Survive in the parallel world, please!

Chapter 73: Don’t lose your belongings, please! part

“He looks kinda cute, doesn’t he?”

Sera said after going back outside and looking at the wolf they dragged all the way downhill.

“I’m not sure we’re seeing the same thing, miss Sera, it looks pretty beaten up”

Hiraku replied scratching his cheek awkwardly.

“I just need to apply the antidote and then some medicine so it falls asleep, there’s something I didn’t think though, I don’t think I can force it to drink the antidote”

“Maybe you could feed it something with the antidote”

Ksenia proposed.

.....

“I could do that, but as soon as I feed it, it’ll regain its stamina, making it impossible to hold it still... unless... maybe If we put it on the dungeon, it won’t be able to escape and it’ll make taming it a lot easier”

Ryu said as he started dragging the wolf inside the brothel, only when he reached the kitchen did he realize that he had to take it downstairs. The wolf had a fierce, yet pretty beaten up, appearance and Ryu didn’t feel safe holding it on his arms, instead of overthinking it he just pulled the sash he was using as a leash and dragged it downstairs.

Only a clanking sound of the wolf’s head hitting every step could be heard.

“Yeah, that’s what you get for attacking me”

Ryu said and, of course, he didn’t get a reply. He followed Ksenia’s advice and fed it the antidote with some raw meat. It took it less than five minutes to be back on its feet. It was still pretty hurt, but wasn’t poisoned anymore.

“Ksenia, would you tell everyone I’m not going back to the tavern until I manage to tame this wolf, I don’t think anyone will mind if I stay in here since Bianca won’t be living in here anymore”

“Actually, when I was with miss Ayumi she said that you’re the new owner of the brothel”

Sera said.

“What!? how!?”

“I’m not really sure, I think the townspeople raided the place and took everything of value and the food, and since you were directly affected by madame... no, by Bianca’s conspiration, they decided you would get this place. Also, all her slaves were set free on the spot”

“Yeah, I was at the tavern when they said the news”

Ksenia confirmed what Sera said, they expected Ryu to be happy, but he had a bitter smile on his face.

“Great, now I have yet another place to take care of, thank goodness they didn’t force the slaves on me or I wouldn’t know what to do”

“Mister Ryu, why are you not happy? this place must be worth a fortune”

“This place was worth a fortune, Sera, now it’s just a rundown and huge place. Just keeping it clean is going to be a hassle, besides, without proper food I won’t be able to even work as a cook. I wish they let me at least some supplies, but its mostly scraps and waste”

Ryu sighed.

Ryu then asked the girls to bring everyone from the tavern to the new place, it took them just one day to move their belongings, but it took them almost four to just clean the place and make some small repairs.

Since the place was so big, they sealed most of the doors to prevent people from wandering around and they opened the new Silver goddess tavern in what used to be the brothel. The next few days were filled with ups and downs, with many people dissatisfied because the place didn’t offer ‘special services anymore’, and they also had a few issues with people trying to flirt with the waitresses.

It was an all hands on deck situation, even Dylan had to work a lot more, but at least it kept them occupied and distracted from past incidents. Everyone was happy but Mochi, the poor cat was afraid to even get close to the kitchen, where the entrance of the dungeon was. Every time the wolf howled Mochi would run to seek cover under a bed.

“You should get rid of the thing in the basement Ryu!”

Rina pouted

“First, it’s not a thing, its an amarok, second, it’s not a basement but a dungeon”

“Whatever, just get rid of it!”

“Why should I do that after all the trouble I had to bring it back from the mountain”

Ryu crossed his arms, showing his determination to not get rid of the wolf. Ever since he met the first jackal he’s been having dreams of traveling the world with a dog companion, he had fantasized of many different scenarios where they would have many adventures together. But he didn’t dare tell that to anyone since he feared to be taken as Luke whenever he spoke about his fantasies.

