Ten people were standing outside the renovated, no, the reborn Familia Inn. While Basil was nodding his head in appreciation, Danzel and Clarissa were gaping at the building. It had been merely five days, yet the building had been completely renovated.
The two people gazed at the seven workers in amazement. They had managed to turn the previously two storey building to three story building. Not only that, the building was also exuding grandeur. Even the passersby were awed.
"Thank you for your hardwork."
"Haha! It's the least we could do to repay your kindness."
The representative of the seven workers answered amiably. They had become a worker ever since they got their Core shattered. However, they had never been entrusted with a project as big as renovating a big building.
As they were quite new and not well-known, the amount of trust people gave them was small. They felt like being blessed by the heavens when Basil had come to them and asked them to renovate a building.
Imagine their surprise when after that they were treated with such sincere courtesy by Danzel and the others. They were so touched that they made a masterpiece out of their first big project.
"Even so, it's awesome. To think that only five days were needed. It's awesome."
"Ah, it is also thanks to Sir Basil for providing us the best materials. Therefore, the work was faster than what we had expected."
At this, Basil merely nodded in recognition. There was some truth in his word, however the seven workers worked really fast. As they were previously a Knight, their physical prowess was awesome.
"I am satisfied with your work. Expect more work from me."
"Thank you for the kind praise, Sir."
The representative of the seven workers accepted the pay from Basil courteously. However, by the time the pouch was laid onto his hands, he was taken aback by the weight. He quickly peered inside the pouch, then his eyes widened in disbelief.
"Sir... I believe this amount is.."
"As you have said, I only provided you with the best materials, but not the best tools. You could use that to have the best tools."
"Sir...! Thank you!"
As their representative bowed his head, the other workers also followed suit. They didn't need to know the content. They knew it must have been enormous. Even if they were paid less than it should be, they would still bow their heads in gratitude.
They had been treated with such courtesy, they didn't mind to get their pay cut off. However, now that they got their pay more than usual, they were overwhelmed with emotion.
"Hm. You may leave. I am sure you are tired."
The seven workers bowed their head once again, before saying their goodbye and took their leave. They were skipping in their step when the representative told them how much their payment.
"How much do you pay them?"
"A minimum wage."
"How much?"
"210 for the seven of them."
"Silver?"
"Gold."
A pin drop silence ensued. Danzel and Clarissa looked at Basil neutrally. The amount of payment he had given to the workers was simply outrageous. The normal payment for a worker was usually around 200 silver.
It was pale in comparison to what Basil had paid the seven workers. 100 silver was only equal to 1 gold. Therefore, it was normal to feel shocked. After all, it was equal to what a capable Knight could afford in two weeks.
"Is that how you flaunt your money to show that you are rich?"
"The rich sure have it different."
Twitch.
It was very faint, however the attentive father and daughter duo could notice it. They smiled in triumph, satisfied that they managed to get a reaction out of Basil. With a faint sigh, he shook his head and motioned them to get inside.
Although they had been inside the building even while it had been still in renovation, they couldn't stop admiring the change of the inn. It became a luxurious inn by one renovation alone!
"Hmm..."
Danzel was pondering to himself. Now that the inn was renovated, it became even grandeur. He would have to really fill the inside with the suitable furnitures and other necessities like bed to accommodate the lodgers.
In other words, he had to raise the lodging price. He had only charged the lodgers for 20 silver to stay at his inn for a day with three meals. He was afraid his former lodgers wouldn't be able to afford his inn if he were to raise the price.
"Are you thinking about your costumers again?"
"Hm. I'm afraid we will lose most of our regulars."
"Jeez.. you are too soft, father."
"Well... Most of them are a hard-working woman, I don't want to burden them."
Clarissa shook her head helplessly at her father. She glanced at Basil to ask for help discreetly. Basil didn't give any indication that he understood her meaning, however he soon opened his mouth.
"I believe you should not be worried about that. The price our inn charged has been lower than any other inns. Therefore, no one would complain if you raise the price."
"Will they be able to afford that though?"
"You can make exceptions for some people."
"Aha! That is... Brilliant!"
Danzel was elated at Basil's suggestion. Clarissa sighed in relief that her family's business wouldn't get bankrupt due to her father's generosity. Basil merely gazed at that Danzel in nostalgia.
He had merely suggested the thing Danzel had done in his past life. Danzel had applied it on him and it had been a great help to him. Therefore, aside for easing the worry Danzel had, he wanted to give another struggling people a chance too.
"Kuhahaha! Now let's buy the furnitures! I will decorate our inn handsomely."
Danzel left the inn to do what he said while laughing boisterously. Clarissa looked at him worriedly until his back disappeared from her view. She then glanced at Basil and couldn't help but asked.
"Will that be okay? Exception doesn't refer only to his regulars, I believe. Father is so bad at organizing money that he often forgot he has spent all the money he has."
"I can see that."
Basil curved his mouth upward faintly and agreed with Clarissa. It had happened quite often too in the past. Therefore, Basil had often chastised him for his uselessly generous attitude.
"However, thou hath to worry not. For I hath plenty of money."
"Huuh..." Clarissa rolled her eyes while sighing helplessly. It seemed the men in her family had their own unique traits. "It fits you so much that I'm bewildered," commented Clarissa while smiling faintly.
"Hm. People with greatness should act accordingly."
"Now, that is narcissistic. Even for you."
Basil and Clarissa had truly gotten closer for the past five days he had spent with her together. Therefore, Clarissa could somehow interact with Basil rather normally. It meant, she would sometimes dodge his gaze if it became unbearable.
I hath no choice, thy charm maketh me loseth my mind!
