Volume 2, Chapter 35 – A Striking Beginning

Nearly ten minutes later, the bustling preparations in the tavern finally came to an end.

Shinku, dressed in a black-and-white maid outfit, approached Yisi. Thanks to two weeks of ample rest and hearty meals, the once emaciated fallen girls had filled out a bit, their skin and hair now glowing with health. This was especially true for Shinku, a beastkin, and Fran, who had been a noble—both could easily be called beauties now.

“Miss Yisi, the tavern is ready. Shall we open the doors?”

“Mm, go ahead, Shinku.”

“How could we? You’re the owner of the tavern. It should be you who opens it.”

“I really don’t mind these small things.”

Yisi waved her hand dismissively, indifferent to who performed the task, and walked to the tavern door herself. She removed the wooden latch and pulled the door open.

Standing outside was a bald man rubbing his hands together eagerly. The moment he saw Yisi open the door, he immediately stuck his foot between the doors, as if afraid she might close them again.

“Ooh! Finally open! Just thinking about today being the day little Yisi and Camilla-chan open their tavern made my heart leap out of my chest!”

“Disgusting.”

“If you keep talking like that, Mr. Darc, Camilla might throw you out again like she did the other day.”

Recalling how Darc had teased Camilla a few days prior, only to be grabbed by the collar and unceremoniously tossed outside, Yisi couldn’t help but smile. Despite the obvious difference in their physiques, thanks to level bonuses and Darc not resisting, Camilla had managed the feat effortlessly.

Darc, also remembering the incident, rubbed his bald head—even though it was winter, he wore only two layers of clothing.

“Hahaha! I just love Camilla-chan’s sharp tongue! Every time she scolds me, I get so excited I tremble all over.”

“Drop dead.”

Camilla frowned, firing off her curse at lightning speed. But Darc just laughed heartily, unfazed. Yisi could only shrug helplessly. Darc was merely teasing Camilla, not actually hitting on her or harboring any real affection.

Stepping aside, Yisi let the nearly two-meter-tall Darc into the tavern. Without ceremony, he strode in, glanced around, and plopped down on a stool near the counter.

“I heard the first twenty customers get free drinks. I was so excited I couldn’t sleep last night. Oh, and is it true everything’s half-price for the first three days? When I told others, they thought it was a joke.”

“Of course it’s true. It’s my way of attracting customers.”

Yisi waved to Shinku, Mary, and the two other fallen girls, signaling they could attend to their duties, then took a seat across from Darc. Camilla stood behind her.

“That’s quite the investment. No one’s ever done a half-price opening before. My regulars said they’d definitely drop by tonight after I vouched for it.”

“What about the alcohol? Did the people you promoted it to actually get to try it? Or did you keep some for yourself, Mr. Darc?”

“Of course not!” Darc widened his eyes. “I always keep my word! If you said those samples were for the customers, I made sure every last drop reached them!”

“Really? Then why did I hear you bought back the alcohol from the customers after giving it to them?”

Yisi took a sip of her tea.

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Darc chuckled sheepishly.

“Hehe, that doesn’t count as breaking the agreement. The customers willingly sold it back to me.”

“Only because you tempted them with high prices.”

Camilla scoffed.

“Come on, little Yisi, don’t be stingy. After those guys tasted the Margaret, they refused to sell it back to me! They even drove the price up to a silver coin per glass!”

Yisi rubbed her temples at Darc’s nickname for her but couldn’t resist asking,

“Then why are you the only one here today? Shouldn’t there be more people?”

As if he’d been waiting for this question, Darc slapped his thigh and grinned triumphantly.

“Ha! That’s where you’re mistaken, little Yisi. Alcohol tastes best at night. A bunch of guys gathered around a table, drinking together—that’s the real charm. That’s why I said a women-only tavern would never work.”

“Sure, sure, Mr. Big Drinker.”

Yisi rolled her eyes. Initially, she had indeed considered making the tavern women-only, but after some research, she realized it wouldn’t be feasible. Taverns thrived on lively atmospheres, and under societal norms, a women-only establishment would struggle to attract patrons. So, she settled for the current model—open to all genders. While female customers might be fewer, it was better than none at all.

