Running a Tavern as a Former Witch!

Large and imposing arches appeared all over the land of Astralyth. The people watched as it opened, the warm golden glow beckoned them to enter.

Citizens of Astralyth began to pour into the empty space, contrasting with the chaos outside the emptiness of the foreign place embraced them with comfort.

While almost the entirety seemed to not care about the mysterious place, some began to whisper questions and complaints.

“Don't you folks think this is strange?" a man with one eye said, his eyes looking around frantically.

“I think it's best if we leave this place, we don't know what could be in here. My children wouldn't stop crying…” a lady added. Young children clinging to her long tattered skirt.

"What would we do in an empty space? Don't you think it's impossible for us to stay here? We won't live!” a girl dressed lavishly pointed out.

Suddenly, the blank air cracked, and the people became alarmed. Multiple gates began to open at once, civilians of the land rushed in like sheeps that were running away from the threat of wolves.

“O-on second thought, I think it's best to stay here,” the lavishly dressed girl spoke. Her entourage nodded with her.

On one of the gates, a man appeared, clad in a long white robe that swept the ground. His long silver hair flowed in the breeze as he led a group of individuals. A quick glance at their faces revealed the exhaustion of a challenging fight. A hush fell over the gathered crowd as another man, with chestnut hair ablaze in the fading light, came into view, and the people gasped in recognition of his presence.

A few shouted in delight. “It's the Holy Saint! Everyone!"

-

"I see that we have quite the celebrity,” Alpheratz mused. He slowed his pace, so I would be walking ahead of our group.

I scanned the horizon that was crowded with anxious people, they must've been seeking comfort. My presence had most likely evoked a sense of familiarity.

“Figuratively, maybe that is right,” I shook my head, but the corner of my lips curled into a subtle smile. The sight before us brought me back to the years I spent serving as the Holy Saint.

The moment I reached a closer distance with the crowd, their murmurs quieted.

They are no longer my people, they never were my people. Just as how Elara was never meant for anyone. I knew that.

I took a deep breath and spoke, mana allowed my voice to be heard by everyone. Discreetly, I casted a mind manipulation spell to ease their mind into settling down. “Your worries are not unfounded, but I assure you, we are safe within this place.”

Alpheratz placed a hand on my shoulder, I stared at him for a moment before shifting back to the crowd. “The prophecy is now upon us, the body of Astralyth is now coming back into place.”

As expected, muffled murmurs erupted. The prophecy was thought to be a story passed through generations among the citizens. In truth, it was not just a mere fiction. It was passed along in that manner to avoid putting their hearts in distress as the prophecy rendered. Now, I could only hope that my words would ease their minds.

A young child with puffy eyes came out of her hiding behind the skirt of a woman. Her eyes were filled with innocent curiosity. “Is there a hero too? Is it you, Sir Saint?"

I knelt, attempting to make my figure less imposing. “I fear that I cannot be the hero, but she is among us. The land has chosen its Heart. I wish for all of you to welcome her with open arms. Your fate for the Hero shall determine her strength.”

A sharp pain engulfed my head, I closed my eyes briefly to recompose myself. I swore an oath not to say or do something that could affect the prophecy, what I have said to this child meant my words against that oath. Indirectly, I just told this child and everyone who heard a prerequisite for the Heart to access the full potential of her power. I looked bacp up to the eyes of the child with a tired smile. Going against the oath is nothing compared to being alone.

The child tilted her head, it signaled her confusion with my words. I have always struggled to converse with children, I glanced behind and towards Vernon who had been quiet beside Sera. The little girl was peacefully asleep in his arms.

Vernon must've felt my gaze on him, he paused and kept his eyes in my direction before approaching us with a smile. He knelt beside me and looked at the child.

“Our Saint meant that our land has chosen its hero, which is a great thing for us! Now, because the hero is going to help us greatly, then when we finally meet the hero; we should take care of them and love them,” he says. The child beamed happily, but her eyes seemed somewhat unsure. Vernon chuckled which startled the little girl in his arms. Surprised, the girl flinched upon making eye contact with the other child. Vernon placed a hand on her head, reassuring her of her safety.

I stood up and spoke, my eyes scanning the sea of living beings. “We will take shelter in this place for an indefinite time."

The place was filled with murmurs once again. The sense of uncertainty was thick in the air.

It appears that my power is weakening; my words do not have much power to convince their minds. No matter, fate shall work its role.

Light erupted from one of the gates that surrounded us. I stared at Alpheratz who seemed very much pleased as he approached the gate. Like a waterfall, a seamless trail of individuals came rushing in to take shelter. Oddly enough, it seems that most of them are not worried about the situation. After most of them had settled in, the gate shone one last time revealing Elara with two other people on both of her sides.

I felt myself taking a deep sigh. It's needless for me to worry, but it is certainly a difficult feat if it is about that certain someone. She does have a knack for getting in trouble after all. I thought that perhaps I should make a talisman to rid her of bad omen, or is that a rude thing to do?

