Chapter 30
Chapter 30
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: The Straight-Lined City of Dune
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“See you next time. A mercenary who defeated a Tacha tribe warrior is always welcome.”
Having finished the handshake, the head of the Arone merchant house boarded the carriage. Guchi, who had been watching the carriage pull away, spoke up.
“We’ve arrived in Dune, so where’s the next destination?”
“First, let’s secure some lodging.”
“‘Rud’ is the place here. Let’s head that way.”
Guchi took the lead. He unwrapped his cloak and draped it over his arm before following.
“Have you ever been to Dune before?”
“Only heard about it. They say it looks perfectly straight from above, like it was measured with a ruler.”
“That’s the phrase that best represents Dune. A city measured out with a ruler. It’s a planned city, so it’s only natural. If we have time later, let’s head up top. Dune looks different when you gaze down on it from there, just like you said.”
Guchi’s steps came to a halt in front of a three-story building. An inn right up against the central plaza’s main avenue. It didn’t look cheap.
“Don’t worry about the money. I’m not planning on mooching off you.”
Guchi pushed open the door and went inside. A sharp smell of tobacco smoke hit them as they entered. About five groups were seated in the dining hall, every one of them puffing on cigarettes.
“Anthony!”
Guchi called out cheerfully as he headed to the counter. A man in his early-to-mid forties, about Guchi’s age, flashed his yellowed teeth in a broad grin.
“Guchi. You made it back alive, huh. When you said you were heading to the Crimson Forest, I thought that was really it for you this time.”
“Your foul mouth hasn’t changed. But I survived because it’s not my time yet.”
“Anyway, good to see you. But who’s your friend there? He looks nothing like the partner I saw last time.”
“That guy and I finished our contract. Hey, Lander. Say hello. This is the unfriendly innkeeper Anthony. And this is Lander, who might become my partner someday.”
“Quite the unique introduction. Anthony here.”
Lander grasped the hairy hand. Anthony laughed heartily and shook it up and down with tremendous strength. It was raw, natural grip power.
“I’m Lander.”
Anthony gestured to the counter seats, inviting them to sit. Lander set his cloak on the bar and took a seat.
“You must’ve had a rough time getting in. Didn’t the inspectors give you trouble?”
“That’s exactly what I wanted to ask about. What the hell happened? With inspections this tight, it’s got to be something serious.”
“I’d feel better if I knew too. Even the locals in this district don’t know what’s going on. One day, they suddenly tightened entry controls at the gates and started grilling even the citizens living inside. You there—Lander, was it? Booze, or tea?”
“Tea would be good.”
“Wait just a moment. Some fine leaves just came in.”
Suddenly, Lander recalled the tea the adjutant had served him. It was from the sunny southern regions, and the aroma had been excellent. His wife had loved that tea too.
The dried leaves in the teacup unfurled in the hot water. Yellow spread through the clear liquid. He took a sip. It was a tea with a strong sour aroma.
“It’s from the Union Kingdom. The soil’s different, so the flavor’s unique.”
“They’re already bringing goods from there?”
Guchi asked, sounding intrigued.
“They came in through peddlers even during the height of the war. Now that it’s a ceasefire—no, an armistice—it’s even easier to get. Speaking of which, it still sounds off. A true end to the war? It’s all just armistices. The Education Bureau keeps propagandizing it as a perfect victory leading to total peace, but we’re not idiots. Everyone knows it’s just a ceasefire wrapped up at a convenient point.”
“What does it matter if it’s peace or armistice? The important thing is it’s stopped for now. Right, Lander?”
The conversation turned to him. Meeting the gazes of Guchi and Anthony, he replied.
“That’s the most important part. It’s stopped, at least for now. The boring standoffs and pointless attritions are over.”
“True enough. You’d know best, coming from the military.”
This guy did his service in Andun, Guchi said, glancing at Anthony.
“Didn’t realize. You were in the army?”
“Retired now.”
“You look like you’re still in your prime. If you held out in Andun, why not stick it out longer? Even with the war over, there’s no profession in the Empire treated better than the military.”
“My health took a turn for the worse, for one. And there were other things.”
“Have you married off all your kids? You don’t look old enough for them to be grown.”
“No kids.”
“Oh?”
Anthony was about to continue when Guchi tapped his arm. Silence fell, and their eyes met a few times.
“We’re not close enough to pry into deep backstories. Not unless it’s Guchi.”
“Nothing dramatic.”
Lander explained about his wife’s death and how he was traveling to fulfill her last wishes.
“I see. Gotta listen to your wife. That way, when you meet again, she’ll have nothing but praise.”
Anthony gently massaged his shoulders and pointed to the stairs leading to the second floor.
“Go unpack first, then come back down. Not that you have much luggage. Terry! Take the guests up.”
The one who answered Anthony’s call was a boy of about ten. He came bounding down from the second floor and hurried to the counter.
“Which rooms?”
“Second and third on the third floor.”
Terry approached Lander. Holding out both hands in front seemed like an offer to carry his bags.
“No luggage worth handing over.”
“Then follow me. Long time no see, Uncle Guchi.”
“Yeah, it’s been a while. You’ve shot up quite a bit.”
“Growing age.”
