Big G, Coffee Machine and Goblin

Chapter 14 The Squirrel's Tail

“I didn’t mean to lie to you. When I came here last time, Eagle Beak City wasn’t so strict with foreigners.”

Charles's face flushed red, deeply regretting that he had provided the wrong information.

Ma Li comforted her instead, "It's alright, they're just a few worthless little things. The guards said they'd return them. Their vigilance is probably because of something that's happened in the city recently."

He paused for a moment, then asked, "When do you plan to go see the city lord?"

"Hmm... let me think. We can find a place to settle down first. The city gates will be closing soon, so we'll have to stay in the city at least tonight. Once we find a place to stay, I'll go see Lord Belstein. You can wait for me at the inn."

Do you have any hotel recommendations?

“Squirrel’s tail,” Charles answered quickly. “My father lived there when he was an adventurer. He said the beds were soft, the prices were reasonable, and they even offered each guest a free glass of ale.”

"And right next door is the Golden Carp Tavern. They have the best fish jelly and fish balls in all of Ghadland. My dad took me there once when I was little. Have you ever eaten carp?"

"I've eaten it. Many places along the Yellow River have a tradition of eating carp."

What is... the Yellow River?

"That is a great river that flows through my hometown; it also has another name: Mother River."

"That's wonderful," the half-elf girl said enviously. "Carp are not easy to find on the continent of Revatres. It is said that the carp used for the Golden Carp were brought back from the Western Continent by the tavern owner. The recipes for fish jelly and fish balls are also unique to the Western Continent. Let's go there to eat when I get back!"
"I have no opinion."

"Then it's settled! This trip is on me!" the half-elf girl said generously, patting her chest. "You saved me before and even let me eat several... cans of food. Please let me repay you properly. I'll cover all your expenses in Eagle's Beak City!"

"Will it be too expensive?"

"Absolutely not! I brought a lot of money with me! Chief Diamond also gave me some travel money. Enough for us to stay comfortably in Eagle's Beak for a few days!!"

Charles asked a passerby for directions on the squirrel's tail, and then the two of them headed in that direction.

Eaglebeak City is not large, with only two districts. The old district, mainly consisting of Trembling Fortress and the Temple of Abundance, is inhabited by nobles, the wealthy, and some clergy.

The new town where Ma Li and his companions now live is a melting pot of all sorts of people. Commoners, adventurers, serfs and criminals who have fled from other places, ambitious people and disillusioned people... all gather here, injecting vitality into this small border town while also bringing chaos.

The two had only walked a few steps on the muddy, cow-dung-covered street when they witnessed a conflict.

A group of armed adventurers suddenly stormed into a dwarven blacksmith's shop, and the leader angrily threw a beautifully crafted broken sword in front of the dwarven blacksmith.

A heated argument ensued, which quickly escalated into a physical altercation. The warrior grabbed the dwarf blacksmith's red beard from his chin, and surprisingly, with just a little force, he tore it all off.

The crowd gasped in surprise, then burst into laughter.

The half-elf girl's eyes widened. "Wow, a dwarf! The owner of the Dwarf Hammer is a dwarf!"

After expressing her feelings, she did not forget to explain to Ma Li, "Dwarfs and gnomes are very similar in appearance. Dwarfs even claim that their ancestors were close relatives, but gnomes do not agree with this claim. In fact, apart from looking alike, they have almost nothing in common."

"Dwarves are skilled in metallurgy and combat, while gnomes prefer drama and performance. They have exceptional acting talent. I've heard my dad say before that some gnomes impersonate dwarves to cheat people on the mainland."

"It's easy to tell them apart. Dwarves all have beards, while gnomes, both men and women, have shaved chins. Speaking of which, sticking on a beard is such a despicable trick! Where did he find such a large bunch of dwarf beards? Dwarves value their beards more than their lives."

Seeing his disguise exposed, the dwarf immediately suppressed his rage and, taking advantage of the warrior and his friend's dazed state, turned and fled, plunging into the crowd. He ran past Mali and Charles, winking at Mali and muttering something under his breath.

"what did he say?"

"Good boots!" said the half-elf girl.

Ma Li looked down at the hiking boots he was wearing, which he had bought for free from Decathlon. "Let's go too."

Ten minutes later, the two successfully found the Squirrel's Tail Inn.

The huge oak sign hanging on the second floor was a great help; you could see the fluffy tail painted on it from afar.

The innkeeper was a human woman, in her early forties. Although the years had left their mark on her, it was still clear that she must have been a beauty in her youth.

When Ma Li and Charles entered, she was chatting casually with a man wearing a gray cloak, with three swords at his waist and several scars on his face.

However, upon seeing Ma Li, her gaze was quickly drawn to him.

She only looked away when the half-elf girl tapped the counter twice with her finger.

Is there anything I can do for you?

"Give us two of the best rooms here!" Charles deliberately lowered his voice to make himself sound more mature.

“Okay, two silver shields a night.”

"Two silver coins?!" The half-elf girl was startled. "What kind of shady inn is this? Two silver coins for just one night's stay in two rooms? Do you think we're some clueless sheep from the countryside?"

"One room."

"what?"

"Two silver taels per room, including two meals, feather pillows and mattresses, and professional services for VIP guests."

The proprietress smiled and pointed to the wooden sign behind her, "I know there are many dishonest people in the city, but everything here is clearly priced, and you are obviously experienced and skilled veterans. I have never underestimated you."

Now it was Charles's turn to feel a little embarrassed. He scratched his head and said, "We're planning to go to the Golden Carp restaurant next door tonight for fish jelly and fish balls... so we don't need the inn to provide food."

"Then I recommend you choose the standard rooms. Two rooms cost a total of 60 copper kronor, with mattresses made of pea husks, straw, and wool, which are just as comfortable to sleep on. We also provide each guest with a complimentary glass of ale."

“I can vouch for that,” the scarred man beside him chimed in.

“Then we’ll need two standard guest rooms,” the half-elf girl emphasized. “It’s not that we can’t afford the best rooms, we just don’t want to waste food.”

“I understand.” The landlady glanced at Ma Li, who was examining the hotel’s decor, and lowered her voice. “Actually, you can stay in one room. Our beds are very spacious.”

"What?!" Charles jumped up from the ground like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, waving his hands frantically, "I...I...we're not like that!"

"Oh, sorry, I misunderstood," the proprietress said, blinking.

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(End of this chapter)