Senate Debates and Tavern Vibes

The door slammed shut behind me.

Great, now how am I supposed to get out of here?

The space was lined with tiered seats, with nearly all of them occupied by chatting nobles. In the middle was a stage where anyone could stand up to speak.

Light filtered into the chamber through the narrow windows, and the flags of the Tessalian Empire hung on the walls. A golden cross on blue background, surrounded by two purple dragons flying in a circle.

An elderly man with gray hair stepped onto the stage. He raised his hand briefly and within seconds the room fell silent.

“I, High Consul Vash, overseer of debates, and caretaker of this Imperial Capitol, hereby open this session of the Senate!”

The spectators listened as he spoke, occasionally glaring at each other with smug faces. They knew Vash’s speeches had no end.

“I wish you to be just and truthful as you talk before the Gods of Integrity! However, let not your hearts be tempted by deceitful Demons who desire havoc among humankind!”

Oh, so they were expecting me.

“Now speak up, as our meeting begins under the Gods’ gaze! Today our companion, Consul Magne, returned from the borders of our nation. Let us hear what he has to say, shall we?”

I took a deep breath.

They began questioning him already?

Give me a break…

Why did I have the feeling he knew exactly that this would happen?

With that, High Consul Vash sat back down in his seat on the first row, Magne then rose and approached the stage, his steps long and heavy. He looked as if he was prepared for anything.

His standing there was the perfect opportunity for me to find out a little more about this guy. I won’t add him to the list of favorites though, he was giving me the creeps.

I clicked on him and his profile popped up.

«Entity Profile»

ID: 23099525

Name: Theo Nero Magne

Age: 26

Status: Alive

Classification: Human

Attribute: Military Consul, General of the Imperial Army

System Access: None

Options:

Add to Favorites

Theo Nero Magne, huh...

He formally bowed to the crowd.

“Thank you for letting me be the first to unburden myself before you all. I was hoping our travel would go smoothly, yet as I stand here now, my memories of it convey only tension and danger. What I’ve seen in the North has changed everything I’ve once believed.”

Then without a word, he pulled back part of his cloak just enough to reveal what he wanted. On his right side, part of his clothing was torn to shreds, revealing scratches and impact wounds, still red.

The audience was shocked. This guy was a general, so he knew how to fight anything. Nobody expected that the Empire’s strongest fighter would come back like this.

“The Northern Territories are ruthless and wild. I’ve not only heard this before, but I’m telling you now as a fact. The mountains and forests there are not inhabited by men, but by monsters who want nothing but blood.”

Those wounds were wolf-sized, except that the marks didn't match any animal, but human-like clawed hands.

Snapping his fingers now, a young Senator appeared next to him, carrying a crate. He then gestured for him to open it and take out what was inside one by one.

I leaned closer to the screen.

What was he trying to show?

A series of gasps came out from the crowd.

In his hand was a large gnarled skull and a long jagged arrow.

“This creature was an adult goblin. And this arrow was what he used to wound me—as multiple of his kind raided our camp—before he tore into my flesh with his claws.”

Magne then drove the boy away and pushed the crate over, causing a pile of twisted daggers, broken shields and swords to spill out.

“All that you see here was obtained in self-defense from those monsters of the North who attacked the camp, thinking they could kill us and steal our belongings for themselves.”

Whispers stirred as people began to ask questions all at once.

“I’m sorry, what’s the meaning of this? There’s a diplomatic truce between the Empire and the North!”

“Is that so?” his voice turned sharp. “You all count a handshake with these savages as truce? What kind of truce lets their guests return in pieces?”

Berro, the man with the goatee, interjected. His voice was smooth, yet dismissive.

“You of all people should know, that these ‘monsters’ could one day serve us, as the truce will open the way for alliances. We’ll be able to create an army more powerful than what we have now with these creatures fighting on our side.”

Magne turned to his challenger, and I could see the fire burning in his eyes.

“You are an utter fool Berro, if you think I would ever allow these vile mongrels to ally with us! I don’t care of their potential, I don’t care about their resources or craftsmanship. False alliances are a backstabber’s best weapon!”

“Are you calling me a fool?!”

