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Volume 2 Chapter 36 - Allen’s Decision

RAW

Allen thought for a moment about how to tell Matilda that Rebecca won't be coming. As one would expect, he felt uncomfortable directly telling her the contents of the letter.

“Rebecca-san, what?” (Matilda)

“Aah. Apparently she can't come because she has some business to take care of. Or rather, it seems she already left the city. So, the two of us should have some fun, she said.” (Allen)

“I see. It sure is hard being a peddler. I wanted to at least say goodbye since I've just gotten to know her so much though.” (Matilda)

Matilda looked down, a little disappointed at Allen's words that he extracted only the facts from the letter.

‘No, this situation was all part of that girl’s scheme, so you don’t need to look so disappointed at all,' Allen thought in his heart, but he kept quiet without saying it.

“Well, I suppose it can't be helped. This is a great opportunity anyway, so let's take advantage of her words and enjoy ourselves.” (Matilda)

“I guess so.”

As usual, Matilda changed her mood and smiled as she said that, and Allen also agreed. And as if they had been waiting for that timing, they brought out appetizers and red wine.

The two looked at each other for a moment, laughed, then picked up their glasses and stopped them at about chest height.

“To pray for Rebecca-san's safe journey.” (Matilda)

“To hope that no more people fall victim to that girl.” (Allen)

““Cheers”” (Allen & Matilda)

The two of them raised their glasses a little, and then took a sip.

It wasn't the sour or bitter taste that Allen usually feels, but instead was mellow with just-right sourness, and a hunch ran through Allen's head that, ‘Isn’t this pretty expensive?’

Allen was convinced of this by the long-lasting pleasant scent that passed from his mouth to his nose after he finished drinking it.

“This is pretty good wine, isn’t it? Allen, I’ll pay for it too, okay?” (Matilda)

“No, I made a lot of money from Rebecca's request. Besides, that girl’s not here, so I have plenty of room in my wallet, so don't worry about it.” (Allen)

Same as Allen, Matilda was also surprised by the wine, and she made that offer which he refused. Allen had predicted that Rebecca would say something unreasonable, so he put quite a bit of money in his wallet.

‘I'm sure it’ll be enough, it will, right?’ Allen was somewhat worried, but he didn't show it and smiled as if to say ‘Leave it to me’ to Matilda. In response, Matilda looked a little worried, but still smiled back at Allen.

“Then, shall we enjoy ourselves?” (Allen?)

“Yeah.” (Matilda?)

Allen deliberately declared that and picked up his knife and fork, and seeing that, Matilda burst out a bit as she started eating in the same way.

The calm interior with no noise like in a bar, and the delicious food and with wine to match. The two enjoyed their relaxing time as they continued to engage in conversations.

At first, the topic was mainly about Rebecca. It was natural since she was supposed to be here.

Allen reminiscenced in a way that couldn't even be called complaints about being pushed around by Rebecca, and Matilda smiled wryly at that. On the other hand, Matilda talked about the fact that when Rebecca was looking at the request history, she was entangled with adventurers and she slightly twisted them, and Allen held his head in his hand at that.

However, the topic gradually moved away from Rebecca and turned into casual everyday conversation. It was a series of truly trivial topics with nothing special, but strangely the conversation between the two never stopped.

As the main courses approached, ‘Come to think of it,’ Matilda took her eyes off the aromatic and steaming steak and looked at Allen.

“Allen, your rank is finally going to rise. To iron class.” (Matilda)

“Oh, seriously? Wait, iron class?” (Allen)

Allen's face broke into a smile when he heard the news that his rank would rise, and he almost shouted out loud for a moment when he heard the words ‘iron class’ that followed, but he managed to hold it back.

The gazes of the people at several tables around them briefly turned to Allen, but they quickly returned to their original state. Allen felt relieved at that.

That Allen was surprised was understandable. Allen's current rank was wood class, the lowest in the Adventurers’ Guild. Above that was the bronze class, and the rank even above that was the iron class that Matilda mentioned just now.

If all goes well, Allen's next rank would be bronze class, and it would be impossible for him to suddenly rise to iron class.

Seeing Allen's lack of understanding, Matilda supplemented with a little laugh.

“The contribution point from Rebecca-san's self-requests was huge. It's only natural since you completed that request 461 times with that reward.” (Matilda)

“Certainly, it was the kind of money that would have taken years for a wood or bronze class.” (Allen)

‘I see,’ Allen was convinced and nodded his head.

In truth, the annual income of a wood class who has just joined the guild, or a bronze class who has just gained a little experience, is about 2 million zenny at best. If they want to earn the amount Allen has just earned this time, it will take them at least nine years, and if they don't do well, it will take them more than that.

