Chapter 11

A misty cloud hung over the moon.

Despite the season being one of new green shoots, there was no sign of the cold letting up.

The weather in the ancient capital was capricious. It wasn't just this year that the air had failed to warm up, but this chill still seeped into the bones.

Even during the day, it was bearable, but as dusk fell, one couldn't help but pull their collar up.

Yesterday, it even rained with sleet mixed in. The price of firewood, far from falling, continued to rise.

On a night like this, one would really want to have a drink with some delicious food.

Since finding that place at the beginning of winter, Niklaus had become completely captivated by the izakaya Nobu.

The oden, karaage, sashimi, and yudofu were all delicious, and the ale was top-notch. On a cold night like this, he wanted to try the small pot dish he hadn't ordered yet.

Niklaus was heading to that izakaya, but he was in no mood.

Most of his sullenness was due to the old man in monk's robes walking beside him.

"Niklaus, why do you look so glum?"

"Oh, no. It's just that we're going to a place I'm familiar with. I'd rather have a drink than go there for work."

Etvyn, the deacon, twisted his white beard in amusement at Niklaus's words.

The old man, with his abundant beard that seemed to extend from his bald, shaved head, had just been assigned to the small church adjacent to the guardhouse where Niklaus and his comrades were stationed.

Despite his body being as thin as a withered tree, he was known as a diligent and energetic clergyman.

"Then have a drink. Of course, after this job is done."

"Yes, after the job is done."

Niklaus sighed softly as he replied.

There was no way he could drink with a clergyman.

If Etvyn weren't with him, he could have had a drink to soothe his throat after work and then returned to the guardhouse. But he couldn't say such a thing to a clergyman.

If Hans were here, he could have pushed this job onto him as a debt from a bet. What a lucky guy, being off duty on a day like this.

Now, he had no choice but to return to the guardhouse to make a report before going to the izakaya. But if he went to Nobu at such an hour, the night would be over by the time he finished his drink.

It was the fault of the person who caused trouble on such a night.

If there hadn't been a report of a thief breaking into the izakaya Nobu, Niklaus's shift would have ended just a little while ago.

To make matters worse, Etvyn, who had heard about the incident, wanted to see the scene, making the situation even more complicated.

The informant was drunk and incoherent, but the case seemed to be already solved. The thief had likely stolen valuables and fled long ago.

There was hardly anything for Niklaus to do, even if he brought the deacon along.

He couldn't even enjoy the spring moon at a leisurely pace to keep up with this old man, who, despite being a head shorter than Niklaus, had surprisingly quick feet.

As they walked, the izakaya Nobu came into view.

The familiar glass door leaked light, and the sound of cheerful laughter could be heard.

"Strange," Etvyn stopped and stroked his beard.

"Is something wrong, Deacon? It looks like the usual Nobu to me."

"Yes, it looks like a normal izakaya from any angle."

"Then isn't that fine?"

"Can a place usually continue to operate normally after a thief has broken in?"

Niklaus almost said, "If it were Taisho and Shinobu," but swallowed his words.

No matter how unconventional those two were, they had been robbed. Could they really continue to hang out the sign as usual?

This didn't seem like an ordinary incident. Looking at Etvyn, the old clergyman seemed to share the same opinion. They nodded silently to each other.

Approaching the sliding door as quietly as possible, they pulled it open in one swift motion.