Chapter 68: Takeaway Lunch with Harrison Bentley

　I haven’t heard anything about the progress of the investigation into the young people’s case yet, but I’m not worried because I hear that Viktor is in charge of questioning Sandor and the others.

　Recently, hamburgers and hot dogs sold under the names “take-out meat lunch” and “take-out sausage lunch” have become extremely popular.

　The first person to order a to-go lunch was a construction site worker.

　He said that Mr. Dion had advertised to them that the food at the “Hideaway” was delicious. As a result, they decided, “We can’t go over there on our lunch break, so let’s have them make something we can take home. Someone can go pick it up on our behalf”.

　At first, I only had hamburgers, but when I gave them five hot dogs to go along with the hamburgers, saying, “This is just a sample of what we also have,” the hot dogs became popular as well.

　Today, in addition to the order from the construction site, I also received an order from someone who had heard about the to-go lunch. (Hamburgers are popular all over the world, aren’t they?) I thought as I shaped the minced meat.

　For now, I’m only serving beef patties so that people can get used  to the burger being sandwiched between bread, but I can  try different fillings like grilled meat, bacon and eggs, chicken cutlet, pork cutlet, and so on. I wonder if it’s too early for rice burgers.

　There was a tinkling sound and a gorgeous looking man entered. He had golden hair and blue eyes. He had a handsome face. He was a little shorter than Henry and was wearing a civil servant’s uniform, with a good build and a very aristocratic air about him. The man was looking at a sign on the wall that read, “We’ve started serving takeaway lunches.”

“Can I have one of the to-go lunches you sell here here?　I’d like to eat one here and take the other one home.”

“Yes, you can. Please take a seat wherever you like.”

　With that, I began to grill the meat patties, but the civil servant looked at me with curious eyes.

“Sir, what is it?”

“Henry was too busy to come here today. He was nibbling on a piece of bread with a sad look on his face, so I thought I’d bring him back some of the food.”

“Is that so?”

　Who is this person? How does he know that this is Mr. Henry’s favorite restaurant? Seeing me thinking this, the man chuckles.

“I overheard a rumor about this restaurant in the civil servants’ room the other day. I heard that Henry, who was only interested in his work and career, was frequenting this restaurant. I was curious to know what kind of place it was.”

“I am grateful to the Head Civil Servant for his patronage.”

　I did not know what kind of relationship this customer has with Mr. Henry. So, I responded in the manner of a shopkeeper and a customer.

“I know about you and Henry. Please Don’t be so alarmed.”

　With that said, the customer shuts his mouth. I maintain a vague smile, while the whole time thinking, “ name, Tell me your name! Tell me your name! I can’t tell if you’re friendly or just being sarcastic because you’re a noble!” I grill the cut of bread that holds the meat patty until it is crispy. The griddle, which was made with transformation magic for this purpose, is well oiled, allowing the bread to toast  really nicely.

“Thank you for waiting. I think it tastes best eaten with your hands. Please do not tilt the bread to prevent the filling from slipping off. Please use this to clean your hands. Accompanying the dish is deep-fried potatoes. You can dip the potatoes in this tomato sauce or basil sauce to your liking.”

“I understand.”

　The customer carefully used a hand towel, took the burger and bit into it. He ate it without dropping the sauce or the meat patty, even though it would be his first time eating it. The way he ate was elegant.

　I was about to magically create a crate for him to take home (yes, that’s right), I unleashed my sensing magic. The customer’s stomach glowed white. Feeling relieved, I used firewood to create a takeaway box and put the contents inside. I also put in some fried sweet potatoes. I wrapped the box in a clean cloth to make it easier to carry, and carried it to the table.

“This is for take-out. Please enjoy.”

“Oh, thank you. Why don’t you sit here and have a cup of tea with me?”

　I was a little hesitant, but there was no reason to refuse. I decided to sit across from him and talk to him.

