15 – Some Questions

Early morning, Elise walked alone through the city streets, leaving Renee at the inn. The merchants there were still getting ready in their shops. None of them had actually opened yet. Elise often met passing horse-drawn carriages with goods or passengers.

"I could have asked you to put my plan into action as soon as possible, but I'm curious about Renee's background," Raymund explained. "So, maybe this mission will be a little longer."

To be honest, Elise didn't have a problem with that. As long as she doesn't have to fight terrible monsters like goblins.

After a few minutes of walking, Elise arrived at a restaurant with a large sign with 'Hugo's' written on it. That place was still closed, but the door was slightly open.

"Excuse me." Elise peeked inside. Since no one answered, she entered the long, tiny restaurant. The middle part can only be passed by one person. On either side, there were round tables still decorated with the remains of oil and food stains. Coupled with the dusty floor because it is rarely swept, it is clear that people will feel uncomfortable there.

The closer Elise got to the end of the place, the more her nose could smell the meat and sauce.

"Excuse me," Elise repeated her greeting at the kitchen door. Not long after, Hugo looked outside, raising his eyebrows as soon as he found Elise.

"I haven't opened this place yet, Miss." The man wearing the stained apron said. "I'm still cooking. Wait a few more hours."

"Actually, I just wanted to ask about Renee." Elise grimaced and spoke in her trademark stiff tone.

Hugo flashed a smile and went back to work but left the kitchen door wide open, signifying that he hadn't kicked Elise out. Elise then entered the kitchen. Surprisingly, the cooking area was relatively clean compared to the front.

"I can't say much about her." Hugo stirred the stew in a large pot. "I can only say that she is from my village. We actually weren't that close when we were in the village. I'm older than her. However, she recognized me when I came to this town a year ago. And she always helps me when I run out of money."

"She is rich, right?" Elise asked a question from Raymund.

Hugo smiled again. "Well, Renee never forbids me to tell anyone about her. However, I think she would appreciate it if I didn't do that. She had been avoiding such questions all the time."

Elise was silent for a moment, then looked at the front of the restaurant. "How about I clean up your restaurant, and you tell me about Renee in return."

The restaurant owner shrugged. "Interesting offer. Cleaning is my least favorite thing. I prefer to cook."

"Hey, your initiative is good, Elise." Raymund complimented his servant.

Elise tied her lengthy hair, preparing to do her job.

***

Elise cleaned the place thoroughly, even removing cobwebs from the ceiling. The woman had just finished mopping the floor when Hugo brought her a plate of an omelet and a cup of coffee.

"Breakfast, Elise. Thank you so much for helping me." Hugo placed the food and drink on one of the tables, then went to the front door to flip the sign.

Elise just stared at the omelet. Since reincarnating, she has never felt hungry or thirsty.

"Eat," Raymund said. "It's a gesture of respect, even though you don't really need it."

So, Elise sat down and took the fork on the plate. "Thank you."

"So, you want to know more about Renee, huh?" Hugo sat opposite Elise. "I don't know where to start…. Well, as you might have guessed, his parents were rich. His father was a lord in charge of the plantation lands in our village. Like his daughter, Mr. Emilien is also very kind. He even gave me money to come to this city. That man was amazed at me, who chose to try his luck in faraway place and not become a farmer like my friends. In my village, few people do what I do."

Hugo lowered his head with a faint smile. It seemed he was reminiscing about his life in his hometown.

Elise swallowed the food in her mouth before asking again, still in a stiff tone. "Then how can she be good at martial arts like that?"

"His father's family have been users of a martial art for generations." Hugo continued his speech. "Unlike other nobles, the children in that family are taught martial arts to defend themselves."

"But she prefers to be a mage." Elise sipped her coffee.

"Well, it happened because of…."

"Elise!!!" Renee suddenly entered the restaurant and ran towards Elise. The mage's breasts bounced wildly because of that. "I was worried about losing you… Hey, why is this place so clean?"

"This new friend of yours is helping me." Hugo smiled, then got up to greet the few adventurers who had entered the restaurant. "Please come in. Can I help you?"

Renee sat across from Elise with her eyes almost tearing up. "Why did you leave me this morning? You're not really going to leave me forever, are you?"

"Ah, I only came here for breakfast, really. I just happened to want to clean this place up." Elise answered with an awkward smile. "Don't worry, I won't really leave you."

"Don't spoil Hugo, Elise. He has to clean this place himself." Renee breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm afraid you're really leaving, even though we haven't done any missions yet." The mage waved at Hugo, who had just taken the guests' order. "Hugo, can I order an omelet like Elise, please?"

"Okay, okay." Hugo passed the women.

"Please, don't go alone again, Elise. At least tell me first." Renee held both of Elise's hands. "You just make me nervous."

"I'm sorry." Seeing Renee's slightly childish behavior, Elise wanted to laugh. "I promise I won't do it again."

"After breakfast, we'll go to the adventurer's guild headquarter to pick a quest." Renee smiled brightly, then looked back. "Hurry up, Hugo. I'll be late!"

"Be patient, princess!" Hugo grumbled from the kitchen. "Can't you see I have another visitor!?"