Chapter 229: Reunion with Ivana (Sword’s Point of View)

Given that Ivana told me she wanna have a chat since it’s been a long time since our last meetin’, I couldn’t turn her down. But, in all honesty, I wanted to refuse.

I mean, even I’d love to know the reason why her sister died.

＊

――Ivana had left the orphanage and became independent. Not as priestess, but as normal woman workin’ at an inn.

For that reason, the stay at her inn was set.

……For me alone.

Because Indra started to tremble in fear and was on the verge of tears as soon as we got invited by Ivana, I quickly soothed her by orderin’ her to spend the night in Char.

But honestly, that girl’s only cute durin’ such times, if at all! I planned to drag her into this, but now I can’t! However, I asked Indra to join me in my conversation with Ivana.

＊

After gettin’ guided to the inn, I requested the best room. I thought I might get Indra to stay if I could get her to stay in that room with me, but it proved to be in vain after all. The instant Ivana led us to the room and opened its door with a smile, Indra started to cry while hidin’ behind me and tremblin’ like a fowl.

“…Sorry, could you please close the door for a sec?”

“Eh?” Ivana was puzzled.

Yep, it’s weird, right? I’m totally aware.

After havin’ Ivana shut the door, Indra apparently did somethin’ with her magic, causin’ a really amazin’ noise to resound from beyond the door, and then it stopped.

“Eh!?” Ivana widened her eyes in surprise when she peeked into the room. But, that’s only natural.

I calmed Ivana, “Don’t mind it. …Indra, inside…”

She shook her head violently. At such a speed that it was already hard to catch it with the naked eye.

I brushed Indra’s hair to pacify her.

“Okay, gotcha. Then…”

“I’ll wait outside the town,” Indra suggested.

In panic, I held her back, “Wait, wait, wait! I’ll search for a place to park Char, so wait a sec.”

I used that as an excuse, but in reality I won’t be able to eat the dinner made by Indra if she leaves town! I’ll stay the night here, okay? But, no one’s sayin’ I gotta have the inn handle everythin’, right?

“Sorry, but do you guys have some place where we can put a larger golem?”

“Golem!?”

“Yep. Her looks might suggest otherwise, but she’s a great sorceress who made several golems. One of them is relatively big, so she’d like to spend the night in that.”

It’s a somewhat forced excuse, but Indra mustn’t camp out, otherwise my own food situation will become dire.

＊

Ivana asked the inn’s owner, and the owner further asked someone else…and with all kinds of people gettin’ involved, it somehow led to us rentin’ a corner of the town square. Apparently rumors about the golem spread, and everyone came over to take a look.

Once I took out Char, half of the spectators screamed while the other half cheered.

“It looks like a demonic bug, but it’s a golem.”

“Nice to meet you! I’m Char! I’m the transport golem of the S-Rank adventurer Sword! I drive after Mr. Sword gets inside!”

As soon as it started to talk, the screams stopped.

“It’s talking with a fairly adorable voice, isn’t it?”

At some point, even the guild master had shown up.

“The voice is hers.”

“Nice to meet you! I’m Indra! Even though I might look like this, I’m the partner of S-Rank adventurer Sword! Hahaan!” Indra imitated Ryoku.

“Ah! Mother, that’s copyright infringement!”

The Ryokus released their optical camouflage to file a protest.

“…Are these possibly…?”

“Yep, Indra built those two as well. Despite her appearance, she’s a genius sorceress and genius magician.”

“Oof! I heard the rumors, but no kidding, she’s young for sure!” The guild master looked at Indra with eyes full of admiration.

Rumors, eh…? Since the guild has its own communication system, rumors gotta spread there damn fast.

“Okay, we’re gonna borrow this place for the duration of our stay. …Indra, don’t move from here, ‘kay? No need to leave town, got it?” I emphasized.

“Yeah, okay,” Indra obediently replied.

＊

Afterwards, we went back to the inn, reserved a part of the dinin’ room, and talked. I dragged Indra along as well.

First off, Indra swiftly cast sterilizing and cleaning spells on the vicinity when Ivana wasn’t lookin’. And then she took out a pillow for herself, and started to act all homey.

…How unfair.

Ivana appeared to have her own thoughts ’bout Indra bein’ present (or rather she couldn’t leave since I was holdin’ onto her), but she didn’t say ‘nythin’ ’bout wantin’ to spend time with me alone.

Well, even if she did, I wouldn’t have allowed Indra to leave! I mean, I’m a mental wimp. It’d be bad if I don’t get Indra to stay with me.

＊

Anyway, Ivana let us stay in the dinin’ room. After sayin’ with a smile that it’d be alright as long as the place isn’t packed, she brought some food.

“I made this. Please try it, if you like.”

…It was hard to turn it down if offered with a smile.

I cast a glance at Indra when the dishes were served, but couldn’t spot any change of expression on her. She was sittin’ there obediently.

…But right, this girl’s weaker to women than I am. As for me, I’d prefer eatin’ Indra’s food, but…Indra was eatin’ the food on the table without mentionin’ ‘nythin’ in particular.

“Want some ale as well?” Ivana asked out of consideration, but I shook my head.

“No, water’s fine. We’re goin’ to dive into the dungeon tomorrow.”

Or rather, I won’t be able to drink ale served at an inn of this class. I mean the one with the 『Super-Fermentation』 or whatever, mentioned by Indra, has too much of an amazin’ taste.