9th Grade Civil Servant In Another World Chapter 38 - Another World Tavern Owner (3)

The short, stocky man gave a refreshing smile to the people staring at him in a daze, then approached me.

“Ian? I really didn’t expect you to come.”

I wore a broad smile and shook hands with him.

We’d only met once and weren’t particularly close.

However, since I had sent invitations to every acquaintance I could think of, he’d ended up on the list, and now that he’d descended dramatically on a dragon to deliver such a shock, even a non-existent friendship was bound to develop.

This day’s events would be talked about for a long time to come, ensuring my name wouldn’t be forgotten.

“My, you even brought Elizabeth. You didn’t violate any aviation laws, did you?”

“Ah, we have diplomatic immunity. I finished training and came straight here, so time was tight.”

He spoke with easy confidence.

“Haha, as expected of the Dragon Special Forces! Impressive.”

“By the way, we have a lot to catch up on. Were you in the middle of something important over there?”

Ian looked at President Brightner’s dumbfounded expression and tilted his head curiously.

“I’ll be right in. Go inside and have something to eat.”

“Sounds good. But what about that dragon-loving friend Oscar?”

“His factory shift isn’t over yet. He’ll be here soon.”

“Got it. You need to behave yourself, Elizabeth.”

As Ian hummed cheerfully and entered the tavern, people flocked around him.

“Well then, President Brightner, shall we continue our conversation?”

However, it was no longer a situation for conversation. Spectators were bustling about, and the dragon, annoyed by those who were curious and trying to touch her, blew them away with puffs of breath.

Emmett, who had been about to tug at his mustache in irritation at the chaotic atmosphere, barely managed to calm himself and looked at me.

“Let’s move to a quieter place.”

I led Emmett to the small courtyard behind the shop and gazed at him thoughtfully.

“…Redan. I’m very grateful to you. Risking one’s life to save another isn’t something an ordinary person can do. I don’t intend to lord it over you just because I gave you a reward. But tell me, should I accept it when a young girl comes running here impulsively? It’s not right, and it’s scandalous!”

Emmett tried to speak calmly, but he had revealed his true nature quite a few times in front of me already.

“I apologize, sir. As I mentioned earlier, Miss Brightner is not a ‘young girl.’ She’s a fully grown adult with the right to make her own decisions.

She was brilliant enough to maintain top grades throughout university and has a calm personality. I hardly think such a young lady would impulsively embark on a romantic elopement.

I understand your concerns as a father, but I have absolutely no intention of laying a hand on Miss Brightner. I’ll graciously provide her with accommodation and send her back whenever she wishes, so please don’t worry.”

“But Redan. That child is still a naive girl who doesn’t know the ways of the world!”

“Haah…”

I deliberately put on a troubled and irritated expression, ruffling my hair.

“Sir, this is delicate to mention, but could it be that the talk of love Miss Brightner left in her letter was just an excuse? I heard everything. How cruelly you treated her and her mother.”

Emmett’s face turned stark white.

Oh my, I’d stabbed right into his most tender and painful spot without hesitation.

Seeing his wounded and defeated expression made me feel a little sorry, but what was done was done.

It was better for me to be the bad guy and leave it at that.

After standing like a statue for a while, Emmett stammered as he opened his mouth.

“Did, did she tell you everything.”

“Yes. She did. Even about what you fought over. She’s a dangerous young lady.”

“This story…”

“I won’t do anything like inform on her. She’s just a poor, twisted girl seeking affection from others that she never received from her father. She’s not a traitor, is she?”

Actually, that was accurate.

“But sir, do you think Miss Brightner could live her entire life suppressed under you? She would have run away from home eventually anyway, and even if you take her back now, she’ll struggle to escape again, so rumors will spread in an instant. Rather than having the truth revealed, wouldn’t it be safer to have it talked about as merely a love affair?”

Emmett seemed to be mulling over my words. As he did, I could see him gradually returning from being a father to being a cold businessman.

“…You’re right. But why are you protecting that girl so much? What benefit does it bring you?”

I gave a dry smile.

“I simply don’t want to see a woman whose life I saved dragged to the execution ground. I also don’t want to see you suffer, sir. After all, I was able to open a proper shop thanks to you.”

He seemed to doubt my words. But since they were half lies and half truth, he wouldn’t be able to discern my exact intentions.

“Understood. I’ll go back for today. But promise me this. If Erika changes her mind, you’ll send that child away immediately.”

“Of course. It’s not as if I’d imprison your daughter. I’ll follow Miss Brightner’s wishes.”

He smiled at my light joke. It was an empty smile.

***

The opening party was very successful.

The reviews said both the alcohol and food were delicious, and most importantly, there was plenty of entertainment between the love affair and the dragon. Not that I’d intended it.

In any case, the guests were very satisfied and enjoyed the party late into the night.

Lieutenant Ian Keller helped divert some of the attention focused on Erika while showing off his magnificent green dragon Elizabeth to people, and when Oscar arrived after getting off work, they recited dragon praise songs together.

It was a bit troublesome when he confronted me about why I’d lied about Oscar being a factory worker, but I smoothly got past it by saying it was to help Oscar, and he burst into laughter.

Ian still seemed deeply moved by Oscar and Sonya’s friendship(?).

“Ugh, we’ve done test flights several times since then, but I haven’t seen Sonya!”

“That’s too bad, too bad. Lieutenant Maximilian Fisher doesn’t come out for such things. But look at our Elizabeth and cheer up!”

The two became fast friends through dragon talk and immediately seemed like close buddies. They joined in card games and swept the table, which was endlessly entertaining to watch.

