Troublesome Customer
"Looks like the master hooked another individual with his food." A man said before laughing causing Zeref's expression to twist.
Noctis chuckled after hearing the man's words and seeing Zeref's twisted expression. Soon, Noctis finished making the same meal for Zeref. He had to admit that the pinnacle of cooking could cause the impossible to happen.
One example of such thing is Noctis could now make Japan # 61, a bread from Azuma Kazuma's bread collection, it has the ability to return back to the past and change the history, basically a time machine.
Such kinds of food products are now possible to be created with Noctis' hands. He could easily make everyone who eats his food some kind of reaction but he refrained himself from doing so. He is satisfied with the current food he was placing under his tavern. He would put a little effort in making some food for individuals he had interest or knows.
Noctis placed the food in front of Zeref. The steak's sauce contained a little bit of cannabis that could cause a reaction to the one who will eat the food but it is not harmful to the person. Even if the dosage entered the dangerous range, it would not harm Zeref at all.
Seeing Zeref in his own world while eating, Noctis placed his hands on the table as he looked at everyone who were enjoying the meal. Ram and Rem were sitting, trying to regain any stamina that they can. At first, they thought that it was just cooking but after experiencing the amount of work they have to do and the intensity of the work, they understood the hardships of managing a tavern.
"You two, make yourself a meal and take a break. I will handle the fort for now." Noctis said while Ram and Rem were reluctant.
"Go, I'm not going to repeat myself." Noctis said and the twins finally went back to their home to take a little rest.
Seeing the twins leaving, Noctis started the prep work for the next batch of customers. When he finished the preparation of ingredients, the door slammed open and a chubby figure wearing luxurious clothes and luxurious accessories came in followed by two person wearing plate armor they are knights protecting the chubby man who just came in.
The customers who saw the man were startled after the door was slammed open. Some of the customers froze after seeing the fat man, he is a wealthy merchant who's success relied on shady means. They then took a look at Noctis who looks calm and wasn't bothered that his door was just slammed.
Although the customers were rowdy in nature, they formed a kind of silence as they are concentrated on savoring every bite of Noctis' food.
"Hm? This door is quite sturdy, how about you sell this to me?" The fat man said as he looked at Noctis at the counter. Hearing his words, the customers were silent. Instead of being scared, they were interested in how the owner is going to deal with a troublesome customer. They had seen Noctis torture a prince from a far away kingdom so they were waiting for the show to go on.
"Hm? Are you deaf? Also Are you blind? I'm here gracing your puny tavern yet you have no one to greet me? I'm surprised that this kind of place survived for a long time." The man said before sitting in front of the counter facing Noctis.
"Where is your menu? How will I order food?" The man asked while Noctis just yawned and threw menu towards the man. The speed of the menu was incredible and was about to hit the man when one of the knights with the fat man caught the menu.
"Sir, we should avoid violence when it comes to business." The knight said carefully, he felt the strength of Noctis when he caught the menu earlier. His hand was numb and he felt like his hand was electrocuted when he caught the menu.
"Oh, its my tavern, I can do what I want inside this place. What can you do about it?" Noctis said with a carefree smile.
"Is this how you treat your customers?! How disgusting!" The fat man said.
"Sir, that man is powerful, please do not offend him. We may not be able to protect you." The knight whispered to the fat man's ears.
Hearing the knight's voice, he sneered. In his mind, he had a huge backing behind him. Why would he be afraid of someone who built a business in the wasteland? If he really has good food, why not build it inside the kingdoms? Wouldn't he earn more money that way? It just means one thing, the owner of the tavern committed a serious crime and is on a run.
Seeing the man not taking his advice, the knight just shook his head and stood behind the fat man. He then whispered to his fellow knight to prepare to be beaten by an expert.
"Bah! Who would dare eat this kind of food? Rice?! Food for slave?! Are you treating me for a fool?!" The fat man raged while Noctis is daydreaming, ignoring the man's yapping.
Hearing a man shouting inside the tavern, Irene opened her eyes a little annoyed as she entered the tavern.
"Dear, why is it so noisy?" Irene asked in an irritated tone. She then looked at the man yapping and Noctis who was daydreaming and understood what is happening. She was about to turn back when the fat man called her out.
The fat man was elated when he heard the voice of an angel entered his ears as he continued berating the owner while his eyes followed the origin of the voice he heard right now. His berating soon turned into bragging as he compared the tavern to high-class restaurant he had eaten to. When he saw the woman uninterested, and was about to turn around, he finally stopped and called out to the woman.
"You! Yes, you beautiful lady with a scarlet hair, why don't you accompany me? It looks like this place has its worth after all." The fat man said but when his words entered the customer's ears, they were frightened. It was the owner's wife, Irene Belserion, the Scarlet Despair, and that guy wants her to accompany him?
'How brave!' All of the customers mocked the fat man.
"S-sir, I believe we should leave now. Its not someone we could afford to offend at all cost." The knight whispered again but the fat man felt angered as he slapped the man in the face.
"Who are you to tell me that I could not offend anyone? I am a merchant under the Green Family's command! You! Come here and pour me wine!" The fat man pointed at Irene before he sat down.
"You want wine right?" A voice trailed behind the fat man's back. It was a cold voice that made the man shiver. The knights behind him were in disbelief as they understood what just happened. They saw the owner suddenly vanish from his spot in the counter and reappeared behind the fat man.
Not only did they offend a space mage, they had also offended Irene Belserion.
When the fat man was about to turn around, Noctis hand acted like a claw as he held the man's face and dragged him outside. The fat man was struggling and clawing Noctis' hands but his attempts to get free from Noctis' hands were futile. The knights stood up as they unsheated their sword and blocked Noctis' path. Even if they are afraid, they were employed as guards by the fat man.
"Step aside. I will overlook it this time, but if you stop me again, you will experience the same fate as him." Noctis said as he continied dragging the fat man outside. This time no one blocked his way. The other customers quickly ate their food and followed Noctis outside, they would not miss a wonderful show that the owner will provide them.
Meanwhile Irene looked at the hooded man and bowed her head slightly.
"Greetings your majesty. How was your food, was it good?" Irene said with her lips curled upwards and Zeref slowly removed his hood. There is no one inside the tavern right now as they went out to watch so there's only the two of them inside.
"Indeed it is good, if not for your irritating husband, then I'm sure that the eating experience would be better." Zeref said while Irene just chuckled.
"Is such occurence normal?" Zeref said, referring to the troublesome customer.
"Well, since one of my husband's pet stopped guarding this place, I assume many people regained their courage to cause trouble in here." Irene said.
"Still, it looks like I must congratulate you, Irene." Zeref said and Irene knew what he was talking about as she just smiled.
"Thank you. I should go back to rest. Do enjoy your meal." Irene said and was about to turn around when Zeref asked her a question.
"Aren't you going to stop your husband? That man is a merchant under the Green family from Sevens." Zeref said causing Irene to chuckle.
"Its alright. My husband knows what to do. Besides if it was me, he would already be dead." Irene said as she finally went back to take a rest in the hammock outside.
"What a pair of interesting individuals." Zeref said referring to Noctis and Irene. He then continued eating as if nothing happened as he started reminiscing about the past.