#485 Guild Vs. Company

I was curious about Bacchus’ oden shop.

Bacchus is a demigod who has been around for thousands of years, brewing, drinking, and propagating alcohol.

He recently opened an oden shop as part of his efforts to enjoy alcohol with the right side dishes.

As for me, I am extremely anxious because he’s in the service industry.

I intended to check on him frequently, but various events, including the wedding of Arowana and myself, and the Demon King's diet fiasco, had put it on hold for so long.

...

I initially planned to live a carefree, easygoing life in this world, but I find myself getting busier and busier by the day.

Well, I guess this is just part of my karma.

Now that I’ve made some free time, I’ll check on Bacchus and see how his oden shop has changed while I was away. 

* * *

I arrive and see some kind of quarrel going on already—a couple of assertive demons are glaring at each other.

“Where does a small guild as yours get all that gusto?!”

“That’s my line, you corporate drone! Don't think you can talk your way out of it with your funds!!!”

Things are pretty hostile over here.

Why is this oden shop always in such a dicey situation every time I visit?

“Oh, if it isn’t the saint. Welcome.”

Behind the arguing men is Bacchus, the shopkeeper and the god of alcohol, simmering oden as if nothing wrong is going on.

“I've been worried because you haven't visited lately. Are you perhaps cheating on me with another restaurant?"

“I think you should drop by the farm once in a while.”

When Bacchus finds something he is passionate about, he devotes himself to it wholeheartedly.

It’s just how he is.

“I know you have much to talk about, but sit down and order something first.”

“Okay, I'll have daikon, chikuwa, and thick fried tofu, please.”

“And alcohol?”

“I don't drink in the daytime. I'm in the mood for lunch, so I'd like some rice too if possible.”

Bacchus’ oden has a rich broth that goes well with rice.

They are sure to sell well if he serves set meals during lunchtime.

Ah, he does have rice with him.

White rice goes exceptionally well with oden as a side dish, you know?

“...So, what’s the deal with those guys causing trouble in front of your shop?”

While I was smacking my lips at the oden, the uncultured men were still busy pushing and shoving each other.

“No clue. I’m only interested in offering divine alcohol and oden to my customers!”

“Self-interested as always...”

We won’t get anywhere if he’s always like this.

Looks like we need a responsible character to do the explaining for us.

“Belena.”

“Yes?”

Belena, my escort, is sitting next to me, biting into a piece of chikuwabu.

“Please let me finish eating this first...!”

“Take your time and eat.”

Bacchus’ oden shop is in the Demon Kingdom, so for me to get here, I need someone with the ability to teleport, and that’s none other than Belena. 

And if I ever feel like touring the capital, she makes the ideal candidate as she used to be in the army.

“...Thank you for the hearty meal...Now, I believe half the people arguing outside are from the Izakaya Guild.”

“Ah, weren’t they also here before?”

In the past, the Izakaya Guild condemned Bacchus's oden shop for running an unlicensed business.

“Wasn’t the problem solved when Bacchus revealed his identity?”

“For professions involved in alcohol, Lord Bacchus is considered a guardian deity. I recall his business was granted a special exception and was immediately permitted to resume business.”

As expected of Belena, she’s also aware of related matters.

“But if that's the case, the dispute has been completely resolved, right? Why are they causing a ruckus outside again?”

“Perhaps they have another reason?”

Well, the fact that they’re arguing means they don’t share the same opinion on something...

“I wonder who’s the other group picking a fight with the guild members?”

“If we figure that out, I’m sure we’ll also find out the root cause of their argument. But first, I'd like some extra pounded fish cake, please.”

“Ah, I'll have burdock root and shirataki.”

Thanks to Bacchus's delicious oden, we still haven’t gotten anywhere.

* * *

“Phew... What a meal that was.”

“I'm so full!"

We finally intervened after we had our fill.

“What are you guys fighting about?”

“And who are you?! Geezers should stay out of this!”

Talk about menacing.

We tried to intervene, but they wouldn't listen to us at all.

“Enough is enough! Do you really want us to resort to violence just to drive you away from here?!”

“There it is, wild guilds and their violence card. If you insist on doing this, you will learn that you’re not just financially inferior to us!”

Uh oh.

If this continues, all hell could break loose right in front of Bacchus' shop.

“And if that happens, Bacchus will go out of business. In that case...!”

"Should I wipe them out with a barrage of magic?" asks Belena.

She's gotten courageous, hasn't she?

I was about to leave things to her, but...

“Please stop this at once. It's disgraceful.”

We heard another voice controlling the roughnecks.

And it’s a familiar one.

It’s...

“Mr. Shax?!”

The president of the Demon Kingdom’s leading firm, Mr. Shax, is here!

What is our business partner/close friend doing here?

“Oh my, Lord Saint. It’s a surprise to see you here... Ah, or maybe not.”

Mr. Shax notices my presence and greets me.

“There’s no way you’re not involved in Lord Bacchus’ business, after all.”

“Wait, a restaurant...?”

Isn’t that a bit of an exaggeration?

“I'm sorry our people have shown you such a shameful sight. I understand your dismay, Lord Saint, but please accept my sincerest apologies on behalf of my employees...!”

“Oh, no, no... It’s okay...!”

All this politeness is a little stifling...!

The president sure is prudent as always.

“So the guild members are arguing with people from Pandemonium?”

“They’re helpless, the lot. I have instructed our people to always behave gracefully and not offend the customers, even if they are at their wits’ end...”

I guess he’s also thorough when it comes to training his employees.

“But when dealing with guilds, they end up being rude one way or another... Perhaps these guild members’ punk-like attitude is influencing them greatly...”

“And what kind of stereotype is that?!”

Is this a new character I sense?!

“You're the one with the cocky attitude, Shax! Prattle like that any longer, and I, Izakaya Guildmaster Samijrah, will beat you up just like old times!”