31 - Makuma "A certain bar and a customer"

Castle town of Alkimaira.

In a corner on the outskirts of the town, there is an old, rundown tavern.

It was a seedy tavern that seemed to assert that it was as old as it was new.

The plaster on the walls is peeling in places, and repeated repairs have unintentionally created a mosaic-like wall surface.

The interior is also old.

The furniture is basically all made of wood, but it is not as if the furniture is made of wood. It is just that they are still using the same furniture that has not changed since the opening of the store, when there were no modern products. Although the meaning of the word "antique" is the same, the impression of "antiques" rather than "antiques" is all that comes to mind.

However, even if it is such a small bar, as long as it has a long history, there will be a certain number of regular customers. And it is because of the regular customers that the bar has somehow managed to keep a healthy business until now.

......Well, I haven't seen you for a while..."

And the demon man scratching his disheveled hair in front of the store was one of the regular customers.

Although he was just passing by by chance, the sun had already set and the time was just approaching night. I have been away from this place for the past two weeks, but I might as well go home after drinking for the first time in a while today.

Fortunately, my pocket is warm, as I received a bonus from the recent war.

Suddenly I was transported to another world and forced to live a life of uncertainty, but that was only until the other day. No one in the nation who saw that speech is worried about tomorrow. Alkimaira is led by that king.

Then there is no use in worrying about tomorrow.

So I guess there's no problem if I go out drinking.

Banging his wallet in his pocket, he muttered to himself.

He was afraid of his wife's reaction to his empty wallet, but he was sure she wouldn't be angry at him for being a little light.

I hear that the pioneering project is about to start. As a state-sponsored public works project, it will create a lot of jobs not only for the people who used to live in the capital, but also for the soldiers of the various military units who gathered for the national celebration.

I intend to take part in it, which means that my wallet will soon regain its weight. Then I will have to drink today. Tomorrow will take care of itself.

"Once that's decided - oh, hey, it's been a while, manager!　I'll be out of your way.

He pushes open the poorly-fitted door and shouts to the back of the store.

However, the familiar manager was not at the counter. He looked around the store, but could not be seen.

"......Hey. What's up, manager?"

"Hmm?　...... Oh, it's you. It's been a long time. The manager went to stock up. We ran out of wine.

"Wine?　Are there that many customers in this restaurant who would order such an elegant thing?"

"...... I see. You weren't here the other day, were you? Well, the clientele here has changed a bit recently. The manager will explain the details, so please wait around.

I strike up a conversation with a Wartiger regular who is drinking at a table near the door.

Looking around the restaurant, it seems that not only the clientele but also the number of customers has changed considerably.

Usually, only half of the customers are there, but today almost all the seats are occupied. On the contrary, some of the customers were even drinking standing up.

"Whoa! What, there's an empty counter seat in the back.

I spotted an empty seat.

There are only two empty seats in the corner of the counter. The demon strode across the restaurant and was about to sit down at one of the empty seats when he saw two seats at the corner of the counter,

"Nn...... ah!　Don't sit there, you idiot!

"Heh?"

For some reason, a voice from a tiger tiger came to stop him.

But it is too late. They are already in the motion to sit down. The demon, looking at the Wartiger who is looking at him in some kind of desperate manner, drops straight down in his seat - just before his buttocks touch the seat, he is hit by a fist flying at him from the side.

"Bogoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!"

The fist flew in a backhanded trajectory and hit the demon in the nose, causing him to spin backward. He was hit by a sharp blow that he had not expected, and the back of his head hit the ground.

But he is a soldier.

He immediately hit the ground with both hands and spun backward once more. He then drives both feet into the floor, catching the attacker in the center of his field of vision without question.

"What the hell are you doing out of the blue, you son of a b*tc*!

"You idiot, that's my line!　I'd rather thank you, you f*cking ogre!"

"What the hell?　Who in the world would say, "Thank you for hitting me"?　Are you f*cking sleepy or what?

He sits back and raises his fists. He has not brought his hammer, but that does not matter. It is bad for your reputation as an ogre not to retaliate when you are suddenly struck.

