novelraw Chapter 108
Chapter 108
Chapter 108. The Uninvited Guest (1)
To celebrate the Franchise project settling in without a hitch. They decided to gather together and hold a celebratory dinner.
Since they intended to make a show of their cooking skills while they were at it, they stopped by the market.
Nortaris's greatest advantage was that the fresh ingredients delivered directly from the Labyrinth Demon Realm never stopped flowing. The scale of the wholesale market was without question the largest in the kingdom, and beneath it the retail markets were well-appointed too.
The cost of living was even lower than Korea, where distribution prices were abnormally high. A paradise where the finest fresh-quality produce of the highest grade was sold at half price.
"Oh come on, just try a bite of this apple. I'm telling you, it's the sort supplied to noble families of the highest rank!"
"Pure oat grains here — whether for porridge or bread, suits all purposes! Buy one sack today, get one more!"
"Come look at these carrots — firm and unspoiled no matter how long you keep them!"
"Finest beef butchered by Keystone Company, for sale!"
Between the merchants calling out for customers. Jurgen and Penelope, walking side by side, exchanged this and that in conversation after a long while.
"You're going back to living at home again, like before?"
"That's the plan. There's no reason to stay in hiding any longer."
The Gray Council was gone. It was not an odd picture at all for Jurgen, who had been under threat from them, to return to Y&P Trading Company.
"You should thank me for keeping the house well while you were away."
"Hmm? Were you still staying there?"
It was true that Penelope, after being turned out of the hotel, had briefly imposed on the Townhouse — but surely she could not still be there.
It was unexpected enough that he asked, and Penelope suddenly widened her eyes and whipped her head to the side. As though she had been caught in something she should not have been caught in.
"Wh, what…… Well, Brigitte comes and goes through that kitchen too, doesn't she? I thought she might feel lonely being alone in the capital so I kept her company, that's all! And a house has to be lived in continuously to stay in good condition. Leave it empty for even a few days and it falls apart quickly."
"Who said anything?"
Penelope, who had for some reason been showing signs of agitation, added belatedly.
"Oh right. A, and I did the laundry too."
"Laundry?"
"Housework. Housework, I mean."
"Oh, thank you."
"The sheets and pillowcases and all sorts. The season's starting to change anyway."
Going to all that trouble with chores on top of everything else, busy as she was. That was a truly welcome thing to hear.
"As a token of gratitude I'll have to put extra care into today's menu."
"……."
And so, after purchasing various vegetables and mushrooms to go into the Shabu-shabu. Jurgen and Penelope briskly made their way home.
***
"Hello. I'm sorry I'm late. Has everyone arrived?"
"No! You're not late at all! The others haven't arrived yet either! Come inside quickly, Sister Mel!"
Brigitte welcomed Bell without the slightest sense of discomfort. From Brigitte's perspective, she was simply one of Y&P Trading Company's long-standing executives.
As has ever been said, the most dangerous enemy is the enemy from within. Bell's 'False Familiarity' was a fraudulently powerful magic that made that possible with no prior preparation whatsoever.
'I'll drain every last card I have and bring it crumbling from the inside.'
Crossing the garden, Bell glanced sideways at Brigitte.
The most recently joined member. A commoner with culinary talent, apparently a finalist for the Royal Warrant. The recent recipe overhaul had also passed through this woman's hands.
"Now that I think about it, this is your first time at Teacher Jurgen's home, isn't it, Sister Mel?"
"Yes, that's right. In that case you should say 'residence' rather than 'home,' by the way."
"Oh! I forgot!"
Though it was her first time seeing her in person…… The way she took Bell's hand without hesitation, and the way she grinned showing her teeth without any refinement.
'Birds of a feather.'
A perfectly matched pair with that commoner Jurgen, the so-called joint representative of Y&P.
"Don't be too surprised. It's really quite something inside."
"Oh, really?"
Up until hearing this much, Bell was already readying herself to sneer.
Maple Town was famous as a newly wealthy neighbourhood, but to the eyes of the truly upper class it was nothing more than a gathering place for the nouveau riche. Unlike Avenly Hill, the traditional wealthy district, the reason was that it offered plots without regard to social status.
'Well, for a commoner who has had the good fortune to touch a bit of small money, it might be something to aspire to.'
The fact that Jurgen had gone out of his way to nest here was doubtless because he was desperate to show off his 'successful businessman' status. The interior would obviously be nouveau riche decor — harmony and balance thrown out the window.
"Mind the step at the bottom. Oh, and you'll need to take off your shoes."
"Yes, thank you. Brigitte."
Steeling herself to hold back her laughter, Bell stepped through the entrance — and found herself frowning involuntarily.
'What is this?'
Bell had been expecting things. Two chandeliers hanging from the living room ceiling, expensive paintings that clashed with the atmosphere of the space, gold leaf plastered into every corner to dazzling and vulgar effect.
But——
'Why is it so properly done?'
Not a thing to fault even under a magnifying glass. The calm-toned wallpaper, and the harmony of furniture that was luxurious without being gaudy.
Rather like viewing one of the suites at The Richfield Hotel, if anything.
"The, the house is really lovely."
"Miss Penelope did the interior herself!"
"Ah, well. That would explain it then."
That much was possible in that case.
"She's been staying here these days!"
"Huh?!"
She let out a bizarre exclamation at the words that followed.
She had known that Penelope had been coming and going to Maple Town since being turned out of the hotel — but that she was actually staying here? In a commoner man's house?
"Wh, no…… you mean she actually sleeps here and everything?"
"Yes! Since Master Jurgen disappeared, she's been sleeping in Master Jurgen's room!"
At Brigitte's candid testimony, Bell felt her mind beginning to swim.
