This Hero is Too Curious! - 81 This Hero Relaxes For A Moment!

I slowly entered the stone room. The design was rectangular. The walls and floor had been smoothed to perfection. The room was slightly lit by a single blue crystal which hung above the center of the room. The crystal itself gave off a dull hum as it emitted the blue light.

I slowly walked towards the bed farthest from the door and took a seat on the cushioning. Before I could lay down, I had to get my bearings of this new space.

Though my bed isn’t springy, it’s still incredibly soft. It’s similar to the fur of a cat in feeling, but it isn’t hairy. I felt around for a moment and found a feather protruding from the cushion. This feather was larger than a chicken feather, yet smaller than a peacock feather. It was white and soft to the touch. This must be some indigenous creature that the dwarves cultivate. Satisfied with my assessment, I let some stress out of my shoulders. As I relaxed for a moment, I reflected on the events that transpired earlier.

Pushing through a swarm of dwarves was not something I ever thought I would do, nor did I think I would have a little girl ride on my shoulders as I did it. Is it always this crowded here? Perhaps it’s just because of the current attack from the demon king army so there are more people forced in here than normal. Whatever it may be, huge groups like that could be a serious detriment if they are a constant.

After I took this time to think to myself, I slowly got back onto my feet. Despite being exhausted, I can’t just waste time. I came here on a mission. I’ve never been able to just procrastinate. If I don’t have my business done then I can feel it looming over my head at all times.

I opened up my bag, pulled out the package, and set the rest of my equipment aside save for my dagger. As I turned around, I gave the room a thorough look over.

The interior held two beds that appeared to stand on stone, similar to the design of an altar with futons on top. Tael and I have the same type of bedspreads. The blankets, which are dark brown and smelled rather pleasant as if they had just been washed, were made of what appears to be wolf pelts that have been sewn together. Between each of the beds stood a single nightstand that was also made of stone. It looked as if it had just been left as a bump in the wall. On top of the stand stood what appeared to be a lamp with a small gem where a lightbulb would sit. To the left of the stand sat a peculiar rectangular rock with multiple runes carved on its surface. I counted 4 runes in total, but not knowing how to read them I could be wrong.

At the end of the room opposite of the beds was a small device that appeared to be embedded in the wall. I can’t tell what exactly this device is for, but it has some cuts in it which appear to vent it.

A softy violin began to quietly play. Surprised, I immediately walked towards the device to investigate. As I got closer and closer to the device I could hear the music begin to get louder and louder. I could feel Tael’s questioning gaze pierce my back as I sidled up closer.

“Uh… You alright? Is there something on the wall?”

“No just… What is this thing? Is it playing music?”

“Oh that? It’s a remorid. According to what I’ve read, one of the first things dwarves learn to use runes for is recording things. They use this to record music and then play the music again at some point at their leisure. It’s mostly for relaxation and stuff like how we’re using it, but sometimes people use it to deliver messages. Nifty, huh?”

“So it’s a radio.” I nodded my head quickly in understanding.

“A what?”

I quickly turned to Tael in order to explain myself. Of course he wouldn’t know what a radio is. I decided to come up with a half truth. “…Something from where I’m from. Don’t worry about it.” I turned back to face the remorid as the music continued to play.

“Well that’s odd. The only people that have anything like this are the dwarves. They have a big monopoly on these things. I don’t even have one at my house.”

“You act as if that’s surprising.”

“IT IS!” Tael shouted as he bolted up from the bed.

I closed my eyes and sighed. Getting a point across is going to take more energy than I want to expend.

“Whatever. Let’s just go. I have a package to deliver.” I said as I held up and shook the parcel.

“Wait, what? We just got here! Can’t we relax for a little bit?” Tael crossed his arms and furrowed his brow towards me in protest.

“The sooner we deliver the package, the sooner we go to the hot springs. I don’t want to goof off while I have a job to do.”

“Wait so… Deliver package then hot springs is what you’re saying?”

“That is what I’m saying.”

We looked at each other in silence for a moment before we both understood that we had come to an agreement.

Tael turned off the music and hopped out of bed excitedly.

“Hot springs here we come!” He pointed towards the door as he began to step forwards.

Despite being exhausted, I followed. I can relax once my job is done. Before we left the room, I ensured that I had my things. My juns, my dagger, the parcel, an understanding that I shouldn’t get my hopes up, the basics.

Yep. All there.

We stepped through the doorway of the hotel as we approached room 4. This “door” which was really just another piece of rock that was outlined by more rock, appeared identical to our own. I approached the rock door and slowly knocked. It took only a moment for a bright blue light to encompass the object before me as it disintegrated into dust. Kany and Erana stepped through. While Kany appeared relaxed, Erana held a tense look on her face.

“Is something wrong?” I asked.

My question seemed to knock Erana out of her stupor for a moment as she bolted her head upwards to look at me. ��Huh? Oh well… This city is… suffocating. I’m trapped by rocks everywhere. I don’t like it.” Erana twiddled with her hair as she shifted her gaze downwards once more.

Though I feel somewhat bad about bringing her here, it was also her own choice to come here. I never forced her, so I can’t say that I feel too guilty. I should try to be optimistic.

“It’s only for a week. Besides, I thought druids liked all of nature anyways. Aren’t caves and mountains part of nature?”

“Don’t generalize us please, Kenji-san. There are druids of the forest, of the plains, and of the mountains.”

I gave a weak smile as I dropped the subject. I probably just made things worse. In an attempt to dispel the awkward atmosphere, I pulled out the package and read the address that was written on it.

“1354.”

“1354… what? Is there anything else written on it?” Kany grabbed at the package and read over the address that was written on it as well.

“Just… 1354.”

“Did the person you got the package from tell you who you were delivering it to?” Tael grabbed the package and investigated it himself. He twisted and turned it in a futile effort to gain more information from the address.

“No… They just sort of… unloaded the package to me.”

“Maybe the dwarf at the front desk will know where this is?” Erana suggested.

I shrugged my shoulders. It’s worth a shot I suppose.

I turned and went down the hallway towards the reception. The rest of the party followed after me as I approached the front desk.

“Ah! Hello again! Do you need something? Is anything wrong?” The receptionist asked. He wore a synthetic smile on his face which had obviously been practiced many times before.

I held the package towards the dwarf. “I’m sorry, but I don’t have any idea where this place is. Can you give me directions?”

“1354 eh? That’d be in the old district. A 1000 number, huh? High profile package you’re delivering, it seems. Those are only for ancient families! Here, let me draw you a quick map.” He said as he brought out a parchment and a charcoal piece. After a moment, a rudimentary map had been made with directions from here to the address we needed to go to.

“Okay. With this I think we can get there. Thank you!”

“Of course! Any dwarf would be happy to serve a customer!” The receptionist gave a deep bow which brought his already short body that much lower to the ground.

“Okay. Brace yourselves for more dwarves! We’re heading out!” I shouted to the party as we approached the doorway to the outside.