Chapter 47, From The Top

Translator: Barnnn

 

The next morning, Ize and Hal emerged from their room not in the garb of travelers or adventurers, but in crisp, well-kept attire.

 

“Should we get some nicer jackets?” Hal asked, inspecting his sleeves.

“It’s about to get cold for real,” Ize replied. “We’ll need them. Do we have enough money?”

“Fine for now — we’ve still got plenty left from what we exchanged at the Heroes’ residence in the royal castle. Plus, there’s the bounty… But the deposit from Bezbaro hasn’t come in yet, and, well, we’re still rookies at this adventuring business.”

“Sooo… our funds are only going one way — down.”

“True,” Hal admitted. “But let’s take it slow. We’ll figure out the money as we go.”

 

Their immediate goal was to earn enough in Jasted to cover their expenses, keeping their finances balanced at zero.

With a long-term stay ahead of them, their spending would be substantial. It wasn’t a problem they could solve individually — it would take both of them working together. And when Fieda arrived, he’d join their efforts, making it a team of three.

 

The day’s agenda began with a visit to the Adventurers’ Guild to exchange loot for cash and check for news from Fieda, followed by a leisurely exploration of the city’s eateries.

The highlight of the day would be a visit to the Central Tower, a structure built to oversee the city during Deluges, where visitors could now ascend the upper floors for a panoramic view of Jasted. It was one of Etta’s top recommendations for new arrivals.

 

“Let’s also pick up some casual clothes,” Hal suggested as they made their way down the stairs. “We’ll probably have plenty of relaxed days like this while we’re here.”

 

When Hal looked ready to go on a tangent and potentially deviate from the schedule, Ize quickly reeled him back.

 

“We’ll see if there’s time for that later,” she said firmly. “The priority is–”

“–I know. Food.”

“Exactly. Glad we’re still on the same page.”

 

Shape-shifting their Magic Bags back to their compact bangle and ring forms, they left their hands free for the day. As they entered the dining hall, Etta greeted them, her eyes widening at their polished appearance.

 

“Good morning, Miss Etta,” Hal said with a polite nod.

“Good morning!” Ize parroted cheerfully.

“Good morning, Hal, Ize…” Etta’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. “My, I didn’t realize you two came from a well-off family. Sorry I didn’t notice sooner.”

“Huh?”

“A well-off family?”

“Well, your hair and skin were already far too nice for travelers, and your manners aren’t what I’d expect from adventurers, either… But dressed like that, you look like young nobles. Oh, I know — I’ll go fetch some cloths to keep your shirts clean.”

“Uh, thank you?” Ize managed, watching Etta bustle away.

 

The two exchanged amused glances before settling at a table.

Their well-kept hair and glowing complexions were undoubtedly thanks to Hal’s shampoo and conditioner, which had become something of a beautifying Potion. The clothes, meanwhile, were “gifts” from the royal castle, likely once belonging to a noble’s wardrobe.

 

“Should we use Camouflage to blend in more?” Ize suggested.

Hal considered for a moment before shaking his head. “…Actually, no, let’s hold off for now. I have an idea.”

“Got it. You’ll fill me in later?”

“Of course.”

 

Breakfast was a comforting spread of bacon and hearty soup, the fragrant warmth chasing away the morning chill. As they ate, they couldn’t help but feel the anticipation for the day ahead building — less frenetic than the rush of yesterday’s adventure, but no less exciting.

And when they finally stepped out of the inn, the crisp morning air carried with it the promise of discovery and delight.

 

◆

 

On the way to the Guild, the conversation drifted back to their clothes.

 

“So first things first, I figured I’d check our accounts’ balances,” Hal began casually.

“Hmm? Why the sudden interest?” Ize asked, tilting her head.

“And our accounts are linked to all the Guilds, not just the Adventurers’ Guild. It’s bound to make us stand out, what with how we’re still rookies. If we don’t dress at least half-decent, it’d be even more obvious.”

“I completely forgot,” Ize admitted, rubbing her temples.

“I figured as much. Most adventurers don’t get accounts until they’re high-rank. So, if we want to avoid awkward questions, we’ll have to lean into the assumption we’re from a well-off family.”

“So that’s how it is,” Ize sighed.

“Exactly. Like Miss Etta said, we don’t really look like adventurers anyway.”

“Yeah. We’re a little too… polished.”

“We’re the vision of beauty,” Hal said with a mock flourish.

“Not sure there’s much of a demand for that,” Ize muttered.

“Sure there is. Pretty boys are ESPECIALLY popular with the ladies who–”

“I see the Guild,” Ize cut him off, nodding toward the building ahead.

