Chapter 117
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 117
Chapter Title: The Drowning Pub
-Our train will soon arrive at its destination, Eldrasil. Passengers, please prepare your luggage in advance to avoid congestion when disembarking...
It had been three days since Jeon boarded the train bound for the Imperial Capital.
And for Jeon, that time had been more satisfying than expected.
'It was pretty comfortable.'
Honestly, even if the train's ride was excellent.
He had thought that spending three days inside would inevitably lead to some discomforts.
But contrary to those expectations, the three days had been very comfortable.
The seats were spacious enough that reclining the backrest allowed him to lie down almost like in a bed. There was a restroom where he could even take a decent shower if he added a bit of exaggeration, and a dining car with high-quality food.
Apart from the spatial limitations making it a bit cramped when moving around, it had been a very comfortable time.
'The problem is that from now on, it won't be.'
However, the time for such comfort was now coming to an end.
The place they arrived at after three days on the train: the Imperial Capital, Eldrasil.
As they stepped out of the station, the sights of Eldrasil came into view.
"So this is the famous Eldrasil..."
The buildings' styles and forms certainly evoked the medieval fantasy he had seen in media from his previous life, but the finishing touches and scale far exceeded those fantasy limits.
Tall buildings, neatly paved roads.
Mana carriers passing over them, well-dressed people.
Yet the sidewalks and roadways were clearly separated, and the buildings were arranged in precise divisions, making it evident that this was a meticulously planned advanced city.
"They say the Empire, especially the Imperial Capital, is a completely different world... It really seems to be true."
"Yeah, it doesn't even compare to Langley."
In fact, Lena and Risar couldn't close their mouths at the sight of Eldrasil unfolding right after exiting the station.
'It really is impressive.'
All of it was a big surprise even to Jeon, who had experienced 21st-century Earth in his previous life.
He had been amazed by the technology used to build the White Tower, but here that technology seemed applied not just to a single structure like a tower, but to the entire city.
"Anyway, we don't have time for this. Let's hurry."
But they couldn't just stand around gawking at the cityscape.
They had work to do.
"I've already checked the location on the map inside the train. Just follow me."
After agreeing to help.
Morgan had given Jeon and Lena a simple explanation of the task and a rough map marking the ally's location.
'Actually, things really start after meeting that person.'
He had heard the rough details from Morgan, but they were just that—rough.
Morgan had even repeated several times, "You'll get the detailed explanation after meeting the ally."
"Risar, is it walkable?"
"Yes. It's a bit far, but not too much of a hassle. And... the map recommends walking unless necessary."
"Then... no choice."
Thus, Jeon's group, who had been absorbed in sightseeing Eldrasil, soon followed Risar leading the way through the Imperial Capital.
It was right around lunchtime when they got off the train, so the smell of food from passing eateries stimulated their noses everywhere.
"...Once we meet them, we should ask for a meal first."
He had considered buying something portable to eat on the way, but decided it would be too much hassle.
And after walking for quite a while like that.
"Is... this the right way?"
"...Yes. It is."
They had long left the main streets and delved deep into alleyways.
And among those alleys, there was one particularly grim spot.
'Vagrants?'
Despite Eldrasil showcasing its advanced city features.
Even Eldrasil couldn't avoid it; as they went deeper into the alleys, people who looked like vagrants started appearing one by one.
How much further did they go into the alleys?
Now, drunks staggering at every corner or sleeping under burlap sacks, snoring loudly, were everywhere.
'Aren't we going too deep into the underbelly?'
It was a landscape that made him wonder if the ally was really in such a shady place.
"We're almost there."
But just as those doubts arose, Risar, leading the way, pointed to a building ahead.
"Drowning?"
It looked like a neglected building from the outside, but there was a sign.
It seemed like an operating establishment, shabby as it was.
"A pub...?"
Jeon narrowed his eyes at the "Drowning" establishment and roughly guessed its type from the interior visible through the window.
It looked like a kind of pub specializing in beer, with what seemed like beer kegs lined up.
"It's open at this hour?"
"That's our destination anyway."
No lights seemed on inside.
But having come this far, they couldn't just turn back.
So Jeon's group approached the Drowning pub and casually placed a hand on the door.
The moment they tried to push it open.
"Who is it?"
A thick voice came from the dark interior.
Along with it, the door they were pushing wouldn't budge, as if firmly locked.
