Undefeated Gladiator Eia

They left Minamifune Town and proceeded along the road.

The caravan, comprising around fifty people, was a trading party heading from the royal capital to the frontier.

After leaving the Welcome Trading Company, Wataru and his companions successfully found a caravan and managed to secure a horse named Hyupos, just as the caravan was about to depart. It was a stroke of luck.

Recent events seemed to be going well, and it felt like fortune was finally on their side.

The leader of the caravan was a male from the Rock Squirrel tribe named Marumaru. Despite his small stature, resembling a child, he had a friendly demeanor and a charm that allowed him to easily endear himself to others.

Wataru had been surprised to find that the appearance of demi-humans and beastfolk varied greatly. Some, like Eia, looked almost entirely human, while others were covered in fur and had more animal-like features.

Marumaru's rock squirrel traits were very pronounced, making him look like an unusually large squirrel.

"I never imagined we'd have the famous undefeated gladiator Eia as our escort. This ensures a safe journey, indeed," Marumaru said with a bow.

"Thank you for agreeing to this so promptly despite the short notice," Wataru replied.

"Not at all. I'd almost want to pay you to take on the task," Marumaru said with a laugh.

Marumaru seemed genuinely appreciative. His exaggerated gestures and comical movements made him appear endearing, though Wataru suspected it was part of his negotiation strategy.

Marumaru dealt in jewelry and precious metals. Such traders often handled large sums of money, leading them to become caravan leaders. Given the high risk of attacks, they required strong protection, and Marumaru's ability to lead and manage was likely why he hadn't faced ruin.

Eia's reputation as a gladiator was clearly having a positive impact, though Wataru knew his own abilities were not a factor in this. Eia's status was proving to be quite beneficial.

To Wataru, the idea of an undefeated gladiator was more relatable if he imagined a boxing world champion maintaining a perfect record.

"Though, right now, she doesn't look so impressive…" Wataru thought.

The first day of their journey began.

Everything was new and fascinating. Minamifune Town was a walled city, which made sense given the monster-infested areas around it. Beyond the gates, the land was open and unpopulated.

For Wataru, who grew up in Osaka, seeing vast fields and open plains without many buildings was a novel experience. The broad expanses were quite different from what he was used to in Japan.

Riding on Hyupos, he enjoyed the new scenery without growing bored.

"This is much larger than I expected," Wataru commented.

"Is it? To me, this is a fairly standard size for a caravan," Mariel replied.

"That so? It looks impressive to me."

"This caravan is quite substantial," Eia added seriously.

A caravan of fifty merchants meant many horses and carts, as well as numerous guards. It was a large and organized group.

"It's a vast plain extending as far as the eye can see. I wonder how far it goes," Wataru mused.

"I've heard it's surrounded by sea on all sides, but I've never met anyone who's been there. Do you enjoy traveling, Wataru-sama?" Mariel asked.

"I'm not sure, but traveling like this with the three of us isn't a bad experience."

"Yes, I've only seen my hometown and the capital before, so it feels strange but wonderful to see such different scenery," Mariel said with a distant look.

Wataru wondered what Mariel's hometown was like and if it had been a good place for her. Perhaps one day he could take Mariel and Eia there.

Their journey started in the morning, and after a lunch break, the evening approached. Sitting on Hyupos was becoming uncomfortable as Wataru's muscles ached from the prolonged ride. Unlike a reclining chair, Hyupos's undulating movements required constant adjustment to maintain balance.

"Maybe I should walk for a bit. Mariel, you must be tired from walking. Let's switch," Wataru suggested.

"Are you sure? It's not appropriate for a slave like me to ride Hyupos."

"Don't worry about it. I don't really think about those things."

"Thank you. Eia, are you alright?"

"I'm fine… but the work is tiring. I'll rest after we reach the inn."

"Alright, thanks for your hard work."

Mariel looked relieved and climbed onto Hyupos. Wataru took to walking, feeling the reassuring solidity of the ground beneath his feet. The inn was supposed to be close by as night fell.

"Is that it over there?" Wataru asked as he spotted the inn.

"Yes, it seems so," Mariel confirmed.

"There doesn't seem to be any sign of danger around. I can finally get some rest," Eia said, looking forward to the break.

"Good job today. Make sure to rest well at the inn."

In the area between towns, inns were scattered about every twenty kilometers for travelers to rest. These small inns, fortified and protected, provided a safe refuge from thieves and monsters.

Upon arriving at the inn, Wataru and his group encountered an unexpected issue.

"What? There's only one private room available?" Wataru asked in disbelief.

"Yes, the rest are already booked. I doubt you'll find any rooms available elsewhere. If you prefer, you can stay in a large shared room," the innkeeper offered.

"I'd rather not. We'll take the private room, please."

"Understood. Here's the key. Meals will be served shortly. If you need a bath or hot water, you'll have to pay extra."

"Please provide those as well."

The small, privately-run inns were quickly filled by large groups like the caravan. The innkeeper, unphased by their situation, offered no apologies and seemed accustomed to the demand.

Wataru looked at Mariel and Eia. Sharing a room with these two beautiful women was unusual for him. He normally took care to sleep separately, but tonight, they would be crammed into a single room.

...Could he handle it?

The thought of aphrodisiacs crossed his mind.