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Chapter 29
“If you came to our inn, we wouldn’t make you do such dangerous work. And there’s much less work there, too. I’m good at cleaning, so our mascot here would only have to stay at the counter. Comfortably. Sitting down.”
That was what Cecil, the owner of the Black Lion Inn, said.
“Which also means the pay is lower.”
“Double what you’re making now. What do you think?”
“Ah, well…”
“I’m saying this because you’re like a son to me, but people who talk like that are never trustworthy.”
“My mother is still alive.”
“If your mother knew you were being exploited under a boss like that, how heartbroken would she be?”
Nancy pressed at the dry corners of her eyes dramatically.
“She’d probably be surprised, but she’s a very rational person.”
“……”
With the joke failing to land, the verbal sparring between the two women quickly fizzled out.
“What a boring man.”
“If you’re always this serious, women won’t like you.”
“Maybe not for dating, but for a husband? A dependable man like this is much better.”
“That’s old-fashioned. These days, funny men are popular.”
“As long as they’re capable, too?”
“Well, that’s the bare minimum.”
“I’m married.”
“Huh?”
The women, who had been casually bantering back and forth, both turned to Alexei at the same time.
“Seriously?”
Nod nod.
Good heavens.
Nancy clapped a hand over her mouth in shock at the thought that crossed her mind.
So that’s what it was…!
That’s why they were like siblings…!!
Inside Nancy’s head, their tragic backstory sped by as vividly as if she had witnessed it herself.
“What? Tell me too.”
“Ah, no. No way. I’m not that loose-lipped.”
Nancy shook her head violently.
The way he was glaring at her with his lips tightly sealed must mean he wanted her to keep the secret.
Nancy swore to herself that she would never reveal this forbidden love story.
“Then I won’t tell either.”
“Tell what? What is it?”
“I said I’m not telling.”
Pouting, Cecil sharply turned her head away, but her mouth was itching too much to stay shut. Eventually, she gave in.
“Earlier, pirates and sailors were tearing through this whole area. They haven’t come here yet, right?”
“I heard rumors, but they came here too?”
“Yeah. They’ve been going through restaurants, inns, taverns—everything. I don’t know why. Captain Blasque may be infamous, but he’s never caused trouble without reason before. Feels like something bad is about to happen. Anyway, be caref—oh my.”
The stiff mascot suddenly dashed outside.
“Where are you going?”
Nancy shouted through the abruptly opened door, but she didn’t try to stop him.
Angelina finished cleaning the second floor and came downstairs.
The inn was silent as a grave. The owner was gone. Alexei still hadn’t returned either.
Guess it’s farther away than I thought.
“I’d like something to eat.”
The guest in room 106 emerged, stretching with a long yawn.
“Wait.”
The pot of soup made that morning sat empty, its bottom exposed. Once the dining hall had been cleaned up, everyone had woken early to grab breakfast.
It’s because that old man’s lazy.
Angelina took out some hard baguette and wine, arranging them nicely on a tray.
“That soup smelled great this morning. I was drooling in my sleep.”
The voice from room 106 carried over.
He’s obviously asking for some.
Then maybe you should’ve gotten up instead of drooling.
“That takes time.”
“I’ve got nothing but time.”
What kind of person even is this guy?
Frowning, Angelina rolled up her sleeves.
“Pay your overdue inn fees and I’ll make some.”
“Deal.”
The sound of money being placed on the table rang out.
“I’m very reliable when it comes to payments.”
Why are there so many people here bragging about paying properly?
Maybe don’t fall behind in the first place.
Still, now that she’d gotten the overdue room fee, he couldn’t complain if she made him soup.
As she began cooking, humming drifted out from the dining hall.
For a man with nothing to do and all the time in the world, his singing was terrible.
Crash!
Did Aunt Nancy finally come back? Or Alex?
Angelina stirred the soup, ears perked.
“W-What do you people want?”
“Where’s the owner?”
“T-The owner’s gone. Maybe the maid knows.”
“That’s good to hear.”
It was a strangely familiar voice.
