Jiro Tanaka, 28 years old. Has a girlfriend.
Girlfriend: Suella Hendelberg.
Memoria Tris.
Occupation: Dungeon Tester (Full-time employee).
Magic Aptitude: 8 (General Class).
Position: Warrior.
“Is that Sakaru?”
“Yes, that’s Sakaru, the city of trade, a city that does not belong to any nation.”
It’s the fourth day since I came to another world. With rapid travel, I was able to spot the castle wall towering in the middle of the grassland a day earlier than planned.
To be honest, I’m feeling the fatigue from the unfamiliar journey.
The main cause is mental fatigue.
While it can’t be helped, the repetitive task of only seeing trees for extended periods in the forest, and occasionally escaping or repelling monsters, was quite taxing.
And I thought this would end once we reached the main road, but that wasn’t the case; instead, we were met with the monotonous landscape of only the road in the grassland.
Still, I’m probably better off than some.
If I were a little younger, I might have been disappointed by what this fantasy world truly is. But I’m a man approaching thirty who works for a chaotic company. The period where I harbored illusions about fantasy has long since ended.
Besides my partner Memoria, I never lacked conversational partners, so I wasn’t bored. I accepted it as is, and walked here by telling myself it was just for health during the initial stage. At least I got to experience how much unpaved roads affect your feet, far more than I imagined.
“So? How about you guys get over it?”
“Indeed, it’s fortunate that your mission was accomplished this time.”
“Please don’t say that, Giro-san, Mary-san. I have to question myself as to what constitutes a trial from god.”
“What are you talking about? The job is done. That’s all, isn’t it?”
Contrary to me, who is filled with a sense of accomplishment now that we’ve finally reached our destination after overcoming such mental hardships, Eshlee, representing the group of shrine maidens lamenting why the world is so heartless, lets out a deep sigh and turns to face us. To that, I reply to her with a bewildered expression, asking what she’s talking about.
Work is just work, as long as it’s finished. How many corporate warriors do you think are lamenting and pulling overtime because their work isn’t finished? If the ending is ambiguous, I could perhaps understand their complaining, but to lament the outcome when it has clearly ended is too much.
“Even if it’s because of the mushrooms that become your companion at night.”
“I still can’t accept it!!”
The shrine maiden, now Eshlee, swings around a leather pouch containing some items. Inside are the very things that caused their mission’s completion, the cause of the magic beasts’ increased activity. The contents are not something a woman would find acceptable, but they are necessary for the report, so she cannot part with them.
“So, shall we throw it away?”
“Please don’t ask when you know it can’t be thrown away, Mary-san.”
“Well, Mary found it, after all.”
After three days of the same conversation, even Memoria’s responses have become perfunctory. We’ve repeated this conversation so many times that I’m starting to feel something akin to heartburn. Three days. They’ve been like this ever since we first camped out after arriving in this world. I want to forget it, but it’s too recent, so I remember it all too well.
It was the morning after our first night camping. I, who had been on lookout all night, greeted the group as they woke up after sunrise. And I was struck by the fact that Eshlee that morning had a very familiar expression. Her expression was so that you could say she looked like any other salaryman. The fact that a job was finished upon waking up could never happen, whether in Japan or another world, that was a truth I was taught along with the sun emerging from the clouds, a truth I would have preferred not to know. For them, they were probably escaping reality by getting lost in the forest and desperately trying to survive.
Now, having escaped that situation, Eshlee and the others had to face reality. As I handed them their breakfast, Eshlee and the others were talking about how they would report the situation with only a semblance of cheerfulness. Memoria and I watched them as if it were none of our business, eating sandwiches made from leftover bear meat and bread. And not wanting to get involved, our conversation naturally shifted in another direction.
“By the way, is it common for magic beasts to become active around here?”
“It’s common for one type of magic beast to increase, but for all of them, it’s unusual.”
“Is that so?”