There was confusion for a few minutes. Magne didn’t speak, only watched as Berro’s friends tried to calm him down. Others, however, could only interject, asking about alliances, truths, credibility, and lies.

They questioned his scars, his evidence, but didn’t get their answers.

In the middle of everything, Magne yelled out, outshouting everyone with his deep voice.

“Let there be war!”

‘The hell did you say?!

Silence fell yet again, with the Senators and Consuls not knowing what to say. Even the smallest whispers died out.

When he saw that everyone was listening to him, he continued a little less loudly, but even so—only his voice echoed around the room.

“I say to hell with any truce! My wounds and bounty are a foretaste of what awaits us if we allow the Northern beasts to live! Pain and death! You believe what you want, but I’ll prepare my soldiers, and recommend fortifying the city’s defenses and prepare for possible attacks!”

“Enough of this nonsense, boy!” Berro snapped, rising to his feet. “You will not incite anyone to anything here with your fancy words! You dare to call yourself a soldier, even a General?!”

He turned to face everyone, then began to speak from his heart.

“Have we fallen so low that this brat is leading our armies? This is no general before us! May I remind you: our real generals were old and wise! They knew how to get the enemy on their side and make them eternal allies who aided our Empire for centuries!”

Honestly? I agreed with Berro. I couldn’t believe that at my age, this funny-haired guy was leading an army. He may have trained all his life, but he sure didn’t have the skills to fight a real war.

In a scenario like that, he’d be nothing more than a screaming lunatic.

Berro pointed to the stage. “If this hot-blooded brat wants to take his calling seriously, I suggest he shut his mouth and learn before making decisions our nation will regret!”

Two others stood up beside him, sighing with heavy hearts. They were the two who’d arrived with Berro, if I wasn’t wrong.

“I second this. The plans you're forming are beyond pathetic.”

“I third this. If you really want to earn your way to be our General, then accept that you can’t do such a deed.”

Magne clenched his fists and drew in a deep breath, as if dialing his rage down just by one notch. He didn't speak yet, he considered what to say first. How to come back from this humiliation.

It was as if he had already plotted out what he had to do…

Vash spoke up then, with a slight disappointment in his voice, yet still managed some sympathy.

“Consul Magne... We have listened to your concerns, and we truly feel what you must feel right now. But I warn you, our Senate will not tolerate this thoughtless speech. I advise you to control yourself, otherwise we have authority to strip you from your rank if necessary.”

There was an unexpected response.

A chuckle, which turned into a mocking laughter.

“Don’t worry about a thing then, I’m already out of here. I see you’re better off without me anyway. Let’s see how long that lasts...”

He turned away and marched off straight for the exit, laughing to himself the entire way.

I followed him. Not because I cared where he was going, but because I didn't want to stay here any longer.

◆ ◆ ◆

I found Lupa where she was before the meeting.

She spun around as soon as someone stepped out of the chamber. Through the screen I could feel her heart pounding nervously at the sight of her superior.

“Sir, is everything—”

“You leave me be now!”

Magne stormed past her, footsteps echoing with anger. The guards in the rest of the hall listened tensely, quickly turning away lest the general pounce on them as well.

I paused a moment before the knight-girl.

Every time she had spoken to him so far, he’d pushed her away. Besides, she had the same responsibility as a knight as a high-ranking policeman these days. She kept order because it was expected of her, only in the meantime she was suppressing her own will.

“You don’t deserve this,” I muttered, but she didn’t seem to notice.

I noticed the hall was a bit darker. Peeking out the narrow open windows behind the statues and pillars, I saw it was evening in Leclaire.

Why is my own room dark too?

It was getting dark in Tokyo too. I quickly got my phone into my hands, looking away from my PC.

5:55 PM.

I was so immersed in this world that I’d spent a whole day in it. Would you believe that I managed to glitch out my PC, found an entire simulated world, got to explore it, met one of its residents, and explored it a bit more in a single day?

Me neither.

This day felt like a week.

CHIME!

CHIME!

Now two messages came in at once.

«Recent: Rumel has closed her stall»

«Upcoming: Rumel will go to Tavern at Ente & Ovia»

Huh? Rumel in a tavern?

