Chapter 78
Chapter 78
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 78
Chapter Title: I'll Protect You (1)
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The authenticity of this propaganda could be easily discerned just by looking at what the Governor-General's Office had done so far.
They had never once done anything for the people of Francia.
Such scum offering jobs with such generous conditions?
There had to be some dirty scheme lurking beneath it.
“What should we do? It seems like quite a few people will fall for it…….”
Iriel shot me a worried glance.
Everyone would find the Governor-General's Office's actions suspicious, but the bait was too sweet.
Those struggling to make ends meet or desperate for quick cash would find it hard to resist the temptation.
I said,
“We'll check it out before we leave this place.”
If we shook down the ones handing out the flyers and recruiting, something was bound to turn up.
There were still three days left until the recruitment deadline, so we had plenty of time.
After securing lodgings, we scattered to our rooms to unpack, then gathered back in mine to discuss our next moves.
And we'd just wrapped up that discussion.
Iriel spoke up.
“What time should we head out?”
“It’s about time to get going.”
Allen answered, then cautiously turned to me.
He looked like he had something to say, sweat beading on his forehead.
He finally forced the words out.
“……Um, Jenes? Are you really coming along for dinner too?”
Instead of answering, I gave him a cold stare.
He'd dared to think of going without me?
No wonder he'd been trembling like a condemned soul before the reaper.
He hurriedly made excuses under my gaze.
“No, don't misunderstand. It's just that these are the parents of my closest friend from back then. They're practically family to me.”
“So.”
“I'm fine with it, but I worry they might feel uncomfortable around you, Jenes. Uncle and Auntie always treated me like their own son. Seeing you—younger than me and my colleague—they'd try to treat you casually…… But you'd speak bluntly to them and act all gruff. ……That comes off pretty aristocratic, doesn't it.”
Only then did I fully grasp what Allen meant.
They were commoners who'd never shared a table with nobility.
My demeanor carried an intimidating edge.
They'd naturally grow wary of me and shrink back.
It wouldn't be a relaxed, free atmosphere.
Allen would feel guilty toward the people who'd prepared dinner for his sake, watching that unfold.
That wasn't the mood he wanted for a reunion after thirteen years.
This time, Allen was right.
My presence didn't fit there.
Iriel chimed in from the side.
“Yeah, you're right. What if the mood gets ruined because of Jenes's prickly personality? These are people you haven't seen in ages. That can't happen. Just go by yourself, Allen.”
“By myself?”
“Yeah. I'll eat with Jenes.”
“No thanks.”
I shook my head.
“Then can I come? Can you eat alone?”
“Of course I can eat alone. But that's not the point.”
“Then what?”
“I'm coming too.”
“What?”
Allen and Iriel stared at me.
I spoke calmly.
“That guy earlier explicitly said to bring colleagues along, so I qualify too.”
“……Well, that's true, but.”
Allen trailed off.
“What could be tastier than a free meal? No reason to turn it down.”
I played stubborn on purpose.
I knew what his concern was, but the fact that he'd thought to leave me behind irked me enough to go anyway.
My personality might not be the smoothest, but I'm no brute.
I'm not the type to intimidate ordinary folks showing me kindness.
I have my own standards for dealing with people, that's all.
Yet he'd treated me like some halfwit who couldn't read the room.
“How about I cover the meal costs out of pocket? Then it's still free.”
Allen said.
Was he seriously pitching that as a solution?
I answered with my fist.
Thwack!
“Gah!”
“That's got no heart in it. What, you unhappy about me tagging along?”
Under my fierce glare, he clutched his head, looking flustered.
“N-no, it's not that…… Then, can you promise to match the vibe as much as possible?”
“What am I, a kid? You think I can't handle that much?”
“Huh? You're gonna try to fit in?”
Iriel's eyes went wide as she spoke.
I really needed to give these two a proper talking-to sometime.
Oblivious to my feelings, Iriel continued in disbelief.
“Better yet, just promise not to say anything. That'd be safer.”
“Oh! Good idea!”
The two nodded vigorously, like they'd made some grand discovery, beaming.
I just watched them silently.
Catching on, they finally clamped their mouths shut.
I said,
“Enough chit-chat. Lead the way.”
“……Got it. You really have to play nice with the mood-.”
“Tch.”
As I glared, Allen tucked in his tail and heaved himself up.
I shook my head watching him.
Like I said, I got where he was coming from.
He just didn't want an eyesore.
* * *
On the city outskirts, a modest house with a small yard.
We stood before it.
“This must be it. Jenes, you get that I'll be more casual than usual, right?”
“I got it already.”
Allen had been nagging with every kind of reminder since earlier.
He stood at the door and knocked lightly.
Knock knock knock!
“Hello! Is this Uncle Pallain's place?”
No sooner had Allen finished than the door flew open and Daisy burst out.
“You're early! Come on in!”
Welcoming us with a bright smile, Daisy led us inside. The tantalizing aroma hit us right from the entrance.
“Well, if it isn't!”
“Allen! It really is you, Allen!”
“Uncle Pallain! Auntie Herian!”
Allen rushed forward like he'd found lost parents, sharing tight hugs with the pair.
