When it comes to famous restaurants in Bansy Harbor, the Lemon Restaurant tops the list, renowned for its blood-based dishes, especially those made with pig blood.
To Alaric, the name Lemon Restaurant was familiar. In the original story, Klein visited it during a chaotic night in Bansy Harbor to save someone.
From the novel's description, the restaurant was undoubtedly trouble. Alaric wasn't sure if the issue was unique to the Lemon Restaurant or a general trait of Bansy Harbor itself.
After all… Alaric glanced at the buildings lining the street, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
Klein and Lil' Amon might not sense it, but Alaric couldn't miss The City of Calamity's peculiarity.
In his perception, beyond the visible structures, Bansy Harbor was overlaid with a faint shadow... a parallel city, similar yet far more dangerous and corrupt.
This shadow city, clearly a manifestation of the City of Calamity's leaking power, was the source of the anomaly.
For now, the shadow city didn't fully overlap with the real Bansy Harbor. Though nearly one, they existed in separate spaces, likely why the port seemed normal under typical conditions.
But Alaric could sense that as Klein moved through the city, the shadow city was stirring, slowly merging with the real one. By nightfall, they might see a very different Bansy.
Using the Fool to stir the pot was the right call. Klein's trouble-magnet physique and the Gray Fog make him the perfect bait… Alaric thought, spotting the Lemon Restaurant's sign in the distance.
"Here we are... the Lemon Restaurant, famous around here. They're experts at blood-based dishes, especially pig blood. I highly recommend you try it," Danitz said, visibly relieved to reach their destination. Though he wasn't naive enough to think a meal would get him off the hook, he clung to a sliver of hope.
"Not bad," Klein said, glancing at Danitz with a single, curt word, then looking up at the restaurant's sign.
Klein had heard of the Lemon Restaurant before. For safety, he'd done his homework before coming to Bansy Harbor. Beyond anticipation for the food, he felt a twinge of worry.
Without explicit spoilers from Mr. Lucifer, Klein, ever self-aware of his trouble-magnet physique, had a gut feeling.
Normally, in a weird place like this, eating at a specialty restaurant has an 80% chance of going wrong… Klein grumbled inwardly. Though he'd enjoyed some peace in border cities recently, he hadn't forgotten the relentless string of Beyonder incidents from his early transmigration days.
But since they'd come to Bansy Harbor precisely to court trouble, Klein sighed inwardly, pulled out a gold coin, and performed a quick divination.
The result: no major issues.
Is the divination being disrupted, or is it safe because it's not the right time?
Musing to himself, Klein looked at the others. "Let's go in."
Whether the Lemon Restaurant was trouble or not, they had to enter. If they weren't here to face potential Beyonder events, they wouldn't have come to Bansy Harbor in the first place.
"Come on, I can't wait to try their signature dishes!" Alaric said, unbothered by the restaurant's potential issues, grinning as he ushered the group inside.
They entered, and a waiter greeted them. Soon, they were seated, each ordering their preferred dishes.
Damn it, why's no one talking? Danitz, far from the silent type, grew antsy as the table stayed quiet. Unable to hold back, he spoke up, "I'm guessing it's your first time in Bansy. Have you heard any local legends?"
It was a solid conversation starter, using local myths and customs to break the ice... not a bad choice under normal circumstances.
"I'd say no, but we did some research before coming, so we know a bit about the legends and customs here. Like, on foggy or stormy nights, you should lock your doors, stay inside, and ignore any knocking," Alaric said, propping his chin on one hand while sipping the restaurant's specialty drink, multitasking to sense the restaurant's vibe.
As he spoke, the sky outside darkened suddenly, and a gust of wind rattled the decorative plants outside.
Alaric raised an eyebrow, smiling. "Well, look at that. Seems we're in for a very special night."
Klein noticed the change, instinctively wary but also resigned, thinking, Here we go again.
"Is it starting?" Lil' Amon asked eagerly, looking around.
"Calm down, Lil' Amon. This place's secrets aren't for you to peek at... not even your true self could handle it," Alaric said, dousing the excited kid's enthusiasm with a cold splash.
"Even if I don't peek, I can at least watch the show with Klein. Come on, it's the Primordial One!" Amon said, disappointed for a second before perking up again.
"No problem, right?" Klein glanced at Alaric with slight concern, knowing his friend was about to dive into something dangerous.
"Don't worry. The old guy wouldn't let me die. Harsh truth? You two might go down, but I'd probably survive," Alaric said with a grin, reassuring Klein.
"…Fair point," Klein said, recalling Mr. Lucifer's favoritism, his worries easing.
"Wait, what are you talking about?" Danitz, clueless about Bansy Harbor's anomalies, gaped after hearing their exchange.
If he didn't know these guys were tied to Lucifer, he might've dismissed their words as drunken nonsense. But knowing they were connected to an angel, Danitz swallowed hard, realizing he might be in over his head.
***
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