Volume 2, Chapter 23 – Elmuden

Following Johanna-san’s recommendation, we spent two days traveling down the Semul River by boat.

We eventually arrived at the northern port town of Elmden.

The Semul River was calm with very little swaying, making the journey quite comfortable.

I had been wondering how they Managed to go upstream without an engine, but apparently, they either put up the sails or, in some cases, pull the boat with ropes.

Upon hearing that, I resolved to travel by land on the way back.

Now, the real work begins. We need to rescue Lu-chan’s mother, but first, we receive the usual enthusiastic welcome.

“Saint-sama, welcome to Elmden. I am Danke, the mayor of this town.”

“Thank you for welcoming us. I am Fiene Argentata. This is Christina and Lumia. It is a pleasure to meet you.”

After the usual template greetings, we were guided to the hotel.

The Haslan Grand Hotel—a suite in Aslan-san’s most luxurious establishment.

If I were staying here on my own, the price would absolutely gut my wallet.

I’m starting to get slightly used to this kind of treatment, but since I can’t assume I’ll be treated like this in every country, I feel it might be dangerous to get too accustomed to it.

Therefore, I must remember to be grateful and not take it for granted.

Rеαԁ оո KаtRеαԁіոgСаfе

After all, at the moment, I’m just a traveler who isn’t even working.

After dropping our luggage in the room, we headed to the hotel restaurant for dinner.

“Onee-sama, I heard the seafood in Elmden is delicious!”

“As expected of a port town.”

“Apparently, steamed mussels in white wine and french fries are the usual staples. I also heard the herb-roasted fish and acqua pazza ¹ Acqua pazza translates to “crazy water” in Italian. It refers to a classic Neapolitan dish—and the flavorful broth used to cook it—where fresh white fish or seafood is gently poached in a simmering mixture of olive oil, garlic, white wine, tomatoes, and herbs. made with fresh catches are delicious. As for meat dishes, the local specialty, beef stewed in beer, is said to be wonderful.”

“I’m looking forward to all of them.”

“I’m gonna eat everything!”

When Lu-chan says she wants to eat “everything,” it’s not a metaphor; she means she’ll eat every single thing in one meal, which is terrifying. For the record, I ordered the acqua pazza, and Chris-san ordered the herb-roasted fish. Normally, one dish is enough to fill you up, right?

“Here is your dessert, the seasonal fruit jelly.”

“Ooh, it looks delicious!”

Lu-chan lets out a cry of joy.

The fruits are grapes and pears.

The texture of the chilled jelly and the sweetness and acidity of the fruit match exquisitely; it’s delicious.

Rеαd οn ΚαtReαԁіngCаfе

Oh?

There is a card tucked under the dish of jelly served to me. Let’s see… “I shall visit your room tonight. If the timing is inconvenient, please put out the red tag. —Johanna.”

I see; since it’s Aslan-san’s hotel, she can make arrangements without any trouble.

By the way, the “red tag” is what you’d call a “Do Not Disturb” sign in real-world hotels, used to prevent room service from accidentally entering while a guest is resting.

Now, here we go.

Having enjoyed a superb dinner, we returned to our room.

◇ ◇ ◇

Knock knock.

There is a knock at our door.

“Welcome, Johanna-san,” Chris-san says, greeting her.

“Forgive me for the late hour, Saint-sama. It has been a while.”

Johanna-san gives an elegant bow.

Rеαd οո КаtReаԁiոɡCаfе

“Johanna-san, we’ve been expecting you. Please, have a seat.”

“Excuse me.”

We all sit down on the sofas in the reception room.

“Johanna-san, the fact that you’ve come to our room means the preparations are complete, I assume?”

“Yes. Lumia-sama’s mother is still at Lambert Batignieu’s main residence.”

“Is my mom okay?”

“Yes. In the sense that she is alive, she is safe. However, she is being kept as a slave…”

Lu-chan looks down with a shadowed expression.

I can only imagine her dignity as a woman is being trampled upon. It truly is a sickening story.

“When can the rescue operation be carried out?”

“If Saint-sama is willing, we can do it as soon as tomorrow. We have agents infiltrated into Lambert Batignieu’s main residence, so we will know immediately if there is any movement. Furthermore, the guards assigned to protect Saint-sama this time consist entirely of people under our influence, so we will be able to carry out the capture operation immediately.”

“We are ready whenever. Could you arrange it so we can rescue her as quickly as possible?”

“Of course. I shall do my utmost.”

Rеaⅾ on КatRеαⅾiոɡСαfе

“We are counting on you.”

After a brief discussion regarding the strategy, Johanna-san took her leave.

“Onee-sama, Chris-san…”

Lu-chan looks at us with an anxious expression.

“It’ll be alright. I will definitely Dispel Curse for her.”

“That’s right. You have Fiene-sama by your side, and you have me as well. Plus, the town guards are on our side. It’s okay. We will absolutely rescue Lumia’s mother.”

“…Yes, yes!”

The operation is scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM.

We will charge in all at once, signaled by the church bells.

Alright, time to save my cute little sister-figure’s mother!

Translator Note

Okay, I feel like it gonna have a plot twist.