Chapter 23: Without Paying Absolutely Anything...

Nox was carrying Tessa under one arm as they stood in front of the counter of a small inn.

The woman behind the desk stared at the inquisitor.

Then she pointed at the missing half of her body.

"...If I’m not mistaken."

Tessa sighed.

"Yes."

The woman looked at her again.

"The last time you came through here, you could walk on your own."

Tessa sighed once more.

"Yes."

The woman pointed again.

"And you were in one piece."

Nox was already starting to laugh.

Tessa closed her eyes.

"They’re just minor issues."

Nox burst out laughing.

"HAHAHAHAHA!"

Tessa glared at him.

"I don’t see what’s so funny."

"Minor issues?"

Nox pointed at where her legs should have been.

"You’re missing important parts!"

Even the woman behind the counter ended up laughing.

But she quickly regained her composure.

"Miss Tessa."

The inquisitor looked up.

"Yes?"

"Like I told you last time."

The woman rested both arms on the counter.

"If you ever need help, you can count on me."

For a moment, Tessa looked surprised.

Then she nodded.

"Thank you."

The woman smiled.

"What do you need?"

Tessa pointed at the group.

"At least one room for three."

The innkeeper glanced out toward the street.

Through a window, she could see Audrey.

The hunter was petting Claws while the enormous bear happily devoured a bucket full of sardines.

The woman blinked.

"Is the bear with you?"

Tessa nodded.

"Yes."

The woman looked at Claws again.

"Does he make a lot of noise?"

"No."

"Does he shed?"

Tessa looked at Claws.

Then shrugged.

"Not too much."

The woman laughed.

"Then there won’t be a problem."

Nox raised an eyebrow.

"Seriously?"

The woman nodded.

"In this village, we adore mountain bears."

Nox fell silent.

’What kind of place is this?’

So far, nobody had charged them for anything.

Nobody seemed afraid.

And on top of that, they adored giant bears.

’This village is weird.’

The woman began searching through several drawers.

Eventually, she found a key and handed it to Tessa.

"Room number six."

Tessa took the key.

"Thank you very much."

The woman smiled.

"It’s the least we can do for the woman who helped my family."

Nox immediately turned toward Tessa.

"You helped someone?"

Tessa looked uncomfortable.

"It’s not important."

"That sounded suspiciously heroic."

"It wasn’t."

Nox was already preparing a joke.

But the woman behind the counter spoke again.

This time, looking directly at the bark mask covering the demon’s face.

"Oh."

Nox froze.

"What?"

The woman smiled.

"Are you a fan of the Masked Dancers?"

Nox let out a relieved sigh.

"You’re not the first person to ask me that."

The innkeeper chuckled softly.

"They’re putting on a performance nearby tonight."

Nox gave her a thumbs-up.

"Perfect."

Then he took the key.

"Thank you very much for the room."

◇◆◇

Room number six turned out to be much larger than expected.

There were three beds, a small table, a spacious bathroom, a fireplace with burning logs, and enough room for Claws to lie down comfortably.

The giant bear was the first one inside.

And also the first one to claim the best corner.

Nox closed the door behind them.

Then he looked around the room.

And finally asked a question.

"...Is nobody bothered by this?"

Audrey was placing her bow against a wall.

"By what?"

"The fact that we’re all sleeping together."

The hunter thought for a few seconds.

"Honestly..."

She glanced at Tessa.

"...I’d rather she wasn’t here."

The inquisitor crossed her arms while sitting on one of the beds with her back against the wall.

Clearly annoyed.

"The feeling is mutual."

Audrey smiled.

"Perfect."

Nox pointed at Tessa.

"But she’s the one who got us the room."

Audrey sighed.

"I know."

Then she dropped onto another bed.

"I don’t have a problem with it."

Tessa rolled her eyes.

Nox looked at both of them again.

"...That’s not what I meant."

Both women looked at him.

"Then what did you mean?"

Nox pointed at himself.

"I’m a man."

Then pointed at them.

"You’re women."

Audrey blinked.

And then started taking off her clothes as though that conversation had never happened.

Nox froze.

"..."

The hunter removed her boots, then her trousers, and began undoing part of her clothing.

Getting ready to take a bath.

Nox watched.

Because Audrey’s figure was impossible to ignore.

The hunter didn’t even seem to notice.

Or she simply didn’t care.

Probably the second option.

Nox felt his brain stop working.

’...Good God.’

Tessa watched the scene.

Then looked at Nox.

Finally, she sighed.

"Can you take me to the bathroom afterward too?"

Nox was still frozen.

"Huh?"

"I want to wash myself too."

The inquisitor pointed at the missing lower half of her body.

"I can’t go by myself."

Nox looked back at Audrey.

Who was already preparing to head into the bathroom.

Then he looked at Tessa.

And finally at the ceiling.

’These women are completely insane.’

Neither of them seemed to have the slightest issue with him being there.

Neither of them seemed concerned about changing in front of him.

And most importantly...

’I don’t even have to pay.’

In his previous life, Tyler had been used to paying to see naked women.

Nox dropped onto a bed and smiled as he removed his mask.

’This is definitely...’

He looked at Audrey.

Then at Tessa reclining on the bed.

And finally at the ceiling once again.

’...my lucky day.’