The group entered the hotel.
Inside, the lobby was brightly lit.
Polished floors reflected the warm light from the chandeliers, while several guests moved through the spacious lobby.
A receptionist stood behind the front desk.
As the group approached, she offered them a polite smile.
"Welcome to the Silver Wings."
"How may I assist you?"
Aldric stepped forward.
"We need rooms."
The receptionist nodded.
"Certainly."
"How many rooms would you require?"
Aldric glanced back at the others.
"How many do we need?"
Ryke, still carrying Nia, looked at him.
*Why are you looking at me?*
Before anyone could answer—
Draven spoke.
"One should be enough."
Aldric slowly turned toward him.
"One?"
His voice remained calm.
But a moment later—
His voice sounded directly inside Draven's head.
*What's with that?*
*Did I hear you right?*
Draven's expression didn't change.
*Dammit, piece of shit.*
*Don't just start talking in my head.*
*What's your problem?*
Aldric frowned.
*You think eight people in one room is fine?*
*And with the two babies, that's ten.*
*Are you alright?*
*Or are you just holding back on the money?*
Draven's eyes twitched.
*Shut up.*
*Just because it's one room doesn't mean it's going to be tiny.*
*It'll be a large, well-furnished room.*
*Something more like an apartment.*
Aldric stared at him.
*An apartment?*
*Screw that.*
*It's still one damn room either way.*
Draven's expression remained indifferent.
*If you don't want to stay, then screw off.*
Aldric clicked his tongue.
*Damn bastard.*
Draven turned toward Ryke.
"Hey."
Ryke immediately looked over.
"Huh?"
"We're taking one room."
Draven nodded toward the receptionist.
"Tell her."
Ryke hesitated.
*One room...*
He glanced at the others.
*All of us?*
Before he could say anything—
Draven spoke again.
"It's a large room."
Ryke paused.
*A large room?*
Kaelira, who had been listening to the conversation, muttered under her breath.
"So it's a large room..."
"Only one?"
Ryke stepped toward the receptionist.
"We'll take one room."
The receptionist smiled.
"Certainly."
"How long will you be staying with us?"
"Just one day."
"We'll be leaving before tomorrow night."
The receptionist nodded.
"Understood."
"The total will be ten gold coins."
Ryke's eyes widened.
"Ten gold coins?"
He looked at the receptionist.
*Ten gold...*
*That's a lot.*
Meanwhile—
Draven had already taken out his card.
He finished drawing the final part of the pattern.
Then—
He tapped the card against the triangular device on the desk beside the receptionist.
**BEEP.**
A moment later—
A holographic screen appeared above the device.
The payment confirmation was displayed across it.
The receptionist glanced at the screen.
"Payment confirmed."
She reached beneath the desk and retrieved a small token.
"Here is your room token."
"Your room is the Gold Room."
"Room number seven."
Before anyone could respond—
Another receptionist approached them.
She offered a polite smile.
"I'll show you to your room."
The group followed her.
The receptionist led them through the hotel.
They passed several corridors before reaching a large set of double doors.
She stopped in front of them.
"This is the Gold Room."
She tapped the token against the door.
**BEEP.**
The lock clicked.
The doors slowly opened.
The group stepped inside.
Ryke's eyes widened slightly.
*What the hell...*
The room was far larger than he had expected.
There was a spacious living area with several couches, a large table, and a long window overlooking the city.
Beyond it was another section with several beds.
Aldric looked around.
"Huh."
He glanced at Draven.
"So this is what you meant by a large room."
Draven walked inside without responding.
Kaelira followed behind him.
She looked around the room.
"Not bad."
"Didn't think it'd be this big."
Pythia entered next.
Her eyes immediately went toward the furniture.
"There is enough space."
She scoffed.
"And someone complaining about one room not being enough."
Aldric glanced at her.
"Shut your mouth. I never complained."
"You were literally arguing about it."
"I was merely observing."
Aldric stared at her.
"You're annoying."
Pythia smiled faintly.
"I've been told."
Meanwhile, Ryke carefully carried Nia inside.
Vaelith followed with Lucifer and Elenya in her arms.
Lyriana entered behind her.
The receptionist remained by the door.
"If you need anything during your stay, please contact the front desk."
She placed the token on a nearby table, bowing slightly.
"I'll leave it here."
"Enjoy your stay."
The receptionist closed the doors behind her.
For a moment—
The room became quiet.
Draven looked around.
"Alright."
He turned toward the others.
"We'll stay here for today."
"After that, we'll leave tomorrow night."
Aldric dropped onto one of the couches.
"Sounds good to me."
Ryke carefully lowered Nia onto one of the beds.
He looked at her unconscious body.
Then glanced toward Draven.
"Is she going to be alright?"
Draven looked at him, then glanced over at Nia.
"She'll wake up eventually."
Ryke nodded slowly.
*Eventually...*
He wasn't sure whether that answer was reassuring.
Draven walked toward the window.
He looked down at the city of Soraeg.
The streets were still busy.
People moved through the city while vehicles traveled along the roads.
His crimson eyes narrowed slightly.
*We should be able to get what we need here.*
*Blood for Lucifer and Elenya.*
*Then we'll leave.*
Behind him—
Pythia suddenly spoke.
"My Lord."
Draven turned slightly.
"What?"
Pythia held up the cards Aldric had asked her to work on.
"I finished the remaining cards."
Aldric immediately sat up.
"You did?"
Pythia nodded.
"Yes."
Aldric grinned.
"Finally."
He reached toward the cards.
But before he could take them—
Pythia pulled them back.
Aldric's smile disappeared.
"...What are you doing?"
Pythia smiled.
"You forgot something."
Aldric narrowed his eyes.
"What?"
"You never asked nicely."
Aldric's expression darkened.
"You damn rat."
Pythia's smile widened.