Chapter 148 – Rock Mountain City

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“I can see it now. That’s Deroslo.”

Reren pointed to the rocky mountain. It looked like a giant stone table in the middle of a vast field. The top of the mountain was unnaturally flat, and there were steep castle walls rising along it.
Indeed, this was impenetrable. Unless it was from monsters that could fly. That was fine, but…

“How is the carriage going to get in?”
“Don’t worry about that. You can get in from the bottom. You’ll understand when we get there.”

As we continued along the road that went through the fields, I understood what Reren was talking about. While it had looked like a single giant rock from far away, I now saw that there were several gathered together. The gaps had been blocked off in order to make a single fortress.

There was a lot of traffic along the road, people going in and coming out. It seemed very lively.

“Can so many people fit in?”
“You’ll see soon enough.”

Hmm. That again. The flow of people went towards the gate. And so I waited patiently with Mulze. Things moved at a brisk pace, and it was my turn before I knew it.

“Leather dealer Roroi and five Adventurer guards.”

The gatekeeper checked our plates and then quickly inspected the carriage.

“Alright, next!”

We were quickly let through. That was easy. I suppose they trusted Mr. Roroi, as he was a resident here.

After the gate, there was a tunnel for about ten meters. And so we went through the stone arches. It seemed to me that it was too thick for a wall. But I found out the reason when we came out on the other side.

“Woah.”

I couldn’t help but raise my voice. A vast space opened up before us. While we were surrounded by the stone walls, the other side was so far away that we could barely see it.
As for the walls, they had been carved out in different places in order to make living areas, and there were stone bridges connecting them. The whole thing reminded me of a city with skyscrapers, which was quite nostalgic for me now.

“What do you think? The rock city of Deroslo.”
“Uh, it’s amazing. I can’t imagine how something like this was made by humans.”
“Indeed. This place used to be the capital city.”

The country of Lusnatos was ruled by the temple and nobles. While I had heard that the great temple was in the same place since ancient times, it didn’t mean that it was in the capital.

“The king was here, long ago. Now it is the duke.”

His…history. Would I have to add this world’s history to my knowledge of Japan and world history?

“Basically, a lot has happened since then.”
“Yes.”
“No, it’s not that simple!”

Dem interjected.

“Listen, you two. The royal family moved about two hundred years ago. After losing the second great battle against the Rabahask empire, Lusnato was forced into paying significant compensation, and ceded its territory. Not only did the defeat weaken their military, but they lost Megel, which was rich with granaries. A weak country meant monsters thrived more than before. As the country went into ruin, the powerless Semion III visited the High Priest Yozeham…”

“Is the guild over there?”
“It is. But Mr. Roroi’s store is on the opposite side.
“That’s quite troublesome…”
“Hey, listen!”

We ignored Dem’s history lesson and followed after the carriage. Still, Dem was more intelligent than I realized. You wouldn’t learn history unless you went to school. Perhaps he had attended a magic academy.

“Don’t leave me!”

The streets were paved with stone, and commoners were not allowed to ride on horseback. Though, carriages were an exception, so you would be left behind if you weren’t careful. Dem pulled the reins as he ran.

On that note, Mulze was not wearing horseshoes. They existed in this world, but it did not seem necessary, and they were not very common. However, it was different in this city, and I could hear the sounds of horseshoes against stone everywhere. Perhaps it would be a good idea to give Mulze some while we are here.

“Everyone, thank you so much. You helped me return safely.”

Mr. Roroi’s store was a large building in a corner of downtown. There was no sign up in front, and so it was hard to imagine what kind of place it was. I suppose he didn’t accept average customers.
Still, I felt a little sad after he signed the papers and we separated. After all, we had traveled from Mujider for ten days.

“If you ever have good leather, bring it to me. I’ll give you a better price than the guild.”

That was a good merchant for you. While he didn’t look like he tanned leather, I suppose he had skilled people working for him.

“Ah, Mr. Ajifu. Thank you for healing the dog. I wanted to tell you, but didn’t get the chance.

Mr. Roroi said as we shook hands before leaving. Things had been very awkward at that time, and it was not brought up on the road. So I understood why it was difficult to say.

“But why? In the end, I couldn’t save it.”
“Well, I would not have saved it in the first place. I was reminded of how we must be more thankful for life. Seeing that dog desperately barking like that…”

I see. So I wasn’t the only one who thought to change after that. Perhaps the little dog had a larger effect than I realized.

“If I’m being honest, every time I passed by a wounded animal, I felt as if a thorn was prickling my heart.”
“Ah, I understand that.”

We looked at each other and smiled.

“I hope we can travel together again.”
“Yes, me too.”

I waved my hand and went on my way. It had been a good job. And while such pleasantries were usually said upon parting, this was one time when I actually felt that I wouldn’t mind working with the person again.

“Hey, can we go to the guild tomorrow? I think we should secure a room at the inn first.”
“Yeah. It will get crowded if we don’t hurry.”
“What about you, Ajifu? Do you know where you’ll be staying?”
“Not at all. But if you have any recommendations, I’d appreciate it.”
“Then it’s decided! And we must celebrate tonight!”

Everyone started to walk on lighter feet, as if forgetting they were tired. From the perspective of the people here, it probably looked like Adventurers did nothing but drink. But for Adventurers, this was when they were finally freed from the stress of traveling.

“Innkeeper, do you have any rooms?”

Kitoder shouted as he banged open the door.

The Boulder Hole Inn was carved out of a stone mountain in the city. As they did not have a stable, I had to place Mulze at a different place that was nearby. They had clean water running through the city, and the stable was close to it. They took care of all the horses in the area. It cost three silvers a day, which was almost as much as a normal inn. Cities sure were expensive.

“Oh? Firerats. You have returned. Aye, there are rooms available.”

Answered what appeared to be a tall man with a shaved head. But I heard that the innkeeper was a woman. Could it be…

“Gah, it’s you. She’s usually in the kitchens at this time. Well, we’ll be staying today.”
“Be happy that you can eat her cooking today. Hmm? I see an unfamiliar face. New member?”
“No, this Ajifu. We worked together on the last job. He needs a room too.”
“Very well. That will be seven silvers. Let us know if you need hot water.”

Oh, so he wasn’t the innkeeper. I sighed with relief as I paid the silver.
I now had to go to my room, unpack, and do some maintenance on my gear. Had we gone to the guild, there would be no time to drink.

“Alright! Leave your things in your rooms so we can drink!”
“It’s best to go out before it gets dark.”
“Uh, what about maintenance?”
“Eh? You can do that tomorrow, Ajifu.”
“Aye! Stop acting like an old man.”

Old man!? Did you just call me an old man?
Fine. I’ll show them that it’s not just my status that has changed.

“Fine. We’ll drink until you drop. You better be ready!”
“Wh-what’s gotten into you?”
“Well, as long as he’s with us.”

Indeed, my first journey after a long time had only just begun. There was no point in being so serious now. I would go with the flow.

“Ajifu will probably drop first.”
“Ha! Fool! They don’t call me the Drunkenness Killer for nothing.”
“What the hell is that?”

The sounds of partying echoed through the stone halls.

It was to herald the lively night that would take place in the middle of the journey.

Next Chapter

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Bonus chapter courtesy of Photo. Thank you so much!!

Ossan Boukensha no Jimichi na Isekai Tabi