A Journey and My Usual Whim (7)

This inn had become quite a fine establishment by now, but one thing had remained unchanged since Nona and her parents ran a small inn.

It was the deliciousness of the food they served.

After mopping up even the sauce left on my stew and steak plates with bread and sending it down my stomach, I was basking in satisfaction when I heard some voices coming from the back.

"What? Eisa-san is here? Eisa-san—the Eisa-san? Whaaat, really?!"

It wasn't exactly loud, but the lively voice, out of place in a high-class inn, came through loud and clear to my somewhat better-than-average ears.

Well, the building was sturdy, so someone without ears as good as mine probably wouldn't have been able to hear it like this. Still, it seemed Aina had grown into something of a tomboy.

I felt a little relieved that the inn's easygoing atmosphere hadn't changed.

"What am I going to do? Bileck said he was coming for dinner later today... Wait, why are you laughing, Mom?!"

Her conversation partner seemed to be Schene, but I couldn't hear what the other woman said.

Still, mother and daughter seemed to be as close as ever.

"I should go say hello? Yeah, I'll go... But, Mom, do I smell sweaty? Is it okay? Ah, never mind, I'll change first."

For the moment, should I pretend I hadn't heard anything and wait here a little longer?

I poured wine, presumably from neighboring Aldeno, from a small cask into a wooden mug and took a sip.

The fragrance of grapes spread through my mouth and rose into my nose, followed by acidity and sweetness, then bitterness and astringency.

As I savored how they melded together into a rich depth of flavor, I leisurely let the time pass.

Partway through, Schene brought out a plate of sliced cheese, which made me drink the wine all the more.

Aldeno is famous for producing fruit, but it is also known for making alcohol from that fruit.

In Janpemon, the wheat-producing Duchy of Travoia, some areas did produce white beer from wheat, but brewing remained modest compared with the scale of its grain harvest.

I assumed this was because the wheat produced in Janpemon was primarily intended for food, and because demand for its grain was high, much of it was exported.

And since it grew wealthy from exporting food, it did not neglect imports, either—fruit and liquor from neighboring countries.

The collection of small nations was large as a whole, but the Duchy of Travoia itself was still a small country, so it likely had no intention of providing everything for itself.

This little country knew that if it simply kept hoarding the wealth earned through exports without importing anything, it might eventually incur the resentment of other nations.

Food production and exports were not merely a way to acquire wealth; they were also a diplomatic means of securing the country's position.

Drinking while pondering such complicated matters made me feel smarter, which was rather fun.

Of course, that was merely an illusion, but as long as I could enjoy my drink, that was good enough for me.

As I enjoyed my drink, a young man entered through the inn's entrance, rubbing his stomach.

Judging by his appearance, he was probably one of the town's guards.

He took a seat in the dining hall with a practiced air.

Ah, apparently he was a customer who had come to use the dining hall, not a lodger.

Schene came out to serve him and narrowed her eyes when she saw the guard,

"Welcome, Bileck-kun. What will you have today? Ah, that girl is changing right now, so wait for her a little, okay?"

she said in a very friendly tone.

Oh? Oh-ho-ho-ho.

Bileck. That was a name I'd heard just moments ago.

Judging from Schene's manner just now, could he be Aina's boyfriend?

That was genuinely interesting.

I secretly watched him as I raised the wine to my lips.

I thought Schene might even have noticed the slight smirk my amusement had brought to my face, but I didn't particularly care.

His build was slightly above average.

His features were rugged, and he looked strong-willed.

From the way he interacted with Schene, I could also tell he was a good-natured man.

Best of all, he was a guard.

I have a personal fondness for people who work as guards.

Of course, guards who demanded bribes were out of the question, but those who took up weapons to protect the towns they lived in and kept watch both inside and outside them were serious, highly dependable people.

In particular, I thought that guards serving as gatekeepers were, in a sense, the face of a town.

I couldn't help admiring Aina for finding such a good match.

Mm, the wine tasted even better.

Bileck noticed me too and seemed surprised to see an unfamiliar Elf, but naturally, he didn't ask about a guest's background.

At last, the door at the back opened,

"Eisa-san, it's been so long! Do you remember me? It's Aina!"

Aina, a lively-looking girl—no, she was old enough now that I should call her a woman—apparently done changing, came hurrying over without actually running and bowed deeply.

Ah, yes. She really had grown so much.

That made me a little sad, but I was very happy at the same time.

"Ah, it's been a long time. Yes, you were this little the last time we met."

After all, she'd been eight then and was seventeen now.

To me, she even seemed as though she'd doubled in size.

Still, no matter how nostalgic the reunion, speaking to another man in front of her boyfriend surely wouldn't sit well with him.

When I glanced over at Bileck, Schene seemed to understand and nodded,

"This is a good opportunity, so I'll introduce you to Bileck-kun, too. This is Eisa-san, who was a great help to my grandmother. He's come to visit the inn today after a very long absence."

She introduced me to Bileck, who seemed to be Aina's lover.