Chapter 482 – Coffee Shop and Father

000

Accompanying Herti was not as businesslike as she thought, according to her attire her.

She visits the store on the list she was handed to her, and chats briefly with her owner about the trends in her business and her.

Compare the ledgers stored in the store with the ledgers kept by the merchant company to see if there is a difference.

If there is a difference, Herti asks the store owner the reason for that part, and if it is understandable, it is the same.

If it was a mistake on the part of the store, or if the books were tampered with for reasons that could not be said publicly, a warning was issued and an order to be corrected.

Even so, the latter is just a case of hearing an explanation from Hertie.

In the patrols so far, there has not been a single case of negative book manipulation.

It is said that transparency in accounting leads to trust in the business and households.

Besides, there wasn’t that much time in the ledgers to check because, in addition to Herti, Kaliana and the others periodically toured and checked the stores.

Since I recently went to the Kingdom Victory Day, even though there was a little gap, it was all for two weeks.

As they walked through the streets of Asteris together, Cleon could definitely feel the atmosphere more chaotic than before.

Places that add decorations to signboards everywhere, or store owners who are making new stalls.

Housewives came out to save necessary items before people flocked to prepare for the festival.

Even though there is still time left until the festival, children are running around the streets in good health.

And, even in such a place, the knights stare at them, standing still everywhere to respond to trouble at any time.

“Everyone seems to be looking forward to the festival.”

“That’s right. The Festival of the Five Elements is the biggest festival in our country, except for the New Year’s Festival during the year-end and New Year’s holidays.”

When Cleon uttered such sentiments, Hertie smiled and nodded his head.

What I felt while walking down the street with Herti was the joyful hearts of the people who were looking forward to such a festival-

It was the people’s goodwill toward Hertie, who stood by her side of her.

“Herti-sama! Thanks to the herbs you specially saved the other day, my son’s fever went down safely! Thank you so much!”

“As Herti said, changing the tree to a black tree in the southern forest of the kingdom significantly reduced the rate of decay.”

Voices of gratitude from people heard from time to time.

Whenever Herti heard such a voice, he would turn his head towards it, nod his head her, and wave his hand her in response.

Even if an ordinary aristocrat walked the streets of the common people in the royal capital, this would not have happened.

Receiving such cheers is either a member of the Tromeya family, who has a clear image of fighting for the people as a warrior like Aruru or Percys-

Esca, the pope of the Order of the Protection of the Holy Spirit, who is receiving absolute support from the citizens.

However, when Cleon thought that far, he covered his mouth as he felt a phantasmagoric pain in his stomach that had been pierced.

If your stomach gets nauseous, you feel like gastric juice is flowing backwards, and your eyes feel dizzy for a while-

“Is Cleon?”

Suddenly, Cleon, who came to his senses at the sound of calling himself, raised his head.

There, Hertty looked back at herself after noticing the abnormality of Cleon, whose pace suddenly slowed down and his breathing his was disturbed.

Somewhere, with a worried look, she lowered her umbrella to hide Cleon’s face from others.

Place your hand on Cleon’s forehead.

The slightly cool touch made Cleon feel much better.

“Ah. Ah… I’m sorry. It’s okay.”

Thanks to Hertie, he barely lifted himself from the terrifying sensation and he noticed that cold sweat had formed on his hands her involuntarily.

“It’s been quite a long time since we moved while standing. Has it already been 2 hours…?”

Herti removes his hand from her from Cleon’s forehead to her.

“It would be better to take a little break. The temperature in the east is higher than in the kingdom in early summer.”

“…Is it.”

Certainly, if you think about it, the temperature seems to be slightly higher than when I was living in the kingdom.

It may be that the temperature change that you are not used to has made you feel unwell without realizing it.

“Speaking of resting in the shade, I know a good place. Bahamut?”

“Meow.”

Bahamut, who cries out as if he understands Herti completely, wiggles his tail, then turns and walks to one side.

When he hears the ringing of bells, Hertie holds out his hand towards Cleon.

“Because it’s a different route than planned… Even if Bahamut is guiding you, I’m a little uneasy, so could you hold his hand?”

“Ah. Of course.”

Cleon took his outstretched hand of her, and this time he himself followed Bahamut and walked in front of Hertie.

001

So, after receiving the cat’s directions, we arrived at a cafe that felt a bit shabby on a street where few people pass by.

But that doesn’t mean it’s unsanitary or anything like that.

Here and there, door frames with traces of frequent people’s exchanges, and flower pots with plants that can be seen that they have been carefully cultivated are placed around the store.

Still, I could see that the signboards were constantly maintained, and that they were neatly polished even though they were old.

Even if it was a signboard, it was written in an archaic language from the East, so Cleon couldn’t read it.

“This place…”

“It’s a cafe I often visit.”

Just standing in front of the store, Herti smiled as if relieved by the scent of tea that flowed from the inside.

“Coffee house?”

