Chapter 51: The Rumors Spread Far More Than Expected

“Good morning, Alicia-san. Here’s your delivery for today.”

“Oh, good morning, Geo. You really didn’t have to go through the trouble of bringing it yourself again.”

“It’s no trouble at all, really. Besides, you’re running this entire shop all on your own, aren’t you? I’d feel bad not to lend a hand where I can.”

Every morning, without fail, I carried the day’s fresh produce to Alicia-san’s restaurant. It was only a short walk from my house — hardly any effort compared to her daily grind.

Compared to Alicia-san, who managed everything alone — cooking, serving, cleaning, handling customers — I felt like I lived a life of leisure.

“Geo… you’re really such a wonderful boy…”

Alicia-san looked up at me, her eyes glimmering softly as if caught in a dream.

“If only I had a little brother like you. Instead, I’m stuck with that cheeky sister of mine, Anii…”

She sighed, but her lips curled into an affectionate smile. For all her grumbling, the two sisters were actually quite close.

“Oh, Geo, have you had breakfast yet?”

“Not yet. I was just about to. My sister’s away on a guild request, so it’ll be a quiet morning.”

Sena had left for a three-day expedition, apparently on a special commission from one of the city’s influential figures — what adventurers called a designated request.

Unlike ordinary jobs, those were issued to specific adventurers by name. Once you built a reputation, people would start seeking you out directly. Sena must’ve been recognized for her performance in the dungeon clearing.

And from what I’d heard, the pay for those assignments was exceptionally good.

“Well then, why don’t you have breakfast here? My treat — don’t you dare try to pay.”

“Oh, I couldn’t possibly—”

“Think of it as thanks for always bringing me supplies. Now sit, sit.”

“Well… if you insist, I’d be happy to take you up on that.”

And so, unable to refuse her kindness, I found myself seated at one of the tables, waiting for her cooking.

I could handle a frying pan well enough myself, but when it came to Alicia-san’s food, there was simply no comparison. The revival of her restaurant wasn’t just because of the fresh ingredients — it was her skill, her heart, her instinct for flavor that drew people back.

“Thanks for waiting.”

Before I knew it, she’d already returned, setting down plates with practiced grace. Her efficiency always amazed me.

“Whoa… all this? For breakfast?”

My eyes widened. The table was practically groaning under the weight of the feast.

Thick, juicy bacon glistened beside perfectly fried eggs. A bowl of beans simmered in rich tomato sauce sent up curls of steam. Golden-brown hash browns crackled faintly at the edges, and to top it all off — three thick, fluffy pancakes, stacked high and glistening with butter.

“You’re still growing. You’ll need every bite,” she said with a teasing grin.

“I-I can eat it, sure… but really, this is too much for a free meal.”

“Oh, stop worrying. Just eat before it gets cold.”

“O-Okay… Itadakimasu.”

Unlike her fiery sister Anii-san, Alicia-san was a paragon of gentle kindness. Grateful for her hospitality, I cut a piece of pancake and brought it to my mouth.

“～～～～っ！？”

What… what is this!? It’s insanely good!

The pancake melted on my tongue like a soft cloud of sweetness, buttery and warm — impossibly light. How did she even make this!?

“Well? How is it?”

“It’s incredible! Seriously, this might be the best thing I’ve ever tasted!”

“Hehe… I’m glad to hear it.”

Alicia-san smiled, a quiet radiance lighting up her face. Her beauty was almost disarming up close — gentle, serene, yet striking.

It wasn’t just her cooking that drew customers in, I realized. It was her — her warmth, her poise, her presence.

“Thank you for the meal!”

I leaned back with a satisfied sigh. I’d thought at first the portions were too much, but somehow, I’d cleaned every plate.

“Would you like seconds?”

“N-no! I’m completely full!”

Though, if my stomach had any more room, I might have said yes. It was that good.

“I could honestly eat this every day…” I murmured without thinking.

Alicia-san froze. Then, to my confusion, a flush crept up her cheeks.

“G-Geo… what do you mean by that?”

“Huh?”

“Are you… saying what I think you’re saying?”

“Eh?”

Wait, what was she thinking? Did I say something weird?

“I-I just meant it’s that delicious. Of course I wouldn’t actually expect you to feed me every day…”

“…”

Oh no.

Alicia-san’s expression shifted — from bashful to vaguely annoyed.

“Hmph. I should’ve known better than to expect anything romantic from you.”

“W-wait, what did I—?!”

Apparently, I’d said something to upset her, though I couldn’t imagine what.

Then, thankfully, she changed the subject.

“By the way, I heard things got rough the other day.”

“You mean the Stampede?”

“Of course. I heard the monsters nearly broke through the western gate. If they had, this whole district — this shop — could’ve been destroyed.”

She wasn’t wrong. Her restaurant stood close enough to the gate that the threat had been very real. Thank the gods we’d stopped it in time.

“My customers told me something strange, though,” she continued, leaning forward slightly. “They said something… impossible happened that day.”

“Impossible?”

“Yes. Apparently, a massive wall appeared out of nowhere, charging across the battlefield and scattering the monsters like leaves in a storm.”

“R-Really? That’s… quite the tale.”

…Yeah. That was me.

“Something wrong?”

“No, nothing at all.”

“Hmm… you don’t believe it, do you? I didn’t either at first, but everyone’s talking about it now! It’s the biggest rumor in town.”

It wasn’t just a handful of customers, either. She’d heard the same story from many people.

“And get this — they say the giant monster that caused the Stampede was defeated by a mysterious golem that appeared from nowhere!”

…Also me.

“Some folks are even calling them ‘divine messengers sent by the gods.’”

…They’re deifying me now!?

“I-I see… that’s, um… something,” I said, smiling awkwardly as I felt a bead of sweat trail down my cheek.

Who would’ve thought my little intervention would spiral into that kind of legend?

It seemed the story had grown far, far larger than I’d ever imagined.