The Boar's Hat (2)

The aroma of polished wood, delicious food, and beer blasted my face as soon as I opened the inn's door.

"Ah! A new customer! Did you just enter the Tower, sir?" asked a pretty young lady as she bowed to show respect. She wore a green and white waitress uniform, which seemed to be the colour theme of the inn.

Offering her a slight bow, I replied, "Yes, I was told to come here by the guard at the front gate."

I concentrated on her and tried to see her status screen.

**********

Name: Margaret Neto

[Due to low proficiency, no more information can be seen]

**********

It worked!

"In that case, you have come to the right place! We are the boar's hat! Don't let the cat step on the mat! We give you meals and rooms! That is always kept pristine with brooms!" She sang, making some exaggerated gestures with her hands.

Was this song supposed to bring in customers? They should really reconsider their marketing strategy.

Looking around, the place gave off a very calm and pleasant feeling. Round wooden tables were scattered around the room, each with four wooden chairs.

An extended counter was situated at the end of the room, with bar stools in front. Behind the counter, a yellow-haired child was passing drinks to the people who were sitting at the bar stools.

The child wore a formal black half-suit with a red tie and carried himself elegantly. But, unfortunately, his dress looked a little too big for him.

Noticing my gaze, the lady said, "He is an interesting person, isn't he. His name is Sir Sarroth; he owns this inn."

The inn owner was serving drinks? Moreover, how could this child be the inn owner? No! This was the Tower. Everything is possible here.

"So would you like a room or food?" asked Margaret.

Well, I had nowhere to stay and was hungry too. Plus, the money I got from those bandits may be enough to live peacefully for a few days until I think about what to do.

I replied, "Both please."

Nodding her head, the lady showed me to a table and entered a door at the corner of the room, most probably the kitchen.

People filled the room. Most of them had simple clothes like mine, but some wore sturdy armour and extravagant dresses, some of which I had never seen on Earth before.

Looking around the room, I was unable to find my team members anywhere. So they must have gone to their rooms or some other inn already.

The inn itself had beautiful carvings on its walls and ceiling. The feeling of comfort it gave me was almost uncanny. It was most probably the effect of a spell.

But, something was strange here. It was the people; all of them weren't human. I had only read about these creatures in fairy tales, but to think that I would see them in real life too. How interesting!

Elves, dwarfs, beastmen, and some other races, which I had no idea about, all laughed and talked together. Will these people be hostile or friendly toward me? I guess only time will tell.

Soon after, Margaret reappeared, holding a plate in her hand.

"It wouldn't make much sense for me to ask you what you want, since you just entered the Tower. So here is some, baked arcane bloodhound," she said, placing the plate on my table. The dish looked like a well-made piece of juicy steak, with a garnish of some leaves sprinkled over it.

"Baked arcane bloodhound?" I asked. With a name like that, was this even edible?

"Well, it is a pretty famous dish among newbies," informed Margaret before bowing down and taking her leave.

I drank some water, which was kept on the table beforehand. Then, taking a deep breath, I sliced off a piece of the steak and put it in my mouth.

Ummmaii!

The tender meat: filled with this juice of unending flavour! The tinges of sweetness that could be found between the spicy taste! The aftertaste was beyond anything I had eaten so far! I love this! This is perfection!!

"Delicious!" I unintentionally shouted after every piece I ate.

Within seconds, the entire steak had been thrown down my throat. Shit! I should have tasted it slowly, savouring each bite.

Some eyes had gazed in my direction during my shouts. Well, I just couldn't help; shouting 'delicious' after tasting something incredible, was almost a habit of mine.

Anyway, what people think is none of my concern. Leaning back on my chair, I plucked out some pieces of meat that had gone between my teeth with a toothpick lying on the table. This was relaxing.

"Hello there," said a voice from behind me.

This voice? Turning around, I saw an elf standing behind me.

**********

Name: Zelphar Paxina

[Due to low proficiency, no more information can be seen]

**********

Zelphar! This was the elf I had met in the forest. But, I did not concentrate on him this time. How did his status screen appear?

Anyway, it was such a relaxing time till now. So why did he have to come here? An unintentional sigh left my body.

Sitting straight up on my chair, I gestured for Zelphar to take a seat on the chair in front of me.

"Looks like I bothered you while you were resting," he said as he sat down.

Of course, you did. If you already knew that, then why did you even come over? I guess I can't say that, though. Showing some common courtesy would be better in an unknown place like this.

"It's nothing like that," I replied.

Four more elves sat at the table next to me. These were, most probably, his companions, who were hiding in the forest back then.

"How is the food here?" Zelphar asked. Why was he asking me?

"It's pretty good," I replied.

"Well, that was obvious, from you shouting, 'delicious'," he said, breaking into a burst of loud laughter.

Was he making fun of me, or was he just trying to lighten the mood? Although it didn't matter what people thought, saying it right to my face was irritating.

"Is there a reason you came up to me?" I asked with an unintentionally irritated tone.

Seeing me irritated, the elf was slightly taken aback. Was he trying to lighten the mood with his previous statement? Looks like he has a negligible sense of humour.

"I apologise," said the elf, bowing down.

"It's fine," I replied. I guess it's alright to overlook this one incident.

But what did this elf even want? Why bother me out of everyone else in this inn?

"May I ask what yo-" Before I could finish asking his objective, he interrupted me.

"The thing is, I would like to become your friend!" said the elf. His face had become bright red, and he had lowered his gaze.

What?

One of the elves from the table beside me got up and went beside Zelphar. She had fair skin, long black hair; and wore a white leather shirt with brown pants, which were barely visible due to the blue cloak covering her entire body.

She kneeled down and whispered in his ears, "My lord, act calm. It's not normal to directly ask people to become your friends."

I could probably hear them due to my perception.

"Wh-What?" whispered Zelphar as his face turned a brighter tinge of red.

He turned toward me and asked, "Wh-what I mean is... wo-would you like to get some drinks?"

He changed the topic. I guess he had zero social skills. Looks like we were somewhat alike in that aspect.

"Sure," I replied, nodding my head.

Although I didn't usually drink, thinking about the things I have experienced during the past few days, getting some drinks will help.

"Excuse me! Could we get some drinks here, please," shouted Zelphar as he waved his hand at the waitress standing nearby.

Soon after, jugs of alcohol filled my table.