After much difficulty, we finally arrived at the resort.
“Welcome to the Silverstar’s most ambitious project, the luxury resort, [Grand Hyatt].”
“Wow.”
(TLN: I’m not sure if author is referencing this real hotel or if he wants it to be Grand Gyatt, you never know with this guy…)
Unlike the typical medieval fantasy settings, the place was a modern masterpiece full of unique touches.
“Ludmila, come take a look at this. They carved a dragon into glass decorations like this.”
“This isn’t just the work of an artisan. This… this is a swordsman’s skill. Instructor Esta, could it be…?”
“The Heavenly Sword. Who else could carve crystal with such precision using a blade?”
The group was awestruck by the overwhelming ambiance of the resort lobby, and their exclamations filled the air.
Even I, had I not built up a mental ‘resistance,’ might have thought, “So this is what success feels like.”
The kind of wealth one can’t enjoy in real life—luxuries reserved for the elite.
Through Yurha, this partnership allowed me a taste of that life. Especially in a place like this with its modern atmosphere.
‘Ah, they incorporated collaboration designs directly.’
Esdinas of Heaven.
It made so much money that they collaborated with five-star hotels, signing deals for joint projects.
Even skeptics who’d scoff at a five-star hotel collaborating with a “nerdy otaku game” couldn’t deny the brilliance of the execution. They didn’t overhaul the entire hotel but selectively added features:
Special guest rooms,
Display figures in the lobby,
Various event supplies.
Buffet dishes inspired by the in-game menu.
These features tied perfectly into conventions like Comics World, encouraging guests to stay at the hotel for events or exclusive experiences.
I, too, had participated as both a guest and a patissier for one of these events.
The mileage I earned from those trips often led me to visit hotels or resorts within the same corporate group.
The memories and experiences of those times are reflected in this resort.
From Silverstar Group’s perspective, this was an avant-garde design.
For me, it evoked a sense of nostalgia for the modern world while living in a medieval fantasy realm.
“Junior Phoenix, is something wrong? Do you not like it?”
“No, I like it…”
I worried I wasn’t hiding my reaction well, so I casually pointed to an empty space in the center of the lobby.
“Shouldn’t there be something large here? Like a giant figure or a statue?”
I gestured to the empty space, recalling where an SD Yurha figure often stood in a hotel lobby back in reality.
“This empty spot makes the balance feel… off.”
“Did you study design?”
“Not exactly.”
I was simply comparing it to the entrance of a five-star hotel that prominent designers had created in reality.
“It just feels empty, so I thought I’d ask. Was it intentional?”
“Partly, yes. The resort isn’t fully operational yet, so there’s still some work to be done.”
Yurha shrugged her shoulders, meekly admitting the shortcomings.
“Let us know about things like this during your stay. That feedback is part of what covers your stay here.”
“Eek.”
Evangeline, who had been exploring nearby, scrunched her face as she overheard.
“Wait, do we have to write reports, Senior?”
“Not quite, Your Highness. Who would enjoy their vacation if they had to submit a formal report afterward?”
Yurha winked at her.
“Instead, just leave us a review after your stay. Your feedback will be invaluable for future guests.”
“So, it’s like signing a guestbook more expensive than the cost of staying?”
“Junior Phoenix, did you know your room costs an annual salary per night?”
“Well, I’m quite the wordsmith when it comes to reviews.”
“Great. I’ll leave it to you then. I need to speak with the manager about the rooms.”
With a bright smile, Yurha headed elsewhere, likely to inspect the staff she oversaw under Silverstar.
She would ensure no detail of their VIP service was overlooked.
The utmost professionalism would be demanded.
“Phoenix.”
“What?”
“What if I put my giant teddy bear here?”
“I don’t think that’ll work.”
Even just the person in front of me, who seems intent on disrupting the design balance, reflects the caliber of this group.
Though they call it a newly established empire, the group includes Evangeline, the princess of the di Ercy Empire; an active A-rank mercenary; and even a Sword Master.
On top of that, two other students harbor secrets and backgrounds that rival these figures. It’s clear they aren’t guests who can simply be treated as regular VIPs.
“By the way, aren’t you curious about what they’re looking at over there?”
I gently turned Evangeline’s body to direct her attention to where Yunia, Ludmila, and Esta were examining something with serious expressions.
“Not really.”
“Why not?”
