I’ve fixed only spelling, punctuation, grammar, and sentence errors. I did not rewrite or alter the content.

Ken got his change of clothes and also got some for Richard. Richard didn’t want to take it at first, but after a little back and forth with Ken, he finally did.

They both got dressed and stepped out of the shop. Ken bought a few extras and had Richard hold them.

"Alright, you are my butler and guide for the day. Next, we have to find a place to stay. Do you have somewhere in mind? It should be pretty modest," Ken said.

"I know a few places, but not from this part of the city. No one would allow someone like me into the inns and hotels that are in this part of the city," Richard said.

"That’s fine, take me to wherever you know. It will work fine," Ken said.

Richard led the way. He held the bag that had Ken’s clothes, and they walked toward the south side of the city. The city was pretty large, so from where they were, it would be a twenty-minute walk at the very least.

Ken used that time to think about a few things as they walked.

’So from what I know now, the threats that exist in this world are not limited to the demons alone, there is also the Red Sun.

I got to see a glimpse of them in the last meeting, and I can say for sure that they are terrifying. They definitely have means to get what they want, so how have they not gotten what they want for so long?

That saint, she managed to kill multiple royal knights all by herself, she pushed Ross and Nero to their max, and she barely had a scratch on her body.

Then there was Butcher, her vice captain or whatever. He was strong, very strong, and even then he was holding back greatly from what it seems. The question is, what is that reform that he has?’ Ken grabbed his chin as he thought about it. He wondered what it could be like. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

’Does it probably have something to do with how his body could make metals with ease? That was a weird ability, but I could tell it was not something as simple as magic, it was more, there was something more to it, more weight and more story.

I want to know what that was about, to be honest. Tch, it’s sad that he had to leave. I should get as strong as I can for the next time that we meet. I’ll make sure that I force him to show me his true strength.’

"Boss, Boss," Richard called out to Ken, snapping him out of the daze that he was in.

"Yeah."

"We have arrived."

"Oh?" Ken turned and looked at the inn. It was pretty decent, a one-story building made of wood and bricks. It had a sign up front, "Grey Beard’s Inn."

"Such a name," Ken muttered. He looked at Richard. "Alright, I’ll get a room. You wait for me, and then when I come back we can continue," Ken said and then pulled out a whole coin. He tossed it to Richard.

Richard caught the coin and then looked at Ken with so much confusion and shock in his eyes.

"Keep that, it’s your first payment. I’m sure you’ll not run off while I’m in, right? I still need your help."

Richard, who was still stunned, heard that and immediately shook his head.

"Of course, Boss, I’d never run," he said. His tone shifted from a forced respect to actual reverence.

Ken gave him a nod and then walked into the inn.

The inside of the inn was pretty normal. There was a counter at the end where you could book a room. A few lamps hung from the wall and illuminated the room. The smell of burnt herbs clung to the air, nice, but also nauseating if you stayed in it for too long.

Ken walked over, his footsteps resounding on the wooden floors. He arrived at the counter, and there was a man there. An aged man with a thick grey beard and a bald head, seated on a chair and leaned back so much Ken wondered how he was asleep and still doing that.

He had not noticed Ken’s presence yet, so Ken cleared his throat in a loud manner to wake him up.

The eyes of the man slowly opened. He let out a deep groan like an old car that had just come to life. Unbothered and uninterested, the man moved his head and looked at Ken. He seemed to size up Ken with his eyes first for a few seconds, and then finally he allowed his chair to drop down.

He peeked over the counter and saw how Ken was dressed, clean pants, a tucked-in high-grade shirt. He was definitely someone of importance.

"What is someone like you doing somewhere like this?" the man asked as he leaned back into his chair. He acted in a manner that was not meant for someone running a business.

"I want to book a room, for a week," Ken said.

"The posh hotels are farther into the city. This ain’t your place, kid," the man said and then closed his eyes.

’Tch, who the hell is this man, and how the hell does he run a business with that sort of attitude?’ Ken thought.

The man opened one eye and when he saw that Ken was serious, he let out a slow and tired sigh.

"Fine, it costs a silver coin for a night," he said with reluctance.

Ken pulled out a gold coin and placed it on the table. "Your best room with good food and room service."

There was a shine in the eye of the man the moment that he saw the coin. His posture steadied a bit.

"We don’t really offer room service and food here," the man said.

"Oh?" Ken pulled back the coin, only for the hand of the man to grab the other end of it. "But my wife does make a mean porridge and beef stew. I’m sure she’ll be happy to feed one more," he said.

"Then you have a deal," Ken said.

He pulled the coin in and tucked it into the pocket of his pants. He got on his feet and first attended to his suspenders, ensuring that they were stable.

He grabbed a key from the rack of keys behind him and then walked out from behind the counter.

"Come with me," he said and walked past. Ken followed behind.

He walked up the stairs and led Ken to one of the last rooms, then he handed him the key.

"My wife has cleaned up the place, so it’s good, even if your taste might be a bit refined," he said while still looking Ken up and down.

"Either way, the room is yours."

Ken took the key casually and walked to the door. He carried the bag of clothes and his sword inside, shutting the door behind him.

Grey Beard looked at the door for a few seconds before turning to leave.

The inside of the room was pretty normal. A bed sat at the center of the room. Clean sheets were laid on it and pretty clean pillows. There was no dust in the room, nor any cobwebs. The wardrobe was placed at the corner of the room next to the bed, and a small study table sat next to the only window in the room.

It scented of soft flowery soap and scented oils. He could tell that whoever cleaned the room actually did a pretty good job.

He tossed his stuff onto the bed and walked to sit on it and have a feel for it when suddenly he began hearing shouts coming from outside the inn.

"What’s going on?" he muttered under his breath.

Curious, he grabbed his sword and walked out of the door. He headed downstairs and there he saw Grey Beard seated at the counter.

"I would not go out there if I were you. The royal guards are there and they are causing a ruckus like they always do.

Bunch of monkeys in armoured suits. Tch, makes me regret a lot of things," Grey Beard said and then leaned back into his chair.