I Opened an Inn Next to a Dragon’s Lair - Chapter 146



Only Noblemtl

Episode 146

The hot spring expansion project was successfully completed.

The existing hot spring was located at the end of an empty lot beyond the backyard of the inn, but in order to expand the hot spring facility, the empty lot had to be expanded further.

So, we cut down more trees and leveled the area by picking out grass and large stones. We placed stones in the center and made a path to decorate the hot spring. By doing so, it became about three times larger than its original size.

At this level, it will be possible to use it without it feeling crowded even if a lot of guests come.

[Facility maintenance in progress]

Eugene collected all the signs that had been written like that, put them in the warehouse, and changed the signs.

[Hot springs are open for business]

And when he told the guests, they cheered.

“Yay!”

“You’re lucky!”

“Thank you, sir!”

“I think I should go and take a bath. Do you want to go too?”

“Of course I should go. That’s what I came to this inn to do.”

The guests hurriedly headed to the hot springs. Seeing them made Eugene feel happy.

‘Good.’

Originally, the most popular thing among guests was the hot springs.

Perhaps it was natural. Most of the guests had to travel long distances, so they were bound to be tired, and for them, the hot springs would be a very timely way to recover from fatigue.

‘Let’s see the reaction.’

This time, we expanded the hot springs and put a lot of effort into it. Most of it was about the size and interior, but there were also some ambitious new facilities.

I went back to the hot spring to check the reaction. Several guests were already soaking in the bath. The guests who were enjoying the hot spring with a languid expression noticed Eugene and waved to him.

“Thank you very much, sir. Every time I come here, I feel refreshed.”

“I’m so glad to hear that.”

“Who would have known that I would be able to enjoy such luxury while traveling? Hahaha.”

The guest laughed heartily. Was it because of the heat of the bath? The face of the guest who had only his head sticking out while soaking in the bath was bright red.

“Do you know? The location of this inn is truly perfect. It’s a godsend that it’s located right in the middle of the Delphi Forest.”

“That’s true. When you’re tired from walking through the forest and feel like you’re going to die, there’s an inn there so you can live there.”

The customer next to me chimed in. The chuckling sound echoed throughout the surrounding area.

“It seems to me that the owner has foresight. Isn’t that right, owner?”

“Foresight is nothing, it’s just luck.”

“There’s no need to be humble. We all know.”

“yes?”

“Just tell us in secret. Honestly, this is what you were aiming for, right?”

“What are you aiming for?”

The guest whispered softly to Eugene. Eugene listened.

“You know, this place is going to be the center of a new trade route. Didn’t you know that and build an inn here?”

“Hey, no. It’s luck.”

That’s nonsense. What are you aiming for? You just settled down in your hometown.

However, the guests seemed to have misinterpreted Eugene’s sincerity as humility.

Two guests talking to each other, giving and receiving.

“Hahaha. No need to be humble. What’s wrong with preemptively obtaining information? That’s a real skill.”

“Yes. Then yes. Sir, it has been said since ancient times that those who secure information first make a lot of money. In that sense, you are qualified to make a lot of money. Haha.”

I was so dumbfounded that I just sat there and listened to their banter, and then they said something quite meaningful.

“By the way, I’m sure you have a lot to worry about. There are new runners joining the race one by one.”

“That’s right. It’s a real problem when bees fly in after smelling the honey. I worry whether our host is sleeping well at night.”

“Well, don’t worry about it. No matter how much you try to copy it, you can’t beat the original. Even if similar inns start popping up all over the place, we’ll only use this one. You know that, right? We’re loyal customers here. Hahaha.”

Eugene’s ears perked up. A latecomer? The smell of honey? A bee? A similar inn?

“What are you talking about? A latecomer?”

“Literally. The latecomers are the latecomers. They are copycats who smell money and try to imitate the owner.”

“Could you elaborate?”

The two guests’ expressions also became serious as Eugene asked seriously.

“Our owner, you look like you don’t know anything.”

“Recently, there have been a few authors who have started setting up shops in the Delphi Forest.”

“There are more than a few people who are going around turning up the ground like a beehive, saying they want to build an inn in the forest of Delphi.”

“It’s obvious. You’re just trying to copy the owner. The owner’s inn is doing well, after all.”

“I saw on my way here that there were already places where buildings were being built… … I guess I really didn’t know. Hehe.”

Eugene’s eyes narrowed. Did something like that happen?

* * *

It seemed that what the guests had said was true, that there were many authors who wanted to build inns in the Delphi Forest. That was because these two guests were not the only ones who had said the same thing.

Most of the merchants staying at the inn knew about this fact. It was probably public knowledge.

“Brother, is that true? That there are people who want to build an inn after ours?”

“huh.”

“This is so annoying!”

Edwin slammed his fist on the table.

“As expected, these guys have an incredible sense of smell when it comes to money! These guys are like lynxes!”

There was anger on Edwin’s face. Eugene was dumbfounded.

“Why are you angry?”

“Of course I’m angry! I’m an employee of this inn, and before I’m an employee, I’m taking care of your brother. How can I not be angry?”

“Oh.”

Eugene was impressed. This guy is quite sincere, isn’t he?

“It’s quite touching, isn’t it?”

This was so touching that I almost cried… …but I didn’t, and it’s amazing.

Is this what it means to have a sense of ownership? Be an employee but act like the boss? Something like that?

