Chapter 3: Lady of My Dream
Arriving at the Black Whale Inn, I quickly located Leon seated at a table, drinking from a large ale mug.
“Sorry for being late.”
Taking a seat opposite Leon, I apologised for my tardiness.
“It’s fine. It’s your first time in Curruid. Everything here is new compared to the village…Another one!”
Waving away my concerns, Leon laughed as he waved his empty mug to the waitress nearby, shouting an order.
At this moment, a waitress came over with a fresh mug of ale. She had long brown hair, brown eyes, and a few freckles on her nose bridge. Her white linen dress and green bodice accentuated her bountiful chest, while her triangular ears and bushy tail indicated her beastman lineage.
“Thanks. I’ll have a beef steak.”
After receiving a new mug of ale from the waitress, Leon ordered a beefsteak before looking at me.
“You want one? It’s delicious.”
“Sure.”
“Then another one for the kid.”
“A cup of cider too.”
“Coming right up.”
After taking our orders, the waitress left our table, flashing me a smile and a wink before departing.
“Seems like she likes you.”
Leon grinned teasingly at me upon noticing the waitress’s actions.
“Hahaha…”
I chuckled dryly, not putting much thought into it.
Curruid City, a bustling port city and trade hub, attracted diverse cultures and races. Many of its past and current residents are offspring of passing merchants and travellers.
Due to the constant flow of merchant ships, many taverns and inns offered more than just food and shelter, doubling as a brothel. The Black Whale Inn was one such establishment.
If a customer fancied a waitress and the waitress was willing, they only had to pay a small sum and could bring the waitress to their room for a passionate night, and vice versa.
Of course, the waitresses also had the right to refuse. If a customer were to try forcing themselves on a waitress, they would be brutally beaten up.
For me, I wasn’t that interested. After all, I was still new to the outside world and didn’t feel like sowing my seeds everywhere like a pent-up sailor.
At the same time, I’d prefer my first experience with someone I loved, not a one-night stand in a tavern inn.
After ten-plus minutes, the waitress returned with a mug of apple cider and two plates of sizzling beefsteak.
As the beef sizzled on its metal plate, a cloud of white smoke filled the air with the irresistible aroma of grilled meat.
My mouth couldn’t help but water as I sliced into the steak, revealing the rosy-pink centre. Juices leaked from the beef and dripped onto the hot plate, causing another burst of aroma-infused steam.
Unable to wait anymore, I stuffed a chunk of the beefsteak into my mouth, chewing and swallowing in seconds.
Its taste was rich and flavourful, with a hint of herbal sweetness. The beef was tender, breaking apart in my mouth with little resistance.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
The Black Whale Inn’s beefsteak was undoubtedly delicious.
“Hahaha…Delicious, isn’t it?”
Seeing me fervently devour the beefsteak, Leon gave a hearty laugh and began to eat as well.
“Come to think of it. I never asked why you are going to the Central Continent.”
“Gulp. I’m enrolling at Elysium Academy.”
“Elysium Academy? Not bad, kid. My daughter’s also enrolling there.”
“Your daughter?”
“Yeah, she lives with her mother on the Central Continent. I’m visiting her before she enrols and begins living in the dorms.”
Leon’s voice was tinged with pride when he spoke of his daughter. It was evident how much he treasured her.
Leon was born in the West Continent, later moving to the Central Continent for better job opportunities. He has a wife, who owns an artefact shop in the Central Continent’s capital, and a 16-year-old daughter taking the Elysium Academy’s entrance exams in two weeks.
I spoke of my childhood and master, my reason for enrolling at Elysium Academy, and my desire to explore the world.
We spoke into the night, stopping after Leon passed out from the alcohol. He drank nearly two barrels of ale; I’d be surprised if he were still sober.
Leon had already booked two rooms for us before I arrived, so I paid for our meal and threw him onto his bed before retiring.
After cleaning myself up, I lay on my bed and closed my eyes. Although the cider’s alcohol content was low, I had drunk quite a bit and was assaulted by drowsiness that grew stronger as time passed.
………
That night, I had a dream.
In the dream, I stood by the shore of a beautiful lake. An enchanting beauty stood at the lake's centre, water soaking into her white dress.
