Although E-Rantel was an important and indispensable military stronghold for the Re-Estize Kingdom, for various reasons, the border town wasn't very large, nor was its population particularly high. It couldn't compare with the kingdom's other towns, either... At any rate, by the time Annie had wandered around until nightfall, she'd already visited just about every place in the city that looked fun or sold tasty food.
So, after spending half a day eating all sorts of things and buying quite a few to stash away, she realized the people here didn't seem to have any fun night markets. As the streets gradually emptied, she could only continue wandering around the darkening streets in frustration, making her way toward an inn that supposedly offered lodging to travelers.
"This way, right?"
??w?`)
As she walked, Annie turned into an alley and began hopping along through its winding, deserted passageways all by herself.
"Oh..."
("▔□▔)/
"Darn it! There's no way through here! Who built a wall across the path and took over the space for storage? That's so inconsiderate..."
(??vev??)
Annie had hoped to take a shortcut to somewhere she could stay. But not long after wandering into the passage, she let out a frustrated sigh and had to turn around again, heading for a slightly more distant main road instead.
The path ahead, which should have continued through the alley, had been blocked off by a wall. Someone had apparently built it to use the space as a storeroom. Unless she went another way, she'd have to take a detour.
But...
"!!"
!(;?o?)o
To her surprise, just as she was about to leave the alley, two people suddenly appeared up ahead. They had their faces covered with ragged burlap, leaving only two pairs of greedy, cruel eyes visible. Their features were impossible