204 – All lodging is full

The stuttering dude was befuddled and wondered what was going on.

Apparently, he thought the girl was sent by someone to play a prank on him and make him look like a fool for getting excited over getting a love confession from a pretty girl and then getting dumped, or something like that.

Eric and their mutual friends, who were hiding nearby and eavesdropping, couldn't help but drop onto the café’s floor and roar with laughter. They rolled on the floor and nearly had tears in their eyes due to the comical situation.

Eric knew that though some friends of theirs indeed pranked each other, it was never truly malicious. The current situation largely happened due to the stuttering guy's lack of confidence in himself, and his belief that no pretty girl could ever love him and that he could only do secret night activities alone in his room.

That girl must have heard their guffawing and was probably even more devastated, which honestly Eric was heartless enough not to care about. They were young boys and girls; if they didn't laugh at such a funny situation, then when were they going to laugh at it—when they were old?

However, later that girl completely changed; unlike her old jolly face, she became too studious, cold, and stern. She even beat the stuttering dude in his studies and pushed him into second position while ranking herself first!

Recalling how cold and unsmiling that girl had become after that event, Eric knew that giving Elianor a permanent 'K.O.' would be a little too heartless even by his own standards.

So, he gently smiled at Elianor and then started gazing around at the ‘wonderful’ gutters beside the streets, wondering what pest killer they used to keep them so clean and free of bugs.

Elianor didn't notice anything as everything in front of her was dark and void. After a few moments, she came back to her senses. She turned around, forcefully shoved Brunhild's hand away, and fled while covering her face.

Brunhild and the others felt regretful, but that was how life was. And Eric even had two heavenly beauties with him, so in a sense, he was already 'taken'.

Although they didn't know how the trio’s relationship was, Brunhild could see clearly how both Lyria and Livy held intense emotion and respect for Eric. They would agree to almost anything and had given Eric free rein over everything, never trying to control or hold him back with any of their demands or interests; instead, they tried to catch up with him without any complaint or hesitation.

Brunhild could clearly notice all that from the three's interactions and behaviors.

Maybe from other people's view it might seem that Lyria and Livy were being mistreated or taken advantage of, but from the standpoint of being a fellow woman, Brunhild only felt jealous of them being in such a wonderful state. This just showed how much Lyria and Livy held Eric above themselves; this kind of feeling of acceptance was not easy to bring out, no matter how much one tried to put logical reasoning behind it.

Lyria and Livy's overflowing love may not be as upfront or visible as Elianor's, but it was far more deeply rooted and established than what Elianor was feeling at this moment.

Elianor's love and longing at this moment was just on the surface; maybe in the future it might deepen, but currently, her and both the girls' commitment couldn’t even come close to a comparison, or perhaps never would, even if Eric had accepted her.

Brunhild wanted to chase her, but Thorne volunteered for it.

Thorne went after Elianor while saying out to them, "Leave her to me. If it's difficult, I will explain everything to her brother."

The others agreed. Thorne was friends with Elianor’s sole family member, her elder brother. In fact, they all knew each other as they all lived close by.

Eric smiled without feeling any remorse or reluctance. In fact, he looked like he was completely unaware of the drama that had just taken place due to him.

“Though it's still early, let's first book a room,” Eric suggested. “Then I would like to request something from Brother Caius.”

Caius was puzzled but didn't ask anything and just nodded. He then took everyone to a nearby inn that he knew of.

However, it turned out to be full, so they moved to another inn.

After checking a few inns back to back, they were completely baffled.

Not a single inn or hotel room was available; all were loaded to the brim!

Caius asked around and found that due to the heavy necromancers' 'traffic' outside, all the surrounding villagers and town folks had migrated to Batley City. The wealthy folks among them had already taken almost all the inns and staying places across the city, and the remaining ones were even living in slums or in open fields with tents.

It was a direct order from City Lord Gideon to accept these people; otherwise, it was hard to protect or support them as necromancers were ambushing and killing them.

Eric felt like slapping his own forehead. "Just what is your City Lord thinking?” he asked Caius with bewilderment. “He was blocking us in fear of us being spies, then what of such a huge crowd of random people?"

Caius was also feeling a headache. "He is a kind old man and cannot refuse helpless people who are desperate to seek shelter and protection." He tried to defend the decision of the City Lord, but even he felt this was just being too careless.

Lyria shook her head and laughed, "I bet he is regretting his decision and has suffered some severe blow, and that's why he suddenly went cautious about taking new unknown people inside the city."

