As they came out of the equipment shop wearing their new robes, "Hyah," they saw two processions of carriages—apparently noble carriages—and several mounted knights passing them. Dash, Shel, Marle, and Lilin watched the carriages go by; both stopped at a building a bit further down and larger than the other hotels, with the word 'Theater' illuminated by lights.
"Hmm... looks like some nobles want to watch a theater show... or... sometimes that theater is used as an auction house for slave auctions," Marle commented.
"Huh... slave auction, huh," Dash muttered, staring at the carriages and watching a couple in what looked like luxurious clothing step out.
"Enough of that, let's go find a place to stay. I want a bath," Lilin said.
"Yeah, seriously. As long as they don't bother us, it's fine," Shel added.
"Haah... you're right. Besides, looking at the crest on the carriages, they don't seem to be from the Grandias Kingdom," Marle murmured.
"Okay, now we look for a place that has a hot spring bath. I want to soak," Dash said. "Or finally try soaking in one, which I never got to do back on Earth and only read about in books or online," Dash thought happily.
They walked toward the cluster of inns at the front of the village, avoiding the uphill area, unaware that the equipment shop owner had stepped out and was peeking at them with a strange smile on his face. After finding the inn that the equipment shop owner had recommended,, the four immediately went inside. Upon entering, the female innkeeper, who looked like a vampire from the Demon race, bowed to greet them. However, when she saw Dash, Shel, Marle, and Lilin pull back their hoods, she visibly flinched in surprise. But she quickly recovered her smile and acted normal.
"Welcome to the inn. How many rooms would you like?" the friendly owner asked.
"One room, a big one," Marle said, holding up a finger.
"Very well, please follow me," the owner replied.
They walked inside, following the owner. Dash, who had caught the brief change in the owner's expression, kept watching her without blinking and observed his surroundings.
"Hmm... did I see that wrong? She looked surprised to see us and immediately checked us out, even if only for a second," Dash muttered internally.
The owner led them to a very spacious room that was divided into two areas: a living area or common room with a dining table, and a bedroom. Looking into the bedroom, there was a large bed and a small bed next to it that could be pushed together. In the bedroom, there was a door connected to an outdoor soaking pool—not a public bath, and not too big. Of course, Shel, Marle, and Lilin looked delighted, but Dash kept his eye on the owner, who was simply smiling at them while standing by the door.
"Alright, we'll take this room," Marle said.
"Thank you. For dinner, would you like it delivered to the room or served in the restaurant?" the owner asked.
"Hmm... just bring it to the room," Shel replied.
"Very well, I'll take my leave now. Thank you for staying here," the owner said, bowing.
The owner left. As soon as the door closed, Dash locked it. He then turned and went back into the bedroom, where he saw clothes scattered on the floor. It turned out the three girls were already soaking in the bath attached to the room.
"They really didn't wait, huh... I don't know why, but ever since we entered this village... my gut tells me something is off," Dash muttered internally.
Shel turned and saw Dash standing still in the room. She got out of the tub and walked right up to him.
"Hey... why are you spacing out? Come bathe with us," Shel urged.
"You guys go ahead and bathe, I'll wait here for a bit," Dash said.
"Come on... hurry up," Shel coaxed.
Suddenly, Marle and Lilin also approached Dash. They immediately pulled down Dash's pants, and all three of them dragged Dash into the outdoor soaking pool. When Dash got in and sat down in the pool, Shel immediately sat in front of him. Of course, his dick immediately connected with Shel's pussy, and she kissed Dash passionately, while Marle and Lilin, sitting on either side of Dash, took both of his hands and placed them on their pussies.
"Oooh," the three girls immediately moaned.
Even though his hands and hips were moving, Dash couldn't concentrate. He was lost in his thoughts and staying vigilant. Of course, Shel, Marle, and Lilin noticed.
"What's wrong?" Marle asked.
"Yeah... why aren't you acting like normal?" Shel asked, right in front of Dash.
"Hmm... usually... you're more aggressive... is something wrong?" Lilin asked.
"Marle, have you been to this village often?" Dash asked.
"Hmm... not really, but I know about this village... why?" Marle asked.
"Nothing... I just feel like there's something strange about this village," Dash replied.
"Oh, is that it? You're overthinking it, come on, let's continue," Marle stood up and immediately kissed Dash passionately.
