Chapter 17: Let’s Set Off Towards the Town

Everyone stared at the mountain of monster corpses in silence.

"Umm..."

Irina looked over at me.

『Shall we carry them to the town entrance for you?』

Logan offered, but just taking them to the entrance wouldn’t be very useful. Besides, I still hadn’t explained that to everyone!

Tararata~n! Subspace Compression Storage~!

And so, I, the great one, began rapidly storing the mountain of monsters away.

『Oooh! Is that the Boss’s ability? Incredible!』

Logan looked at me with admiration.

Heh heh, you may worship me even more if you wish!

After all, I am a capable slime!

『So how exactly will we turn them in at the guild?』

All eyes turned to Hiyoko Captain’s question.

That’s simple — I just need to make sure no one can see my real form...

Ping!

An idea flashed into my mind. Irina had dumped out all her luggage, leaving a large empty backpack. I had her dash back to the tent and bring it over.

"Irina, put the backpack on."

"Yabe-dono, I don’t mind wearing it, but... it’s completely empty..."

Even as she said that, Irina put the backpack on. I then boinged right into the empty pack!

"Wah!"

Irina was startled, but I’m sure I’m not that heavy. I’m super light!

I then closed the lid myself using my tentacles. Tentacles are so convenient!

"How about it? From the outside, you can’t tell I’m inside, right?"

『As expected of the Boss! With the lid closed, you can’t tell at all!』

Hiyoko Captain gave his approval. Perfect, now we’re fully prepared.

"Listen, Irina. We’re going to the Adventurers’ Guild like this. You’ll say you mastered storage magic or come up with some random excuse, then I’ll take the monsters out. After that, just play along with the story."

"I-I see! As expected of Yabe-dono! ’The reason I was able to cash in the monsters at the guild is all thanks to me, so if you want a share, become my woman’... Kuh, ravish her!"

"We’ll think about the shares later. For now, let’s hurry up and get to Sorenarini Town."

I extended a tentacle from the backpack and poked Irina’s head repeatedly.

"U-understood! Leave it to me!"

Irina gripped the backpack straps tightly, suddenly full of spirit. Is she going to be okay?

"Hiyoko Captain, you come too. Perch on top of the backpack and keep me updated on the surroundings."

『Yes sir! Leave it to me!』

Hiyoko Captain quickly hopped onto Irina’s shoulder. He was also strangely pumped up. You okay, buddy?

『Boss! What about me...』

Logan started to ask, but I delivered the harsh truth.

"Logan, you’re on house-sitting duty."

『W-Whaaaaaaaaat!?』

Logan shed tears of blood in despair. It’s just house-sitting, why are you this devastated!?

"I can’t take you into town no matter what, so it can’t be helped."

Logan collapsed face-first. Even his tail had gone completely limp. His subordinates gently comforted him. You’ve got some good subordinates, Logan.

"Ah, but now that I think about it, it’d be way faster if we ride Logan at least to the outskirts of town."

I remembered the insane speed when I rode Logan to Kasso Village. It would save time and be much easier on Irina too.

"But Logan, is that okay? Will it be too heavy with both Irina and me on you?"

『N-Not at all! It’s actually very light! Please leave it to me!!』

The Logan who had been face-down a moment ago instantly revived. You sure bounce back fast.

"Irina will ride directly on your back, so no full-speed sprinting, okay? Just a casual trot is fine."

『Any speed is fine! Leave it to me!』

Logan was also ridiculously motivated. You good?

"Hmph! A mere casual trot? Yabe-dono, you’re underestimating me far too much. It would be better to reach the guild quickly and cash in the monsters."

Irina, my dear... Your airheadedness has already been thoroughly proven.

Your sense of judgment is as sweet as stuffing your mouth full of sugar, honey, and maple syrup.

"Then let’s test how fast you can handle."

First, I had Irina straddle Logan’s back.

While staying inside the backpack, I stretched tentacles out from both sides and grabbed onto Logan’s mane.

"Alright, let’s depart! Sorry to the rest of you, but you’re on house-sitting duty. Wait for us properly!"

『『『Understood, Boss!』』』

Both Hiyoko and the Fang Wolves replied in unison. You guys have really gotten along, huh?

And so, Logan immediately broke into a dash.

Shubabababa!

"Habubububu!"

Irina couldn’t withstand Logan’s explosive speed — her face was warped by wind pressure to a level that should not be seen. I warned you...

"Igi-ga-de-gi-nai~"

"Huh? What?"

"Yaaabe-dono~! Igi-ga! Igi-gaaa~!"

Apparently the wind pressure was so strong that Irina couldn’t breathe. Was she going to die?

『Logan, slow down. Until Irina calms down.』

『Roger!』

We had been going at quite a high speed, so I used telepathy to give Logan instructions for the first time in a while. He gradually slowed down to a leisurely, walk-like pace.

"Fuaaa~... Logan-dono really is amazing... That speed was unbelievable."

Irina, whose face had been distorted by the wind into something unsightly, held her cheeks and muttered.

I gently massaged her cheek muscles with my tentacles, stroking them soothingly.

"Fyaah... Hya, hyaabe-dono~"

"It’s a massage so your cute face doesn’t get ruined by the strong wind."

"Kyaa, kyaa-cute, you say... E-even now, you’re saying Irina is cuuute... Kuh, ravish me!"

Since I was vigorously rubbing her cheeks with tentacles, Irina’s words were all muffled. I decided to ignore it.

"Hyowaaa~"

After some time, we finally reached a point close enough to Sorenarini Town.

"Alright, Logan. You stay here and keep watch."

『Nuooh! Boss, why!?』

Stop crying blood already.

"I obviously can’t bring you into Sorenarini Town. Wait around here and make sure other travelers don’t spot you."

『Guuu... Understood.』

Seeing his endless tears of blood and his completely wilted tail made him look truly pitiful, but it couldn’t be helped.

"Now then, Irina, Hiyoko Captain — let’s go."

『Roger!』

"Got it. From here, we’ll walk."

We headed towards the entrance gate of Sorenarini Town.