Rai followed the huge man quietly when suddenly the huge man asked Rai

“Hey kid, what’s your name? Surely it’s none of your business, right?

“Hah ha ha, funny you asked because I also have something to ask before I give you my name.”

“Hmm, do you want to know my name? My name is Arthem.

“Nope, that’s not what I wanted to ask.”

“Then what is it?”

“Back then, why didn’t you just grab your son and leave?”

Arthem looked confused. “Isn’t that what I am doing right now?”

“No, you arrived earlier than that. Why don't you take your son when both of us are still unconscious? Instead, you wait until we wake up before interfering.”

Rai swiped his nose with his thumb.

“Hmm, is it that obvious?”

“Considering the stench of meat coming out from your body, I say it is obvious. I have some confidence in my nose, you see."

Rai looked at Arthem and asked

“Are you a butcher?”

“That’s already a second question you asked.”

“I didn’t say I only have one question.”

“Fair enough.” Arthem nodded.

He looked at the sky and started answering. “For the first one, you already know the answer.”

“Oh, you mean you want to apologize to me?”

“That’s right, and it isn't rude if I just grab my son and leave like that without saying anything.”

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I shrugged my shoulder and said, “Okay, then what about my second question?”

Even though I think it will be better if he actually just leaves me alone, let's accept the answer as it is.

“About that … I am not a butcher."

“Really?” Rai looked at him surprised.

“I know it’s hard to believe, but I am an inn owner.”

Rai looked at Arthem carefully and said, “Yeah, pretty hard to believe; who would be daring enough to stay at your inn?”

“Ha ha, you will be surprised.” Arthem puffed his chest and looked quite proud.

Hmm? Maybe one of his customers informed our whereabouts; that's why he knew where to look for us.

“Okay, that sounds good. I will stay at your place.”

Arthem stopped and stared at Rai. “That’s quite a change of heart. What makes you say so?”

“Let’s just say I want to look at the inn managed by a man that looks like a bear.”

“Hah ha ha, then thank you for your patronage.”

Rai stopped in his tracks and said, “My name is Reinhard.”

“That’s a good name.”

“I know my mother gave that name to me."

When I think of my mother, I remember my frustration, which makes my mood take a nosedive.

“Looking at you, I said that is a pretty good name; where did you come from anyway?”

“I only said that I will give you a name, not where I come from.” Rai said while looking quite annoyed.

“Okay, my bad.” Arthem realized that he said something he shouldn't have and apologized quickly.

“As long as you understand that everything is fine.” Rai forgave him and continued walking silently.

They walked without speaking to each other until they reached the inn owned by Arthem.

Rai looked at the sign that said, 'Meat Lover Inn and Eatery.'

Well, that explains where the smell comes from; it looks like this guy also opened a restaurant aside from his inn business. He probably cooks in the back, and his wife manages the front.

Makes sense, I guess.

I entered the door and the smell of the meat assaulted my nose.

“Dear, you finally came!” A woman greeted Arthem when he came; he entered his inn.

“I am home, honey.” Arthem smiled widely as he looked at the woman greeting him.

She was quite tall for a woman with almond eyes and long green hair. It seems that this woman is a wife of Arthem.

I took a glance at Arthem and back at his wife; after that, I looked back and forth ... for quite a while.

Is this what they called a beauty and the beast? Sounds about right for their description of this couple.

“Hey, did you kidnap her or something?” Rai elbowed Arthem as he asked Arthem a question.

Instead of him, his customer was the one who answered Rai's question.

“I know, right! How can the lovely Beatrice fall for some barbarian like Arthem? It’s one of the seven mysteries of Narban.

“Enough of you guys; just eat and leave quickly.” Arthem shouted loudly. His beaming voice echoed throughout the venue.

“Is that what you said to your customer?”

“This is my inn. I do what I want to.”

The woman rubbed her face and said, “Dear, that’s enough!”

His wife urging him forward toward the kitchen, which Arthem complied with helplessly.