The Water Magician

Ten days after the delegation departed from the royal capital.

They traveled south along the Kingdom's Third Highway and entered Acre, the largest city in the south.

Acre is the capital of the Marquisate of Heinlein and can be said to be one of the largest cities in the kingdom alongside the City of Run.

The lord, Marquis Heinlein, is a former royal knight commander and the real father of the b-rank adventurer Phelps from the City of Run.

In such a city as Acre, the bureaucrats and knights, along with their squires, were staying at the Lord's Manor, while adventurers were to stay at a luxury inn adjacent to the manor.

On the surface, welcoming ceremonies were held for the bureaucrats and knights, and adventurers would feel out of place if they participated, so it was decided that they would stay outside the manor to freely enjoy themselves.

In reality, this arrangement was primarily for Abel, the second prince who had become an a-rank adventurer.

It had become common knowledge among those in the know that they should avoid drawing Abel into ceremonial events within the kingdom as much as possible.

Phelps, who is the father of Phelps A. Heinlein and also a member of the Marquisate of Heinlein, was naturally aware of Abel’s status, making him one of those “in the know.”

The lodging for the twenty-two adventurers, including Abel and Ryo, was a super luxury inn, given its proximity to the Lord's Manor.

Normally, this inn would be reserved for high-ranking merchants who served the Marquisate or the attendants of nobles visiting the Marquisate.

Starting from the lobby, there was an unmistakable difference.

The vast lobby, laid with marble, was not just spacious but grand, with a perfect balance of luxury and sophistication creating an incredibly comfortable atmosphere despite its size.

“Abel… this place is amazing…”

“Yeah… Of course, it’s the best in the south, but it competes for the top spot across the entire kingdom.”

The staff's demeanor was truly professional; even when dealing with raucous adventurers, they always greeted them with smiles, eliciting smiles from even the tough-looking adventurers.

While Ryo and Abel were taken in by this atmosphere, two staff members approached them.

“Lord Abel and Ryo, correct? Your check-in is complete, and we will guide you to your rooms.”

“We’ll carry your luggage.”

Following the two staff members, the two were led to the last room at the end of the second floor and the room in front of it.

Ryo’s room featured…

A spacious living area with a luxurious-looking sofa and a stylish rocking chair.

There was a separate bedroom with a fluffy king-sized bed.

Furthermore, there was even an outdoor bath in the guest room!

“Wow…”

Ryo couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration, prompting the guiding staff member to smile and bow with a “Thank you.”

For the first time, Ryo recognized the greatness of an inn operated seriously by a great noble.

After leisurely enjoying the outdoor bath, Ryo changed into the provided loungewear and descended to the dining hall on the first floor.

There, he found several adventurers already halfway into their drinks…

Spotting a menacing a-rank swordsman among them, Ryo attempted to move to a corner to avoid detection… or so he tried, but…

“Hey, Ryo, don’t just run away!”

“It’s not what you think!”

“Of course it isn’t!”

Ryo was caught by the drunken Abel and forced into the group of inebriated adventurers.

A forced spiral of eating and drinking ensued.

And, for some reason, he found himself flanked by female adventurers who were cooing over him with chants of “so cute!”

It seemed that female adventurers were fond of Ryo…

Perhaps the eastern features made him look youthful, regardless of the world.

Usually, in Run, he only interacted with specific adventurers, so he had never experienced a situation like this before…

As the surrounding crowd sank into a sea of booze, Ryo, though quite tipsy himself, was unconsciously consuming meat dishes when he spotted someone outside the window who shouldn’t have been there.