Be Careful When Agreeing to Terms and Conditions

2. Heading North in Liweol (6)

It was late at night. Beyond midnight, now entering the time transitioning into dawn.

I had grilled a few ‘mushroom chicken skewers’ suitable as snacks and was enjoying them, accompanied by Mond’s specialty, dandelion wine.

I wasn’t the only one participating in this late-night small drinking gathering. The reason this modest drinking session happened was because of the woman in front of me.

With blue hair and mysterious violet eyes, the beauty introduced herself as the ‘Executive Secretary of Moonlit Justice,’ bearing the name ‘Gamwoo.’

The fact that this small gathering opened was due to my casual kindness towards her during the hygiene inspection of my restaurant.

If she had not accepted that kindness, or even if she had accepted it but only ate one serving of Seondo-jang and left cleanly, our connection might have left an impression of being just ‘nice people’ and ended there.

However, Gamwoo turned out to be surprisingly hearty. The reason she looked at the ‘Seondo-jang’ with complex emotions in her eyes was not due to any memories but because it was her ‘favorite food.’ One that she hadn’t eaten for a very long time.

According to her, although she usually managed to control her appetite, it seemed challenging to restrain herself when it came to ‘Seondo-jang.’

As I listened to her words, I recalled her slender figure. From the first time I saw her, I thought she was quite beautiful, and it seemed that Gamwoo, too, had her own efforts to maintain that body.

Anyway, the fact that Gamwoo, who had eaten four servings of that expensive Seondo-jang, became somewhat awkwardly uncertain about leaving right away. So, in the end, she stayed in the restaurant, and we opened a modest drinking gathering.

The skewers I prepared served as snacks, and the drink was ‘Mond Mountain Liquor.’ However, Gamwoo didn’t drink because she had to go to work early the next morning. So, I treated her to ‘Apple Wine,’ which is famous after ‘Dandelion Wine.’

Since Apple Wine is a non-alcoholic beverage, she could drink it without any burden.

Gamwoo still couldn’t meet my gaze properly. It seemed like she was caught doing something embarrassing, perhaps thinking, ‘Could he be suggesting I eat more?’

But, well, truth be told, I didn’t have any particular thoughts about how much she ate. Eating a lot is not a sin.

In fact, from the perspective of someone who cooked, it was better for her to enjoy the food rather than nibbling. Of course, Seondo-jang was an expensive dish, but I had created it through a kind of ‘cooking’ function, and the recent restaurant sales were beyond my imagination, so it wasn’t a burden.

Moreover, now that I had signed a contract worth five hundred million mora, it was only natural to treat the leader to a few dishes.

In an attempt to break the awkward atmosphere, I cleared my throat and coughed. When Gamyu’s gaze shifted towards me, I spoke up.

“By the way, Gamyu, are you a secretary?”

“…Yes, I am the overall secretary of Wolhaejeong. To be more precise, I am the secretary of ‘Liweol Chilseong’.”

Gamyu nodded in response to my question. The term ‘overall secretary’ itself was intriguing, but when I heard the words ‘Liweol Chilseong’ that followed, my curiosity deepened even more.

When you hear the word ‘secretary’, people often imagine someone who stutters in front of a conglomerate, just like in dramas. However, that is only because the other party is a ‘conglomerate’. In reality, being a secretary is a position that belongs to a very high rank.

They assist high-ranking officials in the organization and handle schedules and various important tasks. As they serve the individuals in key positions from the closest proximity, it goes without saying that they must earn the trust of the organization and receive recognition from various aspects.

And when it becomes an organization at the national level, a ‘secretariat’ is established separately to oversee the coordination of various major affairs of the country and the consultation process with each ministry. I speculated that the place where Gamyu worked, Wolhaejeong, might be fulfilling that role of the ‘secretariat’.

But Gamyu was the ‘overall secretary’ among them. It was obvious that it was a very high position, not to mention the fact that he was the secretary of ‘Liweol Chilseong’.

I had heard of ‘Liweol Chilseong’ before. They were the giants who ruled over Liweol, the seven leaders who governed Liweol, each overseeing the ministries and wielding corresponding authority.

Except for the new imperial army commander-in-chief of Liweol, it could be said that there was no one who could challenge the authority of the Chilseong in Liweol.

In other words, they were the highest-ranking officials in Liweol, the ministers of a country without a president.

Of course, it was said that there was a practical leader of the Chilseong called ‘Cheonchu-seong’, but let’s put that aside.

Anyway, if Gamyu was the secretary of ‘Liweol Chilseong’, I had to think that the authority he possessed also came from ‘Liweol Chilseong’. After all, the position of a secretary is determined by the radiance of the person they serve.

So, the conclusion is this. Gamyu is one of the highest-ranking officials in Liweol.

