Chapter 41

“There now, good, good…”

Fiona was petting her half unicorn Poshule on the other side of the wall near the gate. It did not take long before the city guards returned. One figure in the group sees us and raises his spear. Then he barks some orders at the other men before running towards us. Judging by the spear he is wielding, he must be the one who was leading them.

“Ahhh, that was really something!”

“You just might have saved us.”

I accept the offered hand and shake. The grip was a little painful.

“That was a brilliant attack you used to bring down the wyvern! It appeared to be magic from where I was watching!”

I hesitated for a second but figured it was nothing compared to having people know about ‘Legs of the forest wolf.’ They didn’t know, right?

“It was ice magic. I gave it a good beating in its left eye.”

“Indeed! It could not have been easy to aim so precisely… Yes, the wound on its face was quite hideous. We might not have been able to kill it had it not been for that wound. I would not be exaggerating when I say that you are the hero of this city!”

“No, no. That is an exaggeration. I’m just an adventurer.”

Damn. Damn it. He was getting carried away now.

“Is that so? I do not believe the average adventurer to be capable of such a feat.”

“It was only a coincidence. I was so desperate to escape from it.”

“Ah, well, if you insist…”

He seemed a little reluctant but at least he had calmed down. I had been in serious danger of being treated as the hero who saved the city. It was too much of a burden for this part-time worker and adventurer.

“Ah, how rude of me! I am the captain of the guards in this cities western district. My name is Harold. It is my honor to make your acquaintance.”

“The honor is mine. Commander. I am Asagi.”

This time it was Harold who grabbed my hand and shook it. It was still painful.

“And I am sure that these two ladies are also tired! Let me see, yes. I can show you the best inn in the city if you like?”

“Ah, we do not have that much money with us. I think we will look for an ordinary inn.”

“Hahaha! I had thought to put our hero in the best inn possible. Please excuse me!”

If you could stop calling me a hero first…

In the end, we had Harold show us the way to an ordinary inn. We only needed instructions I told him, but he would not give in and took us there himself. This commander was a passionate man.

“Well, I will take my leave now. Come by the guardhouse if you need anything! I will tell them about you so that you are invited in if you give them my name!”

“Thank you for everything. Till next time then.”

This time I gripped his hand as hard as I could in return. He smiled slyly and increased the pressure in his own grip. Shit. I guess he hated to lose.

I watched him disappear down the road before turning to face my two companions.

“So, now what? He brought us here and, well, I suppose this will be our new home for a while.”

Daniela had regained much of herself by now and nodded.

“Judging by its appearance, it is at least up to the same standard as the inn in Fhiraldo. I am in agreement with you. Harold has chosen a fine place for us to stay.”

Daniela says as she inspects the building. It did seem like the perfect place for adventurers.

It wasn’t too fancy but also avoided being filthy. Just the right level for an inn.

“Well, I must show up at the guild. I do wish I could stay with you, but guild members have their own lodgings. Oh well…”

“Right. Goodbye then.”

“Huh? Is that how you talk to your friends now? And you called me Fiona just a moment ago!”

“It was an emergency. See you later then.”

I picked up my belongings and was about to enter the inn when something grabbed me from the back. I look down and see two arms wrapped around my waist.

“We are companions who escaped from the wyvern together! There’s no need for formalities!”

“And now we are guild member and adventurer again. Let’s be professional about it.”

I drag her along as I try to move forward.

“Oh, ohhh…I hate to be left out of things…”

“Ahh…will you just let me go?”

“But I don’t want toooo!”

I look to Daniela for help. She sees me and nods with a sigh. I knew that I could count on her!

“Asagi, do you really mean to refuse the friendship of someone so insistent?”

“Eh!?”

You’re with her!

“Exactly, Asagi! Let’s be friends!”

“Asagi.”

Daniela stares at me. I look down and see Fiona’s face near my waist. Her eyes are brimming with tears. Ugh, now this was becoming hard to refuse…

“Alright, fine! I was wrong! Now let me go!”

“So we will be friends?”

“Yes, yes! We can be friends. Now get off of me!”

Fiona finally releases me after this declaration. As I scratch my head in agitation, Fiona comes out in front of me and laughs. Seeing her smile, I understand why she had been so popular at the guild house. Perhaps it was her small frame that made them feel protective of her. She was like an oasis to those haggard adventurers. Not to me though. Maybe I wasn’t haggard enough to want an oasis.

Well, I suppose I could be friends with her… I had built a wall between us partially because I hated the jealousy and dislike that would erupt from it by the other adventurers. But if that happened again, I could just run away.

“Thank you, Asagi! Oh, and you too Daniela!”

“Aye, Asagi has a very stubborn side to him. You can depend on me whenever you need him to bend a little.”

And I had thought Master Daniela would side with me…

“Well, I am off to the guild then! You will come too, won’t you?”

“Yeah, we’ll show up after we settle down here. I’d like to get a look at the quests.”

“Understood! See you there!”

She said as she took Poshule’s reigns and disappeared down the street. Hhh…we can finally go in now.

“Shall we…”

“Hehe. You look very tired.”

“I wonder why…”

We push open the wooden doors and enter the inn. It was a little dim inside. Indirect lighting? It was very atmospheric…I hope the price wasn’t too much.

“Excuse me.”

“Yes, what can I do for you?”

I approached a somewhat elderly man by the counter. His hair was a beautiful silvery color with some white mixed in. The straight posture made me think he was a retired butler.

“We would like lodging here for a while.”

“Rooms, yes. Very good. And how long will you be staying?”

“I suppose a week for now. We may extend it after that.”

The old gentleman began to write down the date.

“Very good. Then I will do everything in my power to meet your expectations.”

He smiled as he said this. That was enough to make me think this place would be perfectly suitable for a long stay. Indeed, he was what I wanted to be like when I grew old.

“I am the owner of this inn. The name is Joshua Glassfin. May I have your names?”

“Asagi Kamiyashiro.”

“I am Daniela Villesilf. Nice to meet you.”

“Thank you.”

This he also writes down. Once he has finished recording everything he looks up and thanks us.

“Allow me to welcome you once again, Asagi and Daniela to the ‘Silver Sky Inn.’ I am at your service and hope that you enjoy your stay.”