Published: July 4, 2025
The inn where the four stayed did not have a dining room.
This was because there was a dining room and tavern next door.
By the way, it seems that the owner of the inn is the same person who runs the dining room and tavern.
What a savvy operator!
The dining room and tavern had a counter lined with various alcoholic drinks at the back, where men were gathered.
In the front, there were numerous tables and chairs, where people of all ages were eating and drinking.
It seemed to be quite prosperous.
As soon as the four sat down, a young man approached. He looked to be just around adulthood.
"Here’s the menu. I’ll take your drink orders first."
"Let’s start with four beers."
Nils answered without hesitation.
Ryo was witnessing in real-time the fact that scenes once seen on Earth were also spreading in Fai…
“How frightening, starting with beer…”
His murmured words were drowned out by the surrounding noise, unheard by anyone.
Amidst this, Ryo saw a curious sight.
Amon, sitting directly across from him, had his head tilted significantly.
“Amon, what’s wrong?”
“No… it’s just that woman behind the counter…”
In response to Ryo's question, Amon answered while still tilting his head.
“Oh! Finally, a woman has captivated Amon’s heart?”
“No, it seems different somehow?”
Nils said with a laugh, while Eto denied it.
Ryo also turned around to look towards the counter.
Indeed, on the other side of the counter, there was a woman working as an employee.
Most of the men at the counter seemed to be interested in conversing with her.
She was the kind of woman that caught the eye.
However, there was a sense of familiarity…
Ryo tilted his head just like Amon.
It seemed that Nils and Eto shared the same question.
They tilted their heads as well.
The sight of all four tilting their heads was quite peculiar.
Nonetheless, this was a dining room and tavern.
Those who had been drinking did not care about such things!
“Oh, I got it!”
Eto exclaimed.
Almost simultaneously, Amon shouted as well.
“That woman!”
“Look, it seems Eto and Amon figured it out. What about you, Nils?”
“Shut up! Ryo probably hasn’t figured it out yet either.”
Ryo and Nils did not understand…
But, thirty seconds later.
“I got it!”
Both exclaimed simultaneously.
“She’s the one depicted on the locket!”
“Unfortunate to realize it at the same time as Nils.”
Nils commented, while Ryo felt a bit down.
In any case, the woman at the back of the counter was the one depicted in the locket pendant.
Her name was probably 'Elena.'
“What a convenient turn of events…”
Ryo’s murmur was lost in the noise, unheard by anyone.
And then he continued with his words.
“But still, sometimes easy developments like this are nice!”
“I want to ask her about the locket, but…”
“That’s impossible. The men are crowding around her.”
“Let’s just eat for now. Once they get drunk, we might be able to ask her.”
Eto suggested, while Amon pointed out the difficulty, and Nils offered a realistic proposal.
“Why doesn’t Nils challenge them to drink against me? Then we could get them all drunk!”
“No, I’m not that good at drinking…”
“That’s surprising! You drank quite a bit at the centaur’s place.”
“I’m not weak! I’m not weak, but… those strong guys are true abominations.”
Nils seemed to recall some heavy drinkers from his memory.
He shook his head slightly.
For now, the four decided to eat.
It goes without saying that they all unanimously ordered 'karaage.'
Most of the customers at the counter had either gotten drunk or left by the time it was nearing closing time.
As for the four, Eto was completely passed out.
The other three were chatting while drinking moderately and eating moderately.
“Shall we head out soon?”
“Let’s go.”
“As for Eto… well, let’s just leave him here for now and pick him up later.”
“Welcome. The shop will be closing soon, but do you want to drink one last time?”
As the three approached the counter, the female staff member—likely Elena—called out to them.