Let’s Start an Inn on the Dungeon Island!

Chapter 86

Chapter 86: Moving out in earnest

Now that Cecily is finally back with us, we’re discussing about what our next step will be.

If it’s just the matter of surviving and staying alive, then I could just live on Western Island without any problem, but I don’t think such way of life would be fulfilling.

Also, I want to broaden my knowledge regarding this world, traveling to many places and experiencing things myself.

“That being said, do you have any particular destination in mind?” Cecily asked me, but I really have no idea. After all, I’m originally not from this world, you know.

“Let’s see… I think it would be good if I can go somewhere peaceful, a place which is considerably developed.”

I’ve been on a remote island for so long that I’m starting to miss the city a little bit.

“If that’s the case, wouldn’t the Imperial Capital Lulu Sanjion be a perfect place?” Miina supplied.

“The Imperial Capital, huh…”

I’ll be thrilled at the prospect of meeting Lotte Gram again, but being inside the Imperial Capital itself might be too risky… I’m still worried that I might be accused of stealing the staff from countess Vebbles when they eventually find out about it.

I know there won’t be any proof on me, but in this world, evidence is not considered very important. If the person I’m dealing with is a noblewoman, she might decide to torture me into confessing to the crime if she suspects anything.

Besides, there are too many people in the empire who know about me, so I think I’ve drawn too much attention already. Like this time, I fled the island without telling anyone anything, so I might have caused a bit of a commotion.

I’ve actually left a letter for them, but the letter in question was, well…

I’m going on a journey of self-discovery. Please don’t look for me.

Shirou Sanada

P.S. Thank you for everything. [1]

“Anyway, I wonder how’s the situation on the island right now.”

“Who knows? Well, right now a lot of people must be sad that you’re gone, I guess? Shirou-san, you’ve always been kind, to the point that many people think of you as saintly, but at the same time many of us consider you a sex symbol. Something like an object to fantasize about, I think?”

Rouge, do you really have to say it so bluntly?

Anyway, something saintly and yet an object of fetishism? I don’t think we have something like sexy saints in my old world.

Actually, hold on, I think such characters do exist back there.

Heck, what’s the whole point of considering me as saintly then? Rather than a saint, it’d be like a sex idol instead. [2]

“By the way, Shirou, why did you decide to leave Monte Chris Island?” Cecily, who hadn’t heard about the situation regarding the conclusion of the stampede, asked me with an incredulous expression.

Now that I think about it, only Miina knows about the Eminence Rock and the Staff of La Messeine.

“Well, the truth is…”

I explained to Rouge and Cecily the whole matter from the beginning, where I got the staff.

…

……

“So, to sum it up, if they were to ask about how you managed to kill the Thousand Ogres floor boss, you’ll have to tell them about the Eminence Rock, which in turns will reveal that you have actually stolen the staff from the countess, is that it?”

“Is that the reason why you decided to run away?”

“It’s as you both said.”

Which reminds me, what am I going to do with the staff now? I can’t keep it on me forever. I only intended to fool around with it a bit before finally returning it to the original owner.

“Alright, I’ve decided. I’m going to go to Lulu Sanjion to return the staff.” [3]

“Eeehh?!”

The three of them stared at me in surprise, but that’s just who I am. I mean, if I were to pick up even a hundred yen at an intersection, I’ll be sure to immediately report it to the police station.

Also, I don’t want to keep worrying about being found out for stealing the staff, so I’ll just go and return it so I can enjoy living my life to the fullest in this other world with a clear conscience.

“But, how are you going to return it? It’s not like you can just waltz into countess Vebbles’ residence and give it back to her, you know?”

Yeah, Cecily does raise a good point. But please, I’m not that stupid, you know?

“The countess indeed tried to rape me, so I had no intention of giving the staff to her at the first place…”

“That’s right!” Rouge interjected. “How dare that wench pour wine onto Shirou’s chest and happily lick it off, no need to have mercy on her! Ugghh… I’m so envious of her!!”

Rouge, you… Of all the stupid remarks you can make… I’m sure there’s no one else here who is as thoughtless of you.

“Truly unforgiveable! Pah! I wish I could pour some wine on his chest and lick it off too…”

Alright, Miina, please stop running off your mouth already…

But still, how best to settle the matter? I don’t want to give the staff to her, and come to think of it, it’s not hers to begin with… She’s just someone sent to retrieve the treasure… Which means that I could just return it directly to its owner…

“Ummmm…. Got it! I’ll return it directly to the Empress herself!” [4]

“Huh?”

