"So this is Ludia."
I mutter, barely containing the excitement I feel.
The air is filled with pure elementless mana threads flying around, and the entrance of the city is loud with the hustling and bustling of people.
The cobblestone streets fork like veins across the ground. Leading people toward the heart of the city.
Clump Clump
It's the sound of the feet of our wagon's horse meeting with the ground but I could have sworn that it was my heart beating, because all I feel is excitement.
I've come this far. But... As the Phoenix said, this is just the beginning of my journey.
My fists clench and resolve twirls around my heart.
My gaze lands on the several stalls lined at the entrance of the city, clever people, they're targeting travelers– making them buy the goods that they'll surely need.
"Aren't we gonna buy some stuff?"
I ask Jennette, my voice layered with enthusiasm.
She scoffs, almost laughs and says, "Did you even think of bringing any money when you were planning your grand escape? I wonder how you'd have survived if I didn't stubbornly hide in the wagon."
I roll my eyes, "Yeah, I know I messed up because I was too focused on leaving... But you've mentioned that about five hundred times! Let it go already– sheesh, what has happened has happened."
She snorts, "Yeah, that's because you're not the one spending money."
I cross my arms and retort, "Fine. I'm not gonna ask anymore." I smirk. "You'll still need them anyway."
She frowns, "Why do you always win?"
I shrug. "Because I'm a Flameworth?"
She chuckles, "I'll reserve my comments... Family lover."
I raise my brows, I understand what she thinks.
I chuckle, "Think whatever you want." And I take another look at the city, drawing in a deep breath, taking in that dusty and spicy air. "So... Where are we headed?"
I ask her, she rides like she already has a destination in mind.
"Isn't it obvious? It's the first thing anyone would do when they arrive in a city... Find accommodation– An inn."
She says bluntly, I think she expected me to have that knowledge by now.
Okay– like paying for a hotel room when you first enter a different country or city back on Earth. Not bad.
"There's gonna be food at the inn right?"
I ask her, my narrowed eyes focusing on her head, my tone is serious and my facial muscles are tensed.
I need good food.
"Tch, you want food but you didn't remember to bring any money."
I can hear her mutter under her breath. She thinks I didn't hear it.
Why the hell is she still nagging about that?
"There'll be food. We'll eat when we get there and also have a good rest."
Jennette says, her tone more relaxed but I can still feel the 'naggigity' under it. I know that word doesn't exist, but it fits.
We arrive at the outer district and apparently, it's just the city's skin, the true heart of the city(where some aristocrats live too.) lay deeper– within the inner district, or so Jennette says.
On almost every corner, there are low, timber-framed buildings and we're arriving at one that stands out from the rest– it has a mug-shaped insignia glowing faintly with an enchanting warmth.
She stops the horse just outside the building.
"Is this the place?"
I ask, my voice low and tinged with weariness and it almost drowns in the noise of the street, but Jennette hears me.
"Yes, it's the Ember Inn. An inn with pretty decent pricing," she says as she comes down from the horse and beckons at me with her fingers to follow her.
I nod my head,
Does she think I care about pricing and such? Although I won't tell her that... She might start nagging me again because I didn't bring any money.
I sling the bag on my shoulder and walk down from the wagon.
I'm looking at Jennette, waiting for her lead, I don't know anything.. yet.
She's tying the horse to a pole by the side of the building.
"Ahem," she clears her throat as she wipes sweat off her forehead and flashes my face with her bright smile.
"Let's go in."
She walks ahead of me and opens the door and I follow behind her patiently.
Whoa.
The scent of roasted meat and the drunken laughter of the men fills the room.
Meat... Food.
I sniff the scent of the meat in the air, hoping that the scent would fill my belly or something.
The wooden stool and tables in the room are occupied by drunk men– some singing, some laughing maniacally, some just talking, one with his tongue stretched out trying to flirt with a waitress, some eating and some aren't even drunk at all.
They don't even notice my presence, but I can see a burly man with a snake-like tattoo on his forehead– his gaze is lingering on Jennette's figure as she slowly and refinedly walks toward the counter where the waitress is. Of course, he's not the only one staring, but he's the only one making it so obvious.
My nose scrunchs as a frown forms on my face.
I turn to look at the men whistling and gossiping to themselves while snagging quick looks at Jennette.
Anger boi–
No, calm yourself. They're just being men.
With that decided, I still flash the deadliest glare I can offer, in a bid to scare their gazes off but they laugh at me, some calling me cute.
I sigh and turn to face Jennette,
Forget it, they aren't worth the time.
"So... We'll bring the food to your room?"
The waitress, with a soft and friendly tone and a perfectly crafted fake smile on her face, asks Jennette.
I know a fake smile when I see one. Whoever owns this inn taught her well.
I nod to myself, a small warm smile tugging at my lips as I remember the times when I trained my new employees in my past life.
Good times.
"No. Just give me the key, and I'll come downstairs to take the food by myself."
Jennette replies to the waitress calmly but authoritatively.
It seems she also doesn't want us to eat with these perverted freaks. That's good. We're on the same page.
"Then, I'll prepare the food and await your presence to collect it, ma'am."
The waitress bows her head slightly as she speaks, her tone mild and respectful.
Jennette nods, satisfied by the outcome.
It seems she had paid already and they'd arrived at a conclusion in the brief moment I was looking at those perverted clowns.
"Let's go."
With the key to our room in her hands, Jennette guides me as we walk toward a wooden staircase that leads to where our room would be.