Why would such a person, let alone someone belonging to the secretariat, be responsible for a hygiene inspection that has nothing to do with their duties?

And on top of that, why at this late hour?

Unable to find an answer no matter how much I thought, I couldn’t contain my curiosity and asked Gamyu a question.

“But why a hygiene inspection…?”

Finally, Gamyu seemed to understand the intention behind my question and went, “Ah.”

She responded with a nonchalant tone, as if it were nothing.

“These days, there have been many complaints about the nearby restaurants. So, I decided to conduct hygiene inspections as soon as possible. Everyone is too busy, so I volunteered. After all, I work until this time every day.”

“…Every day?”

I was more chilled by the harsh working conditions of Gangwu, who worked until this time every day, than the ominousness of the Liyue merchants collectively requesting hygiene inspections of prosperous establishments.

Even the exhausted Mondstadt’s Wine Director seemed extremely fatigued due to exceeding limits, but compared to Gangwu, it felt like nothing.

However, Gangwu, as if questioning any issue with my reaction, just stared blankly with wide eyes.

Could it be that people in high positions on the Teyvat continent have to deal with such demanding work on a daily basis? It felt like my common sense was collapsing.

“Uh, you’ll be coming to work early tomorrow as well?”

“Yes, now that midnight has passed, today is already tomorrow.”

“Every day like this?”

“Yes, unless there’s something special…?”

As she said that, Gangwu chuckled, with an attitude that seemed to question why I was asking such a thing.

I observed Gangwu’s expression. While she was momentarily immersed in happiness after eating the Shendu noodles, soon an unmistakable fatigue appeared on her face.

Thinking that all of it was accumulated fatigue from work, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for Gangwu.

“Don’t you get tired working like that?”

In response to my question, Gangwu gave a bitter smile. Even if she claimed not to be tired, just by reading the youthful appearance on her face, anyone could tell it was a lie.

“It’s okay. I made a ‘promise’ a long time ago… And what I do is far from what my lord has done, it’s much less.”

As she spoke, Gangwu, as if recalling someone deep in her heart, placed a hand on her chest and smiled gently.

The term ‘my lord’ probably referred to the ‘Geo Archon.’ Gangwu seemed to deeply respect the Lord of Geo, Morax.

But a ‘promise made a long time ago,’ while pouring dandelion wine into a cup, I felt another curiosity arise.

By the way, how old is Mr. Gam Woo?

At first glance, he appeared to be in his late twenties or early thirties, but if he held the position of Secretary-General of the Moonlit Court at that age, he must be an exceptional individual.

“Um, excuse me, but may I ask how old you are, Mr. Gam Woo?”

“Oh, um, well….”

Surprisingly, Mr. Gam Woo stumbled over his words, his face showing signs of unease. It seemed that he was sensitive to such questions.

Asking a woman about her age seemed to be impolite even in the Teyvat continent. I felt a cold sweat.

Damn, I made a mistake. It was a problem that I casually teased him without thinking while drunk.

However, the kind-hearted Mr. Gam Woo, instead of scolding me, fidgeted with his hands in a slightly flustered manner and lowered his head.

And he answered in a mosquito-like voice.

“Perhaps, it’s much older than you think….”

Hmm, then thirty? Maybe forty?

It seemed that one needed to be of that age to have the appropriate weight for such a position. Unlike Mondstadt, which was known as the “City of Freedom” and was probably fine as long as you had the ability, Liyue, as a country inspired by China, an Eastern nation, valued age and prestige.

I couldn’t help but admire that thought. But how could he maintain such beauty? There was no other way to explain it except as a miracle.

“…Is it still strange? No matter how much I age, I remain in this form.”

However, with a slightly embarrassed tone, Gam Woo asked me.

There was a faint sense of unease in her eyes as she raised her head. Why is she like that? I wonder what happened.

I smirked and shrugged my shoulders.

“Is that strange? On the contrary, it’s quite remarkable.”

“…Remarkable, you say?”

Gam Woo’s eyes widened as if she had heard unexpected words.

In response to her question, I nodded as if it were obvious.

“Yes, it’s quite remarkable. Keeping a promise made long ago even as one ages, not procrastinating one’s own work, and maintaining consideration for others even in the midst of fatigue. I believe these are truly important virtues as a human being.”

“As a ‘human,’ important virtues…”

Gamu repeated my words absentmindedly. Was there a reason for emphasizing the term ‘human’?

It was an unknowable matter. Seizing the opportunity, I continued speaking.

“That’s right. In reality, as we age, we tend to forget and give up on many things. When I was young, I had dreams, but looking back now, I’m not even sure what those dreams were… Even this guy in his mid-20s is like that, so Gamu-san, you truly are amazing.”

