Chapter 45 44: Brewing Troubles

A pair of coats flapped as the two hatted men stepped inside the Dreaming Blue inn. Clacks rang with their movements as the innkeeper's eyes fell to their waists.

Revolvers.

"There certainly are, how may I help you?" The girl stepped out of the reception desk and moved toward them. Keeping them at the door would be much better for her customers that were still seated in the lobby.

"We are here to meet some adventurers. Can you tell us what room they are in?" One asked, tipping his hat.

"Ah, then going to the adventurer's guild right down the street would be much better."

"That's fine," the other intervened. "Does one of them have red hair maybe?"

The young innkeeper gulped.

"No. I cannot answer your questions as it is a breach of my guests' privacy. Please let me know who you are and I shall inform them of your visit should I see them."

"Look missy." He stepped forward.

"This is an important matter," Another.

"Not. For. Kids."

The other customers noticed and were about to step up when the door to the inn opened again.

In full-plated armor carrying spears in their hands, a row of knights stood at the door. At their forefront was a young man in sleek military robes.

"You two, are you from the Volfram Knights?"

The two hatted men stepped back, clicking their tongues. Even though they had hidden their identity, sticking to it would have them trapped in this place.

"That's right, we are here to investigate something."

"Unfortunately, you didn't provide any warrants or notices to the count. Please follow us out of town for now. I am sure you will cooperate—"

"This is an urgent matter!" The other appealed.

"Please don't worry, any problems related to security will be handled by the Leunderk PD. We're confident in those matters."

At the strict rejection of the inspector, the two hatted men had no chances left for rebuttal. They groaned inwardly as they reluctantly stepped out of the inn.

The inspector smiled at the Young Ms. Blue and bowed apologetically before stepping out.

***

"Elric, you son of a bitch. It's already six."

A soft yet threatening growl seeped into Elric's ears. Sitting on the window of the third floor was Claude, who had been practicing his ability to scale buildings after the last time.

"Umnum…. Six… so early…?"

"Six in the evening."

"Eveninggghnn…"

Claude sighed.

He stepped inside Elric's room and started lighting up the lamps. He had woken him up before leaving in the morning, and that was at seven. Knowing Elric, he must have pulled something stupid and gone back to sleep, so probably around eight.

He had just slept another day away.

Massaging his forehead, Claude heaved a sigh and picked up Elric by his leg.

"Yay… slide…"

"Yes, slide indeed." And with a smile, he tossed him out of the window.

Out of the window, from the third floor.

A gust of air struck Elric's face, forcing his eyes open.

"Ah! Claude, you bitcccch!!!"

Elric continued screaming, but the impact never came. Instead, the soft enveloping of a blanket surrounded him. In shock, he raised his head and looked around.

Claude peeked out of the window of Elric's room, resting his chin on his palm. He had tied a new towel blanket that he had brought for Elric against a tree and a window breaking his fall yet not falling through.

"T-this…" Elric muttered. "This loop threaded lock-stitched material that increases its tensile strength by leaps and bounds! This amazing high-quality magically enhanced cotton fabric with perfect cuts and feathers to make it wrap around your skin and wick away all moisture, coupled with the reinforced edges and the layers that make it warm yet fluffy! This warmth and comfort can only be achieved by getting the perfect spacing in between the layers! A blanket that's lightweight yet warm and cozy, it's perfect for snuggling up on the couch or using on the bed! No, I can even wrap this around myself on the move!!"

"Woah…" Claude was at a loss for words.

"D-did you bring this…?" Elric looked up at Claude, tears filling the edges of his eyes.

"Uh… yeah?" Claude answered, his brows furrowed.

"Is…is it for me…?"

"Who else would use a blanket?"

"Uu…." Like a river flowing downstream, a streak of tears dripped from Elric's eyes.

"Heh!?" Claude leaned out of the window in shock.

"Waaah…."

"OI! Why are you crying!? What the heck?! Elric! Elric stop!"

"Uwaaah…"

In no time at all, people gathered from the windows to the streets.

"What happened?"

"Did he throw out that little girl? Oh my god."

"What a terrible man, how can he do that to someone so pretty?"

"Someone call the police! He needs to get arrested."

"Ah, fuck…" Claude sighed. "And here I thought we should get our cash from the adventurer's guild."

Elric immediately stopped crying. "Oh! Money!! Let's go."

Naive, naive people.