Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Arrival in the Mining City
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Unlike Raves, where the sky stretched clear or offered views of the distant city and sea without anything to mar the sight, here the landscape was choked with dense green mountains, gray cliffs, and black smoke billowing from somewhere, filling the entire view.
This was an outdoor warp gate, just pillars and a roof with no walls, leaving the surroundings wide open and the scenery fully visible at a glance.
"Wow, this is new."
I took a deep breath, and my throat tickled slightly.
Raves had been a coastal city by the sea, but Nolwel was a mining town, so the air carried a sharp, acrid tang.
"Ugh..."
"Uwee..."
And from beside me came the sound of something viscous splattering down.
I turned my head to look, and all three horses were staggering, vomiting, while Luna clutched her mouth, her face pale.
Even Cain's complexion had gone ghostly white, so...
"You guys get motion sickness?"
"Y-Young master... are you okay?"
Luna managed the question between deep breaths, and I shrugged, grabbing the reins of a swaying horse as I replied.
"I'm fine. The horses are the problem, though. We should find an inn and stable them there."
Was this because of my buoyancy trait?
For me, it had just felt like closing my eyes and opening them somewhere else, but Cain and Luna muttered about feeling like their bodies had been stretched like dough and then kneaded back together.
The horses were the same; even without more vomit, they hung limp, hooves scraping as if ready to collapse any second.
Maybe that's why they built these gates with just pillars and roofs in places like this—frequent enough occurrences.
The floor was made of grated iron mesh, leaving a slight gap below.
Probably designed so filth could drain away easily.
I patted the side of one sickly horse, then led a somewhat recovered Luna outside.
"There's an inn right up ahead. Luna, Cain—let's head there."
No way it was intentional.
Not far from the gate stood a fairly grand-looking inn.
The kind anyone would peg as raking in the cash.
Smart idea.
Anyone using a warp gate was bound to have heavy pockets, and in their motion-sick misery, they'd rather crash at the first visible spot than drag themselves farther.
As we left the gate administration building, the street bustled with people.
"Let's grab a drink after work."
"Where's Jeffrey?"
"He went deeper in for logging."
"Don't come out of the mines till you've filled a cart today!"
In Raves, both men and women dressed beautifully, but here clothes were mostly muted tones, and miners or lumberjacks passed by now and then.
It was a lively place with ordinary townsfolk, merchants, mercenaries, and travelers coming and going endlessly.
I glanced around a bit, and as we neared the inn, I pointed and spoke up.
"Let's recover here today, rest up, check the map, and move out tomorrow. And... huh?"
Thud.
"Ah, sorry, sir!"
While walking and glancing at Cain and Luna, someone bumped into me. I waved it off casually and looked at them.
"You okay?"
Short enough that their head barely reached my chest, with scruffy orange hair and a skinny build.
Before I could even check their face properly, they bowed deeply and yelled to their group, "Hey, come on!"—but Cain snagged the kid by the collar.
"Gah! W-Why? Let go!"
"Uh... um... Mr. Cain...?"
Luna fidgeted in confusion at the sight of the kid flailing, hands prying at Cain's grip on their throat.
I stared, flustered, at Cain dangling the child by the scruff with one hand.
"What's this about?"
"Hmph. Humans."
Hey, man, what's with the sudden racial slur?
Before I could snap back, Cain grimaced slightly and grabbed the kid's ankle, flipping them upside down and shaking vigorously.
And then.
Thud! Plop! Jingle! Clink!
Pouches rained down from their body.
Including the coin pouch I'd transferred some money into to avoid drawing attention with my sub-space.
"Wow, when did that happen?"
Talk about caught off guard.
I fumbled at my now-empty belt, picked up the fallen pouch, secured it again, and eyed the kid huffing indignantly.
"P-Put me down! You'll regret this! Let me go already!"
Such bravado.
The kid writhed while hanging upside down, but Cain didn't release them, just sighed and looked at me.
"Could just deal with them on the spot."
That's only if I revealed my noble status.
I shook my head once, then glared at the kid still glaring daggers at us.
"Officer! Over here, patrolman!"
"Ah! Wait! Talk to me first...!"
Yeah. Too late.
I smiled calmly and handed the kid and the pouches over to a passing guard. Wonder how many owners they'll track down... or if most end up as found money.
"Wow... you're quick on the draw..."
With the situation sorted, Luna— who hadn't even noticed the pickpocket— looked impressed now that she'd recovered. I nodded and replied.
"Thanks to Cain, we handled it smoothly. Appreciate it. Still, I skipped artifacts even for small pouches to avoid notice, so how do others manage?"
Maybe switch to magic items now.
As I pondered quietly, we stabled the horses at the inn's outer stables and tipped generously for good care. Cain murmured.