Both Eric and Livy quietly noted it to themselves and translated Lyria's words to: something major had already happened or was about to happen.

Brunhild smiled warily. She also started worrying, as Lyria made perfect sense.

She suggested, "How about you three stay in my house?"

Before Eric, Lyria, and Livy could even show their surprise, Caius interrupted, "They should live in my house, and it’s fairly big as well."

Brunhild gave Caius a disdainful gaze. "Your house is always crowded with people. Mine is largely empty and we have far bigger ground coverage. They will live happily for as long as they wish without facing the pointless fingers and gossip that your family often does."

She paused and softened her tone, "In any case, our homes are close to each other; you can come anytime to visit them—as long as they are not annoyed with you always wearing full plate armor!"

Caius smiled bitterly and agreed helplessly. As his Valerian family was completely based in Batley City, they were always at home, while Brunhild's main family members mostly traveled outside as they were a merchant family and far wealthier than his. Not to mention, he himself didn’t like his family and even felt repulsed by many of them, so he rarely stayed in his home. He was just showing his welcoming attitude towards Eric, Lyria, and Livy.

"You guys live close to each other? Neighbors?" Livy asked with interest.

Brunhild nodded with a smile.

Garrick and Eilif also chimed in, "We do also."

Caius explained to Eric, Lyria, and Livy's surprised expressions, "After we started our Eclipse team, me and Brunhild helped everyone to obtain lands and houses beside us at cheaper prices while selling their old ones. This way we can meet each other much more quickly, and we can also check on others in case they are injured; also, mine and Brunhild's families can protect their families in case of emergency. Originally, my and Brunhild's families have been neighbors for quite a few generations, so we have had quite a few vacant plots beside ours for a long time. Currently, not only Garrick and Eilif, even Elianor and Thorne live near our houses in the Northern region of Batley City."

Eric nodded and moved the conversation forward. "Alright, as long as we are not bothering you, we are willing to stay in Sister Brunhild's house." He then turned towards Caius, "Brother Caius, I believe you need to report to someone, so please do so, and after that I want you to take me to your city's largest library. I want to check on a few things."

Hearing this, Caius was a bit lost, but then he recalled that as a leader who had just returned from a mission, he needed to report to the Adventurers Guild. He also needed to meet with guild leader Rodger to report on the high amount of necromancer activity around the region; though it probably wasn’t necessary anymore as Rodger should be aware of this, but even so, he still needed to report.

Eric suddenly narrowed his eyes and warned, "Keep our involvement as little as possible; I don't want a beggar in front of me."

Caius and the others felt a chill down their spines. Eric just dismissed the leader of the Adventurers Guild as a beggar, but they couldn’t help but agree. What Eric just did at the gate would almost set him as the second—no, third strongest person in the city. Others could only beg for his help and not the other way around.

Caius lightly nodded his head to show that he understood.

He then thought a little and answered the second topic which Eric had just requested, "Brother Eric, there are two types of libraries, and according to my knowledge, this is so for all cities as well. One is open to all, mortals included, which is called the Public Library, and the other one is the Guild Library. The Public Library is just mostly common knowledge, while the Guild Library is always the largest and has the most complete knowledge and information of the region."

"The Guild Library is a joint library, just like the Guild Shop; they are jointly controlled and protected by both the Adventurers and Mercenary Guilds. Though it is so, they are also open to all, especially to nobles and wealthy people of the city as the fees are very expensive. Not all floors are available to everyone; only Guild members who have sufficient reputation points have access."

He then let out a deep breath and continued, "What I mean to say is, even if I wish to help, they might not let you enter the Guild library, much less browse or let you read anything." It was largely due to all three having unknown backgrounds. Perhaps after a week to a month later, with his request, they could obtain the permit to at least the ground floor.

Eric waved dismissively, "Don't worry, even if they don't allow me, it's fine. I am not looking for any top-secret information either. Just bring me to that guild library and try to request them; perhaps after hearing my recent ‘domineering’ act at the eastern gate, they might allow me to moles... ahem, give me free access to their books."

Caius smiled wryly and nodded. He was certain that no one could break the guild rules; even the City Lord technically couldn’t, as these libraries mostly belong to the Guilds. Lord Gideon could barge in and no one would be able to stop a Master Rank, but this would garner many negative opinions and dissatisfaction from both the guilds. If both guilds left the city, then the city itself would suffer far more than the guilds.