episode_0036

“If I bring one more person to work, will you write it down?”

Toa glanced at me as she put down the knife while preparing vegetables.

“Who is it? If it’s Astan’s recruit… probably someone from the Academy?”

“He’s a noble, but he wants to try working for a while. Oh, I’ll vouch for his character. He’s a good friend, though I’m not sure about his work, but he’s one of the top students at the Academy, so there shouldn’t be any problem.”

“Why would a noble want to do this kind of work? They could just sit still and money would roll in like a nobleman.”

“It’s about experiencing the world. Among nobles and royals, there are people who disguise themselves as commoners and wander around.”

After my response, Toa paused for a moment, then pointed the knife at me. As saliva glistened on the sharp edge, she spoke softly.

“If it’s someone guaranteed by Astan, I’ll use him, but I won’t use him for long. I don’t think the noble will understand our work. Nobles should live like nobles.”

“Well, I’ll consider your permission granted for now.”

“Of course, if he can’t work, I’ll fire him immediately.”

I nodded, placed the wiped cup in the cupboard, then left the counter to slowly survey the hall, tidying up the empty plates and cups. Lost in thought in the midst of the crowded hall, someone tapped my shoulder.

“If you stand there dazed like that, you’ll bump into things.”

“Yes.”

Regaining focus from my colleague’s response, I gathered the cleaned dishes and headed back to the counter to wash them. Toa suddenly shouted loudly.

“Get some beer from the back!”

“Yes!”

And I quickly moved my feet to the back of the store. It wasn’t that cold yet, but I thought winter would come soon and it would get cold. Ironically, Ignolia had four seasons. My hometown didn’t have such distinct seasons, but I heard Ignolia did. I couldn’t gauge how cold the winter would be, but it was funny that winter wasn’t cold.

If one’s ability to handle cold improves before winter comes, will the cold not be a problem? Even Erica senpai handles cold well. With that thought in mind, I opened the door to the warehouse at the back of the store and took out a barrel of beer.

Why did that spy come out here? The graveyard was far from the pub. But the way to the academy wasn’t nearby either. Carefully, I drew a map in my head. The graveyard was in the northwest of Ignolia, the road to the academy was in the south of the center, but this pub was in the northeast.

Thinking about that man’s route in my head, did he try to move from the northwest to the northeast, and then to the south? But no matter which way you go, you can’t avoid passing through the center of Ignolia. If he didn’t want to pass through the center, he would have moved to the southwest.

Isabel senpai said there would be several cores of the deceased in Ignolia, so… Perhaps there is also a core of the deceased somewhere in the northeast.

Carefully thinking those thoughts, I brought the beer into the store and put it down. Just as I was feeling accustomed to the countless conversations and cooking sounds that filled my ears, someone came into the store.

Clean armor, a seated lioness engraved on the chest, and a flame pattern held by the lioness’s hand. The man who entered the store was very tall. Would he hit the door of the pub? At that moment, the man naturally walked to the counter, and I swallowed slowly. What’s this?

At that thought, the arriving man opened his mouth toward Toa, the lady at the counter.

“Are you the owner of the store?”

The knights of Aralelia have arrived in Ignolia, and it seems that a more capable knight has come than expected. Do you have something to say?

I need someone who knows this area well for patrolling Ignolia. Can you introduce me to someone?

Hmm… This area? Are you planning to go into the alleyways?

I’m considering going underground.

It would be hard to find such a person at our tavern. I recommend looking for someone from the Ignolia Guard instead.

I see. Thank you. And this is a personal matter.

With that, the knight took out a well-wrapped envelope and handed it to Aunt Toa. After opening the envelope and reading the letter, Aunt Toa chuckled and then locked eyes with the knight.

Bold, aren’t you? Sir Knight. The information office is not here, is it?

As soon as I arrived in Ignolia, I heard rumors that you often appear in this tavern. Since I have a personal matter to discuss, I thought I’d ask.

This is the first time someone has looked for this person.

As I mentioned, it’s a personal matter.

If you’re looking for that person, they’ll probably show up without you doing this. They’ll be here soon enough.

In that case… I’ll order a light meal while waiting.

Sure, one guest.

The knight sat in a secluded corner of the hall, and as I looked at him, I whispered softly to Aunt Toa.

What’s going on?

I understand.

Before I knew it, the food the knight ordered arrived, along with a cup of tea, and when I brought them over, his eyes met mine.

…Aralelia person?

