Emily was busy fighting off the barrage of questions and requests of two highly experienced bodyguards who suddenly behaved like overly excited pre-bronze adventurers that had just awakened their class and were now headed towards their first quest.

In the next building over, a dwarf was acting very similarly, the only difference being that he actually was someone who had just turned into a class-bearer for real. That and the fact that his first adventure consisted of cutting up tomatoes instead of malicious sprites that those regular newbies would normally face; though many would say the two foes were equally dangerous.

As for the sturdy woman in the building with the green windows, Severin didn’t really have a clue what she was doing right now. Nor did he care.

With his eyes closed, he simply sat in a chair in the otherwise empty café and let the sun shine pleasantly on his face.

It was truly a beautiful day.

And still, after sitting there for just about forty minutes or so, Severin’s expression started to slowly but surely grow sour.

Until after five more minutes, he couldn’t take it anymore and suddenly started lamenting, ‘it’s so damn boring.’

He opened his eyes, sat upright, and opened the System’s integrated shop with the intention of searching for a potential distraction.

But having the opened shopping screen float in front of him reminded him of something else had had planned to do.

He quickly found what he was looking for and bought two customized signs as per his specifications.

He felt the cost was very much overpriced, especially considering that one of the signs would soon need to be replaced again, anyway; that was the one that displayed the kitchen’s menu as well as a friendly reminder that it was now possible to order food all day long-not just at specific times.

As for the other sign, just thinking about it and the reaction it would hopefully elicit were enough to bring a mischievous smile to Severin’s face. Just because of that, he concluded that the investment would be well worth it. More so when the moment he held the sign in his own two hands and was able to examine it from up close.

He then stored it back into the store’s shared inventory space and contacted Emily.

> Severin asked despite having a good idea of the situation. If he suspected Emily was currently caught up in a conversation with one of their customers, he wouldn’t have contacted her.

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Severin saw the two items disappearing out of said inventory, and almost immediately Emily’s voice once again sounded inside Severin’s head.

<

I guess that also means whenever I’m free I can just…>>

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> Severin instructed.

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He was a firm believer that boredom was preferable to work and so, knowing Emily could very well handle herself despite her complaining, Severin leaned back into his chair.

But, as expected, only a few minutes passed before he became restless again and, for a moment, he thought about checking in on Bandur. And it wouldn’t be entirely without reason, either.

Bandur showing initiative was very welcome, but the resulting dishes still had to go somewhere. Intervening before the whole inventory would overflow with pizzas, salad, and bread was only reasonable.

That was when Severin realized that his previous action pretty much guaranteed that by now the dwarf had received his first actual order. Severin stopped in his tracks and slumped down again.

But this time he didn’t have to suffer for long.

After a few days’ absence, a few familiar faces finally returned.

“Long time no see. Any new products?”

“Hey there! Got anything new,” the two youths spoke simultaneously, but didn’t stop for an answer. They simply raced past Severin and towards the store.

Even though those two missed his answer-a regretful shake of his head-the third person did not.

Samuel approached Severin and sat down in an opposite chair that could barely hold his massive body.

“Still got news all the same, it seems.” The [Berserker] nodded towards the new building behind him. “Was only a matter of time after that Krey guy had randomly stumbled upon your place. Still, to be this decisively... who did they send?”

Severin again shook his head.

“Not sent. Apparently, she went on her own accord the moment she read the guy’s report.”

“Hm. It’s true that the Society usually has a good hand for picking their employees. Rarely ever miss a good opportunity; can’t wait meeting her.” The half-giant then fell silent for a moment, but Severin sensed he was going to say something more and therefore kept his mouth shut.

“You know, ever since we first met, it was pretty clear that you don’t seem too familiar with our ways, so I should’ve told you earlier.

The Society’s stellar reputation isn’t entirely unwarranted. Nonetheless, like everything else, it should be taken with caution.”

“I’ve made some arrangements before letting them settle,” Severin assured.

“Let?” Samuel looked at Severin with newfound respect in his eyes. “Hahaha. Let them settle. The Society. Not bad. Haha.

But still. If you ever meet some trouble, not just with them, don’t hesitate to tell me.

No guarantees, but I have quite some influence around these parts, if I may say so myself.” Severin didn’t doubt the man’s words and gladly accepted them, before not so subtly promoting his business.

“By the way, we’ve just extended our kitchen’s opening times. We now take orders at any time. Though for fresh bread, it would probably still be advisable to place an order in the morning or the evening before.”

“Oh? Did Markus send someone over already?”

“Right. He and his guards have just arrived and…”

“Guards? Why the hell would he… don’t tell me, it’s that dwarf?”

Severin wasn’t too surprised by Samuel’s accurate guess considering that he seemed rather close to Markus, with the royal exile obviously being somewhat of a friend of the family himself.

Severin simply nodded in confirmation; not least because Samuel hadn’t actually mentioned the dwarf’s name; though it was obvious, they were talking about the same person, considering Bandur’s special status, Severin didn’t want to be the first to bring up his apparently very recognizable name and expose him.

“And now he is in the kitchen? Cooking? Ha! In that case, take my order, will you?“