Welcome to the Café of the Dark Guild’s Successor - Chapter 128

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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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It’s a café operated by the heir to the Dark Guild.
Chapter 128
“Yes. Even if it’s not through official channels, we should be able to make regular monthly transactions. They said they want high-grade Mana Stones with good yields.”
The higher the grade and purity of the Mana Stones, the more delicate the trade becomes—so this was actually fortunate.
If I trade with the Mage Tower with Grandfather involved, there will be fewer things to worry about, and distribution will proceed much more smoothly.
“Thank you, Meyson.”
Grandfather casually accepted Biedler’s greeting and gave me a playful wink.
“Sleep well, little one?”
“Yes. Are you going to call Seniel ‘little one’ too?”
I couldn’t imagine it, so I asked, and Grandfather’s expression darkened noticeably.
“I tried it yesterday, and he absolutely hated it. I don’t think that will work for a while.”
I smiled at the thought of Seniel’s horrified face.
“It will take time. The way it did with me.”
“He seemed to prefer when I was a cat. Should I change my appearance again?”
I considered it for a moment, but since he already knew my true identity, changing form would only backfire. I shook my head firmly.
“Your Highness, I’ll contact Raven about the Mage Tower matters.”
“Please do.”
Since I was in regular communication with Sophia, I’d decided to relay matters concerning the Mage Tower directly to her.
“Cock-a-doodle-doo!”
At that moment, Armstrong crowed loudly.
I had come outside to fetch eggs when I stopped short, spotting a pitch-black hen fleeing hastily into the brush.
“Did I really see that?”
There was a wild hen in the forest.
From the way the chicks scurried after the escaped hen, they seemed quite familiar with it.
“Armstrong’s doing better than me.”
I laughed dryly and reached into the coop, pulling out two eggs.
When I brought them into the shop, Biedler was already heating up a pan. Grandfather had apparently gone into his room and was nowhere to be seen.
I naturally handed the eggs to Biedler and leaned against the counter.
“Are you planning to open the shop today as well?”
“No. We should rest on holidays. There won’t be any customers anyway.”
The last day of every year was an official public holiday designated by the state.
I gazed out the window at the sign I had prepared the night before, marking it as a holiday, and fell into thought.
Tomorrow, the year would change.
I didn’t usually place special meaning in dates, but it had been so long since I’d welcomed the new year somewhere other than Raven, and with people other than guild members.
As I watched Biedler cooking so naturally beside me, something strange stirred in my chest.
“The new year is coming soon. Won’t you visit the Imperial Palace?”
“Why would I go to a place where no one’s waiting for me?”
With that, he transferred the well-cooked fried eggs onto a plate.
“I only need to attend the New Year Ceremony five days from now.”
Since the New Year Ceremony was five days away, he meant he would welcome the new year here first.
I nodded, then recalled that I had agreed to attend the ceremony as his partner.
“Grandfather said he would take me to the New Year Ceremony party.”
“Can I come along?”
I looked at him, wondering if he was joking, but Biedler’s gaze was earnest.
“But don’t you have a word for him?”
“Wouldn’t it be easier and faster? I won’t be a bother, so let me come with you.”
Biedler had always struggled with dealing with Grandfather directly. He was probably asking me now for that reason.
“Understood.”
After finishing our simple breakfast, I went to my room and changed into outdoor clothes.
Before leaving, I opened the door and checked—Seniel was sleeping deeply.
I picked up the blanket he had kicked to the side and tucked him in properly, then checked on Cayden as well.
Seeing color return to his face, he seemed definitely better than yesterday.
“Wake up soon,” I whispered softly at his bedside.
I grabbed my coat from my room and stepped out alone.
As I was about to go outside, Biedler immediately followed me.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m heading to the village. I need to buy some things.”
I wanted to cook something homemade for Seniel, who had come to the shop after so long.
“Let’s go together.”
Biedler grabbed his coat and followed, so I tilted my head in confusion.
“Why would Your Highness go?”
“I was planning to meet with Roy.”
Now that he mentioned it, I remembered Biedler’s adjutant, who was alone in the village.
We arrived in the village on horseback, and the atmosphere was much more vibrant than usual.
Various decorations hung around, and colorful cloth was tied to the trees—it looked like a festival.
After tying up the horses, we passed through the village entrance when I was stopped at the dumpling shop.
“Why did you come down after so long? I was just thinking about visiting you.”
“The village is quite lively, isn’t it?”
I asked the warm-hearted shopkeeper while asking her to wrap up some dumplings.
“The year changes tomorrow, so everyone celebrates the hard work of this year together. It’s the same every year.”