The demon slumps down deeply and makes a pause in order to jump in. Just before he is about to jump, however, the familiar tiger beastman "Wartiger" stops him again.

"Hey, stop!　This time it's really your fault!　I mean, you just saved my life!"

"...... what?"

When even my drinking buddies stop me, I can't help but listen to them.

I don't know how it is in other countries, but this is Alkimaira. It was a common sense (rule) that if there was room for discussion, we should first listen to what they had to say. And after listening to them, if you still don't like what they say, you can hit them again.

Reluctantly, he undid his fighting posture and looked at the lackey again. He is an ordinary orc with slightly yellowish skin. Judging from his equipment, he might be a high orc.

The orc yells at me with spit flying.

Listen, you stupid ogre!　The seat you were going to sit in is now permanently reserved!"

"...... Huh?　There's no such thing as a bar in this bar. This place would be deserted if it weren't for us regulars. What's with the reserved seats? Maybe you've been drinking too much and you're drunk.

I haven't had a drop yet. This mug of tea is just tea!

The demon looked at the mug suspiciously, but there were no bubbles floating in it. The color of the mug suggests that it is really a tea mug.

He wonders why he is drinking tea in a bar, but continues his story.

"Listen to me, you idiot! Only a man of honor is allowed to sit in that reserved seat. The manager here decided that after a certain incident.

"A man of good character?　Even if there were drunken customers who wanted to have a reserved seat in this restaurant, they would be at most platoon or company size unit commanders at best. Don't go to the trouble of using exaggerated expressions.

"There's no way he's a captain. It's much higher."

"Huh?　Higher up? ...... Oh, come on, you don't think they've got a senior military officer here?"

The demon sniffs, "You're a little too drunk for your own good.

The places where battalion commanders go for a drink are often more fashionable places. They are well paid for their responsible positions. There is no need for them to come to such a seedy bar.

But Oak shakes his head with a heavy sigh.

"Even higher."

"Huh?　...... No, even more so......... deputy commander rank?　You're not going to tell me you're a corps commander or some stupid joke, are you?"

I'm still up there.

"...... wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. I'd say the top of the list is ...... no no no, this isn't the kind of place you'd expect to find a general manager.

"Nice try. It's a joke, but ...... is just one more step up, that's all."

The demon who had been smiling bitterly at the orc's words changed his expression to a straight face.

Then he clenches his fists once again and takes a step forward. He knew that there are two kinds of words in the world: "permitted words" and "unforgivable words.

"Hey, pig! You can't be serious, that's a joke. I'll have you half dead by the end of this, so don't make any funny jokes. If the guards of the 2nd Corps hear what you just said, you won't be able to complain even if they cut off your head for disrespect, will you?

"Guards. That's great, go get them. I'm sure you'll believe me when I assure you they're hard-headed."

"........................ is a lie, dude."

I looked around suspiciously, but everyone was looking at me warmly.

At least, no one seemed to agree with the demon.

"No ...... no no no no no, that's crazy. Because, you see,...... no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. It's really not possible.

"Don't be spouting incomprehensible language when you haven't had a drink."

"You're the one who doesn't understand me!　Do you really know what you are talking about!　There's only one person in the world above you ...... who is the head of the general corps!"

"Yes. --So, that's what I'm saying.

The orc nods his head in admonishment, his voice tinged with a hint of sympathy.

Seeing even a familiar tiger tiger, Wartiger, nodding his head in agreement, even the demon understands that this is the truth.

Then, remembering where he had been trying to put his own ass just a moment ago, he paled.

"So. So, with that in mind, do you have anything to say to me?　You're a regular, apparently."

I don't even have to think about it.

The demon lowered his clenched fist and faced the orc with a serious expression,

"--Thank you for punching me out as soon as you could, brother. Let me buy you a drink tonight."

I'd be glad to buy you a cup of tea if you don't mind. I thought I knew all the regulars by now. ...... I've been chilled for a long time."

