The Lamb to the Slaughter

After bidding farewell to Raul, Gawain and Aluk arrived before a large noticeboard located just inside the city gate.

Affixed to this board was a massive map of the Royal Capital. It appeared to be a guide for travelers, detailing the city’s intricate layout. They meticulously studied the map, searching for the area Raul had mentioned earlier: Old City Street.

Given the map’s considerable size and the dense clusters of marked locations, Gawain spent a significant amount of time searching before finally pinpointing it.

“Let’s go.”

Once he had located the general area, Gawain turned to Aluk.

“Mhm!”

Seeing that Gawain had found it, Aluk nodded, and the two set off.

Old City Street was not far from the Royal Capital’s South Gate. Coincidentally, the gate they had just passed through was indeed the South Gate, so it didn’t take them long to arrive before the doors of ‘The Sacrificial Lamb’.

The restaurant had a remarkably weathered exterior, appearing as though it had stood there for an exceedingly long time. Despite its ancient facade, the building remained steadfast—like a robust man in his prime, showing no signs of collapse. It appeared the owner of The Sacrificial Lamb had no intention of letting this establishment fade away, having clearly renovated the exterior numerous times over the years.

What’s more, the place was far from desolate; on the contrary, it was bustling with activity. This was evident from the boisterous shouts and cheers emanating from within.

‘It seems Raul’s recommendation was quite reliable after all!’ Aluk thought, crossing his arms over his chest as he surveyed the building. Hearing the clamor from inside, he felt that the guard’s suggestion was excellent.

“Yes, I think so too,” Gawain nodded, agreeing with Aluk’s silent observation.

“I just wonder if this restaurant has—”

“Let’s go!”

Before Aluk could finish, Gawain rolled his eyes at him. Without waiting, he stepped through the main entrance. He seemed entirely disinclined to entertain the fellow whose mind was perpetually fixated on brothels.

“I’m only doing this for our hap-pi-ness!” Fearing he might truly be left behind, Aluk quickly followed suit.

As he hurried after his friend, Aluk didn’t forget to try and ‘brainwash’ him, hoping Gawain would join him in ‘conquering the battlefield’ that was the red-light district.

Gawain’s only response was an exasperated look.

Upon entering The Sacrificial Lamb, Gawain discovered the interior was far better than he had imagined. Inside the spacious hall, all sorts of people were seated. There were poets, mercenaries, guards, and some colleagues whose faces he vaguely recognized but whose names he couldn’t recall.

As a recent recruit to the Light of Holy Flame, Gawain’s acquaintances were quite limited. Since he didn’t even recognize the other Disaster Purgers by name, Gawain naturally wasn’t brazen enough to strike up conversations with them.

He glanced around the restaurant. The scene inside was exceptionally vibrant. It was so lively that finding an empty seat proved impossible at first! Many bare-chested men were clinking wooden mugs with other burly figures. Unfamiliar Purgers were drinking and chatting merrily with those beside them.

Not giving up, Gawain wandered through the hall for about ten minutes. Eventually, his persistence paid off. He found an empty booth near a window. The spot was quite inconspicuous; if Gawain hadn’t been sharp-eyed, they might have had to wait for someone to settle their bill before finding a place.

However, after the two sat down, the restaurant staff—whether due to busyness or simply not noticing them—didn’t approach their table.

“This restaurant is ridiculously popular, isn’t it?” After waiting for a while without a single server appearing, Aluk rested his chin in his hand and let out a slight grumble.

“Good establishments naturally attract many people,” Gawain replied, feeling largely indifferent to Aluk’s complaint.

After they had been seated for a few more minutes, a young woman in a maid’s uniform approached them.

“My apologies, esteemed guests, for keeping you waiting,” she said, expressing her regret before even asking for their order.

“It’s alright. There are so many people in the restaurant; you must all be very busy. I understand completely.” Seeing her apologize with a face full of remorse, Gawain waved his hand dismissively, his expression understanding.

“Beautiful lady, do you offer that kind of service here?” Aluk suddenly interjected. He winked at the maid with a knowing look that implied, ‘You understand, right?’

