Chapter 49

The tempura of autumn flavors.

The customers were different from usual.

Shinobu noticed this immediately as she lifted the curtain.

It was hard to put into words, but they were a bit rougher than usual.

The guard duo and the squadron leader were nowhere to be seen.

Holger, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, was sitting at a corner of the counter, eating yakisoba and drinking beer.

In Holger's hand was the amulet he had received from Ingrid a few days ago.

Shinobu had suggested that someone should look at it to understand its origin.

However, they didn't know who to ask. The amulet was beautifully decorated, so they decided to ask Holger.

"Sorry, but I can't tell. Only those in the know can understand these things. Like a curse master or a witch."

Indeed, Shinobu didn't know any curse masters or witches.

The closest person would be the apothecary Ingrid, but she couldn't possibly ask her to appraise something she had just received.

"By the way, Mr. Holger, is there something special today?"

Shinobu asked, looking around the noisier-than-usual shop.

"Yeah, it was a surprise at the council meeting, but it seems the archbishop is here and will be staying for a while."

Upon hearing about the archbishop, Eifa looked surprised.

Hermine seemed to know, but she looked a bit troubled.

To Shinobu, the archbishop was just a vague impression of a high-ranking church official.

"Since a big shot is coming, the guard squad is on full alert. It was a sudden announcement, so we at the council were in a panic and had to drive out all the bad elements from the main street."

Reacting to the word "bad elements," a group of drunkards at a table glared sharply at Holger. However, he didn't seem to care.

Indeed, the less reputable customers who had been driven out from the main street had taken refuge on Stableman's Street.

Hearing that the archbishop would be staying for a while, Shinobu felt a bit disheartened.

It seemed that such customers would be walking around Stableman's Street for more than just today.

"By the way, why is Deacon Eitwin here?"

Eitwin, who was suddenly put on the spot, choked.

He thanked Hermine, who was frantically rubbing his back, but he seemed intent on keeping silent about why a church superior was drinking sake with pickled octopus in a bar. Probably because he didn't get along with the archbishop or had been kicked out for being a nuisance.

While serving salt-grilled sardines to another customer, a scream came from the table.

It was Hermine.

"Hey! What are you doing!"

As Shinobu raised her voice, the thug who had grabbed Hermine's wrist smiled lewdly.

"This is a good place for drinks and food, but I thought the service was a bit cold. I was just trying to teach this young lady how to pour drinks properly out of kindness."

"Don't be ridiculous! This isn't that kind of place!"

"Ooh, scary, scary. So, what kind of place is this? Is this run-down bar on Stableman's Street really that fancy?"

Glancing over, Shinobu saw that Shinji was already holding the thickest noodle stick and coming out from behind the counter. Holger had also stood up and was rolling up his sleeves.

The atmosphere was tense, ready to explode at any moment.

"Wait a minute."

However, the voice came from an unexpected place.

A young man sitting quietly at the far end of the table.

He had his golden hair tied back like a horse's tail, and he had a scruffy beard.

He looked like a typical playboy.

"What's the matter, kid. You wanna fight?"

"Alcohol should be enjoyed quietly, don't you think?"

As he said this, the young man twisted the thug's arm and effortlessly threw him to the ground, as if he were used to it.

He then moved to shield Hermine and whistled softly.

"You bastard, you're asking for it!"

The thug's companions stood up from the table.

However, the young man's demeanor was calm and collected, as if he were about to start whistling a tune.

"Die! You bastard!"

"I'm not a bastard. Even a playboy has a name, Arn, given by his parents. I'd appreciate it if you called me by that name."

"Shut up!"

However, the thug who lunged at Arn suddenly fell to the floor.

Shinobu saw that Arn had used the thug's momentum to trip him.

It was more like aikido than judo.

Shinobu, expecting a brawl, had hugged Eifa, but it didn't seem like it would come to that.

The thugs were no match for Arn.

Moreover, behind the thugs, who were now backing away, were Holger, who was snapping his fingers and smiling, and Shinji, who was quietly seething with anger.

"Damn it! You'll pay for this!"

"I thought you were third-rate thugs, but even your excuses are third-rate. I wish you had at least one redeeming quality."

Arn, who had just patted his pants, received a deep bow from Hermine.

"Thank you, thank you so much."

"No, no, it was just the right thing to do."

Arn's sweet voice and theatrical gestures were beautiful, though not Shinobu's type. Eifa, however, seemed entranced.

"Anyway, thank you. You're Arn, right?"

"No, you're Shinobu, right? I wish I could have resolved this more peacefully, but I'm sorry for the commotion."

"Thank you. I'll have the shop cover your expenses for today."

"No, no, I appreciate the gesture, but I can earn my own living. I don't need to rely on others."

There was nothing more to say after that.

Shinji just shrugged.

Hermine was at a loss for words.

In the midst of this, Eifa picked up the amulet from Holger's seat.

"Mr. Tai, how about giving this amulet to Arn as a gift?"

"An amulet? But will he accept it?"

"My grandfather used to say that playboys are superstitious and like amulets and charms."

"Is that so?"

Eifa handed the amulet to Shinji, who then politely offered it to Arn.

"One of our shop's sign girls suggested this. Would you accept it?"

"Of course, I'd be happy to."

Arn accepted the amulet with the grace of a well-bred young master and bowed to Eifa, Hermine, and Shinobu.

"In the north, there are three goddesses of good fortune. An amulet blessed by a goddess must bring great luck."

It was a pretentious line, but it sounded oddly charming coming from him.

Of course, Holger and Eitwin had already returned to their drinks.

"Well, let's put that matter to rest. I saw someone at another table eating tempura. I'd like to try it."

"Sure, right away!"

Before Shinobu could finish her response, Shinji had already started cooking.