Chapter 8

Lei and Ashley, after leaving the Adventurers' Guild, had lunch and then headed to a shop in the commercial district to gather the necessary equipment.

Upon entering the shop, an elf man—Manuel Mulville—was keeping watch, looking rather bored.

Ashley briefly introduced Lei to Manuel and then started looking for the necessary equipment.

"First, we need a backpack. Then, a cloak to hide that conspicuous armor. A knife and a water bottle... and some daily necessities, I guess."

It seemed to him that she was enjoying herself as she picked out the items.

(Are women really fond of shopping? Why does she look so happy even when it's someone else's shopping?)

He told her that he already had a knife and a water bottle in his item box, but he couldn't help but look at Manuel, who was an elf he had never seen up close before.

The city of Moulton was on the border with the Sartus Kingdom, where many elves lived, so elves were not uncommon in this city.

The shop owner seemed to be offended by being stared at, saying, "Are elves that rare? Or is there something on my face?"

Lei apologized sincerely, and Ashley added, "He lost his memory. He just thought you were rare. He means no harm. Please forgive him."

Manuel sighed but didn't say anything more.

After about ten minutes, they had selected the necessary items: a backpack, a cloak, a magic item for starting fires, camping cookware, and a rope. She turned to Lei and said,

"I think this is about it, but if you need anything else, let me know."

He couldn't think of anything else, so he bowed and said, "Thank you. I think this is enough."

They paid and left the shop, but Lei was a bit down.

(A total of 150C... It's not a huge amount, but I let Ashley handle the bargaining. But I've never bargained before... Even something like this makes me worry about what's to come...)

After that, they went to a clothing store and bought a linen shirt and pants for everyday wear, as well as some underwear. Clothes were unexpectedly expensive, and even though they were second-hand, the total came to about 50C.

By the time they finished the adventurer registration and shopping, it was past three in the afternoon.

"Thanks for your help today. I really appreciate it. So, what are your plans for the rest of the day? Are you going to stay at the baron's mansion?"

"I was planning to go to my usual inn. What about you, Lei?"

After thinking for a moment, he said hesitantly,

"Can I stay at the inn where Ashley is staying? I don't feel comfortable at the baron's place, and I'm a bit anxious being alone..."

She said it was fine and then asked, "Should I go back to the mansion to get my things?" and started up the hill alone.

The moment she turned her back, she felt her face heat up.

(Why? Why do I feel so happy being with him? He's just a weak man...)

She had been a mercenary for a long time. After losing her mother, who was also a mercenary like her father, when she was young, her father's mercenary group was her home and family.

She had her first battle at fifteen and, over the next seven years, had been in over a hundred battles, though not in large-scale wars. She had fought off monster attacks while guarding caravans and been involved in skirmishes between the Lux Kingdom and the Caerl Empire.

A year ago, she began to question her life as a mercenary under her father's protection and started working as a solo mercenary and adventurer, using Moulton as her base. She was always surrounded by rough soldiers and adventurers, and it was the norm for her.

Lei, whom she met yesterday, was completely different from the men she knew. No, in terms of martial skills, he was on par with the top men in the mercenary world she was familiar with. However, his inner self was not that of a warrior, nor was he like the merchants and farmers she had protected.

A mysterious man who used strange weapons and magic to save her.

Even after learning that she was the daughter of a famous mercenary leader, he treated her like a normal woman. Not with the lustful eyes of a bandit leader, but like a young noblewoman, such as Baroness Oriana.

This was very refreshing for her.

(Anyway, I'm looking forward to tomorrow. It might be interesting to team up with Lei for a while...)

Meanwhile, Lei was also starting to think about Ashley. He had always admired active women like her, and he was beginning to be drawn to her confident attitude and beauty.

(Women like her are great. But with my history of never having a girlfriend and being a virgin, Ashley probably doesn't see me as a man...)

Despite this, he felt something nagging at him.

(The story of "Trinitas Mundus" feels similar, like something is blocking me... Clearly, part of my memory from my original world is also blocked. When I try to picture a certain woman, it becomes hazy... I wonder who she is and what she means to me...)

He gave up on thinking about it and remembered what he had said to Ashley earlier.

(Saying I'm anxious alone... That's not something a grown man should say. It sounds like I'm asking her to stay with me... I hope it doesn't sound like I have ulterior motives...)

While thinking about this, they walked in silence for about twenty minutes and arrived at the baron's mansion. When they entered, the butler, Edward, greeted them.

"I want to thank the baron for his hospitality and inform him that I'm leaving now. Could you check if he's available?"

Edward replied, "Of course. Please wait in the guest room," and headed to the study.

