The Willow Rest Tavern was warm.
Unlike the cool mountain air Kael had known all his life, the tavern buzzed with warmth, conversation, and the comforting aroma of freshly cooked food.
Wooden tables filled nearly every corner of the spacious hall.
Travelers exchanged stories over mugs of ale.
Merchants discussed prices.
A pair of musicians played cheerful melodies in one corner while several children laughed as they chased each other between the tables.
For Kael...
Everything was new.
He quietly followed Gareth and the others to a long table near one of the windows.
The innkeeper hurried over with an apologetic smile.
"Captain Gareth, welcome back."
"Your usual rooms are ready."
"Thank you, Owen."
Gareth smiled before lowering his voice.
"Looks like they're here again."
The innkeeper sighed.
"They've been here since noon."
"They've already scared away several customers."
Gareth glanced toward the corner of the tavern.
"So no one has stopped them?"
Owen gave a bitter smile.
"They're local troublemakers."
"They're not strong enough to challenge real martial artists..."
"...but they're more than enough to bully ordinary villagers."
"They always leave before the village guards arrive."
At the far corner...
Rolf leaned back in his chair, laughing loudly.
Beside him sat Bren, Hugo, and Tanner.
Four young men in their early twenties.
Half a dozen empty mugs cluttered their table.
Their laughter echoed throughout the tavern.
Kael looked over briefly.
"...They're noisy."
Ben chuckled.
"You'll get used to people like them."
Kael nodded.
Then turned back toward the menu.
His attention had already shifted.
---
A cheerful waitress approached.
"Good evening!"
"My name is Emma."
"What would everyone like?"
The merchants began placing their orders.
Stews.
Roasted chicken.
Fresh bread.
Vegetables.
When Emma reached Kael, she smiled kindly.
"And you?"
Kael looked around.
"What smells the nicest?"
Emma blinked.
Then laughed softly.
"Our Mountain Hunter Noodles are our most popular dish."
"I'll have that."
"One bowl coming right up."
---
While they waited, Kael quietly watched the tavern.
Everything fascinated him.
A bard tuning his instrument.
Children helping carry empty plates.
An elderly couple sharing a bowl of soup.
Life outside the mountain was...
Comfortable.
Noisy.
But comfortable.
---
Then—
Crash!
A clay mug shattered against the far wall.
Conversation throughout the tavern stopped.
Rolf stood, laughing.
"You call this ale?"
"I've had rainwater with more flavor!"
The bartender forced a smile.
"I'll replace it."
"You'd better."
Bren grabbed another customer's drink and took a long sip.
"Hah."
"This one's better."
The poor traveler lowered his head without protesting.
Nearby...
Hugo casually shoved a chair aside simply because it was in his way.
Tanner laughed loudly.
The musicians quietly stopped playing.
Kael watched for a few moments.
Then looked back toward the kitchen.
"...I hope my noodles aren't delayed."
---
Emma soon returned carrying a large steaming bowl.
The rich aroma reached Kael before she even placed it on the table.
Fresh noodles.
Slices of roasted meat.
Green onions.
Herbs.
Clear golden broth.
His eyes brightened.
"...It smells incredible."
Emma smiled.
"I hope you enjoy it."
Kael bowed his head slightly.
"Thank you."
He picked up the chopsticks exactly as Grandpa Elias had taught him.
Took his first bite.
His eyes widened.
The noodles were soft yet springy.
The broth was rich but delicate.
"...Delicious."
Ben laughed.
"I told you."
For a while...
Nothing else existed.
Only the bowl in front of him.
---
Across the tavern...
The four hooligans continued making trouble.
Bren suddenly snatched a loaf of bread from another table.
The owner protested.
Rolf simply laughed.
"What?"
"You planning to fight me over bread?"
The man lowered his head.
"...No."
"Thought so."
---
A young waitress hurried past carrying several drinks.
Hugo deliberately stretched out his foot.
She stumbled.
The tray flew from her hands.
Mugs crashed onto the floor.
Beer splashed everywhere.
The waitress landed hard on her knees.
"I'm... I'm sorry..."
She immediately began apologizing.
Hugo only laughed.
"It was your own fault."
Kael slowly lowered his chopsticks.
He looked toward the frightened waitress.
Then toward the laughing men.
He waited.
Perhaps they would stop.
Instead...
Bren picked up another empty chair.
He spun it playfully before tossing it across the tavern.
"Catch!"
The chair flew wildly through the air.
Customers ducked in panic.
Without looking away from his bowl...
Kael simply leaned a few centimeters to the left.
The chair rushed past his shoulder and crashed into the empty wall behind him.
He calmly took another bite of noodles.
"...That was close."
Ben stared.
"...You didn't even look."
"I heard it."
---
Rolf finally noticed him.
"...Oi."
The tavern grew quiet.
Kael continued eating.
Rolf frowned.
"I'm talking to you."
Kael swallowed his food before looking up politely.
"Yes?"
The thug smirked.
"Aren't you scared?"
Kael tilted his head.
"...Should I be?"
Laughter erupted from Bren and Tanner.
"I like this idiot."
Rolf grinned.
"He's either brave..."
"...or stupid."
Kael thought for a moment.
Then spoke honestly.
"I'm not sure."
Several merchants at Gareth's table quickly lowered their heads to hide their smiles.
---
Rolf rose from his chair.
His boots echoed heavily against the wooden floor as he approached.
The entire tavern watched.
He stopped beside Kael's table.
Looked down at the steaming bowl.
Then at Kael.
"You've been eating while we've been having fun."
Kael nodded.
"Yes."
"I'd appreciate it if you could keep your voices down."
The tavern became so quiet that the crackling fireplace could be heard.
Rolf blinked.
"...What?"
Kael smiled apologetically.
"You're disturbing everyone."
"And my noodles are getting cold."
For a heartbeat...
No one moved.
Then Bren burst into loud laughter.
"He actually told us to be quiet!"
Even Tanner slapped the table.
Only Rolf's smile disappeared.
Slowly...
His expression darkened.
"You've got a lot of nerve for a mountain brat."
Kael looked puzzled.
"...You know I'm from the mountains?"
"You look like it."
"I see."
He nodded thoughtfully.
"Your observation skills are impressive."
Bren laughed so hard he nearly fell out of his chair.
Even Gareth had to cough into his fist to hide a smile.
Rolf, however...
Was no longer amused.
He reached toward Kael's table.
"Let's see if you can eat after this."
To Be Continued...