She actually cringed at that corny thought whenever it popped in her mind. Basil was still unaware of this. He was still attributing her reaction due to her awkwardness toward him.
The inn was still close, therefore they didn't have much to do aside from reorganizing the reborn inn. The lodgers who had chosen to stay had some of them left, leaving only the six women, who were working outside at this time.
After the brief reorganization was done, Clarissa left to work at the bakery. Basil entered his renovated room to train. He needed to finish his Circle Carving. It was already half finished.
He was in the process of making another Ultimate Circle. He couldn't let his progress as a Mage stagnated. He was improving fast as a Knight since he had experienced the state of Enlightenment.
He had dug all of the information he could get from the system and found a better way to practice [Star Withering]. As he had guessed, the information the Guide provided was really basic.
Therefore, in the Guide's current stage, he needed to figure out the knowledge it gave by himself until he was qualified to upgrade the Guide's stage. He didn't necessarily need that, however he wanted to improve faster than his current pace.
Just like that, three weeks passed.
...
"Woah! It's awesome. I can't believe it was merely a normal inn a few weeks ago."
"Well, the affordable price makes it even awesome!"
"Indeed"
Two men entered Familia Inn and looked around in awe. The receiving room was decorated with luxurious furnitures. The sofas provided for the people to sit were so elegant that they were reluctant to sit on them.
"Excuse me, Sir. How may I help you?"
"That is — ah..."
The two men gaped in admiration by the time they saw the speaker. It was a beautiful woman with lean body and long auburn hair with a black suit and long black pants. She was one of the victims of that day's tragedy, who had decided to work at Familia Inn.
"Uh.. a room for two, please."
"What class do you prefer?"
"A regular, please."
"It will be 60 silver a night without meals, and 75 with meals for each room."
"We will take the meals too."
"Very well."
The two men handed their money in a daze. Then, they followed the lady silently from behind. They admired her posture as she was walking steadily like a soldier. Surely, it wasn't only for that.
Woah, Look at those bumps! They look squishy!
They were observing another thing too. The woman seemed to notice their gazes as she stopped in her track, turned her back, and gazed at them coldly.
"We have every right to discipline any rude customers, just so you know."
The two men's body shook. She had been as steady as a water surface before, however she had never showed that cold look. Therefore, they were scared. The reputation of Familia Inn's 'discipline' was quite well-known after all!
"Do we have a problem here, Jennifer?"
"Ah! That is..."
The woman who was called Jennifer turned her back at the very familiar voice and exclaimed timidly. The two men were taken aback by her reaction and couldn't help the curiosity budding in theirselves.
They also turned to look at the owner of the voice. It was a tall young man with a muscular yet lean build. He had brown hair and a heavy presence around him. When they looked at his face, they couldn't help but exclaimed.
"Ah..."
"That is... He is.. the Dragon Prince."
They knew the young man in front of them. His appearance could charm any women who saw it. He was the wet dreams of every women in Raneil Barony. However, his appearance didn't mean he was weak.
He had 'disciplined' many unsightly Knights with a wave of his hand. Thus, people came up with the name of Dragon Prince. He was as charming as a prince, yet as fierce as a dragon. In other words, he was Basil.
Jennifer recomposed herself and coughed, "Kuhum. It was nothing, Sir. These men just acted rather unsightly earlier." She gestured at them, prompting Basil to really look at the two. "Is that so?" He muttered calmly.
The two men quivered in fear. Basil didn't need to exude his pressure. His gaze alone was enough to suppress them!
"You should never hold back whenever you meet this kind of people next time. Those skills I train you are not just for show."
"I will remember it."
Basil nodded faintly and took his leave while giving a small wave to Jennifer. She looked at his back in a daze, before shaking her head to clear her head. She returned her cold gaze at the two men, making them flinch.
"As you have heard from our co-owner, the next time you do something unsightly will be the day where we stack your body behind our inn. Understood?"
Nod! Nod!
They were too afraid to interject that was exaggerated. They followed Jennifer to their room while vowing to never mess with anyone working at Familia Inn.
...
"Eii.. you are leaving already? It's just barely a month!"
"I need to visit my academy so the headmaster wouldn't be tearing his almost non-existent hair."
"Huuh.. right. Anyway, make sure to return. Clarissa will be very very sad if you don't."
Pinch!
"Ouch! What was that for?"
"Anyway, take really good care of yourself. I know you don't need to eat that often, but I have made you many delicacies. Therefore, you have to eat it for me, okay? Also..."
Clarissa listed the things Basil should do in his trip so he could take care of his body better. Basil who was merely going to return to Woster County listened to her attentively. He had to return her sincere care. He was a gentleman after all!
"Huuh.. just take care, okay?"
"Worry not, this I wilt be fine."
"I am sure you are."
Basil patted Clarissa's head while smiling faintly but noticeably. The latter smiled too while enjoying the sensation of being patted by her crush. Basil took his hand off her head and turned to Danzel.
"I am leaving."
"Take care."
Danzel merely nodded and hugged the taller Basil. Their height difference hadn't been that much at the beginning, however Basil seemed to never stop growing everyday. He was already 3 cm taller than his previous height.
They let go of each other. Basil was about to leave when he heard a faint hum behind him. He turned his body and glanced at Clarissa who was fiddling her finger.
"Hmm.. what about me?"
She asked timidly while blushing heavily. Danzel chuckled in amusement and Basil shook his head while smiling pleasantly. He proceeded to give her a warm hug, leaving her sighing in comfort.
He let go of her body after some time, then proceeded to move away His back quickly disappeared from their view. Already, they could feel something was missing. His presence affected them more than they thought.
Basil was unaware of this. He kept moving his feet forward. He was going to meet the new Companion of his.. He was quite expectant about it.