kscans

Chapter 258 - Episode 4: Part Two - The Place for Vegetables

"Hah, just how far are you planning on taking this, sis."

"...Huh?"

I tilted my head. I did not understand what my younger brother was saying.

"Um, are you talking about the Reizouko?"

If that was the case, he should be telling Vinder, not me. Just as I was about to say so, my brother shook his head.

"The beans, and that herbal tea. The green herbal tea especially was expensive, only drunk like medicine in a very small number of regions, but thanks to the ice cream and Yokan, its sales in the Royal Capital are booming. On top of that, you have even started exporting it to the Empire from here, right."

"Well, the volume is not that large yet."

Exports to the Empire have only just begun. It is only gaining interest because of the rumor that Maytyl-sama enjoys soba kneaded with green tea. The fact that it can be preserved as a powder is a big factor too.

"Not that large... We are monopolizing a trade that crosses national borders, you know."

"Well, for now, I guess."

"Listen, sis, you do not even realize what an incredible thing you are doing."

"No, I know we are making a profit, but..."

"This is about more than just that. Even leaving aside the exports, the beans and that herb are both grown in lands where things like wheat do not grow well in the Kingdom, right. And soba too, though that is not directly related to us."

"Well, yes. The good land is used for wheat. Vegetables are unfortunately treated as a side-show..."

I nodded at my brother's words. Land that was fertile and had abundant water would first become a wheat field.

"With your revolutionary new products, you have expanded the market for those side-shows into the luxury sphere. In the east, there are villages that think of you as a goddess. Kurtheite and its surroundings in particular went through a lot during the war with the Empire. I am not kidding when I say some people survived because of this business."

I heard stories about how, when Dad went to one village for business, the village chief grabbed both his hands and thanked him profusely. I wondered who they were talking about.

"Um, you know, the sweets are so popular because Plural-senpai and Natalie are working so hard..."

And most of the time, I am just doing what Vinder tells me to.........

"...My own contribution is really quite small."

I myself am nothing more than the daughter of a vegetable seller.

Even if I have connections with a princess and an imperial princess, even if my classmates are ministers in two different countries. Even if we hold enough influence to sway the direction of this city in some small way. Even if I am one of the first to know the secret of a revolutionary magic tool that could change the entire food business from now on.

Being in a position so far beyond my station is painful. Especially for me, since unlike him, I have a proper sense of self preservation. I remembered the meeting at Rilka's house the other day.

"Of course, it is not all just praise, right."

This time, my brother nodded at my words.

"Well, considering the mess in the Royal Capital, there is no doubt we will be in trouble if we do not stand our ground here..."

So things really are getting quite complicated over there. I understand that with the reorganization of the Kingdom's upper echelons, those who failed to get on board with the development of this city, Central Garden, or even those who are losing out because of it, would try to do something.

There is a faction that is definitely hoping for us to fail on the grand stage of the coronation ceremony. Well, that is to be expected when we have made this much money and stirred up the market this much.

"Has anything happened in the Royal Capital?"

"...For now, it is just resentment and snide remarks. They can not make a move on us, the purveyor to the house of Grand Duchess Bertold and a subordinate of the Food Guild Master. But still, they must be..."

"Thinking about what to do, right."

My brother nodded. The companies that hold no good will for us are strengthening their ties. Kenwell has a handle on the Food Guild, but even that has its limits. Kenwell's policy has always been hands-off, after all.

"Yes, this really is important."

I looked at the Reizouko. It was our trump card, a way for Central Garden to show its commitment to the new king and the Kingdom, and to prove that our existence is a benefit to many other merchants as well.

We would make the coronation ceremony the greatest deterrent against those who wish to obstruct us. We would show that our presence is ultimately a benefit to everyone. Anyone will put up with things and suppress their emotions if they think they stand to gain.

Besides, if we were to fail and one of us met an unjust fate............ there is someone who would likely do something reckless.

"...Good grief, what have I gotten myself caught up in."

I let out a sigh. I know what has to be done. That is a separate issue from my exasperation with the position I find myself in.

"If it is that much trouble, why not just get a husband and let him handle it. You could still have your pick of the litter right now."

"What. That is impossible."

I denied it reflexively. Let someone else handle what I am doing...? There is no way that could happen. The environment I am in is far too unique...

"A, and anyway, there is no way I could just abandon Rilka and the others, you know."

I answered with a strained smile. Also, I wish he would not say ominous things like "right now" or "still."

"A, anyway, for now, I am focusing on this. You need to help me, Kaito."

I said to my brother. Just preserving vegetables in the Reizouko presented a number of problems.

◇◇

"Am I starting to see it..."

At night, I sat at my desk, staring at a memo. Below each vegetable was a circle, a triangle, or an X. The results were all over the place for the wide variety of vegetables. I focused on a type of potato.

"They look like the same kind, yet only the ones from the Kingdom turned to mush, while the ones from the Empire are fine."

I carefully poked the surface of the potato. One had a firm hardness, while the other returned an unpleasant sensation to my finger.

"Well, I will just use it for dinner tomorrow... but why, I wonder."

I was troubled. Are they actually different types that just look similar? But they taste the same. Hmmm...

"Sis. Do not push yourself too hard."

A stole was draped over my shoulders.

"That is pretty considerate of you, Kaito. But I would have preferred something a little thinner."

I said. The thickness of this fabric was a bit too warm.

"You think so? It gets pretty cold at night, though."

"For someone so young... so pathetic for a man."

"You have just gotten used to it."

Kaito's face soured. Gotten used to it... I grew up in a warm region, but I have been here for three years now. The first winter was certainly tough...

"Wait a second, maybe that is it..."

I returned to my memo. Could it be related to the temperature of the place they were grown............

◇◇

My guess was correct. When I raised the temperature slightly, the vegetables that had previously worsened in quality after being put in the refrigerator became remarkably well preserved.

It was obvious when you thought about it. Unlike meat or cheese, vegetables are alive. If you plant one that has been in storage, it might even sprout.

"O, okay. M, maybe I will try raising the temperature a little more."

Looking at my memo, I slowly turned the gear behind the Reizouko. The small kachi, kachi sounds were terrible for my heart.

"This is so frustrating. Why not just turn it faster."

"There is no way I could do that. What would I do if it broke."

Just imagining it made my body tremble.

"............Please let this work."

I offered a prayer to the Reizouko and went back to the front of the shop. I could not neglect my main business either. Even as I did this, new vegetables were arriving from the Empire. I was too busy.

I really do want a dependable husband. But I do not even have the time to look for one. Well, it is not just me, everyone in Central Garden is the same, so I suppose it cannot be helped.