“My Lord Purger, what kind of service are you referring to?” Confused by Aluk’s question, the maid tilted her head, looking at him with a puzzled expression.

“Don’t mind him. Do you have a menu?”

Instantly understanding the ‘service’ Aluk was referring to, Gawain immediately interrupted. He waved his hand, signaling her to ignore his friend.

“Oh, yes! Here is the menu you requested, my Lord.” The maid obediently disregarded Aluk and handed a wooden board to Gawain.

“Thank you.”

Gawain took the board and immediately shifted his gaze to it. A piece of parchment was embedded within the wood, displaying a variety of dishes.

Staring at the menu, which was covered in words, a bead of cold sweat trickled down Gawain’s forehead. Facing the text-filled parchment, Gawain suddenly remembered a crucial fact: he couldn’t read!

He had absolutely no idea what any of the letters before him meant.

“Lord Purger, is something the matter?” Noticing the cold sweat on Gawain’s forehead, the maid kindly asked with concern.

“Gawain can’t read. Give it to me.”

Understanding the reason for Gawain’s awkward expression, Aluk snatched the menu from his hand and explained to the maid. Aluk knew about Gawain’s illiteracy. After all, Gawain was just a youth who had emerged from a small, rural village. How high could the cultural literacy of a remote village be?

‘Sometimes, Aluk can be quite reliable…’ Gawain thought. Seeing Aluk take the menu, he made no attempt to retrieve it, scratching his head with an embarrassed smile.

“Why do you say that as if I’m usually completely unreliable?” Listening to Gawain’s words, Aluk suspected he was being insulted, though he had no proof.

“There, let’s see what looks good.” Gawain waved his hand at Aluk, maintaining a perfunctory smile, indicating he had no such intention.

“Alright, alright.” Aluk scrutinized Gawain with suspicion, and only after confirming his friend wasn’t mocking him did he shift his gaze back to the menu.

Just as Aluk’s eyes settled on the parchment, a crude and boorish voice erupted from the restaurant’s entrance.

“I’m a Disaster Purger! Why should I have to wait?!”

Hearing the commotion, Gawain and Aluk instinctively looked toward the door. What greeted their eyes was a man with a long scar across his face. His expression was fierce as he angrily shouted at a young man who appeared to be a staff member.

“My apologies, sir, but we truly have no empty seats. Could you please not be so upset and wait a moment?” The youth, despite being verbally assaulted, showed no sign of displeasure. He politely and sincerely tried to pacify the scarred man, hoping he would understand their inconvenience.

“If there aren’t any, then find one for me, you bastard! I risk my life to fight for you commoners, and this is how you treat your benefactor?!” The scarred man roared, his attitude screaming arrogance.

“But—”

“But what? If you don’t find this lord a seat, don’t blame me if I tear this place down!” the scarred man threatened harshly.

“What’s a mere Third-Class Disaster Purger yelling about here?”

Just as the scarred man was about to continue tormenting the youth, a light, clear female voice rang out from not far behind Gawain.

Soon, a girl dressed in leather armor nimbly stepped across other people’s tables, swiftly making her way to the entrance. Her movements were exceedingly light, and her foot placement was precise. Thus, her passage did not disturb anyone’s meals.

“And who are you, woman?” Seeing someone come forward to stand up for the youth, the scarred man immediately felt his pride wounded. He was a Disaster Purger! Why shouldn’t he enjoy superior service?!

“You don’t even know who I am? How did you even become a Purger?” The girl’s lips curled into a cold sneer, fixing him with an icy gaze.

“Why should I know you? Don’t think I won’t lay a hand on you just because you’re a woman!”

“Good. If you have the ability, then come at me.”

“Don’t you dare regret it!”

Unable to endure the provocation, the scarred man was instantly enraged. When had he ever suffered such indignity? In a fit of fury, he reached back and gripped the hilt of the greatsword slung across his back.

However…

Just as the scarred man was about to draw his weapon, the girl moved with lightning-fast speed. She circled behind him and pressed one hand down firmly on the arm that was reaching for his sword.

“?!”

The scarred man, who had initially found the girl’s actions somewhat laughable, felt a jolt of surprise as he tried to draw his weapon. His arm wouldn’t budge an inch.