第９１３堀：子供たちのお店 (Part2)
I only recently heard about it from Kiyu and Covil, so I’ve only just found out.
My brother is a tonkotsu man, after all.
"I see. So you’ve been wandering around on your own, sampling food as you please. It’s the usual story, but Samantha, you really ought to show your subordinates some appreciation."
"Indeed. Please, for goodness' sake, stop wandering off on your own."
"Hey now. Am I being completely ignored over here?"
"No, Lowell, your opponent is behind you."
"Behind me?"
At those words, Princess Lowell turned her gaze behind her, where Shera and Princess Charl were standing with sharp, piercing glares.
"Honestly. At such a busy time, always doing this..."
"Really, Father is... well, he’s a lost cause, but we’ll have to consult with your brothers and have them fit you with a collar and chain."
"What kind of joke is that? Hahaha..."
Princess Lowell laughed, seemingly convinced they were joking, but my eyes caught the two of them pulling out a steel collar with a lock and a set of iron chains behind their backs.
*Click.*
The moment she heard that sound, Princess Lowell tried to bolt, but—
*Clang! Jingle...!*
"Now then, Sister. Let’s work hard today, shall we?"
"You’ll be doing everything you’ve been slacking off on until now."
"W-wait! Damn it, it won't come off!? Stop it, please!"
She resisted with all her might while shouting, but since that was a custom piece made by Narjia, there was no way even Princess Lowell could break it.
She was dragged away, disappearing into the crowd.
"...Hey, Yuki. Is it really okay to treat royalty—the head of the military, no less—like that?"
"Well, the ones who took her away are royalty themselves. That’s not my concern. Now, are you going to let me hear your explanation to Samantha?"
"Your Majesty. I have been strictly ordered by the Chancellor and your father to apprehend you without question the moment I find you wandering alone. May I ask the reason for your solitary excursion?"
"Ah, don't worry about that. You lot."
"Yes, sir!"
As King Blade of Gartz called out, several people dressed in commoner’s clothing stepped forward.
...No, wait. They were clearly well-trained individuals; it seemed they were his guards.
I see. So he had been bringing guards along all along.
"See? I’ve been eating my way through the town with my guards right here."
"..."
Can you really call that "working"?
"I see. I heard rumors that you had 'tamed' your guards, and it seems they were true."
"Tamed? That’s a rather poor way to put it. By blending in with the commoners like this, my guards can stay closer to me, making it easier to protect me. And since I put them through such trouble, a reward is only natural, isn't it? Showing appreciation for one's subordinates is a necessity for those in positions of power."
"Nngghh..."
What an absurd piece of sophistry, yet why does it feel like there’s some logic to it?
Sister Samantha seemed to think so too, which is likely why she couldn't find the words to argue...
While I was lost in those thoughts, King Blade turned toward Queen Seraria and the others.
"Anyway, putting me aside, is that the Queen of the High Elves and... is that the legendary Dragonkin I’ve heard about?"
"Indeed. You seem to be playing around as usual, King Blade. Yes, this is Gaul, the chief of the Dragonkin village."
"A pleasure to meet you, King Blade. I am Gaul, the chief of the Dragonkin village."
"I am Blade, King of Gartz. A pleasure. Hmph. You look like an ordinary person, though."
"Yes. Being in dragon form is quite inconvenient, and I wouldn't be able to enjoy delicious food like this."
"Ah."
No sooner had Gaul said that than he took a sample from my tray and ate it without a moment's hesitation.
"Mmm. Delicious. I’d like to have some as a souvenir. May I request ten boxes?"
"That goes without saying. After all, Viria made them. I’ll take ten as well."
"Hahaha! You’re a good sport! Alright, it looks like you’re in the middle of touring Weemall. I’ll show you around. Hiiro, make that thirty boxes including mine. Have them ready by the time we finish the tour."
"Got it."
"Sigh, fine. Then, Yuki, please take over the tour. We’ll go prepare the souvenirs. Right, Viria?"
"Oh, yes! Leave it to me, Brother!"
"Ah, I see. Then I’ll leave it to you."
And so, we managed to survive that tumultuous scene.
"So, Hiiro. Why are you so close with King Blade?"
"Yeah. Since when?"
"Hm? We became best buds while I was showing him around the ramen shops."
"..."
It seems Hiiro was the source of the ramen intel.
...I’ll keep that a secret from Sister Samantha.
The universal language: "Ramen."
The world is connected by such things.
Even on Earth, it’s the same. We connect through anime, and that’s fine, isn't it?
Well, it’s not *just* that, of course.
Ramen is delicious!!
So, what flavor does everyone like?
Ah, Hiiro is just that kind of person.