Shel started rocking again, while Lilin kept moving Dash's hand until it was deep inside her pussy. After Shel finished, Marle took her turn riding Dash, and Shel sat where Marle had been, guiding Dash's hand to feel her body. Likewise, after Marle, Lilin took her turn, switching places with Marle, who sat in Lilin's spot and guided Dash's hand to her chest and pussy.
Finally, after they were done bathing, they put on the pajamas provided by the inn. A little later, the owner and a servant came to deliver their dinner. Of course, they immediately dug in because they were hungry, except for Dash, who only ate a little, which was unlike him. After eating, they went into the room and went straight to sleep together because they suddenly felt incredibly sleepy.
***
"Ugh," "Clang," "Huh,"
Dash opened his eyes, and they instantly went wide. He found himself in an underground dungeon, with his arms and legs chained spread-eagle to the wall like a crucifixion. He looked over and saw Shel, Marle, and Lilin were suffering the same fate, and all of them were wearing their full protective gear, with Lilin even having her spear strapped to her back.
"What the hell is this?" Dash asked.
He tugged at his chains, but couldn't break them. He noticed the chains were covered in brightly glowing magical script. Then he looked at the sleeping Shel, Marle, and Lilin.
"Shel, Marle, Lilin... wake up," Dash yelled.
"Clang," Dash turned to the front. He saw the barred jail door open. The innkeeper and the equipment shop owner walked in, followed by several people in black robes wearing leather armor underneath. They were pushing a human-sized aquarium full of water, and Dash's eyes widened to see what was inside: a beautiful little girl with blue hair and the lower body of a fish. Dash immediately looked at the innkeeper.
"Hey... what the hell is going on?" Dash yelled, pulling at his chains.
The innkeeper looked at Dash. She just gave a sneering smile and then turned away, walking out and locking the door. But before the innkeeper could even get away, "Clang... clang," her eyes suddenly widened as Dash had already transformed into his dragon form and easily snapped the chains.
Dash walked toward the barred door, white smoke pouring from his mouth, his face looking absolutely furious. Seeing that, the innkeeper immediately ran off with the equipment shop owner. The five people in black robes immediately lined up in front of the prison bars, getting their knives ready.
"Clang," Dash easily punched the barred door, sending it flying off its hinges to slam against the wall, taking one of the black-robed men with it.
"Hey... grab him," shouted one of the black-robed men.
Without delay, Dash immediately punched to the right and kicked to the left, instantly knocking out three black-robed men, leaving them motionless. A masked, hooded man glared and turned to flee.
"Hey... don't run," Dash yelled.
He immediately ran after the man. When he reached the end of the corridor, the man turned aside. Dash chased after him and saw an exit door, but he didn't see the man anymore. Finally, he ran out through the gate.
"Waaaa... waaa,"
Dash's eyes went wide. He saw many humans, apparently nobles, staring at him from circular seating above. Dash realized he was inside an arena designed like a coliseum with a wooden ceiling, indicating he was underground. "Gleng," Dash turned around. Suddenly, the gate behind him closed. The arena was silent as the spectators, clearly seeing a dragonkin, whispered among themselves.
Finally, an MC introduced himself, breaking the silence. He then introduced Dash as a dragonkin they had just "captured" today and pointed to a gate across from where Dash was standing. The gate opened, "Tap... tap... tap," and a beautiful girl entered. She had blue hair and blue eyes, and although she had human legs, the lower half of her body had blue fish scales. She wore beautiful armor and carried a blue sword that seemed to be made of water.
The girl's face looked terrified. She looked around, clearly uncomfortable being the center of attention. Suddenly, "Boom," something shot Dash in the back, forcing him forward to the center, standing right in front of the girl.
"Hey, where are we?" Dash asked.
"I'm sorry... but I have to fight you. If I don't, they'll sell me and keep my little sister. My name is Arvia Tishtar. I am the eldest daughter of Baron Tishtar from the Kingdom of Thitia, the merman kingdom in the ocean. My sister and I were sold by the kingdom because my father was accused of rebellion and executed... My father was framed by a noble from the Grandias Kingdom, and that same noble sold my sister and me to this arena... So... please, let me win. I cannot lose, for my sister's sake," Arvia replied.
"Huh," Dash muttered, confused, because Arvia was spilling her life story without answering his question.
Before Dash could open his mouth, Arvia's sword was suddenly at his face. He instantly tilted his head, and Arvia's sword sliced past him. He then jumped backward and got into a ready stance. He saw Arvia also adopting a fighting stance, her face serious, intent on defeating him.
"Okay... this is bad... really bad... my gut was right after all," Dash thought to himself.