Welcome to the Café of the Dark Guild’s Successor - Chapter 139

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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 run by the heir to the Dark Guild.
139
“With me here, what’s there to worry about? If those people show up following the map, I’ll catch them and… well, investigate.”
Grandfather reached out to open the box at once, saying it was a good idea.
“I understand, but… let’s keep that as a last resort.”
I wanted to track down whoever attacked Raven and expose them immediately, but there was too little information to move recklessly.
“Very well. Then let me cast a barrier.”
A thin veil formed around us. Surrounded by a palpable force, I slowly opened the box and withdrew the map.
Grandfather examined it using Silent Magic, then shook his head.
“There’s no trace of other magic. How strange.”
“Is it possible… that Sacred Relics have a way of tracking each other?”
Since they were from the Demon Realm, I thought they might be resonating with each other in ways we couldn’t imagine.
Grandfather’s eyes brightened.
“That makes sense, but then why would they leave this behind? It should have been the easiest to steal compared to the Sacred Relics the Five Great Houses kept.”
“I don’t know. Even if we speculate between ourselves, I don’t think we’ll find an answer.”
I shook my head and put the map back in the box. I dissolved the barrier as well.
“I’ll keep this. I need to try various spells in my room.”
It seemed safer for Grandfather to keep the map than for me to hold onto it, so I agreed.
At that moment, Obelia rose to her feet.
“I’ll take my leave now.”
“Already? Rest a bit longer at least. Moving around this soon is too much strain.”
“I’m worried about my Master.”
Obelia withdrew a Magic Stone and was about to use it when I stopped her.
“Come with me. I’ll help. You might be attacked again.”
“The demonic beast that was chasing me was the last one. They’ve scattered in different directions, so I need to search for them. Having more people won’t help. I’ll contact you once I meet my Master.”
I was tempted to follow anyway, but I decided to trust Obelia’s judgment and wait.
“All right. Then take Sophia’s Communication Device.”
Obelia stared at me intently, then nodded.
I returned to the café to retrieve the Communication Device I’d left in the room.
Thankfully, the hall was empty—Seniel must have sent all the customers out.
“Sister, earlier you—”
“Just a moment.”
I passed Seniel and grabbed the Communication Device.
The moment Obelia received it, she opened a Portal and vanished.
I sighed and stepped back into the café, where Seniel came running over.
“What happened? Did you know that person?”
“Yeah. She’s a guild member.”
“That thing earlier… it was a demonic beast, wasn’t it? Even though it disappeared fast, I definitely saw it.”
“Did any customers see it?”
“No. I closed the curtains right away.”
“That’s a relief.”
I had no intention of hiding things from Seniel, so I pointed to the box in Grandfather’s hands.
“That’s what caused it.”
“What’s inside?”
“A map of the mine.”
Seniel’s eyes widened as he looked at the box again.
“The mine’s been discovered? By whom? The original owner, Strophan? Is that why you summoned a demonic beast? If it’s a Magical Stone mine, that’s definitely worth it.”
“No, it’s not like that…”
I told him everything I’d learned since coming to Alein Mountain—about the barrier and the war with the Demon Realm six hundred years ago.
As he listened, Seniel’s mouth grew wider and wider, until by the end of the story it was gaping open.
“The war with the Demon Realm that happened six hundred years ago… it hasn’t ended? And there’s an enormous monster sealed somewhere on this mountain?”
“Hard to believe, right?”
“Yeah. I can’t call it nonsense after seeing a demonic beast, but… honestly, I don’t believe it.”
“But it’s the truth. I saw it with my own eyes.”
“Does His Highness know?”
“He probably doesn’t know the details. I haven’t mentioned it until now, but maybe it’s time to tell him.”
“How could something like this be buried? I don’t understand.”
“A lot of time has passed, and people have become content with present peace.”
Rather than preparing for something that might happen anytime, people have gotten used to grabbing immediate profits, and that’s how time slipped away.
I groaned.
Having moved since dawn and suffered multiple shocks, I suddenly felt a headache creeping in during the conversation.
“What’s wrong?”
“My head…”
“Go inside and rest. I’ll clean up.”
“Thank you.”
With Seniel’s support, I went into the room and lay down.
***
Click.
The sound of the door opening made me lift my eyes, and I checked the clock hanging on the wall. Two hours had passed.
“Sister.”
As I sat up in bed, Seniel came and sat by my pillow.
“How’s your headache?”
“After a nap, it’s better.”
“Good. I’ve finished preparing dinner. Let’s go eat.”
“You’ve grown up so much. Setting the table for your sister now.”
I let out a soft laugh and examined Seniel’s face carefully.
“Your hair’s gotten quite long.”
