Chapter 14 (1/2)

(TN note: Sorry it took so long, since this chapter ice the length of usual chapters Also, sorry for those of you who don't like the eastern island country This entire chapter takes place there Enjoy)

It was pouring rain A single shadow passed over the sky that hadn't experienced a huge downpour for several years

The shadow belonged to a figure riding a broo

The rider's hair and clothing were coic was there, intercepting every single raindrop

Who was the girl that had tanned skin and light purple hair?

「—…found it So, that's the eastern island country?」

—On a broken heart trip, it was Iris J Rozequartz

Landing at the outskirts of the port town, Iris carried the broom on her back as she walked Fortunately, in that district, the rain wasn't pouring down

After about 5 ate In its oay, it was a splendid gate, with a serious faced guard and a gentle faced guard working Both had black hair, and wrapped in clothes that Iris had never seen before, with thinly wrapped swords strapped to their backs

「Please halt, are you a traveler?」

The gentle faced guard called out in a siht, as you can see by the tone of n country」

「I see, I see, elcome you from such a far away place To enter this city, you'll need to answer some questions, do you mind?」

「I don't mind」

「Then, what is your purpose, co to this city?」

「I didn't particularly come to this city for any reason This is just the first city since I've arrived in this country If I had to say a purpose, I guess I'd say for sightseeing I'm in the middle of a broken heart trip」

「So it was like that For that to happen to a girl like you, that must've been a foolish man, huh」

「Haha, thank you, your flattery makes me happy」

「No, those are s Anyway, next, can you tell h guess」

「I haven't particularly decided yet, but, around 2~3 days, I'」

「Okay, that's sufficient, you , by all , since it is delicious even when uncooked」

「That's nice to hear Incidentally, could you recoo straight forward, on the right side, you'll see a building called『Golden Fox Pavilion』, which is a good place The price is a bit expensive, but the food is delicious」

「The fish cooking is?」

「The fish cooking is, yeah」

「Thanks, I'll check that place out」

Saying her gratitude, Iris advanced down the street as she was told Then she thought back to the stern looking guard, who hadn't talked at all Perhaps he was a combat specialist

「—Senpai, please do your work」

「No way, no way, no way! I don't have the courage to speak with such a pretty girl!」

「Maybe you should quit being a gatekeeper」

The Golden Fox Pavilion had a clean outward appearance, as a splendid 3 story building

Iris finished the preparation at the reception and received a key, before heading to her roohly cleaned, and the rug laid on the ground gave off a strange fragrance It was strange, but it wasn't unpleasant In fact, it was rather pleasant Iris began to like the inn even before eating their food

Iris put her broo

She returned the key, then reported that she would be heading out

'Have a good trip', Iris left in a goodthe stall lined street, an arousing fragrance drifted over to Iris Searching around for the source, Iris carilled foods

「Shopkeeper, what is this delicious-see food?」

「It's not 'delicious-see', it is delicious These are takoyaki」

「Takoyaki?」

「Right This is a rough explanation, but, you put these in round, cooked wheat dough」

Saying that, the shopkeeper showed off a bunch of live and slimy creatures

「! Aren't these Devilfish?! You're telling me these are eaten!?」

「Yeah, it see them But, here, they are a common food I'll let you sample one, so just think of it that you were tricked and try it」

「…」

Iris accepted the takoyaki stuck onto a toothpick, and after a moment's hesitation, she put into her mouth

「Ah! You idiot!」

「!」

The shopkeeper's warning was too late, Iris's mouth was thrown into chaos as the heat spread

Spitting out ragged breaths, in an attempt to cool down, she sed the takoyaki

「…the skin in my mouth feels like it will fall off」

「Sorry, I should've said that it was hot」

Apologetically, the shopkeeper held out a glass of water Iris accepted it and drained it in one go

「—Fuu What, I don't care This kind of thing is also one of the pleasures of travelling 」

「It helps s」

「Ah, but these are quite delicious, these takoyaki I'll buy a plate」

「Thanks for the patronage! As an apology, I'll throw in 3 extras」