Chapter 99

A Glass of Wine Before the End of the World The return to Labyrinth City was too quiet to call triumphant yet too full of relief to call defeated. The adventurers who were defending Starmine Hall gave Nick’s group a grand welcome when they arrived and were floored when they heard what had happened. The Sword of Tasuki, who’d plunged Labyrinth City into chaos, had been defeated. Yet even so, the threat of the demon god still hung over them. They now had to begin preparing for the resurrection. Some were discouraged by this news and escaped from reality by drowning themselves in pleasure. Some grew jealous of the team that had gone into the Colosseum of Carnage and left to distinguish themselves by boldly fighting in the Stampeding labyrinths. Some spent their own money to help Labyrinth City recover. Some returned to their normal lives, getting up before the crack of dawn to open their shops and cooking bread and donuts to serve to customers with their coffee. The Survivors, meanwhile, rested. Bond was underneath Starmine Hall being healed—or repaired, rather—from the strain of using Union for so long. His life wasn’t at risk, but he hadn’t yet recovered enough to speak. Tiana spent her time with the Thunderbolt Corporation. She sorted through Bellocchio’s personal belongings with the employees and swapped stories with them as they shared in their grief. Karan remained hopelessly busy. Nick was initially shocked to see her working as a high state official of Teran, but it felt right. Her ability to speak frankly with anyone made her perfect for the job. Nick was proud of her but also a little lonely. Zem had heavily exhausted himself and spent a while bedridden in Starmine Hall’s hospital, but as soon as he got back on his feet, he headed to the nightlife district for some fun… Or that was what everyone assumed at first anyway. He actually spent his time counseling the people who lived there. He petitioned Karan for support with foodstuffs and other daily necessities and even visited the Garbage Heap, where he was becoming a person of influence. As his party members went about their business, Nick went to a bar. It was located in an ordinary back alley, but it wasn’t seedy or unsafe, and the fancy wooden door even gave it an air of luxury. The bar appeared to be closed like the other restaurants around it, but a sign hanging from the door said it was reserved for the day. “Is it really okay for me to eat here?” Nick asked. “What are you waiting for? Come in, come in. You’re the guest of honor.” The door opened as if in response to Nick’s question, revealing a familiar face on the other side. “Oh, mistress. Long time no see… Do you own this restaurant, too?” “My main profession is that of a consultant. Though I suppose I don’t mind playing at being a chef, either,” the mistress said, chuckling as she led Nick through the restaurant. Unlike her last place, which had been a restaurant and an inn, this was just a bar. The wood of the floor and walls was luxurious, and it appeared to have been built to entertain wealthy and powerful guests. “Put yourself at ease,” the mistress told him. “This restaurant isn’t nearly as expensive as the one where I nursed you back to health.” “R-really?” Nick asked. “Do you remember how comfortable that place was? This restaurant has its own cozy charm, too, of course, but I want you to relax. You’re the hero of this turmoil, so they’re footing the bill. Go ahead and drink all the fine alcohol you want.” “…You seem different from before. You dyed your hair, too.” “Hmm-hmm, I did indeed.” Nick thought he remembered the mistress being more polite and timid the last time they met, but he was relieved to see she was safe. He owed her his life. He told her as much and asked if her apprentice was doing well. She answered by saying she’d sent him to a soup kitchen. The small talk made Nick strangely happy; he knew there would be few opportunities to experience quiet moments like this with the world in its current state. There was a small room at the end of the hallway the mistress was leading Nick through. The thick window curtains were closed, and old-fashioned oil lamps warmly lit the room. Some of that light spilled out into the hallway, revealing that someone was inside. That someone was Alice, who was already seated and enjoying a drink. “Really? You didn’t even wait for me?” Nick said. “It’s rude to begin drinking before your guest arrives,” the mistress admonished. “This wine is from Samurialie’s private collection. You can’t buy it with money, so make sure you enjoy it,” Alice said, acting as if she owned the place. She poured Nick a glass and offered it to him without a care in the world. There were three seats at the table. Nick sat diagonally from Alice and across from Marde, who, unable to sit, was set on the table instead.