The Midnight Thrush (3)
I sat at the bar and waved to her.
"Sleep well?"
"Bertrand! Last night...! When the hell did I fall asleep?!"
If I told her the truth, something was bound to get smashed, so I lied.
"Don't you remember? You went up first saying you were tired, and then I followed."
"What are you talking about? I don't remember that at all!"
"That's what you get for pounding drinks until your memory blanks out."
"Eek...!"
Just then, Hildeva came down to the hall and greeted Celereja.
"Oh, Saintess. Up early, huh? You outlasted me last night."
Hildeva grasped the situation instantly and lied without changing her expression.
"Huh...? Me?"
"Yeah. You were slurring nonsense from the booze but still holding your spot. I couldn't hack it and went up first."
Celereja blinked, looking back and forth between me and Hildeva.
"...Really?"
"Yep."
"Yes."
Celereja tilted her head but blushed in embarrassment anyway.
"Was that it...? I really don't remember a thing..."
"Don't go on a bender like that again if you're gonna drink."
"Sorryyy..."
Celereja twisted her hands, shooting me a sheepish glance before bolting out of the inn.
"Eek...!"
"Sorry, black mage lady!"
A moment later, Idi came in, wiping sweat beading on her forehead.
"That was close..."
With Hildeva and my tag-team cover-up, Celereja's ruckus was smoothed over. Hildeva headed to City Hall for work, and we started prepping for business.
Pelei, who'd come down by then, went into the ingredient storeroom and hauled out an armful for the morning menu.
"Hey."
"Call me boss."
"One cheese wheel looks a bit smaller."
"Yeah, we ate some last night. Why?"
It's not like we only had one or two... She's too damn thorough.
Pelei said nothing, dumped the ingredients on the counter, and headed out of the kitchen. She didn't seem pissed—just genuinely curious.
She does the job well, though... Whatever, as long as she works.
A letter arrived mid-morning. The city's post office must've finally opened properly.
I tore it open—Ammugar had sent it.
Master Bertrand,
We've arrived safely in Montroe. Got hired on as laborers at a decent-sized lumber mill. They prioritize strong folks, so demons like Orcog and me fit right in.
Planning to build experience here, learn more skills, then go independent.
—Ammugar
These guys are planning to live real straight-laced lives. Well, not all demons are vicious, so no surprise.
I called Pelei. She climbed up from the basement and stood before me.
"What."
"Ammugar sent a letter."
Pelei snatched it from my hand. She shot me a cold glance, then turned and headed back downstairs.
I grabbed paper and pen to write back.
Ammugar,
Get that work contract squared away and don't let them stiff you on pay. Montroe's a big city—plenty of other gigs if they screw you.
Save every coin. Steer clear of anyone promising quick flips or "great investments."
Rent's steep, so snag a room at the mill if you can for room and board.
Hit up City Hall for migrant registration—check for settlement grants too. Visit the clerk often, get on their good side. Might score leftover budget scraps later.
Need cash quick? Don't pay usury anywhere—tell me, I'll send a voucher. It'll rack up debt, but interest-free.
Pelei's doing fine. Shit temper aside, she's a keeper.
—Bertrand
As I stepped out to the post office, I glanced back at the basement stairs. Pelei sat on the dim landing, reading Ammugar's letter. She sniffled, wiping her eyes with her sleeve.
Most of her kin dead, the few survivors scattered. These two demons, who'd leaned on each other in tough times, now slaved under humans across the kingdom to pay off debts.
Pelei might be a cold bitch, but I pitied her situation. Not that I regretted wiping out the Demon King's army or turning his castle into a hellpit. That's that, this is this.
"What."
Pelei spotted me, hastily stuffing the letter into her apron pocket as she stood.
"Nah, nothing."
She glared and vanished downstairs.
Sigh... How do I tame that horn-head...
Not long after I mentioned guarding the inn, Idi strode into the hall, chest puffed out confidently.
Her massive tits jiggled as she approached.
"Done...!"
"What."
"The statue... The one I mentioned...!"
"You said you'd tell me first and we'd make it together."
"Hehe... Come see, quick..."
Ignoring me, she hooked her arm in mine and dragged me outside. The press of her tits against my arm was goddamn wondrous.
Della stood in the yard, hand over her mouth, staring up at the roof.
"B-Boss..."
She stammered at the sight of me. Her shocked eyes gave me a bad feeling.
I shoved Idi off and rushed over, craning my neck.
"Holy shit!"
A white marble statue of me stood atop the roof. On the sloped gable, it looked like it was climbing a mountain—one foot higher, pose all ambitious.
