Capítulo 24: Restaurant
Ryo hammered in the sign above the double doors and nodded to himself as he floated down from where he was levitated and took a moment to admire his handiwork. What was once a desecrated and rotted old church was now no more than a freshly plastered up building which still kept the original stonework, but now had new wooden beams in place to help support the shell while also giving a nice aesthetic look to the place.
Ryo nodded to himself before walking up the steps and pushing the door open. Gone were the benches and the musty air. Away went the crumbling walls and the cracked floor. In their places were now several dining tables and little closed off eating areas for people who wanted a little more privacy. The floors were of dark oak floorboards, freshly mopped and shiny, courtesy of Uraume who was still at the end of the room by the counter, swabbing away with a mop and bucket while dressed in a cleaning apron and gloves.
The altar had been torn out completely, and its place was a counter behind which was a long window in the extension that Ryo had created at the back, giving a perfect view of the kitchen where customers would be able to see the chefs working away at preparing their meals if they wanted to. To the left of the former altar where there had been a door to the cellar was now just a blank wall. Now the door had been fitted in front, giving anybody who entered a front view down the stairs instead of a side-view like before.
Looking up, Ryo smiled at the fact that the roof could no longer be seen. Instead there were wooden shafts that held up a boarded ceiling which was actually the floor of the level above. The second floor was the living quarters which was only accessible by a set of stairs which you would have to go out back through the kitchen to reach, making sure that none besides himself and his employees could go up there. The alleys that had previously allowed a path behind the former church was now closed off by a tall fence, which would not really stop many people in this city coming in if they wanted to.
What would stop them however was a a trap he'd meticulously crafted with sorcery that would activate the moment an intruder stepped where they were not supposed to be setting, someone that he did not recognise as authorized to go there. What fate would await them should they ever get caught in the trap was much too gruesome to be even put into writing.
Ryo nodded at Uraume before he walked down into the secret cellar which used to be the residence of the Hestia Familia until just about three hours prior. Now it had been converted into an extended storage room which ran completely underneath the restaurant, and where his shikigami were at the moment putting collected and precious stock away. Ryo watched as the horde of little white rabbits created little rabbit trains that tossed bags of spices and flour and all sorts of ingredients at one another, passing them along until they reached the appropriate shelf and threw them into their allocated space.
The sorcerer spied Bell standing in the middle of all this while holding one of the white rabbits and rubbing its head playfully as the boy buried his cheek in its soft fur. Ryo raised a brow at the irony before he toned his voice and snapped.
"Bell!"
The boy floundered a little bit as he looked up and saw Ryo standing there with his hands on his hips and eyes staring daggers at him.
"Y-yes sir!" Bell saluted and stood at apt attention even while holding a white rabbit in his hands.
"You're supposed to be keeping inventory." Ryo said. "Are you even writing anything down?"
"Yes sir, I am." Bell affirmed as he showed the hand of the arm that was holding the rabbit. Clasped in it was a small notebook and a pencil. "I just couldn't help myself you know. They're just so cute."
"Cute?" Ryo asked. "Let me tell you now Bell, none of my summons are cute. Small and fluffy they might seem, my rabbits are more dangerous than an Almiraj pack. Like so."
Ryo gestured with a finger as he took full control of the rabbit in Bell's arms and ripped its autonomy away. The rabbit suddenly shifted in Bell's arm and bunny-kicked the boy right in the face with enough force to leave a crater in the boy's cheek as Bell's eyes rolled back for a moment as he went flying across the room and rolled until he smashed into a shelf with his legs sticking upwards and twitching. Ryo could almost see the birds flying around the boy's head.
"Let that teach you to slack off." Ryo huffed before he walked over to the freezer.
It was more of a box created using two walls. Between the walls were sheets of ice Uraume had created which were guaranteed to not melt for a long time. There was a heavy metal door to the whole thing that Ryo had fitted with rubber seals to keep it air tight and not let any of the cool inside to escape. For now though, it was open and he could see his rabbits creating towers with which they hauled on monster meats onto metal racks and trays, or hooked entire limbs from meat hooks in the ceiling.
As far as walk-in fridges went, it was quite a big one for a restaurant of that size but then again, it was monster products that were being place inside, and they were a little bit bigger than normal. Examples included entire orc heads which Ryo hoped to cook like actual pig heads. Hopefully his customers would not actually run away when he brought those things to the tables.
