第９０６堀：竜のおもてなし (Part1)
Chapter 906: The Dragon’s Hospitality
Side: Kirue
With Lady Riel and the others having returned safely, and receiving word that the Dragonfolk would be visiting, we are currently...
"The Master and the others will be arriving shortly. Please hurry with the preparations for our guests."
"Yes!"
The one issuing orderly commands to everyone bustling about is the inn’s proprietress, Kirika—or rather, Proprietress Kirina.
Yes, this is the inn we always use for monitoring VIPs.
"Proprietress Kirina, the room preparations are complete. What would you like us to do next?"
"Lady Kirue, thank you for your assistance. However, I am your subordinate; there is no need for honorifics. Please, just call me Kirina."
"No, the master of this establishment is you, Proprietress Kirina. I am merely a maid who has come to help. While we serve the same Master, it is better to maintain clear hierarchies based on our current location."
To act swiftly and orderly, a unified chain of command is absolutely essential.
"...I understand. However, Lady Kirue, you are also the Master's wife. I ask that you do not overexert yourself."
"If we are speaking of that, then you, Kirina, are as good as family to our husband. Let us both ensure we do not overexert ourselves and proceed with speed and order."
"Understood. Then, since I would like to welcome the Dragonfolk and the Master alongside you, Lady Kirue, please come with me."
"As you wish."
Under Kirika’s direction, I head toward the inn's entrance to greet our guests.
"Have you reviewed the footage from earlier?"
"Yes. It seems that while Gartz and Weed will officially be the ones hosting the Dragonfolk, the plan is to have Queen Miyabi and the High Elf nation cooperate as well."
"That appears to be the case. It seems the Master believes this will also help raise the profile of the High Elf nation simultaneously."
"...It looks like killing two birds with one stone, but it might invite jealousy toward the High Elf nation. Furthermore, by entrusting the dragon issue to a small nation like theirs, there is a possibility that the reputation of major powers like Gartz and Weed could suffer, but that shouldn't be a particular concern. Our achievements thus far are more than enough to compensate."
I may not be on Kirika's level, but I conduct intelligence activities myself. I can at least judge this much.
"As expected of Lady Kirue. I, too, judge that to be mostly correct."
"Mostly? Is there a point you disagree with?"
"As you likely suspect, Lady Kirue, the Master is the type to utilize even the disadvantages I just mentioned. I assume he has already taken that into account."
"Indeed, there is no way my husband would fail to foresee something of this level. Turning failure into success, as it were."
"Yes."
Failure is merely a matter of perspective; from a different angle, it is a success and a valuable experience for the future.
Now that it’s been said, it’s obvious—a matter of course.
However, accepting and executing such a mindset is incredibly difficult. Yet, that is exactly what my husband is capable of.
"Ah, our guests are arriving. Everyone, prepare yourselves."
"Yes!"
Behind us, ten employees who also serve as intelligence agents stand at the ready, immediately straightening their posture.
I check my own appearance once more, and just as I confirm everything is in order:
"They have arrived."
Along with the voice of the person waiting outside the entrance, I hear the sound of a vehicle coming to a stop.
*"Ho, so this is the inn?"*
*"Indeed. It offers a blend of Japanese and Western styles, but for Gaul, I recommend the Japanese-style room."*
*"I would certainly like to take you up on that. I have heard so much about the virtues of the Japanese style from Touya-sama."*
Such voices drift in from beyond the entrance.
One is Queen Miyabi.
And the other, a man with a refined, deep voice, is likely the leader of the Dragonfolk, Gaul-sama.
It seems Queen Miyabi is handling Gaul-sama and his group quite well, just as the reports suggested.
Soon, silhouettes appear in front of the entrance.
*Clatter...*
The door is opened by an employee.
While we usually keep it as an automatic door, we open it manually when VIPs arrive.
And there, beyond the door, are the Master and his party...
"Hello. I've brought our guests."
"Yuki-sama, thank you for guiding them. And to all the Dragonfolk, welcome. Thank you for traveling such a long distance to be here."
"Welcome!"
As Kirika—no, Proprietress Kirina—says this, the employees bow in unison.
Naturally, I bow as well to welcome our guests.
"My, my, how polite. I am Gaul, and I will be in your care starting today. Come now, everyone, offer your greetings."
"It is a pleasure to meet you!"
Prompted by Gaul-sama, those behind him bow as well.
Hmm. It seems their manners are quite proper.
"Oh, Kirue is here too?"
"Yes. These are our husband's precious guests. I shall assist the Proprietress in attending to you."
"Ah, I’m counting on you. Thank you."
"Now, I would like to guide you to your rooms immediately, but as Queen Miyabi mentioned, we have several types of rooms available. What kind of room would you prefer?"
"In that case, we would certainly like a Japanese-style room. I’ve heard so much about them from the Hero, and I’ve wanted to experience one at least once."
"Understood. Then, this way. We have a wonderful room available."
With that, Kirika begins the tour.
The luggage is currently being unloaded from the bus, and the staff is scheduled to transport it to the rooms.
"Ho, the exterior architecture was magnificent, but the interior is also wonderful. It is a splendid structure using wood. Moreover, it has a charm quite different from the usual."
"That is to be expected. This is what we call 'Japanese-style.' It is what Touya used to reminisce about."
"Hmm. I see..."
Saying such things, Gaul-sama and his group follow us, looking around with great interest.
It seems they are quite intrigued by the Japanese-style architecture.
Perhaps it would be good to focus our future conversations on that topic.
"Kirina-san. It might be good to proceed with the Japanese-style theme."
"Yes. It seems so. Please leave the inn’s hospitality to me. Lady Kirue, please accompany the Master."
"As you wish."
Since I have already made my introductions as Proprietress Kirina, I can only handle the inn’s affairs directly.
By staying by my husband’s side, I can gather information on the Dragonfolk from the front.
And Kirika, as the Master’s shadow, will gather information from behind the scenes.
Therefore, I move from Kirika’s side to my husband’s.
"Husband, how were they?"
By "how were they," I am, of course, referring to the Dragonfolk.
"They don't seem to have any particular issues. I haven't asked about their food preferences yet, but Queen Miyabi is handling them well, so I’m not too worried."