"Thank you for visiting us again. We look forward to your next visit."
Escorted by the slave trader, Roxane and I left the merchant house. Roxane was holding a large case in front of her, dangling it with both hands. It seemed to be all her possessions.
I glanced at Roxane from time to time. I should be able to look at her more confidently, but it felt a bit awkward. In the bright sunlight, Roxane's beauty stood out even more. Her white skin seemed to glow.
Her tunic was loose, but as expected, her chest was large. There was a considerable amount of cleavage. Hmm. I'm looking forward to it. Maybe that's why I can't look at her confidently.
"Isn't that heavy?"
I pointed at the case and asked. It felt uncomfortable to see a woman carrying luggage.
"Yes, it's fine," she replied.
"Let me see it for a moment."
"Yes, here you go."
I extended my right hand to take it. I wanted to check the weight and do one more thing.
Holding the case's handle with my right hand, I placed my left hand, which held Durandal, on the back of the case. I had drawn Durandal, but there was no chance to put it away in the merchant house. While checking the weight, I hid Durandal with the case. I chanted "character reset" and made Durandal disappear.
"It's not heavy at all."
Saying that, I handed the case back to Roxane.
I initially intended to carry the case, but I changed my mind. One reason is that it's normal for slaves to carry luggage, so it would be strange for me to do it. Another reason is the sword.
If I carry the case, I won't be able to respond in an emergency. Roxane doesn't have a sword, so I need to be ready to act.
The idea that a man should carry a woman's luggage might be a modern concept that emerged after swords were no longer used in the city. In this world, violence in the city is probably within the realm of possibility. If I carry Roxane's luggage, it might make her look important, but in reality, it would expose her to danger. I need to be ready to draw my sword at any time.
The servant carries the luggage, and the master carries the sword. That's the norm in this world.
While taking out a scimitar from the item box and returning the case to Roxane, I felt my heart race when our fingers touched. Her fingers were white, slender, and soft. I wonder if I'm overthinking this, but is it really okay?
"Let's go to the Baille Inn and get a room. It's a straight path to the rotary from here. Follow me."
"Yes, I understand."
I sheathed the scimitar at my waist and started walking. Roxane followed behind me.
With a woman carrying luggage behind me, it felt a bit awkward. Roxane also seemed tense. She kept saying "yes" and "understood."
"By the way, can you read kanji?"
"Kanji?"
When I turned to ask, Roxane tilted her head in curiosity. Her face was beautiful. No, that's not the point.
Hmm. I quickly realized she couldn't read kanji. The kanji didn't convert to Brahmic script, probably because the concept of kanji doesn't exist here, so it was treated as a foreign word.
"Um, can you read the Intelligence Card?"
"Yes."
"What language is the Intelligence Card written in?"
"Brahmic. ...Ah, um. The Intelligence Card works directly on the viewer's consciousness, so it can be read in the language the person knows."
I see. That's how it works. It's not written in kanji, but in a language I can read. I wonder how it looks to someone who can't read.
"Hmm. Can Roxane read Brahmic?"
"Yes, I've learned a bit."
So, I got someone who can read Brahmic.
"I can't read or write Brahmic, so I'd appreciate it if you could teach me."
"Yes, I can teach you within my knowledge."
"Thanks. I appreciate it."
We passed by the Explorer's Guild. I won't need a reader anymore.
"I haven't learned much yet because you came to pick me up in ten days as promised."
"Huh? You learned at that merchant house?"
"Yes. They said it would never be a disadvantage to be able to speak, so I learned Brahmic."
I didn't know the slave trader offered such a service. Maybe they do it to sell slaves at a higher price. It's not a one-sided service.
"That's the Baille Inn."
"Yes."
With the luggage, we headed straight for the inn. A few men we passed looked at Roxane with admiration. I felt a bit superior.
But I want to say, "Don't look at my Roxane." I can't even look at her properly myself.
We entered the Baille Inn.
"I want to move to a double room. Is that okay?"
I told the innkeeper, who was preparing the key.
