"Nahahaha! My bad for scaring you like that!"
"No... forget about it."
The man laughing boisterously in front of Rauya was the Molybdenum Group warrior who had operated the shifting wall. His name, apparently, was Gobusa.
Earlier, Rauya had been trying to observe the man from the shadows. However, the shout he’d let out in his shock was evidently louder than he’d realized. He had been caught immediately by the smirking Gobusa.
(I expected an interrogation, but...)
Knowing his behavior had been flagrantly suspicious, Rauya had prepared himself for a prison cell. Instead, he had been led to a building that looked like a perfectly ordinary establishment. It seemed they didn't suspect him of being an agent of a hostile force.
(Well, this works out for the best. Making them unnecessarily wary would only make my job harder.)
Rauya had allowed himself to be led away quietly because he was confident he could escape even from a prison. Even if they possessed some means to nullify magic, they wouldn't be able to suppress the Power of Silver. He calculated that as long as he survived the initial questioning, he would be free to move as he pleased.
That said, if a spy were known to be loitering in the vicinity, security would inevitably tighten. Considering the alternative, this was a favorable turn of events.
"So, why did you bring me here?"
"What do you mean 'why'? This is a restaurant, so we’re here for food, obviously."
"No, I suppose that’s true, but..."
Gobusa’s answer was concise. His attitude suggested he was merely stating the obvious.
Indeed, it was clear this was an eatery the moment they stepped inside. Several sets of tables and chairs were lined up throughout the room. Other customers were already seated, preoccupied with whatever they were eating. There was no way to miss it; Rauya had realized where they were the moment they walked in. That wasn't what he was actually asking.
"I'm asking why you would bring a complete stranger to a restaurant. And... is this actually a restaurant? There’s a peculiar scent in the air..."
Rauya added the clarification, though he found the explanation tedious. He lowered his voice for the second half of his question out of consideration for the staff. Very few proprietors would take a comment about a "peculiar scent" as a compliment. Avoiding unnecessary friction was vital for an undercover investigation. Still, he couldn't help but mention it—he simply couldn't ignore the aroma.
It was an intense, strangely appetizing scent. Every customer had ordered the same thing, consuming it with single-minded devotion. As an information gathering agent for the cult, Rauya had traveled to many countries, yet he had no knowledge of this dish. At most, he had encountered something with a similar aroma in the Zephyrson Clan Union, but it had looked completely different, and the smell hadn't been nearly this pungent.
"Nahahaha! That’s it, that’s the reaction I was looking for! You looked so shocked back at the wall, I figured you’d give me another great reaction here!"
As Gobusa laughed and pointed a finger at him, Rauya could only offer a sullen "I see" in response. He wasn't particularly offended by the man’s rudeness. Many of the warrior class—especially the low-ranking members—were boorish. If he let every slight bother him, his spirit would eventually wear thin. Having dealt with his fair share of such types, Rauya could let it pass with a heart as calm as a still sea.
Rather, he was reeling from a different realization.
(A "great reaction"? ...Is it possible I’m simply not cut out for undercover work?)
It was a truth he didn't want to face, especially after spending years carrying out infiltration missions for the cult. He felt a sudden, overwhelming urge to weep.
(No, that's not it. This town is what's strange. Everything about it is bizarre.)
Telling himself that, Rauya managed to pull himself together.
"So, what exactly does this place serve?"
"Ah, sorry, sorry. This is a curry shop. Well, they're serving other dishes for now, but once another cafeteria is built, they're supposedly going to stick strictly to curry."
"...Curry."
As expected, it was a dish Rauya didn't know. Delighted by the response, Gobusa called over a shop staff member, announcing that he would treat Rauya to a meal as an apology for the earlier fright.
"Ah, Gobusa-san, welcome. And this is... a new customer, I see."
"Hey, Jester-san. That's right. He just arrived in town today. I figured I’d let him try the curry."
The man who emerged from the back appeared to be an employee. He was remarkably well-built for someone working in a restaurant, but otherwise seemed unremarkable. However, Rauya felt a sharp jolt of recognition.
(I've seen him somewhere before. Jester? ...Wait, is that Jester of the Bandelt Group?!)
The man wore a pleasant, friendly smile, making his aura completely different from what Rauya remembered. However, he was certain he wasn't mistaken. Jester, the man who led the Bandelt Group's subordinates, was a notorious member of their militant faction who lived for the fight. His body was covered in countless scars from blades—exactly like the man standing before him.
(Why is Jester here?! Is he on an undercover mission too? No, he’s not the type for that kind of subtle work. Was his reputation for being a meathead just a deception?)
While Rauya spiraled into confusion, Gobusa and Jester continued their cordial conversation.
"I'll take two curries with the tonkatsu topping! Let's go all out!"
"Hahaha, thank you very much."
"Curry’s practically the signature dish of God Tort by now."
"...So, the town’s name is officially God Tort then? I thought Great Molybdenum was still a candidate."
"Well, you know... It's true there are a lot of Molybdenum Group guys among the settlers, but honestly, we had nothing to do with how this place was built. Tort's contributions are so massive that it’s hard to imagine calling it anything else..."
"But Master Tort hates the idea, doesn't he?"
"Well, yeah, there is that."
The two discussed the naming of the town. Only ten days had passed since its construction, and its official name remained undecided. Those associated with Molybdenum were hesitant to use their name because of their low contribution to the town's founding, while those close to Tort were wary of using his name because the man himself was reportedly unhappy with the idea.
Regardless, the discussion wasn't going to be settled by the two of them. They eventually dropped the subject, and Jester retreated to the kitchen to prepare the order.
The name of the man deeply involved in the town's creation—Tort—had come up repeatedly during the conversation. Unfortunately, Rauya had been so preoccupied with deciphering Jester’s motives that the name completely escaped his notice.
Perhaps he really wasn't suited for undercover work after all.