Chapter 35: Bare-knuckle arithmetic – part one

Basically, Karan insisted on wanting to live somewhere cheap because she wanted money to buy somewhat nice clothes, to be able to enter restaurants with a dress code She tried to play it off as something lady-like, but it was 100% due to her gluttony.

But Nick and the others argued that leaving nice clothes in a cheap inn would inevitably lead to them being stolen, and those clothes would be ruined if they started smelling like shady herbs. Eventually, they managed to convince Karan to move.

They went to the post town called South Gate, where Nick was staying. The people staying there were vulgar, but most had respectable occupations.

Half were adventurers and half were merchants working away from home, so it was a comfortable place to live if you were used to this sort of thing.

But it wasnt a very friendly place to outsiders. There were a lot of unspoken rules about how to use the rooms, the order in which people could use the well, household items that could be rented, etc. Rent could be low if the tenants followed the rules. It was nothing like East Gate, where people happily loitered around during the daytime.

So Karan and Bond. Lets go with this inn for now.

I dont care where Im staying as long as its not expensive.

Do I also need to pay rent? I could just turn back into a sword

Its 1500 dinnar a day, and were making money so bear with it. And Bond, if turning into a human isnt a burden for you, keep that form as much as possible. People will think its weird if you keep appearing and disappearing, and we want to avoid making the guild suspicious.

Alright

We dont have a choice.

The inn they agreed on was an old wooden building.

The sign on the entrance had completely worn-off, but this place was leagues ahead of where Karan had been staying.

This place is pretty good for its price, but dont forget that they only rent for three or more days at a time.

Hm So what if it overlaps with days when Im out adventuring?

Theyll return 20% of what you paid if you cancel.

What a waste

You have to think about your schedule. And few things get stolen around here, so you can leave your stuff. Theres even a box thats locked with a magic item.

Really!?

Really. And most people here are intermediate adventurers, so people that are clearly robbers cant get inside easily, and they might get beaten up if they try. It might even be safer than some high class inns. What do you think?

I-I dont hate it.

Karan was thankful for the consideration. Nick didnt even demand anything in return.

He jokingly said shed better thank him, but he never demanded anything more from her than things like picking a new inn.

Karan looked at Nick with respect.

If Single Meal Fifth was who she wanted to be, Nick was like an older brother.

Then lets go with this one. And Karan, come to my room tonight.

Eh?

He should be like an older brother, but Karan was shaken by those words.

That night, Karan went to Nicks room just like he asked.

Yes, thats good.

L-Like this?

You learn quickly, Karan Now lets do this.

I-Its too big I cant

Come on just try.

Ahh

Karan let out an uneasy sigh.

I-I am at my limit Nick

Good grief, alright then. Leave it to me

Y-Yes

Its just like two digit calculations. Listen, first you buy five swords for 9800 dinnar each. It says you get a 5% discount if you buy them all together, but if you take it one step at a time theres no problem. First you add everything

Nick sounded very serious as he solved a math problem.

The introductory book he bought in a bookstore was open, and Karan looked as though her head was boiling, as she frantically wrote with her pen.

Why are you studying so seriously? How dull, how dull.

Grumbled Bond as he watched.

Shut up. You can cheat to do calculations, so just sit there and be quiet.

Cheat!? I have always had this calculation feature!

Its not fair.

Even you Karan? Good grief, you can live without knowing how to do calculations, just rely on me.

Said Bond proudly, but

I cant trust you.

Karan put a stop to it bluntly.

Howa!? W-why!?

Its not like its just you. If you leave something to someone else because its hard, its going to come back to bite you one day.

Ah, that is what you mean. You scared me.

Thats why I asked Nick what to do so I dont get tricked. And then

Karan peeked at Nick.

Karan wasnt good with numbers, so I thought Id teach her when we had the time.

I didnt think youd call me to your room all of a sudden though.

Grumbled Karan with a light blush on her face.

Ah, did you have plans or something?

I-it wasnt anything like that!

Hn? Ah Sorry.

Nick didnt notice that Karan was agitated, and apologized half-heartedly.

