Arthur made his way through the town, the late afternoon sun casting a warm glow over the streets. As he approached his destination, the familiar sight of "Celestial Brews" came into view.
The coffee shop stood out from its surroundings, a quaint building made of dark wood, with an old-world charm that contrasted sharply with the modern architecture around it.
The shop's exterior was adorned with hanging flower baskets, their vibrant colors adding a touch of life to the rustic facade. A wooden sign above the entrance bore the name "Celestial Brews" in elegant, flowing script, inviting passersby to step inside and experience the magic within.
As Arthur pushed open the heavy wooden door, a small bell jingled, announcing his arrival. The interior of Celestial Brews was as inviting as its exterior suggested. Soft, ambient lighting bathed the room in a warm glow, casting cozy shadows on the wooden beams that crisscrossed the ceiling. The air was filled with the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee, mingling with the faint scent of baked goods.
The decor was an eclectic mix of vintage and contemporary. Plush armchairs and wooden tables filled the space, with shelves lined with books, trinkets, and various antiques that told stories of a bygone era.
A large, inviting fireplace crackled softly in one corner, adding to the homely atmosphere. Patrons were scattered throughout, some engrossed in books, others engaged in quiet conversations, all seemingly wrapped in the cafe's comforting embrace.
Behind the counter stood a woman with striking features and an air of effortless elegance. She had long golden hair, silky smooth and supple as it drapes over the back of her neck.
She had vibrant, dark eyes that shone like obsidian. She wore a simple yet stylish apron over her dress, giving her the appearance of a timeless barista. Around her neck hung a golden necklace, appearing to symbolize a noble soul.
As she saw Arthur, a warm smile spread across her face.
It was Renner.
"Ancient One...or should I call you Arthur, as you're undercover now?" Renner said with a smile.
"Anything you like," Arthur replied, matching her smile.
"Then Arthur it is," she said, her tone both teasing and respectful.
Arthur chuckled. "It's good to see you, Renner. The place looks amazing, as always."
"Thank you," she replied, her eyes twinkling with pride. "We've made a few changes since you last visited. Business has been good."
Arthur glanced around, noting the new additions and subtle improvements that had been made to the shop. "I can see that. It feels even more welcoming than before."
Renner stepped out from behind the counter, gesturing for Arthur to follow her to a cozy corner of the shop. "Let's sit down. I have lots of things I need to ask."
Arthur followed her, taking in the familiar, yet refreshed, atmosphere of the coffee shop. As they settled into a pair of comfortable armchairs, Arthur's thoughts drifted back to the circumstances that had led Renner to open Celestial Brews.
After the war with the player, Arthur had placed Renner under Albedo's administration to learn the ways of Nazarick. But Renner, unlike the rest of Nazarick's denizens, was not an NPC. After about a millennium, she asked to be removed from Albedo's administration. Evileye had been with her when she proposed this, secretly in Arthur's bedchamber.
Arthur trusted Renner and Evileye implicitly—after a millennium, it would have been foolish not to. He removed them from Albedo's and Shalltear's administration and allowed them to operate independently.
The problem lay in Nazarick's rigid hierarchy, which was set in stone from the beginning. Although Arthur had the power to alter the hierarchy and make Guardians or Co-Guardians step down, he had never needed to do so. Because of this hierarchy, it was nearly impossible for Renner and Evileye to mingle freely with the other NPCs.
While all the denizens of Nazarick respected Renner and Evileye as the lovers of a Supreme Being, it was a formal respect. They were always surrounded by neighbors who maintained a strict formality. For the servants of Nazarick, this was the norm, but for outsiders like Renner and Evileye, it felt isolating.
Even for Arthur, it had been like a form of torture—but he had somehow managed to get them to be informal with him over time.
"Arthur," Renner began, her tone soft yet serious, "I have to say you look rather cute in this teenage form."
"Is that something you say with a serious look? You sounds like a pedo, Renner," Arthur said.
"Pedo? It's not something you can criticize someone for, Ancient Lolicon," came a voice from behind Arthur. He turned around to see what looked like a twelve-year-old girl with blonde hair and blood-red eyes.
It was Evileye.
"Evileye, it's not exactly fair to call me that when you're the one who looks like a child," Arthur retorted, his tone half-teasing, half-serious.
"Touché," Evileye admitted, a small smirk playing on her lips. "But it's not my fault I got stuck in this form. And I told you to do something so I can get a mature version of my current form. Everyone who comes here thinks that I am her daughter."
"Hahaha"
Arthur laughed. "Is that true, Renner?"
Renner smiled wryly. "Well, I did need an identity for her to stay here with me. It's easier to explain her presence that way."
Evileye crossed her arms and huffed. "It's still annoying. People keep offering me lollipop."
Arthur chuckled. "I love how you look, Evileye, so I didn't what to change that.
"Lolicon." Evileye said with a sigh.
"Anyway, I heard that you join Kuoh Academy today."
❌❌❌
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