Chapter 318
(Kyle Calendar Year 514: Age 21)
New Territory Harvest Festival
Translator : PolterGlast
When autumn arrived, we were finally able to obtain our
first harvest in Izumo as well. It consisted mainly of crops with short
cultivation periods: turnips, beans, leafy vegetables, and relatively
early-planted potatoes, but there was a fair
amount harvested.
Therefore, I invited the people of the Imperial (Empire) Immigrant Liaison Council who run popular restaurants in Teigoon,
and the members of the Imperial Kingdom Immigrant Liaison Council who run
restaurants in Ishtar. Using the harvested ingredients and items
procured separately, we prepared massive amounts of Imperial (Empire) cuisine, Imperial Kingdom cuisine, Teigoon's unique
turnip dishes, curry rice utilizing croquettes, and so on, and held a harvest
festival for three days in Kusanagi, followed by a one-day schedule in Termira.
Of course, we made arrangements so that the laborers hired
in both cities and the territory residents of the new territory could eat and
drink for free during the period, and arranged it so that everyone, including
the soldiers in charge of defense, would be on the side enjoying the festival
for one day.
Just in case... as a greeting, I sent out invitations to the
neighboring lords too. No, an invitation would be too heavy, so I sent them out
as a notification of the event and with the intent that anyone could
participate, but...
I ended up greatly bewildered by unexpected guests.
「Oh, this spiciness! It becomes a
habit. With this, I feel like I could go for any number of bowls. Man~, I've
been wanting to eat this for a long time~」
「...」 (Wait,
weren't you on the front lines against the Sura Principality with the
Third Prince?)
「Indeed. I would definitely like to
incorporate this into the barracks of our soldiers as well. Assuming we can
obtain rice through Lord Sieghart, the problem is the spices and the
recipe...」
「I'm always indebted to Viscount Duroul,
so I'll introduce you to a trade merchant from the Fearalt Principality
later. It's possible to obtain spice sets through them as well.」
I was also wholesaling spice sets, which are a specialty
product of Teigoon, to the Tia Trading Company. For some, I provided the recipes, entrusted them
up to the processing of the products, and switched to royalty income.
「The cuisine of the Fearalt
Principality was also delicious, but the Empire's mutton dishes and
the Imperial Kingdom's bean dishes are quite good too. They are things
you can't eat in Kylar. Besides, it became a good opportunity.」
「...」 (I
mean, Your Highness! Why are you here? Certainly, I summoned Yuka and Chrisia
from the Royal Capital in preparation for the harvest festival. But why did you
tag along on your own? I mean, you used this harvest festival as a perfect
excuse, didn't you?)
「My, my, to think that those who once
fought as enemies would line up at the same table, it is a strange thing
indeed...」
「Father-in-law, that's true. By the
way, I was surprised by your sudden arrival from afar this time.」
「Well... I thought I'd inspect the
new territory the Archduke developed with his own hands, hoping it would serve
as a reference for us in the future... you see.」
I mean, you just flew over because you wanted to see Yuka,
right? My clumsy father-in-law's eyes were swimming somewhat.
「Takuhir, why have so many people gathered? What on earth... does
this mean???」
Of my parents, who similarly came wanting to see their daughter,
my father pointed at a certain corner, turned pale, and trembled. There were
two men exchanging cups of alcohol in high spirits, and two men keeping them
company while looking pale.
Well... yeah. Even I trembled at first.
One is the prime example of a person who originally
shouldn't be here, the Third Prince who is supposed to be at the southern
border of the Empire right now!
Certainly, this time, I ordered a massive amount of rice
along with the notification of the event through Lord Sieghart. Because
I heard that a massive amount of rice was harvested in the new territory of the
Empire occupied by the Third Prince, and it was a bumper crop this year with a
surplus, so I was able to purchase a large amount cheaply.
But... I didn't know the Third Prince would accompany that
merchant caravan incognito.
「My, my, I had heard from Lady Clarice, but I never thought the third person was you. The food is
delicious, but today's alcohol is exceptionally good!」
The one exchanging cups amicably with the Third Prince, who
spoke thus in high spirits, is the other prime example of a person who
originally shouldn't be here.
At first, when I heard a trade caravan from the Fearalt
Principality was visiting via the western part of the Empire, I was surprised. Apparently, it's faster from the southern
part of the Principality than going through the Kyle Kingdom. But...
His Majesty Krieger! Why are you here!
When I heard the trade caravan from Fearalt arrived,
and discovered a familiar face among the Imperial Guards acting as escorts, I
almost fainted!
The King of Fearalt with a full smile, and Count Flame—no,
apparently a Marquis now—looking awkward... when I saw those two, I thought it
was some kind of prank.
