Our world is said to be divided into four major civilizations.
Currently, the post town of Yappe, located in the former Yangas Kingdom Territory where we are, belongs to the Western Nations. The Western Nations are characterized by possessing powerful imperial states. In the past, the Wahl Imperial Kingdom, the leading power of the Western Nations, and the emerging Espana Imperial Kingdom were the two dominant empires. However, it is still fresh in our memories that the Espana Imperial Kingdom defeated and annihilated the Wahl Imperial Kingdom.
The former Portland Kingdom Territory, the homeland of Elise and the destination of our First Expedition Trip, the former Sazania Kingdom Territory, the homeland of Shera, and the former Vandis Kingdom Territory, the homeland of Freya, belonged to the Southern Nations.
The frigid regions, ruled by demons, belong to the Northern Nations; it is said that in the past, there were nations inhabited by humans. Our Second Expedition Trip has revealed the shocking truth that demons are the remnants of the Northern Nations’ people. I never imagined that demons, once called the sworn enemies of humanity, were originally just humans. I suspect that if I explained this to anyone else, they would dismiss it as a tall tale or nonsense.
These Western, Southern, and Northern Nations are adjacent to each other and not too far apart. Therefore, the exchange of people and goods between the Western and Southern Nations is active, and while regional differences naturally exist, these differences were well-known. However, we lived in fear of invasions from the Northern Nations, which are dominated by demons. Currently, the Demon Lord Army is directing its main force towards the Western Nations, while also employing a two-front strategy by dispatching powerful mobile units to the Southern Nations.
However, the Eastern Nations, which are the subject of our discussion, are far away, and those who visit them are called rare beings. Under these circumstances, Kirika’s reading of the difficult inscription as “Saint Tachibana Hime no Mikoto” was met with praise from the Party Members. Kirika, overjoyed, then explained the customs of the Eastern Nations, or rather, of the aforementioned flower-patterned country, which her mother had taught her.
Later, while engaging in aimless small talk about the Eastern Nations, we received a strange proposal from Otoha.
“Lord Raymond, might I have just one strand of Mai’s hair?”
“What will you use it for?”
“I will send it to an acquaintance in the flower-patterned country. It might be possible to ascertain Mai’s origins.”
Hair can be used in cursed tools to harm its owner, so handing it over carries risks. However, I also wanted to know Mai’s origins.
“Mai, what do you think?”
I left it to Mai’s judgment. Since she is knowledgeable about such dangers, she would be able to make a proper decision.
*Plink*
“…Here.”
“Thank you, Lady Mai. I have received it. I will arrange for the investigation results to be sent to a mansion on the outskirts of Granza, the Imperial Capital of the Espana Imperial Kingdom.”
Otoha said she would send the investigation results to the Base Mansion of the “Princess Harem.” However, even inquiring in a distant land should require a significant expense. What benefit could Otoha possibly gain from this?!
“Otoha-san, how much will the payment be?”
“This is something I proposed, so I will not take any money.”
“However, it must cost a great deal to inquire all the way to the flower-patterned country at the farthest reaches of the land.”
“Regarding the expenses, my acquaintance there will cover them, so you needn’t worry.”
“Why would your acquaintance cover the expenses?”
“Actually… in the flower-patterned country, a princess of noble birth, who was greatly admired for her future potential, vanished as an infant. And the age and expected appearance of that infant match Lady Mai.”
“Vanished?! And for an infant who vanished to be Mai… If the truth becomes clear, won’t they demand Mai back?!”
“No, in the flower-patterned country, vanishing is said to happen occasionally. It is believed that chosen infants will grow up to achieve great deeds, so they will not defy the will of the gods by demanding her return. This is a trial gifted by the gods, so the flower-patterned country has no intention of interfering. However, upon the accomplishment of those great deeds, I have heard they wish for information in order to send an envoy to convey the Queen’s congratulations as soon as possible.”
Somehow, listening to Otoha’s story, it seemed to be becoming quite serious. Nevertheless, respecting Mai’s wishes, we entrusted her hair to Otoha. I felt as though I had stepped onto a great current, separate from my own.
“Lord Hal, this involves one of the high-ranking God Clan.”
Swan Hilda, who had been quietly listening to our conversation from behind, murmured.
“I think so too, yo.”
Holy Spirit Serena, peering out from between the folds of Swan Hilda’s hooded robe, whispered.
“My intuition is amazing, isn’t it?”
Now, Elise approached, wearing a triumphant grin. The three vampire sisters, Lara, Lili, and Ruru, huddled together in a corner of the lobby, engrossed in a secret conversation. Meanwhile, Astarotte, who had her breasts fondled by that scoundrel Notter, remained dejected, being comforted by Alicia and Tirna.
“Innkeeper, about the lodging fees…”
“Huh!?”
“Naturally, with such a large group staying here, we’ll get a group discount, right?”
“…Yes, I’ll offer a small discount.”
“Could it perhaps be… around half price?”
“Th-that’s too much! Usually, it’s no more than ten percent at most!?”