Even so, the topic settled into a spin-off of that conversation. The increased activity of magic beasts affects our journey as well, so it’s not entirely unrelated to us.
“I wonder what the cause is.”
“I can offer a few theories, within speculation.”
“Are there any?”
“Yes, one is that a powerful magic beast is invading their territory. Magic beasts that spread disasters like dragons.”
“Ah, that’s a common story. They’re driven out, and that results in them forming a pack, right?”
“Yes, it’s a rare phenomenon, but it happens everywhere. Other speculations are similar: territorial disputes, power struggles. The outcome is the same. Also, there’s the possibility of it being mating season in early spring.”
“Are magic beasts like cats?”
“They are called magical but are ultimately beasts. Regardless, without definitive proof, it remains speculation.
“Probably.”
Either way, it’s just casual conversation over breakfast. We have no need or obligation to investigate. We need to be careful of magic beasts, but that’s as far as it goes. After finishing breakfast, all that’s left is to proceed with our schedule.
“Oh, what’s this? Something unusual.”
“Is that mushroom delicious?”
“No, it’s tasteless.”
“Then, it’s medicinal?”
I thought so, but Memoria found a mushroom growing by the river and, saying it was unusual, stood up and picked one. I took the last bite of my sandwich and peeked at it. The mushroom, with its black cap and scattered pink spots, was not something I could honestly call appetizing. However, I had the possibility of mushrooms being edible delicacies in mind, so I asked, but it seems it’s not edible as it looks. If that’s the case, then there’s another possibility.
“Yes, it acts as an aphrodisiac.”
“…”
“The main method of use is for couples’–”
“You don’t need to say it.”
It was morning, but the topic turned to nighttime. If you go that far, it’s easy to guess what it’s used for. I shook my head to stop her, and I noticed similar mushrooms in my field of vision.
“Memoria, you said this mushroom was unusual earlier, didn’t you?”
“Yes, I did.”
“How often are they found?”
“If they appear on the market, they sell out immediately.”
“I see, so they’re quite rare, but I don’t really get it. After all, they’re growing in such abundance right in front of us.”
When presented with an amount that negates the word “rare,” such a statement is bound to come out. Moreover, I never expected this to be the key to solving Eshlee’s troubles. What I found was a coincidence, but I acted swiftly from then on.
Memoria speculated, and after going about a hundred meters up the river, I found not just one or two, but a vast quantity of mushrooms growing everywhere. These mushrooms are normally very rare, and they don’t typically grow in such abundance. Is it abnormal weather, or a precursor to a natural disaster? They were growing everywhere, enough to cause a drop in prices. At this point, it felt like some other will was manipulating things, when a deer-like magic beast appeared and took a bite of the mushroom right in front of us. For the magic beasts, they were simply quenching their thirst at the river and incidentally eating mushrooms that are harmless except for their properties.
Seeing their behavior firsthand, the result was obvious. Of course, they’d be energized and running around. And for Eshlee and the others, who were almost killed, it must have been a fact they desperately wanted to deny, even if it meant shouting it. As for me?
“Ah, I see.”
I was convinced, “This is fantasy.” I could easily accept the fact that such an exceptionally rare item could suddenly appear in such large quantities, as it is unique to fantasy. From there, we collected the mushrooms, the presumed cause, as evidence and headed for the city. Actually, with such abnormal things happening, it’s sufficient as evidence.
“Well, it won’t concern us anymore.”
“Indeed.”
“They are friends we traveled with, after all! Please think about it more seriously!”
“Because it’s not our problem.” / “It’s not ours either.”
What are they saying to someone they’re about to part ways with? I can’t help but wonder if they intend to follow us; if so, I’ll have to consider escaping at full speed.
“What do you want us to do? We might part ways after this and never meet again.”
In fact, in two or three months, we’ll literally cross worlds. The probability of meeting again would be like winning every lottery ticket I’ve ever bought.
“You’re not going to ask us to come all the way to the church, are you?”
“No, not that far.”
