Beside a waystone, purple particles suddenly danced.
Bryce's vision blurred momentarily, and the teleportation was complete.
He surveyed his surroundings. It was an oak forest, and not far away stood a small village with fewer than twenty houses.
Night had fallen, and the village was eerily quiet. Some houses still had lights on.
The warp scroll must be bound to a waystone before it is used, and this scroll was bound to the waystone outside the village.
"Where is this village? Could it be the one Lucas mentioned?" Bryce muttered to himself.
His mind swirled with questions. Who was Lucas? Where did he come from? What were his intentions? And what about the princess in the carriage? What was his relationship with Kinsley?
Bryce felt overwhelmed, like constipation with no relief in sight.
But he shook off the mental strain. He decided to explore the village, find a place to rest, and ease his fatigue. After all, he'd been on edge for too long, and now relaxation threatened to engulf him like a rising tide.
He glanced at his attire. On the road, Lucas had given him a change of clothes. Although he'd emerged unscathed from the battle, tearing the teleportation scroll had left him covered in dust.
Bryce clenched his fist, realizing he still held a magical pistol in his right hand. Previously, he hadn't forgotten about it even in the heat of battle. But now, escaping danger, the significance of the pistol had changed entirely.
[Item: Magical Pistol]
[Durability: 30/128]
It would suffice for now. Whether Lucas had forgotten to take the pistol or intentionally left it as a memento, Bryce accepted it with a smile.
"As they say, the situation has changed. Without Kinsley around, it's my turn to be king," Bryce thought, feeling confident and striding toward the village.
"First, some food, a bath, and a good night's sleep…" Bryce mentally planned. "And while I'm at it, I'll gather some information."
The village remained silent. Doors were tightly shut, but a few houses still emitted light. It was nearly midnight, and the moon bathed everything in its glow.
"Ah, the more I look, the hungrier I get…" Bryce gazed at the moon, imagining it as a perfect dumpling or a fragrant black sesame pancake. His hunger was real.
Approaching the only two-story building in the village, Bryce saw a wooden sign hanging on the door: "Mulan Inn, Open All Day." The interior was well-lit.
He pushed the door open, feeling a bit nervous. The tavern wasn't large, with only a dozen tables. At the bar sat two people. A woman in her thirties reclined in a rocking chair behind the counter, seemingly half-asleep. As the door creaked, she sat up and looked over.
The young man at the bar continued sipping his drink, seemingly indifferent.
"Well, well, an out-of-towner. Rare sight," the innkeeper lazily greeted. "Are you here for food or lodging?"
"…What do you have?" Bryce wondered what options were available.
"Here's the menu." The innkeeper gestured toward the bar, inviting him to take a look.
Bryce approached the bar and studied the faces of the two people there.
The innkeeper, despite her casual attire and makeup, exuded an elegant air. Her graceful features, slightly upturned nose, and serene gaze held a captivating allure.
In contrast, the young man beside her presented a stark contrast. Around twenty years old, he had a sturdy build, muscles rippling beneath his skin. Though Bryce could only see his profile, the prominent stubble on his jaw and thick, dark eyebrows suggested a rugged and determined character.
The young man continued sipping his drink, seemingly indifferent to Bryce's presence. His flushed cheeks hinted at a few too many drinks, and his eyes held a hint of inner turmoil.
"Ah?" The innkeeper looked surprised as she took in Bryce. "Are you from the capital?"
"No," Bryce shook his head.
"Have you been to the capital before?" The innkeeper seemed oddly interested in the city.
"Not really," Bryce replied. "Why do you think that?"
"…Never mind." The innkeeper glanced at Bryce's attire, then settled back into her chair, lost in distant memories. Her gaze turned wistful, as if recalling past events.
Bryce examined his own clothes, finding nothing remarkable beyond the layer of dirt. His plain short-sleeved shirt had an unnecessary row of ten embroidered circles down the front, mimicking buttons.
Ignoring the odd design, Bryce returned to studying the menu. His hunger outweighed any concern about buttons.
"Bread, 5 copper coins. Grilled steak, 20 copper coins. Cod fillet, 20 copper coins… And drinks. Malt beer, 8 copper coins; potato wine, 10 copper coins; grape wine, 50 copper coins… Huh? Why is the grape wine so expensive?" Bryce read through the options.
The innkeeper seemed to hear his thoughts. "Grape wine is a rare import. If you find it expensive, I still think it's a bargain."
Bryce wasn't too concerned about prices; after all, he didn't even have a single copper coin on him. He glanced at the magical pistol tucked into his pocket, silently cheering himself on. "These merchants have swindled me with emeralds in games. Now, I'll eat their food for free. If I don't break their bones, I'm showing great mercy."
Finally resolved to dine without paying, Bryce ordered, "I'll have five steaks, three bread rolls, and… a glass of water."
"It's not that I can't drink alcohol; it just affects my reflexes," Bryce explained, overcoming his minor embarrassment.
The innkeeper gave him a serious look, as if to say, "Have you gone three days without food? Ordering all this in the middle of the night?"
But she merely rolled her eyes and disappeared into the kitchen. After a while, she returned with several freshly cooked dishes, placing them on the counter.
"Make do with this," she yawned. "I'm too lazy to light the stove."
Bryce paid no attention, devouring the food with gusto.
"I noticed your sign says 'Inn.' I plan to stay the night," Bryce declared, feeling even more confident after eating.
"Sure. One night costs 100 copper coins, including meals. Let's call it two gold coins," the innkeeper said, smiling.