Welcome to the Café of the Dark Guild’s Successor - Chapter 103

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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A café operated by the heir to the Dark Guild.
Chapter 103
I watched from a distance, marveling at the magnificent sight before me, careful not to disturb him.
Before long, a framework of bricks took shape, and an entire house materialized in an instant.
‘I still can’t believe what I’m seeing.’
Watching the newly constructed building rise where the shop had once stood, I found myself captivated.
“I’ll fill in the interior separately.”
Meyson surveyed the shop with a grave expression once his magic was complete.
“While I was at it, I made it larger. I added three more rooms than before.”
“Is there enough space for that?”
“I extended it outward and added a corridor. Go inside and see for yourself.”
Behind what would serve as the shop’s main hall, he’d carved out a long corridor, and beyond that lay a considerably spacious area.
Stepping inside to check, I found everything flawlessly perfect.
“Magic of this scale requires someone of Meyson’s caliber to accomplish, doesn’t it?”
“If someone lacking in magical power tried to construct it, the interior would be hollow and collapse immediately. Of course, even this is hardly a warm-up for me.”
Had anyone else spoken so, it would have sounded absurd. But coming from someone with genuine ability, after such a display, I found myself simply nodding in agreement.
“What would you like to do with the surroundings?”
“I’d like trees visible from the windows. As for the rest, it’s enough if the burn marks disappear.”
“Understood.”
Since the already-burned trees and grass couldn’t be restored, he instead brought other trees from the mountainside and replanted them.
And Meyson, saying he wanted to create something for me, scattered countless flower seeds across the shop’s front courtyard.
“When the season changes, the entire courtyard will be covered in flowers.”
“What kind of flowers?”
“I’ll keep that a secret—for the joy of anticipation.”
He’s always been kind to me, yet rumors paint him as eccentric and difficult. That he harbored such a tender side surprised me.
I kept glancing at the courtyard where the flower seeds lay buried, still visible as nothing but dark soil.
About an hour passed in this way.
Restoring the surroundings took longer than building the shop itself, but in the end, everything looked cleaner than before the fire.
“Thank you so much.”
As I bowed with sincere gratitude, Meyson grew flustered and cleared his throat awkwardly.
“I’ll furnish the basic pieces myself. However, items like tables and cooking counters should already be ready—the villagers have been preparing them.”
“The villagers?”
“While you were unconscious, I visited the Temple several times. They said they wanted to help with restoring the shop.”
I found it strange that they’d offer their help even though I hadn’t joined the Merchant Guild.
“I should visit the Temple since they saw the fire at my shop.”
It seemed enough to let Arno know on my next visit that the shop had been cleaned up.
“Shall we head back to the Temple?”
“I plan to go back down to the basement. I’ll furnish the rooms gradually in my spare time.”
I was about to ask if he wasn’t tired, but seeing no signs of fatigue whatsoever, I simply nodded quietly.
‘I’ll ask about Cayden in a few days.’
Since I’d been asking Meyson for favors constantly, I decided to postpone the matter concerning Cayden for a while longer.
***
Leaving Meyson behind, I returned to the Temple and searched for Cayden.
I wanted to tell him the shop had been restored and thank him for everything.
“But he’s still nowhere to be found.”
I couldn’t locate Cayden anywhere. Had he ventured into the village alone?
Tilting my head in puzzlement, I returned to the guest room. As I sat on the bed, I thought of the Communication Device.
“I should tell Mother about the connection between her and the Mine.”
I reached for the Communication Device to contact Sophia, but its light was already flickering.
I quickly tapped the device, and the moment it turned green, an angry voice came through.
“Rosia!!”
I flinched, holding the device close to my face, and covered my ears with a grimace.
“You startled me. Why are you shouting?”
“You haven’t answered in days. I sent Messenger Birds, but they all came back. What’s going on?”
“Something came up.”
“That’s exactly what I’m asking about.”
“…The shop caught fire.”
“What?!!”
The sound was even louder than when she’d first called my name. I pulled the device away from my ear at once.
Then I explained everything that had happened as concisely as possible.
The fire at the shop, discovering the Magic Circle and going to the Mine, Mother’s connection to it, and the sudden appearance of a grandfather.
Listing each one as a major incident, I myself felt the absurdity that all of this had unfolded within mere days.
“……”
Even Sophia was left stunned after hearing everything, sitting in silence for a long while.
“…Each detail is shocking in its own right, but the most shocking thing is that your grandfather is this Meyson.”
“I still can’t quite believe it myself.”
“Can I meet him if I visit? I really want to! You know how much I love mages!”
“He said he’d always be there. Come whenever you want. He’s fine with cats too.”
