DXD: Table for one - Chapter 9

POV: Shin

What the hell is this place?

Shin couldn’t stop his eyes from darting around. He had never seen anything like it before. The air felt warm and welcoming, the lighting was soft, and everything seemed… comfortable. Even though he’d started life as a servant—the absolute lowest rank in Qin’s social ladder—his military campaigns had taken him across the country. He’d seen bustling cities, wealthy estates, and the halls of power.

He’d even walked the polished corridors of Kanyou’s royal palace. Sei was his friend, after all, and friends visited each other. But now that he thought about it, even the palace hadn’t looked this tidy or well-kept. The walls here were spotless. The tables and chairs were polished to a shine. The whole place had a strange charm to it, like it was built for both comfort and beauty.

And the clothes… those were even stranger.

The people here wore outfits that looked nothing like the robes, armor, or simple garments he knew. Everything about them seemed almost too clean, too finely made. It felt otherworldly. Was this really magic?

At least one thing made sense. The white-haired man at the table had a sword at his side. That much was familiar. And it wasn’t just the weapon—he carried himself like a warrior. More than that, he gave off a pressure Shin had only ever felt from great generals. Surprisingly, the woman with the unusual hair color—the one who had greeted them in some strange language—felt just as strong.

The group exchanged a few words in that unknown tongue before the white-haired man suddenly spoke in a way Shin understood.

“He did…”

Shin frowned. Who did what? More importantly, why could they understand him now? And why could he understand them?

“Is this more magic?” Shin asked, his patience wearing thin. “What kind of place is this? And how did no one in Sai notice it?”

“Magic is actually a pretty fitting word,” the white-haired man replied, watching them with a calm but curious gaze. “You’ve stepped into a very unique place. One I doubt you’ve ever even heard of. Let me explain… This is like an inn, but with a very special door. A magical door. Depending on who opens it, that door can connect to a land far, far away. Another world, to be exact. These worlds can be similar to yours, but they might exist in completely different times.”

He leaned back slightly, then gestured toward the woman. “If I’m right, besides Menchi—that’s her name, by the way—the rest of us are all from similar worlds to yours. Just… many years in the future.”

The man’s eyes shifted to Sei. “Your name is Ei Sei, right? You’re the King of Qin?”

“I am,” Sei replied, standing tall and composed before the strangers. “Have you met me before?”

“Met you? No. That would be impossible,” the man answered plainly. “In my world, your counterpart has been dead for over two thousand years. I come from a time more than 2,200 years in your future. Though… I’ve seen depictions of your tomb. It’s quite famous where I’m from.”

“That’s—” Sei began but stopped himself.

“Shocking? I get it.” The man’s tone was casual, but there was a weight behind his words. “We all had that moment when we first came here. None of us knows exactly how this place works or why it exists. But it’s a great spot to relax. Over time, we’ve all become friends—despite coming from different worlds and times.” He smiled suddenly. “So, welcome! Sit down, order some food. I’ll translate for you. Menchi’s an amazing cook.”

The man’s eyes lit up for a moment, but then he seemed to remember something. “Ah, and my name’s Merlin.”

“It’s an honor to meet you, Merlin,” Sei said, giving a polite bow. Merlin returned the gesture, more out of courtesy than habit.

“But we don’t have time for pleasantries,” Sei continued. “We’re at war. A difficult battle is right in front of us, and I’m not even sure we’ll survive the next few days. If we do, I would be honored to accept your invitation.”

Merlin’s expression shifted instantly. The relaxed smile disappeared, replaced by a serious, calculating look. Shin realized immediately that he felt right—the pressure of someone truly strong. It might not be the same experienced and refined presence as a great general, but his strength was on that level, if not beyond.

“A war, huh?” Merlin said, his tone now firm. “Tell me more. Maybe we can help.”

Before Sei could answer, Ten spoke up. “I don’t know how you could. Five more people won’t change the numbers we’re up against.”

Merlin just grinned at her. “Don’t dismiss us so quickly. Tell me the situation first. I’m sure there’s something I can do.”

