"Mr. Bones, why are we leaving the Karahei Bazaar? I clearly saw a hotel inside the market. Do we have to stay in a Muggle community?" Mavis looked at Bones with some confusion.
"There's no choice. Too many people attend the International Alchemy Conference. The hotels inside the market aren't even enough for the local Egyptian attendees, let alone foreign participants," Bones explained in detail, knowing this was Mavis's first time attending. "For every conference, the Egyptian Ministry of Magic arranges additional accommodation outside the market specifically for foreign participants. This has become a custom. Besides, the residence we're going to isn't entirely Muggle territory; at least the owner isn't."
"You mean Martin, right? I'm surprised his pub hasn't gone out of business after all these years," Bianca said, clearly not visiting for the first time. She spoke with a playful expression.
"Yes. Every time I ask him why he's so willing to take jobs from the Egyptian Ministry, he always says, 'I can't just do Muggle business; I have to earn some Galleons!'" Bones mimicked the man perfectly, scowling for effect.
"Hahaha, that guy hasn't changed a bit," Bianca burst into laughter at the impression.
"Martin? Is he the owner of our accommodation? Is there anything special about him?" Mavis asked, seeing how familiar the two were with the man.
"He's just a poor soul who wants to hide in the Muggle world like a hermit but can't quite abandon his wizard identity," Bianca chuckled and shook her head, then looked at the others with a serious expression. "But that guy can be dangerous when he loses his temper, so you should avoid crossing him."
*A poor soul? Why would this Martin want to abandon his wizard identity?* Alan raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued.
Before he could ponder further, Bones led them into a five-story building. Though called a pub, it was similar to the Leaky Cauldron; the first floor was a tavern, while the upper floors served as guest rooms. The interior was richly decorated with Arabian flair, spacious with high ceilings and windows featuring exquisite hollow patterns.
The pub was bustling. As far as the eye could see, there were wizards dressed in traditional robes or exotic attire. When they saw Bones and the others enter, they merely glanced casually before losing interest. Bones led them to the counter, where a gloomy, tall, and thin middle-aged man stood. He wore an Arabian robe but no headscarf. On his chest hung a pendant shaped like a triangular eye with a vertical line in the pupil. Alan recognized it immediately as the symbol of the Deathly Hallows.
"Martin, the British delegation is here. Seven of us in total. Please arrange the rooms," Bones greeted him familiarly.
The owner, Martin, looked coldly at Bones. "Why is there a dog? Do you think it's not chaotic enough here? I don't accommodate animals."
"Are you blind? I clearly saw the Ugandan representative over there with a black panther!" Bianca, clearly very familiar with Martin's attitude, pointed to a panther lounging near a nearby table and grumbled.
"It's you. How are you not dead after all these years?" Martin glared at Bianca and rolled his eyes. "And I think you're the blind one. Didn't you notice that black panther is an Animagus? I'm truly surprised how someone of your level became a Director in the Ministry."
"Alright, alright," Bones quickly intervened when he saw Bianca was about to explode. "Martin, please make an exception. Plenty of wizards bring owls. A dog isn't a big problem."
"Owls won't defecate on my carpet. Can this dog promise the same? Besides, I don't provide dog food here," Martin snapped, sounding as if he had a personal grudge against the world.
"Mr... Mr. Martin, I guarantee my dog won't cause you any trouble. I'll take full responsibility for him, and I have his food handled," Alan stepped forward to persuade him. He would be staying here for several days and didn't want a hostile relationship with the host.
"My surname is Grenville. Address me as Mr. Grenville," Martin corrected him unpleasantly. "Fine. If your dog dares to damage anything in my room, you'll pay triple compensation—and it must be in Galleons."
"No problem, whatever you say," Alan agreed immediately, wanting to avoid a scene.
"Good. Here are the keys to three rooms. Two are suites for three people. Assign them as you like," Martin said, dropping three keys onto the counter once he had Alan's assurance.
"How did you become so worldly after a few years? You've picked up too many bad habits from hanging around Muggles," Bianca pouted with indignation, but Martin merely gave her a massive eye-roll and ignored her.
After taking the keys, Bianca looked at the group. "You three ladies will share one room. Alan, you'll have a room to yourself. The remaining room will be for me and the two of you."
The two Ministry alchemists, who had been standing quietly, exchanged helpless glances. Staying with their superior was never good news.
Once the rooms were allocated, Bianca gave her instructions. "The official Alchemy Conference starts in two days and will last for three. Tomorrow night, there's a dinner organized by the Egyptian Ministry. Both Alan and I have been invited. Alan, remember to be on time. For the rest of the time, you are free to do as you please."
Upon hearing this, Vanessa excitedly winked at Mavis and Aseria. For her, this was a vacation; they wouldn't be attending most of the official events. She was likely already planning their sightseeing route.
As they made their way to their rooms, Bones followed Alan into his.
"Alan, I didn't expect your alchemy skills to progress so far. Even here in Egypt, I see your papers published. I heard you opened your own business in Diagon Alley and even counts the Ministry as a client. Truly remarkable."
Alan's room was spacious. Bones sat on the sofa and motioned for him to join him. "This is all thanks to your guidance, Mr. Bones. Otherwise, I might not even know what alchemy was by now," Alan said. He took a bottle of Firewhisky from his spatial ring and poured a glass for his mentor.