I Became My Healer Elf Character - Chapter 62

Chapter 62: Ocean Tide Inn
As the group walked more west, they entered the main parts of the city. The gap was huge, and it wasn’t the smoothest transition from slums to the middle class. Also, the middle class themselves weren’t well off. Most of them looked hardly any better than the slum rats.

There was no doubt in Hikari’s mind that the gap between the rich and the poor in this empire was massive. The buildings were also different in structure than those of Amalin. While Amalin sported tons of stone and metal structures, this place had buildings made primarily of water resistant wood and stones.

The structures closest to the ocean were raised upon wooden stilts, and it so happened that much of the wealthy parts of the city were beachfront. It was strange to Hikari. Only half of the beachfront property were of middle class fishermen, and the other half contained the mayor’s manor as well as a few expensive eateries, an inn, and even an auction house.

Though, Hikari was immensely curious about the auction house, she set her sights on an inn that faced the ocean. The side of the inn that faced the ocean was a wooden outcropping, and in front of it there were several wooden tables with thatch umbrellas hanging above them. As for the side facing the city, it was made of smooth white stone.

The inn was four stories high. No doubt, the suites on the top floor provided an excellent viewing area for the setting sun on the ocean’s horizon.

There were vigilant guards who patrolled the entrance of this wealthier plaza, but they let the group enter easily after a brief inspection. Hikari noted that the guards here also wore strange leather pelts and chitin helmets. She wondered if much of the armor was sourced from ocean monsters. A voyage into the sea was definitely on her mind, especially given the fact she was curious about the misty isles.

The two kids were wowed over the sites in the wealthier district. It was clearly their first time there. In fact, it seemed like they had never left the slums in their lives, but that wasn’t the case. Kai had stolen from many of the vendors around the middle class districts. Both of them just seemed to be terrible around people.

Nona retreated into her shell and held Hikari’s hand tight, while Kai remained close to his sister and kept a watchful eye on the surroundings. Hikari wondered if the boy would see anything interesting with his boost to perception provided by the leather set of armor.

The group entered the first floor of the [Ocean Tide Inn]. The layout was open, and the large windows provided a good view to the rolling waves. The people inside were clearly well-off guests. There were travelers in fancy suits or dresses, and the locals wore silks that showed off some of their skin. Hikari wondered if those were the ocean spider monster silk she read about.

All of the servers were adorned with vibrant blue silk, and many of them had beautifully tanned skin. However, Hikari finally saw something she expected to see much earlier in her isekai journey.

The owner of the store was a rotund and greasy noble man. He was unlike the beauties in the place, serving as a contrast—like a growth that ate away from a gorgeous face.

His skin was pale with wrinkles from his fat layers. However, his hair was well-groomed and blonde. Most likely, he paid a lot of coins for hair grooming and for his suit.

Though, it was odd to see such a man running the shop. Hikari thought these guys would usually hole up in their own manor rather than serve guests wishing to stay. Maybe her mind was the one in the wrong and this man was not what she expected?

The man gave a business smile as the group walked over. He seemed to be quick on the uptake, instantly regarding Hikari as the leader and performing an introduction.

“Welcome to the [Ocean Tide Inn], esteemed guests. My name is Laslo, and I am the owner of this humble establishment. Are you wishing to make a reservation?”

“Maybe, that depends on if you can answer some of my questions,” Hikari said.

Laslo laughed heartily. “Of course, you seem to be of high standing. If the accord is related to the city, I can promise you that no one else knows more than I.”

Hikari placed a hand to her chin in thought before nodding. “How many beds can you offer for our group? Do your rooms come with baths?”

He grinned and pointed to a wooden plaque with a few hangers behind him. Three of the metal hangers held keys and many more were empty. “We have three rooms available, and two of them are suites on the upper floor. Both of those face the sea. If it’s a matter of baths…All of our rooms have one.”

“What are their prices, if I may inquire?”

“Each night in the suites is a measly 5 gold coins. The regular rooms are priced at 1 gold coin, and all services are not included in the bundle.” He chuckled before continuing. “I know it may seem expensive, but this venue cannot be beaten in the whole empire. Even kings will stay here when they travel through our country. I hope you can understand.”

Hikari nodded. “It makes sense, and I am sure the real money comes from those ‘services’. Am I wrong?”

“Hahaha…you’re not wrong. I have nothing worth hiding here. If kings want protection, I’d even make them pay for it while they stay here.”

“You’re a shrewd man.”

“If I wasn’t, I’d not be the owner of one of the largest merchant guilds in the country.” Upon Hikari’s raised eyebrow, the man continued. “Don’t look too surprised. I am the owner of Laslo Trading. Though, usually I am not in this shop. I can only thank the goddess of luck for such an interaction.”

“Goddess of luck?”

This time it was Laslo taken aback. “You never heard of her? Wait…” The man finally regarded Amelia in the back. “Pink hair? Are you royalty from Amalin?”

“She’s basically as you guessed, but please keep quiet about it.”

Laslo pursed his lips and zipped them. “My lips are sealed. By the way, are you royalty from the elven tribe?”

Hikari looked down at the little girl gripping her hand before shaking her head. “I’ve just come here to protect these children.” The elf finally remembered another piece of information she wanted to ask. “Do you know about the auctions here?”

This time the rotund man burst out into an even louder laugh that surprised the guests sitting at the tables. “I am sorry… It’s just that I am the one who sanctions them.” Then the man leaned forward against his desk and lowered his voice. “Are you interested in things like that? If you buy the suites, I will include a ticket to enter as part of the bundle. You see, no one can enter without a ticket they’ve obtained prior.”

“I understand. So, just 10 gold coins, right?” As the man nodded, Hikari pulled out 5 gold coins from [Gensuba] this time. Now that she was certain she could go back there, securing gold coins would be a simple matter. It was better to test their weight here. “By the way, these should be worth even more than the coins of this kingdom.”

The round man grabbed the coin and began to inspect the surface. He grabbed a small magnifying glass from a drawer next to him to inspect it closer. “I don’t recognize this coin from any of the kingdoms I know…But, I can tell it’s real gold. Where did you happen upon it?”

Hikari shrugged. “I found them in an old dungeon. It’s probably connected to an ancient kingdom?”

“I see…You are quite interesting…Are you using this as a bait?”

Hikari smiled. “Who knows? Maybe I have a lot of them?”

“Hahahaha! Interesting! Alright, I’ll give you the keys and the vouchers for the auction.” He paused before lowering his voice once again. “By the way, the best auction will take place two nights from now. This won’t serve as a permanent pass, but it serves as a one time entry. Though, if you become a premium customer…You will be able to visit the auctions any time.”

“Premium customer?”

Laslo nodded. “You will understand when you show up to the auction.” Then he reached for the keys behind him and handed them to Hikari. “I hope to see you two nights from now. If you have any wares you’re willing to part with, bring them to the auction house, and my bouncers will take good care of them. By the way, there are more things people can leverage than simple currency. Be sure to remember that.”

Hikari grasped the keys in her hand. “I will remember.” However, before she turned towards the stairs she remembered one last thing. “Do you know anything about the Thieves Guild?”

The man frowned. “I hope you’re joking, miss.”

“You’re right. It was just a joke…”

Laslo sighed before his eyes widened. “Oh! Right, I almost forgot. May I have your name?”

“Hikari.”