NOVEL NEXT Chapter 11 - Chapter 11: First Visit to Savoia
Chapter 11: First Visit to Savoia
As I entered the city, it was bustling with a dusty vibrancy. The unpaved roads were bustling with merchants, mercenaries, townsfolk, children, and even camels and imps, continuously kicking up clouds of dust. The roads and buildings shared the same earthy hue, indicating that the city was made of sun-dried bricks. Some buildings were adorned with plaster in a decorative manner, which stood out nicely against the blue sky. Seeing the urban beauty after so long filled me with a tingling sensation of awe.
By the way, I was nervous on my own at the checkpoint, but I was able to pass through without any difficulty. The guards were strictly professional in their dealings, and they didn’t say anything special even when they saw Kuro. It was a bit anticlimactic. Menas covered the tax fee this time. My debts just keep piling up. I’d like to repay him somehow, but I can’t find an opportunity. He’s really shrewd…
“Menas, thanks for everything. Jeda, you’ve been a great help too.”
“Oh, it was nothing. We’ll be staying in this city for about five days, so if you ever have any trouble, feel free to visit us anytime.”
“That’s great! Thanks! I don’t think I can make it to Triangular Rock next week, so the earliest we can meet again is in two weeks. See you then!”
“Don’t forget to bring some meat!”
Jeda seems to think of me as a meat person. Now, let’s look for an inn while exploring.
“Kuro, behave yourself in the city. And keep this with you just in case.”
I attached a large knife to Kuro’s waistcloth.
“Gyaa?!”
“Don’t brandish the knife around in the city.”
“Gyaa!”
He seems a bit quieter than usual. Maybe he’s starting to understand the situation a bit.
The layout of this city is simple. There’s a large square in the center, with grand buildings facing it. These are likely the public buildings responsible for the city’s main functions. Three main roads radiate from the square. There doesn’t seem to be a clear division of functions by road. However, there are significant differences in income and status. The main roads are connected to small squares at various points, which then branch out into smaller streets. Some of these squares also serve as marketplaces. Commercial facilities are plentiful around the main roads, and you can even see buildings like churches. As you move away from the main roads, the crowds gradually thin out. Suddenly, there are fewer women and children, and only people with weapons at their waists can be seen. Surprisingly, even small stalls are occasionally seen along the main roads. I wonder if those are legal?
“Hey, you there! You look like you’re not from around here. Would you like to try our specialty egg skewers?”
As I glance around at such stalls, a young street vendor calls out to me. Oops, I must have looked out of place.
“Ah, actually, I’ve come from quite far away. I’ll try one skewer. How much?”
“One skewer for 200 Reis, but if you get two, I’ll give them to you for 300 Reis!”
“You’re quite the salesman. Alright, I’ll take two then.”
After making the payment, he hands me two skewers with practiced ease. They look like quail skewers.
“By the way, are there any good inns around here?”
“In that case, I recommend the Petikatto Inn. It’s just around the corner on this street if you head east.”
Ultimately, I plan to stay at the inn recommended by Jeda, but since I’m here, I want to check out various inns.
“Thank you! These eggs are delicious. I wonder what kind of creature’s eggs these are?”
“Oh, those are sand lizard eggs. Sand lizards themselves are quite tasty too.”
For a moment, I reflexively look at my pocket and meet Pink’s eyes. Well, sand lizards and you are different… right? Somehow, I’ve lost my appetite.
“That was unexpected. I thought they were bird eggs or something. By the way, are you from around here?”
“No, I’m a migrant worker from the Perimeter Village to the east. I’m actually a fisherman. But the sea is rough this time of year, so I came here to work.”
“I see. You’re quite the savvy businessman despite that. You must be making quite a profit?”
“Haha, it’s decent. It’s a nearby village, so even if things don’t go well, as long as I make enough for the tax, I won’t be in the red.”
Does that mean there are no fees or rent for the stall? Well, I don’t really know. The legality of this stall itself is questionable.
“That’s nice. Seeing you, I feel like I want to try being a street vendor too.”
“Do you also have some kind of business? Well, this city is relatively lax, so as long as you’re not making a big profit, no one will say anything. It’s quite recommended.”
“I see. That’s helpful. If I see you again, I’ll buy something!”
“Thank you!”
Moving to a side street, I give one skewer to Kuro.
“Gyaa gyaa.”
“Well, I guess what we usually eat is tastier. Hey Pink, are you going to eat too?”
Pink also nibbled on the egg skewer along my arm from the pocket, but it didn’t seem to suit its taste, so it quickly withdrew.
Let’s check out the inn for now. As I walked for a while, a group of shady-looking people approached from the other direction. They were carrying swords and clubs in a rather ostentatious manner. Are they mercenaries too? Well, they look more like thugs. I didn’t want any trouble, so I moved aside to let them pass quickly. The mercenaries glanced at us for a moment but didn’t seem to care and walked away. Somehow, I felt like they were observing us. It’s better to be cautious… We might have been targeted. I can’t trust that fried skewer vendor either. Let’s return to the main street early and find the inn Jeda mentioned.