"You could have just asked him nicely you know?" Ryo heard behind him.
He turned around to see Hestia staring up at him with an angry pout while also wearing an apron. In her hands were a tomato and a lemon respectively as she stared up at him expecting of an answer while tapping her foot over and over like an interrogating mother. He'd assigned her in one part of the storage room to sort all the fruit and vegetables in crates and racks. But upon seeing her child being drop kicked by a rabbit, she'd broken away to try and melt his face off with her glare.
Unfortunately, that was not happening any time soon, especially with the bump on her head which was slowly going down but not enough it seemed. The pain of it most definitely added to her bad mood.
"He slacked off on the first day of work." Ryo said nonchalantly as he walked past her. "Voluntary as well mind you. Not a very good impression if I must say. It was my duty as a boss to give him a little wake up call." Ryo then pointed at her. "And by the way, you can't say anything since you're in service for your transgression. So I wouldn't recommend any interference on your part in the way way I do things."
"Hmph!" Hestia crossed her arms. "I'm watching you, evil spirit. You might have been able to get Bell to drop his guard and like you so much. But I'm watching you."
"What have I done to warrant such attention from you, oh mighty and powerful Goddess?" He said sarcastically as he raised a brow while leaning on the railing of the stairs.
"That!" Hestia pointed to the freezer full of monster meat. "These!" She pointed to the sea of rabbits beneath her. "Everything!" She gestured all around her, meaning the entire establishment they were standing in. "No spirit should ever wield power like this! Even for magic its not natural...it's not even magic at all! Being able to just summon spiritual animals and make them work for you like slaves! And where do you even get materials like this anyway huh? And the way you just pull things out of thin air! There's nothing you haven't done that doesn't warrant me from keeping my eyes on you dark spirit!"
"Whatever." Ryo rolled his eyes and began climbing up the stairs. "Just make sure to be ready by the deep fryer when we open up shop tomorrow night."
"ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING?!" Came the indignant shout of the little girl from behind but he just ignored it and moved on until he exited the cellar and closed the door behind him.
He looked across the dining area at Uraume who had finished the mopping and was now polishing the counter.
"Hard at work I see." Ryo commented as he walked up behind her, making her pause as he clearly saw her bristle. "Funny. Considering the amount of resentment you have for me, I would have assumed you'd do all you can to spite me, including trying to do as much bad work as possible. And yet here you are working with true diligence and efficiency. I can actually see my face in these floors."
"All in the name of serving you Master Ryo." Came her monotone voice, even if she hadn't turned around to answer.
Ryo's smirk dropped a little as he failed yet again to get a rise out of the sorcerer. For some reason, it had become somewhat of a game the past three years. He'd do all he could to make her angry and pull an outburst from her, just for the petty sake of doing so. But no matter how hard he tried, he'd not managed to get even an angry frown out of her. The best he'd gotten was an icy voice, but she always had that anyway.
"You've got to be one of the most unluckiest people in the world you know." Ryo continued. "To have been a man once, only valued for his talent in the horrific act of cooking his own kind. Then to be reincarnated by another mad sorcerer into the body of a woman to once again walk in the shadow of someone else. To ultimately serve as little more than a useful retainer and bar maid for others when you landed under my shadow because of a stupid gamble." Ryo folded his arms. "Doesn't that make you the tiniest bit upset?"
"...the point of life is to live and learn." Uraume said as she continued to wipe the counter. "All to perfect my service to you Lord Ryo. You shall find no complaints with me."
"Tch, spoilsport." Ryo said. "I'll make you scream one day."
"I eagerly anticipate such an occasion Master." Came a swift reply.
"Anyway." Ryo unfolded his arms. "Hand me the special box I asked you to safekeep for me."
Uraume leaned over the counter and lifted from behind it a wooden box, and carried it over to Ryo. While she held it, he opened it up and took out some pieces of paper with different characters painted on them. He made the sorceress follow him around as he laid a talisman on each table. Each time he put one down, it would shimmer for a moment before vanishing from sight. However, Uraume could sense them still being where they were, only that they were intangible now.
Ryo then went along placing the talismans on the walls before walking outside the front doors and placing some on either side. Uraume watched as he did all this and finally popped the question.
"What is the purpose of these charms Master?" She asked him. "I've inspected them myself and have seen how much time and effort you put into them. Just how long will they last?"
