Epilogue
THE BALDEGE CASTLE in the Fortress City of Balga had a tower with a large bell that rung thrice a day: at morning, noon, and in the evening. I was meeting Ashley in the evening, so I waited for her in front of the guild until the evening bell rang. That would probably happen in about thirty minutes, when the bells would echo throughout the city. I checked the time displayed in my goggles and noted it was 6:00 p.m. This was the end of the workday for some citizens, and, as pairs, groups of three, or solo, they began to leave the guild buildings to head into the city for dinner.
I waited at the gate of the guild grounds, leaning against the gatepost, and watched the people of this other world pass by, much like a scene from a manga or gal game. Here, ordinary humans were classified as the “common race,” and I was considered part of this race. Alongside the common race, there were beast races, elves, dwarves, and various others. I wondered if I could truly live in this diverse world.
As I was about to become sentimental again, I saw Ashley’s radiant blonde hair, glowing red-gold in light of the setting sun. Its brilliance was captivating.
“Have I kept you waiting?”
Ashley sounded more casual than usual. I tried to stay cool, too.
“Not long. Let’s go eat.”
“Where should we go? The restaurants get pretty crowded at this time.”
“Marta gave me a recommendation. I booked us a reservation, so there’s no rush.”
We walked toward the entertainment district in the south of the Fortress City of Balga. The restaurant was called Cenote, one of the Fortress City of Balga’s more upscale restaurants. According to Marta, the chef’s daily recommended course was a must-have.
In this world, restaurants had few fixed price menus. Understandably so, since ingredients weren’t readily available, unlike in Japan.
So what was so special about Cenote? Its chef possessed the Cooking Skill. I didn’t understand the principle, but dishes prepared by chefs with the Cooking Skill were significantly tastier than those made by chefs without it. The chef at Cenote had a higher level of Cooking than anyone around. This was the main reason for the restaurant’s high grade. The overall service level and atmosphere were also refined, as Marta informed me.
When I had visited it earlier to make the reservation, I saw what he meant. It couldn’t compete with the fine restaurants in my original world, but it was much better than going to a tavern-like street diner. While I didn’t dislike the tavern or diner atmosphere, it wasn’t the place for a romantic meal with a woman.
“So, where are we going?”
We walked slowly, side by side, down the main street as the sunset dyed it red.
“That restaurant, there.”
“Cenote?! How did you manage to get a reservation? It’s supposed to be impossible to get a seat on short notice.”
“Is that so? I got lucky, I guess.”
In truth, I had mentioned Marida Trading Company’s reputation and my connections when making the reservation, which probably helped secure it. Perhaps they had accommodated me upon hearing the company’s name.
“Hee hee, you really are lucky.”
“Maybe so.”
The sunset’s reflection made her smile and copper hair shine even brighter.
“Welcome,” the restaurant host said. The exterior of Cenote looked like ordinary stone architecture, but the interior used a lot of blue, creating a fantastical atmosphere with its cascading blue light.
“I have a reservation under Schwarz.”
“Please wait a moment. Yes, Schwarz, for two people. We’ve been expecting you. I’ll show you to your table.”
A female staff member guided us to a table set for two out of four seats. “Here is your table.”
“Thank you.” I pulled out a chair for Ashley to sit. “Please.”
“Thank you.”
Once seated, a waiter asked about our drink and food orders. I chose the chef’s recommendation for the main course for both of us.
“Is that okay with you, Ashley?”
“Sounds great.”
“We’ll do that, then. Which drink pairs well with today’s meal?” The menu offered several labels, but I couldn’t discern their quality by name alone. Asking the waiter seemed best.
“Today, we’ve received high-quality seafood from the south, and the chef’s menu is fish-based. How about a white wine?”
Ashley brightened up at the mention of southern seafood.
“Do you like fish dishes?” I asked.
“Yes, I grew up in a seaside town. Since moving inland, I can only enjoy fresh fish at high-end restaurants... I don’t eat it often.”
“Well, it’s your lucky day, then. We’ll go with the white wine. Ashley, you choose the bottle.”
“Sure. What’s your tolerance like, Schwarz? Do you prefer sweet or dry?”
“I can hold my own. Choose based on your preference.”
“Okay. Then, let’s go with something semi-sweet, since it’s for the meal. We’ll take this one.”
Ashley conveyed her choice to the waiter, who then took the menu and left. We passed the time chatting while we waited for our food to arrive.
“Hee hee, I’ve been looking forward to this,” Ashley said.
“Me too. I’ve mostly eaten at the White Flower Pavilion of the Labyrinth since I’ve been in Balga. That, or bought food from stalls. I haven’t dined at a restaurant like this in a while.”
“Really? But a proper meal, especially in the morning, is vital for adventurers. It’s where you replenish your energy for the day!”
“Ah, that’s true. I went on a party quest recently, and it was exhausting being on the move that early in the morning.”
I recalled the harpy elimination quest, the mixed quest with a party of six strangers—the one that gave me such insight into the adventurers’ harsh reality in this world.
“Working in a party is much safer than working alone. Wasn’t it easier?”
“No, it almost killed me.”
“What...?” Ashley froze at my casual reply.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.” A different waiter arrived with the wine.
They showed us the label and gave a brief explanation of its vintage. I didn’t understand its origin or variety. They placed two glasses on the table and deftly uncorked the bottle. This process was similar to my original world, so was a tasting expected?
A small amount of wine was poured into my glass. There was my answer. I knew the procedure, but—
“Thank you.” I lifted the glass and tilted it against the pure white tablecloth to inspect its color. I swirled it lightly a few times and brought the glass to my nose to sniff the aroma. I took a small sip, breathed through my nose to distribute the taste across my palate, and assessed its flavor and finish.
“Thank you,” I said. “We’ll go with this.”
The waiter seemed relieved by my response. He smiled and poured the drink into both glasses.
“Are you sure you’re not a noble, Schwarz?” Ashley had watched me taste the wine in awe.
“No, I’m not.”
“But that etiquette is what nobles do at banquets and soirées. Cenote is a top-tier restaurant, but even they don’t expect that level of manners.”
Did I overdo it? Back home, I participated in world tournaments for various FPS titles, including VMB. As the starting player for the professional FPS gaming team P0wDer, I competed in North America, Europe, and East Asia, experiencing wins and losses along the way. Sometimes results were lacking, while other times they were outstanding.
Losses led to loser parties and wins to victory celebrations. During these events, I learned table manners. A boy who loved games grew into a young man, and what was once play became part of his work. At these extended dining events, I was expected to display intelligence and refinement as a social adult and esports athlete. As these memories came to mind, I noted how long ago they now seemed.
“Um... I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to pry.”
“Not at all. Am I worrying you?”
“You had a distant look in your eyes. Like you’d lost something—something you can’t get back.”
Her words gripped and struck my heart deeply. When I was suddenly thrust into Orland, I lost everything I had built in my old life. These freely roaming, unknown races, the unfamiliar languages I didn’t speak, and the life-and-death struggles were no longer confined to video games, but were now my stark reality.
I’d lost my foundation, my home, and everyone I knew. With no way to return to my original world, I had no goals to pursue and no meaning to life.