catap

But what about food?

You don't eat grapes for all three meals, right?

Hah, of course not.

With the grapes, we have the money to buy food from other places.

It's all imported?

That's right.

You really got to hand it to those big shots from the cities. Thanks to them, our markets are lined with stuff that we never got to eat back in the day.

Oh yeah? Sounds nice.

(Sounds like the young master's much more reliable than the old fart.)

(But if they don't grow any food here, what will they do if the big shots in the cities raise their prices?)

There used to be factories all around town. The young master's planning to merge their operations, and once the big factory's open, we'll all be raking in big bucks with him.

(Oh well, sounds like I'd be raining on his parade. I'll just keep it to myself.)

Speaking of, how about I show you the factory?

Sure. The last time I was here, they didn't even have a single brick laid yet.

Wow, it's huge. I bet not even the old man's mansion back home is this big.

Damn right.

And it isn't even done yet. We're working on one side of the factory, while the other side's still being built.

Once the factory's completed, I reckon the whole town will work here.

The whole town...? No way.

'If you want work, then it's work you'll get.'

That's what the young master said.

You remember the old man who used to feed us radishes?

The bald grandpa?

Yep.

He had a huge family, so he didn't have to work the fields himself. He had lots of free time.

Now, the young master gave him a job as a security guard.

He's got something to do, and he can help out with his family's expenses. You should've seen how happy he was.

That sounds pretty nice.

(But... looking around... this doesn't seem like a place you could work with an easy mind...)

Has the young master thought about cleaning up the area around the factory, though?

On our way here, the entire place smelled like acid.

He told us to bear with it, and that he'll take care of it once the factory's done.

He's the old jerk's son, though. Do you really believe every word he says?

Well, we've all had it pretty nice the last couple years, thanks to him.

Yeah, looks like you've had it better than anyone.

Haha, that's right. Much better than before.

Maybe he'll put you up for sale, and you'll even help him count his money.

Heh, I wouldn't go that far.

Then why don't you tell me what you actually got from that young master of yours?

Well, it's a long story. Why don't we find a restaurant somewhere and we'll talk there?

A restaurant? We've got fancy stuff like that here?

Yeah, and it's cheap, filling, and delicious.

Sounds like a plan. Lead the way. I'm starting to get hungry.

*Burp*.

How's that? Tastes great, doesn't it?

Uhh, yeah.

(Here I thought it was going to be some five star restaurant.)

(This is just a fast food restaurant and a pub!)

(Hmm...)

(But this is much better than the scraps the old man used to give us. We sometimes had to skip meals, too.)

(I guess fast food... is kind of a luxury in a way.)

(The servings are big, it's filling, and it doesn't cost that much.)

(But everything outside... has changed so much.)

That young master isn't trying to tear down the entire town, right?

Oh, yeah, that's pretty much what he's done.

Take a guess. What do you think this fast food joint used to be?

Hmmm...

The fountain square?

Nope.

The square is still there, at least, right?

It's gone.

Damn, that's my only landmark.

Let's see...

The courthouse?

Getting warmer.

That's still not it?

Hm...

You don't mean—

(Imitates an explosion)

That?

Bingo.

Well, the young master is really trying to erase all traces of the old man.

He even rebuilt this place.

So where's the young master? Where does he live?

Right there. On the top.

You'll know what I mean once you step outside and take a look. There isn't another building here that tall.

All the rich and famous people in town live there.

I thought you raked in a lot of money. How come you didn't move in?

Heh, I still have a ways to go compared to those who really made it big.

I have a bit of savings, much thanks to you.

And I hid it pretty well when the old bastard was still running things.

But as soon as the young master came along, I thought I'd use the money to start a business.

Nice. You've always had pretty good luck ever since we were kids, and you're smart. You probably raked in tons of money, didn't you?

Ehh? Nope... It's not that easy...

The young master had a huge area plotted out when he started working on his factory, so I figured I would open a small shop right next to it.

But as soon as I signed my lease, he decided to start building his factory from the other end.

Since I'd paid up already, I had no choice but to open the shop.

Only the few families in the neighborhood come visit.

I've been in the red all these years, even now.

And I have no idea when they'll start building the factory on my side either...

But you've been tooting his horn all day long.

You don't get it.

We've had knight competitions here ever since that knightess lass paid the old man a visit.

But it only got this popular thanks to the young master.

Now, not only do we get some decent games to watch...

(Whisper) We get to earn some cash too.

You watch the games... and you make money from that? That sounds too good to be true.

I'm not kidding.

(Checks wristwatch)

Perfect. This afternoon's games are about to begin.