Bond, bored by what he was watching, yawned.

You sure are serious about this. Is arithmetics really that important?

There are people that target others that are bad at calculations, because a lot of adventurers come from orphanages or remote villages and cant study that sort of thing. I used to get tricked a lot too when I was a kid, so if i didnt buckle down and learn, it would be a matter of life and death.

There are some evil people out there.

Were all tricked by evil people.

Stop speaking like that, it is hurting my heart.

Im getting sad just saying it too Anyway, this is important.

Yes, I understand Leaving that aside.

What?

I want to go out somewhere. Take me.

So thats what you really want

Nick sighed.

Yes, yes. We are free today and tomorrow anyway. We are not going on adventures correct?

Yes, it looks like its going to rain, so were taking two or three days off. We just finished a big job too, taking you out of the labyrinth.

You also received a nice reward. Do you not feel like going out into the world? I have not been outside in many, many years.

Hn, it doesnt sound like a bad idea Karan, do you want to take a break?

Yes!

There was a twinkle in Karans eyes. She was tired of studying.

Alright. Then lets go out and get something to eat.

By the time the trio left the inn, the sun was setting, and the street was painted red.

The area around them had a lot of taverns aimed at residents of the inns.

Lights were starting to be turned on, and people started stepping outside to try to attract customers.

All the places around here that try to attract customers are duds, so dont get your hopes up. Well, there arent any obvious rip-offs either.

Yes.

Anything is good. Ah, but I do not like barley or millet porridge. Bread or fried rice is good, but I like to avoid fish with too much salt.

So not anything then. How about meat?

Nick walked past the street full of taverns, and headed towards a place in a somewhat quiet spot.

This place is a day-time caf, so there arent many annoying drunks.

Its fancy.

The warm light coming from the glass candle holders illuminated the entrance to the brick building. On the door was a blackboard with the days menu, alongside illustrations drawn with light brushwork.

It is. After all

It was cafe Fromage, the place where Nick used to go on dates with Claudine.

Ah It brings back bad memories.

Nick remembered the face of his ex-girlfriend, or rather, the girl that led him on. Looking back, Nick felt so embarrassed about giving so much to such a nasty girl, he could die. Nick even felt slightly irritated just looking at carefree looking girls with blonde hair.

Whats wrong Nick?

Nothing

You are hungry are you not? Let us go in right away.

As Nick was considering going somewhere else, Bond opened the door, and the bell attached to it rang.

Welcome.

Ah, table for three.

Please come this way.

The waiter led them to a table. Nick used to always see this man when he went on dates with Claudine, but he didnt seem to be surprised by Nick walking in with another girl.

Nick was thankful for that.

Houhou, such a rich menu. I will have the soft and creamy demi glace omelet with rice.

That was fast Im surprised you know so much about this world.

I do have knowledge. I tapped into the guilds communication orb just a little.

Dont over-do it. What about you Karan?

Butter roasted beltfish with soy sauce accompanied by couscous. I will leave the wine up to you.

You really are a gourmet arent you? Whats beltfish like? Ive never had that.

Its a white meat, long and narrow fish that lives in the sea. It doesnt really have a strong taste, but I recommend it if you like cooking from the south. If you dont, it probably wont be that interesting.

Eh Wait, you can eat sea fish here?

Claudine only ate food that looked simple and easy to understand.

Ordering something that was so different than what they used to have back then wasnt a bad way to erase the lingering impression of those days. Nick decided to order the same thing as Karan.

The cafe wasnt very crowded, but they could still hear light conversation.

Do you like it?

Asked Karan after Nick took one bite, with a slight tone of insecurity.

Why are you so nervous?

I-I mean, its my first time recommending something

Yes, its good. You have good taste.

It did have a light taste, but if you took your time eating it, its subtle taste would become more pronounced. When Nick went to that cafe before, he was too busy trying to please the person in front of him to actually enjoy what he was eating. He laughed at himself as he thought about it.

Thats right. Im a gourmet!

Geez. How much do you spend on food

Karans smile cleared away Nicks hazy feelings.

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