Satou-san, do you have any plans for today?
I was thinking of asking the odd jobs people to put me in contact
with some housing or an inn that allows demi-humans.
Liza and the girls can't stay in the stables forever.
W-Well, would it be all right if I went with you?
I don't mind.
But do you really want to spend your whole day off with me?
Yes!
General Store
Excuse me!
Used Skill: Amplification
Coming!
Sorry about the wait.
Nadi Lv. 9
I'm Nadi, and I help take care of this general store.
What can I help you with today?
I need to find some lodging or a property I can rent.
Understood. Right this way.
If you're going to be living with demi-humans,
it'll need to be in West Town or somewhere between there and the worker's residences.
Crime is a bit of concern in that area, but it won't be as expensive as a result.
What price range are you looking at?
Well, let's see...
I was hoping to not spend much more than two silver coins.
If that's not enough, I'd be willing to go as high as one gold coin.
That covers a few options.
These three, in particular, should fit what you've described so far.
Although...
Vacant Property
The owner of this residence was assassinated by a member of the crime guild.
M-Mind if we look at the others?
You sure you're not showing too much skin lately?
Brothel
A brothel right across from the house...
That's kind of rough.
There's a hideout for the crime guild under this one,
along with a secret path that reaches into the city...
This one gives me a bad feeling. I think I'll pass.
I see.
I'll drop by the office in the afternoon
and see if there are any properties that are more suitable.
Thank you so much.
I'll drop by again this evening, then.
So, is there anywhere you'd like to go in the meantime?
W-Well, let's see...
Actually, a flea market opened in the plaza up ahead yesterday.
There are good bargains, and I was actually going to walk around
with the manager on the last day to pick up things on clearance.
I see.
And the outdoor stage where they hold plays is really popular,
not to mention perfect for dates.
Dates...
Something wrong?
Oh, it's nothing.
Let me get one of those!
It's the master!
Found him!
What happened to your shopping?
It was all a bit unwieldy, so we dropped them at the inn.
Look, look!
Looks good?
Does it?
You all look cute.
What's with the hair, though?
Oh, purple hair is apparently a bad sign around here,
so we took a little precaution.
Makes sense.
And so, I was wondering if I could ask you for something...
Don't cling to me.
So, what did you need?
Cards, huh?
Art on the front, and the language of the Saga Empire on the back...
This might come in handy for teaching Pochi and Tama how to read.
Those cards are interesting.
I thought they might help teach the children in my hometown how to read.
Wow...
Acquired Item: Educational Cards
Master, aren't you heading to the outdoor stage for the play?
Well, we intend to.
Did you buy your tickets yet?
No.
Let us handle that, then, Master.
Okay, use this to pay.
Sorry about that, Zena-san.
They're going to be coming with us.
Oh, that's okay.
This seems like it'd go well with your golden blonde hair.
It's lovely...
Does it suit me?
Yes, very much so.
Master!
I want this!
Then let's get something for Lulu, too, and buy them all.
Yay!
Y'know, you'd be easier to shop for if you asked for stuff like Arisa...
Zena!
Hello, there!
Let's go over there next!
Excuse me, can I get these earrings?
Fair maiden, rather than under the moonlight...
I would wish to see your smiling face beneath the shining sun.
Oh, beloved Zen,
Iyuna Lv. 3
Hein Lv. 4
use your magic to free me from this castle, which is more like a prison!
Tragic romances aren't really my thing, but...
Meat!
Delicious meat!
S-Sorry about that.
It's all right.
I guess they couldn't follow the story.
What about Liza?
Hey, she's actually paying attention.
Wait, no.
She's focused on the smell of skewers that surrounds the outdoor stage...
This "The Tragedy of Marquis Muno" story is apparently based on a true story,
where the protagonist, Zen, is a commoner wizard
who has a tragic romance with Princess Liltiena.
Not only does her fiancé, Marquis Muno, kill every member of Zen's extended family,
Zen himself is murdered by one of the princess's attendants.
In the end, the princess takes her own life,
leaving you with a story that leaves a bitter taste...
That's just people cheering for the play.
I thought that was the end, but, apparently, it continues from there.
The body of the protagonist, which was thrown from a cliff,
reanimates, becoming undead,
and kills everyone at the marquis's estate.
And the moment before he's about to kill the marquis himself,
a Holy Knight kills him. Kind of an anticlimax.
Oh, Holy Knight!
Not only that, but the marquis's whole personality suddenly changes,
and then he dies because of some kind of curse from his marquisate.
The result is a completely incomprehensible finale.
Gabo Flatbread
Gabo flatbread?
