Chapter 2
Chapter 2
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: Tavern Reunion
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Gu Chi entered the tavern and tilted his head at the bustling crowd. This place wasn't popular enough to be packed in broad daylight.
He leaned his elbow on the bar and greeted Louis, whom he hadn't seen in a while.
"Has the goddess of fortune dropped by or something? The tavern I know wouldn't have more than a couple of flies as customers at this hour."
"You're still as rude as ever to someone you haven't seen in ages. What'll it be?"
"What else? Cheap beer."
Louis poured beer into a dented mug. Gu Chi lightly stroked her hand as she held the mug.
"Your hands are still so soft. Why not quit this job and marry me? It'd be tough, but fun in its own way."
"Wouldn't I be too good for a hairy old man like you?"
"You're right. Seeing anyone these days?"
"I declared I'd wear a wedding ring if someone brought me two horses, but no takers so far."
Gu Chi shrugged at Louis, who smiled slyly.
"Guess I'll die single."
"Mind your own business."
Louis ladled out a bowl of stew. It was bubbling furiously in a corner of the tavern. One bite revealed a thick, sour taste. Still awful as ever.
"Looks like someone ate venison haunch today."
He spat out a chewy tendon that wouldn't go down.
"I threw in the leftover meat. Thanks to that, the quality of our magical stew went up."
"Some days meat makes it into that pot, huh? Must've been something going on."
"You really don't know? The alcohol ban ended yesterday. Everyone rushed to the taverns to get officially drunk."
Gu Chi glanced at his half-finished beer.
"Alcohol ban? It's not even a drought."
"Open your ears, old man. There was a hero's funeral. They imposed a ban during the mourning period. Word is other territories ignored it, but ours enforced it, so we had to comply."
"A hero? Oh, that."
Gu Chi dredged up the vague news he'd heard. An imperial war hero had died. It had no bearing on his livelihood, so it'd gone in one ear and out the other.
"A hero, my ass. It's all made-up to give the common folk some hope. They say there are dozens of playwrights in the Holy City crafting hero sagas. It's just the higher-ups trying to dress up a war that left nothing but pain."
The man sitting next to him spoke up. Gu Chi stared for a long moment before recognizing him as Beln, the shoe craftsman.
"Pox on your face. Didn't recognize you."
"I've put on a bit of weight, but not pox-bad. More importantly, Gu Chi, where've you been this time?"
"Anywhere rare animals are. Went near the Crimson Forest this time."
"Still living the romantic life. You'll die romantically one day."
"I'm bummed your wish for me to get eaten by a dragon hasn't come true yet. My dream's to see a real one."
"If it happens, call me. I'll watch from the front row."
Beln chuckled, and someone approached from the side. It was Silver, still with his buzzed short hair.
"In my opinion, Huss didn't die of illness."
Huss? Gu Chi shot Silver a look demanding explanation. Silver gave him a weary glare.
"Gu Chi, you really don't know? Huss. Huss Bellu Sant."
"Who's this Huss born in Bellu?"
"Ever seen such a blockhead? The imperial war hero, war hero."
Gu Chi took a sip of beer before replying.
"So what if I do know?"
"Nothing comes of it. But it's fun, right? The hero who ended a 15-year slog of a war. They say when he swung his sword once, enemies dropped like flies."
"Must've been damn good in a fight."
"That's not all. His character, leadership, charisma—praised for everything, no flaws."
"Then the bigwigs must be pretty sad he keeled over. Even imposed an alcohol ban."
"Nah, they're relieved. Nothing threatens the throne like a war-ending hero. So the emperor snuffed him out before he became a threat."
Thwack! At the sound, Gu Chi, Beln, and Silver all turned. Louis scowled and slammed her bowl down again on the bar.
"No wild rumors. Order drinks and food. Don't spread weird gossip in someone else's shop."
Beln and Silver caught Louis's glare, got up, and vanished. Louis huffed at them, then wiped the bar with a rag.
"It's funny coming from someone who sells booze, but those two shouldn't drink. They spout nonsense after a few and make trouble. Last time, a territory guard was here, and they badmouthed the lord right next to him—got a beating. Still haven't learned."
"Life's pleasure is that stuff. Won't change."
"Better to be uninterested like you. Heroes or whatever, I don't care."
Gu Chi glanced at the rowdy tavern interior.
"War, huh."
The war's early days, 15 years ago, were brutal— even serfs plowing fields got drafted. But after five years, it turned into regular armies bickering. No point in pointless attrition for the Empire or the Allied Kingdoms.
"Why?"
Louis asked, having overheard his mutter.
"Just... makes me wonder if there really was a war. As you know, I'm a wanderer. Went to the front lines a few times during the height of it, but everyone just watched from afar—no actual fighting."
"No fighting's good. But why go to such dangerous spots?"
"Why else? Got a tip about a rare animal. Ever heard of the white-horned deer?"
"The one that brings wealth and peace if you have it?"
"Yeah, that. Struck out, though. Didn't see a single deer, let alone a white horn."
"People should work honestly for money. If owning that stuff made cash roll in, who'd bother working hard?"
"That's the view of us have-nots. The haves are different. After doing everything possible, they reach into superstition. Perfection in all things—that's the mindset of the rich."
"I don't get it. I'd sooner pray to the gods. How potent can a beast's horn be?"
"Just saying."
Louis stretched and yawned.
"How long you staying this time?"
"Dunno. My partner ditched me for somewhere else. A better hunter than me offered more money—no choice."
"So you'll stick around till you find a new partner?"
"Who's worth a damn here? Rest a few days, then head to the Holy City. With the war over, skilled mercenaries'll be twiddling thumbs. I'll pitch to them."
