Early morning.
The faint glow seeping through the inn room window signaled the arrival of dawn.
Thanks to this, Daniel, who had been lying perfectly still, began to stir.
Daniel’s eyes snapped open reflexively, glanced toward the window, and let out a wry chuckle.
“Morning, huh. I was sure I planned to sleep in until noon…”
Despite intentionally going to bed late, it seemed his habits as an operations staff officer hadn’t faded yet.
“Hmph, spent a year as a staff officer in General Staff Headquarters…can’t expect those habits to change overnight.”
With self-deprecating thoughts, Daniel sat up and ran a hand across his face.
Though his body felt slightly stiff, his fatigue seemed gone – not bad at all.
“Hmm…today’s the day…”
Daniel slowly recalled his schedule amidst a drowsy mind and nodded.
“It’s the day I’m visiting Ref’s mansion.”
That mischievous young lady successfully invited Daniel to her mansion by dangling money as bait.
The problem was that Ref hadn’t disclosed the mansion’s location.
So Daniel had asked how he was supposed to find the mansion whose location he didn’t know.
To which Ref simply replied, “I’ll send someone for you when the time comes,” before leaving the cocktail bar.
“I should’ve asked who they were and what they do…”
Though given her cautious attitude, it probably wouldn’t have mattered if he’d asked.
“Well, whatever…”
Since Ref was footing the bill, there was no need to decline the dinner invitation.
“Wasn’t it a dinner invite?”
It being early morning meant quite some time remained.
While lounging around the inn doing nothing wasn’t entirely unpleasant during this rare rest day, Daniel found himself wanting to try local desserts now that he was in Belanos.
Deciding it was time to leave, Daniel got up from the bed, slipped on his slippers, and headed to the wardrobe.
Inside the open wardrobe hung neatly arranged new clothes on hangers: a tweed jacket, vest, and pants.
The overall dark gray color scheme featured subtle check patterns on the vest, adding sophistication.
These were purchased by Daniel after receiving the dinner invitation.
“That girl definitely seems like nobility…”
To maintain at least a minimal level of dignity, he’d specially acquired appropriately priced clothing.
What others might see as unnecessary fussing was important to Daniel.
“At a dinner gathering, Ref’s family will likely be there too.”
The ones actually providing the funds were most probably Ref’s parents rather than Ref herself.
Thus, the ones Daniel needed to win over weren’t Ref but her parents.
Naturally, getting on their good side would increase the potential earnings.
Hence, Daniel had invested in high-quality attire even at personal expense.
Aristocrats are inherently sensitive to one’s appearance.
It wasn’t without reason that the monastery dressed children in formal wear when senators and nobles visited.
Beyond that, there were other things requiring attention – walking posture, tone of voice, personality, dining etiquette, etc.
But none of these were particularly challenging for Daniel.
“After all, I’ve always handled noble interactions at the monastery.”
He knew precisely what nobles liked and disliked, so earning points wouldn’t be difficult.
“One last push. For my identity laundering and future bakery…”
Having resolved, Daniel entered the bathroom, cleaned up briefly, changed clothes, tidied his hair in front of the mirror, put on sunglasses, and left the inn.
Warm sunlight greeted him, hard to believe winter was approaching.
Thinking what great weather it was, Daniel proceeded to a famous dessert shop in Belanos as originally planned.
Weaving through the crowd, he secured a seat inside the dessert shop when a server approached.
The server, sensing a strange charm from Daniel sitting casually by the window, asked:
“May I take your order?”
Glancing at the server, Daniel nodded.
“One triple scoop please, with coffee.”
“One triple scoop and coffee…got it.”
Smiling at Daniel, the server turned and walked away.
Having placed his order, Daniel relaxed, gazing beyond the window.
Being located on the second floor, the view outside was quite expansive, showing a giant trading ship sounding its horn as it approached.
Flocks of seagulls soared high into the sky in response to the horn.
It was a truly picturesque scene that brought a sense of peace.
“This is the real life…”
For Daniel, being able to enjoy such peace, free from constant fear of death, was a luxury akin to heaven.
In such a good mood, he hummed a tune until the server returned.
“Here’s your triple scoop and coffee.”
The server placed the items on the table.
As Daniel prepared to thank them, he paused.
There were three almond cookies included.
“Huh? Did I order almond cookies?”
“Nope. Consider the almond cookies a complimentary treat.”
“Complimentary, huh? Thanks. Seems like there are many kind people in Belanos.”
Daniel’s smile caused the server to blush unnoticed.
“S-so…enjoy your meal.”
Bowing quickly, the server hurried off.
Though curious about this, Daniel didn’t dwell on it much.
The important thing now was the triple scoop.
Lifting his fork, Daniel gently cut into the strawberry-topped triple scoop and took a bite.
A fresh, smooth, and sweet flavor spread throughout his mouth.
Satisfied, Daniel unconsciously spoke aloud:
“Aide-de-camp, this is a proper establishment, you should try some…”
Mid-sentence, Daniel stopped.
Realizing he’d instinctively looked for Lucy in the empty opposite seat.
Finding this absurd, Daniel chuckled softly.
“Escaped only to start looking for a spy trying to kill me…”
Such was the power of habit.
Still…
If Lucy were here, eating would have been more fun.
Seeing Lucy lose composure while eating this dessert was something he could vividly imagine.
Her reluctant admiration despite not wanting to admit it was amusing to watch.
Not that this made him want to return to the empire at all.
“Should be content with this current peace…”
Shaking off such thoughts, Daniel cut another piece of the triple scoop with his fork and ate it.
For some reason, it wasn’t as delicious as the first bite.
*
The trading ship arrived at Tentarvahem Harbor in Belanos, confirmed its mooring position, and dropped anchor.
After securing the ship to the dock with mooring lines and setting up the boarding ramp, the crew began moving cargo.
Among them moved members of the secret organization Black Crow.
Over thirty men dressed in black suits descended the ramp into Tentarvahem.
They all moved in unison as if following a silent agreement.
Merchants and touts near the port dared not approach them, intimidated by their serious expressions and fierce gazes.
Though no one knew why they were here or who they were, rumors began circulating that they might be mafia.
Their leader Hamtal paid no heed to such whispers.
Their black suits were worn specifically to mourn Daniel Steiner.
“Daniel Steiner is dead…right here…”
The prophet symbolizing the abolition of racial discrimination had become a martyr in Belanos.
Intellectually, Black Crow understood this, but emotionally, they couldn’t accept it.
This emotional disconnect fueled their rage and drove them to find whoever contributed to Daniel Steiner’s death at any cost.
“Sir.”
One subordinate approached Hamtal leading the group.
“Should we focus all efforts on identifying the culprit as instructed?”
At the subordinate’s question, Hamtal nodded.
“Belanos is corrupt with aristocrats, politicians, and military alike. Bribe them and they’ll readily reveal who ordered the territorial waters opened. Follow the leads to track them down.”
“Understood. But if someone refuses to cooperate…”
“Make them cooperate.”
At Hamtal’s cold tone, the subordinate silently acknowledged understanding the implications.
Retreating to relay the orders, the subordinate left.
Hamtal stared ahead, gritting his teeth.
“I don’t know who you are. But you will bitterly regret killing our prophet. We will find you…”
Gripping his fist so tightly his leather gloves creaked.
“And punish you thoroughly!”