“Kyaaah! That’s wonderful! I need to ask Riley for time off right away!”
At Sophia’s delightfully normal reaction, I finally let out a small laugh.
My heart had been heavy throughout, but the thought that some things could simply be laughed off lifted a weight from my shoulders.
Just then, a door opened from the other side of the Communication Device, and Riley’s voice soon cut into our conversation.
“Rosia, you’re alright, aren’t you?”
“Yeah. I already explained everything to Sophia, so she’ll fill you in.”
“Fill me in on what?”
“There’s been a lot. But Riley, about that writing on the Map…”
“I’m still tracking it.”
“It might be Demonic Language.”
“What?”
“Look for records related to the Sealed War that ended six hundred years ago. Similar characters might appear.”
“That’s… something I hadn’t considered, so I’m caught off guard, but… I’ll look into it.”
With Riley joining us, we spent the entire night conversing through the Communication Device, catching up on everything we’d missed.
***
The moment I opened my eyes the next morning, I tidied the guest room I’d been borrowing and stepped outside.
Cayden, who had risen earlier and was already working, smiled brightly when he saw me.
“You’re awake?”
“Yeah. You weren’t in the Temple last night. Where did you go?”
“I was in the basement. I had something to pray about in private.”
“The Temple has a basement too?”
I found it strange since I couldn’t sense Cayden’s presence at all. He answered with a smile instead.
“What did you want to see me about?”
“I asked Meyson to rebuild the shop. I’m heading back now, so I wanted to let you know.”
Cayden’s expression hardened instantly, and the smile faded from his face.
“…It’s unfortunate, but I’m glad it worked out. That was your true place after all.”
“Nothing will change. I’m counting on you going forward.”
“So am I. I’ll stop by in the afternoon.”
We’d continue as before—the closest of neighbors.
I set out from the Temple, walking the mountain path until I arrived at the newly constructed shop.
Before entering, I sat briefly before my parents’ gravestone in the back garden.
Although I’d checked yesterday, fortunately the distance from the shop meant there had been no major damage here.
“Please watch over the new shop as well.”
After clearing away the weeds around the grave, I gently touched a flower still blooming and rose to my feet.
Then I pushed open the door of the newly begun shop wide.
As Meyson had said, the rooms were furnished with necessities, but the main hall remained completely empty.
“I’ll visit the village tomorrow.”
For now, I set about cleaning, sweeping and scrubbing the shop interior diligently.
Once I’d cleaned every corner my hands could reach, I finally began to feel a sense of attachment to the place.
Then I heard voices outside—several people conversing in low tones.
Sensing the approaching footsteps, I opened the shop door.
“My goodness! Oh, heavens! You’ve recovered your strength, haven’t you? What a relief!”
“We were so worried about you, young proprietor.”
It was Mathen and the Village Chief. Behind them, I could see three villagers and Arno as well.
“But… the shop… and the surroundings—how did all this happen?”
“It’s completely different from when we came the day before yesterday. Is this even possible?”
Everyone gazed at the shop and its surroundings, now fully restored, their confusion evident.
“I contracted with a mage I know. It only took a day.”
“My, so you know a mage! How impressive. This must have cost a fortune…”
“Running a shop out here in the mountains was never ordinary to begin with.”
“Regardless, it’s all worked out. We were all set to build it ourselves—now we feel rather embarrassed.”
I realized they’d come carrying all these supplies intending to rebuild my shop themselves.
Though the cold was so bitter that breath misted visibly, as we talked, warmth gradually spread through my chest.
“But you’ll still need tables, won’t you?”
“Yes. Tables, chairs, cooking counters, and storage units. We still need those.”
“We’ve already prepared everything.”
“My husband’s staying at the carpentry workshop to make a few more chairs. We’ll all deliver everything together once it’s finished tomorrow.”
“Why would you… I didn’t even ask…”
“Is there any special reason needed? This is just how we live—helping one another. If you’re grateful, join the Merchant Guild.”
The moment the Village Chief brought up the Merchant Guild, Mathen gave him a sharp jab in the back.
I smiled slightly at their antics and bowed my head.
“Thank you.”
Although such concern from others felt somewhat awkward, it didn’t leave a bad taste.
“But how did the fire start?”
“There was tremendous smoke. Everyone was startled and came running, only to find everything around here burned…”
As I deflected with vague answers, my eyes met Arno’s.
He drew a small circle with his thumb and forefinger, then winked at me.
I was relieved—he was managing well and hadn’t been caught by Juliano.
“Then we’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Get some rest, young lady.”
“If you need anything, write it down and tell us tomorrow!”
After the villagers left in a rush, I stood alone, absently leaning against the window as I gazed out and murmured softly.
“This place just keeps getting better.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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