Yisi beckoned to Shinku, whose long red hair cascaded down her back. At fourteen, Shinku’s age matched her appearance, making Yisi feel a twinge of guilt, as if she were employing child labor. But she couldn’t just kick Shinku out, especially since the girl was more capable than the others. Most of the time, Yisi had to pretend not to notice Shinku’s age.

“Shinku, tell Sera to prepare samples of all the dishes. Fran, bring up the pickles and alcohol from the basement. Oh, and Mary, go help Sera—keep the portions small.”

“””Yes~”””

As the girls split up to carry out their tasks, Darc suddenly leaned across the table conspiratorially, pressing a hand to the surface.

“Hey, there’s no way I can eat all that. And at those prices—I saw your ‘menu’—it’d cost me several silver coins!”

“It’s not on you. I just want your feedback on the flavors, see what needs improving. Consider it a perk for being our first customer.”

“Little Yisi really is a rich girl—smart, beautiful, loaded, and strong. I’d believe it if someone said you were a duke’s daughter! Damn, if I were ten years younger, I’d do everything to win you over.”

“I’m not into smooth-talkers like you.”

Yisi couldn’t help but smile. Darc had a natural talent for humor.

…

Time flew by, and soon evening arrived. The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in deep blue. People wrapped up their work and returned home.

Meanwhile, establishments like taverns came alive. Craftsmen, adventurers, and soldiers poured in, filling the air with the glow of orange-red flames and boisterous chatter.

Thanks to Yisi’s earlier promotions, the Margaret Tavern officially began its first night of business. However, contrary to expectations, about 80% of the patrons were well-dressed merchants or nobles with refined manners. Among them were not just men but even a few groups of noblewomen.

“Welcome~ What can I get for you?”

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“Two Margarets, please.”

“Would you like a refill, sir?”

“Ah, yes, three more servings.”

“Another barrel of Margaret!”

“We don’t have that much in stock, sir.”

Nearly everyone had come for the Margaret. Though Yisi would have preferred to avoid nobles—if the fallen girls accidentally dirtied their clothes or offended them, the nobles could easily find an excuse to throw the girls in jail—the ones Darc had brought were either indifferent to commoners or outright alcoholics. As long as the girls didn’t make major mistakes, these patrons wouldn’t abuse their status to cause trouble.

Of course, the customers didn’t just drink—they also ordered food. Soon, groups of two or three upper-class patrons discovered new, never-before-seen dishes on the menu.

“Another round of this… uh, ‘pickle’ stuff.”

“That’s not for sale, sir.”

“Hah? There’s something I can’t buy?”

“Um… Miss Yisi said only customers using chopsticks can get a free serving.”

“One gold coin per serving. That should do it, right?”

“Eh? O-One gold? That’s too much!”

“Don’t worry about it. Just bring it out. There’s nothing in Celtic City that Auston can’t afford!”

With that, the young noble named Auston set down his chopsticks—which he still hadn’t gotten used to—licked his lips at the lingering spicy-sour taste of the pickles, and smugly waved to his noble friends.

“Well? Didn’t I tell you this place was worth it? These flavors are miles ahead of the bland slop we get at home. Especially these pickles—spicy with a hint of sourness, perfect with dry bread. A match made by the gods.”

“Though it pains me to admit it… you were right. But compared to the pickles, I think the fried chicken is even better. That crispy, oily skin dipped in spicy sauce—I could eat it forever. I’d bet this is the best dish in the kingdom.”

“The Margaret is the real star! I can feel it burning all the way down!”

A nearby merchant, reeking of alcohol and red-faced, leaned over to join the conversation. The young nobles exchanged amused glances.

“This guy’s a lightweight.”

“Auston, you’re not much better. I remember you mocking Margaret as ‘peasant swill’ before downing a glass and forgetting who I was.”

“Th-That’s normal!”

Flushing, Auston awkwardly changed the subject, his gaze drifting to Fran, who was handling payments and orders behind the counter.

“Is that the owner? I expected some old man who’d traveled the world, not someone this young. She might even be younger than us. Just where did she come from?”

