The Monster Monarch System-Chapter 253: Back To The Inn

The streets were lively as they walked, the air buzzing with chatter and the scent of fresh bread wafting from nearby bakeries.

The afternoon sun hung high, casting warm golden light over the cobbled roads. Sorin had an energy to it — one that seemed to shift with every corner they turned.

Cairn, despite his silence, walked with a bit more confidence now.

His steps weren’t as hesitant, his shoulders not as slumped. He still kept close to Rem, but there was a noticeable change.

The kid had a long way to go, but this was a start.

Selene walked beside them, stretching her arms lazily above her head. "You know, I still don’t get why you wanted to buy a beastkin so badly."

Rem glanced at her. "Didn’t ask."

Selene rolled her eyes. "You’re so damn stubborn."

They moved through a busier part of the city, the roads lined with merchants shouting out their wares. Children ran past, laughing as they weaved between pedestrians.

It was easy to get lost in the noise and the movement, and for most, this was the perfect place for pickpockets to thrive.

Selene, of course, was quick to point this out.

"This part of the city is notorious for thieves," she said, slipping her hands into her pockets. "People with loose coin purses get targeted all the time."

Rem gave her a side glance. "Like you?"

She smirked. "Oh, please, I was better than most of these amateurs."

Cairn looked between them, but as usual, he remained quiet.

They continued walking until, out of nowhere, a man stepped forward, handing them each a flyer.

"Make sure to attend!" the man said with a wide grin.

Rem barely acknowledged him at first, his attention instead on the flyer itself.

It was advertising a grand festival — one that only took place once every three years. The city would be filled with decorations, food stalls, and performances.

Selene leaned in slightly, glancing over his shoulder. "Oh yeah, I forgot this was coming up. It’s actually kind of a big deal."

Rem, however, wasn’t focused on the flyer.

His eyes lifted slightly, tracking the man who had given it to him.

There was something off about him.

His presence seemed normal on the surface, but beneath it, there was a faint, almost hidden energy pulsing from within him.

Demonic energy.

It was subtle — so well concealed that most people wouldn’t notice it. But Rem did.

And that meant one thing.

This was why he had come to Sorin in the first place.

His fingers instinctively tightened around the flyer, his gaze sharpening ever so slightly.

He wasn’t going to make a move now.

Not yet.

But he marked the man’s soul energy in his mind.

Later, when the time was right — he’d track him down.

Selene, oblivious to the shift in his expression, nudged him lightly with her elbow. "You’re not interested in festivals, huh?"

Rem blinked once before finally looking at her.

"It’s not really my thing," he admitted.

She smirked. "Figures. You don’t seem like the type to enjoy celebrations."

He didn’t comment.

Cairn remained quiet as well, though his eyes flickered toward the festival flyer as if trying to decipher its importance.

Rem finally exhaled, tucking the paper away. "Let’s go back."

Selene didn’t argue, and soon, they made their way through the bustling streets, heading toward the inn.

The festival could wait.

For now, there were other things to focus on.

Cairn stuck close to Rem’s side, his small hands occasionally curling into fists whenever people walked too close. He was still tense, still on edge, but Rem could tell the boy was adjusting. Slowly.

As they moved through the market district, a stall caught Cairn’s attention. It was nothing extravagant, just a simple stand selling a variety of clothes.

Most of them were plain, but sturdy — made for practicality rather than style.

Cairn hesitated for a moment before glancing up at Rem, wordlessly seeking permission.

Rem, hands tucked into his pockets, gave a small nod.

The boy stepped forward, running his fingers over a few fabrics. His eyes flickered with the faintest bit of curiosity as he picked up a tunic, feeling its texture.

The merchant, an older man with a friendly face, chuckled. "Got an eye for good material, huh?"

Cairn didn’t respond, but his grip tightened slightly on the cloth.

Selene, standing nearby, smirked. "Well, at least he’s got better taste than you,"

Rem ignored her, watching as Cairn hesitated again before slipping into the small changing area at the side of the stall.

A moment later, he stepped out wearing a simple dark tunic and a pair of fitted pants.

The clothes weren’t anything extravagant, but they fit him well — better than the oversized rags he had been wearing before.

More importantly, they made him look less like a caged animal and more like... a person.

Rem nodded. "We’ll take them."

The merchant grinned, counting the coins as Rem handed them over.

Cairn ran a hand over the fabric of his sleeve, as if still processing the fact that he was wearing actual clothes.

Selene tilted her head, watching him. "You like ’em?"

Cairn hesitated, then gave the smallest nod.

Selene chuckled. "Well, I guess that’s as close to excitement as we’re getting from you."

Rem didn’t comment, instead motioning for them to continue walking.

Cairn trailed behind him again, but this time, there was something different. His steps weren’t as uncertain as before.

They moved through the winding streets, past the bustling marketplace, and finally arrived at the inn.

The warm glow of lanterns illuminated the entrance, casting flickering shadows against the walls.

The scent of cooked food drifted from within, and the muffled sounds of conversation carried through the door.

Rem gave a small nod to the receptionist before leading Cairn inside.

The boy’s posture stiffened slightly as they stepped into the inn’s main hall, his crimson eyes darting around as if expecting trouble.

But there was none.

Just the gentle hum of a welcoming space, the low crackling of a fireplace, and the distant clatter of dishes from the kitchen.

Rem led him up the stairs, stopping in front of a room before pushing the door open.

Inside, Luke and Kiara were sitting on their respective beds, talking quietly.

Kiara perked up first. "Oh, you’re back!"

Luke glanced up, then frowned slightly when he noticed Cairn standing beside Rem. "Who’s the kid?"

Rem placed a hand on Cairn’s shoulder, gently pushing him forward. "This is Cairn."

Kiara blinked. "Wait... did you buy a child?"

Selene snorted from behind them. "I told you it looked bad."

Rem sighed. "No. He’s coming with us."

Luke arched a brow. "Since when did we start adopting people?"

Rem shot him a look. "Since now."

Cairn stood there, tense and unmoving.

Kiara, however, smiled at him. "Hi, Cairn! I’m Kiara."

He didn’t respond, but his gaze flickered toward her for a moment.

Luke sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "Well, guess it’s none of my business. Just make sure he doesn’t slow us down."

Selene leaned against the doorframe. "Wow. You guys are so good at making kids feel welcome."

Rem ignored her, stepping further inside. "We’ll get some rest. Tomorrow, we make preparations."