Chapter 9

The inn was a three-story building, by no means luxurious. It was integrated with a small, dilapidated church, and it seemed that a single attack by a monster would blow it away instantly. Well, inns near dungeons like this one are usually protected by barriers.

"Shin, we're going to pretend to be travelers, so you should play along, okay?"

Before knocking on the door, Chloe warned Shin.

Knock, knock

"Welcome, how many of you are there?"

A plump middle-aged woman opened the door. She was probably the innkeeper.

"Excuse me, we just encountered bandits, and we don't have any money. Could we borrow a corner of a room?"

"Oh, you escaped from bandits, did you? That's a tough break... but it happens often around here. I can take care of you for a night or two, but if it's longer, other guests might have a problem... There's a church run by the innkeeper's husband in the back. You can use it if you just need a place to stay. Hardly anyone comes to pray anyway."

"Thank you."

Inside, the first floor was a reception and a bar. The rooms were on the second floor and above. Chloe sat at one of the few tables, and the innkeeper brought food. It was hard bread, meat soup, and a particularly black drink.

"I'm sorry, it's just leftovers..."

"It's more than enough. I'm very grateful."

Chloe, who usually would have refused such meager fare as dog food, tore the bread and dipped it in the soup. She had already adapted to the journey after just a few days of escort. No one would recognize her as a duke's daughter unless they were told.

"By the way, I know it's none of my business... but are you two running away together?"

"He's my brother."

Shin spat out his drink, either because Chloe lied so casually or because he knew her real brother... The brother himself frowned.

"Well, it's okay, brother? It's your first time seeing this drink. This burnt... I mean, aromatic smell is probably from ground beans."

"You're sharp. This is called coffee, a popular drink in the south, but it might be unfamiliar in the capital. I won't pry too much... but you two are nobles, right? Even if you're wearing shabby clothes, your mannerisms are different. The bandits probably targeted you because they could tell."

The innkeeper, who ran an inn near a high-level dungeon, was used to seeing fallen nobles. Chloe and Shin exchanged glances and decided to pretend to reveal their true identities.

"You're right, we are nobles. But I was disowned by my parents recently. My brother accompanied me because he couldn't let me go alone."

"That's tough. I don't know what happened, but it's cruel to make you travel such a dangerous mountain path. In contrast, you're a good brother to look after your sister. Take good care of her."

Shin, patted on the back, could only respond awkwardly.

"You have no right to pry into others' affairs when you know nothing about them."

"Forgive her, Dark. Chloe can't possibly admit that she harassed the Holy Maiden."

To the resentful Dark, Red Leo spoke with a reprimanding tone, showing his magnanimity.

Yes, this level of lie is nothing. Chloe is the one being deceived by us.