“Innkeeper, at least a forty percent discount.”
“Then the inn will be in the red. As a special gesture, fifteen percent—”
Now, Freya approached, and with a rough gesture, she brushed aside the self-satisfied Elise and began negotiating the lodging fees. She was invigorated, donning her usual disguise glasses—*clink*—in her sharp accountant mode. Prior to this, the hooded robe and the mask shaped like a Valkyrie she had taken off were solemnly received by Shera, who had been appointed as her assistant.
Otoha and Freya’s haggling was fierce, but as they were both business people, their skill in finding a compromise and reaching an agreement was commendable.
“Lord Hal, I managed to get the lodging fees reduced by about twenty-five percent.”
“Well done! As expected of Freya!!”
“Yes. I’m happy to be praised by Lord Hal.”
“As expected, you’re my rival. You’ve done well, Freya.”
“Even being praised by Elise doesn’t make my nose bleed.”
“Wh-what did you say!”
Freya, having ended the negotiation with a beaming smile, started bickering with Elise. Fearing collateral damage, Shera hid behind me.
“Saint Tachibana… Even though it’s about my homeland, to think such a great person existed… a candle hidden under a bushel.”
“This area is a humble hot spring town, so I suppose it can’t be helped.”
Liliana, a researcher of heroes, seemed interested in Saint Tachibana. Ly, standing beside her, defended Liliana, and Eria and Edele nearby nodded in agreement.
“…*Sigh*, I’m tired. Everyone, please go to your rooms with your guides. Also, at this inn, wearing shoes indoors is strictly prohibited. Other than that, please—”
Otoha, with a tired face from her intense battle with Freya, summoned the guides and explained the precautions.
“Oh, no shoes indoors, that’s unusual. I believe that’s a custom originating from the Eastern Nations.”
“We knew that!”
“Swan Hilda, you don’t need to show off either.”
“Ede-nee, we—”
“*Chuckle chuckle chuckle*”
As Edele took off her shoes at the entrance and changed into slippers, Swan Hilda, with a smug look, declared, “That’s common sense!” and they began a banterous exchange. Nearby, Eria watched their interaction, laughing. It was, in a word, a peaceful scene. The three vampire sisters, who had somehow fallen into the status of summoned beasts, Lara, Lili, and Ruru, had also joined in.
Guided by the room attendants, we proceeded down a complex and winding corridor. It was said that due to repeated expansions and renovations, it had become a labyrinth-like structure. Considering that the three vampire sisters, akin to monsters, and the Valkyrie Swan Hilda, a god, were present, calling it a labyrinth might not be entirely inaccurate.
Come to think of it, by now, individuals from the three realms – the Divine Realm, the Human Realm, and the Demon Realm – have gathered around us. When I first learned the truth, I thought beings from the Demon Realm were all terrifying and monstrous, but looking at Astarotte and the three vampire sisters, I realized there were those with whom I could converse. The same could be said for the demons causing turmoil in the Human Realm. In my past life as Lester the Cleric, I perceived demons as cold-blooded beings devoid of blood or tears, but female demons, who rarely fought on the battlefield, were surprisingly rational. Perhaps that rough, brainless demon characteristic was peculiar to males.
“This is your room. Will you be having dinner after this? Or perhaps going to the hot springs?”
“I don’t mind either way, but what do you think?”
“I’m hungry, so I want to eat dinner.”
Elise was the first to respond to my question.
“I would prefer to wash off the travel dust in the hot springs and then have a leisurely dinner.”
“I agree with Ly’s opinion.”
“I will also follow Ly’s opinion.”
The only one to object to Elise’s opinion was Ly. Immediately, Liliana and Tirna concurred.
“I also want to go to the hot springs.”
“I also want to go to the hot springs.”
“We also want to go to the hot springs.”
Dietlinde, Kirika, and Swan Hilda further followed suit, and we decided to go to the hot springs.
“Th-this is terrible, yo! Those perverts (Notter’s group) have appeared! They are also staying at this inn! 【Night Raid Alarm】 is in effect!!”
Just then, Holy Spirit Serena flew in, looking flustered. She informed us that Notter and his group, who had been pursuing us, were also staying at this inn. Given that they claim to be mid-level adventurers, their search skills must be quite adept.
“Eek! N-nooo!!”
“Calm down, Astarotte, everyone is here. Let’s strike back this time.”
“We’ll make you regret laying a hand on us!”
Upon hearing the report, Astarotte screamed and clutched her head. It seemed Astarotte had a weakness: being easily distressed. Alicia, who had been taking care of the mentally unstable Astarotte, encouraged her. And then, from Alicia, an unusually aggressive opinion emerged: to strike back at Notter’s group. She must have been fed up with their rude behavior. Shera, transformed into Shera, the sister, grinned and agreed with that opinion. All I could do was pray that they wouldn’t destroy the inn.
Thank you for reading.
episode40-6 “Battle in the Bathhouse ① △” has been scheduled for release at 0:00 on February 17th.
