Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 354: Entering the Territorial Capital [Notice Included]
Tauro and his companions left the town early the next morning and headed for the territorial capital.
Nothing good would come from staying there any longer.
Perhaps because of the reporting system, the residents were intensely wary of strangers. The slightest suspicious behavior could result in an immediate report, just as it had the previous night.
For outsiders like them, the town felt like a bed of needles.
They therefore boarded the first carriage bound for the territorial capital.
The journey took half a day.
After the carriage crossed a mountain pass, the territorial capital came into view, spreading across a basin surrounded by mountains.
“It’s surprisingly large.”
Ankh leaned slightly out of the carriage as he offered his impression.
“Listen. The capital only has checkpoints at its entrances and exits, but be careful what you say and do once you’re inside. It isn’t a place where outsiders should stay for long.”
The bearded coachman warned Tauro’s party, his only passengers.
“What do you mean by that?” Tauro asked.
“You have women and a child with you. I wouldn’t sleep well if something happened to you. That’s all.”
The coachman gave no further explanation.
“Thank you for the warning. We’ll be careful.”
Tauro thanked him on behalf of the group.
At the capital’s checkpoint, residents were mostly waved through, but Tauro’s party was stopped. The soldiers searched their belongings, checked them for concealed weapons, questioned them about the purpose of their visit, and examined the travel history recorded on their permits. Even so, they passed the inspection without incident.
Then one of the soldiers informed them of another rule.
“Travelers visiting the capital for the first time must be accompanied by a guide for one full day.”
It was clearly not an act of hospitality. The so-called guide would be there to keep them under surveillance.
Tauro wanted to refuse, but one look at the soldier’s expression told him that refusal wasn’t an option.
“…Understood.”
After Tauro agreed for the group, a man emerged from the guard post.
He didn’t introduce himself. He merely stood there with a bored expression.
He certainly doesn’t look eager to guide anyone.
Tauro exchanged glances with Ragune and the others. They silently agreed to treat the man as though he weren’t there whenever possible.
“Well, shall we find an inn first and spend today sightseeing?” Tauro suggested.
“That sounds good. Mr. Guide, do you know any respectable inns, restaurants, or tourist attractions?” Ankh asked, deciding they might as well get some use out of him.
The guide looked annoyed, but after muttering, “Follow me,” he led them to the street where the inns were located.
Tauro and the others began comparing the atmosphere and posted rates of several establishments. Before they could choose, the guide pointed to one.
“Stay there.”
“…There?”
The nominated inn didn’t look particularly reputable. Its listed rates were ordinary, but the building and service clearly didn’t justify them.
“No, this place seems a little…”
When Tauro tried to object, the guide’s voice hardened.
“You’ll stay here.”
He then called to the innkeeper.
“Hey, owner. I brought you six guests from outside the territory. You know what that means.”
The guide held out his hand.
The innkeeper nodded, took a purse from his pocket, and placed several silver coins in the guide’s palm.
So he was receiving a referral fee.
“You selected this inn because they pay you?”
Malak’s voice remained calm, but his displeasure was unmistakable.
“Once you’ve taken your rooms, all six of you’ll stay together tomorrow and accompany me for the entire day. I’ll be blamed if you split up.”
The guide made the declaration while dropping into a chair in the lobby.
“Are we not permitted to move about freely?” Tauro asked, merely to confirm the situation.
“We don’t want you getting lost. Visitors are required to spend a day learning the streets of the capital under a guide’s supervision.”
The man explained the rule in a thoroughly bored tone.
“…Understood.”
Tauro nodded, then looked to the others for confirmation.
“Of course. It would be dreadful if a child wandered off,” Ankh added sarcastically.
The guide didn’t react. He was apparently accustomed to such remarks.
He proceeded into the dining room, ordered food, and began drinking before the meal had even arrived.
“You lot will remain quiet tonight. Another rule is that the travelers pay for everything their guide eats and drinks.”
It was an outrageously shameless arrangement, but the guide continued drinking as though it were perfectly natural.
Tauro and his companions endured a deeply unpleasant evening at the inn.
Early the next morning, they prepared to go out and make their guide earn his fee.
“I think I’ll stay here and take it easy…” the guide began.
“Well, we’re going sightseeing. Please make yourself useful.”
Tauro cut him off and headed for the door with the others.
“Tch!”
Clicking his tongue, the guide hurried after them.
“Is that the lord’s mansion?”
“What’s that tower used for?”
“What about that large building?”
“Is that the Adventurers’ Guild?”
Tauro played the role of an inquisitive outsider and asked about one landmark after another.
There was no longer any reason to be shy about extracting information from the man assigned to watch them.
“You’re an irritating little brat,” the guide complained.
“After everything you ate and drank at our expense, it would be a waste not to get our money’s worth.”
Tauro remained completely unabashed and moved on to questions about the capital’s history and climate.
The guide was supposed to monitor the outsiders, but Tauro’s relentless, conspicuous curiosity actually reduced his suspicions. A genuine spy would have tried to remain inconspicuous instead of drawing attention by asking questions about everything in sight.
The party was already memorable enough. Their leader was a child, and with the exception of Ankh, every one of his companions was strikingly attractive.
After observing them for the full day, the guide reported to his superiors that the group attracted attention but appeared harmless.
─────────────────────────────────────
Thank you for reading this far.
As some readers may already know, Going to Another World on Your Own! will be published as a book, and preorders opened today. Applause! (｡>ω<｡)ﾉ
For further details, please see the latest activity report.
This was made possible by all of your support. Thank you very much. <(*_ _)>
I hope you’ll continue to enjoy Going to Another World on Your Own!
Please look forward to the next installment. (｡･ω･)ﾉ♪