Erast

We've finally reached Erast.

I was expecting a dark and gloomy town, since it is called the industrial capital. But what greeted us was a picturesque and lively town.

The town itself was also surrounded by farm land, which isn't something you would expect.

However, it is true that it's an industrial town. As soon as we stepped past the gate, we could hear the banging of hammers and the knocking of wood.

By the way, I've stored my carriage and my King's Guard Skeletons in my inventory already. I doubt the local lord would take to me nicely if I waltzed in like that.

Anyway, the first thing we need to do is find a nice inn. Luckily, we have Catherine who is experienced in that regard.

She led us to an inn called 'The Dancing Fish'. I'm wondering why it's named like that, since the Kingdom of Corus is landlocked…

The innkeeper was a middle-aged lady, who seemed like a nice person. She didn't discriminate against Catherine, so that makes her better than most in my books.

Now onto the most exciting part of finding an inn. We booked only one room! That's right! ONE!

When I heard that, I was like a bunny who had just recovered its legs. I was practically running towards the room.

But when I opened the door, I saw three beds. THREE! How do you fit three beds into one room? And who would do such a thing?

This damn Fish! I don't care if you dance or anything, but don't put three beds into one room!

Curses! Now Catherine and Arin are giggling at me. It's not like I'm a pervert or anything…

'Yes, you are!' (Ed)

And I really don't need your input on this, Ed.

At least, we can have a good night's sleep on a comfy bed. Have you tried sleeping on bones? Unfortunately, I can't turn bones into soft fluff. Otherwise I'd do it all the time.

I don't really have anything to do here in Erast. I already have plenty of money, and there's no specialty or training that needs to take place here.

I guess I'll take a stroll around and see what plots I can get caught up in.

Wait, no! That's the opposite of what I should be doing!

Ah, too late. There's a plot happening right in front of me.

"Get out! And never come back here again!" (???)

The person who was kicked out was an old man with a beard. He seems somewhat short. If he's vertically challenged, then I feel sorry for him.

"Oi! What are you looking at?" (???)

"You!" (Daniel)

"… and what are you looking at me for?" (???)

"Because I'm curious!" (Daniel)

"What about?" (???)

"Your height!" (Daniel)

Whoops. My true thoughts slipped out there for a moment. Aah, I got him angry. I need to become more sensitive to these things.

"Shut up! I'm a dwarf! I should be short!" (???)

"Eeeeh?! You're a dwarf? Are you good at blacksmithing?" (Daniel)

"Hehehe, of course! Have you seen a dwarf who isn't good at it?" (???)

"I'm sure there are lots of dwarves who are good at alchemy instead." (Daniel)

"…" (???)

"Whatever, I'm no longer curious anymore. I'll take my leave now." (Daniel)

"W-Wait, lad! What's your name?" (???)

"Daniel." (Daniel)

"Daniel, huh. A good name." (???)

"I know it is, I don't need your approval." (Daniel)

"… anyway, my name's Gorund. Nice to meet ya." (Gorund)

Wow. Is that an anagram of ground? Really creative, whoever named him.

(A/N: Shut up!)

"So, what do you want from me?" (Daniel)

"Come, let's go to a pub. It's a long story." (Gorund)

"But I don't want to drink." (Daniel)

"Just come for Goddess's sake!" (Gorund)

"Alright, fine." (Daniel)

Don't blame me. I really don't want to go to a pub with a bearded male dwarf. At least a bearded female dwarf would be better. Not by much though.

After that, he proceeded to recount his entire life's story. It's super boring, so I won't include it.

The only thing of note is that he was kicked out of every major production company, and now he doesn't have any money to maintain his blacksmith. It seems like he saw me as a potential recruit, or someone who has a righteous heart and will stand up for him.

Too bad, he's a male. If he was female, then that's exactly what I'd be.

Alas, I'll probably be forced to get involved in this when a noble comes into the bar and provokes him. That's how all templates go, right?

---

And it actually happened! Damn my mouth! I jinxed myself.

"Oi, Gorund! I didn't know you had enough money to come to a pub." (???)

"Piss off, Kuzzat. Why don't you go run back to Viscount Sivod?" (Gorund)

"What are you suggesting? That I'm in cahoots with him?" (Kuzzat)

"That's exactly what he's suggesting! Is your skull so thick that you don't understand?" (Daniel)

Oops. I swear I didn't mean that. It just slipped out!

"Hoh. And who are you?" (Kuzzat)

"Me? I'm nobody. I'm not even here right now." (Daniel)

"Your friend, Gorund? He's just as weird and crazy as you are." (Kuzzat)

"Hey! You can call Gorund crazy and weird, but don't expect to get away with it when you call me that!" (Daniel)

Oh shit! Bloody Dumb Idiot is awake! And he's forcefully taken control of my mouth!

Damn it! Right at the worst time. For now, let's just get out of here.

---

Phew. I actually escaped. It wasn't easy getting out of a wrestle hold from two tiny dwarves. Especially when they were right up against me. Such a disturbing experience.

Anyway, now I have two major problems to deal with. The first being Gorund's problem, and the second being Bloody Dumb Idiot.

'Oi, Bloody Dumb Idiot! Why did you choose to wake up at that point?' (Daniel)

'Because I want to cause trouble! You always avoid it, so I have to make it come towards you!' (Bloody Dumb Idiot)

'Hahahaha! Maybe that's why your lives have been so miserable!' (Ed)

'I don't even know what to say. At the very least, can you give me your memories of my third life, Bloody Dumb Idiot?' (Daniel)

'I was waiting for you to say that! I can't wait to see you cringe!' (Bloody Dumb Idiot)

'I'm already regretting it…' (Daniel)

It's a good thing I'm already back at the inn. Because every time we merge memories, I black out for at least a day. And blacking out in the middle of a street is not a good thing, especially when thieves are rampant.

And I'm not talking about the class, I'm talking about actual thieves.

The security here in this town is horrible. There's more slums than actual residences, and all the slum people constantly steal from everyone else.

This Viscount Sivod is doing one poor job.