Hallen and Lassim, accompanied by the caravan crew, approached the front desk of the Golden Goblet Inn.
Reaching the well dressed staff that stood behind the counter, Hallen spoke up confidently, "We’ll need about thirty rooms for our group, please."
The staff member behind the desk, a well-dressed woman with a professional smile, nodding she greeted, "Certainly, sir Hallen. We thank you for joining us again. Though, it appears you have some new faces alongside you."
She gave a smile and a wink to Lassim before explaining, "Here at the Golden Goblet, we hope we can add a little excitement to your stay. You will each get a chance to spin this wheel to my right to determine the type of room you’ll get.
It’s part of the city’s culture, as you might have guessed." She then gestured towards a large, encased golden wheel-like object with a handle on it standing next to the desk.
Lassim watched curiously as the woman explained the wheel’s rules. "White balls will give you one of our standard rooms, blue are enhanced for cultivation with rich mana pumped into them, pink are lover’s suites with all the fun extra amenities, and for those favored by fortune there exist rare golden balls for our grand royal suites. Everyone gets a spin."
Hallen chuckled and stepped up to the wheel, giving it a firm spin. The wheel clattered before a white ball rolled out, prompting a good-natured sigh from him.
"Standard for me, it seems," he said, turning to see how the rest of the group would fare.
One by one, the caravan members took their turns, with a mix of chatter and laughter filling the air. Most spun white balls, with a handful of blues, eliciting cheers and friendly jeers from the group.
No pinks appeared, to the thankful amusement of the group. Especially since many were burly men that joked about not knowing what they’d do in a lover’s suite alone. Though, some had a knowing look shared between them about what they’d do; possibly going out and inviting someone back to stay the night.
Finally, it was Lassim’s turn. He approached the wheel, feeling the eyes of the caravan on him. With a curious glance at Hallen, who gave him an encouraging nod, Lassim spun the wheel.
The group fell silent as the wheel turned, the clattering sound echoing in the grand lobby. The ball rolled out, and to everyone’s astonishment, it was a gleaming gold.
A collective gasp followed by applause broke out among the caravan members and the inn’s staff.
The woman behind the desk clapped her hands excitedly. "Congratulations, young sir! You’ve won a stay in one of our grand royal suites! It’s very rare for guests to get this on their first try!"
Hallen, wide-eyed and smiling, patted Lassim on the back. "Well, would you look at that! Young Master Lassim brings us luck already! The royal suite, eh? You’re going to live like a king tonight!"
Lassim, slightly embarrassed but thrilled, couldn’t help but smile at the turn of events. "I guess I was just a tad lucky today," he said, bashfully while scratching his head.
After finalizing their check-in and everyone determining the type room they’d get at the front desk, Lassim, Hallen, and the other caravan members were ushered by the inn’s staff through the lavish hallways toward their rooms.
They had agreed to reconvene at the restaurant later for dinner after going to the rooms for their keys.
As they arrived at Lassim’s suite, the door swung open to reveal an opulent expanse of space. The grand royal suite was breathtakingly decorated, with fine art adorning the walls and luxurious furniture arranged tastefully throughout.
Two maids, standing by the entrance, greeted Lassim with a curtsy. "Welcome, Young Master, to your suite. We are here to attend to your needs, whatever they may be," one of the maids said, her eyes glancing subtly towards him and leaning over with her full cleavage on display directly in Lassim’s face; a clear hint of suggestion.
Lassim, feeling a blush rise to his cheeks at her implication, was momentarily lost for words.
Hallen, noticing Lassim’s discomfort, quickly stepped in. "Ah, thank you, young ladies, but the Young Master is still, well, a bit on the younger side. Despite his stature and cultivation, he won’t be needing... certain services," he said, trying to keep the conversation light and appropriate.
The maids nodded, their professionalism unfazed. "Of course, Sir. We will be just outside, staying in the room across the hall, if you need anything else," one of them responded, ensuring Lassim that they understood the boundaries set by Hallen.
With the maids excusing themselves to the anteroom, Lassim and Hallen explored the suite.
Lassim was in awe of the lavishness, from the plush carpets to the expansive bed covered in silky linens.
"This place is incredible, Hallen. It’s a thousand times more luxurious than even the room I stayed at in the Rohese estate," Lassim exclaimed, his eyes wide as he took in every detail.
Hallen chuckled, "The Golden Goblet is known for its luxury and their prices certainly allow them to invest in their rooms. It’s all part of the experience here in Durelia and one of the reasons why I like staying here when we pass through. Enjoy it, Young Master; it’s not every day you get to stay in a royal suite!"
After a brief look around, it was time to head down to the restaurant to meet with the others.
The restaurant of the Golden Goblet was renowned for its exquisite cuisine and impeccable service.
Upon their arrival, the maître d’ greeted them with a polished smile. "Members of the Rohese family, welcome! Your table is ready for you and your guests. We have prepared it for you, waiting for your expected arrival. Some have already arrived, so please fret not, we’ll continue escorting members of your party over as they fashionably arrive."
As they were escorted to their seats, they passed by other diners engaged in animated conversations, their tables adorned with an array of delectable dishes and fine wines.
The maître d’ led them to a long table, elegantly set with fine china and crystal glassware, positioned to offer a view of the restaurant’s vibrant atmosphere.
"Your party’s table, gentlemen. I trust this will be to your satisfaction. Your servers will be with you shortly," the maître d’ said, gesturing gracefully to their seats.
Hallen and Lassim took their seats, with Lassim still marveling at the grandeur of the whole experience so far. "This is really something else. I can’t wait to see what the food is like here."
Hallen nodded, his eyes twinkling with anticipation. "You’re in for a treat, Young Master. The Golden Goblet’s chefs are some of the best in Durelia. Please, sit back and enjoy the evening! I think you’ll particularly enjoy this kind of meal."
