Chapter 45: The best place to gather information
Leon didn't face any problems going into the city despite being surrounded by two unusual monster girls.
The Silver Kingdom's law about monsters suppressed all discrimination and welcomed monsters from various lands to their home. Of course, that was only on paper, but Leon and his partners were well aware of it.
"The best source of information are inns as usual." Leon shook the reins, following noticeable signs for tourists to find lodging for them.
For the first time, everyone would have a bed for themselves.
Leon also knew that he'd be able to meet guild members from various guilds and learn about the ongoing event in Malre City. He soon appeared before the inn after the city's name.
[Malre's Inn.]
It was the inn belonging to the marquis owning this city. Because of the funds coming straight from the taxes and the royal's vault, the inn could match five stars hotels from Leon's world. Made out of marble stones and designed by architects from the capital, the inn stood out, repelling those without heavy pockets.
"It's disappointing that our inventories are so limited, Master!" Louise exclaimed after seeing her master taking out silver coins from his seemingly light pocket.
Of course, Leon faked that he had an inventory. He told Louise and Celes to be the same, not following the same route he'd taken in the village.
It'd be stupid to reveal so many cards in a broader world.
Louise couldn't hold herself, though. "If we could stuff our carriage in our inventory, we'd save money. Our horses also would be able to rest in their card forms. Right?"
Celes cast her cold eyes at the fox girl, making her shiver. "We would. But inventories have their own rules and limits. In the end, that's a privilege for those of high talent. It's mainly to keep our treasures here, weapons, consumable items, and light stuff to survive any kind of environment. A lot of precious stuff is too much for the inventory system: hence kingdoms own lands to protect their treasures."
"I know it." Louise pouted and looked away from the vampiress.
Celes smirked and told off Louise before arching her head behind to drink her second favorite liquid. "So be quiet about inventories, and don't reveal that all of us own it."
"I understand!" Louise harrumphed and become quiet.
Leon finally finished his deal and turned around to face these two. "Done. We'll book a room for us, now. It's gotta be expensive, but I'll find out a way to have three beds in one place."
Louise's ears flapped down, and even Celes' eyes flashed disappointedly.
Leon didn't miss that. "I don't think we'll stay long enough here if we're able to participate in the event."
After spending some time with these two, Leon was in a phase where he wanted to have some nights without any disturbing him. Celes' slaps and Louise's nightmares had put enough strain on him, so he wasn't as dejected as these two monster girls.
In the corner of his eye, Leon noticed the queue in the inn's interior and how much it bustled with people. "You two should go for groceries. I'll stay in the queue and learn about the event."
Celes and Louise didn't mind splitting, so both nodded.
"It's weird that Master's paid for the stable first before booking rooms, though." Louise tilted her head in confusion as she'd expected this after getting a room.
Leon explained shortly. "I did a transaction through the system but still handed that man two silver coins. That's so he'll ensure there's at least one room for us. He'll use our horses as an excuse."
"Is that how it works?" Louise narrowed her eyes.
Leon shrugged. "I found out about it from listening to others. Anyway, I didn't spend a fortune on it."
Because Leon hadn't learned about the outer world yet, he didn't mind learning from his mistakes. He casually said it to Louise, who looked at him with big eyes, then turned around to follow the vampiress. It seemed like the latter didn't have anything to comment on and followed her master's path.
Louise decided to talk less, too.
With these two gone, Leon stepped into the queue. He'd spotted many different people in different clothes. It was as though all of them had come here for a vacation — but that was naturally a wrong thought. All of them wore armor or light leather equipment, exerting a silent but bothersome pressure.
"It's just a queue and everyone's so tense." Leon chuckled, finding that pressure amusing as he believed they exerted it so that no one would push them away.
It was a pity Leon couldn't see through their levels. But he saw their guild names floating above their heads, another show of their status and presence.
Leon looked like an oddball without any status.
It was exactly because of it that one of the groups approached him.
"Will you back down without making a fuss, or will you force us?" A man in leather armor and a broad sword on his back called out to Leon.
His words told him what he wanted.
Feeling no threat from this guy's body and his party, Leon shook his head. "You can try forcing your way. Keep in mind that the inn's owner will not approve of a big mess in his place. You'll pay a hefty price if you can't swiftly deal with me."
Because those words were legit, the man's eyes twitched, and he took a good look at Leon again. He also couldn't find any pressure from him, and Leon's equipment was… trash. He wore a simple shirt and pants, appearing like a commoner instead. In the man's eyes, Leon, without any pressure, seemed like a fuck boy instead.
One of the man's teammates stepped to the front and coquettishly whispered, "Let me kill some time with you, and I'll reward you tonight. How about it?"
She was a pretty woman in light robes.
Leon chuckled, "You should offer that to your teammates."
"I already did, many times, in fact." Her lips curved up.
Leon and other people in the queue threw peculiar glances at the man and his other friends. It was rare to have such a woman at a party, for such a vivid nightlife could lead to many betrayals and leaks of information.
Leon shook his head and verbally attacked. "So, the mouthy guy is only good at barking? I reckon everyone here would be able to keep you on a leash, fickle girl."
The men in the crowd nodded a few times.
While the girl rolled her eyes and still wore a sultry smile, her teammates turned redder from shame. The man in the lead took out his broad sword, forming a windy pressure out of his mana.
Leon silently controlled his chains, using only one fire spirit to move them to his palm. When the man's sword went up, and he lowered it down to split him into two, Leon raised his palm and aimed to grasp the blade with his chains, silently blocking them without revealing his weapon.
He'd done it successfully.
He looked up, smirking. "I don't think you can easily kick me away from the queue. Take your slut away and enter the queue like everyone did."
The man sheathed his sword and growled, "You'll also hunt for the split spirit realm, won't you? I hope you have teammates, so you won't die a lone dog's death."
After those words, the man left. He pulled his sexy teammate by her collar, making her wail as she extended her hand for Leon's pretty face, sulking.
Leon turned to one of the people in the queue and smiled brightly. "So the spirit realm split?"
"You didn't know?" A man replied.
Thus, the conversation started.
The inn's truly the best place to gather information!