And so, they explained everything—the enemy’s numbers, the state of Sai, and their desperate plan to arm the civilian population. Shin didn’t know why, but talking here felt natural. Something about this place made it easy to trust Merlin. And, deep down, Shin was glad they did.

“I see…” Merlin nodded slowly. “I can help. But it won’t be for free. I can’t afford to lose that much money. That said, there are two things I can do that could change the outcome of this war in your favor. Are you willing to pay the price? Do you want to make a deal with me?”

Sei didn’t hesitate. “If you can help me win this war, then I’ll cover whatever cost you name. The royal coffers are full, and if we lose, all that gold will fall into enemy hands anyway. I’m willing to make a deal.”

———

POV: Merlin

“Well, you won’t have to empty your treasury.” Merlin chuckled, leaning back in his chair. “I simply don’t have the money to feed thirty-five thousand people for several days straight. As for me personally, a decent reward in gold is more than enough.”

“Feed?” "Ei Sei," he repeated, his brows narrowing slightly.

“That’s right. Feeding them is the first way I can help you.” Merlin gestured toward Menchi’s counter with a lazy flick of his wrist. “Or rather, it’s something Menchi and her restaurant can do. You already know this place connects to different worlds, but it has another ability as well. In exchange for payment, the restaurant can obtain food ingredients from those worlds. Some of them are rare delicacies… but that’s not what I’m offering you.”

He leaned forward, a mischievous grin forming. “Quite a lot of those ingredients have magical effects—strengthening the body, restoring stamina, even healing injuries. You see where I’m going with this?”

“Strength? Healing? Stamina?” Shin repeated, his eyes widening as realization dawned. The young 100 Man Commander's voice carried a rare excitement. “You want to give our troops every advantage we can get!”

Ten, standing just behind Ei Sei, folded her arms and lowered her gaze in thought. “How effective is it? And more importantly… how much can you actually get?”

“That depends entirely on the price you’re willing to pay.” Merlin’s tone was casual, but his eyes gleamed with calculation. “The higher-end ingredients are expensive, and while there’s even food that can permanently boost a soldier’s strength, it’s unrealistic to give that to everyone. What I’m proposing is quantity over luxury. If we can give every soldier food that improves their stamina and their strength and helps them recover faster, it’ll be as if you’d added several thousand more men to your army. Healing effects will also let them return to battle faster. From what I’ve heard, your situation is about holding the city for as long as possible. If I’m right, this could be the deciding factor.”

He turned to Menchi. “The only question is—can you actually cook for thirty-five thousand people?”

Menchi frowned slightly. In that moment, several kitchen knives, wooden spoons, ladles, and even entire cutting boards appeared around her, floating in the air as if held by invisible hands. To most of the people watching, it was shocking enough just to see the objects move on their own. But Merlin, with his keen eye, could see the fine thread of aura connecting each tool to her.

‘So that’s her Nen ability,’ he thought instantly. ‘She’s a conjurer using a bit of manipulation too. And a versatile one at that—good for fighting, but even better for running a kitchen like this.’

“Thirty-five thousand is a tall order,” Menchi admitted, her expression serious. “But if I work nonstop, I should be able to feed everyone at least once a day. Probably a hearty broth or stew—something that can be made in bulk without losing too much quality. My biggest limitation is the size of the kitchen, but I can order more stoves and ovens. I have the right suppliers.” She gave a firm nod, her eyes showing determination.

“It has to be cooked food you hand out, right? You can’t just distribute the raw ingredients?” Merlin asked, confirming something he had suspected.

“Exactly. The restaurant doesn’t let me give away just the ingredients.” Menchi nodded in agreement.

“What about spices?” Merlin asked immediately, his mind jumping ahead. “Or tea leaves? Something people could use to enhance their own meals outside? Some restaurants let you brew your own tea or add your own seasoning.”

“Hmm…” Menchi tilted her head, thinking it over. “Let me check.”

After a brief moment of testing, they discovered the answer. It wasn’t just the ingredient itself—it was the intent behind the purchase. If Menchi genuinely bought spices for customers to season their own food or tea leaves for them to brew themselves according to their taste, the restriction didn’t apply. She could hand those out in bulk without issue.

