I stumbled up the stairs of the adventurers guild and returned to my room. I took the small box that Ania had given me and laid it down on my bed.
"I guess I don't mind a week-long hot spring vacation…" I mumbled to myself as I turned around and left my room once more. It's still early in the morning, but I need to talk to the rest of my party and inform them of what we're going to be doing tomorrow. The first stop: Erana's room. Kany's room is next to hers and Tael does not live in the guild hall. Erana is also more likely to actually wake up at this hour, so I may as well start with her.
I went onto the floor above my own. I took a deep breath as I approached a door.
"Room 2 of the fourth floor. This is it."
I gathered myself as I knocked on the hardwood door in front of me. I'm not getting worked up because I'm knocking on the door to Erana's room. Nope. Never.
"Whoizzit…?" I heard a sound that could easily be misconstrued as a snore coming from the door.
"U-Um… Erana, it's me, Kenji. I need to talk to you if that's okay."
I heard the sound of someone stumble over something as footsteps quickly approached the door.
"A-Ah! Kenji-san! Um… If it's alright can you just tell me through the door?"
"What? Why?"
"Well um… Can you just do it?"
"Fine I guess. I just wanted to tell you that I need to deliver a package to the Frozen Mist Hills. I'm leaving tomorrow and I'm asking the rest of you to come because it's a week-long trip. If you can, would you please tell Kany this as well? I'm going to go tell Tael."
"T-The Frozen Mist Hills? Isn't that place under attack by the demon king's army?"
"Yep. Don't worry, we'd only be spending a week there. It's really awkward to talk through a door like this, can you just open the door and come out?"
"NO! I mean… No you can't!"
Now I want to know why she's refusing to open the door. Wait maybe...
I got up very close to the door and whispered to it. "Erana, is someone in the room with you? Someone I can't know about?"
"NO! ABSOLUTELY NOT! I'M NOT THAT KIND OF GIRL!"
"Shut the hell up!" Someone shouted from a nearby room.
I let out a sigh. "Look, your reasons are your reasons. Just… tell Kany for me, okay? I'm gonna go over to see Tael. Talk to you later."
"O-Okay. Goodbye, Kenji-san."
With that, I turned around and went to leave the adventurers guild. I waved goodbye to Yimmie as I stepped outside of the front door and out onto the streets of Ruks.
Okay… Tael lives nearby according to what he told me. It's a house on Jerich street. I really wish I had a map of the city right now, but that's an unnecessary expense and I want to make more money before I can just spend frivolously.
I turned left and walked down the street. To my left and right were wooden buildings of uniform size. Many were painted with mute colors, mostly consisting of grey or dark blue. As I was walking, I saw a city guard so I decided to approach him to ask for directions.
"Excuse me, officer. I have a question."
"What is it citiz- Bwuh!" The guard turned around as they spoke and quickly took a step back when they saw me.
"W-What? Is there something on my face? What?"
"You don't recognize me?"
"No…?"
"Actually, it's probably better this way. Don't worry about it. What's your question?"
"Well wait, now I want to know why I'd recognize you."
"I just said don't worry about it!"
"Too bad. Why should I recognize you?" I inspected the guard as well as I could. Unfortunately, all the guards of this city wear uniforms including helmets. Identifying an individual guard would be incredibly difficult if you weren't already intimately familiar with that person.
"Well I… I arrested you a while ago…" The guard looked to the side as he said this. Suddenly, the memories of one of the worst nights of my life came back to me.
"Oh so that was you, huh? Well, make it up to me and answer my question."
"Yes I understand you're angry but, wait what? You're not mad?"
"Dude, chop chop. I have places to be. Where is Jerich street? How do I get there from here?"
"Oh, y-you just take a right at the end of this street and then take a left at the intersection."
"Cool. Thanks." I began to walk away as the guard held out a hand to stop me.
"Hey, what happened to you? You're… different."
I shrugged my shoulders. "I worked out and grew up a bit I guess. Now I need to go. Later."
I walked away from the guard that was responsible for one of the worst nights of my life as I turned right at the end of the street.
It's not like I'm gonna hold a grudge for something like that. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't mind giving that guy a good slap across the face, but he was just doing his job. Nope. Totally not gonna be childish and hold a grudge for something like that.
Oh, it seems that I arrived at Jerich street. I must have run on autopilot.
"Okay… The green house…" I mumbled to myself as I looked over each of the street's buildings. It only took me a second to pinpoint the green house as the rest of the buildings on this street were a variation of grey. Tael's house stuck out like a sore thumb.
Come to think of it, this building is also notably larger than the ones around it. Is Tael secretly rich?
I knocked on the front door of this green building. It didn't take long for someone to open the door.
The man that stood before me appeared to be in his late fifties. He wore an elegant tuxedo and had an air of aged dignity around him. His face was full of sharp features except for his rather large nose.
"Sebastian…" I accidentally let out.
"Sebastian? Nobody like that lives at this residence. Please leave." The butler announced as he closed the door in my face.
"W-Wait!" I shouted as I slammed on the door again.
The butler opened the door once more. Unlike before, he now looked very annoyed at me.
"What is it that you want? This home will not be giving away any money. Out with it!"
"I just want to talk to Tael! Jeez man!"
"Oh. Master Tael is in his room. What is your name?"
"I'm Kenji."
"Ah! That explains it. You are Kenji. Master Tael has spoken about you before. Please, come inside." The butler stepped to the side as he motioned me in.
The interior is well furnished. The walls are built out of a high quality wood material while the furnishings all appear to be fairly new. In front of me there is a set of stairs. To my left there is what appears to be a lounge with a large fireplace. To my right there is an access to a dining room.
"Please, wait in here while I call Master Tael. He should be with you shortly." The butler motioned me to the sitting room. When I sat down the butler went upstairs.
Wow. This place is rather fancy. It's not like I care about the wealth of Tael, but I'm surprised by the quality of life he seems to have.
I looked up at the fireplace. Above the mantle there is a painting that I am sure is worth more money than I've ever had. The painting depicted an elven man that was wearing an exquisite suit. On the frame the words "Derimus Imun" were written out. Is this Tael's dad or something? Maybe it's an ancestor. Now that I think about it, how do elves honor their ancestors? Tael said something about an ancestral orchard or something a while ago, but I don't remember the specifics.
As I was getting lost in my own thoughts, the butler came and tapped me on the shoulder.
"Pardon me, Master Kenji, I am simply here to inform you that Master Tael has awoken and is getting dressed. In the meantime, would you like any refreshments?"
It's been so long since I had the chance to get something for free, so I may as well take advantage of it.
"May I have some tea?"
"Certainly. Wait here and I shall brew some right away."
"Ah wait! What is your name?"
"My name is Lon."
With that, Lon left the room and went towards the kitchen. I sat back down and twiddled my thumbs in anticipation. I bet they'll use sugar in this!
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