me more about the bridge. I will write up a full report and submit it to the chief of the guard, the town manager, and the lord, Count Maillard.

I guess well be talking to the lords as well.

Its kind of getting more important than I thought.

I suppose it is. The Zard Bridge is a major transportation hub, and it would be unprecedented for just one person to build a new bridge

That was a real surprise.

The young guard nodded deeply as Lily muttered thoughtfully.

Indeed. I couldnt help but doubt my own eyes when the bridge extended from the other side of the river. Well then, Kou-dono, please explain to me.

I understand. Let me start by explaining my skills

The young guard prompted me to tell him about the whole process of building the bridge.

I see that the new bridge is made of Devil Treant trunks.

Oh. Itll automatically repair itself, so there should be no maintenance required.

Thats wonderful! Thank you so much. Building a bridge is a kind of public work, and I believe the lord will pay a reward. You can look forward to it.

I wonder, is the lord, Count Maillard, in Surier?

As I muttered this, the young guards complexion changed.

He asked me in a serious tone of voice.

Kou-dono, where did you hear about this?

I got a letter from a nobleman I know, who told me about it.

I understand. As you know, Count Maillard is in this town for recovery. However, I would appreciate it if you would keep this matter confidential.

I dont know the details of the situation, but I guess nobles have a lot going on in their own way. There was no reason to bother complaining, so I just nodded my head.

Thank you for your cooperation.

The young guard bowed his head slightly.

And everyone as well, thank you for your cooperation.

Yes!

While Iris and Lily nodded quietly, Surara shouted cheerfully.

My mouth is shut tight! Dont worry!

I have an image of a Slimes mouth as being soft and pliable, though.

Joking aside, Surara is not the kind of person who breaks promises, despite his childish behavior. You can trust him on that point.

I guess thats about it.

I said so, and the guard nodded.

Yes. I apologize for taking up your time when you are tired. Once again, welcome to Surier. How long do you plan to stay?

Four days and three nights.

That should be enough for a tour of the hot springs. Tomorrow there will be a festival to celebrate the citys 300th anniversary, so please enjoy yourselves.

After we finished talking, we walked out of the station. The sun had set before we knew it, and the sky had turned dusky indigo.

Looking out over the streets of Surier, we saw many tourists, as it is a hot spring resort town.

Its so bustling.

Master-san, theres white smoke in the air!

Surara was right; several white vapors were rising here and there in the city. It was probably steam from the hot springs.

We would enjoy visiting the hot springs tomorrow, but first, lets have dinner.

I wonder what the specialties of this town are.

Surier is supposedly famous for a soup dish called Hotep.'

Ive heard of them too. Ive heard that each restaurant has its own secret broth, and it tastes completely different.

I want to try everything!

Lets just stroll around town for now.

I start walking with Iris, Lily, and Surara. I heard that the festival would start tomorrow, and in fact, preparations and decorations were being made all over the city.

I took a peek into the central square and saw a magnificent stage with a roof set up in the back.

According to the program posted on a bulletin board nearby, there would be a concert with musicians from outside the city, a magic show, and so on.

Tomorrow will be a pretty big day, isnt it?

I thought they were celebrating the citys 300th anniversary, but its been around for quite a long time.

Originally, there was a city of an ancient civilization here. It seems that three hundred years ago, people used the ruins of the ancient city to build Surier.

Iris then turned her attention to the fountain in the plaza. In the center of the fountain is what looks like a small shrine. It is made of stone and looks quite old. Perhaps it is a legacy of an ancient civilization.

I understand. Iris, dont get too excited.

Fufu, Im fine.

Iris hummed as she said this and headed for the womens bath with Lily.

We should go, too.

Yes!

Surara and I walked side by side through the entrance to the mens baths.

There is a changing room with a row of large lockers.

All of them are fingerprint-authenticated magic tools, but I have an [Item Box], so I stored my clothes in it. Surara also took off his round hat and carefully put it in his mouth.

When I left the locker room naked, I found myself in a partitioned shower room.

I washed my body here and then entered the open-air bath.

This system is a little different from that of Japanese hot springs, but it is fresh and interesting.

Master-san, let me wash your head! Gently rub it! Is there anything itchy?