As they settled in, the rest of the caravan began to fill in the seats around the table, the air buzzing with their chatter about the journey, the inn’s luxury, and the tournament tomorrow.
It seemed like the members of the caravan didn’t always get to experience this level of luxury or relaxations while on their travels, as several members toasted to Lassim’s presence in the caravan. They were all excited and happy for the Young Master.
As the final members of the caravan arrived and settled into their seats, a waitress with a bright smile approached their table.
"Good evening, everyone. Welcome to the Golden Goblet’s dining experience. Tonight, we offer three main choices: Meat, Fish, or Vegetarian. Each choice will take you on a culinary journey, a roulette of flavors if you will, where each bite could surprise you. Sweet, savory, spicy, or natural ingredient focused themes, every dish is a gamble.
But I assure you, it’s a gamble where every bite wins because everything we serve is delicious." Her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm, selling the adventurous spirit of the meal to the table’s stomachs.
Lassim, intrigued by the concept and already immersing himself in the town’s culture of chance, decided to go with the meat option. "I’ll have the Meat menu, please. I’m curious about this culinary adventure," he said.
The waitress nodded, jotting down the order. "An excellent choice! Our Meat journey tonight is especially thrilling. You’ll love the variety," she assured with a wink, then turned to take the orders from the others.
As the meals began to arrive, Lassim was treated to an array of dishes that were as visually stunning as they were flavorful.
The first course was a mystery meat tartare, finely chopped and mixed with an array of undisclosed spices and herbs. Each bite a surprise of either intense heat or cool, and refreshing minty flavors, teasing the palate with its unpredictability.
He didn’t particularly enjoy it, but it was unique and he was going along for the experience.
Next came a smoky grilled steak, cut into thick slices, each piece revealing a different marinade as he bit into them. Some slices were sweet, almost caramel-like, while others packed a savory punch, or a spicy kick that made his eyes water, each a delightful gamble. He really enjoyed the caramelized slices the most.
The final dish was a roulette of miniature pies, each with different fillings - some were rich and gamey, others were light and herby, and a few had a fiery filling that exploded with heat in his mouth.
Lassim was thoroughly enjoying the experience, each dish a chance to gamble on the tongue. The waitress was indeed correct about her promise, every choice was a winner in its own right.
After the sumptuous meal, Hallen stood up, clapping his hands to catch everyone’s attention. "Thank you all for a wonderful evening. Tomorrow shall be a free day of rest for you all to explore and enjoy. We meet back here the day after tomorrow, bright and early, to continue our journey south."
With that, the caravan members dispersed, each with their own plans to enjoy the night in Durelia Town.
Hallen turned to Lassim, "Shall we try our luck at getting those tickets for tomorrow’s tournament?"
Lassim, still savoring the last bites of his meal, nodded eagerly. "Yes, let’s do that, and thank you for the meal as well. I can’t wait to see the fights!"
Leaving the luxurious ambiance of the Golden Goblet Inn behind, the city streets of Durelia Town were alive with activity, the sounds of the city’s nightlife and dice rolling filling the air.
The city streets were illuminated by colored lanterns that lined the streets, and even magically glowing signs that cast a vibrant neon glow on the faces of the town’s inhabitants and visitors.
As they walked, Hallen led the way through the bustling streets, the sounds of laughter, music, and the clinking of elemental source stones filling the air. "We’re heading to a place just a short walk from here. It’s where they handle all the tournament registrations and ticket sales," Hallen explained, his voice carrying over the din of the town’s nightlife.
They arrived at a building that stood out amidst the town’s architecture. Its exterior was designed to resemble the outer rim of a colosseum, complete with arches and statues of generic fighters and cultivators. The grandeur of the structure was both imposing and inviting.
Upon entering, they were greeted by the sight of a crowded interior. The air buzzing with the anticipation of the upcoming event.
Staff members, clad in gladiator-style outfits, directed the throngs of people to various lines, each designated for last-minute entrants of different cultivation stages.
"Entrants for Spirit Ascension stage, line up here! Spirit Transformation, over there! Don’t shove, there’s room for all willing to fight!" shouted a staff member, her voice cutting through the clamor. She was dressed in a gladiator-style outfit as well, that showcased her gorgeous, well-toned and muscled body. It lended an air of authenticity to the martial atmosphere of the building.
Lassim observed the organized chaos and crowd with wide eyes, absorbing the intense atmosphere of competition and excitement that permeated the building.
Hallen, pulling Lassim forward by the shoulder, said, "Let’s avoid the melee and get our tickets."They approached a quieter section of the building, where the ticket sales were handled.
At the counter, Hallen inquired about the tickets for the upcoming tournament, particularly for the Spirit Growth stage matches. He directly purchased some seats near the front row, much to Lassim’s surprise.
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Seeing the look in Lassim’s response to purchasing the tickets so straightforwardly he commented, "No gambling needed here, sir. Direct purchase ensures you get the best view of the strength and skill on display," replied the attendant, a burly man with a knowing smile. "It’s the fights that draw the bets, not the seats."
Lassim, intrigued by the straightforward transaction, remarked, "I was expecting more of a game of chance to get these tickets. It seems like we’ve had to gamble on everything so far?"
Hallen laughed softly, as he finished paying for the tickets, "Like he said, in Durelia, the real gamble is on the tournament’s outcome. The thrill for many isn’t in getting a seat but in predicting the victor. This is mainly a response to the more wealthy attendants.
Enough of them made complaints where they expressed their preference in having the certainty of a good view to witness the action they bet on."
As they left the ticket counter, Hallen and Lassim stepped back into the cool night air.
With tickets in hand, they were ready for the day of martial prowess that awaited them tomorrow.