"Long enough that I won't have to renew them probably." Ryo said. "Talismans are a tricky business in sorcery. You have to get the words right and the handwriting immaculate for a charm to even begin to work. Luckily I've had practice." Ryo pointed to the tables. "Those I placed on the tables will naturally lessen a customer's reservation against consuming monster products. At most they will question what's on their plate and they'll be incredulous. But more often than not, they will eat what they're served. The ones on the walls are to keep the walls from being permanently stained. And these ones right here..." He tapped the sides of the door frame. "...these will encourage people from the outside to come in and see what we're about. And the ones I placed on the inside will implant a longing in their heads to come back again." Ryo smiled at the sorceress who now had wide eyes for a change. "Innovative or what?"
"...It's definitely cheating." She said after a moment's consideration.
"Of course it's cheating. No-one ever got rich being honest." Ryo said as he dusted his hands. "And besides, if other people are not fortunate enough to have these kind of tools on their side, well too bad for them. And anyway, there's nothing illegal about doing this." He began to shoo her away. "Be gone with you. Go back to behaving like an obedient little housewife. It's all you'll be good for before the customers come in, where I'll be needing you in the kitchen then."
"Yes sir." Uraume answered, not even phased by his low blow as she just walked away.
Ryo stared at her walking away and shook his head, disappointed at yet another failed attempt to rouse her before he heard feet tapping to a stop outside the restaurant, prompting him to look over. Standing outside was a small boy with pale hair, holding a map and looking up and down the front of the restaurant.
"Pas?" Ryo said. "You can clearly see me standing here. Why aren't you coming in?"
"N-no, it's not that boss." Pas said as he looked around the neighbourhood they were situated in. "It's just...this place looks sparkling new compared to the rest of the buildings around. And there's not that many people walking around here you know compared to other parts of the city. I'm surprised you built up in a district like this."
"We're the ones who are going to bring in the traffic." Ryo said as he beckoned the boy forward. "Come on kid. Let me show you to your stations so you can settle in for opening day tomorrow."
"Alright." Pas said as he walked forwards and brushed his feet on the rug outside the door. "Don't mind me." The boy said as he stepped in and looked around, whistling at the sparkle of the floors and the gentle flickering of the wall-mounted candles which Uraume was lighting up. "Fancy stuff. How long did it take you?"
"You wouldn't believe it." Ryo said as he pushed the boy along.
Uraume blew out her match and walked up to them.
"Who is this, Master?" She asked as she eyed the little boy up and down.
"This is our dessert chef, Uraume. Pastry Mille Morteln." Ryo then gestured towards the sorceress. "Pas, this is Uraume, my sous-chef. You two will have to get along as I'm sure you understand."
"Never had a problem working with anyone before." Pas said as he outstretched a hand to Uraume. "Nice to meet you Ma'am. I look forward to working with you."
...
Moments passed as Uraume left him hanging, causing Pas to chuckle awkwardly as he lowered his hand. The sorceress upturned her nose and gave him a very obvious judgemental dressing down with her eyes.
"Your posture and gait just stink of higher society." Uraume sniffed. "What's a noble brat doing signing up for a job like this? How are you even going to be able to work properly at the stations?"
"The counters are adjustable." Ryo answered as he pushed the boy along again. "And believe me, he has talent. No more questioning my choices Uraume. Get back to work."
"Yes Master." She replied, though still not taking her eyes off of the boy.
Ryo opened the door to the kitchen and directed the boy into the back where there was an arrangement of wooden tables.
"This is where you can perform." Ryo said and then pointed to a bunch of stone ovens which had been placed along the walls, next to stoves and cookers. "I've dedicated special care to this place because everyone knows the importance of a tasty dessert right after a filling meal. With all of this to work with, I have little doubt that you'll do great here."
"I definitely will!" Pas's eyes sparkled as he already began imagining all types of sweets and treats he'd be making in here before he saw another door. "What's in there?"
"A special larder I made for you." Ryo said as he directed them in. "Have a look for yourself."
Pas paused before going in and letting his eyes roam across all the bottles, cartons, boxes and cans in the place. The boy's eyes went wide as he started grabbing at them and looking them over.
"I can't believe it." The boy muttered as he looked all of them over. "These are branded products! Company labels and modern packaging methods...this stuff is from...Earth."
Pas looked back at Ryo, who simply stared at him. Truth be told, that stuff were things he'd bought from his online grocery system. Imported things by ways of world jumping proved to not possess the same stat boosting traits as food from the system.
