Resorts Are Always Sunny Then Cloudy (1)
After a long and winding journey, we finally arrived at the resort.
"Welcome. This is the top-tier resort that Silverstar has poured its heart into preparing: Grand Hyatt Resort."
"Whoa."
Unlike the medieval fantasy world from games, the place was strikingly modern, yet filled with an oddly heterogeneous charm.
"Rydmila. Come over here. They carved a dragon out of glass like this."
"That's not a craftsman's work. This is... the skill of a swordsman. Instructor Esta, could this be...?"
"It's the Heavenly King's Sword. Who else could sculpt something this intricate with a blade? Especially with crystal this delicate."
The group let out gasps of admiration in the resort lobby, which exuded an overwhelming aura right from the entrance. If I hadn't built up a certain 'immunity,' I might have thought, This is what success looks like.
The kind of lavish spending you can't enjoy in real life. The ultra-wealthy lifestyle that ordinary folks could never touch—being able to indulge in it through Yurha proved that partnering with her was the right call.
Especially in a place with this 'modern vibe.'
The collab design carried over perfectly.
Esdinas Academy of Changcheon raked in so much cash that it even collabed with five-star hotels. Sure, you could argue that a five-star hotel has its pride and wouldn't team up with some otaku game, but they didn't overhaul the whole place. Just certain rooms, entrance statues, event props, and in-game foods at the hotel buffet.
Those elements were timed with events like Comics World, drawing crowds to stay and attend. I'd gone once as a guest and once as a participating patissier.
Other times, overseas trips built up mileage for affiliated hotels or special resorts. Those memories and experiences were woven into this place.
To Silverstar, it was an 'avant-garde' redesign, but to me, it felt like a breath of modern nostalgia in a medieval fantasy world.
"Junior Phoenix? What's wrong? Is something not to your liking?"
"No, I love it. I really do."
Worried I might've slipped on my expression, I stepped forward casually and pointed to the empty space smack in the center.
"Shouldn't there be something huge here? Like a giant doll or a statue to fill the spot?"
I gestured to the blank area that, in real life, often held an SD Yurha doll on display.
"It feels off-balance with it empty like this."
"Did you major in design or something?"
"Nah, nothing like that."
I was just drawing from memories of five-star hotel entrances built by top real-world designers, comparing it to here.
"It just looks empty and forlorn. Did you leave it that way on purpose?"
"About half, yeah. It hasn't fully opened yet, so there's still a lot to tweak."
Yurha shrugged, readily admitting the shortcomings.
"That's the deal. While you're staying here, share your thoughts. It'll cover the full cost of your stay, for you and the others."
"Eek."
Evangeline, who'd wandered off sightseeing and come back, grimaced.
"You mean... we have to write a report, Senior?"
"Not a full report, Princess. Who'd relax on vacation if it felt like homework?"
Yurha winked at Evangeline.
"Just leave a review after your stay. It'll give future guests a clear benchmark."
"Isn't that like signing a pricier-than-the-room 'proof of visit' certificate?"
"You know the suite you're booked in costs a year's salary per night, right?"
"I'll write the review anyway."
"Perfect. Then I'll leave it to you. I need to chat with the manager about the rooms."
Yurha flashed a bright smile and headed off elsewhere. Even if the staff here were under Silverstar—under Yurha—people are people, and you never know. She'd probably give the manager and crew a once-over to tighten discipline. No room for slacking on VIP service; she'd drill service mentality harder than ever.
"Phoenix."
"Yeah?"
"Should I raise a giant bear doll here?"
"Doubt it'd fly."
Just look at the one person in front of me nitpicking the design already. From the princess of the Di Ershi Empire (new empire or not), to an active A-rank mercenary, even a swordmaster. Plus, the two other academy students had secrets on par with their backgrounds. VIP treatment wouldn't cut it.
"But aren't you curious about that over there?"
I grabbed Evangeline's shoulders, spun her around, and pointed to where Unia, Rydmila, and Esta stared with grave, serious faces.
"Not really."
"Why not?"
"Are you actually curious, or just messing with me?"
Evangeline shot me a look. Unlike early semester, she was distinguishing joke from sincere.
"Sincere."
"Jealousy."
On matters of pride, Evangeline let a sliver of her true feelings slip.
"The palace doesn't have decorations like that. Staring at it all envious feels off."
"Fair enough."
"Fair enough? Seriously?"
Evangeline tilted her head back and thumped my solar plexus.
"You ask, then poke at me? Huh? We come to relax, and you complicate things?"
"If a mana stone like that went to your empire, how much would it boost the economy?"
"...Huh?"
"You know me well enough by now. I've got the skills to help out a friend's family finances."
I turned Evangeline to face me, grabbed her waist, and hoisted her up effortlessly.
"What if we sent one home?"
"Do you think our house is some viscount or baron's estate?"
"To me, kingdoms and empires aren't that different."
"...True. You do give off that vibe."
Evangeline glared at me with half-lidded eyes, resting her hand on my shoulder.
"Got any bright ideas?"
"Treasure hunt."
"Treasure hunt?"
"Yeah. We're at a resort in the 'south' of Ludbekia Marquisate. Just lounging feels meh, right?"
I lightly lifted and set her down, stroking her back reassuringly.
"Say there's a monster nearby with a mana stone that size as its core. What would you do? Wanna hunt it together?"
"Is there?"
Evangeline's expression shifted.
"Wait. Oh, crap."
"What's that about?"
"Nothing, Rydmila."
"I heard it all and came to ask, Evangeline."
Rydmila grabbed Evangeline in my stead, pressing her neck and abdomen. Suddenly airborne in Rydmila's arms, Evangeline flailed helplessly against the strength.
"Um, Mr. Phoenix. We came all the way to the resort—surely there's no trial or monster here, right?"
Unia joined behind Rydmila, face tense. They'd come down from the old school building mindset of time to relax this time, so facing monsters here was unappealing.
Especially—
"What did you just say?"
For the one who'd sunk massive capital into this resort.
"Junior Phoenix? Did I hear wrong?"
"You heard right."
I stretched my hand toward the empty space so the rushing Yurha could clearly see its size.
"There's a monster around here with a mana stone that big."
"......."
Yurha paled. Her hands and feet began to tremble, cracks forming in her composed facade.
"Senior. Relax. It won't be the catastrophe you're imagining."
"Wh-what catastrophe are you saying I imagined?"
"Collapse."
Crack.
Yurha ground her teeth.
"If this resort got raided by an S-rank monster before opening, it'd be catastrophic losses."
"Y-yeah. B-but... that's not a prophecy, right? Call it a curse instead? Facilities like this always get curses with the compliments."
"Senior."
Unfortunately, reality is harsh.
"Ludbekia Marquisate south... this land around here. What was it like ten years ago?"
"......."
"Even back in Hapsderk County days, no real development. Right?"
"Don't joke."
Yurha's face hardened.
"You're saying I built this resort where an S-rank monster lurks? A place that could crumble anytime...?"
"Opposite."
"Opposite...?"
"You built this beautiful, dazzling, avant-garde resort on empty wasteland."
Far off, to the south.
"Once it opens and starts shining, that S-rank monster will come as a guest, wanting to soak in the onsen inside."
"......J-Junior Phoenix?"
Yurha's voice quivered wildly.
"Junior, let's step aside for a private chat...?"
"Senior."
I mimed writing in the air and grinned widely.
"Instead of the review, we'll handle the monster for you."