(EP-167.2) Night #8

167 – Day and Night #8

I went outside Ark with Narmi.

The place I took her to was a rather bustling restaurant in Gracia City.

「Imp Tail Tavern.」

Though, it was more like an inn rather than a restaurant. It was a place that combined accommodations with the sale of alcoholic beverages and meals.

Such businesses are livelier in the evenings.

After finishing their day’s work, laborers and adventurers would gather in groups, clinking glasses, and engaging in lively conversations. Just like most places of this kind, it was filled to the brim.

“It’s crowded.”

Narmi was right. It was noisy and filled with uncivilized clatter as well as sounds of utensils constantly banging your ears.

“I’ve never been to a place like this before.”

“I see.”

It was not the kind of place that would suit a noble lady. I had wondered if Narmi, who often roamed around at night, had ever been to a tavern like this, but it seemed like she had no prior experience.

Well, it took a lot of courage to enter a place like this alone, so that was only natural.

“Even in the evening, there are still so many people!”

Narmi exclaimed as she saw the crowd and noise around her.

Narmi was that extroverted friend who could find energy and vitality in people. It felt like a place that was so noisy and chaotic to the point that it unexpectedly suited her taste.

I said.

“These kinds of places only truly come to life at night.”

“Really?”

“I’ll take care of the ordering, so please tell me if there’s anything you’re interested in.”

“Eum-. Then how about some spicy chili sausage and beer.”

“Beer?”

“Eung, eung! Unnie always drinks wine. I also wanted to try this ‘beer’.”

“Then I’ll order it.”

And so I ordered some food and the things Narmi wanted from the waiter.

We didn’t have to wait long as the dishes soon arrived, and Narmi, who had skipped lunch, eagerly picked up her fork and knife.

Of course, the meal had the atmosphere of a noble lady, contrasting the barbaric revelry of the surroundings.

“It’s tastier than I thought.”

To the extent that it almost looked like a solemn act of prayer in itself. Even the beer foam that got on her mouth had its own charm.

Narmi’s presence naturally attracted the attention of those around us.

━She looks like a noble.

━I feel like I’ve seen that silver hair and ruby eyes somewhere. Ah, isn’t she Mirna Draco?

━Nah, there’s no way, right? Why would Mirna Draco come here? Why would she even drink cheap watered-down beer?

Seuk.

Narmi then put her spoon down. Whether it was due to the various emotions she was feeling or the intoxication from the beer she had been sipping, but her face was flushed red.

Narmi then said.

“… Everyone thinks I’m Unnie.”

“Well, that’s only because the majority of people only know of Mirna-nim.”

“It’s always the same… No matter how hard I work, no one recognizes me…”

“Um….”

“Everyone just defaults to Unnie. Isn’t Theo the same? You called me out here today to tell me to release Unnie, right?”

“…….”

Narmi was also quick to notice. I had indeed brought her here to persuade such.

There was a world for you at night.

And there was a different world for those who lived during the day-.

It was time you released Mirna-. After experiencing it yourself, you should understand your sister’s struggles.

As I was about to say these things, Narmi took the initiative, and I found myself at a loss. She then continued to speak, seemingly overwhelmed with emotions, while I remained silent.

“I just wanted to bask in the sunlight like normal people and laugh like ordinary folks. I wanted to visit the sunny beaches…”

“…….”

“I wanted to take a normal nap as well. But do I really not deserve that? Do I have to live only under the moonlight, in the dark depths of the underground?”

Ttoreureureu.

Tears that she had been holding back for the past few days finally burst forth. Seeing Narmi cry made my heart ache a little. I could understand her feelings.

“I also wanted to live a normal life. I didn’t choose to be born like this. But people don’t even know I exist, much less like me.”

“No one likes Narmi-nim?”

“That’s right. A woman who can only come out at night. Who would like someone who’s awake while everyone else is asleep?”

“That’s… Not necessarily true.”

“… Not necessarily what?”

Seuk.

I took out the tome from my waist and activated the magic circle.

Then I pulled out a flower kept in a glass bottle from the inventory. It was a dehydrated flower that Elga prepared for me earlier.

I didn’t think it would be used in a place like this.

I silently thanked Elga in my heart and asked Narmi.

“Do you know what kind of flower this is?”

“No, I don’t.”

“It’s a moonflower. Once upon a time there was a Nymph who liked the moon so much, she turned into this moonflower.”

“…….”

“That is why they say that the flower only blooms at night. It symbolizes ‘patience,’ as it waits for the moon to rise.”

Believe it or not, there was such a story in the fairy tales I got from Stella Belhawk.

There was a Nymph who liked the moon among the countless stars, so the Moon Goddess turned that pitiful Nymph into a flower.

I said while recalling the contents in my head.

“If there was a fairy who loved only the moon that appears at night, it wouldn’t be strange for a Half-Fairy to like a lady, who only comes out at night too, right?”

“… What?”

Narmi, who was shedding tears just moments ago, suddenly became flustered with my question.

“W-what are you talking about? It’s not like… like you, Theo, like me….”

Edited by: faker