Strange Preferences
Eden wasn't flustered by the peculiar taste. The reason had changed, but it was still the same situation any barbarian had to face at a city gate. Therefore, he didn't fluster or get angry. It was a problem that could be solved if he—the one with the sack over his head—just spoke up directly. He simply trusted Neb's mouth, which refused to yield to the persuasion of the guard on duty.
"So you're really not kidnapped?"
"Indeed."
"...You have to tell us the truth if you want our help. That barbarian won't hear anyway."
"How many times must I say it? No."
"...So it's not a forceful kidnapping, then?"
"Of course not. Even if Eden's distorted sexual preferences have overflowed from his inner self to the outside, this form wasn't created against this goddess's will."
At that exchange, the soldier scratched his head and muttered to himself.
"...Her head seems a bit off."
Eden agreed. Especially hearing that strange manner of speech made the impression even stronger.
Anyway, the soldier—whether out of professional duty or not—kept eyeing Eden suspiciously but didn't hold them up any longer.
"...Identity confirmed."
Fortunately, the atmosphere didn't turn more serious. In game terms, a max level barbarian knew no fear and could take on an entire city, but combat wasn't his goal anyway.
Eden approached the stoic soldier. The man was tall for a soldier, but still a head shorter than Eden.
"Can we pass now?"
"...Aye. The lord hasn't issued any orders to bar barbarians yet."
"Hm."
Neb scampered over and stuck to Eden's side. Seeing that, the soldier seemed to finally let go of his lingering doubts. The tension on his face vanished too.
Who wouldn't step on the gas around a normal person when faced with the combo of a 'sack head' and a 'barbarian'?
"...From what the guard said, it sounds like you were 100% the cause."
"Quiet."
He let Neb's words—who barely knew medieval times—flow in one ear and out the other. Even if, as she said, he'd never passed a gate without getting stopped once.
The soldier watched the two whispering secretly, then gestured toward the inside of the gate. His rank must have been higher than expected; at his signal, the other guards—who had been fearfully aiming spears—lowered their weapons one by one. The archers on the walls could be seen retreating inside as well.
We almost had a siege on our hands.
Good thing he wouldn't need to swing his axes. No need to go berserk now that he was max level.
Finally, the soldier looked at them and said,
"Welcome to the city. ...If you cause any trouble—"
"We won't."
No plans for that. Probably.
After the formal exchange, they finally earned entry into the city.
"...Why the hell would she travel with a barbarian like that? And what's with the sack head?"
"'Tis her taste."
"......Ah!"
Whatever they were chatting about behind them.
Leaving the soldier who seemed to have some epiphany, Eden and Neb passed through the gate into the city.
A fairly systematically built city came into view. Brick-and-mortar buildings were common outside too, but the ones brightly decorated with colorful paints and patterns were a rare sight anywhere but inside a city. It felt like arriving at an old tourist spot.
"Not as big as skyscrapers, so no real spectacle."
"......"
Putting aside Neb's impressions.
Neb, looking around, lightly poked Eden's back with her fingertip. With the sack still pressed firmly over her head, she probably couldn't see well.
"By the way, what's this city's name?"
"...You read my memories anyway, so you know."
At his words, Neb shook her head.
"Didn't this goddess say she didn't see all your memories? Ah, but... now that we're in the city, maybe we'll get that classic cliché where a beggar guides us. ...But why's no one approaching this goddess?"
"......"
She couldn't remember the city name but knew about weird stuff? Eden sighed softly, eyeing Neb, whose access to his memories was a mystery.
"...Would you approach someone like you?"
A few grubby beggars were visible nearby. No matter how much they cared about security, they couldn't block everyone. But who'd muster the courage to approach a hulking barbarian with a (crazy) sack-headed person?
Eden didn't answer her question. Instead, he gave an answer to another.
"Edelan, probably."
"Hm?"
"The city's name."
Then he questioned Neb again, curiosity sated.
"...So you're sure that relic is in this city?"
"Of course. In this goddess's name..."
"......"
"...About half sure."
As he stared piercingly, Neb averted her gaze unnaturally. Her movements jerked like a broken toy.
"Th-the direction's roughly this way!"
"......"
"Wait, now it seems like that way..."
