9 – 1. Footsteps of the Mule (9)

9.

‘Song of the Siren’ was not far away than I thought. It was said that the bottom of the lamp was dark, and it was a place that could be reached by simply turning in the opposite direction from where Isaac had dropped him off when he first passed the checkpoint. I stood in front of a large building and casually opened my mouth like a country boy.

“…… sh*t.”

Involuntarily, the mouth hangs. It is said that the building used as a government office was taken over as it was, and it is a grand sight protruding alone among the dull single-story shops. While coming this far, I had a vague hope that I would be able to do it, but the moment I saw the green exterior, that feeling disappeared. It was like entering the arena holding a knife and facing a wild beast whose weight class was not suitable.

Bonanamana, the interior must be wonderful too. If I dared to go in, I would only feel defeated, but my stomach chugged unknowingly. Well, come to think of it, I haven’t eaten anything since morning. I came all the way to the city, but I have to eat at least. And I haven’t given up yet. I went inside, checking the number of coins jingling in my pocket.

And as soon as I went inside, I couldn’t help but be surprised again. The interior is as good as the exterior, and the hall is almost twice as large as our inn. The stairs leading to the upper floor were on both sides, and instead of candles, enchanted lanterns hung on the walls lavishly.

Above all, the adventurers filling those luxurious tables! Whoever said that, the best interior is the guest. Seeing how crowded the large hall was, it was tempting to look at it. This is no business. I sighed deeply and looked for an empty seat.

As expected, the majority of the guests were adventurers, but a fairly large percentage of the guests also stood out. Perhaps because of the difference in location, the commercial district itself where people flock to is incomparable to the ‘Golden Mule’. I looked at those aspects quietly.

It’s hard to tell them apart because there were many adventurers from other territories, but when I looked closely, I could see the adventurers staying at the ‘Golden Mule’ from time to time. Tulbow Wick, Geeky Smithen, Mustachioed Jack, and Timmy, whom I rescued a while ago, are dining with new non-Dylan colleagues. I don’t mean to be sarcastic, but bastard, are we strangers? I have a sense of loyalty. It feels savage to go away to another inn like this.

As I walked with my head down, fearing that they would recognize me, I glanced at them with resentful eyes once in a while. In the meantime, as I was wandering around, a waitress soon approached me, making the sound of a pair of shoes. She asked with a bright smile.

“Welcome! Would you like to eat?”

I looked her up and down, remembering her words of her one-armed boy. She’s older than Celine, and is she about the same as me? She is a mysterious woman with red hair whose age cannot be guessed. She is definitely a beauty, and seeing that she receives guests in a dress that shows her breasts, it must be well intentioned. I asked, pretending not to care.

“Yes. One of the best meals, please. Beer is fine, and if there is fruit wine or fruit juice, that too.”

“Okay! If you have an empty seat, I’ll bring it to you right away.”

The maid walked away from her seat with a smile on her face. Other guests glance at her swaying pelvis in her receding back. Indeed, this is why it is full of customers. Personally, I don’t think she’s prettier than Celine, but I can give her a perfect score for her customer service, at least compared to her always squeamish.

While waiting, I sat still and looked around. The inn is a place that is different from that of adventurers. Just from the point of view of housing, even if you paid 2 copper every day and stayed at our inn, you would have to pay 3 gold a year, but as Celine said, 1 gold a year would be enough to rent a decent house. In short, it is much cheaper to rent an entire house than to stay at an inn, but there are reasons why adventurers insist on staying at an inn.

First of all, there are few adventurers who earnestly save money to rent a house. Sometimes there are cases where you get a good reward or find a treasure and touch a large amount of money, but most of them use it to gamble or strengthen weapons or equipment, so there is basically no concept of savings.

In addition, while rushing like a moth into a lucrative dungeon, you cannot spend time settling down in one place and making a living. In the end, even an adventurer with a high level and good income cannot avoid going to an inn. The people who run the inn also understand that practicality, and run the inn as pragmatically as possible.

With salty and stimulating food that adventurers like, cheap and tasty alcohol to forget the fatigue of the day, auxiliary facilities and stables for wiping one’s body, it can be said that it is a good inn. Of course, it’s hard to say that it’s so great from the point of view of the inn as a non-adventurer.

However, the first floor of this place is decorated like a high-end restaurant so that people with a lot of money can visit without hesitation, as well as thoroughly separating the kitchen and hall, and even preparing a separate menu to differentiate it. In a word, it is not a business targeting only rough adventurers.

