LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 10
Facing the harsh reality of a medieval city for the first time, Karem felt a disgust for civilization while Catherine held her head, overwhelmed by the long-lost truths of society.
Of course, not every city was like this, but that made it even harder to adapt.
“Ah, it’s really not the first time I’ve seen something like this…”
“Sir Mage, it’s not like you haven’t seen it before, so why are you acting like a country bumpkin who just stepped into the city?”
“Understanding something and getting used to it are completely different issues!”
“How on earth did you manage camping all this time?”
Catherine’s face showed a sudden fatigue, as if the proud air she had exhibited at the city gate had been drained from her. She shook her head in apparent feigned understanding.
“Well, at a glance, it looks like an ordinary commoner’s household. There’s no way it’s connected to the sewer system, but it does seem typical.”
“Ah, so the sewer does exist, huh?”
“Of course it does. Let’s leave the dirty talk at that.”
Not wanting to continue this unpleasant subject, Catherine cut off the conversation and walked ahead.
Anyway, since they didn’t want to talk about dirty things, Karem willingly followed Gordon, who was trailing along.
Gordon, looking visibly hungry, rubbed his stomach as if the surrounding filth and smells were of no concern to him.
“By the way, we didn’t eat enough for breakfast. It’s lunchtime too. Shall we go get something to eat?”
“Then does this mean we’re having a farewell celebration as well?”
“A farewell celebration? Now that’s a good idea.”
Gordon brightened up at Karem’s suggestion.
Originally, the journey was only supposed to take them to this closest city, but the thought of parting like this felt regrettable. Catherine, pretending not to care, showed interest too, as she was just as hungry.
“Then we should go to a place that has good food and drink.”
“Well, we could make our way around and see where it’s crowded.”
“Hmm, I don’t think that’s necessary. Let’s go to one of the places I know.”
“Sir Mage, have you been here before?”
“Well, that was a long time ago. Quite a while back. I’m not sure if it’s still standing there.”
“Let’s just go see. As Catherine led the way, Karem and Gordon followed her without a word.
“By the way, how long has it been since you last visited, Sir Atanitas?”
“Was it ten years? I think it was around that time.”
“Ten years can change a landscape; what if it’s no longer in the same place?”
“Well, if the owner is human, that might be the case.”
“Excuse me?”
“The owner is a dwarf couple. Back then, it was famous for having great beer and food.”
No sooner had Catherine’s words ended than a group of adventurers passed in front of them.
An elf swordsman in chain mail, a dwarf warrior wielding two axes, and a human archer, among others.
The city, which was likely already bustling with its usual crowd, was now swarmed with outsiders visiting for various reasons before winter arrived.
Karem nearly got swept away in the crowd and separated from his group several times. Noticing this, Gordon quickly pulled him forward to walk in front.
After weaving through the throngs of people in pursuit of Catherine, Karem caught sight of the long queues and tall castle walls he had seen from outside Borderster. It was the inner castle.
“There’s an inner castle. So, are these people somewhat wealthy?”
Karem’s question was valid, as the people and carts lining up at the entrance to the inner castle looked dignified from a glance.
Unlike the guards of the outer castle, those guarding the gates of the inner castle had armor with a much higher metal content.
As Catherine headed straight for the inner castle’s gates, she shook her head.
“Well, usually only those with wealth or influential connections can reside there.”
“What, so without money, even nobles can’t live in the inner castle?”
“Well, if nothing has changed since back in the day, Borderster is a free city after all.”
Countless free cities that were exempt from the feudal contracts of nobles, having been granted autonomy from the kingdom.
So that’s why they referred to the powerful, not the city’s rulers. Karem recalled their previous conversation.
“By the way, Sir Atanitas, something seems familiar here. Have you been here before?”
“It would be easier to count the places in the Europa continent I haven’t been to.”
Just then, another group of three disregarded the queue and pushed ahead, repeating the same occurrence as in the outer castle.
“Hey, guards! Who are those people!?”
“Do you even know who’s riding in that wagon right now?!”
As before, Catherine, like someone who was not merely an errand girl, approached a guard who resembled a bucket wearing a helmet and holding a halberd, presenting the rolled-up document just like last time.
“Your grace. Please hold on—”
“Ah, ah, before that, let’s check this first.”
“N-no, um. Uh? Uhh?”
As soon as the guard saw the wax seal on the document, his expression changed, and he stared at it as if he had never seen it before, staring a hole through it.
The seal depicted a winged dragon with its tail entwined.
“…There’s no need to look further; the seal is confirmed. Hansen!”
“Yes, captain!”
“Let them through.”
And just like that, it was over.
The events from the outer castle repeated themselves, but immediately afterward, heavily armed guards ignored the protests.
Karem followed Catherine, who was escorted through by the guard captain into the inner castle.
“Wow, you can definitely tell this is a rich area.”
Upon entering the inner castle, the smell alone was different.
It was unlike the stench of the sewers that filled the streets in the outer castle.
“Hmm, I believe this was the right path. Come on; stop daydreaming and follow me.”
“Y-yes!”
As expected, only the wealthy lived in the inner castle, and the attire of the people strolling the streets was much neater compared to the outer castle.
