We arrived at the next town, Koda.

Come to think of it, what are your plans goin forward? You mentioned that you wanna tour the world while sightseein, but theres the matter with the liquor, and leavin for years on end would worry the folks back home.

Ill go to the capital before the hero appears. Going to the most prosperous and flourishing place if youve got the chance is the pet theory of any sightseeing tour, dont you agree? Afterwards, I feel like heading back alongside the sea, as long as we dont have any requests forcing us to do otherwise.

Oh! Seafood, huh!? Great idea! Im sure you can make great dishes with stuff caught at sea, or am I wrong?

Id rather say its my specialty But you see, the ingredients differ when comparing this world with the other world. Besides, Ive been struggling a lot since theres many ingredients I cant get my hands on.

I created substitutes for miso and soy sauce. But theyre only substitutes because I cant find any yeast plants.

You might be callin it different or wrong, but its pretty obvious goin to be quite delicious. You aint out to make food for royalty, so know some compromisin, girl.

Ive not been talking about it being delicious or disgusting, just that its not matching the taste Im aiming for.

When I pouted with both cheeks puffing up, Sword pulled on them.

Now then, weve arrived at the guild after causing many people to get overly frightened and startled when seeing Ryoku.

This girl is goin to take the C-Rank exam. Please take care of the formalities.

Leaving those words, Sword called the guild master and went over to talk with him. Staying behind, I chatted with the receptionist.

The C-Rank examination is going to take place in three days She said with a lost look.

So Im in time to take it?

If you plan to do so, you can still register. However, the preparations

Preparations?

I havent heard anything from Sword besides it taking place in a dungeon. Is there anything Id need to prepare?

Umm.

At that moment, the surroundings burst into roaring laughter.

This girl is planning to take the C-Rank exam without even knowing that much?

Stop, stop, you better give it a rest, missy. Youll fail anyway.

It aint no exam a little lady can take and pass!

Look, even if youve got to D-Rank through connections, C-Rank isnt so easygoing.

The peanut gallery kicked up a fuss.

Sorry, miss. I couldnt quite hear what you said, so could you repeat it please?

Do you have any experience in diving into dungeons?

Yeah, I went to one just the other day. Somehow it was like an attraction. I grasped that its a place you can only enjoy for its thrill without making a map.

The noise died down.

So, what are those preparations you speak of? Are there any materials I need to prepare in advance by killing monsters?

The receptionist vehemently shook her head, N-No, if you have already experienced diving into a dungeon, you know what you need to prepare for it, right?

I see. Thats what you were talking about. Im in the middle of a trip, so I have most of my things on me. But, Ive made up my mind to go with self-imposed restrictions. Otherwise I wont be able to feel any of the thrill of an adventure Ouch, ouch!!

My head got grabbed!

Y-o-u i-d-i-o-t! I told you to stop upsettin everyone round you, didnt I!?

Who am I upsetting anyway!? You yourself said that itd be bad if I were to show stuff

In your case, talkin is just as bad! Stay silent!

How terrible!

Sword removed his hand from my head, breathed out, and looked at the receptionist.

Itll be alright. Despite her appearance, this girl is definitely capable. At least the idea of ill-preparedness doesnt exist with her. Shes got enough ability to take and pass the exam, be it in three days or right now.

I-Is that so? I shall register her then.

Next Sword powerfully glared at the adventurers around us.

Its gonna be you people wholl be looked down upon after judgin a book by its cover and doin some stupid stuff, you know? Try to spout the same lines in front of me after shes easily passed the exam. Itll be you morons wholl lose face.

I shrugged.

Its because adventurers are idiots who cant discern strong people.

In the next instant my head got grabbed once again!

Gyaa!

I t-o-l-d y-o-u t-o s-t-a-y q-u-i-e-t, didnt I?

I got it! Ouch, ouch, it hurtsss!

Tears filled my eyes.

Come on, lets go. Weve got a request. We have to subjugate a fang boar.

Oh, tonight were going to have boar stew then. Lets eat it with a salty-sweet seasoning. I want some veggies to go with it, so make a detour on the way.

Sure!

He apparently became cheerful right away, and stroked my head.

The boar hunt ended with a neck chop. After washing, draining its blood, drying, and stuffing it into my cooling bag, we returned to the guild. After they assessed the materials, we bought back the loin and thighs, and left.

When I was about to go back to the forest again, Sword gently grabbed my arm.

I rented a house. He whispered.

Id be fine with the forest though

Isnt it fine every now and then? No need to be so overly pessimistic.

Thats not it. Its just a waste to pay money even though the stay in the forest is roughly the same in comfort. You seem to be a rich guy, but money should be used more constructively.

Also, I hate Sword paying for everything. Ive got my fair share of problems with having him finance everything just because hes rich. Id love to reach a point where Ill be able to pay for myself when were together, but it looks like Sword also has to keep up appearanceor rather, his dignity. He doesnt appear to be willing to allow a child to pay for herself.

Well, then again Id probably feel the same about it if I were in his shoes. Inside Im an adult, okay?

Sword ruffled my hair while laughing and not commenting on what I told him.

Now Ive understood why he rented a house. He apparently wanted to get dead drunk.

I told you before! If you drink so much, youll get addicted on the Alcohol component in the liquor!

Aint happenin! s fine every once in a while! In the forest you sleep like a log without givin a damn bout anythin, but I cant settle down like that over there!

Even towns are full of dangers, arent they!?

I sure would love to meet the burglars who break into a house rented by an S-Rank adventurer!

How naive! Sword, youre way too naive! Thats why youll someday get beaten by someone going beyond your expectations!

is how I got angry at him, but its certainly true that Sword seems sleep-derived, going by his bad complexion, so I give up on scolding him.

Very well then. Ill have Ryoku stand guard, so get some rest.

What are you goin to do?

Sightseeing, of course.

Wait, take Ryoku with you. I doubt any idiot would pick a fight with someone whos got a golem with her.

I highly doubt that. This place seems to be teeming with morons who cant tell the amazingness of a golem, let alone discern strong people.

Alright, now youve got me worried. Ill also

I stopped Sword by brushing his hair, shaking my head with a gentle smile.

Dont worry and get a rest. If I walked through town next to you, who combines alcohol stench with an old man smell, Id throw up everything Ive eaten this morning on the sidewalk.

Shut up and get lost! He thundered despite having said that hes worried just moments ago.