“……Is that so. You were sent away by Zesca huh”
Having heard the story, Ryura nodded in a sad yet somewhat understanding manner. Somewhere in her heart, she somewhat predicted that he could not reestablish his contract with Zesca that easily. Tooi felt the same way too.
An Istar inn called [Fiery Inn].
Remarkably standing out even within the center of the town, this building is a giant inn that is a fusion of a lodging s.p.a.ce and a bar. It is filled with goods such as food and bed tools but, of course it comes with a price tag.
Since they were working, they had no troubles with money. Also, since transportation is all done by the motorbike (What’s more its private property of the Schut house), they can move all the money originally for transportation, towards food and lodging.
Having returned from the Aldebaran Company mansion which is at the outskirts of the town, Tooi and Alua explained the situation to Ryura who was waiting in the [Fiery Inn].
“As expected, would it have been better if I had went too? Zesca might change her att.i.tude if she saw that we had a certain amount of power and fighting spirit”
“No, it will give the opposite effect. Because she knows that I was unarmed, that she did not attack due to her high pride”
“I see, so that was your goal”
“Well, Zesca might have saw that coming. Her att.i.tude might have gotten p.r.i.c.kly because she found that she did not like calculative ways…………”
The reason why he did not brought Ryura was because he wanted to show that he had no intentions to fight.
In a condition where he could immediately activate his [Dues Alma] to get ready for battle, he probably has no persuasiveness even if he said [I came here to talk].
It’s true that he calculated that the high prided Zesca won’t attack someone unarmed but – the biggest goal is to gain her trust and because he wanted to believe her.
Zesca Aldebaran is a Deity that isn’t his enemy nor is an opponent he wants to fight.
She’s his benefactor and a partner he wants to walk together with from now on.
Because of those reasons, he made Ryura, who is currently his only Deity, stay at the inn but……………he does not know how productive that plan was.
The only thing he is certain – is that Zesca’s eyes held strong cautiousness and hostility when she stared at Tooi.
“What are we going to do now, Tooi?”
“Let’s see………..We immediately aimed for the center and failed so I guess we should try attacking the exteriors next. Shoot the horse first if you want to shoot the general. It might be a good idea to hear from the people from the Company a little more”
Aldebaran Company has the label [Company] but, in j.a.pan terms, their activity format is actually kind of like a [Brand Shop].
The head which is Zesca will make the weapons while the company sells them. That’s fundamentally how it works. Trades and purchases done in normal companies are almost not done here.
It’s a specialist shop that only handles Zesca’s weapons – It’s definitely a [Brand Shop].
Now that that is mentioned, apparently, the [Stocking] part in normal transactions is all done by Zesca alone. Maybe because of that, there are little people inside in opposite to the activity scale. It seems that she hires bodyguards and couriers so, there are about 10 people actually affiliated with the Company with Zesca left out from that count.
With that number of people, they can probably find all of their backgrounds.
“I am also curious about the person working with Zesca.
“Oh Tooi. Are you perhaps jealous?”
Tooi awkwardly scratched his nose at Ryura’s teasing smile.
“It’s not like I am jealous…..but, I am just curious. The Zesca I know………isn’t someone that would run a Company”
Tooi pulled out the sword from his hips while mumbling that. He stared at the black sword glowing bewitchingly and lightly touched as if he was affectionate with it.
Deity Sword Zodiac.
It’s a weapon made by Zesca Aldebaran only for Tooi and only one exists in this world.
“She changed huh”
Those words quietly leaked out from his lips.
At first, Zesca gave off a strong image of being an obstinate and stubborn craftsman. She holds pride and responsibility for the weapons she created and would not give her weapons unless it’s people she acknowledges.
That’s why – Tooi could only feel weird about the current Zesca since she opened a shop, is securing trading routes and is distributing large quant.i.ties of weapons to people without caring about who it is.
Something happened to her in the 10 years Tooi wasn’t present-----
(…..I guess I am jealous after all)
Jealousy or maybe it’s desires of monopolizing.
He is purely annoyed, and envious about the fact that Zesca is selling her weapons cheaply – the fact that she is making weapons for people other than him.
And also the fact that someone not him changed her viewpoint----
The room’s atmosphere turned a little heavier when Tooi was quiet.
Maybe she felt that, or maybe she was looking for a good timing,
“E-err Tooi Onii-chan”
Alua raised her voice.