“It gives me the creeps, and the cat doesn’t like it, I can deal with all the yelping and howling, but there’s something weird about that dog”

“Anyway, It shouldn’t be long until it recognizes me as its master, plus I think it will eb a nice guardian”

“I don’t think it’s even possible to tame wolves like that”

Rina sighed in resignation.

“Didn’t you said it was a dog? if it’s just a dog then there’s no problem in keeping it. Anyways, how are the guys at Hiraku’s group doing?”

“I don’t know, Anne went over there this morning, you should ask her”

Ryu went upstairs to Anne’s room, he expected to see her designing some clothes with Helena or trying on a new attire, but the situation was far from what he had expected.

“Ryu, weren’t you supposed to be taking care of the dog?”

“I did that already, more importantly, why are you packing up?”

Anne had all her belongings spread on her bed and was packing up her luggage for what it seemed to be a long trip.

“We’re going to the mines to see if the guys are still over there”

Anne said avoiding Ryu’s gaze.

“Who is we? also, why no one told me about this?”

“it’s not like we were hiding it from you, but we’re worried about Luke”

Anne’s voice was almost a whisper at this point.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea”

“That’s exactly why we didn’t tell you before. You can’t stop us!”

“I didn’t mean that, It’s a great idea to go look for them, but not until winter is over. You don’t know what you’re gonna find in there, besides, the snow is melting rapidly and there could be land slides. And if that’s not enough, we still need you in here, there’s so much to do and we lack the people”

“Didn’t you say Eiri and Kairi were our replacements? Me and Helena had it already, we played along all we could but at this point our presence here is no longer required”

When Ryu noticed that Anne wasn’t messing around and really intended to leave his face became pale. It didn’t cross his mind that he would be left behind so soon.

“A week, a week it’s all I ask and then you’ll be able to go anywhere you want”

“I don’t know, I should talk it over with Helena, but we’re supposed to be on our way now”

“Are you kidding me!? it’s past noon already, even if you make it to the mine you won’t manage to arrive before dusk, what will you do if you get lost?”

Anne stared at Ryu and then pointed at her eyes.

“Night vision, remember?”

Since he hadn’t been able to activate that skill for a while now, he had completely forgotten about it.

“What if you get attacked?”

“Listen Ryu, I know you mean well, but you really can’t stop us”

Anne wasn’t budging at all.

“That’s not it... I mean to ask Ksenia to take over the old tavern and turn it into a drugstore. We had been making good use of the billboard and we’ve gotten many different materials, ingredients and supplies. If you can wait a little while longer, perhaps I’ll be able to provide you with something useful”

Helena came from behind Ryu, he was so shocked by Anne’s sudden intention to leave that he failed to notice her.

“I think we should stay for a week Anne, Ryu is right and we won’t be able to make it on our own if we’re not careful. One of Ryu’s potions can mean the difference between life and death, besides...”

Helena blushed a little.

“Besides, I didn’t agree with leaving so suddenly. When I said I was coming with you I meant that, as long as you gave me enough time to finish my business here”

“What kind of business could you possibly have in this crappy town? are you not tired of it already?”

Anne’s popped a vein on her forehead.

“Anne quit it! you’re being mean now! I have many things that I want to do before leaving Ironwoods, and none of them are your business. If you want to go alone then you are free to go, but if you want me to come with you, then pull your head out of your tight ass and be patient, ok?”

Seeing Helena mad left both Anne and Ryu completely flabbergasted, she had always been patient and caring, always putting out the quarrels and fights among companions. But this time she looked completely serious, making them think that whatever she had to do in Ironwoods was really important for her.

And as a matter of fact, it was. Winter was coming to an end, and as soon as the snow melted they would hold the spring festival. Helena didn’t know what exactly they did on the festival, but she had head about shirtless men and the choosing of the fairest maiden. Making her both aroused and excited just to think about it, and she wouldn’t let anyone interfere with her fantasies.