Published: September 10, 2025
"...There are no vacant rooms."
After seeing off the purple-haired little girl who seemed destined to attract trouble, I tried to regain my composure and looked for an inn in Desolate Town, but everywhere was full, and I was brusquely turned away.
Probably, many people had evacuated from Seryu City.
Even the stables were full.
I guess that's why many people were camping outside the town.
"I'm sorry, Master. It's because of us."
For some reason, Liza apologized.
"What do you mean?"
"I think it's because we're with you that every inn has refused us."
Seriously? That kind of thing happens?
That's blatant discrimination.
"Master, we'll spend the night in some alleyway. Please stay at the inn alone."
"If we're camping, we'll do it together. Let's camp outside the town like the others."
Since we've been camping a lot since coming here, we're already used to it.
As we headed for the gate, we bought firewood.
Apparently, random cutting outside is prohibited.
Instead of the East Gate where we entered, we left the town through the West Gate, which leads to Count Kages Domain.
"There are quite a few people camping on this side, too."
Not as many as in front of the East Gate, but a decent number were gathered around campfires.
We joined the edge of their group and began preparing our camp.
"Hey, you brat!"
As I unpacked to pitch the tent before dark, a harsh voice from our neighbor shouted at us.
Pochi and Tama cowered, hiding behind Liza.
"Why—?"
"Go further away!"
"You smell like beasts!"
When I tried to ask why, they just shouted insults.
Apparently, these people discriminate against beastman slaves.
"Liza, let's go."
I was annoyed to be at their mercy, but it was too dangerous to stubbornly camp near such people.
Inside the city with guards might be different, but here, if suspicious bodies were found, it would probably just end up being ignored as unidentified graves.
"Is this spot okay?"
We moved to a place where people with beastman slaves were camping.
"Hey, you filthy cat! What are you slacking off for! I told you to fetch water!"
"The water's right there!"
"The water's got debris floating in it! Go fetch it again!"
The beastman slaves were being treated terribly.
A kicked catperson was carrying a large jar he couldn't carry alone.
"More preserved food? I wanted to eat in the town."
"Exactly. Being a slave handler for beastmen is such a losing job."
"What are you looking at! Go gnaw on some bones!"
Nearby, hungry beastman slaves watched as the men flaunted their food.
When one man threw down a bone, the slaves rushed to it, and the men laughed crudely.
It was unpleasant to watch.
Also, every time there was violence, Pochi and Tama flinched, so we moved a bit further away.
"This should be far enough."
From behind a rock, we could faintly see the campfire of those people.
Conveniently for camping, fresh water sprung between nearby rocks, so we didn't need to go far to fetch water.
It's a mystery why no one occupies such a convenient spot.
As if someone had prepared it for us—a bit too much to think that way, though.
"Master, I'm sorry."
"No need to apologize. The ones at fault are those who discriminate."
I said that, patting Pochi and Tama on the head.
With their help, we pitched the tent, and Liza set up a kiln and lit a fire beside it.
Liza surprisingly had good feminine skills and made soup from ingredients bought in town.
"Isn't that amount too little?"
Enough for one person, but too little for four.
"Shall I add more?"
"Yeah, about four times this amount, please."
"That much?"
Liza looked confused.
Do people here have the habit of eating a lot in the morning or at lunch?
I don't really know, but since I can't cook, I left it to Liza.
When a good smell came wafting, Pochi and Tama sat nicely by the pot, wagging their tails.
"Master, it's ready."
Liza handed me the soup in a deep bowl.
Bread, cheese, and ham were cut and arranged neatly on a clean cloth.
—Huh?
"Where's everyone else's?"
Only my meal was set out.
"We'll eat whatever leftovers Master doesn't finish..."
Liza said as if it were natural.