“Sir Quartz, thank you so much for finding our inn!”
What’s this?
What the heck?
I couldn’t hide my surprise as I watched a man bowing his head in an exaggerated manner.
How on earth did word spread so quickly that I arrived at the inn? I felt the curious eyes of the people chatting in the 1st Floor lobby upon me, so I spoke up.
“Enough with the greetings. I’d like to book a room.”
“I’ll get you the best room available.”
If you want to do that…
We followed the man straight to the counter where we could receive keys for the inn’s rooms. The man, acting as if he held a high position in the inn, casually inspected the slots for the keys before pulling out a few and placing them on the counter.
“I can offer you anything from a VIP room for a fun stay to a room with a splendid view.”
Fame really is good for this kind of stuff. I quickly scanned the lavish keys laid out on the counter and turned to the two who seemed a bit unsure behind me.
“Can you two share a room?”
“I don’t mind.”
I wonder what Sandulbaram thinks. With her social awkwardness similar to Elisa, I don’t know what choice she’ll make. It seems like it’s already decided, though.
“I’m okay with it too.”
“Then I’ll book one private room and one shared room.”
“Why not stay in the VIP room? It has a design with three rooms inside, so it would be more convenient than renting two separate rooms.”
The man kindly explained the VIP room to me and winked in my direction.
It feels like he’s misunderstanding something.
I turned my head back to look at the two. Sif looked indifferent, but Sandulbaram was blushing and avoiding my gaze.
See? You’re the reason the atmosphere feels weird.
“…Let’s go with two rooms.”
“No, please give us the VIP room.”
“Sandulbaram?”
“Surely, a noble Sir Quartz wouldn’t take advantage of a lady, right?”
“I swear on my honor that I have no intention of doing so.”
“Here’s the key in the middle. The room is at the end of the 7th Floor, so just go up the stairs. I’ll personally show you around at mealtime. Please enjoy your stay.”
Good time, my foot.
I took the two and went up to the room.
———–
The VIP room looked more like a high-end hotel than an inn. Long windows stretched across the wall, and the cityscape could be seen beyond them. It had a living room and three rooms; it was like a complete house transferred just as it was.
“Wow… how much must all of this cost? Selling just one would let me eat for a month.”
[The furniture sparkles… what’s it made of?]
“…”
“Pick a room you like. I’ll take the remaining room.”
“No way, Johann. You’re taking the best room. You paid for it, after all. And since you’re the highest-ranking person here, you deserve that sort of benefit.”
“I really don’t care that much.”
“I’m asking you to do it because it’s bothering me!”
“Well, if you insist…”
“…Can I use that room over there?”
I looked at the room Sandulbaram was pointing to. A large window was visible through the slightly open door. It would be refreshing to wake up and look outside from there.
“Go ahead.”
I wanted to look around my room too. Holding my backpack with one hand, I shuffled over and opened the most luxurious-looking door.
“Impressive.”
Is this a room for royalty? I felt the terror of extravagance while gazing at the brilliantly adorned wardrobe and bed. Just how much money did they throw at this place?
“Wow… this is incredibly flashy.”
“I can’t even guess how much this room cost.”
“…It’s extravagant.”
“If I accidentally dirty the blanket, I might go nuts over it and not even be able to sleep.”
The blanket, whatever material it was made of, was as soft as baby’s down feathers. It was the least extravagant item in the room, but I wondered if it was worth a price comparable to the other items.
“Johann, is it okay if I lie down there?”
“Sure.”
As soon as I gave my permission, Sif collapsed onto the bed. Seeing her expression loosen up, she seemed really happy. I turned my gaze to Sandulbaram.
Sandulbaram was staring intently at the bed.
“Would you like to try lying down too?”
“…I’ll gladly do so.”
Walking gently like a graceful lady, Sandulbaram carefully perched on the edge of the bed and then leaned back.
How cute.
I watched the two enjoy a peaceful moment lying on the bed. It was surprisingly entertaining to watch beautiful women roll around on the bed.
[Contractor, I want to join too.]
“Got it.”
