This House Has A Delicious Restaurant - Chapter 8 - Helper (2) - Part 2

The sound of the teacup being placed down was quite loud, and it momentarily drew everyone’s attention to me. Seizing that moment, I smiled and spoke.

 

“It seems like we’re not getting anywhere just repeating the same discussion. If you want to keep us here, why don’t you either offer us a meal or let us go home?”

 

“What the hell, I think this is our group, can’t you see we’re talking about something important?”

 

It seemed my actions displeased Phel, as her sharp voice was heard. Since I was just smiling, she probably thought I was scared and was about to retort again.

 

Anise, who had been clinging on without firmly rejecting until now, finally moved away from Phel. She came over to my side and glared at Phel.

 

Seeing Anise’s displeasure with how Phel was treating me, the three of them looked flustered.

 

Indeed, it’s no surprise they’re feeling anxious after provoking Anise, even though they tried flattering her with all sorts of good words.

 

“I’m a business partner too. If you keep speaking so harshly, it’s hurtful. If all you need is Anise, then I’ll just leave. I wouldn’t want to be a hindrance.”

 

“If you’re going to treat Moa like this, I don’t want to be involved either. Let’s pretend we didn’t hear this.”

 

Anise added her comment.

 

It had turned into a confrontational situation. A moment of silence hung between us. Soon, Phel lowered her head.

 

“I’m sorry. I think I spoke recklessly because I got excited.”

 

“It’s okay. I appreciate your apology. I understand how you feel, but please also consider Anise’s situation. Anise has her own life, and helping you means she might have to give up a significant part of that life, possibly even half. It’s not good to force such a decision on her.”

 

“…Alright.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

Phel showed a mature side despite her somewhat hot-tempered nature. She admitted her mistake and apologized.

 

Since the immediate decision was postponed, I shifted the topic.

 

Including Anise, we lacked information. If we were going to fight, we needed to be attached to a place where we had a chance to win, and if the chances were slim, we needed to do some research.

 

“It would be helpful if you could inform us about the current situation before Anise makes her decision. We need accurate information to consider how we can help and make a decision. We know the opponent is a criminal organization. However, we only speculate that Zerdan is above that organization, and we don’t know how many members are involved or what kind of abilities they have.”

 

“That…”

 

Phel looked at Obella, as if the information was not something she could easily disclose.

 

Zerdan was the same. Only a very few people knew his name.

 

Sharing such information with us might be risky, especially when we’re not sure if we can trust them easily.

 

But sometimes, sacrifices must be made to gain something.

 

It seemed Obella thought the same way, as he pondered for a moment before speaking up.

 

“We have five ability users on our side, including the three here. Although it’s not precise, I estimate that there are more than five times that number on the opposing side. Of course, there are both threatening and non-threatening abilities among them. I know Zerdan’s ability and that there are people specialized in offensive abilities.”

 

“It doesn’t seem likely that all of the more than five times the number of ability users are offensive types. Have you had any actual combat with the organization?”

 

“Our organization was of similar size before they grew, so we used to have frequent skirmishes. But since then, they’ve rapidly expanded, and we haven’t fought them recently.”

 

“Because you knew you’d lose?”

 

Terisier glared at me as I spoke. Obella simply nodded in response.

 

“Bella’s judgment is correct. Even if it bruises our pride, the lives of our comrades are more important. In war, pride doesn’t matter. What’s important is how to win. It’s a serious situation. We lack information, and our numbers are small. Even if Anise’s ability and Bella’s ability are strong, they won’t be enough if we engage head-on.”

 

“But we can’t just stand by. Someone has to stop them. No more senseless crimes or deaths should occur.”

 

“That’s true. But the goal of this mission isn’t to win in battle. Everyone should remember that clearly. We should focus on retrieving Diswen.”

 

“So, if we want to rescue Diswen, we have to fight the organization trying to stop us, right?”

 

Terisier said.

 

His point might be valid, but it depends on how the operation is planned.

 

“We’ll discuss this further later. For now, until Anise makes her decision, you should diligently gather any information you can. Even small bits of information can be useful. Also, I heard there are long-range ability users and that Diswen has a colleague without special abilities, so it seems not everyone is here yet. The more people there are, the more information we can gather.”

 

I stood up. Staying here wouldn’t provide any solutions, so it was time to fulfill our respective tasks.

