A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation

Under the bright midday sun, the innkeeper stood in the kitchen looking in a good mood. The reason was clear—Rizel and the others, who had suddenly disappeared over the past few days, were returning to the inn.

It’s not unusual for adventurers to move from one inn to another. Just as the innkeeper was feeling a bit lonely, wondering if they had gotten bored of this place and gone elsewhere, a friend named Nahas brought news about Rizel and the others.

He said they had caught a cold and were being taken care of at the royal palace. Although it raised questions about why they were at the palace, the innkeeper felt relieved knowing they had good doctors and excellent care there.

And it seemed they were coming back today, so the innkeeper was eagerly preparing a nutritious meal for Rizel, who was just recovering from illness. Raised believing that a cold was a battle of stamina, large cuts of meat were being stewed in the kitchen. Sometimes, family rules could be quite intense.

“Oh, they’re back!”

Hearing voices and the sound of the door opening, the innkeeper naturally smiled and turned off the stove. Wiping hands on the towel hanging from the counter’s side, they quickly stepped out of the kitchen.

“I don’t mind unannounced absences at all, but being gone for several days had me worried. Welcome back.”

“Sorry to have worried you, innkeeper.”

Upon opening the door, the familiar trio stood before the innkeeper, who still found it hard to get used to seeing them after all this time. The first impression one had of them never faded, which was probably why they attracted so much attention.

Their smiles were just as remembered, and it was clear that the cold had fully healed, which was a relief. From behind a small counter near the entrance where Rizel and company stood, the innkeeper retrieved the keys to their rooms.

“I heard from Nahas, and it sounds like it was really tough.”

“Oh, you heard about that?”

Placing the three keys on the counter, Rizel slightly furrowed his brow but smiled. It seemed they had indeed gone through a lot, so the innkeeper decided tonight’s menu would be a full course of meat.

“I’m a bit surprised they got kidnapped here too.”

“I’m more surprised than you are! Wait, you didn’t tell me that!!”

“Huh?”

“Huh?!”

The innkeeper looked up abruptly, and Rizel gave a puzzled expression, saying he had told him. It was no joke. And Rizel didn’t seem the type to joke about such things, so there was no doubt.

Moreover, the phrase “even here” was used, which was shocking. Could it be that they were also kidnapped back when they were based in Partedar? The innkeeper’s thoughts didn’t once ask why—revealing how much he thought of Rizel.

“So, how… huh?”

“I’m fine, no injuries.”

“But what about the cold?”

“I caught it too, but with warm care, I made a full recovery.”

The innkeeper absentmindedly started noting this in the guestbook.

Come to think of it, it was surprising that someone managed to kidnap this calm, refined person. After all, it was the two standing just behind Rizel from whom they had been taken.

Of course, the three often acted alone, so it might not have been impossible, but the fact that someone even thought to kidnap them was incredible. The innkeeper didn’t know what happened to the kidnappers and didn’t dare ask. It was scary.

“As long as you’re safe... hmm? Ah, I see. If you’re tired, we can do it later, but it looks like the prepaid stay ends today, so shall I renew it?”

“Yes, please.”

“All right, then.”

The shock was so strong it didn’t feel real, but the innkeeper quickly regained composure. Perhaps because Rizel and the others acted as usual.

Noticing the date on the guestbook, the innkeeper informed them. Rizel nodded as if it was natural, and the innkeeper secretly sighed with relief each time they confirmed the renewal.

It was easy to forget, but Rizel was an adventurer. It was not uncommon for adventurers to change inns frequently.