The Story of the Wind Wanderer
Overnight A minute #101

Slowly the horse-drawn carriage carried by Altezza and the merchant entered the Aetheria City which looked very beautiful at night. Even at night, the activity in the city is still massive, especially in the port area, because not only Aetheria natives or from the Kingdom of Lagarde alone, but also, however, many foreigners are traders.

"I'll just get down here, thanks." When the horse carriage he was riding stopped because of the queue of another horse carriage that was about to pass a crossroad. Altezza decided to get off the train, and thanked him and said goodbye for having to part with the merchant who had been good to give him a ride.

The man who was still the owner of the horse-drawn carriage appeared to give Altezza a business card, and with a smile he said, "keep this if you need me, who knows if we meet again on the next trip."

"Well, thank you very much" said Altezza, receiving the business card, and bowing his head.

The horse carriage slowly returned to its path, as the queue in front of it slowly moved. Altezza crossed the crowded street, passed several horse-drawn carriages that had stopped in line, and reached across the street. The first thing he wanted to look for was the adventurer guild in the city of Aetheria, as he planned to stop for a while in this city overnight, as well as looking for information on important matters related to his trip.

Walking through the crowded sidewalks with adults, they were busy with their respective affairs. Not only ordinary citizens, there are also many guards or soldiers from the Kingdom of Lagarde who served in the city, patrolling and always guarding and ensuring the city is safe from all forms of criminal acts.

The move from Altezza turned left at a large crossroad of the main road, and he could immediately see the existence of an adventurer guild whose building stood firmly right across the street. The man went back across the crowded street, and then approached the Adventurers Union which looked quite crowded.

Straight away, Altezza opened the glass door, and entered into the union. Inside or on the first floor there is a shop, and the people who visit there are adventurers, visible from the way they dress and weapons that are almost always attached to their bodies. They seem to be busy spending their nights drunk, and having fun as much as they do.

"Good night, how can I help you?" greet a young woman with blond hair, white skin, and dressed in a yellow uniform like a receptionist.

Altezza without making small talk asked, "can I rent a room here?"

The receptionist answered, "a little while, I checked first" and then opened a large, thick book at the end of the reception desk.

During the wait, two burly male wanderers suddenly came to Altezza who was standing in front of the reception. They came to Altezza from behind and one of them with white hair asked, "hey, are you a new adventurer?"

"Are you a newcomer to this town?" timpal his brown-haired friend with condescending intonation.

Their attitude and movements are clearly not friendly to Altezza, even showing indications of bullying. But both questions were answered only by Altezza, who said, "not your business" without looking back.

"There is one empty room, a standard class with a rent of five gold coins and one silver coin" she told Altezza.

"Well, I'd like to rent it one night."

The transaction took place, Altezza paid the necessary fee, before the receptionist gave the room key. After which, he immediately rushed off, headed for the stairs and climbed up to the second floor without the slightest heed of the presence of the two adventurers who were still standing behind him.

"Damn it," the white-haired male mutter, with an annoyed look towards the figure of Altezza who slowly disappeared because he had climbed the stairs.

"Based on the arrogant new boy," the first male colleague chimps.

***

Arriving at his room, Altezza cleaned himself up by putting a backpack and sword he carried on a wooden table located right next to the bed. In accordance with what the receptionist guard mentioned earlier, rooms with standard class. There was nothing special about the room, clad in wood, faded walls with white paint, a bed for just one person with a comfortable mattress, a wooden cabinet, a wooden table, and a bed, and a window that had a street view right in front of the adventurer guild.

Altezza stepped over to the window of his room, and stood there, looking at the several buildings opposite the adventurer guild building. Everything looked sparkling, the street lights as well as the houses around lit up, and the night sky which happened to look very good. Beautiful with a sprinkling of stars, even seen various kinds of constellations tonight.

Inside his pants pocket, he flashed to read the business cards given by the previous merchant. The small business card was now in one of his hands, and then read it. Altezza could see the name of the man who had kindly given him a ride, the place where the man came from, and the work and company where the man worked.

Attention from Altezza suddenly diverted when reading the business card given by the merchant. Both irises of his eyes glanced towards a light green colored bracelet that was coiled around his right wrist. The man suddenly smiled when he saw the gift bracelet of someone precious to him.

"It is far away, but still less far away" muttered Altezza, then cast his gaze toward the night sky outside the window. A long journey still awaits him, even he has not crossed the ocean and reached the Eastern Continent which is the purpose of his journey.

Altezza let out a long breath, and engraved a small smile on his face. Gently gazing at the thousands of stars adorning the night horizon, the man spoke himself, "when only a few days have I missed you."