The pain has become the norm, and I feel like I've gotten used to it.
I hope I don't develop a bad habit. .......
The day before yesterday was when I was descending the mountain, and yesterday was when I was defeating bandits like Gidou.
So today's pain is from the time I was interrogating him.
I didn't do any physical activity at that time, so it won't get worse until tomorrow.
The problem is that the day after tomorrow, when we attack all the bases, we'll be hit by the amount of time we spent exploring the forest. .......
And then there's the cleanup, the labor at Dog Bone: .......
The thought of another day of hard work makes me feel heavy. I'm also going to have to look for an employee.
I'm not sure what to do. ...... You look awful.
I'm not much of a manual laborer. ......
You're not an employee. You don't have to do it.
Okay. Can I ask you to do the shopping? I just got a new basket, so it shouldn't be a problem. I'll go to Mr. Van's to get some more salt.
Oh, hey, ......, no, you can take a break, okay?
It's not a lot of weight. No problem.
Oh, yeah? I mean, you don't have to do it, do you?
If you do, you're gonna have to find a new employee or something. Don't be absurd.
I'm not sure I'm a young man, but I got up and left the store.
...... No, that's not what I meant, hmm.
It's still early in the morning.
It was still early in the morning, but I wondered if Mr. Van had already started his work.
I arrived at the trading center, made an appointment with the receptionist, and was taken to the guest room, just like the day before.
Mr. Ban arrives shortly afterwards.
Sorry to bother you so early in the morning. Actually, the salt is consuming faster than I expected. ...... Do you have twice as much in stock as yesterday?
"Oh my God, that fast? Yes, we have some more in stock. I'll have them get it for you.
Thank you very much. I tried to be conservative, but even so, when it comes to restaurants, consumption is higher than expected.
Hmm, what's the name of the restaurant?
"It's called Dog Bone. It's an izakaya that serves terrible food.
Oh, yes, I know. He's got good taste in liquor, but his cooking is atrocious.
The level of food was so bad that even the great merchants knew it.
I've asked a woman who is good at ...... to teach me how to cook simple dishes, and I'm adding simple dishes using salt to the new menu. I've started to serve good food in that range.
Well, I'll ask him about it.
Yes, please do. The waitress is very pretty.
"Oh, .......
Then, there was a knock on the door of the guest room.
The receptionist looks apologetic.
"I'm sorry to interrupt you, but Sir Dmitry Kovkon is here.
"Oh, Mr. Karagyugyesta is here.
Hmm, does anyone else bite this name?
I practiced it yesterday, but I chewed it four out of five times and forgot it once.
So, you know Mr. Van, Grandpa Kara?
Oh, so you know him too, if that's what you're calling him. Then there's no problem, please let me in.
Soon after, Grandpa Kara walked in.
He was not wearing the full body armor I had seen before, but was dressed in casual clothes with a very chic fashion sense.
"Oh, isn't he a monk? I haven't seen you since the Iliad took you, but I didn't know you were here.
"Thank you for your help the other day, Grandfather Kara.
"No need to thank me, Grandfather Kara, since it's a nickname.
Ah. Well, I'm glad to see you're doing well.
It's good. I almost bite him sometimes.
I'm relieved that it's still difficult.
Oh, so it's difficult to call him "Grandpa Kara" because they are of similar age.
More than that, is Grandpa Kara the same as "san"?
"Hey, I bite too. "What, I bite too.
You're not supposed to bite.
"Master Karagyuglesta. I've already wrapped the items you asked for. You can pick it up at the reception on your way out.
"Oh, I'm always sorry. So, what are you doing here? This is not a place for cheap shopping, is it?
Actually...
I told him about the incident in Dogbone, and here we are.
The drinks are good, but some knights order the food as punishment.
It was famous among the knights. The knight fanatics would have loved it.
"Hmm, I see. But you're a softie too. It's not like he owes them anything, not like he's in any kind of trouble.
"That's true, but... It's not that I owe them anything or that I'm in trouble.
"Well, then I can understand your feeling. If there's anything I can do to help, I'll help you.
I can't leave the serving and cooking to Grandpa Kara, he has his knightly duties, and more importantly, the two of them would be too busy with their work.
It's something I can ask him to do. ...... Oh, yes.
We've got a lot of guests as of yesterday, and we're short on staff. Can you recommend someone who can cook and serve and has some free time?
