Chapter 19

The voice of a vendor hoarsely calling out can be heard from afar.

As the ancient capital gradually becomes hotter, the shadows of passersby grow longer at dusk, and the coolness becomes just right, many people come to stroll down the street lined with izakayas to soothe their work fatigue.

The izakaya "Nobu" also benefits from this, being busy with regulars and first-time customers from the moment it opens. During winter, warm dishes like simmered foods were popular, but now, colorful spring dishes are favored.

Perhaps due to their novelty, Shizuno has received orders for spring mountain vegetable tempura from ten people today.

Nobu's tempura is delicious with the special grated tempura sauce, but it goes even better with salt.

The slight bitterness of the mountain vegetables, perfectly fried in the way Taisho boasts, is the perfect match for ale.

"Cheers!"

"Cheers!"

Sitting at the counter, sipping ale with tempura as their dish are the guards Hans and Niklaus.

They usually only come after it's completely dark, but for the past few days, they've been enjoying themselves at their usual seats from this early evening hour.

"Is it okay, you two? Drinking so early?"

"Don't be so serious, Shizuno. We've finished our training and regular duties before coming here."

"Hans is right. We haven't done anything wrong."

They can drink so carelessly because the squadron leader, Berthold, is away on a trip to a northern port town.

According to the message that arrived the day before yesterday, the arranged meeting went well, and he will return after holding the wedding there.

If it weren't for the tyrannical squadron leader, training would end at this hour.

"But won't you get scolded when Berthold returns? For being lax or sluggish?"

"Don't say such scary things, Shizuno. We're drinking here to avoid thinking about that."

"Are you trying to make us drink more by saying such things?"

Shizuno only responds with a smile and pays attention to the store.

Are there any empty glasses or finished plates? Are there any customers who look like they want to order? She reads these situations instantly and provides the best service. She ensures that no one feels dissatisfied, providing a time of relaxation and respite.

This has become so much a part of Shizuno that it could be called a habit.

Her movements, serving customers as they drink and laugh, seem to dance.

While passing a refill to a regular customer, Shizuno noticed something odd.

There is a rare female customer at Nobu, and the menu she ordered is particularly concerning.

"What's wrong, Shizuno? You look like you've been bewitched by an elf."

"Oh, it's nothing much, Hans."

"What is it, what is it, Shizuno? Don't be so reserved, tell Uncle Niklaus."

"No, it's really nothing."

Despite saying this gently, she still feels that the female customer is odd. The blonde woman, dressed like a merchant's wife, is in her early twenties. She is quite an attractive woman, and on its own, there's nothing suspicious about her.

However, since she started working at the izakaya with Nobu, Shizuno has never seen a customer order like this.

"Hmm, is something wrong with that customer?"

Noticing Shizuno's gaze, Hans asks in a low voice.

He still has a fuki no to tempura on his chopsticks. He must have liked it, as he has already ordered another plate of mountain vegetable tempura.

Not wanting to answer about the other customers, Shizuno gives a vague nod.

The blonde woman has ordered only dry snacks.

Dried squid, nuts, cheese, and other items that require little preparation.

If she were drinking, it could be dismissed as a preference for snacks, but she hasn't ordered any alcohol since entering the store.

"That's suspicious."

While stealing a warabi tempura from Hans's plate, Niklaus mutters.

"What's suspicious?"

"The blonde woman you're watching. She's been secretly observing the inside of the store since she came in."

"She doesn't seem to be here to enjoy a meal."

While stealing a koko from Niklaus's skewer plate, Hans agrees. Indeed, the more he looks, the more suspicious she seems.

Her gaze around the store doesn't seem to be out of mere curiosity.

"Is she planning something?"

"Stop it, Niklaus. Planning isn't peaceful."

"That's true. What could she be planning in an izakaya?"

"It's not necessarily about planning in an izakaya. She could be investigating something."

"Investigating what?"

Niklaus dramatically looks around and whispers.

"...the supplies that can be procured in the ancient capital."

"Supplies?"

"Shizuno might not know, but things have gotten a bit smelly around here."

Hans nods while eating a kogomi tempura.

"There are various ways merchants can make a profit, and one of them is being a purveyor."

Niklaus continues while skillfully eating a meat juice-dripping skewer.

A purveyor is a merchant who contracts with nobles, city councils, and their hired armies or mercenary groups to supply them with goods for a fee.

It's a risky business, but the potential profits are substantial.

"When war seems likely, shrewd purveyors send scouts to cities along the expected routes to find out what can be bought cheaply and what is hard to come by. This makes it easier to do business when the army passes through."

"You know some strange things, Niklaus."

"Shut up. My ex's ex's ex was a purveyor's daughter. I'll continue."

Recently, there have been rumors that several territories in the northern part of the empire are considering seceding from imperial rule.

This talk has been around for a while, with the idea that several territories will unite to return to the form of the kingdoms that existed before the empire was established.

While only a few truly believe this is possible, the situation changes with external support. It's plausible that the neighboring Eastern Kingdom, which seeks to weaken the empire, is manipulating things from behind, as Niklaus suspects.

"Either way, things are getting a bit smelly around here. Captain Berthold was quite concerned... "

"If purveyors are really involved, it's more than just rumors, Niklaus."

Niklaus, nodding while finishing his ale, his face changing from that of a drunk to a seasoned guard.

Looking into the counter, Shizuno sees Shinji and Efa looking curiously at the three of them.

To continue running the store peacefully with these two, Shizuno firmly decides to uncover the woman's true identity.

But how should she investigate?

As she starts to think, the blonde woman raises her hand.

"Excuse me, can I place an order?"