“I was surprised that Henry had found such a nice restaurant and a nice woman. He is indeed a very competent chief civil servant, and he is very thorough. The other day, I had asked him if he would be interested in my sister, but he turned me down so easily. I thought that if Henry, a viscount, could have the backing of a Countess, it would help him in his career. I thought he would be very pleased, so I was surprised when he turned me down.”

　Was he the one who had suggested the marriage? So you came here to give me a nasty remark?　If you’re being sarcastic, I’ll take it on, okay?　Perhaps that thought was showing on his face. The man hastily excused himself.

“Oh, I want to reassure you that I have no  ill will towards you. I’m just rooting for Henry. Henry is a man with a strong desire to get ahead, but he has no desire to push others down on that path. He’s a generous man who will gladly lend his strength to others if they rely on him. Please take good care of Henry. I predict that one day he will rise to the position of prime minister.”

“I will pass this on to him.”

“If you are ever in trouble, you can count on me. If it’s something to do with the nobility, I’m sure I can be of some help.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

　I remained in shop owner mode until the very end. “Name! Tell me your name!” I thought to myself, and then the self-introduction began.

“I am Harrison Bentley, second son of the Earl of Bentley.  I am currently a civil servant in the legal department, but Henry has helped me out a few times in my work. I didn’t know of your existence, so excuse me for offering him a marriage proposal. By the way, this lunch is delicious. I shall be a frequent patron from now on.”

“Thank you very much. I  look forward to seeing you.”

　Mr. Harrison left without any nasty comments until the end, so I think he really does support Mr. Henry. Mr. Henry came in a little after 7pm. I made dinner with what I had and told him about Mr. Harrison. I added that, “He’s a nice man.” But Mr. Henry didn’t look happy at all.

“What’s the matter with you? You and Mr. Harrison aren’t on bad terms, are you?”

“I don’t have a bad relationship with Mr. Harrison, but we’re not particularly close. I don’t like the fact that he came all the way to see you. And on top of that, Mr. Harrison, who is a typical aristocrat, asked you to rely on him. He definitely has some ulterior motive.”

“It really didn’t seem like he had any other intentions. They say, “A husband is never as good as his wife.”¹

“Hmm.”

　Henry appears expressionless at first glance, but he has a slightly sulky look which is amusing.

“You’re very funny, Henry.”

“It’s not funny. And for the record, I’m not jealous”

“Okay. Let’s go with that.”

　Henry-san looked at me reproachfully and drank his tea, but then said, “That’s right,” and began to talk. Turns out  The investigation into the monkey-type beastmen is progressing, but it seems that the fact that they are beastmen is still being kept under wraps.

“Me and Viktor don’t intend to treat them as beastmen. Our country’s laws don’t have a word to distinguish between beastmen and ordinary people. In that respect, it is the Ridrick Company, which discriminated against them, and is therefore in many ways in violation of the laws of the Kingdom.”

“When will the punishment be announced?　When you make his punishment public, aren’t you gonna give the fact that he ‘discriminated against beastmen’ as a reason?”

　Then Henry gave a dark smile.

“We won’t release them just yet. The young men have perfect control over their transformation. Even if Ridrick makes a big fuss and says, ‘They’re beastmen. They’re not like us, that’s why I made the difference,’ he can’t prove it. On the other hand, his illegal activities are clear as day.”

“I see.”

“But I won’t stop here. I’m very grateful for Mr. Leesley’s failure. Thanks to him accidentally flying to the Old Continent, the beastmen of the Kingdom of Arcetheus will now come to this country, right?　We’ll put in place laws so they don’t have to endure unreasonable and unpleasant experiences. That’s the first step.”

“You are going to change the law?”

“Nothing over the top. I’m just going to add a sentence that says, ‘No discrimination against beastmen is allowed.’”

　Henry smiles brightly.

 “When I was a teenager, I often wondered why I was brought into this world, but I think I finally found the answer. The reason I was born as neither an ordinary person nor a beastman, and the reason for me becoming a top civil servant, was for this one sentence.”

TL Note:

• ¹The expression here is about how the more a woman thinks something is, the more likely it is.

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