Don’t get me wrong, it’s just that I’ve seen a lot of anime where the protagonists gather in taverns and there's always something unexpected happening there. Also, wasn’t she still a kid? What would a kid be doing in a tavern, seriously?

It was weird to think of her going to one of these places, but it genuinely made me curious.

I’d honestly rather do anything right now than watch Magne's antics.

Then again, I had to find that tavern on the corner of... something and something.

Since Leclaire World Navigator for some reason didn't come with a separate mini-map like most of the games I've played, I wondered how I could get there.

That's when I accidentally tapped on the event message.

Oops..

In a flash, my viewpoint automatically started moving like a blast!

It bypassed the pillars and flew out the nearest window straight into the candlelit city. I could barely follow it as it navigated over the streets for a while, then descended and stopped at an ordinary crossroads.

Are you for real? Is there a fast-travel feature in the app?! How could I not have tried it before?!

The crossroads was lined with the same medieval houses, but between the two streets was a distinct wood and brick building. It was shorter than the other structures around it, but longer, and through its windows figures sat and chatted in the lit interior.

Yep, this was a real Isekai tavern experience. If only the Tessalian Empire had an adventurer’s guild, this place would’ve completed the set.

Okay, that’s where I belong!

It wasn’t a minute before a few people entered, so I followed. I flew over their heads and straight in among the tables and people.

The sight that greeted me was like no other.

The Tavern at Ente & Ovia was a beautiful place—clean, pleasant, loud with laughter, clinking glasses, overflowing with guests. One of them was playing a lute at the fireplace at the back of the room.

Not to mention the barmaids...

Almost all of their staff were demi-humans. Elves, cat-people, dog-people, all women. They wore matching blue and white maid’s clothes with name cards.

"Good evening! Welcome to Ente & Ovia! My name is Adiel, what can I do for you?"

Is Adiel here too?!

And sure enough, the elf-girl I saw this morning was here.

Something clicked into place in my brain just then.

How could I forget she and Rumel knew each other? It was clear she wasn’t coming here to hang out or party, but to... work.

Rumel has two jobs?

As if it just knew what I wanted an answer to, the entrance opened again behind me, ringing a small entry bell.

The familiar elf-barmaid turned and greeted with sparkling eyes.

“Hi, Rumel!”

She immediately ran over to hug the cat-girl, who was visibly tired now, but still lively.

“Hey, Adiel… don't squeeze me that hard, my eyes will pop out!”

Adiel noticed herself and gently let her go.

“Sorry! Did you have a good day? Did many people buy your tea?"

“Yeah! I even brought the month’s rent for Tara-sama.”

She pulled a small bag from her trouser pocket, tossed it up and caught it.

Wait... Did she say ‘rent’? What exactly is she renting?

“Oh, she’s in the back right now. I figure we’re out of coal and Tara-sama’s helping the others make the stew.”

There was a loud rattling from the kitchen, then a booming sound.

“I’ll do the fire, but keep it going for the Gods’ sake! Don't burn it!!!”

Rumel let out a hearty laugh, scratching her temples. “Then I guess everything’s usual.”

They went inside, where more barmaids greeted her as they were carrying out dishes of meals one after the other and running either to the storeroom or the kitchen.

She would’ve gone to change into a maid’s outfit, but Adiel, with a brief, friendly nudge, persuaded her to sit down at the bar to rest for a while. Rumel sighed as she sat next to her, keeping one tabby ear on the cozy lute music.

Before I forget…

Click!

«Entity Profile»

ID: 23100391

Name: Adiel Formarte

Age: 18

Status: Alive

Classification: Elf

Attribute: Trained Archer

System Access: None

Options:

Add to Favorites

Then I clicked again, plus one to Favorites.

“Eek!”

To everyone's surprise, the kitchen door swung wide open and steam rose from inside. A tall figure stepped out, oblivious to the heat.

I dropped my chin when I saw who it was.

A dragon-person. She looked mostly human, except for the blue scales covering her hands, neck, and long tail. Apart from these, she wore the same clothes as the others.

Man, that was a long name on her name card.

Tara Fan Dango Ca Liente, Tavern Keeper

Ah, so that was her they were talking about!

“Never mind the ruckus! Just get some water and cool things down.”

