Na-Isekai Ako

Chapter 7: Cafe

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The streets outside Zamir's shop were alive with energy, a vibrant hum that Katherine hadn't anticipated. People bustled past, some carrying baskets, others deep in conversation, all with a clear sense of purpose. The sun shone brightly overhead, casting long shadows on the cobblestone streets, while the marketplace buzzed with life. Yet, as Katherine walked through the lively scene, she couldn't shake the underlying sense of displacement. The world around her seemed so familiar, yet entirely foreign.

"It feels like a medieval marketplace, kind of like in Beauty and the Beast. I feel like I'm Belle."

She marveled at the colorful stalls lining the streets—piles of fresh produce, fabrics hanging from wooden beams, hand-carved trinkets displayed for sale. It was as though the place had sprung to life right out of a storybook. The smells of spices and baked goods filled the air, but despite the outward warmth of the scene, Katherine felt a sense of hollowness in her chest. How was she supposed to live in a world that wasn't hers?

"There goes the baker with his tray, just like always. The same old bread and rolls to sell... charot!" she thought. She wanted to dance, but she'd look just as strange as Belle did in the movie.

"Feeling like a Disney Princess," she shrugged her shoulders.

Her stomach growled, the reminder of her hunger pulling her back from her spiraling thoughts. She hadn't eaten since she arrived, and the ache in her belly was sharp. Spotting a small market further down the street, she followed the scent of fresh bread and herbs. A wooden sign swung in the breeze above the door, the words faded but legible enough to make her way inside.

The market was warm, filled with the chatter of customers and the soft clinking of coins. The air smelled of fresh bread and sweet spices. Behind the counter, a silver-haired woman smiled as Katherine approached.

"Looking for something to eat?" the woman asked, her voice soft and inviting.

Katherine hesitated for a moment. The weight of being in an unfamiliar world, unsure of how to act or what was expected of her, pressed down on her shoulders. But the hunger gnawing at her stomach pushed her to respond. "Yes, something simple, please."

The woman's sharp yet kind gaze appraised Katherine for a moment before she nodded. "Bread and cheese, then. Will that suit you?"

Katherine smiled faintly and nodded, grateful for the simplicity of the offer. The woman swiftly wrapped the food in linen cloth, her movements practiced and efficient.

"I was just singing about bread, and now someone hands me bread."

Katherine reached for her pouch of coins, but as her fingers fumbled, she realized she didn't know what the currency was. The unfamiliar weight of the coins in her hand felt wrong, and for a moment, she panicked.

"I—I don't know how much this costs," Katherine admitted, her voice filled with quiet embarrassment. "I'm new here, and... I don't know the exchange rates."

The woman's gaze softened, and she shook her head with a gentle smile. "That's alright, dear. You're not the first to find yourself lost. I'll take whatever you have."

Katherine dug into her pouch, pulling out a handful of the strange coins, though she couldn't recognize them. The older woman smiled kindly, dismissing the matter.

"Consider it a gift," she said with a wink. "Everyone needs help sometimes."

Katherine hesitated, touched by the woman's kindness. She tucked the coins back into her pouch, holding the wrapped food close to her chest. It was simple, but the act felt like a lifeline, something familiar in a world that felt increasingly alien.

"Thank you," Katherine said softly, the gratitude in her voice evident.

The woman waved her off with a chuckle. "No need for thanks, dear. Just make sure you share your kindness when you can. It always comes back around."

With a final smile, Katherine stepped out of the market and into the sunlight. The bread and cheese, while nothing extraordinary, felt like a small comfort in her hands. She found a quiet bench beneath a tree and sat down to eat, the simplicity of the meal grounding her as she took the first bite. The bread was soft, the cheese rich—nothing spectacular, but nourishing nonetheless.

"That tastes good, makes me miss Ensaymada."

As she chewed, her mind drifted back to the memories of her final moments. The chaos, the sound of gunfire, the searing pain of the bullet. The child she had tried to protect. Had she survived? Did anyone know what happened to her? She tried to push away the sadness, but it lingered like a shadow in the back of her mind.

She thought, Did I regret it?... Nope, I did not.

Katherine wandered down the street, her eyes drawn to a charming café nestled between two stone buildings. It was the kind of place she would have loved to spend time in back in her original world. She hadn't been to a café in what felt like ages. The thought of a warm drink and a place to gather her thoughts seemed like the perfect escape from the weight of the unknown world around her.

Curious, she stepped inside. The air inside was warm, and the smell of freshly ground coffee and baked pastries greeted her. She found a cozy corner with a small table by the window, where she could watch the world outside. The café seemed to cater to all kinds of people—common folk, merchants, and nobles alike. There was a mix of chatter in the air, yet it held a calm, welcoming atmosphere.

