Patrolling the Inn

The inn, [Dancing Doll's Pavilion]. This is the base I built at the dungeon's surface layer.

It was originally a handmade inn I built using [Create Golem]. To make it movable through the menu's [Deployment], I subtly divided it into floors, which cost extra DP later on.

Now I also have the Village Chief's residence annexed to it, and that's where I sleep.

"Welcom… ah, Master."

"Oh, Neru. You're on duty?"

A doll with self-awareness that I picked up in the dungeon… is the cover story, but she's actually a golem I made to look like a figurine, possessed by the ring succubus Neru who has no physical form. She was sitting at the counter doing reception as usual.

Since we'd already established that we use Clay Golems as helpers, her existence was fully accepted with a simple "Well, it is [Dancing Doll's Pavilion] after all."

… Trust and proven quality at [Dancing Doll's Pavilion]!

"Well, there's so much else here anyway… One more Doll is just one more attraction."

"True, I get asked for handshakes sometimes but that's about it."

"You've become a tourist attraction, huh, Neru…"

Past the reception desk were the dining hall and guest rooms. There wasn't much to say about the guest rooms. They were simple lodging for about fifty copper coins per night. Just bedding and a light magic tool.

As for the dining hall, well, it's a dining hall. It uses a food ticket system for meal exchange. We used to serve set meals bought with DP, but now we mostly serve food made by Kinue-san.

The lunch rush had long since passed, so it was mostly empty. Today's waitresses on shift were — ah, the two part-timers.

I one-sidedly know that those two part-timers are dungeon-related individuals, but they don't know that we're connected to the dungeon (except for Nerune, who's been open about it). I should be careful with what I say.

"Ah, Village Chief. Lunch?"

"Hm? Yeah, I'll have a little something."

"Goshujin-sama, Goshujin-sama. Me too～"

When I responded to Setsuna, Ichika came over with a hungry look on her face. Alright, alright, you glutton, I'll get some for you too… Wait, aren't employees supposed to get meals already?

So we had some simple sandwiches made for us.

By the way, I had Kinue-san learn the unique skill called [Chef]. It was a skill with great compatibility for a housework-loving house fairy like her.

… Ooh, Kinue-san, you've improved. Isn't this on par with the cook at the Tsuia lord's manor?

Now that I'd filled my stomach a bit, the remaining facilities to check were the onsen and the game room.

The onsen should be fine… Other than the golem massage chair I placed there, it's just a normal onsen. Since there's no culture of bathing in the nude here, wearing bathing clothes is the default — ah, but I heard some people occasionally go in naked? Well, whatever.

"By the way, Goshujin-sama, how about some pocket money for, y'know… inspectin' the game room?"

"Obviously not."

I brought the disappointed Ichika along and entered the game room.

The current game room has two attractions: tables for poker and dice, and rat races. The slots have been completely moved to the bar. It's nice having a fixed income just from the rental fees alone.

"Alright, betting closes soon… Oh, Master."

"Rei? You're on this shift today?"

"Yes. Ah, would you like to buy a betting ticket?"

I glanced at the rats on standby for the race, and our eyes met.

… Translation Function, activate! Allow me to explain. The translation function I acquired upon coming to this other world allows me to understand even rats if I consciously activate it!

"Yay! Master's here! Now I can win!"

"Wait, wait, only one of us can win. Who's gonna win, Deppa?"

"Shouldn't the one Master bets on win? He'd definitely be happy."

"No, wait. Shouldn't we just do it the usual way?"

"Hm? So Faito gets first place this race as planned?"

"No, wait. If Master doesn't bet on the winner, wouldn't the one who came in first feel awkward? Yeah, rejected."

"Faito, did you forget you were supposed to come in first?"

"N-no way, I didn't? I'm smart, you know!"

Yep, the rats are lively as always today. Also, I'll pass on buying a betting ticket.

"I think I'll play some dice today."

"""""Aww""""" … phew."

Oops, Translation Function, cancel. There we go.

I tried to join a suitable table… Oh, there's someone on a minor winning streak getting cocky. His clothes look nice too, so he's probably not from this village… Alright, time to clean him out.

"Mind if I join?"

"Hm? Sure, I'll take all your money!"

So eager. Sorry, but my dice are golem-made.

Phew, that guy was pretty lucky. He never rolled below a three. Maybe he had a skill like [Luck]?

"Impossible… I… lost…? What kind of cheat did you use!?"

"Come on, don't make baseless accusations."

"Shut up! There's no way I lost, you definitely cheated! I won't pay!"

Ugh, what an annoying guy.

"Ah, you're not a resident here, are you? … Did you know? In this village, cheating is valid as long as you don't get caught, and those who skip out on their debts are treated the same as thieves. In other words, if you say you won't pay, we're allowed to strip you of everything and make you a slave. You can check with the Village Chief if you want."

When I said that, one of the villager-adventurers quietly blocked the exit. Nice. I'll treat you to pudding later.

"Hah? You think you can make me a slave!? Don't make me laugh, I'm a B-Rank adventurer — a noble!"

"So? Doesn't matter. Are you paying? Or are you a thief?"

"I'm not a thief! If anything, you're the one getting executed for lese-majeste! Hand over your woman right now and I might just forgive you."

Ah, this is a bluff.

Besides, being a B-Rank adventurer would make being a thief even worse. The only ones who can really do whatever they want are the untouchable S-Rank heroes, and even they get purged by Haku-san if they go too far.

The Adventurer Guild is strict about crimes committed by its members.

Also, impersonating a noble is a pretty serious crime.

And above all, trying to lay hands on what's mine is an automatic out.

"I see, so you're saying you won't pay?"

"Obviously, you cheater!"

The self-proclaimed B-Rank adventurer drew his sword and stabbed it into the table.

Oh, you're paying for that too. With the money from selling you.

"… Get him. Anyone who helps gets pudding."

"Hyahaa! I was waiting for that!"

"Finally got permission! I've been itching to go!"

"Give me back the money you took from me earlier, you bastard!"

"Wha— hey— wai—!"

At my command, the surrounding adventurers all pounced at once, subduing him in mere seconds.

Ah, third guy… if you take that money, you're a thief too. Even if he cheated, it's valid as long as you couldn't catch him, so that became his money first, and then it became mine.

By the way, Ichika also participated in subduing him. You want pudding too, huh?