The first light of dawn kissed the horizon, painting the sky in hues of lavender and pale gold. As the sun began its slow rise, beams of amber light pierced through scattered clouds, casting a radiant glow over the landscape. The clouds, once soft and gray, caught the sun's light, their edges glowing with a vibrant, fiery orange.
A gentle breeze whispered through the air, carrying with it the cool remnants of the night. The dewy grass shimmered, droplets catching the early sunlight like tiny jewels scattered across the earth. In the distance, the mist clung low to the ground, slowly retreating as the warmth of the sun spread over the land.
The air felt fresh, crisp with a slight chill that would soon be chased away as the sun climbed higher. The birds, now fully awake, filled the air with their melodies, their songs mingling with the rustle of leaves and the distant sound of a stream bubbling softly. The weather, though cool for now, promised a warm and bright day ahead, with the light clouds suggesting nothing more than a fleeting moment of shade in the hours to come.
The sun continued its ascent, casting longer rays across the world, turning the once shadowed land into a vibrant canvas of color and life. It was a moment where nature breathed in sync with the rising light, a perfect beginning to a new day.
The eastern empire was bustling with people waking up and getting ready for the day and those who worked the night heading home for a well deserved rest. These people, all human went about there daily life's with vigor. It was almost impossible to spot any other race here as it was a very human dominated country.
In the far south of the empire, far away from the whirlwind of the capital was the milio province. A province that was known Mainly for it's agriculture and provide a substantial percentage of food of the empire.
In a mid range lavish hotel. On the 5th floor, was a lone room in the corner. Every room on this floor was proper and we'll maintained, with stuff accessibility at any time of the day. This came at a high price that some not even dare to pay just for the right to spend a single night there. In the room at the end of the corridor was a well looking man with silver hair sleeping peacefully on a bed. His face had an expression on calm.
The man groaned and slowly woke up. Huh! "Sunrise already, looks like I overslept"
I remove the blanket from my body and get up to head for the private restroom in my room. After a quick piss, I stare in the mirror as I wash my face with water, the cold water removing the remnants of sleep from my face. I slight smile was on my face.
Yeah, this is why I prefer hotels to inns. Why bother sleeping on a rickety old bed were people have done who knows what. When I can sleep In moderate comfort. Personally I've always found the idea of sleeping in an inn disgusting. The things I've seen in there are enough to make me furor in disgust. Using my dynamic vision, By channeling my Aura In my eyes, I'm able to see things not just in detail but also strands of mana and the enhanced vision also allows me to see just how dirty those rooms of there's are. The smell of course doesn't escape my enhanced senses, the body order, sweat, urine and fecal matter from all the adventurers moving in and out lingers for quite a while. Especially with the low and cheap room cleaning that's done.
A shudder runs through me as I recall those filthy, rundown places, with their creaky beds and mildew-ridden walls. Inns are filled with the kind of filth you can't see with the naked eye unless, of course, you have the sort of sight I do. Channeling my aura into my eyes, I'm able to see things in detail—things most people would rather remain blind to. The bed sheets? Coated in layers of sweat, urine, and God knows what else from adventurers too tired or too careless to clean themselves properly. Seriously, it's like people have no decency to even their bodies.
One has to consider the fact that adventurers, spending most of time on the road working, don't really had have time for baths. And there sweaty bodies are just plot on those bed shits.
It wasn't just the dirt that repulsed me. It was the noise, the lack of privacy, the ever-present stench of alcohol and cheap food in the tavern downstairs. I can't count the number of nights I spent in those rat holes, unable to sleep as drunks stumbled around, brawling or laughing loud enough to shake the walls. You're not just paying for a place to rest; you're paying to lose your sanity.
That reminds me, I should just take a bath in the morning right now, can't waste my morning by ranting about inns . While walking to the shower think to myself for a bit.
Wait, why'd i wash my face if I was going to bath?
I get in the shower. The water pouring down my body. This hotel despite being a mid range does indeed have a shower something not commonly seen across the world. This is due to the level of technology here, that far surpasses the rest of the world. I think this shower was built by magiteck seeing as I'm on the top floor, the 5th floor. I get out of the shower and dress up.
I put on a white t shirt and black trousers, with a black cout and shoes. The same cloths I had on yesterday.
Near the bed was a rope connected to the wall, I gave it a slight tug a few times and sat on the bed. Less than a few minutes latter, a maid came in the room.
Good morning sir, what may I assist you with, the maid said with a smile on her face. I looked up at her and responded with a gentle smile, can you bring me breakfast. Yes, what would you like to eat sir. Anything you pick is fine. The maid had a flush of red on her face and responded cheerfully. Okay sir, I'll make sure to bring you the best breakfast meal we have, anything else you need? No.