You said you only had two people.
Grandpa Kara claps his hands.
"Then I'll introduce you to my wife.
I'm not so sure about that.
"What about it?
"Since my daughter married, it's just me and my wife. I'm often away from home. I feel bad leaving her home alone and lonely.
Oh, I see.
Considering Kara's age, it's no wonder he's already spending his retirement with his spouse.
But Kara is a knight and still active.
So Kara's wife is waiting for her husband's return alone in a lonely house with no children.
I understand. Can I tell you what happened and ask you for advice? But please don't force me.
Of course not. I'm afraid I can't.
What kind of wife would scare that old man?
I tried to imagine it a little, but the gorilla called the Iliad only gave me the image of a powerful old woman.
"I understand. I know what you mean.
Apparently, Mr. Van is also a horrible wife. You've been through a lot, haven't you?
Yeah, he is. From now on, I think people from Dog Bone will come to buy salt.
Don't worry, I'll talk to the receptionist. Otherwise, you are welcome to come anytime.
I took the package with Grandpa Kara and left the trading post.
"By the way, is Grandpa Kara off duty today?
"Yes, I finally finished my chores yesterday. My wife asked me to run an errand for her.
Running errands early in the morning when you're off duty. ....... But thanks to that, the employee problem seems to be solved, so I should be grateful. But when you think about it, would such a wife be willing to take on the cooking and serving duties?
'Sure.
Was the immediate answer.
I followed him to his house and he explained the situation.
He agreed without any hesitation.
She was an old woman, but she looked very strong and sturdy.
Grandpa Kara's wife walked up to us.
She said, "It's much more worthwhile to make food for people who will immediately say it's delicious than to make food for a husband who may not come home at any time. I'm sure he won't be so cocky as to say 'I've already eaten' when he comes home.
And say it loud enough to be heard.
Oh, Grandpa Kara is getting smaller, poor thing.
Mrs. Dmitri Kovkorn ...... Kara's wife laughs merrily and whispers in a low voice.
"She took care that I wouldn't be lonely. That's what makes me happy.
No wonder Grandpa Kara can't get enough of him.
After that, I quickly got ready and led him to the Dog Bone and introduced him.
When I think about it calmly, I realize that Grandpa Kara's wife must be quite fearsome.
He thought about withholding her name or using a false name, but he couldn't use any tricks because Grandpa Kara was next to him and he said his name first.
As a result, Godz forgot his position as manager, saluting like a soldier.
Grandpa Kara's wife was good at her job, not only teaching Godz how to cook, but also teaching Sila how to serve. She seems to be able to keep herself busy for the time being.
However, he may need to increase his staff in the future.
"Well, I'm sure my wife can handle it.
"Well, I'll just leave it to my wife," said Kala, who was cowering in the corner of the store, sullenly.
"How long are you going to stay in the store? If you're not a customer, get the hell out of here!
Oh, I've been kicked out.
Just as I was feeling sorry for him.
"How long are you going to stay here? Why don't you go with my man for a walk?
The man, who couldn't move properly due to muscle pains, was also given a notice of exclusion, and the two of them went for a friendly walk around town.
It's a beautiful day.
Yes, it is. ...... Oh, yes.
He pulls out a map from his pocket.
It's a copy of a map that Docora had.
Actually, Docola told me he was hiding something in one of the locations.
"Hmm, I was too far away to hear.
By the way, the undead were sprouting and the Iliad was blowing up all the trees, but you survived.
"I was up in a tree, and after the Iliad blew it down, we landed together.
I was climbing a tree, and after Ilias blew it up, we landed together." "Climbing a tree with that armor and a spear, I don't think he's really an old man.
If you ask me which is the hardest base to find, I'd say this is it.
He read the information on the map and pointed to the most distant base from the landmark.
It's not listed in the information the bandits gave, and it's in a different direction than the one Dokora and the others were heading.
Perhaps it's a base that only he knows.
"What about the real map now?
"It's passed from the Iliad to Lord Raggedy. After that, I think it will go to King Marith.
So you haven't surveyed all the locations yet?
No. We'll probably have troops on the way the day after tomorrow.
Hmm, Docola's parting gift could possibly be the information he has about Earth.
It's possible that the knights will retrieve it tomorrow or the next day.
If that happens, will we be able to see it? .......
