This is a machine translation, guestimated by a human. Corrections and replacements are welcome. Feedback is encouraged. May you enjoy the read.
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Chapter 23 – Checkpoint

In the Kindom of Harland, south of the town of Port Ashbel--
With the sun setting behind them, three shadowy cloak-wrapped figures approach the roadside rest-stop town called Layne.

Layne straddles the road which runs from northern Port Ashbel to the southward Royal Capital, Ansel.
Layne's residencies only amount to a few dozen, but the number of inns exceed ten.
It is a town which grew up around serving weary highway travelers.
However, if one wished to do anything other than sleep, eat, and move along, one would be hard-pressed to find much to do.
The best evening entertainment to be found amounted to merely a few decent eateries.
Given this nature, finding a lighted building at dusk is difficult, at best.
At such an un-accommodating hour, three shadows finally reach Layne.

“I'll take a break here.”
I can't help but need to rest; I haven't walked this much in a day in the entirety of both of my lives.
One figure beside me takes off its hood as if to respond.
As the hood furls back, a beautiful black-haired young woman is revealed.
“It took longer than expected.
While I'd like to eat, it could be problematic if we don't first secure lodging.”
This refined black-haired beauty--Grace, says so coolly.
She didn't respond in impatience or anger, but when someone says it as she did, my experience tells me it is best to follow their suggestions.
“I suppose it'll be a long break; Kei's physical strength is lacking.”
Another figure standing opposite of Grace utters words of dismay.
That figure beneath the hood is Sorcerer-Sylvia, the Red-Headed Wizard Woman.
“Don't say it like that. We made it to our destination before nightfall...”
Hearing my objection, Grace cracks a small bitter smile.

If taking a carriage from Port Ashbel to the Royal Capital Ansel, it can take merely one full day.
Walking would at the very least take three.

We had considered riding carriage, but eventually chose to walk.
The price of a carriage ride is too much.
Carriage rides are not said to be in the realm of affordability for adventurers. Carriages are essentially luxuries for the likes of the aristocracy, with prices to match.
When I'd considered a cab, I'd imagined it to be simply a horse and a coachman carrying us gracefully to our destination, but that presumption was naive.
In actuality, carriage rides use teams of horses and coachmen. Horses must stop to rest and eat, while coachmen switch between each other along the way. The resulting fare is not cheap.

Until now, I hadn't been so conscious of the class divide in this society.
Harland is a hierarchical royal society. Naturally there are royalty. They are supported by the knighthood and nobles.
On the contrary bottom rungs of society are not just commoners, but slaves.

At the country town near the church at which I'd ended up after arrival, there was no sphere of action for me aside from the church and the forest.
At the next town of Port Ashbel, the bustling mix of adventurers and merchants made a scene in which the class divide wasn't a part of our life there.
But social class separatism, as one should expect, does indeed exist in the Royal Kingdom of Harland.
So what would happen if the knighthood or a nobleman crosses my path in the future and imparts a bad impression?
Would I be able to remain silent and meek to avoid quarrel? Would I conform and refrain from living by my ideals?

--------

The three of us immediately seek to secure lodging after reaching Layne.

Upon learning about the land of Florence, I found that adventurers in principle do not camp out in the field.
Somehow it's easy to get the false impression that adventurers don't stay at inns, but that certainly is not the case with real adventurers.

Of course adventurers could choose to camp out if it truly became necessary, but they'll steer clear of such situations unless doing such things as seeking to capture lost dungeons.
Therefore it's improbable for people to opt to leave themselves exposed to the elements.
In light of this, the first thing that adventurers typically do when arriving in town is secure the night's lodging.

We decided that seeking lodging as a group was inefficient, so we divided the task for individual action.
In this world, it seems it is custom to procure lodging while the sun still shines.
Therefore, finding available inns at this hour is tenuous.

“How was it?”
“No luck. I didn't find a vacancy.”
Grace and Sylvia bring back their results.
Such reports on earth would rouse suspicion of the establishment's honor and elicit pity upon the seeker, but my own experience just now was even a tier more bleak; Not a single inn staff was willing to even answer my query as to whether a vacancy existed.
A subtle unpleasant atmosphere drifts among us three.
“If you're going to camp near town, you're going to be too miserable to even cry.”
“There are still a few establishments we've yet to look into.”
“When we set up camp, Kei shall be the full time watchman.”
“Only me?! It's usually a shared task!”
Sylvia's point had been slightly lost on me--

For the time being, we split up again to check the remaining inns.
And, after a while – we reconvened.

“I'm sorry. I checked three doors--”
Grace says so apologetically.
The look on her face made her words understood beforehand.
Sylvia, on the other hand, looks very proud.
“I've found it! There was only one room, but I managed to secure it. There is just one bed, but I can borrow three blankets.”
“Oh--”
For a moment, in contrast to normal, Sylvia seems like a goddess to me.
“--Of course, I'll be using the bed. You can sleep on the floor.”
“--”
Sylvia's lustrous goddess-aura rapidly fades.