"It's fine. ...A double room is okay?"
"Yes. With dinner for two."
"A double room is 380 nars. With dinner, let's say 350 nars per night, considering it's a long stay."
It's strange that the price goes down with dinner included. I wonder if he realizes he's giving a discount.
"Alright. 350 nars it is."
Since it's a good deal, I'll take it. I took out three silver coins and fifty copper coins from the pouch in my backpack and placed them on the counter.
"Both of you, show me your arms."
I realized we needed to check the Intelligence Cards. It would reveal that I made Roxane a slave. I had no choice but to extend my left arm.
"Roxane too."
"Yes."
I made Roxane, who seemed dazed, extend her arm as well.
"The double room is on the fifth floor. Take your belongings from the previous room and I'll show you to the fifth floor."
The innkeeper didn't say anything when he saw the Intelligence Cards, probably respecting the privacy of the guests. He took the keys and quickly went up the stairs.
"Give me the luggage."
I took the case from Roxane and followed. Inside the inn, I didn't need to prioritize the sword.
"Thank you."
Roxane followed behind me. We went up the stairs.
"First, take all the belongings out of the room."
The innkeeper opened the door to room 311. I handed the case to Roxane and went inside.
I held the coat in my left hand and packed the rope, laundry, and the rest of the belongings into a wooden bucket. I also put the tracksuit from the closet and the leather shoes from the bottom shelf of the closet.
"That's everything."
"Then let's go to the fifth floor."
The innkeeper locked the door to 311 and led the way.
"Um, I'll carry it."
"No, it's fine."
I stopped Roxane from trying to carry the luggage. She was already carrying the case.
We went up the stairs. It would be fine on the third floor, but I wished for an elevator on the fifth floor. There probably isn't one.
"The double rooms are on the top floor. The fifth floor is only for double room guests."
The innkeeper explained, as if reading my dissatisfaction. I didn't quite understand the logic.
"Hmm."
"Here's the room."
The man opened the door to the room.
"Hmm."
I went inside. There was a large bed and a desk at the back. There were two chairs, probably because it was a double room.
I put the luggage on the desk.
The room size wasn't much different from room 311. It was a bit larger, maybe a little more spacious. It felt more open because there was no closet.
"The right side is the closet. The bottom shelf has a lock, so keep your valuables there and don't go out."
When I opened the sliding door on the right wall as the innkeeper said, it was a built-in closet. It seemed to be a bit larger than room 311.
After that, the innkeeper repeated the explanation he gave when we first entered room 311, handed me the key, and left.
I sat on the only bed. The softness was about the same as the room on the third floor.
Looking around, Roxane was standing awkwardly near the entrance.
"Come in and sit down."
"Yes..."
Roxane hesitantly walked in. She seemed more nervous than tense.
"Um, is this number five?"
I showed Roxane the key. The room number here is 517. I knew the middle number was 1, so the left number should be 5.
"Yes, that's correct."
"And this is seven?"
"Yes..."
Hmm. The conversation isn't flowing.
I can feel Roxane's nervousness. I thought we had a better conversation on the way, but it seems to have reverted in the inn. I have no intention of suddenly pouncing on her in broad daylight.
Well, it can't be helped when we're alone in a hotel room. Plus, there's only one bed.
"Um... Can I touch your ears?"
Since I'm here, I might as well make a bold request. If she's going to be nervous anyway, I might as well be more assertive. Probably. Maybe.
"Um... Yes."
"Then come here."
I called Roxane over. No, it's just skin contact, skin contact. Skin contact is important.
If she's afraid of being attacked, not going too far can show that I'm not scary. Hopefully.
Sure, probably, certainly.
When the beautiful woman came close, I held back the urge to pounce. I'm a person of reason.
In English, I'm a "person of reason." I don't know if that's correct.
Desires dispelled. Delusions shattered.
"...Yes."
"Here."
For some reason, Roxane tried to sit on the floor, so I invited her to sit next to the bed. There's no need to sit on the floor.
