13: CHAPTER 9: The Hotel Forgotten By Fate.
13: CHAPTER 9: The Hotel Forgotten By Fate.
Chapter 2: The Hotel Forgotten by Fate Some lights shine to welcome the world.
Others remain burning…
Not because anyone comes, but because someone still hopes they will.
The journey down the mountain was peaceful.
Ancient trees lined the stone pathway, their emerald leaves swaying gently beneath the morning breeze.
Birds sang from hidden branches while streams of crystal-clear water flowed quietly through the forest.
For ordinary travelers, the scenery would have been breathtaking.
For the twins…
It was simply another road.
Neither rushed nor slowed their pace.
Their footsteps remained calm and steady until the towering walls of the city gradually appeared before them.
The city gates stood nearly thirty meters high, guarded by rows of armored soldiers bearing the emblem of Sovereign Academy upon their breastplates.
Merchants, warriors, scholars, and travelers continuously entered and exited the gates.
The city was far livelier than any place the twins had visited since leaving Warzo.
As they approached, two guards stepped forward.
“Halt.” The older guard rested his hand upon the hilt of his sword.
“You two are unfamiliar.” “State your identities.” Shadow calmly replied, “We are travelers from another planet.” “We’ve come to participate in Sovereign Academy’s disciple selection.” The guards exchanged glances.
Just as Rin and Ray had predicted…
Their expressions immediately relaxed.
The older guard smiled faintly.
“So you’re outsiders.” “The preliminary competition begins in two days.” “Head straight toward the eastern district.” “You’ll find the registration arena there.” KING nodded.
“Thank you.” The guards stepped aside.
“Welcome to Lunar.” Without another word, the brothers entered the city.
…
The streets bustled with life.
Children laughed while chasing each other through crowded alleys.
Merchants loudly advertised their goods.
Blacksmiths hammered glowing steel.
Restaurants overflowed with customers.
Magic lanterns floated above the roads despite the bright daylight, illuminating colorful banners that welcomed participants from distant worlds.
Shadow quietly observed everything.
“This place…” “It feels peaceful.” KING replied, “Perhaps.” “But peace often hides beneath fragile foundations.” Shadow said nothing.
His eyes simply continued scanning the streets.
After nearly an hour of wandering, the brothers reached a quieter district.
Unlike the crowded marketplace, very few people walked here.
Most buildings appeared abandoned.
Then…
A beautiful three-story hotel came into view.
Its walls were painted white and black.
Elegant wooden carvings decorated every window.
Fresh flowers bloomed beneath each balcony.
Although simple…
It possessed an indescribable warmth.
Yet…
There wasn’t a single customer.
Shadow looked toward KING.
KING nodded slightly.
“Let’s stay here.” The two brothers stepped inside.
A soft bell chimed above the entrance.
The interior was surprisingly beautiful.
Polished wooden floors reflected the afternoon sunlight.
Round tables filled the spacious dining hall.
Fresh flowers decorated every corner.
Everything was perfectly clean.
And yet…
Completely empty.
Only one child could be seen.
A boy around ten years old swept the floor with a broom almost as tall as himself.
He had short black hair, bright innocent eyes, and simple worn-out clothes.
Hearing the footsteps, the boy lazily looked toward the entrance.
The moment his eyes landed upon the twins…
His entire body froze.
The broom slipped from his hands.
Clatter!
His mouth slowly fell open.
“…” “…” “…Guests…” The next second— “SISTER!!” His voice echoed throughout the entire hotel.
“SISTER!!” “COME QUICK!!” “WE HAVE GUESTS!!” The brothers remained standing silently.
Shadow blinked once.
KING glanced toward him.
“They’re…” “…Very excited.” Before either could say another word, a gentle voice echoed from upstairs.
“What is it, Sai?” The young boy shouted again, almost jumping in place.
“Sister!” “Hurry!” “We really have guests this time!” A brief silence followed.
Then hurried footsteps echoed from the second floor.
Moments later…
A young woman appeared.
Her long white hair flowed behind her like silk.
Her delicate face possessed a beauty so pure that even the blooming flowers decorating the hall seemed dull beside her.
Her clear eyes held both surprise and nervousness.
She hurried down the stairs before stopping respectfully before the twins.
“Welcome…” Her gentle voice carried a hint of nervousness.