A kindly middle-aged man and a plump middle-aged woman. Daisy's beauty seemed a perfect blend of the two.
“How have you been all this time?”
“Great! You've grown into such a fine young man. But what's with that hair?”
At Pallain's words, Allen rubbed his buzzed head.
“Ah, it was inconvenient on the long journey, so I shaved it short. Anyway, it's been so long. How are you two looking exactly the same as ever?”
“Come on, kid. We've aged plenty.”
After chatting with Allen, Herian acknowledged me and Iriel, who stood awkwardly.
“Hello. You're Allen's colleagues, right? Come on in and make yourselves at home.”
We sat at her guidance. The table was laden with a generous spread.
It was clear everywhere how much care they'd put into this.
The house, the furniture, their clothes—it must have cost a pretty penny.
That showed how overjoyed they were to see Allen.
“Whoa, you didn't have to go all out like this.”
Even Allen gaped at the feast threatening to buckle the table.
“When it's our boy-like-you after all this time, this is the least we can do. Eat up without holding back.”
Pallain clapped his shoulder and sat. With Daisy taking the last seat, Allen introduced us to the family and vice versa.
“These are Uncle Pallain, Auntie Herian, and Daisy, who treated me like family since I was little. And these are my companions, Iriel and Jenes. They're younger than me, so treat them casually.”
What? Jenes?
Younger brothers?
“Haha, nice to meet you. We did our best preparing, hope it suits your tastes. My wife's cooking is out of this world.”
Pallain laughed heartily, and Iriel smiled back as she replied.
“It looks delicious just from sight. The smell hit me at the door—I was starving already.”
At Iriel's words, Herian beamed and served her food.
“Daisy bought plenty of meat since Allen was coming, so don't hold back on portions.”
“Thank you so much!”
As Pallain said, Herian's cooking was top-notch.
The bold flavors unique to the Atsuris region stimulated the palate perfectly.
The meal flowed in a comfortable, cheerful mood.
Talk centered on their past stories, with Iriel adding timely interjections to liven things up.
I just stayed quiet.
“But we're lucky we all survived the war. You're Jenes, right?”
Questions came my way occasionally, but the two intercepted before I could answer, leaving me no chance to speak.
It went like this.
“Is the food to Jenes's liking?”
“Ah, Jenes eats anything without complaint. Looks like he's enjoying it, so it must suit him.”
Even when Pallain asked me directly, Allen answered.
“Good to hear. Speak up if you need anything.”
This time it was Herian addressing me.
But Iriel handled the reply.
“Yes, yes. Have some more too, ma'am.”
Damn it.
They'd been treating me like a potted plant since earlier. It irked me, but today I kept silent.
“So, you're heading to the capital.”
Once the old tales wrapped up, talk naturally shifted to the present.
We didn't mention being independence fighters.
It was classified, and no benefit to them knowing. We'd become workers for the Palette Merchant Group.
“If you're going all the way to the capital, it must be a big operation. Allen here's climbed the ranks.”
“Haha, hardly.”
Allen laughed sheepishly and changed the subject.
“But I was shocked. Daisy, you've gotten so beautiful—I almost didn't recognize you. If you hadn't spotted me, I'd have walked right by.”
At Allen's words, Daisy ducked her head shyly. Her ears flushed red at the mild compliment. Allen's gaze on her was so tender it was nauseating.
“Haha, she's liked you since she was little-.”
“Dad!”
Daisy swiftly stuffed bread into Pallain's mouth. Her bashful reaction was so obvious anyone could see she fancied Allen.
Even a rat hole gets sunlight someday.
Allen, you sly dog.
His grin stretched ear to ear.
Pallain fished out the bread, caught his breath, and spoke.
“Would've been nicer if Als were here too. But at least we can host you now. Until recently, we were barely scraping by.”
His face was ruddy. The wine we'd brought had gotten to him.
“Our whole family suffered. Especially Als.”
“You and your mouth on a happy day like this.”
“It's because it's happy. Life's tough for Francia's people, isn't it? Especially outsiders from the provinces.”
His self-mocking words sank the mood briefly.
It was an undeniable truth everyone knew.
Not just them—this era was hard for all.
Taxes were crushing, the empire's tyranny merciless.
Even honest, diligent living barely filled the belly in this bitter world.
“Haha, sorry. Got carried away. But things are looking up now, so eat your fill without worry.”
At Pallain's words, Allen seemed to remember something and spoke up.
“By the way, don't apply for that job the Governor-General's Office is recruiting for.”
“Huh? Why not?”
He tilted his head.
“We saw it as too risky. The conditions are unrealistically good.”
“It's run under the Governor-General's Office's name—what could be dangerous about it?”
Herian said.
I didn't miss the flicker in her eyes.
“Exactly! Who scams with their own name plastered on it?”
Pallain added, waving it off.
Allen stared at their firm denials.
Silence fell for a moment.
Allen ventured carefully.
“N-no way…… Is the place Als went……?”
Daisy nodded.
“Yes. And this time, I applied too.”
Allen's fork clattered onto his plate.
No wonder the ingredients and portions outstripped their apparent means.
They must've splurged with advance pay from the Governor-General's Office.