Chapter 4 – The Betrayer’s Tea

I arrive at Norisa’s house in record time, practically sprinting through the winding streets like a man possessed. I’m not exactly sure what I expected—maybe a cozy hovel with a straw roof and a creaky wooden door—but Norisa, well, he’s not your average information broker. Oh no, that’d be too humble for his tastes. Instead, I find myself standing in front of a small fortress disguised as a luxurious medieval estate. The place looks like it could host a royal ball at noon and a secret black-market auction by midnight.

Two towering columns frame the polished oak doors, their surfaces carved with intricate runes that glow faintly in the afternoon light. Tall windows gleam with crystalline perfection, and a perfectly manicured garden stretches around the property in elegant swirls of color. Statues of mythical beasts—wyverns, chimeras, and one suspiciously smug-looking griffon—guard the perimeter, each one so lifelike I half expect them to ask for my invitation. If I squint, I can spot the shimmering crest of the empire discreetly etched into the corner of a marble pillar. Coincidence? Probably not. Norisa always had a subtle flair for bragging about his “connections.”

Yes, his. Norisa might have a name that confuses some, but he’s very much a man—an Otherworlder who’s gone fully native here in Eldoria. He’s been around for a solid four years, long enough to make this world his personal playground. Rumor has it he deals in all sorts of information: political secrets, magical contraband, and the latest gossip on which noble is cheating on whom. The fact that he can afford a mansion that screams “old money” louder than a noble’s family crest says enough about his business model. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if he sold secret intel to both the Empress and the underground rebels just to keep things interesting.

I force myself not to roll my eyes. Focus, Alfred, focus. I’m here to gather intel on the missing Otherworlder, not critique interior design. I walk up to the ornate door and reach for a cord that’s attached to a tiny bell. I give it a good tug.

“Ding Dong.”

I mean, it’s less “ding dong” and more “a soft chime that resonates with magical undertones,” but whatever. Who has time for details? The point is, I’ve announced my presence.

A few moments later, the door creaks open, revealing Norisa in what can only be described as plush pajamas. They’re made of some luxurious fabric that I’m sure costs more than my entire wardrobe. His black hair is a tangled mess, and there are dark circles under his eyes, like he’s been up all night making shady deals. He crosses his arms and leans against the doorframe, looking me up and down with a lazy smile.

“How long has it been… Alfred von Schmidt…?” he purrs, voice low and amused. The way he says my name makes it sound like a joke that I’m not in on.

“Using my full name already? Come on, Norisa, don’t get all formal on me. We both know that’s ridiculous,” I reply, trying to keep my tone friendly. Emphasis on trying.

Norisa arches an eyebrow, smirking. “Well, I’ve gotta keep my etiquette sharp. After all, I have to address the Emperor by his full name, don’t I? Isn’t that how it goes, Alfred von Schmidt… or should I say Alfred von Schmid Nightsade… I still haven’t figured out where your precious Empress’s name fits into that lengthy moniker.”

I tense, but only slightly. Yeah, I had a thing with the Empress. Big whoop. Teen romance, secret trysts, dramatic love letters—probably a hundred-year soap opera compressed into a few months of youthful insanity. Not exactly the highlight of my resume, but hey, we all have skeletons in our closets. Mine just happens to wear a crown and command an empire. No big deal.

I force a chuckle, trying to play it off. “Norisa… you know better than anyone that the Empress and I have nothing going on.”

Norisa’s grin widens, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Just a son, right? Nothing at all.”

I roll my eyes so hard I might have glimpsed the back of my skull. “We’re not talking about this. Not now. This arc isn’t about my personal life, okay? Save it for the future flashback episodes or some heart-wrenching spin-off. Let’s just… move on.”

“Fine, fine,” Norisa says, shrugging. “But don’t blame me if the audience starts demanding answers.”

He steps aside and beckons me in. The entry hall is even more opulent than the exterior. Marble floors, stained-glass windows filtering rainbow light, and tapestries depicting heroic sagas I’d bet my last coin Norisa doesn’t care about. He leads me into a cozy parlor with plush chairs and a low table bearing a porcelain teapot and delicate cups. Everything about this place screams “I’m wealthy, connected, and not above selling your secrets to the highest bidder.”