“I’ve been too busy to pay attention… does it look messy?”
“No. You look more like Grandfather now.”
“I should cut it right away.”
I gently ruffled Seniel’s hair despite his vehement denial, and he pushed my hand away with a plaintive voice.
Seniel protested quietly, “I was planning to leave after dinner.”
“…Time really does fly.”
“Right? Why are vacations always so short? Ugh, I don’t want to go. I wish I could just stay like this with you forever.”
“If you don’t want to go, then don’t.”
“What?”
“I mean the Imperial Palace Knights. If it’s hard, you can quit.”
“Is this because of what you said last time? That was just me complaining.”
Seniel tapped his chest with a fist and squared his shoulders.
“I’m really cut out for physical work. After just a few days of rest, my body’s already itching for action.”
“Then I’m glad. Just remember you always have a place to come back to.”
“Are you going to be okay?”
“What do you mean?”
“Here… doesn’t it feel cramped? Are you staying because of me, when you’d rather go back to the guild?”
Many thoughts crossed my mind in an instant, but I suppressed them and shook my head.
“No. I’m here because I like this life. How comfortable is it?”
“Don’t you ever think of sacrificing yourself for me again. I want you to live thinking only of yourself.”
Seniel’s eyes had grown deeper. I gazed at him quietly, then smiled and stood up.
“All right. Let’s eat.”
As we left the room and approached the kitchen, a delicious aroma tickled my nose.
Cayden, wearing an apron, caught sight of us and smiled warmly.
“Rosia, did you sleep well? Seniel, come over here and taste the seasoning for me.”
“Mmm. Delicious. You really are the best, big brother.”
Seniel took the spoon Cayden offered with familiar ease and looked happy tasting the food, and I came to a standstill.
When did he start calling Cayden “big brother”?
“…What are you two doing?”
When I’d warned against Seniel being friendly with Cayden, and yet now he was acting like Cayden’s blood sibling—it felt strange.
“What do you mean?”
“When did you two get so close?”
“After eating together a few times… I realized he’s actually a really good person.”
“Seniel is easy to get along with.”
I narrowed my eyes and looked at the two of them, who seemed quite intimate.
‘When I think about it, isn’t Cayden the most dangerous person here?’
He’d naturally entered my daily life, then grown close to Biedler, and now even Seniel.
“Why are you standing there? Come sit down.”
See? Even now.
The way he moved through my house as if it were his own, so naturally.
I seriously wondered if I should start being more cautious from this moment on, and sat down in my chair.
When we all gathered for the meal, I found myself thinking of Biedler. I caught a glimpse of the empty seat at the far end.
A warm stew was placed on my plate. Watching the steamy vapor rise, my heart felt at ease.
“I’ll eat well.”
Even without much appetite, I moved my spoon diligently, thinking of the effort that had gone into it.
A while later.
After finishing the meal, Seniel gathered the luggage he’d packed beforehand and came outside.
Grandfather was already waiting for Seniel outside—apparently this had been arranged in advance.
“I’ll see you off.”
The two of them looked at each other without meeting eyes, their gazes crossing in parallel.
It was awkward, but far more natural than the first time.
“Will you turn into a cat again and watch over me?”
“Watching you is my only hobby. Don’t deprive an old man of his pleasure.”
“With that face, who’d call you old… Just make sure you don’t get caught.”
Seniel didn’t seem to mind Grandfather watching over him.
Once permission was granted, Grandfather laughed brightly. For a moment, it looked as though a halo shone around both Grandfather and Seniel.
‘…It’s really a relief that Grandfather and Seniel were never in the café at the same time.’
After exchanging farewells, Seniel departed. I stood gazing at the spot where he’d vanished when Cayden called my name.
“Rosia.”
I glanced to the side and saw him smiling slightly.
“Shall we spend the evening together?”
“What?”
“The house is empty now. I thought you might be scared.”
“I’m more scared of being with you.”
Though I’d spoken with a stern face, Cayden showed no sign of concern and stepped closer.
“We’ve slept in the same room for more than a day or two… you’ll hurt my feelings saying things like that.”
Cayden tilted his head and leaned toward me. When I didn’t reciprocate and pulled my body back, he lost his balance and stumbled.
“By the way, did you take your medicine?”
“Medicine? Oh, that…”
He avoided my gaze and began inching away. Seeing him try to escape, I grabbed his clothes.
“I had urgent business at the Temple and forgot. I really need to go.”
“Take your medicine before you go.”
“I really… can’t get used to the taste.”
Despite his words, he withdrew a small bottle carefully wrapped in cloth from his pocket.
Contrary to his expression suggesting he hated taking it, the medicine inside had already been reduced to nearly the bottom.

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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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