Published: January 4, 2026
Salaria Province, the provincial capital Leararat.
Originally an oasis in the desert, this place was established as the administrative provincial capital, and now it has become the most prosperous city in Salaria Province.
That said,
“...Hmm.”
From my perspective, coming from the Imperial Capital, it was nothing more than a rural town, and even with the memories of my previous life, I couldn’t deny a sense of desolation.
However, perhaps because it suited the desert environment, the architectural style was completely different from the towns I had visited before.
Although it was a province of the empire, it gave me the strange feeling of having come to a foreign land.
Also, the faces of the residents were different.
Most people seemed to have cheerful personalities corresponding to the strong sunlight pouring down, but at the same time, the majority were too thin, and their faces were covered in wrinkles.
Living in such a harsh desert environment would result in this, I thought with interest.
“Well then, first, let’s find an inn.”
“Yes! Leave it to me, master!”
Peiyu responded and hurried ahead lightly.
I followed behind with Ivy.
Peiyu stopped in front of buildings each time, looking around inside, and only after the third building did we finally enter.
Walking slowly to catch up, I arrived just as Peiyu came out.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, master. There are two rooms available.”
“Mm.”
I nodded and entered the building.
Though it wasn’t obvious from outside, it seemed to be an inn.
“Welcome.”
Inside, an elderly man greeted me.
He was thin, his face full of wrinkles.
Since this was a typical look for people in this town, perhaps his actual age was younger than I guessed, I thought.
“Guest, would you like to rest in your room immediately, or shall I prepare some food?”
“Well…”
I looked around inside.
Just being freed from the sunlight made the cool indoor air feel pleasant.
Fatigue from walking under the blazing sun hit me all at once, and my body craved moisture.
The place where I stood was like a lobby with several tables, and it had the atmosphere of a tavern.
The interior of the inn wasn’t much different from others in different towns, I thought.
“Give me something to nibble on and a drink. Peiyu, you and Ivy go put down the luggage. If you’re tired, you can rest.”
“Understood, master.”
“Y-yes.”
After I gave the order, another man came out from the back.
He was young, clearly in his early twenties.
That man led Peiyu and Ivy upstairs.
Meanwhile, I sat down at one of the vacant seats.
The elderly man who had disappeared briefly went back inside, bringing a tray with several snack plates and an open ceramic bottle.
He placed them on my table.
The snacks were mainly dry foods, nothing remarkable.
A rich aroma wafted from the bottle.
“Alcohol, huh.”
“You’re from out of town.”
“Yes.”
“Here, alcohol is cheaper than water.”
“I see.”
I had understood on the way here that water was precious, but it surprised me that alcohol was cheaper than water.
“Water can be used for everything, but alcohol is only for drinking.”
“Makes sense.”
I picked up a piece of the snack and put it in my mouth.
As expected, the taste was nothing special.
“In that case, how do you wash a plate like this?”
“Here, people who don’t cater to travelers don’t say ‘wash.’ They just sprinkle sand to remove dirt.”
“Interesting.”
I laughed, took ten Lien of gold from my pocket, and handed it to the old man.
It was the empire’s official currency.
Before coming, I had confirmed it could be used here in Salaria.
When I offered it, the old man’s face brightened.
“Is this really okay, so much?”
“Yes. It’s a tip.”
“Thank you. Is there anything else you need?”
He squinted his eyes and smiled so much his face wrinkled even more.
He had recognized me as a valued guest and became much friendlier.
“Now then, has anything unusual happened around here recently?”
“Recently… The biggest change is that the magistrates have been replaced here and there.”