kscans

Chapter 264 - Complicated Course

"What about the rumors gathering on your end?"

Luiza-sama directed the question to me.

"They are much the same."

This town was originally built on uninhabited land as a rear base against the Calamity, its foundations laid by the flow of people and goods related to the battle against the swarms of Magic Insects.

It exists outside the established framework. It is a special district that the merchants of the Royal Capital cannot touch. We who operate here are free from the yokes of the guilds and have even been granted tax-exempt privileges.

The attacks by the Magic Insects from the Blood Mountains have subsided, and trade with the Empire is rapidly expanding. We can handle large sums of money with relative ease through the swift exchange of funds using the town’s bonds.

Compared to the existing framework, the speed of everything is different. We cannot adapt to them, and they cannot adapt to us. That is what creates friction. If I were the daughter of a Royal Capital merchant, I would certainly be discontented.

However, it has been publicly announced that we cannot let our guard down concerning the Calamity for several more decades. Grand Duchess Bertold and His Highness the Crown Prince are our patrons. And then there are the hero and heroine of the last Great Magic Insect War, who hold full authority over all matters related to the Calamity.

The head of the Food Guild is also a member of Central Garden. To make a move in this situation would be pure folly.

"But it rarely comes to the surface…"

When I go to the Royal Capital, the gold merchants who once seemed like people from another world now treat a young girl like me with the utmost respect. But that is precisely why the invisible resentment building up is so terrifying.

"Which is why they turn to those higher up…"

"Of course it would lead to that. The people who got the short end of the stick from this series of changes will gather around the future Duke Grynisias and the new Grand Duke of Kurtheite. Both nobility and merchants. The two princes who married princesses become mouthpieces for one another. Well, the fact that it turns out this way is just how the royal court works, I suppose."

Marrying a princess means taking on such a role. Power not only rules over people, but is also ruled by the people it governs.

Though, for us who know the hardships those two have endured, who have been dragged along with them from the very beginning, it is hard to accept.

"What are His Highness the Crown Prince’s thoughts on this matter?"

"For now, he’s just observing. This situation was created for the sake of balance from the start, wasn't it? If Craig-sama were to favor one of his brothers-in-law from the beginning, it would defeat the entire purpose. That would be crossing a line. He couldn’t ignore it if, for example, they were to ally with that person from abroad, but it seems there’s no worry of that, at least for now."

"And His Excellency the Chancellor and His Excellency the Knight Commander-General…"

Those two know the power and value of Vinder all too well. I want to believe they would not do anything foolish.

"Neither of them has taken any hostile action toward this town. However, they are also not stopping those with grievances from gathering around their own sons."

Luiza-sama says it like it is the most natural thing in the world, but I have to wonder why I, the daughter of a merchant family, am having this kind of conversation.

"Well, it’s easier to manage discontent by deflecting it rather than crushing it. And people feel more stable when they have a pillar to lean on. In that sense, factions have their purpose. It would be an abnormal state of affairs for all people to unite under a single banner."

"And until now, the Calamity has served that role, I see."

"Exactly. In other words, the problem of defining this town’s new position now that it has left its quasi-wartime state has become a stage for them to display their respective powers. To secure the initiative, it has become necessary to demonstrate this town’s power and profits in a ‘clear’ way. And that means this upcoming coronation ceremony."

Luiza-sama glanced back at the Reizouko. I followed her gaze.

"Well, that part is the job of His Excellency the Lord of Calamity. Vinder-kun is the one who built this place, after all. He needs to handle it. For the sake of his wife and son, if nothing else."

"That is a worry in and of itself."

I felt the urge to cradle my head in my hands. I am sure Vinder will manage somehow. The Reizouko is frighteningly well suited for his current objective.

The only problem is that its influence is far too great. Luiza-sama said it is easier to deflect discontent than to crush it. I agree. The question is whether Vinder is capable of such a thing.

He is the type to go for crushing it.

Dorefano, the former Grand Duke of Kurtheite, and the Second Prince. They were terrifying as enemies, yet before I knew it, Vinder had taken care of them all.

Especially when Mia was kidnapped. When we heard the full story later, all of us held our heads in our hands. Well, given the circumstances, we had no complaints, and I do think he did a great job.