“I mean, it supposedly belongs to the empire, right? Which means it’d be faster if I return it to the Empress.”

After all, Christ once said ‘Return to Caesar what belongs to Caesar’ right? I know the meaning is totally different, though. [5]

“Alright, still, do you even have any idea how you’re going to do it?”

Cecily looks worried, but I have a plan of my own. It’s still the general outline draft of a rough idea, though…

“I’m going to sneak into the palace while equipping the Eminence Rock. Then, when I’m finally inside the Empress room, I’ll unequip it, leave the staff behind along with an explanatory letter, and then use Captive Angel to instantly teleport back.”

I’d say it was a rather good plan, but Cecily’s face still showed doubt.

“Do you think it’ll work that smoothly? No matter how much the magic armor improves your physical capabilities, you’re still just an amateur in combat. You have no experience in sneaking around, the guards might immediately discover you. Besides, I’m sure the empress’ room is fully covered with an anti-magic shield. I’m not sure the Captive Angel could be activated in such a place.” [6]

Ah dang, I guess the plan was just full of holes.

“In the first place, why do you even bother returning the treasure at all? Why don’t you just keep it?”

“That’s right! Okami-san, I think it’s better if you just make full use out of it.”

The two of them have been saying that for awhile, but I can’t do that, since I’m just too honest of a person… Alright, I’ll be frank; I’m a coward, so I’m not comfortable keeping stolen goods.

“I’ll think of a way to return it later, but for now, I think I want to go to Lulu Sanjion. What about you girls?”

It’s not fair to decide on our destination just on what I want, so if there’s a place they want to visit, I’m going to take them there.

“I think I want to go to Lulu Sanjion too. That is, if you’re fine with me tagging along with you, Shirou…”

“Of course. In fact, I’ll feel reassured if you’re going with me, Cecily.”

“I want to go with Okami-san too!” Miina added.

“I want to go to the capital too, it’s been awhile since I’ve been there.” Rouge concluded.

If everyone is coming along with me, seems like it’s going to be a fun journey.

“It’s decided then. Alright everyone, let’s get ready to leave right away!”

“Yeeahh!!”

We then spent the whole afternoon fetching water and gathering food.

Our next trip will be an elegant one, I’m sure of it.

The small ship had been furnished even further by using my creation magic to make it more luxurious and comfortable. Now, it’s even equipped with air-conditioning equipment that utilizes ice magic to cool down the area.

Not to mention that we have a large sum of money.

The rough estimate of the contents of the treasure chest as a reward for defeating the floor boss, the Thousand Ogres, is said to be no less than 250 million lehmens, so I decided to split these gold bars and magic stones equally among the four of us.

Rouge and Cecily refused to accept their shares, even though I argued that all of us are a team. Even Miina, who dove into the dungeon with me, said she doesn’t want it. In the end, I managed to make them accept by saying that I’m taking the Captive Angel artifact for myself, which is the treasure reward for defeating the floor boss.

Anyway, it is a great item. With it, I can teleport anywhere, which is a great blessing. I’m sure I’d be able to easily make a fortune by trading it, though I have a feeling that I’ll be resented by my competitors if they realized that I can just instantly teleport anywhere.

————————————————————————————————————————–

The ship sailed along pleasantly, splashing and breaking through the waves. It was towed by the Cimas, so it didn’t matter whether the wind was blowing or not.

I was relaxing on my own chair in the deck, bathing in the sunlight.

Alright, it’s time to put my plan in motion…

“Cecily—!”

I called, and Cecily came right over.

“What is it, Shirou?”

“I have a favor to ask, if you don’t mind.”

“Hm? Just say the word.” Cecily responds with a smile.

“Well, actually, I want you to put some sun lotion, on my back.”

Cecily suddenly froze on the spot and made no movement whatsoever. Her reaction is just what I expected, and I can’t help but find her cute. Oh man, I’m so glad I made this sun lotion back on Western Island.

“Is it no good?”

“Tha-tha-tha-tha-tha-that’s not… Not a problem.”

“Thanks!”

I took off my clothes right in front of her and laying face down on the deck chair.

“S-Shirou!”

“And make sure to put some on my butt, too.”

“Y-yeah.”

“And if you don’t mind me doing it, I’ll also put some lotion on your body, later.”

*gulp* “P-please do.”

I closed my eyes as I felt the movement of Cecily’s fingers, and I thought I could hear the sound of the waves more clearly.

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1 Man. What a shitty farewell letter.