Lei and Ashley went to the room they were given and prepared to leave. Lei, who had no luggage, and Ashley, who had only the minimum for her guard duty, quickly packed their things.

Lei debated whether to use his item box and decided to store his original cloak and knight's armor, as well as some of his cash.

(From the way Ashley acts, it's probably better not to use the item box magic frivolously. The cloak and knight's armor are sealed to avoid trouble. I'll keep the cash here in case I lose it. I should check if the gold coins in the item box are the same as the ones from the baron...)

He took out a gold coin and compared it to the ones in the leather bag. They were almost the same size, but the engravings were quite different. The coin from the baron had a simple design, while the one in the item box had a profile of a man and the words "Lukidus Gold" in intricate letters around it.

(Not as intricate as Japanese coins, but they're well-made. They should weigh about the same, but I wonder if they're usable. I'll ask Ashley later...)

Just as he finished putting away the gold coin, Edward came to call him. Lei was led to the baron's study and bowed deeply.

"Thank you for your hospitality. I've completed the adventurer registration, so I'm going to stay at an inn in the city."

"I see... What are your plans after that?"

"My memory hasn't returned, so I'll stay in this city for a while..."

"I see. Well, if you need anything, feel free to visit. I won't forget a life-saving favor."

Lei bowed deeply again and said, "Thank you," before leaving the study.

The baron, left alone, thought,

(If he's just a man as he appears, I could welcome him into my service. Oriana seems to like him, so I could welcome him into my family. However, his combat skills and equipment are a concern. There's a smell of trouble with Lux, or rather, the Church of Light. I should keep an eye on him until his true identity is clear...)

The baron called a servant and ordered him to keep an eye on Lei's movements.

Lei left the mansion with Ashley. It was past four in the afternoon, and people were gradually heading home. They arrived at the inn "Silver Bell Pavilion" on the hillside.

"This is my usual inn, the Silver Bell Pavilion. The owner, Lester, and the innkeeper, Bianca, are young, but it's comfortable. It's a bit expensive, but I think you'll like it, Lei."

The Silver Bell Pavilion was a three-story building with flowers planted under the first-floor windows, well-maintained. Inside, there was a well-polished counter, and a smiling woman in her mid-twenties greeted them.

"Welcome back, Ashley. It seems you had a tough time."

The story of the baron being betrayed by mercenaries and attacked by bandits was already a rumor in the city.

Ashley looked at Lei and said,

"Yes, I would have died if it weren't for Lei. By the way, Bianca, are there any rooms available?"

"Yes, there are. Do you want a double room or two single rooms?"

Ashley said loudly, "Two single rooms, of course!" and her face turned red. Lei was also frozen at the mention of a double room.

"You don't have to be so defensive. I was just teasing, hehe, you're so cute."

Bianca teased the blushing Ashley and then turned to Lei,

"I'm Bianca, the innkeeper. My husband is preparing dinner, so I'll introduce you later. You're quite a handsome man. It's a bit jealous that the first man Ashley brings here is someone as good-looking as you. Oh, this is a secret from my husband."

She winked at him. Lei just said, "Nice to meet you," and couldn't say anything else.

"The room rate is 8C per day with two meals. If you want a bento, let us know the day before. Room service only is 6C per day, but our food is delicious, so it's a waste to just have room service. Your room is 101 on the third floor. It's at the end, and Ashley is next door, hehe."

She teased him further, and his face turned red. After confirming the orb, he took the key and hurried up to the third floor.

The room was about 3.5 meters wide and 4 meters deep, similar in size to a Japanese business hotel. There was a bed, a closet, a small table, and a chair, but the bathroom and toilet were shared. The window had wooden shutters instead of glass, and there was one embedded light fixture on the wall.

(The same as in the baron's mansion. I just need to touch it and infuse it with magic to turn it on... It works.)

He had seen these light magic devices in various places, used as torches or candles.

(Doesn't it require much magic? There were five or six in the hallway alone, so there must be more than thirty in the whole inn...)

Later, he learned from Ashley that it didn't require much magic, and even a child could light about twenty without any problem. However, the light lasted only about two hours, so they had to relight them during patrols.

He took off his equipment and debated whether to put his spear and armor in the item box.

(They're my most valuable possessions. It would be a hassle if they were stolen, so it's probably safer to put them in. But what does Ashley do?)

He changed into the clothes he bought today and went to Ashley's room next door.

"I have something to ask. Is it okay if I come in?" he called out. When he got a response that it was okay, he opened the door. Inside, he saw Ashley changing in her underwear.

He quickly apologized and closed the door, standing frozen outside.