When I looked back, the same guys from earlier had returned.
“Kuro, run. Follow me.”
Without looking back, I sprinted at full speed to the main street. I kept running even after reaching the main street. When I looked back, I couldn’t see them anymore. Menas said it was safe, but I still can’t let my guard down. I want to do business and build relationships even in this city, but ensuring safety is a challenge. First, I need to walk around the city and get a feel for the place, identify safe and unsafe areas. Then, I need to catch some regular customers, gradually increase my visibility, and make sure not to profit too much as an outsider, or I’ll be eliminated in no time. I know it’s going to be tough.
Is this the inn Jeda mentioned? It’s in a good location along the main street. It looks expensive, but I wonder if I have enough money. Well, let’s go in and see.
“Welcome.”
A well-built young man was sitting at the front desk. He greeted me with a smile when he saw me approaching.
“Hello. I’d like to stay tonight. Do you have any rooms available?”
His appearance was neat, and his clothing was reasonably refined. As I approached, his good physique stood out. He seems stronger than those thugs from earlier.
“Of course, we have rooms available. Would you like dinner included?”
“Um… well, could you tell me the price for both options, with and without dinner?”
“Yes, certainly. With dinner, it’s 30,000 Reis, and without dinner, it’s 23,000 Reis. Both require payment in advance.”
Due to what happened earlier, I don’t feel like going out at night. I’m tired today, and safety is a priority, so I’ll eat here.
“In that case, I’ll take the option with dinner. Can I have the meal in my room?”
“Understood. I’ll have it delivered to your room later.”
“Also, I have a little imp with me. Can I bring it into the room?”
“I see. Is it the imp you’re carrying now?”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
“Gyaa.”
“Usually, there’s an additional fee for that, but… not this time.”
Seems like he took a liking to it. It’s a good thing Kuro is neat.
“If the imp dirties the room, there may be an additional cleaning fee. Please understand.”
“Got it. Thank you.”
The room is larger than I expected and clean. However, the furniture is simple. There are probably various grades of rooms available. It’s been a while since I slept on a bed. Well, I find the rock wall bed more comfortable now… It’s a strange feeling. Should I take a nap until dinner?
“Kuro, I’m going to take a short nap until dinner. You should rest too.”
“Gyaa.”
He still sleeps with me as usual. Well, recently, I’ve started to feel a bit of affection for this ugly face in some way.
*Knock knock*
I woke up to the sound of knocking on the door.
“Oh, I’m opening it now.”
I must have fallen asleep due to nerves, so I’m a bit tired. I opened the door and invited the waiter who brought the meal inside. As I watched him quickly prepare, he suddenly stopped with a startled expression. Ah… did he see Kuro sitting on the bed?
They’re giving me a double-take.
As Menas mentioned before, there seem to be quite a few people who aren’t fond of imps. Well, their faces are scary, you know.
“It seems like it’s tired from carrying luggage around all day.”
“I-I see… Well then, please enjoy your meal. When would you like us to collect the dishes?”
“Maybe in about two hours.”
“Understood.”
“Oh, thank you.”
There’s a lot of food, but… it’s quite simple. Bread, stew, meat, and boiled vegetables. Hmm, it’s just salty. Well, it’s more like a soup with lots of ingredients than stew. I manage to eat it somehow with Kuro. Pink only ate the chocolate it brought.
“My stomach feels like it’s going to burst.”
“Gyaaah…”
“Don’t make such a dubious face. Looks like Kuro’s become quite a gourmet too.”
But still, Menas and the others would be delighted if I brought meat. Frankly, it was terrible meat. I wonder what kind of meat it was. However, considering it’s a 7,000 Reis meal, I think it’s better than a typical meal. It’s disappointing that the meat isn’t good. Well, the vegetables were generally fresh and delicious.
Now, what should I do tomorrow? Maybe I’ll explore the city in the morning when the crime rate seems low. I’ll leave the afternoon to chance. It would be nice if I could find some business opportunities. I hear a knock on the door.
“I’ve come to collect the dishes.”
“Please come in.”
I open the door and invite them in. They’ve been glancing at Kuro the whole time.
“Gyaa!”
“Eek… I-I apologize.”
“No worries, just make sure Kuro behaves.”
“Gyaah…”
The waiter looks completely pale. Kuro has a strangely excited expression. Please don’t do anything weird.
“I’m sorry to bother you, but could I have some hot water to wash up?”
“Of course, I’ll bring it right away.”
The waiter managed to maintain a poker face and brought the hot water in a bucket. Let’s quickly wash up and go to bed.
Pink is turning the bucket into a bath… Kuro is quietly making strange noises like a rap while drying its body more meticulously than me. These guys are so free-spirited.