Of course, before spending those years, those with talent will rise in rank, while those without talent will most likely quit being adventurers.

As Allen was thinking about such things, Matilda looked at him and, with her face slightly red from the wine and looking a little disappointed, she muttered in a low voice.

“I did my best too, you know.” (Matilda)

“Hm? On what?” (Allen)

“Huh? Ah, no. Just now is, how should I put it...” (Matilda)

Matilda thought he couldn’t hear her and immediately tried to cover it up, but seeing Allen's eyes staring at her, she judged that was impossible and decided to confess everything.

“Allen, even though you did quite a lot of requests, you never rose to bronze class, didn't you?” (Matilda)

“That's right. I quit being a guild employee and returned to being an adventurer like that, so, if it’s just a bit, I thought it couldn’t be helped.” (Allen)

“The premise is different. It isn’t ‘just a bit’. You know that you raise your guild rank with contribution points, right? Allen quit as a guild employee in front of a large number of adventurers, against the Guildmaster’s orders. In terms of contribution to the guild, that’s a huge minus. If you just do normal wood level requests, even if you take 10 years, you won’t reach bronze class.” (Matilda)

“Seriously?” (Allen)

Allen's cheeks twitched at the shocking truth he was told.

It was true that Allen himself thought it strange that his rank did not rise. Wood class is like a training period to judge whether or not you have the aptitude to be an adventurer. Even a newcomer can quickly rise to the bronze class after a month or two of diligently doing requests.

And yet, even though Allen continued to complete requests, his rank never rose. That’s why Allen also expected that something like that was having some effect, but in truth, it went far beyond that.

“Allen's actions seem to have crushed the guildmaster’s face. Well, even I didn't know that it would affect the evaluation this much though. Normally, there aren't any adventurers like that after all.” (Matilda)

“That old man’s face looks like it’s been crushed already.” (Allen)

“Pft.” (Matilda)

Matilda couldn’t help but burst out laughing at Allen's words he said with a disgruntled face, and then she hurriedly checked her surroundings. Fortunately, the person himself wasn't here.

‘Haa,’ Allen breathed out a sigh, ‘So that's what happened,’ he realized.

“So, in the end what do you mean you said you did your best, Matilda?” (Allen)

“Uh, since it’s absolutely impossible with ordinary wood class and bronze class requests, I passed iron class requests, even ones with high contribution points to you, Allen. Even the salted or about to be salted requests, I choose ones that seem like you can handle. Of course I got permission from the guildmaster.” (Matilda)

* (T/N: that ‘salted’ part, it means request meant to be punishment, right?)

“I'm surprised he gave you permission.” (Allen)

“‘There's no problem as long as he can complete the request. Rather, it would be better to make people think that he is being punished by forcing troublesome requests on him, so that no one will try to do the same thing again.’ He said.” (Matilda)

Hearing Matilda's words, Allen thought for a moment that ‘Aren’t you just setting an example?’ but then he remembered that the one who had first given him the highly difficult medicinal herbs collection request was guildmaster Orlando and he changed his mind a little.

He realized that if they wanted to set an example, it would be much more effective to keep showing that he could not raise his rank and only get small rewards, and then quietly explain the reason to other adventurers.

Seeing Allen growling with a difficult expression on his face, perhaps realizing that he had an idea about Orlando's true intentions, Matilda chuckled as she supplemented.

“Even like that, it seems he liked Allen quite a bit.” (Matilda)

“I wouldn't be happy even if I became popular with just men. More importantly, thank you. If Matilda hadn't made a move, I'm sure it would have stayed that way.” (Allen)

Seeing Allen expressing his gratitude with a big smile on his face, Matilda looked down, her cheeks that were reddened by wine turned even redder.

Then, Matilda took a deep breath and raised her head to stare intently at Allen. There was a certain power of will in her eyes.

“Um, Allen, you see, I...” (Matilda)

“You know, Matilda. Would you listen to me for a second?” (Allen)

Matilda mustered her courage and was about to speak, but Allen stopped her with a soft smile.

The words that had been stopped once were withdrawn into the recesses of her heart, and Matilda kept silent as she nodded her head.

Seeing that, Allen narrowed his eyes in kindness.

“You see, I was desperate to raise my siblings. In fact, it would be no exaggeration to say that I lived for that purpose. But you know, when you're young, things get tough and sad. I even thought ‘What was my life for?’ But I can't show that in front of my family.” (Allen)

“Un, I know. Like when you had a falling out with Lionel...” (Matilda)

“I told him to keep me out of it, but that guy was too persistent. Well, putting that aside for now, even then, I liked going to the guild. Do you know why?” (Allen)

When Allen asked that, Matilda shook her head.

