Welcome to the Café of the Dark Guild’s Successor - Chapter 141

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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 Dark Guild’s Successor.
141
‘Did I just think that sounded nice?’
I was startled by my own reaction.
After spending time together and then having him vanish, I reasoned the pleasant thought stemmed from simple relief, and I shook my head firmly to dismiss it.
“Yes, I understand.”
“Seniel told me you’ve been through something difficult. Are you all right?”
“I’m fine, but Raven’s suffered considerable damage.”
I let out a shallow sigh before continuing.
“Have you confirmed with the Five Great Houses about the stolen Sacred Artifact?”
“I’ve asked several times, but they just brush it aside. They don’t want to take responsibility, clearly.”
The Five Great Houses were hiding the facts and refused to officially acknowledge anything.
“It’s impossible to conduct a proper investigation under these circumstances.”
“Exactly. I’m moving the guild privately to look into it, but there are limits—it’s frustrating.”
I wondered who would bear the blame if something truly terrible happened.
“And on top of that, contact came from Helitria. They claim to have detected danger in the Seal and want to dispatch the Priesthood to investigate.”
“Was it accepted?”
“Of course not. His Majesty and the senior ministers all refused. They’re wary of the Priesthood’s influence growing within the Empire.”
The behavior of the high-ranking nobles—concerned only with lining their own pockets regardless of the situation—was beneath contempt.
“But if Helitria is involved, shouldn’t we first verify whether something is actually wrong with the Seal?”
“Everyone is absolutely convinced there’s no problem with the Seal. They refuse to believe that something from over six hundred years ago could still be affecting things now.”
“What does the Crown Prince think?”
“You saw it directly yourself. I trust you. And it’s certainly suspicious that the Sacred Artifacts are being stolen in sequence.”
“If the Crown Prince believes me, that’s enough. For now, we’ll continue investigating among ourselves.”
I also told Biedler what Sophia had told me about Black Rose.
“What happened with the Empress?”
“We covered our tracks so thoroughly that we couldn’t find solid evidence. We do have proof that the Strophane Clan sent medicine regularly, but their patriarch appeared at a meeting this afternoon.”
“So he took direct action himself.”
“Yes. He claimed it was the independent action of his attendants and disposed of the matter. The case is closed, for now.”
“It’s disappointing, but… it’s not a bad outcome. The Emperor won’t consume more poison, and the Empress will keep her head down and remain quiet for a while.”
“True. And by drawing out the Strophane patriarch to this extent, everyone has now seen that I’m a threat they can’t ignore.”
This incident should have made it clear to all that Biedler is a Crown Prince to be reckoned with.
“And tomorrow, news of my brother’s marriage will appear in the papers.”
“Surely not with the Princess?”
“Indeed. Just as we predicted. The Princess’s child will be born safely.”
“With a royal marriage after so long, the entire Empire will be in a celebratory mood. His support will grow. Are you all right with that?”
“Why would I worry at this point? A marriage will soon become my brother’s weakness. Old habits don’t change easily. And I’m having people spread rumors about his past indiscretions with married women. Very gradually, public opinion will shift.”
Biedler seemed to have something else on his mind, so I didn’t press him for details.
“Oh, and you need Magical Stones, don’t you? I’ll visit the Mine with my grandfather. Send someone to the Café to collect them.”
“Would you really do that? I’m truly grateful. Magical Stone prices have been skyrocketing lately, and I’ve been at my wit’s end… I’m really lucky to have you.”
Among all his words, only that last phrase rang loud in my ears, and my heart began to race.
‘Why am I acting this way today?’
I tried to calm my strangely responsive self and deliberately answered more coldly.
“Be nice to Seniel. It’s because of Seniel.”
“Am I really nothing more than that to you?”
His unexpected reply carried a note of wounded feeling.
How could he take something I said so carelessly and treat it with genuine sincerity? Flustered, I stumbled over my words.
“You’re… the Crown Prince.”
“I don’t see you as merely Seniel’s older sister anymore. So I’d hope you wouldn’t see me only as Seniel’s superior.”
“……?”
Even through the Communication Device, Biedler’s eyes seemed vivid and clear before me as though he stood right in front of me.
‘Then what do you want me to see you as?’
My words caught in my throat. I sat quietly with my mouth firmly shut, and Biedler cleared his throat awkwardly, changing the subject.
“It’s only been days since I left, yet it feels like ages. The peaceful mountain view I saw from the door comes to mind dozens of times a day.”
“That’s why I love this place.”
“I understand. Every moment spent there was warm. I felt comforted.”
Hearing that the space most precious to me had also brought solace to someone else lifted my spirits. A smile bloomed across my face.
