28. Travel Plans and the Merchant's Schemes
Descending to the dining hall, Cecily and Ira were eating breakfast together at one table, while Beers sat alone at another.
I exchanged greetings with the other guests, but their subtly different reactions made me uncomfortable. It was probably the aftermath of the Goddess Summon more than the duel itself.
Myra headed to Ira's table, while I took the seat across from Beers. Fam sat beside me, and Mizuki next to Beers.
"Why're you eating all stiff like that?"
"? 'Cause I'm a slave, right?" Beers replied.
"Nah, Cecily and Ira are slaves too."
I glanced at their table. Myra was chattering away at Cecily and Ira as they ate. She wasn't staying at the inn, so no breakfast was served here, but apparently she'd already eaten at the church. I still couldn't quite grasp that she was my girlfriend. Next time, I'll cop a feel of those tits to make it real.
"Hey, you're heading to Migurutto, right? Take me with you?"
He wanted to join the party, huh? But we were already at capacity: me, Fam, Mizuki, Myra, Cecily, and Ira made six. Cecily and Ira were only temporary until Migurutto, but this harem setup was something I never could've imagined when we first arrived in this world.
"My party's full. If I can snag a caravan escort quest, I'll check for separate mercenary gigs. That work?"
"Yeah, I'd owe you big."
Our breakfast arrived. As I reached for mine, Beers stood up.
"Hey, you got food left. You good?"
"Nah, mind if I join?"
I nodded, and Beers sat back down to finish his meal. I glanced at Fam—she was munching her bread normally, looking a bit happy even.
Was there a no-eating-with-slaves rule in Wind's Blade? I wondered what Cecily and Ira thought now that they were slaves too.
"Hey, shouldn't we come up with a party name already?"
Mizuki said it out of the blue. Oh yeah, we hadn't decided on one.
"Yeah. How about 'Wind's Blade 2'?"
"No way that's happening! Be serious!"
"You sound like a class rep."
"Hmph, maybe. But Mash, no more from you. Fam, you think of one."
"In that case, how about something like 'The Newly Chosen Ones'?"
"Got it. Mash, try again."
Mizuki cut Fam off. Fam probably wasn't from Japan like us—maybe a Japanophile foreigner. Nothing else made sense. She looked displeased. I poked her side, and she let out a yelp, glaring at me.
"...Mash?"
Now Mizuki was glaring too.
"Ugh, easier said than done. How about 'Pussy' then?"
"Knew you'd say that."
"If you're gonna complain, you come up with one, Mizuki."
"Me? Fine, 'Star' or 'Space'?"
"You think no one'd get it?"
"Aw, c'mon, it's fine!" Mizuki pouted. It'd work if everyone was a girl, but unfortunately, I'm a guy.
"Then Fam's idea's good enough."
"In that case, how about 'Lady Rakushel Love Squad'?"
Myra jumped in.
"'Absolutely not!'"
We three—Mash, Fam, Mizuki—said it in perfect unison. Rare agreement.
"Muu, you're all so mean."
I had no idea what gave her that idea, but Myra sulked. Continuing this would just leave us without a name and on bad terms.
"Perhaps Master should decide?"
Fam dumped it all on me.
"Sorry, can't. Mizuki, one more shot."
"Fine. Sorry it's my pick, but... from 'If the east wind blows, let the plum blossoms scatter their fragrance; even without a master, forget not the spring.' I'd like 'East Wind'."
Sugawara no Michizane, huh? Must reflect her mood. But Kyoto's plum scent wouldn't reach here—way farther than Dazaifu.
She still wanted to go home, that much was clear.
"Got it. How about 'Levante'? Sounds European."
Everyone nodded, so it was settled.
True to his word, Beers got manumitted at the slave trader. I gave him two gold coins at parting—enough to tide him over.
Cecily and Ira went to Lead's place for their belongings, while me, Fam, Mizuki, and Myra headed to Mateo Merchant Company.
We were shown to the same room as before, and Mateo appeared.
"Hey, I watched you in the arena."
Mateo brought it up as a greeting.
We sat around the low table: Mateo and Fam across from me, Mizuki and Myra to my sides on the sofas. Fragrant tea was served; Mizuki sipped it appreciatively.
"You bet on us, right?"
"Of course... So, what's the business today?"