“What does the words Zesca Aldebaran said when we left?”
“Un?”
“Wasn’t Zesca-san really menacing looking. Something about not forgiving you…………”
“Ahhh, that”
The extremely foreshadowing sentence Zesca let out.
Tooi has an idea on what it is regarding about that.
“How should I say this…………..i had a little fight with Zesca a little while before we defeated the [Demon King]”
“A fight?”
“Well, it’s not that serious like a fight. It’s just a difference in opinion………..”
With 12 Deities gathered, the [Nebulosa12 G.o.ddesses] was established and when they were about to challenge the Demon king – there was an occasion where Tooi and Zesca’s opinion clashed.
The words Tooi said made Zesca really angry.
The problem could not get settled by talking and it turned into a big case but – they knew that it wasn’t the time to be wasting time quarrelling about something boring. The quarrel did not develop more ever since then.
“…………it might have been better if it turned into a fight and we started punching each other. We both read the atmosphere, gave in, left it unsettled and ignored it; and now the only thing that pa.s.sed was time”
Tooi let out a big sigh as if to release his indigestible emotions. He then stood up from the bed she sat down on and headed to the room’s door.
“I’m going out a little”
“Where are you going? If you’re going out to town to gather information then i………..”
“No need, it’s okay. I just want to be alone for a while”
Tooi left the room after leaving a somewhat lonely sentence.
Alua looked at his back worried but *Pon*, a hand was placed on her shoulder.
“You don’t need to be worried, Alua”
“Ryura-san”
“Let’s leave him alone for a while. Tooi also wants time to calm his feelings”
“……….you’re right”
“It’s okay”
Ryura repeated the same word.
Those eyes had absolute trust towards her master.
“Tooi thinks seriously about the [Nebulosa12 G.o.ddesses] more than anyone else. He should be able to come to an understanding with Zesca”
Alua strongly nodded at those words.
Alua also knows that Tooi thinks dearly of the [Nebulosa12 G.o.ddesses] as his comrades and benefactors.
And also the fact that he’s feeling apologetic that he revoked his contracts one-sidedly.
It’s because that’s how he is – he should be able to move the hearts of the [Nebulosa12 G.o.ddesses].
For example, like how he did it with Ryura Vega.
It’s okay if it’s Tooi.
He’s definitely wants to relook at his relationship with Zesca after getting alone.
Both Alua and Ryura held deep expectations and trust towards Tooi and decided to wait for him to come back to the room.
It was night time already and darkness covered Istar town.
It might be a town north of the Empire but since this town is not a part of map which Ifnatus used to be on, there were no signs of scars made from the internal conflict like the village that they stopped by in the middle of the journey.
There were many people even though it’s at night, and the bars and restaurants are crowded.
After leaving the [Fiery inn], Tooi was walked alone in Istar at night.
His walking style was particularly special.
His walking speed does not have a set speed; he would sometimes suddenly make a u-turn, then advance back on track again. Even though he’s not drunk, he would dizzily change his directions.
It’s as if he was hesitant yet made up his mind about something.
Moving forward in an indecisive yet slow pace, Tooi soon reached his goal.
“…………I-I am finally here”
Tooi mumbled with a voice oozing with agitation, emotion and slight shyness.
What he is seeing right now – is a world filled with pink glows.
The first thing that entered his view was the shops decorated with flashy colorful Ether lights. It was so bright that the artificial lights almost made him forget about the night and the same time, it was dazzling as if the night filled with colors.
The streets were filled with beautiful women in exposing and s.e.xy outfits. Women making captivating poses in an almost nude outfit. Sensual women seducing men by pushing their voluptuous b.r.e.a.s.t.s onto them. Females dressed up beautifully and the men surrounding them.
Yes.
The place Tooi reached – was the back area of the entertainment city.
It’s a place where brothel facilities and the prost.i.tution industry are legal; basically it’s an adult’s playground.
(I-I got here………Uwah, amazing)
It’s an action completely betraying Alua’s and Ryura’s trust but the only thing entering Tooi’s eyes now was the dazzlingly sensual world.
Well, judging by the fact that he is a young man in the middle of his 17 year old p.u.b.erty, this is a natural reaction and it might be a natural action.
1 year ago, Tooi thought of walking into the brothels several times during his last summon to another world. He found out that it’s possible to use the brothels in Arludea Empire starting at the age of 16 so he tried to boldly start his s.e.x debut without shame.
