Rest Time

The sun had already set, and there was barely any natural light left. A kind of lanterns hanging from the houses had been lit; they seemed like magical items. I suppose I’ll ask Kureha about them later. Speaking of her, I need to start saving to pay her back all the money, but that can wait for now.

As we walked, the twins commented on various things about the city, like the design of the houses or their layout, and how it differed from their hometown. It was entertaining to hear comments like that, and it was also fun to try to imagine what Brandem was like. One day we’ll visit; I’ll mark it on my mental list of places to visit, along with the city of elves and some dwarven city.

We reached the inn in less than five minutes. I opened the door, and there was Sol, with an expressionless face.

“Welcome, customers,” her monotone voice contrasted with this morning’s. Was it a hard day for her? “Do you want a room?”

Karen stepped forward toward the innkeeper.

“We would like a double room, please, preferably near Ray’s.”

Sol began to glance through the book in front of her for a few seconds before responding.

“There’s a nearby room available, 80 grim for the accommodation, 100 with dinner included.” After saying that, Sol looked at Nozomi. “Is it trained?”

“Yes, she’s my battle companion, Nozomi.” At my words, Nozomi bowed her head as if introducing herself.

“The food for monsters is not included in the price.” Well, I saw that coming. “And if we add the deposit for possible damages, you’ll have to pay 30 grim more, Ray.”

It’s less than I thought, so it’s no trouble for me to pay it. I took out my leather pouch, grabbed 30 copper grim, and placed them on the counter. Karen took out 1 silver grim and placed it on the counter as well.

“Then follow me.”

The innkeeper stepped out from behind the counter and began to guide the twins upstairs. I followed them; their room was next to mine, the last room on the right wall of the first hallway. Perhaps all the rooms in that row are doubles; well, it’s not like I’m particularly interested. Sol opened the door; the room was slightly wider than mine, but not by much, and it had two separate beds, two nightstands, a table, two chairs, and a wardrobe. The siblings entered the room with Nozomi, while I stayed outside.

“The bathroom is at the end of the hallway, but you can only use it for your necessities. If you need to take a bath, we offer a basin of hot water for just 10 grim. You can also go to the public baths at the end of the street. Come down for dinner whenever you want.”

After giving us all this information, Sol turned around and headed for the stairs.

“Sol, thank you very much.” I thanked her with a smile; I think that’s the least she deserves.

But after hearing my thanks, she turned to me, her expressionless face slightly annoyed.

“My name is Luna, Luna Enfield.” Huh, but didn’t she say this morning that her name was Sol?

Before I could apologize or say anything, she was already gone. I turned to the twins; both had expressions of pity, as if they were feeling sorry for me.

“Does amnesia not allow you to remember names you’ve recently learned?” Kharel spoke, and his sister hit him on the head with her cane.

“Ouch! That hurts.” The redhead put his hands on his head.

It’s strange; I also heard her name was Sol. Did we both get confused? Nozomi sounded thoughtful.

In any case, she must have gotten it wrong. I replied somewhat annoyed.

“Shall we go eat?” Karen was the one who suggested it, and Nozomi’s eyes lit up.

“Come on, we need to replenish our strength.” The truth is, I was also starving.

“Decided then!” Kharel left the room and hurried toward the stairs, and Karen and I followed him.

We quickly made it down to the reception, where Luna was with her expressionless face.

“I’m sorry about earlier,” I said straightforwardly. “I thought you told me your name was Sol.”

“Sol is my twin sister,” Luna commented without even looking at me. “She works in the morning; I work at night.”

“I understand…”

I didn’t say anything else. I don’t know if it’s because of her personality or because she’s angry, but she doesn’t seem very eager to chat. Besides, the twins had already entered the dining room, and I hurried to follow them. The redheads had sat at a secluded table but close to the bar, and I sat with them. Soon after, the robust lady from before came, probably to take our orders.

“Hello, young ones,” with her cheerful tone, it was hard not to feel uplifted. “What will you be having?”

“What kind of dishes do you serve here?” Karen asked politely.

“We have a variety of dishes, including assorted meats, fish with various sides, and all kinds of vegetable dishes.”

“I want a huge steak,” Kharel said, his eyes sparkling; it seems he loves meat.

“Pork or beef?” The lady pulled out a notebook and began writing with a quill.

“Pork, with some local sauce.”

“I’d like a salad and some fish,” Karen said, bowing slightly as she made her request. It was clear that, unlike her brother, she hadn’t skipped the table manners class.

Can we order what we had the other day, Master? Nozomi kept staring at the kitchen while drooling. I was left wanting to keep eating it last night.

“For me, the house specialty,” I said straightforwardly. “And make it a double; my little friend wants to eat it too.”

“What a cute little one,” the lady said, pinching Nozomi’s right cheek as she finished writing in her notebook. “Would you like something special to drink, or just water?”

“An orange juice for me,” Kharel was the first to respond.

