SWNOVELXO Chapter 19: - Item Box Verification.
Gorteo’s shop had a variety of items, including appliances like washing machines and fans. My honest impression was that they resembled items from the Showa era around the first Tokyo Olympics, something I had seen in a drama before.
On the contrary, it was refreshing, and I lost track of time while browsing. Thanks to that, it was already evening.
Perhaps because Gorteo wasn’t present today, the deputy shopkeeper had been following us around the whole time. We weren’t big spenders, so I didn’t mind it too much.
“I’m sorry for staying so long without making significant purchases.”
I had bought some small items, but the total amount wasn’t substantial, so I thanked the deputy shopkeeper sincerely.
“No worries at all. Please continue to favor our shop in the future.”
It was exemplary merchant conduct, and he never once made a displeased expression.
As we exited Gorteo’s shop, I walked while checking on the thieves.
“What happened to them?”
“They’re all still following us from behind.”
We had been in Gorteo’s shop for about four hours, and it seemed they had waited during that time. Quite dedicated of them.
Instead of going straight back to the inn, I decided to pass by the government office and the guard station.
“They’ve moved away.”
The guard station appeared to be a challenging place for the thieves to navigate.
“When you turn that corner, start running.”
“Got it.”
We turned the corner, ran, and turned corners repeatedly.
Before I realized it, I was holding Anneliese’s hand. Her hand felt incredibly soft. I wanted to keep holding it like this forever.
“Master, it seems we’ve lost them.”
“…Is that so?”
Come on, muster up your determination and chase them properly! I don’t want to let go of Anneliese’s hand, you know? Hey, understand me!
“There are no reactions nearby.”
Anneliese’s magic sense extended about 50 meters, which was a decent distance. It was quite far. These thieves were proving to be quite ineffective.
“Shall we return to the inn?”
“Yes… Um…”
“What is it?”
“Is it okay to hold hands like this?”
Anneliese looked at the hand I was holding.
“…Yeah, it’s fine like this.”
Of course, it is!
“Alright.”
We continued to hold hands as we walked back to the inn. It felt like we were experiencing our youth, which was somewhat embarrassing.
But it was a good feeling. Moving while silently holding Anneliese’s hand.
When we arrived at the inn, Anneliese mentioned that she couldn’t sense the thieves anymore.
Even when we had our meal in the dining hall and returned to our room, she used her magic sense to check if anyone was inside. It didn’t hurt to be cautious.
“These thieves are targeting me.”
“Why, Master?”
“It happened nine days ago. I was walking on the highway towards Kerniffi.”
It was a story from when I didn’t know about Kerniffi…
“At that time, I encountered a group of thieves attacking a merchant caravan.”
I told her about what happened back then, including defeating the leader of that group of thieves.
“Master, you did what was only natural. Holding a grudge like this is just ridiculous!”
Anneliese was extremely understanding. Her pouting was cute, and it warmed my heart.
“I think so too. If they don’t want to be killed, they shouldn’t have become thieves.”
Thieves might have their reasons, but I had no interest in hearing the stories of those who killed and robbed, especially those who harmed women.
“I’d like to believe that this inn isn’t known, but I think we should be cautious and take some precautions.”
“Precautions?”
I began to lay out the items I had purchased from Gorteo’s shop on the bed. There were numerous bells and strings resembling octopus threads.
“Could you attach these bells to this string with about a head’s distance between them?” I asked Anneliese.
“Sure,” she replied, without complaining, and began threading the bells onto the string one by one.
During that time, I decided to verify my item box.
First, I stored the clothes I was wearing in the item box. Yup, it worked.
“Why did you suddenly get undressed?” Anneliese asked, surprised by my nudity. I should have said something earlier; my apologies.
“It’s just a quick item box verification. Don’t worry about it,” I explained.
Anneliese went back to attaching the bells, and I continued with my verification.
Storing the items I was wearing was a success. Next, I retrieved the dagger I had placed about 50 centimeters away from me. That worked too.
Now for about 1 meter away. This also succeeded.
But 2 meters away didn’t respond.
Neither did 1.5 meters.
Reading the detailed appraisal, it seemed that this distance might increase as the proficiency of the item box improved.
