Level Eater

Enjoy~

In the morning, they again set up the barbecue set, sprinkled salt on dragon meat, and grilled it for breakfast. Despite consecutively having the same menu, they strangely did not get tired of it. However, they decided it would not be interesting to keep doing that. So, they started discussing other ways to prepare their food and promptly set off in the carriage.

"Today, we're going to reach the town, right?" (Ai)

"Yeah. We plan to bypass the town called Mimiris on the way and head straight for Tofas. It won't take Jeanne's legs more than half a day to reach both of them." (Tatsuro)

"And finally, the biggest town, what was it called again?" (Ai)

"Lyadas. Obsul, Mimiris, Tofas, and Lyadas – those four make up the Lyadas territory. Since it's a town directly ruled by the lord, it seems to be the most prosperous around here." (Tatsuro)

Impressed by Tatsuro's trivia, Ai nodded, looking forward to the prosperous town. She imagined there would be worthwhile shopping there.

Without realizing what was on Ai's mind, Tatsuro soon had Jeanne stop at a fork in the road. He used the map function to confirm which path would be closer to Tofas.

"If we turn right, we'll go straight to Mimiris, and it'll be a bit of a detour to get to Tofas. So, let's recharge Jeanne's magic and have her take the straight path to Tofas." (Tatsuro)

After taking breaks for lunch and replenishing their magic power, they arrived near Tofas before evening. From there, they put Jeanne and the conspicuous carriage into their [Item Box] and proceeded on foot. Eventually, when they reached Tofas, a hunched-backed man emerged from what seemed to be an outpost-like building on the outskirts of town.

"Are you entering this town?"

"Yes," (Ai)

{He seems like a rude person.} (Ai)

{Really. Let's get in quickly.} (Tatsuro)

"In that case, may I see your identification?" Unlike the young man who had assisted them in Obsul, this person demanded their identification rather arrogantly. Although they felt uncomfortable, they decided to show their identification to avoid trouble with individuals like those they had encountered yesterday.

"What, just adventurers—Rank 6?! And your party rank is 8!?"

"Yes, is there a problem?" (Tatsuro)

"No, no problem at all."

{His attitude changed suddenly.} (Tatsuro)

{I guess adventurer rank is quite important.} (Ai)

While exchanging thoughts telepathically, the man fidgeted with something at his side and then handed them an entry permit. When they accepted it, it turned into particles and absorbed them, causing the Obsul emblem to disappear and the Tofas emblem to appear in its place. Afterward, they received an explanation like a standard message, stating that the emblem would expire in one month, so they needed to renew it before then.

As they casually responded to the explanation, and the man's attitude had improved, they decided to mention the thieves they encountered yesterday.

"Thieves? We have not heard anything like that around here. I'll pass the word up just in case."

"Thank you." (Tatsuro)

They had expected a response but were left with a rather lukewarm reaction. However, wanting to make a small deal out of it, they passed through the gate.

Unlike Obsul, there were no white buildings; instead, there were ordinary stone buildings with regular colors. They had built the town's roads haphazardly, as there were no well-maintained roads like in Obsul.

The cluttered pathways twisted around, and to avoid getting lost, the two of them held hands and searched for lodging and dinner for the night. They stumbled upon a place with fewer stalls than they had seen before, but still, a few food stalls gathered together. They decided to eat there and asked the stall owner for good accommodations.

They received a recommendation for a nearby inn where they could stay and were given directions. Following the stall owner's directions, they found a slightly run-down three-story inn. Without hesitation, they entered and paid 15,000 Shis to receive their room key.

"Hmm… This town seems to lack liveliness altogether." (Ai)

"Ai, you noticed that too?" (Tatsuro)

In Obsul, the stall owners were all friendly, and the streets were bustling with people. However, people worked mechanically in this town, and pedestrians hurried along with downcast expressions. Their mood had also dampened as a result.

"It's gloomy here. Let's just gather what we need and head to Lyadas. It seems to be the biggest of the four towns so it might be better there." (Tatsuro)

"Yeah." (Ai)

Having already made up their minds about this town, they decided to plan their purchases for the next day in detail. Tatsuro also decided to further enhance their combat abilities due to the town's unpleasant atmosphere and the previous encounter with the thieves.

"So, I want to take Dark Magic to the next level and make Cardina and Jeanne stronger." (Tatsuro)

"You're going to get even bigger. Maybe we will be able to ride Cardina-chan eventually?" (Ai)

"That could be fun if it happens." (Tatsuro)

While joking with each other, Tatsuro increased the [Dark Magic] level from 5 to 6, leaving 4 SP. remaining. Then, with Ai's assistance, they adjusted the combined Light and Dark Magic to Lv. 6 each. First, they created Cardina's new body and transplanted her consciousness into it. They also upgraded [Information Magic] to Lv. 6 and stabilized it. (T.N.: the information magic here that was raised to lv.6 is for the new body of Cardina)

They decided it was too narrow to reveal their complete forms here, so they immediately went inside Tatsuro. They followed the same procedure, and Jeanne's body transformed with Wind Magic at Lv. 6 factors.

