AWB Chapter 104 : Side Quest
Chapter 104 : Side Quest
Side QuestThe New West?
The moment the word came out of the NPC lady's mouth, Cecilia's expression became peculiar, and Little Persimmon Puppy almost burst out laughing right then and there.
The Imperial Capital's Adventurers' Catering Management Association, the New West... If Cecilia really gave up on going after the Boss and decided to join the otherworldly food service industry instead, all the Legend of Kaloran players around the world would be flabbergasted.
However, in the very next second, little Persimmon Puppy's smile froze on her face.
To her astonishment, Cecilia actually walked back to the counter, her face expressionless, and earnestly began inquiring the NPC lady about everything related to "the New West."
"Hello, could I trouble you again? Do you know the exact location of the 'Imperial Capital's Adventurers' Catering Management Association'? I'd like to go over there and ask some questions."
As soon as the New West Association was mentioned, a sense of superiority overflowed from the NPC lady's face. She raised her hand to point in a direction, then said smugly:
"There's no exact location—their association couldn't get a place like this; it's too quiet, so they can't secure a large independent office like ours. They only got a table, in the lobby corner, over there."
Cecilia turned her head and looked in the direction the lady was pointing. Sure enough, in a somewhat dim and secluded corner of the lobby, she saw a ramshackle table held together with nails and planks, and on it was a little sign that read, "The New West—Imperial Capital's Adventurers' Catering Management Association."
Even though that corner was quite dark, thanks to eyesight and dark-vision far beyond ordinary people's, Cecilia could clearly make out that behind the tiny wooden sign, there was a petite loli slumped over asleep. Probably because nobody ever came by, she was still napping, letting out irresistibly adorable snores.
The loli had short, smoky-gray hair, loosely draped over her shoulders. Since she was lying down, her face wasn't fully visible; just that she wore a well-tailored panel girl uniform. Though her figure was somewhat lacking, the ruffled white blouse and pencil skirt still highlighted her delicate, graceful shape.
Because her legs were so short and the table too high, her little feet in black shoes dangled in the air, gently swinging, looking utterly cute.
Comparing the little loli's stature with her own toes, for some reason, Cecilia suddenly felt a faint sense of superiority rise in her heart, and she couldn't help but silently gripe to herself:
"Flat as an airport..."
Still, after a couple light coughs to clear her throat, Cecilia headed straight for the little stand in the lobby's corner.
"Wait, no way, right? You're not actually going to learn how to be a cook, are you?"
Seeing that Cecilia was really going over, little Persimmon Puppy panicked, quickly following after and calling out.
"Do you look down on cooks?"
Cecilia didn't look back, her face unchanged as she walked.
"That's not it, but... you, of all people, going into... don't you think that's a bit of a waste of your skills?"
Little Persimmon Puppy hesitated for a moment, stumbling over her words.
Cecilia turned around and gave a faint smile. "Relax. Since we're already here, and since I can't found a guild right now anyway, what's the harm in checking it out?"
"I really thought you were going to give up on a guild and start a restaurant..."
Hearing this, little Persimmon Puppy finally gave a long sigh of relief.
For some reason, though, from Cecilia's earlier demeanor and reaction, little Persimmon Puppy couldn't shake the feeling that Cecilia truly might lay down her arms and join the catering industry on Kaloran Continent.
The main hall wasn't large; after only a few words, the two had arrived at the table labeled "the New West."
The loli in uniform behind the table was still deeply asleep, mumbling things like "My tummy's going to burst," and "I really can't eat anymore."
Little Persimmon Puppy went up first, speaking irritably:
"Hey, stop sleeping. Get to work."
In her eyes, except for a few special merchants who needed lots of rapport, other NPCs were just tools, and there was no need to be polite.
However, after letting out a couple unconscious groans, the little loli buried her head deeper into her arms and looked even more comfortable.
"You..."
Little Persimmon Puppy was briefly lost for words. Since Cecilia was right beside her, she didn't really dare to get upset. She was about to reach out to shake the loli awake when, with a phantom-like flash, Cecilia's right hand pressed down on hers.
"She'll get scared if you treat a child like that."
Cecilia's light blue eyes locked onto Little Persimmon Puppy's. Her expression was serious.
"She's just a little girl, and from the catering association to boot—sleeping on the job. No way she's some special NPC. There's nothing in it for me, so why bother being polite?"
Little Persimmon Puppy protested.
"Then why do you think, instead of sending an adult, they placed an underage girl here? If that's not special, what is?"
Cecilia never underestimated any NPC. As she spoke, she bent down, and gently tapped on the uneven table, saying softly, "Wake up. It's time for lunch after your shift."
"Will that really work?"
Little Persimmon Puppy was doubtful.
But the moment her words fell, the loli sat bolt upright, big almond eyes suddenly bright as day.
"Really? Then let's go!"
If not for the long silver thread at the corner of her mouth, no one would have guessed she'd been in deep sleep just a second ago.
Cecilia stood in front of the table, a faint smile on her lips. After a few seconds, the loli finally realized what was happening, her plump cheeks flaring red. She bowed her head bashfully and whispered:
"I'm sorry, miss—um, do you two need some help with anything?"
"Could I ask what exactly your association does?"
Cecilia didn't really know what to ask, so she glanced at the sign on the table and just went with that.
The gray-haired loli wiped her mouth, picked up a pair of black-rimmed glasses without lenses from the table, perched them on her dainty little nose, and instantly put on a dead-serious look.
"As you can see, the Imperial Capital's Adventurers' Catering Management Association is devoted to giving every adventurer with a secondary class in food service ample opportunity to realize their grand ambitions. I am Elsa Roman, and it's a pleasure to serve you, esteemed maid miss."
Before her words fully faded, Cecilia's pupils suddenly contracted as a pale blue, semi-transparent interface floated into view before her eyes.
[Optional Quest: Maid Café] (Unlocked)!