The Bitter Waters [1]

In the Palais Mermonia.

"This is..." The ever-so-impartial Chief Justice of Fontaine, Neuvillette, asked as he held some papers.

"Something we shouldn't ignore," Over on the couch, the renowned Champion Duelist, Clorinde, spoke. "The number of people disappearing has increased drastically over the past week."

"The culprit behind The Serial Disappearance Case is becoming more active, Monsieur Neuvillette," Clorinde said solemnly. "And I suspect that the ones or one behind them are planning something... Something big."

"That is a big claim, Miss Clorinde," Neuvillette said as he looked at her. He then put down the papers. "What do you have to back this claim?"

"Using Lady Furina and her assistant's findings, as well as Wriothesley's recent report, I've managed to narrow down a suspected location." She added. She then took out a piece of paper. "I tried to go there myself... But I found nothing."

"So I propose..."

Before she could finish speaking, Neuvillette interrupted her with his dignified and solemn voice. "So you wish to consult Lady Furina and her assistant to assist you?"

"...indeed." Clorinde crossed her arms. "What are your thoughts, Monsieur Neuvillette?"

"..." Neuvillette silently contemplated the matter for a few moments before opening his eyes. "I permit it. However, if you do proceed with an in-depth investigation, your top and utmost priority is to ensure Lady Furina's well-being, is that clear?"

"How about her so-called assistant?" Clorinde decided to ask.

"I wish for you to... Observe him." Neuvillette said solemnly. After saying this, he then looked out the window behind him.

"Something is telling me that... There is a brewing underneath Fontaine," Neuvillette's eyes focused on the clear skies outside as he spoke. "And whatever it is..."

"Will be quite devastating."

Chapter 44— The Bitter Waters [1]

* * *

A few days passed by in a blink of an eye. During this time, Isaac had been living quite happily.

Other than attending his cafe, he had also been accompanying Furina on her investigations as her assistant. Of course, he and her avoided getting into trouble again like last time.

In short, he's been living quite leisurely.

"So, again, there's no true "perfect" brewing process— everyone has their unique way of brewing coffee," Isaac explained while holding a white cup. "My advice for now is to experiment. To get that unique taste just for you, experiment with different beans and different beverages you can splice in them."

"Do you get that?" After speaking, he put down the cup and smiled lightly at the blond-haired person sitting in front of him. "Freminet?"

"Yes," On the other side of the counter, the soft-spoken Freminet nodded his head as he looked at Isaac while holding a notepad. He seems to be listening attentively. "Do you think... the right coffee can enhance one's mood?"

"Is that even a question? Of course!" Isaac nodded his head and agreed. "In fact, it ranges. Ultimately, it depends on the person that drinks them."

"I see, I see..." Freminet said softly as he wrote it down.

Looking down at Freminet, Isaac scoffed lightly. 'He must be wanting to brew them for his siblings.'

'Use this knowledge to its fullest, young one.' Isaac smirked.

Suddenly, while Isaac was looking at Freminet, a notification window appeared in front of him.

[Notice]

[The main quest, Pious Believer, would end in eight hours.]

Shortly after this message, the notification window disappeared, as if recessing to the depths of the void never to be seen again.

When Isaac saw the message, his first reaction was a relief. 'Finally...' He sighed under his breath.

'I felt like this main quest lasted longer than it should have,' Isaac grabbed his nape and relieved his stiff neck. 'But it looks like my hard work is finally paying off.'

Looking outside the cafe, the golden rays of the afternoon sunlight shined down from the glass pane window and into the cafe.

'Seriously...' Isaac smiled melancholyly. 'To think I'll change this much in just a week... How ludicrous.'

Isaac couldn't believe how much he had changed in just a week just to satisfy a quest. Then again, it was a change he wasn't upset with.

It just came as a surprise to him, that's all.

"By the way..." Just then, Freminet's voice drifted over to Isaac's ear. "I have a question I want to ask you, would... that be alright?"

"Of course, no problem," Isaac nodded his head lightly and sat down on his long stool. "What do you want to ask about?"

"Actually, it's something Lyney wanted me to do for him..." Freminet explained softly. "He wanted me to ask some questions for his next stunt... So, he sent me to ask some people with questions he prepared."

'Asking an introvert to survey people? Not the wisest move, Lyney,' Isaac lampooned. Picking up a cup and placing a tea bag in it, Isaac poured hot water into it. "Alright, What are your questions?"