For now. It was clear there were no concrete clues to find the relic right away.
Clink. Eden checked the weight of the silver pouch in his bosom. Still hefty. It had lightened a bit without haggling, but plenty left to make beggars drool.
"Hm, not that way but this way...?"
"First, deal with the sack."
Eden decided, watching Neb casually sightseeing. He needed to get that gear off her head first. People stared at the sack-wearing woman like she had a sword mounted on her helmet.
"Hey, kid."
He called a kid sneaking around nearby.
"...Y-yes? M-me?"
"Yeah, you. Come here."
He expected the kid to bolt, but the brat had guts. The kid shuffled over hesitantly.
"...!"
Eden grabbed the kid's nape and hoisted him up effortlessly. It wasn't just barbarian strength; the kid clamped his mouth shut without a scream. Murmurs rose around them—"Should we call the guards?"—but Eden secretly slipped the kid a silver coin without anyone noticing. Handing it openly would've gotten him mugged in under an hour.
"......!!"
The kid's eyes widened in shock. A whole, uncut silver coin. Overkill for an errand.
"Traveler's supply shop."
"......Ah!"
The kid nodded vigorously.
"Got it!"
Like in the last village, asking locals was the simplest way to find a spot. Neb, clinging to Eden's back, asked,
"...Aren't you wasting silver? Even if it's for the cliché."
"......"
Now he couldn't even guess what she meant. Eden answered without minding.
"Not gold anyway."
Besides, silver was easy to earn if he wanted. At his reply, Neb looked up at him with an odd glint.
"...In novels, useless kept husbands say that a lot—ow!"
Eden flicked her forehead for the nonsense and followed the kid, who led the way.
A few minutes later, the kid stopped in front of a shop.
"Th-this place should be good."
He rubbed his nape where the barbarian had grabbed it, muttering.
"Hm."
Eden eyed the shop. Not fancy, but not filthy either. The doorknob and threshold were well-worn, meaning solid business over years.
"Hunters from the city come here a lot. Quality's good, I heard."
Better than expected. Low chance the shop paid the kid off too.
The kid cringed, fearing Eden might snatch the coin back, and added,
"Th-there are others, but prices are probably the same."
"Yeah, this'll do."
Eden ruffled the kid's bread-loaf hat with his palm.
"Don't let anyone steal those coins."
"...R-really, that's it?"
"......"
What else was he supposed to order? A single silver was pricey for charity.
"Thanks!"
The kid grinned nonstop and vanished somewhere.
Anyway. Eden opened the recommended shop's door.
Creeeak. Ancient hinges groaned. The door was smaller than average. Eden had to duck deeply to enter.
...Why's the door so small?
His question vanished upon seeing another 'kid' at the counter, lighting a pipe and looking up.
No, not a kid...
"What, a country bumpkin seeing a dwarf for the first time?"
"And you're a brat seeing a barbarian for the first time?"
Eden's crisp retort made the kid—bearded dwarf—gape. Eyes round as coins behind round glasses.
The dwarf quietly set down his pipe. Then lightly traced a circular holy sign. This world's sign for the Sun God, the monotheistic faith for most.
"Oh gods. A barbarian speaking proper standard tongue. What's the world coming to?"
"......"
Should he just leave? As Eden sighed, the dwarf's eyes widened further in shock.
"...Doesn't even get mad at insults. Not a barbarian, a customer! Sorry about that. Just so surprised."
The dwarf—soccer-ball-sized if kicked—bowed naturally, looking at them.
"So, what do you need?"
Offending then apologizing himself. Peak dwarf icon. Dwarves had the worst tempers, different from pointy-eared elves.
Suddenly. Eden felt a familiar chill. Specifically, an odd aura from behind.
Turning slowly, he saw Neb (sack-headed) exuding an ominous vibe.
"Such insolence."
"...?"
"Building petty pride before a mere beast... mff!"
Eden clamped her mouth to prevent the outburst. Essential, since she needed stuff here.
The counter dwarf watched leisurely, like gawking at a fire. Then he slapped fist to palm, as if struck by inspiration.
"Handcuffs, gag, and blindfold! That's my specialty!"
"...?"
For real. Dwarves had weird personalities.