After dinner, I took another bath.
Being able to bathe every day was a true luxury. Thinking that, I washed myself and sank into the tub.
“…I earned more than expected today. I’ll extend my stay, then use whatever remains to look at inexpensive equipment.”
Equipment was important to an adventurer.
I’d earned money from requests inside the city today, but that wouldn’t necessarily continue forever. I’d simply been fortunate.
With that in mind, I planned the next day and left the bath.
“I washed these properly, so they don’t smell.”
The clothes I’d washed that morning were already dry. I’d collected them before bathing and now changed into the clean set.
I put the clothes I’d worn today into a bag to wash the following morning, then returned to my room.
After spending my first full day in the capital, I stood by the window and looked up at the moon.
“What a beautiful sky.”
Back in the village, I’d spent my nights in the attic and rarely had a chance to look at the night sky. Now I had a rented room and could see it through my own window.
That alone felt like tremendous progress.
“…Ah! I need to extend my stay!”
I’d completely forgotten what I decided in the bath, so I hurried out of my room.
“You could have renewed tomorrow,” Amanda told me when I rushed to the front desk.
I’d already brought the money, however, so I paid for two more nights before returning upstairs.
“Next time, I’ll do it in the morning.”
It was a lesson learned.
Still embarrassed, I lay down on the bed.
The following morning, I woke at the same time as the day before and went to the backyard with my laundry.
“You’re up early again.”
Amanda was already washing the inn’s sheets.
“Amanda, would you like some help? I only have a little of my own laundry today.”
“Would you? Then I’ll gladly accept.”
I washed my own clothes first. It was only one set, but letting laundry accumulate made the task feel daunting.
I’d had a pile the day before because of the journey, but even in the village I washed my clothes every day or two. Otherwise, I would run out of things to wear.
Once I finished my own laundry, I began helping Amanda.
“I noticed yesterday as well, but you’re very good at washing clothes. You remove the stains properly with the washboard, so nothing remains afterward.”
“The women in the village taught me how to do it, so I could wash properly even with a child’s small body.”
When I first started, I’d spent too much time and strength on every garment. The village women saw me struggling and taught me the proper technique.
I repaid them by volunteering to help with their laundry, and sometimes they gave me old clothes in return.
“Phew! Thank you, Erik. We finished much earlier than usual because of you.”
“I’m happy I could help. You’re letting me stay at such a wonderful inn.”
“You really are a remarkable boy. All right, I’ll tell my husband to give you a larger breakfast today! You’re growing, so eat plenty and get bigger.”
“Thank you! I’m looking forward to it.”
I hadn’t helped in expectation of payment, but I couldn’t rudely reject Amanda’s kindness, so I accepted.
I returned to my room and hung my freshly washed clothes to dry.
“I got a little wet, but it’ll dry soon.”
My clothes had become damp while washing the sheets, but the weather was fine. I assumed they’d dry as I walked outside and headed down to the dining hall.
As promised, my breakfast was larger than usual: two pieces of bread, twice the meat, and soup. I ate until I was full.
“By the way, are you working as an adventurer again today?” Amanda asked when I left the dining hall.
“That’s the plan, but first I’d like to visit a shop and look at equipment. I haven’t saved enough to buy anything yet, but I’d like to know what goal to work toward.”
“That makes sense. Adventurers need equipment. In that case, I know a good shop. Wait here.”
Amanda went into the room behind the desk and returned shortly with a sheet of paper.
“A dwarf named Harold runs the shop. Tell him I sent you and he’ll give you a small discount.”
“Thank you. But why does your introduction earn a discount?”
“Harold says I’m a good judge of character. He believes anyone I choose will eventually become one of his regular customers, so he offers them a discount. I think you’ll become a fine adventurer someday, Erik, which is why I decided to introduce you.”
She looked at me intently.
“But don’t do anything reckless. I’ve seen many adventurers become careless as soon as they acquired decent equipment.”
“I understand. I don’t want to die either.”
“Then off you go.”
“I’m leaving now, Amanda.”
I left the inn and followed the directions on the paper.
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