Lord Summoner's Freedom Philosophy: Grimoire of Love

(This... Is rather amazing...) (Lyan)

The moment Lyan stepped inside the inn, a thick scent of books entered his nostrils. It's a very nostalgic smell that brings back the memories that hide deep inside his brain.

(Ah... This sensation of bibliosmia...) (Lyan)

Images from the past passed his mind. The place of wanders that consist of wondrous parts of the world and the fantasy world. His bookstore, his paradise.

The wonderful stories that he found and read with sparkling eyes passed his mind as he inhales deeply as if to dig out more of the memories from the distant past.

"Are you perhaps a guest, Mr. Mercenary?" A female voice entered Lyan's ears, bringing him back to reality.

"Ah, yes. I'm here for a room and meal," Lyan answered as he opened his eyes. Without him realizing it, he had walked right into the front of the inn's reception desk.

What appeared before him is a young woman that has a merchant charm emitted from her. Her reddish-brown hair gives a hint of boldness, her observant eyes tell Lyan enough about how perceptive she is.

"It seems that you're a book-lover as well. Your eyes look like it's sparkling as you're looking at the books," The woman said with a kind smile.

"Haha. Forgive me, I can't help myself to get excited looking at how many books here," (Lyan)

As if the inn only has bookshelves as decoration, the whole place has bookshelves of different sizes with books fully loaded inside. For Lyan that is a book-lover, this place is more precious than any other place.

Lyan's eyes return to the woman before him. Despite of her question, she's wearing a fancy dress that doesn't suit the book-filled inn, not an inn employee's uniform.

"Are you perhaps the owner of this delightful inn?" (Lyan)

"Yes, You're right. My appearance doesn't really match this inn, aren't I? Anyway, looks like you're rather hungry, do you want to grab a meal from your room or eat at the dining hall?"

*Growl~*

Lyan's stomach growled right after the inn's owner's words. His stomach actually had been growling since he first entered the inn, but since he was too absorbed in the scent of the books, he didn't realize the growl from his stomach.

(Fufufu! You're starving, master!) (Lilith)

(Well, I've been traveling inside a forest for half a day without eating, after all. Of course, I would be starving) (Lyan)

"I'll take it to my room," (Lyan)

"I see. How long are you planning to stay here?"

"I'm not sure. I guess I'll pay for a week worth first," (Lyan)

"Noted. Here is your key, it's room 17. The room is the third room on the right side of the third floor. Do you have any special orders for the meal? Do you like to look at the menu first?" The inn's owner handed the room's key.

"Ah... I'll leave the option to you, but can you bring me food equivalent for nine people? And lots of booze. I'm thinking of having a small party myself tonight," (Lyan)

"N-Nine people? I understand. Please patiently wait for the food. The cost for a week's room and the food will be 950 Elnes," The young inn owner closes her eyes in understanding for her customer's enormous appetite.

(I'm lucky she's an understanding one...) (Lyan)

Lyan puts 1 big silver on top of the reception desk.

"The change is 50 Elnes. Would you like to use it for tomorrow's food or would you like to get your change now?" (Inn's Owner)

"Then I'll choose the former," (Lyan)

"Ah. Please let me introduce myself. I'm Jessica, Jessica Lorian. May I know your name, dear guest?" Jessica ready the inn's visitor log book.

"Lyan Arkanium Evocatore,"

"Noted. I hope you have a good time in this inn," Jessica gives a formal bow.

"I believe I will. Does all books inside this inn is allowed to be read?" (Lyan)

"Yes. There are also a bookshelves filled with books inside each room, but there is a section deliberately left empty so that you could choose the books from other bookshelves outside the room that you're interested in and put it there as your reading-list," (Jessica)

"I see. Thanks, I'll be borrowing a lot," Lyan give a small bow and went towards his room.

Along the way, Lyan observes the surroundings with full of curiosity. Even though there are bookshelves whenever you go, the designs that were chosen and the place they are positioned made them aesthetic enough without having to use any other decorations to decorate the inn.