“For me, an apple juice,” then it was Karen’s turn.

Master, I want one of apple too. I suppose she’s content with what she likes.

“One apple juice for me and my companion.” Honestly, I’d like to try other types of juices, but I don’t trust the taste; better safe than sorry.

“I’ll bring it right away!” And with a big smile, the lady disappeared through the door that seemed to lead to the kitchens.

“That lady is so cheerful,” Kharel said. “No wonder there are so many people at this hour.”

The place was practically full; most of the tables were occupied, and the bar was overflowing. Many of them were drinking happily, probably relaxing after a hard day’s work or just letting off some steam.

“This is probably the most popular spot in the middle of the city,” Karen said, placing Nozomi on the free space left at the table. “It has affordable prices and a good atmosphere. If the food and drink are good, I wouldn’t be surprised if this place outshines some bars in the upper part of the city.”

Karen’s knowledge about these things is quite extensive; it seems she has had a very good education.

“You come from a noble family, don’t you?” I hope I’m not overstepping my bounds. “The knowledge you possess, Karen, is well above that of someone from the middle class.”

Karen lowered her gaze for a moment, probably debating whether to answer or not, but her brother jumped in.

“As we’ve said, we come from Brandem,” he said cheerfully. “Our family, the Laurean family, is a famous merchant family. We’re not really nobles per se, but we are of high class.”

“Our father,” Karen continued, “allowed us to travel to become adventurers. He wants us to see the world and grow stronger to continue the family business in the future.”

“I understand…”

Karen seemed to have brightened up; I suppose it’s normal to hesitate about sharing one’s origins, especially if the person you’re telling can’t even share theirs. One day, I swear I’ll tell them the truth, but now is not the time for that.

The cheerful lady soon returned with our drinks and the dishes. She had brought everything at once with great skill and placed them on the table gracefully.

“Enjoy your meal!” And, still smiling, the lady went off to attend to other tables.

The house specialty was the same dish as last time: slices of fish and soup with potatoes. Nozomi was drooling as she alternated her gaze between the plate and me. Kharel’s plate contained three chops, supposedly pork, with a reddish sauce on top, and honestly, the smell was making my mouth water. On the other hand, Karen had a salad that seemed to consist of lettuce leaves, tomato slices, and grated carrots, while the other plate had the five slices of fish that Nozomi and I had.

“Enjoy!” Kharel said energetically before grabbing one of the chops with his hand and bringing it to his mouth.

“What kind of manners are those?” Karen sighed after seeing her brother’s behavior. She then picked up her knife and fork and began to eat elegantly.

On the other hand, Nozomi had already devoured both plates, even at the same time. This slime is gluttony personified. I simply started with the soup, savoring each spoonful, although it wasn’t long before Nozomi began to eye my plates. I sighed before offering her the plate with the fish.

“Just two,” I told her.

She stopped in her tracks, having already opened her mouth with the intention of devouring the entire plate, and then looked at me pleadingly.

Master…

“I also have the right to eat,” I continued eating at a slow pace. I need to start being a bit stricter with her regarding food. “And we can’t keep asking for more food; we’re short on money.”

Nozomi lowered her gaze, appearing to have an internal conflict. On one hand, she knew we didn’t have much money and needed to be conservative with food; on the other, she wanted to let her instincts out and eat as much as she wanted.

“You can have half of my plate,” Karen offered, pushing her plate of fish slices toward Nozomi with a smile. “Or the whole plate if you want; I don’t usually eat that much anyway.”

Nozomi’s eyes lit up, and she turned her gelatinous body to look at me, then at the plate, and then back at Karen.

“It’s a gift; you can have it,” I said while gently stroking her head.

And with a huge smile, Nozomi devoured Karen’s plate and half of mine.

“This little creature is hopeless,” Kharel said, his mouth full and his plate now just bones from the chops, starting to laugh.

“Brother, you’re not one to talk,” Karen sounded somewhat annoyed, but after seeing Nozomi’s satisfied face, she seemed to cheer up.

“But don’t get used to it, Nozomi,” I said after finishing my soup. “If you want extra portions, you’ll have to work hard.”

Yes!

And, amidst laughter, the four of us finished our dinner and headed to our rooms. Karen, who was carrying Nozomi, asked for permission to sleep with her. I asked Nozomi, and she agreed, so there was no problem. How quickly this little one has abandoned me; she’s found someone who spoils her more than I do, but well, it doesn’t really matter. I said goodbye to the twins and entered my room, leaving my leather armor and dagger on the nightstand. I sat on the bed, feeling quite tired after everything that had happened today. On one hand, I had leveled up, completed quests, and found new companions; on the other hand, I had discovered that there are more people who come from another world, like me. Should I call them reincarnated? Regardless, I prefer not to encounter any more of them.

I let my body fall onto the bed, and my eyes closed instantly. The accumulated fatigue made me fall asleep almost immediately.