Hectyr is looking at me quite seriously. I'm not sure how to answer this, but I think I can place my trust in Elded to have summed everything up properly. I stand and place my hand on Hectyr's shoulder.

[Hectyr, you're thinking too hard about this. Yes, Elded-san has said all that need be said, but there doesn't need to be more than that.] I look around myself. I think I'm making a fairly decent argument. [I love this world so much, and I just want to see even more of it with my own eyes. I plan on traveling to as many places as I can. To meet all the races I've come to love so long ago. You can trust Elded-san's words. He may be off in a few places, but you get the gist.] I smile at Elded, who seems to have teared up a little at what I said. It wasn't that moving, was it?

I hear a clamor in front of me. Hectyr has fallen down into a perfect dogeza. I'm not sure what to do about this.

[Please forgive my insolence! I am a frog in the well dreaming of the ocean. Please punish me accordingly for my rudeness.]

[Ah! Please, Hectyr, raise your head! There's nothing to forgive!] Hectyr looks up at me with tears forming in his eyes. The emotional swings of the characters in this dream are too intense.

[Hontou ni?] He looks at me. His mood says hopeful. My goodness! Did I do something to this person? What did Elded tell him?

[Yes, Hectyr! Truly there is nothing to forgive. You have done nothing wrong. If anything I must ask for your forgiveness for causing you so much trouble.] Hectyr immediately stands up.

[No no no, it is perfectly fine. I must apologize for my behavior!] I just realized we're going to get nowhere with this. Guess time to change tactics?

[I accept your apology if you accept mine.]

[Ah, there is nothing to forgive...uh...Traveler-sama!]

[If there's nothing to forgive on my end, then there is nothing to forgive on your end. Also, Ichiro is fine.] Elded and Hectyr look at me wide eyed.

[Ichiro-sama, I wouldn't dare to...]

[Ichiro is fine.]

[But that's what I'm saying, Ichiro-sama...]

[Ichiro is fine.]

[No I can't possibly...]

[Ichiro is fine.]

[...I...I...Ichiro...sa...an.] That seemed to use up a lot of Hectyr's mental strength. I suppose I can ease up on him.

[Really, Ichiro is fine, but I guess we need to build up to it. Ichiro san is fine as well.] I look over at Mirel. She tilts her head and smiles.

[Yes, Ichiro-dono?]

[Ichiro...]

She crosses her arms.

[Boo! That is denied, Ichiro-dono. Or are you going to deny my pride as a hostess?] Geh...she got me there.

[Hm. I suppose that's fine.] Hectyr jumps to his feet.

[There! Ichiro-dono! That's appropriate right?] Why are they so adamant about honorifics? I exhale my frustrations away.

[Fine. Just call me whatever you want.] I might as well not fight it anymore since I'll probably wake up soon. I guess I should move the plot of this dream along after all.

[Mirel-san, can I rent a room for the night?] Mirel-san seems to beem with delight at the request and she rushes over.

[Oh yes! Absolutely! I will get your room prepared right away!]

[Ah! Wait, Mirel-san, how much would that cost for the night?] I look at Mirel-san who seemed to already be running away. I was at a lost until a big man with a beard and an apron came walking up.

[3 copper for the night. Breakfast included. I'm the owner and the chef.] He looks at me and seems to be frowning a little.

[Ah thank you very much Owner-san. Hectyr can I sell my ore to you?] Hectyr straightens up all of a sudden.

[Hai! It would be my honor to purchase your ore, Ichiro-dono!] Oy oy, why are you so adamant? And why are you raising your hand like that? I sigh and bring out my gold and silver.

[I just need coinage, Hectyr. Enough to buy clothing and to rent the night here.] I look up at Owner-san. [And if possible I'd like to have some extra to pay for my meals.] Owner-san just looked at me and huffed at me.

[You staying for the night, or longer?] He seems to be upset. I read his status. His mood says jealous? Jealous of what? Is it because of my looks?

[Yes, Owner-san. I'm here for one day. I have places I need to visit.] His mood changed to relieved. Why is he relieved?

[Good. Then don't worry about your meals. Add another copper and you can have your meals covered as well.] Owner-san walked off briskly. He seems to not like me? I turn towards Elded who is already shaking his head.

[He still hasn't changed, has he?]

[To be honest, Hectyr, if it wasn't for you asking how to get closer to Tina, he'd probably be just as hostile to you.] Oh, I seem to have heard another juicy bit of info. Seriously, how many subplots can this one dream have?

[Ichiro-dono, please be merciful to Owner-san. He means well, just that his heart is quite fierce.] I nod my head to show I understand, but I don't understand anything.

[Of course, Elded-san. I'm not petty enough to be offended by such a small thing.] I see Elded sigh in relief. It is getting quite late now. How long have I been in this dream? Why is it time passes so slowly in this dream? I see the sun beginning to set, but I'm not really tired. Maybe you don't get tired in a dream?

[Tomorrow morning, if it's alright with you, Ichiro-dono, I'd like to take you to our finest tailor to get you your change of clothes.]

[Oh! That would be fantastic! Thank you, Elded-san.] I place the ore on the table.

[Hectyr-san, here's the ore.]

[Ah! Ichiro-dono, you don't need to start using honorifics with me.] I smile at Hectyr.