“Giro-san, she seems to have that intention. Please give your reply.”
Faced with the doubt from Memoria, she responded by faltering in her words. Seeing that, I replied with a smile.
“Absolutely not.”
“Could you please listen a little longer!?”
“There’s no more wasted time than listening to work-related talk outside of business hours. That’s my personal theory.”
It’s also based on experience. Specifically, about eighty percent of the work talk I hear from my boss during company drinking parties is useless. Moreover, if you’re forced to listen to it endlessly, like a broken record, it can lead to a terrible combo: your beer gets warm, you sober up, and you end up feeling sick. I had warmed up to Eshlee over the past few days, but I still maintain a boundary. That boundary is to refuse any further unnecessary work. Even though I’m being told to learn the customs of Isal, I don’t want to act like a corporate slave. Even if it’s a request from a girl who might be considered cute objectively, I will refuse in this situation, considering I have to report to my annoying boss afterward. I’ve long since passed the age of naive misunderstandings. And I am a Japanese person who can say NO when necessary.
“Don’t worry, Eshlee-san. If you report the work dispassionately without mixing in emotions, it’ll be over before you know it.”
“Ugh, Giro-san’s words are very persuasive.”
“It’s from experience.”
Even if it’s not a black company, everyone who enters the workforce will likely have experience reporting their work. We arrive at a conclusion by repeating trial and error, considering how to finish the report without incident, whether it’s by taking on additional work, receiving scolding, or having to redo it. I have merely shared this practical example with companions I’ve traveled with for only a few days. And our journey here ends.
Even as we spoke, our feet moved, and we finally reached the entrance of the city and passed through the gate.
“Well, we’ve arrived.”
“Yes. We have… Haa, thank you very much for looking after us this time. I will not forget your kindness.”
“If you don’t forget your failures, you can forget everything else.”
I’m probably one of the few who would make a shrine maiden from another world freeze with a forced smile. Normally, this would be a situation where I’d offer help, but this time it just happened that the other party was a minor from my perspective, and I ended up helping, which lowered the risk, so I accompanied them. Didn’t I say it? I’m a Japanese person who can say NO when necessary.
“As promised, take care of yourself. And don’t follow us again.”
“We won’t do that in the city, of course.”
I quickly initiated the departure. Exchanging jokes, I parted ways with them swiftly this time. Memoria and I stayed put and saw Eshlee and the others off. After watching their backs disappear into the crowd, who left with a laugh at my last joke, I finally let my shoulders relax.
“It’s over. This job is finally over too. After all, it’s not good to take on extra work.”
“Your next job is waiting, but fortunately, we have a day to spare. What shall we do?”
“My principle is not to pile up work, but honestly, I want to have a little fun.”
“Understood. Then let’s do some sightseeing.”
I maintained a strong stance from the beginning, so as not to be underestimated. After all, this is my first time in another world. A moment’s lapse could be fatal. Moreover, for some reason, they couldn’t stop staring at us. Are they eager to learn new skills, or is my behavior unusual? Their gazes never wavered during these past few days. It’s possible that I caught their interest with the romance talk with Memoria on the first day, but either way, it was an environment where I couldn’t afford to act carelessly. Now that I’ve been freed from that environment, I suppose I’m entitled to a little sense of liberation.
Walking half a step behind her as she leads the way, I gaze at the first city scene of Isal.
“I heard it was a trading city, and indeed, there are many stalls and shops.”
“There are entrances and exits to the east, west, north, and south, with markets and shopping streets in each direction. North is for food and livestock, west for clothing and accessories, east for weapons and armor, and furniture. South, where we are heading, has goods categorized as ‘other.'”
“Medicines, books, pots, washbasins, musical instruments, and is that dried gecko? There’s no uniformity, it’s fascinating to look at.”
“Be careful, as it’s also the area with the most scams. The inns are all gathered in the center, but we won’t be using them as we have a base in this city. And, as you probably know,”
“Ah, I’ll steer clear of anything suspicious.”