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“Ah, that’s where you’re clueless.” An elderly noble from another table—holding a peculiar glass (actually a test tube)—approached Auston. “The owner is a human named Miss Yisi. Darc told me she’s the daughter of a wealthy merchant, someone strong enough to take on a pack of ice wolves alone.”

“Ohhh! Baron Krall! Even you are here?”

The young nobles stood and bowed respectfully. Clearly, the old man commanded significant respect among the aristocracy.

Baron Krall smiled at each of them before gesturing for them to huddle closer, his voice dropping to a whisper.

“If she weren’t backed by some power, I wouldn’t believe an ordinary family could produce someone like her. Beyond the never-before-seen food and drinks, the real proof is this.” With the charm of a seasoned nobleman, he held up the test tube.

“Look at this glass—thin and crystal clear. I can see the scars on your faces through it! Even in the royal capital, I’ve never seen such high-quality ware. Only the royal family might have access to something like this. And don’t you think it’s oddly warm here? The floor feels heated, like there’s something beneath it.”

“So you’re saying…?”

“Shh, keep it down. I’m just advising you youngsters not to cause trouble here. Anyone who can casually bring out royal-grade items isn’t to be trifled with. Cross her, and you might regret it. Best to behave.”

At this, the baron glanced toward the staircase leading to the second floor. The young nobles followed his gaze.

“I’ll only say this to you youngsters. When I arrived, I caught a glimpse of Miss Yisi. Her beauty left even me stunned for a moment. Perhaps even the kingdom’s ‘Jewel,’ the Second Princess, pales in comparison. If any of you could win her favor, coupled with her mysterious backing…”

He left the implication hanging, smirking as he returned to his seat. The young nobles exchanged glances, feeling something stir within them.

“Um… would you like refills, sirs?”

Mary, holding a tray of food, looked up at them.

Snapping out of their daze, the nobles coughed awkwardly, some rubbing their noses, others striking up conversations to mask their embarrassment.

“Ahem, two more Margarets, please.”

“Right away~ Shinku, two more Margarets for this table!”

“Coming! Oh, Sera says she’s overwhelmed. Mary, go help her.”

“Got it. Ah, Master!”

The moment Mary spoke, a domino effect rippled through the tavern. One by one, the patrons fell silent, leaving only the sound of footsteps as Yisi, yawning, descended the stairs.

“Mary? What’s wrong?”

But she quickly noticed the unusual atmosphere. She’d been napping upstairs, woken by the noise below, and had come down to check on things. Now, every eye in the room was on her.

The silence lasted two seconds before Mary hurried over and whispered,

“Master… your clothes…”

Yisi looked down. She was still in a thin blue nightgown. While not particularly revealing, it was far too light for winter.

“…I see.”

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Blush creeping from her neck to her ears, Yisi resisted the urge to bolt. Instead, she nodded calmly and walked back upstairs as if nothing had happened.

Only the sound of collective gulping followed her.

“Guh… did you all see that?”

A young noble wiped his eyes in disbelief.

“I saw it. I had some doubts about Baron Krall’s words earlier, but now… even the kingdom’s ‘Jewel’ can’t compare to Miss Yisi. She’s like a goddess descended to earth.”

“I’m coming here every day from now on.”

“Don’t even dream of it. I’ll be the one to win Miss Yisi’s heart.”

“You wanna fight?”

“Bring it.”

“If you’re going to fight, take it outside. This is my sister’s territory.”

Camilla’s icy voice cut in.

But when the young nobles saw her—especially after hearing “my sister”—their eyes gleamed with newfound interest.

“Miss, may I ask your name? I’m—”

“I have no interest in anyone but my sister. Please sit down.”

“Uh… ahaha…”

The chastised noble awkwardly retook his seat. The tavern quieted again, but Shinku’s voice soon brought back the lively atmosphere.

The red cat-eared girl emerged from the basement with two glasses of Margaret.

“Who ordered these two Margarets? We’re running low, so if you’d like refills, now’s the time.”

“Me!”

“I’ll take some too!”

“I’ll buy whatever’s left!”

As if nothing had happened, the tavern returned to its cheerful clamor. But everyone present knew one thing for certain—a new rule had been established in this city:

Do not anger the mistress of the Margaret Tavern… or her sister.

Translator Note

nooo yisiii D: