第８１６堀：田舎発展物語 楽しい親睦会 (Part1)
Chapter 816: Rural Development Tale – A Joyful Social Gathering
Side: Taiki
"Oh, this seasoning... it really hits the spot. Thank you, Airi."
"You are very welcome. I am overjoyed that it pleases you, Taiki-sama."
The one smiling back at me is my wife, Airi.
She had come here to serve as a cook, alongside Kirue and the others.
Under normal circumstances, Ruth and the others would be up in arms, insisting that a princess should not be performing such menial labor, but there are various reasons for this arrangement today.
"So, Ruth. How does it look?"
"Yes, there are no issues. It is undoubtedly authentic Lanks-style grilling. As expected of a former innkeeper’s daughter. My apologies, that was rude of me."
"Not at all. I am simply happy that my past experience working in an inn can be of use in a setting like this. I hope this helps spread the word about Lanks cuisine."
"I agree."
"Indeed. This way, the name of Lanks will spread across the New Continent through its food before anything else."
That’s right—the reason Airi stepped into the kitchen today was to raise awareness of Lanks cuisine. In short, it’s a move to expand our national interests.
Some might wonder why we didn't do this at the Intercontinental Exchange Conference, but unfortunately, due to our political standing as a small nation under the umbrella of the great Gartz Empire, we weren't in a position to serve Lanks specialties to the dignitaries of every continent. Breaking protocol just because I’m a Hero would only invite unnecessary trouble.
However, by accompanying Yuki-san on his adventure, we can—albeit quietly—promote Lanks to the people of the If Continent and the New Continent, even if only a little.
"Still, I wish Soel could have come as well."
"Well, Soel is busy with business on the If Continent right now."
My other wife, who is also a student at the Lancer Magic Academy, didn't join us for this New Continent adventure. With the intercontinental exchange officially underway, she’s tied up with trade. Of course, she’s working hard for the sake of Lanks, too.
"If this Lanks-style grilling spreads throughout the Jama Barony, it’s a border village, so it will reach not only Haiden but also the neighboring countries and the people of Sea-Cypho who will likely pass through here."
"It feels a bit strange hearing you talk about business like that, Ruth."
"Ruth-san is a distinguished knight, after all."
Exactly as Airi says, Ruth is a knight. I wouldn't have called him a stick-in-the-mud originally, but he’s become surprisingly flexible.
"That is because His Majesty, as well as Airi-sama and Soel-sama, have drilled it into me thoroughly."
"Ah, come to think of it—putting myself aside—Airi is an innkeeper's daughter, and Soel is the daughter of a great merchant. They’re pros at business."
"Women are strong, you know. Now, here you go. Please, enjoy the Lanks-style grill."
As she says this, Airi spots the residents of the Jama territory walking by and serves them the pride of our nation.
"Oh, thanks, missy."
"You're very welcome. Please enjoy."
"Yeah."
The fact that she handles these interactions so naturally must be thanks to her experience at the inn.
"Still, the residents of the Jama Barony are enjoying themselves far more than I expected. I thought they would be a bit more guarded."
"Well, if it were some ordinary high-ranking official, that might be the case, but Yuki-san pulled strings behind the scenes. Britt and the others went ahead to build rapport, and then, during the greeting earlier, he kept the formalities brief before switching to a frank tone. And the finishing touch was..."
I look toward the direction of...
"Mikos-chan calling him 'Teacher'—is he a professor at the Magic Academy?"
"Yes. There was a time when that was the case."
"He’s still Mikos-chan’s teacher even now. Or rather, her savior. Haven't you all heard? About how the academy I attend got caught up in a war?"
"Yeah, we heard. I’m surprised you made it out safely. Knowing Mikos, I was worried you’d stick your neck out of curiosity and get into danger."
"Yeah, I’m not joking when I say I thought I was going to lose my life. But that was when Yuki-sensei appeared and protected me."
" " "Ohhh!" " "
The crowd lets out gasps of awe at every detail of Mikos’s explanation.
"It’s a bit calculated, but if Mikos keeps singing Yuki-san’s praises and fawning over him like that, of course their guard is going to drop."
"The technique she uses to capture people's hearts is truly remarkable."
Ruth is praising Yuki-san in all earnestness, but from my perspective...
"I feel like she’s just introducing him as a way to show off her boyfriend."
"Is that so? Since she is introducing a hero, I would imagine it would naturally turn out that way, wouldn't it?"
I think Airi is right. The expression on Mikos’s face as she happily talks about Yuki-san is that of a girl in love. Even I can tell. The fact that Ruth doesn't see it just proves he’s a stick-in-the-mud.
"Well, it was obvious she liked Yuki-san, and she’s clearly going for the kill now. To win Yuki-san over, you have to secure the outer perimeter first."
The Baron of Jama is likely in on it, too. His only daughter is clinging to a man from out of town, yet he doesn't frown even once. In fact, he’s watching over them with a smile.
"I hope it goes well for her."
"That’s entirely up to Yuki-san, but I just hope Kagura and the others don't trip her up before she gets there."
"...Indeed, their gazes are unnervingly sharp."
Ruth, it’s beyond sharp. Kagura and Enola are radiating a gloomy atmosphere in the background. Come to think of it, did Enola fall for Yuki-san too? There must have been some sort of 'three-way alliance,' but Mikos has taken the lead here. I suppose that’s why Kagura and Enola are panicking on the inside.
"...I hope it doesn't get messy."
Kagura or Enola getting jealous of Mikos, leading to a dark assassination attempt, and then a fight to the death... No, that’s probably not it. Besides, we’re heading out to sea soon. That’s where the real bloodshed will happen.
"Oh, that reminds me, I haven't asked for your opinion yet, Ruth. Have you heard about the Sea-Cypho Kingdom situation?"
"Are you referring to the monster extermination in the waters of the Sea-Cypho Kingdom?"
"Exactly. It seems Mauve and the others are going along, too. They’re splitting up the units."
"I cannot say for certain without seeing the actual formation, but if you are using that massive ship—the carrier, was it?—to launch and land flying machines, the thing you should be more wary of than the monsters is your own side."
"I thought you might say that."
"Indeed. With the exception of a very few, the Sea-Cypho Kingdom doesn't even know of Weed's existence. And the person in charge of Weed’s Sea-Cypho coastal division is Princess Dressa, is she not?"
"Don't call her 'Princess' in front of her. She’s technically treated as a citizen of Weed now."
Dressa seems to dislike being treated like a princess after all this time, so she hates that title. Thanks to that, even though they’ve cleared the air, King Noble of the Ex Kingdom—who destroyed Dressa’s country by mistake—is in a bit of a bind.