Upon my consent, Rue used her tentacles like legs to climb onto the bed. She then nestled into a pillow and closed her eyes.
This is a peculiar sight.
I quietly left the room.
————-
Knock knock knock.
“Everyone, wake up. We need to go have dinner.”
“Mmm…”
“Oh, I fell asleep.”
Is it because she’s a cat? Sif yawned while rising only her lower half, like a cat stretching, while keeping her upper half flat on the bed. She oddly resembled a cat in moments like this.
“Sandulbaram. Go wash up. We can’t skip dinner, can we?”
“…Oh.”
She must have been in such a deep sleep that I didn’t wake her even during lunch.
As I examined the state of the items we had brought and remembered the preserved goods I bought at the grocery store, I fiddled with my slightly stiff fingers.
When I get back, I need to ask Karina for help and create a signature.
This has a unique feel to it but still, the writing that looks like a young schoolchild’s is just not it.
“Johann, where’s the bathroom…?”
“It’s over there.”
I watched as Sif, staggering, headed for the bathroom and picked up the fountain pen I had set on the table in the living room. I already knew what would happen as I went down, so I had purchased it when I was grocery shopping.
I did get it for half-free…
But isn’t this enough for my signature to be used instead of money?
While I pondered this, two beauties finished their preparations and approached me.
“Let’s hurry up and go!”
“Sure.”
I opened the door and went down to the cafeteria with the man who had been waiting for us.
Since there was no elevator, we had to use the stairs, but that wasn’t bothersome. My body wasn’t weary enough to tire from climbing stairs now.
Upon arriving on the 2nd Floor, we stopped briefly in front of the firmly closed dining room door, as the man guiding us had come to a halt.
He elegantly turned half a circle and bowed to us, saying, “This is our proud cafeteria. The dishes prepared by our chef, who once worked for the royal family, have received high praise from many esteemed guests.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“I will do my utmost to meet the expectations of the West’s hero, Sir Quartz. Now, I shall open the door.”
The dining room door opened.
True to his boasts, the cafeteria was spacious and luxurious.
“Wow…”
“It’s amazing…”
It was so fancy that I hesitated to enter. I fidgeted with the fountain pen I had tucked in my chest as I walked inside. Naturally, all eyes were on me.
“Is that Sir Quartz?”
“I’ve heard he came to this city…”
“What could he be here for?”
“Since he’s a person who works for a grand cause, perhaps he’s on some important mission?”
Many voices echoed around. Still, since we were among wealthy people here, who were all about maintaining their status, no one approached me asking for a signature.
What a relief.
It seems I can enjoy my meal without being disturbed.
“This way, please.”
We followed the man’s lead and sat at a table likely meant for four. It was positioned by the window where we could watch the street outside.
“Wow… I’ve never been to a place like this.”
“Neither have I.”
“Maybe one day, I can bring my siblings here? If I make a lot of money…”
Sif murmured with a wistful look, as if she was thinking of her siblings left at Yeomyeong-gwan.
“That seems possible.”
With how much money I’m giving, if I really decided to spend, I could comfortably have a meal in a place like this.
“…I don’t know much about his dining etiquette.”
I turned to see Sandulbaram looking troubled, frowning at the neatly arranged tableware.
“Just relax.”
The truth is, I don’t know a lot about dining etiquette either. Yeomyeong-gwan has a pretty laid-back vibe.
Ah, whatever.
Anyway, given the people around who are bound to think whatever they want even if I eat with my hands, is there really a need to care?
I picked up a spoon suitable for soup and began tasting it. Sif and Sandulbaram quickly caught on and grabbed their spoons to start eating.
“Oh my, Sir Quartz is eating heartily.”
“I like how manly you are. A man should have that wild flavor, after all.”
…See?
They just wrap their thoughts around anything they want, don’t they?
This might mean that as long as I don’t go crazy, potential allies will just fill the surroundings.
I wonder, could I actually use this to my advantage?
With that thought crossing my mind, I took out the fountain pen from my chest and addressed the man approaching us.
“I’d like to sign something as a token of appreciation for the great meal provided. What do you think?”
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