"Most use disposable anti-theft scrolls or have hidden pockets sewn in."
"Is that so? I'll swing by the mage tower later."
Need to fill the codex anyway.
Creak—
The inn we entered looked like the classic setup from games: tavern and dining on the first floor, rooms upstairs.
I scanned for a table big enough for three and spoke.
"Food first, then rooms."
"Sure... do they have carrot soup... here?"
In games or movies, these taverns were dimly lit dives, grimy with rowdy shouts and trouble brewing for the hero.
But this high-end spot was surprisingly clean.
Mostly merchants and mercenaries, with a bard-like figure plucking a lute in one corner.
The music muffled quiet chatter as folks conversed amiably, broken by a mercenary's hearty laugh from another table.
Big axe, worn but well-maintained clothes.
Really hits home that we're in a different region.
Not many in Raves packed that level of gear.
'And no one's shying away from me either.'
"Order whatever you want. New place means new foods—curious to try."
Feeling oddly upbeat, I grinned and sat at a decent table. Few scratches, no stickiness.
Adventuring newbie here, but this seems solid? Definitely high-end.
Satisfied with the table, I propped my chin and flipped through the parchment-like menu.
"Ooh, something unique. Bear meat special. Head to toe, every cut."
"Needs three days' reservation."
"I'll have... the mountain berry juice combo..."
"Get whatever sounds good."
We each flipped a menu page, deliberating. More options than expected, so we went variety: steak set with red wine for Cain, rainbow salmon grill, cheese and crackers, white wine for me.
Luna got creamy chicken mushroom spaghetti, mountain berry juice, and bread with berry compote for dessert—solid picks.
"Stomach settling? Feeling better?"
I'd planned to say something the moment we relaxed, but ancestors say no nagging at the table.
Kept it light, glancing at them both.
"Yeah, after some water... and rest, much better..."
Yeah, her color was way improved.
Appetizers hit first: bread and soup, even without sets. Creamy soup for Cain, potato for me, I think.
Luna's clear soup looked veggie-based, matching her pasta order.
"Fitting for a spot targeting rich travelers wrecked by gate sickness—nice variety."
Makes sense; time-poor, money-rich clientele means top service.
I sipped the plain, nutty potato soup. Not home-cooking level, but solid enough to impress.
Travel's all about the eats.
Not exactly vacationing carefree, but savor the good stuff when it comes.
Dipped the small bread chunks in the oil—pretty tasty.
Red wine reduction mixed with wood nut oil: subtle acidity, mild herbal notes—perfect match.
"So good..."
"From now on, spring for high-end lodgings when we can. Worth it."
No cash crunch, so why skimp?
Mains were quality too.
Cain's horned boar steak looked thick and saucy—heavy hitter.
"Hmm."
He exhaled softly, knife slicing the slab buttery smooth, no sinew or membrane. Looked delicious.
"Lemme have a bite."
I speared a piece quick and popped it in, chewing thoughtfully.
Not as melt-in-mouth as it cut, but great chew with rich juices bursting—damn tasty.
Zero gaminess.
My rainbow salmon: fat balanced, not greasy or dry, fishiness cut with lemon vibes.
Grilled skin stayed slightly iridescent, chewy yet tender, fatty melt adding sweetness.
I raved, sharing bites with them both, rinsing with white wine. Low sugar but fruity aroma tricked the tongue sweetly.
Luna shared her spaghetti: umami-packed, earthy mushrooms, tender chicken—no chewiness.
Bread and compote: salty bread topped with stewed berries—tart, sweet, appetite-sparking.
"Solid meal. Close to home quality."
"Yeah... made with local specialties... delicious."
As we wrapped up, I wiped my lips and smiled.
"Oh, right. Got something to say."
"Ugh..."
"Don't act like it just hit you. You've been fidgeting to speak."
"Busted?"
Luna, wary from my past curveballs, whimpered softly and hid behind her menu.
Not that today, Luna.
"Talking to both of you, but Luna's not the type to cause trouble, so just listen."
Belly full, I slouched back lazily, eyes on Cain.
"Might not buy it after you tagged along this far, but I won't meddle in what you do. No interference."
Crossed my legs leisurely, downed the last wine, grinned.
"Even if you commit a crime, I won't order you to stop as your master. Might talk you out of it as a comrade. But."
I caught my breath, meeting Cain's silent gaze.
"As your owner, I won't wield that authority. Indulgent, maybe."
Doubt he'd listen anyway, but autonomy's his core.
Think, act, endure, own it.
Me as the extra.
Him as the protagonist.
"Don't like it?"
Teasing lightly, Cain let out a small chuckle.
What? Didn't that guy lose his smile muscles?
"No way. That's exactly what I was gonna say."