第９１１堀：お店はあれからどうなった？ (Part1)
Chapter 911: What Happened to the Shop After That?
Side: Jessica
"Oh, this is delicious. The spices are really hitting the spot."
"It truly is."
"If I recall, they only started using these spices after Yuki provided them. Then again, you couldn't really get your hands on spices like these unless you were in Weed."
I said this while taking a bite of the dish Mr. Mean had served us.
Yes, it’s delicious.
It’s almost strange how someone like Milly, who isn't particularly skilled at cooking, could produce something this good.
Or perhaps, is it because her parents were such good cooks that she never felt the need to learn?
As I was pondering this, Queen Miyabi spoke up.
"Indeed! The Japanese B-grade gourmet food that Weed boasts is fine, but there is something to be said for these familiar, nostalgic flavors as well."
"I agree. I quite like it. I can see why Mr. Mean’s shop is so popular."
It seems my earlier comment to Mr. Mean wasn't just flattery. Both of them—no, the other Dragonfolk as well—are eating the food with great relish.
Still, looking at how they’ve been acting, they’ve completely settled in.
Queen Miyabi is one thing, but Lord Gaul hasn't even been in this city for a month yet...
Well, I suppose I wasn't much different when I first arrived.
It’s a relief that we seem to be avoiding any hostility; that’s something to be grateful for.
As I was coming to this conclusion, Yuki seemed to have finished his meal and was addressing Queen Miyabi and the others.
"Changing the subject, the main event is coming up soon. How are the preparations going?"
"Hm? Ah, the practice of flying in dragon form and landing precisely while shifting into human form? That should be no problem. We’ve been doing things like that for a long time."
"Yes. If we don't choose our landing spots carefully, we’d end up crushing our own homes or those of our allies."
I see. With bodies that massive, if they don't adjust their landing points perfectly, they could indeed flatten their own houses or those of their friends.
It sounds like the staging for the conference won't be an issue.
"That’s good to hear. Well, I’ll be there to provide support just in case, but since this is meant to be an introduction, please refrain from any excessive staging or self-expression."
"I understand. This is merely a formal introduction, after all. Gaul understands this as well."
"Indeed. If we were to botch this, we might end up being hunted down. And above all else, I’d hate to be banned from a country that has such delicious food."
When Lord Gaul said that, his attendants nodded in agreement.
As expected of the food culture Weed prides itself on; it covers not only Japanese cuisine but also various rustic dishes from the Rogali Continent, so there’s plenty here that suits the palates of the locals.
It seems Lord Gaul and his people have no intention of doing anything that would get them banned from such a place.
I suppose the saying "food connects all" holds true.
While we were talking, Queen Miyabi and the others finished their meals.
"Umu. I’m stuffed. Still as good a cook as ever. Now, we are fine, but what about you, Yuki-dono? You have the wedding preparations, don't you?"
"The rehearsals are all finished. Now, we’re just waiting for the main event, just like Lord Gaul and his group."
As Yuki said, the rehearsals for our wedding are already complete.
The conference hall and the cathedral that will serve as the wedding venue are currently undergoing their final preparations and decorations, so there’s no space left for us to practice.
Well, since the decorations and preparations for the conference and wedding venues reflect on Weed’s reputation, it’s only natural, but for us, it’s a bit painful to lose our practice space right before the big day.
I’m worried we might make an unexpected mistake during the actual ceremony.
...Especially someone like Lady Marly.
Ah, just thinking about it makes my stomach ache.
I should contact Hivia, Olive, and the Mist sisters again and ask them to do their best to keep her in check.
As I was thinking this, Queen Miyabi seemed to have an idea.
"Hmm. So, you have some free time for a while, then? It seems you’ve been looking around this area."
"Calling it 'free time' might be a bit of an exaggeration, but yes, I have some leeway."
"Then, why don't you show us around? I’d like to hear Yuki-dono’s opinion on this 'shopping mall' we’ve heard so much about."
"You haven't been there yet?"
"Indeed. We’ve been busy enough just touring the commercial district; we haven't made it over there yet. We’ve been enjoying the hot springs and various other things."
Ah, I see.
If you stop by the hot springs or the super sento, you can easily end up stuck there for days.
Soaking in the hot springs, eating, getting a massage... it’s like a slice of heaven on earth.
Plus, once you step into the commercial district, there are so many things to see and buy that it’s hard to pull yourself away from that area.
The wealthy end up spending plenty of money there, which is the point.
Well, there are also affordable courses that even ordinary people can enjoy, making it a wonderful place for everyone.
So, they’ve been spending their time in such an enviable way that they haven't even shown their faces at the shopping mall yet.
"I see. Well then, shall we go together? Though, it’s not exactly anything rare."
"What are you babbling about, saying it’s nothing rare? A place where you build such a massive structure and house various large and small shops inside is something that could only exist in Weed. We’ve heard as much from King Selva of Roschur, King Teague of the Gartz Continent, King August, and Kaguya-dono of the New Continent."
"Ah, no. It’s not a rare thing in Japan, where I’m from."
Yuki, that is extremely rare in this world.
"But why go through the trouble of building such a shopping mall? I would think the existing shopping streets would be enough."
"Ah, I haven't explained that part, have I? With the intercontinental exchange conference finally upon us, this is a way to celebrate—and also a way to ensure that intercontinental exchange flourishes from here on out. It’s a place where we’ve brought together shops from every country and continent, a place to broadcast to the public that the world has truly become connected."
That’s right; it wasn't just about creating a new place to sell things.
Come to think of it, we explained this to the major powers, but we hadn't explained it to Queen Miyabi or Lord Gaul, who aren't opening shops here this time.
To someone who doesn't know the context, this shopping mall must look quite mysterious.
"I see. So this is a dedicated space for countries from every continent to open their shops."
"Yes. Even though the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance has been formed and the world conference has begun, that alone is only meaningful to the people at the top."
"Ho-ho. So that is why you’ve gathered shops from many nations in one place, to show the common people that global exchange has truly begun."
Exactly. Lord Gaul’s mind is surprisingly sharp.