Hm…

I heard a voice in front of me. It was Alpheratz who is now slowly strolling towards the trio.

“Overthinking," he chuckled in a mocking tone. I shrugged. He is right.

I looked over at Elara's group, her eyes and mine met immediately. Something in my stomach fluttered widely, only then did I finally grasp the intense longing that I have been trying to push down in my gut.

I wish to run and hold her hand.

I wish to run and pull her in my embrace.

I wish to run and place a kiss on her forehead.

I wish to run and hear her voice, then I would confess my sincerity for her.

But I will myself to settle down. I should not get in her way. Not right now.

-

As we entered the gate, millions if not hundreds of eyes gathered to scan our faces with anxiety. One of them however, felt gentle. It was Levi, standing behind Alpheratz. A kind smile plastered over his lips. My eyes couldn't help but scan him for any injury. Nothing. I felt at ease, yet somewhere in my heart I wanted a chance to be with him. I wanted an excuse to run straight to him, but I shouldn't. Now is not the time for this.

I stood face to face with Alpheratz, who welcomed us with an embrace. I was surprised, but Lyra did the same, and so I followed. Though it was a strange feeling, the simple gesture relieved me of the strain.

Alpheratz pulled away from the hug to look into my eyes. Yet, his eyes somehow seemed trained on Ion, who stood nearby. "You've done excellent, my dear."

I smiled. "I had help. The credit isn't mine alone."

"Fair enough," said Pyrrhos, who stood beside me with a proud grin. Lyra moved beside him and elbowed Pyrrhos.

"Cocky bastard," she snarled provokingly.

"Annoying bitch," he bit back with a grin. There was a subtle emphasis on the latter word. Was he calling her a bitch, then?

Lyra kept silent, her brows arching into a frown. "You mean something sly about that insult, don't you, coward?"

These two aren't really worried about the matters we have right now, are they?

I sighed, watching their banter, which showed no sign of ending.

The sound of a throat clearing froze the air. Silence fell as Alpheratz's gaze swept over Lyra and Pyrrhos, silencing their playful banter with a single, meaningful stare. He cleared his throat, the sound echoing in the sudden hush. "The time for games is past," he declared, his voice low and resonant. "Beloved citizens of Astralyth, a shadow falls upon our land, a darkness that threatens to consume us like a creeping vine. But from the heart of this darkness, a light has been kindled. Before you stands Elara Dektos, chosen by the very earth beneath our feet, destined to be our guardian, the sole heart that will beat for Astralyth, a steadfast lighthouse in the raging storm."

I just gaped. I wasn't even going to bother asking how he knew my last name. It's Alpheratz—of course he did.

The murmurs began to get louder around us, everyone's eyes were straining to scan my form. I couldn't help, but feel anxious. Lyre approached me and whispered with a grin. “You should take advantage of this! Alphe is trying to help you with this acknowledging part stuff as the heart. It may still cause some hurdles, after all you're a strange existence to those people.”

I swallowed a forming lump in my throat. I'm a tavern keeper, I'm used to people—they never stared at me like this!

I stared at Ion, then at Levi; their smiles, though friendly, did little to ease the knot of anxiety tightening in my stomach as I faced the expectant crowd. Ion gestured with his head toward the crowd, probably telling me to do what I had to do. He always knew I was quite unnerved by receiving so much attention.

Okay. Just do it.

With a deep breath, I let myself recall the image of the whole realm of Astralyth. It wasn't anything difficult, I've seen it myself. I witnessed the very land in its glorious days. Would I be able to replicate the time that had long passed?

The energy inside me swelled, turning itself into mana that flowed like water through the ground beneath my feet. Chaos of mana reigned in my veins, inflicting me with unexplainable discomfort.

Power weaved itself all over the empty canvas, painting the world from memory. Colors drenched the white surroundings, filling me with a sense of familiarity.

And at last, the world bloomed around us. Towering mountains, sharp and jagged, scraped the sky, their peaks capped with glistening white snow. Deep green forests, thick with ancient trees, carpeted the valleys below, broken only by sparkling rivers that twisted and turned like silver ribbons. Crystal-clear waterfalls cascaded down rocky cliffs, their spray misting the air. In the distance, I could see rolling hills, dotted with farms and villages, their roofs glowing warmly in the sunlight. The air itself felt different—clean and fresh, scented with pine and wildflowers. Even the sky was extraordinary, a brilliant blue, almost too bright to look at directly, with fluffy white clouds drifting lazily across it. Everything felt just as similar to the scene that I witnessed when I had become the heart. It was a breathtaking scene, vibrant and alive, a perfect image of Astralyth at its most glorious.

The crowd gasped. They were quiet now, amazed. Even my nervousness went away. I felt amazing, powerful. The magic inside me was calm and strong. Though I felt wavering from the power, I sensed the strengthening of my connection to the land and to its people.