Vol 4 Chapter 83: “A Place to Stay” (Vol 4: The Otherworldly Battlefield Arc)

“What a nice house!”

Horo exclaimed cheerfully as they looked at the large house, prompting a smile from Sukui.

Given the context of the two having lost their previous place to live, Horo’s excitement was also a gesture of consideration toward Sukui.

“Yes, it’s helpful given the amount of luggage we have.”

As the door was opened, a spacious living room came into view.

The house featured a separate kitchen, two additional rooms on the first floor, and five more rooms on the second floor.

The size was more than adequate.

“That said, it’s far too dirty to move in as it is.”

Sukui stepped into the room with his shoes on.

Although it wasn’t customary in this world to remove shoes indoors, Sukui disliked the practice of walking inside with shoes.

However, the state of the floors made walking barefoot unthinkable. The wooden boards were peeling, risking splinters, while the thick dust and dirt, along with traces of water damage, made the situation worse.

“It’s understandable that abandoned houses haven’t been maintained.”

“Yes, should we clean up a bit before bringing in the luggage?”

“That would be best.”

While surveying the room, there was a subtle nuance in Sukui’s tone, something only Horo could detect.

Sukui hadn’t expected a pristine place to stay. With their ample resources, they had brought plenty of cleaning supplies.

Given the generous amount of currency they had received, some level of renovation was also feasible.

What weighed on Sukui’s mind, however, was not clear to Horo. It was simply his concern that, after their long journey, he wouldn’t be able to provide a clean and comfortable space for Horo to rest until after unpacking and cleaning.

For Sukui, the bare minimum for Horo’s resting place was a dust-free environment, free from drafts, with a clean bed prepared.

The thought of how much time this would take—and how he wouldn’t be able to let Horo rest until it was done—exceeded his tolerable limits.

“Although we’ve just arrived, we can’t leave the luggage sitting outside. Let’s at least clean enough to bring the luggage inside.”

With their belongings outside, staying elsewhere wasn’t an option.

Sukui decided it would be best to take the initiative and reduce Horo’s burden by finishing the cleaning quickly.

“That’s true. We should also be mindful of security. Shall we place the luggage upstairs?”

“I’d like to, but the floors might not hold up. We’ll need to separate some valuables for the bedroom, place the next most important items in another room, and leave the bulk of it on the first floor.”

As he considered their options, he pulled out a list of their belongings.

The items they had brought were meticulously documented. Even the replacements and additions over time were noted.

“You’re right! If we’re in the same room, no one will dare try to steal from us!”

“We could use separate bedrooms, you know?”

Once unable to sleep without being held or walk outside without holding Sukui’s hand, Horo had grown into a state of mind where she could live independently.

Sukui’s comment could have been interpreted as an acknowledgment of Horo’s progress, but Horo responded with a pout, quickly shaking her head in defiance.

“Well, it is dangerous while sleeping. Although this area isn’t as unsafe as I feared, it’s still better to stay in the same room.”

“Yes. Unlike you, Master, I can’t sense intruders on the first floor while I’m sleeping on the second. Sharing the same bed is more reassuring.”

Horo was unwilling to compromise on this.

Casually, she secured a shared bed for herself.

“Fair enough. Let’s get started, then.”

Although Horo had intended to inspect the second floor’s room layout, she felt a strange unease at Sukui’s words.

“Let’s get started”—those words carried a meaning tied to security and peace of mind, Horo realized.

“Man, this really is a nice place, huh?”

The front door creaked open.

“To think you’d land such a nice house right after arriving. You’re quite fortunate, aren’t you?”

This wasn’t a thief. Horo shook off the preconceived notion formed from encountering so many thieves on their way here.

The man was small and slender, clearly not someone suited for combat. Yet, his piercing eyes were sharp enough to mark him as someone who did not belong in the peaceful, surface world.

It didn’t take long for Horo to conclude that he was a merchant.

Even so, it became clear that merchants in this town came with their own quirks.

“Well, the filth adds character, I suppose,” he muttered rudely, stepping into the room with exaggerated care to avoid dirtying his clothes.

His flashy attire was notably high-quality for a place like this, enough to suggest he didn’t belong here.

“Indeed. Just having this much space is a blessing.”

“How magnanimous of you,” the man sneered as he glanced around, moving closer.

Horo, hiding behind Sukui’s back, grimaced in discomfort but refrained from acting out.

