Chapter 60
"Let's gather the men of the island in this mansion's courtyard. Why don't we gather the women separately and talk to them?"
I nodded in agreement with Captain Maurice's proposal to split into two groups. I didn't know whether this would lead to good results, but we'd have to try it and see how things went.
"All right, then, Rebecca—"
Captain Maurice called out to Rebecca-san, who had remained in the room.
"Gather the women by calling out to them. As for the location... the tavern in the harbor square should do."
Rebecca-san nodded at Captain Maurice's instructions without so much as a twitch of her sharp, three-white eyes.
"Oh, and Captain Romelia. As for addressing the islanders, would you let me handle it?"
Al stepped forward and volunteered. A confident smile spread across his face.
"You can give a speech?"
"Yes, leave it to me. I'll really fire them up!"
Al clenched his fist with determination.
"Then, Romelia-sama, would you let me handle the women? I'll win more supporters than Al."
Ray stepped forward.
Al glared at Ray, who glared right back. Their gazes collided, sparks flying between them.
"Oh? Trying to provoke me, are you?"
"Come on, people like me better."
"Sounds fun. Let's make it a contest and see who can gather more people."
"Bring it on! Romelia-sama, may we?"
Al and Ray both looked at me. I answered with a sigh.
"...All right, go ahead and try."
I gave the two, who were getting carried away on their own, permission to proceed.
This time, we were only testing the waters. Letting them compete might be a good idea. I would watch the islanders' reactions from the rear.
"Then shall we split into two groups?"
I assigned people to each group. Al, Paula-san, Jini, and I would recruit the men at Radick's mansion. I assigned Borel, Gatt, and Zeze to recruit the women alongside Ray.
"All right, let's go!"
Ray headed out of the dining room in high spirits. Borel and Gatt followed after Ray, with Rebecca-san behind them. Finally, Zeze trudged along at the rear.
I followed the departing group with my eyes.
Something about it bothered me. I was curious whether Ray would be able to recruit the women, but even more concerning was Zeze's attitude.
Ever since we'd arrived on Merka Island, Zeze had been acting strangely.
Zeze was always unfailingly cheerful and had a natural gift for putting people at ease. But ever since arriving on the island, Zeze had grown as gloomy as though the sun had gone behind a cloud.
"Jini, I feel like something's wrong with Zeze. Do you know anything?"
I asked Jini, who had stayed behind. He and Zeze came from the same village and were close, so he might know something.
"You noticed too, Romelia-sama?"
Jini sighed. He had noticed the change in Zeze as well.
"I think it's because of the children we saw on the island."
Jini's words made me recall the children I'd seen in the harbor. They looked about five years old, and their thin, emaciated limbs had made a strong impression on me. The island's economy must be in poor shape, with food in short supply.
"Zeze can't stand seeing children who are injured or emaciated."
Jini lowered his head and grimaced painfully.
"I'm telling you this because you're Romelia-sama, but Zeze's father wasn't a good man. After Zeze's mother died of illness, he often beat Jini and barely gave them anything to eat. Zeze had a younger sister, but she died when they were young... When Zeze sees undernourished children, Zeze must remember that sister."
What Jini told me about Zeze's past was astonishing. I had never imagined that Zeze had endured a childhood that could only be called harsh.
"Well, it was a long time ago, so I think Zeze will be fine, but..."
Jini lowered his gaze as he murmured. As Jini said, I wanted to believe that time had healed Zeze's heart. Yet even wounds one thinks have healed can easily reopen at the slightest trigger. Everything depended on Zeze.