Welcome to the Café of the Dark Guild’s Successor - Chapter 4

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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 cafe run by the heir of the Dark Guild.
Chapter 4
As Seniel was unfastening his buttons to change into comfortable clothes, the sound of a beak striking glass reached his ear.
“What’s that noise?”
Seniel’s ears perked up and he bolted toward the window in alarm.
Through the pane, he spotted a crow pecking frantically at the glass with its beak.
“Shell! Why are you here at a time like this? Has something happened to my sister?”
Seniel’s face went pale as he hurried to untie the letter bound to the bird’s leg.
[I’m staying at the Dawn Inn next to the Plaza. Come by when you can. I’ll wait a week. -R]
As he read, the color returned to his cheeks, but the moment he checked the date written on the letter, his expression shifted to one heavy with worry.
“Today’s the seventh day, isn’t it? This can’t be happening!!”
Seniel let out a sharp cry and fled down the stairs, letter still in hand.
“Young Master! Your bath is ready—where are you going? You haven’t had dinner yet!”
“I’m going to be late. Tell Mother the same!”
“Young Master!!”
Seniel burst from the house and vanished in an instant, moving with the speed of wind itself.
The butler, left without even hearing the reason for his master’s departure, stood dumbly in the doorway, blinking.
***
I lifted my eyes from the book I’d been reading on a bench in a quiet corner of the Plaza, noticing the sun beginning to dip below the horizon.
“He’s not coming today, is he?”
I exhaled softly, rolling my stiff neck from looking down at my book.
I had promised to wait one week, and today was that final day.
Reluctant to leave immediately, I was considering whether to wait a few more days when an enormous commotion of footsteps approached.
“Sister!”
I closed my book and rose from the bench at once.
Seniel, his face radiant with a brilliant smile, came rushing forward and embraced me.
“How did you know? If you’d sent word ahead, I wouldn’t have made you wait. I had no idea you were coming—I only just returned from training in the Capital.”
Watching Seniel’s joy, as unburdened as a child receiving a surprise gift, a faint smile spread across my own face.
“The old woman died.”
Until now, Seniel had believed I’d been adopted by a difficult elderly woman in a remote province.
“What? Then you’re now…?”
“Alone.”
Something shifted in Seniel’s expression. His eyes grew sad, then his brow furrowed in thought, and finally a determined resolve hardened his gaze.
“Come stay with us. If I tell Mother, she’ll let you live with us. She’s wanted to see you.”
I laughed lightly and replied without hesitation.
“Live with you all? What, should I ask to be adopted too?”
“What’s stopping you?”
Seniel’s silver hair absorbed the sunlight, shimmering brilliantly.
To someone like me, who had spent her entire life turning away from the sun, that brightness was almost blinding.
I shielded my eyes with my palm and shook my head.
“What about your father? He dislikes me.”
“I’ll convince him.”
“No. I’m an adult now, and I don’t need a guardian anymore.”
At my blunt refusal, Seniel’s eyes dimmed once more.
“Where will you stay, then?”
“I don’t know yet. I haven’t decided.”
“Perfect timing. What about my friend’s villa? It’s not far if you take a carriage.”
“Is that all right?”
“Of course. You can stay as long as you like. The house has plenty of empty rooms. And I’d be happy if you stayed close to me.”
Staying at the villa of Seniel’s friend wouldn’t be imposing on his family.
I still hadn’t made any real decisions, and this was my first time being given leave.
In truth, I wanted to spend a few more days with Seniel without answering to anyone.
“All right, I’ll impose for a few days.”
“Really? You mean it? I can’t believe it. I get to see you for days—I’m so happy!”
Thrilled by my acceptance, Seniel beamed and went to arrange a carriage for us to share.
Once aboard, I settled into the seat comfortably and spread a blanket over myself.
“Wake me when we arrive.”
“Sister? Are you really going to sleep right now? We haven’t seen each other in six months!”
As I leaned against the carriage wall and closed my eyes, Seniel protested in disbelief, pushing his face close to mine.
“You’re well, aren’t you? I’ve been waiting for you all day and I’m exhausted.”
I pushed Seniel’s face aside and closed my heavy eyelids again.
“At least keep your eyes open while you talk! I’m curious. How have you been? I have so much I want to tell you—!”
But there was nothing I could tell him about how I’d lived.
My life was a secret I would carry to my grave.
I closed my eyes, feigning sleep because I couldn’t bear to lie.
