Chapter 68
“Thanks to that, we’ve rapidly advanced and surpassed all other dimensions. But now we have competition, with you being able to traverse dimensions so freely, Sena.”
“What could I possibly do? My dimension only has a cocktail bar.”
I responded nonchalantly, but inwardly, I was worried. From the Empire’s perspective, don’t I look like an attractive target? What if they covet my ability to travel between dimensions?
Why, even in hero movies, there’s always some organization or nation trying to control heroes with special abilities, right?
‘And I don’t have to look far. Even in local hunter stories, hunters live under the control of some managing bureau or whatever.’
I could manage bartending, but becoming an industrial spy and traveling across dimensions?
‘Just the thought is terrifying!’
It seems I value my freedom more than I realized.
Did my concern show? Johan, who had been watching me intently, spoke in a reassuring tone.
“Don’t worry. I just wanted to say how impressive you are, Sena.”
“Ah…”
“And His Majesty is a magnanimous person. If he likes you, he might offer you a position, but he wouldn’t view you as a threat.”
With Johann’s firm and calm explanation, the vague anxiety that had been creeping up inside me dissipated.
“Besides, aren’t there also witches who can traverse dimensions? The one you know. His Majesty has no interest in her.”
“Huh? You know Sylvie Unnie, Johan?”
Now I realize why you didn’t seem surprised when I explained about the witch last time.
“I don’t know Sylvie personally, only the concept of a witch. She’s a being that transcends humanity but doesn’t affect all dimensions like you do.”
Well, it makes sense that the Empire, being the first to discover other dimensions, would have extensive information. And Johan being a duke there, it’s natural he’d be well-versed in dimensions.
“Anyway, I have no desire to be a competitor. Please continue ranking #1 across all dimensions. Fighting!”
“Haha.”
Johan laughed, putting the black stone back into his pocket, and smoothly changed the subject.
“I suppose I should be the one worried. Here I can’t return by my own will.”
“That’s right?”
Without realizing it, I spoke in a slightly bragging tone.
“Don’t worry. I can return to my original dimension anytime.”
I thumped my chest confidently.
“In that case.”
Johan stepped closer and lightly took my hand.
“Johan?”
“I’d better hold your hand, just in case I lose you.”
He smiled at me warmly.
Just a moment ago, I had the lead, but now that position had been completely stolen from me.
It didn’t seem like it would be easy to get the better of Johan after all.
Then, my stomach rudely let out a growling sound. I quickly cleared my throat.
“L-Let’s eat first. We can gather information at the same time.”
“Sounds good.”
We strolled down the street and entered the busiest restaurant. Conveniently, there was an open central seat perfect for eavesdropping.
“Two orders of today’s soup and bread, please.”
“Oh, and some hot coffee too!”
As expected of a popular place, the food came out quickly.
The rich vegetable taste of the soup still had the onion’s layers intact. Dipping the crispy baguette made me feel satisfyingly full.
“Delicious. There’s a reason crowded places are crowded.”
“Should we add a French onion soup appetizer? The cheese one pairs nicely with wine.”
“It seems like it would go well with beer as is.”
Talking about bar snacks in the middle of a meal might have sounded odd, but Johann played along with me.
Talking about alcohol at any chance was a bad habit of mine. Even my friends disliked it, but Johann didn’t seem to mind.
Once I was comfortably full, snippets of surrounding conversations began reaching my ears.
Information gathering is always essential. You never know if someone might mention a relevant rumor by chance.
“I hear they’re holding a coronation ceremony for the crown prince next month.”
“Finally! It has to be Prince Cedric, right?”
“Who else could it be? He’s someone like us who lived a hard life before being recognized as royalty. If it’s Prince Cedric, he’ll surely take good care of us commoners.”
“Absolutely!”
Surprisingly, Cedric had a good reputation.
This Cedric is the same one I know, right?
‘Take care of commoners, my foot! Your prince got kicked out by a bartender in another dimension for hitting on her.’
Everyone seemed to think Cedric was the ideal future king. It was absurd.
Shaking my head, Johann hit the nail on the head.
“His image seems quite good, but he doesn’t seem to have any concrete achievements.”
“That’s right. It’s all just empty talk.”
As if the rumors had been deliberately spread.
With our bellies full, we next headed to the center of the rumors – the tavern.
Just before entering, Johan took off his outer coat and draped it over my shoulders.
“Johan?”
“This seems better.”
“If we do this, it’s like we’re…”
I quietly swallowed the rest—’Lovers.’
“It’s getting a bit chilly. You’d be cold dressed like that.”
“Ah, thank you.”
I felt a little embarrassed. Johan was just thoughtfully looking out for me, but what kind of thought had crossed my mind?
“Though doing this, we really do look like lovers.”
The very words I had swallowed, Johann said nonchalantly.
“Y-Yeah! But it’s fine. We don’t need to worry about what others think, right? Right?”
To shake off the awkward atmosphere, I hurriedly entered the tavern.
There were only bar seats left, so we sat side-by-side in a corner. A man who had been glancing our way waved to the person next to us.
“Ah, long time no see! Let’s drink together.”
“Sure. There’s an extra chair over there. Bring it over and join us.”
The bar was already crowded enough, and with one more chair squeezed in, Johan and I were practically shoulder-to-shoulder.
‘This is even more awkward…’
Even pressing myself against the wall, it didn’t help since Johan was so big.
‘Is Johan uncomfortable?’
Glancing sidelong at him, he didn’t seem bothered at all.
“How about a dark beer?”
“Huh?”
“I hear this place is known for its delicious dark beer.”
“Sure, let’s skip appetizers since we just ate.”
“Two dark beers please.”
Johan ordered smoothly. I wondered how the dark beer here would taste. It should be good since the place was so popular.
‘I’m looking forward to it.’
Just thinking about the beer made the awkwardness dissipate without me realizing it.
And soon, the sight of the dark beer made my eyes widen.
Generous cinnamon powder was sprinkled over the soft foam, and brown sugar coated the rim of the cup for added sweetness.
“Wow, this neighborhood really knows their beer, huh?”
“The sweet and tart taste is quite appealing.”
It tasted so good I wanted to order another round, but today’s goal was information gathering, not a beer tour.
Regretfully cleaning my palate, an interesting conversation from next to us caught my ear.
“Apparently that witch showed up at some tavern?”
“That wicked witch? After the prince dumped her, she’s been drowning her sorrows in booze.”
“In any case, it’s a relief. I was worried she might torment the Saint.”
A saint?
The introduction of this unfamiliar figure pricked my ears.
“But who knows when that witch might strike again. She did take the saint’s place by Prince Cedric’s side.”
“How dreadful. A woman blinded by jealousy.”
Publicly, it seems the story is that Cedric broke up with the witch and is now with the saint.
“But he always seeks me out when he needs help.”
So he’s still using Sylvie unnie’s help when convenient? A flame ignited in my chest. What a scumbag.
“That witch is surely scheming something.”
“Ugh, just imagining it is scary. What is she plotting this time?”
The people chattered on, comparing the witch and saint this way and that.
As they disparaged Sylvie while praising the saint, I couldn’t help feeling resentful. They’re all clueless. My Sylvie Unnie is so kind!
Even after visiting teahouses, the atmosphere was largely the same.
After wrapping up my general investigation at the last teahouse, Johan asked.
“How was it?”
“The dark beer was definitely the best.”
Johan burst into laughter at my confident response.
Only then did I realize—he wasn’t asking what tasted good.
🥂
Thank you for reading! ♡
