Chapter 507

Bear-san, Enters The City Of Euphalia

 

“U~u, I’m still sleepy.” (Noa)

 

Noa yawned a little while holding Swaying Bear in bear cub form.

 

“Come on, go wash your face and eat.” (Yuna)

“Yea~h~” (Noa)

 

We had a light meal and departed for the city of Euphalia.

Today, we’ll head straight to Euphalia, alternating between Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear.

 

“As I recall, we can just continue down this road.” (Yuna)

 

I proceeded while looking at the bear map, but the bear map only showed the place where the bear hood visually saw and recorded.

Therefore, I do not know the exact location of Euphalia, which I have never been to.

I asked Swaying Bear to “head the city of Euphalia”, but sadly he cried “Kuu-n“. I knew it. He couldn’t go to a place he’s never been to, even if Bearmonite powered him up. And here I thought such an ability had blossomed, but it didn’t work the way I hoped it would.

 

“Ah, Yuna-san. There is a signpost!” (Noa)

 

As we continued down the road, there stood a signpost with the names of the villages and towns at a fork.

We got off of Swaying Bear and checked the signpost.

 

“Euphalia is this way.” (Yuna)

 

I’m glad I didn’t make a mistake.

I got lost in the forest before when I tried to take a shortcut. But this time, I followed the road just as Sulirina-san instructed, and it seemed to be the correct choice.

It’s often said that you’ll make mistakes when you rush things.

 

“If there’s nothing else, we should arrive by the end of the day.” (Yuna)

 

I don’t want any flags and want to arrive without incident.

 

“I can’t believe we just left Crimonia yesterday.” (Noa)

“Thanks to Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear.” (Yuna)

 

I stroke Swaying Bear’s body.

 

“Uh, I also want Swaying Bear-chan and Hugging Bear-chan.” (Noa)

 

Noa hugged Swaying Bear.

 

“Come on, don’t be silly, we’re leaving.” (Yuna)

“Ye~s~” (Noa)

 

I put Noa on Swaying Bear’s back, and we departed once again.

While Swaying Bear was running on the road, he suddenly cried “kuun~n”, and deviated from the route.

In case there were people around, he’ll try to run offroad so as not to startle them.

 

“Looks like another adventurer.” (Yuna)

 

Looking at the road from a distance, several people dressed as adventurers passed by.

I didn’t really care about it, but thinking back, we indeed passed by adventurers a few times.

 

“Are they heading to the royal capital?” (Yuna)

 

We came from the royal capital, but I didn’t know the reason because we didn’t enter the royal capital.

Did Sanya-san know anything?

We can’t go back to the royal capital now, and if there’s anything to worry about, I’ll just use the bear gate. But it doesn’t really matter right now, and we’re heading to the city of Euphalia.

 

We continued on, and the city came into view.

Nothing happened, and it seems that we were able to arrive safely.

 

“That is the city of Euphalia… it’s beautiful.” (Noa)

 

The city of Euphalia can be seen from the hill we’re on. There’s a lake in the center of the city, and the buildings were spread around the lake. There were four main roads leading to the lake, east, west, north, and south, and four more roads between each road, making eight large roads leading to the lake.

Noa was right. The view of the city from here is beautiful.

After all, it’s a good idea to decide on how to build the roads before erecting the buildings. If you build it as you like, you will get lost, and it will look messy. But if a war breaks out, it’ll be easy to get attacked.

 

“Come on, Yuna-san, let’s go.” (Noa)

 

Noa shakes her body while I’m enjoying the view of the city

 

“I guess so. We’ll have to find a place to stay first.” (Yuna)

 

It’s not dusk yet, but I want to secure lodging as soon as possible. The later it gets, the more the inns will be filled.

Swaying Bear, who’s carrying us, ran towards the city of Euphalia.

And, although I am usually careful, my habit of returning to Crimonia stuck with me. We went near the gate while still on Swaying Bear. The gatekeeper was surprised to see us on Swaying Bear.

 

“What the hell?! A bear?!” (Gatekeeper)

 

I hurriedly got down from Swaying Bear and stood in front.

 

“He’s not dangerous, so it’s fine.” (Yuna)

 

I explained to the gatekeeper that there was no danger.

 

“Are you sure it’s okay?” (Gatekeeper)

“Swaying Bear-chan would never attack anyone.” (Noa)

 

Noa, on the back of Swaying Bear, defended him while her cheeks puffed out.

Seeing the two girls hugging the bear, the gatekeeper was convinced.

I thought that by returning Swaying Bear back to the bear puppets, we would be able to enter the city, but it seemed it wasn’t that simple and the most important person among the gatekeepers came out.

The gatekeepers took us to the gatekeeper’s lounge, or rather, the interrogation room.

Noa became angry at this treatment and revealed her status as a nobleman. In addition, she told them that I’m her escort, so I showed them the knife with the coat of arms that Eleanora-san had given me when I defeated the golems and my guild card.

But they were surprised at my guild rank of C, even more than the knife with the crest.