His eyes darted. Bet on Lead, huh? Lost big.
"Wanna go to Migurutto. Introduce us to a caravan heading that way? We'd like escort work."
"When?" Mateo asked.
"ASAP. If not, we'll relay via stagecoach."
Mateo scratched his chin beard, tilting his head.
"What then?"
"Adventure there. Dungeon dives sound good."
"Coming back here?"
"Nah, probably not."
I answered. What is this, an interview?
"Hold on."
Mateo left. I whispered to Fam sitting primly beside me.
"Today's panties yours?"
"Um..."
She hesitated. Mizuki and Myra pretended to drink tea while eavesdropping. No more chat.
"Polka dots."
Mizuki's from yesterday. I'll sneak a peek later.
Mateo returned.
With an 18-ish woman. Petite, short hair, modest chest and hips. But tiny wings sprouted from her back.
"Claire. My concubine's daughter. She's small-winged folk."
Per Myra's lore, human-bird hybrid. Hard to picture baby-making with an oviparous being. Real champ. Gotta step up my game.
What bird, though? Ask Myra later.
Claire bowed politely at Mateo's intro. They sat on the sofa.
"Can you fly?"
"No, but I can flap."
Claire stood, turned, and fluttered her wings. Adorably.
"Planning to put her in charge of our Migurutto branch."
"Really?" Still no clue.
"Caravan leaves in five days. Claire comes too. There's a city en route stirring war, but with your power, no issue."
Assembling a caravan for me? Sketchy.
"Mizuki-san, Myra-san, Fam-san, was the tea good?"
Claire asked.
"Y-yeah." Mizuki replied for them.
"Then, if you'll excuse us a bit. This way."
No arguing. Mateo wanted a word alone. Mizuki, Myra, and I exchanged looks; they followed Claire.
Mateo eyed remaining Fam distastefully.
"Mateo, it's fine. Pretend Fam's not here. Your story's fuzzy. I just want escort gigs. But it feels like you're tailoring the caravan to me."
"Heh, wanna ride the goddess's coattails too. Was half-doubting, but Myra's with you. Might not know, but parading her here takes high priest status. Not top church brass, but no lowlife just drops by a merchant hall like today."
News to me. Inn okay this morning?
"Thanks, but no thanks. Leaving to avoid attention. Got nothing for you."
Mateo grinned.
"Not using you for blatant ads. Won't blab. Just keep patronizing us."
Rumors spread naturally; linking us to Mateo Merchant Company tells clients and rivals enough.
"Oh, do what you want with Claire. She consented. If a kid, we'll handle. No worries."
I gulped. Mateo's daughter? He was gone maybe 20 minutes max. Really got consent? Points for non-human: human heirs stay human line. Claire's kid wouldn't threaten direct succession. Wants strong ties without inheritance risk. Perfect for connections like me. Sick. Got a stable of Claires?
Glimpse of this world's dark side. Pitied her, but hot potential, so zip it.
"Caravan size TBD. We'll hire guards, but you're locked. Come to hall morning of day five. We cover food, lodging. 15 silver per person daily? Battles, we negotiate extra."
We shook on it.
I relayed the talk to Mizuki and Myra, arms full of tea bags.
"...What about Claire?" Mizuki asked.
"Gonna take her up on it normal-like."
"..."
Mizuki went quiet.
"...Mash, me and Fam not enough?"
Honestly, yes. But wanna chase possibilities.
"N-no kids, okay?"
"Got it. Fam first."
"Ehh? Wh-what're you saying?"
"You next, Mizuki."
"...Oh. Got it."
Got what?
"Mizuki, actually, Big Sis is Master's lover too."
"Eh?" Mizuki eyed Myra shocked.
"You too, Mizuki?"
Myra surprised too.
"'When did it start?!'"
They harmonized.
"Myra last night. Mizuki this morning."
"Um, super awkward, but Mizuki-san, uh..."
Myra's question turned Mizuki beet red.
"I'll do my best too."
Myra gonna try hard. Wanna touch those tits soon.
"Master, plans for today?"
"About that—still morning. Wanna hit the dungeon, all four of us? Wanna know you all better. Saw the duel yesterday, but..."
Myra said. Duel was just my Goddess Summon claim. Fair to worry about our strength.
"Fine by me, but we fled from floor 3 for real. No dropping out if disappointed."
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