“…Right.”

 

As they climbed the stairs, Ize hung back a step to observe the scene. A faint ripple of whispers followed them. People turned their heads — curious, perhaps even wary. Their refined appearance was bound to cause misunderstandings.

This might have been part of Hal’s plan, Ize realized. Fewer unnecessary interactions — less potential trouble.

When Hal glanced over his shoulder, his eyes curved into mischievous crescents, his smirk saying everything.

 

◆

 

Inside, the familiar sight of Kikuno at the reception desk greeted them.

 

“Good morning, Hal, Ize,” she said, offering a polite nod.

“Good morning, Miss Kikuno,” Hal replied. “We’re here to check on our friend’s whereabouts and cash in some loot.”

“Understood. Please place the items in this box.”

“Got it. Should we separate ours?” Hal asked.

“Yes, please.”

Hal gestured to Ize. “You put yours here, then.”

“Mm-hmm.”

 

Ize carefully emptied her loot into the box, followed by Hal.

 

“I’ll process your transactions now,” Kikuno said. “Please wait a moment.”

 

As she walked off, the two of them leaned against the counter, quietly estimating their earnings.

Their standard way of measuring value was through the price of grilled skewers — simple enough to quantify.

When Kikuno returned, she handed over a slip of paper and pouches of coins.

 

“Thank you for waiting. Here’s your reward, and a message has arrived for you.”

Hal looked into the pouches, his eyes lighting up. “Oho, we’ve got enough for Toad!”

“…Toad?” Kikuno raised an eyebrow.

“Ah, just talking to myself,” Hal said quickly. “Thank you. Here’s yours, Ize. Let’s celebrate today.”

Ize accepted her share with a smile. “Thanks, Hal. And thank you, Miss Kikuno.”

“Take care out there,” Kikuno said warmly.

“We will.” Hal waved as they turned to leave. “C’mon, Ize.”

 

Once they’d stepped aside, they unfolded the message.

 

[Crossed border. Arrangements made to travel alongside a direct horsebus. — Fieda]

 

“Alongside?” Ize frowned. “Does that mean he’s not riding it?”

“He’s probably got that horse he said he’d buy from the Union.”

“Oh. I’d forgotten about that.”

 

Ize glanced at the date on the message — yesterday. It was still nine days before he got here and joined them.

 

Ize folded the note. “We’ll have to show him how hard we’ve been working.”

“Absolutely. And we need to find some good food for him to try.”

“Something delicious and moving…” Ize nodded thoughtfully.

“First stop’s already decided, though.”

 

They exchanged a look, then grinned in unison.

 

“”Grilled Toad skewers!””

 

Laughing, they stepped out into the street toward the Central Tower.

After burning some calories climbing the tower, they would have then earned the right to indulge. Sweets awaited.

 

◆

 

“Six steps…” Hal muttered, staring up at the staircase with visible apprehension.

“We’ll be fine. Look, each step isn’t even that tall,” Ize reassured.

“Yeah, I know…”

“It definitely looks easier than the outdoor stairs at Tokyo Tower.”

Hal blinked, startled. “Wait, you climbed THAT? Isn’t it, like, six hundred steps?”

“Yep. Did it with some classmates in junior high. I heard it’s about as tall as a forty-story building.” She glanced back at him with a teasing grin. “Come on, let’s go.”

“All right, all right! Let’s do this!”

 

And so Hal — fifteen years old in body, but dragging along the mind of a man in his early thirties — was hauled up the tower by sheer force of willpower.

The climb wasn’t as bad as it seemed at first. Occasionally, they paused at landings where windows overlooked the Dungeon’s entrance. From this height, the plaza spread out in tidy symmetry, each installation hole in the ground precisely marked.

As they ascended higher, the scale of the Jasted’s outer walls and defenses became more apparent. Not only did the city have this Central Tower, but several lookout posts and defensive installations were strategically placed throughout.

 

“You know,” Hal said, pausing to catch his breath, “some of the public buildings double as defensive installations.”

Ize glanced over her shoulder. “Where do you see that?”

“There. That guard station.” He pointed toward a structure below. “It’s got a big courtyard and reinforced walls. There are several buildings like that scattered around the city.”

Ize followed his gaze. “You’re right… I didn’t notice before.”

 

Looking down, they could spot similar fortified buildings at regular intervals, each evidently placed to serve as both refuge and staging ground in case of a Deluge.

 

“It’s impressive,” Ize murmured. “I wasn’t expecting this level of planning.”

