The Everyday Life of an Incompetent Crown Prince

23: The Walk Home

We walk along the road back from the escort. The sound of multiple footsteps and the wheels of two carriages echo.

Yes, for some reason, the two guild parties and Neil’s party are heading to the fortress city of Garland together.

This time, it’s a leisurely journey since there’s no one to escort, but questions arise.

“Neil. When you go on an escort mission, do you just go there and come back without doing anything?”

“It depends, but if it’s a guild party, they’re supposed to earn some money there or find another escort or something on the way back. This time, it was a request with a fairly high fee, but if a large party does it, the profit will be lower. Well, if there are no requests for several days and the number of days we stay increases, that will be a deficit in itself, so it depends on the judgment of the party leader. I guess he decided it would be better to go back this time. In many ways.”

“Hmm.”

We are currently divided into two parties and are riding in the carriages of ‘Liliano’ and ‘Grieg Mercenaries’.

As we were about to start our leisurely journey back over two days, the two guild parties suggested that we go back together as if they had planned it.

I was the first to agree to their words that we could go back tonight if we traveled a little harder in two carriages in the morning, and Neil’s party decided to go back with us.

Apparently, there was also the reason that it was just right because they didn’t plan to look for another request anyway.

And so, in the carriage that we boarded in two groups, I had a pointless conversation with Neil.

Of course, there are also members of the ‘Liliano’ guild party. There are two people on the driver’s seat and two people sitting on the roof, so there are five people in the cargo bed. It’s inevitable that it feels a little cramped.

“Speaking of which, aren’t you guys going to the Tower of Babel or the dungeon in the west? There should be more opportunities now that there are fewer people in the same line of work.”

It was Keith who said that.

The Tower of Babel is a tower that rises towards the sky, as opposed to a dungeon. The monsters that appear or the materials are different, but it seems that there is no difference from a dungeon.

However, this Tower of Babel and the dungeon sometimes exist in the same place. The entrance is the same, but from there it is divided into stairs going up and stairs going down. The scale is quite large, so the fortress city of Wenhel, which was built around the two, is said to be very prosperous.

In the first place, cities are often built later to benefit from one of them. The fortress city of Wenhel is a typical example of this.

The fortress city of Garland, where I live, is similar, and it seems to have been built after the dungeon appeared. It’s a story from the time of a king several generations ago, so I don’t know the details.

The reason for its moderate size is simply that it is a transit point for people and goods, and that it has a dungeon suitable for collecting materials.

Originally, there are towns many called cities around the royal capital, but Garland is one step ahead because it has a dungeon. It is definitely one of the top cities in the king’s direct territory.

I digress.

Anyway, as for the fortress city of Wenhel, it’s true that there are fewer adventurers and mercenaries now because of the war. That means it’s easier to use the hunting grounds and easier to get materials that will benefit us.

“We’re not interested in honor or luxury. We’re fine as long as we can live a quiet life. We’ll go if we feel like it.”

“Well, I can understand that. I’d like to hang around Garland if I could.”

The members of ‘Liliano’ laugh at those words. Maybe they say things like this all the time.

“What about you, Jasper? You’re a capable solo runner, so you must have a lot of freedom.”

“I’m probably more of a shut-in than Keith. I’m fine as long as I can level up while I’m out and about.”

“You’re not ambitious.”

“Not really.”

“Oh? Do you have a goal?”

“I’ve realized that playing around with women isn’t so bad.”

Surprised, Neil’s eyes widened. Then Keith, who didn’t know the circumstances, teased him.

“What’s this, Jasper? Were you a virgin?”

“No. This was my first time.”

“…Seriously?”

At those words, everyone in the wagon, including Keith, looked shocked. I glanced at the driver’s seat and saw that both of them were looking at me, and from above, the two who were supposed to be on the wagon were peeking at me Upside down. You guys are women.

“Damn it. It’s fine to get hooked on women, but if you start out like this, you’ll go broke.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s common for beginners to start spending a lot of money on women when they start making a lot of money. Adventurers tend to get a big head.”

“I can see that, but Jasper will be fine. He has money, and women will come to him even if he doesn’t pay them. Besides, adventurers aren’t the only ones who get hooked on women.”

“hahahaha, that’s true.”

Amidst the laughter, I thought back to this morning.

*

“What are you doing?”

“Oh, good morning, Master Jasper.”