“Brother. This is not a time to be so peaceful. This is a serious matter. We need to come up with a plan.”

“Countermeasures? Is that all you mean?”

“Yes. It is a situation that must never be ignored.”

“What, what could go wrong? People usually flock to the smell of money, but most of them are just half-baked.”

“No. Brother, it seems you don’t realize the seriousness of the situation, so I need to tell you about my past.”

Edwin recalled the past.

When was it? It was about 4 years ago.

“It happened when the livestock farm I was running was quite large. At that time, my farm was doing so well that it was widely known in the neighborhood. Of course, I had some ability. If I continued on like that, running a large company would not have been a dream.”

From buying a few animals and running a small farm to operating a large-scale livestock operation, Edwin’s expansion was smooth.

You could say it’s a smooth ride.

But life is unpredictable, and Edwin’s business soon ran into trouble.

Competitors began to appear one after another.

“At first I ignored them. But they were like weeds.”

Edwin was confident that his farm was competitive.

Because I thought that as long as I did well, there wouldn’t be any problems.

But that wasn’t it.

There were too many copycats in the world.

Those who smelled money began to dig up everything about Edwin, the up-and-coming merchant who had made a fortune.

He even followed Edwin’s methods one by one, such as what kind of animals he raised and how he managed the barn.

“I left them alone for a while, and before I knew it, they had grown in number. They all ran similar livestock farms to mine, and they stole all my business partners. They even resorted to force.”

As the days went by, more and more animals were dying, which was really strange. How could this happen when we were managing things so thoroughly?

The answer was the competitors’ bad tactics.

A vicious method such as sneaking in at night and poisoning the animals’ food, or stealing a few animals without letting anyone know.

With all sorts of threats pouring in, Edwin had no way of holding out, and eventually his business failed.

Edwin shook his head violently. He seemed disgusted by the mere thought of it.

“Do you understand now? The seriousness of this situation? There is no guarantee that you will not end up like me. Those who are blinded by money never know what they will do. I am telling you that you must be prepared.”

“I know what you mean.”

Eugene nodded, stroking his chin. Edwin’s past story was deeply embedded in Eugene’s heart.

“There was such a heartbreaking story.”

I had heard the gist of it, but I didn’t know I would hear it in such detail.

I wondered why he was so angry, and it turned out to be because of this story. If I were Edwin, I would have been angry too.

“If you’re trying to comfort me, then don’t worry. I’m fine now. You should come up with a plan. I told you not to leave this alone.”

“Hey, it’s okay. What could happen?”

“Hey, big brother, you still didn’t understand what I said. Do you think you’ll come to your senses if the customers suddenly stop coming?”

Edwin was spouting off words like a hawk. But Eugene still looked calm.

“Oh, I understand. I’ll come up with a plan. I have to come up with one.”

Eugene nodded his head with his characteristically relaxed expression and walked away. Edwin looked at Eugene’s back and sighed deeply.

“Ugh. What should I do with my brother? He’s just so peaceful.”

Edwin was very worried about his brother’s future.

I know you have outstanding abilities, but isn’t that too complacent?

You never know what will happen to people.

* * *

“Eugene. It’s exactly as you said. New buildings have been built here and there in the Delphi Forest.”

It was Carnius’s horse.

He was on his way back after doing a full circle around the Delphi Forest in his original form, as requested by Eugene.

“It seems that what your guests said is true. Upon closer inspection, all the buildings are similar to your inn.”

“Really? That’s it.”

Eugene nodded, touching his chin.

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t expect it, I just assumed it would happen. I just didn’t know it would be now.

‘As they say, the smell of money can’t be hidden.’

But Eugene didn’t really care. Really.

“Eugene, should I kill them all and come back? The justification is sufficient. How dare you set up an inn in this body’s territory without permission? That insolence alone is a serious crime.”

At any moment, Carnius looked ready to jump out. But Eugene stopped him. If we leave this kid alone, he’ll probably start spitting out dragon breath.

Carnius is a guy who still has that.

“Hey, that’s fine. You don’t have to do that. You don’t have to come out.”

“So, are you thinking of coming forward?”

“No. I’m not really going to come out either.”

“Then what are you going to do?”

“You’re not going to care?”

“You don’t care? Is that okay?”

“Yeah. Just wait and see. If you leave it alone, it will fall out on its own, right?”

Carnius tilted his head. What on earth does this mean? Why does he just go away on his own?

“You’ll understand if you wait a while. Running an inn in the middle of the forest isn’t easy.”

“Hmm. I see.”

Carnius nodded.

He trusted his friend. Eugene was not a lying friend. If Eugene said something like that, Carnius knew there must be a reason for it.

“Let’s forget about that and just drink. I brought some makgeolli.”

“Ooh! Makgeolli! That’s good!”

Carnius gulped. Makgeolli! The best alcohol that has captured even the taste buds of dragons!

“Then what about the pajeon? Of course you prepared it, right?”

“No. It’s not pajeon today.”

“Then what?”

“Tofu kimchi.”

“Tofu… … Kimchi? What kind of food is that?”

“It’s really delicious. Just wait a moment. I’ll make it right away and bring it to you.”

In one corner of Carnius’ lair was a kitchen, a space that Carnius had prepared as a hobby, as he was addicted to human food.

Eugene went there, put down the ingredients he had brought, and started cooking.

Cheek!

Soon a delicious smell began to spread through the kitchen.