Reborn as a Dark Lord (A cozy-adjacent isekai)

A good night's sleep in my own bed, in my own room, in my own tavern, did me a lot of good. Seraphina hadn't been able to stay the night because she had to check in on her shop and attend to any orders that had arrived while we were at the Capitol. Plus, she was going to help her father finish the serum for Mrs. Swiftwood.

I rubbed my sleepy eyes as I set out to take stock of the kitchen and make a list of everything we needed. Lady Churl must have slept in. The stove hadn't been started yet, and I needed coffee. First, I took a look around. The saucy tomato trenchers had become an enormous hit, and it seemed Milo and Jessara had encountered problems keeping the ingredients in stock. I smiled, because that was a good problem to have.

There were at least five pounds of fresh chicken wings waiting for me to cook up. Several trays had been left in the cooler by Milo so they would be ready for the day. Letting them sit in the cold without a cover made the skin extra crispy.

I took stock of the rest of the kitchen. The spice rack needed attention—several jars sat nearly empty. The cumin had dwindled to a thin layer at the bottom. The paprika needed to be replaced entirely. My special blend of chili powder, consisting of three different kinds of chili, cumin, and ground coriander, remained plentiful since I'd made a large batch before leaving. The salt barrel stood half-full. Sugar supplies had run low. We also needed more flour and cornmeal.

The vegetable bins held decent amounts of onions and potatoes. A few carrots remained. The garlic braids that hung from the ceiling hooks needed replenishing soon. Several wheels of cheese sat on the shelf in the cool corner. The cooler also contained enough sausages and bacon to last through the week.

I closed the pantry door and walked into the main room. Strange that Lady Churl hadn't appeared yet. Usually, she bustled around the kitchen by this hour, getting the stove fired up and water on to boil.

I lifted the trapdoor that led to the cellar. "Lady Churl? You down there?"

No answer came back. I pulled the door fully open and called down again. "I'm coming down. Hope you're decent!"

The wooden steps creaked under my weight as I descended. The cellar smelled of earth and stored vegetables. I noticed immediately that the boards covering the doorway to the underground temple had been moved aside, which made sense, since Elixander and Lady Churl must have gone searching for the Lumina Moss.

I approached Lady Churl's makeshift quarters. The construction still impressed me. She had managed to create a wall using salvaged wood and canvas. I knocked on her door.

"Lady Churl?"

Silence greeted me. I knocked again, louder this time.

"Lady Churl, are you in there?"

When no response came, I pushed the door open slightly. "I'm coming in."

The room stood empty of its occupant. Morth the cat spotted me from his perch atop Lady Churl's pillow. The orange feline rolled onto his back and stretched his long, furry legs toward me, exposing his belly.

"Well, hello there," I said.

I stepped into the room and scratched behind his ears and his chin. Morth purred loudly. I cautiously touched his belly and was surprised that he didn't strike back. Morth shifted left and right, his paws batting at the air.

"You seem to be finding enough to eat," I said as I rubbed his belly.

Morth only purred louder in response.

Lady Churl had probably gone out shopping for supplies. I turned to leave when footsteps sounded on the stone stairs that led down to the temple.

She appeared at the doorway, clutching several colorful mushrooms in one hand and a bundle of strange blue-green plants in the other.

"Boss! Didn't expect ya back so soon," she said, slightly out of breath.

"Good morning, Lady Churl. What have you got there?" I asked, pointing to the plants.

She held up the bundle. "Found these growin' near the water. Smells good enough to eat, reckon you might want to try it in a stew."

I took the plants and sniffed them. The aroma reminded me of dill mixed with sage, but with an earthy undertone I couldn't place.

"You sure these are safe?" I asked.

"Safe as can be." Lady Churl nodded firmly. "Been eatin' 'em for years."

"Thanks," I said, tucking the herbs under my arm.

Lady Churl kept glancing over her shoulder toward the temple entrance.

"Something wrong?" I asked.

She shook her head quickly. "Nah, just... made a couple of friends down there."

"Friends? What kind of friends?"

"Just some critters," she said vaguely. "One got a bit hurt, that's all."

"What kind of critters?"

"Nothin' to worry about, boss," she insisted. "Just some little things that live down there. They keep to themselves mostly. Kinda cute with their six legs."

"Six legs, huh? Think I can meet them?"

"Maybe another time. They's healing right now. And they might bite ya's."

"Maybe it's better to leave them in your care. You know, Lady Churl, that's really nice of you to help a few stray animals."