However, he changed his mind right when he got scared at the end, because of the eyes of his comrades and several situations, he did not start his debut in the end.
Within them, his biggest obstacle was, Laila Schut.
Having traveled with him 1 year ago, she’s sensitive to juicy stories so she’s really sharp sighted. Even if he tried heading there alone, there were many times when she instantly saw through him.
It’s not like Laila stopped him to use the brothels.
She would just grin happily and laugh.
Tooi is not so courage’s to the point where he would go boldly go to a brothel while getting treated like that.
(If I enter the brothels in the Imperial capital, Laila would most likely be informed immediately. It’s about her after all; she probably has connections in those industries too)
However, if it’s a brothel of a city far away from the Imperial capital, then there’s no way Laila’s eye would reach it.
As a man, there’s no way he would let this big chance go.
Tooi reached the entertainment city with his surging curiosity and s.e.xual urges but---
“Kuh………….”
He has not moved from the area’s entrance for 10 minutes.
Even though his knows by his head that all he has to do is enter a random shop, even though he knows that paradise is right there, his legs could not take one more step.
Towards the paradise known as the brothel, Tooi admired it because he is inexperience and at the same time, he felt fear because he is inexperience.
What should he do if he stumbles upon a really fat old lady?
What should he do if he encounters a really scary man?
What should he do if he sucks doing the act?
The discord that everyone feels when they are inexperience about s.e.x, attacked Tooi. However, he has no time to worry about this. Alua will get worried if he is too late………ah, now that I think about it, how does the time system work here, j.a.pan has the system where several minutes costs several yen but, is the whole night standard and normal in this country---
It was at that moment when he was repet.i.tively having delusions and was having agonizing thoughts.
The voices of a man and woman could be heard from the entrance of the nearest brothel.
“P-please stop…….dear customer, this is problematic………….”
“It’s okay, lady. Come with me and let’s have some fun”
Tooi moved in the next instant.
He entered the shop with quick movements as if the indecisive att.i.tude a few seconds ago was a lie.
He had the moved with the image of I can’t leave a woman in trouble but, he thought that it suits as a good trigger inside his head.
(…………This is an accident. i had no choice but to enter since it was an emergency. I must not worry about the place if it’s to save someone. It’s just that this was coincidentally a brothel and I must not worry about the details. Well…………I might get thanked from the saved woman or from the shop but…………..it’s not like I am aiming for that……no, I did not say that I would refuse you know? Yup, I’ll feel bad about the refused person and a man must not cause shame for a woman……….)
While instantly performing calculations of world desires and making an incomprehensible excuse to no one inside his head, Tooi ran towards the brothel receptionist.
“St-------“
Stop right there!
He planned to appear gallantly together with that brave sentence – but, Tooi stood stiffly and blankly when he saw the scene in front of him.
At the brothel’s receptionist, the man and woman who were presumed to be the owner of those voices, were standing there. however, their situation was completely different from the scene Tooi drew in his head.
He thought that a prost.i.tute from the shop was being handled badly by a villain but----
“Y-you can’t, mooou…….i am the receptionist……..leave those things, eerr……..to the other girls working in the shop”
Apparently, the person receiving the invitations wasn’t a prost.i.tute but the receptionist. The scene with her twisting her body with her face red, looked as if she’s embarra.s.sed instead of feeling troubled.
“Sadly, I am broke today. I lost all my money from gambling, and I don’t have money to hire a woman. So, keep me company lady”
The person sending a pa.s.sionate gaze while leaning on top of the reception desk, was a young man around his 20’s.
It’s a handsome man suitable for the word handsome. He’s tall and has long legs. He has a slender body but, his bare shoulders and arms were standing it because it had trained muscles.
It’s a young man with both manliness and beauty so, even the male Tooi felt charmed by him. Since she was called out by a really good looking guy, the receptionist does not look like she hates it.
(…….he came to the brothel, and is. .h.i.tting on the receptionist?)
If it’s a man with high experience, if it’s a really good looking man, are you saying that this amazing feat is possible? Seeing this overly unexpected scene, Tooi froze into place.
“I-I am not like that at all. There are many women more beautiful than me in our shop……….”
“I am saying I prefer you. Or what, am I not enough for you?”