Yet I had no idea I would actually fall asleep.
I woke with a start when I felt someone touch my shoulder, my defenses instantly raised.
By habit, I reached for the sword I always carried at my back, but of course found nothing.
“Why so startled, sister? We’ve arrived.”
At Seniel’s voice—still tinged with disappointment that I had slept—my tension melted away.
I decided once more that leaving my sword behind had been the right choice, and stretched.
Through the window, I saw sprawling grounds and an old-fashioned manor of considerable size, which made me furrow my brow.
“Is your friend a nobleman?”
“Yes. Fallen Nobility, so no current title. And don’t worry—he lives here alone, without any family.”
The unease I’d felt about needing permission from fastidious noble elders evaporated at once.
“That’s fortunate, then.”
Did someone in Seniel’s circle actually possess such a villa?
I didn’t recall reading anything about it in my intelligence reports, so I tilted my head in confusion just as the manor’s front door opened.
An elderly man with graying hair and a younger man emerged, and Seniel smiled brightly before offering me his hand.
“Come on, sister. I’ll introduce you.”
I could have leaped from the carriage easily enough, but I took his hand properly and descended.
“Welcome, Seniel. Might I ask who this young lady is?”
An elderly gentleman of distinguished bearing greeted us with respectful courtesy.
Seniel stepped between us and made the formal introduction.
“She’s my sister. This is Pendelic, the manor’s steward, and this is my friend Orbis.”
“Goodness, what brings this about? Seniel bringing his sister—I’ve been dying to meet her! I’ve heard nothing but stories about you, I swear my ears are still ringing. Say, would you mind if I had a look at you properly?”
What on earth had he told this man?
In Orbis’s glittering eyes, I detected both genuine curiosity and an unmistakable weariness.
I avoided his searching gaze and extended my hand.
“Pleased to meet you.”
“Please, speak freely. How old are you, if I may ask?”
As Orbis moved to kiss the back of my hand, Seniel roughly seized his shoulder and pulled him back.
“Are you insane? Don’t touch my sister.”
“What did I do? It’s just a normal greeting.”
“That’s not allowed either.”
“You’re unbelievable.”
Watching Seniel and Orbis squabble, I felt an unexpected warmth settle in my chest.
I knew he had grown well, but seeing him shine so brightly and naturally in his friend’s company filled me with quiet joy.
***
Rosia selected a room for herself under Pendelic’s guidance, choosing one from among those available.
After sharing tea and brief conversation with Seniel and Orbis, she excused herself to rest, claiming fatigue.
For several hours now, Seniel had been standing guard outside Rosia’s door, under which fresh bedding had been spread.
Seniel stood with folded arms, leaning against the wall, occasionally slipping the door open to gaze at the sleeping Rosia.
Unable to bear it any longer, Orbis climbed the stairs and tapped Seniel’s shoulder.
“Aren’t you going home?”
“I sent word I’m sleeping here.”
“How long are you planning to stand there?”
“You know how it is. For ten years, I only saw my sister once a year, and even then for just an hour or two. This is the first time I’ve seen her sleep like this.”
“I understand it’s touching, but we have other matters to discuss. Come down.”
Only then did Seniel turn from Rosia’s door, his expression hardening into something unrecognizable.
“Fine. Be quiet on the way.”
The two closed the door without making a sound, then crept down the stairs on their toes, moving with careful silence.
Rosia, inside her room, opened her eyes the moment they left, though they had no way of knowing it.
Seniel’s eyes, as he descended, had grown cold and distant—like those of a different person entirely.
Orbis clicked his tongue, noting the change.
“I’m telling you, there are definitely two distinct personalities in you. Nobody who’s only seen your bright side would ever imagine this.”
“Watch your words. My sister knows nothing of what we do. I believe I walk the Path of Justice more than anyone.”
“I know, I know. And you do walk that path, don’t you? His Highness is our justice, after all.”
They entered the study on the floor below.
Scattered across the expensive desk of solid maple wood lay the messages that had arrived over the past week.
“Read that. They say the Map of Great Dao was stolen.”
“That’s impossible. His Highness went to that location personally.”
“And failed anyway. That Prince from the Raven Guild must be far more skilled than we anticipated.”
“Damn it. After all the effort His Highness put into obtaining that map…”
Seniel, bitterly disappointed, slammed his fist down on the desk with a sharp bang, his eyes blazing with fury.
“That Prince—I won’t let him off easy. How can we meet him?”

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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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