“While public order is maintained to a degree, that’s not the case in the back alleys. Don’t forget this isn’t Japan.”
“Understood. By the way, how do you deal with pickpockets?”
“If caught in the act, breaking an arm might be acceptable?”
“That’s extreme.”
“There are times when mere eyesight isn’t enough to deal with them.”
The rows of simple tent stalls, a sight that can be seen in some places even on Earth, are crowded. The roads are wide enough for carriages, but there’s no clear distinction between sidewalks and roadways, and of course, no rules like keeping to the left. The crowds, so dense that people sometimes collide when passing each other, could be described as lively, but poorly organized. In just a hundred meters, I was targeted by pickpockets three times. I don’t know if that’s a lot or a little, but fortunately, I was able to knock their hands away and ward them off with just a glare.
“I thought I’d enjoy it a bit more.”
“Isn’t this part of the entire trip?”
“I suppose so.”
Scratching my head, my black hair dyed brown to avoid attracting attention, I felt a pang of regret that even the small part I was looking forward to was negated. “Learn the local customs”… Indeed, there seems to be a lot to learn. It’s certainly a sight and a place I couldn’t experience in Japan. An old man with dog ears negotiates with a human at a stall, and people like me walk around carrying weapons. And then…
“…”
“Does it bother you?”
Humans, regardless of gender, are displayed with price tags, connected by collars. I see slaves. After a momentary glance, I move on. Even though this is a common scene in fantasy, my Japanese common sense internally protests that it’s strange, but here, I’m the strange one. The feeling of wanting to act on my sense of justice and rescue them is something that arises from an understanding of Japanese norms.
“It would be a lie to say it doesn’t bother me, but there’s nothing I can do about it.”
“Is that so? We’re heading north now, so please be careful not to get separated.”
“Ah, I’ll stick close to you so as not to attract the attention of any nobles.”
“They stand out, so if you’re careful, you won’t run into them.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, their escorts are very conspicuous.”
I smiled gratefully at Memoria’s concern, and she nodded and continued to lead. If I see any unusual groups, I should assume they’re nobles. And I’ll remember that people wearing expensive clothes are likely the same, and this time, I more forcefully push away a groping hand that reaches out again.
“They’re persistent.”
“There are many people who will choose any means to survive. Here.”
“Is that so?”
As I followed Memoria, hoping to find a place to calm down, we eventually arrived at the central plaza. It was paved with cobblestones and featured a spacious area. The most eye-catching thing there was…
“What is that?”
“That’s the bronze statue of the hero who founded this city.”
“That’s it?”
It was a statue of a man with his sword plunged into the ground. My eyes, enhanced by a magic crest, could see the details, and his facial features looked ordinary.
“Is he Japanese?”
“That’s what they say.”
His clothing is local, but his facial features are Japanese. My doubt stemmed from that, but it was not mistaken. And there was one detail that caught my attention.
“I see.”
“Do you want to take a look?”
“No, it’s fine.”
Although I’m using magic tools to gloss over the conversation, I’ve learned basic reading and writing since coming here. Even someone like me can read the inscription carved at the hero’s feet. I narrowed my eyes and declined Memoria’s offer to look, sticking to the planned route.
“What’s the specialty of this city?”
“Don’t expect too much.”
“At least I hope the alcohol here is good.”
Hero Tatsuya, Sleeps here. While changing the subject, I engraved the inscription that left an impression on me, and gently pushed it to the back of my mind. I’ll forget the bad premonition I felt from it by quickly eating some delicious food.
Jiro Tanaka, 28 years old. Has a girlfriend.
Girlfriend: Suella Hendelberg.
Memoria Tris.
Occupation: Dungeon Tester (Full-time employee).
Magic Aptitude: 8 (General Class).
Position: Warrior.
Today’s word: Work ends, and the next job begins. The challenge of a working adult is to figure out how to maximize the time between jobs!!
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