“Ah, in the kingdom, they say it’s a cafe? It’s a place where you can enjoy tea and sweets.”

Saying that, Herti grabs Cleon and goes forward first to open the door of the store.

When that low scream was heard from the door frame, which seemed to be a bit under-oiled, the bell hanging above it jingled to inform the owner of the shop of the guest’s visit.

The first impression Cleon felt after seeing the interior was that, compared to the shabby exterior, the interior was neat and tidy, yet a space that gave off a sense of security somewhere.

Of course, it couldn’t be helped that the pillars supporting the building were worn out in places, perhaps because it was quite old, but the table where guests could sit was on the floor where you had to take off your shoes to go up .

And, even in front of the long counter table for single customers, the chair was placed in front of it, giving off a feeling of a kingdom that was not like an oriental country.

“Welcome- What is it, Herti?”

And, it was the voice of an elderly man who accepted the visit of such a visitor.

When Cleon turned his head towards it, he saw an old man there, like any other man, wearing an Oriental costume and washing a cup.

The old man with a wild impression made by combining his white hair with an all-back, philtrum, chin beard, and sideburns.

One eye, a light gray pupil. However, in one eye, there is a vertical scar that allows him to work with his eyes closed.

At first glance, despite the impression of being over 60, no, 70, it was clear that he had a fairly robust physique, judging from the wide shoulders and the muscle and thickness of the arm visible under the rolled up sleeves.

Was he originally a soldier or an adventurer? No, people from the Eastern countries are adventurers.

Cleon, who unknowingly begins to explore the old man’s past his, soon thinks that such a thing is rude, stops thinking and throws it into the trash can in his head.

And as soon as he saw Cleon, who had been caught behind Herty, he looked a bit surprised, but then looked back at Hertie again.

“I’m surprised. You’re with a man.”

“Whoops. Is that so?”

Herti smiles and holds out his palm to Cleon, talking to the old man.

“I’ll introduce you. This is Cleon. He’s a guest from the kingdom… And he’s working with me right now.”

“This is Cleon.”

Looking at Cleon, who bows respectfully for Herti, the old man brushes his beard a little and replies.

“Yes. I-“

“This is Lionel. He is my father.”

“…Father!?”

Cleon looks at the two as if surprised by Herti’s sudden remark of her.

However, if you feel like you’re going to go crazy with Herti and Lionel, who don’t look alike, no matter how you look at it.

“Hey. Be carefree and don’t lie. He’s confused.”

“Oh, I never lied to you, Father.”

Lionel sighs at her words, shakes her head, and speaks to Cleon.

“Hey young man. Don’t be so dizzy. I’m not related by blood to this guy.”

“Even if you don’t have blood, you can still call him father, can’t you?”

Cleon nods her head as if he barely understands Lionel’s words her.

“…Adoptive father and adopted daughter. Is that something?”

“It’s similar. It’s better to say godfather.”

Hearing Lionel’s words, Hertie laughs and looks back at Cleon.

“I was surprised when I said father, so the worries from earlier disappeared in an instant, right?”

“…Ah, ah…Surely.”

Cleon nods her head at her words her.

Evidently, what had weighed down her body until just now seemed to have been blown away by the impact.

“Well. Anyway, go sit down. Apparently, the young man seems to be curious about our relationship too. I’ll explain it to you.”

“Yes. Then. The order is-“

“Green tea and honey snacks. I guess.”

Before Herti can tell her menu her, Lionel starts moving her body her and she starts preparing tea and snacks for the two of them.

It seems like it’s a ‘obvious thing’ that you can know because you’ve known each other for a long time.

As Herti nodded her head at his words her, she led Cleon to the table and sat down.

“…Okay then. Where should I begin… What is this store’s specialty?”

“Herti…”

When Cleon calls her name her, who never gets tired of joking around, she sticks out her tongue and continues.

“Okay. Then- First of all, the fact that Mr. Lionel is my godfather is because when I was young, my real father… That is to say, the previous head of the Dark Dragon Company entrusted me to Mr. Lionel .”

“Why? Was it targeted by something…”

At Cleon’s words her, Hertie shuts his mouth for a moment, then nods her head.

“…In the previous era, the world situation was turbulent in many ways. On the continent, kingdoms and empires continued to fight for supremacy, and eventually it developed into war. The war between empires and kingdoms was, in effect, propaganda waged by empires throughout the continent. It was a war between the kingdom and its allies against the proclamation.”

Cleon’s expression couldn’t help but darken at those words.

Even if it was Cleon who had overcome the previous life factor and shaken off the influence of the demonic sword emperor, he did not easily tolerate it in the psychological part to separate it as a completely different person.

“My father also ran all over the continent to get supplies in order to support the kingdom, an ally in the war, and to protect the eastern countries…”

“I was a mercenary who was hired to follow this guy’s father around.”

Lionel came over with tea and snacks, just like in the middle of Herti.

