章節 8: The Sylvan Haven Inn

As dusk settled, every inn in King's State was fully booked.

Eventually, they stumbled upon the Sylvan Haven Inn, where only one room remained available.

"Apologies but we currently only have a double room available at this moment. If you're okay with it, I'll make arrangements for you immediately," said the Innkeeper and receptionist.

A mature Elf, exude captivating charm and grace. With luscious blonde hair parted neatly down the middle, possessing a timeless elegance.

Her warm blue eyes convey a sense of welcoming, while her ample figure suggests both nurturing hospitality and confidence.

The girls immediately exchanged a skeptical glance, observing Ewaan's reaction closely, giving him a side-eye.

Sensing their suspicion, Ewaan responded calmly, "I understand your concerns, but I'm not that kinda guy..." He then met their gaze, conveying sincerity, yet their doubt remained.

Growing impatient, he asserted, "I'm not some pervert, okay? Quit with the judgmental looks!"

Their response synchronized, "Uh-huh…" tinged with lingering skepticism.

The innkeeper chuckled, amused by their reactions. With a knowing smile, she motioned to a human worker named Taliyah, instructing her to lead the group to their room on the second floor.

"Please follow me," Taliyah said warmly, gesturing for them to follow her.

After their arrival in front of the double room, Taliyah opened the door before handing over the key to Ayami.

Afterwards, Taliyah bid them farewell, "Please enjoy your stay," before leaving the corridor.

Enthusiastically, Ayami declared after entering, "Alright, the bed appears to be big enough for the three of us, and as for you..." She pointed directly at Ewaan, her voice carrying a hint of authority, "you'll be sleeping on the floor!" Her tone was firm, leaving no room for argument.

He responded calmly with a flat "Okay..." and proceeded to the wardrobe, his demeanor seemingly unaffected.

It surprised Ayami, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion, as she added, "Huh? No resistance?"

Ewaan glanced at her incredulously while stating, "What? Want me to sleep in the same bed as you guys?"

Flustered, Ayami's cheeks flushed slightly as she stammered in embarrassment, "N—no, just stay where you are!"

Afterwards, he placed his school bag on the ground, fetched a pillow and two blankets from the wardrobe, and arranged them neatly on the floor. Removing his glasses, he settled down, ready to stream away his exhaustion.

"Huh? Why are you sleeping now? Don't you want to eat dinner?" Maya inquired, her voice filled with concern and confusion.

Laying on his side, fully covered by the blanket, he replied, "You go if you must! I'm exhausted." With that, he fell silent, showing no further inclination to engage in conversation.

"Wow, he must really be exhausted from all that journeying," Ayaka observed, concern evident in her voice. "We should give him some space and let him rest," she suggested, her tone gentle and understanding.

Ayami agreed and nodded. "Then we should go eat something before turning in for the night as well." she suggested, her tone decisive as she took charge of the situation.

Although concerned, Maya refrained from pressing further, understanding the need for Ewaan to rest peacefully.

With a reassuring glance towards him, she and the Takagi twins made their way downstairs.

Upon reaching the bustling common area, they scanned the hall until they found an empty table and eagerly took their seats, ready to enjoy a well-deserved meal after a long journey.

Ayaka's excitement bubbled over as she asked, "What do you guys want to eat?"

"Hmmm?" Tapping her chin thoughtfully, Ayami answered, "I think I'll go with an Elven Eggplant Parmesan. Oh, and a Dungeon Delight Dumplings for dessert," her voice filled with delight at the thought of enjoying these delicious dishes.

"What about you, Maya?" Ayaka asked, turning her attention to Maya with an encouraging smile, eager to hear her choice.

Maya pondered for a moment, marveling at the name of the foods that reflected a definite otherworld.

With a touch of hesitance, she replied to Ayaka, "Uh... I'll eat whatever you're eating." Her words conveyed a sense of trust in Ayaka's choice of food.

After listening to their choices, Ayaka stood up, stating, "Alright then, I'll go and give out the order."

Immediately Ayami shouted, "NO! Don't—" but before she could finish, Ayaka swiftly vanished, leaving Ayami and Maya stunned.

"Why did you try to stop her?" Maya inquired, her voice tinged with curiosity.

Ayami replied with a drained expression, her voice heavy with a hint of foreboding, "You'll know it soon enough…"

Ayaka returned cheerfully. And moments later, to Maya's surprise, a plethora of food arrived at their table.

Maya looked at the waitress and uttered, "Uh… We didn't order this much fo—"

But Ayaka interrupted, looking at Maya with a smile, "We did!" Her cheerful demeanor hinted at a delightful surprise she had orchestrated for their meal.

Maya's shocked expression turned to look towards Ayami, who simply uttered, "See, I told you… sigh…"

Her resigned sigh hinted at her earlier apprehension about Ayaka's actions, now confirmed by the unexpected abundance of food.

Ayaka spoke cheerfully, "Alright, let's dig in, guys."

She dove into her food with enjoyment, as if she hadn't eaten in days.

Witnessing her enthusiastic eating, Ayami and Maya smiled, joining her and eating their meals with a sense of contentment and camaraderie.

As they indulged in their meal, many laughs and chatter filled the cozy atmosphere of the inn.

As the sound of their voices intertwined with the clinking of wooden utensils, creating a warm and inviting ambiance that enveloped them in comfort and companionship.

°°°

At that same Inn, Two figures donned in black cloaks sat in the corner, their presence mysterious and enigmatic.

One of them appeared to be child-sized, adding an eerie and intriguing element to their silhouette.

Their hushed conversation and secretive demeanor added an air of intrigue to the cozy atmosphere of the inn.

"Any news about the Hero?" one of the figures in the black cloaks asked in a low, secretive tone, her voice barely audible over the din of the inn.

"I've contacted several churches throughout the empire, even in other neighboring nations over these past few days. Unfortunately, Princess, I haven't received any news yet," responded the child-sized figure, her voice tinged with disappointment and concern.

"What about the Guilds?" the first figure—supposed Princess inquired, her tone betraying a hint of urgency as they leaned in closer, eager for any information regarding their elusive quarry.

"He should be here soon with new information... I hope..." replied the child-sized figure, with uncertainty lingering in her voice.