Im fine. Ill wash myself, and you can take a shower, too.

Yes! Ill make my body shiny too! Showeerr!

After we finished washing our bodies, we went outdoors.

The outdoor bath was made of natural rocks, where we could leisurely gaze at the starlit sky and the moon.

Phew

I soaked myself in the bathtub, surrounded by the warmth of the hot water. After all, hot springs are the soul of the Japanese people.

It warms you to the core.

It was healing.

Now I am being healed so much

Master-san. Im going to melt.

Surara!

I noticed that Surara was sinking into the bathtub due to over-relaxation.

I hurriedly lifted him up from the bottom.

Whoops! Thank you, Master-san!

Be careful.

I patted Suraras head and looked up at the sky with his round body in my arms.

The white crescent moon was shining bright and brilliant. Its coloring is similar to Lilys silver hair.

Lily Luna Lunaria.

She is a priestess of the God of War and has the [God of Wars Shrine Maiden] and [Foresight] skills.

She had two missions as a priestess, to give the bow of Yggdrasil to the [Transmigrator] and to find the magic sword Gram, but both were fulfilled, and she joined us on our journey.

She is only 15 years old, but considering that she was able to hold Devil Treant at bay by herself, she must be quite capable as a priestess.

As for her personality, she is serious and disciplined and is likable as a human being.

As I thought about this, my body was getting warm, so I left the open-air bath with Surara.

After wiping ourselves off and getting dressed, we headed for the lounge.

Iris and Lily had not yet arrived. They must be enjoying the hot spring.

As I sat on a comfortable chair by the window, soaking in the afterglow of the hot spring, I could hear the sound of sleep coming from right next to me.

Kuu, suuhh.

I looked over and saw Surara sleeping soundly with a towel on his head.

I chuckled a little, and then Lily came over to me.

That was a nice bath

Her expression was one of heartfelt satisfaction. Apparently, she had thoroughly enjoyed the hot spring.

What about Iris?

Shes going to relax in the hot springs for a while longer.

Well, I guess well just have to wait patiently.

I dont have any urgent business to attend to, so lets cool off here for a while.

Lily sat down on a comfortable chair to my left.

Ive never actually been in a hot spring before in my life.

Really?

Not only the hot springs, but also the cooking, staying at such a luxurious inn today was the first time for me to do everything, and I really enjoyed it. Is it okay for me to be this happy?

Dont worry about it. Lily has completed her mission as a [God of Wars Shrine Maiden], and you can think of it as a reward for that. Is there anything you would like to do from now on, any goals or dreams? When I say dreams, I dont mean [Foresight].

Its okay, I understand.

Lily chuckled softly.

But I cant quite think of what the future holds.

Its like your mind was occupied with nothing else but fulfilling your mission.

Yes. Sorry.

Theres nothing to apologize for.

I gave a slight stretch before saying so.

Ive got plenty of time. In the meantime, you can find something you want to do. Ill help you if I can, and dont hesitate to ask.

Thank you very much. You are very kind, Kou-san.

You are exaggerating it. Im just a caring person.

Right after I said that to hide my embarrassment, Iris came into the break room.

Ara, everyones here already. I guess Im the last one.

Did you enjoy the hot springs?

Yes, I feel great. My skin is glowing, and I feel 20 years younger.

Considering Iriss age, that would take her back to before she was born.

But more importantly, lets make plans for tomorrow. Theres a festival coming up, so why dont we focus on that?

Shall we move the hot spring tour to the day after tomorrow?

Yes. The hot springs wont run away, but the festival is only happening now.

Id like to go to the festival, too.

Lily muttered in a whisper but with a clear intent in the air.

Then, the answer seems to have been decided.

Lets enjoy the Surier festival tomorrow. Well meet in my room at ten in the morning, okay?

Oh, thats fine with me.

I think I can wake up, too.

Munya Festival, soup, gulp

After that, we went back to our respective rooms to sleep.

Surara stayed asleep, so I took him in both hands and carried him to bed.

Suuhh Kuuhh

Chuckling at his innocent sleeping face, I laid down on the bed.

Perhaps because my body had been warmed by the hot spring, sleepiness soon set in.

Tomorrow will be another interesting day.

Im looking forward to it.

Well then, good night.