第１４９１堀：町の見学へ (Part2)
"Even so, I have no intention of causing trouble. Calm down, Blade. You're making the children nervous."
"I'm not such a fool that I'd lose my head just because a parent died. Right? What do you think, Yuki?"
"Actually, I've been told by the princes, the Chancellor, and Samantha's father to keep you on a tight leash."
"Yeah, yeah, I'll behave. Fortunately, the hotel has ramen."
That, of course, was a calculated move.
Blade—and indeed, the kings of the allied nations—had taken quite a liking to ramen.
What’s more, they all insisted on eating it with chopsticks.
Well, ramen is the easiest dish to integrate into one's own country, after all.
"Anyway, leaving us aside, what about you? Are you here to look around the town?"
"Yeah, I thought I'd take a look at the slaves first."
"I see. Well, that’s one way to do it."
"Ah, I do like to gauge things as they emerge, but given the circumstances... I assume we're still meeting tonight to coordinate?"
"We are, but I want to see them in the flesh first. As the one overseeing the auction, it’s only right that I pay my respects beforehand, don't you think?"
"True enough. They’ve likely scrubbed their backgrounds to ensure no trails lead back to them. If you don't size that up, you risk inviting an assassin into your own home. Or perhaps, that’s the plan?"
"Well, that’s exactly what I’m here to determine. There are some you might want to take under your wing, and others you’d find too distasteful to even touch, wouldn't you?"
Both of them nodded at my words.
Satisfied, I turned my back and began to walk.
Standing here talking any longer would only inconvenience the townspeople.
Incidentally, quite a few people were casting glances at our exchange with Orelia and the others.
Some were clearly afraid and avoided us, but thanks to Lowel, there were more who looked on with intense curiosity.
...I heard about the budget from Seraria, but honestly, I couldn't even judge which choice would have been better.
Lost in such thoughts, we arrived at the theater that would serve as the auction venue.
"Ho, quite impressive for a town of this scale, isn't it?"
"Indeed. At a glance, this town barely reaches two thousand people. To build a theater that can hold two hundred... the owner must have been quite the enthusiast."
"I haven't heard the details on that. But I agree, it does seem unnecessarily large."
As Yupia said, a facility that could hold one-tenth of the town's population would never be profitable unless it was a public works project.
Well, if it was built as a hobby, that would be a different story.
As we were discussing this, the theater doors opened and someone emerged.
A person with refined attire and graceful movements, reminiscent of a noble, walked toward us without a hint of haste.
They were accompanied by attendants, much like us. Had one of the auction participants arrived early?
However, I didn't recognize the face.
I should have remembered everyone participating in this event.
Could it be someone from a non-allied nation who arrived today?
As I pondered this, the person reached us and offered a graceful bow.
"A pleasure to meet you. I am Bamai, the owner of this Wean Theater."
"The owner. Ah, I recall that name."
"So do I. Though, I heard you were unreachable?"
Indeed, the theater owner's name was just that.
Even with my appraisal, it simply showed the name 'Bamai,' and no noble status.
Still, they weren't lying, so I decided to return the greeting.
"A pleasure, Bamai-dono. I am Yuki, Prince Consort of Weed. This is King Blade of the Loday Kingdom on the If Continent, and the lady beside him is Emperor Yupia of the Zurabl Empire in the Zurabl region."
"Yo, nice to meet you."
"Indeed. We intend to enjoy ourselves at your theater this time."
Upon hearing our introductions, the person immediately dropped to one knee and bowed their head.
There was no sign of panic; the movement was entirely natural.
"My sincerest apologies. I am but one who has left the registry of nobles, ignorant of the world. I beg your indulgence."
Hmm. A mysterious figure has appeared.
Things are getting interesting.
Or should I say that?
A theater owner in a common town.
Well, well, let's see what kind of story unfolds from here.