“…is what I would like to say, but nothing is open.” Sewell shrugged, taking a few steps away from Mia and motioning for her to follow “Instead, how about I just show you the views from here to the inn? Might get a good view of the docks and a few ships.”

“Hmn, kay.” Mia agreed, following behind as they sat off.

Sewell guided Mia throughout the sleeping city, most of its citizens turned in for the night, leaving a few to wonder. Mia watched the few remaining people out and about, seeing many different races she had not seen before, wile also seeing a few familiar white robes around, usually around the entrances to alleys.

‘They are everywhere…’ Mia noted, she couldn’t tell if they were cult members or actual members of the church, but from the way they were eyeing the nonhumans… she was thankful Sewall was sticking closer to the middle of the road.

“Over here is a good bakery, usually popular in the morning. If you have time check that place out. Over there is a sweets shop, they have been closed for awhile but since it is right next to the bakery if you see it open try the rock candy, purple is my favorite. This square is the busiest, lot of merchants come through with it being the road connected to the gate, Oh! From here you can see the docks-“

Sewell continued with his tour all the way to the docks, showing Mia a variety of closed shops, Mia herself not taking any interest in them since they were all closed. She did perk up at the mention of a weapon shop though, having nothing to compare her ice-made weapons too she was really wanting a second opinion to how hers held up.

‘If they are even usable… also designs…oh and some more types.’ She now had another reason to look forward to Lexon, the weapons.

They stopped at the docks, a place much busier than the rest of the city as wooden ships were preparing to set out in the morning or doing late maintenance “And this is the docks, a place I’m sure you’ll be getting familiar with, chief seemed deadest on getting you out of town.” Sewell shook his head “good…” he said, distain dripping from his voice “children shouldn’t be in this rotten town, especially now.”

“Eh?” Mia looked up at him, watching as he sat down on the bottom steps behind him.

“Nothing against you but, well…” he heavily sighed “you saw how it was at the gate, yeah? It get’s worse in town, and there isn’t much we can do about it.”

“…? Oh.” The cult. “Not Eldaha… Lexon?” She frowned, if they were not apart of Eldaha, and instead Lexon, why couldn’t they do anything about it?

Sewell stared at her for a moment, trying to figure out what she meant before getting it “Ah! Well yeah, officially we are apart of Lexon territory.” He pointed out to the sea past the docked ships “ship’s like those are what enforce that.”

Mia followed his pointed finger, looking further out into sea and seeing a few large ships in the harbor, 3 ships notably bigger than the others and appearing to be made of something other than wood, metal? She couldn’t make it out from this distance “big ships?”

“Yeah, those.” He leaned back, looking a bit proud “War ships with the ability to bombard anyone dumb enough to invade from land or sea.” He raised his hand in an arch, mimicking something flying through the sky “the whole fleet can fire over the city if they come from land, and are unmatched in sea combat. Eldaha can suck it.”

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

“Hooo” she’d like to see that, but while she was amazed, she couldn’t help but feel a bit worried, she couldn’t place why.

“But that’s for full blown invasions.” Sewell groaned “They can’t do shit if say, they just enter in normally.”

“Hmn, guards?” Couldn’t they stop them at the gates?

“No-no” he waved her off “it was a slow burn sort of thing. Came in with regular members, or more like…how do you tell when they technically are legitimate members…” he looked towards her, seeing her confused he gave a wry smile “maybe a bit too complicated for a kid, sorry.” He stood up, stretching “let’s get you to the inn.” He turned, heading down the dock.

Mia followed him, not getting it, if they knew what they were doing, why not kick them out? Or better yet, kill them so they don’t become a problem.

[…]

‘What?’ Mia felt like Ami was staring at her, despite being in…her system? ‘If I kill all the cult members, they are not a problem, they don’t attack my home, and my mom is safe. Simple.’

[I did not say anything.]

‘…sure.’ She felt like Ami wanted to say something but decided to drop it, following Sewell to the inn.

The inn was a three-story building, with a sign out front that had a bird laying down in a bed.

‘Cute.’ Was Mia’s impression, but besides the wooden plank sign there was nothing of note, “staying here?”

“Yup, Gin is an old fart, but he runs a good inn… hopefully he is awake.” Sewell led her inside, to a neat and tidy lobby, currently empty save for its one occupant sitting at a desk reading a book. “Gin! Good to see you!”

Gin, a towering bear beastkin slammed his book down “You’re late.”

“Bear.” Mia pointed, second time seeing one of them, marveling at his size.

“Hmph, right. I am a bear, got a problem, fox?” he leaned over the table, his towering form dwarfing hers, she barely came up to his knee.

Mia shook her head in response ‘big…’ she thought.

“Right no! sorry about that.” Sewell stepped between the two “apparently there was some questions she needed to answer.”

“The gate, whole town heard of it.” Gin grinned, showing his toothy mouth “Have to say, good someone took them down a peg, would be me but…” he chuckled, straightening up and standing tall to highlight his imposing figure “…they don’t come here often, much prefer the type smaller then them.”

“Hmn, froze.” Mia smugly said.

“Hah! I heard! Shame you can’t stick around and freeze em all!” Gin laughed, slapping the top of his desk “Alright, if that’s all Sewell, pretty sure this tyke has had a long en, can handle it from ere.”

“…Yeah sure.” Sewell shrugged “Oh, before I forget.” He turned on his heels towards Mia “Sett should be around in the afternoon, if everything works out. So don’t go anywhere, alright?”

Mia nodded “Alright.” She was a bit disappointed she would not be able to check out the weapon shop but the faster she got to Lexon, the better.

“All right, you’ve said your goodbyes, now get out, you made me stay up late as is.” Gin walked out from behind the counter, lumbering over to Sewell and pushing him out.

“H-hey?! Not so ro- I’m going! Bye M-mia, sta-“

Gin slammed the door shut, locking it behind him “Alright… Mia was it?”

“Mia, yes.” Mia answered, watching as Gin walked up and stood above her, forcing her to crane her neck all the way up to look at him.

“Your night stay has been paid, normally that would include a meal at night and in the morn, but.” He flicked his head towards the window “Bit late for that.”

“Ate.” She said, remembering the food.

“Good, now uhm, I hate to ask this but.” He knelt infront of her, still well over double her height, he then extended a clawed paw towards her, motioning all around her “This. Can you stop?”

“Ah.” She looked over herself, and down at the dampening floor, soon to be puddle if she didn’t move “no, sorry.”

“Friggin pain in the arse…” he grumbled “Alright, well what’s an inn by the ocean if not a bit wet.” He leaned back over to his desk, pulling a ledger closer to him “Was expecting a normal fox beastman, not…” he looked back at her, staring for a bit before giving up “what ever is going on there. Just going to stick you in a water proof room and call it a night.”

He wrote something in the ledger, Mia impressed he could write anything with that paw, but thinking back, the cat beastkin didn’t have any problems holding stuff, maybe they weren’t completely like animal paws?

She tried to get a closer look at his paw, but he finished up and stood “Alight, let’s get you settled.”

He then straightened up, spreading his arms to the side and while looking very proud, welcomed her “Welcome to the Snoozing Goose, I hope you enjoy your stay.”