“Now, let’s go inside and appreciate the local cuisine.”
Urged along by my grumbling stomach, I led everyone inside.
A cheery waitress in a cute outfit greeted us. “Hello! Table for three, ladies?”
“Yes, do you have any available?” I asked.
“We do. Right this way!”
Thankfully, the place was only half full. There weren’t too many people around, which was good since we were trying to lay low; it wasn’t empty to the point of being uncomfortably deserted either. It had just the right balance of customers.
“I’ll have the Hamburg steak.”
“I’d like a mixed grill meal!”
“Hmm. The steak, please.”
We soon decided on our orders, bunch of carnivorous girls that we were.
“So a Hamburg steak, a mixed grill, and a steak. Coming right up. Would you like anything to drink with that?”
Drinks, huh?
I wasn’t sure if this country had coffee. As I scanned the menu, I ran into all sorts of drinks with unusual names, but I did manage to find coffee listed there.
“I’ll have coffee,” I said, making the safe choice.
“Tomato juice, please.” Lysa went with a veggie option, which was typical for her elven background.
“And I’ll have a, erm, Nabreej Mint.” Sérignan took a risk and chose a more daring option.
“All right, it’ll be out shortly.” The waitress left with our orders.
Once she was gone, Lysa turned to me. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you, milady.”
“Yes, what is it?”
“What are you going to do when this war is over?”
“When the war’s over?” I parroted.
Right. I’ve been so caught up with trying to finish this war that I forgot to think about what I’ll be doing next.
“Well, actually, I’ve been thinking the Arachnea could have the Worker Swarms make clothes and furniture. We’d travel around to different countries and sell them. I think we’ve had enough wars for a lifetime. Plus, I...”
I...
“I need to find a way back home. I want to go home.”
This isn’t where I belong. Sérignan and Lysa mean a lot to me, but that apartment back in Japan is my true home. I think my parents are really worried about me, and I’m worried about them too. I have to find my parents, calm them down, and then go back to my college life.
“You want to go home?” Sérignan asked. “The Worker Swarms could build you a worthy castle, milady.”
“That’s not what I mean. I have a home I need to go back to.”
That’s right, I—
“You killed her, you monster.”
Pain shot through my mind.
Samael said that, but how can it be? My parents should be fine, right? I mean, it wasn’t too long ago that I passed the entrance exams and we went out to a barbecue place together to celebrate. They can’t be dead.
“Are you all right?” Lysa asked, noticing my pained expression.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Don’t worry about it.” I shook my head as if to banish my thoughts.
Just a little headache.
“What I’m trying to say is that I’ll eventually have to leave you two and go back to where I belong. That’s why I want to enjoy this now.”
“No! I don’t want you to leave!” Sérignan exclaimed.
It must have been painful to hear that. Sérignan was serving as my loyal knight, but I had been set to leave this world from the get-go. Lysa was looking pretty bummed as well. It hurt me too, of course. But I had to go back.
“Then let’s do as you say and enjoy this moment together, milady,” Lysa said, putting on a brave face. “I’ll do anything to help you go back home. So please, never forget the times we spent together!”
“Of course I won’t. I’ll never forget you, Lysa.”
I couldn’t possibly forget about you. Your tears were what inspired me to grind an entire kingdom into dust.
“What will become of me once you leave?” Sérignan asked me, clearly on the verge of tears.
“Keep our faction safe,” I told her. “Now and forevermore. Support the other Swarms until you’re ready to retire.”
“By your will. I, Sérignan, will devote myself to protecting the Arachnea even after you’ve left us.”
“I’m counting on you, Sérignan.”
If I leave them in her capable hands, everything should be fine.
“Can we come visit you?”
“I dunno, Lysa. That might be a little difficult,” I admitted with a frown. “It’s a whole other world. I don’t think this world and mine can normally connect.”
It would have been really interesting and fun if I could freely go between this world and that one, but I didn’t think it would be that simple. The game’s world and my reality weren’t meant to be connected.
“Here you are!” the waitress announced, breaking up our somewhat gloomy atmosphere. “One mixed grill, one Hamburg steak, and a steak for you! Eat it while it’s hot!”
The appetizing smell completely distracted me from what we were talking about.
“Okay, let’s share! You two, have some of my Hamburg steak.”
“Here, try a bite of the grilled chicken,” Lysa said, handing us some skewers.
“Help yourself to my steak,” Sérignan offered.
And so, the three of us had our girls’ day out.
I couldn’t help but sing the chef’s praises. “Oh, this Hamburg steak’s great. Whoever made this is a pro.”
“The chicken’s so soft and tasty!” Lysa chirped.
“This is a fine steak. It does have the succulent feel of meat.”
We had taken a chance on this place, but it turned out to be a really good restaurant. I made a mental note to thank Lysa later for spotting it. We enjoyed our food and left the place roughly thirty minutes later. For the record, their after-dinner coffee was pretty good too.
♱
With full stomachs, we made our way to the bazaar next.
“They sure sell a whole range of things,” I observed.
“There’s so much variety! I’ve never seen these kinds of products before!” Lysa said cheerfully.
The bazaar had all sorts of merchandise for sale, most of which I didn’t recognize at all. There were things that looked like equipment for a hookah and weaving appliances, but there were also crackling crystal balls and rings that seemed to spin continuously in place. I couldn’t wrap my mind around those.
“You’re an elf, aren’t you, miss?” one stall owner called out to Lysa as she examined his wares.
“Huh?!” Lysa blinked in surprise.
“I see you’re hiding your ears with your hair, but it’s clear you’re from the boonies,” he added with a smile. “My hunch tells me you couldn’t be anything but an elf. Am I right?”
“Hm... That’s a secret,” Lysa muttered. She was still rather anxious about the outside world.
“Could I ask you not to bother my companion, sir?” I said to the merchant. “If you oblige, we’ll consider buying something.”
“Ooh, that’s a tempting offer.” He smiled thinly and gestured toward an accessory. “Well, I can recommend this for your ladies.”