Chapter 90

After leaving the inn, the two headed for the izakaya Nobu.

Despite the worry that the shop might be closed, the lights were still on. While Conrad hesitantly tried to peek inside, Sebastian knocked loudly on the glass door.

"Welcome!"

"…welcome."

There were no customers inside. It seemed they were cleaning up in preparation for closing.

"You were here earlier, weren't you?"

At the prompting of the black-haired waiter, the two settled at the counter. As he had thought earlier, the shop was filled with a comfortable warmth.

"Actually, I'm investigating a woman named Ceres who came with me earlier."

When Conrad asked this, the staff made strange faces.

That made sense. It's possible for a couple to come in and not know each other's backgrounds, but it's unusual to come back later to inquire.

"I really want to meet her again,"

Sebastian continued.

Two people who happened to meet and parted without telling each other anything, now wanting to meet again to talk.

It seemed like a far-fetched story, but the waiter put a finger to his chin and began to think.

It was hard to believe he would remember every customer who came in every day, but Conrad was grasping at straws.

"I don't remember much. Shizuno, what about you?"

"Height is 160 cm, age between 18 and 20. Long hair, silver-rimmed glasses, a bit of a cat tongue. She ate apple pie and kushikatsu. She's not a fan of shishitou peppers. From her speech, she's probably from a noble family, but her intonation is different from people near the ancient capital, that's about it."

The waiter named Shizuno answered smoothly. Conrad and Sebastian exchanged glances. He had a keen eye and a good memory.

"That's impressive. However…"

"It doesn't give us much to go on, does it?"

Without information about her identity, there was nothing they could do.

It was already late at night. It was hopeless to meet her again before the arranged meeting tomorrow.

"…Sebastian, it's time to end the fun."

"I understand your feelings."

The owner bowed to Conrad.

"I'm sorry I couldn't be of much help."

"No, no, I appreciate your effort."

Despite his words, Conrad's heart was filled with regret.

From the beginning, it was impossible. He had spent time that wouldn't lead anywhere, but at least he had come to terms with it.

If she was his destined one, they might have met again. Since they didn't, he had to force himself to accept that she wasn't.

Feeling deflated, he suddenly felt very hungry. He had eaten his fill of kushikatsu earlier, but now he was hungry again.

"This is an izakaya, Sebastian. Would you like to eat something?"

"That's a good idea. Of course, as long as it's not a bother."

The waiter named Shizuno brought a warm towel with a smile.

"Then, what would you like to order?"

They ordered a lager called Triaezunama.

It wasn't exactly a lager, but there were no other words to compare it to besides ale.

The clear, sharp taste and bitterness were indeed different from both ale and the lagers available in the capital.

"This is quite a good drink."

"I never thought of drinking ale or lager cold. Is it possible in the capital?"

"A few generations ago, an emperor had ice houses built in the mountains of Bazenburg. By storing ice during winter, it's possible to supply ice to the capital even in mid-summer."

"That sounds like a lot of effort and expense."

The burden on the national treasury was not what Conrad wanted. It seemed safer to enjoy cold lager only in winter.

After a short wait, a platter of pickles was brought out. The colors were pleasing to the eye, and the saltiness was a welcome complement to the Triaezunama. After eating too much kushikatsu, he preferred something other than greasy food, so this simple dish was appreciated.

It was a strange shop, he thought, looking around. He remembered that the shop the late emperor found in the ancient capital had a foreign atmosphere. This shop might be similar.

Before he knew it, Sebastian had started drinking a different drink from a small ceramic cup.

He drained his glass.

Feeling the bitter aftertaste, he ordered another.

He mocked himself for being so sentimental, but he still couldn't give up on Ceres.

What he really wanted was a strong drink. He wanted it, but he had an arranged meeting tomorrow. He needed to be sober.

Still, he wanted to get drunk tonight.