Chapter 276: Deflowering (2/2)

“Oh, just money would do.”

“Aren’t you being too honest here?!”

Gerald gaped at Edward, an indescribable feeling rising inside.

Are you fine with anyone as long as they paid

you!?

“I think that’s enough. It usually costs two-hundred Rions, but things got a little out of hand yesterday… so, considering psychological trauma, five-hundred Rions (approximately 1,000 yen) would more or less be right.”

“That cheap!?”

Gerald felt that his world view which was corrected after much difficulty was once again shaken.

Meanwhile, Edward looked much relieved.

“That much is enough. And here are the clothes the Long Ears prepared for you-might be a tight fit, so you’ll have to make do for now. Hurry up and change, we’re going back to the Eastern Continent.”

***

After Gerald changed while feeling as if his soul had left his body and followed Edward out of the hut, they headed straight towards the Lifestone.

On the way, Gerald could feel many Long Ears studying him with weird gazes, but they would avert their eyes whenever he looked at them. It was a combined reaction of feeling weirded out, a little coldness and even a little disgust, and clearly different from how they behave towards Players.

Moreover, Gerald and Edward also came across Edward’s party members, with whom they only shared a brief greeting despite being comrades. Their smiles were stiff, and it looked like they were embarrassed about meeting him.

Which only made Gerald even more certain that he’s done something unforgivable.

Still, after he and Edward had gone far, Joe knocked Gou Dan on the head, who was beside him.

“No thanks to you slipping him that super-spicy fried chicken wing. Wonderful, now he’s sick!” Joe complained quietly. “He can’t be resurrected because he’s a Player! I was so shocked when he straight up puked away last night!”

Gou Dan pouted. “Who could’ve known he’s not resistant to spicy food… still, to think that he actually got so sick that he vomited over the whole square…”

Beside him, Eleena impassively knocked Gou Dan to the ground even as he was about to add more, and started to beat up Gou Dan alongside Edward.

Joe’s face actually went pale. “Don’t make me remember, bastard! Don’t you know how long we had to clean up with Long Ears after that?! We were planning to have him follow other Players back to Lancaster today, but thanks to you it’s only Edward who now even dares to stick with him! There’s no telling how Old Marni is going to do to you if he knew!”

***

After arriving at the Lifestone, Edward didn’t hesitate to return to the Unnamed Town with Gerald.

“What are you planning to do?” Edward asked.

“Return to Lancaster, probably… I traveled here to protect Sir Marni in the first place, and with him gone, I could only go back…”

But the lonely words became stuck in Gerald’s throat even before he could finish.

He stared in immeasurable shock at the figure making his way towards them.

“Mar-mar-mar-mar…”

Marni eyed Gerald, who was repeating the same syllable like a broken recorder and nodded. “Perfect timing. There’s some trouble I need your help with.”