「So, what kind of information are you after?」
「Mainly the current movements of the saintess and the kingdom’s rebel army. Also, if you happen to know anything about the holy sword’s location, I’d like to hear it.」
「Yeah… the current saintess is supposedly on a pilgrimage in the demon territories, but that’s just the cover story. The real rumor is she’s being toyed with as the new Demon King’s slave. As for the rebels… word is they held a meeting in Milrose. Some noble who snuck in was laughing about it over drinks. The holy sword? The only thing I know is that silly 『Pull it out and see!』 game they do for fun… Honestly, does a holy sword even exist?」
「Ah, the person who hired me this time is a scholar.」
「I see. Well, it’s not surprising. No way something that ancient is still around.」
「Yeah… no one who knows the field has heard anything either.」
「Nope… The royal academy might have someone who knows, though.」
「Makes sense. Thanks.」
「By the way, have you heard this rumor?」
「Hm?」
「The string of disappearances in the capital. All sorts of people are vanishing. Word is the castle folks are behind it to spread bad rumors about demons.」
「That’s unusual, people blaming the castle directly.」
「Yeah, well… most of the missing are people who worked for or near the castle. Naturally, suspicion falls on them.」
「I see.」
「Be careful out there. Don’t get snatched yourself.」
The shopkeeper and Shia chuckled as the conversation wrapped up.
――――Cling clang.
「How’d it go?」
「You were listening, right?」
「The words, yeah. But I couldn’t see his expressions or where his eyes were moving.」
「True. He was his usual shady self. The way he looked at us… same old tricks.」
「I don’t know what ‘usual’ means for him… but is that bad?」
Shia leaned in close, her voice dropping to a whisper.
「Usual shady. He’s definitely trying to play us.」
「Got it. Let’s skip heading back tonight.」
「Really? Won’t Liliana-sama, Alicia-sama, and Selene-chan get mad?」
「It’s fine. Nothing major. I’ll pop back later anyway.」
「Right… you can just zip home anytime. So convenient～」
「Haha…」
Don’t look at me with that envious stare…
◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆
「Gahaha!」「Wahahaha!」「Oi, nee-chan, over here with the ale!」
The moment we stepped into the tavern, the sharp smell of alcohol and loud male voices filled the air.
「Welcome～ Table for two?」
「Yes… is it okay?」
「Well… we’re quite busy right now, so food might take a little longer to serve. If that’s alright with you, I’ll show you to your seats.」
「Yes, that’s fine. Shia, you okay with waiting?」
「Yes, I’ll follow Master’s lead.」
「Understood～ Please follow me.」
The waitress led us up to a seat on the mezzanine level.
「Two ales, please. And some tasty meat dishes.」
「Let’s see… we have schnitzel and young chicken stewed in tomato sauce. If you’re okay with something a bit pricier, we also have roasted duck.」
「Got it. One of each, please.」
「Understood～ I’ll bring the ales first.」
With that, the waitress headed back downstairs.
「Master… you’re drinking ale?」
「Yeah. The wine in this world is way too sour for me. I ordered ale for you too, Shia, is that okay?」
「Sure, no problem. I don’t get drunk easily anyway. Most drinks taste the same to me.」
「Got it. If it’s not good, we can switch to juice instead. Croco-chan, juice is fine for you, right?」
「(Nod nod nod)」
Croco-chan poked just her head out from the shadows, nodding happily. She’d gotten completely used to it and looked like she was having fun.
Soon, the waitress came trotting back up with the ales.
「Sorry for the wait～ Food will take just a bit longer.」
「Thanks!」「Thank you!」
The waitress set the ales down with a solid thud and hurried back downstairs.
「Here, Croco-chan. It’s juice from my world, but bear with it, okay?」
I poured the bottled apple juice into a cup and handed it to her. The three of us clinked our mugs together and took a sip.
「Just… normal…」 「Hmm… kinda average」 「!!(Gulp gulp gulp)」
Only Croco-chan drank with obvious delight. Shia and I exchanged slightly disappointed looks.
「It’s not bad, exactly…」
「Yeah… what would make this taste better, I wonder…」
The aroma and flavor were both perfectly ordinary, nothing special at all.
「Well… the real reason we’re here isn’t the food anyway.」
「Right. So… where’d he go?」
We glanced down to the floor below. The man in traveler’s gear we were waiting for was now leaning against the counter.
「Ah, there he is.」
「I see him too… wow, he’s really pounding them back…」
「Guess the money he got from selling us out was pretty good, huh…」
Yes, that was the other reason we hadn’t gone straight back tonight. We were baiting one of Shia’s former fellow assassins.
「But… Shia, weren’t you kept under control with drugs and magic in the castle basement?」
「Yeah. When there was work, they’d let me out, alone or in groups, for assassinations, capturing monsters for the arena, things like that.」
「That must have been really tough…」
「Haha, you’re the only ones who’d say that to me, Master.」
「So then, onii-san and Shia-onee-cha… 」
Clatter clatter. The plump waitress came back up with a tray, dishes rattling. Croco-chan instantly vanished into the shadows at the sound.
「Here you go～ Sorry for the wait, huh?」
She noticed the extra cup of juice.
「Ah, that’s a custom from my homeland. It’s an offering to Astmarius (Marian)-sama.」
「Heeeh, that’s unique. Oops, food’s getting cold. Eat up quick.」
She set the plates down with a heavy thud. A delicious aroma immediately filled the air.
「I’ll bring the bill when you’re ready, just hold onto this number tag. Enjoy your meal～」
She placed a wooden tag with a number on it and headed back down.
「Well… let’s eat first.」
「Yeah」 「Yes!」
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