I Opened an Inn Next to a Dragon’s Lair - Chapter 139



Only Noblemtl

Episode 139

Eugene felt that the way the employees looked at him had changed.

What should I say? To put it nicely, it’s goodwill, but to put it differently, it’s a sticky look.

I guess you could say we feel like we’ve become a lot closer.

‘Why is everyone like that?’

Could it be that the reason they’re acting like that is because they gave each other presents yesterday? No matter how much I thought about it, that was the only reason.

‘That wasn’t that good.’

If that’s the reason, I don’t understand. All I did was give him a few self-defense items as a gift.

A protection ring with a defensive function, a transparent armor that protects the body but is almost invisible, a magic necklace, a very common magic sword, an electric shock ball, etc.

It wasn’t that good. It was just one of the many junk items lying around in Carnius’s rare artifact warehouse.

So, to be honest, I felt a bit sorry. I thought, if I’m going to give it to you, I should have given you something good.

What would you think of the boss? He would give you something petty like this, and if it were a gift, he would give you something more fancy. Wouldn’t you think so?

I would be lying if I said I didn’t worry that maybe I was thinking, “This is why it won’t work out at a good company, I feel wronged, so I should quit and study hard to get into a good company.”

Well, luckily, it seemed like he liked it, so it was just a worry.

But Eugene thought he should always have that kind of worried attitude.

Shouldn’t a boss who orders his employees do that? I thought I should keep checking to see if I was really treating my employees well, and if I thought I was treating them well, but in fact, it was just my own thoughts.

If you do that, they will do better, and if you do that, the employees will be more motivated and work harder, so isn’t that a win-win strategy?

* * *

“Have you all checked the gifts you received yesterday?”

“yes!”

Everyone’s answers are quick and loud. It’s completely different from before the gifts were given. Is it true that free stuff makes people dance?

“As I wrote in the enclosed note, the reason I gave it to you was for your safety. As the number of guests has increased recently, there have also been many bad guests. I would like to take responsibility for your safety, but I cannot, so I gave it to you.”

The staff nodded vigorously. But then one of them raised his hand. It was a male vampire staff member assigned to Edwin.

“Eugene, I have a question.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“I think this is too much of a gift for safety. These are all expensive items, and is it really okay to give them to everyone just for safety?”

“It’s not just about safety. Safety is the most important thing. In this dangerous world, you need to protect yourself in order to work safely.”

The fact that the three elves were almost kidnapped by humans was not mentioned. Only the three involved, Eugene, and Karnius knew about it.

I didn’t even think about saying that. I could easily explain the reason without saying it.

“To put it bluntly, it’s because of the slave traders.”

“A slave trader?”

“Yes. Since you are working in my inn, conflict with humans is inevitable. Encountering humans means that some bad people can approach you at any time. The worst of them are definitely slave traders.”

Everyone’s faces hardened. Slave traders. Who wouldn’t know their existence?

This was cited as the main reason why most heterodox people have a negative perception of humans.

Kidnapping. It wasn’t really common. But it definitely happened to someone. It wasn’t for nothing that any race was told to be careful of humans when going outside the village.

I won’t be affected. The world is so vast, and yet you come all the way here to kidnap me? Into this dangerous forest? Everyone lives with such complacent thoughts, but the world is unpredictable. You really can’t tell what’s ahead. Who knows? The next day, the humans might come and take me.

So you have to be careful. You are no exception. Eugene emphasized that.

“I understand that you are concerned about us. However, this seems excessive. What if we take this and run away the next day and sell it? It’s not just a penny or two, it’s a lot of money.”

“Everyone. Are you going to run away with that and sell it?”

“Yes? Of course I won’t run away.”

“Are you going to quit your job tomorrow? Is there anyone who would?”

No one raised a hand. Eugene shrugged.

“See? You’re not going to run away, are you? Then it’s okay.”

The vampire who had been speaking was speechless.

How can you be so calm? Do you not know how valuable the artifact is?

The vampire thought so, and unfortunately, he was right. In reality, Eugene was a human who did not know the value of artifacts.

Eugene snickered. He was grateful for their concern for him.

‘This is why life is worth living.’

They say the world is full of betrayal, but on the other hand, there are good people like this. Isn’t that how we live in this world?

“If some of you quit your jobs tomorrow and take the gifts you received and sell them… … Well, there’s nothing I can do. What can I do? Should I chase them and force them to hand over their gifts?”

“no.”

“I don’t think so.”

“Eugene is not the kind of person who would do that.”

He said no, but everyone knew that Eugene was capable of it.

I didn’t know before, but now I knew that the human in front of me was a human who had eaten a dragon’s friend, and I also knew that he had eaten his friend because he had the ability to do so.

“If that’s the case, I’d be bitter too. But there’s nothing I can do about it. That’s where our relationship ends.”

Eugene continued speaking bitterly.

