Chapter 39: The Starlight’s Guide

As I passed through the city’s gates, a sprawling urban landscape unfolded before me.

Long awnings stretched across the streets to shield against the intense sunlight, and rows of stalls lined the paths beneath them.

Peddlers roamed about, calling out to travelers, but none approached me.

People avoided me altogether.

If someone accidentally obstructed my way, those nearby would quickly signal them to step aside.

Guiding Nightmare, I approached an inn.

Behind the large building was a modest pool, seemingly designed for guests.

Just as I arrived at the inn’s entrance, a young girl burst out from inside.

“W-Welcome!”

The girl greeted me with a tense expression, her slender shoulders trembling and her face pale.

Her tightly pursed lips and lowered gaze gave off the impression that she was scared of me, leaving me feeling somewhat awkward.

“Do you work here?”

“Y-Yes!”

“Hmm… I’m planning to stay for a few days. What’s the price?”

My question seemed to catch her off guard, eliciting a soft gasp.

Her downcast eyes darted back and forth as if she was deliberating something.

After a brief struggle, she replied in a strained voice.

“F-Four silver per day…”

That was quite steep.

Was everything this expensive in this city?

As I hesitated, the girl hurriedly added, “T-That includes care for your horse!”

“Does that include feeding it as well?”

“Yes!”

In that case…

I nodded and dismounted from Nightmare.

He seemed displeased with the decision, blowing puffs of air behind me.

Puff! Puff!

His hot breath tousled my hair from side to side. Clearly, he wasn’t happy.

I reached out and stroked Nightmare’s face. “Behave yourself. I’ll visit you every day.”

Handing the reins over to the girl, I gave her a reminder. “He doesn’t eat regular feed. Meat only.”

“Oh, is he of the Hyland lineage?”

“You know about that?”

“I’ve come across a few before.”

I nodded at her response, reassured by her familiarity.

The girl, seemingly experienced in handling horses of the Hyland lineage, managed to coax Nightmare into the stable.

As his figure disappeared into the distance, his large silhouette seemed even more prominent.

Shortly after, the girl returned unscathed, suggesting that Nightmare had settled into the stable without issue.

Following her lead, I entered the inn.

The interior exuded an exotic atmosphere, with unfamiliar decorations and the spicy aroma of foreign cuisine filling the air.

The oppressive heat unique to desert regions felt strangely alien.

My assigned room was number 305 on the third floor.

It was a small, simple space with just a single bed, a modest table, and a chair—barely enough for a night’s rest.

The only consolation was the attached shower room, which promised some relief after the long journey.

“Rest well…” the girl said as she prepared to leave.

“Wait a moment.”

My sudden call stopped her in her tracks, her face instantly turning pale again.

“Do you know what this brooch signifies?” I asked, pointing to the small brooch pinned on my chest.

Ever since passing through the city gates, curiosity about the brooch had gnawed at me.

But with no one willing to approach or even speak to me, I had no opportunity to ask until now.

The girl hesitated, her lips quivering as she responded.

“It’s… it’s a mark indicating that you’re a friend of Prince Kashin… isn’t it?”

“Friend?”

“Yes… I’ve heard that Prince Kashin gives these tokens to his friends. Am I wrong?”

Kashin’s image flashed through my mind.

His confident demeanor and approachable attitude now made sense; they stemmed from his noble heritage.

I had suspected he wasn’t an ordinary person, but a prince? That was unexpected.

Rubbing my forehead, I shook my head.

“No, you’re right.”

Relieved, the girl sighed and cautiously stepped back before leaving the room.

Left alone, I wasted no time shedding my dusty clothes.

A cascade of sand fell from my body, the result of endless days in the desert.

The amount in my boots alone could fill a fist.

After a long, hot shower to rinse off the grime and sand from both myself and my equipment, I grabbed my coin pouch and sword before heading out of the inn.

My priority was to gather any information about Star Forge.

I scoured taverns and inns, questioned merchants selling trinkets and antiques, and wandered through the city.

Kashin’s gifted brooch proved immensely helpful during these interactions.

However, even after tirelessly combing the entire city, all I could gather were ancient tales passed down by word of mouth. Nothing substantial.

Even among those sharing stories, the endings and details varied depending on the storyteller.

As the searing heat of the day began to wane, the hidden stars started to emerge, dotting the darkening sky.

Nightfall transformed the landscape of Burning Road into something entirely different from its daytime counterpart.

Scarlet lanterns flickered to life, pushing back the encroaching darkness, and a medley of music began to fill the air.

The dry, oppressive heat of the day was replaced by a heavy atmosphere infused with the scent of alcohol and heady perfumes, casting a weighty pall over the city.

It was then that I noticed something peculiar.

As I aimlessly observed the bustling street, a man’s suspicious movements caught my attention.

He looked around nervously, then swiftly pulled a piece of paper from his coat and stuck it onto a wall before vanishing into an alley.

The man’s behavior was undoubtedly strange, but no one else on the street seemed to pay him any mind.

Not even the poster he had just attached drew any attention.

Curiosity piqued, I approached the wall and examined the poster.

[The Lost Star Forge is Real!]

Seeking adventurers to uncover the truth about the legendary Star Forge and explore forgotten records of an ancient age. This journey promises danger and intensity; rewards cannot be guaranteed. Interested parties should visit the ‘Hot Tail Inn’ near the northern gate of Burning Road.
– Shah Khan –

“Star Forge…?” I muttered, stroking my chin.

Who was this Shah Khan, and how could he claim to have reliable information about the Star Forge?

I’d scoured the entire city for clues, yet come up empty-handed.

As I mulled over the implications, a city guard approached and reached for the poster.

Rip!

Without hesitation, the guard tore the poster from the wall.

The adhesive used left unsightly remnants, dirtying the wall.

“Excuse me,” I called out.

“Hm?” The guard turned, raising an eyebrow.

“Why are you removing that?”

“You must be new here,” the guard replied with a sigh.

“In Burning Road, posting anything without official approval is illegal.”

He pointed to the wall, gesturing from one end to the other.

“See all that? Every trace you see was left by the same person.”

I looked closer and saw faint, sticky remnants scattered along the wall, staining it.

Judging by the dark discoloration, it seemed this had been happening for a long time.

“You have your hands full, it seems. But… is the content of the poster true?” I asked.

“Of course not,” the guard snorted. “It’s just the ramblings of a madman chasing legends.”

I nodded, moving on as the guard returned to his duties.

The tale of a deranged soul pursuing an age-old myth—it was an enticing combination, one I couldn’t ignore.

I decided to visit the Hot Tail Inn, located by the northern gate.

It was a shabby establishment tucked away in a quiet corner where few passed by.

The inn appeared abandoned, shrouded in darkness, as though it had been closed for ages.

Peering through the shadows at the entrance, I strained to see inside when a voice suddenly called out from behind me.