He carefully set down on the table a cup with the scent of green tea and a saucer sprinkled with sweet honey on top of what looked like brown cookies.

“This guy’s father… How can I say it. He was a hot-blooded man. He was already in his mid-30s at the time. He was running around in all directions, angry at the outbreak of war shortly after he got married. Sometimes he doesn’t even look back at dangerous places. Even though I was the one who suffered because of it.”

“You were a wonderful person.”

When Cleon looked at Hertie while talking like that, Hertie had a slightly complicated expression.

“After the war, he invited me to come and settle down in the eastern country. As for me, I did all the adventures that I could do as a mercenary with him. I accepted it because I thought it wasn’t bad.”

“…Then, Mr. Lionel is from the East…?”

“Ah. I’m from the kingdom too.”

Cleon said in his words his, too. While thinking, he nodded his head.

“However, the problem must have been postwar. This time, the remnants of the empire were directly targeting the guy who contributed not a little to the victory of the kingdom and the east. A few years after the war ended, he was delighted that Hertie was born. Of course I did, but I was also worried.”

The remnants of the empire were obsessed with the glory of the empire to the extent that it is said that they are still hiding somewhere and continuing to live on.

If it hadn’t been a few years since the war, the activity would have been even more intense.

Even if it was the top state of the best of the orient, he needed to pay attention to the attention.

“Of course, I advised him to hold his breath for a few years after Herti was born, but he couldn’t do that. He said he would do what he could for his country and continent his, and entrusted this guy to me .”

“As a merchant, I respect him, but as a father, he was difficult to respect.”

Herti gulps down the tea placed in front of him while uttering his rare barbed words of her.

“Raising this guy who has been blind since birth was not an easy task, but… Well. He was killed in a carriage accident, and Calia came to pick him up. He was then… Fourteen?”

“Yes. Exactly 10 years ago.”

At the explanation of the two, Cleon nodded as if he understood the general situation.

“…The carriage accident-“

“At first, I thought it was the remnants of the empire… But they say it was a really simple carriage accident.

As if Cleon’s questions were natural, he nodded and answered when the expected question came.

Both Hertie and Lionel trusted the flamesmith, so he seemed convinced by the answer.

“Well. This is the relationship between me and this guy. This guy sometimes sneaks out of the store and comes here to eat tea and snacks, so it’s a problem.”

“Puffing, scooping. It’s so lighthearted, isn’t it?”

Herti hits Lionel’s side of her with his fist on her.

I can’t even see, how can I…?

“Meow.”

“Ah. I’m sorry, Bahamut.”

Then, looking back at the meowing cat as if waiting for the story to end, Lionel lifted the Bahamut with a much more relaxed face than Hertie had shown.

“I guess you should give me something too… I had some left over from the other day…”

Where did the serious and solemn old man from before go? Cleon looked at him with a little bit of amusement as he became the face of a grandfather looking at his granddaughter.

“There were times when Bahamut came back and didn’t eat… By any chance?”

“…I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Herti asked in a suspicious voice, but Lionel quickly let go of the pretense.

Just looking at it, I could tell how good the relationship between the two was.

“Rather than that, how are you these days? Are there still fewer customers during the day?”

When Hertie Lionel, who gets up from his seat her, Lionel answers while scratching his head.

“Yes. All the old people who came to see the cute lady working hard have all gone. Young people don’t come often to places like this.”

“A cute girl?”

“Ah, well. I worked as a clerk here when I was young. I can’t see, but I can memorize the structure of the store and move cars and receive money and pay bills.”

“…Awesome.”

Cleon spoke as if he was genuinely admiring Herti’s words, then suddenly caught a word that bothered him and asked it back.

“Wait. A guest of the day?”

“Ah. This shop becomes a pub at night. The pub is still a bit popular.”

It was like that, Cleon nodded his head.

He had some hopes that it would become a slightly dangerous shop that made use of his know-how from his mercenary days.

“You’re going to do better in the future. He got a cute girl as a part-time job.”

“Part time job!?”

When Hertie pulls her body up in surprise, Cleon looks at her in surprise.

“…What.”

“No… Even if I sent someone to help me, my father, who didn’t accept it, suddenly got a part-time job…”

“That’s right, you pay for the people you send. I manage my store. I also pick people to work with.”

Cleon nodded his head, feeling that Lionel was right.

“Young people, if you’re interested, come back after the sun goes down.”

“That-“

Cleon, who glanced back at Hertie, nodded his head without a word.

“You don’t have to look at me, Mr. Cleon?”

“No. That’s not it… Anyway. I thought it wouldn’t be bad to come with a colleague.”

“Oh, please invite me to go with you at that time.”

Cleon turns her head in response to her words her thrusting into her face her.

Lionel looks at the two who seem to be on good terms.

However, in his eyes his, he was looking at Cleon with a little bit of anxiety mixed with the reassurance that Hertie would also find a good person.