The next day, Lanche strolled through the city and found merchants complaining bitterly.

The entire Bernoas Territory had six cities. Now, extra soldiers guarded every gate, inspecting merchants' goods.

They claimed to only ban private sales of Grute herbs. But in practice, the soldiers weren't well-mannered.

At riverbanks and checkpoints, inspections had gone wild.

"Gorde, you'll never understand," Lanche smiled. "Even if the territory is yours, not everything should be controlled. Too much control leads to chaos."

"Just like this world."

After wandering, he returned to Dais's tavern.

It was almost mealtime, but the place felt eerily quiet.

Puzzled, he stepped inside. Tahina sat alone at the bar, staring blankly.

"Tahina," he called.

"What's wrong? Where's Sister Dais?"

The beautiful owner was nowhere in sight.

Stools sat upside-down on tables, untidy. Not all candle lamps were lit, like fading twilight.

Sitting in the dim light, Tahina looked up and forced a small smile. "Mr. Lanche..."

"What happened?" Lanche asked worriedly, walking over.

Tahina shook her head. After a pause, she whispered, "Sister Dais... Grandma Dais left."

"Huh? So suddenly?" Lanche was shocked.

"Oh no, she didn't die. She just left here," Tahina hurriedly explained.

"Oh." Lanche sighed in relief. "Left? Where to?"

Tahina shook her head gently. "I don't know. She said she's searching for a way to lift her curse."

Lanche was still confused about the curse. But now wasn't the time. The girl before him was heartbroken.

"Since she chose to go, don't worry. Sister Dais isn't ordinary," Lanche comforted.

"Mm. I know. She's a powerful mage." Tahina nodded slightly, but her mood stayed dark.

Lanche didn't know how to comfort her.

Things had happened so abruptly. They'd just received a batch of foamy malt beer to sell.

He glanced around the tavern, wondering if it could reopen.

"Where's Wenbess?" he asked.

"Sister Wenbess is still sleeping."

"Oh. Right."

"Did she know about Sister Dais's curse?"

Tahina nodded. "Mm. Sister Wenbess found the clue for Grandma Dais."

"I see. So Sister Dais planned this for a while."

"Mm." Tahina nodded, head low, deeply dejected.

Her parents had died on an adventure. Grandma Dais was her only family now. Of course she couldn't bear the separation.

Surely Sister Dais had no choice but to leave her granddaughter.

Lanche sighed inwardly. He stayed silent, simply sitting beside the girl.

Customers arrived. Lanche explained the situation, seated them, and served drinks himself.

Tahina still couldn't pull herself together.

The kitchen cook kept working. Lanche relayed orders and carried dishes.

Some customers entered, expressed regrets, and left quickly.

"Will this tavern stay open?" an old regular asked.

Lanche looked at Tahina. She sat motionless, lost in thought, probably not hearing.

"Sigh. All good things end," someone murmured.

"With only young Tahina, running this place will be tough."

"True." The old customers sighed.

"What a shame. Open for decades... we'll lose a drinking spot."

"It'll probably be handed to someone else," Lanche said.

Tahina would never want to close it.

"But it won't be the same." The regulars waved dismissively.

Lanche agreed.

Soon, the old customers finished meals, had two drinks, and left.

More guests came sporadically, but none lingered.

When Wenbess woke, she frowned in confusion. "What happened?"

Seeing Tahina's sorrow, she felt guilty. "Ah, sorry! I thought Dais was just stepping out. No big deal."

"Sigh. Are all long-lived species this clueless?" Lanche muttered.

"Well... pretty much," Wenbess admitted awkwardly.

She stayed put, sitting beside Tahina to keep her company.

Lanche tidied the tavern, at least for old customers to grab a drink.

He bustled around. Wenbess sipped wine. Tahina sat like a silent clay statue.

Evening fell. Fewer customers came than at noon—likely hearing Dais had left.

Lanche told the girls to close early. He needed to head home or risk being late.

"A man married into the family doesn't have it easy," Wenbess teased, cracking sunflower seeds.

"None of your business." Lanche snorted, cleaned up, and left first.

On the manor road, he met Lekui. She'd seemed to seek him. Seeing him, she scowled. "Thought you actually died out there this time."

"But I'm back for you," Lanche stared intently, like a vengeful ghost.

"Boring." Lekui rolled her eyes and turned away.

Lanche smiled, following her home.

Kestia frowned in the living room. Spotting him, she relaxed, then said sternly, "Outside is still dangerous for you. Stay careful."

"I know." Lanche nodded.

"Knowing won't stop someone from killing you easily," Lekui remarked flatly.

"Young Master Lanche needs protection," Sileus suggested.

Kestia nodded thoughtfully. "Mm. Liya will guard him."

"Me?" Liya blinked. "Shouldn't Lekui be better?"

She glanced oddly at Kestia, then Lekui. Normally, Lekui handled this. Why call her?

Kestia paused. "Alright. Lekui will follow him."

Lekui shot Lanche a look but said nothing.

"I didn't expect such concern," Lanche said, pleasantly surprised.

"Naturally. You're Claire Family now," Sileus smiled.

"Mainly because you're useful," Lekui added dryly.

Liya chuckled, agreeing silently.

Kestia stood, expression neutral. "Dinner."

Lanche smiled, joining them at the table.

He suddenly felt a true sense of home.

Not just here—in his past life too, he'd died before ever finding one.