Chapter 72

This is the most place I don’t want to approach in this world.

This was Jean-François Mont de La Vinne’s honest evaluation of the izakaya Nobu.

Jean, a renowned spy in the Kingdom of the East’s secret intelligence organization, the Kitan Shūi-shi, was once a respected figure. No, it would be more accurate to say that he was once respected.

Now, he has been relegated to a minor position and is on the verge of being expelled from the Kitan Shūi-shi. All of this is due to his failure in exploring the ancient city.

At the izakaya Nobu, he misjudged the empire’s strength, overestimating it based on the salad he ate there.

The Caesar salad with its fresh vegetables and slightly acidic dressing.

The daikon salad with its crunchy texture and creamy cod roe sauce.

And the beloved potato salad...

He could vividly recall the taste of each salad.

Given the fresh and varied ingredients that should not have been available in the ancient city, it was unreasonable to expect him not to be deceived. However, his plea was not understood.

His fate in the organization was sealed when he was directly reprimanded by Princess Regent Celestine de Oria, the head of the Kitan Shūi-shi.

Days of humiliation, like drinking muddy water, followed, where he was called incompetent and a liar.

Amidst this, Jean was suddenly given a job: to explore the ancient city again.

Seeing this as an opportunity to restore his honor and clear his name, Jean headed to the largest city in the northern part of the empire to gather information, and the place he chose was... the izakaya Nobu.

"Welcome!"

"...welcome."

As he ducked under the noren, the familiar greeting welcomed him once again.

Jean, with his wary eyes scanning the room, nodded and took a seat at the counter. The old monk who seemed to have recognized his true identity was not there today, allowing him to investigate the shop without any reservations.

There was something about this izakaya Nobu. His finely honed senses, developed over years of service as a Kitan Shūi-shi, told him so.

"What would you like to order?"

The black-haired server, bringing a hot towel and a dish of appetizers, asked. Today’s appetizer seemed to be a simmered white fish. It looked quite delicious. Jean, without hesitation, repeated the words he had been rehearsing in his mind.

"I’ll have a Triaez Nam and some random snacks, please."

The server looked surprised.

However, she probably didn’t realize he had been a previous customer.

Jean’s specialty, trusted even among the Kitan Shūi-shi, was “face changing.” Using various methods, he could completely alter his appearance. Even other country’s spies had never seen through his disguise.

Therefore, it was impossible for his true identity to be exposed in a run-down izakaya.

"You must be a salad lover!"

At the server’s words, Jean was momentarily speechless.

Why? How did she know? It was impossible. Cold sweat trickled down his back, but he realized that acting strangely might only raise more suspicion. It would be best to acknowledge it.

"Y-yes, it’s been a while."

"You left quickly last time, saying you had an urgent matter to attend to. Are you alright?"

"Yes, I’m sorry for the worry. Actually, I couldn’t forget the taste of the salad here, so I decided to come back."

"That’s great. Please take your time today, as much as you did last time."

"Y-yes, I will."

Wiping his cold sweat, Jean could only manage to respond so much.

"Oh, by the way,"

"Y-yes, something else?"

"Is it alright to serve you some alcohol this time?"

The question made him flinch. The last time he came, he was disguised as a monk. Now, with his hair grown back, he was posing as a traveler.

"W-well, today it’s for personal business. I’ll have some."

He didn’t know how she saw through him, but this server was a formidable opponent. He needed to be cautious.

Perhaps she had recognized his true identity and was on guard. The Kitan Shūi-shi’s identities were supposed to be kept secret, but there was always the possibility of information leaks.

An unpleasant thought crossed Jean-François Mont de La Vinne’s mind.

Could the empire’s saltpeter collection bureau, which was in opposition to the Kitan Shūi-shi, be involved?

By imperial decree, they were allowed to enter not only the homes of commoners but also the basements of noble residences. Their information-gathering capabilities were formidable, and they were the most significant threat to Kitan Shūi-shi agents operating in the empire.

However, could this innocent-looking server really be a member of that notorious organization? Even if she wasn’t a spy herself, she might be acting on someone else’s instructions.

He needed to avoid hasty conclusions.

Even if they knew he was a spy, they might not know which organization he belonged to.

He needed to focus on getting through this difficult situation carefully.

To calm himself, he wiped his face with the hot towel.

A different server brought the Triaez Nam.

The server, who introduced herself as Liontine, leaned in and whispered as she placed the glass.

"Sir, you’re in luck today."

Liontine’s tone had a slight accent from the Kingdom of the East. She must be from the southern coastal region, which was rare to see in the ancient city.

"What do you mean by ‘in luck’?"

"Today, we have Kushikatsu. It goes really well with Triaez Nam."

"Kushikatsu?"

It was an unfamiliar dish, or perhaps an ingredient. It might be from the north of the ancient city.

"It’s like a fritter. You eat it on New Year’s Eve."

Hearing “fritter,” Jean almost glared at Liontine.

In the Kingdom of the East, it was a common custom to fry leftover preserved food on New Year’s Eve. But how did she know he was familiar with this custom? It seemed she had recognized him.

"A-ah, those fried dishes, right?"

"Exactly. They go really well with Triaez Nam."

Hearing her say it with such enthusiasm, he could almost believe it.

Jean loved the fritters he ate on New Year’s Eve.

The salted pork, lightly breaded and fried in the oil at the bottom of the pot, was a precious flavor on a winter table where it was hard to find joy in eating.

And paired with Triaez Nam, it was irresistible.

"Then, I’ll have the Kushikatsu."