 

“Thank you, Noa. We were saved.” (Yuna)

“They’re terrible. Swaying Bear-chan isn’t dangerous, and they didn’t have to look at him like that.” (Noa)

“Well, it can’t be helped because he’s a bear.” (Yuna)

 

In Crimonia, every gatekeeper knows about Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear, so they usually let us through while riding Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear.

I usually pay attention, but my eyes were glued to the view of the lake this time, so I forgot about it.

 

“But I was glad Noa covered for me.” (Yuna)

“Of course. It was for Swaying Bear-chan’s sake. I didn’t want to reveal my identity that much, and I didn’t want to be pushy, but I can’t stand to see Swaying Bear-chan and Yuna-san with such eyes.” (Noa)

 

Either way, thanks to Noa, we were able to enter the city safely.

She doesn’t want to be arrogant by using the power of the nobility, but sometimes it’s important to use it properly. I am glad that she used her power to help Swaying Bear.

As expected, whenever I come to a new city, I have to remember to return Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear out of sight.

 

“Well, those people are just doing their job too, so they can’t help it. Besides, they didn’t do anything to us, so stop puffing your cheeks out, we’re going to the inn.” (Yuna)

 

After being held up by the gatekeeper, I asked him to show me where I could find an inn as I was being released. His attitude changed when he learned that Noa was a noble, and he gladly showed me the way to the inn.

I didn’t care about the price, but I asked for the kind of lodging that nobles would stay at. It was relatively close. He said it was through the gate and on the main street.

I thanked him and was about to leave, and then, he stopped me.

He said they would provide a carriage for Noa, a nobleman, because they could not let her walk. But Noa refused the offer.

 

“You could have accepted the ride though.” (Yuna)

 

I said while feeling the gaze of the surroundings. Every time I come to a new city, I get the same reaction. “Kuma?” “Kuma?” “Kuma?” “Bear?” If we were in a carriage to take us to the inn, I wouldn’t have to deal with the curious stares.

 

“I guess so. I had forgotten that because, in Crimonia, we never get so many stares when I walk with Yuna-san.” (Noa)

 

It seems Noa also felt the eyes of those around us.

 

“But I wanted to walk around and see the city for myself.” (Noa)

“Well, never mind. Either way, we were going to explore the city tomorrow, so it’ll all be the same.” (Yuna)

 

They’ll see us when we walk down the street anyway. It’s no use worrying about it now.

We arrive at the inn, while still under the pressure of being watched by the people.

 

“It’s huge.” (Noa)

 

The inn that the city’s gatekeeper referred me to about was big and magnificent. It’s an inn where the wealthy people can stay.

The cost of lodging seems extravagant.

However, the security was better than anywhere else, and with Noa, a nobleman, I would prefer this lodging even if it’s a little more expensive.

When we entered the inn, there were no adventurers or other visitors, only a merchant who seemed to have some money.

I went to the woman at the reception desk. When she noticed me, she looked surprised. I talk to her without minding it, as it’s just the usual occurrence.

 

“Excuse me, I’d like to ask for a double room.” (Yuna)

“Etto, what about your parents?” (Lady)

 

The woman at the reception desk made a business-like expression, and even when she saw my outfit, she responded as if nothing had happened.

She seemed to be well trained. It’s great that they can handle any customer (a girl in a bear suit) that comes in.

 

“Just the two of us.” (Yuna)

“This place is more expensive than other places……” (Lady)

 

The woman at the reception desk uttered words with difficulty.

Well, there were two girls in front of her. One was a child, and the other was dressed as a bear, so she’s having trouble responding.

But I like the fact that she’s not trying to kick us out.

 

“How much is it per night?” (Yuna)

 

The woman thinks for a moment and then answers.

 

“If it’s a double room, then it’s this amount.” (Lady)

 

The price offered was five times higher than that of a regular inn. Certainly, this might not make you think that a couple of children can afford it.

 

“Money is not an issue, so can you get us a room?” (Yuna)

 

As I was taking money out of the bear box, Noa called out to me.

 

“Yuna-san, I will pay for the money because my father gave it to me.” (Noa)

“Kids don’t need to worry about that.” (Yuna)

“But……” (Noa)

“When we get home, I’ll charge it all to Cliff, so don’t worry.” (Yuna)

 

Noa’s money is Cliff’s money, but I’m not comfortable taking it from Noa’s hands. Therefore, I declined Noa’s offer.

 

“I’ll just take Noa’s feelings.” (Yuna)

 

Noa was convinced and said no more.

I paid for a few days of lodging in advance.

The woman at the reception desk looked surprised for a moment, but after paying, she quickly acknowledged us that we were paying customers and immediately lead us to our room.

But since a while ago, she has been glancing at me, as if she was curious about my outfit. But she didn’t ask me about it.

I might stay at this inn again if I ever return to this city.

 

“Are you going out now?” (Lady)

“No, we’ll take a rest today.” (Yuna)

“Then, we will bring your dinner to you when it’s time.” (Lady)

 

The woman who guided me went downstairs after bowing her head.

 

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Author’s Note:

We arrived safely in the city of Euphalia.