59. Order Keeper

Good morning, Master of Torment. What grunt task are you going to torment us with today?

That's not a nice way to greet someone! And FYI, it's not a grunt task, it's an errand!

Yep, errands are REALLY important, so important that they cannot be entrusted to ordinary people.

Ahem, anyway, let me introduce someone. Come out, Miss Pierrot.

...Miss Pierrot?

Hello, everyone. I am Pierrot, waitress and apprentice chef of the restaurant Puffy Clouds. My skills include counting, seasoning, and spinning, and my specialty is reading while standing on my head...

, Too long, and I can't hear you!

Oh! S-sorry! I was too nervous! My name is Pierrot. A-are you the good samaritans they sent to help us?

Good Samaritans'' is a bit of a... Anyway, yes, we're here to help. My name is Awakener.

AwakenerAwakenerAwakenerAwakenerAwakenerAwakenerAwakenerAwakener

Oh, I'm sorry! I repeat the first thing I heard when I get nervous...

...It's okay. It's her boss that you answer to anyway. Just follow her. She will fill you in on the details on the way.

Are you not coming with us, Gryph?

The core members of the God Eaters cannot partake in this job. You'll see why when you get there. The person overseeing this job is a big client of ours, so make sure you handle it well.

This must be the famous ''Oracle Plaza'' of St. Jordan, right? It's as big and magnificent as the intel says.

This is where we are going to work today? (No wonder Gryph and the others didn't come. This place is too exposed.)

Ah, that's our spot. Audrey, I brought them here!

Welcome, everyone. I'm the owner of Fluffy Clouds. You can call me Audrey. Being a business partner of [God Eaters], I took the liberty of borrowing you for a few days. Hope you understand.

It's quite alright. So what's the job today?

Hmm... here's the situation. After the Scourge, the Church set aside a day of the week to give out free bread and soup, it's called the ''Holy Meal Day.'' And this week, our restaurant volunteered to contribute.

But the problem is, we're a little short on kitchen helpers and servers. So I thought I'd get your help, seeing as how you're all physically strong. And while you're at it, you can also help maintain order.

I see. You can count on us.

I've learned a thing or two about cooking. So if you don't mind, I can help around the kitchen.

That'd be great. Li'l Pierrot, go help them set up the stand.

Okay! Wow! Who are you people!?

Huh? Isn't this the place to claim free food? We were starving, so we decided to help ourselves with it.

But... but it's not time yet! And you only ate the expensive kinds of food... Stop it!

Buzz off! I don't have time for you!

If you don't stop, I'll make you stop!

Well? How do you like that?

Ugh! You damn Church lackeys! I will never set foot in here again! Let's go!

Aw... thank you!

I heard bickering. What was it about?

We're with the Church, so don't worry, we can help you with anything... Huh?

You are... Miss Vivi?

Awakener?

Aren't you supposed to be in the shrine, Miss Vivi?

Haha... After yesterday's report, I felt like going out for a walk, so here I am. This one here is Senko, captain of Gospel Troops and my personal guide in the Church.

Greetings, you must be Awakener, and these are your companions, right? Thank you very much for saving Vivi's life.

(Another senior leader of the Church...)

So what brings you two here?

I received a request from the Church asking me to protect someone important. And Vivi is here to assist me.

, Oh, and Your Ladyship, Victoria Audrey, pardon me for not recognizing you sooner.

Ohhh? So Miss Audrey is the one you're to protect?

Victoria...? Could it be that Miss Audrey is ''Victoria's Pearl''?

Oh, so Miss Audrey is one of the three ladies of the Victorias... Pardon my manners.

Only in social settings. Here, I am just a restaurant owner.

Anyway, I'm surprised the Church would send the Holy Lady and the captain here to help me. I feel so humbled.

Victorias have been staunch supporters of the Church. This is the least we can do for you in return.

Oh, I see why you guys came here. Miss Audrey hired you.

(Can't let them know about the God Eaters' involvement. Maybe just tell her we got the job through a middle man...)

Yeah, what a coincidence.

Looks like fate brought us together! It's a pleasure seeing you again, Awakener.

Glad to be part of the team. I happen to know my way around the kitchen. So why don't we swap jobs, Awakener? You stand guard here and I'll go help out in the kitchen.

I'm okay with that...

(Is she trying to get me to be alone with Miss Vivi?)

Follow me then. I'll show you around and fill you in on things.

This is the central part of the city, peaceful and safe on most days. But since today is the ''Holy Meal Day,'' you should expect troublemakers here and there.

Like that hooligan we dealt with earlier?

Right. And our job is to sort them out and teach them a small lesson. We can start by sobering up those drunkards ahead of us.

Why are they walking toward us?

Go try your hand with them. Consider it a practice.

Ow! Uh... Huh? Am I...

It may be the Holy Meal Day, but that's no excuse to binge on wine-ahem, I mean Holy Blood.

Uh... thank you...

Actually... there's something else I want to talk to you about.

You mean the reason you want me to be alone with Miss Vivi?

You already knew, good. Vivi... she and I have been around each other for a long time, but never have I seen her open up to anyone besides me.

Perhaps her duties as the Holy Lady forbid her to. Only outsiders like you can talk to her as her equals. Plus, she seems to enjoy your company a lot.

What do you want me to do, Miss Senko?

I want her to spend as much time with you as possible. Better yet, I want you two to become friends. She... she's too lonely.

...Neither she nor I can unilaterally make that happen. That said, I do wish to get along with Miss Vivi.

That's all I need to hear. I will do my best to facilitate your friendship. For now, let's get back to the others.

There's a long line to claim food. Looks like it's almost time.

All is going well. The prep work is almost done. Senko and I will be in the kitchen. I'll leave Awakener and Vivi to maintain order.

The rest come with me. You'll be handling the cleaning and food distribution.

More menial work. You know, I never like being in crowds, that's why I've kept silent until now...

Okay, okay, I hear you, but let's hang in there. And you, Awakener, don't let down your guard.

(She's reminding me not to expose my identity and agenda...) Okay, got it. Miss Vivi, let's go for a patrol round, shall we?

Yep, let's go.

I hear shouts from the team. Let's go check it out.

, Get out of my way, damn paupers!

What are you doing? Why can't you queue up like everyone else?!

Pah! The ''Holy Meal'' is not for bumpkins who don't know what those two words mean! You're not welcome here. Get lost!

Urban jerks like you have not the faintest idea what we've lost! If not for the Scourge, we never would have crossed paths with your lowly kind!

Hey, is that discrimination against St. Jordan's most faithful believers? Are you trying to start a rebellion? Guards! Guards!

Good! Bring it on! I've been itching to punch you in the face!

...It's a mess of noises. Can't hear what they're arguing about.

We need to put down the unrest with force before it escalates!

Okay, can you calm down now?

We're here to maintain order. Keep raising your voices and we will have all of you thrown out of here.

Now tell us what the quarrel was about.