"Just a couple a vassilith. Nothing to make a fuss about."

"Alright. Let's head upstairs. I'll make us breakfast," I said.

"That sounds nice. Missed ya, boss."

I would have hugged Lady Churl, but she wasn't a fan of being touchy feely with one of the 'talls'.

Back in the kitchen, I fired up the stove and pulled out a pan. It took a little bit for it to heat up, so I kept the door open and blew on the kindling to help speed it along.

After it finally warmed up, I opened the grate and continued blowing to get the flames higher.

I cracked eggs into a bowl, added a pinch of salt and pepper, and then finely chopped some of the new herbs. The aroma was delightful. I tasted a little bit and found it to be savory with a little bit of a spicy undertone.

After what felt like an eternity, the pan was hot, so I poured half of the egg mixture into it. I sprinkled ham, cheese, and the new herb over one side, then folded the omelet over. The second omelet followed the same process, but I pointedly left out the onions I'd added to mine.

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"Breakfast is served," I announced, sliding the omelets onto plates.

I set the plates on the table and pulled out a chair. Lady Churl hopped onto her seat, grabbed her fork and stabbed at the omelet with enthusiasm.

"Business go well while I was gone?" I asked as I cut into my breakfast.

Lady Churl nodded while she chewed a large bite. She swallowed and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

"Picked up quick after that bard dragged himself downstairs," she said. "Day after you left. Reckon he might've been sick or somethin'. Face all pale and walkin' funny."

I chuckled and took another bite of my omelet. "I don't think he was sick."

"No?" Lady Churl tilted her head.

"Frostfire wore him out before we flew off," I said.

Lady Churl snorted and stuffed another forkful into her mouth. She smacked her lips appreciatively. "These herbs add a nice flavor," she said. "We call it zestleaf."

I nodded and took another bite. The herb really complemented the eggs.

"I agree. I wonder what other dishes we could use it in," I said. "Maybe in a sauce for roast chicken? Or mixed into bread dough?"

"Could work in them sausage poppers, too," Lady Churl suggested. "Give 'em a bit more kick."

I sipped my coffee and considered the possibilities. "Is there a lot of it down there?"

Lady Churl blew on her mushroom tea before taking a long drink. "More than enough. Won't run out anytime soon. Grows all over near the water."

"Water? There's water down there?"

"Like a little lake. I wouldn't drink it. Reckon the stuff's like poison to you tall ones."

"Good safety note." I nodded, then changed the subject. "I have a question. How did Jessara and Milo handle the tavern?"

Lady Churl grinned and set down her mug. "Them two did a right nice job. Better than expected."

"Really?" I raised my eyebrows.

"Aye," she said. "Had a bit of trouble with some merchants passin' through. Big fellows with fancy clothes and fancier opinions."

I leaned forward. "What happened?"

"Well," Lady Churl said as she tore off a piece of crusty bread. "These merchants came in all high and mighty. Demanded the best table and started orderin' the staff around like they owned the place."

She dipped the bread in the remnants of egg on her plate.

"Jessara just stared at 'em with that bored face of hers. Told 'em flat out they could sit where there was room or leave." Lady Churl chuckled. "One of 'em got all puffy-faced and threatened to report us to the guild or somethin'."

"And?" I prompted.

"That's when Milo stepped in. Brought 'em each a mug of Moonshadow Stout. 'On the house,' he said." Lady Churl's grin widened. "Them merchants took one sip and changed their tune right quick. Started askin' where we got such fine brews. By the end of the night, they was singin' with the rest of the customers."

I whistled. "Impressive."

"Ain't it?" Lady Churl finished her tea. "Milo's got a way with people."

"And Jessara handled the rest of the customers well?" I asked.

"In her way," Lady Churl said with a shrug. "Still got that voice that makes ya think she'd rather be anywhere else. But she remembers orders perfect and moves quick like. Reckon customers seem to find it amusin'."

I finished my coffee and stood to clear the plates. "I'm impressed. Sounds like they managed just fine without me."

"They did alright," Lady Churl admitted. "But the place ain't the same without ya, boss."

I smiled at the compliment and carried our dishes to the sink. "Better start prepping for the day. We'll open in a few hours."

Lady Churl hopped down from her chair. "I'll get to work on the stew."

We made quick work of the prep work and had most of it done before Jessara and Milo arrived. I chopped vegetables while Lady Churl seasoned a large pot of stew. The kitchen filled with the scent of simmering beef and spices.

The back door opened and closed.

"Morning," Jessara said in her flat tone. She tied an apron around her waist. Her brown hair was pulled back in a tight ponytail.

