The next morning, Violet woke to the sound of a cart rattling beneath the window.
She pushed herself up in bed, rubbing her eyes as she looked around the unfamiliar room.
In the other bed, Nainai was still fast asleep, accompanied by a faint, steady snoring.
Violet yawned deeply.
She was still tired and would have gladly stayed under the blankets a little longer, but the thought of everything she had to do convinced her to get up.
She filled the washbasin, pouring water from a large pitcher, and quickly splashed her face.
Once she was presentable again, she dressed and walked over to the dwarf's bed.
"Nainai, wake up. It's already morning…"
The dwarf opened his eyes and looked at Violet with a peaceful expression.
She helped him sit up and then assisted him in putting on his armor, preparing to head out.
"Good! First thing, we're going to the guild. We need to register and ask for some information. Come on!"
Nainai nodded.
With her bag slung over her shoulder and her staff in hand, the two left the room.
Descending to the lower floor, Violet noticed the inn was empty again.
Only Mela was there, tidying up some dishes behind the counter.
"Good morning, Mela."
The young girl-dog jolted in surprise, her tail shooting straight up.
"Wooof! I mean— good morning to you!"
Mela turned toward them with her usual bright smile, tail wagging.
"I hope the beds were to your liking."
Violet nodded politely.
"Yes, the beds were really comfortable."
For how shabby this inn looks… the service is honestly amazing.
And it's so cheap… what luck.
Violet approached the counter, helping Nainai sit on one of the stools before taking a seat herself.
"Would you like something to eat?"
Mela set down a tray in front of them with thick slices of soft white bread and two cups of milk.
"Please, help yourselves! It's fresh milk!"
Still groggy, Violet was drawn in by the warm, inviting smell. She broke off a piece of bread and dipped it into the cup.
"Thank you, Mela…"
"Are you planning to leave today?"
Mela asked without looking at them, busy polishing some mugs with a cloth.
"No… actually, we… we'll probably need to stay in town for a few days…"
At those words, Mela—still focused on cleaning her dishes—perked up her ears, her tail beginning to wag.
"You said you're adventurers and that you're on a mission… You're heading to the guild?"
"Yes, exactly. Do you know where it is?"
Mela tilted her head, thinking.
"Hmm… let's see. It's not far. Once you pass the square, just keep going straight. The guild is easy to spot from the road. You can't miss it!"
"…Thank you."
Violet answered with her mouth full, noisily chewing the bread she had softened in the warm milk.
"I'd like to pay for at least one more night. Is the room still free?"
At that question, Mela slammed her hand on the counter so suddenly that Violet choked on her bite.
Good grief! Now what's gotten into her?
"Really?? You want to stay here??"
Mela was ecstatic.
Beside Violet, Nainai gently tapped her back to help her swallow.
"Yes… cough… This is an inn, isn't it? Is it that strange?"
"No, not at all…"
Violet slipped a hand inside her tunic, pulled out a few coins, and set them on the counter.
A chill ran up her spine.
She suddenly realized that what she had left would give her a bit of breathing room, but certainly not enough for a long stay—nor for the long journey that still awaited her.
Mela, tail wagging happily, scooped up the coins and tucked them into her apron.
This is bad. Really bad. I need to find a solution, or I'm in big trouble…
"Yes, this inn is… exactly what we need…"
And what we can actually afford…
They didn't have many options.
They had ended up in a city they didn't know, with no contacts, and completely off course from their intended destination.
"Really?"
Mela wagged even harder, her ears standing tall as her whole face lit up.
"Then I'll get your room ready right away!"
She rolled up her sleeves, flexed a tiny bicep, and winked.
"If you have any special requests for dinner or anything else, feel free to let me know!"
"R-right… we'll… we'll let you know."
Violet got up from the stool, adjusting her clothes before tying herself to the dwarf again.
"Well, we'll get going now. Bye, Mela."
The innkeeper lifted her hand and waved, watching them as they walked away.
"See you later, Violet!"
Once outside, Violet took a moment to look around properly.
Ostelria did not resemble a grand city at all.
