103 103. Rumors in the Imperial City.txt (2/2)

The gathering naturally broke up, and Val took an interest in the old man.

He judged the old man to have a way of talking and an air of sophistication that made it hard to believe he was just a traveler.

'Old man, if you don't mind, I'd like to buy you a drink as a sign of your acquaintance.

The old man moves over to the table as Val speaks to him in a friendly manner.

'Thanks for that. After all, I'm a traveller, and it's costing me a lot of money.'

But Val didn't honestly believe him.

He wouldn't lie about being a traveler, but if he was concerned about the cost, he would avoid the Imperial City as much as possible.

And even if it was a second class area, there was no way he would go near a tavern.

There are several inns in Teito that offer cheap accommodation plans if meals are included.

'Would you like a barley wine?　Or is it the wine?

Hmm. Both are good, but I'd like to order the rice wine here.

You're not very good at rice wine.

Val admires the old man's taste.

Rice wine is made on a large island country in the east of the continent.

It is delicious, but it is imported from far away, so it is rather expensive and not very familiar to the common people.

I thought there might be a place to drink rice wine in the imperial capital, but what do you think?

The fact that he asked, ”What do you think?” made Baru think that the old man was really a traveler.

This is because he knows that any tavern in the imperial city will have rice wine in any bar in the imperial city.

A resident of the imperial city would have not a few financial resources to drink from time to time.

''Master, rice wine for the old man over here.''

Every time.

The master of the bar replied with a little surprise, and shortly afterwards a glass of rice wine was brought to us.

'It's quite unusual for Baru to buy someone a drink, isn't it?

The serving girl who brought it in says without reservation.

'I don't make much money,'

Val replies with a chuckle.

'I'm sorry about that,'

The old man's green eyes fell down, as if in fear.

'No, I'd like to know what you know for that. It's an information fee.'

I understand. I don't know if I can do it, but I'll try.

The old man ceases to refrain from laughing at Val, who says with a laugh.