I took the bag of dumplings, and it was so heavy my arm nearly gave way.
“You put in so much.”
“Hehe, this young lady moving to the mountain has made our village so lively. It’s my way of saying I’m grateful and asking for your good fortune next year too. Go share it with everyone.”
I stared blankly at the bag bursting with dumplings, then bowed my head.
“I’ll enjoy them.”
“But that person next to you… is he your husband? With such a fine-looking man here, my son must have no chance.”
“No. This person is…”
How should I explain Biedler?
I hesitated, unable to say he was a prince, when Biedler gently pushed my back and moved us away.
“If we stay like this, she’ll keep misunderstanding.”
“But there’s no trouble with that, is there?”
Feeling uneasy, I turned to look back as we walked, and this time the grocer caught my arm and handed me a cup.
“Miss! Have a sip of this before you go. It’ll warm your whole body.”
The red liquid with apple slices in it was unusual. Thinking it might be juice, I smelled it—it was alcohol.
“What is this?”
“It’s called Vin Chaud. Just try it. You’ll love it.”
I carefully brought the cup to my lips, and my eyes widened at the taste.
It was sweetly warm, and it felt like blood was rushing through my entire body.
“Try some too.”
Biedler seemed to have the same thought. He took a sip and his eyes widened as well.
At the same moment, our eyes met and we laughed silently.
“Do you sell this too?”
“Of course. I have plenty.”
I wondered if I’d fallen for the shopkeeper’s marketing tactics, but it was the perfect drink to commemorate the new year.
“I’ll take a full barrel of it.”
Shopping at store after store and collecting various things, my hands were soon full.
Biedler naturally took the bag from me and divided the load.
“Are you going to buy meat too?”
“You’ve been eating only vegetables all this time. We need to add some fat now and then.”
We stopped at the butcher shop and bought plenty of fresh meat. I bought generously just in case, and even this alone was quite heavy.
“We’ll need to arrange for delivery. There’s too much for the two of us to carry.”
“It’s over there.”
We headed to the front of the shop that makes deliveries for groceries to Cayden, passing near the village temple.
The temple was being decorated in preparation for welcoming the new year.
Unfamiliar priests came out and worked, seeming quite friendly with one another.
‘Cayden is always alone…’
I felt a deeper kinship with Cayden, who had quietly welcomed each new year alone in the mountains all this time.
Welcoming the new year in this vibrant atmosphere was strange even for me.
We left all the items at the grocery shop and paid.
Dusting off my now-light hands, I was heading back to where the horses were tied when Biedler asked with curiosity.
“Is this village always like this?”
“Like what?”
“Noisy and chaotic and crowded. And yet… warm.”
It matched exactly how I thought of the village’s atmosphere, so I let out a soft laugh.
“Very different from the Imperial Palace, isn’t it?”
“It is. This place feels like where people actually live. I like it.”
I glanced over and saw his face relaxed, looking genuinely pleased.
An ease I never saw in the Imperial Palace. It suited him far better.
Soon we arrived at the village entrance where we’d tied the horses. He seemed ready to leave, so I looked around the village and asked.
“Didn’t you say you were going to meet Roy?”
“Do I look like a heartless boss who makes people work even on a holiday?”
“You do?”
“I gave him several days off. We’ll meet at the New Year Ceremony.”
“…?”
Then why did he use Roy as an excuse to follow me to the village? It made no sense to me.
Biedler didn’t seem interested in explaining, so he mounted his horse first.
“Let’s head back.”
We rode our horses and arrived at the shop.
While waiting for the delivered groceries to arrive, I made a bonfire in the yard.
In the meantime, Seniel woke up and, seeing me putting on an apron, came rushing over in alarm.
“Sister, what are you doing?”
“I thought I’d cook something for you after so long…”
“I’ll do the prep work.”
Seniel took the apron off me and tied it on himself. Biedler put on the other apron.
“What were you planning to make?”
“Roasted turkey and steak.”
“Then Sister should grill the meat. Actually, shouldn’t Your Highness handle that?”
“I will.”
With Biedler joining in, my hands became free. I had no choice but to stand beside them and watch them work.
The food came together quickly.
Around the time the delicious aroma was spreading everywhere, I sensed something and quickly turned my head toward the window.
“They’re not customers.”
“They seem like well-trained knights.”
Seniel and Biedler felt the same presence, their eyes sharpening.
“Hide for a moment.”
“Would the room work?”
“Both of you, come here.”
Grandfather, who had been sitting by the fireplace, called for Seniel and Biedler.
When the two approached, they suddenly vanished.
Since no portal appeared, it didn’t seem like they had been transported, but mysteriously, all their presence had been completely erased.

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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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