Sylvia leads the way inside the inn.
Naturally, considering recent events, I'm trailing at the rear.
Upon sight of Grace entering, the inn's proprietor stares as if they are discovering a defect in their vision.
It is no wonder, as beauties like these are out of place in this highway service town.

Upon my own entry and greeting, the proprietor's eyes regain proper function. The eyes become
--narrow.

Of course this is not a luxurious space. The room is small and features a tiny bed that is low to the ground.
Would I even be able to sleep on such a bed?
If I rolled in one direction, I'd end up falling to the floor.
If I were on a Caucasian-style mattress, I'd likely prefer the bed.
But in this case, the one who ends up with the bed has gotten the poor-end of the lottery. It is almost certainly the better choice to sleep on the floor.

“Well--”
Sylvia looks at the situation and beams out to Grace.
“It is my natural pride to treat my companions with care. Grace? I give you this bed today. May you get a restful night's sleep.”
As Grace listens quietly, she holds back a few reactions.
“Sylvia, since you originally acquired this shelter, it is your right to use this bed.
Didn't you tell me so in the first place?
--I and Kei shall take the floor.”
At that, Sylvia responds impatiently, as if she's noticed something new.
“No, wait a minute.
Our inn was obtained by me, so don't you think it proper that I decide where I sleep?
It's embarrassing, but I'm a bit of a bad sleeper.
I'm afraid I'll fall in my sleep, so it's best if I sleep on the floor.”
As Grace hears this, a smile appears across her face. It is one of an uncharacteristic mischievousness.
“Sylvia, you don't have to hold back.
--Do enjoy the bed.”
“Grace, you are--”

--What's with this?
These girls are on the brink of an ugly quarrel. If this continues, it's bound to end up as something regrettable. I've no choice but to intervene.
“So far, both of you are trying to give up the bed. It's regrettable, but it seems that if you both sleep on the floor, you'll sleep better.”
“Yes, but--”
“You're the biggest, so if you're on such a narrow bed, won't the night's rest be severe?”
The two of them are able to voice their objections now, but if they'd been drunk, would this not have erupted?
“Well, that's all right. For me, it's better if the two of you sleep well.
This time, it's the decision of the party leader.
--so that we have no grudges.”
Grace and Sylvia look at each other silently for a moment—and agree.

--------------

After finishing dinner, we return to the room to retire for the evening.
In addition to maintaining today's truce, we must remain in harmony for tomorrow's early departure.
I go straight into bed, acting as if Grace and Sylvia's presence is hidden behind an invisible wall.
However, in actuality, with two beautiful women sleeping next to each other, I am overcome with restless thoughts.
But if one doesn't sleep, their fatigue can't be healed.
I'm the biggest and I'm in the narrowest sleeping space, so I'm afraid of falling off the bed. Fortunately, the bed is so low to the floor that a fall wouldn't hurt.
To tell the truth, I've never been so conscious of my own way of sleeping; If you fall out of bed—no, no, no- I must cease any further speculation.
I feel sorry for Grace and Sylvia who must sleep on the floor with blankets. Could such a frustrating discomfort regularly cause us disharmony? I put my mind at ease, determined that this evening shall be an exception to our normal way.

Where did that restless feeling go? I'd hardly been in bed before I'd fallen fast asleep.
...It's pitch dark in the room, likely some time around midnight, but there is a sudden little cry from beside me.
“Ah--”
I suddenly wake up.
I can't tell whose voice it was, but it seems to be Grace.
I hear Grace's voice, “Sylvia, on purpose? Really?”
No response from Sylvia.
I internally laugh at the scene while closing my eyes.
...Even though the bed is so narrow, it's a pity to have them sleep on the floor.
It was my poor endurance which caused us to be late and have to settle for such disagreeable lodging.
Let's try to get to our destination before dusk and reduce travel-breaks as much as possible tomorrow.
I swear this in my mind and fall back asleep.

------------

The next morning my consciousness resists waking up.
Disoriented, I'm sensing an obscure and soft texture about me.
There is a suffocating feeling, so I press the soft obstruction away, but it elastically surrounds my fingers instead of being pushed away.
I don't even remember having a pillow--

I crack open an eye and see something that doesn't make sense.
“Uh—what?”
Strangely, I see a dangerous deep valley before me. And its texture appears like human skin.
I press forth my hand again to re-test my consciousness.
My hand is pushed back with an indescribable elasticity.
“-Ah---”
I hear a voice that isn't mine. The place where the voice is generated is just above my brain; it's very close.
Well, no matter how I look at it, it resembles a chest.

