A Different World? Trading Between Worlds - Ch 2, Ep 43 - After the Incident

After the Incident

In the evening, just as the sun was setting, Watari and Masques came to a restaurant-cum-tavern guided by Masques.

It was a small establishment with a slightly spacious counter and three small table seats.

Watari and Masques sat at one of the tables towards the back.

Masques had become worried about Watari not coming out after going to the hot spring together, so Watari had to explain the situation properly.

Masques chuckled at the misunderstanding that Watari could have been mistaken for a peeping Tom due to the entrance being opened by the wind.

“Huh, so that’s what happened after I left the bath. Must have been tough for you.”

“Yeah, it was quite a hassle, almost got misunderstood by the two.”

“Well, can’t be helped, right? Besides, I know you were staring, too.”

“Well, Master has been a pervert since the first time we met, so I don’t mind.”

“Hahaha, you’ve got a point there. Well, wasn’t it a bonus for you? I don’t know.”

“Well, they’re both exceptionally beautiful, so it’s true that it was a feast for the eyes, but I do choose the time and place.”

“Well, next time, it’s either mixed bathing or a family bath.”

Although the bathhouse Masques guided them to was separated by gender, other bathhouses had various arrangements, such as separating by time slots, allowing mixed bathing, or allowing private use in small bathhouses.

If they weren’t planning to board the ship to the royal capital the next morning, it would have been nice to stay another night and use it together with the three of them.

“We’ll definitely use the hot spring again on our way back.”

“Well, I’ll treat you here, so enjoy yourselves.”

“Sorry for imposing.”

“Don’t worry, it’s fine.”

Masques had lost about ten silver coins in the dice game.

If they ate and drank a lot, it wouldn’t be strange if they spent a similar amount.

Masques ordered food and drinks from the waiter.

Supposedly, this place had great recommended dishes.

After placing the order, Masques said as he settled back into his chair.

“But, that was good. You not only got a reward but also got the item with the spell that the peeping Tom had, right?”

“Yeah. It turned out that when you catch thieves or burglars, you can even get their belongings.”

“Huh, didn’t know that.”

“Me neither. It’s a strange feeling.”

“The authorities probably want to reduce the amount of reward money as much as possible.”

“Is that the reason?”

In Watari’s hand remained the bracelet that the peeping Tom had used.

Watari stared at it as he held it in his hand.

A precise carving was applied to the small plate at the center of the thin chain.

It looked to be something that could be used for crimes committed with invisibility, so he had to be careful how to use it.

He placed it carefully in his pants pocket.

“But the criminal must have been wealthy enough to pay the bail, right? It’s a strange sense.”

“He said he wasn’t satisfied with the red-light district.”

Watari nodded in response to Masques’ words.

Was it a similar sensation to that of a molester?

Seeking thrills or novelty, perhaps.

It was a feeling that Watari didn’t quite understand.

“Anyway, you might be buying yourself some grudges, so be careful.”

“Yeah, I’ll have Ea watch out for me.”

When Watari looked at Ea, Ea nodded deeply.

Even now, her ears occasionally moved, and she could hear even small sounds.

Except for when going to the bathroom or when separating by gender in the bath, Watari couldn’t think of a place where he could evade Ea’s vigilance.

However, because of that, there was a problem that Ea couldn’t leave his side even for a moment, which was a troublesome problem in itself.

Ideally, he wanted another reliable guard who wouldn’t necessarily match Ea, but the talks continued, and the waiter returned with the food.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. Here’s the steamed chicken and steamed buttered moyo potatoes, along with champagne.”

“Here it is! Been waiting for this!”

“And, this is for you, a pickled assortment.”

“Huh, I didn’t order this?”

“Didn’t you catch a criminal? It’s a service from us.”

Thanked the female waiter.

“Oh, thank you very much.”

The steamed chicken, emitting steam, looked to have been made with the whole bird and was very voluminous.

The surface was covered in sauce, giving it a glossy appearance.

A delightful fragrance wafted up, stimulating the appetite.

Perhaps because they had only had a light lunch on the ship, Watari suddenly felt hungry, and his stomach growled.

“Now, whenever I eat with someone here, I always make them drink ‘Shampani Koi’,” Masques said.

“Alcohol?”

“Yeah. It’s a wine made by the church in this town. It’s a secret herbal wine made from fifty different types of medicinal herbs mixed with the spring water of this land.”

“It smells quite strong…”

“Hey, Ea, that’s rude.”

Though reprimanded by Mariel, Ea still wore a stern expression, indicating it was indeed tough.

Masques laughed heartily, seemingly unconcerned.

“Well, it seems too strong for beastmen, and even humans don’t often drink it, so there’s nothing to be done.”

“I see… What about you, Mariel?”

“Since it’s such a gracious invitation, I’ll just have a sip.”

“I’ll pass since I’m the master’s guard, I’ll… have it.”

Tilting the ceramic container, they poured it into Watari’s cup and diluted it with water from the top.

“Then, let’s enjoy the feast… ugh…”

A complex bitterness, spiciness, and a unique medicinal scent passed through the tongue and nose.

And then, a sweetness spread in the mouth to distract from the difficulty of drinking it.

“Hahaha, what a face!”

“It’s a very complex taste…”

“This… certainly seems like it would be good for health.”

“Tastes differ, but some people get hooked on this.”

Watari thought it was like the dragon’s throat candy, though the taste was different, the sensation felt similar.

Even though they had diluted it quite a bit with water, it maintained a fairly high alcohol content, along with a unique odor.

A heat rose in his stomach.

Indeed, those who liked it would probably really like it.

Perhaps because Mariel was stronger with alcohol than Watari, or perhaps because she only took a sip, she didn’t show much of a reaction.

“It’s a specialty of this town. Well, if you like it, you should buy it. I always have it stocked on the ship.”

Masques laughed gleefully and drank the Shampani.

His exclamation sounded very delicious.

“This steamed chicken is delicious!”

“I like meat, so…it’s delicious!? What’s this taste!? It’s so soft and juicy, with no dryness at all!”

“Enjoyed it, huh? The onsen chicken is a special breed of chicken that only grows in hot spring towns.”

“Oh, it’s really tasty. Onsen chicken, is it?”

With Ea and Watari devouring the food beside her, Mariel maintained her elegance, eating slowly and gracefully…

“…It’s delicious!?”

…at a surprisingly fast and precise pace.

Even her rapid hand movements were elegant and precise.

The former noblewoman’s speed-eating was also beautiful.

As the steamed chicken rapidly diminished, Masques hurriedly scooped some onto his own plate and answered Mariel’s question.

“Ordinary birds are said to warm their eggs with their body temperature, but these onsen birds lay and raise their eggs in high-temperature water.”

“Don’t they often become hot spring eggs?”

“Sometimes they lay eggs in hot springs where we humans occasionally go, but it’s against the law to touch the eggs. I’ve heard they taste amazing, but it’s a tease.”

‘There are certainly strange creatures in the world.’

Watari sighed at Masques’ explanation.

This world is truly exciting.

If they traveled to various regions, they would surely have even more strange experiences.

Even the upcoming arrival was something to look forward to.