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The inn that he suggested was the ‘Spring Wind Inn,’ a two-story, seemingly somewhat luxurious inn. Also, there was something that had been bothering me for a while, but I could actually read the letters. I could even talk with people. It entered my ears with the familiarity you’d expect from a language that you’ve spoken for a long time. I had wondered about this since I was talking with Russell, but there was no answer to that question. I suppose there was no point in worrying about it now. And so I didn’t.

“Hellooo. Is anyone in here?”

“Helloo. Do we have a customer?”

A large framed and middle-aged woman appeared from the back. She stood behind the counter and looked towards me.

“Um, I’ve come by recommendation of Mr. Russell?”

“Oh, Russell is it? Then we must treat you extra special!”

The woman was all smiles the moment she heard Russell’s name. Clearly, the potency of his name was no joke.

“I’m Maris. And you?”

“I am called Asagi. I’d like to stay for one week for now…is this enough money?”

So saying, I took out all of the money I had just borrowed and displayed it on the counter. I hadn’t had time to check properly, but I now saw that there were both silver and copper coins. And there were definitely more of the silver variety. That Russell…

“Oh, there will be change if you have this much. Good. Asagi, you will stay in the corner room on the second floor. Meals will be served for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The eating room is down there. The fee for your meals shall be free!”

“Do you mean it? It’s one week, that means you’ll lose money for twenty-one meals!”

“Well, you’re a guest that Russell recommended, so we must be sweet with you. You’ll eat well with us, you will!”

The effect of his name was tremendous. How would I ever repay him…

“Then I will accept your hospitality…Miss Maris. I will stay here for a while.”

“Very good!”

I was happy for such a generous innkeeper.

After leaving all my belongings in the room I was shown, I decided to head for the guild house. By the way, the room in the inn was bigger than the one I used to live in.

I went out onto the main street and looked around like a country bumpkin. Due to being a town inside of a forest, most of the buildings were made of wood. There was something very relaxing about walking through the peaceful road with its buildings facing each other.

There was an old man hollering in front of his fruit stall. A young butcher who folded his arms after arranging the meat in his store. There was even a flower shop. It was a lively little town. Along the way, I saw a weapons shop. As a boy, there was something incredibly rousing about it, but I held off for the moment. I needed to become an adventurer first. I controlled my eagerness and headed for the guild.

It was easily found. That large building. Also, there were was a constant flow of rough-looking men going in and out. They must be adventurers. Most carried swords and spears.

I passed through the open gates, and inside there were several counters with signs that read: “Registration”, “Quest “, “Reward” and “Questions/other.” In the front, there were stairs that led to the second floor and stairs that led to the basement. On the left, there was a bar. In spite of it being midday, there were men and women drinking and making noise.

“Oi, look over there. A shamelessly dressed boy’s come to visit!”

“Haha, I think they’re rather nice!”

What boring prudes. Of course, they wouldn’t leave me alone… This would turn sour regardless if I ignored them or shot back. It was a very predictable scenario.

“Ahh, I’ve just arrived in this town. I wanted to become an adventurer!”

I put on my part-timer’s face.

“Eh? Oh, so you must be the Black Rabbit!”

What the?

“Hey, look! The infamous Black Rabbit has graced us with his presence!”

“The black haired cowardly rabbit! Let me see him!”

“Buwahahaha! Just look at him! How stylish!”

A shower of ridicule. Pointing fingers. Drunks really were a merry bunch.

But it also seemed that I wasn’t quite welcome here.

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