“Norisa, as much as I’d love to sip tea and reminisce, I’m in a hurry,” I say, crossing my arms. “You know why I’m here. I need information. The missing Otherworlder—how much will it cost me this time?”

Norisa flutters his eyelashes in a mock display of innocence. “Oh my, Alfred von Schmid Nightsade, so businesslike. Where’s the charm? The wit? The polite inquiry into my health?”

I grit my teeth. “Norisa, please, spare me. I’m on the clock.”

He sighs dramatically, plopping into a chair and pouring himself a cup of tea. The rich aroma drifts through the air. I swear he’s doing this to taunt me, to show how relaxed he is compared to my anxious pacing. “Alright, alright. I did hear about two Otherworlders being summoned recently… Heard one popped up right on schedule, the other not so much.”

“Then you know that one turned up alone: Naio,” I say, leaning forward. “I need to know what happened to the other one. Something’s off, and I don’t have time for guessing games.”

Norisa takes a slow sip, closing his eyes as if savoring the taste. “You overestimate my connections, Alfred. But I’ve been hearing rumors. People are getting really riled up about these Otherworlders—more than usual. It’s not just the standard ‘Go home, Offworlder!’ sentiment. There’s talk about some arrivals being illegally summoned, bypassing the goddess’s blessing, which makes them untraceable. Easy prey for slavers or anyone else with bad intentions.”

I nod, trying not to show impatience. “Right, so what’s that got to do with my missing one?”

He sets the cup down and taps his chin thoughtfully. “Imagine if someone tampered with even the legal summons. Maybe all that’s left is a faint location, no stable arrival point. That would explain your little predicament, wouldn’t it?”

My stomach churns. If someone’s messing with the summoning spells, that Otherworlder could be anywhere—lost, captured, or worse. “So, interference. That’s what you’re saying?”

Norisa shrugs. “Just a rumor, dear Alfred. But this world loves its conspiracies, and sometimes those conspiracies have teeth. Be careful. If they’ve figured out how to fiddle with spells, you might be chasing a phantom.”

I drum my fingers on my arm. “Alright, got it. Now, what’s the price?”

He waves a hand dismissively. “Oh, calm down. No chest of gold or sacred amulets today. I just want your promise. If any Otherworlder shows up packing the kind of tech that could replicate the horrors I escaped from, I want you to handle it. Stop them, kill them if needed. Consider it a civic duty if you must.”

I narrow my eyes. “That’s it? No bribe, no hush money?”

Norisa smiles sweetly. Too sweetly. “We’re old friends, aren’t we? Besides, I’ve grown fond of this world. I’d rather not see it leveled by some misguided newcomer.”

“Fine. I’ll do what I can,” I say, turning to leave. The sooner I’m out of here, the better. Something about Norisa’s demeanor sets off alarm bells. He’s too calm, too… accommodating. Normally, he’d have demanded payment upfront and ushered me out. Instead, he’s dragged this conversation on, dropping hints about my past, referencing the Empress and my child.

I move toward the door, and Norisa calls out, “Alfred, before you go, drink my tea.”

I pause, eyes narrowing. “No thanks. Got places to be, people to find.”

Norisa’s gaze sharpens. “Alfred von Schmidt, the Empress grows lonelier by the day. She’s the mother of your child—a child who needs a father. Why risk your neck for some random Otherworlder who might never turn villain? If he does, someone else will handle it. Why not focus on family?”

My blood runs cold. Family talk now? He’s stalling, pushing my emotional buttons. Just then, I catch it—the subtle sound of heavy boots approaching outside. Multiple pairs. Soldiers. The walls hum with tension, and I realize he’s been buying time. For what? Reinforcements?

I glare at Norisa. “How much time do I have, Norisa?”

He sighs, looking almost regretful. “About ten seconds before this place is surrounded. No hard feelings, Alfred. I did it for your son’s sake.”

My jaw clenches. He sold me out. To the Empress, no doubt—his teasing references to her, the crest on the column, the luxurious estate all make sense now. Betrayal tastes bitter, especially served with a side of tea.

As the sound of armored soldiers grows louder, I scramble to find a way out. Norisa just sits there, sipping tea, looking as serene as a fox who just tricked a hound into a dead-end alley.

“Damn it,” I hiss under my breath.