“No, that’s not true……)
The man’s invitation is about to succeed. While admiring his magnificent skills on bringing down a girl, Tooi started staring at the guy for some reason,
(………..Hmm? That guy………)
Suddenly, something pulled a nerve. He observed at the man again.
His has good looks and his hair is ash colored. Those tribal decorations were standing out on his outfit which has black as the basic tone. On his right arm – were bandages wrapped around to cover his skin.
When Tooi was thinking about that familiar appearance, the man took the receptionist’s hand and smiled happily.
“Okay. It’s decided. Okay then, let’s go lady ----let’s bring on the celebration on this encounter”
At that moment, all the gears in Tooi started engaging.
[Let’s bring on the celebration]
That’s—that man’s catchphrase.
He heard it many times.
From the person who he acknowledge as his [War comrade] in this world----
“Gilf………”
When Tooi mumbled that blankly, the man noticed him.
“Aarrh? Who is it, it’s getting to a good part now, don’t disturb-----“
He annoyingly looked over to him while brushing his ash hair up but, the moment he saw Tooi’s face, he opened his eyes wide.
“……..you’re Tooi?”
The man – Gilfrain said.
Ifnatus’s [Hero] and the man that betrayed his hometown before going missing.
He ran with Tooi in the battlefield and is Tooi’s only war comrade.
Previously a very young boy, Gilfrian has shockingly grown to a gallant young man after 10 years pa.s.sed.
“………Tooi Onii-chan, hasn’t come back yet”
Having stayed back at the Inn, Alua boringly waited for Tooi’s return, while sitting on the bed which was furnished in the room.
“I knew it, I should…..nono. I mustn’t. I decided to trust him and wait. Even Tooi Onii-chan want some time alone………….and it’s not good to disturb him. He must be seriously thinking about the whole situation, even now”
Alua said that with a pa.s.sionate trust. If she found out that Tooi headed straight to the brothel when he got alone, just what kind of reaction would she show?
Alua was alone in the room.
Ryura left the room a little while ago.
She said that she temporarily went back to the shrine of [Violent Wind].
“The home for us Deities, the Shrines………..will lose its functions as a Shrine if we leave it alone for too long. In order to preserve the holy attribute at that place, we must periodically return”
The Shrines acts as a castle for the Deities and at the same time, acts as a role of a dungeon to test humans. The interiors are completely different from the structures human creates and it is said that it becomes a dimension that common sense does not work there but – such a mystical place, was created to be treated as a reference point for the Deities existence.
“Err? But, Ryura-san. What about La Shii’s Shrine? I heard that she has been locked up in the underground prison for about 10 years already”
“La Shii’s Shrine is built in a messed up time axis with the concept of time and s.p.a.ce destroyed so, La Shii is free from all those types of restrictions”
“……..Is that okay?”
“……….That girl is an existence that live while ignoring all theories and rules”
She once again felt the irregularity of La Shii Fomalhaut. Apparently, she’s called the strongest in the [Nebulosa12 G.o.ddesses] for a reason.
Anyways, Ryura returned to her Shrine with that reason.
She would be coming back tomorrow.
No matter how quick-paced, it would take at least 2 weeks from this town to her Shrine but, the concept of distance don’t matter to a Deity like her.
Having left alone in the room, Alua laid down on the bed while feeling bored. When she thought about taking a shower, a knocking sound could be heard.
When the door opened, a female worker of the Inn was standing there.
(…….A visitor for me? Who is it?)
Apparently, there was a visitor that wants to meet Alua.
(That person…….It’s Jebeg-san If I am correct?)
Alua was familiar with him.
While questioning this, Alua dressed herself before leaving the room. She went downstairs and headed to the Inn’s reception desk after pa.s.sing by the bar which is a joint establishment.
Over there, was a plump male in a tidy attire.
(Why did Jebeg-san come over to us?)
Jebeg deeply lowered his head when he noticed Alua’s presence.
“I am sorry for this late night visit”
A few hours ago when they went to the Aldebaran Company’s mansion, Jebeg was the one that guided them to Zesca. Since he was a gentle and humble person, he did not make any disgusted face towards them because they visited without any notice and would threat them politely.
“………What’s wrong? Tooi Onii……Tooi Cross is currently out though”
“No, it’s okay – The person we have business with, is you Alua-sama”
Jebeg said.
“Please follow me, Alua-sma. Our master, Zesca-sama is waiting”