As they walked down the main streets of Argam City, the atmosphere was incredibly quiet and deserted. The shops were closed, and only dim, magic-powered streetlights illuminated the cobbled road. There were no longer any people passing by; only the sound of their footsteps broke the silence.
Wolvin, entering a human city of this size for the first time, looked around warily yet with curiosity. His nose twitched as he caught unfamiliar scents from the stone buildings and the remnants of market activities.
Ignoring the silent surroundings, the three continued straight toward the city center until they found a three-story building that appeared the most luxurious among the others. It was the finest inn in Argam.
Upon arriving, Arale pushed open the door of the inn before them.
Kring...
The door bell chimed. Their arrival at such a late hour truly startled a middle-aged man serving as the inn's receptionist. The man was mid-yawn, but his mouth snapped shut the moment he saw the guests entering.
His eyes widened in shock, especially when his gaze landed on Wolvin. In this empire, beastfolk were usually slaves or mercenaries, not guests walking through the front door. However, seeing Wolvin's neat clothing and sharp gaze, the receptionist swallowed hard.
Despite his surprise, the man tried to maintain his professionalism. He straightened his collar and offered a stiff smile.
"Good evening, Sir and Lady. How may I assist you at this late hour?"
"We would like to book the best room with a spacious bed!" answered Arale, who stood at the front, representing the group. Her voice was full of authority, leaving no room for refusal.
"Very well!" the receptionist replied, his hand quickly grabbing a quill. "Under what name shall this room be booked?"
Arale looked straight into the receptionist's eyes. "Under the name of Calian Larvin!"
Gasp!
The quill in the receptionist's hand slipped and fell onto the desk. He was instantly struck dumb. His face turned pale the moment he heard the name of the most feared and respected family in the empire.
He slowly raised his head, and only then did he notice the striking purple hair of the youth standing behind the woman. That was no ordinary hair color. It was the mark of pure Larvin blood.
Cold sweat trickled down his temples. He had just made a Larvin wait!
"F-F-Forgive me! Please forgive my insolence, Young Master!" the receptionist cried out while bowing so low his forehead nearly touched the desk. His body trembled violently, fearing he would be severely punished or even executed simply because of the way he had briefly judged Wolvin. "I did not know that the one who arrived was a descendant of the Larvin family..."
Calian, seeing the excessive fear, offered a gentle smile. He stepped forward and placed his hand on the receptionist's desk, tapping it lightly to catch the man's attention.
"Do not let it trouble you, Sir." Calian said casually in a very polite tone, far removed from the cruel rumors about his family. "Lift your head. We are only here to stay and rest, not to punish anyone."
The receptionist slowly lifted his head, gazing at Calian's friendly, smiling face. His fear gradually turned into wonder and admiration.
"V-Very well, Young Master... Thank you for your kindness." he stammered. "I... I will immediately prepare the room you requested. The finest room on the top floor."
After Arale paid for the room for two nights with 10 gold coins, causing the receptionist's eyes to bulge even further. The man quickly scurried from behind the desk. With quick, respectful steps, he immediately escorted them up the stairs to their room.
All the way up the stairs, the man felt quite nervous serving the son of a high-ranking noble. His heart was still pounding.
I never expected my guest this time would be the son of the most powerful Duke in this kingdom. the receptionist thought to himself, his hand trembling slightly as he held the room key. Rumors say the Larvin family are cold-blooded monsters. But this youth... his aura is different. I nearly fainted when I didn't salute him earlier. Luckily, he didn't mind my insolent behavior.
Upon arriving at the door of the room on the top floor, the receptionist deftly opened the sturdy wooden door for them. He handed the key to Calian with hands that trembled slightly, yet were filled with unwavering respect.
"I wish you all a restful stay, Young Master, My Lady." the receptionist said, bowing deeply and showing respect as if he were serving a prince. "Should you require anything at all, do not hesitate to ring the service bell."
"Thank you very much for your excellent service." Calian replied warmly, accompanied by a sincere smile, a sight rarely seen on the faces of high-ranking nobles.
That kind response made the receptionist feel an immense sense of relief. The weight of fear that had been crushing his chest vanished, replaced by the joy of having served such important guests smoothly without any trouble. He then took his leave to return to his desk downstairs.
After the receptionist left, the three of them entered the room.
The room was vast and luxurious, illuminated by crystal magic lamps that cast a warm glow. It featured a large bed with silk sheets, velvet sofas, and a grand window looking out directly over the city square. However, luxury was not Calian's main focus at the moment.
As soon as the door was tightly closed and locked, Calian turned around and shook his head at his mother. He looked at the young, golden-haired woman with a look of utter disbelief.
"Oh, Mother..." Calian sighed, rubbing his temples gently. "I never expected you to claim to be my bodyguard! Arale? A personal guard? Since when does someone with the [Supreme Archmage] blessing get demoted to a common guard?"
Elara let out a light, crisp laugh. It was a sound Calian hadn't heard in years while they were still at the Larvin mansion.
"Hahaha." Elara brushed her hair back gracefully. "Think about it, Calian. If I claimed to be your mother, it would surely draw unnecessary attention. How could a teenager like you have a mother who looks like your own sister? My youthful appearance would raise too many questions if I didn't wear a disguise."
Elara stepped closer and gently held her son's head, stroking his purple hair with affection.
"Don't overthink it. This role actually gives me freedom." she said soothingly. "Now, both of you go take a bath. The warm water will help relax your muscles after that teleportation. Then, get some rest quickly!"
"Yes, Mother!" Calian and Wolvin answered in unison.
Wolvin, already feeling sticky from the journey, immediately pulled Calian's hand toward the bathroom located in the corner of the room.