She possessed a cascade of silvery-blue hair that flowed down to the gentle curve of her buttocks, glistening like moonlight upon the surface of a tranquil lake.
But what truly captivated the gaze were her eyes, a mesmerising pair of golden orbs that seemed to hold the radiance of a thousand stars, casting a spell of enchantment upon all who met her gaze.
Her porcelain skin, flawless as freshly fallen snow, possessed an ethereal glow that accentuated her every feature. Not a single blemish marred its pristine surface as if she were sculpted by the hands of divine artisans, bestowed with otherworldly perfection.
A slender figure graced her form, sculpted with the precision of a master artist, her curves embracing the delicate harmony of the golden ratio. Each contour, every subtle curve, spoke of elegance and grace, elevating her beauty to a realm beyond mortal comprehension.
It was as if the gods had bestowed their most exquisite gifts upon her, creating a masterpiece that defied the boundaries of human imagination.
As I was frozen in place, gazing at the fairy-like beauty in fascination, she turned to me and gave me a gentle smile.
Leaving the lake’s centre and approaching me, the lady’s arms wrapped around my neck and dragged me into her embrace, pressing her bosom against my chest. On instinct, I wrapped my arms around her slender waist.
“Husband…”
The lady whispered, her voice filled with adoration and longing. Suddenly, she tiptoed and pressed her lips against mine.
Unable to move or resist, I accepted the lady’s sweet affection in a daze.
After what seemed to be an eternity, the lady withdrew her lips from mine and retreated from my embrace.
“You must return to my side soon, please. I will be waiting for you…”
The dream ended with those pleading words.
………
*Bang! Bang! Bang!*
“Kid, wake up! The ship’s gonna leave in an hour. Get ready.”
I was abruptly awoken by the banging against my door and Leon’s voice.
Feeling my sweat-soaked clothes stick to my body, I felt a throbbing pain assault my head.
“…Got it.”
Groggily rising from my bed, I massaged my temples to alleviate the headache as I answered Leon’s call.
“I’ll see you outside in a while.”
Leon said before leaving, his footsteps fading as he moved walked away.
‘That dream…’
Last night’s dream had already faded from my memories, leaving only a few traces and the lady’s words echoing faintly.
“…Hah…It’s no use thinking about it now.”
Pushing the dream aside, I stood from the bed and stripped my damp clothing, changing into a clean set.
………
I couldn’t help but gape at the anchored ship.
The vessel stood at a height of more than 40 meters and stretched out to a length of 15 meters. It was built with dark wood, intricate golden designs etched onto its surface, imbued with enchanting qualities. The ship boasted three masts, each adorned with white sails that displayed a black kraken-like pattern.
This ship belongs to the Fomoria Trading Group, the largest merchant group on the West Continent.
The ship is a pseudo-artefact. Its inscriptions reinforce its body and let it move without wind, ensuring a smooth and quick journey.
Pseudo-artefacts are objects that utilise ordinary materials and magical ink in their creation process, unlike actual artefacts, which use magical materials and ink to create them.
They are easier to obtain and make, with a lower cost. However, pseudo-artefacts have a shorter working lifespan and will require periodic maintenance.
This ship is called Tethra and is the Fomoria Trading Group’s prized ship. It has been with the merchant group for over a hundred years and is considered its poster child.
The Tethra is a top-grade pseudo-artefact infinitely close to becoming an actual artefact, boasting a century-long lifespan and immense defensive power.
It is also the ship that Leon and I are taking to the Central Continent. Its tickets are expensive, but its speed and safety are guaranteed.
Usually, a trip from the West Continent to the Central Continent would take a month, but the Tethra only requires a week due to its magical powers.
“Come on, kid! You’re gonna be left behind if you keep standing there!”
Leon called out to me with a smirk.
“Coming!”
As I joined Leon on the Tethra’s deck, I couldn’t help but gaze in my village’s direction. My heart was filled with anxiety and excitement towards the unknown future and the world beyond the West Continent.
Soon, the Tethra set sail, leaving the harbour of Curruid and beginning its journey toward the Central Continent.
“No turning back now…”
Taking a deep breath, I shifted my gaze away from the West Continent, fixing my eyes upon the vast expanse of blue that stretched beyond the horizon.