Aozaki Aoko Case File [508] (Patreon)

Edgin asked a local and learned the town’s only inn was in the far eastern corner.

It was an old place called The Northern Light.

Aoko’s group stabled their sled and three dogs at the inn’s animal pen and came to the door of The Northern Light.

According to the villager, the inn was named after a magical lantern that used to hang at the door—but now the entrance was empty, leaving Aoko wondering if they’d found the right place.

"This is it," Edgin said after checking the surroundings. "Second house from the left on the east edge of town—definitely the inn we’re looking for."

"What about their magical lantern?" Holga asked.

"Remember people talking in the town square about an increase in theft lately?" Aoko said. "Specifically, how the inn’s magical lantern was stolen."

"So, the lantern got stolen?" Holga said. "Times really are tough these days."

"Let’s just go in," Edgin said, pushing open the door. "Otherwise, the owners might think we’re the thieves."

As soon as Aoko entered, she heard two women arguing. She looked over and saw a sturdy woman in a chef’s uniform quarreling with a petite, pretty woman.

Seeing customers, the two immediately stopped. The sturdy woman returned to the kitchen, still frowning, while the younger woman put on a businesslike smile and welcomed them.

"Welcome to The Northern Light!" the younger woman greeted them. "I’m Allie Shorard. Would you like a room? We have plenty available, and we serve meals at noon and in the evening~"

"Yes, we need rooms," Edgin nodded. "We’ll take a double and a triple, for now just one night."

"Sure, no problem," Allie said. "I’ll arrange your rooms—are rooms on the second floor all right?"

"No problem," Edgin replied while looking around the inn. "This may be nosy, but I heard the inn used to have a magical lantern hanging out front..."

"...Sigh, you heard right," Allie sighed. "That was our special feature, but it was stolen recently. My sister Cori and I were just arguing about it."

So that’s it. But the sisters look so different… Aoko thought. That chef woman must have at least 15 or 16 Strength, right?

"We’re thinking about hanging up a regular lantern for now," Allie continued. "Otherwise, people can’t find our inn at night."

"You mean that old lantern over there?" Aoko asked, pointing to a worn lamp on the counter.

"That’s it," Allie nodded. "We were debating whether to hang it up. My sister thinks it’ll hurt our reputation, but I say people just want a visible landmark at night—"

Allie stopped mid-sentence, because she saw the mysterious, robed Aoko snap her fingers, and the old lantern burst into silver-white flame, lighting the area brightly.

"Tradition is worth keeping," Aoko smiled at Allie. "This is an Everlasting Flame. Unless the spell is dispelled, it’ll burn forever. Just remember, it doesn’t give off heat, so protect it against the cold."

"Wow!" Allie beamed with genuine delight, examining the lantern. "Thank you so much, Ms. Wizard!"

"...You are a wizard, right?" Allie asked to confirm.

"It was nothing," Aoko said with a casual shrug. "Show us to our rooms, please. Maybe we’ll catch dinner."

"Of course, this way." Allie set the lantern aside, took the key ring, and led them upstairs.

Aoko, Doric, and Holga shared a four-bed room; Simon and Edgin had the double next door. Because of the lantern, Allie gave them a 50% discount—a real bargain.

The rooms weren’t luxurious, but they were clean and tidy, clearly run by a careful owner.

Aoko was satisfied. But ever since she learned the improved Magnificent Mansion spell, she was used to sleeping in magical mansions, so as usual, they put their luggage in Aoko’s mansion.

Once unpacked, everyone went downstairs to eat and discuss their plan for climbing Kelvin’s Cairn.

To Aoko’s surprise, the drunken Trovus they’d seen passed out in the street earlier was now wolfing down a hearty dinner.

The sturdy chef, Cori Shorard, glared at him sternly for a while before turning away, as if checking he wasn’t up to no good.

But Trovus, wearing battered leather armor, suddenly looked shifty, sneaking a flask from his belt, taking a big swig, and burping contentedly.

"Trovus!" Cori boomed. Trovus flinched, quickly hiding the flask.

"Just look at you—drunk in the street this afternoon, nearly run over by a wagon, and now you’re sneaking drinks at my table!"

"But… but how can you eat without a drink?" Trovus protested. "It’s like roasting meat without salt!"

"You passed out in the street today from drinking too much, almost got killed—and you’re still drinking in front of me!" Cori growled. "If you don’t control yourself, you’re not eating here again!"

Trovus whimpered, handing over his flask, then listlessly continued eating.