A Reward for Obedience
“Hehe… All right then, come see me next time as promised. The elixir will be prepared at the same time, so it won’t take long. Until you’ve taken it and confirmed its effects, don’t use magic recklessly.”
“Understood… See you then.”
Chloe handed the pouch heavy with gold coins to the greedy, dark-skinned half-elf and stepped out of the shop with Eloise. The owner had accepted the pouch while openly drooling; she seemed far more money-obsessed than expected. Her appearance and figure were the sort men would find irresistible, yet the sight of her salivating over gold was strangely disillusioning.
“Phew…”
“You worked hard.”
“Not at all. She only cares about money and nothing else, so it’s a relief.”
Chloe let out a long sigh, straightened her slightly crooked mask, and smiled. In any case, events had unfolded exactly as she planned. With just a little more time, she would be able to use magic again.
“Then… I suppose I should give a reward to the good little puppy who listened so well.”
She moved naturally to Eloise’s side and slipped an arm around her waist, pulling her close. Eloise’s breathing instantly grew heavy. Of course, the cause wasn’t excitement from Chloe’s touch but the foul stench rising from her body. Still, with Eloise’s expression hidden behind the mask, Chloe found it nothing but adorable.
“Well, our business is finished. Shall we go?”
“Yes… Sister.”
Chloe and Eloise left the crowded shops of the Black Market and walked along the dim alleyways. Even as time passed, the market remained lively and raucous. Merchants of all kinds shouted to lure customers, while the sly eyes of those seeking illegal goods glinted in the shadows.
“Phew, there are especially many people today,” Eloise said lightly, though her brow remained furrowed. The reason was the inexplicable stench that had been stabbing at her nose since earlier. She didn’t know its cause at first, but she had eventually pinpointed the source. Strangely, the smell was emanating from around Chloe. She had tried to ignore it at the beginning, yet the longer they walked, the thicker and more unbearable the odor became.
Chloe continued speaking as if nothing were wrong, but Eloise grew increasingly miserable. Several times she reached for a handkerchief to cover her nose, only to put it away again. Since Chloe showed no sign of noticing anything odd, she couldn’t be the first to commit such a rudeness.
“Sister, by any chance… Ah, never mind.” Eloise began, then stopped, hesitating. She feared Chloe might notice her subtle reaction.
But Chloe simply smiled brightly. “Do you have some worry, Eloise? Tell me. I’m in an exceptionally good mood right now, and I’m thinking of giving a special reward to you, who made me feel this way. So if there’s anything you want, just say it.”
“Ah, it’s nothing. I’m just a little tired.” Eloise decided to lie. She couldn’t bring herself to tell the truth in case it upset Chloe.
Chloe studied her for a moment before resuming their walk. Only after they left the Black Market and entered a quiet street could Eloise breathe somewhat easier. The stench from Chloe had not vanished, but the open space at least made it tolerable.
“Hehe. Shall we visit the inn for the first time in a while? It’s been so long since we’ve had a proper weekend. It feels like a waste to head straight back to the academy dressed like this, doesn’t it?”
Unable to refuse the visibly delighted Chloe, Eloise followed her lead. Before long they passed through the adventurer-filled alleys and entered the street lined with inns. Though the area was labyrinthine, they knew the way well enough to reach their destination without wandering. Since they occasionally left the academy on weekends, it did not take them long to find the neatly designed inn.
Standing before the inn with its large, brightly lit signboard, they were reminded once again how luxurious the place was. It was an expensive establishment that would strain even mid-level adventurers with steady incomes, yet for the pair it was no concern at all.
Still wearing their masks, they opened the door. Sparkling lights greeted them. Inside, the inn carried a peaceful atmosphere completely unlike the Black Market. The warm glow of lamps in the small lobby welcomed them kindly. Luxurious decorations and well-tended plants created a cozy yet splendid mood, while in the dining hall on one side, people who appeared to be adventurers clinked oversized beer mugs together, filling the air with cheerful noise.
At the long wooden tables sat adventurers of every description. Their varied attire, the weapons at their hips, and the shields slung across their backs told brief tales of their journeys. At one end of a table, two adventurers competed by raising crude drinking cups toward each other—a massive, thick-bearded man and a female adventurer with her hair neatly tied. Their laughter easily drew every eye in the dining room.
“This is to celebrate the greatest trophy I discovered in the last dungeon!” the giant man bellowed, voice brimming with pride. The clash of their mugs rang out powerfully.
“And this is for our safe return!” the woman answered, raising her own cup. Her voice overflowed with spirit, her eyes shining with anticipation for the next adventure.
The instant their mugs met, ale splashed high. Laughter and applause flooded the dining hall. The surrounding adventurers, inspired by the scene, began clinking their own cups, celebrating their successes and future journeys.
While Eloise watched, Chloe drew close.
“What are you looking at, Eloise?”
“Ah. It’s nothing, Sister.”
Following Eloise’s gaze to the boisterous adventurers, Chloe smiled.
“Hmm… Labyrinths, is it? Eloise, you’ve never conquered a labyrinth outside the academy yet, have you?”
“No. I’ve handled administrative matters for labyrinths my family has cleared, but I’ve never organized a team and challenged one myself.”
“The atmosphere is quite different from the artificially managed ones at the academy. If you feel you need the experience, come to our territory during the break. I’m not exactly a veteran either, but even one real attempt will lower the chance of mistakes during practical lessons.”
After exchanging light conversation, the pair moved on, passing the lobby and approaching the counter. Behind the wide, polished wooden counter stood a cheerful middle-aged woman who greeted them with a warm smile.
“Welcome. Thank you for choosing the Abundance of Song Inn.”
Her voice was gentle and refined. She offered them a kind smile and continued, “Do you have a particular type of room in mind? We offer a variety of rooms tailored to our guests’ preferences.”
Though they wore masks, the woman quickly assessed their clothing and, judging them to be nobility, maintained a respectful tone. Chloe listened, gave a slight nod, and answered.
“The most expensive room, please. We won’t need room service, so do not disturb us until we call. I’d like to rest comfortably today.”
The woman accepted the pouch containing several gold coins, counted them with a glance, and smiled once more. It seemed there were more coins than the listed price. She nodded, turned, and retrieved something from an especially luxurious drawer. It was a heavy key that had undergone magical processing.
“This is one of our inn’s proudest offerings—the luxury suite. Please enjoy it at your leisure, and inform us immediately if any issue arises.”
Leaving the politely bowing attendant behind, Eloise and Chloe climbed the stairs. Following the sign for the fourth floor, they walked along the hallway, feet sinking into soft carpet, until they stopped before a door.
“Here it is.”
“It’s a different room from last time.”
When the key turned, a cheerful click released the lock, and Chloe and Eloise stepped inside.