It’s amazing that you recognized me at a glance. Here is the honey-glazed pork and Tottman tea you ordered.

Aralelia people have a distinctive aura, so why are you here instead of in Aralaelia? Considering your young age… Is there something going on?

I am a student at the Academy.

Ah, I see. A student of the Academy taking a difficult path.

This is not something for you to talk about, as you are on the most difficult path.

The knight laughed heartily at my words. The atmosphere was subtly different from the one we faced at the counter. Perhaps it was because we were both from Aralier. While I was pondering this, the man looked at me and asked, “What grade are you in?”

“I’m in first grade,” I replied.

“If you’re in first grade, you must know about Princess Serestria, especially being from Aralier.”

“Of course,” I said.

In response to my answer, the knight’s warm expression suddenly turned sharp after taking a sip of his hot toddy and looking at me.

“So, you must be Astan,” he said.

“…I’m afraid of Aralier’s information network,” I replied.

“Just as the rumors say, the princess has made a friend. Don’t be afraid. You’re here on personal business, and there’s no reason to do anything to the princess’s friend.”

After hearing his words, I nodded and spoke, “Then, do you have any further business here?”

“Do you know an old inspector who frequents this tavern? His name is Hans.”

“I do. I’ve heard rumors of him breaking through dungeons, and if there’s a duel in this tavern, 8 out of 10 times it’s because of Mr. Hans.”

“Thank you.”

As I returned to the counter to resume work, the tavern door opened, and Mr. Hans walked in. Just as I was about to go take his order, I noticed the knight getting up from his seat and walking towards Mr. Hans.

Nonchalantly sitting in front of Mr. Hans, the knight engaged in conversation and then handed something over before placing money on the table and leaving the tavern. I walked over, collected the money, and spoke up.

“You two seem to know each other? He’s an Aralier knight.”

“He claims to be a friend’s disciple, but I don’t know him.”

“It doesn’t sound like a good story.”

“It’s nothing special. How about a drink?”

After nodding to Hans, I went back to the counter and poured wine into a cup, then moved back to the counter. When I arrived at the counter, Toa asked me to leave work. I nodded and packed up before leaving the bar and walking towards the center of Ignolia, where I saw knights walking around.

Now that the knight order has started guarding Ignolia, I wonder if the cores of the deceased will not disappear soon. But the spies will hide even more, so this might be a strange method. Even if skilled magic users use detection magic, it would be difficult.

While thinking about this, a man stood in front of the knights.

Senior Leonar was standing there, and as I looked at him, our eyes met. I lightly bowed my head in greeting, and he gestured to the people around him and approached me.

“Are you leaving work?”

“Yes, senior. And you?”

“There aren’t enough mages available for patrol duty at the academy, so I decided to help out. Hurry back to the academy.”

“Have you heard from Senior Erika?”

“She wants permission for Sharen to go out, right?”

“What is your opinion, senior?”

“I’m in favor of granting permission. As Sharen suggested, it’s the most certain way to find the spies.”

“It seems you have an opposite opinion from Senior Erika.”

“Erika probably thinks similarly to me, but maybe she changed her mind because of Isabelle.”

“Senior Isabelle is strong.”

In response to my answer, Leonar nodded in agreement, said he would go first, and moved back towards the knights. I moved towards the main gate of the academy.

When I quickly arrived at the academy’s main gate, Senior Isabelle was standing there.

“We meet again?”

“You’re in charge of today’s gate security, senior.”

“As all fifth-year students are gathered, we need to divide roles. I’ll go on patrol tomorrow.”

Then I looked at the senior and slowly spoke, “Do you have any intention of granting permission for Sharen to go out?”

“Hmm… Well, I don’t have any thoughts about Sharen going out. If he wants to, I’ll permit it, and if he doesn’t want to, of course, I’ll consider controlling him.”

“It seems divided like the opinions of other seniors.”

“But do you really think that if Sharen goes out, a spy will appear? The probability will increase, but right now Ignolia has started patrolling the knights. Eventually, even if Sharen goes out, they would aim for him after breaking through those knights… That’s difficult, anyone would find it hard to break through the knights and assassinate or kidnap their target.”

“Seniors might be capable, though.”

In response to my answer, Isabelle just smiled faintly, and I cautiously spoke up.

“I’ll go in first.”

“You seem to be deep in thought, but let me tell you one thing.”

She softly spoke to me with a voice mixed with laughter.

“If you’re thinking of finding the academy’s spy, stop.”