There were no shocking sights like those he had witnessed before.
Feeling keenly aware of the gazes upon him, Karem quickly removed the hide of the mossy wild boar.
The chilly autumn air penetrated his clothing, but he certainly felt less attention.
“Karem, if you’ve entered the inner castle, you should have taken off that hide.”
“Ah, I thought it would be fine since nobody in the outer castle cared. But I’ve seen others just like me wearing hides around here too.”
“Take a closer look. Is your hide any different from what they’re wearing?”
Hmm? Well, indeed. From a distance, it looked like just anyone wearing a hide.
However, upon closer inspection, Karem recognized it was an ornamental hide, carefully showcasing the threatening aspects of a wild boar or wolf or even a monster.
The rough hides he randomly draped over himself were certainly more primitive in contrast to the finely processed, rugged items exuding a more wild allure.
For sure, it was way more stylish compared to the rawhide he had so carelessly used.
“As expected. Thankfully, some class remains.”
While Karem was engaged in light banter with Gordon, they had arrived at their destination as Catherine stopped in front of the inn.
A sign with a sword stabbed into a beer barrel.
Underneath that, the name of the inn, “The Blade in the Beer Barrel,” was written in large letters. The four-story building was one and a half times wider than neighboring structures.
The first floor seemed to double as a restaurant, where through the wide-open windows, Karem could see various people seated at tables filled with mugs and plates.
And every time people entered and exited through the inn’s door, the delightful aroma wafting through the windows made Karem swallow unconsciously.
He understood perfectly why Catherine had brought them here.
Even if he wasn’t well-versed in alcohol, the diverse scents wafting from downstairs stirred Karem’s empty stomach after that measly breakfast.
Gordon, who ate several times more than an ordinary person, looked captivated by the rich scent of hops mixed with the surrounding aromas.
Feeling cheerful that her long-lost favorite place still stood as she remembered, Catherine led her companions inside the inn.
“Wow, there’s so many people! Sir Atanitas, it seems there are no seats available.”
“Just like it was ten years ago. Well, it’ll be crowded right now because it’s lunchtime. If we wait just a bit—”
“Wait, who is this!?”
A dwarf carrying a platter full of food dashed through the entrance, bouncing between guests and disregarding a serving girl who was trying to help him.
“Sir Mage, do you know this dwarf?”
“The innkeeper. Someone I know. Glad to see he’s still alive.”
The dwarf, ignoring the complaints from customers and staff alike, approached them, matching Catherine’s height.
As he stood before her, he swung his hand down hard on her back.
“That hurts!? Hamerson!”
“Catherine! Our benefactor’s back after such a long time! Has it really been about 200 years since you last visited?”
“Don’t exaggerate. It’s only been ten years.”
“Hah, I thought you’d never come back! My wife has been dying to give you a great welcome!”
“More importantly, do you have any seats?”
“Ah, we’ll make some, no worries! Luckily, a table just came free! This way!”
As Hamerson gestured for them to follow, Karem and the rest quickly trailed behind him.
Their seats weren’t far away—a table for four.
Just as Hamerson mentioned, it looked like others had just vacated, as empty plates and mugs were left behind on the table.
As Karem and Gordon attempted to take their seats, Hamerson quickly cleared the area and left.
Without even taking their order, Hamerson returned with three large wooden mugs of refreshing beer.
“Here, my inn’s specialty, Eisenbart’s wheat beer for you! Let’s start with a cold one!”
Karem looked into the mug, which was slightly shorter than his head.
Compared to the clear beers he had known in his past life, this one looked a little thicker.
The cold, golden liquid in the wooden mug frothed profusely. The white foam of the beer had a delightful aroma that reminded him of walnuts or almonds.
In his past life, Karem hadn’t enjoyed alcohol much.
But the sight of those bubbles and the tempting smell made him want to drink it on impulse.
Just as he unconsciously raised the mug to his lips, Karem suddenly stopped and pushed it away.
Seeing Karem hesitating while Gordon downed his beer and savored the aftertaste, he gave Karem a light tap on the shoulder.
“Oh my gosh! How long has it been since you’ve had a drink? Huh? Karem, why aren’t you drinking?”
“Um, well, how should I say it? It’s my first time drinking alcohol.”
“What!? Then you definitely have to drink!”
Hamerson was shocked.
“Wait, I have a hard time telling how old humans are, but you’re not five, are you?”
“No, I’m ten.”
At that, Hamerson put down his beer mug and shouted.
“A ten-year-old human is all grown up! Now drink up!”
With fiery eyes sparkling beneath his bushy beard and brows, Karem couldn’t resist and took the mug. Well, maybe bringing his past life’s morals here isn’t quite right?
Suddenly, he felt a bit uneasy about how thick it seemed compared to dark beers.
Not that the color wasn’t beautiful, though.
Anyway, the aroma was extraordinary, prompting Karem to close his eyes and drink from the beer.
“Umm, mmm!?”
“Oh wow, you’re really enjoying it despite it being your first time, like someone who hasn’t touched a drop in a month!”
What began as a mere taste turned into an adventure of rich flavors swirling in his mouth, with a refreshing sensation that tickled his throat.