Katherine glanced at the menu, her eyes scanning for something familiar. No cold or iced coffee options. She frowned slightly, missing the refreshing coolness of an iced coffee, which was her usual preference back home. But this was a different world, after all, and she reminded herself that it was okay to adapt. She settled on a simple hot coffee, deciding to indulge herself for once.

A few minutes later, her coffee arrived. She took the cup in her hands and brought it to her lips. The warmth felt comforting, and as she took her first sip, she was pleasantly surprised. It tasted just like proper coffee—a rich, bold flavor that reminded her of home. For a moment, she closed her eyes, savoring the taste, feeling a strange sense of comfort despite everything else that was so unfamiliar.

As she sipped her coffee, she overheard snippets of conversation from a group sitting nearby. They were speaking in low, urgent tones, and the words piqued her interest.

"War's coming, no doubt about it," one of the men said, his voice rough. "The front lines are moving, and we can only hope we're not next. If we aren't prepared, it's going to be chaos here."

A woman, her voice anxious, added, "Our resources are already stretched thin. I've seen the reports—there's no guarantee we'll hold if the enemy pushes south. Our kingdom might fall before reinforcements arrive."

A young nobleman, his face grim, spoke up. "What can we do? The soldiers are leaving, and we have nothing. What happens to those of us who aren't trained for battle?"

Katherine's thoughts began to race. The conversation felt all too familiar—like something she'd read about in the stories of her world. She had always known that war could bring devastation, but it was the people left behind that often bore the heaviest burden.

As the conversation continued, Katherine couldn't help but listen. She wanted to speak out, but part of her hesitated. She was, after all, a stranger in this world, a mere tourist. Still, curiosity gnawed at her, and soon, she found herself standing up and stepping over to the table where the group had gathered.

She cleared her throat and, in a calm but steady voice, said, "Fighting in war isn't the only way to help the kingdom."

The group paused, turning their heads in surprise. Katherine's words had clearly caught their attention.

"Even common folk have something to contribute," she continued, gaining confidence. "It's not just about soldiers marching off to battle. We must also think of those who remain—those who keep the kingdom running in the absence of the army."

A soldier, whose uniform looked worn but still sturdy, raised an eyebrow. "And what do you propose we do, then?" he asked. "We can't just sit around and wait for the kingdom to crumble."

Katherine stood firm, looking him in the eye. "It's not just about weapons and fighting. Provisions are just as important, maybe more so. If the war takes everything, what happens to the people left behind? A kingdom needs its farmers, its bakers, its builders, just as much as it needs soldiers. If we forget them, if we don't think about the backbone of the kingdom, then we're doomed from the start."

The mercenary snorted dismissively, but the soldier, who had spoken before, seemed to consider her words. His frown deepened, and he nodded slowly.

"You're right," he said quietly. "We focus so much on the front lines that we forget the kingdom as a whole. It's not just about winning the war—it's about keeping things running after the war ends."

Katherine felt a surge of validation. She added, "I once read of a kingdom that sent all its resources to the war, forgetting about the people left behind. The king sent provisions for the soldiers, but none for the city. They won the war, but by the time they returned, the people were starving, and the city had already been overrun. The cost of war is always more than just soldiers—it's the lives of everyone."

She paused, then added, her voice growing more contemplative, "There's another way to avoid bloodshed."

The soldier raised an eyebrow. "And what would that be?"

"If we had more allies," Katherine said, "If diplomacy fails with the South, perhaps the North could be persuaded to ally with us. It all depends on the choices of our wise king—and the gods."

A mercenary laughed, shaking his head. "How do you know they'd even consider an alliance?"

Katherine met his skeptical gaze with a steady look. "Technically, it would be difficult to forge an alliance with a kingdom that values its independence or seeks to conquer others. But what if we show them that we're not just another foe to be conquered, but a stronger force willing to offer peace? If we prove that we are capable of power, yet prefer diplomacy over war, we could convince them. The North respects strength, but it also values those who seek something greater than just conflict."

She hesitated for a moment, then added, unsure if her assumptions were correct. "Of course, this is just how I imagine it. I have no real knowledge of their ways, but it seems to me that power and peace would speak louder than endless fighting."

The room fell silent as the group absorbed her words. The mercenaries, soldiers, and common folk exchanged glances, all seemingly considering her point. Even the nobles at the table looked thoughtful.

As she turned to leave, Katherine caught the gaze of a figure standing near the door, watching her. A young man, tall with dark hair and piercing red eyes, stood there, his expression unreadable. His gaze was intense, focused solely on her, and a chill ran down her spine.

She couldn't place why, but something about him seemed unsettling. As Katherine walked out of the café, the chill lingered in her thoughts. Who was he?