Interiors - Inn of the Royal City of Aeternum - Day
Lemone and Eléa enter the royal city of Aeternum. The city is lively and teeming with people. Individuals of all races and origins rub shoulders there: demons, inhabitants of the southern forest, and even a few adventurers from the dark forest.
Lemone, taking advantage of his false identity as a merchant named Bard, heads to the nearest inn. He needs a place to rest and prepare for the rest of his mission.
Upon entering the inn, he is struck by the smell of beer and food in the air. Customers seated at tables chat loudly, while waiters are busy serving them.
Lemone approaches the counter and speaks to the innkeeper, a portly, bald man with a suspicious look.
Lemone: (In an authoritative and comical tone) "Hey, innkeeper! Prepare us the best room in your establishment, and quickly! And don't forget to treat us to a hearty meal and cold beer. I'm Bard, a merchant from afar, and I am ready to pay generously."
The innkeeper stares at him doubtfully.
Innkeeper: (In a grumpy tone) "Sorry, sir, but I don't have a room available at the moment. And I don't extend credit to strangers."
Lemone smiled mischievously. He knows the innkeeper is hiding something. He uses his "Mind Reading" skill to probe her mind.
Lemone: (In her head) "Ah, I see... You're hiding a little secret, aren't you? Child trafficking, perhaps? I advise you not to bother me, my friend. I could easily bust your little business."
The innkeeper turns pale and trembles with fear. He understands that Lemone is not a simple merchant.
Innkeeper: (In a pleading tone) "Please, sir, don't tell anyone. I'll make you a special offer: a free room and a hearty meal, on the house."
Lemone laughed heartily. He managed to get what he wanted with his new skills.
Lemone: (In an amused tone) "Okay, my friend. But don't ever take me for a fool again. And above all, take care of these children."
The innkeeper bows respectfully and hastens to prepare the room and meals for Lemone and Eléa.
Lemone and Eléa enter their room, assigned by the fearful innkeeper. The room is simple but comfortable, with a cozy bed, a private bathroom and a small desk for working.
Eléa, exhausted from the trip, collapses on the bed with a sigh of relief.
Eléa: (In a tired tone) "Finally, a bed! I can't walk anymore."
She turns to Lemone, who is looking around the room thoughtfully.
Eléa: (In a questioning tone) "Do you need to sleep, Lemone?"
Lemone smiled slightly.
Lemone: (In an amused tone) "Sleep? No, Eléa. My demonic nature does not require it of me. Eating, sleeping... These needs are not part of our functions. We can do without rest for long periods."
Eléa looks at him with a mixture of admiration and concern.
Eléa: (In an admiring tone) "It's incredible... But don't you ever feel tired?"
Lemone: (In a thoughtful tone) "Sometimes I feel a certain weariness, but it is not comparable to the fatigue of humans. I can continue to act even when my body is exhausted."
Eléa closes her eyes, trying to understand what Lemone is feeling. She feels so human, so fragile in comparison to her demonic strength.
Eléa: (In a sleepy tone) "I don't know if I could live without sleep. I need it to recharge my batteries."
Lemone smiles softly and approaches the desk. He sits down and opens his system, ready to continue his plan to infiltrate the royal palace and complete his mission.
Lemone sits at his desk, illuminated by the faint light of a candle. He opens his interface and consults the different options available to him.
Lemone: (In her head) "Okay, now that we're in the royal city, it's time to move on to the next phase of my plan."
He consults the list of objectives:
* Get Money: Lemone needs money to buy equipment and weapons.
* Equip yourself: He must obtain suitable clothing and weapons to blend in with the royal army.
* Infiltrate the royal army: This is the safest way to access the royal palace and get closer to your target.
Lemone considers the best way to accomplish these goals. He knows he will have to be careful and use his new skills to avoid being noticed.
Lemone: (In her head) "I could use my Lie Mastery skill to convince someone to give me money, or I could take part in clandestine fights to make some quick money."
He hesitates between the two options, aware of the risks that each of them entails.
Lemone: (In her head) "The first option is safer, but the second option would allow me to make more money faster."
He decides to combine the two options. He will use his "Mastery of Lies" skill to obtain money from a few gullible nobles, then he will participate in a few clandestine fights to supplement his winnings.
Once he has enough money, he will be able to purchase the equipment and weapons he needs. Then he will join the royal army by posing as a talented mercenary.
Lemone: (In her head) "It'll be a risky plan, but it's the best chance I have to infiltrate the royal palace and complete my mission."
He closes his interface and gets up, determined to put his plan into action the next day.
A ray of sunlight shines through the window and lights up Lemone and Eléa's room. A waitress knocks timidly on the door, a tray in hand.
Waitress: (In a shy tone) "Hello, ladies and gentlemen. Your lunch is ready."
Eléa, awakened by the tempting smell of food, rushes to the door and opens her arms wide.
Eléa: (In a hungry tone) "Finally! I'm so hungry!"
She sits at the table and devours her meal with gusto, while Lemone observes the scene with an amused smile.
Lemone: (Teasingly) "You're still so hungry, Eléa."
Eléa: (In a satisfied tone) "It's normal, I need to recharge my batteries to follow you on your adventures."
Lemone finishes her meal and gets up from the table.
Lemone: (In a determined tone) "Okay, Eléa, I'm going to go for a walk in town. Stay here and rest."
Eléa: (In a questioning tone) "Are you coming back soon?"
Lemone: (In a cryptic tone) "I don't know yet. I have some business to attend to."
He leaves the room and heads towards the exit of the inn. While walking through the busy streets of the royal city, he notices a poster plastered on a wall.
Poster: (In red capital letters) "WANTED! Child trafficking - Reward: 300,000 gold coins"
The poster explains that the royal army is seeking information on the hideout of a child trafficking network. A reward of 300,000 gold coins is offered to whoever provides this information.
Lemone smiled a sadistic smile. He sees in this poster a new opportunity to accomplish his mission and make easy money.
Lemone: (In her head) "300,000 gold... That would allow me to buy everything I need to infiltrate the royal palace. And what's more, I could do some good by saving these children. "
He changes plans and decides to focus on finding the child traffickers' hideout. He feels like destiny is smiling on him.
-End of Chapter -