The Water Magician

That day, the Free City was peaceful. In the morning, at least.

However, by lunchtime, an ominous atmosphere began to drift in...

"Well, it was 'Tiger's Fang,' wasn’t it? Their report will be ready soon, right? I'm looking forward to it. I wonder what delicious dining places are in this Free City?"

"There are still a couple of days left, right? Well, I am looking forward to it."

"What do you say? Shall we go to the 'Joyful Dining Hall' today? Once their dining guide is finished, we can visit the places listed there, so we might as well go now."

The 'Joyful Dining Hall' that Ryo suggested was a terrifying establishment where both of them had gone for lunch on the first and second day after arriving in the Free City, and they had ended up thoroughly stuffed.

Each meal is, of course, substantial... for an adult engaged in manual labor, it might be just the right amount.

It was never too much.

It was just that they always ended up ordering more because it was so delicious.

Who decided that one person should have one meal!?

As they scattered the impressive words of a grand eater, the two stepped through the door of the 'Joyful Dining Hall.'

However... they quickly noticed something unusual.

"There are no customers..."

"There are usually lots during lunchtime."

Ryo murmured suspiciously, and Abel nodded in agreement.

They always entered the store before it got crowded to secure a seat.

Today was no different.

Yet, to have not a single customer was a first.

"I'm sorry, but we have nothing to serve today."

The owner, who came out from the back, spoke.

Neither of them knew his name, but they knew he was managing the kitchen.

His wife and a couple of young staff members were responsible for the floor and dishwashing.

But today, there was no one else but the owner.

"To have nothing to serve means...?"

"We couldn't procure the ingredients. I apologize."

When Ryo asked sadly, the owner grimaced in response.

Indeed, the usual pleasant aroma was absent.

It was clear that no preparations had been made.

"I understand. We'll come back another time."

The two left the store in disappointment.

"What does it mean that they couldn't procure supplies?"

"I don't know. Did they get robbed of the procurement money or something?"

"That... well, it's certainly possible, but... if that's the case, I swear here and now that I will freeze all pickpockets from now on!"

"Hey, wait, don't say that."

Ryo was stopped by Abel from committing the crime of mass confinement.

However...

The next place they headed, 'The Eat-Until-You-Drop Restaurant' was also...

"Huh? This one is closed too..."

"A closed sign is hanging."

What Ryo and Abel saw was the 'Closed' sign hanging on the entrance door.

"This is quite strange."

"Indeed. Let's check out some nearby places."

Ryo and Abel knew that there were eateries around, even though they had never been to them.

They decided to take a look at those places.

And what they discovered was...

"All the stores..."

"Are not open..."

The two were plunged into the depths of despair.

As noon arrived, the citizens of the Free City, having finished their morning work and come for lunch, were also successively plunged into despair, wearing faces as sad as theirs.

Seeing the mournful expressions of the crowd that resembled their own, they decided to return to the inn.

For lunch, they had never used it before, but the dining place at the 'Inn of Free Winds' was open for lunch.

However, they usually ate out for lunch while planning to use the place at night...

"There's no way around it."

"Well, the 'Inn of Free Winds' should be tasty too."

Eating at the same place for lunch and dinner... It was just a matter of that.

Of course, since the menu changes, it wasn't a huge problem.

Discussing such matters, the two returned to the 'Inn of Free Winds.'

At the reception counter...

"We have a letter for you from the adventurers' mutual aid association."

"From the mutual aid association?"

"A letter?"

The reception's stoic manager handed over the letter from the mutual aid association, and both Abel and Ryo tilted their heads in confusion.