We crossed the Mirand Pass without incident.
「Takato, the view is amazing!」
Yeah. If I weren’t driving, I’d like to enjoy it with a cup of coffee.
I caught a glimpse of Count Rydand Territory out of the corner of my eye.
Sheep and horses are its main products, and most of the land is pasture. There are no large rivers, so they cannot grow wheat. They buy it from Koraus Margrave Territory and nearby territories.
「Do you think we can eat jingisukan?」
Sorry for giving you the wrong idea that lamb automatically means jingisukan.
「Probably. If they’re selling it, we can try buying some」
「Yeah! Buy it, buy it!」
「I hope it tastes good!」
There is no selective breeding and the animals eat only grass, so the meat will probably smell strong. Still, good cooking should make it edible. I should buy a cookbook and look into it.
The mountains were not very high, so we were able to descend in about four hours. We took a lunch break by a small stream.
「There are goblins」
Since it was pastureland, there were few places to hide, but there were many hills, so I could not see them directly. Still, within my detection range, it felt like there were at least fifty.
It would be difficult to deal with them here unless we used sniping or chased them down with the Pioneer.
While eating rice balls and watching their presence, I sensed one goblin moving unusually fast.
…That presence. A goblin upper variant. A Maanu.
「Kainzel-san! A Maanu! Nine o’clock, two hundred meters! One target!」
We had set Rydand as zero o’clock, so nine o’clock was east.
「Confirmed! But it’s too far」
Even for Kainzel-san and me, hitting a Maanu running at around fifty kilometers per hour from two hundred meters away was impossible. We had no choice but to let it go for now.
「It would be difficult to eliminate a Maanu here」
If I had the skill to hit a target two hundred meters away, it might be possible. But for me right now, one hundred meters is my limit. I can say for certain that it’s impossible.
After finishing our lunch break, we pushed straight on to the capital of the domain.
Since this is a world with monsters, the capital of Count Rydand Territory was also surrounded by walls, and it felt like a slum had formed outside the walls.
Before entering the capital, we stored Pioneer Two in Home, and then we walked alongside Dyne-san’s wagon as we went in.
We were not stopped at the city gate either and passed straight through. Inside, the city was smelly and cluttered, just like the city of Koraus.
The caravan moved through the streets, turned into a somewhat wealthy-looking district, and arrived at the Luraize Company branch.
There, we parted ways with Mishinie and the others, and headed toward the plaza in the commercial district.
「Takato-san. We arrived safely in Rydand. Thank you very much」
「No. It’s thanks to everyone’s hard work. Are you unloading the cargo here?」
「We will take it to my senior brother’s shop. He runs a liquor store」
A liquor store? What kind of liquor store does this world have?
「Are you heading there now?」
「No. We will move the cargo tomorrow. For today, I will go alone to greet him first. I’m sorry, but please guard the cargo」
It was a little past five in the evening. It was still bright, but if we unloaded the cargo, it would get dark.
「Understood. Is it all right if we camp here overnight?」
「Yes. This place is meant for that, so there’s no problem. However, water is valuable here, so please make sure to put out your fires properly. If there is a fire, you will be punished. As long as you keep that in mind, you are otherwise free」
Apparently, the capital has very few wells, and there is even a well tax. One bucket of water costs one copper coin. Ah, so that’s why there were so many wagons carrying barrels.
Even in my original world, there were times when people drank wine instead of water. I guess it’s the same here. A world without proper lifelines is harsh.
「Takato-san. I’m sorry to ask, but could you sell me some alcohol?I would like to bring it as a gift for my senior brother」
「That’s fine. What would you like?」
「Five bottles of wine. Around one silver coin, please」
That works. I brought out five bottles of imported wine I had stocked in Home and sold them to Dyne-san.
「Then, I’ll be off」
After seeing Dyne-san off as he headed to his senior brother’s place, we split up as well. We prepared for the night while Dyne-san’s employees did the same on their side.
Unlike camping at the mountain pass, this was inside the city, so we set up a four-person one-touch tent and took out a table and outdoor chairs.
「Ladarion. Bring some hot water from Home」
I had him bring it for wiping our bodies. First, I had Bisha and Mebi go into the tent, then Kainzel-san after they were done. While they were at it, I went to Home to buy dinner and carried it outside.
After they wiped themselves down, I had the three of them eat. Then Ladarion and I returned to Home to take a shower.
I had Ladarion go to sleep first, ate a light dinner myself, and then went back outside.
「Bisha and Mebi, go to sleep. Kainzel-san, you too, if you like」
I had slept short but deeply earlier, so I still had some energy. I didn’t mind letting them sleep first.
「Then, may I have a drink? I feel like having one」
「That’s fine. What would you like?」
「It’s a bit cold, so something warm」
「Then how about hot whiskey?」
Kainzel-san drinks just about anything, but for me, hot wine or hot whiskey are about the only warm drinks I’ve tried. If I survive until winter, I’ll try sake too.
For hot whiskey, it’s Jack Daniel’s Black.
「It’s good even just diluted with hot water, but adding honey, butter, or lemon is nice too」
First, I made him the basic hot-water mix.
「A highball is good too, but on cold days, this is better. It really sinks in」
I’m glad he liked it.
After he finished his first cup, I made one with honey and butter, and he liked that as well.
I wanted to drink too, but if I did, I would definitely pass out. So instead, I drank strong coffee, put on my glasses, and took up the night watch.
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