“If that happens, it would be my fault. I should have done better, but I didn’t.”

“… … .”

“I think this answers your question.”

“Yes. Thank you very much for your kind words.”

The vampire who had asked the question bowed. His eyes shook slightly.

‘Oh my, what an amazing person. How could he do such a thing?’

A person so detached from material desires. I have never seen or heard of such a person anywhere.

‘That’s right. I guess that’s why he saved our clan.’

In fact, he had not thought highly of Eugene as a person until then.

Everyone reveres him as a benefactor, saying that he saved their clan, but I thought that there must actually be some hidden agenda behind it. That’s just the nature of humans.

That’s why he applied for a job at the inn.

I wonder if that human is exploiting our queen, exploiting her labor, or doing something terrible. I have such doubts.

I had a strong feeling that I would be able to find out if I worked closely with it.

But now I know that all those thoughts were wrong.

‘I was wrong. He was a really nice person… … .’

He shook his head. His once wavering eyes were suddenly filled with respect.

* * *

As it turned out, the conversation got long. Eugene called the staff again to get their consent.

“Actually, I have one more gift for you.”

“A gift? What kind of… … .”

“It’s an elixir.”

The employees were muttering. It was an elixir.

“I have a lot of elixir. I want to give it to you.”

“yes?”

Everyone’s eyes widened. Taking elixir?

“I don’t want to eat, but I don’t want to eat this.”

“… … .”

Everyone became dumb after eating honey.

Depending on how you hear it, it sounds like a vicious statement. Isn’t that actually half a threat? Something like, “If you don’t want to get eaten, eat it quietly”?

But what is the Labor Office? Is it something like the Coast Guard? Some people were puzzled by the term, which they had never heard before.

“If you don’t like it, then don’t. I respect your opinion. If you don’t want to eat it, just tell me… … .”

“no!”

“I want to eat it!”

“We love elixirs!”

“you’re right!”

Eugene was surprised. What is this quick answer?

“If you give it to me, I will eat it without hesitation!”

“me too!”

And it was louder than any other answer. It was so loud that it made you wonder if it had ever been that loud.

“I’m glad you agree. Then I’ll proceed as planned.”

“yes!”

Everyone’s face was excited, except Edwin.

‘I have a bad feeling… … . You’re not going to feed it to me, are you?’

That was the amazing intuition of someone who had already experienced it.

* * *

“Did you know, everyone? There is a way to take elixirs.”

“How?”

“Yes. When taking elixir, you definitely need a skilled guide. This is to absorb as much of the elixir’s energy as possible.”

The question that bloomed on everyone’s faces was doubt.

A face I’ve never heard of before.

It was obvious. Where had I heard such a thing?

As far as they knew, the elixir was just a magical potion with a lot of mana.

A very good medicine that increases the total amount of mana in the body and makes the body stronger.

The way to eat it is to just put it in your mouth. And chew it thoroughly. If it’s made of water, you have to swallow it thoroughly.

That’s the end, you leader?

“And I am the only leader in this place. Do you know what that means?”

“I don’t know.”

“It means that you have to eat one at a time. In order. So come one at a time. When I call, you can come next.”

Although it was questionable, there was no way to complain about something that was being given for free. Soon, Eugene began calling them one by one to the small break room that had been prepared.

The first in line was the elf Chloe, who was at the very front.

Chloe entered the break room hesitantly and swallowed with a nervous expression.

“Hey, Eugene. What should I do?”

“Sit here. Make yourself as comfortable as possible.”

Chloe sat down on the chair. She felt nervous for some reason. What was she calling them one by one? It was just medicine.

All sorts of imaginations ran through Chloe’s head. Could it be that he’s planning something terrible? Oh, that can’t be true. Eugene is a good person. Then what? Could it be that he’s trying to use me as a material for his magic experiments… . No! That can’t be true!

All sorts of imaginations were tangled up in her head.

“Just drink this first.”

“This water?”

“It’s not water. It’s elixir.”

“Hey, this is it?”

It was a clear bottle of water, but it was actually a concentrate of Mandragora’s tears. It was the same one that Edwin had consumed last time.

This is exactly what Eugene was feeding his employees.

Chloe opened the lid and gulped.

“Uh, I’ll use it.”

Chloe frowned at the sight.

“It’s a bit bitter. It’s medicine.”

“Ah, yea. I need to cleanse my mouth. Something sweet. Like chocolate. Ugh.”

“Hold on. We have to start right away.”

“Ugh.”

“Okay, close your eyes. Just take a deep breath and relax. Your body may feel hot or cold at times, but don’t worry, there’s nothing wrong with your body.”

“yes!”

“Don’t answer from now on. Don’t even open your mouth. Now, let’s begin.”

Eugene put his hand on Chloe’s back. Immediately, the elixir’s energy began to swirl within Chloe’s body.

The other employees waiting outside the break room just opened their eyes wide. What was he doing that made such a bright light shine?