"Jones? Never heard that name before." Roselle asked, looking utterly puzzled. "Are you a noble?" She added.
Derek stared at her. He wasn’t prepared for such a question and currently didn’t have an answer to it. But with the way she was looking at him, he knew she was expecting one.
"Noble? What made you say that? Do... I look like one?" He asked.
The lady in front of him raised her eyebrows and said, "I mean, with the way you dress and the way you speak. You don’t seem like a local to me, plus I know every single person in this town. Never heard of you before."
That’s a good answer. Of course she would know everyone here. She owns a bar. I can’t let her know that I am not from this world. Should I play as a noble instead?... Derek thought within.
"And do you know where the nobles live?" He asked bluntly.
Roselle was baffled. "Who wouldn’t know where the nobles stay? They are the second in class after the royal families, and also in terms of mana reserves. Of course I know where they live."
That wasn’t the answer I was expecting. But I did get some useful information from there. So they are royals and nobles in this world? Then this particular area must be where the common folks live?... Looking at her dressing and the others in the tavern, he was certain about the common folks part.
I think I should play the part of a noble for now. To avoid any further questions... He nodded slightly as though he had thought of a unique plan. Then he spoke out.
"I was just joking. Of course you would know. Oh well, you caught me. You guessed right." Derek’s lips twitched slightly while he was saying this, at the same time looking at her unconvinced expression.
Did she buy it?
Roselle looked at his dressing from top to bottom. It was none like she had ever seen before.
She had a doubtful expression, showing she obviously didn’t trust his words fully, but also didn’t push the matter any further. "So, what is a noble doing here?"
Yes she bought it!... Derek was excited his words worked. Although it still prompted a new question. It doesn’t matter, I can take this one.
"Well, I was walking around and got lost." It was as simple as that, and in truth he wasn’t lying. Although the truth was tampered a little.
Hearing his words, Roselle was speechless. She nearly dropped the tray in her hand, but swiftly caught it and placed it on the counter where the drinks were served.
Derek, seeing that his words had taken root, didn’t wait for her to respond, but asked. "You said earlier that the magic spell was casted by the owner of this place. Are you the owner?"
Roselle burst into laughter after hearing his words. "Me? Own this place? You are a funny one."
Derek stood confused, thinking if he had said something funny.
"We are about the same age. How can I own a tavern? I haven’t even stood before the pantheon yet to obtain a blessing. Let alone have the ability to cast a spell."
Roselle continued laughing as she held her stomach with her right hand, while the other was on the counter.
Looks like I really asked something running. Man, I need more information... Derek knew now that he needed to choose his words carefully. His lack of information about this world had made him into a laughing stock.
Roselle, who had already had her full, stopped laughing. "Forgive me. I know it’s rude of me to laugh like that. I couldn’t help it." She apologized and composed herself.
That’s no excuse.
Then, she turned to Derek and said, "I don’t own the place. I understand why you asked that. It was because of my last name, isn’t that right?"
Roselle didn’t wait for him to respond, and continued.
*My father owned the place. He’s gone now. As you should know, we can’t own anything until after we have turned sixteen and obtain a blessing from one of the gods. Of course, after that we would become a mage and could join the academy. But that’s not the part I want to walk. After I get a blessing today, I will use my new profound powers to improve the business. And continue the legacy my father left behind."
Roselle had her eyes fixed at the counter now. She had a sad but undefeated expression.
Derek, who was at her side and had heard all she had said, couldn’t decide whether he should console or encourage her... Looks like no matter the world, we still do lose those we love. But regardless, the spirit of determination will still live on.
Derek moved closer to Roselle and leaned on the counter. "You said you are getting a blessing from one of the gods today. Where would that be?"
Roselle turned to Derek with the same expression that wondered if he was actually a stranger to this world. But this time she didn’t make anything about it and answered.
"It would be at the local tower of blessings today. It’s not far from here. It would probably take about fifteen minutes to walk."
Fifteen minutes to walk? Is she saying there’s other means of transportation in this world?... Derek wanted to ask, but stopped himself. He knew such a question would definitely make him look more suspicious.
"So... what time are you going to leave?" He asked, looking at the tray that was on the counter, then back at Roselle.
"It isn’t long now. Maybe about an hour and a half?"
Derek heard this and went into deep thoughts... It looks like the concept of time here is no different than back on earth. If I’m not wrong, the time I got transported here should have been a little past noon, and I had walked for nearly three hours. If you round all that including the one and half and hour she just mentioned. We should be arriving at about five o’clock? Alright, that should be close enough.
"So in the evening then?" Derek asked, looking at Roselle.
"That’s correct." She responded. "You should be coming too, am I right? I mean you are about the same age as I, and seeing a noble here at this time." Roselle paused and thought for a moment, "Now that I think about it. You came here for the blessings of the gods, right?"
Derek was taken aback, and slightly nodded, while his lips twitched.
"Then why did you say you got lost? The tower of blessings isn’t something that is unrecognizable." Roselle paused for a moment once more, then continued. "Oh! I understand now..."
Roselle nodded her head slowly with a smile on her face. She didn’t say utter other word but continued smiling at him.
This however, made Derek a little puzzled and cautious.
The way she’s smiling. It’s equivalent to that of someone who is plotting something. Hold on, has she already guessed that I’m not from this world? No, that’s not possible. There’s no way she would have knowledge about that.
It pained Derek to not know what was going on in Roselle’s head. But he needed to keep a cool expression as if he was thinking of something else.
That’s right. I still have to find the building with the sigil of a bird with four wings. Of course, I can just ask her about it... Derek was about to speak when a voice among the crowd yelled.
"Hey, Rosey! We need more ale here!"
"Will be right there!" Roselle carried the tray and walked to the table that had called for her.
Derek watched her leave, his mind drifting into the word of wonders.
..
After about an hour and half, Roselle concluded her work for the day. The entire tavern had already cleared out, except herself and Derek, who stayed behind.
"It is time for us to go to the tower of blessings." Rosselle walked up to Derek who was seated on one of the chairs. She had changed out from her tavern-like dress into some more casual.
With her red hair and brown eyes, her beauty was more bright than when she was in her work attire.
Derek rose to his feet. Looking at Roselle he noticed how much her entire appearance had changed compared to when she was working.
They both walked out of the tavern while Roselle turned to lock it.
"Ah! Before we go," Derek uttered, "There is a question I wanted to ask."
Roselle nodded. "Go on."
"Have you heard of a building with the sigil of a bird with four wings?"