Volume 3 Chapter 143: Inn Town (2/2)
When I got to my room, it was indeed clean. It seemed they properly cleaned the rooms here. Not a speck of dirt could be seen in the room. But the room was small, and just the bed and a small table alone took over 70% of the room. The room also didn’t have the slightest bit of decoration.
Well, it is an inn town. I guess this is about what you’d expect for inns aimed at the general populace. If people are just traveling for work, then there probably aren’t many customers that stay here for two or more nights in a row. It somehow feels like a capsule hotel, but with how tight everything is, I actually don’t hate it.
…There’s nothing to see here in particular, so let’s go get some grub.
“Welcome! Umm, are you alone?” [Girl]
“Good evening. I’m staying at the inn on the other side. Here’s my food slip.” [Ryouma]
“Gotcha. I’ll lead you to a suitable seat then~” [Girl]
When I went to the Terecy Restaurant, a cheerful girl led me to my seat. The place was packed and the voices of people laughing as they ate and drank liquor could be heard. The restaurant was big, being a two-story building, but the whole place was brimming with the warmth of people.
It resembles the beer garden Serge-san brought me to before, but it’s a little cozier. Although there are people making merry, it feels more like families getting together.
“Sorry to keep you waiting~” [Girl]
The food comes out quickly too. This place seems to be well liked even by individuals.
Let’s dig in then.
“Itadakimasu.” [Ryouma]
I took a mouthful of the thick soup that resembled a stew. The first thing I felt was warmth. It traveled from the top of my tongue to my throat, and all the way through the esophagus until my stomach, warming my body from its very core. My body might have been a lot colder than I’d thought.
There was a natural sweetness that oozed out from the well cooked vegetables and aroma from the herbs that erased the stench of the cut meat and gave a wild umami to the meat.
“…Delicious.” [Ryouma]
Just one word leaked out of my mouth.
The bread was black and hard, but after dipping it into the soup, it softened and became edible. The fragrance of the wheat permeated the taste of the soup when I dipped it too. Also, with the bread around, that’s one more dish to fill my stomach on top of the soup.
The salad consisted of boiled leaf vegetables and red beans with dressing on top. There was a sweetness to the beans that complemented the moderate sourness from the lamon.
I quietly ate by myself, and eventually, my plate was completely empty.
“That was delicious…” [Ryouma]
With both my mind and my body warmed up, I think I can work hard again.
Now then…
“Excuse me.” [Ryouma]
“Yes? Oh, done already?” [Girl]
“Yes. It was very delicious.” [Ryouma]
As she cleaned up the plates, I went ahead and asked her.
‘I’m looking for a person called Pedro-san. Would you happen to know a person by that name?” [Ryouma]
“Hmm~ What kind of person is he?” [Girl]
According to the client, he’s supposed to be about 170cm tall and a bear man with brown hair for both his hair and his beard. His most defining trait is his ‘green nose’.
When I told her that—
“Ahh! That man.” [Girl]
“You know him?” [Ryouma]
“Just by face.” [Girl]
“Do you remember when he last came here?” [Girl]
“Hmm~… I know he came here several times, but…” [Girl]
The girl became thoughtful. I quietly waited for her to finish thinking.
“…Ah!” [Girl]
“Did you remember!?” [ryouma]
“No, sorry. I can’t remember.” [Girl]
“I see…” [Ryouma]”
“But he had people he often ate with. Those people might know.” [Girl]
“Can you tell me where those people are staying?” [Ryouma]
“Sure, no problem. They’re situated here in this town, so I think you can meet them. They’re alllll the way on the other side of the road here.” [Girl]
Looks like my information gathering is off to a good start!
“…Over here, huh.” [Ryouma]
I followed the information I got from the Terecy Restaurant and looked for the people that often ate with Pedro-san. When I did, I found myself in a street with more room for the carriages than the pedestrians.
There were relatively large buildings lined up along the surroundings and there were people who looked like guards unloading cargo.
…Looks like this is a warehouse district of some sort.
Maybe it was Pedro-san’s friend who was recommended?
“Courier ‘Mountain Dog’… Ah, over there.” [Ryouma]
In one block of the warehouse district was a large dog with sharp eyes. Or uh, maybe it’s a wolf? Whatever it was, there was a signboard with a picture of it sitting down.
“Excuse me.” [Ryouma]
“Hmm? What is it, boy?” [Guard 1]
“You need something sent at a time like this?” [Guard 2]
After I introduced myself to the two people watching the gate, I asked them about my business.
“You’re looking for someone, huh? Assimo is definitely one of our employees, but…” [guard 1]
“He’s not here right now. He should be drinking at a bar somewhere.” [guard 2]
“Would you happen to know which bar he’s at?” [Ryouma]
“Who knows? …Ah, wait a sec. Hey, wasn’t someone supposed to take him out to drink today?” [Guard 1]
“Yeah, I remember he said something at the bulletin board… Right, wait a sec, Kid. I’ll go check.” [Guard 2]
“Thank you very much.” [Ryouma]
One of the men went inside.
“Still, it sure is rare for a person to go missing around here.” [Guard 1]
“Is it really that strange?” [Ryouma]
“At most you only really get light accidents like some carriages bumping into each other. We carry a lot of food supplies between Gimuru and Kereban, so we have a lot of carriages and couriers. If anything happens, we’ll quickly get word of it. Are you sure that guy called Pedro didn’t use a different road?” [Guard 1]
It’s possible. But from the information I have right now, all I know is that he normally uses the road here. I don’t have any other clues to follow right now.
“You sure have your work cut out for you, Boy. Well, do your best.” [Guard 1]
“Hey, I figured it out.” [Guard 2]
After getting information and being encouraged by the two guards watching the gate, I left the warehouse district.