If it is an important secret, it may be difficult.
Docora entrusted the information to this man from Earth, of all people.
When I think about it, I feel the urge to claim it as my own from the depths of my heart.
But that doesn't mean you can't try to outsmart him and go get it. ...... In the first place, you might get lost on your own.
"Hmm, should I go get it now?
"...... What?
I'm sure you're curious about whatever it is that Docora left behind. It's hard to keep it to yourself, monk, but you have a right to know.
Are you sure you want to do this?
I haven't been told no yet. I'll be there before they say no.
The old man smiled a wicked grin, and his mouth lifted in a smile.
"Yes, please.
"Yes, please." "Well, it's not too early to be sitting in a chair in the square, having a twilight holiday.
I agree with you.
The two men sigh.
They got on the horse driven by Grandpa Kara and rode along the public road to a nearby place.
After dismounting, they walked into the forest.
Are you sure it's safe to leave the horse?
"He's a smart horse. If they were to be attacked by bad people or animals, they would kick them to death on their own.
Are horses strong in this country?
You wouldn't attack a passerby or a trader trying to protect your horse, would you?
"...... is a good place to start.
If we don't find what we're looking for and get back, we could have casualties.
But it's Grandpa Kara who's leading the way. He's leading the way with his spear, clearing away any vegetation in his way.
I tried my best to keep up with him, but I guess this is an extended course of sore muscles.
I heard that he threw his helmet and shot down a wyvern, is that true?
"You've brought up a very old story. It brings back fond memories.
Why did you throw your helmet? Why did you throw the helmet and not the spear?
Because if I threw my spear at a flying man, the spear would fly away.
If you ask me, I don't think I'd be surprised if a spear thrown by Kara in his prime would go through the atmosphere.
I don't like the idea of letting down this guy who has been with me for so long.
No, I'm clearing the grass and cobwebs now, is that okay?
We finally arrived at the base we were looking for.
It's a cave that's almost too inaccessible to be called a base. .......
When we tried to advance, Kara put his spear out in front of us, stopping our movement.
Do you see the different colors at the entrance?
There is indeed a subtle difference in color.
It looks as if a line has been drawn across the entrance.
It's poison. It's been painted to keep animals out. If you step on it, you'll have to throw away your shoes.
He then proceeded to step over the poisoned line.
I imitated him and entered the cave.
It is naturally dark in the cave. Relying on the light of the torch that Grandpa Kara had lit, we investigated the inside.
What we could see was a simple bed covered with straw that could sleep one person.
Small wooden boxes and barrels were placed one after the other.
Inside the barrels are dried vegetables and dried meat.
The crates are filled with ...... various things.
There are also many knives, magic seal stones, and jewels.
"That's your navel. You can keep it if you want.
It'll be traced when you sell it anyway. You can only use it as a gift for a girl.
How about the Iliad?
I'm afraid I'll accidentally shatter it. ......
Yeah. ......
It's amazing how easy it is to imagine the Iliad.
Rather than owning the ...... jewels, Cyra might pawn them to finance herself.
If she does, she'll just get in trouble for stealing it.
If you're not sure what you're looking for, you can always ask for help.
I'm not sure what else to tell you,......, but this is .......
I found an old book with a decent thickness.
I had borrowed a book on this world from Maja, but it didn't feel like a commercial book compared to it.
It's more like a memoir.
Is it Docola's diary? I feel uncomfortable looking at this kind of thing. .......
When I looked at the cover of the book, I saw some handwritten words that seemed to be the title.
It was too dark to see clearly, so I approached Kara-ya, who was holding a torch, and illuminated the words.
When the words entered his eyes, he stopped moving.
What is it, boy?
Sensing his obvious agitation, Grandpa Kara noticed him.
"...... Here it is, the parting gift that Docola was talking about.
"Hmm, what's the book about?
"No, I haven't read it yet. But I'm sure of it. Let's go outside so I can read it in the light.
Step outside into the light.
I stare at the words on the cover again.
Grandpa Kara peeps in from the side and gives me a strange look.
"What is it? I can't read it at all.
Of course it is, it's ...... in Japanese.
"Japanese? Is that the language of your country?
Yes, and on the cover it says.
And on the cover, it says in Japanese, the language I'm most familiar with.
"-Sample #4, "The Blue Demon King" Investigation Record.