CLEAVER OF SIN Chapter 745: Outrageous Price [Spacecraft Bonus - ]
Previously on CLEAVER OF SIN...
Guided by FatelessPen and the Hotel Manager, their path led towards what appeared to be a reception area.
"By the Overlord's command, the entire Gentle Hotel has been secured for the Zarethorne Empire. This means no one outside your Empire will be present to disturb you within this establishment," the Hotel Manager stated with a composed demeanor.
"Have any others from the Zarethorne Empire arrived prior to us?" Asher inquired as they proceeded. Hearing that the entire building was allocated to their Empire, he was curious about any early arrivals.
"There have been a few. However, due to hotel protocol, I cannot disclose the identities of our guests. Even though you all hail from the same Empire, safeguarding your privacy remains our highest priority and commitment," the Hotel Manager responded, a professional smile gracing his features.
"I was under the impression that our satisfaction was your paramount responsibility," Asher remarked with a hint of amusement as he observed the Hotel Manager.
The man cleared his throat somewhat awkwardly before replying, "We uphold both responsibilities with equal importance. After all, how can our clients truly be satisfied if their privacy is compromised?" His voice was smooth and practiced, suggesting he had delivered this line many times before.
"Well played," Asher commented calmly, continuing his stride. The identities of those who arrived before him did not particularly concern him.
"FatelessPen, will the Principal be lodging with us at this hotel?" William inquired, turning his head towards FatelessPen.
FatelessPen pondered for a moment before answering. "While I cannot be entirely certain, my estimation is that the Principals of each Academy, along with the Dukes and the leaders of the other Empires, will likely be staying at the Awakener Association. It stands to reason that individuals of similar stature would congregate together," he explained as they walked.
William offered a nod and remained silent upon receiving his answer.
"What are the names of the Academies belonging to the other Empires?" Asher asked, the thought suddenly striking him.
FatelessPen offered a slight smile before responding, "Constellation Academy, Astra Academy, and Heavenly Academy."
Asher almost halted in his steps, having just encountered what he considered the laziest naming conventions imaginable. He recalled once finding the name of Star Academy uninspired, but these three somehow managed to be even more so.
"It appears everyone is attempting to link their Academy names to celestial bodies or similar concepts," Asher observed as they moved along.
A sigh escaped FatelessPen before he spoke again. "Your assessment is precisely correct. Our Empire was fortunate enough to secure the name Star Academy before any other Empire could."
Several students nearby quietly concurred. Now that Asher had highlighted it, the pattern was undeniably evident. It seemed every Empire sought to associate itself with the heavens, constellations, or stellar phenomena, as if such celestial elements symbolized supreme power and greatness.
They soon reached the reception desk, where the Hotel Manager addressed them once more. "What category of room would you require?"
"The best," FatelessPen declared without hesitation, questioning why they would seek anything less than the finest.
"Each of those premium rooms is priced at one hundred platinum coins per night. With four hundred and fifty students, that totals forty-five thousand one hundred platinum coins, including yourself, naturally," the Hotel Manager announced, his smile suggesting he had just stumbled upon a monumental fortune.
Asher, FatelessPen, William, and indeed every student present were rendered momentarily speechless. The price quoted seemed almost unbelievable. A single platinum coin was already considered an exorbitant sum for ordinary individuals, yet the hotel was demanding one hundred platinum coins per person, per night. It was sheer extravagance.
William, Ryaen, and Finch, who had felt a sense of affluence after being provided a few hundred platinum coins, suddenly experienced a stark feeling of poverty.
Some students gasped in disbelief, while others stared blankly at the Hotel Manager, as if presented with the most audacious scam ever conceived. Even several students from noble families found the price utterly unreasonable.
"You mentioned the entire building was reserved for the Zarethorne Empire. Why are we suddenly being asked to pay?" FatelessPen questioned, his tone reminiscent of a frugal elder reluctant to part with his wealth.
"You've misunderstood," the Hotel Manager stated with politeness. "This establishment is exclusively reserved for the Zarethorne Empire, yet no payment has been tendered. All guests are still required to cover their own lodging and incidentals." He paused briefly before continuing, "Furthermore, one hundred platinum coins is thoroughly justified. As you are aware, our Thalvorn Empire is celebrated for its technological advancements. The amenities within each chamber possess a value that even one hundred platinum coins alone cannot procure elsewhere, and once you depart the Thalvorn Empire, such opulence may never be encountered again," he declared, his tone as flawless as a seasoned salesman presenting his ultimate pitch. FatelessPen remained entirely unfazed, but the students' curiosity was undeniably piqued. Whatever treasures resided within those rooms had to be exceptional if the Hotel Manager could so confidently demand such an exorbitant sum. Nevertheless, none dared to voice their thoughts. After all, how many households even generated such wealth annually? Yet now, they were informed it would cost that much every single night. FatelessPen emitted a soft sigh. Cindralis had not even furnished him with funds to settle this bill, but it made no difference. Cindralis was already cognizant that with his unique abilities, he had no need for currency in the first place. Just as FatelessPen was poised to conjure a colossal mound of platinum coins, the Hotel Manager interjected swiftly, "I must inform you that our hotel exclusively accepts card payments. My apologies for omitting this detail earlier," his tone carrying a hint of deference. FatelessPen sighed once more. With a flick of his pen, a sleek black card materialized from thin air, which he effortlessly fashioned to hold an unlimited balance. He presented the card to the Hotel Manager, who smoothly swiped it through a compact device held in his hand. The device emitted a gentle beep, signifying a successful transaction. The Hotel Manager returned the card to FatelessPen, who nonchalantly stowed it within his space ring. He surmised the Hotel Manager had likely inflated the prices due to the Inter-Empire Competition, but what recourse did he truly possess? None, in reality. He could only pay. Besides, monetary concerns were hardly an issue for him. As for the remaining Crownstar Life Rank Instructors, FatelessPen saw no need to cover their expenses. They could manage their own payments. After all, each and every one of them was exceedingly affluent and perfectly capable of accumulating more wealth whenever they desired. With the arrangements concluded, the Hotel Manager proceeded to distribute what appeared to be metallic cards – the key cards for the hotel rooms. "Kindly follow me," the Hotel Manager requested politely, gesturing them forward before leading the group toward an elevator that ascended to the uppermost floor. Having secured the finest accommodations, it was only natural that they would be situated at the very pinnacle. ____