The orc, the savior and the underling, sits down in his chair as if he is truly tired.

The dwarf sitting right next to him gives up his seat to the demon, perhaps out of consideration. After tossing the dwarf a cup of ale, the demon takes a seat next to the orc.

"But, just to be sure, I just wanted to make a final confirmation.　Is that really her reserved seat?

"I'll say it as many times as you want, but I'm serious. I'm serious. It happened after a certain incident that happened recently. ...... By the way, don't ask me about the "one incident." There's a gag order on it, so we can't answer that.

"Oh, oh ......"

Realizing the fact that he had just put his foot into a coffin, the demon shivers and trembles.

"And don't spread the word about as much as possible. I made an exception for you because you've been a regular customer for a long time, but I heard that ...... he doesn't want to spread the word too much."

"Only those who know about it should know about it. But then, there will be people like me who sit there without knowing about it, won't there?"

"That's why I and the other regulars take turns watching. Just a few days ago we were having a hard time with all the "new" customers. ...... Just when we thought things were finally settling down, you show up."

"...... Well, yeah. I'm sorry, bro. My wife's been a bit of a stickler for me the other day, and I haven't been in this bar in a while."

The orc casts a sympathetic glance at the demon. Seeing that she was wearing an ornament given by the demon tribe, she must also be one of them.

Wives of demons are scary. And most of them are physically strong. Moreover, they are very fierce at night.

Orc recalls with fond memories how he used to greet his colleague, a red ogre, when he came to work, with a scruffy face, and everyone gave him a warm look.

"Hmm?　Well, there are two empty seats, aren't there?　There are even customers standing and drinking, and the seat next to it is empty. ......"

"Those are reserved seats, too. Apparently, only a certain guest is allowed to sit there. Maybe some of the other customers he invited might sit there, but ...... it's still a reserved seat for now."

"...... is that what you call a secret meeting in secret?"

"Well, I don't know. I guess you're probably right, but you haven't been here once since that incident. I don't really know."

Oak has been going to this bar every day since that day, but the reserved seats have remained empty. The manager has been waiting for him to show up, polishing the counter and glasses, but so far there has been no sign of him.

"...... Hey, by the way. The crystal ornament on the counter at the reservation table..."

"As you can see, it's a magical tool. It contains a soundproofing technique to prevent voices from leaking out, an illusion technique to distract other people's perception, and a simple cloaking technique. It was delivered in a parcel with a letter asking you to leave it there. The sender is unknown.

The grimoire is not activated at the moment and is placed as a mere decoration.

But once it is activated, even the fact that you are sitting in that seat is unrecognizable. Combined with the effects of soundproofing and concealment, the space will be like a secret room where no one will be able to see you.

"Soundproofing is one thing, but ...... illusion technique and cloaking technique are included, even if it's a simple one. And a magic tool that's triple-engraved with a composite technique..."

It's a semi-treasure. And I'm the new resident guest and security guard of the reserved seat."

Although he did not say it out loud, the orcs in the guarding role were promised a salary at the level of a company commander.

Although he did not know it, he had committed an outrageous act of disrespect in the "incident" and was prepared to die gracefully when he received a message from the commander that <> had been delivered to him. However, when he opened the sealed envelope, he found a letter of invitation to work with a high salary.

However, it is not an easy job. At any rate, the thing being guarded is a semi-precious magical tool. Sell them off and you will have enough money to set up a store on the main street of the capital. It is not a thing that should be left randomly on a bar counter in a small bar.

The job description in the letter of invitation was written in such a way that <<>, but I can't let my mind wander if I think about who gave me this order. Considering the weight of the responsibility, it is not legal to consume alcohol.

He has concluded so and is sipping barley tea even though he is in a bar. He may have one last drink when the bar is about to close and the customers have cleared out, but if there is a possibility that the manager will be out of the bar, as is the case now, he resolutely refuses to drink.

As a side note, since I have been separated from my original unit on special duty, I have been thinking of getting an official employment as a waiter in this restaurant.

