Episode 8: The Girl and the Castle Town. And Betrayal

"This way, This is the place called 'Glory Street'!"

　With the girl's guidance, Uta decided to stroll around the castle town.

　It's not something I wanted to do, but this is the first time I've been abroad (?) since I was born as a human being.

　Even though I will eventually return to my world, it would be a waste not to do a little sightseeing.

　The girl's name is apparently Marie.

　She was born in the castle town and seems to be quite familiar with the town.

　She was familiar with tourist spots and had come to a place called "Eiko Street," which is a must-see for tourists.

　Many bronze statues line both sides of the wide brick road, looking down on the passersby.

"There are bronze statues lined up on both sides of the street. The ones on the right are of past kings, and the ones on the left are of heroes who fought for their country."

"Wow... that's pretty impressive."

"That's right! Look... the first king is over there at the back. Facing him is the hero who defeated the Demon King 500 years ago!"

"A hero, huh... I see..."

　I approached the bronze statue of the former hero and looked up at it from below.

　The life-size bronze statue standing on a pedestal was of a handsome man with a cool look.

　He holds his sword high in the air, looking very brave.

"...With just this, I can't tell if they're Japanese or not."

　Since the Great Sage she fought alongside was from another world just like myself and my friends, I thought the Hero was also a human who had been summoned in the same way.

　It would be difficult to make a judgment just by looking at the statue's appearance.

"The first king cooperated with the hero to defeat the demon king and founded this country! This year marks the 500th anniversary of the country's founding, so a lot of people are coming!"

"It's a memorial year, I guess. But even so... it's so peaceful. I wonder if a new demon king has appeared?"

"Oh, a new Demon Lord? What are you talking about?"

"Yeah?"

　Marie looks at Uta curiously.

　She looked like she didn't know what she was talking about.

(Maybe she doesn't know about the Demon King?)

　I heard that the Demon King has returned and is invading human countries, but that information may not have been revealed to the general public.

　The country does not appear to be at war yet, and it is possible that the information is being kept secret as a military secret.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

(It's possible that the King is deceiving us... but judging from his behavior when we questioned him, he wasn't lying about the Demon King invading.)

"...I wonder if there are more things I need to ask the Great Sage?"

"What's the matter, brother?"

"No, it's nothing... I was shown something great. Thank you."

"Ah, yes! I'm glad that it made you happy!"

　...And just as Marie smiled, her stomach started growling cutely.

It made a cooing noise like the cry of a small animal to express its hunger.

"a……"

"Ahahaha, are you hungry?"

"Ugh... how embarrassing."

"Let's eat at that food stall over there. It smells sweet."

　I took Marie, whose face was red, and led her to a nearby stall.

　The store appears to sell baked goods.

　Round baked flour sweets covered in sugar are packed into bags, giving off a sweet smell all around.

“I just had lunch a while ago, but… I guess sweets are still a separate stomach.”

"Can I eat some too...?"

"Of course, it's delicious."

"…………"

　When Uta suggested it, Marie munched down on the round, castella-like pastry.

"Sweet, delicious...!"

"Yes. Does it have honey in it? It's delicious."

"…………"

　While eating the sweet treats... Marie's expression was strangely gloomy.

　She had been showing me around with such a cheerful look just a moment ago, but suddenly she looked worried.

　If I were to describe her face, it was like that of a criminal about to confess the crimes she has committed.

(Why is she looking like this? She's eating something sweet, so he should look happier.)

　Uta tilts his head quizzically and says, "By the way..." as he asks Marie for a favor.

"I'm planning on leaving tomorrow for a town in the east called Alden. I want to get ready for my trip. Are there any stores that sell the things I need?"

"To Alden...are you leaving town?"

"Yeah, that's the plan though?"

"Is that so...?"

　Once again, Marie's expression darkened.

　However, she soon smiles and raises her hand.

"... Yes! Then I'll show you around!"

"......?"

　Somehow, to Uta, it looked like Marie was forcing herself.

　For a while now, she has been showing a sad look on her face that doesn't suit her age.

　Puzzled by this reaction that was unusual for a young girl, Uta was shown around by Marie and visited a certain store.

　The shop was located off the main street and had a somewhat desolate atmosphere.

"Welcome... Wait, is that you, Marie?"

"Hello, grandma."

　Inside the store was an old woman wearing a black robe like a witch.

　Apparently, she knew Marie.

"I've brought a guest. He wants some luggage for his trip."

"Hmm... I've never seen you before. With that outfit and that black hair, it seems like a strange person has come."

　The old woman stares at Uta rudely.

"Well, if you're a guest, I welcome you... I assume you have money."

"Well, quite a bit."

　Uta took out the bag of money the King had given him and placed it on the counter where the old woman was.

　Several gold coins spill out of the open mouth.

"oh?"

"......!"

　The old woman and Marie both had their eyes wide open.

　This reaction is natural, as it's like suddenly pulling out a wad of bills.

　The old woman was frozen in shock for a moment, but then her expression twisted into a smile.

"As long as you're willing to pay, you're welcome, no matter how shady you are. I'll bring you the things you need for your journey right away, so just wait there."

"Ah, yes."

　The old woman briskly brings items off the shelves and arranges them on the counter.

　A large backpack, a tent, a sleeping bag, a coat, a lantern, food, a water bottle, a knife... a fair amount of items were piled up on the counter.

"If I were to collect everything, it would be a considerable amount... but do you have a horse or a dragon mount?"

　A riding dragon is likely the small dragon-like creature that I saw on the way here.

　They were used to carry passengers and luggage like horses.

"No, but... it's not a problem."

　Uta grabbed his luggage and hurled it into the void.

　The piles of luggage laid out on the table were gradually reduced in number, as if they were being eaten by an invisible monster.

"Item box... can you use space magic?!"

　The old woman cried in surprise.

“That can only be used by people with the jobs of ‘Sage’ or ‘Adventure King’… but do you by any chance hold a high-ranking position?”

"Hmm? Aren't I a student and supposed to be 'unemployed'?"

"There's no way an 'unemployed' person could use an item box! Don't fool the elderly!"

"First of all, what exactly is a job? The King told me about it too."

"Your Majesty? Don't you know anything about Job? How on earth have you survived this long?"

　The old woman explained to Uta with an exasperated look on her face.

　It seems that people in this world are born with something called a "job," which pretty much determines their entire lives.

　There are various jobs, such as those that excel in combat, such as "swordsman" or "wizardman," and those that support people's lives, such as "merchant" or "craftsman."

　Generally, there is no way to change the job you were born with, but apparently there is a special way to change it using magic created by God.

"'Unemployed' is a job that has no powers and cannot use magic. It's a useless job, so it's called a profession abandoned by God."

"Oh, so that's why you reacted like that."

　He remembers the king, who looked obviously despised towards Uta.

　In this world, being unemployed is likely to be discriminated against.

"I understand very well. By the way, would it be rude to ask about the old lady's occupation?"

"I'm just a regular merchant. That's not unusual."

"Oh. Well then, Marie...huh?"

　Uta looked at Marie, but quickly blinked.

　Before he knew it, Marie, who was supposed to be there, was gone.

　She hasn't participated in the conversation for a while now... I wonder how long she's been gone?

"Huh, what's that? Now that I think about it..."

　Uta slid his gaze to the side.

　The bag of gold coins that was supposed to be on the counter had disappeared.

　The hotei bag containing all of Uta's possessions in this world has vanished without a trace.

"Maybe... it was stolen?"

　It seems that his money was stolen again.

　Uta was stunned and shocked by the betrayal of the girl whom he had only just met but whom he had developed some feelings for.