72 Unlikely Alliance (1/2)
KIHO didn't have a choice but to join his fellow captains for lunch.
Since they were all hungry, they went to the first restaurant that they saw. They were at Aristo so naturally, every store in there was high-end. The steakhouse that they chose was famous for its high-quality beef.
Majority of the customers were higher nobles. They seemed shocked and amazed when the four captains of the Four Orders entered the restaurant.
[This is a rare sight after all.]
To be honest, there was a line outside. But when the staff saw them, he immediately called the owner of the restaurant. Then, the earl who owned it escorted them inside and even ushered them to the VIP lounge. They had privacy there because they were separated from the hall where most of the customers were.
The VIP lounge was closed and was only opened for them.
[Well, the captains of the Four Orders are important people in the empire.]
”This is my first time in this restaurant,” Captain Sherwood said cheerily after they made their orders. They all got rib-eye steak and red wine. ”Am I the only one?”
”This is my first time as well,” Captain Denver said. ”Actually, I rarely get the chance to dine in restaurants since our workload has been full recently.”
”Uh-huh,” Captain Sherwood agreed.
”This is also my first time here,” Kiho said. ”If the food here is great, I'll bring my wife here next time.”
”I've been here with my wife before. She loved it here. I'm sure Lady Prescott would be pleased if you bring her in this restaurant,” Captain Ainsworth told him. ”Captain Kiho, thank you for helping me reserve a jewelry set for my wife. I heard the slot for the ”pre-order” thing is limited. I'm glad I made it before it was gone.”
”Oh, yeah,” Captain Sherwood added. ”Thanks for the assist, Captain Kiho.”
Before they left the restaurant, Captain Sherwood and Captain Ainsworth had successfully reserved a slot of Tilly's pre-ordered jewelry set.
”You're welcome,” Kiho said to Captain Sherwood and Captain Ainsworth. ”Thank you for the patronage, captains.”
Their small talk was interrupted when their food finally arrived.
Four staff served them, one for each of the captain. The steaks served to them were big and juicy. The bottle of red wine that came with the food was apparently the best one in the restaurant. Aside from that, the presentation was pretty as well.
[I'm sure Tilly would love it here.]
All of the captains had only taken a bite of their steak when something unimaginable happened: the restaurant was suddenly attacked by rebels.
”Nobody moves!” one of the rebels, dressed like a proper nobleman, shouted while holding a rifle. How he managed to bring it in the area without being spotted by a knight would definitely be investigated. ”We'll shoot everyone who'd move!”
The rebels were eight men armed with rifles and swords. Two of them closed the doors and the windows. Based on the noise and cry of help outside, it was obvious that the knights and the civilians were killed outside.
[We didn't hear or feel a thing. They must be using some sort of concealment spell. That could also explain how on earth they managed to sneak in weapons in Aristo.]
”Stop eating, you f*cking nobles!” the angry rebel yelled again, pointing his rifle at the nobles. Most of the customers right now were ladies from affluent families. None of the nobles listened to the rebel and just continued eating and talking to each other. ”Are you listening to me, you m*therf*ckers?!”
”Oh, shut up,” a lady shouted back at the rebel. ”If you have something to complain about the empire, then say it to our great captains and let the innocent people have lunch in peace!”
The rebel looked taken aback. ”C-Captains?”
Everyone calmly and politely pointed at their direction.
When the rebels turned to the VIP lounge, they were greeted by the four captains of the empire's Four Orders.
Captain Sherwood was smiling and even waving at the rebels.
Captain Ainsworth looked worried about the customers' safety.
While Kiho and Captain Denver looked passive as usual.
”A-Attack!” the leader-like among the rebels shouted while pointing his rifle at the captains. ”The captains are here so we can't afford to hold back!”
But the captains didn't need to move to seize the rebels.
When the rebels started to fire at them, Captain Sherwood just waved his hand and the direction of the wind changed. The bullets, instead of aiming towards their direction, took a turn and shot the rebels instead.
Captain Ainsworth stomped on the ground and a concrete wall sprouted, protecting the innocent customers from stray bullets.
Captain Denver tapped the gems embedded in his armband, effectively burning the enemies' swords and other weapons into ashes.
”Retreat!” the leader said. ”Retreat!”
Kiho snapped his fingers. Then, a thick layer of ice wrapped around the rebels' bodies like ropes. [Where did these rebels come from?]
And just like that, the assailants were apprehended.
***
”THIS ISN'T the end!” the rebel yelled while being escorted by knights from Captain Ainsworth's squad out of the restaurant. ”Even if you caught us now, our allies would definitelt avenge us!”
No one batted an eye at the threat.
[Anyway…]
The customers inside were safely evacuated by Captain Sherwood (the ”crowd favorite” among the captains). Kiho and Captain Denver helped give first aids to the victims outside the restaurant while they were waiting for doctors.