After arranging the carriages and stepping into the inn, the business at this inn named the Carriage House was just as Brand had imagined—it was extremely quiet.
The innkeeper himself probably hadn't expected to welcome a big customer. This balding middle‑aged man, who had been bending over the bar, diligently scrubbing a plate with a filthy rag, only reacted when the light at the doorway dimmed slightly; he froze for a moment before coming back to his senses.
He raised his head, squinted, and saw Brand as the first to step into the inn, with Philas and the Female Knight Laurena at his side. Behind them were Medisha and Char; Frey followed, holding the Stone Tablet. Beside her was Hippamela in a linen robe—the Priestess girl's bare arms didn't seem to mind the cold in weather like this at all. It was hard to say whether this was the blessing of the Spirits of the Chongshan of Himilude taking effect, or if the life of an Ascetic had already hardened her to such harsh conditions.