I opened my eyes to the movement of Tiana, the maid, who was moving around between my legs, and she gave me a happy smile. I know what she’s doing, but she’s so energetic in the morning.

By the way, I started being called “Master Jasper” during the act. To be precise, I started saying it myself halfway through, and it just stuck. It’s scary. People say that you show your true self during s*x.

I used to be warned by someone to be careful of women, and now I understand what they meant. In bed, your true feelings will be easily drawn out.

But that would be inconvenient, so I also ordered them to call me “Jas” and “you” outside. I must have been rational enough to think about that.

As I thought about this, I watched Tiana do her thing in silence. When she was finished, Tiana sat down next to me and snuggled up to me.

I feel like she’s gotten really attached to me, but is this what they call a maid’s technique? I’ve heard that the best way to get customers to come to an inn is to have a maid call them, and that women can make a living from it.

Well, the person who taught me that was Tiana, the one who’s snuggling up to me right now.

“Are you leaving already?”

“I don’t know. I want to go home, but it depends on what the group thinks.”

“…I’ll be lonely.”

I supported Tiana’s chin with my finger as she leaned her face closer, and kissed her. It’s only been one night, but I’ve pretty much figured out how to treat women. When I pulled away, Tiana looked at me with slightly moist eyes and leaned in again.

By the time I finished getting ready to leave the room, it had been well over an hour since I woke up.

“Will you come again?”

Watching Tiana show off the technique she had taught me, I was convinced that she would definitely succeed as a maid. To be honest, she was so adorable that I wanted to buy her and keep her as a pet. I’m sure she’ ll be able to buy herself back soon enough.

Well, even if I did buy her, there’s nothing I could do with her, so I won’t.

I leaned in close, supporting her chin again and bringing my face closer. I placed my lips on Tiana’s forehead as she closed her eyes, and gave her the best smile I could.

“If you’re a good girl, I’ll come and play with you again.”

“…I’ll definitely be a good girl.”

“It’s good to be obedient.”

With that, I gave her another light kiss, and she wrapped her arms around my neck and returned the kiss with passion. In the meantime, I took a small bag of gold coins out of my [Colorless Jewels] with one hand. I pressed it into Tiana’s hand as she pulled away.

“This is your reward. Take it.”

Inside were fifty gold coins. I didn’t know the exchange rate, but it couldn’t be a small amount.

I finally left the room, but Tiana clung to my arm and wouldn’t let me go. The dining room was still empty. Was I too early, or was it because of yesterday’s commotion?

Still, some of the waiters were moving around, wiping tables. Tiana would have done the same if she hadn’t had anyone to talk to.

I approached the large reception desk and addressed the plump woman there.

“Are you the innkeeper?”

“Yes, I am. Did you enjoy yourself?”

The innkeeper laughed, and I smiled back lightly. I put my hand in my pocket and placed a small bag on the reception desk, slightly larger than in front.

“What’s this, sir?”

“This is an additional fee because this girl was so good. Tell me if it’s not enough.”

The innkeeper compared my face to the bag, then opened the bag and stared at it before taking it and putting it in her pocket.

“Sir, please come again next time. I’ll give you the best service.”

“I’ll do that.”

I said that, and then I asked Tiana, who was still clinging to my arm, to order some fruit water and a light meal before sitting down at the table.

Tiana disappeared into the back of the dining room with a smile, and the innkeeper followed her, her loud voice urging the cooks to hurry.

As I watched the scene, I thought back to myself earlier and to the young lords flirting with the young ladies at the party in the royal castle.

There’s not much difference between that and what I’m doing now, I thought.

*

“Well, the responsibility lies with Neil. No doubt about it.”

“Why, Jas?”

“Oh, Neil’s definitely at fault. I’ll have to buy him a drink when we get back to Garland.”

Neil retorted to my words, and Keith agreed. The first Tiana was such a good woman that I’d be in trouble if she wasn’t better than that.

“Hey, Jas. You’re the one who earns more, so you should buy him a drink instead.”

“Okay. I’ll tell Cyril and Iriel later that you asked me for money to buy a woman.”

“Calm down, Jas. What we need now is talk and understanding. It’s not money that matters, but friendship, right? Right?”

The carriage continued on its way as we talked, and we arrived late at night.

I hate camping out, but maybe this is okay once in a while, I thought. It was my first escort mission.

Well, I have to earn money again tomorrow.

His name is Jasper.