Her coming around frequently could be put down to business. But sleeping in that man's very bed? Had they been that sort of relationship from the start?
"Brigitte! Th, that's not something you go around telling just anyone!"
"Ouch! B, but it's not just anyone — it's Sister Mel……."
"Even Mel doesn't get to know! Forbidden! Absolutely forbidden!"
Mel, whose expression had nearly broken, swiftly pulled herself together at the appearance of a third party.
A woman with pink hair who looked to have a gentle disposition.
Serena Renoir, Viscountess (prospective).
This one was also among Y&P's early collaborators.
She had originally been known as a so-so Mechanical Engineer — but it seemed her talents had recently bloomed, as she was apparently demonstrating enough capability to comfortably take charge of the majority of Y&P's equipment.
"Mel, forget what you just heard quickly! It would be a disaster, a truly terrible disaster!"
"Yes, I understand."
Serena, who had been earnestly entreating Bell, suddenly blinked rapidly.
"Mel? Mel…… Hmm? Mmmm?"
Serena, tilting her head left and right, asked with puzzlement.
"B, but who are you again……?"
"What do you mean who. I'm Mel. Y&P's long-standing collaborator."
"Ah, I do know that…… but…… how to put it…… was there really someone like that at Y&P……? It may be a little rude of me to say."
Bell was startled and quickly snapped her fingers.
Click.
Taking advantage of the moment Serena and Brigitte's pupils went slightly unfocused, Bell rapidly reactivated False Familiarity and went about correcting their perceptions.
"What's the matter, Serena."
"Eh……." "It's me. Mel. The colleague who's been together with Y&P Trading Company since it was selling Cola."
"Since selling Cola…… That's right……."
False Familiarity was not an ability that completely rewrote history.
Just as in a dream one might let a whale flying through the sky pass with 'Ah right, whales are birds,' it was an ability that induced the vagueness of a dream within reality.
There were the occasional people who, as time passed, naturally came to notice the sense of wrongness. But for an ordinary person with no Magic Power whatsoever to perceive the wrongness right away——
'This woman has a suspiciously sharp instinct.'
The measures were complete.
"Ah…… what were we…… doing?"
"Looking around the house."
"Oh, that's right! Baron Keystone is waiting inside too!"
Serena, once again caught under False Familiarity, no longer expressed any doubts.
"Welcome, Miss Mel."
In the kitchen, where a round circular table had been placed, Baron Keystone sat reading a newspaper.
The individual that requires the greatest caution. He was the very person who had pulled Jurgen out in a single day after pressuring the District Chief to have him put in the Supervisory Office.
The Keystone Barony itself could not hold its own in a contest of standing against the Rosemore Count Family, but at least within this North, completely disregarding this legitimate noble was no easy matter.
He might be investing far more in Y&P than anticipated.
"Is Branch Manager Belheim here?"
"Ah, he'll be out on the terrace smoking right now."
"Tsk tsk, truly. Should have quit while he was young. Just you wait, that fellow will regret it later."
"Your Lordship, surely one cigarette a day is harmless enough?"
Appearing as though on cue with a rueful smile, Branch Manager Gideon Belheim, immaculate in a suit.
A man of commoner origins who, through his own abilities alone, had become the Son-in-law adopted into the Devon Count Family. He was regarded as the talent who would one day lead Devon Trust Bank.
With more gentlemanly speech and conduct than anyone and a fine appearance to match, it was said that the announcement of his engagement had scattered tear-sodden handkerchiefs among countless young ladies.
'……I shall need to be on my guard.'
But for all his gentle conduct, Bell's assessment was that he was a dangerous figure in many respects.
A cold-blooded man without sentiment when it came to money. Which was why he might yet prove to be a good friend.
"It's been a while. Mr. Belheim."
"Ah, Miss Mel. It's good to see your face after so long."
Belheim, who had raised an eyebrow briefly upon seeing Mel, greeted her with a practiced smile. Even he could not sidestep 'False Familiarity' while in an unguarded state.
"By the way, their little date seems to have gone on quite long? Miss Serena, you must be jealous?"
"Wh?! Why would I be jealous? Please don't ever say such things again!"
"Oho, so she's already been well and truly won over, has she?"
"N, no?!"
"Wait…… you two haven't broken up, have you?"
"Would you please stop that!!!"
Then came Baron Keystone's teasing, born of a misunderstanding about the relationship between Serena and Jurgen, and Serena, genuinely distressed.
"Ah, looks like they're coming now."
Just then, the silhouettes of a man and a woman flickered past the window, and Jurgen and Penelope returned.
"Sorry for keeping you waiting. Since you're valued guests, I must treat you with fine ingredients."
The appearance of the person requiring the greatest caution.
Jurgen, who had recently returned to Nortaris, and Penelope. In practice, the pillars of Y&P Trading Company and the central figures in the series of events that had unfolded.
Jurgen in particular warranted raising her guard level somewhat.
The day after she had given the order to deal with him, Marcus died and the internal strife within the Gray Council began. And when twelve organisations had wiped each other out, he returned to Nortaris at his leisure.
Of course, it was far-fetched in many respects to conclude he had engineered something — but the timing was too convenient. In this world, luck was also a form of ability.
And moreover……
'If he and Miss Clarisse's younger sister are in that sort of relationship…….'
She would need to keep a closer eye on him.
"Mr. Jurgen, you've brought so much. Here, let me take that. I'll carry it."
Whatever lay beneath, Bell greeted Jurgen with a face full of smiles.
"You're always so lively — good to see."
Jurgen broke into a quiet smile and handed over the load.
"You grin every time you see Mel."
"Since when have I done that?"
"You do. Every single day."
At the sight of it, Penelope gave a haughty little huff through her nose.