Chapter 20 Isn'T This Dangerous
I can't say much about that country, Daioraden, but it seems like a pretty big town. As I get closer, the town spreads out along the rivers on both sides.
The river is on a bank and looks down on the town. No, it's not a town but a country? A fence parallel to the river? No, it's surrounded by a wall, like a castle wall. Considering the height of the building, it's probably 2 meters.
The first floor of the building is said to be 3 meters high. What if there were more than two floors? 6 No, 7 meters? Maybe there's more than that.
The road that stretches left and right in front of the river may be a highway. After crossing the bridge, the road continues into town. There seem to be no gates or checkpoints. However, it feels like it could close at any time.
By the time I crossed the bridge, it was already dark. But since there were city lights, I didn't think to stop. I stopped running and started walking instead. No matter how chilly it is, I don't want to sweat any more.
I just want to take a bath. I want to relax and be mentally healed while soaking in the hot water. And after that, if there's alcohol with the meal, that would be perfect.
From the wall-like barrier to the first building, it's more than 10 meters away. It seems like the road goes around the wall. When I look left and right, there are definitely buildings lined up. It's just so bright. For about 7 days, there was only natural light, whether it was bright or dark. I feel nostalgic for this artificial light.
Anyway, let's find an inn. I only received money from the guild, and I didn't have time to spend it, so I have a decent amount saved up. I have absolutely no worries financially. If there are any, it would be whether they will let me stay.
"Excuse me, I'm looking for an inn."
"What's wrong――oh no, spare me!"
It seems like a man came out of a shop that looked like a general store, but he quickly retreated. ...Did his ears just play a trick on me? It's like a dog, with little perky ears. He's peeking at me from behind the shelves. If those are its real ears, well, it's quite a fantasy.
"Over there, because it's upwind, please don't stop. Well, straight ahead, there is a crossroads. If you go right there, it's the inn district, so, ugh, awful..."
Thank you for the polite guidance, but what does it mean?
"Thank you. I appreciate it."
No response. Just... Huh? Wait, looking closely, it looks like a street——Ah, is this what you mean by "scattering like spiderlings"? Did the person with similar ears also hide?
Anyway, as I was told, I turned right at the crossroads. Certainly, there are lined up shops that look like inns. Among them, there is a solid and beautiful building, which seems a bit expensive, so I entered.
"Um, is it okay for me to stay for one night, for now?"
"Yes, sure."
Oh, now, someone without those ears, huh?
"Oh, forget about registering for now, let's go to the bath first. How much can I pay for one night?"
"Yes. Up to two silver coins. Just go upstairs to the top floor. Turn left and it's the room at the end of the hall."
Is he the manager of the inn, perhaps? He's an elderly man, and oh, he's covering his mouth with a cloth like a hand towel.
"Sorry. It's been a bit hectic. I'll go to the bath first."
"No need to rush."
I climb the stairs to the third floor. I turn left and reach the end. I insert the key into the keyhole and turn it, making a 'click' sound. I push the door, enter the room, and lock the inner lock.
"Where is it? Oh, is it here?"
As I enter, there's a door on the right. When I open it, the front is the toilet, and the back is the bathing area. Huh? The bath is already filled with hot water. Oh, I see, does the hot water flow from the wall? Could it be that a hot spring gushes out here?
Well, never mind. Where's the soap? Oh, is this it? Considering the somewhat high price, the amenities are well-prepared. That's helpful.
I undress, and wow, it's so stinky with sweat. Is this because of this? Did the people with ears on their heads run away because of this? I take off my pants, and oh, no. This is no good. It's toxic. It emits a putrid **(censored)**-like intense odor. It's definitely getting out of here.
After quickly washing with hot water and soap, wringing it out, then washing it again. Once the smell somewhat disappeared, wring it out and put it in the inventory.
It was a danger zone, so I made sure to thoroughly wash my lower body and rinse it. Washed it again, and rinsed it. Washed my hair twice. Checked for any smells... Alright, this should do, right? Soaking in the hot water, it's a bit hotter than I'd like.
"Phew..."
It seems a little higher than body temperature. But there's no temperature display on the 'Display Self-Status' screen. Anyway, it's probably around 40 degrees celcius (104 F), give or take. Since there's no sulfur smell, I think it's just a simple hot spring. When I poured it over my head, I didn't sense any saltiness, so it shouldn't be a saline spring. Is it because the whole bathroom is warm? I couldn't tell because I didn't see any steam rising, but I'm still glad. Not having to fill the bath with hot water is a real lifesaver.
Come to think of it, the person who first told me where the inn was had something like ears on their head, right? Could it possibly be "animal ears" or something? That can't be true—no, this is a different world. It might be possible. Oh no, this is like a cosplay, isn't it? Magic is definitely unrealistic, but Daioraden didn't feel very otherworldly. I'm finally feeling it, the whole "otherworld" thing.
Um, let me check 'Display Self-Status' again. Hmm, it's 7 PM. I wonder if the guild is still open. Or rather, if it even exists. Maybe I should ask the shopkeeper earlier.
After getting out of the bath, I don't forget to take out new underwear, shirt, and pants from the inventory and change clothes. Then, I leave the room and head to the first floor. Ah, there it is.
"Sorry about earlier. What about the accommodation fee?"
"Oh, looks like you took a bath. How was it?"
"Yes. Is the hot spring still available? Just curious."
"Hot spring? No, I've never heard of it."
"Huh?"
"We have a magic tool that boils and flows hot water all the time."
"Oh, that's amazing. Oh, by the way..."
I put my hands in my pockets, take out two silver coins in my palm, and there you go.
"This is the accommodation fee."
"Oh, thank you."
"By the way, is the Adventurer's Guild located here?"
"Oh, yeah. If that's the case, then you need to――"
Turn left at the crossroads where I first turned right. From there, all I need to do is keep going straight. It seems the goal is to find a building with a red brick mosaic pattern. Come to think of it, I never asked the name of this town, did I? I should ask at the guild.
There are no streetlights in this town. However, the buildings that are open for business have a light that resembles a spotlight shining on the entrance. Because of that, I felt like I might miss the red brick if I didn't look carefully.
But that worry turned out to be unnecessary. A splendid light shines on the red brick mosaic wall, illuminating the wall and the ground. If I were to miss it now, I think I'd be lost for a long time.
"Ah, this is it. Huh? The door isn't open."
The doorknob is there, but it doesn't feel like it turns. Anyway, I'll try pushing the door, and there we go, it's open. The guild interior is brighter than I thought. Unlike the Daioraden Guild, it seems there's a reception desk on the right after entering.
There is no one standing at the counter. However, there is a bell on the counter that I can pinch and shake. It feels like the bell you would find in a wealthy mansion, like the kind you would use to call a servant. Upon closer inspection, it says "Please ring for assistance." When I pinched and shook the bell, it made a surprisingly pleasant sound, considering its small size, almost like a cowbell.
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