Ninya's Happiness, Sebas's Unauthorized Decision

The wheat ale was moderately priced for this tavern.

It was slightly more expensive than at other taverns, which seemed somewhat at odds with Home Tavern's affordable style. In reality, however, it was precisely the opposite.

Because it was not watered down!

"Certainly, sir."

A blonde girl busy at the counter looked up and hurriedly said gently, "Please wait a moment."

Sebas nodded lightly and took several copper coins from his clothes, placing them on the counter.

As the girl collected the coins and put them into the pocket of the white apron tied around her waist, she found a large wooden tankard and headed toward a barrel behind her.

Watermark omitted.

Splash, splash—

A pale yellow liquid flowed from the barrel, and the faint fragrance of wheat ale soon filled the air.

With a soft thud.

The blonde girl carefully placed a completely full wooden tankard before Sebas, taking care not to spill a drop. "Sir, your wheat ale is ready. Would you like some food as well?"

Sebas looked at the blonde girl before him.

She was quite young, probably only sixteen or seventeen. Though she wore a gentle smile, with his powers of observation—

he could easily see that her eyes were filled with stillness and emptiness, like a pool of stagnant water.

Even her smile seemed like some kind of disguise—no, a false attempt to accommodate others, like a doll trying hard to adapt to being a "person."

It was a strange feeling.

"I will not."

Sebas shook his head and observed her once more, confirming his judgment.

The blonde girl before him was the owner of this Home Tavern. Yet no matter how he looked at it, she seemed less like an owner and more like a maid—no, a slave trained by someone.

That was