kscans

Chapter 29 - 7: Second Half, The Tasting Session

"The food itself is good. I’ll admit I was surprised. But no matter how beautiful and elegant it looks, selling something nobody has ever seen before is risky. We only have three days, you know."

"The unfamiliar aroma could even work against us. Especially if we’re targeting noble ladies. Customers are timid, after all."

Dalgan, a man of muscle layered with business sense, and Plural, who likely knew the target demographic best, were the first to snap back to reality. Their opinions were valid. And I didn't have the answers. So, I decided to test directly whether this dish would be accepted by our intended customers.

"That’s very true. That’s why I’ve invited some taste-testers today."

At my signal, Mia opened the laboratory door. Four female students entered. Wait, four? That’s one more than planned.

"I heard about this from Luiza-sama and insisted she bring me along."

"Maria-senpai."

The one who spoke so unapologetically was the younger Kenwell twin. Well, she was at the top of the commoner hierarchy. She would know plenty about noble clientele. It was impressive that her elegance and beauty held their own even among this group. And in certain departments, she was definitely raising the average.

"Claudia-sama." "A viscount’s daughter…" "P-P-Princess…" "…"

Blindsided by the sudden appearance, all the members except for Rilka froze. This was the perfect group for marketing to high-society young ladies.

After a round of praise for the collage on the plate, the beautiful girls began to move their knives and forks. It was incredible how there was almost no sound, despite metal touching ceramic. As a born-and-bred Japanese who used to slurp his soba noodles, it was a skill I could never imitate.

And now that they had finished eating, every one of them had a satisfied look on her face. Looks like we’re in the clear.

"Is this an appetizer? The colors are so beautiful. Even though it was just vegetables, the variety of textures and flavors made it absolutely delicious."

"I, I am ho-honored… Your Highness Highness."

Belmini managed to get her trembling tongue to work. She was even doubling up on the honorifics.

"This will not bring shame upon Her Highness."

"Thank you, Claudia-sama."

Dalgan bowed his large frame. What was with this reaction? The atmosphere was completely different from before.

"The smoothness is exquisite. You must be using very fine milk."

"I am honored, Luiza-sama."

Rilka replied, looking pleased, though she kept a formal expression, perhaps having grown somewhat accustomed to the situation.

"And this aroma is so refreshing. It pairs wonderfully with the mousse that melts on your tongue."

"…Yes."

Even the usually assertive Plural quietly accepted the praise. Praising the product from an independent supplier showed she was a senior who knew her stuff.

"I think we can pull this off. Sure, I’m still worried about the location and all, but…"

"Now it all depends on the food court’s interior design."

"…To receive a compliment from Her Royal Highness…"

"…"

The members were now completely motivated. Roston, however, really didn’t speak unless it was absolutely necessary. Well, a baguette is a baguette, so it was helpful that he didn’t try to inject some strange opinion into it. But I knew he had been listening intently to the evaluation of the yairu fruit’s aroma. The five of them had forgotten all about me and begun discussing improvements for their respective dishes. Plural was even suggesting an idea to use the sauce to add patterns to the plate. Come to think of it, the original version of this dish in my old world had that. I’d overlooked it. As expected of a professional.

Alfina and the others were busy answering the members’ questions. It seemed my part here was done. A good thing, too.

"Vinder-kun."

"How was it, Maria-senpai?"

The uninvited guest struck up a conversation. I responded with a smile.

"I was surprised enough by the food court concept, but the idea for this dish is brilliant as well. I was right to insist on coming along. And also…"

Maria glanced back at the VIP table she had just left.

"You have an incredible network. This is a matter I’ll have to report not only to Jan, but to Father as well."

"No, I didn’t create a single one of these dishes myself."

My self-preservation alarm blared. I frantically waved my hands to deny it.

"That’s a point in your favor, evaluation-wise. Hmm, this is hardly the work of a small company. Your subordinates appear quite talented, too. From Rilka, I’d only heard about that girl. She told me I should try to meet her at least once."

Maria looked toward Mia. Does that mean she was trying to poach my secretary? Well, anyone with eyes could see that Mia wasn’t the kind of talent a Copper-rank company could hold on to. Rilka probably thought it was for Mia’s own good. Come to think of it, she seemed to have been a lot harsher with me before.

