After dinner, I took a bath again today.
Being able to soak in hot water every day was a true luxury.
With that thought in mind, I washed myself clean and sank into the tub.
"...I earned more than I expected today. For now, I'll extend my stay at the inn, and maybe I'll go check out some cheap equipment with whatever money is left."
Equipment was vital for an adventurer.
I had managed to make decent coin today taking odd jobs around town.
Still, that wouldn't last forever.
I was just lucky today.
Reflecting on that, I settled on my plans for tomorrow and climbed out of the bath.
"I washed them thoroughly, so they don't smell."
The clothes I had washed this morning were already dry.
I had collected them before stepping into the bath and now changed into the clean set.
I stuffed the clothes I wore today into a bag to wash tomorrow morning, then headed back to my room.
Having spent a full day in the royal capital, I stepped over to the window and casually gazed up at the moon.
"What a beautiful sky."
Back in the village, I spent my nights in the attic, so I hardly ever had the chance to look up at the night sky.
Now, I was renting my own room and could look outside whenever I wanted.
Just that alone felt like immense progress.
"...Ah, I need to renew my room!"
Realizing I had completely forgotten what I had planned while soaking in the tub, I scrambled out the door.
"You could've just renewed in the morning, you know."
Having panicked thinking I would miss the cutoff, I rushed down to the counter, only for Amanda-san to greet me with those words.
Since I had already brought the money down with me, though, I decided to take care of the extension right then.
After paying for two more nights, I returned to my room.
"Next time, I'll just do it in the morning."
A lesson learned.
Telling myself that, I lay down on the bed, feeling slightly embarrassed.
The next morning, I woke up at the same hour as yesterday and headed out to the backyard to do laundry.
"Up early again today, I see."
Amanda-san was already there, washing the inn's sheets and linens.
"Amanda-san, I can help out if you'd like. I don't have much of my own laundry today."
"Oh? Truly? Well, would you mind lending a hand, then?"
At her grateful response, I first made quick work of my own clothes.
It was only a single outfit, but letting laundry pile up made it a dread to deal with later.
Yesterday was an exception since clothes had accumulated during my travels.
When I lived in the village, though, I washed everything every day or two.
If I didn't, I would have had nothing to wear.
Once I finished my own pile, I joined in to help Amanda-san.
"I noticed yesterday, too, but you're really good at this, Erik. You properly scrub the dirt out with the washboard, so there isn't a single stain left on anything you wash."
"The village ladies taught me how to do it. That's how I learned to wash things properly even with a small build like mine."
When I first started doing laundry, I used to waste far too much time and energy on every single garment.
Unable to watch me struggle, the village women stepped in to teach me the proper way.
To repay the favor, I took the initiative to help them with their laundry, and in return, they gave me hand-me-down clothes and other supplies.
"Phew... Thanks, Erik! We finished much earlier than usual because of you."
"Not at all. You're letting me stay at such a wonderful inn, so I'm just glad I could be of help."
"My, you really are such a well-mannered boy. Alright, I'll tell my husband to dish out an extra portion for your breakfast today! You're at the age where you're growing fast, so eat plenty and get big and strong."
"Ah, thank you very much! I'll look forward to breakfast, then."
I hadn't offered help expecting a reward.
Even so, I couldn't just brush off Amanda-san's goodwill.
I gratefully accepted the offer.
Heading back upstairs to my room, I hung my damp clothes to dry inside.
"They got a little wet, but they'll dry soon enough."
While scrubbing the inn's bedsheets, my clothes had gotten lightly splashed.
The weather looked great today, though, so walking around outside would dry them in no time.
With that in mind, I left my room and made my way down to the dining area.
True to her word, my breakfast portion was noticeably larger.
There were two thick slices of bread and twice the usual serving of meat.
It came with a warm bowl of soup, too, letting me eat my fill right at the start of the day.
"Come to think of it, are you heading out to do adventurer work again today?"
After finishing my meal and stepping out of the dining area, Amanda-san called over to me from behind the counter.
"That's the plan, but I want to go check out some equipment shops first. I haven't saved enough to buy anything yet, but I'd like to have a clear goal in mind."
"I see. An adventurer certainly needs proper gear. In that case, I know a good shop. Hold on a second."
Amanda-san stepped into the back room for a moment.
Shortly after, she returned holding a slip of paper.
"It's a shop run by a dwarf named Harold. Tell him I sent you, and he'll give you a bit of a discount."
"Thank you very much. But why would he give a discount just on your word?"
"According to Harold, I've got a sharp eye for people. He figures that anyone I recommend is bound to become a regular at his place eventually. Well, you look like you'll grow into a fine adventurer one day, Erik, so I figured I'd point you his way."
Amanda-san paused, looking intently into my eyes.
"Just don't go doing anything reckless, alright? I've seen plenty of young adventurers get in way over their heads the moment they got their hands on decent equipment."
"I understand. I don't have any desire to die out there, either."
Hearing that, Amanda-san smiled softly. "Well then, off you go."
"I'm heading out, Amanda-san."
With a parting nod to Amanda-san, I stepped out of the inn and set off toward the location written on the paper.