F/VoH Ch 83: Listening to Conversations at the Inn

Ryan nodded slightly. "Just mineral water for all of us." Although tea and coffee usually pair well with food, Ryan preferred the simplicity of neutral water to maintain his freshness.

"Alright, wait a moment, I'll be right back with the drinks," the waiter replied as he turned and walked away, leaving them with the food now presented before them.

Ryan, Charlotte, Ellina, and Rosseline simultaneously gazed at the plates on the table, their hunger intensifying as the delicious aroma tickled their noses. On the first two plates, a bowl of fish soup in broth looked tempting.

Steam rose slowly, carrying a rich fragrance, while the tender pieces of Rains fish appeared fresh and different from ordinary fish, their skin shimmering like silver in the light. The broth was thick and colorful, indicating a stock that had been cooked with great care.

Meanwhile, the fried rice on the other two plates also looked appealing. The rice, perfectly stir-fried, formed a circle around the edge of the plate, while soft scrambled eggs sat in the center, providing a captivating contrast of golden yellow. A few small vegetables were scattered among the grains of rice, adding bright touches of green and orange.

Charlotte sighed contentedly before tasting. "This looks much better than I imagined," she said, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. Charlotte picked up her spoon and took her first bite of the fish soup, and moments later, her expression changed to one of delight. "The soup is really delicious!"

Rosseline, sitting next to her, smiled slightly while observing her soup carefully. "I must admit, this aroma is quite appetizing," Rosseline said as she took her first spoonful. Once Rosseline tasted it, she fell silent for a moment before nodding slowly. "No doubt about it, this is truly unique fish."

Ryan picked up his chopsticks and began to eat his fried rice calmly, though his expression softened slightly as the savory flavors of the egg and rice blended perfectly. Ryan stared at his plate for a moment, as if pondering something, before he continued eating. "Pretty good," Ryan said briefly.

Ellina followed Ryan's lead, taking her first bite of fried rice. "I like the texture; this rice is cooked well," she said with a smile.

They all enjoyed their meal in a moment of silence, with the occasional clinking of utensils heard. The inn began to feel warmer and cozier, as if this simple yet thoughtful meal provided them with a sense of calm amidst their long journey.

The waitress returned with four glasses of mineral water, placing them on the table carefully, then left them to enjoy their meal.

Ryan and the three women—Charlotte, Ellina, and Rosseline—enjoyed their food heartily. The atmosphere at the table was filled with warmth, interspersed with light conversation and small laughter. They shared stories about the journeys they had undertaken, making the atmosphere even more intimate.

After finishing their meal, Ryan picked up his glass of water and drank it calmly. While enjoying his drink, Ryan tried to catch snippets of conversation from the other tables around them, hoping to gather useful information.

From the direction of the next table, two men could be heard speaking in low but clear voices:

"Hey, have you heard about that rebel?"

"Rebel? You mean the one fighting against the kingdom?"

"Yeah, their numbers have been increasing lately."

"But I heard the royal soldiers are starting to attack them indiscriminately."

"Really? Damn, I want to help those rebels!"

"Hey! Lower your voice! What if there's a royal soldier here?"

"Relax! They wouldn't bother dealing with this place! Besides, it's a slum!"

"But still, we have to be careful."

"Hey! What about the reaction of the nobles?"