“--Kei, what are you doing?”
I jump up to my feet at this surprising voice located above me.
Looking at me with cold eyes, Grace is wielding a Jitte [A type of non-bladed weapon associated with Japanese palace guards]
“G,Grace--! Good morning. I'm awake now.”
Looking as refreshed, cheerful and day-ready as possible, I greet Grace.
“Good morning. I've just awoken. And what were you just doing?”
I'm afraid that she may have seen something.
“No matter what you say- Don't you think that he just fell out of bed while sleeping?”
Still lying down, Sylvia's ear gets pinched by Grace.
“What in the hell is that for?!”
Sylvia protests Grace's forceful ear-pinch.
“Sylvia, you didn't do anything to Kei last night?”
“Eh? Uh, Yesterday?
Oh, I understand. Yes! Kei fell out of bed, right?! I thought I'd be crushed!”
“I see. I'm sorry--”
Grace didn't wake up, so it mustn't have a been a significant falling-object impact, but nevertheless I apologize to Sylvia.
“--Well, because it was warm, I just held him in my arms and fell back asleep. Uhu--”
I laughed at Sylvia's lovely playfulness, thinking everything was alright, but when I look at Grace's face, it's like she's been possessed by the Ice Emperor's sword Viola.
Her eyes were so cold.
--yes, I suppose something still wasn't right..
“Well, there's nothing helped by dawdling.
We'll prepare to leave early so that we can get a few rooms before dark today.”
Upon my saying so, Grace nods painfully and seems to contract a type of Suspicious Eye curse.

Grace was not in good humor until after breakfast and travel preparation was finishing.
I feel like Grace has generally been of good temperament but something is putting her in a grave mood.
I'll just have to tread carefully for now.

----------------

After prep work was finished and we are about to exit the inn, the owner speaks to us.
“Are you going to the Royal Palace?”
I wearily consider answering but end up nodding honestly.
“I heard yesterday that there was an inquest on my way to the capital.
I think having an ID will do you well, but the soldiers who perform traveler inspections are often not well-mannered, so you ought to be careful.”
The proprietor squints his eyes and lowers his head slightly while maintaining focused eye contact at Grace and Sylvia.
There are various ways of inspecting travelers, but it seems that the inspection system in Harland is flawed.
“Thank you for your advice. Thank you.”
I glance at the thankful Sylvia and Grace, then also thank the proprietor as we leave the inn.

--------------

After that, Grace, Sylvia and I trek toward Royal Capital Ansel.
I take two breaks on the way, but today's pace is much faster than yesterday's.
And at about lunch time we approach a road-blocking barricade with soldiers stationed around the opening.

“--That's the inquest-”
Grace and Sylvia nod upon hearing.
Most through-traffic is soldiers. They show their IDs, pass the examinations, and get through without a hitch. We prepare the IDs from the Port Ashbel's Adventurer's Guild and ready them for showing.
In a manner imitating the soldiers preceding us but with our cloaks fully deployed, we present our IDs for observation.
The soldier who is in charge of examination observes the cards and again quickly and disinterestedly gestures that we continue onward.
“--”
Just as relief begins to set in, a superior officer who was observing beside the inquest soldier calls us up.
“--Stop.”
Perhaps he's cast Bind? No, this is different.
“Have the three of them come to the parlor for further inquiry.”
We observe each others' hooded figures for suspicious objects. -I suppose it is impossible to hide the fact that these are young women with just hooded cloaks.
In retrospect, it might be the case that the initial inspector soldier had already predicted what would happen. ...Perhaps.
I exchange glances with Grace and Sylvia, then I follow the gently-guiding soldiers into the waiting room.
Grace and Sylvia follow.

The soldiers' room is relatively large, and features a large, long desk at the rear.
In the center sits a bearded man whose age looks to be greater than mine.
The three of us are arranged side by side in front of the bearded man, accompanied by the soldiers who guided us in.
...I suppose I'll begin first.
I motion to Grace and Sylvia, then take off my hood.
The man's eyes wander about my face for a moment and his interest in me fades quickly. His focus changes toward Grace and Sylvia.
The bearded man looks up and down the two women for a while and begins to talk unilaterally.
“You see now, we are on alert.
I'm sorry, but it's a rule to have random physical examinations.
I appreciate your cooperation.”
I don't remember saying that I would cooperate--.
He's been very tactful and careful, but the short of it is that we're being forced into a bodycheck.
The truth of this isn't lost on Sylvia, and she openly frowns.
After the bearded man gave directions to the soldiers beside us, one approaches me and exclaims “Excuse me”.
He starts to grope my body with his hands.
Around the shoulder to the chest, to the back, down the arms, around the belly, then the legs, my buttox... I am touched down to the last-
“--I'll be the one to touch that!”
Grace bursts into laughter at my curse.
The soldier, who is stroking my 'fascination', shakes his head. The bearded man strokes his bearded beardly beard after receiving the confirmation, and begins to speak with a satisfied tone.
“Well, the man may move along now.
But I must look into the other two.
It would be rude toward the ladies to have him watching.”
An unexpected line-
Looking closely at the bearded man's face, there seems to be slight twitching around the side of his mouth.
He cannot fully hold back his laughter.
As you might have guessed, his tone of voice had great seriousness.
“So the ladies must prove their innocence by themselves.
--the armor and clothes shall be removed by the ladies themselves..”

I can't help smiling at the words which were so true to my own desire, but I can foresee what is about to occur.