That single loophole changed the conversation entirely. Even if Menchi couldn’t cook every meal for the army, the soldiers could still use her spices to add a weaker version of the food’s magical effects to their own rations. It wouldn’t be as powerful as a full serving from the restaurant, but it could still tilt the balance in their favor.

The real game changer turned out to be the tea. With them being able to brew it in massive quantities, every soldier could carry a waterskin filled with the stuff. It wasn’t just a drink—it acted like a mild healing potion and a stamina booster all in one, letting them recover on the move, even in the middle of battle.

Yes, the healing was light. But it would lighten the stress of any wound.

When Ei Sei, the King of Qin, heard the full plan, the weight of what it meant finally hit him. Overwhelmed with gratitude, he dropped to his knees right there in front of them. It wasn’t a gesture of weakness but of sincerity.

Fortunately, Menchi’s system also accepted their local currency—strange coins with square holes punched through the center. That made things much simpler. With the funds available inside Sai, they could keep the plan going for weeks, especially since Menchi wasn’t picking the most expensive ingredients.

This wasn’t about creating a handful of invincible warriors. The goal was steady, wide-scale improvement for everyone in the city. Buff the whole army at once, and the enemy would find themselves facing a wall instead of scattered resistance.

“What’s the second thing you can help us with?” Ten asked. Her voice held a tone of cautious optimism.

“Oh? You didn’t forget after all that excitement?” Merlin grinned. “The second thing… is me. I’ll come to your world and fight alongside you.”

Ten blinked. “You? Wait… people from other worlds can visit others too? Then… can you bring more soldiers?”

“Afraid not,” Merlin said, shaking his head. “Even if I knew where to recruit them, it wouldn’t be possible. You’ve probably noticed already—not everyone can even approach this restaurant. We don’t know the criteria, but the door won’t just open for anyone. That means we can’t use it for recruiting. Besides, most of the customers here aren’t fighters. Aside from me, the only one in this place who could handle herself in a fight is Menchi, and bringing her along would be way too risky. If something happened to her, we might lose access to this entire place, and her food is far more valuable than my fists.” He folded his arms with a confident smirk. “So it’ll just be me. And of course… I expect the proper reward.”

Merlin’s own world wasn’t exactly peaceful. The human side looked like a normal Earth, but the supernatural side could break into open war at any time. According to his own notes, an extinction-level conflict was only a few years away.

He was technically part of the Abrahamic Pantheon, and the three factions in it were in a state of cold war. Even if there are peace talks on the horizon. His existence could cause a butterfly effect that changes that.

If he could gain real life-and-death combat experience now, especially in a war, he’d feel far more secure. And truth be told, the risk wasn’t that great for him. With Nen reinforcing his body, cutting him with swords or piercing him with arrows would be difficult—and killing him would be nearly impossible.

“Will you really be able to make such a big difference?” Ten asked, still skeptical. “Not that I doubt you… Your food idea alone will already change the war. But you’re just one man.”

“Ten,” Shin interrupted firmly. “That guy is strong. I mean really strong. Stronger than anyone I’ve ever fought. And her too.” He nodded toward Menchi.

“Exactly.” Merlin’s smile didn’t waver. “If my estimates are right, I’m worth several hundred soldiers by myself. Maybe even thousands.”

With Nen, he’d reached mid-class level—a stage where a single fighter could wipe out city blocks with just a few attacks. Against a normal army, he could hold his own for hours, maybe days.

“I would be honored to fight at your side!” "Ei Sei," he declared, his voice ringing with resolve. “You will be rewarded for your contribution.”

“Then let’s make it official.” Merlin nodded. He turned to Mikami and Suzuki, grabbing a sheet of paper from the counter. After jotting down a list of items, he handed it to them. “Buy as much of this as you can with the funds I left you.”

The two glanced at the list, and Mikami raised an eyebrow. “Uh… are you planning to commit war crimes?” he asked awkwardly.