Gabo must be some kind of fantasy vegetable in this world.
You dropped this, ma'am.
Thank you so much.
Oh, you're the young man from the seat behind me.
Sorry about before.
It's quite all right.
So, what did you think about the ending to the play? Terrible, wasn't it?
Well, yes...
In the script, the wizard is killed by the Holy Knight
after he gets his revenge on the marquis.
But the nobles were complaining, so it got changed haphazardly.
In the story it's based on, Princess Liltiena is a commoner,
and the lecherous marquis just kidnaps her, despite her marriage.
I see...
So it was weird because there were a bunch of changes demanded.
Master!
Where have you been?
Sorry, sorry, just had to use the bathroom.
That play was such a string of thrills. It was delightful!
I cried when Princess Liltiena killed herself after the wizard Zen died...
She should've surreptitiously taken the short sword to get revenge on the marquis!
Dying doesn't accomplish anything.
Wasn't the marquis the root of the problem,
with how he was trying to separate two people who loved each other?
But Princess Liltiena did break the promise of
the arranged marriage both families agreed on,
so isn't she the real cause of the tragedy?
Well, in that case,
Zena-tan, would you rather marry
someone your family chose, instead of my master?
I-I'm not arranged to be married to anyone, so...
And might you have joined the military specifically to avoid getting engaged?
Around here, women have to run households after getting married,
but joining the military means five years of guaranteed service.
Arisa really knows her stuff...
You need to be prepared to sacrifice everything for the person you love!
Or it's not real love!
B-But... denying the will of the head of the family is a bit...
If you always worry about playing the good girl,
you're going to end up having the man you care about stolen from you.
That was going overboard.
Ow!
Sorry about that, Zena-san.
Acquired Skill: Mediation
Come on, Arisa, apologize.
I'm sorry...
Acquired Title: Mediator
Though I do understand Arisa's perspective.
Who wants to eat meat skewers?
Meat skewers!
We'd love to!
How many should I buy, Master?
That was fast... well, make sure there's some for everybody.
I'll handle the haggling!
Can we come?
We want to help!
"City Defense That Began With a Death March"
Lilio.
Zenacchi!
Iona-san and Ruu, too. What brings you here?
There was a battle with some Fang Ants.
Those rat bastards, next time I see them I'm gonna spit roast them!
Fang Ants? Rat bastards?
Before we ran into the Fang Ants
we spotted a group of wererat cavalry who crossed the border.
And Ruu suspects that they're the ones who attracted the Fang Ants.
The guy in the lead was wearing flashy red helmet.
If I ever catch him, he's headed straight for the gallows.
Healing Breeze.
Thanks, Zenacchi!
It's nothing.
Satou-san, I'm going to go treat the other injured.
All right!
Prey!
A job well done!
What are you doing with that ant?
Killed it!
It was attacking from above.
Master, there don't seem to be any more lurking nearby.
I see...
Flying Ant Lv. 3
They don't seem to be the exact same breed,
but are these the monsters the border guard fought?
Red markers... incoming!
Pochi, Tama, go get your weapons.
Yeah!
Okies!
Arisa, go get Lulu.
Okay!
Liza, go get the curtain we used for the bed.
Understood!
Is something wrong?
There's a swarm of these Flying Ants—
Used Skill: Fabrication
Monsters?
Flying Ants are only level 3.
Flying Ant Lv. 3
Not strong enough to threaten armed troops,
but they've got sharp fangs, hard exoskeletons, and can fly.
More than enough to threaten the civilians.
While they're in the air,
using Fire Shot to burn them up would probably be most effective, but...
They're faster than I thought.
What?
The protective barrier against monsters above the city seems to be helping some.
Barrier? But so many are getting through.
We're not talking about spatial magic here.
Creating something that'd be as effective as a physical wall
would be incredibly inefficient, MP-wise.
Arisa, take Lulu and hide in the back of that bar.
Got it.
Pochi, Tama, protect the inn.
Okies.
What about Master?
I'm going to build a barricade with Liza,
and then we'll get rid of any monsters near the entrance.
Hurry and get inside!
It's just one monster!
Hurry and crush it!
Fallen Hammer!
Fire!
There they are...
Master, leave this to me.
Used: Pennies
We're not letting you through!
Road's closed!
I've got you!
Stay on your toes!
Thank you so much, Tama!
Fuhgeddaboudit.
What's with the accent?
Wait, she had to have gotten it from Arisa.
Flying Ant Lv. 3
She must've used her psychic magic.
Looks like a few of them made it into the building Nadi-san works out of.
Things are just about finished here...
Liza! Handle things here for a bit!
Understood!
