Southern Cross Street in Alchemy City, once the liveliest place around, had grown rather quiet.
The worsening economy was becoming increasingly apparent. More and more shops were closing, and fewer and fewer bosses could offer adventurers work.
The Iron Dregs Tavern had visibly fewer customers these days. In the past, its owner would surely have flown into a rage. Orcs were naturally short-tempered and rarely calm.
But the tavern had been quiet for the past few days, mainly because it had a new owner.
The former owner, the female Orc Auna Hellfire, had packed her things. Once she had sold everything she couldn't take with her, she would leave the city.
The Iron Dregs had changed hands twice in a single day, and now seemed to have become official property of Alchemy City.
Private property becoming public property was a rare thing. Wasn't it usually the other way around, with public property secretly turned into private property?
Whatever complicated power plays were involved didn't matter. The Orc bartender still stood behind the counter, polishing his glasses as usual.
The Dwarf singer with the terrible voice had left, though, and with so few customers, the tavern felt far too quiet.
The Orc bartender sighed, feeling a little sorry. The Dwarf singer had been a pretty nice guy.
With a world-weary air, as if he had witnessed both prosperity and decline, the Orc bartender poured himself a mug of ale and sipped it slowly.
With a chime, the tavern door swung open, and a tall knight in heavy armor walked in.
There was no need for the newcomer to introduce himself. The rose-and-dragon emblem on his armor made it clear that he was a Paladin from the Lyne Empire.
The Orc bartender set down his glass, then instinctively placed an empty bottle