Terry climbed the stairs and called out to someone in the second-floor hallway. Sounded like Jenny. A girl with a headscarf came scurrying out of a room, rag in hand.
“What?”
“Clean this guest room first.”
“Got it.”
After hearing Terry’s explanation, Jenny picked up a bucket and moved ahead. She handled the fairly heavy-looking pail with practiced ease, clearly accustomed to the work.
“Jenny’s grown a lot too.”
Guchi remarked.
“She’s still a kid.”
“You’re a kid too.”
“I’m more grown-up than her.”
Terry and Jenny finished tidying the rooms quickly. Lander pulled out two silver coins and gave one to each. Terry, holding the coin carefully in both hands, checked it and widened his eyes.
“You’re giving this much?”
“It’s a tip for taking good care of us while we stay. Need more?”
“No. Dad says there’s nothing more dangerous than taking more money than you earn. This amount is already pushing it dangerously.”
Jenny inspected both sides of the coin before cautiously rubbing it with her rag. She beamed at the now-clean silver.
“You won’t tell Dad, right?”
“My lips are sealed.”
“I’ll clean your room first and spotless. Call me anytime if you need anything. Jenny! Like this.”
Terry and Jenny exchanged glances and smiled faintly before pocketing the coins and heading downstairs.
“They’ll be independent in no time, those kids.”
“You can tell Anthony’s raised them well—they handle their share like pros. He might end up having the place taken over by his own kids someday.”
Guchi chuckled lowly.
“Speaking of, an imperial silver for kids’ tips. You know that’s enough for a night with a girl at a decent salon, right?”
“Was it?”
“If things get tight later, I can just hit you up for cash.”
Lander set down his bag and stepped out of the room. Guchi, waiting outside, asked.
“Just to check, you didn’t leave any valuables inside, did you?”
“The money pouch from Wells is pretty heavy, so I left it.”
“Knew it. This is a decent inn, but security’s not ironclad. Rule number one: carry anything valuable on you.”
He nodded in agreement and retrieved the pouch. It was a habit ingrained in him. In the places he’d stayed, thieves didn’t exist.
Both in the military headquarters and the Holy City, the areas he’d been in had top-tier security. There’d never been a thief bold enough to infiltrate the heart of the military or the Holy City to begin with.
“I’m getting a clearer picture of who you were.”
“Is that so?”
“At the very least, not some ordinary citizen like me. That’s for sure. If you’re bored later, feel free to share your past. We’ve already got a secrecy contract with Bank anyway—one more secret from you won’t change anything.”
“If you’re really curious, I could tell you. What kind of person I used to be.”
Guchi stared at him for a moment before shaking his head.
“Just testing the waters. Whatever you were, as long as you partner up with me, I don’t care. Your skill slicing that magical beast wasn’t fake.”
“What if I keep turning down your offer?”
“I told you before. Investing time in you isn’t a waste at all. There’s no one else like you in the Holy City—no, the entire Empire.”
Guchi approached and slung an arm over his shoulder.
“So, what’s the plan going forward?”
“First, let’s check out that one restaurant. They said reservations are tough, so we should go straight there.”
“You mean the Fairy’s Courtyard you mentioned?”
“Yeah. They say the head chef there is incredible. The kind of maestro in cooking who’d be perfect for the role.”
“That level? Reservations won’t be easy.”
They went down to the first floor. Guchi spoke to Anthony, who was waiting.
“You know the Fairy’s Courtyard?”
“Who in Dune doesn’t?”
“If you say that, it must really be famous. My friend here wants to eat there, but how hard are reservations?”
Anthony clicked his tongue.
“It’s the one place every noble visiting Dune hits up. ‘Alpachi’—that’s the word for top restaurants—and Fairy’s Courtyard is one you can count on one hand among them. For a regular citizen, you’re looking at three or four months easy.”
“That much?”
Hearing three or four months, Lander half-gave up on the idea. A month, maybe, but he had no intention of waiting that long.
Once he visited his wife’s hometown and had nothing left to do, he could go then.
“You never know—might as well check it out. Spots sometimes open up if a reservation cancels.”
As the conversation wrapped up, a small head suddenly popped into view. Jenny. She clasped her tiny hands in front of her and spoke.
“I’ll guide you to the Courtyard.”
Lander looked at Anthony, his gaze asking if it was okay to take his daughter along.
“No idea what’s gotten into you, but sure. Jenny, guide these two.”
“Dad, I’m just working hard for the shop too.”
Jenny smiled brightly and opened the shop door. She beckoned them to hurry and follow. He gave Anthony a nod before leaving the shop.
“This is a road mainly for carriages and horses, so be careful. Walk on the outer edge, or the guard’ll spot you and fine you.”
With the local girl guiding them, the two crossed the central plaza. Uniform buildings rose along the streets.
The architecture was standardized. They walked a bit further. Now buildings of wildly different exteriors came into view.
“This is the heart of Dune. Everything from all over the world gathers here. The Courtyard’s over there.”
Lander spotted the “Fairy’s Courtyard” sign where Jenny pointed. Magical engineering lamps—pricey to maintain—illuminated the entrance.
“Let’s ask if they have any openings.”
He walked toward the woman standing guard at the Courtyard’s front.