“Yeah. If we have time, we should check out the archives again and read up on the city’s history. Then we can come back and compare what we’ve learned with what we see.”

“Definitely. The history of Jasted’s architecture really is the history of its battles against the Dungeon… it’s quite interesting.”

 

When they finally reached the top of the tower, they lingered for a while, taking in the sweeping views. They felt a bit like being on a school trip — standing at a historical landmark, soaking in both the sights and the weight of the past.

The descent was easier, though they went single file, like a little train winding down spiraling rails. As they reached the ground, Ize confirmed their next stop.

 

“So where are we heading to first?” she asked.

“The closest place to here is… The Treant’s Cradle.”

“…Cradle?” Ize parroted, raising a brow.

“Yeah. Apparently, the name comes from a legend. Supposedly, if you sleep in a bed made from Treant wood, you’ll enjoy a lifetime of peaceful rest.”

“Peaceful rest… Yeah, right,” Ize chuckled to herself, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Requiescat in pace.”

Hal glanced at her, confused. “Hmm? What was that?”

“Nothing,” she said quickly. “Just talking to myself. What’s the recommendation there?”

“According to Miss Etta, they’ve got something like churros — thin dough fried until golden brown, shaped to look like tree branches, then sprinkled with coarse sugar.”

“Just hearing about it makes my mouth water.”

 

The rave review from their innkeeper proved true.

At the Treant’s Cradle, they sampled crispy, branch-shaped sweets. They moved on to spiderweb candy, spun to resemble Arachne silk, and then shared a soufflé cake shaped like a napping Mandragora, its fluffy form collapsing with a soft hiss when cut. Each bite was a delight — more than food, it was an experience of wonder and warmth.

 

◆

 

“That was a LOT of sweets…” Hal sighed.

“Three places in a row might’ve been too much,” Ize agreed, rubbing her stomach. “What do you think for lunch? Something light, or something strong to reset?”

“I need to clear my palate. Something light sounds good. What are our options?”

“In Japan, it’d probably be sushi or soba, which…”

“…Aren’t really an option here.”

“Mm-hmm. How about this place — Soup-er Pasta? Apparently, they’ve got all kinds of broths.”

Hal blinked. “Where’d you hear that?”

“When I was showering,” Ize said with a sheepish grin. “Some ladies in the next bath over were chatting about it. Sounded like regulars.”

“Damn. This is why I’m sometimes jealous that you’re a– uh, actually, never mind.”

Ize raised an eyebrow. “Well? Should we go?”

“Yeah, let’s check it out.”

 

By the time they reached the restaurant, the lunchtime rush had passed. The dining room was serene, and clearly designed to appeal to a refined, primarily female clientele. Neatly arranged flowers added bursts of color, and the decor struck a balance between cozy and elegant.

As they were shown to their table, they caught glimpses of other diners’ meals — vivid soups in bowls, each a small visual masterpiece.

Once seated, they opened the menu, and both paused in awe.

 

“Let’s see… tomato, cream, seafood, chicken, spinach… and wood? What in the…?” Hal squinted.

“The pasta options are just as varied,” Ize said, her tone somewhere between curious and overwhelmed. “I wanted something light, but… this rich broth made from five Mystic Beasts sounds hard to resist…”

“Guess we’ll have to come back a few times to try everything.”

“Agreed,” Ize said, already skimming the pages again. “For today, I’ll go with the seafood soup and mushroom-and-seaweed pasta.”

“I’ll have the lemon-pepper broth with crushed nuts and chicken.”

“That sounds amazing.”

“They give you small plates for sharing,” Hal added, glancing up. “I’ll help you with yours, Ize.”

“Much appreciated.”

 

The food was exquisite.

The soups were light yet deeply flavorful, their warmth spreading through their bodies with every spoonful. It wasn’t long before both bowls were empty, as if they’d been wandering in a desert and stumbled upon an oasis. Chewy, perfectly cooked pasta soaked up the broths, blending in ways they hadn’t expected. And when they swapped plates to taste each other’s choices, they were astonished anew.

It went without saying that they’d never had pasta this good in Japan.

 

[This… might be a problem.]

 

As their meal drew to a close, they exchanged a look — no words, just a shared thought, as clear as day.

Even if they came here regularly and ordered together, it would take ages to try everything on the menu. And yet… they couldn’t spend all their time at this one spot. Jasted was a sprawling city, surely brimming with hidden gems.

But when would they explore more restaurants if their days were spent in the Dungeon? Evenings were already spoken for — Etta’s meals at the inn were not to be missed.

This marked the beginning of their internal struggle… or so it seemed.

 

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