“Are you genuinely asking out of curiosity, or are you just teasing me?”
Evangeline sent me a sharp look, gauging my intent.
Unlike earlier in the semester, she could now distinguish between when I was being playful and when I was being serious.
“Seriously.”
“It’s… frustrating.”
Evangeline let a bit of her true feelings slip, revealing her pride.
“There’s nothing like those decorations in the imperial palace. Standing there and staring at them enviously would feel… humiliating.”
“You’re not wrong.”
“‘You’re not wrong’? Really? Is that all?”
Evangeline leaned her head back and jabbed me in the chest with her fist.
“Did you ask just to pick at me? Huh? Here we are, trying to enjoy ourselves, and you’re out here making things complicated!”
“If a magic stone like that entered the Empire, how much would it boost the economy?”
“…Huh?”
“You probably know by now that I have a knack for helping with financial situations, even enough to support a friend’s household.”
I turned Evangeline around to face me, placing my hands on her waist and lifting her lightly.
“What do you think? How about sending one of those magic stones to your family?”
“Do you think my family is some minor viscount or baron household?”
“To me, a kingdom or an empire isn’t all that different.”
“…Well. That does sound like something you’d say.”
Evangeline narrowed her eyes at me and placed her hands on my shoulders.
“So, do you have a good idea?”
“A treasure hunt.”
“A treasure hunt?”
“Yeah. Since we’re at a resort in the ‘South’, just playing around feels a bit wasteful, doesn’t it?”
I lifted her slightly again before setting her down, trying to coax her into the idea.
“If there’s a monster around here with a magic stone that size as its core, what would you do? Would you go hunt it with me?”
“…Does such a thing exist?”
Evangeline’s expression shifted, her curiosity piqued.
“Wait a second. Ah, no way—”
“What is it?”
“It’s nothing, Ludmila.”
“You wouldn’t say something like that unless you meant it, Evangeline.”
Ludmila interjected, grabbing Evangeline and applying enough pressure to her neck and stomach to lift her off the ground.
“Ludmila! Let me down!”
Despite her struggling, Evangeline couldn’t break free from Ludmila’s grip.
“Phoenix, you’re not suggesting that this resort might hold some sort of trial or challenge, are you?”
Behind Ludmila, Yunia approached with a tense expression.
It was clear that the group, who had come here with the mindset of finally relaxing after leaving the Old School Building, wasn’t thrilled at the prospect of facing monsters—even more so considering—
“…What did you just say?”
Especially for someone who had invested heavily in this resort.
“Junior Phoenix? Did I hear you correctly?”
“You heard me right.”
I said, extending my hand toward the empty space in the lobby.
“There’s a monster nearby with a magic stone as large as this space here.”
“…”
Yurha’s face turned pale.
Her hands and feet started trembling as cracks appeared in her usual confident demeanor.
“Senior, don’t worry. The kind of catastrophic scenario you’re imagining won’t happen.”
“W-what catastrophic scenario do you think I’m imagining?”
“Collapse.”
Crack.
Yurha gritted her teeth.
“If this resort were attacked and destroyed by an S-rank monster before it even officially opened, it would be an enormous loss, wouldn’t it?”
“Y-yes, but… this isn’t some kind of prophecy, is it? Could you just call it a curse instead? Facilities like this often attract both good and bad remarks.”
“Senior.”
Unfortunately, reality is always harsh.
“The southern region of the Ludvecia Marquisate—the land around here. What was it like ten years ago?”
“…”
“Even back when it was part of the Habsderk County, it wasn’t exactly a place known for development, right?”
“Don’t joke about this.”
Yurha’s expression turned deadly serious.
“Are you telling me I built this resort in a place where an S-rank monster resides? A place that could collapse at any moment?”
“It’s the opposite.”
“Opposite?”
“You’ve built a stunning, avant-garde resort in what was once an empty, barren land. Now it sparkles, vibrant and luxurious.”
Far to the south, the landscape remained still.
“And once the lights of this resort shine brightly with business, even an S-rank monster might want to visit, eager to stay in that hot spring you built.”
“…Junior Phoenix?”
Yurha’s voice trembled uncontrollably.
“Shall we… perhaps have a private conversation, just the two of us?”
“Senior.”
I mimed writing something in the air, then gave her a bright grin.
“Instead of writing a review, why not cover the cost by letting me handle the monster?”
