Welcome to the Café of the Dark Guild’s Successor - Chapter 179

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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 of the Dark Guild.
Chapter 179
I took a cautious step backward at the sight of materials whose very nature I couldn’t begin to guess.
Grandfather immediately pulled out various equipment and began concocting medicine while muttering the names of ingredients.
I shot Wyatt a pleading look to stop him, but he seemed far more interested in the materials Grandfather was drawing out.
“Master, wouldn’t it be all right if I took some? My knees do hurt, and… ahem.”
Wyatt tried to taste the concoction as it began to bubble and simmer, but Grandfather stopped him.
“No, no. Move your hand away.”
“Please, Elder. I’m fine.”
“Absolutely not. Such a precious thing!”
But remembering the medicine Cayden used to take, I wouldn’t even bring it near my lips.
Just then, a portal opened beside me, and Seniel appeared.
“Sister!”
The moment he saw me, he rushed over and embraced me, exhaling in relief.
I quietly reached up and patted Seniel’s back.
“How are you here already?”
“Grandfather sent me this.”
When Seniel uncurled his fist, a small Firefly fluttered away in a soft shimmer.
Scarcely minutes had passed since arriving at the Mage Tower, and yet Grandfather had managed to send this to Seniel even while making medicine. His skill was truly remarkable.
Grandfather swiftly mixed all the ingredients into a liquid, poured it into a bottle, and handed it to Seniel.
“Drink it. It’s good for your health.”
“…What?”
Seniel tilted his head, unaware of the horrors of Grandfather’s medicine, and drank it without hesitation.
His eyes bulged, and he clutched at his throat, coughing violently.
“This… is medicine? Is it poison? Ugh.”
“Grandfather, I’ll pass.”
Thanks to Seniel’s brave taste test, I was now absolutely certain I would never take Grandfather’s medicine.
I pretended not to notice Grandfather’s dejected expression and turned to Seniel instead.
“What about the Verdian Territory? How did it go?”
“It’s been cleaned up well. Once we captured Juliano, everyone scattered and tried to flee. We’ve routed most of the Beasts and locked up the survivors.”
I patted Seniel’s back as he blinked away tears and continued my questions.
“What about the scale of damage?”
“Not severe. The Regional Coalition brought considerable numbers, and more importantly, there were people who provided tremendous help.”
After rinsing his mouth with water, Seniel finally returned and glanced at me with a wink, then looked around.
When he didn’t find who he was looking for, his expression darkened, and he asked carefully.
“By the way, the Prince and the High Priest—are they…?”
“Both are safe. They’ve gone for treatment.”
Only then did his expression brighten, and he smiled radiantly.
“It all worked out? Completely?”
“Yes.”
I found myself grateful beyond measure that I could answer like this.
“Master! If I may… eh? What is all this? Everyone’s been waiting in the Conference Room…”
When Grandfather and Wyatt didn’t come, another elder came to fetch them personally.
“Can’t you see? We’re making medicine.”
Grandfather packed away all his equipment and handed me a bottle of medicine.
“Child, remember—good medicine always tastes bitter. You must drink it.”
“…I’ll try my best.”
“Both of you rest at ease.”
Grandfather and Wyatt headed to the Conference Room to report on the situation.
Left alone with Seniel, I immediately made my way to the floor where the guest rooms were.
“Sister, are you going to sleep already?”
“I want to wash up first.”
Though Grandfather had helped me with water earlier, I wanted to bathe properly in warm water and feel refreshed.
“True. These past days have felt eternally long. Wash up tonight and sleep well. You’ve worked hard, sister.”
“You too.”
“You know…”
Seniel stopped me as I turned to leave.
“What?”
“Having you as my sister… I’m proud. I’m happy to be your brother.”
His unexpected words caught me off guard, and tears welled up in my eyes.
“You…”
What more needed to be said?
All the hardship and exhaustion that had accumulated washed away, and my heart churned with countless emotions.
I had worried whether I’d been selfish in doing this for Seniel, felt late regret, and apologized so much—
“Thank you for saying that. I’m… happy to be your sister too.”
We held each other gently for a moment, sharing warmth.
I entered the room and sank into the bathtub already filled with warm water.
I let my body relax, closed my eyes, and thought of nothing for a time.
The water stung where wounds covered my body, but it was bearable.
“Ahh.”
After a long while, I swept back my wet hair and wiped my face, only to notice marks on my arm.
“I have marks.”
They seemed to be from Biedler gripping me firmly as he pulled me along.
He had never let go, even when it meant he’d be dragged down with me and nearly die.
“…What did it mean?”