"All right, that's it for today." (Tatsuro)

"We're at the inn today, so I guess taking a bath isn't an option?" (Ai)

"Well, we might be able to manage just the bathtub if it fits, but let's keep it simple today and just wipe ourselves off." (Tatsuro)

"It feels weird to bathe outside but not at the inn." (Ai)

While saying such things, they dried their bodies with the water in the tub and then lay on the bed. They faced each other and, embracing each other, pressed their lips together, spending their time as lovers.

Tatsuro used [Life Magic] to wake Ai up while hugging her tightly when he woke up in the morning.

"Tatsuro, is it morning already?" (Ai)

"Yeah, it's morning." (Tatsuro)

With sleepy eyes, Ai stared at him, looking so adorable that he hugged her again and ruffled her head.

"Hey, my hair will get all messy!" (Ai)

"I'll comb it later. So, let me enjoy this a bit more." (Tatsuro)

"Oh, all right." (Ai)

Ai imagined herself getting her hair combed later, and a sly grin appeared on her face. Then, she sat on the bed, and Tatsuro sat behind her, using her comb to brush her hair. He used [Water Magic] to generate misty water to style her hair and fix any bedhead.

"How's this?" (Tatsuro)

"Hmm, it's a bit too fluffy here." (Ai)

"Like this?" (Tatsuro)

"Hmm-hmm. Yeah, perfect!" (Ai)

Ai sent her mental image of Tatsuro's perspective as a mirror while he finished arranging his hair. Afterward, they changed, had breakfast, and then explored the town.

In about thirty minutes, they stumbled upon a three-story department store affiliated with the Merchant Guild, where they bought only the items they needed. They left the smaller department store, smaller than the one in Obsul, and headed towards a restaurant they had spotted on their way.

The restaurant appeared to be a small, casual eatery, with rows of four-person tables inside and a few customers sitting down. They chose a table, and a woman in her early thirties, who was serving alone, came over to take their orders.

As they waited for their orders, an arrogant man entered the diner. He kicked a chair aside, made a loud noise as he sat down, and arrogantly placed his order.

"What's up with that guy? He acts so bossy." (Tatsuro)

"I've seen people act all high and mighty with the waiter staff a few times in Japan, but this guy takes it to a whole new level. It's pretty bad. Let's just ignore him." (Ai)

"Got it." (Tatsuro)

With a somewhat dissatisfied response, Tatsuro extended his legs under the table, intertwining them with Ai's legs, sitting across from him. Ai responded immediately, playfully intertwining her legs with his. They secretly teased each other under the table while unnoticed by others, and then their dishes were brought to them.

They both had a good appetite, so they happily received their dishes. However, the man who had arrived earlier suddenly got angry.

"Hey! Why did you serve that brat's dish before mine?"

"I apologize, but this customer placed an order before you did."

"I don't care about that!"

The man kicked the table over, approached the waitress who had been serving, and raised his arm threateningly.

Then he tried to swing his hand away—but suddenly, flames appeared before him, and while the man was taken aback, Ai quickly moved the waitress behind her.

"What the hell are you doing!?"

"What the hell am I doing? Are you crazy? Raising your hand to a waitress just because your food didn't come out first is ridiculous." (Ai)

"Oh? You bastard, I am a town guard here! I'll throw you in jail!"

"If the enforcers in this town are like you, this place is doomed." (Ai)

"What did you say, you damn amateur!"

With an expression that belittled the man, Ai's face, the man who claimed to be a guard, drew his sword at her. However, his speed was laughably slow for Ai. Even while yawning, she managed to dodge his attack.

However, Tatsuro could not stand idly by while a lethal weapon was directed at Ai. He instantly created flames and melted the sword from its hilt. The molten metal splashed onto the man's legs, causing him to scream in agony.

"Ahhhh!"

Unable to endure the pain, he rolled around at their feet, screeching. When the searing pain had cooled and solidified, his screams finally ceased.

Then, the man, drenched in cold sweat, panted heavily and glared at them while on his knees.

"You guys… don't think you'll get away with this!"

"If it's not for free, do you have any money to give us?" (Tatsuro)

"I don't want this guy's money." (Ai)

"Ughhh…"

Instead of being shaken, the two of them ridiculed the man without a care, causing him to grind his teeth in frustration. He then dragged his injured legs and left the restaurant.

"Um… Thank you for helping me. But you should probably get out of here quickly!"

"Even if you tell us to leave, we haven't finished eating yet." (Ai)

"But staying here might cause trouble… Oh, is it okay if I take the plate with me? I'll pay for it." (Tatsuro)

"No, it's fine. You don't need to pay."

With those words, they were handed the plates and pushed out of the restaurant. They reluctantly put the plates in their [Item Box] and left the restaurant.

"So, what should we do now?" (Ai)

"Well, originally, we planned to stay here for the night and leave early in the morning. But now, should we leave today?" (Tatsuro)

"It's become quite troublesome, hasn't it?" (Ai)

This happened when they intended to reduce their nights spent camping. Reluctantly, they headed toward the town gate.

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