Tara would have gone on her way if she hadn't seen Adiel and Rumel. She went straight to them, right behind the bar. She must have been a head and a half taller than the average person.

“Oh, here you are, Rumel dear! I hope you haven’t been waiting here for a while.”

“Nope, I just got here,” she handed her the little bag of coins. “And I got this for you.”

Tara raised her eyebrows, flashing her lizard-eyes.

“I don’t think it’s the end of the month, dear. You shouldn’t have given it so soon.”

“I know, I know, but I’m still renting one of your rooms, so...”

I can't believe this.

So she wasn’t only working here, but also selling her own tea somewhere else, and she lived here as well?

Don’t tell me she had no home and had to rent a room at her own workplace?

I couldn’t complain either. I was living in a sharehouse in Tokyo because it was cheaper than buying an apartment, but at least it was by choice. She didn’t seem to have any choice.

As she tried to find words, Tara gave a slight smile, but kept her serious face.

“Rumel, this is a tavern, there are so many rooms that if I had to, I’d give them to you forever and not charge you anything. You don’t have to worry about dates and costs because I know you’re more than reliable to have your own room for some trivial coins.”

Straight away I felt sorry for her, because I knew what it was like. She wasn’t comfortable being dependent on her boss. I was sure she was saving what she could to make sure her home wasn’t just a tavern bedroom.

And you know what’s weird?

It’s that earlier today, I thought everyone here was an NPC. And maybe they are, but they're my intelligent NPCs, living, being happy or troubled, and working hard like anyone else.

I found myself appreciating both Rumel and Lupa more and more.

Not Magne, though.

While this young girl works two jobs to keep a living, that guy out there is trying to start wars nobody asked for.

Tara hummed a little, seeing that Rumel wasn’t backing down on giving her the coins. She wasn’t angry or anything, in fact, she seemed to get an idea.

So she finally took the small bag from her.

“Now that’s how it is. However, since I accepted something I couldn’t refuse, I’d like to give something back in return. I say that you’re only allowed to work today after you’ve had a hearty dinner.”

Rumel’s ears drooped in surprise.

“But—”

Tara raised a finger kindly.

“No ‘buts’! I insist. In fact, since we managed to cook a nice big pot of stew now, it’ll come in handy! Adiel dear, if you would...”

Adiel gave a nod, laughing, and ran to the kitchen for a portion.

Many thanks Tara.

That dragon was a great boss.

In less than a moment, she returned with a big bowl of steaming stew with lots of noodles, vegetables and meat. Then Tara laid out the cutlery in front of the startled girl.

There was no turning back, Rumel tucked in, and soon only a bit of broth remained.

So she really was hungry.

“Now, then…”

Rumel gave a small nod toward the dressing rooms, and when no one objected, she hurried off before someone could pull her into another bargain.

Dressed in her blue and white maid’s outfit, she set out to eat. Rushing to take the guests’ orders, drop them off at the kitchen and take the finished menus out later. She balanced glasses and bowls with her cat-tail like an expert.

I could’ve watched this for hours, it was so heartwarming and cozy. The only problem was that it was late in the real world. Luckily for me, in Leclaire, time passed slightly faster, so only a few hours later Rumel was getting sleepy.

The guests were drifting away and after about twenty minutes there were only a few guests and maids left. Adiel also said goodbye before leaving.

I looked at my phone, yawning, and saw that it was 8:31 PM.

Tomorrow I had to work, as I had some things to send to customers by the deadline. I knew it was going to take a lot of time out of the day, so I had to go to bed early.

And now turning off my computer for real.

But I waited a little longer to see if Rumel would actually finish work. When the last of the maids began turning off the lights downstairs, she finally changed and headed for the stairs.

She couldn’t see me, but I accompanied her upstairs. It felt like the least I could do. I was there with her as she walked through the corridor upstairs, passing by several closed doors and then finding her own.

She opened it with a small key.

The bedroom was a bit bigger than mine, with a small chest of drawers, a wardrobe and a made-up bed. She threw herself down on the bed and fell asleep.

I sighed in relief, smiling. She deserved a good rest.

I decided to leave the viewpoint on her room as I exited the app.

Turning off the PC, I also went to bed.