Its gaze angled toward the Vurn Mountains beyond the Buren River, palm shading its brow like it was peering farther. The other fist clenched, veins bulging on the forearm, ready to leap off.
Overall, a dynamic, powerful masterpiece.
Except, like the parking lot one, for the long, massive thing between its legs.
"Hey! Idwild! I told you no dick on that thing!"
"Hehe... It has to have one... Can't work without it..."
"And a naked dude statue plopped on the roof—what the hell do people think?"
"Th-that it's run by a handsome innkeeper...?"
Della chimed in but dropped her eyes at my glare. Idi ignored me, nodding proudly at her work.
"Bertrand... Lemme show you how it guards the inn... Everyone back up..."
"What, so fancy you need backup?"
"You'll see..."
Me and Della retreated to the yard corner. Kali hovered, so Della scooped him up.
"Pretend a monster hit the yard..."
Idi traced a complex pattern. The statue turned from the river with a creak, eyed the yard, then launched off the roof sky-high...?!
Tiles clattered down. It hung midair, then plummeted at terrifying speed, arms flung wide like wings, legs splayed, knees tucked to armpits—making the massive cock point straight down like a bee's stinger.
"Eek!"
Della screamed, burying her face in Kali's fur at the obscene horror.
The statue slammed groundward in a thunderous boom, quake, debris, and dust cloud. I yanked Idi and Della close, shielding with my back as pebbles pelted me.
Dust settled, revealing the statue—arms still winged out, legs spread squat. And that "stinger" had impaled the dirt deep.
Shock. Obscenity. Monstrosity. Befuddlement. Otherworldly nightmare... What the fuck do you call this...
Idi peeked from under my arm.
"It watches from the roof... Monster comes, dives and stabs its head... Cool, right...?"
"I dunno... I saw nothing..."
Della whimpered into my chest.
The inn door flew open—Pelei dashed out, spooked by the crash. Lips tight, eyes wide, she scanned the yard, spotted the statue from behind.
Her gaze drifted down to the "stinger," and she backed away, then slammed the door shut.
"Idi."
"Y-yeah... Bertrand...?"
"You just blew ten gold."
I charged the statue and smashed the prick to bits with my fists.
"Nooo...! My statue...!"
I pulverized the body; the stinger-stump stood like a post. I gripped and yanked it free, then pounded it to gravel.
"Waaah... It's all ruined..."
Idi wailed, collapsing to scoop shattered chunks in dismay.
Gotta rethink inn security. One parking lot perv-statue's enough.
Seasons shifted. Sunbathing outside now brought sweat—the weather turning slyly hot.
Came here in wildflower spring; already early summer. And I'd done jack shit.
Hottest sufferer: Idi. Sweaty by nature, her shirt soaked post-breakfast.
She bathed morning and afternoon, changed shirts three-four times daily. Naturally, she bought tons of clothes. New shop in town—she hit it two-three times weekly, arms full of bags, looking less black mage, more shopaholic kid.
I shrugged it off, but one day Della pulled me aside, worried.
"Boss... Get Idi to stop buying clothes."
"Why? She wants to. How do I stop her?"
"Not that... Pretty sure she blew last month's pay on outfits..."
"That much?"
"Always in black robes, then pretty clothes hit—eyes glazed. Check her room. Wardrobe door won't shut."
Della looked genuinely concerned.
"Heard the shop owner flatters her figure, says everything suits her. She's so sweet and naive—melts at praise."
Yeah, Della had a point. Idi's wardrobe had gotten colorful lately. Mollo always dropped off boxes and bags "for Idi."
Starved in a dank basement, now capitalism hooked her hard... Burning cash as fast as she earned? No future plans? Not planning to work here till she croaks...?
"She listens to you, though. Talk to her. She ignores me."
"Got it. I'll handle it."
Della left for town errands; I headed to the third floor.
Rustling from Idi's room. I knocked.
"It's me—coming in?"
"Wha—?! Bertrand?! Nooo...!"
I cracked the door—Idi shrieked. A black wall surged up, bouncing me back.
"Ow! My nose!"
Rubbing my stinging nose, a glossy black barrier sealed the door.
"What the—? Doing something weird in there?"
"N-nooo...! Stay out...!"
Thought of smashing through, but nah. Through the haze, a fleshy blob flailed.
"F-fine... Talk later. Finish up."
I clutched my throbbing nose and headed down.
Reviewing Pelei's ingredient ledger when Della returned from town way too quick.
"Why back so soon? What's that scrape on your arm?"
A long gash on her arm. She slumped over, set her paper bag on the bar, and looked at me.
"Boss..."
Della burst into tears.