Chapter One Hundred and Twenty: Isn’t It Fun To Go Food-touring With People Who Have Their Favorite Shops?
After staying overnight in that spot, we were able to travel close to the capital using the Camping Car, but there were more people on the Highway than expected. We got out of the vehicle in a place out of sight and walked for about two hours, I think… When we finally saw the city walls, I was really excited.
“That’s quite a friendly familiar you have there. You must be a great tamer!”
“Th-thank you… I’m glad you think so…”
A lizardman guard in full armor petted Gomamiso’s fluffy head. He’s the one who checked the familiar recognition ribbon on its neck and the magic stamp on its front paw. According to the lizardman, beast-type monster familiars rarely allow themselves to be held or ride on shoulders.
…Well, it’s Gomamiso after all… The guard is praising me a lot, but I feel quite awkward about it… I ended up speaking in broken sentences. By the way, the magic stamp apparently works in such a way that when you shine a light-like magical tool on it, the stamp mark glows and becomes visible… It’s kind of like… those re-entry stamps at events… The ones that are invisible at first but react purple under UV light… This allows them to distinguish familiars even if the recognition ribbon is lost.
“Woooooow…!”
‘There are so many people!’
“Are you alright, Rin? Please don’t get lost as you declared yesterday, okay?”
The royal capital of Schulbrand, which I am visiting for the first time, is truly a beautiful city. White stone pavements lined with orderly white stone buildings. Not only the windows and entrances, but even the roadsides had stone planters filled with colorful flowers. Every time the mountain breeze blew through, a sweet floral scent wafted around. It is a lively atmosphere that matches well with the bright bustle of the city.
I found myself gaping like a total tourist at the sight, so different from Ellarge. Gomamiso on my shoulder was also excitedly looking around, its tail and wings twitching.
Just like when we first arrived in Ellarge, I’m being led by Mr. Ville, who’s pressing his fingers between his eyebrows and groaning, as we make our way into Schulbrand. According to Mr. Ville, there are four entrances, one in each cardinal direction, and the main streets from these lead to the grand plaza in front of the royal castle. The roads are divided into main and back streets centered around this crossroads, with the main streets having more shops and the back streets more residential areas.
We’re heading to an area right between the back and main streets… A place with a mix of residences and shops, full of everyday life…
As Mr. Ville led me by the hand, we turned onto a narrow street off the main road. It’s neat and orderly, but you can see belongings placed in front of houses, and laundry fluttering on ropes strung between neighboring houses… It really feels like a lively residential area. But there’s no trash on the ground, and no bad smells either. It’s clean, but you can really feel that people are living here… I like this kind of atmosphere.
“My favorite place for rainbow long-tailed fowl is ‘Walking Trent Inn’! Their grilled skewers are delicious!”
“Mm. I like the whole roast at ‘Jade Maiden’… It’s stuffed full and tasty…!”
“My recommendation is the stew at ‘Silver Stardust’, but it’s on the opposite side from here…”
I walk down a street with a mix of shops and houses, almost like a Showa-era shopping district, listening to everyone’s recommendations. Mr. Ed, Ms. Aria, and Mr. Xenon… they all seem to have their own favorite shops. As we walk, I peek at the storefronts. Thanks to our shopping trip before entering the dungeon last time, I can now read the prices!
The cost of living… don’t seem too different. However, rare spices are a bit expensive. Well, compared to Ellarge which is directly connected to a port, it’s natural for prices to be higher here due to transportation costs, labor costs, and middleman margins. But the quality doesn’t seem bad, and it doesn’t feel like they’re ripping people off… Vegetables, meat, and herbs that seem to be produced nearby are almost the same price as in Ellarge…
“By the way, Mr. Ville, do you have any recommended shops?”
“Me? Let’s see… The seared meat at ‘Big Bear’s Tail’ nearby. They use spring salt, which gives it a unique flavor.”
“Ah! ‘Big Bear’s Tail’! Their grilled skewers are delicious too!”
When I asked if Mr. Ville, who was leading me by the hand, had any favorite shops, he turned back to me with a grin and pointed ahead.
In that direction… there’s a small sign with what I assume is the shop’s name written on it. That must be ‘Big Bear’s Tail’. Though I can’t read it!
As I tilt my head wondering "What on earth is spring salt…?", Mr. Ed, his eyes shining, explains that it’s salt made by boiling down hot spring water from the Melnoa Volcano area. Unlike salt made from seawater, it’s said to be mild with a hint of sweetness.
“Ville… Were you aiming for this place from the start?”
“It’s the closest to the north entrance, isn’t it? That’s the privilege of being the guide.”
Mr. Ville raises the corner of his mouth in a smirk, avoiding Mr. Xenon’s slightly resentful gaze.
…When a slightly rugged handsome guy like Mr. Ville smiles like that, it’s like… he’s a good person, but somehow he looks a bit roguish, you know?
“Let’s begin by eating here!”
“It smells so good…! I can’t wait!”
With that slightly roguish smile still on his face, Mr. Ville’s eyes catch mine. Along with the savory smell wafting around, my stomach growls with hunger. Well, of course, I’m hungry after walking for two hours!
Grinning back at those strawberry-colored eyes, I start to loosen the strings of my wallet tucked away in my pocket.
They holding hands :)
ReplyDeleteIt Is really slow burn, and Im screaming reading that part!! 😭😭
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