「Hahaha, right now I'm nothing more
than a habitual offender of breaking military regulations, a problem child of
the Imperial Guard. I never thought I could exchange cups of alcohol with you,
whom I heard about from Lord Weiss in the past. Man, this is good!
What's wrong, Flame, Lord Raphael, looking downcast at a fun
drinking party?」
「...」
Raphael, who had
an arm thrown around his shoulders, looked at me with slightly reproachful
eyes. ‘Sorry! I'll take your place later, so for now, drink as much of your
beloved alcohol as you like. After all, it was a direct nomination from
His Majesty Krieger...’
Well, surrounded by the future Emperor of the Empire, the
current King, and a Marquis, Raphael probably didn't feel alive at all.
「Even so, you are a bold person too.
To disguise yourself as a soldier and come all the way here.」
「Nah, Lord Takuhir is a
benefactor of our country, and has been a friend of mine since long ago. I
wanted to see his city once, you see. This time, while heading to Kylar
to propose, I merely took a little detour. You, being in this situation, are a
bold person too.」
「No, no, the old raccoon plotting
evil deeds is currently feigning sleep so as not to let it be perceived. It
makes it rather easier to move. Besides, right now I am merely a humble
mercenary who received the duty of guarding a merchant caravan.」
「Hahaha, as fellow guards, shall we
celebrate successfully fulfilling our missions and open a new cup?」
「Just what I hoped for.」
「...」
No, really, this is impossible... What should I do, do I
have to join the circle soon too? His Majesty Krieger is beckoning me...
Steeling my resolve, I moved to the table where they sat.
「My friend, you finally came.」
I suddenly had an arm thrown around my shoulders.
「Good heavens, I was surprised. I
never thought I would be used as an excuse for a rendezvous.」
「No, no, that's incorrect. I can see
her if I go to Kylar, you see. I came to see my friend. After this,
while inspecting the Teigoon area I've heard rumors about, I'll enjoy
hunting in the Demon Territory and then head to Kylar.」
「Huh?」
「What's wrong? It was written so on
the itinerary I received from Clarice, you know?」
That tomboy, she did it! Because I absolutely wouldn't give
permission, she brought out the ultimate weapon of the King of a neighboring
country.
In fact, I have been granted permission to hunt in the Demon
Territory in the Fearalt Principality more than once. Therefore, of
course, I have no choice but to grant permission in my own territory.
「Understood. I myself will guide you.」
「Oh... then I definitely want to
participate too. Sieghart, join us here!」
Saying so, the Third Prince called out Sieghart, who
was engrossed in curry rice—no, croquette curry. On the other hand, the called Sieghart
joined the table looking exceedingly reluctant.
「Change of plans. There's no problem
if we stay here for about another week, right?」
「And I was enjoying the food...
Considering the round-trip itinerary of the body double, I gave instructions to
be able to handle up to one month... But the return trip will be a forced
march. I wanted to travel leisurely... By the way, where are you going?」
「The Demon Territory, of
course!」
「You should have said that sooner! An
extension of about a week is no problem at all.」
‘No, everyone... what about my intention? Shouldn't you
confirm with me first?’
「Everyone, you have your positions...
and in the first place, ensuring your safety is...」
When I said that, the four of them cast glances at me with
expressions saying, 'Is there some problem?' His Majesty Krieger,
the Third Prince, Sieghart, and for some reason Her Highness Clarice
who suddenly joined the seat...
I mean, what kind of sense of smell does she have! When it
became a talk about the Demon Territory, she abandoned her meal and
joined the drinking party.
「Understood. But I can't leave the
harvest festival, you know. Two more days here, then one day in Termira,
and only two days after that. It will be a forced march on horseback, so please
be prepared. Of course, there's no time to prepare, so I can't offer any
hospitality.」
「「Of course.」」 「Of course.」 「Of course.」
The four of them were overjoyed.
「That's right. I have a letter
entrusted to me by my father. I think it would be better for the Archduke to
check the contents early.」
Saying so, Her Highness Clarice took out a letter
from her breast pocket. What are those suggestive words? I only had a bad
premonition now.
『To the Archduke of the Westlights
Demon Territory, I am truly glad to hear that the development of the new
territory has gotten on track.
This time, to add flair to the welcoming ceremony for the King of Fearalt,
it has been decided to hold the competition of crossbow skills, which had been
postponed, in Kylar. The period is longer than the previous
promise, but as the Archduke of the Demon Territory, I want you to lead
the participants for the team match (5 people) and the individual match (5
people) and visit Kylar.』
What is this! I mean, the event date written on this is 20
days from now, isn't it! Well, there is plenty of leeway in terms of days,
but...
‘Tch, so they hadn't forgotten...’ The flag Claire mentioned earlier splendidly
exploded again...
Give me a break, too many things are too unexpected, my head is starting to stop working. Even if my status or position changes, it seems my 'constitution of getting dragged into things' hasn't changed...
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