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Volume 5 Chapter 6: Healing Inn

Volume 5 Chapter 6: Healing Inn

「We arrived, it’s here.」

After walking for a few minutes while we talked about old times with Gale, we reached the inn.

The large stone building stood slightly removed from the central square.

Shaped like a spacious mansion, with its entrance adorned by a huge door.

Next to it, stood what appeared to be a sign board for the building. Howeverー

「Hm? Master, it says 『Medical Guild』?」

Right. Not a single word about an inn.

『Medical Guild Headquarters』, are the only words on it.

「Gale, is this really an inn?」

「That’s right. You’ll get it once you step inside.」

Having said only that, Gale put his hand on the door.

If he insists, then we might as well go along with it, thought I, stepping inside. The first thing that I saw was a spacious lobby. Andー

「Oh my? Welcome back, Gale-sama.」

Immediately at the entrance.

Behind a counter placed to welcome visitors stood a young woman in maid uniform.

Seeing Gale, the red-haired girl came out from behind the counter and spoke up in a soft voice.

「Exterminating monsters again? Thank you for your hard work. Are you injured anywhere?」

「No. I’m alright. Thank you for the concern.」

「No, no. As the Medical Guild, we are always happy to hear that there are no injuries.」

Fufu, she let out a gentle laugh, and then turned her eyes towards me.

「…So, um, I know I shouldn’t be the one to bring this up, but who are those people…? A few faces are familiar even to me. If I’m not mistaken they were active in the Demon King War, but…」

「My comrades, from the time as a hero. They were searching for a place to stay. So I brought them.」

The girl in maid uniform exclaimed in excitement.

「Oh my, oh my! So that’s really how it was!!! I will immediately prepare your rooms. Welcome to the Medical Guild, and welcome to our prided inn!!!」

With those words, the girl in maid uniformーBotanーmade a bow. After which, she pulled a bell out of her clothes and rang it twice.

Then, perhaps taking that as a signal, a group of people began moving in the back of the lobby.

Meanwhile, Botan herself, after putting away the bell, made another bow.

「I apologize for the late introduction. I’m the manager of this inn, and the Guild Master of Medical Guild 【Master Keeper】Botan Gloria.」

「Medical Guild’s master… I see, so this place is really an inn too.」

Being actually told so by the staff, rather, the Guild Master even, there is no other choice but to believe that.

「Yes. Didn’t Gale-san tell you?」

「He only told us that he is staying at the inn, we didn’t hear any details.」

「Mm… I got too focused on the other stuff. Sorry.」

Gale made an apologetic face, but Botan shook her head with a delightful smile.

「Fufu, it’s fine. Gale-san is a guest, not a staff of the guild. Naturally, we are the one who should explain the details.―And to briefly explain as part of the conversation, this is the headquarters of the medical guild. However, it also serves as a hot spring health resort and an invite-only inn.」

「Ah, a hot-spring health resort, huh. It does sound like something the Medical Guild would be involved with.」

　The terms “hot spring inn” and “medical guild” didn’t quite connect. When told so, it does change the image a bit.

「Yes. Medical treatment is not limited to hospitals. Daily lifestyle habits also play a role, and having an inn-style facility is actually quite useful for monitoring those aspects as well. Of course, the medical guild also owns a hospital in the city.」

…I’ve seen the medical guild’s hospitals in other towns before, but they really do a lot more than just running hospitals.

As I was idly comparing it to the towns I’d been to before—

「Ah… um, I apologize for asking after we’ve spoken this much, but may I ask for your name?」

「Hm? Me?」

「Yes. My apologies. I’m familiar with the faces and names of the heroes… but you are also one of Gale-sama’s companions, correct? I can tell that you are an amazing person by your aura, but… I’m sorry…」

「Ah, it’s fine, don’t worry.」

After all, I’m yet to introduce myself.

There is no need for her to be so apologetic.

So I was about to introduce myself quickly and get it over with, but before I could, Gale spoke up first.

「This man is indeed my companion and my friend. ーDragon Knight Hero, Axel.」

「Ah, formerly. Gale. Right now I’m a Carrier.」

I added, jumping on the introduction provided by Gale. Thenー

「Oh my… A carrier named Axel… Could it be that you are that Flying Carrier Axel-sama?!」

Botan’s eyes went wide, then, she took a long and hard look at my face.

「Oh, so you heard about that.」

「Yes, of course! Of course! After all, it’s the carrier who’s been talked about everywhere for even defeating an ancient dragon! People even speculated that the person might be the same as that hero, given the same name… But I never imagined it was actually true. I’m shocked…」
Upon hearing Botan’s words, Gale let out a murmur.
「While I was away, training in seclusion, such a nickname spread around the world… Axel.」
「Looks like it.」
It seemed that rumors had spread far and wide, much like what happened in the City of Sandstorm. From what I’ve heard, they aren’t entirely sure if the person in question is actually a hero, though.
…But honestly, it doesn’t matter if people know or not.
As I thought about how quickly rumors spread,
「U-um, Gloria-sama, head maid.」
A woman in a maid outfit approached from behind Botan. Then…
「The room you requested… is ready.」
「Ah, thank you for the haste!」
「N-no, it’s an honor to be of help to the heroes. I’ll be going now!」
The maid, who seemed a bit excited, bowed to Botan and us before hurriedly returning the way she came. Botan smiled warmly as she watched her go, then turned to us.
「Then, this way please. The room has been prepared, so I’ll show you to it.」
「Sorry for troubling you right after we arrived.」
「No-no. Since this inn is operated by referral basis, we always keep rooms ready for important guests. Moreover this is a recommendation from Gale-sama… or rather, the entire Medical Guild, have been helped many times during the war by the heroes. It’s the least we can do.」
With that, Botan turned her body slightly and gestured toward the back of the lobby.
「Now, the entire Medical Guild will do our best to take care of you and your companions, Axel-sama, as a proof of our gratitude.」