As dawn broke, Ian departed on his dragon. He promised to visit often.

“Next time I won’t be able to bring Elizabeth though!”

“Haha, please, I beg you.”

I don’t know how many plates of raw meat I served that creature. It was only because I had quite a bit left over from the reward money even after opening the shop, or it would have blown a hole in my budget.

Besides Ian, the other guests seemed to have had a thoroughly enjoyable time too.

You could tell from the good rumors spreading about our tavern.

Starting the next day, customers calling themselves presidents of this and military officers of that began flooding in like a tide.

Dealing with the high-ranking people of District 13 every evening left my cheeks numb and trembling from maintaining a broad smile while serving them.

Of course, that didn’t completely eliminate the gloomy and dangerous atmosphere that my friends constantly teased me about, but still.

About a week later, as Ameli was organizing ingredients, she stared at me intently before suddenly speaking.

“Lucas, you. Your impression has changed a bit.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You still look rough and dangerous, but you’ve become a little gentler, or should I say more attractive?”

“Attractive?”

“I think it’s because you smile often. …You should have smiled like that in the old days too.”

I had nothing to say in response and just smiled awkwardly.

Whether my cheeks trembled or not, the hard work had paid off.

Customers kept flocking in, and the place was always packed.

Many of them were unpleasant types who would give meaningful looks just from seeing Erika and me exchange brief conversations, or who would probe into our relationship in roundabout ways, but we didn’t care anyway.

We’d agreed to take advantage of the fame. In fact, I encouraged their imagination with ambiguous words, fanning the flames.

Meanwhile, just as I’d guided it, the tavern was gradually transforming into a free and comfortable salon-like atmosphere.

This was thanks to carefully searching for the right location after long consideration, decorating the VIP space cozily, and bringing in pool tables, card game sets, and such.

Customers began enjoying alcohol, tobacco, and games while discussing world affairs.

I would join in card games or personally pour drinks while occasionally chiming in with a word or two, and then they would pour out even more words.

The latest model radios placed in the hall and VIP rooms constantly chattered news. Customers listened to the radio while adding their own opinions, and by quietly listening, it was remarkably easy to grasp each individual’s inclinations.

‘Am I really cut out for loosening tongues after all?’

A bitter smile emerged, but I didn’t have time to think long. A gentleman in a bowler hat was raising his glass and calling me over.

“Owner, no, Mr. Redan. What do you think about this article? That friend over there keeps saying ridiculous things.”

“No, ridiculous? Your language is harsh. I heard from an acquaintance who works at the Supreme Leader’s residence. The mages stationed there have begun developing new combat magic.”

“Haha, customer, how could you leak such secrets? You seem to have had too much to drink, so perhaps you should stop now.”

“It’s not a secret. It’s common knowledge!”

There were so many stories I picked up each day like this that it was hard to remember them all.

***

“Lucas, I’m heading out now.”

Two in the morning, when the tavern closed.

Ameli, who had finished checking the ingredients for the next day, called out while buttoning her coat.

“Ah, good work, Ameli.”

I was leaning against the bar table writing up the day’s sales receipts, so I raised my hand in greeting and locked the tavern door.

After carefully closing the window curtains and turning off the hall lights, Erika and Daniel, who had finished the closing cleanup, stretched.

“Another day done.”

“It’s not over yet.”

At my words, both of them groaned in complaint.

“Come on, let’s go down.”

Entering the secret space in the basement, I could see Georg and Oscar sprawled in armchairs, fast asleep. Richard was beside them, rubbing his sleepy eyes while reading a newspaper.

“Guys, wake up.”

“Mm-hmm…”

After everyone had a glass of water and woke up, we sat around the sofa.

I pulled out the book and pen I’d attached under the sofa.

It was time to organize today’s information.

Georg had been throwing newspapers with hidden notes to the tavern instead of his boarding house lately.

Oscar and Richard also kept good track of the stories they heard at the factory and hospital.

While Oscar naturally came to drink almost every day, Georg and Richard obviously couldn’t come daily. So we’d agreed to all meet like this on Friday night into Saturday dawn.

Just being able to meet regularly once a week had brought tremendous progress to the White Raven Order’s information gathering operations.

“Georg, I’ve organized everything that was in this week’s notes. Anything more to add?”

“Ah, something I heard today…”

“I heard similar rumors too. A customer who visited the hospital…”

We listened carefully to all the stories around us, remembered them, then shared, organized, and recorded them with each other. Even the smallest, most trivial rumors.

As we became more skilled, the amount of information recorded increased over time. And it began showing certain tendencies.

Though the organizing work had only produced garbage-like results until now, we had finally reached the stage where we could synthesize information and draw meaningful inferences.

“From what I’ve been looking over, since announcing they’d root out rebel organizations nationwide, they seem to be really ruthlessly ferreting them out.”

Oscar spoke seriously.

“But there doesn’t seem to be much result. Even if there is…”

“It seems fabricated, right?”

Kruger believes in the White Raven Order’s existence.

However, just as I’d suspected, intoxicated by discovering my self-harm, he hadn’t approached the deduction that the incident itself was false.

Arrogance had blinded him.

As a result, he’d issued orders to ‘delete’ the White Raven Order and other reactionary organizations from this land, but that couldn’t be accomplished overnight.

The suddenly surging number of discovered rebellion plots, students being dragged away, and yet unclear rumors compared to that.

“The police and Ossel are just rampaging around trying to boost their performance.”

When I drew this conclusion, everyone nodded.

“Then we should show them the real thing, shouldn’t we? Since many people are probably starting to forget about Erika’s kidnapping, it’s time to make the White Raven Order’s name known once again.”