Unchanged Samurai In Another World

Episode 11: The Samurai Visits the Town and Confirms His Beliefs

The inspection at the gate of Angila was a mere formality, a stark contrast to the meticulous checks at Japanese customs where even the number of moles on one’s body would be noted. This was barely any checkpoint at all.

Here, they merely glanced at one’s face, barely inquiring about those who carried weapons, welcoming them with open arms. It was astonishing how lax it was; it was almost as if there was no inspection at all. Had this kind of negligence occurred in Japan, the guards would have been reprimanded severely.

Since losing his wanted poster in the rain years ago, Kurosu had repeatedly trespassed through checkpoints. Sometimes, as a samurai, he was allowed to pass without issue, but if refused, he’d circumvent the route and force his way through. Knowing full well that being captured would lead to a harsher punishment than execution—crucifixion—and yet, the thought of returning home to his father to plead for reissue of his documents was far more terrifying. Thus, he had become a habitual offender.

However, he hadn’t anticipated that the coins he’d picked up in the village would be useless here, but thankfully they turned out to be currency from this land. Though he felt a little guilty using something that might be stolen goods, the leather bag had no name written on it. In any case, it was nearly impossible to return it to its rightful owner.

He was asked to sign a ledger at the desk, but the characters were foreign to him. Everyone there, including Franz and the guards, spoke fluent Japanese, so he assumed their writing would be the same. It never occurred to him that spoken and written languages might differ. What a strange and unexpected turn of events.

Regardless, this was finally the bustling settlement he had long hoped to see.

Ducking under the grand double doors, he found himself gazing out over a stunning town, the likes of which he’d never seen in his life.

A bustling main street extended straight from the gate, fully paved with stone. Rows of buildings with earthy hues stretched out on either side, all made of stone and multi-storied. Each building decorated its windows facing the road with flowers, enhancing the beautiful scenery. The ground floors appeared to be shops, with merchants shouting energetically to attract customers.

In the square before him, open-air stalls bustled with activity, and the aroma of enticing food wafted everywhere. The people walking by exuded vitality, all looking happy and content.

Witnessing the stark difference between the towns he’d previously visited, Kurosu was assured of the veracity of his initial suspicions. Everything was unfamiliar, and the inhabitants looked nothing like Japanese people.

—It’s settled. This truly is a foreign land. Franz and the others had spoken the truth.

Through their journey, Kurosu had come to trust them. They were simple, kind-hearted folk. There had been rumors that foreigners were closer to beasts than humans, but those were gross misconceptions.

Kurosu, who had never traveled with anyone else, found their company unexpectedly enjoyable. He even let himself entertain the notion of what it might feel like to have friends.

“Cross, I’ve never seen an expression like that on your face before.”

Franz’s teasing voice brought him back to reality. Apparently, he had inadvertently been caught daydreaming with a vacant expression.

“Sorry, I was mesmerized by the beauty of the town.”

“I’m glad you like it. Shall we head to the Adventurer’s Guild right away?”

Led by Franz, Kurosu wandered further into the town. Each shop they passed had something fascinating to offer.

The vegetables and fruits lined up at the greengrocer were vibrantly colored and peculiar in shape. The stalls loudly advertised grilled monster meat skewers. The weapons displayed outside the arms shop contained weapons that even Kurosu, skilled in martial arts, had never encountered.

Until now, he’d never paid attention to anything but the dojo and samurai residences when visiting towns. But deciding it’d be pleasant to explore in his spare time, he silently resolved to do so.

“Is there a bathhouse around here?”

“Yuya? What’s that?”

“A public bath, medicinal bath, charity bath, bathing house, or hot spring—any name will do. I’m covered in dirt from the forest, so I’d like to clean up.”

Kurosu loved baths. It was his sole hobby outside of martial pursuits.

Bathing made one vulnerable, so many samurai avoided it. His father and older brother had refused to immerse themselves, claiming, “The tension and readiness we hold might wash away with the grime.” But Kurosu often visited bathhouses during his travels.

By custom, samurai left their swords outside before entering the baths. Once, he had witnessed an inexperienced samurai enter with his weapon still in hand. The man had stretched his armed arm high above his head while trying not to get it wet, making a comical sight as he submerged himself.

It was often said that in the bath, social rank ceased to matter. On the second floor of the public baths, samurai and townsfolk mingled freely…

“Hmm, I don’t recognize any of those terms. But if you just want to wash, you can use the wells around here freely.”

“Though in high-end inns, they might bring a tub with scented water into your room, in these cheaper places, it’s more common to just bathe outdoors.”

Kurosu was deeply dismayed by Barth and Franz’s cold words, struck by a profound shock even greater than his initial awe at the town.

“Bathhouses…don’t exist here? In such a large town?”

“Though a samurai may go without food, he must have his toothpick ready”—a saying that extols the samurai’s frugality and patience. Kurosu could endure ten days without food, but the thought of losing his only pleasure left him utterly dejected.

“This is the Adventurer’s Guild of Angila,” Pamela pointed out, indicating a large building compared to its surroundings. A sign displaying crossed axes and swords before a shield swayed in the breeze.

Following the others through the familiar entrance, the interior was just as vast. Multiple counters stood at the front, behind which workers diligently handled business.

To the right appeared to be a dining area where groups of people ate happily. To the left stood a big bulletin board covered with numerous request papers, reaching almost to the ceiling. Before it, the adventurers scrutinized the contents, their expressions serious. All of them carried some form of weapon, presumably necessary for combating monsters.

While Kurosu, like a country bumpkin, examined the interior, Franz approached the counter and greeted the seated woman.

“Hello, Diana. We’ve come to report completion.”

“Welcome back, Franz! Please allow me a moment to verify the request.”

Apparently, they were already acquainted. Franz exchanged pleasantries and handed over the leather pouch containing the wolf ears.

“Ah yes, this is the request to slay five forest wolves. Here is your payment. Please double-check.”

Diana, the receptionist, took out a paper, confirmed the number of proofs, and handed Franz several coins. Kurosu had some understanding of the relationship between adventurers and the Guild, but their transaction was far simpler than he’d imagined. Would the counter clerk truly be able to discern if the wolf ears had been replaced with that of a mere dog?

“And…while exploring the Forest of Demons, we encountered a giant. We defeated it, so could you assist with the registration for that kill as well?”

“What!? Oh my, you’re all safe! The giant is a Class C monster!”

Was it really that unusual a monster?

What did “Class C” mean?

Franz and his group spoke fluent Japanese, yet they occasionally used strange words. Perhaps these were part of the local dialect.

“No, we were helpless against it. Honestly, we were nearly killed. Look, we were saved by him.”

Turning to point, Franz directed their attention to Kurosu, who stepped closer to the counter.

Examining the receptionists up close, they all wore uniform outfits—elegant attire layered in white and black more sophisticated than what the townsfolk wore. They sported a decorative cord around their necks, and their hairstyles were adorned with…

“This is a traveler who arrived from abroad. He’s so skilled he defeated the giant with a single strike. We’d also like to request his adventurer registration.”

“That’s…amazing. Welcome to the Adventurer’s Guild! I’m Diana, one of the receptionists. It’s nice to meet you.”

“………………………”

“Um…?”

Diana greeted him politely, but Kurosu was distracted, unable to respond.