“Come again. I’ll let you stay for a day.”
“I’ll come soon. Please take care of the Magical Stones for me.”
When I finished communicating with Biedler, the room felt strangely silent.
I glanced at the quiet Communication Device and checked the time, thinking of sleep.
“When did an hour pass?”
Though it felt like we hadn’t talked about much, time had slipped away.
***
Heavy raindrops fell throughout the dawn hours.
As day broke, the rain weakened, but the sky remained dark and overcast.
“There won’t be many customers today.”
When I opened the window, the scent of rain-dampened wood rushed in. Listening to the soft patter of falling drops, I stretched my hand outside.
“When the rain stops, spring will come.”
The weather had warmed enough that keeping the window open no longer brought any chill.
As I shook the rainwater from my palm and reached to close the window, I felt the presence of approaching footsteps outside the Café.
“Trained knights?”
Roughly a dozen figures, all emanating the bearing of well-trained warriors. I gripped a short blade just in case.
The person who soon revealed himself was someone I already knew.
Knights of Nainhof, the private knight order of the Strophane Clan, serving Juliano.
They’d already visited the Café several times to inquire about the menu and ingredients.
“It’s been a while.”
The leader opened the door and entered alone. His hair was soaked, but his clothes remained pristine—he must have been using Magical Fabric.
“Please, bring the others in too. I’ll pour everyone some tea.”
“Ah, we’re quite a number….”
“You’ve come a long distance. It’s no trouble.”
“Then we’ll impose upon your hospitality.”
The knights filed into the Café in a rush, found seats, and sat down.
Among them I spotted Daren. Our eyes met as we passed, and he flashed a grin.
I poured hot water over herb leaves and served the cups, then sat across from the leader.
“What brings you here today?”
“Two matters. First, the shop we were preparing in the Capital has opened.”
“That was quick.”
“Yes. So we’re thinking of establishing a material contract with the Village. The ingredients we brought back from here have proven especially fresh and flavorful.”
I agreed, though I wondered if the shipping costs to the Capital would outweigh the benefit.
“They’re not particularly special ingredients.”
“Our employer is keen on it.”
“And the second matter?”
“We’d like to build a storage warehouse in the Village and hoped you might help us. Since we’re outsiders, we thought we’d face resistance.”
Something felt off, but if they needed to transport ingredients in bulk, a warehouse would certainly be necessary.
“I’ll mention it.”
“We’re in somewhat of a hurry… could we go to the Village right away?”
“Now?”
“Yes. The sooner, the better.”
I caught a subtle pressure in the knight’s words. It annoyed me, but thinking it best to get it over with quickly, I nodded.
“All right. Finish your tea, and we’ll head out.”
I rose from the table and walked to the kitchen. While pretending to organize things, I naturally called over to Daren.
“You there, knight. Would you help me? I need to move this to the back yard, but it’s too heavy….”
“Of course!”
Daren jumped up and lifted the box. Together we stepped outside the Café.
“Is there something you wanted to tell me?”
“Just checking how you’ve been. Will you be investigating the mountain again this time?”
“No. The assignment changed. The investigation is finished now. They’ve ordered me to focus on building the warehouse in the Village.”
“Is it really just for storage?”
“What else would it be for?”
“…Right.”
I’d thrown out the question on a hunch, but Daren knew nothing. He was simply the earnest type who did as he was told.
“While we’re building the warehouse, we’ll be staying in the Village. I hope we’ll see each other often.”
Together with the bright-smiling Daren, I returned to the Café with no new information.
Everyone had drained their cups as if it were water and stood ready to leave.
‘Why the rush?’
I swept a quick glance over the restless knights, then went into my room and retrieved a rain cloak.
“Let’s go.”
Outside, the rain had nearly stopped. I descended the mountain path with the knights and borrowed one of their horses.
“Everyone wait here. I’ll call for you once I’ve gotten permission.”
To avoid alarming the villagers, I had the knights wait outside while the leader and I entered the Village alone.
“Miss! It’s been so long. The carrots are especially fresh today. Take some with you.”
“Later, perhaps. Where is the Chief?”
“He said he was stopping by the carpentry workshop earlier… But who’s that beside you? Not the priestess who usually comes with you?”
I simply smiled and passed the woman by.
I asked around for the Chief and finally found him on the road.
“Ah! I heard you were looking for me. Have you finally decided to join the Merchant Guild?”
“No, that’s not it. I have a different proposal to make.”
“A different proposal?”
The Chief’s gaze, twisted with disappointment, shifted to the knight standing beside me.
His eyes hardened with wariness toward the stranger, very different from the warmth he showed toward me.

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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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