Currently, my item box could retrieve items without direct contact but within 1 meter. Conversely, when taking something out, it could be placed within 1 meter. This could be a significant advantage.
I placed a stone or a dagger into the item box. Then, I attempted to retrieve it within 1 meter of someone’s body. Just imagining a fist-sized stone appearing in someone’s heart made me think it would be deadly. That could be a problem.
This wasn’t something I could easily experiment with. Monsters might be suitable test subjects, but they probably wouldn’t willingly participate in an experiment within a 1-meter radius. Moreover, I didn’t know where a monster’s heart would be located, but I assumed that producing a stone inside their head might have a similar effect.
I should try it when the proficiency of my item box increases and the distance extends.
“Master, I’ve finished attaching the bells.”
“Thank you.”
“Um, are you going to stay naked like this?”
“…Huh!?”
Engrossed in my verification work, I hadn’t realized that I was still completely naked. No wonder I felt cold.
Anneliese’s gaze was focused on my lower abdomen… Don’t look so much!
I quickly dressed and hung the string with bells on the door. The idea was that if the door moved, the string would detach and make noise. I set up similar mechanisms on the two windows.
This way, even if someone entered through the door or window, the bells would alert us. It didn’t mean we could sleep without worries, but it was better than nothing.
Next was…
“Anneliese, could you tie me up with this?”
“Huh?”
I requested her to tie me up with the rope, assuming how the thieves might restrain me. It wasn’t some weird fetish; it was all part of my verification.
“Please tie me up as if I were captured by the thieves.”
“Understood.”
Anneliese began winding the rope around my body. She seemed quite skilled at it. Her breathing was somewhat rapid. Huh? Wait a minute… Isn’t this a Japanese bondage technique!?
“You seem quite experienced at this…”
“I’ve been on several missions to suppress bandit groups. Killing bandits is acceptable, but if you capture them alive, you can sell them as criminal slaves, which increases the reward.”
“I see…”
However, I had a feeling that Japanese bondage was different… Or was it just me? Well, let’s not dwell on it too much.
If I could retrieve the rope that restrained me in the item box, it might help me escape if I were ever captured.
When I stored it and thought about it, the rope disappeared.
I apologize for the misunderstanding. Here’s the continuation of the story:
“I understand the purpose of what you were doing, Master. You truly are remarkable and intelligent,” Anneliese praised.
Don’t praise me too much; my ego might inflate.
However, there’s still something I feel like I should verify or do—something that’s lurking at the back of my mind, but I can’t quite grasp it.
Despite this nagging feeling, I concluded the verification. It was time to wipe myself off and get some rest.
“I think we should get some hot water soon; it’s gradually getting colder,” I suggested.
“That would be a good idea,” Anneliese agreed.
While there was cold water available from the room’s sink, we could also request hot water from the inn at the cost of 50 grille per cup. We decided to endure cold water for today and switch to hot water from tomorrow.
We both undressed. I stored all our clothes in my item box, a convenient trick I’d learned.
Anneliese, looking a bit embarrassed, turned her back to me as she undressed. I enjoy both OPPAI and OSHIRI, so either way, it was a sight to behold.
“Sit over there,” I instructed.
“Yes,” she complied, sitting on a chair. I proceeded to dry her from behind, starting with her ears, down her neck, back, and waist.
“Raise your arm.”
“Okay,” she said.
I wiped her left armpit; her breasts jiggled slightly. Oh, how I’d love to grab a handful of those OPPAI.
With excitement, I moved on to the right side and dried her right armpit. Now it was time for her to face me.
“Yes…” Her face was so crimson it could be seen even in the dim room.
She covered her chest with both hands and hid her lower abdomen by crossing her thighs.
I disliked women who lacked modesty. Some of my classmates used to sit with their legs wide open in short skirts, displaying everything. They were the worst.
Comparatively, Anneliese’s behavior was girlish. She had modesty, was ladylike, and was considerate.
Is it disrespectful to compare her to those scoundrels?
As I wiped the area beneath her almost overflowing OPPAI, I gradually moved up. This was the summit! I had successfully reached the peak! Climbing up the pink summit, which resembled the top of a snow-covered mountain, provided the best view!