I look up to observe the caravan members reactions. Most look uncomfortable or disgruntled, I can tell some are trying to hold back their anger.
Phew, at least this means this isn't a common sight. If all the towns were like this...I might just have to destroy this world's hierarchy and create a new system of government, slaughtering all the corrupt officials and start anew.
But honestly, that sounds like a lot of work, so I'm glad it won't come to that...probably. I'm still a little angry to be honest, even if towns like this aren't the norm, the fact that I have to experience and see it with my own eyes make me feel...
Well, anyways. We finally make our way to the similarity run down inn. The group enters the inn. On the left sits multiple round, wooden tables with 6 chairs to a table. A bar containing a very limited assortment of drinks including beer, vodka, sake, and soju. To the right are worn-down stairs. A counter is placed directly in front, a woman is sitting on the other side. She notices us and gives us a friendly,"Welcome."
Maybe it's because I've been surrounded by a bunch of sneaky and stone-faced people, but I seem to have gotten very good at reading expressions. And so it might be unnoticeable to everyone else, but the slight trace of fear in her eyes was very obvious to me. But...why is she scared?
Sven's father books the room and the group decides to sit down and eat. The women leads the group to a group of empty tables and hands us the menu. The menu is basically worn out paper, the options include simple dishes that don't need a lot of fresh ingredients or spices.
The woman stiffly looks at the the group, the fear inside her eyes growing. But it seemed to calm down once the group finished ordering.
It seems Sven's father, the leader of the merchant group, is also able to read people expressions to a certain extent, because he asks,"Um, I don't mean to be presumptuous, but did we do something to scare you?" Well, I guess it's expected of a merchant to be able to read their consumer's mood and desires.
The woman becomes startled at this question,"I-I'm s-sorry."
"Ah, please do worry about it, I was just wondering if we did something wrong."
The merchant's words seem to calm the anxious woman,"Not at all." She shakes her head vehemently. The woman pauses for a moment,"...If you don't mind me asking, is your occupation not of a soldier?"
"Ah, no. We happen to be traveling merchants."
The woman completely relaxes when she hears those words. "I see." She then leaves to bring the order to the kitchen. She doesn't come back out until after our food is ready. Carrying plates of home cooked food, she walks out of the kitchen and places the plates on the table.