﻿\setgamedatatitle("Rebecca_02")

\text
――The labyrinth tavern.
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\text
It's lunchtime, and the kitchen is in a frenzy. Goblin cooks
are running around, desperately preparing meals for the
soldiers.
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But if you want to talk about being on edge, the soldiers in
the tavern are way more intense than the kitchen staff.

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\text("Soldier")
Hey! When the hell is the food I ordered gonna be ready?!

\endtext

\text("Soldier")
And this stuff tastes like crap! Did you even try it
yourself?!
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\text("Soldier")
We're out there risking our lives every day. Give us
something better to eat!
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\text
The goblins in their chef hats are working up a sweat, but――

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\text
The scribbled orders stuck behind the counter just keep
piling up.
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\text("Caym")
Well, that's how things are right now.
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\text
With Rebecca and Risbell in tow, Caym had come to inspect
the kitchen.
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\text("Rebecca")
I get the general idea. But why did you go out of your way
to make goblins the cooks?

\endtext

\text("Rebecca")
I don't think they're really cut out for it, those kids.

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\text("Caym")
――Believe it or not, they're actually pretty handy for
monsters.
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\text("Risbell")
Well, the workplace is at the bottom of a labyrinth, and
we're attacked by adventurers almost every day...

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\text("Risbell")
If enemies break in, we have to fight them, so there's no
way we could hire professional cooks.

\endtext

\text("Caym")
So, do you think you can do something about it? I'd like to
hear your thoughts, Rebecca.
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\text
Since joining the Demon Lord's army, Rebecca has been
helping out at the inn in town and occasionally coming to
the labyrinth like this.
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\text
Caym was hoping to ask Rebecca to act as an advisor to help
improve life in the labyrinth overall.

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\text
...Even if we can't reach the level of her inn, things can't
stay as they are now or it'll affect the morale of the whole
army.
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\text("Rebecca")
Let's see... But for now―
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\text
Rebecca snatches up one of the piled-up memos, ties up her
hair, and heads into the kitchen.
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\text("Rebecca")
Alright, I'm jumping in to help. You there, get the plates
ready. You, grab the ingredients! If you get three of the
same order, send them over here.
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\text
Rebecca starts giving crisp instructions to the goblins.

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\text
The goblins don't know who she is, but faced with her
confident attitude, they naturally follow her orders.

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\text
Pans are tossed, orders fly back and forth, and the stack of
order slips quickly shrinks――

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\text
Caym and Risbell exchange glances and nod silently to each
other.
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\text
'Inviting her was definitely the right call.'

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\text
Meanwhile, the atmosphere on the customer side of the tavern
starts to change as well.
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\text("Soldier")
Oh? Hey, this is actually pretty good today, isn't it?

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\text("Soldier")
Not just pretty good―it's freaking amazing! Munch, munch,
munch! ...This is better than my mom's cooking!

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\text("Soldier")
Isn't this the first time I've actually thought the food
here was good? I gotta tell everyone about this...

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\text
Instead of slowing down, the number of customers actually
increases. Soldiers who finished their meals must be
spreading the word about how much better the food is now.
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\text
Naturally, the kitchen gets even busier―but under Rebecca's
direction, the goblins work like a well-oiled machine to
handle the orders.
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\text
Eventually, lunchtime passes―
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\text
After seeing the last customer stand up, pay, and leave with
a smile, Rebecca lets her hair down and returns.

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\text("Rebecca")
Phew! That was a good workout. It's been a while since I
worked up a sweat like that. Lately, I've just been leaving
the kitchen to the younger ones.
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\text
Sweat glistens beautifully on her brown skin. A ripe,
cinnamon-like scent wafts from her body.

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\text("Risbell")
Thank you for your hard work. Here you go.
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\text
Risbell offers Rebecca a cup of water.

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\text("Rebecca")
Thank you, Risbell-chan. You're so thoughtful.

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\text("Risbell")
N-no, not at all...
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\text
Risbell's face flushes red before she can stop herself.
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\text("Caym")
So, how was it? How did it feel to be back in the field?

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\text("Rebecca")
Well... First, let me take back what I said earlier.

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\text("Rebecca")
These kids are really capable. It's just that no one ever
taught them the right way before.

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\text
Rebecca turns and gives the goblins behind her a warm smile.

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\text
Hearing those words, the goblins' eyes well up with tears,
and they look at Rebecca almost as if she's a goddess.

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\text
―Up until now, since starting this job, they've probably
never been praised by anyone before.

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\text("Rebecca")
But, this tavern could use a little remodeling, don't you
think?
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\text("Risbell")
We should have enough equipment and materials for everyone,
but―
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\text
At the word 'remodeling,' Risbell twitches in response.
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\text
―Risbell is starting to look up to Rebecca, but when it
comes to money, that's a different story.

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\text("Rebecca")
Did you notice how we worked? While one person was working,
another was just waiting for them to finish―

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\text("Rebecca")
People leaving their stations would bump into each other,
and it was the same for the customers. Once it got busy,
things didn't flow smoothly.
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\text("Rebecca")
There will probably be even more customers starting
tomorrow. We can't handle it as things are now... And
cleaning is a problem too.
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\text("Rebecca")
Hygiene is important. If soldiers get food poisoning and end
up bedridden, what if the enemy attacks then? That would be
a disaster, right?
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\text
Yes... Risbell replies.
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\text("Caym")
Hmm... I have a favor to ask, Rebecca.
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\text("Rebecca")
I was just about to say the same thing. Speed and hygiene
are definitely important, but―

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\text("Rebecca")
When it comes to taste, it takes time to really master it...
And also, the spirit of hospitality toward our customers.

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\text("Rebecca")
For a while, I'd like to stay here at this tavern and teach
these kids a lot of things... if that's alright.

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\text
The goblins in their chef outfits cheer and break into a
dance.
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\text("Risbell")
Ah...! Is that really okay? What about your shop in town?

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\text("Rebecca")
Yes. Like I said earlier, the younger ones at my place are
growing up. They're fine even without me now.

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\text("Rebecca")
Besides... I want to be wherever there are people in need,
as much as I can.
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\text
Rebecca takes the goblins by the hand and smiles at them.

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\text("Caym")
That's just the kind of woman Rebecca is, Risbell.

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\text("Risbell")
Why are you acting all proud about that, Caym-sama...?

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\text("Risbell")
Anyway, understood. I'll get your room ready, so thank you
in advance.

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\text("Rebecca")
Likewise. Looking forward to working with you, Riz-chan. And
you too, Caym.
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\text("Rebecca")
...Yes, yes, you guys too, okay?
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\text
Surrounded by the goblins, who are as excited as children,
Rebecca disappears into the kitchen.
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\text
Watching her go, Caym thought to himself, 'I feel like I've
read a fairy tale like this before...'
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