"Are you..." Pas began as he looked between Ryo and the Earthly products. "...are you also-"
"Otherworlders are not as uncommon in this building as you think." Ryo said. "But not a word about this to anyone. There's a reason why I've given instructions that only the dessert chef can come in here. It's because I knew that you would know what to do with all this stuff. But you are not to speak of what you have seen here...or getting fired will be the least of your concerns. Are we clear?"
"Yes boss." Pas said before he looked at all the items and smiled. "It's just so refreshing, so relieving. After such a long time, to be able to see all these wonderful products again after so long. I can finally bake again!" Pas then began grabbing other stuff on the shelves. "Oh soy sauce! How I have missed you! And brown sugar! Essence extracts! Vanilla pods!" The boy began clutching these things to his chest as he breathed in forgotten scents of a time long gone and a world far away. "I'm home again! Coming here was the best decision ever."
"Is everyone always this so dramatic?" Ryo muttered under his breath.
Then suddenly, Pas fell to his knees as his eyes landed on an open sack and he dropped the things in his arms to the floor as he stared at what he could not believe he was seeing. He rubbed his eyelids a few times before hurriedly crawling over to the sack and digging his hands into the grains and lifting them up in the air, watching as the white grains fell like waterfalls from his fingers.
"Rice!" Pas began crying as his inner-Japanese began shouting with joy. "At last! Sweet, delectable rice grains! How have I gone so long without you?"
That was a sentiment Ryo could understand. He himself couldn't imagine a life without rice, the common grain now having become a staple in his own diet. If there truly was an omnipotent power out there watching over everything, Ryo was willing to make a prayer and thank the Creator for blessing the world with rice.
It was the best edible grain period!
And seeing as Pas was raised in a noble household more reminiscent of medieval Europe, Ryo couldn't imagine that the boy had had much access to rice. Seeing it again must have been like a godsend to him. So just this once, Ryo let the boy wail and cry his heart out until Pas became self conscious and picked himself up, brushing himself off.
"By the way." Pas began. "It also said in the contract that you have employer's bedding upstairs in case we wanted it. If you wouldn't mind, I would like one of those rooms if they're open."
"Take whichever one that doesn't have a sign on it yet." Ryo said before he remembered something.
Leaving out the backdoor, he began walking up the backstairs that led to the second floor, and into a hallway with room doors on either side. Several rooms ready for lodging for live-in employees if ever he managed to get together a task force this big. But Ryo made for the room closest to the next stairwell which led up into the old bell tower which he had converted into a room for himself.
A sign on said door read 'Noel' in big letters and Ryo could hear the repetitive creaks of bed springs inside. Sighing to himself, he opened the door to the small room to find the little spirit bouncing on the bed with a couple of his rabbits, all having a good time as it seemed. Noel turned her smiling face to Ryo as she bounced again.
"Master Ryo!" She exclaimed happily as she used her next bounce to fly off the bed and into his arms, to which he held her at length.
"You know it's bad to bounce on beds right?" Ryo asked. "And very naughty."
"I couldn't help it." The little girl giggled. "It was just so bouncy, I and Mr Rabbits could not resist it."
"I can see that." Ryo eyed the rabbits who had stopped bouncing and were now paying attention to the master. A widening of Ryo's eyes dispelled them into puddles of shadows which reconnected with Ryo's own as he held the little girl.
"You're amazing master." Noel continued as she spread her arms out. "You built this whole place so quickly. You're just awesome. Your summons are amazing too."
"Yes, but don't get used to seeing them too often." Ryo replied. "You will be expected to pull your weight around here, which includes not breaking the beds I provide. So no more bouncing, okay?"
"Yes Master." Noel looked down, a bit glum for a moment before she quickly raised her head again and grinned. "It's Miss Martha's birthday tonight!"
"Did she invite you too?"
"Yes she did." The girl replied with no small amount of enthusiasm. "Are we going?"
"I have to if I want waitresses." Ryo said. "I'm heading there right now to make the party food for them."
"Can I come too. I can help?" The girl offered.
"You can if you want." Ryo said as he put her down before holding her hand as he led her out. The little girl sensibly closed the door behind her as they made their way down to ground floor and passed Uraume. "I'll be back tomorrow." Ryo called out to the sorceress, receiving only a nod in reply.
And with the main event of the day over, the two spirits walked hand in hand out of the door to a more happy ending to the day.
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