Milo followed behind her, already clutching a mug of coffee. "Good to have you back, Varix."

"Thanks. I heard that you two did a great job while I was gone." I wiped my hands on a cloth. "Would you mind taking a quick walk with me?"

They exchanged glances.

"Now?" Milo asked. "We need to get ready for the day."

"This is important," I assured them. "Lady Churl can handle things for a bit."

"S'right." Lady Churl nodded. "Got everything under control. You all go on."

I thanked Lady Churl. We left the tavern and walked down the winding dirt streets of Everspring. The morning air felt crisp against my face. We passed through a narrow alley that opened into the market square.

The market bustled with activity. Vendors arranged their wares in wooden carts. Customers haggled over prices. Children darted between stalls.

We continued past the market and turned down another street, the sounds of haggling and laughter faded behind us. Ahead stood The Wandering Boar. The tavern's exterior featured dark wooden beams intersecting rough-hewn stonework. Ivy crept up one side of the building. Baron Swiftwood had clearly invested heavily in the property's appearance. Even the brass door fixtures shone, recently polished to a lustrous gleam.

"Hey, I used to work there," Jessara said in surprise. "Are we having lunch?"

"Not quite."

I approached the front door and tried the handle. Locked.

"Maybe we should come back later," Milo suggested.

I pounded loudly on the door. Roland had handed me a large brass key a few days ago, but I had forgotten it in my room.

Jessara crossed her arms, looking miffed. "What are we doing here?"

I pounded again, harder this time.

The lock clicked. The door swung open to reveal Darius Goldenspoon. His white chef's smock looked pristine, but his face appeared flustered.

"Good morning!" I said cheerfully.

Darius sneered. "What in the world are you doing here?"

I sighed, remembering how the snooty chef had tried to show me up during Market Day with his fancy cooking. Milo and Jessara had helped me outdo Darius and I hadn't seen him since. The other chef had stolen my recipes and passed them off as his own. I thought of the time Seraphina and I had come here for a meal, only to discover they were serving a poor imitation of my onion burgers.

"We came to look the place over," I said.

"This establishment is closed for another hour," Darius blocked the doorway. "Return when we reopen."

"Sorry, Darius. We need to get the measure of this place." I bustled past Darius. He stepped back, mouth open, and shook his head at the intrusion. Jessara and Milo followed hesitantly.

"How dare you!" Darius sputtered. "This is an outrage! You cannot simply barge in—"

"Can you calm down for a moment?" I interrupted the other chef.

He sputtered and put his hands on his hips in annoyance.

The interior of The Wandering Boar looked much as I remembered from my date with Seraphina. Elegant tapestries hung on the walls. Dark wooden furniture shone in the morning light. The bar stood polished and ready to serve. How did they prevent it from getting scratched and damaged? My bartop had seen some use, and it had added character. I couldn't imagine changing it to something like this.

I turned to Jessara and Milo.

"How would you feel about being in charge of your own tavern?" I asked. "You would handle the daily prep, ordering, and basic day-to-day operations. I would help with big business decisions and guide the menu."

"Excuse me?" Darius exclaimed.

Milo and Jessara stared at me.

"That's our question, too," Milo said.

I raised my voice so everyone could hear. "A few days ago, I made a deal with Baron Swiftwood. A very pricey deal." I turned to Darius. "I'm surprised you haven't heard yet. I am the new owner of The Wandering Boar. Will you have a problem with that? Because, honestly, I will need a chef here. I'm sure I can teach you my recipes."

"Preposterous! The baron would have sent word. Get out of here at once, before I summon the town guard." Darius' face turned so red I wondered if he was about to start spewing steam out of his mouth.

"Yeah. Sorry about that. The baron is dealing with some stuff. I'll get Roland Hightown over here later so you can look over the papers. I'll keep you on if you like, but things are going to change."

"This is not what I signed on for! This is absurd!" Darius raised his voice.

"Be that as it may," I stated in a calm voice. "Can you work with me?"

Darius ripped his apron off, rolled it into a ball, and threw it on the ground at my feet. My brow shot up as he twisted one way and then the other, marched to the door, and didn't look back.

I turned to Milo and Jessara and asked, "Do you think he left any of his stuff behind? Kinda rude, if you ask me. If he comes back, I'm going to give him a pretty tough job interview before he rejoins the staff."

Jessara and Milo stood, mouths agape, in shock. Then Milo laughed nervously.

"So, what do you think about helping me run this place?"