"Okay... First question," Freminet flipped his notepad to look for the questions he arranged beforehand. "If... If your one true wish could be granted... What would it be?"

'Money— wait no,' Isaac's mind wandered for a moment before he controlled himself. Smiling lightly, he spoke, "My deepest wish? I guess..."

Isaac didn't have to contemplate this further. Deep in his mind and soul, he already knew what wish he wanted.

"To live comfortably without any worry," Isaac shrugged nonchalantly. He was serious.

"Well then..." Writing down his answer, Freminet looked at the next question. "Will you... Fight for your wish to the very end?"

"Haha, of course, I would," Isaac laughed lightly. "Who wouldn't want to fight for their deepest wish? If you don't fight for what you want, you'll never attain it,"

"How about you, Freminet?" Isaac decided to ask back. "What's your wish?"

"It's... To protect my family," Freminet didn't hesitate and answered firmly. "My wish is to protect my family to the very end."

Hearing this, Isaac smiled softly. "Your siblings are lucky to have you."

'And the House of the Hearth,' He internally added. He then shook his head, "Next question?"

"Yes..." Freminet went back and read the questions that were prepared. "The third and last question is..."

"If your wish vanishes, what would you do?"

'Man, what's Lynney gonna do with these questions?' Isaac thought with worry. 'No wait— maybe this isn't even for his stunt. It might be for the House of the Hearth.'

"I suppose..." Crossing his arms, Isaac thought for a moment before answering, "I'd try again. Somewhere, somehow, I'll retain the peacefulness I loved."

That's right.

Isaac might live a sedentary lifestyle, but that doesn't mean he won't go to lengths for the ambition he had since the beginning.

Moreover, his vision is his testament to this. The fact that his ambition was recognized by the gods means that it wasn't a small ambition.

He will keep moving forward until he gains the freedom and peace he wants.

'Tatakae,' Isaac lampooned at himself at this thought.

Freminet took note of his answers and paused for a moment. It was as if he was contemplating something while writing Isaac's answer. However, he then composed himself and continued writing.

"You done?" Picking up the teacup he prepared and removing the tea bag, Isaac cradled it as he spoke to Freninet. "Lyney sure has some weird questions, huh?"

"Yeah... Even I don't know what he'll do with these for his next show..." Freminet sighed as he closed his notepad.

'Don't let your mommy— I mean daddy— I mean Father see them though,' Isaac held the cup near his lips and took a sip. 'I doubt she can do any significant dangerous things with these questions... But you can never be too sure.'

After talking for a bit more, Freminet started packing up his items. "I have to leave now..."

Hopping off his chair, Freminet looked at Isaac. "Your brew was as good today as any other day. Thank you."

"I'm touched," Isaac smiled sincerely. "As always, if you want more, my cafe is always open... Except Sundays."

Hearing his last sentence, Freminet, for the first time in a while, smiled softly. "You always liked resting, don't you, Mister Isaac?"

'Hold up, he can smile?' Isaac was dumbfounded for a second before laughing lightly. "Hey, that's just me."

After this, the two of them bid farewell and Freminet finally left the cafe.

Holding his cup of tea, Isaac looked out the glass pane window and on the streets of the Court of Fontaine.

As he silently looked at the world outside, he couldn't help but ask himself if this was enough.

In the end, he could only lightly sigh outwardly.

"Yeah..." Relaxing his face, Isaac smiled softly. "I'm fine with that wish."

"I'll never change it for anything."

Isaac continued to watch the world outside as he drank his tea slowly. Savoring each taste of it and enjoying the moment.

"Hm?" Just then, while he was drinking, he suddenly saw two people approaching his cafe.

And they were both familiar.

"You've gotta be kidding," Isaac smiled wryly as he looked outside. "Why would these two... even meet at this time and place...?"

As he continued watching them, the two people soon entered the cafe doors.

Ding~*

"My dear servant, look who I've invited to your cafe today! We're just here for a quick tea party~" The usual boastful tone of the familiar goddess spoke.

"..." The other person, on the other hand, remained silent for the time being as they continued to look around the cafe.

"...Welcome, ladies," Putting on his mask once more, Isaac greeted them with a smile. "What would all of you have?"

'Seriously...' Signing internally, Isaac looked at them. 'To think that it would be them together...'

'Furina and... Clorinde.'

* * *

A/N:

I've cooked the last few chapters before Volume 1 ends, and...

*evil laugh*

One chapter would be automatically released at exactly 9 PM every night. Except them.

Have fun my pookies.