(I was surprised! I thought she said it was okay to come in, but did I hear wrong? Will she be angry? But I should have looked more closely... No, I don't want to do anything that might make her dislike me...)

While he was agonizing outside the door, Ashley, who had finished changing, called out to him.

"What's wrong? I said it was okay to come in. Never mind, what do you want to ask?"

(She did say it was okay to come in. Is she indifferent, or does she not see me as a man? I have no idea...)

He blinked a few times and asked about her equipment.

"Ah, I take my sword to the dining room, but I leave my armor in the room. The door locks, and the guests here aren't that bad, so it should be fine. If you're worried, you can use storage magic."

He took her advice and went back to his room to put his armor and spear in the item box.

(But how much can it hold? It doesn't seem to depend on level, but I'll think about it when it's full...)

It was five in the afternoon, so they went to the dining room on the first floor. The Silver Bell Pavilion had a dining room and bar on the first floor, with the owners' living quarters, and guest rooms on the second and third floors. The second floor had four double rooms and four four-person rooms, and the third floor had twelve single rooms.

The dining room had eight four-person tables and ten counter seats, and some guests were already eating at the counter.

They sat at the counter, and a gray-haired man came out of the kitchen.

"This is Lester, the owner. I'm Lei. He saved my life."

Ashley introduced Lei and Lester to each other. Lester nodded and gruffly said,

"The food is either meat or fish. Ask Bianca for drinks."

They ordered the fish dish, and when Bianca passed by, they asked for white wine. Bianca said, "Sorry, he's a bit gruff," and smiled.

The food was hearty and delicious. Today's fish dish was grilled char with herbs.

While enjoying the meal, Lei decided to ask Ashley about their plans for the next day.

"I'm going to take my first job tomorrow. If you have time, could you come with me? I'm not sure how to take on a job yet..."

She looked surprised and said,

"I thought I was going to come with you. Didn't I say that? I plan to stay with you for a while..."

He smiled broadly and said,

"Thank you! I was worried that you might be wary of me after the baron's incident. Thank you, really thank you."

Ashley, a bit taken aback by his expression, blushed slightly and said,

"No, it's only right. In the Martak family, it's normal to repay a favor. But don't get too comfortable. I'll be strict, so be prepared."

"Understood. By the way, what kind of job do you plan to take tomorrow? Something like gathering herbs in the forest?"

At his words, she said, "Huh?" in a slightly surprised tone and then continued,

"No, of course, it's a hunt. I've never taken a gathering job, and I want to take a monster hunt to improve your skills. We'll see what's available when we look at the job board."

"Hunt... Can I do it? I'm still not good with a spear or sword, and I'm not sure if I can use magic in a real fight. Will it be okay?"

Seeing his lack of confidence, she said firmly,

"What are you talking about! You defeated those bandits. Have confidence. You improved quickly during today's morning training. Your body remembers. As long as your mind doesn't give up, there's no problem."

He nodded at her words but thought,

(Can I kill a living thing? For a man from a peaceful country and a humanities major, it's a different story. But I don't want to show a shameful face in front of Ashley. I'll have to be determined tomorrow.)

After the meal, they returned to their respective rooms. With nothing to do after dinner, Lei lay on his bed and thought about magic.

(Close combat might be tough. Maybe I can kill monsters with magic, like in a game...)

He recalled the magic settings. Among the eight attributes, fire, light, wind, and water were easier to create attack spells. Considering fighting in the forest, fire magic could be dangerous due to the risk of spreading.

(Light, wind, or water... Light is easy to imagine with "Light Spear" and "Light Arrow." I can think of it like a laser weapon from an anime. Water can attack with ice spears or cold air. But ice spears might have less penetration than light spears, and cold air might have compatibility issues... Wind... Blowing away with a gust of wind is easy to imagine, but creating a vacuum to cut with the principle of a scythe is difficult. Strengthening the gust to blow away with an air cannon might be more powerful... I should focus on one attribute. In that case, light...)

He also started thinking about healing magic.

(Healing magic is water or wood. Water can be imagined as injecting medicine into bodily fluids. Wood represents life force, but it's hard to imagine... Another is light. I can imagine activating cells with light. I don't want to hurt myself to test it, but I should be able to use healing magic early in case of an emergency...)

He then thought about the uses of earth, metal, and darkness.

(Earth can be imagined as traps or walls. Combining it with water to create a swamp is also possible. Metal can enhance weapons and armor, but it's hard to imagine. I don't need it now, so I can put it off. The most difficult is darkness. Creating darkness to blind is possible, but it might cause trouble with the Church of Light...)

While thinking about magic, he fell asleep without realizing it.