Alright, just give me a few minutes and it will be brought up here sir. Alright.
After she left, I grabbed my grabbed my back. And pulled out a metal box with a key slot on its side, I stared at the box for a while with an expressionless face. She better be happy with this. Took me a lot get it. I then grab something else from the bag. "It was a rectangular device, smooth to the touch with a polished black surface that reflected the light faintly. Its edges were slightly curved, making it feel comfortable in my hand, while the back had a subtle matte finish. The front was dominated by a glass screen, currently blank but waiting for the slightest touch to come to life. On the side, a small, sleek button was nestled discreetly into the frame, and at the top, an almost invisible camera lens peeked out." A phone.
Magiteck was something truly amazing. By combining multiple magic circles, special materials, and carefully enchanted crystals, it made devices like the communication stone possible. Called a phone by many who can afford it. For instance, the phone-like device relies on a mana crystal core, to keep it running for many years. The core is condensed with mana ensuring the device stays powered without needing to recharge. Magic ores like mithril or orichalcum, known for their high conductivity of magicules, are used to create the device's frame, allowing for smooth mana flow. The core components are linked by communication magic circles, engraved with magic runes that convert sound waves into mana pulses. These pulses are sent to another receiver. It was a new invention by other worlders and alchemist from forming a system that transmits mana signals across distances, much like radio waves.
This device was far from perfect, because it was a recently new invention. The disadvantage was that it could only contact people with who also have the phone, and had a range of about 200 miles.
I scrolled throught the screen as there wasn't much to do on it. I placed a call and waited for a response. A few seconds later a woman's voice was head from the other side.
Hello, Michael? Is that you? Asked a woman's voice. Yes it's me. I'm surprised you called, this is the like, the third time you've called me, you must what something huh! Hey it's not my fault, I was out of range to call you. Lier, I know you've been in the city for a while, you've just never cared enough about to call, huh I'm hurt you know. Sally said in a mock hurt voice. Michael signed at her antics. You make sound as if I do it on purpose. Ha! I know you very well Michael, just tell me what you want. Michael replied in a calm voice "I got the stuff you asked for". Wait really? You have it? Responded sally in a shocked. I thought it would take longer. It would have, but I managed to speed things up. Can't bring it in for you today? Yes definitely, answered sally cheerfully, forgetting the she was pretending to be hurt by his lack of calls. Were are you right now she asked. I'm at a hotel not very from your headquarters. I'll bring it in in few hours. Okay hurry I can't wait to get my hands on it. Sally said with the chuckle. Oh I have to go, you can talk to me once you arrive here. Alright see you soon.
After the call ended, Michael put the phone in his pocket, while doing that he sensed someone coming. Knock! knock!
Ad the door opened, I saw the same maid whole came earlier walking in while pushing a cart of food. Sorry for the wait sir, here is your breakfast, today's special.
I glanced at the breakfast the maid brought in, a small smile tugging at my lips. "So, what's today's special?"
She smiled, placing the tray down gently. "Right, here we have a savory chicken and ginger congee, topped with freshly poached chicken and a sprinkle of scallions and crispy shallots. A pair of steamed pork and vegetable baozi to go along with it, and fried youtiao with sweet soy milk. Oh, and on the side, a tea egg, slow-cooked in a blend of tea and soy sauce, for that extra bit of flavor."
Isn't this a bit much for breakfast. Not at all sir. You need to eat healthy to keep that handsome face….I I mean breakfast is the most important meal if the day you see. She said with a red blush on her face trying to look away.
I ignored her words and responded. Alright that's it for now. The maid snapped back to reality and gave a quirt bow and said "ill be off now, if you need anything, just call right away sir" I nodded at her in acknowledgement , she then bowed then left.
This food is actually nice, it's been a while since I've eaten anything this good. Almost as good as the food in the capital.
After finishing my meal, grabbed my back and started heading out. I waked down the stares and while walking past the receptionist, seeing my back, she asked "oh, are you leaving as so soon?" no I'll be back, I responded my expression unchanged. She then smiled and asked if she should send someone to clean the room, I nodded and walked out of the hotel.
The province of milio was not that big, only a few cuties and villages. I was in one of the cities called yen city. Sally was in the city near by, it would take me 2 hours of waking to arrive there, and about an hour by carriage. Looking at the rising sun I decided to just relax and take a brisk walk there, no need to rush.
I hope she has my gun ready, I seriously need it for my next job.