第５６４堀：皆が幸せになる方法 (Part2)
Well, since Rock-san had been a bachelor and the Guild Master for so long, I was able to enjoy my time as an adventurer with peace of mind. Once I raised my rank to a certain level, I transitioned smoothly into a job at the guild reception.
Of course, that was also thanks to the hellish special training I received from my mother.
"Hey, by the way, Mom, Dad. How is work going?"
"Hm? Oh, it's booming. Isn't that right, dear?"
"Yes. It's selling even better than before."
"Why did you two have to open a restaurant, anyway? I wanted both of you to just get jobs at the Adventurer's Guild. Well, I suppose it's too late for that now."
"Sorry about that. As I said before, it was always my dream to own my own shop."
"That's right. And I fell in love with your father's cooking, too."
In truth, after coming to Weed, my parents had worked hard to save up money, and they opened a restaurant in a corner of the commercial district. Just like they used to do in the old days.
Even though I offered to provide the funds, they wouldn't hear of it; they insisted on working honestly in Weed to save the money themselves before setting up shop.
They weren't serving anything particularly exotic. It was just local cuisine.
It wasn't the exquisite dishes from Yuki-san's Earth, but a simple, local eatery.
To be honest, I was worried they would go out of business immediately. After all, it couldn't compare to the food from Earth. It wasn't that it was bad, but it wasn't exactly gourmet, either. That was the kind of place it was.
"Daburik used to come and eat here every day, too."
"That's right. I couldn't give up on the shop, if only for his sake."
"……I'm sorry."
Rock-san apologized. During the war between Gartz and Roschur, my younger brother, Daburik, had sacrificed his young life to protect the city.
I don't know if he truly loved the food, but he had visited our family's restaurant every single day. That was why my parents had been so insistent on reopening the shop with their own hands.
"Don't apologize, Rock. No one is to blame. It's already over. Daburik fought for the city of his own volition. That’s all there is to it."
"That's right. My son wasn't a coward who would abandon his city and run away. So, why should we give up just because our shop was lost once?"
"……I suppose you're right. But why is it doing so well, I wonder?"
Exactly—that was the mystery. For some reason, my father's shop was busier than ever.
"Hmm. I'm not entirely sure, but according to Yuki-san, it's because it's local cuisine."
"Exotic and delicious food is fine, but people apparently start to miss the food they grew up eating. That's why, when we said we wanted to open a shop, he approved of it happily. He even made connections for us with Ratz-san and Eris-san."
"Well, it is a lot of work to hire people and recreate the flavors of various other regions, though."
"I see. It's true, sometimes I get an irresistible craving for my hometown's food, even if it isn't exactly 'gourmet'."
"Besides, Rock, you're always showing your face at our shop, aren't you?"
"You two, you're supposed to deny the part about it not being delicious!"
"Hahaha……"
Ah, so Yuki-san had been looking out for them properly.
And not only that, but he had secretly launched a "Hometown Cuisine Recreation Project" so that people who had left their homes wouldn't feel lonely or struggle with changes in their diet.
I see. By involving them in this plan, he was able to provide them with subsidies.
It would have been hard for them to accept money if I had just offered it directly, so Yuki-san must have been considerate enough to arrange it this way. I'll have to thank him later.
As I was thinking this, the three of them stopped their small talk and looked at me with serious expressions.
"Eh? What's wrong?"
"Well, now that we know Milly is safe, I thought it was about time we asked about the main topic."
"The main topic?"
"Yes. Giving birth while away on a business trip. Do you really think we're going to be satisfied with that explanation?"
Ah, this is bad.
Judging by my mother's face, she definitely suspects something.