"Ah, we..."
The door was locked, and someone inside was asking who they were.
Caught off guard, Jeon hesitated on what to say.
"Not a local, huh."
The thick voice, instantly realizing they were newcomers, approached the door.
And through the small glass pane in the door, his eyes peeked out.
"Gasp!"
Lena involuntarily sucked in a breath at the bulging eyes reflected in the glass.
Regardless, the man rolled his eyes over Jeon's group once, then asked again in that thick voice.
"Who told you to come here?"
"Sir Towns... told us."
"Towns?"
Despite the awkward situation, Jeon answered calmly.
This time, bewilderment came from inside.
"Does that guy respond to contact?"
"It's a bit hard to say right now..."
"Hm, I see."
They had reached the destination, but without knowing the man's identity inside, he couldn't reveal more.
The man inside seemed to realize that, as sounds of unlocking various devices came from the door.
Clunk, clank, click, clunk!
'...Why does a bar door have so many locks?'
Jeon made a somewhat baffled expression at the gap between the shabby exterior and the thorough security.
In the meantime, after undoing more locks, the door finally opened.
"Welcome. Why don't you... come in first?"
A burly, hairy man appeared through the open door.
Taller than Risar by a head, with broad shoulders that didn't seem trained like a knight's, and a head so large it made those shoulders look narrow—a frame completely different from an ordinary human.
And Jeon had seen a similar build before.
"Tuk Tribe?"
It was the physique of the Tuk Tribe he had seen during his time in the exploration team.
"...What did you just say?"
Perhaps because it had been so long since seeing a Tuk Tribesman.
Jeon had unconsciously muttered in the Tuk Language from the recesses of his memory, and the burly man froze before questioning him in the Tuk Language.
"Uh... you're Tuk Tribe, right?"
"And you—how do you know our language? Who are you?"
Unlike moments ago, when his thick voice and clumsy demeanor seemed awkward.
His tone in the Tuk Language was calm and cold, his attitude completely changed.
His seemingly untrained body now exuded a trained aura, and his bulging eyes held a sharp will.
"Ah, I just happened to learn it. I had some connections with Tuk Tribesmen before."
"Connections?"
Even with Jeon's explanation, he didn't drop his guard.
Seeing him demand more details, Jeon scratched his head.
"I was briefly in an exploration team. That's when I made short connections."
"Exploration team... The Tuk Tribe wouldn't have been treated well there, right?"
"Well... yeah."
"Then, are you one of the humans who oppressed our kin?"
Shing!
It seemed like a normal conversation, but the man's eyes gleamed with thick killing intent at his final words.
The intent was so intense that Risar reacted by drawing his sword and aiming it at the man.
But ignoring Risar's sword entirely, the man stared at Jeon, who let out a light sigh.
"I was one of the oppressed side too."
"Oppressed...?"
"Yes. Even in that situation, the Tuk Tribesmen treated me very well."
"How can I believe..."
"Otherwise, could I speak the Tuk Language this freely now? They kindly taught me, that's why."
Of course it was a lie, but Jeon's plausible words made the killing intent in his eyes gradually fade to calm.
And the aggressive aura slowly returned to normal.
"Hahaha! I didn't know you were a brother connected to our kin!"
The man burst into loud laughter and extended his hand to Jeon, speaking in the Imperial Language with his previous clumsy friendliness.
His action held no hostility, only apology.
"Yes. Nice to meet you. I'm Jeon."
"Nice to meet you! I'm Taikan!"
The two shook hands and introduced themselves.
"Sorry for being so hostile. With what happened to our kin..."
"I understand completely."
"Haha, as expected of someone endorsed by our kin—you're a true gentleman!"
He became friendly as if nothing had happened.
With the killing intent gone and clumsiness and warmth taking its place, Jeon smiled back and exchanged greetings.
"Oh right, not here. This place is too shabby—come inside."
Taikan, now with warm eyes beyond calm, grabbed Jeon's hand and led him.
"Wh-what?"
"Are you okay now?"
Of course, to Lena and Risar, who had been tense beside them, the mood shift was too sudden.
While the two struggled to adapt, Jeon and Taikan had already entered the pub.
"Uh... we should go in too, right?"
"Yes. For now... we should."
Lena and Risar, still bewildered by the sudden change, followed behind with blank expressions.