“Thank you, but if it’s just a greeting, could it wait until tomorrow? We’ve had a long journey and need to do some basic cleaning, unpack, and rest.”

Sukui used Horo as an excuse, saying, “After all, I have a child with me.”

This was a prearranged part of their division of roles.

“Oh, of course. I wasn’t planning on staying long anyway.”

The man took another step closer but then stopped in his tracks.

It was instinct. He decided not to press further for now.

“That said, young master, I thought I’d let you know the rules around here. This area isn’t exactly welcoming to newcomers.”

Even as he stepped into their home uninvited, he maintained a certain distance while speaking.

Sukui silently counted the number of people surrounding the house, noting the combination of intimidation and practiced cunning. It was clear this man had seen his share of trouble.

“You understand, don’t you? The town’s security isn’t the best. Sleeping soundly at night might be too much to ask. No one wants to wake up buried under dirt, after all.”

“Indeed. Horo, how many do you think there are?” Sukui asked, as if losing interest in the man’s thinly veiled threat.

“Um… twelve, maybe?”

“Close. But there are four around the luggage, not three.”

Horo’s expression shifted to disbelief, but Sukui winked at her.

She strained her ears again, trying to discern the correct number. However, the commotion around the luggage made it difficult to get a clear read.

“What are you talking about?” the man asked, puzzled by their apparent disregard for him.

“Ah, so you’re suggesting we cooperate with your security donations?” Sukui replied.

“Yes, that’s right!” the man blurted, regaining his confidence and preparing to press his advantage.

But then he realized Sukui had moved closer—much closer—without him noticing.

“And by the way.”

His deliberate proximity was unmistakably threatening. Despite Sukui’s unchanging smile, the man instinctively took a step back.

“Are you and your friends skilled at cleaning? Or perhaps at repairing houses?”

It was already too late.

“You lot!”

Thirteen people barged into the house, making a clattering noise as they entered. Horo pursed her lips in frustration.

Considering her role, Horo couldn’t take action. She understood that Sukui had arranged these roles to protect her, taking into account her stamina for the cleaning and repairs to come.

It felt like she was always relying on him, always being protected. While Horo grappled with her complicated feelings toward Sukui’s overprotectiveness, the scene before her unfolded.

“I love cleaning! It’s so purifying for the soul! Please, let us do it! I’d pay for the opportunity!” one of the men blurted out.

By the time Horo noticed, the tense conversation had already ended.

All those who had surrounded the house had now entered, closing the door behind them. Sukui had quickly established a clear difference in authority, interrogating them effectively.

The group was nothing more than small-time crooks who extorted pocket change from nearby residents under the guise of offering protection.

Their apparent affluence came from their legitimate business ventures, which, surprisingly, were not criminal. Occasionally, they dabbled in such extortion schemes for extra cash, but they never escalated to violence.

They avoided targeting people who might fight back or demanding amounts that would breed lasting resentment.

Deemed unworthy of Sukui’s “salvation,” the group spent a significant amount of time displaying an exaggerated obsession with cleaning as a result of Sukui’s subtle yet overwhelming dominance.

“That’s good to hear,” Sukui said. “You see, she’s not very strong. I’d like for her to have a safe and clean place to sleep by nightfall.”

“By… nightfall? This entire mansion…?” The man faltered as the conditions Sukui had mentioned—completely protected from rain and wind, clean enough to walk barefoot—flashed through his mind.

For a moment, he considered negotiating about the timeframe. But Sukui smiled warmly.

“You mentioned ensuring a safe place to sleep. Or… do you still prefer money instead?”

“N-no, please, spare me!” The man’s voice trembled as Sukui spoke in a kind yet disarming tone.

What had been said so gently could only be taken as a threat. The man, who had approached the mansion expecting an easy score from a wealthy newcomer, now fully understood the truth: this house wasn’t secured with money alone—it was secured through strength.

The ability to judge the weak was essential for any merchant, and it had been his pride. Yet, here, his judgment had completely failed him.

“Much appreciated,” Sukui said. “I’ll be sorting and organizing the luggage in the meantime. Also—”

As the group set about cleaning, Sukui casually extracted information about the town’s trade routes and power structures, planning his future shopping and dealings.

There was no point in creating unnecessary grudges. By offering them a modest share of business, he ensured they would find some profit.

For now, Sukui had grasped the dynamics of the town’s commerce.

And with that, he secured a functional, comfortable home without further trouble.