Chapter 32: The Old Man Worries About the Dress Code

The next day, when I finally woke up, the sun was already high in the sky. It was well past noon.

Lying on a slightly better bed than usual in a cheap inn, I pressed a hand to my pounding head.

“Ugh… my head hurts…”

Last night, because of my unexpected companion… Fel… I didn’t sleep very well.

Using that as an excuse, I indulged in my usual bad habit.

Yes… the cheap booze I bought with the few copper coins I earned from my sewer-dredging job.

I took it and, alone in my room, drank myself into a stupor again, as if to escape my anxieties about the future.

Taking advantage of the innkeeper’s kindness for a free night’s stay, I ended up drinking heavily and sleeping past noon… I’m pathetic, honestly.

“So you’re finally awake, Master. I was wondering how long you intended to indulge in your idle slumber.”

Beside the bed stood a little girl with her arms crossed, a thoroughly exasperated look on her face… It was Fel.

She’s the beastkin kid with the strangely arrogant tone… no, with the serious case of eighth-grader syndrome, who’s been sticking to me since yesterday.

“Could you… just leave me alone for a bit… My head still hurts…”

I couldn’t help but snap at her.

Then, I managed to drag my heavy body upright.

My creaking joints and throbbing temples told the story of last night’s recklessness.

“Hmph. In such a pathetic state, are you truly fit to be my master…? Honestly…”

Fel snorted and turned away.

Master…? Is this kid really planning on sticking with me from now on…?

Given her attitude yesterday, I was sure she’d have gotten fed up with me and taken off by now…

With no energy left to correct her, I sighed internally.

Besides, there was something else bothering me more.

Sniff, sniff…

I sniffed the collar of my clothes and grimaced.

The stench of yesterday’s sewer dredging, mixed with my own night sweats and the reek of cheap booze, had created something truly foul.

…This is really bad.

Even if I’m just going to get fired, it’s far too rude to go to Emma-san’s residence smelling like this.

All’s well that ends well.

I don’t have the desire or the luxury to try and look cool, but I should at least be presentable for the end…

I forced my weary body up and started to get ready.

That said, I unfortunately don’t own a change of clothes.

So, for now, the only option is to wash the source of the smell… my body… in the nearby river.

“Um… Fel. I’m going to go wash up for a bit… You’re staying here, right?”

“I refuse. It is only natural that I remain by my master’s side. Besides, things seem more interesting when I am near you.”

Fel shot back without a moment’s hesitation, and when I left the room, she followed right behind me as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Sigh… Just how long is this kid planning on staying with me…?

I scratched my head vigorously as I walked toward the river that flowed near the town.

The river water was still cold, but washing myself off cleared my head a little.

I felt like my headache had eased up a bit, too.

I dried myself on the riverbank and once again pulled on my usual filthy rags.

I haven’t owned a change of clothes a single time since coming to this other world.

In this world, clothing is surprisingly valuable, and commoners like me typically mend their clothes over and over until they become utterly useless rags.

Well… even by this world’s standards, my current clothes are clearly in the “utterly useless” category, but when it comes to food, clothing, and shelter, “clothing” is always the lowest priority, so it can’t be helped.

Still… going to Emma-san’s house in this state…

Honestly, looking at myself objectively, don’t I look like a vagrant…?

Well, it’s too late to do anything about it now.

I’m getting fired anyway…

Half-resigned to my fate, I headed back to the inn.

Normally, I should have gotten a job referral from the dispatcher just like any other day, but it was already afternoon.

It was too late for that now.

Thanks to the innkeeper’s kindness, my stay was free for a day, so I still have yesterday’s earnings.

So, I can afford to stay at the inn tonight, but…

From tomorrow on, if I can’t land a job, I’ll be back on the streets instantly…

While I was outside killing time, the sky began to turn crimson, and dusk approached.

It was finally time for the “Last Supper.”

As if to shake off my gloomy mood, I lifted my head and started toward Emma-san’s house.

I glanced back and saw Fel following silently behind me.

Is this kid… really coming with me…?

Does she think she’s going to get some food…?

Her hunch is actually right, but… still… what will Emma-san and the others think…?

Well… I was planning on talking to her about Fel anyway, so I guess this is a good opportunity…

“Listen, Fel. I’m going to someone’s house now… and while I guess I can’t stop you from coming… it would be a huge help if you could just be on your best behavior…”

On the way, I tried to gently give her a warning.

“Hmph. You needn’t tell me that, Master.”

Fel’s reply was as curt as ever.

I seriously doubt she actually gets it, but saying anything more would probably be pointless.