"The owner has quite a unique taste," (Lyan)

(T-There are books all over the place!) (Sylphia)

(You're right. It's unique in a good way, master. This is the first time I've entered an inn that is filled with so many books like this) (Arturia)

(There must be a hidden lewd book inside this building! There must be one! I strongly believe so!) (Lilith)

"A comment befitting a succubus indeed," (Lyan)

(You're exaggerating. What's so good about lots of papers piling inside an inn) (Griselda)

(You're just too dumb to understand) (Eira)

(Huh? Are you saying that to me, ice girl?) (Griselda)

(Who, I wonder) (Eira)

The atmosphere inside the grimoire's space suddenly turns dangerous. Lyan could picture how Eira and Griselda stared at each other and emitted hostility and bloodlust towards each other.

(Let's just ignore them... This is my room, isn't it?) (Lyan)

Lyan arrived in front of the door of his room after following the directions Jessica gave him before. A huge number '17' is written on it.

Lyan looks at the key in his hand and confirms that the key has the same number written on it before inserting it.

*Click!*

The door opened, revealing the first room he rent after entering this world.

"Hm~ The room turns out to be more comfortable than I thought," (Lyan)

The room is rather big. It has a double bed, a decent sofa, a big bookshelf, and a toilet.

(This big barrel is for bath purposes, huh... It's empty, so I need to ask the staff if I want to bath and pay for the water, I guess) (Lyan)

"Now all that's left is to wait for the food, huh~" Lyan opens his cloak and put it at the door's hanger before jumping to the bed and stretching his whole body.

(You must be tired after walking that much, master) (Arturia)

(Hmph! Weakling) (Griselda)

"Yes, yes. I am a weakling, yes... But this is a good inn, indeed. I noticed that the ones who purchased a room here are all middle to the upper class of merchants. Aren't inns as good as this are usually packed with people? The price doesn't seem to be that high either," (Lyan)

(Indeed. I'm impressed you realized that. The owner of this inn has keen eyes. She didn't tell the price of the room and went right to the sum because she's sure that you must have enough money to pay it) (Hestia)

(Amateur merchants in this city usually strike a deal with mercenaries and must have thought that this inn is too far from the mercenary guild and the market that is located at the center of the city for it gives them the chance to meet high-potential clients and good network. The merchants in this inn must have monopolized the information about how good this inn is. And since the owner seems isn't bothered by it, she must have gained a benefit from this inn's relation with the merchants as well) (Hestia)

"Hou... As expected of lady Hestia, you understand it well," (Lyan)

(Fufufu! Of course! It's normal for a person from a great noble family to know about the merchant society and how merchants think, after all! Hohoho!) (Hestia)

(She really loves to be praised, isn't she...?) (Lyan)

*Knock!* *Knock!*

"Ah, yes!" Lyan went to open the door.

(Is that the food!? Is that the food!?!?) (Lilith)

(It's the booze, isn't it! Quickly open it and take it!!) (Griselda)

(Guh... Shut up, both of you..) (Lyan)

"Excuse me, dear guest. You ordered for nine portions of food and ale, is that right?" A waitress holding a trolley walker in her hands.

"Yes," (Lyan)

The waitress then entered the room and set up the food on top of the room's table before leaving with the trolley walker.

After the waitress left, Lyan immediately sent the food and beers for the spirits to the grimoire's space while leaving some for him to eat.

The menu of the meal is an earth buffalo's meat, vegetable stew, and breads.

(The life inside the city must be decent for the food to be as decent as this) (Lyan)

After finishing eating, some of the spirits passed out because of too much drinking, while the rest of them went to their respective rooms to sleep as they felt they are sleepy because of the meal.

(Even though they didn't need to sleep nor eat... But well, this is good! I've checked several times and none of them are answering! They might wake up in several hours or preferably tomorrow!) (Lyan)

Lyan cut off all of the connection with the grimoire's space before heading outside the inn.

(Time to explore the night world of the city!!) (Lyan)

____________________________________________________________________________

<-1000 Elnes>

Name: Lyan

Occupation: Mercenary

Money: 23,100 Elnes

Weapon: Hobgoblin's Sword

Equipment: Black leather cloak

Grimoire's Companions: 8 High Spirits, Shadow Hobgoblin