I'll Have the Usual
I'm exhausted...
Ugh... I got back late last night and barely slept...
Do Princess Frey and the Captain really intend to join forces with Tyria...?
All I want is [to keep living my peaceful daily life].
I've been living quietly in Monastir all this time.
Is something wrong?
No, forgive me! I was just thinking... so this is what real [composure] feels like...
[Composure]...?
N-no, I mean... that you seem very familiar with this place!
I do come here every Friday for perfomances, so perhaps that's why.
...
...As Grand Master, I don't even know what the right choice is anymore...
Ah, this isn't good. I can't think straight since I haven't eaten properly since yesterday...
...At times like this, I should go somewhere I can eat in peace...
Hello!
Oh my, is that you, Charlotte?
Or should I be calling you Grand Master Charlotte now?
No, no! Just Charlotte is fine, like before!
I'm still not used to being called Grand Master yet...
Ahahaha, I know, I know. It's just been so long, I just had to say it once.
Ehehe... Sorry it's been so long since I last dropped by... Ever since becoming Grand Master, I barely have any personal time anymore...
So then? Have you gotten used to your new rank?
I-I still have a long way to go...
Ahahaha, you were always spirited back when you were a rookie knight, but you were prone to getting shy and flustered, too.
Still, you'll become a wonderful Grand Master soon enough! Everyone here is cheering for you!
Thank you... *Sniffle...*
Then we'd better make sure our Grand Master eats well!
...The usual [Charlotte Set]?
Yes, the [Charlotte Set]...!
It'll take some time to prepare. Go ahead and sit wherever you like.
Yes, ma'am!
Hmm. So you're a regular here?
Yes, I used to come almost every—
...Eh?
...W-w-w-what?! T-T-T-Tyria?!
How—I mean, what are you doing here?!
Could you keep it down while I'm eating?
And put that sword away before the owner gets worried.
While... You're eating...?
Oh? Do you two know each other?
What a surprise! Two of our regulars actually know each other!
What...? S-she's... a regular too?
Yes, and like you, she hasn't visited in quite a while.
Perfect timing then. Why don't you two sit together and eat! I'll even bring out a special dessert for the two of you!
Ah, b-b-b-but I...
Such a busybody... seriously...
...
...
...So you're a regular here?
I was. About five years ago.
With everything going on lately, this was one of the few places still open. So I stopped by again.
...Still tastes just as good as ever.
You... used to come here often?
To be precise, I came so often I got tired of it.
...O-oh.
...
What? Do you have something you want to say?
If you've lived in Monastir for that long... don't people find that strange?
Hmph. What a foolish question.
I change my appearance and identity regularly.
Of course, I made sure to study how you humans operated as well.
...Hmm.
Where are you from?
H-huh?
Where were you born and raised? Doesn't seem like you're from the capital.
Spr... [Springwind] village...
What? [Springwind]? Ahahahahaha!
W-what's so funny?!
I figured it was the countryside, but that really is the middle of nowhere! Ahahaha!
S-Springwind isn't the middle of nowhere! Th-there's even a proper road for vehicles now!
Oh really? Sounds like it's changed quite a bit then. Ahahaha.
...Ngh.
...The lake there near the village is beautiful, though.
! Y-you know about it...?
Yes. Though I don't know what it's called now...
Before I settled into human society, I wandered through remote places like it.
On summer nights, I used to sit by that lake for days, watching the constellations reflected on the water.
...
And over time, while I still enjoyed watching nature...
I started finding it interesting to watch how humans lived, even though I hadn't understood them before.
And I've been living like this ever since.
...Then you really...
You really were trying to destroy the Heart of the Star... for Monastir's sake?
Hmph. How many times do I have to repeat myself?
But yes... At first, I didn't intend to go that far.
Maybe I've stayed here too long.
In this city.
Just like you, I want Monastir to stay peaceful.
I told you, didn't I? I've lived here since long before any of you were born.
I just want that life to continue as long as possible.
Every Tuesday morning, I always have breakfast at Rene's...
On Wednesday afternoons, I go shopping on Vers Street.
And on Friday evenings, I watch performances at Moco Theater.
That's why I need the foolish humans of this foolish nation...
To keep living their foolish lives...
...Yes.
That's what I want.
...Me too.
Huh?
I also wanted everyone in Monastir to keep living peacefully...
That's why I became... a knight.
If it's to protect everyone, no matter the situation...
I'll stand and fight.
...
Hmph... I see.
Well, you made my meal more entertaining than expected.
Tell the others to wait. I'll come by tonight.
...W-what are you planning to do?
...
Honestly... I've been thinking it over.
And our combined strength isn't that bad.
And besides...
You also have [that man] with you.
[That man]...?
...If I'm going to make a move, now's the best time.
That evening, Tyria passed through the palace gates without being stopped and knocked on the door of the quarters where the Voyager Savior Party was staying.
Without answering how she managed that...
You understand that if I'd had different intentions, things would have turned out much worse, right?
Well then... let's try trusting each other.
She accepted our proposal to join forces with us.