I traced the faint marks on my arm with my fingers, recalling Biedler’s words.
That he was doing this because he knew what he meant to me.
“Because I’m Seniel’s sister? Or could it be that he likes me…?”
My face grew hot mid-sentence, and I pressed my lips shut. The more I thought about it, the more confused I became, so I shook my head vigorously.
After leaving the tub and changing clothes, the moment I lay down on the bed, drowsiness overwhelmed me.
With no strength left to think of anything else, I surrendered to the soft bed and fell into a deep sleep.
***
Meyson, like before the departure, looked around at the people gathered in the Conference Room and took his seat.
“When I heard from my Granddaughter, I honestly thought it would be impossible… but I’m grateful you’ve returned like this.”
“Yes. I was certain we’d lose you, Master.”
Meyson’s disciples savored the joy of reunion in his presence.
The situation itself made Meyson shy and awkward, so he dried every tear his disciples shed the moment it fell.
“I realized when I saw the sky clear. You resolved it, Master?”
“No. Without even one person, I could never have destroyed Desikan.”
Meyson believed that this matter owed far more to others’ efforts than to his own.
“Especially my Granddaughter was truly remarkable.”
Meyson began explaining the situation from the moment he hid in the Middle Ground until the final destruction of Desikan.
Through his account, Rosia—who had come to rescue him and played the most crucial role until the very end—was described almost as a hero.
“Truly impressive. One would say she is indeed your Granddaughter…”
“For those of us living in this age, she is a hero. We can only be grateful.”
The High Priests listening to the story agreed wholeheartedly and marveled sincerely.
As everyone began to recognize Rosia, Meyson beamed with pride more than anyone else and wore a satisfied smile.
“Her latent Mana is extraordinary too. Are you thinking of training her as a Mage?”
“She’s my Granddaughter, but she’s a remarkable child. I’m thinking of supporting whatever she chooses.”
Then the Conference Room door opened.
“I’ve brought her.”
A knight representing the Coalition dragged in Juliano, bound by a Restraining Chain around his body.
Unable to use his power, restrained by the chain, he remained vacant-eyed and kept calling out only Desikan’s name.
“Desikan, sir…”
Everyone grimaced at his pitiful state.
“He can scarcely be called human anymore.”
“It appears he became like this after consuming this medicine.”
The knight dumped various forms of medicine onto the table—substances he’d found among those allied with the Verdian Territory and Desikan.
“All of it must be recovered to prevent it from circulating in the markets.”
“And to wrap this up properly, the Mage Tower, the Temple, and the Imperial Palace must each fulfill their roles.”
Since everyone bore responsibility and involvement, no one objected.
“We’ll continue once the Prince completes his treatment.”
“Lock that one in the Basement.”
Especially regarding how to handle the Strophane Clan, who had orchestrated this incident, and Juliano, further deliberation was necessary.
***
The next day.
I opened my eyes and stretched as sunlight tickled my face.
The light was so strong that it leaked through even with the curtains drawn.
“It’s been a while.”
How long had it been since I woke to meet the morning sun like this? Feeling the preciousness of the day breaking, I enjoyed the sunlight a moment longer before leaving the bed.
After dressing and coming out alone, I saw Biedler eating his meal.
There were quite a few people in the hall, yet Biedler was the first I noticed.
“What will you have for breakfast?”
“I’ll have this.”
I chose simple bread and juice from the morning menu and walked toward an empty seat, when Biedler spotted me.
“Good morning.”
He lowered the newspaper he’d been reading and looked up at me with a warm smile.
“Good morning.”
I tried to pass with just a greeting, but Biedler quickly stopped me.
“Sit here.”
“Wouldn’t that be inconvenient for you?”
“Am I inconvenient to you?”
“…No, not at all.”
“Then let’s eat together. We always did at the Café.”
He wasn’t wrong.
More than just at the Café, lately we’d been together every day.
There was no reason things should change just because we were now in the Mage Tower; I’d tried to pass him only because I couldn’t stop being aware of him.
As I fidgeted with my juice glass to avoid meeting his eyes, he asked me something.
“So what are you thinking now? The Café must be in terrible condition.”
“Grandfather said he’d repair it for me.”
“Are you planning to keep running the Café?”
I shrugged and let out a sigh.
“I’m not sure yet.”
I’d never started the Café with the intention of keeping it for life.
I’d suddenly left Raven and wandered, not knowing what I should do with myself.
That Café had become one choice among many for me then.
Now that I was given the chance to choose again, I wasn’t sure what I truly wanted.
“If not the Café, you could come with me instead.”
“What?”
I was so startled by Biedler’s sudden proposal that I nearly choked.

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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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