I see, so in that sense, the current situation is the result of Vinder overdoing it. What about this time then?

"Excuse me. His Excellency the Lord of Calamity has arrived."

A knock came at the door, followed by the voice of a maid-san. I could hear footsteps approaching immediately. Normally, we should go to the gate to greet him, but it is always like this. The simple decor of the Reizouko is not the only thing that is unceremonious here.

This, too, speeds things up, bewildering those unaccustomed to it.

But that only works within this town. And even then, I can only imagine how much care His Excellency Fabius, the head of security, puts into it.

The door opened and Vinder came in. He was carrying a wooden box under one arm and a wine bottle in his other hand. A faint kacha kacha sound came from inside the box.

The butler-san and maid-san beside him were flustered. You should realize that you are making a high-ranking official of the kingdom carry things for your master's guest.

Luiza-sama dismissed them.

"...Is that the aperitif?"

I looked at the wine bottle with its rather unusual cork. It looks like a failed experiment, but that’s probably just my imagination.

"Ah, I finally finished it. I chilled it before coming, but I’ll have you taste it after it’s had a moment to settle in the refrigerator."

Vinder said this as he opened the Reizouko and placed the bottle inside. Then, he looked at me.

"In the meantime, could you tell me about everyone’s menus?"

…………

I explained the culmination of our hard work. Vinder remained silent. His brow furrowed as I spoke.

"You’re not going to say it’s not enough, are you?"

I grew anxious. We really do not have any more time.

"No… isn’t this overkill? Are all of you trying to turn the kingdom upside down?"

Vinder had a look on his face that said, "What am I supposed to do with this?" I somehow managed to swallow the words, "You’re one to talk." I glanced to my side and saw Luiza-sama also wearing an expression of someone holding something back.

Well, it feels a little good to have surprised Vinder. He should get a taste of what it is like for us, who are always the ones being surprised.

Relieved, I turned my eyes to the Reizouko.

"It should be fine now. Let me try that drink. I need to check how it pairs with the appetizers."

Once I relaxed, my curiosity was piqued. What was going to come out of that thing?

"Ah, that’s right. I’ll prepare it now, so just wait a moment."

I stared intently at Vinder as he walked toward the Reizouko.

Being near him always feels like I am standing on a narrow suspension bridge. There is the anticipation of what lies ahead. And at the same time, the anxiety that falling to the right or to the left means failure.

It is bad for my heart. That is why I want to resolve it quickly. I want him to resolve it. He always makes me feel this way.

Vinder showed us the bottle he had brought. The contents were a normal, transparent liquid. It looked just like a proper white wine. To my relief, my fear that a drink he called white wine might be blue, or green, or worse, rainbow colored or even glowing, was apparently unfounded.

Vinder took glasses out of the wooden box. They were long and slender for wine glasses. An elegant but unfamiliar shape. They seemed unsuitable for enjoying the aroma of wine. Ah, so something is not normal after all.

And then, he put his hand on the slightly oddly shaped cork….

◇◇

Despite the fact that the room had been cleared, the butler-san and the guards came running down the hall with panicked expressions. What they saw was the three of us, frozen with glasses pressed to our lips.

"Cream cheese, prosciutto, and smoked eggs. Yes, it pairs perfectly with all of them."

And there was Vinder, calmly evaluating the combination of the appetizers I had prepared and the wine he had brought.

I pulled the thin, slender glass away from my lips. I glared at Vinder while nearly succumbing to the aftertaste still raging in my mouth.

"Hey, Vinder."

What is this? On top of the crisp, chilled acidity, there is an impossible coolness. It is a completely new experience, yet I am utterly convinced that there is no drink more perfect for summer.

"Wh, what is it?"

Ah, I knew it. He gives me these outrageous experiences so nonchalantly. This is why…

"You just told us we were overdoing it, didn’t you?"

"Yeah, everyone’s dishes are so elaborate. It would be a disaster if the opening drink was lackluster."

I took a deep breath. Then, I opened my mouth as if to expel the air that had built up in my stomach.

""You’re one to talk!!""

The same words erupted from beside me. Surprised, I saw Luiza-sama hastily covering her mouth. Ah, that’s right. His Highness the Crown Prince will also be subjected to what we just experienced. At the coronation ceremony of a lifetime.