Chapter 52: The Shop
“Looks like people have finally started waking up. It doesn’t even feel like night anymore.”
“With this kind of uproar, that’s only to be expected.”
Outside, the army of the Kingdom of Lunoa advanced through the streets of Warmir, clashing intermittently with the scattered remnants of the Rosha Empire’s forces who tried—halfheartedly, it seemed—to stop them.
Gunshots rang out in sharp bursts, followed by piercing screams. Angry shouts overlapped one another, commands and curses blending into a chaotic chorus that echoed through the city.
The impact of that first strike on the barracks likely played a part as well. The Rosha Empire’s resistance was visibly weak. And yet, weak or not, the fact remained—combat was unfolding throughout the city itself. Even in the depths of midnight, the commotion had grown so intense that silence was nowhere to be found.
“So, let me ask—what was this city like while it was under siege?”
With the clamor outside fading into a distant backdrop, I stepped into a small shop. The moment I crossed the threshold, the air changed—quieter, warmer, almost detached from the violence raging beyond its walls.
Behind me followed the mercenaries I had brought along, their heavy footsteps carrying the fatigue of battle.
The occupation of the city gates had already been handed off to another unit with greater numbers. The soldiers I had personally selected and gathered earlier had since returned to their original units, their temporary role completed.
“How much time do we have? Should I keep it brief?”
“No… since we’re here, we might as well take it slow. Let’s all rest for a bit.”
Even in the midst of an ongoing skirmish—small in scale though it might be—there was only one kind of shop I would visit this leisurely.
It belonged to a merchant company under my direct control. Anticipating a day like this, I had established this shop in Warmir and stationed a man here as its manager.
To his question, I gave a deliberately relaxed reply.
“Oh? Are you sure about that? There’s still quite a bit of fighting going on outside, you know.”
“You’re my guards. I’m a brigadier general, after all. That makes this an important duty.”
“Heh, well, if you say so, I’ll gladly take you up on that.”
One by one, the mercenaries and I took seats inside the shop, settling into chairs that felt almost too comfortable for a battlefield setting.
“Here is your tea.”
The manager placed a teacup gently before me, then took the seat across from mine.
“Thank you. It’s hard to come across good tea leaves on the battlefield.”
“I’ve made sure to always have some prepared, in case you ever decided to visit, Noah-sama.”
“Good work… Now then?”
“It has been over one hundred and twenty years since the Rosha Empire, pursuing its expansionist policies, occupied the Kingdom of Poln. By now, there are those who have already pledged their allegiance to the empire.”
“But not all of them, I assume?”
“No, not all. There are still those who continue to resist the Rosha Empire…”
“Well, the Kingdom of Lunoa also had a hand in dividing the Kingdom of Poln, didn’t it?”
“Indeed. For those who still consider themselves citizens of Poln, this incident is nothing more than a change of rulers. It is unlikely to work in our favor. However, when it comes to the royal family, the situation is different.”
“Were you able to speak with them properly?”
“Yes. I was able to meet with members of the former royal family of Poln who are here. When informed that the Kingdom of Lunoa is prepared to recognize their independence—limited to the partial freedom that had been granted to them under the Rosha Empire—they responded positively.”
“Is it possible for the people of this land to crush the pro-Rosha faction?”
“More than possible.”
“I see. That’s good to hear. Now then, tell me in detail about the situation in this city—”
Just as I was about to press further for specifics regarding Warmir—
“Excuse me!”
A single soldier burst into the shop where we were gathered, his sudden entrance cutting through the calm like a blade.
“…You are… a messenger, right? What is it?”
“Yes, sir! It is an honor that you remember one of your subordinates! I come bearing a message from Her Highness, the Second Princess Emma. A temporary headquarters has been established, and you are to come immediately!”
“…Ugh.”
I hope I can be forgiven for the rather displeased expression that slipped onto my face at that moment.
I was definitely going to get scolded. For acting on my own initiative… yeah, no doubt about it. Honestly, I would’ve preferred to meet her after a bit more time had passed.
“…Understood. Thank you. I’ll go.”
Still, ignoring the summons would only fan the flames of her anger. She wasn’t the type to cool down with time—if anything, the opposite.
“My apologies, but I’ll take my leave here for today. You all can rest. As for you—you’re the unit captain. You’re on guard duty. Come with me.”
With a resigned sigh, I rose from my seat.
“Huh!? Me!?”
“Of course you. Now, come on.”
“Well then—”
“…Yes.”
As I left the shop, the manager bowed deeply, his posture filled with quiet respect.
“…Even so, Noah-sama…”
Just as I was about to step away, he spoke again, his voice low and measured.
“Hmm?”
“…You’ve started smiling with such a pained expression.”
“Hah. After killing people, and nearly being killed myself… wouldn’t it be stranger if I could still smile wholeheartedly in a situation like this?”
“…That may be true, but…”
“Don’t worry. I’ll see through what I’ve set out to do.”
I gave him a reassuring smile—one meant to ease his concern—before turning away and following the messenger toward the temporary headquarters he had mentioned.
The distance turned out to be shorter than I expected.
“Here it is.”
The messenger stopped in front of a small hut.
“Thanks. You wait outside as well.”
“Yes, sir!”
Leaving both the messenger and the mercenary unit captain outside, I stepped into the room alone.
“…Huh? Eh—”
The moment the door closed behind me—
“—Guh!?”
A sudden impact struck me without warning. Before I could even process what had happened, my consciousness was violently torn away, plunging me into darkness in an instant.