Ch. 6 - At the Cheap Inn
It’s hot.
On top of the magic-drunk haze, the heat was unbearable—especially in a kid’s body. Oni-girl, carrying me on her back, was drenched in sweat as well.
By the time we returned to the cheap inn we’d left that morning, the piercing sun had already turned orange..
A private room was two copper coins—two thousand sheep. I still didn’t understand the currency’s true value, but it had to be dirt cheap. As I requested, Abby secured a private room for me. The others shared one.
“Di, would it be fine if we just get food from a vendor tonight?” Abby asked in a coaxing, cat-like voice.
“Up to you. I don’t care what it is. Just make sure there’s plenty of it.”
“Got it.”
Perhaps because she expected money tomorrow, too, Abby nodded.
Cat-girl and Oni-girl, however, frowned at our exchange. It was only a matter of time before complaints started spilling out.
Abby led me, still perched on Oni-girl’s back, into the private room.
The space was shabby; drafts slipped through the cracks. Yet it had a bath and a fireplace, which made it a luxury..
Oni-girl set me down on the bed with an oddly solemn expression, brows knit tight. All the kids had followed us inside.
They were wide-eyed, fascinated by a private room they’d never seen. But kids were kids; if left alone, they’d start wreaking havoc in minutes.
That wouldn’t do. I decided to chase them out quickly.
“This’ll do. Abby, stay with the others.”
“Huh? Wh-why?”
Abby’s surprise was evident, but it didn’t matter.
“I mean… It’s fine if I stay, right? I’m the best one here, aren’t I? I’ll treat you well.”
Best one? Treat me well? What the hell is she thinking? Brat acting grown-up…
“You’re the leader, Abby. If you’re not with the group, who else will be?”
It was important to assert that. Oni-girl and Cat-girl clearly didn’t approve of how Abby handled me.
As the newcomer but No.2, resentment was natural.
Abby clasped her hands behind her back, smiling down at me.
“These guys can be left to Ashita and Eva. It’s my call. They won’t dare complain.”
That's exactly the problem.
I sighed, shaking my head.
“Abby, I want to rest. Quietly. Do you understand?”
I turned to Dwarf-girl.
“Let Zoë stay.”
Zoë grinned, but then averted her eyes when Abby shot her a glare.
“…”
Abby narrowed her brows, eyes flicking between me and Zoë, licking her lips as if in thought. And then a voice cut off.
“I-I’ll help too.”
It was Oni-girl.
What's she up to?
Cat-girl’s eyes widened in shock.
“Y-you’re weak right now, and there’ll be heavy work too. Zoë alone might not be enough…”
Her voice faltered.
I shook my head.
“I don’t need you. Zoë is enough.”
“…”
My curt reply made Oni-girl scowl.
Meanwhile, Zoë couldn’t hide her smile.
Cat-girl glared daggers at me. Abby, displeased as well, was lost in thought.
“And Abby—there’s something important I need to tell you. Come later. Alone.”
“…”
She didn’t look convinced, but gave me a small nod and turned on her heel.
You lot just wanted to stay in a private room, didn’t you?
Watching Abby lead the other kids out, I let out a long, exasperated sigh.