When she came next to me, I almost hugged her but held back. That's why I didn't ask her to sit next to me.
Desires dispelled, lust subdued.
I placed my hand on Roxane's head. Looking at her from the side, she's beautiful.
Her smooth hair slid through my hand. It was soft and fluffy.
Truly, a pleasure to look at and touch.
No, no. I almost pounced on her.
Of course, I endured with the spirit of patience.
Desires dispelled, evil thoughts removed.
After thoroughly enjoying the feel of her hair, I touched her dog ears.
Her ears were large, soft, and drooping. They were probably about one or two centimeters thick.
Because they drooped, there were no hard parts, and they felt like a puff. Soft and fluffy.
Dangerous. It's becoming a habit.
Well, there's no need for restraint. I'll touch them with both hands.
"Roxane is beautiful, but her ears are cute."
Roxane is beautiful. The fact that she doesn't give a cold impression is largely due to her drooping ears. Her large ears make her more approachable.
"Um... Thank you."
Our eyes met when she looked at me. Roxane shyly looked down.
Well, there's no choice but to go for it.
I suppressed the wicked thought of pouncing on her.
Desires dispelled, beastly heart calmed.
I stroked her ears.
I stroked her ears mindlessly.
Desires dispelled, delusions shattered.
I stroked her ears, hoping Roxane would calm down a bit. My desires didn't calm down, though.
I glanced at Roxane from the side. She didn't seem particularly uncomfortable.
Even if she's uncomfortable, I hope she can bear it. Skin contact is important.
However, from the side, Roxane's chest still looked large.
No, that's not it. That's not the point.
I want to check, but I'll hold back.
Desires dispelled, lust shattered.
"Um. Nice to meet you again."
"Yes, nice to meet you."
Roxane bowed, even though I was still touching her ears. I caught her back of the head when she came up.
"These ears are nice, aren't they?"
"Um..."
"What?"
"Can I call you Master?"
Yes.
I wish someone would praise me for not pouncing on Roxane here.
Desires dispelled, beastly nature suppressed.
Thanks to the skin contact, the conversation is flowing a bit better.
If I pounced on her now and made her nervous, it would be back to square one.
"Sure. You can call me that."
"Yes, Master."
Oh.
That was close.
I almost hugged her.
Stay calm, stay calm.
Desires dispelled, lust sealed.
"By the way, there's only one bed here."
I talked while touching her ears.
Wait.
Is this topic okay?
"Huh?"
"Huh?"
As expected, Roxane asked back.
It's a bit different. What is it?
"Um. Master requested it."
"Huh? Did I?"
"Yes. I asked for a double room."
"Oh."
I see.
A double room has one bed, and a twin room has two beds.
I nodded when asked if a double room was fine. The innkeeper knew what he was doing.
Good job.
"Did you not know?"
Maybe Roxane was nervous because of that when we came to the inn.
Well, even if she knew, I would have chosen a room with one bed.
"There's something I want to say first."
"Yes."
"I came from a place so far away that Roxane wouldn't believe it."
I straightened my back and solemnly told Roxane. However, I kept touching her ears. Skin contact is important.
I'm not telling the truth, but I don't want to lie and get caught later.
So, I'll tell her half the truth.
"Farther than Kashim?"
"I don't know where Kashim is, but probably farther than Roxane can imagine."
"Is that so?"
Roxane seemed to be thinking about something.
Farther than any place Roxane can imagine.
That's a good way to put it.
"Also, I'm from the countryside. I don't understand the customs here very well. I'd like Roxane to teach me about the customs."
"Yes."
"I appreciate it if you can explain anything without thinking, 'He should know this' or 'He doesn't know this.'"
"Understood."
Maybe double and twin rooms are common knowledge on Earth too.
I hope I can get away with it.
"Also, you might have heard, but I plan to take Roxane into the dungeon, so be prepared."
"Yes. I believe I can be of help in combat. Please leave it to me."
When I mentioned the dungeon, Roxane looked at me straight. Her eyes seemed to glow strangely.