Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Early Encounter
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The sun had completely vanished beyond the mountains, and only moonlight accompanied by countless stars illuminated the night sky.
>“Haa, what am I even doing?”
Of course, I still hadn't found the inn.
It wasn't because I was hopelessly lost.
To briefly explain why I wasn't directionally challenged: first evidence, I've never gotten lost in the mountains; second, this was my first time here.
No matter how good someone is at navigation,
if they were dropped into a completely unfamiliar place like I was, they'd wander too.
'Definitely.'
I nodded to myself, convinced.
After walking for a while with these rather pointless thoughts,
a faint, familiar scent began to waft toward me.
As I pondered what it could be, a distant memory flashed by.
'...The smell of alcohol?'
Well, taverns make more profit staying open late rather than during the day, so it wasn't strange at this hour.
And if there was a tavern around, an inn was bound to be nearby.
'Reasons aside.'
Any adult would know.
“Ahem, hmm.”
A bit embarrassed by my own thoughts, I forced my lips not to curl up and hurried toward the faint smell of booze.
I gazed at the building before me.
With its high ceiling—impressive even for a two-story structure—and wooden planks, or perhaps the tavern's rugged vibe, it exuded a rough atmosphere.
Above the entrance hung a sign reading [Sweet Night], presumably the tavern's name. From inside came a cacophony of conversations, clinking glasses, and various other sounds.
For some reason, my heart started pounding.
You know, I'd been reborn in a fantasy world but skipped straight to the mountains without experiences like this.
Even if I didn't care much for this world, everyone has their fantasies.
'My original goal was the inn, but...'
I had plenty of money. Why not enjoy a casual drink?
Grinning widely, I pushed open the tavern door and stepped inside.
True to its romantic tavern charm, the interior matched my imagination perfectly.
'Oh, this part's exactly as I pictured.'
Round tables dotted the room, and people sat on somewhat uncomfortable wooden chairs, chatting over drinks from oak mugs.
At what looked like the bar counter stood massive oak barrels—probably storage—and fewer bottles with labels, likely pricier stuff.
Behind it was a bald man in his forties with a stylish mustache, presumably the owner.
To the left, stairs led to the second floor. No noise came from up there despite the presences I sensed, suggesting this place doubled as an inn.
'Perfect find.'
Like accidentally backing into a mouse trap and catching one, right?
A proud smile formed, and my mouth watered.
'Saliva?'
“Tch-”
Maybe because it had been so long since I'd seen booze,
saliva pooled in my mouth unbidden, and I quickly swallowed.
I wasn't that much of a drinker,
but seeing alcohol after ages did stir some nostalgia.
Face slightly flushed from embarrassment, I glanced around.
'No one saw, right?'
Thankfully, everyone was absorbed in their own conversations, paying me no mind.
I approached the owner and lightly tapped the counter.
He turned from pouring drinks, spotted me, and greeted with a broad smile.
“Oh, new face! What can I do for you, miss?”
Despite it being our first meeting, he chatted naturally and got to the point—typical tavern keeper behavior.
'Ugh, he's too cheery. Hard to deal with.'
His bright vibe made it tough, but I had business, so I pressed on.
“Any spare rooms for about a week?”
“Plenty. Just you?”
Relieved there were rooms, I sighed inwardly and replied.
“Mm, someone'll join me in a few days.”
“Two rooms then?”
Did Nameless and I really need separate rooms?
Besides,
'Two rooms would be less efficient.'
Nameless might object to sharing,
but financially, one made sense.
After a moment's thought, I answered curtly.
“One's enough.”
“Got it. Meals?”
We could eat out with Nameless.
“No need.”
“Alright, last room at the end of the upstairs hall. Key.”
“Money?”
He waved dismissively and handed it over.
“Pay when you check out.”
“Fine.”
“Wait, sign the register too.”
Following his gesture, I saw a ledger in the corner for guests' names.
Next to it were spots for check-in and check-out dates.
'Handy for calculating payment later.'
I nodded, grabbed the pen, and wrote Heaven Cleaver and Heavenly Nameless.
“Good to go?”
“Yep~ Make yourself at home.”
The fortysomething winked mischievously.
My stomach churned, but I hid it to spare his feelings.
“Right...”
In the assigned room, I set my gear aside and eyed the bed.
'Mm, just one bed.'
Not just the bed—one blanket too, though it was quite large.
Nameless would surely complain, but it'd be fine, right?
Since puberty hit, he'd gotten awkward about sharing a bed with me. Naturally.
“Haa...”
He'd insist on the floor, no doubt. Should I force him to sleep beside me anyway?
Shaking off the worry, I lay on the bed.
I could sort it when Nameless arrived.
Hugging my trusty wooden sword, I closed my eyes.
-Heavenly Nameless
Master dashed off in an instant, vanishing as a dot on the horizon.
“Heh, damn.”
I'd thought my skills had improved a lot, but I still couldn't keep up with her pace.
'When will I ever reach Master's level?'
Lamenting my lot as I ran, I suddenly sensed presences.
At first, I thought it was Master waiting, but the scent was different.
'Who?'
No one lived in the Demonic Realm—no one could.
People knew that, so unless it was an adventurer on a quick commission, no one came here.
Hand on my sword hilt, I stayed alert.
Two appeared: one a hulking man with rare white hair and golden eyes, an ornate greatsword slung on his back.
The other a woman with striking blonde hair and blue eyes.
Tall for a woman, notably dressed in a church nun's habit.
Seeing the habit eased my tension—at least they weren't enemies.
Standing awkwardly face-to-face, I spoke first.
“What do you want?”
“Hello. We're here to purify this Demonic Realm.”
'Purify the Demonic Realm?'
The woman spoke, her gentle tone and soft smile confirming her as a nun.
The man silently studied my face, his aura intense enough to make me tense.
Better to leave quickly.
“Alright. I'm in a hurry, so may I go?”
“Ah! Wait! The mana density here is oddly low. Do you know why?”
Because Master devoured it all.
'No reason to tell them that.'
Better to hide it.
The Demonic Realm had demonic energy to match its name, beyond just mana.
I smiled nonchalantly.
“No idea. Maybe it faded over time?”
“Ah... I see. Thanks for your time.”
“No problem. Sorry I couldn't help.”
I bowed lightly and started to hurry off when the silent man finally spoke.
“Wait. What's your name?”
He asked, frowning as if his head hurt.
I racked my brain for an answer,
but if the nun was skilled, she might see through lies.
I decided on honesty.
“...Nameless. Why?”
I skipped the family name. In these shabby clothes, claiming nobility would invite questions.
Hearing me, he conferred briefly with the nun, then apologized with an awkward smile.
“Sorry. You looked like someone I know.”
“...Yeah. I'll be going.”
I quickly left to catch up with Master.