There were words that she hoped for. However, there was no way such a convenient thing could ever happen, Matilda thought like that.

At that reaction, Allen smiled a little, and then continued speaking.

“Because I loved Matilda. But that’s exactly why I thought it would be bad to get closer to you than necessary. I'm poor too, and I had to prioritize my younger siblings. Even if I got lucky enough to get together with you, I thought I would make Matilda unhappy.” (Allen)

“What about Kaylee-san and Diana-san?” (Matilda)

“...You remember it well.” (Allen)

“It's about Allen after all.” (Matilda)

Matilda sent a slightly cold gaze to Allen. Receiving that gaze, Allen scratched his head a bit awkwardly, but never took his gaze off Matilda.

The Kaylee and Diana that Matilda mentioned was the name of female adventurers that Allen used to date, albeit for a very short time. If Allen's words were true, his behavior was strange. Matilda wanted to know the reason.

“As for Kaylee, she confessed to me, and I thought I‘d be able to forget you, so I dated her. Well, it was impossible for me to forget you, and since I prioritize my family, she quickly got angry and we broke up. Now that I think about it, I did the worst thing, didn’t I?” (Allen)

“It’s really the worst.” (Matilda)

“Haha, I get told that by the person herself sometimes.” (Allen)

Allen smiled wryly at those merciless words.

Currently, Kaylee had quit being an adventurer and was running an inn with her husband in the city. When Allen passed by when the inn wasn’t busy, she would forcefully pull him into the cafeteria, make him eat food while she annoyed him, and collect his bill. That's how their relationship had become.

“As for Diana... hmm, I want you to keep this a secret, but she asked me to pretend to be her lover.” (Allen)

“Pretend?” (Matilda)

“Yeah. There was a man she was after, but apparently his hobby was women with lovers. So, to get what she wanted, she asked me, who seemed harmless enough, to pretend to be her lover. The reward was food.” (Allen)

“Wait a minute, I don’t really understand.” (Matilda)

“Sorry. Even I, the person involved, don't really get it either. Well, the period was short, but the food actually saved us. It was a time when everyone was eating well.” (Allen)

Matilda was confused, and Allen agreed with her. This was because he just thought that there were all sorts of people with various hobbies in this world and gave up trying to understand any further.

As for Diana, she had already left Lilac, so Allen didn't know how she's doing now. But somehow he’s sure she's still doing well.

Allen lets out a small cough. Matilda stopped thinking at that sound and looked at Allen.

“Well, that's how it is. I do think I was an idiot. But there's nothing I can do about it now.”

“That's true. The past can’t be changed.” (Matilda)

“That’s right. So, about the current talk. My love for Matilda hasn't changed. I don't have to raise my younger siblings anymore, and I've saved up a little money. But I'm still not confident if I'm a man worthy of Matilda. It's pathetic. That's why...” (Allen)

Allen took out the necklace he bought as a present from his chest and gently placed it in front of Matilda.

“I love you, Matilda. I want us to be together on the premise of marriage. From now on, I'll do my best to become a man worthy of Matilda, so if you think I've become that way, please put this on and let me know your answer. Of course, I don't mind if you push me back now. I'll give up once and for all then.” (Allen)

Allen looked nervous as he said that and took a deep breath, and in front of him, Matilda took out the necklace from the bag.

Matilda looked at Allen's face dyed blue through the sky blue pendant, and then she held it out to Allen. Watching Allen's face splendidly turn blue, Matilda laughed.

“Hey, Allen. If you're going to give a necklace as a gift, you have to put it on the recipient.” (Matilda)

“Does that mean...” (Allen)

“I've been looking at Allen for a long time. Allen is the worst, stupid, but also very kind, I know that better than anyone. There's no way you’re no good. Because that’s the Allen I fell in love with.” (Matilda)

Seeing Matilda laugh a little tearfully as she said that, Allen's heart was pierced.

Allen tried to put the necklace he received on Matilda, but his hands were shaking and it didn't go well. Seeing that, Matilda laughed happily, thinking that she wished this time could last forever.

────

(T/N: the ‘pendant’ is actually ‘pendant top’ in katakana, but I’m pretty sure pendant top is different to pendant, so I use the latter.

Also, should I add the ‘romance’ genre to this series’ page in novelupdates? At this point (I’m at chapter 90, or v3c7), this chapter (and maybe one more chapter) is the only one having ‘romance’ so I’m not sure I should add that, and what about action, adventure, slice of life, and comedy? I think I can add comedy, but I'm not sure about the rest.)

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