But I’m not letting her go.

"Hey, I have a younger sister. How about you take her?"

Now she’s offering me someone instead?! Why is this happening? Aren’t members of the upper class supposed to act a little more composed? First the Grand Duchess, now Maria. I wish they’d act the part a bit more.

"No, no, I have no intention of becoming a subsidiary of Kenwell."

"Hmm. Even though she’s a beautiful girl who looks just like me."

Maria crossed her arms. Her fine curves were all the more emphasized without the aid of a push-up bra.

"I, I shall gratefully accept the sentiment behind your invitation to have us join you, Maria-senpai."

"What a shame."

The rumor that Kenwell wants to bring our company under its umbrella might be useful. Especially after the festival is over and that other matter is dealt with.

"By the way, could you tell me a little about how the rankings for the Shoken Festival are decided and about the special currency used during the event?"

I forcefully changed the topic. Maria narrowed her eyes. It was partly my way of saying I’d had enough of the previous subject, but it was also a genuinely serious question.

"You’re already in a difficult situation just preparing your stall. Yet you’re broadening your perspective to the entire system, even paying attention to potential problems that might arise."

It seemed she understood my intent. That’s what being prepared is all about. However, just as I told my members, I had no interest in the rankings. As long as the courtyard was reasonably bustling and the Vinder Company didn't end up in the red, I'd be fine with last place. In fact, my self-preservation would be in jeopardy if a mere Copper-rank company achieved some unusually high rank. As important as it was, a school festival stall wasn’t worth that kind of risk.

The real problem was the question that remained unanswered. The reason Calest, and possibly the Second Prince's faction, had acted so forcefully. That still lingered as an unsolved mystery.

◇◇

"Hmm, this is quite tasty."

After the members and taste-testers had left, I was paying Fulsy his second usage fee. Not for the one-plate lunch the sage was nibbling on as a snack with his drink, but for modifications to the magic-vein-detecting antenna. Seriously, don't drink and work. Come to think of it, I wondered if it was really true that people in Europe drank wine from noon.

"Please focus. I’m squeezing this in between several other jobs to work with you."

Still, as expected, he was quick to get to work. In Fulsy’s hands was a prototype made from off-the-shelf pottery. He said he was testing several kinds and would have one custom-made once he decided on a good size and shape. Custom pottery must be quite expensive. I wonder how much his pension from the state is.

"The Shoken Festival, eh. For me, it’s nothing but a noisy nuisance. But if this is on the menu, I might just stop by for a bite."

I think he gets forced to give public lectures as the Sage. For that alone, I could sympathize with him. Poor him, and poor students who had to listen to a lecture he had no interest in giving.

"Speaking of which, how does this special currency for the Shoken Festival work?"

I took out a silver coin. Its edge was lined with gold, making it look like a euro coin. To prevent shops from fudging their sales numbers, customers had to use these coins, which they exchanged for at the entrance. Apparently, there was a special mechanism to prevent counterfeiting. According to Maria, it involved some sort of magic.

"I’m not an expert on it, mind you. But you know the rings the female students wear here? It’s basically the same principle as those. I believe it originally started as a secret sign used by the Knight Order."

"Oh, you mean those personal safety alarms?"

"Personal safety alarms? So, you mean it can distinguish real from fake by incorporating a specific magical wavelength. Of course, the magic imbued in this coin is extremely faint."

"Huh. In that case, could you make something like this? Put a filter on the antenna so it can pick up a specific magical wavelength…"

I voiced an idea that had just occurred to me.

"Hoh, so you intend to use the festival to run an experiment. How interesting."

Whether he understood my intention or not, Fulsy laughed while stroking his beard. I might have just secured myself an insurance policy. Though I’d rather not find myself in a situation where I have to use it.

Next up is gathering intelligence on the Empire. My father probably won't be able to make it to the festival, so I’ll have Jacob use the invitation. He knows a lot about the Empire, the heartland of adventurers. He even used to be active over there.

Watching the sage, who had begun tinkering with the antenna with glee, I thought about the day of the festival. Getting that tough-looking guy into formalwear is going to be a real pain. Maybe I’ll make him and Remi pretend to be a married couple. They’ll both hate it, but it’s payback for all the times they’ve teased me.