Where have I heard that before?
Angelina peeked through the kitchen toward the dining hall.
Gasp.
It’s Jin Blasque the pirate!
She barely managed to stop herself from crying out.
“Search the place.”
At the command, the sailors scattered in perfect formation. Whether they were searching or just trashing the place was hard to tell.
I have to run.
Avoiding the sailors’ eyes, Angelina slipped upstairs.
If they were tearing through every room like that, she’d be found no matter where she hid.
Escaping the inn somehow would be safest.
Right. The back door.
Angelina returned to her room and gathered her belongings, stuffing clothes and money into her bag.
“Angel.”
Alexei burst into the room. He looked so out of breath that even breathing seemed difficult.
“We have to leave now.”
Alexei grabbed Angelina’s hand and pulled her along.
They tried heading downstairs, but sailors were wandering near the staircase. The two quickly retreated.
“We can’t use the back door.”
“Then what?”
“Go to room 210.”
It was an empty room.
“Before they came in through the back, I laid down haystacks.”
Alexei hurriedly opened the window. Angelina leaned out. Below them were several piles of hay.
“It’s safe to jump—”
Before he could even finish speaking, Angelina leapt out.
“You really don’t care about your body at all.”
Alexei slung the bag over himself, grabbed the window frame, and jumped down beside her.
A dull pain wrapped around his shoulder. Having landed partly outside the haystack, Alexei curled up slightly in pain.
“Are you okay?”
“Y-Yeah, I’m okay.”
“Hurry and—”
“Well now. That was pointless.”
At the blade pouring into view, both of them looked up.
Pirates completely surrounded the area without a single opening.
“Let us go. Otherwise, you’ll regret it.”
“The regret would come after letting you go.”
Captain Blasque rotated the hand wrapped in bandages.
Where did I put the gun?
Angelina slowly moved her hand toward her bag.
“Move even one millimeter from there, and I’ll paint a picture right here.”
The pirate captain’s sword dropped toward Alexei’s face.
Gulp.
Angelina gave an awkward smile and withdrew her hand.
Landing in the Tordi Empire had been unpleasant even for Franz.
Though he was accustomed to wandering, he had no desire to stay here.
Franz decided he would quickly earn some money and leave.
He had spent all the money he possessed in Latria and had also lost the chance to receive a huge sum. Still, he had no regrets.
He was someone who moved according to material gain, but he wasn’t obsessed with money.
The way to earn it was through painting.
About a week.
He estimated that would be enough to buy a third-class ticket and cover expenses until then.
Franz bought an easel and painting supplies on credit. Then he settled down along a street beside a park.
On the first day, there were many customers. His pockets quickly became heavy.
On the way to buy a boarding ticket, Franz stopped in front of an optical shop.
It was somewhat impulsive, but he was satisfied with the decision.
Franz put on glasses large enough to cover half his face. The round frames gave him a rather ridiculous appearance.
Seeing his reflection in the shop window, Franz let out a small laugh.
“What’s with the glasses?”
Startled, he turned around to find Naomi there.
“Why are you here?”
Franz instinctively looked around. Naomi spoke crookedly at him.
“They’re not here. I’m alone. Except for this guy.”
Naomi stroked the monkey’s back.
“Because of you, I got abandoned too.”
“Because of me?”
“You left to save your own skin. You told me I should do the same and chased me away.”
“Good.”
Naomi puffed out her lips.
“Those glasses are funny. They don’t suit you.”
“I know.”
“Then why’d you buy them? Are you rich or something?”
“No. I’m completely broke.”
Naomi let out a strange shriek.
“You bought those weird glasses even though you’re broke? Are you insane?”
“Yes.”
Naomi instinctively took a step back. Franz snickered at the reaction.
“There’s something I absolutely have to do, even if nobody else in the world would understand it.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about an adult’s excuse.”
“And you’re still pretending to be a grown-up.”
Naomi puffed out her lips again.
“Don’t follow me. I’m insane, remember?”
“I am too, so it’s fine.”
Faced with such flawless logic, Franz was left speechless.
