In a late-night tavern, the oil lamp cast a flickering halo on the wooden table. A gray-haired young man in a dark green coat lay sprawled on the table like a pile of mud.
"One more… as long as there's enough alcohol… I won't think about those annoying things…" He mumbled to his empty glass, his voice as thick as mead mixed with honey, "What caravan losses… what debts… all of it…"
"Excuse me."
A clear female voice suddenly cut into his drunken ramblings. He slowly raised his head, and in his blurry vision, a girl in a maid's uniform appeared.
"Are you Mr. Otto?" The girl tilted her head, scrutinizing his gaudy green attire.
"Ah! Yes, that's me!" Otto suddenly straightened up, his eyes lighting up, "Are you here to buy goods? I have excellent-"
"That Earth dragon carriage outside, is it yours?" The girl directly interrupted his sales pitch, "I need to rent it urgently."
Otto instantly deflated like a leaky balloon, slumping back onto the table. "What… not a buyer…" He buried his face in his arms, "No renting, no renting… let me keep escaping reality…"
The girl's brows furrowed. "This attitude of 'my life is over tomorrow' is really irritating. Alright, time is short, so quickly name a price. If you keep escaping reality, I might have to say something very rude."
"Why should you!" Otto suddenly looked up. "We're strangers, why are you lecturing a down-and-out merchant! Do you know how many caravans turned me away today? Do you know my dragon carriage-"
"One more word and I'll hit you."
Otto's complaints stopped abruptly. He recoiled, "W-wait… Miss, violence won't solve… No, wait! We've just met, haven't we?" He suddenly felt a surge of sadness, "Even a passing Maid wants to bully me! Can't this world be a little kinder to extras!"
Subaru frowned, looking at the green-clad young man before her, whose eyes were starting to well up with tears and who reeked of alcohol. She sighed heavily, hands on her hips. "Hey, hey, what's with this 'my life is over' gloomy attitude? A grown man crying here, if you keep giving up like this, even if I want to help, I can't!"
"It's no use… you can't help me…" Otto sniffled, drunkenly waving his empty glass, "Unless it's some brain-damaged idiot, who would…"
Before he could finish, he saw Subaru raise her fist, which immediately sobered him up considerably. "Wait! I get it! I'll tell you, alright!" He frantically waved his hands, a hint of grievance in his voice, "Those goods in my carriage… if they don't sell…" At this, his voice suddenly dropped, and his eyes dimmed, "I'll have to mortgage myself to my creditors… and my life after that… will be completely over…"
Subaru stared at him for a few seconds. "Let me confirm again, if someone buys your goods, you'll be able to get back on your feet?"
"Theoretically, yes…" Otto shook his head with a bitter smile, "But where in this world would there be such a sucker…"
Before he finished speaking, a heavy cloth bag landed on the table in front of him with a "thud." Otto froze, realizing something. With trembling hands, he untied the bag, and a golden glow immediately illuminated his face- it was filled with genuine coins!
"Th-these…" He stammered, unable to speak, looking up at Subaru with an expression of disbelief.
"Is that enough?" Subaru tapped the table impatiently, "Can we talk about renting the carriage now?"
She secretly congratulated herself; thanks to Roswaal's generous salary, she had discovered a few days ago while shopping that her wages were significantly higher than almost all other workers in the capital. Although… this bag of gold coins was almost all of her savings.
Otto was still in shock. He carefully picked up a gold coin and bit it, confirming it was real, then suddenly stood up excitedly.
"Wah! Thank you so much, Maid!" Otto's face was flushed with excitement, and he spread his arms, about to lunge forward to give Subaru a grateful hug.
Subaru deftly dodged to the side, covering her nose in disgust. "Hey, hey! Keep your distance! Who are you trying to suffocate with that alcohol stench? And who said you could just hug me?"
"Ah! I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Otto finally realized his impropriety, quickly stepped back two paces, and stood awkwardly. He suddenly straightened his expression, solemnly took off his green hat, pressed it against his chest, and bowed deeply. "Please allow me to formally introduce myself. I am Otto Suwen, a traveling merchant who roams various parts of the kingdom. I am deeply grateful for your assistance today, Miss."
"Natsuki Subaru, Maid of the Roswaal estate." Subaru responded curtly, her eyes occasionally glancing at the sky outside the window. "So, can we talk about renting the carriage now? I'm really in a hurry."
"Of course, of course!" Otto nodded repeatedly, but then showed a confused expression, "But… what exactly is so urgent? Can't it even wait until tomorrow morning?"
"I have an urgent matter and must return to the mansion immediately." Subaru answered vaguely.
Otto immediately patted his chest, guaranteeing: "Subaru, don't worry! I, Otto, will never forget your great kindness! I will take you back at the fastest speed and safest route!"
The two walked out of the tavern while talking. The night breeze blew, sobering Otto up a little. He suddenly asked curiously, "By the way, Subaru, how did you find me? Most caravans should be resting at this hour."
"The dragon carriage station closed a long time ago." Subaru pointed to the Earth dragon carriage parked in front of the tavern. "I wandered around the street for a long time, saw this carriage, and asked the owner whose it was. That owner said," She deliberately mimicked a gruff voice, "'Oh, Otto's, that green-haired turtle who's dressed like a rotten vegetable and drinks himself silly.'"
"Th-that description is too hurtful!" Otto tugged at his dark green coat indignantly, but then dejectedly admitted, "…Though it is quite accurate."
Just as they were about to board the dragon carriage, Subaru suddenly stopped. "Wait… what's loaded in your carriage?"
"Excellent oil!" Otto proudly announced, "The quality is absolutely guaranteed! It's specially from… Why are you looking at me like I'm an idiot!"
"Alright, how can you see so clearly in such dark weather? Let's go!" Subaru impatiently interrupted him, having already jumped onto the dragon carriage.
"Yes, yes, I'm going right away…" Otto muttered softly, skillfully driving the Earth dragon carriage.
The Earth dragon took powerful strides, carrying the two of them swiftly into the night. Neither of them noticed that, in the shadows not far away, a blue figure was following closely at an astonishing speed.
...
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