It had walls, yes—but they weren't particularly tall or imposing.
The houses were simple, with thatched roofs, built mostly of wood or roughly cut stone.
And yet, there was a great bustle of people.
Guards, merchants, and small groups of armed individuals moved back and forth through the streets.
Violet watched them carefully, noticing the confidence in their eyes and the decisiveness in their stride.
I wonder if I'll ever be part of a group like that…
Stepping into the main road, she began walking across the city under the curious stares of passers-by.
"Hey, have you seen those two?"
A woman in heavy armor passed her with her party, bursting into laughter.
Violet paid her no mind and kept walking, focusing on her goal.
It's fine, Violet. Just ignore them…
As they followed the streets, they passed several stands displaying goods.
"FEEEEET! Fried pig's feeeet! Come try my crispy fried pig's feet!!!"
A large man with boar-like features was shouting loudly to attract customers.
Violet was overwhelmed by a wave of unfamiliar smells.
The vegetables and fruit looked familiar, but the cuts of meat and the spices used on them released strong aromas that made her wrinkle her nose.
Turning down a side street, she saw carts, merchants, and several beastfolk of different species marching silently in heavy armor, their long halberds resting on their shoulders.
So this city is full of beastfolk… I've never seen so many all in one place.
Once past the street, Violet found herself in a wide open plaza.
In the distance, several large white banners fluttered from a solemn-looking stone building.
Is that the guild?
The white banners depicted two long swords crossed over each other, framed by a silver, shield-like motif.
Once she reached the door, Violet placed her hand on the handle, took a deep breath, and stepped inside.
The interior was much smaller than the guild in Giltown—but it was packed.
Groups of adventurers crowded around tables, raucously playing dice.
There were knights, mages, warriors, archers—
all shouting, drinking enormous frothing mugs of beer.
The moment Violet took a single step forward, the entire hall fell silent at once, turning to look straight at her.
Violet, embarrassed, pretended not to notice and kept walking toward the counter, eyes fixed on the floor.
Good grief, there are so many people… And to think this was supposed to be a small city.
Finally reaching the counter, Violet cleared her throat without raising her gaze.
"Um… good morning!" she said, addressing the girl behind the counter.
"Good morning…"
The woman Violet found in front of her was an Elf. Tall, with long blonde hair, a refined face, and delicate features.
Set at the center of her expression were two stunning sapphire-blue eyes.
Wow… I've never seen an elf before. She's absolutely gorgeous…
"Welcome to the Ostelria Guild. My name is Elyune. How can I help you?"
The Elf gave Violet a quick glance before her attention shifted immediately to Nainai… and the rope tying the two of them together.
Violet hurried to speak, hoping to divert her from that detail.
"We came from Giltown. We're on a mission for the guild and we need some information."
The Elven receptionist answered in a quiet voice, still staring at the dwarf behind her.
"…Giltown, you said?"
She shot Violet a suspicious glare, as if she were looking at a thief.
"…Can I see your stone?"
Violet reached into her robe and took out the small magical stone, handing it across the counter.
From behind Elyune, a cat-girl—with black ears and tail—poked her head out, carrying a stack of heavy documents. She froze, staring at them with wide eyes, then began gesturing for someone else to come over.
"Thank you… I'll check it right away."
Elyune took Violet's stone and slipped her hands beneath the counter.
Beep.
"Well… everything seems in order…"
Behind her, next to the cat-girl, was now also a pretty fairy girl with green hair and matching eyes.
All three were staring at Violet and Nainai with their eyes wide open.
This is so embarrassing…
"Ahem—so, as I was saying…"
Violet gathered her courage and continued.
"We—I mean, we're here on behalf of the Giltown Guild."
Her tone sharpened, more confident.
"We're searching for the Seal of the goddess Sigillaria… Do you have any information about it?"
The three girls exchanged puzzled glances.
"The goddess… Sigillaria? Who's that supposed to be?"
I knew it…
Violet pressed on.
"Sigillaria! The goddess of Void Seals and… and a bunch of other things…"