With the exception of this case, most of the customers are already aware of the and will soon be out of pocket. Of course, I will continue to escort them, but I can at least scrub dishes at the counter near their assigned seats. I could not spend my days just drinking tea and not working.

"Hey there, Mr. Shingooki, sorry to keep you waiting. I'm sorry I asked you to stay. ...... Oh, who's the guest next door?"

A goblin carrying a crate of wine approached them from behind as they were talking. He is the manager of this restaurant.

"Hey, long time no see, manager.

"I knew it! No, no, it's been a while.

"As I always say, it's time to stop being a monk, manager. ...... By the way, what's a Shingooki?　Vajra demon?"

"It's my nickname, brother. I'm an Orc, not a Gouki or a Gouki or a Gouki. ......

The orc let out a sigh, looking a little tired.

He seemed to be in some kind of a twilight state, but the demon, sensing the troublesome atmosphere, ignored him.

"Ah, manager. Give me a mug of ale for now, and two more in a pitcher. And serve a lot of tea to the brothers next door. My treat.

"Well, it's rare for you to be so lavish as to offer to buy a drink. I remember when you came to our house before, you were complaining about your lack of money.

"I got a bonus from the war the other day. My wife hasn't found out about the amount yet. I don't care if I'm having a good time today.

"I think I heard a similar line before ....... I remember that time, his wife found out and sent him to the hospital. ......

"And they didn't pay for my medical bills, my wife. ....... It's one of my unforgettable memories that I ended up paying for it with manual labor. Well, my wife is cute, so I can't complain.

"In many ways you are still the same. I'll be ready in a minute.

Afterwards, the demon and the orc and their drinking companion, a tiger-beast, stayed up late into the night drinking together.

After the last of the guests had gone, the orc, who had been drinking only tea until then, finally picked up the ale, and the three of them went home together, shoulder to shoulder, and very hungry at the end of the night.

And the demon, who had been caught red-faced and had been using his drink, ended up being beaten up and squeezed by his wife as usual.

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A few days later, a customer visited the bar.

He pushed open the badly fitted door, and a young man-like figure entered the bar with a rather grating sound.

Strangely enough, the manager could not remember who this young man was.

It seemed as if he had seen him somewhere before, or as if he had never met him before. And the impression was strangely weak. As if there was a haze over my thoughts, I could not recognize who he was.

It was unnatural. It should have been an extremely unnatural phenomenon. However, the manager, who did not possess outstanding resistance to magic, could not recognize it as unnatural.

Therefore, the manager said "Welcome" to the customer as usual.

The customer walked to the counter without any hesitation. And what's more, he is about to sit down at one of the two available seats against the wall. Before Oak, the new waiter, could reach out to stop him, the manager spoke to .

"--Newcomer. I'm sorry, but could you please refrain from sitting there for a moment?　That is a reserved seat for a certain person.

The then looked a little puzzled and told the manager the following.

.

And furthermore, <>.

The moment the manager heard these words, he felt as if a slight haze had lifted from his thoughts. He correctly recognized was in front of him.

At the same time, a strong feeling ran through the manager's mind.

The feeling was as if his whole body had been struck by lightning, and it was filled with various colors.

The emotions that had been stored up for a hundred years were not something that could be described in a single word, but if forced to put them into words, the word "joy" would be more appropriate.

A normal person would have been so overcome by these feelings that he would not have been able to return to work right away. However, the manager was a professional. He was a professional among professionals in the hospitality industry.

Therefore, the manager, Gobutaro, immediately straightened his posture and straightened his back.

Then, after fastening his uniform tie, he lightly raised his right arm in a semicircle and brought it in front of his chest. Then he bent his back at a 90-degree angle and bowed reverently.

It was a perfect bow with a sense of propriety that would have been out of place in a seedy bar.

Gobutaro then looks at the floor and says a few words of welcome to the new customer - the only one who has been waiting for him for many years.

"We have been waiting for you with all our hearts, my dear guest. We will serve you with the utmost sincerity.

--Welcome to the bar where it all began.