Chapter 37: The Inn in the Royal Capital
Unlike Trade City Zain, the Royal Capital was impressively vast. It was roughly four times the size of Zain. The Adventurer’s Guild had branches at each of the city’s entrances, north, south, east, and west.
But today, I decided to search for an inn. We had arrived in the Royal Capital in the evening, and if we didn’t hurry, night would fall soon. The nights in this world come quickly.
“How may I assist you today?”
We had arrived at the Adventurer’s Guild.
“Um, I’d like a recommendation for an inn with a bath.”
“An inn… you say?”
Despite being on the verge of the evening rush, the Royal Capital’s Adventurer’s Guild was surprisingly quiet. Unlike the bustling guild in Zain, this one felt rather cramped. Perhaps it was because it was just a branch?
Nevertheless, the receptionist at the counter was impressive. Having beautiful staff might reduce competition within the guild, I suppose?
“If you’re looking for a popular inn with a bath nearby, I recommend the ‘Birdsong Inn.’ It’s located just before the Noble District to the northeast.”
The Noble District, huh… I hadn’t heard about that in Zain, but it seems the nobility indeed resides in the Royal Capital.
“I see. Thank you very much!”
Having gathered the information I needed, I was eager to leave. I didn’t want to get entangled with any more odd characters.
“Alright, let’s go.”
“Yeah.”
Accompanied by Rio, I exited the guild and headed north, following the directions I had received. After walking for a while, Rio suddenly let out a deep sigh.
“What’s wrong?”
“Well… there’s someone following us since we left the guild.”
“Yeah, I noticed… But they haven’t made any direct moves, so I think it’s fine for now.”
“Hmm…”
Even so, I had no idea how to deal with it. Confronting them might lead to unnecessary trouble.
“Watching the guards in Zain makes me feel like they could easily pin a false accusation on us.”
“That’s true.”
As we casually complained while walking, we eventually arrived at the inn without incident. Perhaps it was just a kind-hearted stranger secretly watching over us… No, no, I shouldn’t think too positively. It’s best to be cautious and suspicious of everyone in this world.
“Welcome! Just the two of you?”
The one who greeted us was a warm-hearted grandmother with a friendly smile.
“Yes. Do you have a room for two available?”
“Of course! It’ll be 1500 Fron for the two of you.”
Whoa, that’s pricey. About twice as much as in Zain. But considering its proximity to the Noble District, the inn was well-maintained and exuded a sense of luxury. Yet, the grandmother’s demeanor gave it a comforting, down-to-earth feel.
“Then we’ll take a room for one night, please. And the bath as well.”
“Sure thing! You can use the bath anytime. Towels and soap are provided.”
“Oh, that’s great to know.”
It seemed that a bath was included as standard. While the cost of living in the Royal Capital was generally high, with everything included for 1500 Fron, it might not be as exorbitant as I initially thought.
“Your room is number 306.”
After paying and receiving the key, we headed straight to our room.
“Ahh, I’m so tired!”
As soon as we entered the room, Rio flopped onto the bed. After traveling non-stop for two days, I felt pretty worn out myself.
I lay down beside her, and she snuggled closer, letting out a playful “Mufufu~.”
“Ugh, I could easily fall asleep right now.”
“Me too! Let’s get to bed early to prepare for tomorrow.”
“Yeah.”
Still, the bath and dinner were important. I couldn’t just fall asleep like this.
“Alright, let’s hit the bath.”
“Okay!”
Taking a deep breath, I got up from the bed, grabbed the provided towel and soap, and headed to the bath.
As expected from an inn recommended by the guild in the Royal Capital, it was immaculate, with a spacious bath. The presence of a cold water bath was a significant plus.
After refreshing myself, it was time for dinner. Apparently, this inn offered two dinner options: an 80 Fron meal and a 120 Fron meal. Naturally, I opted for the more expensive one.
Like the previous inn, this one had a dining area on the first floor. There were a few other guests, but being close to the Noble District, the atmosphere was quite serene.
“Oh, this meat is delicious!”
“Yeah! The vegetables are crunchy and tasty too!”
“And this… is that mayonnaise?”
I took a bite of the vegetables dipped in a faintly yellow condiment.
What in the world? It tasted just like mayonnaise! It’s a staple that Japanese people often introduce when they arrive in an Otherworld.
Well, I suppose it’s better for the food culture to be advanced rather than having bad cuisine. If the food is good, then there are no complaints.
“But I still haven’t seen soy sauce or miso.”
“That’s true.”
Fermented seasonings must be a bit tricky to come by. Plus, I still hadn’t eaten any rice. Oh no, just thinking about it made me crave it.
“I want to eat rice balls.”
“Haha… I want to eat grilled rice balls brushed with soy sauce.”
“That sounds delicious. I’ll have that too.”
I imagined the grilled rice balls in my mind, picturing them with a nice char. I could almost smell the enticing aroma, but it was probably just my imagination.
Despite having chosen an expensive meal, we both ended up with somewhat disappointed expressions as we continued to eat.