Chapter 17

The old proverb of the ancient city says, "The goddess of spring is swift of foot."

When the long winter ends and green buds sprout, the goddess swiftly traverses the entire empire, bringing the blessings of spring and a pleasant warmth to the frozen earth.

The goddess, revered in this land since ancient times, is also the goddess of love. Even before the church's authority illuminated the land, spring was a season of love for the people.

However, despite it being such a season, there is a man who lets out a deep sigh.

"It's the squid, you see."

"Squid?"

"Squid, huh."

Forced into the izakaya Nobu before it opened, Beltholt, the captain of the ancient city's guard, is ranting with a large glass in hand. A former mercenary and a formidable warrior, he is known among his peers for having a highly trained unit.

His well-toned physique and well-proportioned features often attract the secret admiration of women.

What troubles Beltholt, however, is the squid.

"But it's a bit surprising that Captain Beltholt has likes and dislikes."

While placing grilled squid tentacles on the counter, Shino, the bartender, tilted her head in curiosity. Beltholt is generally known for not leaving anything behind at the izakaya Nobu. Beltholt is also careful to order in a way that avoids squid.

"Squid is just no good, only squid."

With a pitiful voice, Beltholt took a sip of his drink.

He picked up the tentacles with his chopsticks and brought them to his mouth, but put them back on the plate. It's not the taste, smell, or appearance; it's just that squid is no good.

"But why do you suddenly have to eat squid?"

In response to Taisho's question, the battle-hardened captain hung his head slightly.

"...The squid will be served at the arranged marriage."

Beltholt is thirty-two years old, in his prime.

Being a former mercenary, he is a bit older than his fellow captains, but there are plenty of potential marriage partners if he looks for them.

The woman he is meeting for the arranged marriage is a sixteen-year-old girl.

"While it's an arranged marriage, it's not with a stranger. She's the daughter of a relative. She's an exceptionally good woman."

"Sixteen years old... That's half of Beltholt's age, isn't it? It's almost the same as Eifa's..."

"In this area, age-gap marriages are common. I even know couples with a threefold age difference."

In response to Shino's tactless comment, Beltholt tilted his glass.

In the northern part of the empire, including the ancient city, men are recognized as adults later, which naturally delays the marriage age. This is why age-gap marriages are traditionally common.

There are even cases of men betrothed to two-year-olds, but that is an exception to the exception.

"The girl is the youngest daughter of the wife of the brother of my eldest sister's husband. She is very well-mannered and adorable."

"That's great, isn't it? Captain Beltholt, are you head over heels?"

"Do you understand, Shino? If the arranged marriage goes well, I'll bring her here and live in a small house together. I've already found a place for us."

"Then why is squid involved?"

In response to Shino's insensitive question, the blood drained from Beltholt's face, turning as white as a squid.

"...Her father is the best squid fisherman in town."

Answering in a nearly inaudible voice, Beltholt picked up the tentacles with his chopsticks again. But he couldn't bring them to his mouth.

"Oh, it will definitely be served at the arranged marriage..."

"It will be, for sure."

"Two, you think so too, right? That's why I have to overcome my fear of squid."

"If there's anything we can do to help, we'll do it. We're also taking care of Eifa."

Eifa, a young girl who works as a dishwasher at the izakaya Nobu, commutes from near the ancient city's outer wall.

Since the izakaya Nobu is open late, Beltholt arranged for one of the guards to escort Eifa home.

"It's just that the patrol route happens to go that way."

"But it's a relief. If something happened to Eifa, who is entrusted to us by her parents, it would be a big problem."

"If all employers were like that, the guard's job would be a bit easier, wouldn't it?"

In reality, young guards like Hans and Nicolas do it voluntarily, using it as an excuse to escort Eifa home.

Since they are so enthusiastic, there was no reason for Beltholt to stop them.

Once, even the assistant priest Etvin from the neighboring church offered to escort Eifa to the izakaya Nobu, but Beltholt stopped him. He still doesn't know why. Was it because it was a fasting day and he was bored?

"Anyway, Captain Beltholt, I'll prepare various squid dishes, so please come by during business hours."

"Ah, I'm sorry for coming before opening, Shino. I also disturbed you, Taisho. I'll come by again at night."

"No, no, we're here to help each other. Please come again."

As Beltholt left the shop, he didn't know that Taisho had failed to procure the ingredients the day before, and a large amount of squid was waiting for him at the izakaya Nobu today.