﻿\setgamedatatitle("Rebecca_01")

\text("Risbell")
...And that's why, I hope you now understand the current
issues facing our army?
\endtext

\text
As always, Risbell is completely absorbed in strengthening
the military.
\endtext

\text
She flips through a thick stack of reports in front of Caym,
reading them out endlessly and seeking his approval.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Yeah, yeah, I get it already. I'll leave everything to you,
so do as you like.

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
I can't do that... Actually, I've already made every
decision I could on my own, and only brought you the rest.

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
―If you're going to call yourself the Demon Lord, I don't
care about the work, but I don't want you shirking your
responsibilities.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
I know, I know... Seriously. Anyway, I'm hungry. It's way
past lunchtime already―have you eaten yet?

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Not yet. Well, skipping lunch is pretty normal for me.

\endtext

\text("Caym")
You work too much. Come eat with me today... Oh, it should
be about time now.
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Huh? Time for what...?
\endtext

\text
Just then, a voice called out near the entrance to the room.

\endtext

\text("Rebecca")
Careful, it's hot! Watch out―oh, what is it?

\endtext

\text
The gatekeeper orc is blocking a woman who's trying to come
in uninvited, causing a commotion.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Oh, I've been waiting! It's fine, let her through.

\endtext

\text
The source of the commotion is a voluptuous woman dressed in
a glamorous dancer's outfit.
\endtext

\text
Her skin is a dusky brown, typical of southerners, and she
has mysteriously colored eyes and hair.
\endtext

\text
Her name is Rebecca―a former innkeeper where Caym stayed
before Risbell invited him to become the Demon Lord.

\endtext

\text("Rebecca")
That's right. Here you go, delivery's here. It's piping hot!

\endtext

\text
Wearing oven mitts on both hands, Rebecca is carrying a
large pot that's bubbling away.

\endtext

\text
―From inside the pot wafts a nostalgic aroma of cream and
simmering vegetables, tickling their noses.

\endtext

\text("Caym")
Oh, this is it! This smell―I've been craving this.

\endtext

\text("Rebecca")
I thought you might. I made plenty, so share it with your
friends, okay?

\endtext

\text("Caym")
Of course. Hey Risbell, and you gatekeepers too―come here.
I'll let you have some of this.
\endtext

\text
The gatekeeper orcs exchange glances and, looking a bit
nervous, gather around the steaming pot.

\endtext

\text("Caym")
You try it too, Risbell. It'll blow your mind.

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Sigh... If that's an order.
\endtext

\text("Rebecca")
Here you go. Eat as much as you like.
\endtext

\text
Risbell tilts her head as she's handed a wooden bowl and
spoon filled with stew.
\endtext

\text
But after taking a bite... her body twitches in a way that's
almost sensual from the shock.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
―Well?
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
I-It's delicious... It really is. S-somehow... ugh...

\endtext

\text
For the first time, a faint tear glimmers at the edge of
Risbell's usually cold eyes.
\endtext

\text("Rebecca")
Is it okay if I call you Riz-chan? ...It tastes nostalgic,
doesn't it?
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
...Y-yes...
\endtext

\text
Wiping her tears with the hand holding her spoon, Risbell
nods over and over again.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Now you get it, right? Why I always booked a room at
Rebecca's place?
\endtext

\text("Rebecca")
Yes, yes. Good girl, good girl... She's the same, isn't she?
Lost something precious when she was little, didn't she?

\endtext

\text
Maybe she's completely given in now, because Risbell just
nods obediently.
\endtext

\text
Before anyone realized, even the orc guards were holding
bowls and spoons of stew, eyes brimming with tears and
sniffling.
\endtext

\text
―They too, simply because they're monsters, were never
allowed to have happy memories in this world.

\endtext

\text
Rebecca looks over the scene, puts her hands on her hips,
and lets out a gentle sigh.
\endtext

\text("Rebecca")
Yeah. I'm relieved... Actually, when I heard from the
neighbors that Caym had become the king of something called
the Demon Lord's Army, I was worried.
\endtext

\text("Rebecca")
...I thought maybe some bad people had put him up to it and
were making him do weird things.
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Whatever my personal motives may be― The Demon Lord's Army
was organized under an ideal. We intend to be a proper
military force.
\endtext

\text("Rebecca")
Yes, I can see that―just by looking at these people.

