Traveling Preparations

In the end, we decided on the date wed head out for the imperial capital. It turned out that I did get summoned.

It even called for someone not in the subjugation group, why oh, right. Rokukos name was in that list as if it were the most natural thing in the world. This is definitely Haku-sans doing, I cant see it being anyone elses.

And then the next day came. Shikina and Maidence came out to meet Meat and I when we turned up at the inn.

Master Kehma! Thank you for your hard work!

Kuro-sama! Um, Kehma-sama, could we have a talk? As expected of my fianc err

For some reason, I just cant seem to feel calm whenever I see the no good elf and miss ringlets here.

And I dunno when, but Maidence seemed to fall head over heels for Meat at some point. Meat, what did you do to her? Hm? You dont remember doing anything?

Oh really? Well, then maybe it has something to do with the aristocratic mating cycle? Like just being near your fianc causes feelings of love. Or something. Someone needs to announce this to the academygenerations of nobles living with nothing to look forward to but arranged marriages have changed their innate instincts!

So, I heard Wataru-sensei say that you will be taking a trip to the imperial capital! I would like you to allow me to accompany you as well!

Eh, why?

The reason is obvious: I have already paid for this months tuition costs it will take you at least a month to reach the capital, correct? I would naturally be accompanying you as well, in that case!

Geh! A legitimate reason! But really, I havent exactly taught her anything proper enough to call it a tuition. But still, I guess Ichika and Meatthe ones handling all of the common-sense and battle-related stuffare coming with me too, so oh well.

What am I teaching this elf? I guess math at most?

Im looking forward to seeing the imperial capital, Kuro-sama.

Goshujin-sama.

Oh, Mai-sama, wouldnt you be taking care of the place in our absence? Of course, you could also take a return trip to Tsuia.

Of course I couldnt, Kehma-sama! I know how I look, but I am accustomed to travel.

I couldnt take responsibility if something were to happen to you, please understand.

Muuu responsibility, duty. Adults always say the same thing.

Saying that, Maidence took Meat by the arm and hugged it. One might say that she was simply acting as a child at a convenient time is just like what an aristocrat would do.

Kuro-sama, you would protect me, right?

No. I will be protecting Goshujin-sama, please do not get in my way.

. Kuro-sama, your faithfulness to your duty is wonderful!

This is going nowhere. Its the same thing that happened with Wataru.

Oh, Maid-san. Err, while we are away

I understand, I will return her to the Tsuia residence, so rest assured.

Maid-san responded so perfunctorily, it helped ease me.

Village Chief Kehma! Fight me! Ima beat up Village Chief Kehma, the Dragonslayer~!

Just then, our part-time worker, Setsuna, came running, her chest and doggy ears bouncing. Yep, lets not have that fight.

Village Chief! While youre gone at the capital, Ill be defending the villagehouse-sitting, so let me fight you first!

How about you fight Wataru instead?

Nerune was all, ahem: [Watarus a guest~, bothering him is off-limits~] though!

Nerune? Are you really someone in a place to say that? And whats with calling him Wataru? Thats cold! Oh, how the hero has fallen! Gah, I want to feel sympathy for him. I dont, though.

Haaaah. Ill allow you to practice with him. In exchange, you cant fight me.

Booya, our Village Chief is reasonable as heck! Understooooood!

Saying that, Setsuna left with a pep in her step.

Wait, what? Defense? Right. Gozoh and Roppu are coming with us, huh.

Setting aside Meat, Gozohs party is this villages representative adventurers. I cant deny that the villages defense will drop without us all here.

Well, I guess the village will be fine with Setsuna here, even if its attacked. Probably.

I dont think people would want to attack the village in the first place, what with there being an adventurers guild branch being here and all.

Or maybe its the fear of monsters coming out of the dungeon and overrunning the town if its defenses are lowered too much? I can guarantee that wont be an issue, at least.

Hah guess Ill have make preparations. Ill do what Wataru suggested for now and stock up on food. Anything put inside of my [Storage] has its time stopped, so well be able to eat freshly-prepared meals whenever.

I cant take Kinue-san with us, after all I mean, shes basically the inns key person at this point.

*

I knocked on the door to Rokukos room.

Hey, Rokuko. Are you done preparing?

Oh, Kehma. I just finished. Kehma, between red, black, and white, which do you prefer?

Hm? Black, I guess.

Isnt that too bold?

Whats she on about? Well, Ill have lost if I think about it too hard. As a man, that is.

Probably.

Am I good to come in?

Its safe.

Entering only after getting confirmation, I saw Rokuko looking at a memo book after gathering her luggage.

She had [Storage] as well, but it seemed like shed packed various traveling bags in addition.

We both have [Cleanup], so its not like we really need to bring many changes of clothes though?

Whats with the memo book?

Its for the DP Ive gotten from Haku Ane-sama. From what I was told, I can only use the DP I have at the time I leave the dungeon.

Ah, I guess Haku-san told her through the [White Beach] hotline? When though?

I wonder what DP really is? And only being able to use DP you have at the time you leave a dungeon what does it mean to have DP? Its that sort of thing. Like I can do it, but I dont get it.

If you can use DP elsewhere, youre definitely bringing it with you. Its not like itll disappear if you dont use it, so you dont need to go out of your way to.

I guess. It doesnt exactly have mass so maybe its similar to magical power?

Rokuko wouldnt know, but I just figured it worked similar to how digital currency did in my world.

The dungeon will use a certain amount as well, but itll replenish if I leave the core here, so alright, lets bring around 500,000 DP.

Oh yeah come to think of it, about how far can we go until we cant use the DP we leave in the dungeon? Is it within the range between here an Tsuia?

I dont really know, but it can change depending on the situation, like if there were any other dungeons in-between.

Well, I dont think therell be anything 500,000 DP cant handle Fufufufu, Ive saved up enough DP to have this kind of conversation. Im growing up~

I nodded in agreement. Its true, shes very different compared to back when I was summoned, both in brains and DP.

Well be heading out tomorrow, so make sure you dont leave anything behind. Well, well have DP so itd probably be fine either way.

Yeah. Oh, where do you think I should put the Dungeon Core? In the dungeon, right?

Oh, shes talking about the main corelight orb? I thought Rokuko was saying she wouldnt be coming for a sec there.

Shes definitely afraid to keep the Dungeon Core in the inn, like what if there was a thief?

Right. Lets hide it before we head out.

Yeah, lets.

While saying that, Rokuko put the Beddhism holy seal into her bag.

Do I have some of them stocked away too? Yep.

Hey Kehma, between the inn and the church, do you think were leaving enough manpower behind?

The church should be fine because of all the succubi. As for the inn well, the inn and church worked out with just us before the succubi, so even without the four of us now, itll be fine.

Oh, yeah. It should be enough with the succubi huh?

Actually, wouldnt it be great if we could get the succubi to help out here at the inn too? We could say the Beddhism Sisters are volunteering. I mean, Id still pay them, but yeah.

In that case, lets ask Rei and Kinue to join us as well.

As for why she didnt include Nerune there, well, yeah. The girls immersed in her research.

It should work out alright as long as I let Suira know about it.

I guess I should go confirm our route to the imperial capital come to think of it, what direction is it? Wataru said he came on a carriage