Alcowell

And then, several days later, we finally arrived in Wakoku.

Wooden buildings, white plaster walls, tiled fences and roofs—visually, it felt like something out of the Edo period. The people didn't have black hair, but their clothes looked like jinbei or yukata—definitely traditional Japanese attire. It was the very image of a "Wa-koku" ("Early Japanese Country"). Though thankfully, no one was sporting topknots.

"This is Alcowell, a port town," Wataru said.

"So that's the town's name, huh?"

Despite the name "Wakoku", the town had a surprisingly Western-sounding name.

Wataru made a face like he was holding back a click of the tongue.

"Mmph… I thought you'd react to that, Kehma-san."

"Hmm? Is there something about the name?"

"Yep! Alcowell—as in Alcohol Well. The name is a play on words meaning neverending alcohol! Get it? Like a sake well!"

"… Huh, I see."

He announced it like it was some big reveal, but I really didn't care, so I gave him a half-hearted reply. This time he did click his tongue.

I mean, I've heard the story. The country was founded by a Japanophile American Hero who missed Japan so much after coming to another world that he basically built his own "Wa-koku". I'm sure there are plenty of little Easter eggs like that all over the place.

"Anyway! First things first—let's get changed! I figured this might happen, so I already called a clothing vendor. Let's enjoy the local style in proper Japanese outfits!"

Wataru clapped his hands, and a clothing merchant appeared, sliding in with yukata in hand.

A jinbei and a yukata, specifically.

"Ah—I heard this from Ichika-senpai, Wataru-san~? I think—wasn't it that traditional Japanese clothing is worn without underwear~? How naughty~"

"N-no it's not like that!? People do wear underwear nowadays!"

"Ahh, but you want to peek underneath, don't you Wataru-san~?"

"Ugh…! Well yes, I do want to see! But that's irrelevant right now!"

"Oh my~? Then you don't want to see them~?"

"… Nerune-san… I want to see your underwear…!"

Man, she's got him wrapped around her finger.

Since officially becoming Wataru's girlfriend, Nerune's teasing has become relentless.

"By the way, Wataru. Between us—how far have you and Nerune gone? You two were sharing a room on the ship, right?"

"Eh, uh… haha. It's fine, I'll take responsibility if anything happens!"

"Yeah, I'm not really worried about that."

As a Hero, Wataru earned enough that it wouldn't be odd for him to have a wife or two.

… Which makes me wonder even more—why's he hooked on Nerune, exactly? That part still doesn't add up…

Anyway, Wataru and I changed into jinbei, while Nerune and Rokuko wore yukata. We bought the outfits, but apparently they counted as expenses.

"Kehma-san, how do I look? Does it suit me?"

"Oh. Yeah, it really suits you. How about me?"

"That navy blue looks nice. It reminds me of Otou-sama—it's a good color, it suits you."

Rokuko countered with the kind of compliment that said "this is how you really compliment someone".

"Wataru-san~? Are you up for the occasion~? Ufufu~?"

"Ahh, that pale yellow really suits your brown hair, Nerune-san! Like a lovely field of canola flowers. Would you do me the honor of escorting you, my good lady?"

"I would be delighted, my good sir~"

He took Nerune's offered hand with exaggerated politeness. Though she hadn't actually complimented him, that didn't seem to matter to Wataru.

"… You could talk like that the whole time?"

"Of course. I just save lines like that for Nerune-san. That's why you've never heard them."

"Yes yes, that's exactly what I'd expect from a man worthy of marrying Nerune."

Rokuko casually flipped the narrative so that Wataru was marrying into the family. He didn't seem to care either way, so I guess it works out.

"If he marries in, maybe we can learn some of Kehma-san's secrets, hmm?"

"Well, whether I have any secrets is debatable… but maybe something'll come out at that point."

Like, could I register people as monsters and make them part of my dungeon?

If I could, maybe then I could let Wataru in on the secret. Yeah. I mean, I definitely can't enslave a Hero.

"… By the way, what are we doing in Wakoku again?"

"We're here to investigate and defeat a monster called Yamata-no-Orochi. As for the investigation part, we just need to go to a town that's had attacks, so that shouldn't take too long."

Yamata-no-Orochi. A Hydra variant—an eight-headed snake-dragon-type monster, apparently.

"Whoa whoa, don't drag me into something that dangerous, Wataru."

"Really? But Kehma-san, you are a Dragon Tamer, right?"

That was a one-off stunt because I knew Igni's parent. It's not like I can do that with random monsters I've never met!

"… I wouldn't be surprised if you ended up taming Yamata-no-Orochi anyway, Kehma-san."

"Don't be ridiculous. It's not like I can talk to it or anything, and don't involve a weakling like me. I'll be sticking to support in the backlines."

"I believe in you, Kehma-san. I'm sure you'll do something amazing!"

Don't go raising death flags…!

"Well, for now, let's enjoy sightseeing in Alcowell! Come on, everyone!"

"Yeah yeah…"

With Wataru and Nerune (on his arm) leading the way, we set off to explore the town of Wakoku.