"Why not quit dangerous hunts and do chores at my place? Consider your age, old man."
"That's a horrible joke."
He was laughing in reply when the door opened. A man entered, brushed dirt off his cloak at the entrance, and walked straight up.
"What's the cheapest food here?"
The man asked.
"Potatoes anywhere cheap. Recommend potato gratin—oven's already hot."
The man pulled out his pouch, turned it inside out on the bar. One coin fell out.
"Never seen this before."
Louis picked up the coin. She examined both sides, then eyed the man puzzled.
"Will this do?"
"Sorry, it's unfamiliar."
The man gave an awkward smile. Gu Chi, watching, asked Louis for the coin. Crossed swords on front, wheel emblem on back.
"Old coinage. From about 20 years ago, I think. Empire Bank changed designs when the imperial family shifted."
"As expected of our old man. Knows all the trivia. Can it be used now?"
"Arone Trading Company'll exchange it for current silver. Pure silver, same weight. Folks nostalgic for the old Empire might pay extra."
He handed the coin back to the man.
"Thanks."
"Where you from, country bumpkin? Carrying silver without knowing its use is a hick trait."
"From a place no better than the sticks. Miss, can I get a meal for this?"
The man asked Louis. She took the coin.
"Exactly enough. Beer too? Fresh from the cellar—nice and cold."
"Please."
The man sighed softly, tucking away his empty pouch. Gu Chi knew a kindred spirit at first sight. A drifter with nowhere to stay.
"Gu Chi. Gu Chi Antos Dena."
He extended his hand.
"Antos—the one west of the Holy City?"
"Know it?"
"Yes. Been a few times. Nice place. Especially the central square fountain—beautiful."
"That got smashed five years ago."
"Oh. Didn't know."
"Wouldn't. Anyway, this hand's getting embarrassing."
He wiggled his outstretched hand. The man laughed and shook it.
"Lander. Lander Musc Ans."
Musc. A middle name for those hiding birthplaces or cutting ties. Gu Chi released his hand.
"Look like you've traveled long. What brings you here?"
"Heard the blooming flowers here are beautiful. Said to start early September, so I hurried. Cost a bundle in carriage fees."
Louis, who'd been listening, chimed in.
"If it's Bellio, tough this year. Only blooms in cracking droughts. Locals hate it—rip it out and toss it whenever seen. Proliferates like weeds, though; droughts make it sprout anyway."
"Didn't... know. A flower I shouldn't have chased."
"Pretty, though. Red and purple rippling along the ridges—spectacular. Here, beer first."
Lander thanked her and took the mug. Throat parched, but he wet his lips first, sipping slowly.
"Rare to see a lone man come this far for Bellio. In it for work? Had a ornamental plant dealer once."
Louis asked.
"No. Just to see the flower. Nothing else."
"Another living life fun like old man Gu Chi. Stew before the gratin? Our famous magical stew—out of this world."
"I'm broke now."
"Stew's on the house."
Louis hummed as she headed to the bubbling pot. Gu Chi muttered low for Lander alone.
"Don't expect much. It's slop from leftovers."
"Familiar taste, then."
Lander took the stew bowl. Sniffed it, then dug in boldly.
Gu Chi alternated between the dwindling stew and Lander's unchanging expression. First time ever. Downing magical stew like that.
"Not bad at all."
Lander set the bowl down. Gu Chi chuckled dryly.
"First in this tavern to eat it better than me."
Lander shrugged and started on the gratin. Eating steadily, chewing thoroughly—almost reverent.
"Too bad about the flowers."
Gu Chi said to Lander, who'd finished.
"Can't pray for drought, so I'll stay a bit, then go."
Louis handed over crudely stamped change coins as Lander fetched his pouch. Something fell with it, clinking on the floor.
His gaze snapped to the white trinket bouncing on the grimy floor. A necklace with a cord for wearing.
"What's this?"
A customer grabbed it. Gu Chi saw greed in the man's eyes. Lander stood and approached.
"Thanks for picking it up."
"Yours?"
"Yes."
"Proof?"
"Can't prove it properly. Just say it's something I've kept long."
"Doesn't look ordinary. Stolen?"
"A gift."
The man glanced at his companions and returned the necklace.
"If gifted, keep it safe. Don't lose it."
Lander sat back down. Gu Chi eyed the staring men, then spoke.
"Looks like white-horned deer horn. Right?"
"So I heard."
"Big trouble if you're not careful. Country folk might not know, but hide stuff like that. Especially here."
Guards tight only near the lord's castle. Bandits with dollar signs in eyes—no one to stop them. Protect your own wealth; that's the rule.
"You're a good man, Mr. Gu Chi."
Lander said calmly. Pure optimist from some hamlet. Tight-knit, naive—robbers unimaginable.
"Good eating. I'll drop by again sometime."
Lander stood and told Louis. Gu Chi turned to watch him leave. The necklace guys exchanged glances and rose together.
"Bad memories ahead. Looked nice, too."
Louis sighed, then stared at him.
"Won't help just staring."
"You could handle those guys easy, old man Gu Chi."
"Maybe."
"Sending off a romantic old man who came this far for flowers?"
"I'm no charity."
"Two free meals. Lander, right? Seems naive—help once. He liked our stew."
"Not worried I'll get hurt?"
"Nope. If you're the Gu Chi I know, you'll thrash those guys chasing him and come back. You're kind."
He recalled Lander's innocent smile, then clicked his tongue.
"Three. Gotta balance the books."
"Deal."
He stood and left the tavern.
(To be continued)