「You heard it earlier, it’s a powerful spirit, right? What a waste~ 」
「Hey, he’s not the size you can just bring with you without doing any preparation beforehand. Better not to mess with him. 」
「If he puts you to sleep then you’ll be rat fodder. 」
Dean looked regretful, so that’s Dinosso and Shiva talking to him.
I didn’t forget to take the ordinary ore left behind by Roza’s group. When we add this up with the ores I bought before then I have plenty enough, allowing me to make a lot of stuff to my heart’s content for a while.
We got back to the citadel late at night, and we rented a room with nothing in it, not even a bed. We then huddled together like sardines and went to sleep. Shiva and Tina were surrounded by Dinosso, En and Vak, so they’re fine, but what about Ash? Well, guess it’s a bit too late for worrying about this.
「I wonder, we should be grateful we got a roof overhead and walls around, but… 」
「No need to worry about monsters attacking us, so sleep tight. 」
「I don’t mind the snoring, but please don’t kick me again, alright? 」
「Chris, who’s kicking, Dean or Retze? 」
Dean, Chris, Retze and I were lying on the ground in that order, so it’ll be a huge problem if it’s Retze.
「I didn’t drink so it’ll be fine. 」
So it’s you, Dean.
We had our breakfast cold the following morning before heading out since we couldn’t light a fire inside the room. Dean was straddling Chris when I woke up, but since his leg didn’t harm me in any way, I just let it be.
「Sorry for the wait, Ruta. 」
Brrrr — Ruta snorted as he trotted towards me. I patted him while putting his harness on.
Pretty sure there wasn’t any branch or stick that could be used as a bolt for the stall door to prevent the horses from escaping, but… Maybe I should compensate for the damage? ‘Coz Ruta absolutely kicked that door, I’m positive of it.
I gave a huge tip to the bedraggled-looking stable boy, then we’re off. Nothing of note happened on the way home.
We then reported that there was a surge in the numbers of Tri-horns while presenting the horns we gathered. Because of that, they would be checking the place regularly, apparently.
We’re lucky we got many magic ores sooner than expected without having to stay for the estimated number of days thanks to that surge, but it seems pretty tough for the people in the citadel.
And so, we’re on our way back to Canum.
「Ruta, I’m going to prepare the place where I can keep you, so behave ‘till then, okay? 」
They allowed me to keep Ruta.
Even so, I still have a lot of things to prepare such as the horse-riding ground, so I asked them to let him stay at the rental stable in the meantime.
「You’re really a softie when it comes to animals. 」
「They’re sweet without being two-faced, after all. 」
Dean seemed astounded as he said that, but really, I want to repay goodwill with the like. Well, I couldn’t help but put my guard up against people despite their goodwill; can’t help but be suspicious if they have any ulterior motives.
We peek at the food stall, and everyone munches on barbecue as we head to our homes. Yeah, a bath’s more appealing than restaurants.
「Ah, Daifuku. 」
The rental house’s second floor is visible from 『Ash Fox’s Back』 Alley, and I saw a white cat enter there.