Volume 3 Chapter 22 Izakaya
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Mr. Baum, this is all we have, so please make do with it.”
The middle-aged orc woman, Ms. Norca, handed a dish with thin soup to His Majesty the Emperor with an apologetic look.
”No, no, Ms. Norca, it is we who are embarrassed. It’s a privilege just to be able to share a meal like this. Isn’t that right, Ms. Puruu?”
Although Ms. Norca is aware of our true identities, we are called by aliases because one never knows who might be listening. Following Ms. Catherine’s instructions, we visited a collaborator’s house on the north edge of Moniera’s town, only to find that Ms. Norca, an orc, lived there. The arrangements had already been made, and His Majesty the Emperor and I were able to relax and spend a few months there. Ms. Norca’s husband, also an orc, worked as a guard in Moniera, but he hasn’t returned since he went out to battle alongside Lord Suicelma in a clash with the spirit clan the other day. Even so, without a single complaint, she is doing her best to extend her hospitality.
”So, Ms. Norca, how is the operation of this land going now?” His Majesty the Emperor asked.
”I truly don’t know about the upper echelons, but it seems that General Peacock of the palace guard is taking over the politics in place of the Duke. They say that while the spirit clan has withdrawn to the other side of the river, they are reinforcing military facilities, and the young people who can move from the town are being driven out. The soldiers of the palace guard that the general brought are also helping out.”
”The palace guard is a unit meant to protect the imperial capital and His Majesty the Emperor, right? If they came all the way here to chase His Majesty and are doing something, wouldn’t joining that labor force allow one to gather all sorts of information?” I asked. His Majesty the Emperor shook his head.
”No, no, Ms. Puruu. It’s too dangerous. Furthermore, you’re a woman. You’ll be suspected first. But, if I show my face, it’ll be an even bigger fuss…”
”That might be true. Then, Ms. Norca, are there quite a few Beastfolk in this town? It’s not that there aren’t any, but you hardly see them. The Beastfolk who come to a town like this are all people with a story.”
Hahaha. I also have a big story. But then, taking advantage of that…
”Ms. Norca, are there any shops that would hire a wandering Beastfolk? For example, an izakaya would be convenient…”
”Ms. Puruu, what in the world are you thinking!?” His Majesty the Emperor looked at me with a flustered expression.
”I’ll leave it to you, Ms. Puruu. And, Your Majesty… no, Mr. Baum. Since it’s no use just waiting for Ms. Catherine here, I thought I could gather information too. You see, I only found out after asking Ms. Norca, but only Mr. Baum is wanted, and they don’t even know my face or name. It must be out of political consideration. If so, we should make use of this.”
”That’s no good. It’s too dangerous! If anything were to happen to you, what would I say to Queen Asuka…”
”Yes, stop there. It would be nice if the day comes when you can explain. But at this rate, that’s also doubtful. It’s alright. I was one of the top swordsmen in the Elf Royal Palace’s guard.”
”No… but…”
”Um, I think that’s a great idea,” Ms. Norca interjected.
”My old friend, an ogre couple, runs an izakaya near the lord’s mansion in the back alleys. There are always lower-ranking soldiers, including my husband, coming and going. Fortunately, the shop escaped the flames of war the other day, and people working on the restoration come to drink every night, so it’s so busy that it’s hard to keep up. There, with my smooth talking, I can slip in without being questioned about my status. In the water trade, even Beastfolk are not that rare.”
”Hey, Mr. Baum, this might be a chance to gather information and scout out the royal guards. Leave it to me.”
”Ah, Ms. Puruu… I understand. Now that I’m involved this far, I’ll see it through to the end. But, I must be careful not to get involved with other men…”
”Hmmm. If there was a good man by any chance… Hahaha, no, it’s a joke. I won’t waver as long as Yuuta isn’t in the royal guard.”
* * *
”Yes, Ms. Puruu, this is table three.”
”Please, have a seat!!”
Thanks to Ms. Norca’s smooth talking, I was able to work at the izakaya “Tanuki-tei,” which is very close to Moniera’s lord’s mansion, without my identity being questioned at all. With only four women, including the wife of the one-horned ogre chef and the female staff, every night, people finishing the town’s restoration work pour in, and it’s said to be a terrible sight… but can we manage with just one more person?
”Hey, you’re a new face, right?” I’ve gotten used to answering these kinds of questions.
”Yes! I’m Puruu. I’ve come along due to circumstances. Please take care of me!”
”Oh, the uniform suits you. Then, let’s have another round of drinks!”
”As always!”
The uniforms for the women working here are quite bold. The skirt length is ten cm above the knee, and the chest area is also wide open, but Mama Akari aside, for me, it’s just an ill-fitting, baggy blouse that’s all wrinkled at the chest. Maybe this shop has always been selling on this sexy route. But, I’m not young enough to care about such things anymore.
For the first few days, I was barely able to get used to the work and the atmosphere of the store, but after about a week, I managed to get used to it somehow, so I started observing the customers who came to the store.
”Welcome!” The shopkeeper shouted, and when I turned around, four soldiers with different appearances entered. When I was about to go to serve them, the shopkeeper’s wife spoke to me.
”Be careful, Puruu-Puruu. Those guys are from the Imperial Capital…”
Oh, is that so!
”Be careful… about what? The soldiers of the Imperial Capital should be well-controlled, right?”
”That’s what it should be, but those guys… are really hungry for women. Beastfolk are rare here, so if you get involved, run into the kitchen.”
”Thank you for the advice.”
Even though I said that, I approached the four-person group without hesitation.
”Welcome. What would you like to order?”
”Well… hey, are you new? You’re a Beastfolk. But you’re cute.”
Ugh. They started hitting on me right away.
”Ah, thank you. So, what would you like to order?”
”Well then, I’ll take you, I’m -kun. How much for a night?”
The guy who looked the most well-behaved, sitting across the table, suddenly said something rude.
”Um, customer. This is not that kind of shop…”
”Eh, what? It’s no good? We’re the Imperial Guard. If we like you, you might have a good time in the Imperial Capital.”
Ugh, what a terrible pickup line. But did they just say Imperial Guard? It might be a chance, but… it would be troublesome if they got involved in a weird way. I’ll observe the situation for now.
”Um… if you’ve decided on your order, please call me.”
When I was about to go to the kitchen, I was suddenly grabbed by my left arm.
”Wait a minute, hey!”
The soldier who hit on me first stood up and glared.
”Let go of my hand! It hurts!”
The shopkeeper comes out hearing my loud voice, but only says in a low voice, “Please stop,” to the soldiers, and doesn’t seem to be willing to help me. Oh, how troublesome. What is this shoujo manga-esque development? It’s so lame. Is a prince on a white horse going to appear after this?
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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