All Items
>Equipment
>Some Kind of Bar
Used Item: Some Kind of Bar
Acquired Skill: One-Handed Mace
Nadi-san, are you all right?!
Y-Yes, I'm fine!
The stairs are covered in acid the ants threw up...
Guess I could smash a rock and use it to make some footing.
Ivy Control!
Manager!
General Store
Thank you so much, Satou-san!
And you, too, manager!
I'm an afterthought?
Of course not! I'm really grateful.
Who is this?
Yusaratoya Bolenan
He was requesting help with finding a home for rent, and he saved my life.
Appreciate it.
An elf, one of the single most popular races in all fantasy settings.
Is something the matter?
No, I've just never seen someone with green hair before.
Oh, that's because the manager is a forest spirit, an elf.
An elf? As in, with long ears?
Wrong.
They're a different race from elves, called the Long-ears.
Since the first hero called the Long-ears "elves,"
people have been making that mistake for a millennium now.
Which is why elves always try to avoid being mistaken for Long-ears.
I had no idea...
Manager, I apologize for my ignorance.
You're forgiven.
See?
Oh.
We'll discuss the housing issue again later.
Right, thank you for your help today!
Looks like it's about wrapped up.
Satou-san!
Are you all right?
S-Sorry...
We finished up on our end, too.
Now I'm going to be joining the guardsmen
and make sure there aren't any other problems in town.
That's a shame, considering today was your day off.
I'm sad our outing ended partway through,
but detecting enemies is a specialty of wind magic.
And if we don't get going soon,
the nearby villages might come under attack.
Take care!
Are you this girl's master?
Master.
The law says you sell cores to the city government. Hand it over.
One minute, please.
Let me just draw up a receipt.
Acquired Title: Beginner Merchant
This will have the number of cores and the amounts that were paid for them,
along with your name or some other form of identification.
What?!
Are you insinuating I was going to steal them from you?
Merchants are just cautious, that's all.
Acquired Skill: Coercion
Used Skill: Fabrication
Even if we were dealing with a saint or a hero,
we'd still rather have something in writing than a verbal promise.
That good enough?
Your numbers are wrong.
Used Skill: Calculation
Huh?
And there's no seal...
I just forgot!
Acquired Title: Gray Merchant
I'm not sure I ever coerced him...
What a wonderful aroma!
The smell of happiness!
Hungry.
Just wait a little longer.
These girls are amazing.
They're so tiny, but they were protecting the inn from monsters.
I can't do much for you,
but I can have my husband whip up his best dinner and make you all a feast.
Thanks for the food!
She must not be feeling better yet...
Maybe there's a pharmacy somewhere.
Oh, Young Master!
You helped us out in the labyrinth!
We're not gonna let our savior walk the streets at night by himself.
Let us buy you a drink, too.
Actually, I was heading somewhere...
Come on, don't worry about it!
Acquired Skill: Chiropractic Massage Acquired Skill: Sexual Techniques Acquired Skill: Pillow Talk Acquired Skill: Seduction
Come see us again sometime, Young Master!
Coercion One-handed Mace Mediation
How did that happen?
I thought they were just going to treat me to a drink.
Item Acquired: Shadow Owl Feather
Shadow Owl Feather
The feather of a Shadow Owl?
Maybe Pochi and Tama would like it.
Used Skill: Keen Hearing
Used Skill: Night Vision
Shadow Stalker Lv. 15
Shadow Stalker Lv. 10 Shadow Stalker Lv. 12
Shadow Stalker Lv. 14 Shadow Stalker Lv. 12
Monsters?
Used Skill: Spatial Mobility
Are you all right?
Who're... you?
Red helmet...
Are you... one of his men?
Not at all.
What is this?
I'm not going to last much longer...
T-Take care of the princess...
Used Skill: First Aid
Hang in there!
Acquired Title: Paramedic
Yusaratoya Bolenan
Nadi
Both Nadi-san and the manager have their status listed as sleeping...
Used: Lock Pick
No other choice.
Used Skill: Wire
Acquired Skill: Unlocking
Acquired Title: Lock Picker
M-Manager!
Used Skill: Straining Ears
Are you going to join me in bed?!
No.
I feel bad for how expectant Nadi-san just sounded.
Good evening.
Sorry to intrude.
It's Satou.
Satou-san?
I brought by someone who knows the manager.
He's badly injured, so I was hoping you could treat him right away.
Mana Light.
This red helmet...
doesn't it belong to Red Mask, the famous wererat knight?
Never met him.
No, I mean the one here in the cloth.
It's an elf!
Mia...
Camping Lessons That Began With a Death March