\endtext

\text
Rebecca gazes kindly at the monsters who are fighting Caym
for stew from the pot, shoveling it into their mouths.

\endtext

\text("Rebecca")
Besides, I'm the owner of a tavern. I hear all sorts of
rumors.
\endtext

\text("Rebecca")
So far, I haven't heard any bad rumors about the Demon
Lord's Army. In fact, all I hear is that it's better than
people expected.
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
―Maybe it's because the image of a monster army actually
gives people a sense of relief in some ways.

\endtext

\text
People are so afraid of what kind of terrible folks might
show up―that just acting normal is enough to put them at
ease.
\endtext

\text
If you do even a little good, that relief turns into
admiration. ―Thanks to our scary image, it's easy to break
down the old regime's distortions.
\endtext

\text("Rebecca")
Even so, I wanted to see it with my own eyes at least once.
...It's much better than I thought, and I'm relieved.

\endtext

\text("Rebecca")
...It's thanks to you, Riz-chan. Take care of Caym for me,
okay, Riz-chan?
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Y-yes―! Leave it to me. I'll make sure Caym-sama becomes a
splendid Demon Lord, I promise.

\endtext

\text("Caym")
Wait, doesn't that make it sound like I'm not a splendid
Demon Lord right now...?
\endtext

\text
When Caym pouts, Rebecca giggles softly.

\endtext

\text
...She's got some years on her and plenty of life
experience, but there's still a mysterious girlish lightness
about her.
\endtext

\text("Rebecca")
Ufufu, Caym, you really have found some wonderful
companions. ―I'm jealous.

\endtext

\text("Caym")
W-well, about that... How about it? Rebecca, won't you join
the Demon Lord's Army too? I promise you won't regret it!

\endtext

\text("Rebecca")
Oh my, are you sure? Even someone like me?
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Caym-sama! The Demon Lord's Army isn't a game!

\endtext

\text("Caym")
I know that much. But look, these orcs―see? You guys would
be happy if Rebecca joined us too, right?

\endtext

\text
The orcs nod enthusiastically at his words.

\endtext

\text
―The way they look at Rebecca has already reached the level
of worship.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Risbell, you may be talented, but you can be a little cold
sometimes.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
―Rebecca could be a big help to you.

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Th-that might be true... But, Rebecca-san!

\endtext

\text
Risbell turns to face Rebecca.
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
―This Demon Lord's Army is certainly a force for our ideals.

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
But for that, we have to defy and fight against the existing
powers...
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
It's far from safe, and I can't promise anything about the
future.
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
―If we lose, just having your name on the roster could put
you in danger.

\endtext

\text
Those who stand out are always struck down―if we lose,
everyone involved will be hunted down and severely punished.

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Thinking about that, I really can't recommend it. ...I'd
appreciate it if you'd reconsider.

\endtext

\text("Rebecca")
...You're such a good girl, Riz-chan.
\endtext

\text("Rebecca")
But you know, it's not like I'm joining without thinking it
through.
\endtext

\text("Rebecca")
I've been through a lot―there were plenty of things I'd
given up on in this world as hopeless.

\endtext

\text("Rebecca")
But seeing you and Caym trying to change that... I want to
help out.

\endtext

\text("Rebecca")
Do you think you could trust my intuition on this?

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Rebecca-san...
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
...Alright. If that's how you feel.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Alright, it's settled! Welcome to the Demon Lord's Army,
Rebecca. I'll have a room prepared for you in this labyrinth
right away.
\endtext

\text("Rebecca")
Thank you, Caym. I still have my shop, so I'll be in town
for a while and just come by from time to time.

\endtext

\text("Rebecca")
I'm counting on you all too, okay?
\endtext

\text
She taps her empty stew bowl with her spoon, and the
monsters show their welcome as well.
\endtext

\dlg("Rebecca has joined your party.")