Merlin snorted. “There are no war crimes in that world. The whole idea is ridiculous. It’s war—if you shackle yourself with stupid rules while the enemy ignores them, it’s your people who pay the price.” His expression darkened slightly as memories from his first life came to mind—modern conflicts where politicians, NGOs, activists, and the media obsessed over “rules of war” while the other side didn’t give a shit about their rules.

In his mind, it had always been a kind of mental illness—a twisted morality where people cared more about looking righteous than actually protecting their own. It was always the common man who paid the price.

“Pretty sure chemical warfare is a war crime… If not, they will make it one.”

———

When Merlin woke up this morning, he hadn’t expected to actually join a war. His life for the past weeks had fallen into such a steady routine that it almost felt unnatural to be doing anything else. The idea of breaking away from his grind was strange in itself—throwing himself into something so far outside his normal rhythm even stranger.

A few weeks ago, he wouldn’t have believed anyone who told him he’d be standing in ancient China, watching history unfold with his own eyes. Or at least, a version of it—because he was fairly certain this wasn’t the past of his current world either.

There was, however, a quick way to test that theory.

All he had to do was say, “God.”

Nothing happened. No pain, no splitting headache, no burning sensation in his brain. That confirmed it. In this world, “the big guy” should still be alive—after all, this was centuries before Christ. The idea that God had actually died in his own world was still something he couldn’t quite wrap his head around, but his notes were clear on that point.

Now here he was, more than two thousand years before he would even be born, watching events that would never make it into any textbook he’d ever read, at least not in such vivid detail. A king rallying an entire city—elderly, women, and children alike—to stand and fight for their country.

It was a cultural shock in every sense of the word. He’d grown up in a society where nationalism barely existed and the media tried to portray it as bad, where the concept of a king was nothing more than a ceremonial title on a figurehead or in history. Leaders were politicians, mostly corrupt ones, not monarchs who inspired armies through sheer will, charisma, and presence. Seeing with his own eyes how a single man could ignite such a fire in his people was… impressive. And maybe a little frightening.

Still, he respected them. These were people who, only hours ago, had been ready to surrender in fear. Now they stood ready to fight—not just for survival, but for their families, their homes, and the pride of their land. They refused to kneel before an invading army that would enslave them, even if they were spared from death.

Preparations moved like clockwork. Crates of polished armor were brought out and fitted to each fighter—breastplates, greaves, and helmets in solid condition, ready for use. Rows of weapons—spears, swords, and bows—were distributed with practiced efficiency.

There was enough for everyone, and no one was forced to make do with farming tools or scraps. One thing was sure: these people were at least always equipped for war. The atmosphere on the walls shifted as the townsfolk, now armored and armed, took their places with a seriousness that no speech alone could have inspired.

Merlin had taken armor as well. Sure, his Nen could shield him from most harm, but if the option for extra protection was right there, why not take it? He had no intention of risking his life just to look impressive.

“Are you really sure you’re ready for this?” “Ten?” she asked as she walked beside him, her voice carrying that same note of concern she’d been repeating all morning. “You’ve never commanded troops before.”

“It’ll be fine,” Merlin said with complete confidence. “We don’t have much of a choice. We’re short on high-level commanders. With only Shin, Shou Bun Kun, and Heki, one wall would still be without a leader. That’s too dangerous. I’ll take that role. I’m confident I can manage. I’ve trained enough in Crusader Kings and Age of Empires. You’re more valuable here overseeing the big picture.”

Ten tilted her head in curiosity. “Crusader Kings? Age of Empires? Are those other worlds?”

“You could say that.” Merlin shrugged. If a restaurant could connect to worlds he was certain were also from fictional works that he just forgot, who was to say video game worlds weren’t real somewhere out there?

Before she could press him further, a voice from the wall rang out, sharp and urgent.

“Cavalry! A cavalry unit is approaching!”

Merlin’s expression shifted instantly. “Looks like our discussion’s over.” Without hesitation, he turned and started toward the west wall—the sector he had chosen to command.

“Wait!” Shou Bun Kun’s voice called after him, firm and urgent.