“I-Is that so…”

Gamu-san blushed slightly, looking embarrassed by my praise. It was an innocence untouched by time, an unpolluted purity.

“So please don’t worry too much. Taking everything into account, Gamu-san looks about my age even though he’s much older. Oh, right. From now on, should I address you as ‘Nuni’?”

Perhaps it was the effect of the alcohol, but despite being a bold suggestion for a first meeting, there was no hesitation in my words.

Gamu-san, taken aback by my proposal, stuttered in response.

“N-Nuni?”

“Yes, Nuni. Let’s call it fate. You can call me ‘Jeol Dongsaeng.'”

‘Shiu Dongsaeng,’ I said with a chuckle.

It was probably nothing special, calling someone ‘Nuni’ and referring to someone as ‘Dongsaeng.’

After all, I was the one who would leave, and even if I occasionally visited Liyue, my true dwelling place was Mondstadt with Lumine.

If Lumine were to leave Mondstadt, I wouldn’t know, but I hadn’t left Mondstadt yet. For me, the center of the Teyvat continent was Lumine.

Gamu seemed to hesitate for a moment, then sighed deeply.

“Sigh… This restaurant really has a unique charm. I originally planned to just do a hygiene check and leave, but to receive such hospitality, even a meal…”

While saying that, Gamu closed his eyes, subtly revealing a gentle smile. A calm and warm smile that naturally melted the hearts of those who witnessed it.

The smile of a beauty was always picturesque. It made me understand why Emperor Yu of Ju Dynasty went through all sorts of nonsense just to see the smile of a Buddhist nun.

“Thank you for saying kind words, Siu. I appreciate it.”

‘Kind words’? What did I say?

I tilted my head, but nothing came to mind.

Well, it’s probably nothing. I thought that way and said to Lady Kamu.

“The restaurant will be closing soon, but we’ll be staying for another week, so feel free to come by often. We can also offer you your favorite ‘Sun Tofu’.”

“……Can you please forget about that?”

I burst into laughter when I saw Lady Kamu blushing and lowering her head again. She was truly innocent.

And so, thanks to that, I gained another person to accompany me in Liyue.

**

After Kamu left, several days passed.

During that time, the restaurant ran smoothly. The hygiene inspection went well, and with the presence of Pisel and Oz, the customers’ satisfaction naturally increased.

After a week full of various events, on the night when the last customer left.

I gave the hardworking employees the promised double wages and decided to have a modest celebration with Pisel and Oz.

We had been eating Mondstadt recipes until now, so I prepared the post-celebration food mainly with the recently completed Liyue recipes.

Pisel and Oz’s reactions were unanimously positive. Well, if the food is delicious, there’s no doubt they’ll praise it.

By the way, the remaining week was the problem.

There were various things to do during the remaining week. Meeting Tartaglia to confirm the goods, conducting the transaction, finding the hidden recipes of Liyue, and so on.

In my heart, I wanted to rush to Mondstadt immediately to see Lumine. I missed the sound of Paimon’s nagging, and I was worried if Amber was doing well.

Everyone must be having a hard time because of the threat of the Anemo Archon.

However, the distance between Liyue and Mondstadt was quite far, and considering the various threats that lingered in between, it was only right to handle everything that could be dealt with upon arriving in Liyue.

As I thought about spending the remaining week without any hitches and returning to Liyue, I was pouring myself a drink.

Out of the blue, Paimon started speaking. It seemed like she had something to say.

I looked at Paimon with a newfound interest. Paimon, wearing a fluffy waitress outfit, had a charm different from her usual self.

Her usual tight-fitting attire accentuated the curves of her body, revealing a subtly alluring charm. Past adolescence, the outfit now showcased Paimon as not just a child. It combined the cute charm of the Paimon with a feeling that added the allure of an adult.

However, the waitress outfit was different. It was airy and didn’t cling to her body. The white headband emphasized Paimon’s charm befitting her age.

Cute. Her usual attire made it difficult to see her clearly, as it revealed the curves in a way that was hard to focus on, but Paimon in the waitress outfit was just an easy-to-look-at cute girl.

Well, this is the right choice of attire.

As I praised my choice inwardly, Paimon, who had been hesitating, finally spoke up.

“Master, my liege! Will you not accompany me to the secret festival that unfolds when the new twilight hour arrives?”

“The lady asks if you won’t join her at the night market tomorrow night.”

Still somewhat challenging to understand without Oz’s translation, but I was getting used to it now.

‘Night market.’ I stroked my chin as if contemplating and said,

“Is it a date?”

“……Oh, no!”

I heard Paimon’s voice, red-faced, and thought,

It’s either a date or it’s not, why get mad and make a fuss.

And so, after the closure of Xiangling’s restaurant in Liyue Harbor, my first plan was to explore Liyue’s night market with Paimon.