“What may I help you with, honored guests?” For the first time since entering…
Both brothers became slightly confused.
Shadow looked around the empty hall once more.
Then back toward the woman.
“…” “We’re here because this is a hotel.” “We’d like two rooms.” The young woman froze.
Sai also froze.
The silence became strangely awkward.
Finally…
Sai asked politely, “Would…
would you like one room?” “Or two?” His sister quickly grabbed his shoulder.
“Sai, wait—” Before she could finish…
The boy gently shook his head.
“No.” She tried again.
“But…” Again…
He silently stopped her.
The guilt on the young woman’s face became increasingly obvious.
Meanwhile…
The twins quietly observed everything without interrupting.
Shadow finally spoke.
“Two rooms.” “How much?” Sai answered immediately.
“Twenty silver coins.” “For one room.” “For one day.” “Sai!” The young woman nearly shouted.
She hurriedly bowed toward the twins.
“I’m terribly sorry!” “He misspoke!” “It isn’t that expensive.” “If we’ve offended you…” “Please forgive us.” “You may choose another hotel.” Sai frowned.
“Sister.” “I didn’t say anything wrong.” She covered his mouth.
“Be quiet.” Shadow quietly stared at the boy.
Surprisingly…
Sai didn’t avoid his gaze.
Instead…
He stared right back.
Neither backed down.
Several silent moments passed.
Then Shadow nodded.
“Very well.” Relief immediately appeared upon Jiang Yi’s face.
“Thank you for understanding.” Shadow continued, “I accept.” “…” “…Pardon?” “I’ll pay twenty silver coins.” “For each room.” Silence.
Absolute silence.
Jiang Yi looked completely speechless.
“No…” “You don’t have to…” Shadow calmly interrupted.
“I know.” “We don’t have to.” “We’re choosing to.” She opened her mouth…
But no words came out.
Sai suddenly smiled brightly.
“Deal!” “Please follow me to the counter!” He happily ran toward the reception desk.
Shadow followed him.
Meanwhile…
KING quietly walked toward one of the empty tables.
Before leaving, Sai looked back toward his sister.
“Sister.” “Please prepare two rooms.” “And…” “Cook something delicious.” Jiang Yi looked between her little brother and the twins.
For the first time in what felt like forever…
She saw genuine happiness upon Sai’s face.
A faint smile appeared on her own lips.
“…Alright.” She quietly disappeared toward the kitchen.
Behind the counter…
Sai carefully opened an old guest ledger.
As he wrote their names, he suddenly began speaking proudly.
“My sister’s cooking is amazing.” “Once you taste it, you’ll definitely come back.” Shadow listened quietly before asking, “What is your sister’s name?” Sai suddenly stopped writing.
Slowly…
He raised his head.
His expression became unexpectedly serious.
“…Why?” “Did you come here…” “…Because you fell in love with my sister?” The hotel instantly became silent.
Shadow stared at him expressionlessly.
Several long seconds passed.
Then…
Sai burst into laughter.
“Hahaha!” “I’m joking!” “My sister’s name is Jiang Yi.” “My name is Sai Yi.” Shadow remained completely expressionless.
“We’ll be staying here for quite some time.” “I thought it would be polite to know your names.” Sai nodded.
“Oh.” “But earlier you said you’re only staying for two days.” “We’re participating in the preliminary competition.” “If we qualify…” “We’ll remain longer.” Sai’s eyes widened.
“So you’re warriors?” Shadow nodded.
“Both of us.” “And him?” “My twin brother.” Sai laughed.
“I figured that much.” “You look exactly alike.” Shadow silently reached into his spatial ring.
A flash of golden light appeared.
Two gold coins landed upon the wooden counter.
Sai’s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
“One coin covers the rooms.” “The other…” “For preparing meals.” Sai hurriedly pushed one coin back.
“N-No!” “I’m not that greedy!” “Forty silver coins is enough.” Shadow calmly turned around.
“If you don’t want it…” “Throw it away.” Without waiting for another response…
He walked back toward KING.
Behind the counter, Sai stared at the remaining gold coin with complicated emotions.
“…Sister…” “…You’re definitely going to refuse this.” He sighed softly.
Completely unaware…
Both brothers had heard every word.
Because their hearing…
Was far beyond that of ordinary humans.
Sometimes…
Kindness arrives so quietly that those who have suffered the longest mistake it for a dream.