In addition, even if it is not the particularly s*xy lady I met earlier, most of them are good-looking, and basically have kindness. It must be the policy of the female president who runs this inn. Not to mention the male customers, the female customers will also feel that they are being treated, so even if the price is a little high, the satisfaction will never be low. Looking at the menu board on the table, I clasped my hands and let out a deep sigh.

Just wait for the food to come out. I give very harsh reviews. Before long, the waitress who had taken my order took the tray and placed the dishes one by one on the table in front of me.

“You waited a long time. Cheese-fed bread and corn soup, assorted shark sashimi mixed with seasonal fruits, and a salad were served. Would it be okay if I apologized? I will follow you.”

“Yes, thank you.”

Damn, what kind of explanation do you mean? I stared at the plates in front of me. First of all, the visual passed. Judging by the smell, the taste must be above average. It’s not a complex and difficult dish, so adventurers won’t feel rejected. In the first place, a pretty lady explains kindly, but what kind of man would not like it? I smiled and said hello.

“I’ll pay first. How much is it?”

“It’s 2 coppers in all.”

Without a word, I counted the copper coins and handed them to the maid. It’s ridiculously expensive compared to our inn, which provides three meals and a bed. When I picked up a fork and put a piece of shark meat into my mouth, there was almost no fishy taste, and a savory taste lingered in my mouth. Perhaps because our inn doesn’t serve fresh sashimi due to street conditions, the taste of the fish meat that has been on my tongue for the first time in a long time was difficult to evaluate.

Damn it, I’ve never thought of Angela’s cooking anywhere. As I continued to shove the shark sashimi into my mouth in dejection, I suddenly felt an eye on me. I looked up and saw that the waitress who had come to serve had not left and was standing across from me, smiling brightly. What? Could it be that you noticed that I came out of a competitor?

“Why, why?”

“Oh, no, that, it’s nice to see them eating well. Excuse me, may I ask where you are from?”

A mysterious woman with a friendly smile. The red hair flowing from the nape of her neck is irresistibly attractive. I thought about it for a while, and soon an idea flashed in my head…… I had a good idea.

“…… Do I have any obligation to answer?”

I crossed my legs and spoke in a solemn voice. I may be crazy, but I know from years of experience that my old-fashioned way of speaking appeals to women. Also, if you keep your mouth shut, you will look like a young boy who has run away from home. Before long, the waitress, taken aback by my changed attitude, looked me up and down and hurriedly lowered her head.

“Excuse me! Well, even if you look at it, you are full of dignity, so stop, I don’t even know the subject.”

“Hmm.”

I intentionally let out a moan. It’s a strange feeling to diligently make a beautiful maid cry. However, I have no intention of quitting acting. I crossed her legs and looked down at her, hoping that the adventurers near her wouldn’t recognize me.

“…… It came out secretly, so I don’t want to stand out as much as possible. It’s hard to attract attention like this.”

“Yes, yes!”

I said that, but the customers at the nearby tables and the ladies passing by were already looking this way. It doesn’t matter who I am. The only thing that stands out is the scene where the most beautiful lady in the store apologizes to the man. I purposely moved my ankles and put the fork down.

“The inn is shiny on the outside, and the food is not good. Do you use old fish?”

“Well, I never did anything like that…… !”

“You dare throw up at my words? I’m curious about the president’s face.”

I deliberately spoke in a harsh tone. Bang! As I knocked on the table, the waitress hicked in fright and shrugged her shoulders. Meanwhile, whispers are heard from all directions.

──What is it? Is that person a noble? What is the aristocrat doing here?

──Aristocrats are people too, so they must have come for a meal.

──Is the taste any different? I’m not sure.

──I heard it’s an old fish. Looking back, it may seem a bit fishy.

──The nobleman’s mouth must be more accurate than ours. I came here to eat expensive money, but do you use cheap ingredients? I’m disappointed.

Woong, woong, woong. As the customers whispered at my instigation, a deep shadow fell on the maid’s face. I’m a little sorry that this is the case. If I go further, my identity may be revealed, so I have to stop here.

“Stop going. If you need anything, I’ll call you, so don’t come to me.”

“Yes, yes!”

The waitress nodded her head as if she understood the situation and left her seat. It’s honestly a pity to smile while your eyebrows are quivering. What’s wrong with the maid, if it’s the fault, it must be with the female president who wants to ruin other people’s business. At this point, he was able to take the lead lightly. I got up from my seat as if I couldn’t bear to eat because I couldn’t bear it, and I went out with my eyes closed. Oh, I wanted to eat more shark sashimi.

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