 

“We’ll take our leave for now. Anise needs to rest, and I have things to do as well.”

 

“You’re welcome to stay here if you wish.”

 

“Anise hasn’t agreed yet. Until the conditions are met, I’m not fully committed either, so Terisier might dislike it. Right, Terisier?”

 

“Hmph.”

 

Terisier didn’t answer and just snorted.

 

Oh dear, oh dear.

 

Anise stood up after me. She declined to stay here, saying she wanted to check on the children’s condition first.

 

“Let’s meet again in two days. Until then, let’s each do our best.”

 

“Understood. …Don’t overexert yourself.”

 

Perhaps Obella thought my plan to find out Zerdan’s location was reckless.

 

I might be reckless, but I didn’t dislike Obella’s concern.

 

I gave a light nod and left with Anise. As mentioned earlier, Anise said she would head to the place where the children were being treated.

 

“I’d like to stay with the children for at least a night after seeing their condition, but you should go home first, Moa. I’ll make sure you get the key.”

 

“I’m fine. I have someone to meet today, so I won’t be able to go home for the day. Don’t worry too much.”

 

“Are you sure?”

 

“Yes. So, Anise, make sure to get some rest there. You look quite tired. I’ll come to where you are once I’m done with my business.”

 

Since it seemed like Anise would stay with the children until they recovered, I said it that way. Anise thanked me and said goodbye.

 

We parted ways to attend to our respective matters. I knew where I was going.

 

After briefly surveying the surroundings, I wandered to a place where people’s footsteps were few. It was somewhere not too dark but out of sight.

 

I soon entered an alley, standing with my back to the sunlight. My shadow stretched long in front of me.

 

I crouched down. A round shadow formed in the direction I was looking. After observing the shadow for a moment, I placed my hand on it.

 

The cold concrete floor could be felt. I gently knocked on it.

 

“Knock, knock. Is Mr. Zerdan here?”

 

I came for some information, so could you please open the door?

 

“……”

 

I waited for a while after calling out, but there was no response.

 

I thought someone was always watching through the shadows, but maybe that wasn’t the case.

 

I grabbed a rock from the side of the room and placed it directly on the shadow. The stone leaves a white scratch that reads:

 

?It seems the subordinate isn’t working.

 

Seeing the crookedly written message made me smile contentedly. I then finished writing, ‘It seems the subordinate is eyeing your position. Watch your back,’ when the shadow wavered and started to rise.

 

Since no shape appeared, it seemed like no one was coming. I smiled at the shadow that quickly climbed up the leg like the one that had kidnapped Anise before.

 

Soon, the shadow enveloped me, and my vision was instantly engulfed in darkness.

 

* * *

 

When I opened my eyes again, I saw Khan sitting with a displeased expression. The surroundings were quite bright.

 

I had always been trapped in dark rooms whenever I was kidnapped by Zerdan, so coming to such an ordinary place was refreshing.

 

As I looked around leisurely without any particular fear, Khan tapped the floor a few times with his foot.

 

“You’re the first and last person to use my ability like that.”

 

“Oh, I’m sorry for causing you pain. I’ll try to avoid knocking on the floor next time. I’ll think about using wood or other objects instead. Thanks for your concern, Khan.”

 

“…You’re the first to take such things as concern…”

 

Khan sighed and rubbed his forehead, seeming to have a headache.

 

“If you have a headache, you should rest a bit, Khan.”

 

“Enough of that. What’s the sudden reason for calling me? Were you not planning to stick with the hunters and prepare to strike us?”

 

“Do you hear everything, even conversations through shadows?”

 

“Answer my question first.”

 

Khan’s attitude was a bit prickly.

 

Looking at the room’s layout, it resembled an office, but I wondered if this was his actual residence. I couldn’t see any other people or Zerdan.

 

“What about Zerdan?”

 

“The captain is busy and hasn’t reported separately. I was initially ignoring you, but you were acting strangely, so I called you. No, rather, shouldn’t you answer my question first?”

 

Khan, who had answered naturally at first, then focused his attention back on me.

 

I replied, ‘That’s right,’ and looked around before sitting on the sofa in the center.

 

“Your intentions are obvious. Shouldn’t you ask a more useful question? Maybe Zerdan would be pleased.”