[If you're going to disregard my wishes and use honorifics with me, then I see no reason why I shouldn't use honorifics myself.] Either get used to being casual with me or don't. That's fair, right? I see Hectyr is contemplating something.

[Is it truly alright to speak so casually to someone like you?]

[Hectyr-san. Just be yourself. I'd rather you be honest with yourself than lie to yourself in front of me.] I watch as Hectyr rubs his head frantically.

[Ah! I just ain't good at all that proper talking. Makes my skin crawl! Ah, sorry if I'm talking all harsh now.] I smile as I genuinely like how honest he is sometimes.

[Not at all, Hectyr. I think this is far better than how you were before.] He just chuckles and rubs his nose. What an honest kid.

[Doncha worry, Ichiro. I'll take this ore back and check its purity. I'll be given ya a fair an' decent price fer sure.] Hectyr gets up and walks away. I look at Elded with a slight worry on my face.

[Ah, but now I have no way to pay for the stay.] Elded smiles and hands me one silver coin.

[Just pay me back when Hectyr brings his payment for the ore.] I thank Elded who then excuses himself and says he has to return home to his wife.

Owner-san walks up and I hand him the silver coin. He huffs and walks away muttering change. As I watched him walk away I finally took notice of my surroundings. There were no other customers and the other "staff" were off to the side kind of frowning at me. Two boys and one girl wearing similar clothing to Owner-san with that apron. The three children noticed my gaze and proceeded to walk over to me.

[What's your intentions for Mirel-san?] I look at the girl who asks the question. I quickly read her status.

Name: Sila

Age: 15

Race: Human(Elf)

Origin: Lake Village

Desire: Get rid of the outsider

Kills: 0

Level: 5

Traits: Agile, Cunning, Dexterous, Magic

Favorite Food: Moon Valley Cream Pie

My eyes widen at the status. Is she an elf or a human? And someone with magic as a trait? How exciting! I wonder where Lake Village is. Why does this dream keep bringing up new plot lines for me to deal with.

[Quit staring at me, it's gross.] Sila crosses her arms.

[Sila-chan! Behave yourself! Ichiro-dono is a guest of this inn!] Mirel finally returned and immediately set to scolding Sila. Which is definitely my fault. I was staring a bit.

[Mah mah. It's alright, Mirel-san. I was just confused for a moment by Sila-chan here.]

[What's so confusing? I asked what your intention was.] I turn to look at Sila.

[It's not that, Sila-chan. I was more confused about your origin. I was unaware of Elves this deep in the Human continent.] I hear a loud crash as Owner-san came out and looked me straight in the eyes.

[What did you say?!] Even the children seem startled. All their moods read frightened. Did I say something wrong? I hear two crisp claps.

[Alright, alright. Everyone just calm down. Ichiro-dono, your room is prepared. Sila-chan, please escort Ichiro-dono to his room.] Sila huffed but grabbed the key. She looked down at it and then at me.

[Don't just stand there. Let's go.] With that she starts heading to the stairs. Mirel looks at me earnestly. Is it really that important?

[Please forgive, Sila-chan, Ichiro-dono. She is a good girl.] Ah, it's that. I smile and wave my hand dismissively.

[It's alright, Mirel-san. Sila-chan just cares for everyone here. I can't fault her for that.] I follow Sila up the stairs. I try to engage in some minor small talk but am greeted with gross and be quiet. We get to my room and I notice the key has a number that matches the door. That makes sense.

[If you need anything, tough. We don't provide extra services.] She hands me the key and immediately runs off and down the stairs. I enter my room and take a look around.

It's a pretty simple room, and I get strong fantasy vibes from it. There's a single bed off to the corner, and a window that overlooks the village here. Seems there's a bowl with water and a soft towel next to it. I examine the room and I hear a clamor downstairs. A girl's voice yells something, but I can't make it out, and then silence. I can hear the stairs creak a bit, but then it stops.

I lay down in bed and check the map. It seems Sila and Owner-san keep going up the stairs, stop, and then come back down. They talk to Mirel about something and then start walking back up the stairs, only to stop and come back down. I wish they'd make up their minds.

As I lay in bed, I feel a slight drowsiness come over me. Oh, how interesting. You can get tired in a dream. I guess this is my mind's way of transitioning me back to the waking world? I bit boring, but I'll take it. I do have work in the morning after all.

I close my eyes and allow sleep to take over. I do hope I have this dream again.

End of Chapter

Name: Tasaki Ichiro

Age: 3,227(32)

Race: Human?(God of Creation)

Origin: Earth

Desire: Wishes to return to Elardia again

Kills: Unknown

Level: Unmeasurable

Traits: Peaceful, Kind, Thrifty, Super Strong, Super Speed, Immortal, Magic, Poison Immunity, Physical Attack Immunity, Magic Immunity, Fire Immunity, Ice Immunity, Acid Proof, Agile, Bubble Defense, Healing Aura, Disease Immunity, Lucky, Regeneration, Eagle Eyes, Attractive(Mortal Form)

Mood: Sleepy

Favorite Food: Tranquil Inn Deer Stew with Side of Bread and Goodberry Mead

Current Age: The Age of Tears

Current Year: 3195 AC (After Creation)

Current Location: Midlands of the Continent of Humans