Walking out of the room, Han casually glanced at the two doors where Elis and Tom's family stayed. As he passed the rooms, a part of him imagined wishing them well again, even after saying their goodbyes the night before. He may have talked to them again in another life, but Han was glad that he could cleanly end the chapter. The next time he encountered them, it would be like meeting friends after a long period had passed.
Han had no doubt that in the future, running into them was a possibility with what he had in mind and how Tom was a merchant.
With the gift given to Elis and Queen's underlings keeping an eye on things, Han was confident that the village woman would be fine. Just like how he wanted to journey and explore the world, it would be the same with those he would meet in passing -- both parties changed by the interaction. Elis would thrive in the new environment and reach even higher heights as compared to when she met Han for the first time.
Walking down the steps to the inn's lobby, he noticed a change in the ambiance compared to when he returned to the inn after encountering the soldiers. He smiled, feeling a levity and warmth like spring after a harsh winter.
Already, sounds of people chuckling and conversing in the dining area could be heard as he arrived at the ground level of the inn.
Han examined the clerk, already discerning a difference in how she stood. Though the woman had the air of a professional, now he couldn't help but catch that she stood a bit taller and with more pride.
Slightly turning his head, he glanced back at Helania and grinned.
"Is this your doing?" Han thought.
"My Lord," The woman deeply bowed.
As the woman straightened, Han's eyes noticed a necklace between the woman's bosom and how it caught the light on top of how it felt familiar to him. He could glimpse the symbol of a star and moon on it.
"That is a nice necklace you have there," Han's eyes shifted slowly from the woman's breasts to her face, seeing the slight pink of her cheeks.
"Mistress Helania has bestowed this on me." The woman placed her hand on the necklace. "I am grateful for the opportunity to serve." She bowed again to Han.
"Perform your duties in the name of our Master, and you may be able to witness things far beyond your limited comprehension, Bethany. Do not dissatisfy me." Helania's eyes were like a new owner of a stray, warning it not to misbehave and create a mess.
"Yes, Mistress Helania. I will fulfill my duties without fail." Bethany's expression was like a priestess hearing the commands of their god.
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Han lifted an eyebrow, curious about what Helania had in mind with the woman but decided not to meddle.
"Have you had a nice stay, My Lord?" Bethany warmly beamed.
Nodding, "I was pleasantly surprised by the standards of this establishment." Though the technology wasn't better than modern hotels, he was sincere about his thoughts on what they made available. What he admired the most was how clean everything was for a society close to a similar period as the middle ages. They delivered a habitable environment despite the restricted technological advancement.
Since Helania had developed some connection with the woman, he didn't even bother hiding his ability. Raising his palm side up, Han took a moment to consolidate his will just above his hand. This time, he did it without the theatrics, several dense bars of platinum materializing from the void of reality.
Bethany's eyes were wide as they quivered in awe. She was frozen as a statue.
Keeping himself from grinning at the woman's reaction, he gently set them on the counter in front of her. With each clank of the bars, she flinched. "The people who arrived with me, I would like them to stay here as long as they want. For the change, just keep it for yourself though I presume even that may not be necessary." Han looked slightly back at Helania.
Helania merely nodded, not disclosing any details.
Smirking, Han returned his attention to the woman.
"I will personally make sure that your guests are treated with the consideration they deserve and will handle any issues if they arise." The woman bowed as she assumed the task.
Making a couple of more bars of platinum, he looked at the woman, "These are to be presented to the woman, not part of the merchant's family. Let her know that the amount is for any expenditures she has in the next several years or longer. The woman is authorized to spend it however she pleases."
Han had a hunch that Elis wouldn't feel comfortable accepting such a tremendous amount of money from Han, so he determined it would be far more prudent to present it to her indirectly. This way, Elis would feel compelled to accept it instead of leaving it behind.
"I will be taking off now," Han waved at the woman as he walked towards the doorway of the inn.
"Please have a safe travel," The woman bowed her head.
As they walked to the carriage with Andrea waiting for them, Han glanced at Helania, raising an eyebrow. "No instructions for her?"
Helania shook her head, "No, Master. That woman already knows what is expected of her."
"No hint?" Han grinned.
Making a coy smile, Helania teased with her eyes, "Would you like one, Master?"
Flopping his head to one side, Han sighed. "I would like to, but I should abstain from ruining things."
Brittany removed herself from Han's arm as she walked over to the door and opened it. Though she acted selfishly, she always ensured she did her job suitably.
Stepping into the carriage, Han mentally connected to Andrea, "The destination is Illumin Academic City."
"How soon would you like to arrive, Master?"
Shrugging, "I am in no significant hurry, but I also do not see a reason to go at too slow of a pace."
"As you wish," Andrea disconnected the connection.
Sitting down in his leather seat, Han looked to Brittany, "Bring me something refreshing."
"Yes, Master," Brittany curtsied as a crackling was heard and space ripped apart to reveal a portal.
Sitting on the couch Tom's family sat on, Queen looked to Han, "My Master, how long will it take for us to reach Illumin?"
Sensing that the carriage was proceeding towards the second entrance of Leaf Village, Han scratched his cheek. "I actually do not know." He opened up a map of the area and positioned it above the table. Placing his hands together and separating his hands, from the map, the terrain emerged to transform it into a three-dimensional one.